Ohio City - Special teams work, with an emphasis being placed on the extra-point and field-goal teams, blended in with the usual passing and running drills during Thursday's double sessions on Wasmer Field.
If there is one thing that has been a constant this first week of two-a-days it is the chomping-at-the-bit attitude flowing from the defense. There is no doubt about it, the Wildcats' defenders are pointing to Saturday when they will be able to go at it in the first official day of full contact.
Both the defense and the offense will get accustomed to their complete equipment during Friday's regular double sessions, which get underway at 2:30. The pad rattling begins at 10 AM on Saturday.
As for Thursday's doubles, there was some more sharp work turned in by senior quarterbacks Pete Mahoney and John Thomas and their talent-rich receiving corps headed by senior Mike Sirgausa. But then that has been the case for most of the summer.
We said it on the corner earlier this week and will reiterate it again, the underrated running game, headed by the firm of Vitale, Cannata and Daugenti, continues to make its case.
The defense also had its moments, as the interior line, linebackers and safeties gave us a sneak peek of what is to come and the corners made their presence felt, including some tight coverage in the early session by senior Paddy White.
ENDURANCE AND OFF-SEASON WORK COMES TO THE FORE: During Thursday's sprint drills, junior defensive lineman Mike Profancik won each sprint for his group and in the second group, which is comprised of defensive backs and linebackers, senior safety Matt McVey showed the way.
A NICE LOCAL TOUCH: Former Saint Ignatius football and baseball standout Brian Hoyer '04 turned in some solid work during the Browns' 27-19 preseason victory over the St. Louis Rams on Thursday night in FirstEnergy Stadium.
Following an interception by linebacker Justin Staples, who is a former St. Edward star, Brian threw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Cordell Roberson, giving the Browns a 27-13 lead with 3:06 left.
On an Eagles wing and a Cats paw.
AND SINCE IT IS STILL BASEBALL SEASON, DESPITE WHAT HAPPENED AT THE CORNER OF CARNEGIE AND ONTARIO THE PAST FEW DAYS, we thought we would let you know that Wildcats head baseball coach Brad Ganor told the corner on Thursday that Saint Ignatius will open its 2014 season against seven-time state champion Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller. The game, which will match the defending Division I state champion Crusaders against big-school state runner-up Saint Ignatius, will be part of a doubleheader in Chillicothe. Coach Ganor's 'Cats swept a doubleheader at Chillicothe back in early April of this past season, defeating Bishop Watterson and Grove City.
As we reported on the corner earlier this summer, Saint Ignatius and Archbishop Moeller will also be renewing their football rivalry in 2014 and 2015.
And in a final baseball/football related note, Wildcats gifted senior wide receiver and outfielder Nick Fabian (see the note on Nick in Wednesday night's camp report) is being coveted by the baseball programs from The Ohio State University and West Virginia.
See you at Wasmer Field on Friday.