Ohio City - The ups and downs that go hand-in-hand with the first week of two-a-days continued on Wasmer Field Tuesday afternoon.
While the younger players will learn from their mistakes, they were those among the less than battle tested who made plays like third-year varsity lettermen.
And that my friends is why the 2013 Saint Ignatius Wildcats could develop into one of the deepest teams in the Jesuit Preparatory School's rich football history.
As for some of the plays turned in by the youthful, but gifted 'Cats on Tuesday, sophomore wide receiver Tyler Musbach displayed exceptional concentration while making an extended one-handed grab of a tipped pass across the middle during the evening session.
Junior wide receivers JR Klonk and Jaylin McDonald are strong candidates for the Good Hands Club after their efforts in the second-session drills, sophomore wide receiver Cal Grbac continues to impress with his savvy route running and sure hands, and junior wideout David Shibley, who caught the focus of these seasoned Irish eyes with his move-the-chains capability on the junior varsity level last fall, is simply having an outstanding camp.
As for the veterans, senior wide receiver Bennett Kinzel stood out in the early session on Tuesday by making a nice adjustment to the ball on one of his receptions and coming up with a diving effort off a catch that saw him get his hands under the ball before it hit the Wasmer turf.
It was business as usual for money-in-the-bank senior receivers Mike Siragusa, Jack Hyland and Nick Fabian, and senior quarterbacks Pete Mahoney and John Thomas each completed some as-they-are-drawn-up throws.
A DEFENSE THAT NEVER RESTS: As for the Wildcats' D, seniors Sean Luskin, Daniel Cartolin, Dameon Willis Jr. and Pat Hopkins were pursuing like there was no tomorrow, senior defensive back/wide receiver Jack Lavelle came out of nowhere to bat down a pass that was flirting with the Lorain Avenue end zone and junior Joe Conway and senior Evan O'Malley were among those coming up with nice-reaction interceptions.
Hopkins, one of Saint Ignatius' captains as selected by his senior teammates, drew some praise from Wildcats assistant defensive coach Mark Sullivan. And Coach Sullivan, a standout nose tackle under the late, great Woody Hayes at The Ohio State University, doesn't pass out praise easily.
"Yeah, I got on him and he responded," said Coach Sullivan.
ON THE MEND: Saint Ignatius' standout senior defensive lineman Chris Keane is recovering from a sprained ankle and could be back in the lineup in two weeks.
THE MIGHTY 100-PLUS: The Wildcats' freshman football roster totals 122. Although this corner prefers to let the freshmen develop a bit before we start reporting on them, I have to say that, as advertised, it is an impressive looking group of hopefuls.
FALL PREVIEWS ARE AROUND THE CORNER: As always, we will begin previewing the Wildcats' fall sports teams next week with a look at Coach Mike McLaughlin's outstanding soccer program.
As for the varsity football preview, I am a firm believer in waiting until the first full scrimmage of the preseason takes place and the reality of the matter begins to unfold. Thus the corner will give you an in-depth look at Coach Chuck Kyle's 2013 'Cats on Sunday, Aug. 18.
SEE YOU AT WASMER FIELD FOR THE 2:15 PM START OF WEDNESDAY'S TWO-A-DAYS.