Ohio City - There were some encouraging words echoing from Wasmer Field on Wednesday, as Saint Ignatius' veteran offensive coordinator Nick Restifo and quarterbacks coach Elvis Grbac recognized some of the efforts put forth by the quarterbacks and receivers from the Wildcats' junior varsity and varsity football programs.
In what was the final mini camp before the start of the demanding two-a-day practices, crisp passes and tough sure-handed catches highlighted Wednesday's afternoon and evening sessions.
The two-a-day practices, which get underway at 2:30 PM on Monday, will include three major preseason tests. Saint Ignatius will travel to Solon on August 13 for the annual 10 AM practice/drill sessions with Coach Jim McQuaide's Comets, the Twinsburg Tigers will visit Wasmer Field on August 16 for a 10 AM scrimmage and on August 23 it is the traditional Jamboree with the Canton McKinley Bulldogs in legendary Fawcett Stadium. The Wildcats and McKinley will compete in split-field freshman and junior varsity scrimmages at 5 PM and the varsity Jamboree, which will be played under game conditions, will kick off at 7.
Here is a look at some of the highlights from the final mini camp of 2013, as the corner looks forward to giving more reports throughout the double sessions.
JAYVEES IMPRESS: Sure, there were miscues, but all in all the 'Cats' junior varsity team unleashed some pass plays that can only lead to bigger and better things.
Sophomore quarterback Dennis Grosel clicked with sophomore wideout Cal Grbac on some nice sideline routes, was on the money in crossing patterns and a seam route to sophomore receiver Jack Cook and quickly found the holes in dig routes to sophomore Jimmy Berger, who put together his second consecutive day of sure-handed grabs.
Sophomore Tyler Musbach completed another solid mini camp with some receptions on Wednesday afternoon that would have made him a charter member of the late Dick Zunt's "Good Hands Club."
NO VARSITY BLUES TO SPEAK OF: "Way to put it on him Pete, way to put it on him," yelled Coach Restifo to senior quarterback Pete Mahoney after Pete fired a rope to senior wide receiver and captain Jack Hyland for a first down. Both Pete and fellow senior quarterback John "The Gunslinger" Thomas had solid closing mini acts.
Thomas combined with promising junior receiver David Shibley on a picture-perfect skinny post in the scoreboard end zone of Wasmer Field. Mahoney clicked again on tosses to gifted senior wideout Mike Siragusa, versatile senior Jack Lavelle and quick and active senior receiver Nick Fabian. Fabian combined with Pete on a touchdown in the right corner of the scoreboard end zone, as Nick alertly got one foot down in bounds.
"The Gunslinger" Thomas, aka JT, loaded up again on a seam route to Shibley and a deep pass to senior Jake Helton.
THE PLAY OF THE DAY: Senior tailback Enzo Cannata, a talented, yet humble young man who plays every down with a big heart, hauled in a swing pass out of the backfield in stride, made a highlight-reel move along the sideline that froze and faked out the cornerback and, in a display of strength, balance and quick feet, made his way into the scoreboard end zone.
*Just a little commentary for those who are concerned about the Wildcats' running game after the graduation of prolific All-Ohio tailback Tim McVey. No, there is not another Tim McVey on Wasmer Field this summer. However, this old-timer has been watching Enzo and his fellow senior tailbacks Mike Vitale and Kyle Daugenti since they were freshmen and I can assure you they are a solid and very underrated threesome. Mike has a running style that reminds this corner of former Wildcat great Pete Fitzpatrick '90.
Rest easy my friends, these are young men who will bring nothing less than 110 percent on every carry and catch.
A CASE FOR THE DEFENSE: As we said before, the defense will show its true potential starting next week when the pads go on. Wildcats highly regarded senior safety/linebacker Dameon Willis Jr. gave us all a sneak preview of what is to come when he wiped out a drive with a leaping interception along the sideline on Wednesday evening.
FIRM IN HIS COMMITMENT: For Katy and Jeff from Dublin, Ohio, who inquired about Kyle Berger's verbal commitment to The Ohio State University, the Wildcats' All-Ohio senior linebacker is staying loyal in his commitment to Coach Urban Meyer's Buckeyes. Kyle is humbled and honored by the other tremendous scholarship offers he has received, including one from the defending national champion Crimson Tide of Alabama, but, as he told the corner on Tuesday, he's a Buckeye. Well, first a Wildcat then a Buckeye.
Have a great weekend and we'll see you on Monday at Wasmer Field. Go 'Cats and Go Tribe!