Ohio City - No, it is not a surprise that Saint Ignatius' defense is a step ahead of the Wildcats' offense at this point of the preseason.
After all, mini camps are all about fine-tuning techniques and developing untested skills.
The only O versus D competition is a 7-on-7 format in which no tackling or hitting is permitted.
It is also no surprise that the 'Cats' first-team defense has left its mark early on. After all, it is a defense led by one of the premier players in the entire nation - senior outside linebacker Kyle Berger.
Kyle, who will be leaving for the state of Oregon on Sunday to compete in Nike's "The Opening," a prestigious camp featuring the best of the best in the country, has given a verbal commitment to Coach Urban Meyer and The Ohio State University. Among the names on Kyle's who's who offer sheet is the Crimson Tide of Alabama. Like Coach Meyer's Buckeyes, Coach Nick Saban's national champs need no introduction.
Saint Ignatius' Mini Camp 3, which took place on Thursday evening at Wasmer Field, saw Berger do what Berger does.
There it was - a receiver wide open across the middle and the quarterback, who made a nice throw, licking his chops. Then that young man named Berger came flying across the middle and, with the receiver still open and ready to haul in a first down, took the elevator to the top floor and batted the ball away. It was so effortless that you almost didn't appreciate how fast Berger reacted.
Two of the Wildcats' other veterans on D - senior cornerback Scott Arthrell and senior safety Matt McVey - also made nice moves on the ball for pass breakups. Scott went stride for stride to deflect away a deep ball that was intended for gifted senior wideout Jack Hyland and the secondary also benefited from some tight coverage, especially on quick crossing routes, from senior cornerback Paddy White.
Arthrell capped his evening with an interception off another deep ball and coming up with two heady crowd-pleasing efforts in the secondary was junior cornerback Valiant Freeman.
"V," as Freeman is known to one and all, displayed his split-second reaction and soft hands by taking a deflection off the receiver out of mid air for an interception. Seconds later, the "V" came from nowhere, made up the ground, darted across the field and picked off a deep-route pass that was headed down the seam.
As usual, "V" gave a warm smile and a sincere and humble "Thank You" when his plays were acknowledged.
The offense also had a few bright moments, as senior quarterback John "The Gunslinger" Thomas unleashed his strong arm and Hyland came up with an impressive, all-out diving catch off a deep route at the scoreboard end of Wasmer Field.
JV OFFENSE WAS CLICKING: The junior varsity got Mini Camp 3 started and, under the guidance of one of the top offensive coordinators in all of high school football, Nick Restifo, unleashed an impressive passing attack that featured the sure hands and quick elevation of sophomore receivers Cal Grbac and Ryan Berger.
A LONG DAY, BUT HE LOVED EVERY MINUTE OF IT: After putting in nearly two hours in Mini Camp 3, Wildcats senior center/guard Frank Rolf spent the rest of the evening on Wasmer Field practicing with the Rugby team, as it prepares for this weekend's 7-man state tournament.
SEE YOU AT MINI CAMP 4 ON TUESDAY, JULY 2.