The Saint Ignatius administration, coaching staff and family honor the 2012 Regional Finalist Varsity Football Team.
By Eddie Dwyer, Copyright January 2013
Ohio City - Senior Tim McVey, who finished his three-year varsity career as the most prolific running back in the rich history of Saint Ignatius football, described the 2012 Wildcats as a "brotherhood."
Thursday night, those "Men for Others" brothers gathered together in the Murphy Center and were so deservingly honored for taking their place among the other great teams at the Jesuit Preparatory School on Cleveland's near West Side.
In what was truly a fall to recall, Coach Chuck Kyle's Wildcats finished 11-2 after losing by one point in triple overtime to state-semifinalist Mentor, 57-56. The regional final battle between the 'Cats and the Cardinals will go down as one of the greatest games in the history of Ohio High School football.
The 2012 Wildcats received many all-district, all-state and Plain Dealer postseason honors, including the unique honor of having all 22 of their starters, along with junior kicker/punter Matt Colella, recognized on the Associated Press Division I All-Northeast Lakes Team. Now that's a brotherhood.
Years from now, when the 2012 Wildcats are remembered, they will talk about the record-setting performances by the gifted, tough and resilient McVey.
However, something tells me that when McVey recalls his brilliant senior season, the two-time All-Ohio selection will think about his nationally acclaimed head coach and how he and his teammates were able to present Coach Kyle '69 with his 300th career victory in what was Chuck's 30th year as the head football coach at his alma mater.
That 300th victory came in the 35-26 triumph over Austintown Fitch in the regional quarterfinal playoff game at Parma's Byers Field.
As the outstanding video on the season that was composed by the Colorado Rockies' veteran broadcaster and former Saint Ignatius assistant coach Jack Corrigan '70 so clearly depicted, the brothers from the fall of 2012 truly enriched the legacy of Saint Ignatius football.
Here are the special awards that were presented on Thursday night by Coach Kyle and his staff.
Most Valuable Player: Tim McVey; Most Valuable Offensive Back: Tim McVey; Most Valuable Wide Receiver: Junior Mike Siragusa; Most Valuable Defensive Back: Senior Tommy Fanning; Most Improved Player: Senior free safety Bryan Fisher; Most Valuable Offensive Lineman: Senior guard Mike Cray; Bigger, Faster, Stronger Award: Senior center Stephen Franko; Most Valuable Special Teams Player: Junior kicker/punter Matt Colella; Most Valuable Linebacker: Junior Kyle Berger; Most Valuable Defensive Lineman: Senior end Kevin Kavalec, a two-year winner of the award; Most Valuable Scout Team Player on Offense: Senior wide receiver Anthony Ertle; Most Valuable Scout Team Player on Defense: Senior defensive back Thomas King; Captains Awards: Tim McVey, Mike Cray, Kevin Kavalec and Tommy Fanning; the rare Three-Year Varsity Letter Winners: Conor Hennessey, Tim McVey and Kevin Kavalec and the Prestigious Coaches Cup for 2012 went to senior offensive tackle Mike Bigach, who defines what a Saint Ignatius student/athlete is.
Team Managers Nicholas Nowak and Samuel Alai were recognized as three-year award winners and Manager Ryan Stefancin earned his fourth award.
In what is a tradition at the annual football banquet, two captains are named for the upcoming season. The other two captains are announced during summer practice.
****Selected as two of the Wildcats' captains for the 2013 season are All-Ohio offensive tackle and Notre Dame recruit Jim Byrne '14 and a young man who epitomizes Coach Kyle's work ethic, talented and tough wide receiver Jack Hyland '14. Congratulations to Jimmy and Jack!
****And last, but certainly not least, congratulations and a huge Thank You go out to Dr. Mike Hritz, MD, who was honored on Thursday night for his 30 years of endless service to the Wildcats' football program. Along with the outstanding medical care he provides, Mike serves as an assistant coach for the 'Cats' freshman football team.
Rounding the corner and saying THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS to the senior members of the 2012 Wildcats football team for their kindness and respect. It was a privilege and a pleasure, gentlemen. And to the 2013 'Cats, you know this old-timer is counting down the days until the first mini camp.