In what was arguably the best 2 seed versus 7 seed matchup in the state, the Wildcats defeated the Falcons from Austintown Fitch, 35-26, on Saturday night and presented their 30-year head coach Chuck "Chico" Kyle '69 with his 300th career victory.
The man whose commitment to guiding Saint Ignatius' "Men for Others" has brought state and national acclaim to the football program at Cleveland's Jesuit Preparatory School, pointed to his players, current and past, and to his "great friends" - his assistant coaches.
Coach Kyle, whose 300 career victories put him in a special group of area coaching legends that includes the late Augie Bossu (308, Benedictine High School and Cathedral Latin School) and Bill Gutbrod (310, St. Joseph High School and Gilmour Academy), celebrated the Regional Quarterfinal victory over a tough and talented Fitch team (now 9-2) by singing the Alma Mater with his team and the school's musically gifted marching band. He then thanked his current Wildcats (10-1), who move on to meet North Royalton (10-1) in next Saturday night's Division I, Region 1 semifinals.
Saint Ignatius Athletic Director Rory Fitzpatrick '88, who played for Coach Kyle, presented the legendary head coach with a special plaque in the home locker room of Byers Field after the game and special T-Shirts were passed out that had "Winning Formula, 300 and Counting" printed on them along with many of the memorable quotes over the years from Coach Kyle, whose career record now stands at 300-68-1.
Before we get into the game story, which is posted below, here are comments from some of Coach Kyle's current Wildcats, players who had a big hand in delivering No. 300.
Senior tailback Tim McVey, who rushed for 202 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday night: "It means everything to be part of something so special, especially with a great coach like Coach Kyle. He's inspired me to be the best person I can be. There's no one better than Coach Kyle. He's an all-around great person."
Senior wide receiver Rocky Zingale, who had 5 receptions for 114 yards and scored two crucial fourth-quarter touchdowns against Fitch: "He wanted it for us. But we realize all he has done for us. We play for him, every week, every minute."
Senior quarterback Mike LaManna, who passed for 229 yards and three touchdowns versus a heavy-pressure, quick and athletic Falcons' defense: "It's awesome," Mike said of being part of Coach Kyle's 300th. "He dedicates his life to us. It's nice to be able to give something back to him, in a sense. We win for him."
And Chuck Kyle coaches for young men such as the three just quoted, the rest of the 2012 Wildcats and the many other great players and teams who were fortunate enough to have him as their mentor, their teacher.
HERE IS THE GAME STORY
AUSTINTOWN FITCH VERSUS SAINT IGNATIUS REGIONAL QUARTERFINAL
Parma, Ohio – After he won his 300th career game (see above), Saint Ignatius head football coach Chuck Kyle talked about his assistant coaches and placed his 2012 Wildcats among the ranks of his other outstanding teams – teams that won what is a state-best 11 Division I state championships, including an Ohio-record five in a row (1991-1995), three national titles (1989, 1993 and 1995), a national runner-up (2008) and 14 regional championships.
“Those are some of my best friends I have ever known, who coach with me here,” Coach Kyle said, while addressing his team moments after he guided his alma mater to a hard-fought 35-26 victory over the Falcons from Austintown Fitch in a Division I, Region 1 quarterfinal playoff game on Byers Field in Robert M. Boulton Stadium on Saturday night. “You know who these guys are and this (the 300 victories) is because good friends get together and have fun doing it with you guys. That’s why this happened.
“Fellas, there’s a lot of wonderful, wonderful young men who contributed to those 300 victories,” Coach Kyle continued. “And I got news for you. You watch them on the highlight films and all of that stuff. Just picture this. There are some young kids out there who always have their hand up (for a high five or hand shake). Someday they’re going to play. Someday they’re going to be in this building and you are going to be their heroes.”
In a first-round playoff game that featured the state’s fourth (Saint Ignatius) – and eighth-ranked Division I teams, there were plenty of heroes on both sides of the field, plenty of young men with resolve.
Austintown Fitch, the program that snapped the Wildcats’ 39-game winning streak in a first-round playoff game in 1990 and was defeated by the Wildcats, 31-7, in a state semifinal matchup in 1992, came out ready for Round 3. All three of the encounters between the Wildcats and the Falcons have taken place in the postseason.
The Wildcats, behind the running of their gifted and gritty senior tailback Tim McVey, a clutch scramble by senior quarterback Mike LaManna and a key reception by senior wide receiver Rocky Zingale, would land the first shot off a 14-yard touchdown pass from LaManna to junior wide receiver Mike Siragusa, who made a sure-handed leaping reception in the left corner of the scoreboard end zone. Junior Matt Colella’s extra point was high and true, and Saint Ignatius led, 7-0, with 6 minutes and 14 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Siragusa totaled seven receptions for 78 yards.
In a game that was physical, but clean, Austintown Fitch would ride an interception return by senior cornerback/wide receiver Tyler Grover into a second – and third-effort 3-yard touchdown run by senior quarterback Matt Futkos, who displayed a heart bigger than Robert M. Boulton Stadium. Ken Kilpatrick’s extra point made it a 7-7 game with 5:32 left in the first half.
And speaking of big hearts, the immeasurable one of McVey came to the fore again as the 2011 All-Ohio and all-district selection keyed an 80-yard drive that was capped by his 1-yard touchdown and Colella’s extra point with 1:47 to go before halftime. McVey carried the pigskin 31 times for 202 yards and two touchdowns on Saturday night and is now two touchdowns away from surpassing the Wildcats’ all-time career touchdown mark of 51 set by two-time All-Ohioan Eric Haddad ’94.
“They’re very good tacklers and they’re good at pursuing the ball,” McVey said of the Falcons. “It was hard to get past them, but our line did a good job tonight, especially being down a guy (standout senior center Steve Franko).
With senior middle linebacker Nick Chapek, the all-senior three-man front of Kevin Kavalec, Matt Gawlik and Dave Katusha and safeties Dameon Willis Jr., Mike Gibbons and Bryan Fisher leading the defense charge, Saint Ignatius converted a fumble recovery by Chapek into a 2-yard scoring run by McVey and Colella’s third extra point with 10:54 remaining in the third quarter.
Sparked by some strong running by Futkos and his backfield mates Darrin Hall and Tyreese Anderson, and a pass interference penalty, Fitch got back in the game on a 4-yard touchdown run up the gut by Futkos. The extra-point kick was no good and the Falcons trailed, 21-13, with 11:13 left in the fourth quarter.
Going with a steady diet of impressive runs by McVey, the Wildcats answered with a 79-march that featured a 5-yard touchdown strike from LaManna to Zingale in the left corner of the Day Drive end zone. Colella’s extra point extended Saint Ignatius' lead to 15 points with 9:04 to be played.
After the Wildcats committed their fifth turnover, Fitch (9-2), with Futkos showing the way with his arm and his legs, made it an eight-point game on a Futkos-to-Grover touchdown pass down the right sideline and the ensuing extra point by Kilpatrick with 4:25 to go.
It was at that point, however, that Coach Kyle’s team flashed its postseason credentials, credentials that are highlighted by confidence and composure.
On second-and-10 from his 31-yard line, LaManna hooked up with Zingale on a perfect pass and catch off a slant pattern that Zingale turned into a 69-yard touchdown. Rock caught the ball in stride, raced up the middle of the field, cut to his right and outran the on-your-heels pursuit into the right corner of the Day Drive end zone with 3:38 left. Colella’s fifth PAT put the ‘Cats back in front by 15 points and, after withstanding a late 12-yard touchdown pass from Futkos to Hall, Saint Ignatius (10-1) focused its attention on the North Royalton Bears (10-1), next Saturday night’s opponent in the regional semifinals.
Futkos, who was described by Coach Kyle as a sparkplug and a tough kid who would just find ways, had a final line that showed him running the ball 22 times for 118 yards and two scores, and passing for 88 yards and two touchdowns.
“We did turn the ball over,” said Coach Kyle, whose 300 victories at one school rank first in Northeast Ohio. “I know the kids were a little frustrated with it, but I think the positive is, okay, adversity, defense go out there and stop them. In the second half, our defense was out there a lot. Hey, they’re (Fitch’s staff) good coaches and I think they started to figure out a few things they could do. But then the offense responded, and that’s good to see.
“That was one of the toughest first round games in that state, when you look at it,” Coach Kyle continued. “When you have two top-10 teams in the state going at it in the first round, I’d say that’s pretty good.”