Former All-Ohio two-way back Pat Hinkel was at Wasmer Field on Tuesday.
By Eddie Dwyer, Copyright August 2012
The Saint Ignatius Wildcats will put on their shoulder pads starting Wednesday and add the rest of their equipment as the first week of two-a-days progresses.
After the second day of double sessions, one thing is for certain - the defending Division I state champs have come to play.
Competing in helmets, t-shirts, shorts and football shoes on Tuesday, the Wildcats were aggressive, enthusiastic and, more often than not, quite impressive.
One can only anticipate what the remainder of the week will bring, as Coach Chuck Kyle's talented classes of 2013 and 2014 get deeper into a blocking and tackling state of mind.
Tuesday evening's session included more work on special teams, with kickoff, kick coverage and kickoff return teams taking the center of Wasmer Field.
Then it was back to more group and defense vs. offense competition.
As we have been reporting on the corner since the first mini camp of the summer, Saint Ignatius is blessed with an array of talented receviers. And the good hands club did its thing again during both of Tuesday's sessions.
For the second straight day, senior wideout Conor Hennessey combined with junior quarterback John Thomas on a perfectly executed deep route. Junior Jack Hyland and seniors Ray O'Brien and Scott Scrivens made some tough catches along the sideline and senior tight end Aaron Buynak, 6-foot-6 junior wideout Eric Black and senior wideout Randy Buffington did some nice work with intermediate and seam routes.
As for junior wideout Mike Siragusa and senior wideout Rocky Zingale, let's just say they were money.
Senior tailback/safety Tim McVey, a Buffalo recruit and an Associated Press All-Ohio selection in 2011, was quite impressive running the ball and junior tailback Enzo Cannata displayed the balance and slicing style that earned him the nickname of "Enzo The Touchdown Maker" on last year's undefeated junior varsity team.
All three of the Wildcats' quarterbacks - senior lefty Mike LaManna, Thomas and junior Pete Mahoney - had solid sessions. Thomas closed his evening with another impressive long strike, this time to O'Brien.
"You have to be aggressive," said Thomas, who was referred to by O'Brien as a "gunslinger."
While the offensive line and the defense will make more of an impact as the week goes on, the "D" certainly didn't go home empty handed.
Linebackers Kevin Smith and John Gibbons displayed aggressive pursuit and Smith batted down two passes, including one near the line of scrimmage. Senior corner Tommy Fanning, who turned in several big plays last season, made an exceptional play on a long pass as the evening was coming to an end.
Two-a-days resume on Wednesday at 2 p.m.
Don't forget that Coach Jim McQuaide's highly regarded Solon Comets will be at Wasmer Field next Tuesday morning, August 7, for a practice/drills session with the Wildcats and the first official scrimmage of the summer will be Friday, August 10, at Twinsburg at 10 a.m. The word is that Twinsburg will have its opponents seeing double in 2012.
*Pat Hinkel, whose outstanding play as a safety, tailback and special-teams performer helped lead Saint Ignatius to its 10th state championship in 2008, was working out at Wasmer Field on Tuesday afternoon.
After three seasons as a mainstay at safety for Miami of Ohio, Pat is moving to outside linebacker for his final season with the RedHawks. His new position will still call for him to have pass-coverage responsibilities.
In response to a question this corner asked him, Pat said he would like to possibly coach at Saint Ignatius in the future, if the opportunity arrives.