The first day of double sessions also brought about some aggressive and spirited efforts from the O and the D.

*Former Wildcat great Mike Buddie and his family pay a visit to Wasmer Field.

By Eddie Dwyer, Copyright July/August 2012

From high school, to college and the National Football League, you constantly hear coaches stress how vital special teams are.

And as far as the high school level is concerned, there is probably no one better when it comes to coaching special teams than Saint Ignatius' Chuck Kyle '69.

Coach Kyle, directing his Wildcats through Monday's first round of two-a-days for the 30th consecutive season, put the emphasis on his punt team at the start of the day's second practice.

When the day became early evening and the sun was gradually setting in Ohio City, Coach Kyle stressed to his players how important special teams are and to appreciate that all they need to do is look back in history and see how "magnificently" successful Saint Ignatius' special teams have been.

From the first state championship season of 1988 through last year's "Eleven in '11" title, special teams have played a major role in what is the greatest run in the history of the OHSAA football playoffs.

As for Monday's work on the punt team, junior lineman Zach Viets and junior linebacker Patrick Hopkins did some solid work as the long snappers. Junior Matt Colella, who will be the Wildcats' place kicker this season, got off a tremendous punt that not only had exceptional hang time, but also flirted with Lorain Avenue. Junior defensive back/wide receiver Jack Lavelle also got off a couple of impressive punts.

Although teams are not permitted to wear full gear until later this week, there was some "friendly" bumping going on in the offensive-defensive matchups that took place during both of Monday's practices.

Junior tailback Mike Vitale displayed his balance, speed and quick-cutting ability, All-Ohio senior tailback/safety Tim McVey was Tim McVey and senior running back Jacob Anderson drew a roar from his offensive teammates when he made a shake-n-bake juke move after catching a pass in the flat. It was a move that froze the defender.

As for the most underrated group of receivers in Ohio, seniors Rocky Zingale and Conor Hennessey looked sharp and determined from the get-go, as did junior Mike Siragusa. Lavelle and junior Jack Hyland came up with some strong and sure-handed grabs along the left sideline and Hyland also made a tough catch in traffic across the middle.

When he wasn't pressuring the quarterbacks (I said pressuring not hitting), All-Ohio senior defensive end Kevin Kavalec was combining with senior quarterback Mike LaManna on some combinations that were reminiscent of their junior-varsity days, when LaManna utilized Kevin's skills as a tight end.

LaManna and junior quarterback Pete Mahoney had their share of nice passes on Monday, but the throw of the day came from junior quarterback John Thomas, who hit Hennessey in stride down the left sideline on a deep route.

The defense didn't go home without something to build on.

Junior defensive back Scott Arthrell made a quick reaction along the right sideline and came up with a diving interception, junior safety/running back Dameon Willis had a pick and veteran DBs Tommy Fanning and Bryan Fisher showed their experience and savvy by making determined moves on the ball.

Two-a-days resume on Tuesday at 2 p.m.

MIKE BUDDIE IN THE HOUSE: Saint Ignatius Hall of Fame inductee Mike Buddie '89, who was arguably the greatest all-around athlete to ever walk the halls of Cleveland's Jesuit Preparatory School, was at Wasmer Field on Monday to watch the Wildcats perform.

Mike, who was an All-Ohio wide receiver/punter for the Wildcats' first state championship football team of 1988, a two-time state wrestling champion who helped the 'Cats to their only state wrestling championship in March 1988 and a dominant pitcher for Saint Ignatius' baseball program, was visiting his parents along with his wife, Traci, and their children Zachary and Zoe. Mike is currently an Associate Athletic Director for Administration/Development at Wake Forest University, where he excelled as a pitcher for the Demon Deacons.

Mike went on to a Major League pitching career for the New York Yankees and Milwaukee Brewers and was a member of the Yankees' 1998 World Series championship team. He hit the Big Screen when he played the Yankees pitcher who opposed Kevin Costner in the movie "For Love of the Game."

Before Mike and his family left the Saint Ignatius campus on Monday afternoon, Wildcats Athletic Director Rory Fitzpatrick '88 presented his former teammate with one of Mike's old football jerseys. That blue number 36 on the white jersey, with Buddie printed on the back, was still in a storage room near the athletic department.

Like Mike, its legend lives on.

S-T-O!: SportsTime Ohio was also at Wasmer Field on Monday, as camera man and jack of all trades Bill Castrovince was filming and interviewing Coach Kyle and some of his players. STO's High School Sports Insider will begin its preseason previews by featuring the defending Division I state football champs during its August 13 show.

*And it was nice to see former colleague Lynn Ischay, an outstanding photographer for The Plain Dealer, who also was at Wasmer Field on Monday taking photos of the football 'Cats.

Rounding the corner and dreaming of those days when I could have ran under that majestic pass from John Thomas. I said dreaming. My catcher's knees would have never allowed it.