With Monday marking the start of two-a-days, the Saint Ignatius Wildcats wrapped up their final mini camp early Friday evening with some enthusiastic efforts on both sides of the ball.

While the intensity will rise to another level next week, the defending Division I state football champs pulled off some plays that were both large and lively during the final day of mini drills on Wasmer Field.

Here is a look at some of those plays that drew reactions from the entire team.

*Junior defensive back/wide receiver Jack Lavelle, displaying exceptional reaction and closing speed, broke up a pass that appeared to have six points written all over it.

*In another solid display of timely reaction, junior linebacker Mike Ferry made a nice breakup of a pass across the middle. Coach Ryan Franzinger's 2012 linebackers not only have promising skills, but as this corner learned this week, they truly appreciate the rich history of Wildcats athletics.

*Standout senior defensive end Matt Gawlik, who is also helping out at tight end this season, drew cheers when he hauled in a tipped pass on a crossing pattern and also took some good-natured razzing when a pass across the middle went off his hands.

*Junior quarterback John Thomas combined with senior wideout Rocky Zingale on a picture-perfect smash route and John also hooked up with gifted junior wide receiver Mike Siragusa on a route across the middle that featured a strong throw and catch.

*All-Ohio senior tailback/safety Tim McVey, who recently committed to Buffalo (see the corner's story from Wednesday), looked sharp in both his footwork and balance drills, and his reaction and speed off the blitz.

*Also displaying quick feet and exceptional balance for Running Backs Coach Terry Fergus '72 were junior tailback Mike Vitale and senior tailback Dan Way.

*On the junior-varsity level, quarterbacks Jacob Kucia and Christian Klink made some impressive throws, with Kucia hitting his receiver in stride on a deep pattern down the left sideline. Jacob is the nephew of Wildcats Hall of Fame inductee and former All-Ohio and Parade All-American quarterback Scott Mutryn '94.

IN ATTENDANCE: Blake Thomas '12, whose All-Ohio credentials as a pass-catching tight end and blocker helped lead Saint Ignatius to a record 11th Division I state championship last fall, was on hand Friday watching his brother, John (see above), and the rest of the Wildcats perform.

Home for a short weekend break from school and football workouts at The Ohio State University, Blake said that head coach Urban Meyer and his staff have been pleased with his explosiveness so far. Blake's efforts at Saint Ignatius earned him a full scholarship from the Buckeyes.

****WELL DESERVING: While this old-timer was on the DL this spring, Saint Ignatius' standout wrestler Nick Lees '12 became the first recipient of what will now be the annual Marilyn A. Sullivan Award.

Named in honor of the late mother of Wildcats head wrestling coach and assistant football coach Mark Sullivan, who has done an exceptional job with the 'Cats' wrestling program, the award goes to the Saint Ignatius wrestler with the highest grade-point average.

As Coach Sullivan emphasized, his mother was a firm believer in the importance of a sound education.

Rounding the corner and working on getting a wider hat to protect this large Irish head during two-a-days.