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D, O and plenty of heat

By Eddie Dwyer, 07/23/12, 12:00AM EDT

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Throw in a little "Viking Pride," courtesy of Matt Gawlik, and you have a start to the final week of mini camps that was challenged by the heat and humidity hovering over Wasmer Field.

By Eddie Dwyer

After sprints on and around Wasmer Field late Monday afternoon, Coach Chuck Kyle's 2012 Saint Ignatius varsity football team got plenty of water and went to work.

Position sessions were followed by another spirited 7-on-7 that saw the defense take the early bragging rights on interceptions by senior corner/safety Mike Gibbons and junior safety Dameon Willis.

The offense had its moments, too.

Senior wide receivers Rocky Zingale and Randy Buffington, and junior wideout Mike Siragusa, displayed their smooth route running and soft hands from the get-go. Wildcats veteran offensive coordinator Nick Restifo complimented junior quarterback Pete Mahoney for making a nice read and picking up the blitz, and the work of junior quarterback John Thomas and senior tight end Kevin Kavalec drew a "very nice, very nice" from Coach Restifo.

A Boston College recruit and a first-team All-Ohio defensive end on last season's record 11th state championship team, Kavalec was an outstanding tight end for the Wildcats' 2010 junior varsity team.

One of Kavalec's partners on the defensive line, standout senior end Matt Gawlik, also saw some time at tight end and drew a roar from his teammates when he grabbed a pass in the left flat, took off down the field and made a nice spin move to avoid a defender.

Gawlik's effort was reminiscent of those "Viking Pride" days at Sts. Joseph & John in Strongsville.

Following Monday's sessions, Coach Kyle reminded his players of how important it is to stay hydrated and to get into the type of physical condition that enables them to stand up to the heat and humidity.

With Cleveland's steamy summer expected to stretch into a good portion of the fall, Coach Kyle pointed out that the Wildcats are playing two of their three afternoon games this season early on (Weeks 2 and 4), a time when Mother Nature could still be bringing her blitzes of heat and humidity.

The Byers Field turf, which will be the surface for the 3 p.m., Week 2 encounter with De La Salle, can be a furnace during the day time. The Week 4 afternoon game is against Strong Vincent in Erie (Pa.) at 2 p.m.

*New starting times: Tuesday afternoon's junior varsity and varsity camps are scheduled for 4 and 5:15, respectively. The freshmen will practice at 3 p.m.

Rounding the corner and keeping my cool under a hot Ohio City sun.