Wildcats defense to be challenged by two of the best of the best

As we reported on the corner back in March, Warren (Mich.) De La Salle quarterback Shane Morris, considered to be the “prize” of the Michigan Wolverines’ 2013 recruiting class, will be bringing his abundance of skills to Parma’s Byers Field on Sept. 1, when De La Salle takes on Coach Chuck Kyle’s Wildcats in a Week 2 matinee. The kickoff from Ridge Road and Day Drive will be 3 p.m.

The 6-foot-3, 190-pound Morris threw for 1,694 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior and is described by those who have seen him play as having the swagger and the ability to make big plays.

*Morris is a four-star prospect according to Rivals, and the No. 2 quarterback in the country. He's a five-star recruit according to Scout .com and the nation’s No. 3 signal-caller. Shane (a perfect first name for a gun-slinging QB) is among 38 players who earned invitations to ESPN’s “Champion Gridiron Kings,” a camp for the nation's best skill-position players.

*The Wildcats’ matchup against Morris and Co. will be the first of back-to-back encounters with two of the premier high school quarterbacks in these United States. In Week 3, North Carolina recruit Mitch Trubisky will lead the high-powered Mentor offense into Byers Field for the annual regular-season game against Saint Ignatius. That Sept. 8 kickoff will be 7 p.m.

Of course the ‘Cats open their 2012 season against defending Division III state champion Cardinal Mooney on Aug. 25 in Browns Stadium. The 7 p.m. kickoff is the second game of the annual Charity Game doubleheader. The first game, slated for 2 p.m., will match Brecksville-Broadview Heights and North Royalton.

With Mooney, De La Salle and Mentor, this is one of the toughest out-of-the-gate stretches in Wildcats football history.

*Just a reminder that Saint Ignatius’ second mini-camp of the summer will be next Thursday, June 14, at Wasmer Field. The sophomore football payers are scheduled to report at 3 p.m., and the juniors and seniors should be ready to go by 4:30. For a report on the first mini camp, check out the corner's June 5 story titled "Taking that next step."

Call me a sick man, but I love every moment of these mini camps.

*For information on Wasmer Field's prestigious Camp of Champions, see the corner's story below.