As he closed out his 11th state championship banquet on Tuesday night, Saint Ignatius head football Coach Chuck Kyle ’69 thanked the Jesuit Preparatory School’s administration for its support of the program and for appreciating how much of an education tool football can be.
Education is a big part of Coach Kyle’s life, to say the least.
A man who is fluent in Shakespeare and Chaucer, Coach Kyle looks at the Wildcats’ Wasmer Field, and the fields and stadiums the ‘Cats play in throughout the fall, as being extensions of his classroom.
Shakespeare and Chaucer never wrote or spoke with more direct or sincere passion as Coach Kyle did when, turning to his players Tuesday night in the Murphy Fieldhouse, he spoke of the numbers 11 and 1.
Saint Ignatius’ battle cry throughout the playoffs was “11 in ’11.” The Wildcats, ranked sixth in the Associated Press Division I state poll and No. 1 in The Plain Dealer’s Top 25, added to their record string of Ohio state football championships by defeating Pickerington High School Central, 34-13, in Canton’s Fawcett Stadium and taking home an 11th big-school gold trophy on Dec. 3, 2011.
Coach Kyle’s message to his team, however, was not about winning an 11th championship in 2011. It centered on this “one state championship” and just how special it was.
“When they look back at all of the championships, they’ll be talking about you and saying, ‘Hey, remember that team,’” said Kyle. “You inspired so many people, young and old. Even people who had no direct connection to our school came out to see you play, to see what you were all about.”
What made Saint Ignatius’ 11th state championship and 23rd Division I playoff appearance in the past 24 seasons so special or satisfying, as Coach Kyle emphasized, is that all summer long sports web sites around Ohio and the country were writing off the Wildcats. One web site story in particular, titled “Winds of Change,” pointed to the ‘Cats finishing 4-6 in 2010 and missing the playoffs for the first time since 1987 as a reason to think their postseason run was over and that 2010 state champ St. Edward was now the team for the “long haul.”
Well, you don’t tug on Superman’s cape and you don’t spit into the wind. And, as nearly 300 coaches from Ohio and other states will substantiate, you certainly don’t question Chuck Kyle and Saint Ignatius’ football pedigree.
Coach Kyle, who will take a record of 290-67-1 into next season, his 30th as his alma mater’s head football coach, closed the banquet by thanking the parents “for giving us that special time with your kids” and reminding the sophomores and juniors that next fall it will be their turn to lead the Thanksgiving morning practice.
Here are the special awards that were presented during the banquet.
Most Valuable Defensive Lineman: Junior Kevin Kavalec, a first-team All-Ohio selection. Kevin, who also garnered first-team All-Northeast Lakes District honors and was a first-team Plain Dealer seven-county All-Star, had 67 tackles, including an eye-popping 36 for losses, and a team-leading 15.5 sacks.
Most Valuable Linebacker: Senior Zack Ryan, who totaled a team-leading 136 tackles, including 70 solos, 41 behind the line of scrimmage and nine sacks! Zack was an absolute force in the postseason run and was part of the thrill-some three-some starting linebackers that included fellow senior standouts Rustom Khouri and James Sheehan.
Most Valuable Defensive Back: Senior Mike Svetina, a two-time, first-team All-Ohio strong safety, Ohio’s co-Defensive Player of the Year for 2011, the Northeast Lakes District Defensive Player of the Year for 2011 and The Plain Dealer’s 2011 seven-county Defensive Player of the Year.
Most Valuable Offensive Scout Team Award: Stephen Alexander, senior quarterback. In the words of assistant coach Jim Reginelli ’97, Stephen understood his role and drew everyone to excel.
Most Valuable Offensive Back: Junior Tim McVey, who rushed for more than 1,300 yards and 15 touchdowns, returned 14 kickoffs for 380 yards and two touchdowns and had 1,922 all-purpose yards. Saint Ignatius’ running backs coach Terry Fergus ’72 spoke of McVey’s “will to win” and this corner will say it again – Tim’s heart is immeasurable. A first-team All-Northeast Lakes District selection and a third team All-Ohio pick by the AP.
Most Valuable Wide Receiver: Senior Jake Mooney. Jake, who emerged as a precise route runner and a sure-handed go-to receiver, garnered first-team All-Northeast Lakes District honors after racking up well over 1,000 yards receiving and averaging better than 19 yards per catch.
Most Valuable Offensive Lineman: Senior tight end and three-year mainstay Blake Thomas: A first-team All-Northeast Lakes District selection and a Plain Dealer All-Star, Blake, an Ohio State recruit, also received all-state recognition from the AP and was an Honorable Mention Sports Illustrated All-American. An outstanding receiver, Blake emerged as one of the premier blockers in Ohio, as three of the state’s ballyhooed defensive ends will attest to.
Most Improved Player: Senior Offensive Lineman Clayton Cassidy, who just kept stronger and stronger each game and emerged as one of the best at his position with his outstanding performances in the playoffs.
Most Valuable Defensive Scout Team Award: Senior defensive back Tom Biven, whose endless dedication to his job and team-first commitment left a lasting impression on his teammates and Coach Kyle.
Most Valuable Special Teams: Senior kicker and two-year standout Tim Shenk. Tim, who is bound for the Air Force Academy this summer, tied the state record for field goals made in a season with 20 and set a new state mark by kicking for 111 points this past season. He was 51-for-51 on extra points and set a new school record on opening night against Detroit Cody by sending a 55-yard field goal through the uprights at Byers Field. Tim had several clutch kicks this past fall, including both winning field goals in the two triumphs over St. Edward (regular season and regional playoffs). “First and 80,” as Tim was nicknamed by his teammates, also boomed several kickoffs into and out of the end zone.
Bigger, Stronger, Faster Award: This honor went to senior tailback Dan Grace, who overcame early season illness and fought his way back to be the ultimate competitor and leader he is.
Most Valuable Players: Senior quarterback Eric Williams, who passed for 2,133 yards and 23 touchdowns and rushed for 230 yards and a TD while displaying exceptional grit and composure, and the young man who grew up in Sts. Joseph & John “Viking Pride,” Mike Svetina. Along with the numbers shown in his defensive back honor (see above), Mike also excelled as a fullback.
Coaches’ Cup: This prestigious award was presented to a player who does everything the way a Saint Ignatius student/athlete is supposed to do it and is a great example for the younger ‘Cats – senior Zach Lozar.
Captains Awards: To Mike Svetina, Tim Shenk, Zach Lozar and Dan Grace.
**And speaking of captains, the Wildcats selected two of their four captains for next season – Kevin Kavalec and Tim McVey. Two other captains will be selected during the summer.
In closing, the corner would like to wish all of the best now and in the future to senior Matt Nowak, a four-year award winner as the Wildcats’ team manager and the bearer of two state-championship rings.
As he was accepting his honor, Matt turned an thanked all of the other managers, including his brother, Nick, and then paid a warm-hearted thank you to his parents for their endless support and encouragement, telling them how much he loves them. It was a privilege to get to know Matt these past few years.
****And last, but certainly not least, a big thank you from this old-timer goes out to Jack Corrigan ’70 and Athletic Director Rory Fitzpatrick ’88 for putting together another outstanding video highlight of the season. Folks, you have to add “48 MINUTES TO ELEVEN IN ’11” to your collection.
God Bless to all of the 2011 state champs and their coaches and God be willing, I’ll see all of you 2012 Wildcats at the first minicamp in June.