SEVEN WILDCATS ARE NAMED TO THE FIRST TEAM AND ZACK RYAN IS A STRONG SECOND-TEAM PICK. SIX 'CATS RECEIVE HONORABLE MENTION.
BY EDDIE DWYER, COPYRIGHT NOVEMBER 2011
Saint Ignatius senior strong safety/rover Mike Svetina is the epitome of a team player, an athlete who focuses on the theme that Ignatius begins with I, but ends with US.
Svetina, following up on a 2010 season that saw him garner first-team All-Ohio honors, was recognized on Wednesday as the Division I Defensive Player of the Year on the prestigious 2011 Associated Press Northeast Lakes All-District Team.
One of Coach Chuck Kyle's four captains, Svetina joins defensive teammates Kevin Kavalec and Rustom Khouri, offensive mainstays Jake Mooney, Tim McVey and Blake Thomas, and place kicker Tim Shenk as first-team selections. The AP's Northeast Lakes All-District Team is voted on by a panel of sports writers from the district, who make their selections off the nominations and recommendations from the board members and contributors.
Earning second-team honors for Saint Ignatius was Zack Ryan and receiving honorable mention were James Sheehan, Eric Williams, Chad Aerni, Adam North, Tim McCoy and Zach Lozar.
Svetina, a Miami of Ohio recruit, enters Saturday night's Region 1 championship game against Mentor (see corner's preview story below) with 98 tackles, including 20 for a loss. He has four sacks, a defensive touchdown, a forced fumble, a fumble recovery and three interceptions. Mike has also done a solid job blocking as a fullback on offense.
Kavalec, a junior defensive end, has 62 tackles, including an impressive 33 stops for losses and 13.5 sacks. Kevin opened the eyes of those who had not seen him play by putting together a dominant performance against St. Edward in Week 10.
Khouri, a true leader by example, has made 112 tackles, 29 stops behind the line of scrimmage and eight sacks. The senior middle linebacker forced two fumbles and has a fumble recovery.
McVey, a junior tailback, impressed the board with his versatility and athleticism. He has rushed for 962 yards and 13 touchdowns, has 23 receptions for 187 yards and has returned 12 kickoffs for 371 yards and two touchdowns. Tim has also contributed as a safety on defense.
Mooney, a senior wide receiver, has helped fuel the Wildcats' passing game with numerous big-time receptions. Jake enters the Mentor game with 43 receptions for 846 yards and nine touchdowns. He has also provided some key down-field blocks, a facet of the game that many times goes unrecognized.
Thomas, a senior tight end and an Ohio State recruit, is a three-year varsity mainstay. Blake made some sacrifices in the early going this season by helping a young offensive line with his exceptional blocking. He has still managed to average more than 12 yards a reception and has five "crucial" touchdowns.
Shenk, an Air Force recruit, has put together exceptional back-to-back seasons for the 'Cats' special teams. This fall, Tim has set two school records - 16 field goals in a season and the longest FG in the Wildcats' rich history, a 55-yard shot through the swirling winds of Byers Field on opening night against Detroit Cody. Shenk, who is 43-for-43 on extra points, regularly booms his kickoffs into and out of the end zone.
Zack Ryan, a senior outside linebacker who teams with his cousin, Mike (defensive end), on the Wildcats' "D," has racked up 109 tackles, 30 for a loss, has 4.5 sacks and a fumble recovery. Zack has been a force against some of the biggest names on Saint Ignatius' schedule.
HERE IS THE NORTHEAST LAKES ALL-DISTRICT FIRST TEAM.
OFFENSE: Quarterbacks—Mitch Trubisky, Mentor, Jr., 6-3, 197; Dustin Stolarski, Elyria, Sr., 6-2, 180. Backs —Kareem Hunt, Willoughby South, Jr., 5-11, 185; Dontez Smith, Avon Lake, Sr., 5-9, 185. Receivers —Demetrius Walton, Elyria, Sr., 6-2, 180; Cameron Kavan, Mentor, Sr., 6-0, 160; Ben Josipovic, Eastlake North, Jr., 6-2, 180; Jake Mooney, Cleve. St. Ignatius, Sr., 5-11, 177. Tight ends—Pharaoh Brown, Lyndhurst Brush, Sr., 6-6, 225; Blake Thomas, Cleve. St. Ignatius, Sr., 6-4, 245. Linemen—Tad France, Elyria, Sr., 6-4, 255; Kyle Kalis, Lakewood St. Edward, Sr., 6-5, 305; Tyler Orlosky, Lakewood St. Edward, Sr., 6-4, 295; Kyle Dodson, Cleve. Hts., Sr., 6-6, 308; Anthony Lautanen, Mentor, Sr., 6-0, 230. Athlete —Tim McVey, Cleve. St. Ignatius, Jr., 5-10, 185. Kicker —Tim Shenk, Cleve. St. Ignatius, Sr., 5-10, 165.
DEFENSE: Linemen—Tom Strobel, Mentor, Sr., 6-6, 260; Greg Kuhar, Lakewood St. Edward, Sr., 6-4, 285; Kevin Kavalec, Cleve. St. Ignatius, Jr., 6-3, 225; Tracy Sprinkle, Elyria, Jr., 6-5, 260; Jared Williams, Elyria, Sr., 5-10, 220. Linebackers—Larry Pinto Jr., Mayfield, Sr., 5-10, 195; Nick Davidson, Solon, Sr., 5-8, 190; Kurt Laseak, Mentor, Sr., 6-4, 215; Collin Lucas, Avon Lake, So., 6-1, 212; Rustom Khouri, Cleve. St. Ignatius, Sr., 6-0, 220; Jake Smolik, North Royalton, Sr., 6-2, 215. Defensive Backs—Nick Kirschner, Mentor, Sr., 5-10, 185; Mike Svetina, Cleve. St. Ignatius, Sr., 6-2, 220; Dominic Abounader, Lakewood St. Edward, Jr., 5-11, 185; De'Van Bogard, Cleve. Glenville, Sr., 6-1, 195; Brett Bass, Avon Lake, Sr., 5-10, 185; Ryan Schwenke, Solon, Sr., 6-0, 185. Athlete—LaKeith Walls, Cleve. Rhodes, Sr., 6-3, 195. Punter —Tomislav Derezic, Mentor, Sr., 6-0, 200.
Offensive player of the year: Mitch Trubisky, Mentor.
Defensive player of the year: Mike Svetina, St. Ignatius.