By Mr. Eddie Dwyer, Copyright Credit September 2016

Cleveland, Ohio - The corner just arrived home from Mentor after covering the now 2-0 Junior Varsity Football Wildcats in their impressive shutout victory over the Cardinals' Jayvees in Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium.

Yours in sports will have a story coming up on the JV 'Cats, but first here is a recap on the Freshmen Football  Wildcats, who are now 1-1 after Friday evening's tough loss to Mentor's ninth graders on Wasmer Field.

And it was tough in more ways than one, as Head Coach Rodney Gallaway and his outstanding staff lost their standout tailback, Najee Lockett, in the early going to what could be a season-ending ankle injury. Najee is also one of the top-rated young wrestlers in Ohio.

"Najee suffered a serious ankle injury and had to be transported to a (nearby) hospital," said Coach Gallaway, who will know more about Najee's health as the weekend progresses. This old-timer had the privilege to interview Najee at a camp on Wasmer Field this summer and I can tell you that he is an exceptional all-around young man. We ask that you keep Najee in your prayers.

As for the Freshmen Game versus Mentor, the young Wildcats got off to a solid start behind the passing/receiving combination of quarterback Nick Fletcher and wide receiver/defensive back Connor Cmiel and led, 14-0.

The Freshmen Cardinals from Mentor would cut the deficit to 14-8 by halftime and move to a 28-17 lead in offsetting a field goal by the Wildcats' Rory McConville.

Coach Gallaway watched his team close to 28-23 with three minutes remaining off the third touchdown of the night by the gifted Cmiel, but just couldn't turn a couple of late promising possessions into points.

"We played well," said Coach Gallaway, who will send his 'Cats into Thursday's 5:30 PM kickoff versus the Kirtland Hornets on Wasmer Field. "But we had too many turnovers, for sure, and put ourselves in bad positions with those turnovers."

Coach Gallaway also pointed to some missed opportunities early on, opportunities that saw the Wildcats drive into or near the red zone, but fail to get the ball into the end zone.

"Mentor could strike quickly," Coach Gallaway continued. "They have a quarterback who can run and throw the ball, so that makes them tough to defend. We played hard right to the end and obviously Connor (Cmiel) had a great game. He performed well on both sides of the ball."

Coach Gallaway also referred to the play of linebacker Mac Boyle, who had an interception, linebacker Jack Welcsh, who did a nice job in coverage, and defensive lineman Anthoy Gerace, who had a key fumble recovery.

"The offensive line also played very well," said Coach Gallaway. "They gave Fletcher a lot of time to throw."

Again, we will be praying for Najee's recovery. As I said earlier in this report, Najee left a lasting impression this summer on this reporter of nearly 50 years.