By Mr. Eddie Dwyer, Copyright Credit September 2016
Cleveland, Ohio - Saint Ignatius' outstanding Junior Varsity Head Football Coach Paul Yappel was very appreciative of Painesville Riverside's willingness to make Saturday morning's healthy trip to Wasmer Field "on such a short notice."
The Beavers agreed in the middle of the week to replace Walsh Jesuit on the Wildcats' JV schedule after the Walsh Warriors had to cancel because of injuries in their program.
After the first half in Ohio City Saturday morning, some of Riverside's faithful might have been wondering why their coaching staff agreed to the matchup.
Saint Ignatius moved to a 35-0 lead in the first half and it stayed that way entering the third quarter after the classy Wildcats took a knee and let the clock run out to end the first half deep in the Beavers' territory.
As solid as Saint Ignatius' starters looked, the reserve units had difficulty in the second half trying to contain Riverside running back Bilal Abdussatar, who galloped for three long touchdown runs over final 20 minutes and allowed his team to walk off Wasmer Field with their heads up after losing, 35-20.
"Riverside has a good program and it's always good to compete," said Coach Yappel. "But as far as anything else, we can't be content with where we're at."
The JV Cats now stand 3-0 entering their 1:30 PM matchup with Detroit Catholic Central on September 17th at Wasmer Field.
As for the first half on Saturday morning, the JV 'Cats, after a strong return with the opening kickoff by sophomore running back/wide receiver John "Jack" Kennedy, put together a nine-play, 60-yard drive.
The 'Cats took a 7-0 lead on a 5-yard touchdown pass from sophomore quarterback Patrick Delahunty to 6-foot-4, 242-pound sophomore tight end Aidan Wells, and the ensuing extra-point kick by Jack Cannon. Wells doubles as a defensive end.
Keying the opening drive was the running of sophomore tailback Jahadge "Bo" Floyd.
With Saint Ignatius' defense, which was led early on by sophomore linebacker/defensive back Chris Velotta, keeping the Beavers under control, the Wildcats moved to a 14-0 lead on a 10-yard touchdown run over the right side and into the scoreboard end zone by Delahunty, and another authoritative extra point by Cannon.
The 'Cats took advantage of a short field after Riverside was either trying to execute a fake punt from its goal line or just became overwhelmed by the rush.
Either way, the Beavers' punter was swarmed under at the Riversdie 5-yard line, where "Bo" Floyd would power his way into the end zone. Cannon's PAT made it a 21-0 game with 17 seconds remaining in the first quarter.
Saint Ignatius' final points of the morning/first half came on a touchdown strike from Delahunty to sure-handed sophomore wide receiver Nathan Conry, a powerful 19-yard TD burst by Floyd and two extra-point kicks from sophomore Declan Boldy.
While some opponents trailing by 35 points at halftime on another hot, humid morning at Wasmer Field would have called it a day, Riverside played with pride and passion throughout the second half. Saint Ignatius' JV reserve units, who this old timer has seen compete throughout the summer, have some talent, my friends.
The story of the second half was definitely the Beavers' Abdussatar, who started his three-touchdown barrage with a 40-yard burst early in the second half and ended it with another second-gear pull away with 2:10 left to play. Riverside's other points came off a diving reception by Patrick Gonzales for a two-point conversion.
Abdussatar finished with 208 yards rushing on 13 carries, "Bo" Floyd carried the ball 15 times for 92 yards, Delahunty hit on 7 of his 8 passes for 77 yards, and 'Cats' sophomore wide receiver Nigel Drummond hauled in four receptions for 52 yards.
Here's hoping the Beavers will be willing to return to Wasmer Field for future games or host the 'Cats for a game or two. A tip of the corner's cap goes out to their coaching staff for keeping them in the game.