The Friday Night Lights will be glowing in Father Richard Elmer, C.S. B., Stadium as the 3-0 and 11-time State Champion Saint Ignatius Wildcats face the 3-0 and 11-time State Champion Detroit Catholic Central Shamrocks in an Ohio versus Michigan high school football headliner that Wildcats Hall of Fame Coach Chuck Kyle '69 describes as "a playoff caliber game."
By Mr. Eddie Dwyer, Copyright Credit September 2016
Cleveland, Ohio - The kickoff on Tom Mach Field, which is named after the Shamrocks' Hall of Fame Coach, will be 7 PM. Coach Mach has been guiding Catholic Central football for more than four decades, a stretch that has produced a record of 360-96.
It is a rarity that two high school coaches with such brilliant resumes match wits, but that will be the case on Friday night, as Saint Ignatius' Coach Kyle brings a record of 324-83-1 to Novi, Michigan in what is his 34th season as the head of his alma mater's storied football program.
Coach Kyle's record of 11 big-school state championships, including an Ohio-best five in a row (1991-1995), are complemented by three National Championships (1989, 1993 and 1995), a National Runner-Up in 2008 and a state runner-up in 1996.
Saint Ignatius' first two state titles came in 1988 and 1989, and the last four of the 11 were produced in 1999, 2001, 2008 and 2011.
Of Catholic Central's 11 state crowns, the first two arrived in 1938 and 1979, and the last four were achieved in 2001, 2002, 2003 and 2009.
"They're undefeated and they have an excellent tradition, and there is something to be said for that," said Coach Kyle of the Shamrocks. "You can tell that there is a certain pride in the way they prepare. In their offseason, they work. They're strong kids.
"They are a physical team," Coach Kyle continued in reference to a team whose school's mission is "Teach me Goodness, Discipline and Knowledge," the motto of the Roman Catholic Congregation of St. Basil. "They love to take the ball and run the ball, control the clock and pound it right down the field," Coach Kyle said of the Shamrocks' offensive philosophy. "And they play hard-nosed defense. I am sure they would love our offense to stay on the sideline."
Who wouldn't?
Saint Ignatius' offense, which has allowed the 'Cats to outscore the opposition this season, 45-0, 49-7 and 49-0, features the field generalship and athleticism of senior quarterback Patrick Ryan, the 1-2 running punch of senior tailback Jimmy Andrews and junior tailback Mark "Bo-Bo" Bobinski, an array of sure-handed and athletic receivers, and arguably the top offensive line in all of Northeast Ohio, if not the entire state.
Anchoring that line are 6-foot-7, 320-pound junior left tackle Darian Kinnard, who has caught the eyes of major college recruiters, and senior center, captain and East Carolina recruit John Spellacy. A three-year starter and a first-team Associated Press All-Ohio selection last fall, Spellacy checks in at 6-1 and 285 pounds.
As for the Shamrocks' T-formation offense, it produced 339 yards rushing in the season opener - a 42-0 victory over the Titans from Sterling Heights Stevenson in the "Battle in the Big House" at the University of Michigan.
This past weekend, Catholic Central overwhelmed St. Michael's College High School from Toronto, Canada, 49-7.
In between those victories, the Shamrocks traveled to Toledo and handed Whitmer a 27-7 loss. Catholic Central had 316 yards of offense that night, an offense that was highlighted by a versatile performance from Shamrocks' sophomore quarterback Austin Brown. Brown attempted only three passes, but completed all three for a total of 100 yards and two touchdowns. He also ran for 47 yards on 11 carries.
As impressive as the offenses from Saint Ignatius and Catholic Central have been, their defensive efforts have been off the charts.
The Shamrocks limited Stevenson to 68 yards of total offense, allowed Whitmer just 59 yards of offense and sent St. Michael's College High School home with less than 20 yards of offense.
Saint Ignatius, with its vaunted front seven overwhelming the opposition, has similar numbers despite the fact that the 'Cat's top linemen and linebackers have seen limited time because of the deficits on the scoreboard. Senior defensive lineman Mike Chime and senior linebacker and captain Adam Shibley are among those 'Cats who have been living in the opponent's backfield.
While Saint Ignatius' offensive line is big, deep and talent-rich, the front seven defensively is a force, my friends. Just ask the Mentor Cardinals.
"They have no problems being in the old T-Formation in some sort of a three-back idea," Coach Kyle said of Coach Mach's offense. "It's like playing Bill Gutbrod's offense, Coach Kyle continued in reference to the late Hall of Fame Head Coach of the St. Joseph Vikings, who produced several powerful running games, including the one led by All-Ohio tailback, University of Michigan Heisman Trophy winner and Super Bowl MVP with the Green Bay Packers, the great Desmond Howard. I get goose bumps just thinking of the honor I had doing a feature story on Desmond for The Plain Dealer during his brilliant career at then St. Joseph High School.
"They're a team that is not going to throw it a lot," said Coach Kyle, while continuing to discuss the Shamrocks' offense. "But sometimes that's deceptive because he (Catholic Central's Brown) scrambles a lot. If he's on a roll-out and he has the run, I think he will run first. That's what we're seeing on film. He's a nice runner and looks like he has good speed. He'll scramble, and if somebody breaks off the pattern, he'll hit it. That requires a lot of discipline in our coverage."
Coach Kyle is very impressed with Shamrocks running backs Nicholas Capatina, a 5-9, 180-pound senior captain who doubles as a defensive back, and 6-0, 220-pound junior fullback Cameron Ryan, who also sees double duty as a linebacker. Six of Catholic Central's mainstays are two-way players, which could be a major factor when facing a team as deep as the Wildcats.
Among the other Shamrocks to keep an eye on are Jackson Ross, a 6-3, 240-pound senior tight end/defensive end and captain, senior offensive/defensive lineman and captain Blake Bueter (6-4, 275), senior tight end/defensive end and captain Jack Morris (6-4, 220), and senior wide receiver/defensive back and captain Matt Harding (6-1,185).
If you are unable to attend Friday night's game in Novi, Michigan, please remember that the 1-2 punch of senior Brendan DeVenney and junior Matt MacKenzie will bring you the game live over the Saint Ignatius Broadcast Network.
Also, since our arrival back home to Saint Ignatius will flirt with 1:30 or 2 AM, the corner's story will be posted past everyone's bed time. So enjoy it with your morning coffee on Saturday.
For those traveling on the Fan Bus or on your own, be safe and we will see you in atmosphere-rich Father Richard Elmer, C.S.B., Stadium.