By Mr. Eddie Dwyer, Copyright Credit October 2016
Erie, Pennsylvania - With a cold and persistent rain greeting the teams as 6 PM appeared on the historic church steeple clock that is visible from Dollinger Field's scoreboard end zone, two very talented freshmen football programs prepared to match their skills on Thursday night.
When it's an Ohio school versus a Pennsylvania school it doesn't matter what level of football it is - freshmen, junior varsity or varsity. You can be guaranteed that you will walk away with some memorable moments.
As for the oh so promising Saint Ignatius Freshmen Football Wildcats, the postgame message from Head Coach Rodney Gallaway was clear and on the money - "You have to finish!"
The young Wildcats came out for the opening kickoff and made themselves at home in the football-rich atmosphere of Dollinger Field.
After the defense of Coaches Tom Flandera, Tony Antonelli, Jim Ramella and Pat Hopkins forced the Ramblers to punt, the 'Cats' offense was in business at the Cathedral Prep 43-yard line.
From there, the Wildcats turned to the running of tough and talented tailback Jack Welcsh and, with Jack doing his usual heavy duty work inside and outside, took a 7-0 lead on a touchdown run by Welcsh from beyond 3 yards out and the ensuing extra point off the sure foot of Rory McConville.
Jack's TD and Rory's PAT came in the open end zone of Dollinger Field just seconds after a train and its accompanying cars passed by on the tracks that sit just a few feet up and behind the visitor's bench.
The open end zone also includes some empty buildings in its background that were once proud industries, and to the left of the open end zone on a hill in front of the railroad tracks is a beautiful grotto/shrine of The Blessed Mother. The trees that accompany the shrine were starting to display their colors even on a dreary wet night.
Coach Gallaway's Freshmen continued to wear their colors with pride and skill, as they moved to a 14-0 lead on a picture-perfect, 61-yard touchdown pass from 6-foot-1, 185-pound quarterback Nick Fletcher to wide receiver Griffin Hanna and the ensuing extra point by McConville. Griffin never broke stride as he galloped into the right corner of the open end zone. Saint Ignatius' second TD was set up by a fumble recovery from defensive lineman Ryan Beane and came with 8:40 remaining in the first half.
Just when it appeared that Cathedral Prep's unbeaten record was in jeopardy, the Ramblers turned to their 1-2 punch of 5-9, 170-pound quarterback Colin Johnson and 5-9, 155-pound tailback Luke Sittinger.
With Johnson and Sittinger rambling for tough, but productive yards, Cathedral Prep drove for a first-and-goal at the 8-yard line with 1:27 left in the first half.
On third-and-goal from the 5, Sittinger scored over the left side off a display of vision and balance, and Johnson followed with a 2-point conversion run right up the gut and into the open end zone. It was a 14-8 game with 25 seconds to go in the first half and it stayed that way entering the halftime break.
In the second half, Johnson and Sittinger continued to be Cathedral Prep's heart and soul.
With Johnson and Sittinger both finding the end zone again, including a 43-yard touchdown burst into the open end zone by Johnson that was capped by the first of his two extra-point kicks, the Ramblers improved to 7-0-1. The tie was an 8-8 battle with the Junior Varsity program from General McLane High School.
Saint Ignatius, now 7-2, had its opportunities throughout the second half, but was hurt by two fumbles and a tough intentional grounding call.
Among the other Wildcats turning in solid performances at Cathedral Prep were linebacker Connor Francz, defensive linemen Jake Lang, Anthony Gerace and Nicholas Schwitzgebel, wide receiver Connor Cmiel and tight end Thomas Mullee.
After a postgame prayer in the open end zone, Wildcats savvy Offensive Line Coach Matt Mooney told the young Cats that Thursday night's loss will be a true test of their character in terms of how they prepare for the biggest game of their season, the finale against the Freshmen Team from West Side rival St. Edward next Thursday, October 27 on Wasmer Field. The kickoff will be 6 PM.
Note: Cathedral Prep's unbeaten Freshmen Team is only outdone by the Ramblers' Varsity Program, which enters this weekend at 8-0. This old-timer would like to see Cathedral Prep return to the Wildcats' Varsity schedule.