Ohio City - As promised by those who forecast the weather here in The Forest City, another hot and humid day hovered over Wasmer Field as the Saint Ignatius Wildcats went through their third mini camp of the 2017 football preseason.
The 'Cats' legs were strong and swift on Tuesday's warm turf as plays were being made on both sides of the pigskin in both the Varsity afternoon session and the Junior Varsity evening practice.
Senior linebacker Jonathan Ockunzzi made an early case for the Varsity defense with a heady pass breakup and a few minutes later senior quarterback Daniel Alexander unleashed a kiss-the-sky deep throw down the right sideline near the Lorain Avenue end zone.
Junior tight end/offensive lineman Owen Murphy, who grew two inches in the offseason and now stands 6-foot-6, hauled in a pass from senior quarterback Kyle Hall off a deep crossing pattern, and junior cornerback Jett Elad continued his solid work in the secondary with a perfectly timed pass breakup.
Alexander drew a "nice read" from Saint Ignatius' veteran Offensive Coordinator Nick Restifo after Daniel took what the defense gave him and combined with strong and smooth senior wide receiver Michael Drobnick on a move-the-chains completion.
Supplying some pad-rattling pass breakups near the Lorain Avenue end zone were junior linebacker Kyle Sullivan and ever-present senior safety and tri-captain Justin Sands. Memories of the great all-state and Plain Dealer All-Scholastic senior safety Barry Alvis from Saint Ignatius' first state championship team of 1988 always flow through this old-timer's mind when I watch Justin roam the secondary.
Also lending his support to Coach Kevin Johnson's oh so promising and experienced defensive secondary was senior corner Xavier Curtis.
Coach Johnson '10, a former standout in football and track at Saint Ignatius and Baldwin Wallace University, where he was a three-time track All-American for the Yellow Jackets, couldn't hide his enthusiasm throughout Tuesday's sessions.
"Nice pursuit Gabe, nice pursuit," yelled Coach Johnson after senior linebacker/safety Gabriel Liberatore ended the Varsity session with a quick read and react disruption play.
FUTURE LOOKS BRIGHT: 'Cats' outstanding Running Backs Coach Terry Fergus '72 liked what he saw out of sophomores Jack Welcsh, Jack Schroer and Merick Hartley during the JV session. Welcsh left a lasting impression on this gridiron grinder during his standout freshman season of 2016, when he stepped up because of injuries and keyed Coach Rodney Gallaway's ground game.
All three of the sophomore quarterbacks - Nick Fletcher, Griffin Hanna and Patrick Keane - had their moments and gifted sophomore wide receiver Henry Cook unleashed his skills with a picture-perfect catch and run along the left or visitor's sideline of Wasmer Field.
Remember the name Michael McNamara, my friends. The sophomore linebacker made two exceptional plays in the JV session, including an interception and a pass breakup along the home sideline that also pleased Coach Johnson. Michael played with endless energy throughout the evening.
Among those supporting McNamara in the LB department was sophomore Aiden Crummie, who also made a few stops in Pursuit City.
A MAN FOR OTHERS: The corner tips its cap to senior fullback Aidan Gill, the pride of Our Lady of Angels, who after the Varsity session stayed on Wasmer Field and helped Coach Fergus and Wildcats Hall of Fame Head Coach Chuck Kyle '69 tutor the young running backs. Aidan is also a mainstay for Coach Dan Arbeznik's '00 state champion Rugby Program.
GETTING THEIR KICKS: Wildcats standout senior kicker/punter and soccer player Matthew Trickett attended a camp at Oklahoma State last week and also joined former Saint Ignatius All-Ohio kicker/punter Colin Goodfellow '17 at a University of Kentucky camp. Colin will be furthering his education and football career at Kentucky.
Speaking of Goodfellow, Colin was part of a Saint Ignatius foursome that helped the West to a triumph over the East in last weekend's 45th annual Greater Cleveland Football Coaches Association's All-Star Scholarship Football Game at Baldwin Wallace University's George Finnie Stadium. Colin had a field goal, three extra points, booted all of his kickoffs into the end zone and handled the punting chores.
Also turning in solid performances for the West were former 'Cats Mike Chime '17, a tremendous defensive lineman who is headed for Yale, and Ohio University bound wide receiver Travis Pot '17. Saint Ignatius' outstanding Defensive Line/Linebackers Coach Dave Cicetti was an Assistant Coach for the West.
UP NEXT: Saint Ignatius' Varsity and Junior Varsity mini camps resume on Thursday at Wasmer Field. The Varsity is scheduled for 3 PM to 5 PM and the Jayvees will take the field from 5 PM to 7 PM.