Ohio City - Saint Ignatius' outstanding Offensive Line Coach Adam Rini '99 welcomed back two name players up front this summer from a team that finished as the Division I State Runner-Up in 2016 - Associated Press All-Northeast Lakes District and Plain Dealer/Cleveland.Com All-Star guard Jack Jamieson, and tackle Darian Kinnard, a University of Kentucky recruit.
While those two young men are going to be counted on to help show the way on both sides of the ball, there are other names among the Wildcats' linemen whose tough-minded approach and versatility will allow them to become familiar with the offensive and defensive trenches.
As we pointed out on the corner late last month, senior Toby Engel has already moved from the offensive line to help shore up a defensive front that was hit hard by graduation. Toby has earned the praise of the Wildcats' talented and tireless Defensive Line Coach Dave Cicetti for what Coach Cicetti referred to as Toby's work ethic and willingness to adapt.
As for the versatility of Coach Rini's offensive linemen, it started right out of the gate this summer.
"If there is a plus out of it, Juan (senior lineman mainstay Juan Pen) was a little banged up from Rugby season so we had Grant in there (junior lineman Grant Abbott)," said Coach Rini. "Now Grant is going to be an integral part of the line and so is Xavier (junior lineman Xavier Everett). With Juan missing the first set of camps, those guys got a chance to get in there and it was great to see Grant get a lot of reps and Xavier get significant reps.
"Now we get Juan back in the rotation at guard and it is going to be interesting to see what happens, etcetera," Coach Rini continued.
If there is one position along the offensive line this season that has the Wildcats' faithful a little concerned it is at center, where Saint Ignatius was blessed with one of the state's best, if not the best, for the past three years - John Spellacy.
John, who attended the Wildcats' camp on Wednesday afternoon before he heads back to East Carolina next week to continue his college career, was arguably the best to ever play the position at Cleveland's tradition-rich Jesuit Preparatory School.
Fear not 'Cats fans! There is a young man taking over at center right now whose last name won't soon be forgotten and whose desire will never end.
"He's done a real good job and has earned the right to start at center right now," said Coach Rini of senior Jivan Meguerditchian. "And Grant will get some time there and Jamieson will get some time there. We will see what happens when the pads go on and guys are hitting, but right now Jivan has earned the right to be there. Jamieson is of course entrenched somewhere, whether it is guard or center.
"Again, it is great to have the guys we have, guys like Billy Corte (senior offensive lineman)," Coach Rini continued. "Guys who don't have the experience of Darian (Kinnard) and Jamieson, but played quite a bit last year. They know what they are doing."
As far as the Junior Varsity offensive line is concerned, Coach Rini emphasized that the JV 'Cats have "five or six guys" that the coaches are ready to go with.
"Tony (sophomore Tony Georges) and Nick (sophomore Nick Schwitzgebel) are doing a very good job, but it is going to be kind of attack it by committee," said Coach Rini. "This year with the Jayvees it's linemen, not so much offensive linemen or defensive linemen. Both the offensive linemen and defensive linemen are going to find their way. They are going to be playing both ways or just playing offense or just playing defense. We are going to be using all of the linemen this year on the JV level.
"We are trying to develop them and get them ready for next season with the Varsity, that is what we are always trying to do," Coach Rini added.
FROM HEAD JUNIOR VARSITY COACH/ASSISTANT OFFENSIVE LINE COACH PAUL YAPPEL: "Everybody is working hard and the parts are there. It's just a matter of where those parts fall into place. I think that will come about during two-a-days."
FROM JACK JAMIESON, WHO WILL JOIN SENIOR SAFETY JUSTIN SANDS AND SENIOR TAILBACK MARK BOBINSKI AS THREE OF THE WILDCATS' FOUR CAPTAINS THIS SEASON. A FOURTH CAPTAIN WILL BE NAMED DURING TWO-A-DAY PRACTICES: "I'm excited about it," said Jamieson of the opportunity to play on both sides of the ball this season. "I came in freshman year looking to play D-Line. I found it more exciting. I have no problem playing on the offensive line, but getting that taste of the defensive line every other practice and during a game, I know I can develop a relationship with my defensive teammates just like I have with my offensive teammates.
"It is going to be a group effort with a lot of guys going both ways," Jack continued. "I am confident with all of them that are going to be on the other side of the ball, too."
In summing up what it means to be selected as a Captain for one of the premier programs in Ohio and the nation, Jack said what speaks the most is looking at the Wildcats' Captains of the past.
"Last year we had John Spellacy, who was with us today, Adam Shibley (All-Ohio linebacker in 2016), who was the most passionate person I ever saw play the game, Matt Wiegandt, the John J. Wirtz Award winner, and Johnny Velotta, a rock at linebacker. Johnny didn't say much, but Johnny was always there and you could always count on him," Jack said.
And Jack is confident that he and his fellow seniors will be leaders that Wildcats' faithful throughout the country will be able to rely on.
Before this old gridiron grinder gears up for Thursday's Camp (Varsity at 3 PM and Junior Varsity at 5 PM), a tip of the corner's cap goes out to standout senior cornerback Cameron Toppin, who went Pick City on Wednesday; senior quarterback Daniel Alexander, who unleashed some throws that were as picture-perfect as the weather; sophomore linebacker Thomas Maloney, who made a leaping interception during the JV Camp; sophomore running back Najee Lockett and sophomore running back/linebacker Jack Welcsh, who have the makings of a great 1-2 punch, and sophomore receivers Connor Cmiel and Erik Daugenti, who made some impressive receptions while heading in the direction of the Lorain Avenue end zone.