Ohio City - Just two days after Saint Ignatius experienced an emotionally tough 27-20 double overtime loss to Cincinnati St. Xavier in the 2016 OHSAA Division I State Championship Football Game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Wildcats linebacker Jonathan Ockunzzi received a text from fellow linebacker Andrew Keirn.
"It read, 'We have lifting on Monday morning if you want to come,'" said Ockunzzi. "That shows a lot of leadership for me out of Keirn. That Monday morning we were down at school with Coach Rubino (Wildcats Director of Strength and Conditioning Anthony Rubino). We had a decent amount of guys there.
"We were juniors then and we want to be State Champs," Ockunzzi continued after Thursday's camp on a sun-drenched Wasmer Field. "We don't ever want to feel like that again."
While that feeling of one that got away definitely serves as a driving force for all of the 2017 Wildcats, Ockunzzi, Keirn and the rest of Saint Ignatius' linebackers have entered this season with another huge incentive.
From almost as soon as the 2016 season ended right up until now, the returning linebackers have heard all too often about how record 11-time State Champion Saint Ignatius won't be able to replace the exceptional linebacker corps of 2016, known as "The Linebacker Legion."
Yes, there is no questioning that All-Ohio selections Adam Shibley and James Leyden, tough and big-hearted Johnny Velotta and versatile Ben Delhees were a senior foursome that ranks right near or at the top in the Wildcats' rich gridiron history.
What Ockunzzi, Keirn and the rest of the 2017 LBs are determined to accomplish, however, is their own identity.
"We looked up to those guys and became real close friends with them," Ockunzzi said of "The Linebacker Legion" of 2016. "Honestly, I enjoy watching them on film whenever I watch a game from last year. Just to see what great athletes they were. And I know how hard they worked. Their work ethic and technique were exceptional.
"So we understand that the reason we got so far last year was the hard work they showed us. We're eager to get back out there. Coach Franzinger certainly knows what he is doing (Wildcats outstanding Hall of Fame Linebackers Coach and Defensive Coordinator Ryan Franzinger '02). We're having a lot of fun and we have a deep group this year."
While Coach Franzinger's 2017 LBs are not household names with the Wildcats' faithful, like Shibley and Company were last year, talent and depth are certainly not lacking. And neither is confidence.
"I like playing under the radar," Ockunzzi said. "I want Hoban to say 'Look, they graduated some key players.' We're going to show up (for the August 24th season opener at Archbishop Hoban) ready to take on those guys. We're not taking shortcuts, mentality wise. Even when running laps to warm up for our practices, there are no shortcuts. We have the coaching, we've worked hard, we have the tools we need, and we expect excellence. We're a smart group of guys who are capable of performing at high levels."
FROM COACH FRANZINGER: "It's a much different situation than last year, where we had our starters and even knew who some of the key backups were. And that didn't leave many reps for the juniors, now the current seniors.
"But I would say from a schematic and a grasping the defense aspect, these guys have really understood it pretty well. It's a little more fun as a coach, because you do have open competitions for positions. Logan Joyce (a current senior) didn't play last year, but he played as a sophomore and made a lot of tackles for the JV team. He's a tremendous athlete who recently ran an equivalent 4.5 (forty) with an electronic 4.7.
"Drew (Andrew) Keirn is a returning guy who got some reps on special teams and has worked really hard. He's a pretty bright kid. And Jonathan Ockunzzi, I don't think anyone has worked any harder than him.
"Mike Volpe is a kid with potential and Tom Grosel came back this year. Tom is a very intelligent young man. With some of the guys who missed last year, I'm curious to see what happens when the pads go on."
*Junior linebacker Tom Eichenberg is another player Coach Franzinger spoke very highly of. Tommy has a nice blend of size, athleticism and toughness.
"Senior Andrew Boldy is a tremendous kid," Coach Franzinger continued. "He was our Scout Team Player of the Year last season. He, like Johnathan, knows the defense. He knows every detail and very rarely makes a mistake.
"Kyle Sullivan is another junior who had a solid JV season. He enjoys the game and has the lineage. Junior John Stuhldreher right now is a pretty good backup player and junior Tyler Conner has put in the work."
*Looking at last year's JV roster, George Byrne was among the linebackers and junior linebacker/defensive lineman Griffin Sheehan is a player who has worked on improving his speed, as the coaches asked him to do.
"I think this year's seniors learned a lot from last year's seniors," said Coach Franzinger. "They have a lot of pride in the unit. It is important for them to carry on some of the tradition that unit built. They appear to be dedicated to that."
AND, AS THIS OLD SAINT IGNATIUS OF ANTIOCH GRIDIRON COACH PREPARES FOR FRIDAY'S FINAL MINI CAMP, WHICH WILL BE A COMBINED VARSITY AND JV CAMP AT 3 PM, HERE ARE SOME QUICK HITS TO CHEW ON.
Visiting camp on Thursday was former Wildcat All-Area, All-District and All-Ohio offensive lineman Jimmy Byrne, currently a redshirt junior athletically and a senior academically at the University of Notre Dame. As always, Jimmy was the epitome of class.
During Thursday's Match and Team drills, promising junior defensive lineman Aidan Wells forced a fumble and picked the ball out of mid air for a scoop and score.
Senior quarterback Daniel Alexander made a nice adjustment and read, and turned the original play called into a significant pickup on the ground.
And staying with the veteran QBs, senior quarterback Kyle Hall hooked up with senior wide receivers Michael Drobnick and Sammy Snyder on two impressive long scoring throws.