Editor's Note: Eddie Dwyer's column was submitted on late Friday evening but not posted until Monday due to technical issues. Thanks for reading!
Ohio City - After Saint Ignatius' Varsity and Junior Varsity football teams wrapped up their preseason mini camps on Friday evening at Wasmer Field, defensive secondary standouts Justin Sands and Cameron Toppin talked about how much they are looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead in the late summer and fall.
Sands, a strong and savvy senior safety, and Toppin, a smooth and big-play senior corner, are excited for the 2017 regular season to get underway and the demanding schedule that accompanies it.
"I'm really excited for it," said Sands, who is an intimidating pad-rattling force while roaming from his safety spot. "Every game is a challenge. We're not going to have any off weeks."
Simply put, the Wildcats' 2017 schedule is laden with playoff-caliber teams.
Saint Ignatius opens with a Thursday night game on August 24th at Archbishop Hoban's Monsignor Richard A. Dowed Field. The Hoban Knights have won back-to-back Division III State Championships and this season will be competing in Division II.
Then it is on to Mentor's Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium to face the always well-schooled Cardinals and their strong-armed, three-year starter at quarterback - Tadas Tatarunas. The Euclid Panthers return to the 'Cats' schedule in Week 3, Michigan's 2016 big-school state runner-up Detroit Catholic Central comes calling to Byers Field in Week 4 and in Week 5 Saint Ignatius travels to one of the most challenging venues in the state of Ohio, Cincinnati Elder's The Pit. Only the strong minded survive the atmosphere that accompanies The Pit, my friends.
After home dates with Clarkson Canada North Football and Canton GlenOak, which played the Wildcats down to the wire last season at GlenOak, Saint Ignatius will close its who's who regular season slate by traveling to Otterbein University to face Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller, hosting defending Division I State Champion Cincinnati St. Xavier at Byers Field and making the short trip to Lakewood Stadium, aka "The Madhouse on Madison," for the annual showdown with West Side rival St. Edward.
With the possible exception of Clarkson Canada North Football, a significant number of OHSAA computer playoff points will be at stake every week.
"Playing these higher-caliber teams every week is going to really get us ready for the playoffs," said Toppin, who seems to savor having the ball thrown in his direction. "I'm really excited about it, too, especially with it being my senior year."
Toppin, who left a lasting impression on this old-timer with his outstanding defensive play two seasons ago in the Wildcats' impressive Junior Varsity victory at St. Edward, said he has been working really hard on his man-to-man coverage this summer.
"Last year it was a lot of zone-based coverage and stuff like that," said Toppin. "This year there are several exceptional receivers in the area from the Class of 2018 that we will have to lock down on."
For Sands, who brings back memories of former Wildcats Plain Dealer All-Scholastic and Associated Press All-Ohio safety Barry Alvis, a stalwart on Saint Ignatius' first state championship football team of 1988, has been putting in the time with his strength and conditioning on the field. Not that he wasn't already a strong, physical player.
"Also, this summer I watched a lot of film," said Sands. "I watched my game and film of the teams that we play, so maybe we could be like a leg up this year."
Like their returning teammates from last year, Sands and Toppin do not want to experience again the feelings that accompanied them as they walked out of Ohio Stadium in Columbus on the evening of Dec. 2, 2016 following a 27-20, double-overtime loss to St. Xavier in the Division I State Championship Game.
"I like the pressure and I like that we're being recognized for all of the hard work that we put in," Sands said in reference to the Wildcats' defensive secondary being considered as one of the best Northeast Ohio has to offer.
Toppin points to the facts that being such an experienced group, a group that includes senior defensive back/wide receiver and Holy Cross recruit Connor Kennedy and senior safety/running back Matt Viancourt, having played in so many big games already and having competed in such large venues as Ohio Stadium and the Browns' First Energy Stadium as being huge dividends this year.
Locked in to lock down, the 2017 Saint Ignatius Wildcats' Defensive Secondary.
FROM DEFENSIVE SECONDARY COACHES KEVIN JOHNSON AND CHAD AERNI:
Coach Johnson: "I'm just excited about No. 1, having those starters coming back. Right now it's (the defensive secondary) one of the strongest parts of our team. As long as those guys go out there and just try to lead the team, communicate and try to get other guys going every single day, I think we'll do pretty well.
"Just looking at Justin and Cam, I expect a lot out of those guys," Coach Johnson continued. "I'm expecting them to go right out and lead the defense, from start to finish."
Coach Aerni: "Jack Welcsh has played phenomenal all summer," Coach Aerni said of the Wildcats' oh so promising sophomore defensive back/running back/linebacker Jack Welcsh. Coach Aerni also pointed to the work of sophomores Merick Hartley and Jacob Davis, saying Davis has "worked his butt off."
Note: Coach Johnson referenced to the work ethic and speed of sophomore defensive back/wide receiver Dominic DeVengencie and gifted wide receiver/defensive back Connor Cmiel.
Coach Aerni, new to the staff this season, said it was obvious to him from day one of practice this summer that the Varsity secondary and its leaders are going to determine how the Varsity defense plays overall.
HERE ARE A FEW HIGHLIGHTS FROM FRIDAY'S LAST MINI CAMP
Junior defensive back Owen Adler came up with an impressive interception off a nice read.
Visiting camp on Friday was former Wildcat offensive lineman Kevin Woidke '15, currently a red-shirt sophomore and a junior academically for Coach Urban Meyer's The Ohio State University Buckeyes.
Seeing Kevin brings back wonderful memories as his dad, Jim, was the star tailback on this old-timer's undefeated and unscored upon Saint Ignatius of Antioch Cougars of the early 1970s.
Junior quarterback Caden Campolieti and senior defensive lineman Dan Ruddy are now members of the 'Cats' linebacker corps.
Junior tailback Jahadge "Bo" Floyd displayed some exceptional running in Friday's team and match, both in the interior and to the outside.
Sophomore quarterback Nick Fletcher and sophomore wide receiver Erik Daugenti combined on a nice long TD toss to the Lorain Avenue end zone that drew an applause from a 22 Lorain bus, sophomore defensive lineman Rico Levert was penetrating into the JV offensive backfield like his life depended on it and sophomore defensive lineman Braeden Yarian, the brother of Wildcat basketball standout Austen Yarian '17, also turned in a strong afternoon with a display of footwork and strength.
In closing, this corner would like to wish all of the best to Saint Ignatius' gifted SIBN broadcaster Brendan DeVenney '17, who will be leaving for Mount Union in a few weeks. Brendan said he will be starting his broadcasting career at Mount Union by reporting on the Women's Volleyball Program.
See you at the start of the official OHSAA practices, starting at 2:30 PM on Monday at Wasmer Field.
God Bless, Mr. D