By Eddie Dwyer
*Please note that Wildcats outstanding Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Ryan Franzinger '02 provided Saturday'spractice highlights. This proud grandfather was at St. Joan of Arc Church in Chagrin Falls on Saturday attending the Baptism of my grandson Connor Murphy.
Ohio City - The consistency is starting to take hold on both sides of the ball and the enthusiasm is peaking from practice to practice.
The 2017 Football Wildcats, under the direction of Hall of Fame Head Coach Chuck Kyle '69, completed their first six days of double sessions with the look of a team on a mission.
Coming off a 27-20, double-overtime setback to their Jesuit brothers from Cincinnati St. Xavier in last season's OHSAA Division I State Championship Game, the record 11-time state champion 'Cats realize they let one slip away on that brisk Dec. 2, 2016 night at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.
It's a 12th big-school gold trophy that the 2017 'Cats seek as they take a one step at a time approach versus a regular season schedule that is laden with playoff-caliber teams, including defending state champions Archbishop Hoban (Opening night at Hoban on Thursday, Aug. 24th) and St. Xavier (Week 9 at Byers Field on Saturday, Oct. 21st). The Hoban Knights won back-to-back Division III state championships in 2015 and '16 and have moved up to Division II this season under the new OHSAA competitive balance and male enrollment rating system.
HERE IS A LOOK AT THE 'CATS' DOUBLE SESSIONS FROM WEDNESDAY THROUGH SATURDAY. COACH KYLE WILL GUIDE HIS WILDCATS INTO TUESDAY'S ANNUAL SCRIMMAGE/DRILLS WITH COACH JIM MCQUAIDE'S SOLON COMETS. THE ACTION AT THE COMETS' STORIED STEWART FIELD GETS UNDERWAY AT 10 A.M.
WEDNESDAY
In the opening session, Wide Receivers Coach Jack Hyland '14 had his deep and talented pass catchers work on press coverage by the defense. You are going to love these 2017 receivers, my friends.
Senior cornerback Xavier Curtis made a nice move on the ball and came up with an authoritative pass breakup.
Senior quarterback Danny Alexander pulled off a picture-perfect fake, kept the ball and raced for an impressive gain up the middle. Danny's Houdini work was so effective that Saint Ignatius' veteran Running Backs Coach Terry Fergus '72 yelled: "I thought Viancourt (senior running back Matt Viancourt) had the ball." Also credit Matt for carrying out his role during Danny's quick-handed deception.
Danny also ran for another long gain off a roll to his right that he turned into a razor-sharp cut to his left.
"Not bad Caden, not bad," yelled Wildcats' outstanding Defensive Coordinator/Linebackers Coach Ryan Franzinger '02 after junior linebacker Caden Campolieti, a converted quarterback, took to the air and batted down a pass.
Coach Adam Rini '99 and Coach Paul Yappel watched their offensive line of preseason All-American senior tackle and University of Kentucky recruit Darian Kinnard; All-Northeast Lakes District and All-Area senior guard Jack Jamieson; senior guard Juan Pen; senior tackle Billy Corte and gritty senior center Jivan Meguerditchian continue to do a solid all-around job.
During Wednesday's evening session, the highlights included a perfect pass and catch between senior quarterback Kyle Hall and junior wide receiver/defensive back John Wetula that saw Kyle hit John in stride in the right corner of the Lorain Avenue end zone at Wasmer Field.
Senior wide receivers Connor Kennedy and Michael Drobnick, who are among the area's best, came up with diving, second-effort receptions.
And, in continuing to praise Coach Hyland's receiving corps, this old gridiron grinder has to once again single out the efforts of seniors Sammy Snyder and Max Pike, who continue to haul in passes all over the field. Sammy and Max just might be the two most underrated receivers in Greater Cleveland.
A tip of the cap goes out to versatile sophomore running back/linebacker/defensive back Jack Welcsh, who continues to impress, and the all in the family efforts by the Kennedys, which saw Connor Kennedy spring gifted sophomore tailback Najee Lockett loose with a text-book block and Jack Kennedy, a junior running back/defensive back, come up with a timely move and read on the ball that resulted in an interception.
This old coach also enjoyed Wednesday's drills on blocking punts, which were orchestrated by Saint Ignatius' Defensive Backfield Coach Kevin Johnson '10. Kevin excelled in football and track at Saint Ignatius and Baldwin Wallace University, garnering All-American track honors for the Yellow Jackets.
Congrats go out to Wildcats senior standouts Mark Bobinski (tailback) and Justin Sands (safety), who have been offered to further their educations and football careers at the University of Dayton.
THURSDAY
Mother Nature came with a blitz of rain, thunder and lightning in causing most of Thursday's doubles to be interrupted.
When the 'Cats were able to take the field for the evening session, Sammy Snyder picked up where he left off on Wednesday by catching everything in his reach, including a one-handed grab.
Senior defensive linemen Toby Engel and Aidan Gill received praise from veteran line coach and Head Wrestling Coach Mark Sullivan for their ability to disrupt things up front. Coach Sullivan was a tremendous defensive lineman for the late, great Woody Hayes at The Ohio State University. Toby is a converted offensive lineman and Aidan triples as a fullback and a long snapper.
Also providing some solid penetration along the line were senior linebacker Logan Joyce and junior linebacker Caden Campolieti. Senior running back/defensive back Matt Viancourt came flying to the ball for a timely pass breakup.
Senior quarterback Kyle Hall hit oh so promising junior linebacker/tight end Tommy Eichenberg in stride in the right flat and Tommy powered his way down the home sideline of Wasmer Field for extra yardage.
And last, but certainly not least, senior linebacker Dan Ruddy came up with a smooth and savvy interception. Dan is a nephew of former Wildcat AP and UPI All-Ohio defensive back/wide receiver Mark Ruddy '90. Mark is an Assistant Coach for the Saint Ignatius Football Program.
FRIDAY
Can you hear, can you hear that thunder?
Yes, the Angels were sending strikes down the lanes up above as the rains fell from Heaven on Ohio City and Wasmer Field Friday.
Led by the organizational skills of veteran Offensive Coordinator Nick Restifo, the 'Cats' savvy Coaching Staff adjusted beautifully, however, and Mother Nature's unpredictable personality took a turn for the better as the Wildcats were able to put together a productive late afternoon/early evening practice under a blue-gray sunny sky and cool temperatures.
Two tips of this corner's cap go out to punter/kicker Patrick Otter, who got off two exceptional punts from the scoreboard end zone of Wasmer Field during Saint Ignatius' punt-coverage drills.
Applying some nice pressure in the early group competition were senior linebackers Gabe Liberatore and Logan Joyce, and junior defensive lineman Seamus Cooney. The emphasis by the defense in the early group session was the inside run.
"Nice ball, nice ball," yelled Coach Restifo to senior quarterback Kyle Hall during the seven-on-seven drills after Kyle delivered an authoritative, on-the-money deep pass to senior wide receiver Sammy Snyder down the visitor's sideline of Wasmer Field.
Junior wide receiver/safety John Wetula continued his solid week on both sides of the ball by coming up with another interception and ever-present senior defensive back Max Mook came out of nowhere to provide an on-the-spot pass breakup.
Senior quarterback Danny Alexander combined with senior wide receiver Killian Meehan on a picture-perfect pass and route that resulted in a Lorain Avenue end zone touchdown.
In the 11-on-11, which wrapped up Friday's session, the offensive line continued to show the way in providing a hole for gifted sophomore tailback Najee Lockett. Najee continues to display his vision, quick burst, balance and cutting ability.
Junior wide receiver Luke Cooper displayed exceptional hands while hauling in a pass in traffic and junior tailback Jack Kennedy took advantage of some more exceptional work by the O-Line. Jack complemented the blocking up front with one of his trademark cuts to the inside that came off his burst to the outside.
Mook made the highlight reel again by coming up with an interception of a tipped pass deep in the red zone and returning the ball for a nice gain, sophomore linebacker Michael McNamara also joined Friday's INT list with an exceptional read, and junior linemen Aidan Wells and Zachary McMahan, along with junior linebacker Kyle Sullivan, were providing the pressure up front. And making another case for the defense were junior corner Jett Elad, who visited Pick City with his interception, and junior safety Chris Velotta, who dislodged the ball from a receiver.
SATURDAY
The first-team offense opened the intrasquad scrimmage with a well-balanced drive against the #2 defense leading to a Jack Kennedy TD run. The drive was highlighted by Kennedy's strong runs and Daniel Alexander's running, throwing, and decision-making.
The offense would get scores later in the afternoon from Max Pike and Luke Cooper. Patrick Delahunty delivered the long TD pass to Cooper. Also of note was the hard running from senior two-way player Matt Viancourt.
The defense had some fine moments of its own including a USA Football Heads Up textbook tackle in the backfield by Tom Eichenberg, a crucial third down stop by senior cornerback Cam Toppin, a third down pass breakup by junior LB Kyle Sullivan, consistent pressure from the defensive line, and a phenomenal interception and 50-yard return for a touchdown by senior CB Max Mook. - COACH FRANZINGER.