Ohio City - In addressing his Varsity Wildcats after Wednesday's practice on a sun-drenched Wasmer Field, Saint Ignatius' Hall of Fame Head Football Coach Chuck Kyle '69 put an emphasis on Friday's final preseason test.
"They're aggressive, they will come out with a lot of intensity," Coach Kyle said in reference to the Canton McKinley Bulldogs, Saint Ignatius' opponent in the annual Jamboree.
Played under game conditions, the Jamboree will take place in Canton's Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Friday's kickoff in the sparkling newly renovated and atmosphere-rich facility is 7 PM. Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium was formerly known as Fawcett Stadium to us old gridiron grinders.
Split-field scrimmages between the Saint Ignatius and McKinley Junior Varsity and Freshmen football programs will get the action started at approximately 5 PM. Keep in mind that the OHSAA does allow an admission charge for Jamborees.
"This will be a very good test," Coach Kyle continued. "As long as we match that intensity, our execution will take it from there."
In last season's Jamboree, which was played on Canton Central Catholic's Lowell Klinefelter Field because of the renovations going on at Tom Benson Hall of Stadium, the Wildcats' execution was solid on both sides of the ball in the early going.
On the strength of touchdown runs by Mark Bobinski '18 and Matt Viancourt '18, both from 2 yards out, some exceptional pass catching by wide receiver Connor Kennedy '18 and a 41-yard field goal by Matthew Trickett '18, the 2016 'Cats moved to a 17-3 lead in the second quarter.
However, in a game-conditions scrimmage that consisted of three quarters McKinley benefitted from a few miscues by the Wildcats, including a fumble into the Bulldogs' end zone that McKinley recovered for a touchback.
Coach Dan Reardon's "Pups" closed to 17-10 with 6 minutes and 10 seconds remaining to be played and knotted the score at 17 with 4:03 left. And that was your final tally, my friends.
The Bulldogs return 27 lettermen this season, including 12 with big-game experience. McKinley finished 6-5 in 2016 after losing to Stow in the first round of the OHSAA Division I playoffs.
Expected to lead the Bulldogs' headliners this season is senior linebacker/running back Josh Chandler, who earned Associated Press second team Division I All-Ohio honors at linebacker in 2016.
The 6-0, 212-pound Chandler has accepted a scholarship from West Virginia after also considering offers from Miami, Eastern Michigan, Western Michigan, Ohio University, Kent State, Akron, Marshall, Western Kentucky, Air Force, Navy and Tennessee Chattanooga.
Chandler is currently in his second season with the McKinley Football Program after two years with the Golden Eagles of Canton GlenOak. Along with his prowess on the gridiron, Chandler is also a multi letter winner in basketball and track and field.
THE NAME GAME: We could have a matchup Friday night that features Sam Snyder versus Sam Snyder. The Wildcats' Sam Snyder is a gifted senior wide receiver and the Bulldogs' Sam Snyder is a mainstay as a senior defensive back.
Junior linebacker Daryl Daniels and senior running back Javon Lewis are among McKinley's other names to watch.
GRIDIRON GAB: The word around Stark County and Cuyahoga County was that McKinley did a nice job of picking up extra yards after the initial hit during its scrimmage with St. Edward. If that was the case, you can be sure Coach Tom Lombardo and his staff will correct that in a hurry.
THE REARDON REPORT: Coach Reardon is in his third season at McKinley. He has a 13-9 overall record with the Bulldogs, including back-to-back playoff appearances.
Coach Reardon started his career as a graduate assistant for Jim Tressel's staff at Youngtown State. He then became a graduate assistant for Cam Cameron at Indiana and was an assistant at Warren G. Harding High School from 1998 to 2003.
The next stop for Coach Reardon was at Youngstown Ursuline High School, where he compiled an outstanding record of 72-29. His Ursuline teams advanced to four consecutive state championship games, winning three consecutive titles in 2008, '09 and '10.
AIR CATS: Senior quarterbacks Kyle Hall and Daniel Alexander each turned in solid performances during Wednesday's "Match" and "Team" drills on Wasmer Field. Kyle was sharp and heady in both of his sessions, including his work behind the Junior Varsity offensive line.
"Way to hang in there," said Saint Ignatius' outstanding Offensive Coordinator Nick Restifo after Kyle, under heavy pressure, put the ball in senior wide receiver Max Pike's hands off a deep route along the sideline.
Among the other Wildcats receivers coming up with sure-handed receptions were junior Luke Cooper, senior Sammy Snyder and junior Nigel Drummond II. Junior running back Jahadge "Bo" Floyd also produced a catch and run down the home sideline of Wasmer Field that drew a roar of approval from his teammates.
SHORT WEEK: After Friday's Jamboree, the Varsity Wildcats will have just five days to prepare for their season opener, which is Thursday, August 24th versus Archbishop Hoban. The kickoff from the Knights' Monsignor Richard A. Dowed Field is 7 PM.
If you are not busy this coming Sunday, come out to Wasmer Field and watch the 'Cats prepare for the Knights. There will be a Mass in St. Mary of the Assumption Chapel at 10:30 AM, followed by practice. Look forward to seeing you there.
AIR WAVES: This corner would like to send out a "have a wonderful and memorable season" wish to the Wildcats' Varsity Football Broadcasters for 2017, four-year SIBN veteran Matt MacKenzie, who is savoring another great season by his beloved Cleveland Indians, and versatile three-year SIBN veteran Zack Strom.
MY DEEPEST THANKS - In closing, I would like to express my appreciation for those in the Saint Ignatius Family who sent out their prayers to my sister, Mary Anne Colbert. Mary Anne passed away on Tuesday morning in the peace and warmth of her home after a short stay in Fairview Hospital. No one could have asked for a better older sister and mentor to grow up with, as Mary Anne, an outstanding teacher at Saint Ignatius of Antioch and even a greater wife and mother, was the eldest of the six children raised by our late parents, Jim and Marie. This corner was truly blessed, as the youngest of those six, to learn from all of my older brothers and sisters. Again, Thank You!