Ohio City -  Just moments after he put together one of the strongest all-around performances in the history of Saint Ignatius' Junior Varsity Football Program, gifted sophomore Connor Cmiel, as is his nature, talked in terms of "we" while discussing the JV 'Cats' 34-15 victory over Archbishop Hoban in Saturday's season opener on Wasmer Field.

"We just came out ready to play," Cmiel said. "We wanted to put up big numbers on O (offense) and the D (defense) played well. We played hard and forced them to turn the ball over."

A very skilled wide receiver, special teams player and defensive back, who is also a member Saint Ignatius' storied Varsity Program, Cmiel was a major factor and then some in the areas he mentioned above.

Helping set the tone for what was an aggressive effort by the young 'Cats was a defense whose mindset from the get-go was pressure, and then more pressure.

Pinning the Archbishop Hoban Knights deep in their territory, Saint Ignatius' defense struck on the game's opening possession.

Flushing the Knights' quarterback from the pocket, the 'Cats' D forced a fumble that savvy sophomore defensive back Merick Hartley recovered near the 5-yard line and, after a little bobble, promptly took the football into the Lorain Avenue end zone for a touchdown. Steady sophomore kicker Rory McConville added the extra point and Saint Ignatius led, 7-0, with 9 minutes and 11 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

It stayed a 7-0 game until the humble Cmiel started putting his impressive stamp on Wasmer Field.

After coming up with a leaping interception at the Saint Ignatius 39-yard line, Cmiel displayed his hops and sure hands again by going air born along the visitor's sideline to haul in a reception. Keeping his balance as he landed, Cmiel juked and ripped away from a defender, and outraced the pursuit into the scoreboard end zone for a 61-yard touchdown. McConville's extra point made it a 14-0 game and it remained that way until the start of the second half.

"I had to come back to it," said Cmiel of a pass that was slightly under thrown. "The corner was shorter so I just went up and caught it."

Following a short break for halftime, Cmiel wasted little time in making his presence felt again.

Fielding the second-half kickoff, Cmiel displayed his balance, vision and speed by racing 87 yards down the home or right sideline of Wasmer Field for another touchdown. Cmiel, who also is the holder for McConville, teamed with Rory for another PAT and the 'Cats were starting to take command at 21-0.

A 4-yard touchdown sprint over the left side by promising sophomore quarterback Griffin Hanna and McConville's fourth extra point extended Saint Ignatius' lead to 28-0 with 4:46 to go in the third quarter.

Archbishop Hoban would score in the final two minutes of the third quarter off a 1-yard run by Kobe Campbell that the officials had to huddle over to discuss if Campbell actually got in.

Just when the Knights were feeling good about being on the board, Cmiel fielded the ensuing kickoff at the Saint Ignatius 25-yard line and, off second - and third-efforts of cuts and broken tackles, returned the ball deep into Archbishop Hoban territory.

Before his day was over, Cmiel would hook up with Hanna on a touchdown pass that left no doubt at 34-7 with 7:02 left, and the Knights closed out the scoring on a catch and run for a TD by Cordell Cobb and the ensuing 2-point conversion run by Campbell.

"We need to get better," said Cmiel of some of the turnovers that occurred in Game 1. "But I think we took a step in the right direction and now we just have to keep moving on and stay aggressive."

Along with Cmiel's all-around efforts, Saint Ignatius' savvy Head JV Coach Paul Yappel saw defensive lineman Anthony Gerace apply a key tackle, linebacker Benjamin Rossi record a fumble recovery, linebacker Michael McNamara make his presence felt, defensive back Tyler Hampu come up with an interception, and defensive lineman/tight end Sam Daugstrup provide some key pressure.

The 'Cats' offensive line, which provided room for talented running backs Najee Lockett and James Crosby, is led by the strength and leadership of Tony Georges and Nicholas Schwitzgebel.

FROM COACH YAPPEL: "I think we played well defensively and did well in creating some takeaways. That always helps, to win the turnover battle. I also thought we had a number of explosive plays that helped us offensively and with special teams."

Coach Yappel added that both of his quarterbacks, Nick Fletcher and Griffin Hanna, did well on a number of things, but that it is a learning process for everyone.

"This is a continual progression to get better, and that is where we want to go," said the man who also is an Assistant Coach (offensive line) with the Wildcats' Varsity Program.

UP NEXT: The JV 'Cats are scheduled to host the Mentor Cardinals' Jayvees on Saturday, September 2nd. The kickoff from Wasmer Field is slated for 10 AM.

NOTE: As always, this corner will be previewing Friday's area headliner in Varsity Football between Coach Chuck Kyle's 1-0 Wildcats and Coach Steve Trivisonno's 1-0 Mentor Cardinals. The kickoff from Mentor's Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium is 7 PM under the Friday Night Lights of Lake County.

Have a great rest of the weekend and we will see you on the gridirons.