From Lou Groza Field in Berea, Ohio - The learning process continued for the Saint Ignatius Freshmen Blue on Thursday evening and, although it was a test they couldn't solve, the hope is that the young Football Wildcats will call on their pride and take something away from the 40-0 loss to host Berea-Midpark.

 Now standing 0-2 on the season, the Freshmen Blue were overpowered by the 2-1 ninth-grade Titans from Bagley Road, as Berea-Midpark scored early and often in a matchup that saw a running clock come into play.

 The Titans, small in overall numbers, but large in talent, rode a 51-yard touchdown by multi-skilled and powerfully built running back Rodney Williams to a 6-0 lead, an effort that saw Williams catch a swing pass in stride near the visitor's sideline, cut on a dime and outrun the pursuit into the scoreboard end zone of  Lou Groza Field. The extra-point kick made it 7-0 with 7 minutes and 3 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

 After Williams' effort, the officials sent both teams to their respective locker rooms as thunder rang out through the impressive facility named after the Browns' late Hall of Fame and All-Pro offensive tackle/place kicker Lou "The Toe" Groza.

 Following a 38-minute weather delay, Berea-Midpark continued its offensive onslaught with a long drive deep into Saint Ignatius territory.

 In what was one of the Wildcats' few bright spots, Coach Rodney Gallaway's team got an exceptional pursuit tackle from defensive end Kevin Patterson and was able to turn the Titans away at the 'Cats' 7-yard line. Patterson's hit resulted in a 4-yard loss.

 The night belonged to the Titans, however, as Williams ripped off a 43-yard touchdown burst over the left side and, after converting a fourth down-and-4, Berea-Midpark made it a 20-0 game off a 60-yard TD gallop by running back Chase Thomas and the ensuing extra point. Thomas' touchdown also came off a fourth-down effort.

 Another big TD play, this time a catch and run of 63 yards by running back/receiver Elijah Franklin that was capped by another PAT, allowed the Titans to take a 27-0 lead into a short halftime break. The running clock came into play in the second half after defensive lineman Connor Reynolds came up with the first of his two scoop and scores off Saint Ignatius fumbles.

 Along with Patterson's tackle, the Blue 'Cats did receive a couple of heady punts under pressure from Declan Mangan, a solid tackle in punt coverage by Tate Laspisa and a workmanlike catch along the home sideline by tight end Alex Dell that unfortunately was wiped out by a penalty.

 Up next for the Blue 'Cats is next Thursday's trip to Kirtland for a 5:30 PM kickoff.

 Have a great weekend and this old gridiron grinder will see you at Wasmer Field tomorrow (Friday) evening, as the Wildcats' Freshmen Gold Team takes on the freshmen football program from Euclid High School. The kickoff is scheduled for 5:30 PM. And of course it will be another of my many trips to Byers Field in Parma's Robert M. Boulton Stadium on Saturday night for the 7 PMrenewal of the Saint Ignatius versus Euclid Varsity Football rivalry (see this corner's preview that was posted Wednesday morning).