From Euclid's legendary Sparky DiBiasio Stadium –

  Saint Ignatius' outstanding Head Junior Varsity and Assistant Varsity Coach Paul Yappel said his JV Wildcats "did a lot of good things" on Monday evening and that it was a "building block" in the whole process of development.

  The block the JV  Football 'Cats built on the turf at the newly renovated Sparky DiBiasio Stadium saw them take control from the get-go with spirited and aggressive play on offense, defense and special teams.

  There were plenty of special efforts by Saint Ignatius at the home of the Panthers, plays that enabled Coach Yappel's team to improve to 2-1 heading into Saturday's 12:30 PM matchup with 2-1 Detroit Catholic Central at the Shamrocks' Father Richard Elmer Stadium in Novi, Michigan.

  The Wildcats' defense set the tone on the game's first series with an interception by savvy sophomore secondary mainstay Charles Kinzel at the Saint Ignatius 25-yard.

  Sparked by the running and receiving of gritty and gifted sophomore tailback James Crosby, the field generalship of sophomore quarterback Griffin Hanna and a key reception by sophomore tight end Jake Lang, the Wildcats put together a nine-play, 75-yard drive that was capped by a strong touchdown run up the gut of the defense by Crosby and the ensuing extra point by steady sophomore kicker Rory McConville.

 With sophomores Merick Hartley and Rico Levert making their presence felt defensively, Saint Ignatius forced Euclid to punt from just outside its 10-yard line. Winning the battle up front, the Wildcats' multi-skilled sophomore wide receiver/defensive back/kick returner Connor Cmiel blocked the punt. Kinzel was there to scoop up the loose ball, as he returned the pigskin to the Panthers' 8-yard line.

  After the Euclid defense came up with a sack of -minus 11 yards, sure-handed and smooth route running sophomore receiver Henry Cook made a diving touchdown reception in the left corner of the scoreboard end zone at Sparky DiBiasio Stadium. Henry's effort, which came off a third-and-goal from the 19-yard line, was topped off by another PAT from McConville, who is Henry's cousin.

 "He put the ball on him," said Wildcats' veteran Assistant Coach for the Offense Jim Cahill '89. Coach Cahill was referring to Hanna's ability to throw the ball the only place he could on the Cook TD reception.

 With its faithful cheering on every snap, Saint Ignatius saw Kinzel add to an already big evening by coming up with his second interception, this time at the Wildcats' 31-yard line.

 Alternating quarterbacks, Coach Yappel and Coach Cahill called on junior Mike Sarko. Mike promptly marched Saint Ignatius 69 yards on 7 plays, a drive that was finished off by a 2-yard touchdown run from tough and talented sophomore tailback/linebacker Jack Welcsh and another extra point by "Money" McConville 

 Cmiel had two key receptions off Sarko throws and promising sophomore wide receiver Erik Daugenti came up with two exceptional catches during scoring drives, efforts that saw him go up after the ball.  

 Saint Ignatius' defense then took center stage again, as sophomore linebacker Aidan Crummie, making a nice read on the play, picked off a pass at the Euclid 38-yard line and returned the ball to the Panthers' 18. Crosby did the rest, as he used his strength, balance and vision in scoring on an 18-yard sweep over the left side. McConville's fourth PAT made it a 28-0 game by halftime.

 The Wildcats closed out their scoring on a 1-yard TD bootleg by Hanna off a textbook fake and McConville's fifth high and true kick.

 Euclid avoided a shutout on a highlight-reel touchdown reception by wide receiver Burrell Hannah, an effort that saw Hannah kiss the sky and come down with the ball in the right corner of the scoreboard end zone. Quarterback Vincent Jackson unleashed his strong arm in getting the ball to Hannah. 

 The Panthers' attempt for a 2-point conversion was shut off by a nice open-field tackle from Saint Ignatius sophomore defensive back Sam Kempton.

 Saint Ignatius' men in the trenches deserve a big round of applause for their work Monday evening, especially sophomore Robert Shock, who not only did his usual tireless job at his center position, but also made some key stops along the defensive line.

 "Everybody contributed," Coach Yappel said. "We just want to keep moving forward now and play good Saint Ignatius football."