Middle linebacker/tight end/running back/punter Aidan Conway was a force on a defensive unit that brought an aggressive and unforgiving mentality to the Keystone State, quarterback JP Tijanich hurt the McDowell Trojans with his arm and his legs, tailback Mike Simcak continued to produce the tough yards, and wide receivers Christopher Snyder, Jack Dunstan and Michael Morgan were money as the young Wildcats improved to 3-3.
Erie, Pennsylvania - Saint Ignatius Head Freshmen Football Coach Rodney Gallaway and his savvy Assistants Mark Ruddy '90, Pat Hopkins '14, Rory Hennessey '76, Matt Mooney '85, Tony Antonelli and Joe Gibbons '17 walked off atmosphere-rich Gus Anderson Field on Thursday night knowing that their ninth-grade Wildcats truly have the promise of a bright future on the gridiron.
Sure, there are still things that need to be ironed out before the Freshmen face the stretch run of their demanding schedule. However, Coach Antonelli, who helped guide some of the top Varsity defenses in Saint Ignatius' rich football history, emphasized that what Freshmen Football is all about at Cleveland's Jesuit Preparatory School is "the developmental stage."
That development came to the fore during what was a spectacular fall evening in Erie - brisk, but comfortable under a blue-gray sky whose sunset was near perfect.
And while we won't say the Freshmen 'Cats were perfect, they were, more often than not, darn good.
Quarterback JP Tijanich and wide receiver Christopher Snyder applied the fuel for Coach Ruddy's offense when on a second down and 27 yards to go, Tijanich rolled away from heavy pressure and found Snyder off an authoritative throw down the middle of the field. Snyder, a cousin to Wildcats outstanding senior Varsity receiver Sammy Snyder, went up and got the ball, broke a tackle and outran the pursuit for a 55-yard score. Liam Doyle's extra-point kick greeted the open end zone of Gus Anderson Field and Saint Ignatius led, 7-0, with just under eight minutes remaining in the first quarter.
The Wildcats' 6-foot-1, 200-pound young man in the middle, linebacker Aidan Conway, helped set the table for the Wildcats' next score by pouncing on a McDowell fumble as the Trojans were bobbling the snap off a punt attempt. Aidan's nose for the ball gave Coach Gallaway's team a first down at the McDowell 37-yard line.
From there, tough and talented tailback Mike Simcak pounded his way up the gut of the Trojans' defense for 19 yards. Two plays later, Tijanich, faced with a second down-and-15 from the Trojans' 23, tucked the ball away on a keeper up the middle, broke to the outside and raced down the home sideline of Gus Anderson Feld into the right corner of the open end zone. Doyle's PAT was good and Saint Ignatius extended its lead to 14-0 with 2:10 to go in the opening quarter.
With Conway and fellow linebacker Nick Velotta leading a defensive charge that forced McDowell to punt from its end zone, Wildcats multi-skilled wide receiver Michael Morgan appeared to score off a punt return. Saint Ignatius was flagged with a penalty, however, and the 'Cats took possession at the Trojans' 39-yard line.
After the resilient Morgan put together an athletic catch and run that created a first-and-10 at the McDowell 20, Tijanich dropped back and, off what was a smooth in-stride pass and reception, combined with wide receiver/defensive back Jack Dunstan on a 20-yard scoring play in the left corner of the scoreboard end zone.
Carrying a 20-0 lead into their halftime break, the Wildcats were reminded by Coach Gallaway and Coach Ruddy that they left some points on the field in the first half.
The final 20 minutes saw Coach Hopkins and Coach Mooney smiling, as the defense produced two touchdowns off fumble returns courtesy of Conway and always present outside linebacker Drake Larson. Conway's trip to the end zone was a 58-yard effort and Larson's scoop and score was from 20 yards out.
Doyle added to his productive night by kicking a 25-yard field goal late in the third quarter.
McDowell, which slipped to 1-2-1, got on the scoreboard off a 1-yard touchdown run by its talented tailback Anthony Emling with 5:03 remaining to be played.
A PROMISING IMPRESSION: That is what Aidan Conway left on this veteran reporter, as the young man spoke with a maturity beyond his years after Thursday night's impressive victory on the road. His responses were all preceded by WE when talking about the game and his teammates.
A player with multiple skills, Conway, who also got off a booming punt that pushed the Trojans back to their 7-yard line, credited everyone but himself on his scoop and score, saying that his teammates stripped the ball away and it just landed in his lap.
I can see the potential of some special leadership qualities in the future from this young man in the middle.
ON THE MEND: Wildcats gifted freshman defensive back Andrew Chime, who suffered a hip injury during last week's loss versus Glenville and had to be taken to a nearby hospital by Cleveland's EMS, said he got some good news from his doctors. With the care of those wonderful doctors, the tremendous therapy he is receiving from Saint Ignatius' highly respected and acclaimed Head Athletic Trainer Mr. Hank Gaughan ATC, outstanding Assistant Athletic Trainer Maureen "Mo" Sizemore and one of the finest Directors of Strength and Conditioning that the nation has to offer, Mr. Anthony Rubino, Andrew is looking forward to resuming his football career at Saint Ignatius in the near future.
JUST A REMINDER ON A SCHEDULE UPDATE: The Wildcats' Freshmen Football Game at GlenOak's Bob Commings Field next week is scheduled for Wednesday, October 4 at 6 pm.
Have a great weekend and we will see you at Byers Field in Parma's Robert M. Boulton Stadium on Saturday night for the Wildcats' Varsity Football game versus Clarkson Football North (see the corner's preview from Wednesday morning). The kickoff from Ridge Road and Day Drive will be 7 pm.