Ohio City - Sophomore wide receiver Henry Cook and sophomore quarterback Griffin Hanna, two of Saint Ignatius' gifted weapons on the Junior Varsity level, had their own special play in mind as they took the field for the second half of Saturday's matchup with the previously undefeated Kirtland Hornets.
"We ran it a few times in practice, like weeks ago, and I was like, if it's open in practice I'll bet it will be open in a game," said Cook. "I told Griff (Hanna) what I was doing and he put it on me."
"It" was a perfect wheel route that saw Hanna hit Cook in stride down the home sideline of Wasmer Field on the first play from scrimmage in the second half. The 60-yard touchdown effort, along with the ensuing extra-point kick by sophomore Rory McConville, Henry's cousin, stretched Saint Ignatius' lead over the now 6-1 Hornets to 26-0.
"Once we settled down, we got a better feel for the game and it was just a lot easier to make plays," said Hanna, whose two touchdown passes and a rushing TD helped Coach Paul Yappel's Junior Varsity Wildcats improve to 5-1. "It all slowed down a bit and everything seemed to work.
"Henry came in at halftime (the halftime break) and said if you come out with that (the wheel route), it will be open," Hanna continued.
Wildcats outstanding Receivers Coach Jack Hyland '14 described the 60-yard combo as, "The old wink and nod play."
On what was a warm sunny day on the campus of Cleveland's Jesuit Preparatory School, Saint Ignatius' defense was strong and steady from the get-go. Among those setting what was an authoritative tone were defensive back Merick Hartley, linemen Anthony Gerace, Nick Schwitzgebel and Max Watters, and linebackers Michael McNamara (an early fumble recovery) and Jack Welcsh. All sophomores, my friends.
The Wildcats, who travel to Otterbein University on Saturday, October 14th to face the Junior Varsity team from Archbishop Moeller in what is scheduled as an 11:30 am kickoff, got their offense in gear and marched 69 yards in six plays.
After strong defensive efforts by Kirtland against the run, the 'Cats were faced with a third-and-15 from their 26-yard line. Up stepped the Hanna-to-Cook combo for a deep seam route that produced a first down at the Hornets' 35-yard line. Three plays later Hanna scored on a 1-yard keeper with 4 minutes and 55 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Also contributing to that 6-0 lead were the strong running of sophomore tailback James Crosby and a smooth catch and run by sophomore tight end Jake Lang that placed the pigskin at the Hornets' 1-yard line.
Kirtland, which featured a very capable running game led by tailback Luke Gardner, was knocking on the door with a first down at the Saint Ignatius 15-yard line. Slamming that door shut, however, were impressive sacks by McNamara and Schwitzgebel of -minus 9 and -minus 10 yards, respectively.
With Crosby eating up some well-earned yards, the Wildcats stretched their lead to 12-0 on a touchdown pass from Hanna to Cook off a third-and-10 from the Kirtland 20 with 3:14 to go in the first half. Saint Ignatius' attempt for an ensuing 2-point conversion was turned away.
The Wildcats' special teams came to the fore just before halftime, as Hartley, with Kirtland punting from its 15-yard line, blocked the punt. The ball was scooped up by lineman/linebacker Connor Francz. who took it into the Lorain Avenue end zone for a touchdown. McConville's PAT was high and true, and the 'Cats led, 19-0, with 1 minute left in the first half. It stayed that way entering the halftime break thanks to another visit to Sack City from Gerace, McNamara and Schwitzgebel.
Following the above-referenced wheel to 60 yards and a touchdown courtesy of Hanna and Cook, Kirtland cut into Saint Ignatius' 26-0 lead on an 8-yard touchdown reception by tight end Mike Bottesch and the ensuing 2-point conversion run by Gardner.
With the Wildcats rotating players in and out, the Hornets made it a 26-14 final off a 1-yard score by Mason Sullivan.
As they gear up for the demanding stretch run of Archbishop Moeller, Cincinnati St. Xavier and West Side rival St. Edward, the JV 'Cats, emphasized Hanna and Cook, are starting to hit their stride on offense and defense, limiting the "dumb" penalties and playing good, sound football.