From Wildcats outstanding Head Freshmen Football Coach Rodney Gallaway and composed by this old gridiron grinder.
The Freshmen Wildcats, who, in the words of Coach Gallaway, played well in all phases of the game, now stand 5-3 heading into Thursday's 6 pm home game on Wasmer Field versus the Freshmen Ramblers from Erie (Pa.) Cathedral Prep.
Coach Gallaway said his young 'Cats bent a little bit on defense, but definitely did not break in what was a solid, 29-6, team victory.
That defense featured key interceptions by linebacker Killian Schill and defensive back Christopher Snyder, who is a cousin to Wildcats standout senior Varsity receiver Sammy Snyder.
Schill's pick resulted in a touchback in the end zone.
Offensively, the Wildcats' receivers turned in a big day and quarterback JP Tijanich was solid.
Wide receiver Alec LaSpina continued his good hands club work with a touchdown reception, tight end Nicholas Lamirand hauled in a six-pointer and wide receiver/running back/ defensive back Michael Morgan made a smooth over-the shoulder, in-stride catch for a touchdown off a ball that Tijanich put right where it needed to be.
Lamirand is the son of former Wildcat football great Dean Lamirand '93.
Coach Gallaway said for the most part Tijanich made the throws he had to. JP also contributed a touchdown run and Declan Mangan added a field goal.
In closing, Coach Gallaway wanted to emphasize how "classy" Moeller's coaches were following the game. Rodney said the men who guide the young Crusaders were nothing but "first class."
And, in another closing paragraph that truly relates to the Freshmen Wildcats, this old-timer would like to share with our faithful readers the comments Saint Ignatius' Hall of Fame Head Varsity Football Coach Mr. Chuck Kyle '69 was kind enough to give this reporter. They were comments I used in my Plain Dealer game story that Sunday morning in 1992 and later while composing a magazine for Saint Ignatius on what at the time were the Wildcats' 10 state football championships.
Coach Kyle's words refer to the above-mentioned Dean Lamirand, who helped the 'Cats to their fourth state football championship in 1992, a 24-14 victory over a previously unbeaten Cincinnati St. Xavier team at a chilled-to-the-bone Canton Fawcett Stadium, now Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
"Dean is a model example for kids coming into a program," Coach Kyle said just moments after that triumph over Jesuit School rival St. Xavier. "This kid made some big sacrifices for this team. I wish in five, 10 or 15 years, somewhere down the road, someone asks me what a Saint Ignatius football player should be like. "I'll say he should be like Dean Lamirand."
Congrats to the Freshmen 'Cats, have a great rest of the weekend and this corner is looking forward to covering and reporting on Thursday'sFreshmen Game versus those ninth-graders from the Keystone State.