Each year, Cleveland.com releases a preseason Top 25, ranking the best of the best football teams in Northeast Ohio.

The bad news? The Wildcats are ranked No. 4.

The good news? The Wildcats will have immediate opportunities to rise up the poll. 

The Wildcats will play all three teams ranked above them this season. No. 3 Archbishop Hoban visits Byers Field on Saturday, No. 2 St. Edward will face the Wildcats in October at FirstEnergy Stadium, and No. 1 Mentor comes to Parma for the annual rivalry game in Week 2. 

Last season, the Wildcats defeated Hoban, 17-3; bested St. Edward in a thriller, 17-10; and split the series with Mentor. 

The men of Chuck Kyle '69 will also play No. 5 Euclid in Week 3. The Wildcats defeated Euclid during the regular season and postseason in 2017. 

Of the Wildcats, Cleveland.com's Matt Goul wrote:

"St. Ignatius possesses one of the area's top defenses, led by Boston College commit Tommy Eichenberg at linebacker and Division I recruit Jett Elad at cornerback. Big Aidan Wells also is back at tight end and defensive end, while Jahadge "Bo" Floyd rushed for 1,000 yards. An unproven offensive line is all that keeps the Wildcats from being ranked higher, but they have ample opportunities to change that. Their first three games are against top-five teams in Archbishop Hoban, Mentor and Euclid."

The season begins for the Wildcats this Saturday, August 25 at Byers Field at 7 pm. Leading up to the game, look for more position previews and a game preview later this week.