The big must-see matchup between St. Ignatius and Euclid is Saturday Night from Byers Field.
Each team comes into the game with several exciting storylines that have helped them both get off to hot starts at 2-0.
We shall start with the visiting Euclid Panthers and what they bring to the table.
THE LONG-AWAITED REMATCH
The Panthers are quite familiar with the Wildcats; however it’s been some time since the private-public school rivals have faced off on the gridiron. Euclid and Saint Ignatius last battled in 1999, an OHSAA Regional Semifinal contest. The Wildcats won, 28-14, en route to an OHSAA Division I State Championship. Euclid will look to end Saint Ignatius’ long winning streak over the Panthers at 11 games.
A “WARRIOR” UNDER CENTER
The master of the Euclid offense is Cee Jay Hale. The multitalented quarterback can do the trick with his arm and his legs, leading head coach Jeff Rotsky to call him a “warrior” after the team’s opening win over Glenville. Hale scored three touchdowns against The Ville, helping the Panthers roar to a 26-0 start in the first quarter. Hale helped the Panthers open a 27-7 lead against Aurora, too, finishing with 230 passing yards and four touchdowns.
GO LONG, DRE’VON
Hale’s success on offense against Aurora was supplemented by his new star wideout, Dre’Von Lindsay. The Garfield Heights transfer tabbed 189 receiving yards and three touchdowns against the Greenmen last week. Lindsay will look to test the Wildcats in both the short and deep passing game. Lindsay opened the Aurora game by catching a slant pass from Hale and scooting 80 yards for a score.
SPEED IN THE SECONDARY
Jeff Rotsky’s defense prides itself on its speed. The Panthers have plenty of athletes in the secondary, foremost among them Arquon Bush. A University of Cincinnati recruit, Bush will play a large role in opposing Kyle Hall and the Wildcats’ passing attack. Rotsky and his secondary will likely play plenty of man coverage, looking to limit the Wildcats’ shifty receivers.
STRONG UP FRONT
The Euclid defense has played strong and aggressively against its first two opponents, showing a propensity to move strongly to the ball on running plays. The Panthers will likely utilize a six-man front, or a version of the 4-2-5 defense, though occasionally rotating between three and four down linemen. Euclid’s ability to hold off the Wildcats’ two-pronged rushing attack will be something to watch.
LOOK OUT FOR LEE
Running back Ronald Lee will be an X-factor for Euclid on Saturday. The senior accounted for 144 yards on 12 carries against Aurora and two touchdowns against Glenville. Lee will need to succeed on the ground to provide balance for Hale.
The Home Team St. Ignatius also brings several intriguing storylines into the big game.
BO AND BOBO KNOW FOOTBALL
A major strength of the Saint Ignatius offense is the one-two punch of senior Mark Bobinski “Bobo” and junior Jahadge “Bo” Floyd. Bobinski served as the lead back last season, racking up over 1,000 yards last season, and hopes to do the same in 2017. Bobinski has 139 yards and 1 touchdown through two games against tough teams. Floyd enjoyed a coming out party against Mentor, gashing the Cardinals for 114 yards and a touchdown on 22 carries. The two will be a dangerous duo against Euclid.
JOY-STICK
Senior Logan Joyce is developing a reputation as a monster on the gridiron. The Bay native has thrilled fans in the first weeks of the season with his brute force and hitstick tackles. Joyce notched 5 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and quarterback hurry against Mentor, proving himself as a major factor against both the running game and the passing game. Only Tommy Eichenberg has matched Joyce’s figure of 4 tackles for loss on the season.
HALL HEROIC
Senior quarterback Kyle Hall thrived in his second start under center for the Wildcats on Friday. Hall finished 14-of-30 for 291 yards and 3 touchdowns, not quite perfect but not far from it. The senior found Sammy “The Ringmaster” Snyder six times for 115 yards and two scores against the Cardinals, also slinging it four times for 82 yards and a touchdown to Michael Drobnick. As Hall said after the game, his offensive line and running backs provided plenty of help.
NO FLY ZONE
The efforts of the Saint Ignatius secondary have not gone unnoticed. The Wildcats held Mentor’s potent offense to 31 points, including two crucial interceptions. Cameron Toppin notched his third interception in two weeks, and Danny Scelza picked off the Cards at the end of the second quarter, setting up a Wildcats’ touchdown. Justin Sands has played a large role at safety, as has Mitch Puhalsky. Junior Jett Elad has proven himself at the varsity level, too, serving as a trusty corner in man coverage. Elad, younger brother of Stan Elad II, broke up five passes last week.
KICK IT, TRICKETT!
Senior Matthew Trickett continues to lead the way for the Wildcats on special teams. Trickett connected on two field goals, notched 4 touchbacks, and 4 punts for a 37.5 yard average against Mentor. In his spare time, Trickett, along with his fellow special teamers, will be raising money for cancer research through Kick-It for Cancer.
STUD SOPHOMORE, PART II:
For the second straight week, sophomore Connor Cmiel wowed JV Cats fans. Cmiel returned back-to-back kick returns for touchdowns, giving him three on the season.
There is no doubt, this one will be a barn burner!
Notes proved to Vince McKee by Joe Ginley.
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