by Patrick McGuire ’14
Embrace Adversity. That has been the early motto of the Wildcat football team. They have experienced adversity from training camp on Wasmer to two-a-day practices all the way to the Jamboree game on August 23rd against Canton McKinley at the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
The injury bug hit the Wildcats early on as Peter Mahoney fell with a leg injury in training camp. Mahoney said that he injured his lower leg when he was wrapped up by a defenseman and fell awkwardly.
Mahoney was taken immediately to Lutheran West hospital to be evaluated. The injury was to the lower part of his leg; he broke his tibia in two places. Mahoney’s injury was not caused by a massive hit but just one random, unfortunate setback for the senior quarterback, who will likely not return this season.
The same day that Mahoney sustained his injury, Coach Chuck Kyle named Mahoney the fourth and final captain for the 2013 team.
Embrace Adversity.
Mahoney is an exceptional choice for captain because he embraced adversity exceptionally well. As Mr. Eddie Dwyer noted on his corner, Mahoney called John Thomas ‘14 while he was in the hospital to tell him to pick up where he left off with the offense.
Pete Mahoney is a gifted leader and the symbol of this team, making him a superb choice for captain. Though the injury to Mahoney is unfortunate, Thomas is ready to step into a leadership role for the Wildcat offensive attack.
Thomas worked hard in the preseason with quarterbacks coach Elvis Grbac and Offensive Coordinator Nick Restifo to learn the system under which he was a backup for Mike LaManna ‘13. John knows the system very well and has improved his play considerably this preseason.
Thomas demonstrated his improvement in the first two scrimmages against Solon and Twinsburg. In the two preseason games, the Wildcat offense showcased their abilities, but only to a limited extent. Though these were football atmospheres, John didn’t get a chance to demonstrate his true abilities.
Then the Jamboree game against Canton McKinley rolled around. In a single half of football, John threw for an astounding 370 passing yards and 3 touchdowns. Thomas completed 17 out of 30 passes.
Thomas, though on the run, torched the McKinley secondary on various throws to wide receiver Mike “Goose” Siragusa ‘14. Goose caught 7 passes for a total of 257 receiving yards and two touchdowns. Siragusa’s total would have been a school record if it were a real game.
Needless to say, John Thomas ‘14 is ready to take over for the injured Pete Mahoney.
