BY PATRICK FRANCIS ‘19
What a season for the football team this year! Yes, it is sad how the season unfortunately ended earlier than the Football Cats expected, losing to the Mentor Cardinals in the Regional Final game. Besides that, though, there is so much the Saint Ignatius football team, as well as the students who supported the team, should be thankful for. This season was full of hard work, determination, victories, and memories that will last a lifetime.
The Wildcats had a heartbreaking game against Mentor, a tough team with very talented players, on November 17 at Bedford Bearcat Stadium. The game was close, with a final score of 23-21, as Mentor took the lead in the fourth quarter. Throughout the game, the Wildcats did an exceptional job, making the game a great one to watch. Sadly, this game was the last one of the season for the Wildcats. But looking back over the year, there were so many great examples of how the Saint Ignatius football team led by example, showing students the value of hard work, determination, and not giving up.
Starting official practices in early August (not including off-season training and lifting), the football team put in hours upon hours of hard work to become the powerhouse team that they were this season. With intense practices everyday, film on the weekends, and constant improvement on and off the field, the football team was really one of the most prepared teams in Northeast Ohio, mentally and physically.
Looking at the stats of the football team’s past season, this season was the 28th time the Saint Ignatius High School football team has been in the OHSAA Division I football playoffs. The record for the team this year was 11 wins and 2 losses, one to Moeller and one to Mentor this past weekend.
The Wildcats had some awesome and memorable games, including defeating long-time rival St. Edward in the last game of the regular season at the Eagles’ home field. The Wildcats’ football team also defeated the state champions from last year, St. Xavier, in a intense game at Byers Field, 28-14. These, as well as many other games, showed how the Saint Ignatius football team’s hardwork and determination really did pay off.
The Football Cats also had great collection of seniors who led the team, showing leadership and how to work hard. Senior kicker Matthew Trickett had an exceptional season, scoring many points that changed many games this season. Senior Darian Kinnard also had a great season, receiving an invitation to play in the US Army All-American Bowl. Sam Snyder, a senior wide receiver, also had a great season that had a major contribution to the football team’s great success. All of the great seniors on the team led as a great example to the other players in lower grades, performing well on and off the field all season.
Looking into 2018, the Wildcats will have some unfinished business. Current sophomore running back Jack Welsh had an exceptional season on varsity, totalling 85 yards in the Mentor game. Junior running back Jahadge Floyd also will help lead the team next year on the offensive side.
Though the season ended not as planned, the Saint Ignatius Football Team had an exceptional year, defeating many tough teams as well as growing closer as brothers through the four months on and off the field during the season. Thank you to all the hardwork put in by the coaches, players, parents, and students who all had a major role in why the Saint Ignatius High School football team is what it is today.
