Each position group has returning starters or kids that did receive playing time.
There are some quality kids returning at the skill positions, especially in the current sophomore class. The O- and D-Lines have some returning starters, or with game experience, but according to the rosters, the current sophomore class is light on numbers and there are only 7 linemen in that class. Perhaps the concern is more on the depth of the Lines.
Offense:
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O-Line starters return – Patrick Lavelle (C) and Dominic Ference (G). Mitchell Hyland (T) got some playing time on varsity and is a likely starter in ‘22. This past season’s O-Line was fairly healthy and had much of the playing time with the schedule the Wildcats played. So, underclassmen on the O-Line played more in JV games to get playing time experience. James Raynor (current soph) at 6’6”, 290# was on the varsity roster, but essentially played in JV games. He has the size and if he has the footwork of his older brother Henry, the Bball player, then he could be a factor.
Receivers: Expect the primary WRs to be Ryan Kennedy, Charlie Dunstan and Jonathan Merimee (current soph), who all had varsity playing time and catches this past season. Dunstan maybe be small, but is quick with speed. Merimee is a big target at 6’4” and appears to be pretty talented. Hunter Moriarity will likely start at TE. AJ Spellacy (current soph) started at WR on JV early in the season before becoming the starting Safety on varsity. Spellacy is very talented and as the roster listed Spellacy as WR/DB, wonder if he will play 2-way in ’22?
RBs: The Ignatius’ coaches like to use their roster depth and play several RBs during a season. That keeps kids fresh and also provides a change in running style and pace.
- Sean Martin (current soph) is obvious, as he was in the game rotation along with Lenehan and Georges this past season. He’s very good – a playmaker with speed, size, athletic. As Martin also started at DB during the playoffs, wonder if he will play 2-way in ’22?
- Others: Steven Favazzo started at RB as JV in ’20, but was injured all this past season until the Stow playoff game. In that game, he finally got playing time late and showed that he’ll be in the RB rotation next season. On the roster, Favazzo is also listed as a 2-way player (RB/Safety). Also, Michael Norman and Max Ritt (current soph) showed enough in the Stow game that they can be in next season’s rotation too. Current freshman Grant Washington is another one to look for – he’s similar to Martin in size, speed and athleticism.
QB: Expect Joshua Papesh (current soph), based on his performance in the 2nd half of the Moeller game, his start in week 10 and being the back-up during the playoffs. Mechanically he has a quick, compact release and he gets the ball down the field quickly. Current freshman Quinn Woidke is one to keep an eye on. He throws a nice pass and he’s a multi-sport athlete (one of the better Bball players on the current JV team).
Defense
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D-Line should be in good shape with Will Robinson and Eugene Gibbons returning. They both had substantial played time in this past season’s 6-man rotation. Robinson, an All-NE Inland HM, is reportedly being recruited by Notre Dame. The question is – who else?
LBs: Max Palinski is a returning starter and also All-NE Inland HM. He’s also a multi-sport athlete and his college future may be Baseball. The question is who else – Ryan Ardire and Michael Krebs (current sophs)?
DBs: Injuries this past season affected the make-up of the secondary throughout the season. Those returning who started multiple games, especially late in the season and the playoffs – Brandon Webster, Sean Martin and AJ Spellacy (both current sophs). Like the speed and athleticism of all 3. The question – who else?