2023 St. Ignatius Football

Wildcat97 said:
I posted some threads as recent as last year. But, both with the lack of interest, and declining interest in the program in general, and the non competitive nature this year, has been pointless to start one to ask how many TDs we will lose by this week and how many quarters we will go before scoring again
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Yeah, I appreciate the work you've put into the threads/posts over the years. I'll admit that I barely post anymore even though I lurk on a weekly basis.

I feel like there are a number of reasons why the yappi community has changed. Online streaming makes it less likely to check yappi for scores, younger people don't uses forums anymore (opting instead for social media, etc.), Ignatius hasn't been "great" since ~2018, overall declining interest in high school football, general lack of local games/rivalries which gets people connected, a lot more out-of-state games making it difficult to attend games, etc.

I'm being an old sentimentalist, but I miss the games against Massillon, McKinley, Warren Harding, Boardman, Glenville, etc. I rarely interact with those posters anymore.
 
FBLFAN said:
I’m so sick of this crap. Sophomore is 0-7 with a pick. They only bring Papesh in for a sneak from the 1 because the sophomore can’t get in and he scores. Yet they keep putting the sophomore in.
Absolutely ridiculous.
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A lot of these comments by you are seriously promoting the senior over the sophomore. I just find it odd because you can’t seriously point to the seniors stats in the past as a reason to start. Kinda seems personal. The sophomore is struggling. But against TCC I saw him complete passes the senior never could.

sometimes it’s ok to get him experience. As an 09 grad. I was a JV a player on a varsity squad that severely struggled. The movement to start Holland, Ryan, Parris, Whitaker, Hinkel, Fox, and the following year Scott Mcvey (who was a sophomore when we were juniors) We’re extremely important to our 08 a
-09state run.

I’m not saying the seniors can’t play, but this development on a dud year is important for the future. Let’s hope it works out.

this season is extremely frustrating for all us cats fans. Let’s hope a bright future is on the rise. As 97 cat mentions, Welo offense is extremely frustrating. Go cats, onto next week
 
IgnatianAMDG said:
Yeah, I appreciate the work you've put into the threads/posts over the years. I'll admit that I barely post anymore even though I lurk on a weekly basis.

I feel like there are a number of reasons why the yappi community has changed. Online streaming makes it less likely to check yappi for scores, younger people don't uses forums anymore (opting instead for social media, etc.), Ignatius hasn't been "great" since ~2018, overall declining interest in high school football, general lack of local games/rivalries which gets people connected, a lot more out-of-state games making it difficult to attend games, etc.

I'm being an old sentimentalist, but I miss the games against Massillon, McKinley, Warren Harding, Boardman, Glenville, etc. I rarely interact with those posters anymore.
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Those days were the best for Ignatius football, and also D-1 football in NEO as a whole. There was nothing like an Ignatius vs big public power game in the 90s through the early 2000s.

Post 08' recession, those ex-urban, industrial communities struggled and never rebounded football wise. Obviously Massillon being the exception but they're a little different, and still had to drop to D-2. Eds figured it out and deserves credit, but big time football just isn't what it was in these parts.
 
St. Ignatius now leads the series 32-31-1. I think if you look at St. Edward's records they may have it 33-31-1 Wildcats, but that includes the 1950 season that St. Edward regards as their first "Varsity" season, however we only had Herbs and Sophomores that year, and the game was against the Ignatius JV.
 
IgnatianAMDG said:
Yeah, I appreciate the work you've put into the threads/posts over the years. I'll admit that I barely post anymore even though I lurk on a weekly basis.

I feel like there are a number of reasons why the yappi community has changed. Online streaming makes it less likely to check yappi for scores, younger people don't uses forums anymore (opting instead for social media, etc.), Ignatius hasn't been "great" since ~2018, overall declining interest in high school football, general lack of local games/rivalries which gets people connected, a lot more out-of-state games making it difficult to attend games, etc.

I'm being an old sentimentalist, but I miss the games against Massillon, McKinley, Warren Harding, Boardman, Glenville, etc. I rarely interact with those posters anymore.
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I get it. Minus the 5 years we lived in FL, this will likely be the first year of not going to a game. Some of it this year began based on personal things, but the abundance of road games and locations of home games didn't help. Then the performance happened.

I was going to attend the X game in 2 weeks. I highly doubt that happens now. The overall situation is dissapointing
 
Ignatius basically sent the JV to play the experienced two-time champs. It was embarrassing and ugly.

a once proud program now described with the word “awful.”
 
sehs said:
Ed's lost to McDowell 23-20 that year.
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McDowell had a QB who ran, threw, played safety, covered and tackled, kicked off, kicked field goals and extra points, punted, returned kicks and punts, and was the difference. Went to Edenboro St., if memory serves.
 
From an outsider's perspective: there are only so many of the traditional Catholic families that were the foundation of Ignatius' success. That's a diminishing number, and an increasing percentage of what remains are choosing St. Ed over Ignatius. Additionally, St. Ed appears to be a bit more "flexible" in their admissions standards. Taken together, that's a large part of the talent gap.
 
ESPN 990 said:
McDowell had a QB who ran, threw, played safety, covered and tackled, kicked off, kicked field goals and extra points, punted, returned kicks and punts, and was the difference. Went to Edenboro St., if memory serves.
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Did I miss where this erie school is relevant in any fashion to this current or any Ignatius season? Start a thread for Erie football or McDowell if there is any type of enamorment with that state
 
Oil Filter said:
From an outsider's perspective: there are only so many of the traditional Catholic families that were the foundation of Ignatius' success. That's a diminishing number, and an increasing percentage of what remains are choosing St. Ed over Ignatius. Additionally, St. Ed appears to be a bit more "flexible" in their admissions standards. Taken together, that's a large part of the talent gap.
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I would also point out there are many recovering catholics. Then again, a friend's son who is currently a student there, family has never been catholic or any semblance of anything religious, whether catholic or anything else. Not that I particularly care, being a recovering catholic myself, but, my point is I'm not sure any standard is the answer
 
OTOH, about 25% of the students at any Catholic school are non-Catholic, so it's not clear how relevant that is.

It's also notable that higher socio-demographic groups are moving away from football. As Ignatius draws to a large degree from that group, that's another area of diminished participation.

Not saying that it won't come back, but other than bragging rights (or alumni donations from the reflected-glory crowd that football success excites) it's not an institutional concern.
 
There are 414 boys in the freshmen class this year. Ignatius is overflowing with applicants. Kids are not coming there for football.

The sports landscape has shipped and it’s not going back. Ignatius is still playing teams they have no business scheduling. Maybe that will change with these beatings.
 
Oil Filter said:
OTOH, about 25% of the students at any Catholic school are non-Catholic, so it's not clear how relevant that is.

It's also notable that higher socio-demographic groups are moving away from football. As Ignatius draws to a large degree from that group, that's another area of diminished participation.

Not saying that it won't come back, but other than bragging rights (or alumni donations from the reflected-glory crowd that football success excites) it's not an institutional concern.
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Again, you are provided a catholic education when enrolled. Meaning learning about God, establishing morals, principle and discipline. Pretty nice option for a family. Don’t try to read too far into it and let your imagination run wild.
 
All Jesuits are catholics but not all catholics are jesuits. Point being, from my experience, a jesuit education is different and better than a diocesan type catholic education. Just like back in the day a specific order catholic church was different and better than a standard diocesan money laundering mill, I mean church.

Many diocesan experiences I had, which I won't get into here, and happened both in cle and Florida, is what turned me into a recovering catholic.

I dont believe 25% of Ignatius is non-catholic. Unless the experience radically changed, you would have to really be good at faking it to not stick out.

I dont believe that percentage breakdown is relevant to the turn in football. Rather, it is kids are drawn to other sports (soccer, hockey, rugby) as well as the first pull to the school, mostly, is the education.

I have witnessed said current student and parents be shell-shocked freshman year when couldn't cut the mustard academically to be eligible for sports. It improved this year, but it reinforces my view that the perception of the Ignatius experience by those who haven't endured it is radically wrong when they think item A is first and foremost, and in truth is it is a few rungs down the hierarchy. Making boys into great students, men, and future leader is the true priority A.
 
Wildcat97 said:
I dont believe 25% of Ignatius is non-catholic.
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Dunno about Ignatius in particular, but that's not out of line with many other Catholic schools.

Wildcat97 said:
Unless the experience radically changed, you would have to really be good at faking it to not stick out.
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That sounds more like indoctrination than education.

Cross your arms during Mass; don't take Communion, etc., etc. It's not that big of a deal. Most of the Catholic kids go through the rituals out of habit rather than faith, anyway. No one is pointing at you because your indifference has tacit acceptance.
 
Oil Filter said:
From an outsider's perspective: there are only so many of the traditional Catholic families that were the foundation of Ignatius' success. That's a diminishing number, and an increasing percentage of what remains are choosing St. Ed over Ignatius. Additionally, St. Ed appears to be a bit more "flexible" in their admissions standards. Taken together, that's a large part of the talent gap.
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Appears from what? I’d love to know how you’re privy to any information about St. Edward’s admission.
 
Oil Filter said:
Dunno about Ignatius in particular, but that's not out of line with many other Catholic schools.


That sounds more like indoctrination than education.

Cross your arms during Mass; don't take Communion, etc., etc. It's not that big of a deal. Most of the Catholic kids go through the rituals out of habit rather than faith, anyway. No one is pointing at you because your indifference has tacit acceptance.
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I'm talking about school mass etc. It's really not any different than if a non Baptist goes to a Baptist service. Same point.

Also, not sure one would compare a catholic school as far and catholic enrollment percentage breakdown between a place like Ignatius compared to a another place that might not attract as many students from suburbs. Apples and oranges.

As far as catholic rituals, another discussion for another day and forum. In short, I dont disagree for many people.
 
Can St Eds really have a hold on all of the talent in Cleveland? Cleveland is a big city.

What else is holding them back? Is it deeper than just not getting enough talent?

Elder 4-5 years ago was on the verge of really having a sustained decline in enrollment (consolidation of Catholic schools), but vouchers has really sprung up their enrollment again - but they haven't expanded outside their feeders to get athletes. The talent gap is very evident, but Ramsey is a great coach that keeps them relevant.
 
I once went to an Ignatius-Massillon game and set next to a nice west side couple. They said their son loved Ignatius and were very happy they sent him there. The kicker was that they were Jewish (both doctors of course) and had no problems with their son attending weekly mass and other Catholic rituals, though their Jewish relatives were horrified at the idea.
 
Oil Filter said:
From an outsider's perspective: there are only so many of the traditional Catholic families that were the foundation of Ignatius' success. That's a diminishing number, and an increasing percentage of what remains are choosing St. Ed over Ignatius. Additionally, St. Ed appears to be a bit more "flexible" in their admissions standards. Taken together, that's a large part of the talent gap.
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I second this outsider perspective. The ‘flexible’ part is a critical element of this explanation
 
Myron said:
I second this outsider perspective. The ‘flexible’ part is a critical element of this explanation
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Your outside observation is very interesting . I wonder if the St. Edward posters would agree, but that would be a question posed on the St. Edward thread.
 
Wildcat97 said:
Your outside observation is very interesting . I wonder if the St. Edward posters would agree, but that would be a question posed on the St. Edward thread
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The flexible admission standards is comical. Iv also heard from iggy alumni we let a certain element in with the voucher system that they don’t because they don’t use it…… then they were shocked when they found out they have had the ed choice program longer then Ed’s.

At this point I’d be hard pressed do say academically any school is better then the other. No one is turning down applications by the boat load. Iv seen kids from all walks of life attend both schools and succeed. You gotta put the work in period.

the blue collar vs white collar stigma have been gone a long time. Both are excellent schools with the top athletic programs in the state.

No one will ever replace Chuck Kyle , the timing of Ed’s along with the constant run of state championships has kept the talent at Ed’s higher the last 15 yrs. Having Lombardo take over for Finotti and continue the success has also payd dividends.
 
Doublehelix said:
Can St Eds really have a hold on all of the talent in Cleveland? Cleveland is a big city.

What else is holding them back? Is it deeper than just not getting enough talent?

Elder 4-5 years ago was on the verge of really having a sustained decline in enrollment (consolidation of Catholic schools), but vouchers has really sprung up their enrollment again - but they haven't expanded outside their feeders to get athletes. The talent gap is very evident, but Ramsey is a great coach that keeps them relevant.
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No, and they don't. Lombardo has shown he can win with blue-chip players or with FCS/D2/D3 types (like 2018 for example). The strength of the program going back years now has been the trenches and a mobile QB that can execute the read-option at a high level. Offensive line coach Dan Scanlon has been the constant presence on the staff dating back to the Gibbons days. He does a great job developing the bigs and we have been a magnet for quality offensive lineman in his time as a coach here. Ditto with mobile, athletic QB's (often multi-sport athletes).

Edit: To add to this, I also think Ed's does a really good job with their summer clinics for youth players. A lot of former and current Ed's players come back to give instruction and work with the kids. I think that sells a lot of players and family on the program who may have had no prior affiliation with the school or with Catholic education. I can't speak to what Ignatius is currently doing (I know they run clinics as well), but the biggest thing I personally hear from families who choose St. Edward is that their kid was really sold on the brotherhood during the clinics or open houses. I just think we are doing far more in terms of promoting the football program than the Cats at the moment. As their alums will tell you, soccer, hockey, rubgy have priority at the moment.
 
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