St Ignatius Football 2021

Status
Not open for further replies.
I

IgnatiusWildcat

New member
The 2021 Ignatius football season begins in a few weeks.

The schedule is difficult, especially starting at Springfield and Mentor

I know there was another thread, but it was filled with 2020 season posts.

Thoughts on 2021?
 
 
Screenshot_20210725-205547_Chrome.jpg
 
I’m too lazy to look it up. When was the last time St. I was a serious power? I’m actually being serious with that question because I haven’t heard much about them in years. They used to be a name that struck fear when you mentioned it to other teams.
 
Ignatius last won a title in 2011. They lost a close championship game to St X in 2016.

The Wildcats also beat Hoban in 2019 and won 2 of 3 against the Knights from 2017-19. I bring that up because most people consider Hoban a power.
 
I think they had an impressive stretch in 2016/2017. A year after making the final in 2016, they were still really good in 2017. A last second FG just missed, which would’ve won them the regional final. I think St Ignatius would’ve cruised to the final and could’ve possibly beaten PC that season.

Compared to the impossible expectations of 1988-2001…they will always fall short. But that was a standard no program can meet.
 
The lines in 2016 and 2017 were big, deep and talented.

As far as being a "serious" power, the mystique of the program has been over for years.
 
The Ignatius football program is capable of doing what Moeller did a few seasons ago. Win a title or two, and go back to the pack.

Almost happened in 16 and possibly 17.

Soccer will be never be on the same level as football in Ohio.
 
Did something happen at St I to cause the tide to turn to soccer? In my days at Moeller the basketball program was meh. Now, more people associate Moeller with basketball than football. A lot of factors are responsible for the change there. Just wondering about St I. I’m still looking forward to St I coming down.
 
I'll take a shot at a starting lineup:

Offense:
QB: Pfaff
RB: Lenehan
WR: Bodamer
WR: Kennedy
TE: Ward/Tompkins

LT: Willis
LG: Ryland
C: Montgomery
RG: Persiani
RT: Keane

Defense:

DE: Robinson
DT: Wasinski
DE: Chaloub

LB: Berger
LB: Aerni
LB: Palinski
LB: Martin/Young

DB Norris
DB Webster
SS Laird
FS Taliak

Kicker: Aldridge
 
The offensive backfield tandem of Pfaff and Lenehan should be as good as any in R1. I thought those two looked good down the stretch last year in the COVID-shortened season, and I expect them to take the next step this year assuming the protection up front is good.
 
Lenehan has really stepped up. Waldron looked to be a future stud at RB, but was hurt as a sophomore and hasn't looked the same since. Lenehan runs like he's 220 lbs.

Pfaff looked to be about 6'5 200 lbs when my son was at the football camp.

The offensive line returns two starters, but I think Montgomery needs to go back to playing center. He played tackle last season and did a nice job, but is built more for the interior.
 
IgnatiusWildcat said:
I'll take a shot at a starting lineup:

Offense:
QB: Pfaff
RB: Lenehan
WR: Bodamer
WR: Kennedy
TE: Ward/Tompkins

LT: Willis
LG: Ryland
C: Montgomery
RG: Persiani
RT: Keane

Defense:

DE: Robinson
DT: Wasinski
DE: Chaloub

LB: Berger
LB: Aerni
LB: Palinski
LB: Martin/Young

DB Norris
DB Webster
SS Laird
FS Taliak

Kicker: Aldridge
Click to expand...
This is a pretty good list. Some comments and additions:

RB - Waldron could team up with Lenehan, depending on how much he recovered from his knee injury as a sophomore. As PDC noted, he played some last year, but was not at the level he displayed as a sophomore. Kyle has deployed 2 RBs during many a season and so I could see that happening here.

WR - I think Tompkins did play a WR role on JVs. He'd be a tall target

LT - it's Witalis
OL - There could be a couple of juniors in the rotation.
To clarify - Witalis, Ryland, Keane and Montgomery all started at least 1-2 games last season. I think only Keane played in every game and the others had injuries during different parts of the season. Graduating were Salopek and Zimmerman and so, I am not sure if that would be classified as 2-3- or 4 starters back as there were 6 in the rotation ... but there is experience returning. Agree with PDC that Montgomery at center and Keane at tackle would seem to be better fits.

DL - Kause and the junior Gibbons should be in the rotation. I think Chalhoub was injured in the early part of last season and came on strong at the end of the season.

DB - It's Lair.
DB - The junior Favazzo should be in the rotation, as well as back-up RB to Lenehan and Waldron

PK/P - It's Zeb Eldridge

The one sophomore that I am curious about is Sean Martin, 6'1" - 165#. Starting RB on the freshman team. Also as a freshman, he was starting guard on the 19-2 JV basketball team and played in a couple of varsity BB games. Athletic - quick - fast.

At this point in time, there does not appear to be a D1 recruit amongst the senior class, although that can change. There are a lot of good players that can play D2-D3 in college. Some may play other sports in college. Braeden Lair was 2nd team All-Ohio in Lacrosse and perhaps may go that route like Conor Cmiel did at tOSU.

I probably am more optimistic than most that this year's team can be very good. At the frosh and JV levels, both the classes of '22 and '23 beat Ed's, Mentor, St. X, Hoban, Massillon. I don't think one can go on what transpired last season - lack of practices, injuries, Covid, etc. History is not a predictor of the future, but could be an indicator. Looking back to 2000, after 5-5 and 6-4 records in '05 and '06, Ignatius came back with 8-3, 14-1 and 11-1 records. After 4-6 in '12, the Cats followed with 13-2 and 11-2. After 5-4 in '15, the Cats followed with 13-2 and 11-2. There were 2 state championships and 1 state runner-up in those follow-up seasons. This era is not the 'dynasty' of the late 80s-90s, but there is a pattern of cycles. After 5-5 and 3-4 the last 2 seasons and considering the track records of these 2 upper classes at the frosh and JV level, the Cats can be very good with a successful season.
 
Last edited:
I am also interested to see the sophomore Martin play. Only had a chance to watch him play against Eds. The frosh Cats looked overmatched at every position but Martin stood out at RB.
 
PDC said:
I am also interested to see the sophomore Martin play. Only had a chance to watch him play against Eds. The frosh Cats looked overmatched at every position but Martin stood out at RB.
Click to expand...

Martin can definitely contribute at the Varsity level this year. Obviously there may not be room at RB, but I can see him getting on the field in the secondary or as a returnman. Great athlete.

I’m also less negative on the ‘24 class than most others. Obviously they don’t have the talent that Ed’s group has (which was the physically largest Freshman team I’ve ever seen), but they improved as the season went on, and the impact of a freshman team missing all their preseason practices is immeasurable. There are some nice pieces at the skill positions. If they work hard in the weight room and continue to progress, no reason they can’t be a good class.
 
Wildcats1886 said:
Martin can definitely contribute at the Varsity level this year. Obviously there may not be room at RB, but I can see him getting on the field in the secondary or as a returnman. Great athlete.

I’m also less negative on the ‘24 class than most others. Obviously they don’t have the talent that Ed’s group has (which was the physically largest Freshman team I’ve ever seen), but they improved as the season went on, and the impact of a freshman team missing all their preseason practices is immeasurable. There are some nice pieces at the skill positions. If they work hard in the weight room and continue to progress, no reason they can’t be a good class.
Click to expand...
Agree on the Eds' class.

Think I counted 11 kids over 6'3.

Also interested to see what kind of impact Ruddy has running the freshmen after a few years under his belt.
 
Iggies is going to have to to score and A LOT because the defense needs work. The offense will carry this team. They are VERY good and maybe the best in greater Cleveland. The defense is not close to being in the top 10. I see many 50-40 wins for the Cats.
 
I hear the Freshman numbers are up significantly. Surprised to hear that between the general trend at the school and the results the last couple years.
 
Wildcats1886 said:
I hear the Freshman numbers are up significantly. Surprised to hear that between the general trend at the school and the results the last couple years.
Click to expand...
Wonder if Ruddy is a factor. He seems to have the personality to put max effort into getting more numbers.
 
Two defensive linemen mentioned in the top d tackles in the area by cleveland.com:

Peter Chalhoub, St. Ignatius
Height: 6-2
Weight: 240
Year: Senior
About Chalhoub: With St. Ignatius’ three-man front, Chalhoub is one of the Wildcats’ best at disrupting opposing backfields. He can play either end or nose. Chalhoub had 4.5 tackles for loss through six games.


Tommy Wasinski, St. Ignatius
Height: 5-10
Weight: 270
Year: Senior
About Wasinski: Starting both ways is uncommon at St. Ignatius, and Wasinski played on both sides of the line. He doubles as a guard, in addition to playing on the defensive interior. He wreaked havoc against Euclid in the Division I regional quarterfinals, while offensively has not committed a penalty in his high school career.
 
Zeb Eldridge is the latest in the line of top kickers, as noted by cleveland.com

5. St. Ignatius — In recent years, the Wildcats have enjoyed the luxury of using multiple kickers for long distance and shorter chip shots. Eldridge steps into the spotlight after the graduation of long-distance specialist Declan Mangan and is highly rated by Kohl’s Kicking Camps as both a kicker and punter.

From Kohl's Kicking camps, Eldridge is ranked #31 placekicker and #26 punter in the USA
1628120890120.png
 
Wasinski is fun to watch. Rare glory in his positions, but absolutely essential.
 
Cleveland.com top players continues:

Brian Keane, St. Ignatius center
Height: 6-4
Weight: 300
Year: Senior
About Keane: Joey Pfaff starting center is back, and Keane is among four returning starters on the offensive line for the Wildcats.
 
List of top offensive lines. Ignatius is #4, behind Hoban, Stow, and Strongsville:

4. St. Ignatius — An experienced group for the Wildcats includes Ashton Montgomery, who began at center but kicked out to tackle with two-way starter Tommy Wasinski at guard and Brian Keane at center. William Witalis also earned time at tackle last season. All four are seniors with crafty 6-4 senior quarterback Joe Pfaff behind them.

Although, in his list of top tackles, Matt Goul has Ashton Montgomery playing for the wrong school:

Ashton Montgomery, St. Vincent-St. Mary
Height: 6-2
Weight: 300
Year: Senior
About Montgomery: He is one of the area’s most versatile linemen, able to play guard or center in addition to tackle. Montgomery missed last year’s regional semifinal against Medina. Until that point, he had been locked in as the right tackle.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top