Opponent Preview: St Ignatius (Week 2)

This is the second of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2018 season.  See the Week 1 preview on St Edward here.

Week 2

Who: St Ignatius Wildcats

What: Non-league game

Where: Byers Field

When: September 1st at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Chuck Kyle (36th season, 11 state titles)

History: Mentor and St Ignatius are entering their 14th consecutive game in this series that started in 2005. St Ignatius has an edge (8-5) over the Cardinals in the regular season. Since 2003, Mentor has won four of five against the Wildcats in the playoffs. Legendary coaches Trivisonno and Kyle are 9-9 against one another. The very definition of a long, even series.

Looking Back...
The Wildcats finished the season 11-2 that included a runner-up trophy in Region 1. They gave Mentor, rival St Edward, and DII state champion Hoban their only regular season losses. St Ignatius boasted six players (all seniors) on the All-District 1st Team. For almost any other program, those list of accomplishments would be considered a complete success. During Week 2 last fall, St Ignatius handed Mentor a 41-31 loss.  For the fourth time since 2011, Mentor and St Ignatius met in a playoff rematch. And just like the previous three times, the loser of the regular season game turned the tables and won the November rematch. St Ignatius, the No. 1 seed in Region 1 and heavy favorites to win a 12th state championship, were thwarted by Mentor at Bedford Bearcat Stadium. A last second field goal attempt by star kicker Matthew Trickett (Kent State) narrowly missed as Mentor closed out a 23-21 regional final win. 

Schedule...
St Ignatius will have one of the toughest schedules in Ohio. There are a few mismatches in the favor of the Cats - two against Canadian schools and one against a first year program in Columbus COF Academy. The rest of the schedule is littered with the best of the best. Locally, a who's who of programs include longtime rival (and Mentor's Week 1 opponent) St Edward, defending state champion Akron Hoban, and a growing Region 1 power in Euclid. The Cats have three-fourths of the mighty Cincinnati-based Greater Catholic League on their schedule: Moeller, Elder, and St Xavier. Even last year, a 4-6 Moeller team found a way to hand St Ignatius their only regular season loss. Needless to say, St Ignatius will be battle tested for the playoffs. 

2018 St Ignatius Outlook...
St Ignatius graduated their entire starting offensive line, both senior QB's, and several key players on defense. Coach Kyle has built a strong system that prepares the upcoming seniors to fit right in where the previous seniors left off. There are some impact players from 2017 that do return. 1,000-yard rusher Bo Floyd will be one of the top runners in the area. Floyd will be sharing carries with junior RB Jack Welsh. A group of standout lineman have graduated, but there are always big and talented underclassmen just waiting for their shot. One of those such players is Grant Abbot (6'4, 270), who recently committed to Bowling Green. Senior receiver Nigel Drummond is the leading returning receiver from 2017. The big question will be at QB, a position that Kyle and his offensive coaches have revolutionized at the high school level the past 30 years. The early favorite is senior Patrick Delahunty. 

Returning to lead St Ignatius' famed 3-3 stack defense is talented LB Tommy Eichenberg (6'3, 235). The Boston College commit is the latest in a long line of talented LB's at Ignatius. He led the defense in tackles and sacks in 2017. DE Zachary McMahan is also a returning starter in the front six. Expect DE/TE Aidan Wells (Harvard commit) to make an impact on both sides of the ball, but mainly a defensive player. Safety Danny Scelza (51 tackles, 3 INT's in 2017) and corner Jett Elad, with offers from 10+ Division I colleges, return to be lead the secondary. 

A grueling schedule for the most part, the Wildcats will have their hands full. Mentor has struggled with St Ignatius in the regular season more than any other opponent in the past 20 years. The Cats have enough talent on both sides of the ball and will likely be on the short list of serious contenders for their 12th state championship.  

Next Preview: Glenville (Week 3)