2016 Postseason Guide: State Championship 2016 Postseason Media Guide Basic Information 11 Ohsaa State Titles – 1988 1989 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1999 2001 2008 2011
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2016 POSTSEASON MEDIA GUIDE 11 OHSAA STATE TITLES – 1988 1989 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1999 2001 2008 2011 2016 POSTSEASON GUIDE: STATE CHAMPIONSHIP 2016 POSTSEASON MEDIA GUIDE BASIC INFORMATION 11 OHSAA STATE TITLES – 1988 1989 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1999 2001 2008 2011 Athletics: 216-651-0222 ext 222 Athletics Website: www.ignatiuswildcats.com Athletics email: [email protected] TEAM INFORMATION Head Coach: Chuck Kyle High School: Saint Ignatius ‘69 College: John Carroll ‘73 Record at Saint Ignatius: 334-84-1 (34th season) Overall Record: 334-84-1 2016 Record: 13-1 Base Offense: Pro Style, Multiple Sets Base Defense: 3-3-5 Stack Conference: Independent (Division I, Region 1) Home Field: Byers Field at Robert M. Boulton Stadium MAILING ADDRESS Capacity: 11,850 Saint Ignatius High School Surface: Field Turf 1911 West 30th Street Cleveland, Ohio 44113 FOOTBALL HISTORY GENERAL INFORMATION First Year of Football: 1911 Overall Record: 684-304-32 Location: Cleveland, OH OHSAA Playoff Appearances: 27 Founded: 1886 OHSAA Playoff Record: 70-15 Affiliation: Roman Catholic / Jesuit OHSAA Titles: 11 Motto: Men for Others National Championships: 3 Enrollment: 1,500 boys Nickname: Wildcats ATHLETICS MEDIA RELATIONS Colors: Blue and Gold Football Media Contact: Joe Ginley ‘12 ADMINISTRATION & STAFF Office Phone: 216-651-0222 ext 242 Email address: [email protected] President: Rev. Raymond Guiao, S.J. ‘82 Student SID Moderator: Jeff McCormick ‘83 Principal: Dan Bradesca ‘88 Office Phone: 216-651-0222 ext 228 Athletic Director: Rory Fitzpatrick ‘88 Email address: [email protected] Assistant Athletic Director: Brad Ganor Student SID Contact: Brendan DeVenney ‘17 Campus Switchboard: 216-651-0222 Email address: [email protected] Photographer: Al Fuchs ‘79 2016 POSTSEASON MEDIA GUIDE 2016 SCHEDULE 11 OHSAA STATE TITLES – 1988 1989 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1999 2001 2008 2011 OPPONENT DATE / TIME / STADIUM @ Normandy Friday, Aug. 26 at 7 p.m. INVADERS W, 45-0 Byers Field at Robert M. Boulton Stadium vs. Mentor Saturday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. CARDINALS W, 49-7 Byers Field at Robert M. Boulton Stadium vs. Valley Forge Saturday, Sept. 10 at 7 p.m. PATRIOTS W, 49-0 Byers Field at Robert M. Boulton Stadium @ Detroit Catholic Central Friday, Sept. 16 at 7 p.m. SHAMROCKS L, 28-21 (OT) Fr. Elmer Stadium @ Walsh Jesuit Friday, Sept. 23 at 7 p.m. WARRIORS W, 30-0 Conway Memorial Stadium @ Parma Saturday, Oct. 1 at 7 p.m. REDMEN W, 49-0 Byers Field at Robert M. Boulton Stadium @ GlenOak Friday, Oct. 7 at 7 p.m. GOLDEN EAGLES W, 34-17 Bob Commings Field vs. Archbishop Moeller Friday, Oct. 14 at 7 p.m. CRUSADERS W, 38-7 Memorial Stadium @ Otterbein University @ St. Xavier Saturday, Oct. 22 at 2 p.m. BOMBERS W, 31-14 Tom Ballaban Field vs. St. Edward Saturday, Oct. 29 at 6 p.m. EAGLES W, 34-7 FirstEnergy Stadium vs. Jackson Friday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m. POLAR BEARS W, 35-0 Byers Field at Robert M. Boulton Stadium vs. Solon Friday, Nov. 11 at 7:30 p.m. COMETS W, 31-17 Jerome T. Osborne Stadium vs. St. Edward Friday, Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. EAGLES W, 38-31 (OT) Bedford Bearcat Stadium vs. Olentangy Liberty Friday, Nov. 25 at 7:30 p.m. PATRIOTS W, 24-14 Mansfield Arlin Stadium @ St. Xavier Friday, Dec. 2 at 8 p.m. BOMBERS 8 p.m. Ohio Stadium 2016 POSTSEASON MEDIA GUIDE ABOUT THE WILDCATS 11 OHSAA STATE TITLES – 1988 1989 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1999 2001 2008 2011 Wildcats Storylines ... ANOTHER ONE BITES THE DUST: For the 13th time in program history, the Wildcats will be playing for the OHSAA Division I State Championship. The Wildcats defeated the Olentangy Liberty Patriots last Friday, 24-14, to clinch its 13th appearance in the title game, tied for second in state history. The victory marked the Wildcats’ 10th straight win, the team’s longest streak since 2008, when Chuck Kyle’s Cats rolled off 14 straight wins en route to a state title. The Wildcats have an 11-1 record in state championship games, with the last appearance coming in 2011. The last time the Cats played in the Horseshoe was 1989. The Cats have a 2-0 record at Ohio Stadium. NOW I’M HERE: After 14 games, the Wildcats have one of the best defenses in the state. The squad enters the game allowing just 10 points per game, having held three of its four playoff opponents to 17 points or less. The defense, led by defensive coordinator Ryan Franzinger ‘02, has allowed 21 points just twice this season, with both of those contests going to overtime. On the season, the Wildcats have surrendered just 190 yards per game, or 4 yards per play. In 10 of 14 games, the Wildcats have held their opponent to less than 100 yards on the ground. A good defensive effort would bode well for the Wildcats on Friday, as the Football Cats have a 50-1 playoff record when holding opponents to less than 20 points. In the Wildcats’ previous 12 appearances in the state championship, the Saint Ignatius defense has allowed an average of 16.75 points per game. DON’T STOP ME NOW: Defenses win championships, but offenses play a critical role. The Wildcats have used a grind-it-out -of fensive attack all season, using strength and power at the point of attack to run the ball. After setting up the run, the Wildcats will air it out with playaction passes and deep throws against a stacked box. The approach has worked all season, as the team averaged over 36 points per game this season. The offense has scored 21 or more points in each game, and has a 13-0 record when scoring 24 or more points. The number 24 seems to be a magic number for the team, as the Wildcats have a 58-4 record in playoff games when scoring 24 or more points. The Cats have a 9-2 record when exceeding 24 points against St. Xavier. UNDER PRESSURE: The success of the Saint Ignatius defense can largely be credited to a tireless pass rush and run defense. The Wildcats’ front seven has stunted the progress of opposing offenses all season. Last week, the Wildcats limited Ohio State commit Bren- don White to 190 yards, and the Patriots to 194 total yards. The Wildcats’ defense managed 6 sacks and 9 tackles for loss, impressive numbers against a tough Olentangy Liberty squad. On the season, the Football Cats have an impressive 26 sacks and 110 tackles for loss. Add on 34 quarterback hits, and opposing quarterbacks have reason to be afraid of the Wildcats’ defense. The most fearsome unit of the defense is the “Linebacker Legion,” composed of seniors John Velotta, Adam Shibley, and James Leyden. Velotta plays middle linebacker in the team’s 3-3-5 scheme, stuffing opposing running backs before they hit the third level. At outside ‘backer, Shibley splits time as a pass rusher and man in coverage. Last but not least, Leyden rushes the passer from his outside linebacker spot, a position he has thrived in down the stretch. Leyden notched 2 sacks and 3 tackles for loss last week. I WANT TO BREAK FREE: Converting in the red zone is critical, which explains some of the Wildcats’ success. The Saint Ignatius offense has become quite efficient within the 20-yard line, scoring on 56-of-67 chances (84%) within the red zone. The Wildcats have reached the end zone on 47-of-67 (70%) chances, a big reason why the Wildcats’ offense averages 36.3 points per game. On the flipside, the defense has been stingy in the 20-yard line. The Wildcats have only allowed opponents inside the red zone 22 times this season. Of those trips, only 13 of those trips have resulted in scores, with 10 of those being touchdowns. That places opponents’ success rates at 59% and 40%, both low numbers. The Wildcats need to stay strong in the red zone against the Bombers. THE SHOW MUST GO ON: The last time the Wildcats and Bombers faced off, running back Jimmy Andrews suffered a season-end- ing injury. The Wildcats’ remaining backs have stepped in and carried the load with alacrity. Mark Bobinski leads the team with 1,016 yards and 20 touchdowns, surpassing the century mark against the Patriots. Stowers has become a third down and change-of-pace back, rushing for 526 yards and 3 touchdowns on the year. Quarterback Pat Ryan has also added 581 yards and 11 scores on the ground. WE WILL ROCK YOU: The Wildcats and Bombers have met twice before in the state championship game. Saint Ignatius won both games, 24-14 in 1992 and 37-6 in 2001. For more on these games, see page 12. The Wildcats won the first matchup this year, 31-14. 2016 POSTSEASON MEDIA GUIDE ABOUT THE BOMBERS 11 OHSAA STATE TITLES – 1988 1989 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1999 2001 2008 2011 Bombers Storylines ... The St. Xavier CARDIAC KIDS: Few teams can claim as many comeback efforts as the St. Xavier Bomb- ers. In each of the last three weeks, the Bombers have had to mount a comeback win to Bombers File stay alive in the playoffs. The Bombers defeated Colerain and Sycamore in overtime, led by Head Coach: Steve Specht quarterback Sean Clifford in both games. Last week, Clifford and Co. won courtesy of a 32- 2016 Record: 9-5 yard field goal by kicker Kevin Rockwood.