OhioVarsity.com - Wildcats rebound at Northmont

August 30, 2008

Mike Parris
OhioVarsity.com Staff

St. Ignatius definitely didn't play its best game, but it was a victory. After the Wildcats' disappointing loss last week, it was good enough.

The Wildcats used a staunch defensive effort and some timely plays by the special teams to secure a 23-3 victory over host Clayton Northmont Friday night outside of Dayton.

The Wildcats (1-1) got a much-needed win after falling in disappointing fashion to Glenville last week on a last-second field goal, 20-17. Northmont (1-1) appeared to be a worthy opponent early on, but the Wildcats' defense set the tone in the first half and did just enough on offense to get their first win of the season.

St. Ignatius got on the scoreboard early on thanks to a fine special teams play following Northmont's first possession of the game. Sean Fisher was able to block a Nothmont punt and Pat Hinkel scooped up the loose ball and ran in the touchdown, giving the Wildcats' an early 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

The two teams traded field goals in the second stanza, leaving the score 10-3 heading into intermission. St. Ignatius missed a golden opportunity to extend the lead, as Andrew Holland threw an interception deep in the Thunderbolts' red zone to thwart a prime scoring opportunity.

The Wildcats extended their lead to 17-3 on an Andrew Holland 1-yard keeper midway through the third quarter after Frank DeSico gave St. Ignatius outstanding field position on a punt return. Junior running back Kevin Johnson's touchdown run in the fourth quarter put the final tally on the scoreboard to give St. Ignatius a 20-point lead.

Although the margin of victory was comfortable, St. Ignatius squandered two other optimum scoring chances in the second half. Holland threw a second interception in the end zone and Michael Anter lost a fumble attempting to stretch the ball across the goal line.

Clayton Northmont got solid outings out of running backs Kory Ringer and Mark Mays, but the passing game sputtered. Thunderbolts' quarterback Chase Belton found the passing lanes few and far between and was under constant pressure by Wildcats' senior defensive lineman Ryan Carr (2 sacks) and junior linebacker Scott McVey (7 tackles, 1 sack).

Northmont will look to return to winning ways next Friday at home versus Westerville South while St. Ignatius travels to Buffalo, New York to square off with Canisius.

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