St. Ignatius Wildcats Secure First Win for New Coach Against Mentor Cardinals
In a game that had fans holding their breath until the final whistle, the St. Ignatius Wildcats eked out a 16-14 victory over the Mentor Cardinals. But this wasn't just any win; it marked the first career victory for new head coach Ryan Franzinger, who stepped into the sizable shoes left by the legendary Chuck Kyle.
The game kicked off with a defensive showdown, setting the tone for what would be a hard-fought battle. A 30-yard field goal by Thomas Kilbane put St. Ignatius on the board first. "Our defense rallied and only allowed 14 points," said quarterback Josh Papesh, emphasizing the unit's role in the win. The Wildcats' defense, led by senior captain linebacker Ryan Ardire, was particularly effective, with Ardire contributing two pivotal sacks.
Mentor's Scotty Fox wasn't about to let the game slip away without a fight. He connected with Grant Cerny for a 6-yard touchdown and then took matters into his own hands with a 6-yard QB keeper, giving Mentor a 14-10 lead. "We had many great plays but also made too many mistakes," said St. Ignatius wide receiver Jonathan Merimee, acknowledging the ebb and flow of the contest.
The second half saw St. Ignatius regain control. Joshua Papesh found Jonathan Merimee for a 12-yard touchdown, putting the Wildcats back in the lead at 16-14. "Our offense showed the ability to drive and work as a whole unit, something we've worked on all off-season," Papesh noted. Running back Max Ritt also had an outstanding game, carrying the ball 24 times for 130 yards. Papesh finished the game with 156 yards, two touchdowns, and one interception.
In the waning moments of the game, St. Ignatius managed to drain six minutes off the clock and secured a crucial sack from Ryan Ardire, effectively sealing their win. "It means a lot. Mentor is a very talented, well-coached team," Papesh said, adding, "I couldn't be more excited for Coach Franzinger in his first-ever win, but there is still much more to prove."
Jonathan Merimee echoed the sentiment, stating, "It's awesome that we are able to deliver Coach Franzinger his first win, especially against Mentor. Coach has done a great job taking over this team. He knows what we need to do to win and accomplish our goal of getting state championship #12."
The win marked the first time St. Ignatius defeated Mentor on their home field since 2017. Looking ahead, the Wildcats will face Pittsburgh Central Catholic, while Mentor takes on Riverside. For Coach Ryan Franzinger, this win is more than a notch on the belt; it's the dawn of a new era for St. Ignatius football.