Oh, and Go Cats!

It was not - in the words of Jack Corrigan, the "Voice of the Wildcats" - the result we all wished for.

The cold reality is that, in Division I, only one team walks off the field at the end of their season with a "W". It's an incredible challenge and when it happens, it's special.

But how about this for "special":
11-1
14-1
25-game winning streak
A state title.

For the seniors, a varsity career marked by only (2) unintended results - vs Glenville. Bookends to their careers. As irritating as that is to even type, it is not all that we are left with. As the disappointment and the frustration recedes, that "bigger picture" that Coach Kyle so often mentions comes in to view. There are no losses in St Ignatius football - just life lessons and memories.

Our guys will find that the opportunity to play on such a big stage, with such great teammates, under such good coaches, against the best week in and week out, wearing the blue and gold and that iconic paw on the helmet is something they will long treasure.

As for us TailCatters and parents, it is special and fun, too. We have our own memories and friendships. Thanks for letting me make the season feel just a bit longer - while poking fun at the expense of others (um, I think you know who you are!)

It's been a blast!

Oh, and
GO CATS!!!!!

Pre-game....

This is to confirm this week's TailCat location is at the Firestone Service Center at the corner of Madison and Bunts.

OK, really this is just an excuse for me to vent some pregame energy...

It's simple, really.
Tackle well. Swarm to the ball. Protect the football. Win special teams. Expose their poor run defense between the tackles. Wear their lines down and take advantage in the 2nd half.

The weather favors us. Our coaching staff favors us. Our discipline and conditioning favor us. Our tough schedule has prepared us for this second season. Since August, we have developed depth and experience we didn't have in Week 1. And I might guess that we are now "in their heads" - a complete reversal, perhaps, from just a short season ago. The class of 2009 showed how to get it done against these talented Glenville teams.

In 36 hours, we will be 4-1 against the Tarblooders the past 2 years.

I - can't - wait!

It's simple, really.

GO CATS!!!!!

Season 2 ~ Game 2: Glenville

It's deja vu all over again - the Cats vs Glenville at Lakewood in the Regional Semifinals. You could have bet the ranch on this rematch happening at some point during these playoffs!

Glenville advanced by scoring 21 points off of (5) North Royalton turnovers. You just don't win in the playoffs if you turn the ball over - and you sure won't win any game against Glenville with mutliple turnovers; we know that too well. If the Cats take care of the ball and again take advantage of Glenville's special team weaknesses the game is ours.

Our offense has vastly improved since Week 1. We went into that game with a receiving corps that had zero varsity receptions other than Brendan Carozzoni and a running back with zero varsity carries. We now have a deep and experienced group of receivers to complement a very good running game. And a red hot "Mule" Myers.

The defense is a little dinged up but it sounds like we'll have all the starters that have been so solid all year - and an expanded list of experienced backups at all of the LB and secondary positions. So let's get it started!

Glenville theme: IRISH!!!
(I just couldn't withstand the groundswell of genuine support for the Irish theme. And if we have to fill in with burgers and dogs, oh well.)

TailCat location: the Firestone lot - 13740 Madison. At the corner of Madison and Bunts - across the street from the stadium.We'll be collecting $1/person till we cover the cost of renting the lot - we only need about $50; I have money left over from the Holy War TailCat that we can put towards the cost.

Some playoff TailCat observations: since seats are general admission - and since this game is at Lakewood - the teardown begins earlier. (I'm heading in no later than 6 PM!) So all would do well to get there earlier for these next 4 games; showing up at 5:30-5:45 with a table and food doesn't cut it in Season 2!

GO CATS!!!!!

Weird and Wonderful

That would describe both the weather on Saturday and the game. On a night when the offense struggled to find a rhythm and with key starters out on both sides of the ball, the Cats found a way to win. In spite of all the flags. In spite of an officiating crew that conferred on almost every call, took forever to confer when they did, took forever to make the call when they came up with a decision - and then took forever to spot the ball! Geesh!

At least we got to tailgate and watch the game in some very mild November weather.

The playoff TailCats always have a different feel. There are no other events at Byers or any other field since the other teams and sports are done - Byers is very quiet and serene on gameday afternoons as a result. In contrast to the tension-filled games that follow later.It also means you can wander out on the field before anyone gets there.

Joann Ross - goin' deep

It also means we're TailCatting under the lights by 5:30ish. Which makes it easier for Tim Ryan to hide in the shadows and avoid doing any work. Speaking of hiding in the shadows, has anyone seen Axel Hoyer lately?!?!

Speaking of work - Joe Carozzoni has stepped up bigtime as the playoffs have arrived. Workin' his tail off! "Mr. November" -that's him!

Speaking of whiners - Dave McVey has really, really fallen off the radar screen. It's been a steady string of excuses for his late arrival - "I have to check some books out of the library"; "I have kids"; "I have to rearrange my sock drawer"; etc, etc, etc. This past week Dave said he advanced to "The World Series of Whiners" or some such. No surprise there. He'd have gotten our vote. If anybody asked. You go, Dave?!

Multi tasking

Season 2, Week 2 is now upon us!! The "it was destined to be" rematch with Glenville! Bring - them - on!!!

GO CATS!!!!

Season 2 ~ Week One: Boardman

We've had a few days to dwell on that rare perfect season. 10-0. (It's fun just to type it again!) A real team effort from start to finish. But that first season is behind us and means nothing over the next several weeks.

The Second Season starts this Saturday night. The Spartans of Youngstown Boardman. The first of a series of one week seasons. The mild weather will probably not stay with us. The competition will get tougher each week. So we have to stay focused and step it up, people! And that includes the Cats, too!!

Season 2, Week 1 TailCat Theme: Chili and Soup Cook Off

There was some sentiment to give equal time to my heritage and have an Irish theme. But there just aren't that many different ways to dress up a potato.

So if you have a special recipe put it to the test against the best of the rest!
Or, if you're like me, bring something that goes with chili or soup.

Or, if you're like Joe Carozzoni or Tim Ryan, you'll just show up. Work 2 weeks in a row?!?! Naaaah.

Joe and Tim hard at work?!?!

GO CATS!!!

On a much more serious note, you may have heard of the serious football injury suffered by a local HS player, Kory Wiita. Please continue to keep Kory in your thoughts and prayers. In addition, Judy Martin has offered to man a donation jar at all the TailCats for the Wiita family so keep an eye out for her.

PERFECT!

In all respects, Saturday turned out to be a perfect day.

The weather actually matched the forecast and cleared up as the morning went on. Dr Ross' House of Pain on Detroit turned out to be the perfect tented site for the first-ever pre- and post-TailCat. Giovanni Nardi is recognized pregame for his academic exploits - I'd say a 4.31gpa is darn near perfect (video).

And, of course, our Cats put a BEATDOWN on the Eagles.

A 10-0 undefeated regular season!

The first perfect 10-0 season since 1995 (the Cats went 9-0 in 2000).

It certainly was a peculiar atmosphere for a Holy War. The occasional bright sunshine that splashed the players just didn't seem right. And despite the Eagles' attempt to intimidate our Cats before the national anthem - it seemed as hollow as it was - the only question seemed to be "by how much?". Not the usual formula for a Holy War.

The pre-TailCat got off to a bit of a rocky start as we thought the tent was going to blow away. Or that Frank Ross was going to blow himself up trying to get the firepit lit in a windstorm. Or that the nearby high rise residents were going to clean us out when we were at the game. (No worries - they cleaned us out at the post-TailCat!)Mssrs. Duffy, Ross and Ventling put their Bloody Mary recipes to the TailCat test. I'd say it was a dead heat - we need a runoff.

Tim Myers appears to be blown away by his role as official Bloody Mary taste-tester

Despite our best efforts to get it on film, Joe Carozzoni actually did something this week - he cooked burgers!
You'll have to trust me - that's Joe; he wasn't there long enough to get a good picture
Rumor has it that Tim Ryan was serving the burgers that Joe cooked but let's not push it - both of them actually doing some work at the same TailCat?!? Sure, whatever.

Dr Ross says "Save those blue cups - you'll need what's in them when you cash in that free root canal"

Speaking of Sue Ryan - where has she been?!!? Sue!!! Come back!!!

I think this is an opportunity for another caption contest:

A final game note: the usually mild-mannered Wendy Myers was heard to respond "O - VER RA - TED! HA!" to the entire St Ed student section in the 4th quarter. That is just not like her. Usually, she'd take on the entire visiting team fans - not just the student section. It was just that kind of Holy War, I guess...

Some due thanks

It would be wrong to not acknowledge the help and cooperation of a few suppliers who worked with us to supply everything we needed and to help defray the costs of the St X fish fry. I can confirm that over 400 people were served!So a special thanks to the following suppliers - give 'em some business if you can!:

OHIO STATE FISH - GARY ROWAN 216- 451- 5551
AUGIES PIZZA – DAN JENKS 440-237-2080
DUBICK FIXTURES – JOHN CIPRIANI 216- 391-7189
NORTH PARK FINE WINES – JOE 440- 582-5090