St Ignatius High School - Ignatian Yearbook (Cleveland, OH)

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New Voices Add To Success Of Cheerleaders And Spirit Despito the weather conditions, John Mayhor and Mike O'Brien still look to the stands lor support. Seemingly suspended in space, John Mayher stirs up stagnant spirit from the peak of the infamous Ignatius Human Pyramid. 27

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 {Ithough in recent years, only a half dozen or so spirited Ignatians have come forth to lend their voices to the art of cheerleading, this year the men in blue and gold were gifted with an overabundance of talented vocal cords. Eight juniors and six seniors, under the careful tutelage of moderator Fr. Powers. S.J., worked together to rally wildcat fans into enthusiastic support for our teams. They braved mud. rain. snow, and often a biting wind under the floodlights at John Marshal. Yet their voices could still be heard by all. They did not give up after our second game but kept the spirit alive for the remainder of the season. Their efforts did not go unrewarded, for on November 17. 1973. the St. Ignatius Wildcats captured their second straight City Championship. Tri-captains John May her. Pat Mezzulo. and Mike O'Brien ignited the fuse in the chosen eleven who then, through wild screaming, clapping, and shouting, sparked the Wildcat cheering machine into action. With only sevon seconds gone in the championship game. Pat Mezzulo and the gang start the Wildcat cheering machine into action. Cheerleaders Pat Mezzulo. Rich DeChant. and Bernie Smith find it easy to cheer at the championship game with a 34-0 lead 26

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Football ’73 aTfT p There had always been something special about the class of 74 s football players. After all there had been four who made the varsity as Sophomores, and as Juniors they formed the bulk of the city championship team. As the season opened, visions of a late fall trip to Columbus were fantasized. Though those fantasies seemed like bitter disallusions to Wildcat fans who sat watching the team warm up in Baldwin-Wallace's Finey Stadium before the City Championship game, the first thirty minutes of football they saw showed them that indeed, this was an extraordinary team. “It was the highest point of the season.” said Head Coach Mr. Paul Nemec. ”1 think that the first half was as good a half of football that has been played by any high school team anywhere. I think it showed that we were the best team in the area.” In that thirty minutes of almost perfect football, the team showed the two major components which led them to their fine year: an overpowering offense and a steadfast defense. The potent offense had been expected from the start. The Cats averaged 27.3 points per game as a powerful offensive line and backs blasted past opposing defenses. The Wildcat defense, however, was not expected to perform as impressively: they responded to this challange by shutting out six opponents and tying the school record set in 1972 by allowing only 48 points the entire year. Of this team Mr. Nemec said. “They're certainly as good a team as we've had here in the past 10 years.” There was one blemish on the Cats record, however, which kept the team from a possible state championship. Much has been said, and much more thought about the loss to St. Edward. At the end. It seemed like there was no way we were going to lose.” commented Mr. Nemec. but then we did. It was like gold slipping through our fingers. But as Mr. Nemec pointed out: F.d's was a platooning team, while we were basically a one team