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

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There was a certain £ feeling, an intangible perception of optimism before the football game on September 21. We simply were not going to lose this year. This was to be the game when the Wildcats once and for all establish themselves as number one. This was the Ed's game and this is what Wildcats Football '73 was all about. The Cats took the opening kickoff and immcdiatly began to move downfield. But a fumble inside the thirty-five broke the back of what appeared to be a touchdown drive. Then, on their first offensive play. Ed's halfback Steve Schmitz took a pass and blazed 63 yards for a 6-0 lead. A stunned Ignatius crowd was put somewhat at ease when the Cats mounted a second quarter scoring drive to take a one point lead. However, the Eagles scored again on a pass before the intermission, and made good on a two point conversion to take a 14-7 lead. The third quarter was scoreless as the Wildcat defense was able to stave off Eagle drives. Then in the fourth quarter the Wildcats offense awakened and drove for a touchdown, making the score 14-13. Kevin McDermott rolled out on the two point conversion attempt, missed spotting a wide open receiver, and threw’ a pass for Dave Dillmuth which was knocked down. The Cats did not give up. however. With seven minutes left. Tim McGurr picked up an apparent fumble. But the officials called the ball dead. Films of the game call it otherwise. The Cats' defense held, however, and the team regained the ball on their own 35. Crisp blocking led Tim Culver down the left side line in huge chunks as the Cats moved inside the five with time running out. But on third and short yardage. Mr. Nemec called for Culver to sweep to the right side which lost six yards. On the fourth down play. Kevin McDermott passed to Rick Kray who made an incredible reception and ran for what appeared to be a first down. As Wildcat fans celebrated, the officials called Kray's gain short. Aftor being taken out of the Ed's game for a caso of amnesia. Tri-Captain Thom Abood gazes onto the held not knowing what's going on. Wildcats Nailed By Phantom First Down Using the blocks sot by his offensive line, tailback Dave Dillemuth turns the end with Tim Culver in front for additional blocking. 31 V Vv

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Time out caused by a mixup in the line gives Kevin McDermott time to dicuss strategy with Head Coach Mr Nemec Ed's substitute quarterback gets just as much abuse as the starter as he tries to escape the grasp ol Jim Lanmng. 1973 VARSITY FOOTBALL RECORD Ignatius Opponents 20 Parma 19 13 St. Ed s 14 28 Latin 0 14 Holy Namo 0 53 West Tech 0 48 Rhodes 3 14 Marshall 12 27 South 0 36 Lincoln-West 0 •34 Won 9 East High 0 Lost 1 •City Championship Culver’s Brillance Helps Save Cats BSSC63 As the September sun set on Byers field, the 1973 BKmB Wildcat Varsity Football team saw the dawn of its season in a 20-19 victory over Parma's Red men. The Wildcats moved out to an early lead in what proved to be a sec-$aw coniest as Kevin McDermott connected on a three yard pass to end Brad Petrus. But the Redmen quickly struck back as the Cats' deep pass defenders were burned on a long touchdown and Parma gained a 7-6 half-time advantage. The Cats' offense came out determined to score after the intermission and drove the length of the field for a score culminated by Dave Dillemuth's II yard run. But again Parma rallied for two drives. Tim McGurr's critical interception inside the 15 stopped one drive, but another Parma bomb produced a touchdown and a 13-12 lead. Midway through the final frame. Tim Culver showed the brillance that helped him to a record yearby dashing 63 yards for a score. Kevin McDermott's pass to Petrus gave the cats a 20-13 lead. Then, in the final minutes. Parma completed several crucial passes and with 1:12 left they scored. However. Parma's upset was flaunted by Rick Kray’s interception of the two point conversion attempt. After the heartbreaker to Ed’s the Cats rebounded by trouncing I.atin 28-0 at Cleveland Heights High. The game was marked by a sparking Ignatius defense and an offense which functioned efficiently in the mud. Roger Andrachik opened the scoring with a sixteen yard touchdown burst. Culver, who returned an intercepted pass 40 yards and rushed for 166 yards scored on two short pluges. Jeff Tasse saw action and scored the final TD. 30

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Eyeing an approaching tackier. Rick Kray moves to the outside in an effort to outmaneuver him and gam an essential fust down Effective blocking at the line of Holy Name allows tor the precious time Kevin McDermott needs to find a secondary receiver. Wildcat defense led by senior Roger Andrachik converges on a Holy Name running back to stop him for no gam as they did to most senate backs throughout the season. 32