St Ignatius defeats St Xavier 37-6

The Wildcats from Cleveland were looking for their 9th division championship since 1988,and the team they had to face the Bombers from Cincinnati ST. Xaiver had beaten them earlier in the regular season in a high scoring come from behind game 42-41.The Bombers were undefeated and the number 2 team in the state according to the final Associated Press state poll. The game looked good on paper, but then the teams took the field and it would be all Wildcats right from the start. Highly touted Quarterback Nate Szep completed 18-27 passes for 280 yards and 3 touchdowns who get things started quickly as he hooked up with one of the best receivers in the state Tony Gonzalez on a 32 yard touchdown with 6.10 left in the opening quarter, after Phil Gibbs connected on the extra point the score was 7-0. The 1st mistake of the game would come on a punt attempt by the Bombers leading to the punter getting sacked and the Wildcats would get the ball only 38 yards away from pay dirt. The Wildcats would face a 4th and 14 and go for it . Szep hit Carter Welo for the 1st down The 1st quarter came to a end with the Wildcats up 7-0,but driving for another score. The Bombers needing a big play got it when Mike Hurley stepped in front of a Szep pass in the end zone 6 seconds into the 2 quarter .The offense would not be able to take advantage of the big play and would be forced to punt. Ignatius would get a big play of their own when Szep connected on a 89 yard touchdown pass to running back Carter Welo with 8.34 left in the half.The extra point was on and just like that it was 14-0. Tom Christy the outstanding receiving tightend of Ignatius would be the next Wildcat to score when he grabbed a 22 yards pass from Szep,the extra point was no good. The score board read 20-0 with 2.40 left in the half. Phil Gibbs would connect on a 27 yard field goal with 35 seconds left in the half making the score 23-0 in favor of the Wildcats. Luck would look like it was going to be on the side of the Bombers in the 3 rd quarter as the defense forced a Szep fumble and with only 20 seconds gone in the 3rd.The Bombers were looking to score starting a drive from the Wildcats 31.quarterback Marty Mooney would struggle all game long and it showed never more on a pass intended for Sam McDonald who was wide open. The Bombers would score their only points of the game with 7.11 left in the 3rd when Marty Vogele who bust in from 1 yard out ,a 2 point try failed as Bob Murphy got a quarterback sack on the play leaving the score 23-6 Wildcats. Ignatius would hurt the Bombers defense with the pass and run all game long and the next score would come via the run as big strong bear like fullback Ryan Franzinger hit paydirt from 9 yards out. The extra point was good making the score 30-6, with 1.56 left in the 3rd. The final score of the game came with 10.06 left in the game when Matt Miller caught what would be a 24 yard pass from Szep, and with the extra point the Wildcats had all but rapped up another state title as they led 37-6. Junior wide receiver/cornerback Tony Gonzalez caught seven passes for 144 yards leading the air attack by the Wildcats.St. Xavier was outgained, 452-127 yards another stat that showed how good the defense played for the Wildcats. Here is some more individual stats. RUSHING -- Cincinnati St. Xavier, Willingham 7-14, Linz 3-12, Vogele 2-4, Sander 1-(minus 3), Mooris 1-(minus 9), Mooney 9-(minus 43). Cleveland St. Ignatius, Welo 27-126, Franzinger 6-30, Divis 1-9, Restifo 1-8, Flanagan 4-7, Ghanma 1-3, Szep 4-(minus 11). PASSING -- Cincinnati St. Xavier, Mooney 11-27-1-152. Cleveland St. Ignatius, Szep 18-27-1-280. RECEIVING -- Cincinnati St. Xavier, Williams 4-26, Willingham 3-79, McDonald 3-37, Barnes 1-10. Cleveland St. Ignatius, Gonzalez 7-144, Christy 3-38, M.Miller 2-37, Welo 2-25, Wick 2-21, Franzinger 2-15. newarkcatholicfan