St. Ignatius second half surge tops Benedictine, now focused on St. Edward

Tom Kaufman is leading his team on the field. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio — Tom Kaufman has transformed St. Ignatius back into a winning machine as they take to the road to defeat a one-loss Cleveland Benedictine team 42-6.

The team has secured four victories this season, which represents the same number of wins they had accumulated in the last three years before Kaufman assumed the position of head coach.

Although it was a tale of two halves in a dominant win, “I think we got out of our game a little bit in the first half,” said Kaufman. “We were letting things that aren't between the whistle affect us a little bit too much.”

The Wildcats still managed to score 22 points in the first half off the legs and arm of quarterback Jacob Milkin, who scored on a walk-in quarterback boot play that fooled the Benedictine defense and an 85-yard touchdown pass to playmaker Billy Cole. “We started pretty well, went down, and scored on the first possession after getting a big three-and-out and kinda went stagnant for a little bit,” said Milkin.

Jacob Mikin is hoisted in the air by his teammate after his first-quarter touchdown. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

Defense also played a huge part, providing many opportunities to keep the momentum throughout the game. “It felt like every time we sat down to watch some film we would hear “punts hot” because they would have three plays and we would be back on the field,” elaborated Milkin.

Multiple players got touchdowns for the Wildcats, including Trey Haddad, Tyler McMillon, and Dane Donovan.

And some key interceptions.

Benedictine got their only touchdown in the second quarter before being shut out the rest of the game by Jovani Williams.

Now St. Ignatius must turn their attention to Lakewood St. Edward, as this should be a much-anticipated matchup for Tom Kaufman and the Wildcats. “I think they’ll be ready to go; they’ll be locked in, they're going to be very, very excited for this one coming up. It's going to be a heavyweight fight, and we're excited about it,” said Kaufman.

Game Breakdown

First quarter

St. Ignatius wins the toss and defers to Benedictine, who go three-and-out as St. Ignatius takes over at the 26-yard line and junior J.T. Hummer takes a couple of rushes before quarterback Jacob Mikin scores on a reverse to go up 7-0 after a successful PAT with 8:25 remaining.

Giovanni lacampo connects with Tramell Reese for a 53-yard catch to get their second possession going but could only attempt a 30-yard field goal by Nate Majors that went wide left.

Billy Cole catches a touchdown pass from Jacob Mikin that goes for 85 yards, making the score 15-0. Dane Donovan gets a 2-point conversion with 2:40 left in the quarter. ST. IGATIUS 15, BENEDICTINE 0.

Benedictine running back Jovani Williams on his way to the end zone for the Bengals' only touchdown of the game. He finished the game with 47 yards on seven carries and one touchdown. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

Second quarter

Benedictine can’t get the offense going as they go three-and-out and settle for a punt with 11:34 to go.

St. Ignatius is doing what they want to do. However, Billy Cole is missing his long shots down the field because he's overthrowing the receivers.

After Billy Cole catches an 18-yard pass very close to the sideline, putting them at the 5-yard line, Dane Donovan rushes it in with 7:40 remaining in the half to go up 22-0.

Giovanni lacampo still cannot get the offense going as St. Ignatius has not allowed a big gain, but Benedictine running back Kayden Forte carries the load as they keep their drive alive.

Unsportsmanlike conduct on Ignatius gives the Bengals field position at the Wildcat 13-yard line, and running back Jovani Williams rushes it in for the 13 yards to get them on the board in the first half, still trailing 22-6 with 3:21 remaining in the half.

St. Ignatius is closing in on a score with 1:43 remaining, but punts it away after a personal foul backs them up.

Forte is gaining ground for the Bengals as Lacampo connects with Michael Shropshire for a significant advance, moving the team into St. Ignatius territory near the 46-yard line. However, a poor pass from Kai Caldwell is intercepted by Nick Chime with only seconds left in the game. ST. IGNATIUS 22, BENEDICTINE 6

Third quarter

Trey Haddad scores a 43-yard touchdown pass from Jacob Mikin with 10:35 to go in the quarter. Haddad first time seeing the endzone in his game to go up 30-0, and he successfully converts a 2-point conversion.

Benedictine is trying to get momentum back. But their defense has not had a lot of rest at this point in the game, with seven minutes remaining.

St. Ignatius takes over at the Benedictine 37-yard line and gets some carries from Tyler McMillon and continues into the end zone on a 9-yard touchdown with 4:13 remaining on the clock to take a 37-6 lead and begins the running clock for the game.

Ignatius gets two more points on a punt that goes over the receiver's head; they go up 39-6.

Billy Cole outruns Kam Hill on his way to the end zone for an 85-yard touchdown reception. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

Fourth quarter 

Running clock for the Wildcats  

A 34-yard field goal with 7:07 remaining in the game should put the icing on the cake for the Wildcats. FINAL: St. Ignatius 42, Benedictine 6.

St. Ignatius (4-2) will have a big test as they take on St. Edward at home in Week 7. Benedictine (4-2) will face Youngstown Cardinal Mooney on the road after a huge loss.