CLEVELAND — St. Ignatius Head Coach Chuck Kyle knows his rival St Edward well, as do his players.
The game has stood out on every schedule since he first took the helm in 1983. They’ll duke it out in the Division 1 regional semifinals this week.
“If you’re playing Ed’s, that means you’re in the playoffs and you’re solidly moving along so, good time.” Kyle said.
Kyle has an all time record of 26-17-1 against St. Edward. He wants to bounce back from a 48-6 loss earlier in the year, and said he had a hunch he’d get one more shot.
“There’s a point where if you keep playing, you’re gonna meet,” Kyle said. “That’s just the way it is.”
Coach Kyle said what makes this rivalry great isn’t just the fact that they’re two of Ohio’s premier programs, they also often run into each other in the playoffs.
“You played before, but even after the game you know Tommy and I go, ‘Ok see you in a few weeks,’” Kyle said. “You know, because it’s probably gonna happen.”
So this week, they’re preparing by watching film from their last game. Kyle said if the team works on the Xs and Os this week, they can compete with St. Ed, as they have every year.
“It’s a very, very good quality high-level football game,” Kyle said. “The intensity is good. Good, clean, good football.”
Kyle said the team is working hard at practice with the hopes of another classic in the rivalry before he retires.
