St. Ignatius Clinches Playoff Spot With Win
The Wildcats secured a home playoff game after defeating Clarkson Football North 38-20 at Wasmer Field.
Updated on Oct. 24, 2026 in Football
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St. Ignatius defeated Clarkson Football North 38-20, finishing their regular season with a 5-5 record. The win at Wasmer Field secures a home game for the Wildcats in the first round of the playoffs.
Why it matters
The victory significantly impacts the program's postseason standing, as St. Ignatius prepares for a first-round playoff matchup next week. The win maintains their position as the eighth-ranked team in Division I, Region I of the OHSAA computer ratings.
Quarterback Dane Donovan accounted for 266 total yards and three touchdowns, while the offense finished with 494 total yards. The defense also contributed three takeaways during the decisive victory.
The players
St. Ignatius
This Cleveland-based high school football program competes in the OHSAA Division I, Region I athletic circuit.
Dane Donovan
He is the starting quarterback for the St. Ignatius football team who led the offense with three total touchdowns.
OHSAA
The Ohio High School Athletic Association is the governing body that organizes sports competitions and rankings for member schools.
The details
St. Ignatius dominated the ground game with Teague Deinhart rushing for 96 yards and Tyler McMillan adding 93 yards, each scoring a touchdown. Billy Cole and Trey Haddad provided explosive plays through the air, hauling in touchdown receptions of 72 and 23 yards, respectively.
Timeline
October 23, 2026: St. Ignatius defeated Clarkson Football North.
October 30, 2026: St. Ignatius hosts Berea-Midpark in the first round of the playoffs.
Season Trajectory
This win cements St. Ignatius as a key participant in the Division I, Region I playoff bracket. The result shifts the team's momentum heading into the postseason as they seek to capitalize on their eighth-place seeding.
With a 5-5 regular season record, the Wildcats successfully positioned themselves to host a home playoff contest at Wasmer Field. Fans should note the upcoming October 30 kickoff against Berea-Midpark as the team looks to move past their mid-season win-loss parity.
The takeaway
The Wildcats demonstrated balanced offensive efficiency by pairing a strong rushing performance with high-impact passing plays. This victory serves as a crucial turnaround for the team as they look to build momentum entering the elimination phase of the season.
What happens next
St. Ignatius will host Berea-Midpark for their first-round playoff game on October 30, 2026.
Further reading
For more information on local gridiron developments, visit Cleveland Football.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cleveland.
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