Chuck Kyle
File photo courtesy of Shawn Wood Studio 7
St. Ignatius (Cleveland, Ohio) head coach Chuck Kyle has compiled an overwhelming 253-57-1 lifetime record at the helm for the Wildcats.
As of Saturday, he is 1-0 against international competition.
Serving as head coach for the U.S. Junior National Team, Kyle guided his squad—a group of talented but not eye-popping recent high school graduates who will be playing Division I football next year—to a whopping 78-0 victory against France in the opening round of IFAF Junior World Championship, held in Canton, Ohio’s Fawcett Stadium.
The U.S. battered the French defense for 405 rushing yards. David Wilson, a running back heading to Virginia Tech in the fall, amassed four touchdowns before the third quarter had ended.
The French also had no answer for the U.S. air attack. Phillip Butterfield, an Arkansas State recruit, and Bryce Petty, who will attend Butler, combined for 205 yards and two touchdowns.
Though France lacks a reputation as a football juggernaut, the U.S. team was still extremely motivated, according to Kyle.
“All 45 guys on the roster want in that game, and all want to play well,” Kyle told the Canton Repository.
After the game, team captain Storm Klein echoed Kyle’s sentiment.
“We looked at France like they were a dangerous team,” he said. “We went in like we were facing a No. 1 seed.”
With the win, the U.S. is slotted to take on Mexico in a semifinal contest on Wednesday. If victorious, the team will play again in the finals on Sunday.
