WHEELING — The Wheeling Jesuit University football program continues to crystalize as another integral piece has been added to its foundation.

The Cardinals’ exhibition schedule has been finalized for their rapidly approaching inaugural grid campaign. It is a collection of jayvee contests against NCAA Division I, II and III institutions as well as a JUCO outfit.

“We now have our first schedule set in place with the help of our administration. It was a team effort with the major component making sure it provided our young guys the best opportunity to get acclimated to college football,” head coach Zac Bruney said. “We have a nice cross section of games against Division 1-2-3 teams. I am pretty pleased on how the schedule played out.”

The Cardinals will launch their exhibition season Saturday, Sept. 1 at Ithaca, N.Y., taking on Cornell University’s jayvee squad. The program’s first home contest will take place Saturday, Sept. 8 when Hocking College comes calling to Bishop Schmitt Field for a 1 p.m. kick.

Bruney’s charges will tackle a varsity Mountain East Conference schedule in 2019.

The former Martins Ferry and Mount Union star QB has now been at the Cardinal helm since July. It’s been a whirlwind 11 months, hiring six assistants while bringing in 73 grid candidates for the coming season.

Bruney and recruiting coordinator Brandon Robinson, his lone aide at the time, beat the bushes in passionate fashion last fall. Their relentless work yielded a bountiful and geographically wide-ranging initial class.

They were quite successful in luring recruits from the Washington, D.C./Maryland area while also landing prospects from Florida and Tennessee. The core of the class comes from OVAC and Ohio schools.

While much work has been accomplished, things haven’t slowed down for Bruney.

“We now have players on campus working out. So we now actually have a football team,” the son of a coaching legend said. “I am pleased with how they are working. We will start actual practice on Aug. 6.

“I also still have three coaching positions to fill. We also will expand our roster to 75,” he added. “Our staff will be taking to the road to stage three satellite camps this month. We will also be splitting up to go the Ohio State and WVU camps. It’s been a crazy June.”

The Cardinal staff is staging those satellite camps in the D.C.-Baltimore area on June 24; University High in Morgantown on June 25 and at Massillon Perry on June 26.

“I am cautiously optimistic but I am excited with where we are at. There are a lot of good things going on here (WJU), including a strong freshmen class,” Bruney said. “Our schedule for the coming season provides a good game setting for the proper maturation of our players. We are going to build this program in proper fashion.”

Here is the balance of Wheeling Jesuit’s 2018 grid card following the season opener at Cornell.

Sept. 16 – host Muskingum University jayvees, 2 p.m.; Sept. 23 – at Washington & Jefferson jayvees at 2 p.m.; Sept. 30 – host Thiel College jayvees at 2 p.m.: Oct. 14 – host Denison University jayvees at 2 p.m.; Oct. 21 – host St. Vincent College jayvees, 1 p.m.; Oct. 28 – host Ashland jayvees, 1 p.m.; Nov. 4 – at Glenville State jayvees, TBA; Nov. 10: Red vs. White inter-squad game, noon.

WJU is also holding an Elite Football Camp on Saturday, July 14 at 1 p.m. Cost is $35 if pre-registered and $45 for walkups. Team rates are available. It is open to all students entering grades 9-12. For more information, contact Robinson, recruiting coordinator, via email: brobinson@wju.edu or phone: 304-243-8156.

QUINCY CAMP

QUINCY WILSON is an Ohio Valley gridiron legend. The former Weir High, WVU and NFL running star is now in the collegiate coaching business.

Wilson is running backs coach at West Virginia State University. Wilson and his fellow Yellow Jacket coaches will be staging an Elite Prospects Camp on Tuesday, June 19 at the East Wheeling football complex.

The camp runs from 12-3 p.m. Registration begins at noon. Cost is $30.

For information, call Wilson at 513-237-2225.

BUBBA’S BITS

FORMER STEUBENVILLE High quarterbacking great Zach Collaros made his Canadian Football League debut with Saskatchewan a successful one Friday night. Collaros completed 18-of-25 passes for 203 yards and one TD with no picks in a 27-19 win over Toronto. The former University of Cincinnati standout played for Hamilton the previous four seasons. He compiled a 41-1 record under center for Steubenville, leading the Big Red to a pair of state titles. He will be enshrined into the OVAC Hall of Fame this August.

WVU LINEBACKER Brendan Ferns continues to impress in the classroom. The former St. Clairsville All-American again made the 4.0 WVU Spring Club.

INDIAN CREEK grad Paige Geanangel turned in a solid season for the Youngstown State softball team. She pitched in 31 games for the 25-26 Penguins, starting 23 while compiling a 12-13 record in 147 innings. She struck out 80, recorded two saves while compiling a sharp 3.19 ERA. The junior righthander gained Horizon League Pitcher of the Week honors during the season.

TORONTO HIGH has hired Josh Franke as its new head football coach. He was already on the Red Knights’ grid staff.

STEUBENVILLE NATIVE Chaz Roe is enjoying a strong season out of the Tampa Bay bullpen. Roe, whose parents are Buckeye North grads, leads the Rays in appearances with 32 while compiling a fine 3.12 ERA. He has fanned 30 and walked just nine in 26 innings of work. Roe has recorded one save and 14 holds.

YOUNGSTOWN STATE had a rough baseball spring as the Penguins finished with an 18-38 record. Sophomore Blaze Glenn, however, enjoyed a banner campaign in the outfield for YSU. The Toronto High product played in all 56 games, hitting a robust .325 with 11 home runs, and 43 RBI to go with 34 runs and 16 stolen bases. His yeoman efforts landed his second-team All-Horizon League honors.

KUDOS TO the Ohio County Development Authority for approving a $4.2 million sports complex at The Highlands. The state-of-the-facility is greatly needed in the Ohio Valley.

MY WORLD Cup pick is Belgium.