High school football: Week 1 game capsules
Tim Gebhardt | The Chronicle-Telegram
GAME OF THE WEEK
Amherst (4-6) at Elyria (1-9)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
RADIO: WEOL 930-AM, WDLW 1380-AM
LAST YEAR: Did not play
THE SKINNY: It’s almost hard to believe that Amherst and Elyria haven’t been on each other’s schedule since 1930. That game was the first ever played under the lights at Ely Stadium, and Elyria came away with a 26-0 victory. Unbelievably, Elyria Sports Hall of Famer Ken Burley had two drop kicks for extra points.
Don’t look for Elyria coach Steve Hamilton to try something that drastic for the Pioneers tonight, but he may have some tricks up his sleeve, nevertheless, in hopes of ending Elyria’s eight-game losing streak. The Pioneers played a lot of underclassmen last year and took their lumps to finish 1-9.
Amherst’s coach Kevin Fell (213 career at several schools) is hoping his team can stay healthy. Injuries were costly last season as the Comets lost their final three games after a three-game winning streak.
(2007 records in parenthesis)
Firelands (1-9) at Brookside (2-8)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
RADIO: WOBL 1320-AM
LAST YEAR: Brookside, 19-3
THE SKINNY: Keith Grabowski, former coach at Amherst, returns to the area after a one-year hiatus at Brush to take over at Brookside while Todd Pooch starts fresh at Firelands.
Grabowski returns only one starter — senior Paul Grattan, a 5-foot-11 center and defensive tackle. However, Brookside has beaten Firelands the past three years to open the season and, if nothing else, should feel confident of making it four straight. Pooch is Firelands fourth head coach in five years, but he has 13 returning starters and 20 lettermen.
North Ridgeville (7-3) at Westlake (4-6)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: North Ridgeville, 13-7
THE SKINNY: The biggest question for the Rangers will be how quickly veteran coach Jeff Riesen can rebuild after losing 20 seniors. They return only one lineman — 6-2, 240-pound senior John Howells — off last year’s team that lost a chance at the playoffs with a late-season upset loss to Avon. QB Scott Bishop returns for Westlake.
Oberlin (4-6) at Sts. John & Paul (0-9)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: Oberlin, 14-8 (3 OT)
THE SKINNY: One of the area’s top stories last year was the job Dave McFarland did at Oberlin. The Phoenix hadn’t won a game on the field since early in 2003, although they were credited with a forfeit over Brooklyn in 2005. But McFarland instilled some confidence, as Oberlin won its first three games in ’07. This year, the Phoenix will have 6-5, 290-pound Idaho transfer Hugh Thornton anchoring both lines and, perhaps, even lining up in the backfield. He is rated as one of the best linemen in the country by several scouting publications. Thornton grew up in Oberlin and recently moved back.
Southview (0-10) at Sandusky (4-6)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: Sandusky, 15-12
THE SKINNY: The Saints came within a whisker of halting a 21-game losing streak last year when it lost to Sandusky. This year, the streak has grown to 31 games.
Vermilion (6-4) at Huron (7-3)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: Huron, 30-14
THE SKINNY: Vermilion coach Frank Horvath, 141-119 in 26 seasons at various schools including Wellington, is hoping to build off last year’s record, but the Sailors will have their hands full with Huron, a perennial football power.
Avon Lake (11-1) at Maple Heights (7-3)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: Did not play
THE SKINNY: Dave Dlugosz has averaged 10 wins a year in his outstanding 16-year career (160-29) as head coach at Avon Lake, and the Shoremen appear poised for another fine year. Dlugosz must replace a strong cast of skilled players, but end Zach Murray returns to anchor the defense.
Cleveland East (2-8) at Elyria Catholic (8-3)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: Elyria Catholic, 49-0
THE SKINNY: Playoff-bound Elyria Catholic got off to a great start last year with its romp in coach Ben Malbasa’s debut. The Panthers hope to duplicate that start, but will have to do it with an inexperienced backfield yet strong offensive line. Junior DE/WR Josh Rush at 6-5, 210 pounds, will start on both sides of the ball for EC.
Cuyahoga Heights (9-1) at Columbia (3-7)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: Cuyahoga Heights, 40-0
THE SKINNY: Cuyahoga Heights barely missed qualifying for the playoffs a year ago, but with versatile quarterback/punter/safety Zach D’Orazio on the field practically all the time, the Redskins should be in the thick of things again. Meanwhile, Columbia coach Jason Ward will depend on strong junior and sophomore classes to help the Raiders bounce back.
Margaretta (1-9) at Clearview (6-4)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: Did not play
THE SKINNY: Quarterback Zach Anderson and tailback Anthony Hitchens should help Mike Collier have a successful debut as Clearview’s coach. The Clippers won their last five games in ’07.
Warrensville Hts. (7-3) at Midview (8-3)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: Did not play
THE SKINNY: Midview made the playoffs a year ago but was no match for Avon Lake in the first round. Warrensville enters the year on a roll, having won its final six games last year including an impressive 49-14 pounding of Bedford. Wide receiver/kick returner Denario Gray scored 18 touchdowns last year for the Tigers. Longtime Midview coach Bill Albright (138-81 in 22 years) is changing his offense to a spread look in an effort to utilize the talents of quarterback Gage Williams, tailback Josiah Holt and wide receiver Mike Schmittle.
Monroeville (6-5) at Keystone (8-2)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: Keystone, 34-8
THE SKINNY: The Wildcats dominated this game a year ago, but Monroeville has had the better of the series over the years. The Eagles bounced back from an 0-3 start last year to make the playoffs. Keystone had its best season in two decades and two-way end Matt Herb returns. However, the Wildcats lost a bevy of outstanding players.
Norwayne (7-3) at Wellington (6-4)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: Norwayne, 46-23
THE SKINNY: After stringing together five impressive wins last year, Wellington lost heartbreakers to Keystone, 19-13, and Brookside, 14-7, to knock the Dukes out of league and playoff hopes. Wellington returns only four starters on each side of the ball, but veteran coach Matt Stoll will have most of that experience up front.
Toledo Start (7-4) at Admiral King (6-4)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: Toledo Start, 22-12
THE SKINNY: There’s a feeling of confidence at Admiral King not seen in a good long while, as the Admirals prepare to set sail this year. King has experience, size and speed on both sides of the ball and figures to be in the thick of the Lake Erie League Erie Division race.
Andre James and Chris Kimbro emulate the size and speed coach Mark Campo has all over the field. AK has a stern test in Toledo Start.
Bay (1-9) at Orange (4-6)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: Orange, 14-6
THE SKINNY: Bay suffered through a tough season a year ago, winning only against Firelands. The Rockets finished the year with five straight losses but will have 12 starters returning including seven at skill positions.
Black River (4-6) at Western Reserve (4-6)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: Western Reserve, 16-13
THE SKINNY: Black River rebounded from an 0-3 start to win its next three games last year and appeared on its way to a good season. However, a 33-0 loss to Wellington sent the Pirates into a tailspin and they never recovered. Al Young, 127-60 in 18 years at River, has QB Anthony O’Connor back. Black River has started 0-3 the past two years.
Lutheran West (7-3) at Fairview (1-9)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: Lutheran West, 43-29
THE SKINNY: With Paul Fackler at quarterback and Adam Moses at linebacker, Lutheran West figures to be strong on both sides of the ball. The Longhorns finished strong last year with three straight wins, but they’ll have to improve defensively if they expect to compete for league honors. They gave up 29 or more points five times last season.
Olmsted Falls (7-3) at Toledo DeSales (5-5)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: Olmsted Falls, 40-21
THE SKINNY: Jim Ryan’s Bulldogs should be in the thick of things in the Southwestern Conference. Quarterback John Atkinson threw 15 TDs last year and only three interceptions.
Valley Forge (3-7) at N. Olmsted (5-5)
WHEN: Tonight, 7:30
LAST YEAR: North Olmsted, 20-13
THE SKINNY: Six-five, 270 pound senior John Taylor anchors both sides of North Olmsted’s lines as the Eagles prepare for their season opener against Valley Forge.
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Filed by Tim Gebhardt | The Chronicle-Telegram August 22nd, 2008 in Sports. Popularity: 8% |
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