High School Football – Week 1 thoughts

Brookside defeated Firelands 21-7. You can hear the replay online.
The Cardinals won because:

• Brookside dominated both sides of the line of scrimmage. Gio Taw had a terrific game with two sacks and a fumble recovery.
• Brookside QB Josh Bender had a great game with two touchdowns, one rushing, and one passing on a 49-yard toss to Luke Ackerman on the game’s opening drive.

Firelands QB Kyle Smith had a rough night - was hit hard on several occasions. He did have a terrific TD pass to Nick Deichler on 4th and goal in the 1st quarter.

Thoughts and prayers go to Firelands RB Joey Kudela who was taken off the field on a stretcher. Let’s hope he’s OK.

Other thoughts:
Congratulations to Coach Todd Auvil and the rest of the Lorain High Titans. Last night was their first win in school history. If there is anyone who lives and dies with Lorain football, it’s Auvil. The 13-6 win over Midview is probably the biggest win in Auvil’s coaching career.

Amherst looked very strong in defeating Elyria 27-20. Quarterback Brennan Hosier was 20-35 for 342 yards and 3 TDs.

Elyria Catholic over Clearview 45-6 as Panthers QB Danny Reaser showed why he is the best QB in the county. For Clippers coach Mike Collier, life after Anthony Hitchens could be rough.

Shocker #1: Avon spoiled the debut of Avon Lake’s newly renovated stadium with a 21-3. If it wasn’t for an Avon fumble deep in their territory, the Shoremen would have been shut out. I saw Avon Lake in week 1 last year and Maple Heights took it to them. The Mustangs were really good in 2009 and Avon Lake bounced back. We’ll see if Avon is really this good and if Avon Lake can bounce back in 2010. The Shoremen have lost 3 straight home openers.

Shocker #2: Westlake defeated North Ridgeville 6-0. Where did this one come from? The Rangers receive and early wake-up call. They’re expected to contend for the West Shore Conference title. Looks like it’s back to the drawing board.

Firelands vs. Brookside tonight

I will be covering high school football tonight from the sidelines of Brookside High School as the Cardinals host the Firelands Falcons. You can tune in to 1320 AM or listen online (replay will be available online as well). I'll be working with play-by-play announcer Bob Karlovec and color commentator Darryl Maynard.

The two teams have some history with each other.

• Conference rivals until 2004
• Firelands joined the West Shore Conference (WSC) and Brookside joined the Patriot Athletic Conference (PAC) in 2005. The teams met in week 1 every year since then as part of their non-conference schedule.
• Firelands will join Brookside in the PAC in 2011.
• Firelands have won the last two meetings – Brookside won the previous four contests.

Firelands

• Coach Todd Pooch starting his 3rd year; 4-16 record
• Won first two games in 2009 and lost the final eight games
• Have an 18-game losing streak in the WSC; last win was against Fairview on 9/28/07
• Returning stars include Nick Deichler RB/OLB, Joe DeWitt (TE/NT), and Brandon Filker (FB/ILB).

Brookside

• 2nd year head coach Keenan Leichty had a full summer to ready the team for the season. He took over in July 2009 after the sudden resignation of Keith Grabowski.
• Two wins in 2009 were against winless teams (Lutheran West and Woodward). After a winless 2008 season, the last winning team Brookside defeated was Wellington on 10/19/07.
• Returning stars include Luke Ackerman TE/FS, Austin Tackett FB/LB, and Gio Taw G/DE

Lorain County High School Football – Team Rankings

Here are my pre-season rankings:

1. Avon Lake – This is the gold standard for Lorain County football. All other teams wish they could be like the Shoremen.
   
   
2. Elyria Catholic – With QB Danny Reaser, Alex Nielsen and Conor Voreis on offense and Buddy Davila, Corey Campbell and Zack Rogers on defense, the Panthers will be tough. Awesome non-conference schedule against Clearview, Buckeye, and Elyria.
   
   
3. North Ridgeville – Coming off their best team in school history, the Rangers are hungry and returning QB Mike Mees is looking great.
   
   
4. Amherst – another team that reloads every year. If they can replace their QB & OL quickly, they can challenge for a play-off spot.
   
   
5. Avon – A lot of players returning from a 6-4 team a year ago. The Eagles face Avon Lake in week 1 - they’ll get an early litmus test.
   
   
6. Elyria – They have the state’s best linemen in Chase Farris. The Pioneers could be the most improved team in the county.
   
   
7. Midview – The Middies were 5-5 last year and easily could have been 8-2. In the wide-open West Shore Conference, Midview will contend.
   
   
8. Clearview – A ton of question marks at QB, RB, and WR but tough to bet against a team that has won their division 4 straight years.
   
   
9. Columbia – Another candidate for most improved team in the county. The Raiders return a 1300 yard passer (John Banyasz) and an 1100 yard runner (Brandon Heidinger).
   
   
10. Lorain – The new high school with a larger student body. Unfortunately, the schedule is brutal and improvement may not be reflected in the won/loss column.
    
    
11. Wellington – The Dukes offense will open up this year more than in the past. Offensive line is getting an overhaul.
    
    
12. Keystone – The Wildcats need to replace star RBs Jimmy Reid and Corry Sprouse. The defense needs to learn how to tackle.
    
    
13. Brookside - Coach Keenan Leichty will have a full summer to get ready for his 2nd season. The Cardinals two wins last year came against winless teams.
    
    
14. Firelands – Team is very young and inexperienced especially on the defense where the Falcons need to replace Ryan Waldmann, Jordan & Jacob Sosinski.
    
    
15. Vermilion – The offensive and defensive lines will carry this team. The Sailors need to find a QB and a RB.
    
    
16. Oberlin – Former Coach Dave McFarland worked wonders with this program. New coach Fred Howery inherited an empty cupboard.

Lorain County High School Football Week 1 Predictions

Football starts this Friday night. Here are my predictions with the winner listed in bold.

Firelands @ Brookside - I will covering this game for WOBL radio - tune in to 1320 AM or listen online

Lorain @ Midview
Amherst @ Elyria
Vermilion @ Huron
C.C.C. @ Columbia
North Ridgeville @ Westlake
Monroeville @ Keystone
Avon @ Avon Lake
Oberlin @ South
Norwayne @ Wellington
Elyria Catholic @ Clearview

Dustin Johnson got jammed

No one will remember who won yesterday's PGA championship - just the guy who got hosed.

Dustin Johnson was the leader on last hole of the tournament. His tee on the 18th hole went into the gallery forcing him to play his 2nd shot an area where there was a lot of foot traffic and loose sand.

After finishing the hole with a bogey 5, Johnson was getting ready for a play-off when a PGA rules official said there was a problem. Since the loose sand was considered a bunker, Johnson was assessed a two-stroke penalty for grounding his club.

Rules are rules. They're there for a reason but calling that area where Johnson played out of a 'bunker' was a joke. If people can walk through it for a week, it's no longer a bunker. It's not part of the hole. The Whistling Straits course map does not graphically illustrate that area as a bunker.

At least the rules official brought it to Johnson's attention before signing an incorrect scorecard and thus getting disqualified. He should have taken it a step further by following Johnson to his ball and reminding him.

As an amateur softball umpire, I frequently tell people that officiating is "95% common sense." None of which was applied yesterday at the PGA championship.

Cleveland Browns: so far so good

I usually don't watch pre-season game because it's mostly garbage football (Hall of Fame game comes to mind). However, I was pleasantly surprised with the Browns and Green Bay Packers - a good game to watch for 60 minutes. I was unable to watch the game live so I DVR'd it and then watched it later. I know who records NFL preseason games?

Props to Jake Delhomme and Seneca Wallace for strong games. I think we're going to like Brian Robiskie and Ben Watson. The passing game has to be better in 2009. It can't be any worse. For the first time in a couple of years, the Browns looked like an offense and more importantly an NFL-competent offense. I was especially impressed with Wallace's arm – looks better than Delhomme's who I hope is recovered from surgery.

Green Bay has a great offense but I'm still concerned about the defense. Packers didn't attempt to run the ball and the secondary got carved up. It was almost too easy for QB Aaron Rodgers. I like the fact that Joe Haden and TJ Ward both played a lot and made some nice plays and some bad plays.

Unsung heroes we take for granted: Phil Dawson and Blake Constanzo. The Browns special teams have been very solid these last few years.

Stallworth getting a second chance

Donte’ Stallworth was recently profiled in yahoo sports as he makes a comeback with the Baltimore Ravens.

I was one of those who felt 24 days in prison for killing a man was way too lenient and thought this was another case of an athlete with a lot of money. After reading the article from Les Carpenter, you find out there is more to Stallworth than spiking fellow Braylon Edwards and running over a man partying after his roster bonus was picked up by the Cleveland Browns.

The NFL these days is full of these types of stories. Add Stallworth to the list that includes Michael Vick, Ricky Williams, Leonard Little, Vince Young and Cedric Benson.

I'm glad Stallworth is no longer with Cleveland but also glad he appears to be picking up the pieces of his life.

Avon Lake preview

I visited Avon Lake High School last night. In two weeks when the Shoremen host Avon High School, there will be brand new football stadium. Changes include Field Turf, new bleachers, and new pressbox. Not only will Avon Lake fans enjoy the stadium itself, it will enjoy the product on the field.

Five reasons why Avon Lake will have great success in 2010.

1. QB Trent Toy
   Started 2009 a bit shaky but came strong at the end. He can beat opponents with his legs as well as his arm.
   
2. WR Ronnie Willoughby
   Tall target at 6-5, averaged 24 yards a catch last year
   
3. LT Andrew Bohan
   Attending Akron next year. Won the left tackle job a year ago and allowed all-world tackle Christian Pace to remain on the right side.
   
4. TE/DE Brian Mihalik
   Another tall target and a horse upfront
   
5. Hall of Fame Coach Dave Dlugosz
   Since he took over in 1992, the team has 15 conference titles, went to the play-offs 13 times, finished undefeated five times, and won the state championship in 2003.

I'm not going out on a limb saying Avon Lake will be good. They consistently year in and year out deliver quality players. Last year was Pace, Dan Schneider, Mike Mansnerus and Nick Marinkov. The year before was Zach Murray, Adam Schneid and Joe Gaydosh. The year before that was Mike Haddad, Jeff Tell, Sean Oxley and Nick Firment.

Avon Lake reloads every year and 2010 will be no different.

My WOBL radio assignments

High school football begins in two weeks. Below are the games I will cover for WOBL radio including kick-off time. Every Friday night, listeners can tune in to 1320 AM or listen online. This year I will be moving up to the sideline reporter role and will work with play-by-play announcer Bob Karlovec and color commentator Antonio Castro.


Week 1: August 27
Firelands @ Brookside - 7:30 kick

Week 2: September 3
Wellington @ Avon - 7:00 kick

Week 3: September 10
Kenmore @ Oberlin - 7:30 kick

Week 4: September 17
Columbia @ Black River - 7:30 kick

Week 5: September 24
Buckeye @ Clearview - 7:30 kick

Week 6: October 1
Keystone @ Black River - 7:30 kick

Week 7: October 8
Padua @ Elyria Catholic - 7:00 kick

Week 8: October 15
North Ridgeville @ Firelands - 7:00 kick

Week 9: October 22
Keystone @ Wellington - 7:30 kick

Week 10: October 29
TBD

LeBron James watch needs to end

Ever since LeBron James announced "The Decision", it seems every day there is a sighting.

People, this needs to come to end. It is time to move on. LBJ plays for the Miami Heat. The Cavaliers don't play a game until late October. It's time to take a break.

Football will begin shortly. The Cleveland Browns play an exhibition game this Saturday, high school football starts in two weeks, and the Ohio State Buckeyes will be national title contenders.

Charles Barkley ripped LeBron yesterday. I like Charles but he's a hypocrite. This guy couldn't get out of Philadelphia fast enough to join an already good Phoenix team and then when that went south he orchestrated a trade to Houston to join Hall of Famers Hakeem Olajuwon and Clyde Drexler.

Final thought on James: his twitter name is King James. As far as I'm concerned, the only Kings are Elvis Presley, Richard Petty, Jerry Lawler, and Budweiser.