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Akron Manchester football looking to build off big win heading into regional final (podcast)

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NEW FRANKLIN, Ohio — Looking to atone for a loss to Navarre Fairless earlier in the season, the Akron Manchester football team earned a measure of revenge and then some in last week’s regional semifinals. The Panthers, ranked No. 1 in Division V, Region 15, will play No. 2 Columbiana Crestview Saturday at 7 p.m. in a regional final...

NEW FRANKLIN, Ohio — Looking to atone for a loss to Navarre Fairless earlier in the season, the Akron Manchester football team earned a measure of revenge and then some in last week’s regional semifinals.

The Panthers, ranked No. 1 in Division V, Region 15, will play No. 2 Columbiana Crestview Saturday at 7 p.m. in a regional final game. For the second straight week, Manchester will have to contend with a talented quarterback, as Crestview’s Collin Gilbert has scored 42 touchdowns this season.

Manchester coach Jim France and WR/DB Bobby Bowen spoke with cleveland.com Thursday about the win over Fairless and the challenges Crestview will present this week.

Manchester Regional Final Podcast

Manchester’s season, game by game

Week 1: Defeated Hillsdale, 8-6.

Week 2: Defeated Woodridge, 30-19.

Week 3: Defeated Black River, 56-13.

Week 4: Lost to Fairless, 49-48.

Week 5: Defeated Tuscarawas Valley, 48-0.

Week 6: Defeated Timken, 42-20.

Week 7: Defeated Indian Valley, 28-14.

Week 8: Defeated Tuslaw, 42-6.

Week 9: Lost to Triway, 34-14.

Week 10: Defeated CVCA, 21-20.

Playoffs

Regional quarterfinal: Defeated Youngstown Ursuline, 19-16.

Regional semifinal: Defeated Navarre Fairless, 35-7.

Other coverage

See a profile from 2012 of Manchester coach Jim France (Akron Beacon Journal)

Check out some highlights of the Manchester football team (hudl.com)

More about Manchester

Record: 10-2

Final cleveland.com ranking: Not ranked.

Final AP state ranking: Not ranked.

Coach: Jim France.

Top players and stats: QB Pavin Parks (190 attempts, 115 yards, 1,486 yards, 10 touchdowns, 10 interceptions); RB Mason Hayes (130 carries, 659 yards, 20 TDs); WR Bobby Bowen (42 receptions, 551 yards, 3 TDs); LB Logan Harvey (80 tackles, 9 sacks); LB John Beavers (91 tackles).

Total playoff appearances: 21.

Last playoff appearance: 2012.

How team fared in last playoff appearance: Lost in regional semifinal.

Contact high school sports reporter Bill Landis by email (blandis@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@blandis25). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.


Deep freeze ahead for local anglers: Fishing report for Nov. 22

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Walleye continue to bite, but deep freeze is on the way.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Break out the thermal clothes if you’re thinking of casting for steelhead trout or walleye this weekend. It will be wet and chilly today, but those angling conditions will seem balmy after a cold front puts northeast Ohio into a deep freeze over the next couple of days.

LAKE ERIE

Walleye continue to entertain anglers from the Marblehead Peninsula to Cleveland Harbor. Fishermen are reporting fair to good walleye fishing during the day while trolling in about 25 feet of water with both shallow-diving and deep-diving minnow-style lures. After the sun goes down, the best walleye fishing depths have been from 25 feet almost to the shoreline rocks.

The top stretches of walleye water this week have still been the traditional late-season hot spots from Vermilion to Huron.

Rapala Husky Jerk lures have been in the spotlight, but Reef Runner and Smithwick Rattling Rogue plugs have also been catching lots of walleye. Blue-silver and black-silver color patterns have worked well, with bright fire tiger colors a good choice in stained water.

The night bite for walleye continues to lure anglers to shoreline piers and breakwalls, where Rat-L-Trap and Husky Jerk lures seem to produce best. Good places to cast from the shoreline include the East 72d St. Pier in Cleveland Harbor, Spitzer Marina in Lorain, the Huron Pier and the Lakeside Pier on Marblehead.

The yellow perch fishing has been very slow after big winds last week scattered the schools of perch. If you’re scouting for perch this weekend, the 40- to 45-foot depths had been most productive.

RIVERS AND STREAMS

Fair numbers of steelhead trout have moved up the northeast Ohio rivers and streams. Trout can be found throughout the river systems, although the best river fishing reports are still coming from the lower stretches of the rivers and around the river mouths on Lake Erie. It seems the river water temperatures are still much colder than on Lake Erie, where huge schools of emerald shiner minnows are still keeping walleye and steelhead trout fat and happy.

Anglers are doing well working small dime-sized spawn bags and small jigs tipped with maggots under a float, and targeting the deeper pools. The same rigs are also catching trout around the harbor areas, including Cleveland Harbor and the Grand River-Fairport Harbor area. Some steelhead are being caught on flies, from swinging streamers to working nymphs and wooly buggers under a strike indicator, and on spoons and spinners.

INLAND LAKES, RESERVOIRS

Some crappie are being caught on minnows presented under a float around sunken brush and also structure in deeper waters. The Portage Lakes are giving up some crappie, especially Nimisila Lake, and a few crappie have been caught around Pymatuning, Mosquito and Berlin reservoirs.

The inland lake walleye bite has been slow to heat up, but a few walleye have been caught at Pymatuning and Berlin reservoirs, mostly worked drop-offs with blade baits such as the Vib-E. Some saugeye are being caught on jig-minnow rigs from the tailwaters of Charles Mill Lake.

The Cleveland Metroparks had released very good numbers of wild bluegill and largemouth bass in its lakes a few weeks ago, and anglers are still catching a few of them. Wallace Lake in Berea has been tops for bass, with some trophy fish reported caught in recent days. The Cleveland Metroparks winter trout stockings begin in the middle of December.

FISHING TOURNAMENTS

Fall Brawl (Lake Erie): William Dudas Jr. leads the Fall Brawl derby standings with an 11.455-pound, 31-inch walleye caught off Cleveland Harbor. A whisker behind is a 11.420-pound, 31-inch walleye caught by Larry Weiss in the Lorain area.

DOG TRIAL RESULTS

All-Breed Hunter’s Trial

R & G Ventures, Hinckley

All-Age – Pointing: Joe Kusmierczyk, English pointer (EP), Scout; Gary Thozeski, Brittany (Brit), Chili; Gary Thozeski, Brit, Ember. Flushing: Lou Monaco, English springer spaniel (ESS), Casey; Shawn McCraw, ESS, Kimba; Tom Harris, Labrador retriever (Lab), Sultan.

Open – Pointing: Bert Scali, EP, Kate; Derek Plyler, German wirehaired pointer (GWP), Gus; Lou Dell’Osso, Brit, Tatanka. Flushing: Bob Rinehart, ESS, Gracie; John Rizzo, Lab, Martie; John Rizzo, Lab, Deke.

Derby – Pointing: Derek Plyler, GSP, Trigger, Bert Scali, German shorthaired pointer, Remi; Eddie Karbon, English setter, Apollo. Flushing: Eddie Karbon, Lab, Thor; Nick Thompson, Lab, Jake.

Puppy – Pointing: Derek Plyler, GWP, Walleye. Flushing: No awards.


Video: Ray Horton goes up against his mentor, Dick LeBeau - Cleveland Browns Berea report

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Watch as Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed discuss the news from Berea on Thursday as the Cleveland Browns continue their preparations for the Steelers this Sunday.

BEREA, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns beat writers Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed recap what happened at practice Thursday in Berea as the Browns continue their preparations to play division rival Pittsburgh Steelers Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium. 

Topics include:  Defensive coordinator Ray Horton is a student and friend of Steelers defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau.  Could linebacker Barkevious Mingo, who started out the season strong, be hitting a "rookie wall?"  After missing the first two games due to a suspension, wide receiver Josh Gordon is putting together a good season.  Cornerback Joe Haden credits his best year so far, possibly a Pro Bowl year, to a settled down personal life.

Follow on Twitter: @CLEvideos


2013 Fantasy Football: Fedor's Forecast for Week 12

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There are two more weeks until the playoffs in fantasy football. This is the last week for byes and many trade deadlines have passed. You have your squad for the stretch run, and now it's up to you to make the right lineup calls.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – There are two more weeks until the playoffs in fantasy football. This is the last week for byes and many trade deadlines have passed. You have your squad for the stretch run, and now it's up to you to make the right lineup calls. Week 12 is just hours away from kicking off with the New Orleans Saints and the Atlanta Falcons. Who should you start? Who should you sit? What to watch for this weekend? And what sleepers will be awoken? 

Starts

QB Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers – Big Ben has nine touchdowns in his last three games and was just named AFC Offensive Player of the Week for the show (367 yards and four touchdowns) he put on against Detroit. The Browns have given up multiple passing touchdowns in five straight.

RB Maurice Jones-Drew, Jacksonville Jaguars – MJD's rushing totals in the last two (41 and 23) aren't anything for owners to get excited about, but he has scored in both games. A meeting against the Texans could be exactly what he needs to get himself going on the ground. The Texans are a mess, the game will more than likely stay close and Houston has given up over 100 total yards in seven straight. Just last week, Oakland backup RB Rashad Jennings ripped them apart for 150 yards and a TD.

RB Zac Stacy, St. Louis Rams – Before he went on a bye, Stacy was one of the hottest fantasy backs around, with nearly 30 touches per game. A matchup this weekend against the Bears means his success should continue. Chicago has allowed the opposing back to rush for at least 120 yards in five straight. In Week 12 they even made the disappointing Ray Rice look like a Pro Bowl-back again.

WR Josh Gordon, Cleveland Browns – Even though he has been a strong bi-weekly performer (21 yards, 132, 44 and 125 in his last four), the talented wideout makes this list again. The Steelers pass defense has had its moments, but in two of the last three weeks, the opposing No. 1 wideout has gone for at least 130 yards and a touchdown. It started in Week 9 with Aaron Dobson and it happened again last week with Johnson's 179 yards and two touchdowns.

WR Marques Colston, New Orleans Saints – He's back! Colston has at least five catches in his last two games since returning from a sore knee. One of his two touchdowns this year came against an Atlanta defense that has allowed multiple passing scores in nine of the last 10.

Sits

QB Philip Rivers, San Diego Chargers – While I have my doubts about the Kansas City offense, I have learned their defense isn't anything to mess with, especially with quarterbacks. Only one QB (Browns' Jason Campbell) has thrown for multiple touchdowns against Kansas City this year. Rivers started out hot, but now has just one game in his last five with multiple passing touchdowns.

Ray RiceView full sizeRavens running back Ray Rice turned back the clock to 2012 last week, but he faces a stingy Jets defense in Week 12.

RB Ray Rice, Baltimore Ravens – It was nice to see Rice turn back the clock to 2012 for a week. That was against Chicago, which has given up the second most rushing yards (133.9). But I hope you're not expecting that again this week. The Jets defense, ranked No. 1 against the run, has yet to allow an individual back to top 75 yards.

RB Lamar Miller, Miami Dolphins – He has 11 carries for 19 yards since his breakout on Halloween against the Cincinnati Bengals. That's scary for owners heading down the stretch. It's also unlikely to change this weekend against a Carolina defense that ranks third in rushing yards and has allowed just one rushing score in the last six games.

WR James Jones, Green Bay Packers – It's a great matchup against the Vikings, but since returning from his knee injury, Jones has seven catches for 116 yards in the three games. It's Jordy Nelson, Jarrett Boykin and then Jones for me.

WR Mike Wallace, Miami Dolphins – I don't think one touchdown in 10 games is what the Dolphins were envisioning when they threw $65 million at Wallace this off-season. That TD came way back in Week 2 and I wouldn't bank on his second coming this weekend against a defense that hasn't allowed an opposing receiver to reach double-digit points in 10 straight.

Sleepers

QB Scott Tolzien, Green Bay Packers – Sure, he threw three costly interceptions last weekend against the Giants. He also threw for 339 yards. He has weapons like Nelson, Jones and Boykin. He also has a matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, who have allowed a league-high 23 passing touchdowns. Only Roethlisberger and Eli Manning have failed to toss multiple TDs against the Vikes.

OBIE.JPGView full sizeBrowns running back Chris Ogbonnaya is coming off his best game of the season.

RB Chris Ogbonnaya, Cleveland Browns – The Browns promised during the bye that they would get Ogbonnaya more involved in the game plan. And they did. Obie played 48 snaps, had 14 touches and 99 yards. He's the new running back to have in Cleveland and this week he plays a Steelers run defense that allows 125 yards per game and has given up the second-most rushing TDs (13).

RB Jacquizz Rodgers, Atlanta Falcons – They call it "sleeper" for a reason. With nine carries in his last two games, the diminutive Rodgers hasn't been a factor. The entire Atlanta running game is a mess, but he could get some work against the New Orleans Saints, who have allowed a running back to score in four of the last five.

WR Tiquan Underwood, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – He's the No. 2 wideout in Tampa Bay and when playing against the Lions that usually means good things. Detroit has allowed the second receiver to either score a touchdown or top 100 yards in seven straight. The Bucs will have to throw the ball to keep up with Detroit, especially since the Lions have not allowed a 100-yard rushing in four straight.

WR Rob Streater, Oakland Raiders – Check the injury status of Denarius Moore (shoulder). If Moore is out then Streater could have a big afternoon in terms of targets and yards since the Raiders won't have any other options to catch the ball. Make sure you keep in mind that the Titans have not allowed a receiver to score in eight straight so his points will come from the other areas.

Bold Predictions

Raiders QB Matt McGloin will not throw a touchdown – Yes, I recommended him as a sit last week. And yes, he threw for three touchdowns against the No. 1 pass defense in the league. I heard all about it on Twitter, trust me. But not this week. McGloin could be without the No. 1 receiver (Moore) and the No. 1 running back (Darren McFadden). Unlike the Texans, the Titans will be prepared, and they have allowed the fewest passing TDs (seven).

The streak will continue for the Steelers' running game – Rookie Le'Veon Bell has still yet to top 100 yards. The Browns haven't allowed a 100-yard rusher in 2013. It's a bad mix. Bell is still finding a way to help fantasy owners, either with touchdowns or catching the ball out of the backfield, but his 3.1 yard-per-carry average won't go up much against the stingy Browns D.

Detroit RB Reggie Bush will bounce back – It's not a great matchup against the Buccaneers this weekend. Tampa Bay has allowed just two running back rushing scores. Bush, who was reportedly benched in Week 11, had just 31 yards. But he's better at home. In four games on the Ford Field turf, Bush is averaging 145 total yards and three of his four TDs have come in Detroit. It's a gut call.

Cecil ShortsView full sizeJaguars wide receiver Cecil Shorts complained about the team's game plan in Week 11.

Jacksonville WR Cecil Shorts will get his wish – After getting one target in the first 55 minutes of last week's loss against the Cardinals, Shorts let his frustration be known after the game, calling the Jags game plan "dumb." My guess is Jacksonville will come out firing in his direction. In the last three weeks, Houston has allowed six touchdowns to opposing wideouts.

The emergence of New York WR Rueben Randle will continue – Even though he is not on the field as much as Victor Cruz or Hakeem Nicks, he has six touchdowns in his last six games. The Cowboys are coming off a bye, but unless they found a whole new defense during the week off, then the 'Boys are in trouble. Randle had five catches for 101 yards in Week 1 against Little D.

What to watch for

Stevan RidleyView full sizePatriots running back Stevan Ridley has been good when he's not fumbling.

Will Patriots RB Stevan Ridley run out of the doghouse? – I was watching Sunday's game with my girlfriend, hoping for eight points from Ridley. That's all I needed to win. Then he fumbled, I yelled at the TV and flipped on "The Voice." I thought he was going to be benched for the rest of the game. But Bill Belichick put him in for another drive, Ridley punched it in the end zone and I rejoiced. How much trust does the Hoodie have in Ridley? He's the most talented back the Pats have and has seven touchdowns in the last five games. It's the No. 1 thing to watch Sunday besides that whole Tom Brady vs. Peyton Manning showdown.

Will Antonio Brown be the next to get lost on Haden's Peninsula? – Mike Wallace (one catch for 15 yards), A.J. Green (seven catches for 51 yards and two catches for seven yards ) and Calvin Johnson (three catches for 25 yards) have all been slowed by Joe Haden. Brown, the NFL leader in catches, will be next to visit, and he's not as talented as some of the guys that have gotten trapped before him.

Will the Packers passing game continue to impact RB Eddie Lacy – Just one month ago, Lacy was looking like a fantasy star. Since Aaron Rodgers injury, defenses have focused on slowing down Lacy, and he has had a hard time finding enough running room without the threat of the pass. Lacy - with 38 carries for 100 yards - has a great matchup against the Minnesota Vikings, who have allowed 10 rushing scores in the last seven. But will he be able to exploit it?

The Tampa Bay running game – Bobby Rainey appeared on the fantasy football radar last Monday night when he took over for an injured Mike James, and rushed for a touchdown. This past week, he emerged as a star. The former Browns and Ravens castoff rushed for over 160 yards and added three total touchdowns. Is the job his for the rest of the year or will Brian Leonard take carries away? That's the question all owners of Rainey want to know. It will determine how reliable he is in the playoffs.

Will Houston QB Case Keenum play the entire game against Jacksonville? – Keenum, who threw six touchdowns in Weeks 9 and 10, looked like a fantasy savior for owners with Jay Cutler or Aaron Rodgers. Then last week he was benched for poor play against the Raiders. Yes, the Raiders. Jacksonville just gave up over 400 yards passing to Arizona's Carson Palmer. If he can't finish this week's game then it may be time to look for another QB. 


Glenville football on the doorstep of first regional title since 2009 (podcast)

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CLEVELAND, Ohio – Glenville's return to the playoffs after two years away has it on the doorstep of its first regional title since 2009. To accomplish that, the No. 1 Tarblooders (11-1) will have to get past No. 6 Madison (10-2) Friday in a Division II, Region 3 championship game at Mentor's Jerome T. Osborne Stadium. Kickoff is at...

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Glenville's return to the playoffs after two years away has it on the doorstep of its first regional title since 2009.

To accomplish that, the No. 1 Tarblooders (11-1) will have to get past No. 6 Madison (10-2) Friday in a Division II, Region 3 championship game at Mentor's Jerome T. Osborne Stadium. Kickoff is at 7:30 p.m.

On Thursday, coach Ted Ginn Sr. took some time to talk with cleveland.com for a podcast covering last week's win over Bedford and the Tarblooders' regional final matchup with Madison.

2013 Glenville Playoff Podcast, Nov. 21, 2013

Glenville's season, game by game

Week 1: Lost to St. Edward, 40-24.

Week 2: Defeated Solon, 15-14.

Week 3: Defeated Cleveland Heights, 32-13.

Week 4: Defeated Rhodes, 34-0.

Week 5: Defeated John F. Kennedy, 53-7.

Week 6: Defeated John Adams, 48-0.

Week 7: Defeated John Marshall, 56-0.

Week 8: Defeated Collinwood, 62-0.

Week 9: Defeated East Technical, 40-0.

Week 10: Defeated John Hay, 49-24.

Playoffs:

Regional quarterfinal: Defeated Brush, 35-0.

Regional semifinal: Defeated Bedford, 26-12.

Other coverage

Glenville DB Marshon Lattimore nominated for 2014 U.S. Army Player of the Year Award (cleveland.com)

Three Tarblooders were picked to play in the Army All-American Bowl (cleveland.com)

Check out this story on where Marshon Lattimore and Erick Smith landed in the ESPN 300 rankings. (cleveland.com)

Running back Devine Redding orally committed in October to play football at Indiana. (cleveland.com)

Here's a video report on Glenville's weather-delayed victory over Cleveland Heights in Week 3. (cleveland.com)

Prior to the Tarblooders' opener against St. Edward, Ted Ginn Sr. gave an emotion locker room speech, which was caught on video. (cleveland.com)

Here's a story from the preseason about Ted Ginn Sr.'s anticipated return to the Glenville sideline. (cleveland.com)

Check out a feature on speedy RB Davon Anderson, a move-in from South Carolina (cleveland.com)

Three Tarblooders – Marcelys Jones, Marshon Lattimore and Erick Smith -- were part of a series on Alabama and Ohio State in pursuit of in-state prospects (cleveland.com)

Week 2 buzz across the area centered on a game-winning blocked field goal by Lattimore vs. Solon. (cleveland.com)

More about Glenville

Record: 11-1.

Final cleveland.com ranking: 5.

Final AP state ranking: No. 5, Division II.

Coach: Ted Ginn Sr.

Top players and stats: WR/DB Marshon Lattimore (22 catches, 437 yards, 8 TDs); QB Quan Robinson Jr. (71 of 125 passing for 1,178 yards, 20 TDs, 4 INTs); RB Davon Anderson (115 carries, 1,118 yards, 15 TDs); RB Devine Redding (32 carries, 320 yards, 3 TDs); OL Marcelys Jones; WR/DB Erick Smith (13 catches, 158 yards, 3 TDs).

Total playoff appearances: 12.

Last playoff appearance: 2010.

How team fared in last playoff appearance: Lost in a regional semifinal.

Contact high school sports reporter Scott Patsko by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@ScottPatsko). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Cleveland Indians name Joe Wendle, Cody Anderson minor league players of the year

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Joe Wendle receives the Lou Bourdreau award and Cody Anderson gets the Bob Feller award as the top position player and pitcher, respectively, in the Indians minor league organization.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Indians talented Class A Carolina Mudcats have produced their minor league player and pitcher of the year.

Second baseman Joe Wendle received the Lou Boudreau award and right-hander Cody Anderson received the Bob Feller award for their performances this season. Wendle was a sixth round pick out of West Chester (Pa.) University in 2012. Anderson was a 14th round pick out of Feather River (Calif.) College in 2011.

Wendle, 23, hit .295 (122-for-413) with 32 doubles, five triples, 16 homers, 64 RBI and a .885 OPS for Carolina. He ranked second in Tribe’s minor league system in homers and third in average.

The left-handed hitting Wendle overcame a fractured orbital bone on April 20 that sidelined him for just over a month. At the time of the injury, Wendle was hitting .426 (20-for-47) with a 1.104 OPS. He was named to the Carolina League’s postseason All-Star team and just finished playing in the Arizona Fall League where he hit .311 (19-for-61) with seven RBI and a .863 OPS for the AFL champion Surprise Saguaros.

Anderson, 23, went 9-4 with a 2.34 RA in 23 starts at Carolina. The 6-4, 22-pound Anderson struck out 112 in 123 1/3 innings, walked 31 and allowed 105 hits. Anderson’s 1.10 WHIP (walks plus hits divided by innings pitched) was the second lowest in the Carolina League.

The right-hander’s 2.65 ERA was the best in the Tribe’s minor league system.

Anderson, who made his final three starts of the season at Class AA Akron, was named to the Carolina’s League midseason and postseason All-Star teams. He was also named the Carolina League’s Pitcher of the Year.

The Mudcats went 57-83 this year – 35-35 in the second half – but had some of the Tribe’s top young prospects play for them in Francisco Lindor, Tyler Naquin, Tony Wolters, Erik Gonzalez, Myles Bryson, Wendle and Anderson.

Boudreau was a Hall of Fame shortstop for the Indians and their player manager. Feller, a Hall of Famer as well, was the best pitcher in franchise history.


St. Ignatius football a step from the final four, will face a familiar playoff foe

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CLEVELAND, Ohio — Four regular-season losses and a No. 11 seed couldn't keep St. Ignatius from another playoff matchup with Mentor. The Wildcats (8-4) took out Canton McKinley and Hudson in the first two rounds to set up a third consecutive playoff game with the No. 2 Cardinals (11-1). They will meet Saturday (7 p.m.) at Byers Field in Parma...

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Four regular-season losses and a No. 11 seed couldn't keep St. Ignatius from another playoff matchup with Mentor.

The Wildcats (8-4) took out Canton McKinley and Hudson in the first two rounds to set up a third consecutive playoff game with the No. 2 Cardinals (11-1). They will meet Saturday (7 p.m.) at Byers Field in Parma in a Division I, Region 1 semifinal, with the winner getting a trip to the final four.

The Wildcats beat the Cardinals in Week 2, 26-6.

On Wednesday, Wildcats coach Chuck Kyle and wide receiver Jack Hyland joined Mentor coach Steve Trivisonno and quarterback Conner Krizancic for a video interview with cleveland.com. The group discussed the rivalry between the two schools, how each team got this point and what to expect in Saturday's game.

St. Ignatius' season, game by game

Week 1: Lost to Brother Rice, 29-20.

Week 2: Defeated Mentor, 26-6.

Week 3: Defeated Strong Vincent (Pa.), 35-8.

Week 4: Defeated McDowell (Pa.), 49-10.

Week 5: Lost to Paramus Catholic (NJ), 44-10.

Week 6: Defeated Lawrence Central (Ind.), 24-21.

Week 7: Lost to Eastern Christian Academy (Md.), 32-29

Week 8: Defeated St. Edward, 23-17.

Week 9: Lost to St. Xavier, 13-10.

Week 10: Defeated Pinehurst School, 35-14.

Playoffs

First Round: Defeated Canton McKinley, 38-14.

Regional semifinal: Defeated Hudson, 28-17.

Other coverage 

Read this feature on K Matt Colella, a cancer survivor (cleveland.com)

Coach Chuck Kyle and OL Jimmy Byrne did a chat with readers in Week 8(cleveland.com)

We spent an evening with OL and Notre Dame commit Jimmy Byrne getting to know him off the field (cleveland.com) 

Check out a video of St. Ignatius discussing their win over St. Edward (cleveland.com)

S Dameon Willis Jr. committed to Indiana (cleveland.com)

Ohio State commit Kyle Berger makes the Dick Butkus Award semifinalist list (cleveland.com)

More about St. Ignatius

Record: 8-4.

Final cleveland.com ranking: 4.

Final AP state ranking: 10.

Coach: Chuck Kyle.

Top players and stats: WR Michael Siragusa (32 receptions, 543 yards, six touchdowns); WR Nick Fabian (36 receptions, 374 yards, 3 TDs); QB John Thomas (161 attempts, 72 completions, 1,225 yards, 13 TDs, 6 INTs); RB Mike Vitale (72 carries, 374 yards, 4 TDs); DE Chris Keane (7 sacks).

Total playoff appearances: 24.

Last playoff appearance: 2012.

How team fared in last playoff appearance: Lost in regional championship.

Contact high school sports reporter Scott Patsko by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@ScottPatsko). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Mentor football gets a chance to avenge only loss of the season

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MENTOR, Ohio – For a third straight season, Mentor must get past St. Ignatius to reach the state final four. The Cardinals and Wildcats will meet for the sixth time in the last three seasons Saturday (7 p.m.) when they travel to Byers Field in Parma for a Division I regional semifinal. The No. 11 Wildcats (8-4) beat the No....

MENTOR, Ohio – For a third straight season, Mentor must get past St. Ignatius to reach the state final four.

The Cardinals and Wildcats will meet for the sixth time in the last three seasons Saturday (7 p.m.) when they travel to Byers Field in Parma for a Division I regional semifinal. The No. 11 Wildcats (8-4) beat the No. 2 Cardinals (11-1) in Week 2 this season, 26-6.

On Wednesday, Cardinals coach Steve Trivisonno and quarterback Conner Krizancic joined St. Ignatius coach Chuck Kyle and wide receiver Jack Hyland for a video interview with cleveland.com. The group discussed the rivalry between the two schools, how each team got this point and what to expect in Saturday's game.

Mentor's season, game by game

Week 1: Defeated McDowell (Pa.), 44-30.

Week 2: Lost to St. Ignatius, 26-6.

Week 3: Defeated Euclid, 36-0.

Week 4: Defeated Twinsburg, 49-0.

Week 5: Defeated Brush, 62-43.

Week 6: Defeated Shaker Heights, 56-14.

Week 7: Defeated Brunswick, 45-3.

Week 8: Defeated Solon, 35-0.

Week 9: Defeated Hudson, 38-14.

Week 10: Defeated Strongsville, 45-19.

Playoffs

First-round game: Defeated Brunswick, 42-0.

Regional quarterfinal: Defeated Stow, 43-0.

Other coverage

Here's a story about Conner Krizancic's transformation back into a quarterback. (cleveland.com)

Mentor is one of seven programs that will form a new league in 2015(cleveland.com)

QB Conner Krizancic did a chat with readers in Week 9 (cleveland.com) 

WR Brandon Fritts did a chat with readers in Week 2 (cleveland.com)

We spent an evening with WR Brandon Fritts getting to know him off the field (cleveland.com)

Brandon Fritts highlights. (hudl.com)

Check out a video of Conner Krizancic on his switch from receiver to quarterback

More about Mentor

Record: 11-1.

Final cleveland.com ranking: 3.

Final AP state ranking: 6.

Coach: Steve Trivisonno.

Top players and stats: QB Conner Krizancic (133 attempts, 206 completions, 1 interception for 1,943 yards and 23 touchdowns; 116 carries, 1,012 yards and 12 touchdowns); WR Eddie Daugherty (57 receptions, 695 yards, 7 TDs); WR Brandon Fritts (40 receptions, 709 yards, 8 touchdowns)

Total playoff appearances: 13.

Last playoff appearance: 2012.

How team fared in last playoff appearance: Lost in state semifinals.

Contact high school sports reporter Scott Patsko by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@ScottPatsko). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.


Cleveland Browns players recall subdued Dallas Cowboys game two days after JFK assassination

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Just 90 minutes before kickoff, Jack Ruby shot Lee Harvey Oswald on live television. During the afternoon while the Browns-Cowboys and six other NFL games were played, President Kennedy's casket was carried from the White House to the Capitol to lie in state.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Joan Ryan was almost ready to leave for Municipal Stadium when the phone rang in her Cleveland home.

She was surprised to hear her husband, Browns quarterback Frank Ryan, on the line. The Browns were preparing to play the Dallas Cowboys and Frank was calling from a phone on the bench to see how she was doing.

It was Sunday, Nov. 24, 1963, two days after President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, an event that left the Ryans – and the country – in shock.

Joan informed Frank she had just watched Jack Ruby shoot Lee Harvey Oswald on live television, which only added to the surreal setting of an NFL game being played amid the grief that gripped the nation.

“Almost all of us didn't know how to place it in the realm of things that we knew were important to us,'' Frank Ryan said. “It was so stark and unusual. We didn't catch on immediately. We had to think about it and process, and there was no time to do that. The whole thing was a terrible shock.''

Fifty years later, the debate still rages whether the NFL should have played that Sunday. The Dallas Cowboys' unique perspective is the subject of a “Costas Tonight” episode, which debuted on NBCSN this week.

The Cowboys were the most visible symbol of Dallas, and some in the U.S. were blaming the city for events that led to Kennedy's death. Dallas players said they feared for their safety as they entered into an unknown cauldron of emotions 1,200 miles away in Municipal Stadium.

“What a strange combination of events that weekend,'' former Browns defensive end Paul Wiggin said in a phone interview this week. “It was strange because what happened in Dallas had come to Cleveland. Dallas was the bad guy, so to speak. We got the double-whammy.''

KENNEDY_CAISSON__2922794.JPGView full sizeA horse-drawn caisson bearing the body of President John F. Kennedy is borne November 24, 1963, from the White House to the Capitol to lie in state.

In a special episode this week of his show "Costas Tonight'' on NBCSN, sportscaster Bob Costas states the Cowboys discovered the city of Dallas and anything that represented it was being held liable for the tragedy.

Lee Roy Jordan, a Cowboys rookie in 1963, told Costas: “We were the team from Dallas, Texas. We were connected with killing the President of the United States.”

Plain Dealer reporter George Barmann was at Cleveland Hopkins Airport when the Cowboys arrived at 4 p.m. on Nov. 23, the day before the game. He spoke to Dallas players and coaches and his story did not mention any of their concerns about safety, though several wondered how many fans would attend the game. No fans or people upset with the Cowboys were at the airport.

According to Costas, Browns owner Art Modell told public address announcer Johnny Holliday not to use the word “Dallas” throughout the game. He was to use “Cowboys” instead.

Several Browns players and their wives reached by phone this week recalled fans at the game were subdued, except when it came to Dallas.

“They lustily booed the Cowboys,'' Joan Ryan said.

Browns halfback Walter Beach said any perceived resentment didn't reach the playing field.

“There was no special animosity or feelings toward the Dallas Cowboys based on the assassination,'' Beach said. “No one was talking about, 'Dallas killed the President.' None of that occurred.''

Wiggin said was surprised to learn of the Cowboys' concern.

“I don't now that I ever thought that,'' he said. “If they thought that, I can't argue, but it doesn't make any sense to me.''

Said Frank Ryan, “I think the Cowboys were treated OK.''

GARY_COLLINS_SITTING_3117859.JPGView full sizeBrowns wide receiver Gary Collins in an undated photo. Collins said he had no recollection of catching two touchdown passes against the Dallas Cowboys on Nov. 24, 1963, but vividly recalls learning of Kennedy's death while the Browns practiced two days before.

Only 55,096 fans showed up for the Browns' final home game, which was 17,000 fewer than the team's average attendance. Players said they felt many fans stayed home because of JFK's death and perhaps because they were further shaken by Ruby's subsequent murder of the assassin, Oswald, at 12:30 p.m. Cleveland time on national television as Oswald was being transported out of Dallas police headquarters. Kickoff was at 2 p.m.

Dallas players later said they watched Ruby shoot Oswald on a small black-and-white television in the visitors locker room.

Browns wide receiver Gary Collins said he didn't see it, but learned of it while in the locker room.

“It was shocking,'' he said. “Everyone was quiet.''

Beach said some Browns players did see the shooting on TV.

“John Wooten and Jim Brown witnessed that episode over television and they related that to me before the game,'' Beach said. “It was an experience. That was part of the existential existence of the 1960s.''

Dolores Goldfarb of Richmond Heights went to the game simply to get away from it all.

“I went because it was so sad these days on television. I went to the game because of that,'' she told The Plain Dealer's Barmann at the game.

Players were not introduced before the game. Two minutes of silence were observed while the flag was raised and lowered to half-staff. The color guard's footsteps could be heard on the gravel warning track.

“I've never seen it so quiet like this in the stadium. This for the President,'' an usher said to Barmann.

Playing the game at all was – and still is – a topic of debate.

NFL commissioner Pete Rozelle decided to play the seven-game NFL schedule that weekend, the 11th week of a 14-week season. Rozelle later said Kennedy's press secretary, Pierre Salinger, had relayed the family's blessings to play. The rival American Football League canceled its games to honor the fallen President.

“Everyone was just amazed Rozelle said we were playing,'' Collins said.

MODELL_RYAN_COLLIER_BROWNS_6285225.JPGView full sizeBrowns owner Art Modell (left), quarterback Frank Ryan (center) and coach Blanton Collier in 1967. Modell reportedly was not in favor of the NFL playing games the weekend President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963. Ryan said this week players had too little time to process what had happened before playing the Cowboys.

Modell told reporters prior to the game he thought the NFL should go dark that weekend. Steelers Chairman Dan Rooney wrote in his 2008 autobiography, Dan Rooney: My 75 Years with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the NFL, “(Rozelle) later told me it was the wrong decision, one of the few he regretted making during his term as commissioner.”

“We were all in shell-shock at the game, not knowing whether we should be playing,'' said Carolynn Wiggin, wife of Paul Wiggin. “I can just remember sitting in the stands and saying, 'Should we be doing this? Should we not be doing it? How would it serve us not to go ahead?'

“There was no protocol. It was just grief. I was stunned and a little bit fearful of where this was going to take us as a country.''

Then-Browns coach Blanton Collier did not talk to the team about the events swirling around the weekend. “There was no need to talk. We all felt the same,'' he told reporters after the game.

Linebacker Vince Costello said this week Collier didn't even stop practice on Friday when the news broke.

“I remember we practiced that Friday like we did normally,'' Costello said.

The Browns learned of Kennedy's death while practicing at League Park.

“One of the PR guys came out hollering, 'They shot the President!' No one believed it, of course. When we found out it was true, everyone was just numb,'' Collins said.

Dallas coach Tom Landry told The Plain Dealer's Barmann that the team was practicing when it first learned of the President's shooting, and received confirmation of his death a short time later. “The word got around the boys in the field, 'The President is dead.' The practice went on. We had to practice,'' Landry said.

The Browns defeated Dallas for the second time that season, 27-17, in what by all accounts was a poorly played game on offense. The were nine turnovers and each team scored a defensive touchdown. Quarterbacks Don Meredith of Dallas and Ryan combined to throw seven interceptions. Ryan also threw two TD passes to Collins. Cleveland running back Jim Brown ran for just 51 yards and no touchdowns on 17 carries, his lowest output in what would be his best season (1,863 yards).

“I do believe it probably the worst game we played or Dallas played,'' Beach said.

Former Browns linebacker Jim Houston, a Sagamore Hills resident, said the players did the best they could under the circumstances.

“We were very sad,'' Houston said. “It was difficult to play, but you have to set that aside or you'll be run over like a train.''

TOM_LANDRY_1964_3_B_W_179549.JPGView full sizeDallas Cowboys coach Tom Landry pictured in 1964.

Landry told The Plain Dealer's Chuck Heaton following the game, “We couldn't have played a game Friday or Saturday. Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the outcome of the game was changed, but concentration for everybody, the Browns and us, was difficult.''

The win put the Browns (8-3) in a first-place tie in the NFL Eastern Conference with the New York Giants and St. Louis. Cleveland would go on to finish second with a 10-4 record.

Few Browns players interviewed recalled many details of the Dallas game, and some didn't know the outcome, remembering more clearly its juxtaposition to history.

In Washington, D.C., that Sunday afternoon, a hushed crowd of 300,000 watched a horse-drawn caisson carry President Kennedy's flag-draped casket from the White House down Pennsylvania Avenue to lie in state in the Capitol rotunda. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday, Nov. 25.

A half-century later, Paul Wiggin still is in football, as a full-time consultant for the Minnesota Vikings. He said the NFL was affected no differently than any other business or group.

“President Kennedy was shot,'' Wiggin said. “I think football felt it, IBM felt it, Timken Roller Bearing felt it. Nobody could get it out of their minds – who did it, how, and why – and then the funeral. It was a very dramatic time in people's lives. We talk about football because it was so public, but I don't think anybody will write a story about what happened at Euclid High or Cathedral Latin.

“As far as the emotions were concerned, it was probably no different for us than it was anywhere else in Ohio or the United States. It was an unbelievable time in history. We lived it.''

Cleveland Browns' keys to victory vs. Pittsburgh Steelers: Audible (video)

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Browns defense is key to beating Steelers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Each week, Branson Wright discusses how the Cleveland Browns can win their upcoming game.

On Sunday, the Browns host the Pittsburgh Steelers.

In the latest “Audible” video, Branson says that wide receiver Josh Gordon should have a big game against the Steelers' secondary. The defense will dominate a pitiful Steelers' running game, and the Steelers' offensive line won't have an answer for the Browns' pressure.

Will Ohio State give fans enough to cheer about against Indiana in its final home game? Make your predictions

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Last season, Ohio State fended off Indiana, 52-49, in Bloomington, Ind. How will the Buckeyes fare on Saturday when the Hoosiers roll into Columbus?

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- During its 22-game win streak, Ohio State has recorded narrow victories and blowouts. The Buckeyes beat Indiana by three points last season in Bloomington, Ind. Urban Meyer has not erased that game from his memory bank. So how will the Buckeyes fare this week, as they eye their school-record 23rd consecutive win?

Make your predictions in the comments section below.

Zack Meisel picks Ohio State 73, Indiana 10

Motivation? How about pundits referring to a 25-point win against a conference opponent last week as "escaping"? How about trying to prove they deserve the No. 3 spot in the BCS, ahead of Baylor? How about revenge against a team that scored 49 on them last year and nearly pulled of an upset? How about ensuring that the 18 seniors leave Ohio Stadium for the last time wholly satisfied? How about setting the program record with their 23rd consecutive win?

The Buckeyes aren't lacking any motivation, despite playing their third consecutive severely overmatched opponent. Indiana's defense ranks 124th out of 125 FBS schools. Look for Urban Meyer to have no mercy. Baylor has tallied 70 or more points in a game on four occasions this season, but the Bears face a challenge in Stillwater, Okla., against No. 10 Oklahoma State. It could be time for the Buckeyes to make a statement. On Senior Day. And a week after what some perceived as a disappointing effort. And against a team that threatened their unbeaten streak last season.

Ari Wasserman picks Ohio State 63, Indiana 14

It seems like these predictions are the same every week. Well, maybe they have been considering the Buckeyes are playing the weakest three-game stretch of the season. I know Indiana's offense can score, and I know Ohio State's defense has been susceptible at times to giving up big plays. But I refuse to play into the narrative that this could be a close game. The Buckeyes are in a national title race where style points matter, and they simply aren't going to lose or play a close game with the Hoosiers. This isn't the same old Indiana team, but it is a team that just got spanked by Wisconsin. 

Ohio State has a point to prove, and I expect it to prove it. With Baylor on the Buckeyes' heels, they simply cannot give people any more reason to think the Bears belong at No. 3. I expect another blowout, and this time the defense clamps down a little better. 

Doug Lesmerises picks Ohio State 56, Indiana 14

The Buckeyes topped 50 points twice in their first seven games. In their last three games, they've hit it every time. Against the worst defense in the Big Ten, there's no reason to expect the Buckeyes won't get there again, especially with six key seniors on offense - Carlos Hyde, Philly Brown and four offensive linemen - playing their last home games in Ohio Stadium. Let's go ahead and call two touchdowns each for Hyde and Brown, which would give Hyde a total of 15 on the season and Brown 11.

The question is how much the OSU defense will be able to stop Indiana, which scored 28 on Michigan State and Missouri, 39 on Minnesota, 44 on Penn State, 47 on Michigan and 52 on Illinois. But the Hoosiers also put up just three points on Wisconsin last week. After letting the Illini post 35 last week, holding Indiana under 20 would be a victory for the OSU defense, especially with the memory of last year's 52-49 win still fresh. That furious rally in Bloomington put a scare in the Buckeyes. There's no reason to anticipate a repeat, with the defense getting a little healthier, as linebacker Josh Perry should be back and linebacker Curtis Grant may be as well. But no one saw Illinois scoring five touchdowns last week, either.

Bill Livingston picks Ohio State 66, Indiana 27

I'm tempted to pick more points for the Hoosiers. They scored 49 against Ohio State last year. And lost.

That was either a serious meltdown or a near-fatal easing up. I lean to the latter because the lead was 18 going into the final few minutes. Urban Meyer went with the meltdown assessment and switched Zach Boren from fullback to linebacker. Everyone breathed easier on the coaching staff after that.

There is no quick patch for the defense now, though. Not against really good teams. But Meyer's displeasure with the play on the side without the ball last week is enough to produce some improvement this week. So is better health among the Buckeyes' defenders.

The Buckeyes are not playing in the crazy winds of Champaign, Ill., so figure on a boost to the passing game. I wouldn't have been surprised to see flying monkeys come blowing in from Oz in that game.

But the main thing will be the ground game. Indiana is ranked 122nd in rushing defense. Smile, Carlos Hyde. You will get the yards you need to reach 1,000 on the season early. Please tip the end zone attendant after each visit.


No. 25 St. John Fisher at No. 9 John Carroll, W&J at No. 1 Mount Union: D3 football playoff previews

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John Carroll and Mount Union will host first-round Division III playoff games Saturday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Football season is over for all but two local Division II and Division III football teams.

John Carroll plays its first Division III football playoff game in nine years Saturday, and the first in school history at home. Rival Mount Union, meanwhile, begins defense of its 11th national title won last year, also at home on Friday.

John Carroll and Mount Union are on opposite sides of the 32-team bracket, and cannot play each other unless they both reach the Stagg Bowl championship game Dec. 20 in Salem, Va.

No 25 St. John Fisher at No. 9 John Carroll

Kickoff: Saturday, noon.

Records: SJF 8-2, JCU 9-1.

Radio: WJCU FM/88.7

Outlook: It is an unusual first-round pairing in that each team received one of five “pool C” at-large berths in the 32-team tournament. John Carroll finished second in the Ohio Athletic Conference to No. 1-ranked Mount Union, and JCU's most notable victory was a 42-0 home win against then-No. 10 Heidelberg two weeks ago. The Blue Streaks are making their fourth playoff appearance, and hosting for the first time. SJF is making its fifth appearance, and has never lost in the first round. The Cardinals were second in the Empire 8 to No. 24 Ithaca. SJF suffered consecutive close losses to Ithaca and Salisbury in October. John Carroll is coming off a 42-34 loss at No. 1 Mount Union in which a rally from a 35-13 deficit fell short with the Blue Streaks in the red zone on their final possession. Even with the 42-point game, JCU has allowed just 75 points this season, which ranks No. 1 in Division III. SJF last week had a 41-point second quarter in a 48-13 victory over Alfred University. JCU junior QB Mark Myers led the OAC in completion percentage (.660), total passing yards (3,025) and yards per game (302.5), and he passed for 451 yards against Mount Union. He has thrown 27 TD passes and eight interceptions. Leading rusher DaQuan Grobsmith (664 yards, 11 TDs) suffered a shoulder injury last week and his status is uncertain, but Tommy Michals ran aggressively against JCU and has 633 yards and eight TDs. Aramis Greenwood, Alex Kline and Zach Strippy have a combined 112 catches and 19 TDs, and freshman Brian Kornowski has been coming on strong. Led by linebackers Matt Feeney, Mitch Krotz and Jimmy King (combined 21 tackles for loss and eight sacks), the defense has posted four shutouts. Kicker Kresimir Ivkovic has made 17 of 23 field goals and has not missed an extra point. JCU is plus-13 on turnovers. SJF averaged 33 points and 426 yards per game, while allowing 21 points and 323 yards per game. Senior RB Cody Miller (6-1, 220) has 947 yards and 15 TDs rushing, and a 4.7-yard average per carry. QB Tyler Fenti (6-3, 220) has completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,409 yards and 20 TDs with eight interceptions, and he's the second-leading rusher with 352 yards and four TDs.

Next: The winner will play next Saturday against either No. 8 Hobart (9-0) or Gallaudet (9-1), a school for the deaf and hard of hearing making its first playoff appearance.

Washington & Jefferson at No.1 Mount Union

Kickoff: Saturday, noon.

Records: W&J 8-2, Mount Union 10-0.

Radio: WRMU FM/91.1; WDPN AM/1310.

Outlook: Ohio Athletic Conference champion and defending national champ Mount Union last week completed its eighth consecutive undefeated regular season and extended its winning streak to 25 games with a 42-34 win against John Carroll. The Purple Raiders have won 11 national titles with five runner-up finishes in 25 tournament appearances (78-13 playoff record). Presidents Athletic Conference champ Washington & Jefferson has 23 playoff appearances (21-22 playoff record) with runner-up finishes in 1992 and '94. The teams are familiar. They scrimmage every August and W&J coach Mike Sirianni played on Mount Union's first national championship team. Mount Union's offense is ranked second in the nation in total offense (545.7 yards per game) and third in scoring (49.3 points per game). The fourth-ranked defense is allowing 227.7 yards per game. Junior QB Kevin Burke is a strong national Player of the Year candidate and ranks 12th in the nation with 3,273 total yards. He has a combined 36 passing and rushing TDs and eight interceptions and three fumbles lost. Freshman tailback Bradley Mitchell has four starts and four 100-yard games, including 157 against John Carroll. W&J is on a five-game winning streak after a 3-2 start. The Presidents' No. 26-ranked offense (38.2 points per game) is led by RB Dion Wiegand (1,265 yards, 20 TDs). Senior QB Matt Bliss has thrown for 2,089 yards with 18 touchdowns, but he is injured and his status is unclear. WR Alex Baroffio has 79 catches for 920 yards, eight TDs.

Next: The winner will play next Saturday against the winner of the Lebanon Valley-Wittenberg game.

Cleveland Indians open 2014 Cactus League season with three games against Cincinnati

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After breaking camp in Arizona on March 27, the Indians will play two more exhibition games against the Padres at Petco Field in San Diego before opening the regular season in Oakland on March 31.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – With the Indians announcing their Cactus League schedule on Friday, can opening day be that far away?

The Indians will open their spring training schedule against the Reds on Feb. 26 at Goodyear Ballpark. It starts a three-game series against the Reds before the Indians play the White Sox in Glendale, Ariz. on March 1.

At the end of the Cactus League schedule, the Indians will play two exhibition games against the Padres at Petco Park in San Diego in preparation to open the regular season with a three-game series in Oakland against the A’s from March 31 through April 2.

The home opener is April 4 against the Twins with the Padres following the Twins to Progressive Field for a three-game series from April 7 through April 9.

Pitchers and catchers will report to Goodyear, Ariz. on Feb. 11 and begin workouts Feb. 13. Position players will report Feb. 15 with the first full-squad workout on Feb. 17.

The Indians will play 15 home games at Goodyear Ballpark. They have one night game scheduled at home, playing the Giants on March 18.

They will break camp on March 27 after playing Arizona and head to San Diego for their final two exhibition games.

The Indians, who share Goodyear Ballpark with the Reds, will play them five times in spring training.

Season tickets for spring training go on sale Dec. 3. Mini-plans and group sales go on sale Dec. 9 and single game tickets go on sale Dec. 14.

The Indians are partnering with Professional Travel, Inc., to offer fans travel packages to spring training. To book a trip, go to Indians.com/spring or call 1-855-298-5444.

For tickets, schedules and workout times, fans can go to Indians.com/spring or Indians.com/boletos.

Here is the Tribe’s spring training schedule.

Date Opponent Site

Feb. 26 Reds Goodyear

Feb. 27 Reds Goodyear.

Feb. 28 Reds Goodyear.

Mar. 1 White Sox Glendale

Mar. 2 Mariners Goodyear

Mar. 3 Rangers Surprise.

Mar. 4 White Sox Goodyear.

Mar. 5 Mariners Peoria.

Mar. 6 Cubs Goodyear.

Mar. 7 Cubs Mesa.

Mar.8 Padres Peoria.

Mar. 9 Brewers Goodyear.

Mar. 10 Angels Goodyear.

Mar. 11 D-backs Salt River.

Mar. 12 Padres Goodyear.

Mar. 13 Royals Goodyear.

Mar. 14 White Sox Glendale.

Mar. 15 D-backs Goodyear.

Mar. 16 Giants (ss) Scottsdale.

Mar. 16 Cubs (ss) Mesa.

Mar. 17 Reds Goodyear.

Mar. 18 Giants Goodyear, 10:05 p.m. ET.

Mar. 19 A's Goodyear.

Mar. 20 off day.

Mar. 21 Rockies Salt River.

Mar 22 Rockies Goodyear.

Mar. 23 Angels Tempe.

Mar. 24 Reds Goodyear.

Mar.25 Rangers Goodyear.

Mar. 26 Brewers Goodyear.

Mar. 27 D-backs Salt River.

Mar. 28 Padres Petco Park, San Diego.

Mar. 29 Padres Petco Park, San Diego.

-Dates and times can change.

-All games are at 1:05 p.m. local Goodyear, AZ (MST) time unless otherwise noted.

-Bold face caps indication home games.

-(SS)—split squad


How Parris Campbell, in only one game, won over Urban Meyer to earn his Ohio State scholarship offer: Buckeyes recruiting

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Ohio State running back commitment Parris Campbell needed only four quarters of football to impress Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer. Now he is trying to win over everyone else.

Ohio State running back commitment Parris Campbell needed only four quarters of football to impress Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer. Now he is trying to win over everyone else.

'All good things must come to an end': Ohio State's seniors prepare for the last ride on their roller-coaster journey

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Ever since that frigid day in January 2012, the Buckeyes have been on an upswing, which has served as a pleasant finish to a roller-coaster journey for Ohio State's senior class.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Buckeyes returned from an unenthused trip to the Gator Bowl and there they stood, outside of the team's practice facility.

Five o'clock in the morning. Ten degrees on the thermometer.

"I think that was the moment when things started to change," said safety C.J. Barnett.

First, they survived the frigid aftermath of a 6-7 campaign. Then, Urban Meyer breathed warm air into a program that had suffered its first losing season in more than two decades.

"I don't think anybody really wanted to be at the Gator Bowl," said center Corey Linsley. "Obviously, that wasn't our expectation going into the season."

A year earlier, Ohio State topped Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl, though that result is missing from every college football log. Suspensions, forced resignations and early departures followed the vacated bowl win, and Luke Fickell was left to direct a team in turmoil.

Rather than self-impose a bowl ban, the Buckeyes fought Florida in the Gator Bowl. They lost to Urban Meyer's old school about a month after they lured the coach to Columbus.

After the 24-17 defeat, the Buckeyes fled Jacksonville for the frozen tundra of Columbus.

That's when it all changed. That's what the 18 seniors who will sing "Carmen, Ohio" at The Horseshoe for the final time on Saturday have determined to be the turning point in their Ohio State careers.

"Coming from that moment, we're a whole world away," Linsley said. "There are a lot of things that went into that, there are a lot of reasons why we were 6-7, why we're undefeated now. Regardless, I think we've done nothing but work hard and earn this spot."

And because of that change, that growth, that resurrection, Meyer will miss the group of veterans that has steered his team to a program record-tying 22 consecutive wins.

"It's going to be really hard," Meyer said. "It's not because they're seniors. It's because of what they've done."

Barnett recalled the first time he sprinted out onto the green turf at Ohio Stadium, prior to the Buckeyes' season opener against Navy in 2009. He said he expects to be emotional when he does the same on Saturday against Indiana.

"[I'll miss the] 105,000 screaming fans," said offensive lineman Marcus Hall. "I've been playing college football for five years and I've never been to a place like The Shoe. At away games, I think Penn State might have been the closest, but it was still a big different at The Shoe, just how loud it gets. It's just home."

Hall said he has tried to block the bittersweet emotion of his final home game from his mind.

"It's been a long road, a long time coming," Hall said. "I just really don't want to see it come to an end, but you know what they say: 'All good things must come to an end.'"

Even after their final home game on Saturday, it won't officially come to an end for the seniors until the conclusion of Ohio State's bowl game. Conventional wisdom suggests these unbeaten Buckeyes won't be playing in the Gator Bowl this year.

"It's been one heck of a ride," Linsley said. "Just a lot of stuff thrown at us. To the guys who made it through, the guys who stuck it out, through everything, through the ups and downs, it's absolutely been worth it."



Fantasy Football Insider: Ray Rice's Week 11 performance shouldn't be expected again

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Who should you start this week? Should owners buy into Bobby Rainey? Who are some sleepers this? Dan Labbe and Chris Fedor discuss on Friday's Fantasy Insider.

Who should you start this week? Should owners buy into Bobby Rainey? Is Chris Ogbonnaya a viable option this week? How much should playoff schedules impact roster decisions moving forward?

cleveland.com's Chris Fedor and Dan Labbe discussed Fantasy Football today on Fantasy Football Insider, our weekly show in which we dole out fantasy advice and answer your questions.

Among the topics discussed today:
  • Who are some sleepers this week?
  • Is it time to cut Jordan Cameron loose?
  • Is Stevan Ridley safe to start after getting put in the doghouse?
  • Is Matt McGloin a viable option?

You can watch Fantasy Football Insider live every Friday at 11:30 a.m.

Dennis Manoloff on giving Jason Campbell a failing grade and how the Detroit Tigers got worse: Podcast

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Did the real Jason Campbell show up against Cincinnati? Are the Browns a playoff team? Are the Detroit Tigers worse after trading Prince Fielder? Are the Browns the better team heading into Sunday's game against the Steelers? The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

Podcast: Dennis Manoloff talks Cleveland sports (11/22/13)

Do the Browns have what it takes to beat the Steelers Sunday? Did the real Jason Campbell show up against Cincinnati? Did the Tigers' trade help the Indians?

The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast with cleveland.com's Chris Fedor.

Among other topics discussed:

• Are the Browns a playoff team?

• Was it OK for Cavs fans to boo Anthony Bennett?

• How can the Cavs get things turned around?

• What is the next area the Indians need to improve this off-season?

You can download the MP3 or listen with the player to the right.

Be sure to follow DMan on Twitter.


Girls soccer All-Stars 2013: Rocky River's Abby Elinsky wins top award, plus see honorable mentions (video, poll)

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ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — Abby Elinsky scored 43 goals for the Rocky River Pirates in 2013, but none was bigger than what proved to be the game-winning goal in the biggest game in program history. Elinsky had a goal and an assist in the Pirates' 3-1 win over Granville in the Division II state championship game. The win gave...

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — Abby Elinsky scored 43 goals for the Rocky River Pirates in 2013, but none was bigger than what proved to be the game-winning goal in the biggest game in program history.

Elinsky had a goal and an assist in the Pirates' 3-1 win over Granville in the Division II state championship game. The win gave Rocky River its first-ever girls soccer state championship and the school's first state championship in any Ohio High School Athletic Association-sanctioned sport in 86 years.

Elinsky's incredible season earned her tremendous honors, including the Ohio Scholastic Soccer Coaches Association Miss Soccer Award, the Division II player of the year and the cleveland.com Girls Soccer Player of the Year award.

For Elinsky and her teammates, winning the championship this season was more of an expectation than a goal.

"It's a great feeling," Elinsky said. "But after all the hard work, and just the team working so well together and all of us staying focused for our main goal, it wasn't so much of a surprise, but it was very rewarding."

The Pirates scored two goals in the first nine minutes of the match, with Elinsky scoring the second goal to put her team in front early, 2-0. After Granville's Nikki Cox cut the lead to 2-1 on a penalty kick, Elinsky set up her senior teammate Grace Bennett, who scored the game's first goal, and Bennett finished to score the last goal.

"Abby's been a special player for us all season," Rocky River coach Patrick Hopkins said. "It always seems like the bigger the game, the more we get out of her. She always amazes me, but she's eager to play in the bigger games. And she always plays well in the bigger games."

The Pirates scored 128 goals during the season. Elinsky either scored or set up 62 of the goals, accounting for 105 points.

She admits her success did not come without having great teammates to play with.

"Definitely this season, I couldn't have done it without my team," Elinsky said. "Everybody was great out there. We all helped each other just perform, and they're a big factor in my accomplishments."

Elinsky will play her college soccer next fall at Illinois. Hopkins said Elinsky and the senior class did remarkable things at Rocky River.

"This senior class broke every one of the records in the record books, whether it was goals scored or goals allowed," Hopkins said. "They basically rewrote the record book for Rocky River High School girls soccer."

 

HONORABLE MENTION

Maddy Anzelc, Walsh Jesuit; Grace Bennett, Rocky River; Julia Bowen, St. Vincent-St. Mary; Jaycie Brown, Magnificat; Alexis Carpenter, Westlake; Sara Connelly, Rocky River; Megan Coyne, Fairview; Kaylee Ferguson, Manchester; Amanda Gallo, Revere; Julie Gavorsky, Madison; Anna Haverchak, Copley; Michelle Krebs, Gilmour; Nicki Krejci, Twinsburg; Mackenzie Lesnick, Hawken; Payton Lewis, Mentor; Bianca Medancic, Hawken; Kelly Novak, Strongsville; Kelly Rhodes, Medina; Emily Rogers, Walsh Jesuit; McKenzie Rozanc, Elyria Catholic; Sam Slagle, Solon; Melissa Vajskop, Hathaway Brown; Kate Waters, Hudson; Katherine Zalar, Hawken; Mykaela Zingale, Archbishop Hoban.

2013 Fantasy Football: Week 12 starters and benchwarmers

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Wondering whether or not to start Matt Stafford and Demaryius Thomas, or to bench Geno Smith and Trent Richardson? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you're looking for help with your real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Wondering whether or not to start Matt Stafford and Demaryius Thomas, or to bench Geno Smith and Trent Richardson? The network bozos specialize in that kind of advice. If you're looking for help with your real starting lineup conundrums, read on.

Here are my picks to roll, and get rolled, in Week 12 of the 2013 season.

Watch 'em roll

Colin Kaepernick, QB, 49ers at Redskins. He hasn't given us much to pin our hopes on lately, but Kaepernick offers significant upside in this juicy matchup. Washington has been overly generous to opposing QBs, even at home. And the Monday night factor should work in favor of Kaep, who relishes the spotlight.

Andre Brown, RB, Giants vs. Cowboys. No defense has surrendered more fantasy points to opposing backs than Dallas'.  Now all Brown has to do is fend off Brandon Jacobs at the goal line. No worries. There's a good chance Brown will break loose on a long run or two and render the short-yardage carries moot.

Zac Stacy, RB, Rams vs. Bears. Remember how we thought Ray Rice was all washed up just a week ago? Chicago's run defense made him look like a first-round stud again. Stacy has been tearing up much better squads than this, and his young legs are coming off a week of rest. Roll with him.

Michael Floyd, WR, Cardinals vs. Colts. I'm not ready to sound the trumpets for Carson Palmer just because he torched the lowly Jaguars, but Floyd's breakout game was worth noting. He'll face another imploding secondary when the Colts come to town. He's an excellent bye-week sub.

Jarrett Boykin, WR, Packers vs. Vikings. Just when you thought James Jones' return and Aaron Rodgers' exit would doom Boykin's prospects, he and Scott Tolzien have developed quite a bond. Boykin has 14 receptions for 203 yards over the last two weeks, and he will benefit from facing yet another sieve-like secondary on Sunday.

More thumbs up (excluding the no-brainers): QBs Tom Brady, Tony Romo, Eli Manning, Case Keenum; RBs Ben Tate, Eddie Lacy, Frank Gore, Reggie Bush, Knowshon Moreno, Alfred Morris, Rashad Jennings, Shane Vereen, DeAngelo Williams; WRs Jordy Nelson, Larry Fitzgerald, Torrey Smith, Pierre Garcon, Hakeem Nicks, Steve Smith, Terrance Williams, Eric Decker, Danny Amendola, T.Y. Hilton, Anquan Boldin.

Roll 'em back

Philip Rivers, QB, Chargers at Chiefs. Kansas City has something to prove in the wake of its first loss of the season. They'll take out their frustrations on Rivers, who has posted just one solid outing in his last five. With Keenan Allen hobbling (but expected to play) on a sore knee, and a relentless pass rush in his face all day, Rivers can't be trusted.

Bobby Rainey, RB, Bucs at Lions. I know you're excited about deploying your shiny new weapon, but don't be too quick to lock him into a starting role. Detroit's front seven has been stifling opposing rushers lately, while surrendering big yardage through the air. Rainey is a decent play only in PPR leagues.

Ray Rice, RB, Ravens vs. Jets. With so many premium backs on bye this week, you probably have no choice but to start Rice. Just don't expect to be pleased with this week's results, as the Jets sport the stingiest run defense in the league. The Ravens will find much more success through the air, which is the best hope Rice has of contributing in this one.

Mike Wallace, WR, Dolphins vs. Panthers. His disappointing tenure in Miami is likely to continue with arguably the stingiest defense he's faced all year coming to town. Wallace is doing little to stretch the field for the Dolphins' passing attack, and Ryan Tannehill will be under such intense pressure from the Panthers' pass rush that quick passes may be the order of the day.

Denarius Moore, WR, Raiders vs. Titans. While Matt McGloin was making a name for himself against the woeful Texans, Moore was an afterthought. He salvaged his outing with a short TD reception, but his owners may not be so lucky this week. A shoulder injury is keeping Moore out of practice, costing him valuable reps with his young QB. That, plus the prospect of Alterraun Verner being glued to his hip all day, spells trouble.

More thumbs down: QBs Ryan Tannehill; RBs Chris Ivory, Lamar Miller, Daniel Thomas, Donald Brown, Ryan Mathews; WRs Miles Austin, Keenan Allen, Eddie Royal, Rod Streater, all Jets WRs.

TAKING A FLIER

Marlon Brown, WR, Ravens vs. Jets. Coming off a week in which the Bengals held him to a 10-yard reception, Brown is anything but a safe bet. But this week's opponents have coughed up serious production to secondary receivers over the last several games. The Jets put Marvin Jones on the fantasy map in Week 8. Brown and Torrey Smith should have a field day.

DON'T BE THE BONEHEAD WHO...puts your team's fate in the hands of undrafted rookie Matt McGloin. Indeed, he shocked everyone last week with a bravura performance against the hapless Texans defense. But the competition gets stiffer when the Titans come to town, and they've now had a chance to study tape on the little-known gunslinger. Let someone else take the bait.

Ladd Biro was named Football Writer of the Year by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association for two consecutive years (2010, 2011).  Follow all his advice daily at the Fantasy Fools blog (fantasy-fools.blogspot.com), on Facebook and via Twitter (@ladd_biro). 


TV sports listings for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio for Saturday-Sunday November 23-24

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The Browns and Steelers renew their rivalry Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Saturday

AUTO RACING

Formula One: Brazilian Grand Prix qualifying, 11 a.m., CNBC; qualifying, 1 a.m. (tape, Sunday), NBCSN

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Michigan at Iowa, noon, BTN

Michigan State at Northwestern, noon, noon, ESPN

Duke at Wake Forest, noon, ESPN2

Cincinnati at Houston, noon, ESPNNEWS

Virginia at Miami (Fla.), noon, ESPNU

Oklahoma at Kansas State, noon, FSO

Harvard at Yale, noon, NBCSN

Bethune-Cookman vs. Florida A&M, 2, ESPN Classic

Colorado State at Utah, 3:30, CBSSN

Ohio State vs. Indiana, 3:30, WEWS Ch. 

Texas A&M at LSU, 3:30, WOIO Ch. 9

Wisconsin at Minnesota, 3:30, ESPN

Arizona at Oregon, 3:30, ESPN2

Idaho at Florida State, 3:30, ESPNU

BYU at Notre Dame, 3:30, WKYC Ch. 

James Madison at Towson, 3:30, NBCSN

Nebraska at Penn State, 3:30, BTN

New Mexico at Fresno State, 4, ESPNEWS

California at Stanford, 4, FS1

Tulsa at Louisiana Tech, 7, CBSSN

Kentucky at Georgia, 7, ESPNU

Vanderbilt at Tennessee, ESPN2

Arizona St. at UCLA, 7, WJW Ch. 

Missouri at Mississippi, 7:45, ESPN

Kansas at Iowa State, 8, FS1

Baylor at Oklahoma State, 8:07, WEWS Ch. 

Boise State at San Diego State, 10:30, CBSSN

Washington at Oregon State, 10:30, ESPN2

GOLF

European PGA Tour: South African Open Championship, third round, 5:30 a.m., Golf Channel

LPGA: Titleholders, third round, 1:30, Golf Channel

PGA Tour: World Cup, final round, 8, Golf Chanel

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL

St. Ignatius vs. Mentor, 7, STO

Cincinnati Colerain vs. Cincinnati Moeller, 7, TWCS-311

St. Edward vs. Austintown Fitch, 9:30 (tape), TWCS-311

Huber Heights Wayne vs. Hilliard Davidson, 11:30 (tape), TWCS-311

MEN’S COLLEGE

BASKETBALL

Tulsa at Creighton, 3:30, FSO

Coaches vs. Cancer Classic: Doubleheader, third place and title, teams TBD, 7, TRUTV

Oral Roberts at Wisconsin, 8:30, BTN

NBA

Cavs at San Antonio, 8:30, FSO; AM/1100

SOCCER

Premier League: Liverpool at Everton, 7:40 a.m., NBCSN

Southampton at Arsenal, 9:55 a.m., NBCSN

Chelsea at West Ham, 12:30, WKYC Ch. 

MLS playoffs: Conference championships, leg 2, Houston at Kansas City, 7:30, NBCSN

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Stanford at Texas, 1:30, FSO

WOMEN’S COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL

Mid-American Conference final, 1, TWCS-311

Sunday

AUTO RACING

Formula One: Brazilian Grand Prix, 11 a.m., WKYC Ch. 

CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE

Grey Cup: Hamilton vs. Saskatchewan, 6, NBCSN

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

Oklahoma at Kansas State, noon (tape), FSO

FIGURE SKATING

ISU Grand Prix: Skate Russia, 2 (tape), WKYC Ch. 

GOLF

European PGA Tour: South African Open Championship, final round, 5:30 a.m., Golf Channel

LPGA: Titleholders, final round, 1:30, Golf Channel

MEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Siena at Purdue, noon, BTN

Hall of Fame Tip-Off: Championship game, 1, ESPN

Puerto Rico Tip-Off: Third place, teams TBD, 4:30, ESPN2; championship, 6:30, ESPN2

Paradise Jam: Teams TBA, 7, CBSSN; teams TBA, 9:30, CBSSN

Charleston Classic: Championship game, teams TBD, 9, ESPN2

NFL

Browns vs. Pittsburgh, 1, WOIO Ch. 19

Dallas at N.Y. Giants, 4:25, WJW Ch. 

Denver at New England, 8, WKYC Ch. 

SOCCER

Premier League: Tottenham at Manchester City, 8:25 a.m., NBCSN

Manchester United at Cardiff, 10:55 a.m., NBCSN

MLS playoffs: Conference championships, leg 2, Real Salt Lake at Portland, 9, ESPN

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL

Duke at Marquette, 4, FS1

WOMEN’S COLLEGE VOLLEYBALL

Conference USA final, 2, CBSSN


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