The Cedar Point Boat Show has dropped anchor at Cedar Point Marina in Sandusky. The show is open through Sunday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Outdoors Calendar for Aug. 22.

Aug. 21-24: Progressive Insurance North American Demo Boat show, Cedar Point Marina, Sandusky. Admission $9, $7 for seniors, children 12 and under free. More than 400 boats on display in the water, on land, and marine exhibits. Test rides and fishing seminars. Show hours: Thursday and Friday, noon-7 p.m.; Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Sunday, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. For information visit CedarPointBoatShow.com.

Aug. 22: Registration deadline for annual post card lottery for Castalia State Fish Hatchery's Beginning Fly-Fishing Clinics. Sessions are held on Fridays from Sept. 5 through Oct. 10. For information visit wildohio.gov or wall 1-800-WILDLIFE.

Aug. 23: Eric Lewis Memorial Walleye and Perch Tournament, 7:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Lake Erie at Sheffield Lake. Three-anglers teams. Entry $120 for walleye or perch divisions. Contact Craig Lewis at Erie Outfitters, 440-949-8934 or visit erieoutfitters.com.

Aug. 23: Kids Fishing, 10 a.m., Silver Creek Metro Park Boathouse, 5171 S. Medina Line Rd., Norton. Kids 15 and under learn the basics of fishing. A few rods and reels will be available. Bait is provided. For information, call 330-865-8065.

Aug. 23-24: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Adults $10, cubs $5. Open to the public. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Aug. 24: Northeast Ohio Ducks Unlimited 25+ Gun Super Raffle, Lake County Fairgrounds, Painesville. Fee $20, includes food and drink from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. For tickets visit lakecountyducks.com or call Tim Cline, 440-749-5182, or April Blaylock, 216-749-7758.

Aug. 24: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

Aug. 28: Lottery drawings for controlled early teal and goose hunts at the Pipe Creek Wildlife Area and the East Sandusky Bay Metro Park in Erie County. Drawing is 6:30 p.m. at Osborn Park, 3910 Perkins Ave., Huron.

Aug. 28: Monthly meeting of the Chagrin River Salmon Association, 7 p.m., 201 Erie Rd., Eastlake. For information call Bruce Fraley, 440-946-1605.

Aug. 30-31: Dog Days Archery Shoot, Geauga Bowmen, 12575 Sperry Rd., Chesterland. Shoot registration opens at 8 a.m. Fee $10, kids $5. Call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756 or visit geaugabowmen.com.

Aug. 31: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Toledo Division, Cullen Park Boat Launch, 4526 Summit St., Toledo. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Craig Burwell (birdie2277@yahoo.com, 419-701-8440).

Sept. 5-6: Ohio State Trappers Association Convention and Show, Portage County Fairgrounds, 4215 Fairgrounds Rd., Randolph, Ohio. For information call Joe Young, 330-823-6711. Trapping and outdoors clinics, seminars and exhibits. Camping available on the grounds.

Sept. 6-7: Fall Rendezvous Archery Shoot, Lost Arrow Archery Club, 3370 17th St. S.W., Massillon. Open to the public, crossbows allowed. Registration 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fee $10, $5 for members. Visit lostarrowarcheryclub.com or contact Kandi Schane, 330-933-0980 or Janine Harman, 330-828-2372.

Sept. 6-7: Walmart Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division, Indian Lake. For entries, information visit flwoutdoors.com.

Sept. 7: Annual South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association Ox Roast, 1-5 p.m., 19300 Ridge Rd. (south of Rt. 82), North Royalton. Tickets $20. Open to the public. Call Harry Arnold, 440-888-1163. Music by the GeezeCats, Cleveland Browns on big screen television.

Sept. 7: 30 Target 3-D Archery Shoot, Lone Eagle Bowmen, Seeman St. (off Battlesburg Rd.), Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit www.LoneEagleBowmen.com.

Sept. 5-7: Fall Family Campout, Munroe Falls Metro Park, 521 S. River Rd., Munroe Falls. Campout begins Friday at 4 p.m. and runs through Sunday at 11 a.m. Hiking, campfire, fishing and games. Camping equipment is not proved. Limited to the first 15 families registering, starting Aug. 23. Call 330-865-8065.

Sept. 6: Intro to Kayaking and Canoeing sessions at 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m., Boathouse at Silver Creek Metro Park, 5171 S. Medina Line Rd., Norton. Metroparks naturalist and Ohio Division of Watercraft teach kayak and canoe safety, paddling techniques and equipment, then hit paddle on Silver Creek Lake. Advance registration require beginning Aug. 30. Call 330-865-8065.

Sept. 7: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

Sept. 7: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Presque Isle Division, Marina Ramp, Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or call Aaron Gast, 814-314-9847.

Sept. 9: Youth Fishing Program Workshop to teach volunteers to become certified Passport to Fishing instructors with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., ODOW District 3 Headquarters, 912 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron. Free, with pre-registration required. All participants required to have a background check. Volunteers will learn to teach the basics of fishing and how to run a four-station fishing program. To pre-register contact Ken Fry, 330-245-3030.

Sept. 11: 20^th annual Hunting Heritage Banquet held by the Maple Country Chapter of the National Wild Turkey Federation at E.O.U.V. Club-Gottsheer Park, 8636 Pekin Rd., Novelty, Ohio. Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner at 7 p.m. Raffles for hunting and outdoor gear and firearms. Tickets $70, couples $100, jakes $40. Visit maplecountrynwtf.com.

Sept. 11-14: North American In-Water Boat Show, Cedar Point Marina, Cedar Point Amusement Park, Sandusky. For information visit lemta.com.

Sept. 13-14: Deer Archery Shoot and Corn Roast, Geauga Bowmen, 12575 Sperry Rd., Chesterland. Shoot registration opens at 8 a.m. Fee $10, kids $5. Call Mike Ballash, 440-227-6756 or visit geaugabowmen.com.

Sept. 13-14: 3^rd annual Ladies 3-D Archery Shoot on Saturday and Early Bird 3-D Shoot on Sunday, Lost Arrow Archery Club, 3370 17th St. S.W., Massillon. Open to the public, crossbows allowed. Registration 9 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Fee $10, $5 for members. Visit lostarrowarcheryclub.com or contact Kandi Schane, 330-933-0980 or Janine Harman, 330-828-2372.

Sept. 13-14: Walleye Madness Tournament, 7 a.m.-3 p.m., Berlin Lake at Bonner Rd. Ramp. Two-angler teams, $150 entry. For information visit www.walleyemadness.net. Entry deadline Sept. 8.

Sept. 14: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/ Mentor Lagoons Division, Mentor Lagoons Nature Preserve and Boat Ramp, Mentor Lagoons, Mentor. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Joel Prince (jcprince193@gmail.com, 330-936-6434).

Sept. 14: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Toledo Division, Cullen Park Boat Launch, 4526 Summit St., Toledo. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact Craig Burwell (birdie2277@yahoo.com, 419-701-8440).

Sept. 12: Monthly meeting of the Northeast Ohio Walleye Association, 6:30 p.m., Trader Jacks, 35901 Lake Shore Blvd., Eastlake. For information call 440-479-2488.

Sept. 17: Ohio Wildlife Council monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Ohio Division of Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus. For information call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.com.

Sept. 18: State Fish and Wildlife Hearing, 9 a.m., Ohio Division of Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus. For information call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.com. Public comments on season dates, regulations.

Sept. 18: Public drawing for waterfowl blinds, hunting dates at LaDue Reservoir. Drawing at 5 p.m. at the Geauga County Fairgrounds in Burton. Bring 2014-15 hunting license. For information call the Ohio Division of Wildlife, 330-644-2293.

Sept. 20: 18^th annual Save Our Heritage Rally, U.S. Sportsmen's Alliance, Aladdin Shrine Center, Columbus. Featured are Girls with Guns starts Norissa Harman and Jen Adams. Hunting and firearms exhibits, raffles and games. Tickets $50. Call 614-888-4868 or visit ussportsman.org/rally.

Sept. 20-21: 3-D Archery Shoot, Lake Milton Fish & Game, 4374 Bedell Rd., Berlin Center. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Adults $10, cubs $5. Open to the public. For information visit lakemiltonfishandgameclub.com or call Dennis Dabney, 330-414-5795.

Sept. 21: Dan Whitney Memorial Archery Shoot, South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association, 19300 Ridge Rd., North Royalton. Registration opens at 8 a.m. Open to the public. Adults $10, kids $5.

Sept. 21: Bowhunter Warmup Archery Shoot, Test and Tune Equipment, Lone Eagle Bowmen, Seeman St. (off Battlesburg Rd.), Canton. Registration 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Visit LoneEagleBowmen.com.

Sept. 21: Great Lakes Largemouth Series/Central Lake Erie Division, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

Sept. 21: Great Lakes Largemouth Series, Marina Ramp, Presque Isle State Park, Erie, Pa. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or call Aaron Gast, 814-314-9847.

Sept. 21-22: 32^nd annual Ducks unlimited Pymatuning Waterfowl and Outdoor Expo in Linesville, Pennsylvania. The expo opens at 9 a.m. each day, featuring calling contests, the Pennsylvania Duck Stamp Contests, decoy carving and a variety of waterfowl and hunting exhibits. For information visit pymatuningexpo.com.

Sept. 25: Monthly meeting of the Chagrin River Salmon Association, 7 p.m., 201 Erie Rd., Eastlake. For information call Bruce Fraley, 440-946-1605.

Sept. 25: Fall Backpacking Clinic, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Cuyahoga Valley National Park's Boston Store Visitor Center, 1550 Boston Mills Rd., east of Riverview Rd., Peninsula. Backpacking tips and tricks from veteran backpackers before going on a backpacking outing on Oct. 4-5. To register call 330-657-2753 (Ext. 352).

Sept. 25: Controlled waterfowl hunting lottery for Mogadore Reservoir and Wingfoot Lake, 5 p.m., Pine Tree Lodge at Wingfoot Lake State park, 993 Goodyear Park Blvd., Mogadore. Applicants must bring 2014-15 hunting license. For information call the Ohio Division of Wildlife, 330-644-2293 or visit wildohio.gov.

Sept. 27: Ohio Mega Bass Tournament Trail, Delaware Lake. For information visit ombtt.com.

Sept. 26-27: Masters Walleye Circuit qualifying tournament, two-angler teams, Lake Erie at Huron, Ohio. For information, entries visit masterswalleyecircuit.com. MWC Championship to be held Oct. 8-11 at Devils Lake, N.D.

Sept. 30: Archery for Adults sessions at 10-11:30 a.m. and 1-2:30 p.m., Hampton Hills Metro Park Archery Range, 1940 W. Steel Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls. For beginning and advanced archers. Equipment provided. Registration required beginning Sept. 23. Call 330-865-8065.

Oct. 2-5: Lake and Trails Youth Outdoor Camp for kids 10 to 17 years old, FFA Camp Muskingum, Leesville Lake, Carrollton, Ohio. Outdoors-related classes, seminars, target shooting and pheasant hunt for older campers. Adult supervision mandatory. One adult can bring up to three children. Pre-registration needed. Visit lakeandtrails.org or call Karen Metzger, 330-725-8747.

Oct. 3: Archery for Adults, 3-4:30 p.m., Hampton Hills Metro Park Archery Range, 1940 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls. Learn the basics and test their marksmanship on the park range. Beginner and advanced archers. Equipment provided. Advance registration required starting Sept. 20. Call 330-865-8065.

Archery for Kids, 5-7 p.m., Hampton Hills Metro Park Archery Range, 1940 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls. Kids 9 to 12 can learn the basics and test their marksmanship on the park range. Beginner and advanced archers. Equipment provided. Advance registration required starting Sept. 20. Call 330-865-8065.

Oct. 4: Dove hunt for disabled and youth hunters, Maple Country Chapter of the National Wild turkey Foundation. Morning or afternoon hunts in the Parkman, Ohio area with lunch provided. Visit maplecountrynwtf.com.

Oct. 11-12: Championship of the Great Lakes Largemouth Series, Ottawa County Launch Ramp, West Harbor, Catawba Island. Two-angler team event. For information, entries visit greatlakeslargemouthseries.com or contact David Hoheisel (david@h2hsales.com. 614-361-5548.

Oct. 14: Archery for Adults. Sessions at 10-11:30 a.m and 1-2:30 p.m., Hampton Hills Metro Park Archery Range, 1940 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls. Learn the basics and test their marksmanship on the park range. Beginner and advanced archers. Equipment provided. Advance registration required starting Sept. 20. Call 330-865-8065.

Oct. 15: Ohio Wildlife Council monthly meeting, 6:30 p.m., Ohio Division of Wildlife District One Office, 1500 Dublin Rd., Columbus. For information call 1-800-WILDLIFE or visit wildohio.com.

Oct.16-18: Walmart Bass Fishing League/Buckeye Division Regional Championship, Kentucky Lake. For entries, information visit flwoutdoors.com.

Nov. 6: Youth Fishing Program Workshop to teach volunteers to become certified Passport to Fishing instructors with the Ohio Division of Wildlife, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., ODOW District 3 Headquarters, 912 Portage Lakes Dr., Akron. Free, with pre-registration required. All participants required to have a background check. Volunteers will learn to teach the basics of fishing and how to run a four-station fishing program. To pre-register contact Ken Fry, 330-245-3030.

Nov. 30: Archery for Teens, noon-1:30 p.m., Hampton Hills Metro Park Archery Range, 1940 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls. Teens 12 to 17 can learn the basics and test their marksmanship on the park range. Beginner and advanced archers. Equipment provided. Advance registration required starting Nov. 22. Call 330-865-8065.

Nov. 30: Archery for Adults, 2-3:30 p.m., Hampton Hills Metro Park Archery Range, 1940 W. Steels Corners Rd., Cuyahoga Falls. Learn the basics and test your marksmanship on the park range. Beginner and advanced archers. Equipment provided. Advance registration required starting Nov. 22. Call 330-865-8065.

2014-2015 HUNTING SEASONS

Crow: June 6, 2014-March 7, 2015 (Friday, Saturday and Sunday only)

Coyote and wild boar: No closed season

Groundhog: Closed only during deer gun season.

Squirrel: Sept. 1-Jan. 31

Ruffed grouse: Oct. 11-Jan. 31

American woodcock: Oct. 11-Nov. 24

Youth Small Game: Oct. 25-26 and Nov. 1-2

Cottontail Rabbit: Nov. 7-Feb. 28

Ring-Necked Pheasant: Nov. 7-Jan. 4

Bobwhite Quail: Nov. 7-Nov. 16 (16 counties only)

Fox, Raccoon: Nov. 10-Jan. 31

2014-2015 DEER SEASONS

Deer Archery: Sept. 27-Feb. 1

Deer Antlerless Muzzleloader: Oct. 11-12

Deer Youth Gun: Nov. 22-23

Deer Gun: Dec. 1-7

Deer Statewide Muzzleloader: Jan. 2-5

2014-2015 WATERFOWL

North Zone – Duck hunting from Oct. 25-Nov. 9 and Nov. 22-Jan. 4. Goose hunting from Oct. 25-Nov. 9, Nov. 22-Jan.4 and Jan. 14-31.

Lake Erie Marsh Zone – Duck hunting from Oct. 18-Nov. 2 and Nov. 15-Dec. 28. Goose hunting from Oct. 18-Nov. 2, Nov. 15-Dec. 28 and Jan. 14-31.

South Zone – Duck hunting from Oct. 25-Nov. 9 and Dec. 13-Jan. 25. Goose hunting from Oct. 25-Nov. 9 and Dec. 11-Jan. 31.

Youth Waterfowl Weekend: Oct. 4-5.

Mourning Dove: Sept. 1-Nov. 9 and Dec. 13-Jan. 1

Canada Geese: Sept. 1-15

Early teal season: Sept. 6-21

Rails and moorhens: Sept. 1-Nov. 9

Snipe: Sept. 1-Nov. 30 and Dec. 20-Jan. 4

2014-2015 TRAPPING SEASONS

Fox, raccoon, skunk, opossum, weasel: Nov. 10-Jan. 31

Mink, Muskrat: Nov. 10-Feb. 28

Lake Erie Marsh (mink, muskrat, skink, raccoon, opossum, weasel): Nov. 10-March 15

Beaver, Otter: Dec. 26-Feb. 28

SPRING 2015 SEASONS

Youth Turkey: April 18-19, 2015

Spring Turkey: April 20-May 17, 2015

The yellow perch fishing has been good to outstanding this week around the Central Basin of Lake Erie.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The yellow perch fishing has been good to outstanding this week around the Central Basin of Lake Erie. Lake Erie walleye have been migrating eastward, and are biting best off deep water ports such as Geneva, Ashtabula and Conneaut.

Inland lake anglers are relying on the solid summer fishing for channel catfish. The largemouth bass fishing has been slow, crappie are intransition and the summer temperatures have provoked mild algal blooms in lakes and reservoirs around the area.

CLEVELAND AREA

Boat fishermen are catching good numbers of yellow perch along the Cleveland shoreline in 46 to 51 feet of water. Lots of sorting is needed, with small 6- to 8-inch perch, white perch and white bass providing a mixed bag of fish.

The fishing has been slow while casting from the Cleveland harbor piers and breakwalls where bait-stealing round gobies are plentiful.

The Cleveland Metroparks lakes are best for catfish. Wallace Lake in Berea was stocked heavily with channel catfish last spring and Ranger and Shadow lakes are still fair to good catfish waters.

CENTRAL LAKE ERIE

The yellow perch fishing has been very good from Vermilion to Avon Lake in 43 to 44 feet of water. While a lot of non-target species are gobbling minnows, limits of 9- to 12-inch perch are being caught off Vermilion, Lorain's Beaver Park, Sheffield Lake and Avon Point.

The waters around the hump about a mile and a half northwest of the mouth of the Grand River have been outstanding for yellow perch. The north side of the hump in 58 to 64 feet of water has given up the best catches. Perch are also being caught in excellent numbers off Conneaut and Ashtabula.

The walleye fishing has slowed, most likely because anglers are enjoying the good perch fishing. To the west, walleye anglers are finding success trolling the waters off Vermilion. To the east, Conneaut and Ashtabula lead the way. Anglers are trolling with wire line or diving planers and minnow-style plugs, rather than spinner rigs and nightcrawlers, because of a proliferation of white perch and white bass.

Smallmouth bass are biting all along the shoreline, gathering around rocky humps and drop-offs in 20 to 25 feet of water. Anglers are doing best using drop shot rigs and small soft plastic baits or live leeches and crayfish.

WESTERN LAKE ERIE

The yellow perch fishing is fair between Green and Rattlesnake islands, north of North Bass Island and East of Ballast Island. Anglers are catching mostly small yellow perch and releasing lots of white perch and white bass. The walleye fishing has been mediocre. The harmful algal blooms, or HABs, have begun to move eastward from the Maumee Bay area to the Bass Islands.

INLAND LAKES, RESERVOIRS

The dog days of August have arrived, and so have some mild algal blooms on area lakes, including Wingfoot, LaDue and Mogadore.

Mosquito Reservoir has been a top spot for catfish. Crappie are biting along the causeway, inside of the breakwall in the state park marina and around the sunken bridge on the south side of the lake. The lake has warmed up and the walleye fishing has slowed down.

Pymatuning Reservoir yellow perch are biting in 6 to 12 feet of water. Walleye are being caught on Hot-N-tot lures trolled in 17 feet of water. Crappie are moving shallow, with good fishing in about 3 feet of water, especially around the Linesville stumps.

Largemouth bass and channel catfish are biting around Turkeyfoot and East reservoirs in the Portage Lakes chain, and some walleye and small yellow perch are being caught around Nimisila Reservoir. Walleye anglers are slowly trolling small spinner rigs and nightcrawlers.

Crappie are biting at Pleasant Hill Reservoir on slip floats and minnows worked around submerged trees. Channel catfish are biting around the stump field at the north end of Shreve Lake.

RIVERS AND STREAMS

The local rivers and streams are settling down after recent rains. Catfish are the best bet in the dingy waters. The Grand River is still giving up good numbers of channel catfish in the lower river around Rutherford's Landing and around the St. Clair Bridge.

The Ohio Wildlife Council approved the 2014-2015 waterfowl hunting seasons and bag limits on Wednesday night in Columbus.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Ohio Wildlife Council approved the 2014-15 waterfowl hunting seasons and bag limits on Wednesday night in Columbus. The changes that were made, said wildlife official Dave Kohler, should make the North Zone, Lake Erie Marsh Zone and South Zone duck and goose zones more convenient for waterfowl hunters.

"This year, the duck and goose zones are exactly the same," said Kohler, executive administrator for wildlife management for the Ohio Division of Wildlife. "Last year, the Ohio duck and goose zones often didn't align with one another. That sometimes prevented hunters from hunting both ducks and geese from the same area on the same day because duck and goose zones had different hunting dates."

The ODOW is allowed to shift goose zones every year. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service guidelines only allow the duck zones to be altered every five years, which should happen next year before the ODOW gets ready to propose the 2015-2016 waterfowl regulations.

The OWC approved the maximum 60 days of duck hunting and a 78-day goose season. The seasons are shortened if waterfowl numbers decline, but that has not happened in decades. The goose zone could have been extended to 90 days, said Kohler, but the daily bag limit would have been trimmed to two geese. The USFWS allows a daily bag limit of three geese for a 78-day season.

This year's waterfowl hunting dates are:

North Zone – Duck hunting from Oct. 25-Nov. 9 and Nov. 22-Jan. 4. Goose hunting from Oct. 25-Nov. 9, Nov. 22-Jan.4 and Jan. 14-31.

Lake Erie Marsh Zone – Duck hunting from Oct. 18-Nov. 2 and Nov. 15-Dec. 28. Goose hunting from Oct. 18-Nov. 2, Nov. 15-Dec. 28 and Jan. 14-31.

South Zone – Duck hunting from Oct. 25-Nov. 9 and Dec. 13-Jan. 25. Goose hunting from Oct. 25-Nov. 9 and Dec. 11-Jan. 31.

The special youth waterfowl hunting weekend is Oct. 4-5.

The daily bag limit for ducks is six, which may not include more than four mallards (only one female mallard), three wood ducks, one black duck, two redheads, three scaup or bluebills, one canvasback, two pintails and one mottled duck. The daily bag limit on mergansers is five, but only two hooded mergansers, and 15 coots or mud hens.

Kohler said Ohio's goose hunting dates were designed to protect Canada geese migrating through Ohio from Canada's Southern James Bay region, where goose populations have been in decline. With the explosion of giant Canada geese flocks in Ohio, said Kohler, the protection is not needed.

"The waterfowl season dates are a compromise, providing what hunters in various parts of the zones want most," said Kohler. "The North Zone is the largest zone, with about 15,000 hunters. We tried to satisfy both Northeast Ohio and Western Ohio hunters, but you're never going to have the perfect package of hunting dates. This is a pretty good package for everyone."

NOAA tracks algal blooms: The summer harmful algal bloom that had been confined to the Maumee Bay and Toledo area of Lake Erie in recent weeks is on the move, but not as noticeable reported NOAA's Experimental Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom Bulletin on Thursday. Using satellite telemetry, NOAA noted the bloom extended past the Bass Islands on Wednesday, but high winds kept the bloom mixed in the water column. There are no algal blooms in the Central Basin and around the Cleveland area.

The blooms consist of cyanobacteria that contain microcystin, a liver toxin.

On the calendar: The Cedar Point Boat Show is on through Sunday at Cedar Point Marina. ... The Northeast Ohio Ducks Unlimited Gun Super Raffle is Sunday at the Lake County Fairgrounds. ... The Eric Lewis Memorial Walleye and Perch Tournament has its captains meeting tonight at Shoreway Plaza, across from the Sheffield Lake boat launch, the same site as the tournament weigh-in Saturday. ... Massillon's Lost Arrow Archery Club has its Fall Rendezvous Shoot on Sept. 6-7. ... The South Cuyahoga Sportsmen's Association opens its gates for the annual SCSA Ox Roast on Sept. 7 in North Royalton. For details on these events, check the Outdoor Calendar at cleveland.com/outdoors.

Doves and Canada geese: It's time to start scouting the local grain fields, ponds and lakes to get ready for the dove and Canada geese hunting seasons, which begin Sept. 1. Chris Skrant of Flyway Outdoors in Seville reports Canada geese are gathering in large flocks and visiting wheat and hay fields, or winging their way from one water source to another. Big flocks of doves have been spotted in wheat fields and feeding on freshly plowed ground.

Check out a preview of the Kenmore football team as it enters the 2014 season, which begins on the road against Howland on Aug. 29.

AKRON, Ohio – Check out a preview of the Kenmore football team as it enters the 2014 season, which begins on the road against Howland on Aug. 29.

5 keys for a winning season

1. Homecoming – Kemp Boyd returns to Kenmore as a head coach for the first time in more than 10 years after acting as the Cardinals’ offensive coordinator from 1998-2001. He later coached at McKinley and then Buchtel. Now leading Kenmore, Boyd says he’s excited to get started and take over a program so instilled in the community.

2. Workhorse – Boyd’s offensive philosophy is built on setting up the pass with the running game. Boyd also brings a multiple-look offensive system. A key to establishing the running game will be returning leader rusher and senior Terez Smith, one of the more talented offensive players in the conference. Kenmore also has a talented offensive line returning, led by seniors Dayton Wallace and Chris Wood.

3. New QB – Quarterback, though, is one of the Cardinals’ biggest question marks heading into Week 1. As of now, the starting job belongs to junior Anthony Spooney, as he enters his first year playing football at the varsity level. Boyd is confident that if he can grasp the offense, he can lead the Cardinals to an improved record in 2014. At the moment, Andrew Stovall, a running back, would be the backup quarterback.

4. Depth – The issue of depth runs deeper at Kenmore than just the quarterback position. Kenmore will be playing a number of starters on both offense and defense. Boyd says first and foremost, depth is the biggest concern right now.

5. Speedy defense – Kenmore will employ a defense loaded with speed and more experience than the offensive side of the ball. Wood, who also plays guard, will start at middle linebacker and is looked at as that unit’s leader. Stovall is another key component as a ball-hawking free safety.

More about Kenmore

2014 schedule

OHSAA Division, region: Division III, Region 7

Conference: Akron City Series

2013 record: 3-7

Coach: Kemp Boyd

Coach’s record at school: 0-0

5 key offensive players:

Marquez Franks, TE, Sr., 6-2, 180 pounds

Amos Johnson, OL, Jr., 5-9, 220 pounds

Terez Smith, RB, Sr., 5-9, 170 pounds

Dayton Wallace, OL, Sr., 5-10, 220 pounds

Anthony Spooney, QB, Jr., 5-8, 160 pounds

5 key defensive players:

Kaleb Bowers, LB, Jr., 5-8, 160 pounds

Dorell Daniels-Vought, DB, Jr., 5-10, 180 pounds

Tyrone Jenkins, CB, Sr., 5-7, 155 pounds

Andrew Stovall, FS, Jr., 5-9, 170 pounds

Chris Wood, LB, Sr., 5-8, 210 pounds

Newcomers to watch:

Fred Roberts, OL/DL, Soph., 5-10, 225 pounds

Key stat: Kenmore hasn’t won a conference title since 1970.

Follow Kenmore all season

Bookmark Kenmore's cleveland.com web page to see every football post pertaining to team.

Follow our new high school sports Twitter account @NEOvarsity and tag your high school sports Tweets and score updates with the #NEOvarsity hashtag.

Contact high school sports reporter Ryan Lewis by email (rlewis@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@RyanLewisWrites). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

See a season preview for Collinwood's football, including top players, newcomers to watch, schedule, stats and more.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Check out a preview for Collinwood's football team as it enters the 2014 season, which begins on the road at Garfield Heights on Aug. 29.

Check cleveland.com/hssports all preseason for conference-by-conference previews, as well as team-by-team outlooks for each of the 136 area squads.

4 keys for a winning season

1. Start strong: The Railroaders stopped their losing streak at 24 games last season, beating Whitney Young in Week 4. But that was followed by six more losses while being outscored 18-273. Coach Greg Wheeler Jr. wants to take a big jump forward this season. For that to happen, the Railroaders need to start off on the right foot. They have a chance to do that. After their opener against a tough Garfield Heights team, the Railroaders have games against Lutheran East, Open Door and Whitney Young, who were a combined 1-25 last season.

2. Throw their weight around: The Railroaders will be big up front this season. Five players land between 270 and 325 pounds, including fourth-year varsity lineman Cameron Jinnings (6-2, 320). In all, the Railroaders have seven linemen weighing at least 250 pounds, and four others 300 or more.

3. Use the playmakers: David Ballew III was an All-Senate performer last season at QB, but moves back to WR this season and joins big-play threat Deondre Brown as weapons for new QB Charles Hartson, a sophomore. Hartson will also have All-Senate RB De'andre McClain at his disposal. 

4. Turn experience into wins: Most of the Railroaders' starters and key reserves have at least two years of varsity experience. Wheeler is looking for his team to build on the maturity and growth it has shown the last two seasons and show dramatic improvement this season.

MORE ABOUT COLLINWOOD

2014 schedule 

OHSAA division, region: Division III, Region 8.

Conference: Senate Athletic League.

2013 record: 1-9.

Coach: Greg Wheeler, Jr.

Coach’s record at school: 1-19.

Coach’s career record: 1-19.

12 key players: 

David Ballew III, WR/DB, Sr.

Taiy'von Bates, DE/OL, Sr.

Deondre Brown, WR/LB, So.

Ja'Mark Haynes, LB/C, Sr.

Willie Jefferies, DB/RB, Jr.

Cameron Jinnings, OL/DT, Sr.

Joshua Knox, WR/DB, Sr.

De'andre McClain, RB/S, Sr.

Coreyaun Robinson, DT/OL, Jr.

David Robinson Jr., S/RB, Sr.

Charles Hartson, QB/DB, So.

Jonathan Castelberry, WR/DB, Sr.

Newcomers to watch: 

Jonathan Castleberry, WR/DB, Sr.

Seaton Collins, RB/LB, Sr.

Sirocco Dooley, WR/DB, Jr.

Emmanuel Floyd, OL/DL, Jr.

Malaki Wheeler-Milner, OL/LB, Jr.

Carey Woodard, WR/DB, Jr.

Follow Collinwood all season

Bookmark the team’s cleveland.com webpage to see every post pertaining to Collinwood. 

Follow our new high school sports Twitter account @NEOvarsity and tag your high school sports Tweets and score updates with the #NEOVarsity hashtag.

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.

Catcher Yan Gomes will be examined in Cleveland on Friday for a possible concussion.

MINNEAPOLIS – Catcher Yan Gomes, the Indians' top hitter since the All-Star break, left Thursday's game with a possible concussion.

Gomes was hit in the side of the mask in the fifth inning when a Corey Kluber pitch deflected off Twins' batter Kurt Suzuki and hit Gomes. Rookie Roberto Perez replaced him in the sixth inning.

"On the ball that hit Suzuki, it glanced off him and hit Gomer in the side of the mask," said manager Terry Francona. "Then he wasn't feeling well so we get him out of there.

"He was examined by the doctor here (Target Field). The doctor didn't want to say he had a concussion, but we obviously need to keep an eye on him. We'll get him examined Friday morning and keep an eye on him tonight.

"He said he's feeling a lot better."

Gomes, who declined to talk to reporters, is hitting .351 (34-for-97) with nine doubles, five homers, 17 RBI and a .974 OPS since the break.

First baseman Carlos Santana, who opened the season as the backup catcher, suffered a concussion and was placed on the seven-day disabled list on May 27. He has not caught since.

No corners, please: Francona knows reporters have to ask him at various points of the season, "Do you think this team has turned the corner?" Francona, however, doesn't view the season like that.

That is especially true with the way the Indians have spun their wheels this year, always hovering around .500.

"Everything is so fluid in our game," said Francona. "The one thing they can't take away from you is wins. But you have to keep winning.

"That's why I don't know if there is a corner to turn. I think you play to the end and unless you have a big lead, you have to show up every day and find a way to keep competing.

"Just because of the way we've gone all year, I don't think we've ever hit on all cylinders. So we just got to keep plugging away."

Francona said the best part of this season is that "we seem to want to play ourselves in a position where every game means so much."

Cold streak: Francona and his coaching staff took the "Ice Bucket Challenge' to raise money for ALS. They were doused with buckets of ice water on the steps of the dugout following the Tribe's 5-0 victory over Twins on Wednesday night.

Francona was challenged to take the ice bucket challenge by Boston manager John Farrell and GM Chris Antonetti's daughters. Then Antonetti challenged the coaching staff to do it.

"I didn't want the Twins to think we were making light of anything," said Francona. "We were doing it for the right reason. The idea behind it was awesome.

"I told the coaches if I was doing it they were doing it with me."

Francona said it was emotional for him because Curt Schilling, who helped him win a World Series in Boston, has been a longtime fundraiser of ALS. Schilling just revealed that he is being treated for mouth cancer, which he attributes to his use of smokeless tobacco during his playing career.

"The timing of it was impeccable because of how I feel about Schilling and what he's going through," said Francona. "So the timing for me, personally, was really rewarding."

The ice bucket challenge has become a viral sensation in which people douse themselves with ice water and make donations to ALS.

Hit by a pitch: It wasn't called that way, but Zach Walters and Francona said the Indians' new DH was hit by a pitch in the sixth inning Wednesday. Plate umpire Dale Scott didn't call it, which led to Carlos Santana being caught in a rundown between first and second.

"The ball hit me on the knee," said Walters. "The whole inning should have been different."

The play was reviewed and was ruled inconclusive. So the call on the field stood.

If the ruling on the field had been overturned, Santana would have been on second and Walters on first. Instead Santana was tagged out in a rundown and Walters struck out.

"I told the umpire, "That pitch hit me,'" said Walters. "He said, "It did?'"

No yet: David Murphy (right oblique) has started doing core exercises, but is still feeling pain in the oblique. He went on the disabled list with Nick Swisher on Aug. 10 and is expected to miss four to five weeks.

Swisher, meanwhile, underwent season-ending arthroscopic surgery on both knees Wednesday in Los Angeles. Dr. Neal ElAttrache, who did the surgeries, will supervise Swisher's early rehab, which will require him to remain in Los Angeles.

It's unclear when Swisher will rejoin the Indians.

It seems as though everybody who's anybody has been or is about to be drenched with ice water to raise awareness for the neurological disease ALS.

AKRON, Ohio -- LeBron James did it on a boat. Kent State University President Beverly Warren gave a soaking-wet thumb's up after she did it.

It seems as though everybody who's anybody has been or is about to be drenched with ice water to raise awareness for the neurological disease ALS.

Our list goes as far as Portland, Oregon, where alumni from the University of Akron's NCAA Division I championship men's soccer team took the challenge, albeit wearing Portland Timbers uniforms.

Here are six of the best videos Akronites took while taking the icy-cold plunge.

LeBron James goes for a ride.

When you are the NBA Finals MVP, why not do do the ice bucket challenge while riding on a boat. While you're at it, extend the challenge to the President of the United States.

Kent State big wigs get drenched

Forget those Instagrammed all-I-could-find-was-a-mixing-bowl challenges. Kent State President Beverly Warren joined university Athletic Director Joel Nielsen and football coach Paul Haynes to get a full soaking from Gatorade cooler-toting undergrads.

"I want to make sure we don't get so caught up in a bucket of ice that we lose sight of why we are doing this," Warren said. "I am so very honored to be a part of this."

The university has solicited over 325 donations during the challenge.

University of Akron Zips baseball team gets a six-way splash

Silver Lake Mayor gets wet

Silver Lake Mayor Bernie Hovey did the challenge in honor of his friend, ALS victim Ed Marcello.

Twinsburg Coach Joe Schiavone gets the cooler

Schiavone's challenge went to rival Aurora High School's coaching staff.

Ohio State released its full 2014-15 basketball schedule Thursday, which includes a new layout with the official additions of Maryland and Rutgers to the Big Ten.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State released its full 2014-15 basketball schedule Thursday, which includes a new layout with the official additions of Maryland and Rutgers to the Big Ten. 

The Buckeyes will still play 18 games, but the format is different. Now they'll play five teams twice – once home and once away – and eight teams once. 

Home and away: Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Penn State, Purdue

Home only: Illinois, Maryland, Nebraska, Wisconsin.

Away only: Minnesota, Northwestern, Rutgers, Michigan State.

Below is Ohio State's full 31-game schedule for 2014-15, but the times and network information won't be released until a further date. 

Sunday, Nov.9 - Walsh (Exhibition)

Friday, Nov.14 - Massachusetts-Lowell

Tuesday, Nov.18 - Marquette 

Sunday, Nov.23 - Sacred Heart

Wednesday, Nov.26 - Campbell

Friday, Nov.28 - James Madison

Tuesday, Dec.2 - at Louisville (ACC-Big Ten Challenge)

Saturday, Dec.6 - Colgate

Wednesday, Dec.10 - High Point

Saturday, Dec.13 - Morehead State

Wednesday, Dec.17 - North Carolina A&T (in Nationwide Arena)

Saturday, Dec.20 - North Carolina, 1 p.m., (United Center, Chicago) 

Monday, Dec.22 - Miami (Ohio)

Saturday, Dec.27 - Wright State

Tuesday, Dec.30 - Iowa

Saturday, Jan.3 - Illinois

Tuesday, Jan.6 - at Minnesota 

Saturday, Jan.10 - at Indiana

Tuesday, Jan.13 - Michigan 

Saturday, Jan.17 - at Iowa

Thursday, Jan.22 - at Northwestern

Sunday, Jan.25 - Indiana

Thursday, Jan.29 - Maryland

Wednesday, Feb.4 - at Purdue

Sunday, Feb.8 - at Rutgers

Wednesday, Feb.11 - Penn State

Saturday, Feb.14 - at Michigan State

Sunday, Feb.22 - at Michigan

Thursday, Feb.26 - Nebraska

Sunday, March 1 - Purdue

Wednesday, March 4 - at Penn State

Sunday, March 8 - Wisconsin

Wednesday-Sunday, March 11-15 - Big Ten tournament, Chicago

For the complete basketball schedule, click here. 

Browns 12th-year receiver Nate Burleson says Johnny Manziel is going to be a successful NFL quarterback and that he's still a huge fans.

BEREA, Ohio -- Browns 12th-year pro Nate Burleson came into camp gushing over Johnny Manziel and he's still a huge fan even though Manziel has stumbled a bit and lost the starting job to Brian Hoyer.

"I'll just say this, Johnny's still the man,'' said Burleson. "He's still a really good quarterback. He's an NFL quality starting quarterback. Johnny will be successful in this league. ''

But Burleson stressed that Brian Hoyer being named the starter for the season was a good decision by coach Mike Pettine.
 
"We've got really two quarterbacks that are good and I've been saying that since we first got to camp,'' he said. "Regardless of who was named the starter week one, I feel like we were going to be winners. I say that selfishly speaking as a receiver, I get to benefit from that. I caught balls, touchdowns in 1-on-1s, made plays from both quarterbacks. So for me, I was straddling the fence between the two.

"They've both got their qualities, their different in ways, but I like the way Brian has commanded the leadership of this team and grabbed ahold of the playbook.
But Johnny being the no. 2 as you want to call it, we got arguably the best No. 2 in the NFL. I'm ok with that.''

Burleson's high opinion of Johnny Football hasn't changed even though Manziel's made some rookie gaffes, including being late for a team meeting and flipping off the Redskins' bench.

"I don't mind the guy making mistakes, especially young in his career,'' said Burleson. "God knows that I've made a lot of mistakes over my 12 years. I just didn't have five high-definition cameras on me at all times so I'm fine with a guy making decisions and manning up to them. It's going to happen. You can't expect a guy to be perfect. I don't care if he's a rookie, a vet or old guy like myself. You're going to make mistakes. What you want to look for is a guy that shows up every day and wants to go to work.

"Now when he shows up and doesn't want to work, he's lackadaisical about the playbook or you can tell there's other things in life that has him distracted from what he's paid to do, then we can have that discussion and I'll probably answer differently. But from what I've seen from Johnny and the way he approaches this job, he loves this sport and he wants to be great at it so I'm alright with the mistakes. I'm no one to judge."
 
Burleson said he would've embraced Manziel as the starter despite the fact he admitted he's not ready yet and still learning the offense.
 
"He'll have his opportunities regardless of how many chances he'll get or waves of opportunities he gets, he's going to take advantage of them,'' said Burleson. "It's not a bad thing for him to be the No. 2 week one. He is a rookie, still has a lot to learn and to do as a professional and as a player when it comes to the playbook. He's going to be alright. I'm a Johnny Football fan. Not only was I a fan before he got here but now he's family because we play for the same team so I'm always going to be in his corner."

Burleson said the Browns are strong overall at quarterback, including Rex Grossman and rookie Connor Shaw, "who looked like Peyton Manning the other night. We're okay at the quarterback position. I don't have a bias who's throwing the ball. As long as the ball gets to where it is and that guy in the huddle is confident, I'm good with the decision.''

Other players, such as Alex Mack and Joe Thomas were happy to have the issue settled.

"(I'm) happy for (QB Brian Hoyer),'' said Mack, who shouldered the blame for the early snap on the first play that resulted in a Hoyer sack in Washington. "He's done a good job all camp. It's been a pretty fierce competition. I'm glad to see that they picked someone early now and we'll run with that."

Thomas said it wouldn't have been difficult to get behind Manziel despite his recent mistakes. Even Arizona Senator John McCain said on a radio show Thursday that

"Manziel just needs to grow up'' and former Browns general manager Phil Savage said on Sirius XM Radio that Manziel only attended four of 33 summer practices last year.

"I think either one of those guys would do a great job for us, and I think everyone on this team wants the best quarterback that's going to give us the best chance to win in week one,'' said Thomas. "I think the coaches chose Brian because of that factor, and I think the whole team is behind him. If they would have chosen somebody else I think the team would have been behind another player if everyone felt that he gave us the best chance to win."

Thomas acknowledged that it'll be easier to get the offense in synch with a starter named.

"I wouldn't say relief, but like I had mentioned it's nice to have consistency in the guy that's taking the snaps with the first team because I think it gives everybody a chance to grow,'' he said. "That's how you get better. It's difficult switching between guys because you never really gain that consistency between the guys that you're playing with, but I'm sure that's the same for him working with none of the first-string receivers."

The Indians were in perfect position to complete a three-game sweep. They had No.1 starter Corey Kluber on the mound, but Phil Hughes outpitched him in Minnesota's victory.

MINNEAPOLIS – It has been a while, but it can still happen.

Corey Kluber lost for the first time in nine starts Thursday as the Twins beat the Indians, 4-1, at Target Field to prevent a three-game sweep. Kluber's first loss since June 30 ended a six-game winning streak for the right-hander.

In a matchup of No.1 starters, the decision went to Phil Hughes (14-8, 3.65). Hughes held the Indians to one run in winning his fourth straight start. He is 4-1 lifetime against the Tribe.

Kluber (13-7, 2.42) allowed three runs on six hits in seven innings. He struck out eight, but matched a season high with four walks on 109 pitches.

Rookie Kennys Vargas gave the Twins a 1-0 lead with a homer in the fourth. Trevor Plouffe added a two-run double in the sixth. The Twins added an insurance run in the eighth on Oswaldo Arcia's double.

Rookie Zach Walters supplied the Indians' only run on a homer in the fifth. Hughes allowed one run on five hits in seven innings. He struck out eight and didn't walk a batter on 97 pitches.

Glen Perkins pitched the ninth for his 32nd save.

What it means

The Indians (64-62) had their two-game winning streak snapped and were stopped from climbing to a season-high four games above the .500 mark. They still lead the season series against the Twins, 7-6.

The Tribe lost for just the third time the last 10 games. They are 11-7 in August and 25-26 in the AL Central.

The Twins (56-70) ended a four-game losing streak as they improved to 8-11 in August. They are 25-26 in the Central.

Rookie power

Vargas gave the Twins a 1-0 lead with his one-out homer in the fourth. It was his fourth of the season and just the 11^th allowed by Kluber this year. Walters answered that homer with one of his own, a two-out drive to right in the fifth. It was Walter's seventh homer and second in as many games.

Walters has four homers with the Tribe, after hitting three for the Nationals. The Indians acquired him on July 31 from Washington for Asdrubal Cabrera.

Control central, we have a problem

Kluber, with just five walks in his last five starts covering 39 innings, walked four in seven innings. He also hit a batter.

Once again, he was not overwhelmed by support from his offense. In his last three starts, the Indians have scored six runs.

The three runs Kluber allowed Thursday were one shy of the four he allowed in his first six starts since the All-Star break. Thursday was his seventh start.

Concussion alert

Rookie Roberto Perez replaced catcher Yan Gomes in the sixth. It was announced that Gomes left the game due to illness, but the illness could have been related to concussion-like symptoms.

In the fifth, when Kluber hit Kurt Suzuki with a pitch to start the inning, the deflected ball hit Gomes on the side of his mask.

"After Gomer got hit on the side of the mask, he wasn't feeling well," said manager Terry Francona. "We got him out of there. He was examined by the doctor here (Target Field). The doctor didn't want to say he had a concussion, but we obviously need to keep an eye on him.

Gomes said he could not talk to reporters.

Review it

Carlos Santana lost a double in the sixth by way of review. Santana doubled to the right field wall with two out, chasing Michael Brantley to third. The Twins asked for a review and CB Bucknor's call at second was overturned.

The out went 9-6, Santana was credited with a single and the inning was over.

In the seventh, Perez threw out Twins left fielder Jordan Schafer on an attempted steal of second base. The Twins asked for a review and this time Bucknor's call stood.

Tribe catchers went 2-for-3 throwing out runners Thursday.

What's next?

The Indians return home and open a three-game series against Houston on Friday night at Progressive Field. Carlos Carrasco (5-4, 3.27) will face Houston right-hander Brad Peacock (3-8, 5.47) at 7:05 p.m. SportsTime Ohio, WTAM and WMMS will carry the game.

It's the first meeting this season between the Indians and Astros. The Indians went 6-1 against Houston last year, including a 4-0 record at home.

Danny Salazar (4-6, 4.79) and Trevor Bauer (4-7, 4.41) will follow Carrasco on Saturday and Sunday. The Astros will counter with RHP Colin McHugh (6-9, 3.00) and LHP Brett Oberholtzer (4-8, 4.01).

Check out a preview of the Akron City Series for the 2014 football season, including predictions of the league race, top players and more.

AKRON, Ohio – Check out a preview of the Akron City Series for the 2014 football season, including predictions of the league race, top players and more.

Akron City Series

cleveland.com projected finish (overall record in 2013)

Ellet (10-1)

Akron Garfield (5-5)

Buchtel (6-4)

Firestone (2-8)

Kenmore (3-7)

Akron East (2-8)

Akron North (1-9)

Preseason Awards

Preseason offensive MVP:

Darrion Powers, RB, Garfield Sr., 6-0, 185 pounds

Preseason defensive MVP:

Jacob Ivery, DL, Ellet, Sr., 5-7, 155 pounds

Preseason most valuable lineman:

Bryce Harris, OG, Firestone, Sr., 6-4, 285 pounds

Other key players:

Malik Al’Quadir, RB, Akron North, Sr., 6-0, 220 pounds

Cle’Von Burch, RB, Ellet, Sr., 5-6, 145 pounds

Sean Calhoun, DL, Garfield, Sr., 5-10, 300 pounds

Jovahn Fair, OT, Firestone Sr., 6-4, 300 pounds

Marquez Franks, TE, Kenmore Sr., 6-2, 180 pounds

Jatairis Grant, WR, Garfield, Jr., 6-0, 180 pounds

Darius Griggs, OLB, Akron East, Sr., 6-2, 210 pounds

Garrett Haverstick, QB, Ellet, Soph., 5-11, 180 pounds

Cody Hoskinson, DE, Ellet, Sr., 5-9, 170 pounds

Charles Pardee, C, Ellet, Sr., 5-11, 265 pounds

Nathan Roland, DT, Akron North, Sr., 6-1, 250 pounds

Deric Rucker, WR, Buchtel, Sr., 6-2, 185 pounds

Trevon Shepard, QB, Garfield, Jr., 5-9, 165 pounds

Terez Smith, RB, Kenmore, Sr., 5-9, 170 pounds

Demonte Swain, RB, Firestone, Soph., 5-6, 160 pounds

Pierce Taylor, QB, Soph., 6-1, 205 pounds

Maurice Thomas, QB, Akron East, Sr., 5-10, 175 pounds

Outlook: Ellet, the two-time defending conference champions, must replace leader Matt Geer. The Orangemen still have a talented 1-2 punch at running back with seniors Jacob Ivery and Cle’Von Burch. New quarterback Garrett Haverstick, a sophomore, is young but has one of the strongest arms coach Joe Yost has seen in years. Ivery and Cody Hoskinson still anchor a strong defensive line.

Garfield coach Bob Sax believes the Rams have had a couple down years in a row and is determined to take a step forward in 2014. The Rams will rely on running back Darrion Powers, a powerful runner with breakaway speed. Junior Trevon Shephard is taking over at quarterback after Jatairis Grant injured a finger in camp. Grant, one of the best athletes on the team, will now take over an offensive weapon role.

Continuing the trend of young quarterbacks, Buchtel will see what sophomore Pierce Taylor can do under center. The good news for the Griffins is that he has a pair of 6-2 wide receivers on the outside, senior Deric Rucker—one of the top athletes in the conference—and Derrick Harvey Jr. Buchtel's defense has good speed as a unit and will be aggressive this season.

Firestone is moving Kamar Majid, primarily a cornerback last year, to quarterback. The strength of the Falcons is the offensive line, which boasts two Division I commits (Bryce Harris, Toledo and Jovahn Fair, Ohio). The Falcons struggled mightily with turnovers and penalties inside the red zone last year, something coach Tim Flossie is keying in on this season.

Kenmore welcomes new head coach Kemp Boyd and his run-focused offensive system. The key for the Cardinals is senior running back Terez Smith. Just like the previous four teams, Kenmore will have a new quarterback this season. That’s junior Anthony Spooney, who was just bumped up to the varsity level.

Akron East does have a returner at quarterback (Maurice Thomas, entering his third season). This is coach Marques Hayes’ third season as well. While East has just two wins in his first two years, Hayes is been playing underclassmen and expects a step forward in 2014.

Akron North is in the first year under new coach John Allen Stewart. He likes the youth on the roster and the speed at several positions. Senior running back Malik Al’Quadir will be the focal point on offense.

Top three games:

October 31, Ellet at Akron Garfield

October 17, Buchtel at Ellet

October 4, Akron Garfield at Buchtel

Follow our new high school sports Twitter account @NEOvarsity and tag your high school sports Tweets and score updates with the #NEOvarsity hashtag.

Contact high school sports reporter Ryan Lewis by email (rlewis@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@RyanLewisWrites). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

What defines a successful season for the Cavs after trading for Kevin Love? Did Mike Pettine choose the right guy to be the Browns' starting quarterback? The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff answered those questions and more in his weekly podcast.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- What defines a successful season for the Cavs after trading for Kevin Love? Did Mike Pettine choose the right guy to be the Browns' starting quarterback?

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:

• Is Cleveland's Big 3 the best in the NBA?
• Should the Gladiators get a parade if they win the Arena Bowl?
• Whether the Browns should have a special package of plays for Johnny Manziel.

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

Be sure to follow DMan on Twitter.

Sporting clays can be frustrating at first, but the shotgun game becomes fun when you finally start to click and turn the fast-flying targets into clouds of dust.

BELLEVUE, Ohio – The shotgun game is called "sporting clays." Some hunters trying it for the first time might think it's because the crazy flight patterns of the clay targets give the bright, orange discs a sporting chance to escape a load of No. 7 1/2 lead shot.

Sporting clays can be frustrating at first, but the game becomes fun when you finally start to click and turn a few of the fast-flying clay targets into clouds of dust. If you're preparing for the early hunting seasons, it's a game you'll want to try.

Small-but-speedy mourning doves and giant Canada geese are first on my list every year, with Ohio's special early hunting seasons set to begin Sept. 1. The early teal season isn't far behind, opening Sept. 6. This year, most of us will have an extra opportunity to hunt because opening day lands on the Labor Day holiday.

Sporting clays simulates hunting, with clay targets tossed in just about every direction. There are high-flying birds, stout "rabbit" targets bouncing along the ground and lots of doubles, a pair of targets soaring through the air at the same time.

Last Saturday I joined a small crowd of shotgunners at the Clays and Clams Shoot at Brier Oak Hunt Club in Bellevue, Ohio. The shoot is a fund-raising tradition for the Lake and Trails youth fishing and hunting organization created in 2008 by Karen Metzger of Medina and a crew of volunteers.

With last year's hunting seasons lost to an unexpected surgery, shouldering a shotgun again well before the seasons begin was important. It takes time to literally get into the swing of things, since a major fault in my shooting style is to unconsciously stop swinging the shotgun when I pull the trigger.

To be successful, a bird hunter needs to keep the shotgun barrel moving even after pulling the trigger. Stop your shotgun's swing, as I often do, and you'll be watching doves, pheasants, ducks or grouse heading for the horizon.

To make sure I was in good company, Metzger teamed me up with her husband, Rick, a good shooter. Completing our squad was a young couple, Katie and Andy Opstinek. Katie is Metzger's niece and, while she isn't a hunter, I quickly discovered her eye-hand coordination was pretty darned good.

The first station featured speedy left-to-right targets soaring over a soybean field – a single and two doubles. Katie broke three of five clay targets while the guys had to settle for one or two.

We were shooting a round of 50 clay targets. In dove hunting parlance, that's a couple of boxes of shotgun shells, more often than not the amount of ammo needed to take home a daily bag limit of 15 doves on opening day.

There are many hunters who prefer trapshooting, where clay targets are tossed at different angles but all fly away from the shooter. Skeet shooting was designed for bird hunters, challenging sportsmen to shatter crossing targets.

Sporting clays combines all of that, and adds special challenges. That includes the rabbit target that's so frustrating, if only because you can't predict the hops, or how high the sturdy targets will bounce. The rabbit stations usually combine the bouncing bunny with a high-flying "bird," a tough high-low combination.

Some shooters like to shoulder their shotgun before calling for the bird to be thrown, but that isn't the way we really hunt. In competition sporting clays the rules require the butt of the shotgun to be below the shooter's armpit when he calls for the bird to be thrown, making it a true hunting scenario of shouldering a shotgun before shooting.

Sporting clays aren't cheap, but the game can hold its own against a round of golf. A 50-target round will cost $25 to $30, with shotgun shells about $6 per box. A few rounds before the hunting seasons begin can help put a sportsman in his comfort zone.

The shooting game is also a social sport combining good conversation with a nice walk through the woods to visit a dozen sporting clays stations. Last week we capped that off with a cold drink and a clambake for an exceptionally fine morning with newfound friends.

Here are the starting lineups and the pitching matchup for Friday's series opener between the Indians and Astros.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are the starting lineups and the pitching matchup for Friday's series opener between the Indians and Astros.

Pitching matchup: Carlos Carrasco (5-4, 3.27 ERA) vs. Brad Peacock (3-8, 5.47 ERA)

Lineups

Indians

1. CF Michael Bourn

2. SS Jose Ramirez

3. LF Michael Brantley

4. 1B Carlos Santana

5. 2B Jason Kipnis

6. DH Zach Walters

7. 3B Lonnie Chisenhall

8. RF Chris Dickerson

9. C Roberto Perez

Astros

1. LF Robbie Grossman

2. 2B Jose Altuve

3. DH Chris Carter

4. CF Dexter Fowler

5. C Jason Castro

6. SS Marwin Gonzalez

7. 1B Jonathan Singleton

8. 3B Domingo Santana

9. RF Jake Marisnick

South Carolina coach Steve Spurrier thinks the Browns should throw rookie Connor Shaw into the mix for the starting quarterback job.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Plenty of Browns fans are clamoring for more of rookie quarterback Connor Shaw after his thrilling fourth-quarter performance in Washington Monday night, and they won't get an argument from Shaw's former coach at South Carolina, Steve Spurrier.

"I thought Connor played pretty well," Spurrier told The Greenville News.  "What did he hit, eight out of nine? He has always been a pretty good percentage guy. Against Missouri he hit 20 out of 21 one day, 20 straight one day.

"It always amazes me, for some reason they just don't assume that he is really a top quarterback and he is. I mean, look at his statistics. He's a winner. He makes plays. I wish they would put him in the hunt for the starting job."

Shaw, coming off the bench in the fourth quarter to  replace Johnny Manziel, completed 8-of-9 attempts (88 percent) for 123 yards, with a 45-yard Hail Mary pass to tight end Emmanuel Ogbuehi as time expired in the 24-23 Browns loss.

He earned a 155.8 rating. Brian Hoyer completed 2-of-6 attempts for 16 yards and earned a 42.4 rating, and Johnny Manziel completed 7-of-16 attempts for 65 yards and a TD for a 76.3 rating.

Of course, Shaw, signed by the Browns as an undrafted free agent, worked  against third- and fourth-teamers in Washington, but on a night when the top two quarterbacks flopped, his outing gave Browns fans something to cheer about.

"Man, I was his No. 1 fan,'' South Carolina quarterback Dylan Thompson told The Greenville News. "I was screaming, jumping up and down for him. I thought he did everything he could do. He made plays when his number was called.

"I think that is something that is really underrated. He doesn't get many reps in practice. For him to come out there and go eight for nine, playing as well as he did. I was so happy. I've been texting him all day, today really just telling him how proud of him I was."

Spurrier is confident Shaw will continue to impress if he's given a chance. He's expected to play some Saturday night against the Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium.

"Maybe that helped him," Spurrier said. "We'll just have to wait and see. Hopefully he'll get another shot to play in a preseason game."

Browns receiver Nate Burleson was also impressed with Shaw, kidding that he "looked like Peyton Manning the other night.''

Shaw (6-0, 209) closed out his South Carolina career by throwing 24 touchdowns against only one interception. He also left as the winningest quarterback in Gamecocks annals, going 27-5, including 17-0 at home.

Before the draft, Spurrier likened him to Super Bowl-winning quarterback Russell Wilson, who's about the same height.

"He became a starter three years ago, and he's been the quarterback on all three of these 11-win seasons," Spurrier told NFL AM in February. "Connor's just a winner. He's a lot like Russell Wilson. He takes care of the ball, doesn't do stupid stuff, doesn't take careless sacks, he can throw it away, and he's really a good passer. Any time you see a guy who can run as well as Connor, you don't think he's that good of a passer. . . .The kid is a winner, he can run with it and he can throw."

Shaw, who finished second the team with 558 rushing yards, beat Manziel in all of the drills at the NFL Scouting Combine. He ran the 40 in 4.66 to Manziel's 4.68; he measured 34.0 in the vertical leap to Manziel's 31.5; and recorded a 116.0 broad jump to Manziel's 113.0.

See a season preview for Aurora football, including top players, newcomers to watch, schedule, stats and more

AURORA, Ohio – Check out a preview for Aurora football team as it enters the 2014 season, which begins on the road against Twinsburg on Aug. 29.

Check cleveland.com/hssports all preseason for conference-by-conference previews, as well as team-by-team outlooks for each of the 136 area squads.

5 keys for making a deep playoff run

1. Alex Smierciak make the adjustment to quarterback: Last season, the Greenmen had a talented quarterback in George Bollas. This season, the position is unproven, but Smierciak is a very talented player. He does not have the experience at quarterback, but has the athleticism to create a lot of problems. There is a lot of talent all over the field for Aurora, so as long as he can get the offense rolling and limit the mistakes, the team should be fine.

2. Use the experience of a senior-laden team: When you are bringing in a new quarterback, being able to provide him with a lot of experience is a huge bonus. For the Greenmen, there is not only a lot of playmakers on the field, many of them have been contributing at the varsity level for three seasons now. A strong offensive line will be leaned upon early, as the Greenmen figure to rely on the legs of Ryan Devine.

3. Continue the tradition of the program: The Aurora football team has been one of the most consistent programs in the area. With the tie for the CVC championship last season, the Greenmen have won at least a share of the conference in seven of the last nine years. These seniors have all been a part of that tradition, and that could fuel the team to another big season.

4. Use a big home field advantage: The home field has been very nice to Aurora, as the Greenmen have won 14 straight games since losing to Chagrin Falls on Sept. 9, 2011. Not only have they won those games, but they have been dominant during that stretch. Of those 14 wins, only three have been less than double figures. This year, Aurora has six home games, including the final three games of the regular season.

5. Limit the big play: In the two games that the team lost last season, the Greenmen gave up too many big plays. Their opponents scoring plays in those games were an average of 25 yards, with two plays being at least 54 yards. There is plenty of talent on this defensive unit, so if they are able to keep the offense in front of them, it will be difficult for teams to march down the field.

MORE ABOUT Aurora

2014 schedule

OHSAA division, region: Division III, Region 7.

Conference: Chagrin Valley Conference, Chagrin Division.

2013 record: 10-2.

Coach: Bob Mihalik.

Coach’s record at school: 112-42 in fourteen seasons.

5 key offensive players: 

Josh Burger, OL, Jr. 6-4, 280.

Parker Blunt, WR, Jr. 5-9, 165.

Joe Dinardo, WR, Sr. 5-10, 160.

Brian McNamara, OL, Sr. 6-3, 220.

Alex Smierciak, QB, Sr. 5-11, 155.

5 key defensive players: 

Mitch Deininger, DL, Sr. 5-11, 215.

Ryan Devine, LB, Sr. 5-9, 180.

Mitch Evans, CB, Jr., 5-10, 170.

Mike Stratton, LB, Sr. 6-0, 190.

Brandon Zamary, DT, Sr. 6-2, 255.

Newcomers to watch: 

Vinny Verbiar, OL, Jr. 6-5, 315.

Angus Nietert, OL, Sr. 6-2, 190.

Key stats from 2013: 

Zamary, 96 tackles, seven sacks, six quarterback hurries.

Straton, 125 tackles, four forced fumbles, two interceptions.

Follow Aurora all season

Bookmark the team’s cleveland.com webpage to see every football post pertaining to Aurora.

You can't miss the new high-definition video boards -- don't call them scoreboards -- at the Cleveland Browns' FirstEnergy Stadium. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- You can't miss the new "state-of-the art, high-definition video boards"  -- don't call them scoreboards -- at the Cleveland Browns' FirstEnergy Stadium.

Each of the two irregularly-shaped Daktronics wonders, installed during the off-season above each of the stadium's end zones, are 192 feet wide and 40 feet tall. That is three times the size of the scoreboards they replaced.

If placed at ground level, the boards would span the entire length of the field, plus the end zones, with another four yards to spare on each side.

They're big.

The video boards are the obvious focal point of the $120 million in upgrades, subsidized by city taxpayers, the stadium will receive over the next two years.

Team officials took media members on tour of the stadium on Friday afternoon, a little more than 24 hours before the team's Saturday night preseason home opener, to show off the project's first phase.

Here are some other highlights:

LED boards

The massive video boards are bordered by LED monitors that will display out-of-town scores and fantasy football statistics.

New lower-level seating

The new seats are in the corners and are orange. Team officials say the changes will improve sight lines.

The Browns closed off a comparable number of upper-level seats, intended to give the stadium a more wide-open feel. Of course on Friday, the stadium felt wide open, but that's because all 73,000-odd seats were empty.

Upgraded soundsystem

The team describes it as "500,000 watts of amplification for [a] vibrant audio experience." What does that mean?

It's loud.

New food options from Cleveland chefs

The team expanded the stadium's dining choices, featuring selections by local celebrity chefs Chris Hodgson, Jonathon Sawyer, Michael Symon and Rocco Whalen in the general concession area.

The Browns served samples on Friday, but this reporter already had eaten lunch.

Two new escalators to upper levels

These were not shown during the tour. Team officials said one escalator was complete, while the other is about half-complete. But both will be ready in time for the regular season.

Team officials said the escalators will be faster. But will they be faster than the Browns' cornerbacks?

What's still to come?

The stadium will undergo a second phase of improvements next off-season. The current phase generally focuses on aesthetic touches to areas generally accessible to fans, while the second phase will focus on the stadium's club seats, suites and premium areas.

Cleveland taxpayers will spend $30 million over 15 years – estimated at $22 million when adjusted for inflation – for the improvements.

Browns President Alec Scheiner said FirstEnergy Stadium, built in 1999, previously was generic and among the NFL's least interesting facilities.

"I think you can tell it's completely different than it was," he said. "We think of it was 15 years at the old stadium, and now it's this new one."

Former top prospect Adam Miller recorded his first victory since 2011 on Thursday night for the Akron RubberDucks.

Adam Miller was once the top prospect in the Cleveland Indians organization before finger surgeries nearly ended his career. He's seen here during spring training in Goodyear, Arizona in 2009. Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Adam Miller, once nicknamed the "Heat Miser" for his 101 mph fastball, earned his first victory in three years as the Akron RubberDucks outlasted Altoona on Thursday, 4-3.

Miller, who has spent much of this season on the injured list, retired all five batters he faced in 1 2/3 innings of relief work. He had one strikeout.

It's the first win for Miller since May 29, 2011 as the former top prospect has battled injuries for several years, mainly to the middle finger on his pitching hand.

The righthander, now 29, was the Indians' first-round draft pick in 2003, then underwent elbow surgery in 2005. He returned the following season and led the Eastern League in victories and was named top prospect in the organization.

He missed the 2009-10 seasons after finger surgeries, then returned in 2011 but managed just a 1-5 record in the Indians system and was released. He signed with the Yankees organization and went 0-4 in 2012, then was out of baseball in 2013.

In 25 games at Akron this season, Miller is 1-2 with a 5.79 ERA. He's worked 37 1/3 innings, allowing 36 hits, six homers, 13 walks and 24 earned runs, while striking out 38. Opponents are batting .243.

In spite of all the injury problems, Miller says his fastball still has good velocity. But he says adding a change of speed has helped.

"My velo been good," Miller said. "I was out (injured) there for awhile and the main thing now is getting the off-speed stuff going again. The fastball is still there and now I've got two pitches. I've started throwing a change-up as well.

"It's good to know the stuff is still there and I can actually trust it. At times before it was good, but then the majority of times it was inconsistent. But now I can trust it and just build from that."

Playoff picture: The RubberDucks continue their charge toward the Eastern League playoffs. They are tied with Richmond for the lead in the West Division entering Friday's games, both at 72-59. Bowie is 5 ½ back in third place and the top two make the playoffs. Akron has 12 games remaining, including nine at home.

The RubberDucks make their final road trip this weekend, a three-game set at Binghamton. They return home for their final homestand on Monday at 7:05 against Trenton.

Wendle returns: Second baseman Joe Wendle returned from the disabled list this week and had two hits in nine at-bats in his first three games.

Wendle went on the disabled list June 28 with a right hamate fracture. For the season he's hitting .258 with eight homers and 46 RBI.

Quick hits: Right-hander Joe Colon has been placed on the disabled list with a right shoulder sprain and the Aeros have added left-hander Nick Maronde from the Mahoning Valley roster. ... Maronde started the season with the L.A. Angels, then was traded to the Indians for cash on July 12. He was scheduled to start Friday. ... New closer Enosil Tejada has recorded saves in three straight appearances and has six on the season. ... Converted catcher Tony Wolters has thrown out 47 percent of stealing baserunners and the RubberDucks are 40-27 when he catches.

For complete Akron RubberDucks stats, schedule and more, click here.

We've got everything you need to know about Saturday's ArenaBowl XXVII, between the Arizona Rattlers and the Cleveland Gladiators at The Q.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Of the scores of officials, players, coaches and others who are in town preparing for ArenaBowl XXVII, probably no one is happier to be here than St. Ed's graduate Joe Kleinsmith.

Kleinsmith, the league's senior director of football operations, came in Sunday for the festivities leading up to the game. The business-pleasure trip means a chance to visit with family and friends.

"I've frustrated my parents all week," he said at media day Friday at the Q. "It's a chance to spend quality time with my family."

Best of all, he gets to see his English Bulldog. His name? Bernard Kosar Kleinsmith.

The game: ArenaBowl XXVII between the Arizona Rattlers and the Gladiators kicks off at 8 p.m. Saturday, at The Q. The league has shifted from a neutral-site championship to the home of the higher-seeded team. Neutral sites have been used in the past for "exposure in a new market," said commissioner Jerry Kurz, who said he is pleased with the schedule structure this year, allowing for a bye week between conference championships and the ArenaBowl. It gives the host site more time to prepare, he said.

Summing up the game: Several league officials used the term "Dynasty vs. Destiny" to frame the game. Arizona is playing in its fourth consecutive ArenaBowl; Cleveland is seeking to become the first team in league history to win 20 games in a season.

Fans: Gates will open 90 minutes before kickoff rather than the usual 60 minutes. Before the game, the Indians and Gladiators will be "sharing the plaza" from 5 to 7:30 p.m., said communications representative Sarah Jamieson. Fan fest activities will include face-painting, exhibits and more. A game ticket is not needed to be on the plaza. Fans going to the Gladiators game will receive a rally towel and black and white ArenaBowl T-shirt that shows the skyline.

New team: Kurz announced Las Vegas will join the league. The AFL is no stranger to celebrity or well-known owners, with Jon Bon Jovi, Ron Jaworski, Bernie Kosar and John Elway all having or having had ownership stakes. The Las Vegas Outlaws are owned by Vince Neil of Mötley Crüe fame.

"It's going to be a rock concert with football," Neil said in a videotaped message. Which isn't far from the atmosphere at Arenaball games. Las Vegas has been without a franchise since the Gladiators left in 2008 and moved to Cleveland. "Any time we grow strategically, it's a good thing," Kurz said. "It's a good sports market."

Announcers: Anthony Herron and Ari Wolfe will call the game on ESPN, with help from Sherdrick Bonner (sideline analyst) and J.B. Long (sideline reporter). Herron – who played five years in the NFL and three in the AFL – doubles as a front-office executive; he is senior vice president of communications for Arena Football League.

Coin toss: The Cavaliers' Dion Waiters will be the official coin-tosser.

Foster trophy: To the winners goes the Foster Trophy, named after Jim Foster, who invented the sport. It's not every day someone is lauded with a trophy named after them. "You know, it's an honor," he said. "I am very humbled. I certainly didn't start Arena Football to get my name on a trophy."

Attendance: After averaging more than 10,000 fans this season, Cleveland drew 12,684 for its first-round playoff game against Philadelphia and 14,543 against Orlando. Will Saturday's game sell out? "We hope," said Jeffrey Bowler, senior director of ticket sales and service. "But I don't want to jinx it."

Mayoral proclamation: While the Browns and Indians will be playing at the same time, Saturday will belong to the Gladiators – officially. Len Komoroski, chief executive officer of the Cavaliers and Quicken Loans Arena, read the proclamation from Mayor Frank Jackson's office.

Stat of the week: In what is definitely an unofficial record, the Arizona Rattlers have had to deal with seven births this season. "We've had to juggle the roster a lot because of babies being born," Arizona Coach Kevin Guy said, referring to players' time off to be with loved ones.

All-star cheering: Cheerleaders at the game actually will comprise an all-star squad; one woman from each AFL team is part of a "Dream Team," officials said.

View full sizeC.J. Cobb sports his 'man-stache' after the Gladiators defeated the Philadelphia Soul in the first round of the playoffs. Marc Bona, The Plain Dealer 

'Stache power: Gladiators lineman C.J. Cobb likes to break out a fake mustache after home wins. He got it early in the season from the Goddesses, the team's cheer squad, at a rally. "I call it my 'man-stache,' " he said. "Kids love it, parents love it. Hopefully, we'll show the whole world the man-stache."

Odds: Arizona is listed as a 5.5-point favorite. The line opened at 3.5. The over-under is 116.5 points.

ArenaBowl veteran: This will be the sixth ArenaBowl in Arizona defensive back Marquis Floyd's seven seasons. "It's definitely been a blessing," said Floyd, who played briefly for the Browns in 2009. "Don't overlook it. You have to enjoy the moment because it is so hard to get back. As you all know, (Cleveland) had to win six games on the last play, and we're battled-tested, too."

One ring: Arizona players have a combined 31 ArenaBowl rings. Cleveland has one. Defensive back LaRoche Jackson played for Jacksonville when the Sharks won at Arizona in 2011, and he wore his ring to media day. Jackson said he has a strong, bittersweet memory from that game. He and teammate Jerry Brown made a high-low tackle on a kickoff return that forced a fumble, which Brown recovered. Brown died in an auto accident in December 2012 while a member of the Dallas Cowboys. "I'll never forget that. He was a great friend. I miss him," Jackson said.

Getting loud: Arizona prepared for the noise of Quicken Loans Arena by pumping in loud music during practices. "We made sure we put the 'Yes' chant in there so they got used to it and until they got tired of hearing it," Guy said with a chuckle. Cleveland players and fans have adopted WWE wrestler Daniel Bryan's "Yes! Yes! Yes!" chant for every touchdown.

Behind the scenes: Two teams – the Portland Thunder and the Los Angeles Kiss -- both had documentary-style shows feature their players. "4^th and Long" highlights the Kiss, named after the band of the same name, on Spike while the Thunder were part of a regional show called "Sons of Thunder."

The Plain Dealer's Tim Warsinskey contributed to this report.

Pete Rose was banned from baseball 25 years ago Sunday. The ban has effectively kept him out of the manager's dugout and front office. The time has come to allow voters to decide whether his playing career was Hall of Fame worthy. Spoiler alert: It was -- Bud Shaw's Sports Spin

CLEVELAND, Ohio – As sympathetic figures go, Pete Rose isn't one.

Think of him as a cross between (Democrats, pick a Republican) and (Republicans, pick a Democrat.)

There's not much to like about Rose, his lifestyle, the years he spent denying he bet on baseball, the way he finally admitted it when he wanted to sell a book or his affinity for hanging around the outskirts of Cooperstown during Hall of Fame weekend selling his wares.

So when I say he belongs on the Hall of Fame ballot, and that new commissioner Rob Manfred should make that happen tomorrow if not sooner by making him eligible, it's not because Rose has made himself easier to like and re-shaped his image in some self-serving publicity campaign.

It's for a far better reason. Because it's fair.

Hall of Fame voters are being asked to make judgments on players who flexed their muscles in the Steroid Era. If they're capable of sorting out that mess, surely they can be allowed to cast (or not) a vote for Rose, who was banned 25 years ago Sunday.

If not this year, next year is the 30th anniversary of Rose surpassing Ty Cobb. Now. Next year. Whatever, it's time.

Disclaimer: I gave up my Hall of Fame vote a few years back. I've never felt comfortable voting for awards in general, let alone being among the gate keepers at Cooperstown.

Trying to judge the careers of known steroid users against players who might've used but didn't get caught against players who never took them (that's Jim Thome, right?) ... well, I'll happily let others decide.

I have great respect for those who vote for the Hall of Fame and know the time they invest in making smart, well-researched decisions. It's why I believe they're capable of doing any and all of the following:

• Deciding whether Rose betting on baseball is as grievous an offense as the players banned for allegedly rigging games in the Black Sox scandal. That's the only other incident that involved lifetime bans.

• Deciding whether Rose betting on baseball as a manager completely invalidates his fabulous career as baseball's all-time hit king.

• Deciding if there's a difference between betting on your team or against your team.

• Deciding, in short, whether the crime of gambling that was posted on every clubhouse door Rose entered fit the punishment (permanently banned).

You can get into an entirely different discussion comparing the NFL's one-year suspensions of Paul Hornung and Alex Karras in 1963 for gambling versus baseball's lifetime ban of Rose. Hornung and Karras were quick to come clean. Not Rose for sure. But he long ago admitted his guilt, acknowledges "disrespecting" the game and says he knows he was 100 percent wrong.

Rose, who has never been accused of throwing games or taking any measures to affect the outcome, deserves the same vetting process the stars of the Steroid Era receive.

I believe he deserves more, too. He belongs in the Hall of Fame.

Cooperstown should be a museum, not a shrine.

No one can argue his playing career isn't Hall of Fame worthy. Former commissioner Fay Vincent argued recently in a New York Times letter to the editor that for Rose to appear on the Hall of Fame ballot will require a commissioner's willingness to erase the gambling deterrent from the game.

I believe a ban and reinstatement 25 years later is still enough deterrent.

Everyone knows about his suspension. The education for generations to come could be covered in an asterisk at the bottom of his plaque:

• Banned by commissioner Bart Giamatti on Aug. 24, 1989 for betting on baseball; reinstated by commissioner Rob Manfred on Aug. 25, 2014.

Rose is 73. His ban was deserved. His time out of the game has effectively cost him any baseball career he might've otherwise enjoyed.

He says he would like to manage again. My guess is he would agree not to pursue a job in baseball if his Hall of Fame eligibility is reinstated.

His baseball lifetime is over. His ban should be, too.

The voters baseball trusts to judge Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens should be allowed to judge Pete Rose, too. It's only fair.

For more Bud Shaw, read Spinoffs and You Said It