Terry Bowden's father didn't start off with a bang at Florida State.

AKRON, Ohio -- The bucket of W's did not accumulate immediately for the winningest coach in college football.

Bobby Bowden had only one losing season in his 33 years at Florida State. And it happened in his first season at the school after six relatively successful years at West Virginia.

So it was easy for Bowden to compare his start at FSU to that of his son, Terry, at Akron. Terry Bowden is 6-18 in his first two years for the Zips. The expectations are much higher for Bowden in the Mid-American Conference this fall, and his father can see the difference.

"This reminds me of when I first arrived at Florida State because they hadn't won any games," Bowden said. "We were able to build it up into a national champion. I come here and see what happened to me 38 years ago by starting over and building a program over."

And unlike the 1970s, schools such as Akron have the resources to build.

"There's no reason why Akron can't be as big as any of them," Bowden said. "What does Pittsburgh got that Akron doesn't got? Big town? We have a big town, too. Do they have more scholarships? No. Western Pennsylvania used to dominate [in prep talent]. They lost all of those mills. We got you here ... a good opportunity is developing here."

Bowden spoke about his son and other issues related to college football prior to Friday's third annual Akron Football Kick-Off Luncheon at Quaker Station on campus. Terry spoke about expectations for the Zips, and how the team is moving away from a dismal past.

Only winning will help Bowden escape his slow start at Akron, and there's only one sure-fire way to ignite success.

"Recruiting," Bobby Bowden said. "That has not changed. The team with the best players is going to win, unless the coach messes it up. Now we've seen that happen."

What Bowden has not seen is the new college football format where four teams will play in two semifinal games, with the winners advancing to the new national championship game.

That means no more computer rankings or polls to select the participants. A committee of 13 so-called experts will not only select but also seed the teams.

"I liked the way it was before because they always got No. 1 and No. 2 correct," Bowden said. "Now the debate is No. 5 will be really upset because they'll say they should've been in the top four. You'll get the same debate going down the line. It'll give ya'll something to write about."

Arizona Rattlers QB Nick Davila played for the University of Cincinnati and tried out for the Browns, and is playing in his fourth consecutive ArenaBowl.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Arizona Rattlers quarterback Nick Davila played for the Cincinnati Bearcats, is married to an Ohio State fan, and tried out for the Browns. He knows what football means in Ohio.

"A lot of people like to say this is the Mecca of football, and I love football," Davila said.

Davila returns to Ohio not as a savior. He's going to do everything in his power to keep alive Cleveland's sad streak of 50 years without a football championship.

He comes back with a target on his back, because if anyone can add to Cleveland's history of sports heartbreak, it's Davila. He received his second career Arena Football League's Most Valuable Player award this week, and he is the player the Cleveland Gladiators most need to stop in ArenaBowl XXVII Saturday at 8 p.m. in Quicken Loans Arena (ESPN).

Known for his accuracy and penchant for big plays, Davila leads a core group of Rattlers playing in their fourth consecutive ArenaBowl, winners of the last two.

"He's a gunslinger,'' Cleveland defensive back Dominic Jones. "He believes he can make every throw. He's got a little Brett Favre mentality in him. That's what makes him good.''

Davila has a strong supporting cast. Receiver Rod Windsor and guard/tight end Michael Huey were All-Arena. Windsor caught 44 of Davila's 127 TD passes in the regular season. Tysson Poots, Maurice Purify and Kerry Reed combined to catch 82 TDs. Windsor was the ArenaBowl MVP last year, and Purify won it in 2012.

The key for the Gladiators will be getting to Davila, which also will be their biggest challenge. Arizona allowed seven sacks in the regular season, tied for fewest in the league. Davila often helps by taking deeper drops. He also threw just 11 interceptions in 544 attempts during the regular season.

Jones said after studying films of Arizona's losses to Spokane and San Jose late in the regular season, pressure made a difference.

"There wasn't a bunch of sacks, but the pressure they put on him was just as effective,'' Jones said. "That initial push to make him move his feet, that's what's going to be key. If we don't get that pressure, it could potentially be a long night for us.''

Cleveland nose tackle Willie McGinnis said it will take a team effort.

"His throws are so accurate, even with pressure in his face. He always seems to be leading his receivers, and they can run right under it,'' McGinnis said. "We've got a great (defensive backfield) and we all work together, and as long as they help us, we'll help them.''

Defensive back LaRoche Jackson played for Jacksonville in 2011 when the Sharks beat Arizona in the ArenaBowl. He said getting tipped balls could be the best hope for forcing a turnover.

"He knows where he wants to go with the ball. He doesn't hesitate,'' Jackson said. "He doesn't check down that much. We have to do a good job of attacking the ball when it's in the air.''

Davila has played in the AFL five years and already is being mentioned as one of its best QBs. He 123.67 career quarterback ranking is all-time, and he has thrown 100 TD passes every year in the league. This season, he led the AFL in passing yards (4,478) and TD passes.

"I'm just riding the wave. I'm a California kid enjoying the moment,'' Davila, 29, who is from Downey, Calif.

Davila (6-3, 220 pounds) hasn't played at Cleveland since leading a last-second victory in 2010. But two Cleveland players are very familiar with him, former Cincinnati wide receiver Dominick Goodman and offensive lineman CJ Cobb. Goodman was one of Davila's primary targets his senior year, when Davila led the Bearcats to an upset of seventh-ranked Rutgers in 2006 and a victory in the International Bowl.

"He and I got there the same year. He was a JUCO transfer and I was a freshman. I immediately saw a great player. We had a connection,'' Goodman said.

Cobb remembers Davila's confidence, traits he said remain Davila's strength.

"He never gets out of sorts. He's very composed and very calm, and he gets guys fired up,'' Cobb said. "When the game is on the line, Nick is back there as cool as a cucumber, steps back, goes through his reads and hits the (receiver).''

Davila said he's hoping to leave Cleveland with one more great memory of the town. He was a non-drafted invitee to the Browns rookie camp in 2007, his only time in an NFL camp.

"It had a huge impact on me, just being in the locker room and having a one-on-one conversation with Jim Brown,'' he said. "That's huge. That was a great experience. Being able to be there, I've always learned from my experiences.''

The final four teams in the Little League World Series are set, but Taney's Mo'Ne Davis is still the focus of attention.

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. -- Mo'ne Davis will look like a typical eighth-grader when she begins classes at Philadelphia's Springside Chestnut Hill Academy in a couple of weeks.

Thick braids? Check. Bright smile? Yep.

But Davis is anything but your average 13-year-old.

None of the other kids in her class have ever been on the cover of Sports Illustrated or have had Lil' Wayne and Ellen DeGeneres gush over them.

* Complete coverage of the Little League World Series on PennLive.com

The right-handed pitcher and infielder captured a lot of hearts while leading the East Region champion Philadelphia Taney Dragons on an entertaining ride through the Little League World Series. Their trip ended Thursday night with a 6-5 loss to Chicago's Jackie Robinson West -- but that setback after two weeks in the spotlight didn't diminish Davis' impact or dim her future.

For certain, her life will never be the same.

"Mo'ne will shape her own future," said her coach, Alex Rice, "and it's going to be terrific."

There's also little doubt she'll get an A when she writes what she did on her summer vacation.

Her 4-0, eight-strikeout, no-walk gem against Nashville thrust her into the national spotlight.

First Lady Michelle Obama tweeted: "Congrats to Mo'ne Davis on becoming the first girl to pitch an #LLWS shutout. When girls succeed, we all succeed."

"Mo'Ne Davis ... goosebumps. You're awesome! Unbelievable," rapper Lil' Wayne tweeted.

"Talk about groundbreaking," DeGeneres posted to her Twitter account.

ESPN's ratings soared when the 5-foot-4 Davis toed the pitcher's slab. A record crowd of 34,000 watched her and her team in one game in South Williamsport.

Davis appeared on the SI cover -- conjuring up more talk of a cover jinx in the wake of the loss. But the 13-year-old's future is bright in every respect.

"I think Mo'ne is going to be talked about for years to come, especially each August when the (Little League) World Series rolls around," said Roland Watkins, a coach for Mountain Ridge of Las Vegas, which will meet Jackie Robinson West for the U.S. title on Saturday. "She's got a bright future. She's a very, very talented athlete."

She's also a smart one, too.

Priscilla Sands, president of Springside, said Davis is an honor-roll student with "laser focus."

To get to the private school of 1,100 students, Davis has to ride a bus for 90 minutes from South Philadelphia.

She was already was popular with her teachers and fellow classmates.

"I just thought she was such a great kid," Sands said.

Her exploits have drawn interest around the globe.

Outside the United States, baseball rarely draws much interest on the sports pages. Yet Davis and the 2014 Little League World Series made headlines in England and Australia among others.

Ellen Siegel, one of the founders of the Taney Youth Baseball Association, said Davis and the team's success Davis has turned things around for the group.

The association's Facebook page went from 197 likes before the Little League World Series to more than 6,000 on Friday. It started a Twitter account on Aug. 11 and it's already topped 8,000 followers.

"It's all pretty astonishing," Siegel said.

Even though Davis grabbed the world's attention on the diamond, she actually prefers basketball. Someday she would like to play for the juggernaut University of Connecticut women's program.

It's probably unwise to bet against her.

===

Saturday, Aug. 23
International Championship
Seoul vs. Tokyo, 12:30 p.m. (TV: ABC)

United States Championship
Las Vegas vs. Chicago, 3:30 p.m. (TV: ABC)

Sunday, Aug. 24
At Lamade Stadium
Third Place
Loser G27 vs. Loser G28, 10 a.m. (TV: ESPN)

World Championship
Winner G27 vs. Winner G28, 3 p.m. (TV: ABC)

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

GENEVA, Ohio – Check out a preview for Geneva football team as it enters the 2014 season, which begins at home against Ashtabula Edgewood on Aug. 29.

3 keys for a successful season

1. Develop offensive line: The Eagles have a young team. That is especially evident on the offensive front, where the starters will include one freshman, three sophomores and two juniors.  

2.New quarterback: Senior Alex Fistek will take the reins as starting quarterback for the first time. His prime targets will be senior receiver Austin Clutter and junior Brent Bell.

3.Rely on running game: Aaron Rossi had a big impact on Geneva's offense last year with 252 carries for 1,501 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns. As a senior, Rossi will be a go-to player again. 

MORE ABOUT GENEVA

2014 schedule

OHSAA division, region: Division III, Region 7.

Conference: Premier Athletic Conference.

2013 record: 4-6, 2-4.

Coach: Anthony Hassett.

Key players: 

Brent Bell, WR/DB, Jr., 5-9, 155. 

Seth Calhoun, TE/DL, Jr., 6-2, 190. 

Austin Clutter, WR/DB, Sr., 6-1, 195. 

Alex Fistek, QB/LB, Sr., 5-11, 180. 

Paul Hitchcock, K, Jr., 6-2, 150. 

Aaron Rossi, RB/LB, Sr., 5-8, 195. 

Zac Sweat, LB/RB, Sr., 5-11, 185. 

Key stats from 2013: 

Clutter, Receiving: 32 catches for 592 yards, 6 TDs; Rushing: 18 carries for 86 yards, 1 TD; Special teams: 2 TDs on kick returns. Rossi, 252 carries for 1,501 yards, 18 TDs. Sweat, 63 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 INT, 1 TD. 

Follow Geneva all season

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

Note: Geneva is not in the seven-county coverage area of the Northeast Ohio Media Group but the Eagles will face several teams which are throughout the season. 

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 Robert Rozboril by email (rrozboril@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@rrozboril). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Yan Gomes wanted to play on Friday, and it wasn't the mild concussion talking.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Yan Gomes wanted to play on Friday, and it wasn't the mild concussion talking.

"I'm definitely feeling better right now," said the Tribe catcher, who was diagnosed by doctors on Friday morning.

Gomes took a foul ball to the mask during Thursday's contest in Minnesota. He exited the game early after his head was spinning and he "started dry-heaving."

"That didn't feel very good," Gomes said. "I felt like that was a good reason to take me out."

Gomes' condition quickly improved, however, and the Indians are hoping he can avoid the seven-day concussion disabled list. With Gomes temporarily sidelined, Roberto Perez will do the catching, with Carlos Santana as the emergency backstop. Manager Terry Francona talked to Santana on Thursday about the potential need for him to don catching gear. Santana has not caught since suffering a concussion on May 25.

"They are not ready to say [Gomes] needs to have a full seven days so we're going to go day-to-day," Francona said.

Gomes will begin a progression toward recovery on Saturday. As for playing on Friday, well, that was never in the cards.

"That's not happening," Francona said. "But that's good news."

Ice cold

Lonnie Chisenhall entered Friday's action with a .141 batting average and .433 OPS since July 19. During that stretch of 26 games, he has tallied 13 hits in 92 at-bats with two home runs and five RBIs. His average has dipped to .286 from .336.

"He just isn't getting to some balls that he was earlier," Francona said. "Early in the season, he was hitting a lot of balls to left field. Some of them hard, some of them not hard, finding the outfield grass. Then as the league started to make adjustments, you could see Lonnie making adjustments and starting to pull the ball.

"Lately, the same balls he was hitting before, he's fouling back or maybe getting jammed a little bit. Some of that could be some fatigue."

Francona said he would pick his spots with Chisenhall in the coming weeks.

"It's a tough league," Francona said. "When you're not feeling great at the plate, pitchers will make you wear it. That's what he's going through."

Future in the field

Zach Walters will eventually play defense. For now, the Indians are content with having him take grounders at shortstop before games and having him flash his power at the plate during games.

"At some point, he's going to play," Francona said. "Right now, we're trying to put our best team out there. Having him DH is probably right now the best thing."

Human nature

Corey Kluber is human after all. The right-hander suffered the loss on Thursday after limiting the Twins to three runs over seven innings.

"Mickey [Callaway] said coming out of the bullpen, he was fighting his mechanics a little bit," Francona said. "He was throwing across his body."

And yet, despite a rare case of wildness -- Kluber walked four -- the Indians' ace still delivered a quality start.

"It just wasn't quite Kluber-esque," Francona said. "Saying that, he gets through seven innings and gives up a ground ball down the third-base line for the last two runs. If that's the worst of Corey, we're in pretty good shape."

Join cleveland.com's Zack Meisel for a live chat and updates from the Indians-Astros game.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Get scoring updates and analysis as the Indians take on the Astros at Progressive Field and chat with cleveland.com's Zack Meisel in the comments section.

Game 127: Indians (64-62) vs. Astros (54-74)

First pitch: 7:05 p.m. at Progressive Field

TV/radio: STO; WTAM AM/1100, WMMS 100.7

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

WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS, Ohio – Check out a preview for Warrensville Heights’ football team as it enters the 2014 season, which begins at home against Cleveland Central Catholic 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. 

3 keys to a winning season

1. New coach, new philosophy: Head coach Desean Washington takes over a team that went winless a season ago, and brings with him the motto “No excuses.” Washington said the Tigers are going to play fast, physical and compete in every game if his players take the new motto to heart. 

2. Retain players: Last season, the Tigers ended the season with just 17 players, after starting out with 50. Washington said that a successful season would be to keep all the players on the team for the full season.

3. Build on experience: At least five starters this season have three or more years of varsity experience under their belt. They may not have been very successful, but they will be able to teach the ins and outs of the game to younger players.

MORE ABOUT WARRENSVILLE HEIGHTS

2014 schedule

OHSAA division, region: Division V, Region 15.

Conference: Independent.

2013 record: 0-10.

Coach: Desean Washington.

Coach’s record at school: 0-0.

Coach’s career record: 0-0.

5 key offensive players:

Michael Griffin, OT/DE, Sr.

Trevon McGhee, WR, Sr.

Justin Robinson, QB/RB/LB, Sr.

Khyree Saleem-Allison, WR/RB/SS, Jr.

DeAngelo Thomas, WR/CB, Sr.

5 key defensive players:

Paris Bankston, DB/WR, Sr.

George Isler, DL/OL, Jr.

Treyvon Miles, DL/OL, Sr.

Thomas Morris, DB/WR, Soph.

Richland Pinson, DL/OL, Soph.

Newcomers to watch:

Jermaine Hill, RB/LB, Soph.

Timothy Holston, RB/LB, Sr.

Keisean Johnson, OL/LB, Soph.

Xavier Long, OL/DL, Soph.

Dontae Norris, RB/WR/FS, Fr.

Donald Shanks, OL/DL/LB, Sr.

Note: Heights and weights were not provided.

Follow Warrensville Heights all season

Bookmark the team’s cleveland.com webpage to see all posts pertaining to Warrensville Heights.

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 producer Cameron Moon by email (cmoon@cleveland.com) or on Twitter (@MoonCameron20). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

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

BEDFORD, Ohio – Check out a preview for Bedford’s football team as it enters the 2014 season, which begins on the road at Olmsted Falls 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 a deep playoff run

1. Defensive identity: Bedford football is going to make its name on the defensive side of the ball, thanks to as many as three Division I commits at linebacker (London Cloud, Ohio) and defensive end (Marquise Copeland, Cincinnati; Najee Stevens-McKenzie, Ohio). The Bearcats defense looks good on paper, but their focus is what will be key.

2. “Raising the bar”: Head coach Sean Williams is using this mantra to start the season to keep players focused on the next play after last season’s loss to Glenville in the Division II regional semifinals. He’s treating every day as if it’s Friday night, going so far as to call his practices “games” to ensure the Bearcats remain focused on taking the next step.

3. Depth: Defensively, Bedford may have the most depth in the Lake Erie League, especially with versatile players able to step in for one another. There are at least four players on that side of the ball with at least two years of varsity experience.

4. Running back play: Cloud spent most of last season at running back, earning first-team All-Lake Erie League nods along the way, but will spend the majority of this season at linebacker, paving the way for Chawntez Moss. Moss already has three Division I offers (Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Toledo) and is going to be a key player in what Bedford does offensively.

5. Stay hungry: Bedford football had its best season in more than 10 years last season. The talent is there, but not allowing complacency seep into what is a very talented locker room may be Coach Williams’ biggest challenge.

MORE ABOUT BEDFORD

2014 schedule

OHSAA division, region: Division II, Region 3

Conference: Lake Erie League

2013 record: 10-2, (6-1)

Coach: Sean Williams

Coach’s record at school: 19-13

Coach’s career record: 19-13

4 key offensive players:

DeAndre Chambers, WR/SS/P, 6-2, 185, Sr.

Austin Ester, OL, 6-4, 333, Sr.

Ervin Jones, WR/CB, 5-9, 160, Sr.

Chawntez Moss, RB, 6-0, 185, Jr.

4 key defensive players:

London Cloud, LB, 5-11, 225, Sr.

Marquise Copeland, DE/LB, 6-3, 220, Sr.

Justin Harris, DE, 6-2, 232, Sr.

Najee Stevens-McKenzie, DE/TE, 6-5, 213, Sr.

Newcomers to watch:

Cameron Hunter, DT, 6-1, 265, Jr.

Cameron Odum, WR/S, 6-1, 175, Jr.

Key stats from 2013:

Not available.

Follow Bedford all season

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

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 producer Cameron Moon by email (cmoon@cleveland.com) or Twitter (@MoonCameron20). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Here are the starting lineups and the pitching matchup for Saturday's game between the Indians and Astros.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Here are the starting lineups and the pitching matchup for Saturday's game between the Indians and Astros.

Pitching matchup: Danny Salazar (4-6, 4.79 ERA) vs. Collin McHugh (6-9, 3.00 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. 1B Jesus Guzman

7. SS Marwin Gonzalez

8. RF Jake Marisnick

9. 3B Gregorio Petit

Watch our live Browns pregame show.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns continue the preseason against the Rams on Saturday night at FirstEnergy Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:00 p.m.

Watch our Browns pregame show to get you ready for everything Browns-Rams. cleveland.com's Mary Kay Cabot joins Dan Labbe to break down the game starting at 6 p.m.

On today's show we discussed:

• Will the competition being over help Brian Hoyer?
• How will the crowd respond if the offense struggles under Hoyer?
• Which wide receiver will step up tonight?
• Does the fact we haven't heard about Josh Gordon mean anything?

According to Tweets, Kevin Love will wear No. 0 with the Cavaliers. HIs familiar No. 42 was retired by the Cavaliers in the 1970s in honor of Nate Thurmond.

Courtesy @cavs on Twitter 

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If someone told you two months ago the Cavaliers would have both LeBron James and Kevin Love on their roster, you would've likely had them committed.

Well, here we are. Happy Kevin Love Day.

The Cavaliers continued the best offseason perhaps of any NBA team ever, finalizing the deal that brings the three-time all-star to Cleveland.

Andrew Wiggins and Anthony Bennett: we hardly knew ya.

Here's a look at how people reacted to the trade on social media.

What are your thoughts on ArenaBowl XXVII? The game pits the Arizona Rattlers against the Cleveland Gladiators at The Q in Cleveland.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Tonight, the Cleveland Gladiators will seek the first professional football championship in the city since the 1964 Browns captured the NFL championship. The Gladiators host the Arizona Rattlers in ArenaBowl XXVII, the 27^th installment of Arena Football League's title game.

The Rattlers are making their fourth consecutive appearance in the AFL's championship game. The Gladiators are trying to become the first team in the history of the Arena Football League to win 20 games in a season. And those storylines have converged in what several league officials are calling "Dynasty vs. Destiny."

The game kicks off at 8 p.m. at The Q. How to watch/hear:

Television: ESPN.

Radio: 99X (99.1FM), AM 1420, 1440 WHKZ-AM (in Warren).

Online: Streaming live on whkradio.com.

If you are going to the game, Great Lakes Brewing Co. is running its Fatty Wagon with service to both Indians and Gladiators games from Ohio City. 

GET GAME UPDATES: Post comments, questions or thoughts below, and we'll update with observations during the game.

Benedictine's Jerome Baker, St. Edward's Alex Stump lead pledge against sexual violence on women.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Two of the top football recruits in Ohio, Benedictine senior Jerome Baker and St. Edward senior Alex Stump, led dozens of Northeast Ohio football players in a pledge against sexual assault and violence on women at the Cleveland Juvenile Center on Saturday.

Earlier this month, Baker and Stump invited the other 29 football players that were a part of the cleveland.com 31-in-31 series, which highlighted the top recruits in Ohio, as well as all high school football players in the area, to take the pledge and help spread awareness of sexual assault against women. Around 50 high school athletes—mostly football, but some soccer players—were in attendance, with nearly 100 more there as parents, friends and supporters. The program started late because there weren’t enough chairs in the room.

The actual oral pledge followed a presentation that featured several speakers, including Ty White of the Whoaman Anti-violence Initiative, former Browns coach Sam Rutigliano, judge Dick Ambrose, Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Tim McGinty, First Assistant Cuyahoga County Prosecutor Duane Deskins and others.

The presentation also included videos put together by White and the Whoaman Initiative—a group geared toward spreading awareness for sexual violence—which featured Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer, Browns cornerback Joe Haden, Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer, sports broadcaster Bob Costas and many area high school football coaches.

Afterward, Judge Ambrose led the room in the reading of the pledge, which begins, "I promise to never commit or condone acts of physical or sexual violence toward women or girls." The full pledge can be seen blow.

All of this came about because Baker, a former neighbor of White, wanted to make a difference in as many communities as possible following the Steubenville rape case just over two years ago.

“That really brought attention to my eyes,” said Baker, a Florida commit. “Playing them, it really affected me. Being down there is very strong. Then, [White] opened my eyes to the things that were happening. Me being a big guy, getting all this attention for football, it was a way to influence a lot of people and make a difference.”

It was Baker who then contacted Stump in an effort to get more high school athletes involved. White and the Whoaman Initiative then joined the cause and it grew from there. Baker was pleased with the turnout.

“It definitely has legs,” Baker said. “We have so many people supporting it and it’s really just shocking that high school kids started it.”

White, now, hopes to take it several steps further than simply a pledge.

“The pledge is just the beginning—it doesn’t mean a whole lot if it’s just a pledge but nothing comes out of it,” White said. “Our focus is pledge-policy-program-practice. We want all these kids to go back to their schools and start programs. We want every high school in Ohio involved.”

He also plans on writing several letters to U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel, asking Hagel to put information on sexual violence against women in their brochures.

“We live in a sexualized world,” White said. “Whatever we’re doing, it’s not enough.”

The footprint of Baker’s pledge won’t stop there. Beachwood High’s Maria Alvarez and her fellow filmmakers Savannah Jackson and Diamond Gore are planning on making a short film out of Saturday’s presentation and some additional shots, and they hope to enter it into the Cleveland International Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival.

Said Baker, “I wanted to this all to the next level, this has been great and I wasn’t expecting this many people to be involved.”

Get live updates and analysis as the Browns take on the Rams.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Browns preseason continues tonight in Cleveland. Join Dan Labbe in the comments below for a live chat, game analysis and more as the Browns take on the Rams.

You can get updates from the press box in the Twitter box below. Then scroll down and join in the conversation in the comments.

Make sure you're following Mary Kay Cabot, Tom Reed and Dan Labbe on Twitter.

Watch our live pregame and halftime show in the player below and listen to our postgame show after:

Tweets from https://twitter.com/clevelanddotcom/lists/browns

Get scoring updates and analysis as the Indians take on the Orioles at Progressive Field and chat with cleveland.com's Zack Meisel

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Get scoring updates and analysis as the Indians take on the Astros at Progressive Field and chat with cleveland.com's Zack Meisel in the comments section.

Game 128: Indians (64-63) vs. Astros (55-74)

First pitch: 7:05 p.m. at Progressive Field

TV/radio: STO; WTAM AM/1100, WMMS 100.7

Joe Haden will sit out tonight's game with a sore foot and second-year pro Leon McFadden might start in his place.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns cornerback Joe Haden (foot) and wide receiver Nate Burleson (hamstring) are among the players sitting out tonight's game against the Rams at FirstEnergy Stadium.

Haden has a sore foot and the bye is precautionary, but it leaves the Browns short on top cornerbacks heading into the game.

In addition to Haden, the following cornerbacks will be idle tonight: Buster Skrine (thumb surgery), Isaiah Trufant (knee) and Pierre Desir (knee).
Skrine underwent surgery on his thumb Monday and is also sitting this one out. He's week-to-week, meaning the Browns aren't certain yet if he'll be ready for the opener against the Steelers Sept. 7.

No. 8 overall pick Justin Gilbert will start at cornerback and Leon McFadden might get the nod in place of Haden.  McFadden, the Browns' third-round pick last year, has been the forgotten cornerback.

Burleson, who's missed the past few weeks with the pulled hamstring, hoped to play tonight, but the trainers must have prevented him from doing so.

"I'm trying to get on the field,'' Burleson said Thursday. "I tried to sneak my helmet out here and jump in and practice, but the trainers caught me. So now I've got to be smart. At 33, I've got to know better than that. But I'm listening to the trainers. I wanted to play last week. The preseason for me is a big deal. I like it because it helps me with my confidence and creates momentum for me for the regular season. Hopefully I can convince this these guys that I'm ready to rock. That's what the rehab is for and the running around, which you guys don't get to see after practice."

Burleson said the hamstring isn't torn, just strained.

"I've got these old dehydrated muscles,'' he said. "It was after a really good practice, too, which is frustrating and right before the Detroit game, but it feels good now though. Hamstrings are tricky, so you've got to be smart. The plan is to play 16 games, not four preseason games."

Burleson acknowledged that he's got to show the coaches he can still play at a high level.

"As a player, you've always got to be worried,'' he said. "That's the nature of the business. Hopefully I've put enough film on tape at practice to convince them that I'm a guy they need on this squad. But for me, it's just getting healthy. I would love to force the issue and go out here and do something, but I've got to be smart. The trainers are here for a reason. But, yeah, I'm confident in my own skills. I know what I'm capable of. So I'll be good."

He said the staff has told him to take his time and heal up

"That's reassuring, but at the same time, it is a business, though, so you've got to have a clear understanding,'' he said. "For me, I want to play because that's what I get paid to do. That's the very first reason why I want to be out on the field. They brought me here for a reason and that's to add a sparkplug to this offense and make plays when the ball's thrown to me. And then after that, I'm new here. So no new guy wants to be on the sideline and I know that first hand."

Other players sitting out tonight include: RB Edwin Baker (hamstring),  DL Desmond Bryant (wrist surgery), OL Michael Bowie (shoulder), LB Darius Eubanks (shoulder), OL Randall Harris (knee), DB T.J. Heath (hip), WR Jonathan Krause (knee), LB Eric Martin (concussion), LB Keith Pough (ankle),  TE Martell Webb (groin) and DB K'Waun Williams (hamstring), and nonfootball injury:  OL Nick McDonald (wrist).

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

MOGADORE, Ohio - Check out a preview for Mogadore's football team as it enters the 2014 season, which begins on the road at Norton 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 winning a state championship

1. Let tradition motivate: The Wildcats have made 15 consecutive playoff appearances. That includes two state semifinal appearances in the last four years, so the program clearly has the recipe for success. It also has built in motivation, because no team wants to be the one to end the playoff streak.

2. Get Berry the ball: Senior RB Brandon Berry has dealt an injury this preseason, but, once healthy, he will again be a focal point of the offense. Last season had had 1,884 yards rushing and 19 TDs.

3. Avoid QB growing pains: Junior Zeddie Pollock will take over at QB, replacing Anthony Ricci, who had the second-most career passing TDs (46) in team history. Pollock moves under center from split end, where he started last season.

4. Deal with line depth: The Wildcats have returning starters such as G Dakota Christy and DE Andy Owens along their lines, but depth on those units is a concern for coach Matt Adorni. The team has promising newcomers in Collin Kelly (OL/DT) and Nate Confere (OL/LB).

5. Survive the region: When the OHSAA added a seventh division and adjusted others last season, the Wildcats remained in Division VI, but their region became loaded. Kirtland, South Range. St. Thomas Aquinas and Cuyahoga Heights moved down a division, giving the Wildcats a tougher road to state.

MORE ABOUT MOGADORE

2014 schedule 

OHSAA division, region: Division VI, Region 19.

Conference: Portage Trail Conference, County Division.

2013 record: 11-2.

Coach: Matt Adorni.

Coach’s record at school: 99-26.

5 key offensive players: 

Brandon Berry, RB, Sr., 5-9, 175.

Dakota Christy, OL/DL, Sr., 5-8, 200.

Riley Jones, WR/K, Sr., 5-9, 155.

Josh Morgan, TE/DL, Sr., 6-3, 190.

Zeddie Pollock, QB, Jr., 6-2, 165.

5 key defensive players: 

Vince Skye, DL, Sr., 5-8, 215.

Andy Owens, DE, Sr., 6-3, 190.

Dominik Pizzino, RB/DB, Sr., 6-2, 180.

Dan Sentelik, OL/LB, Sr., 6-2, 230.

Alec Tarter, TE/DB, Sr., 6-1, 160.

Newcomers to watch: 

Collin Kelly, OL/DL, Jr., 5-11, 210.

Nate Confere, OL/LB, Jr., 6-1, 205.

Key stats from 2013: 

Berry, 1,887 yards, 272 carries, 19 TDs.

Follow Mogadore all season

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

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.

Gomes is on the 7-day concussion DL, retroactive to Friday, after taking a ball in the mask behind home plate. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians, after placing catcher Yan Gomes on the disabled list Saturday afternoon, acquired catcher Chris Gimenez from Texas for future considerations. Gimenez is expected to join the Indians on Sunday.

Gomes was placed on the seven-day DL because of the concussion he suffered Thursday afternoon at Target Field when he was hit in the left side of the head on a Corey Kluber pitch that deflected off Kurt Suzuki.

"We had until 5 p.m. (Saturday) where we could put him on the DL and make the move retroactive to Thursday," said manager Terry Francona. "This isn't something you can rush through. He did (work out) today, but he still has some symptoms."

Gimenez, 31, has split this season between Texas and Class AAA Round Rock. He hit .262 (28-for-107) with 10 doubles and 11 RBI in 34 games with the Rangers and caught Texas ace Yu Darvish in 12 of his 22 starts.

At Triple A, Gimenez is hitting .284 (38-for-134) with four doubles, two triples, six homers and 22 RBI in 39 games at Triple-A. The Indians drafted Gimenez in 2004 with their 19^th pick.

Rookie Roberto Perez started Saturday night with Carlos Santana backing him up. Santana has not caught since suffering a concussion May 25^th and going on the disabled list May 27. 

"Yan had a really good day (Saturday) as far as being active," said Francona. "But this isn't something like a hamstring where you can nurse it along or stretch it out. When you start messing around with someone's head, you have to adhere to the regulations.

"You can't let a player that is willing to try and play do something he shouldn't do. That's just not right."

Don't pay much attention to Mike Pettine talking about a two-quarterback system.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Scribbles in my notebook as the Browns prepare to face St. Louis in the the third preseason game -- Part Two.

1. I'm not going to spend a lot of time wondering what Mike Pettine meant when he talked about a two-quarterback system with Sirus XM NFL radio. I do agree with this part of his statement: "I think in the NFL that you do yourself a disservice if you don't have two quarterbacks ready."

2. History says most teams end up starting two quarterbacks in most seasons. Guys get hurt. Others play poorly. In Cleveland, it's usually both of those things -- and three play. In three of the last four seasons, the Browns have started three QBs.

3. Pettine added: "People have asked me about potentially a two-quarterback system and having a package. That is on the table."

4. My guess is that Pettine wants opposing teams to think that Johnny Manziel may come into the game at some point. He is far more mobile than Brian Hoyer, and coaches love to make the other team worry about having to prepare for two quarterbacks. That was part of the reason Eric Mangini was so slow to announce his starting quarterback. When the former Browns coach was a defensive coordinator in New England, he said he "hated it" when he had to prepare for two quarterbacks.

5. Actually, most defensive coordinators would hate to prepare for a team with one big-time quarterback, be it Tom Brady, Peyton Manning or any other star. You'd wish someone else was taking a few snaps.

6. Of more significance, Pettine admitted in the interview: "I think Brian, because of the competition, is a little behind, with the chemistry and continuity in working with that first group. I think that is something that (using a second quarterback) ... we can potentially look at down the road."

7. That's what matters in this game -- helping Hoyer and the offense learn how to work together. It was so bad in Washington with so many penalties, so many broken patterns -- it was alarming. That has to change.

8. A major problem in the preseason is coaches are fearful that quarterbacks will be injured. But for someone trying to establish himself, the best way to do it is in some semblance of a real game where quarterbacks are tackled.

9. A year ago, Brandon Weeden entered the third preseason game with a firm grip on being the starter. He was 18-of-25 with three touchdowns in the first two games. The third game -- the most important -- was played in Indianapolis. Weeden was 12-of-25 for 105 yards. He had seven possessions, and produced only one field goal. That's when the warning sirens went off -- Weeden looked rattled under pressure, as often happened in 2012. That carried over into the 2013 season.

10. Just as important as Hoyer are the receivers. Can someone catch the ball? Who knows what Josh Gordon will face when it comes to a suspension? But the Browns needed another receiver even before Gordon's latest issues became known. General Manager Ray Farmer gambled and thought he could find one from undrafted free agents or guys cut from other teams. No one has really emerged.

11. Andrew Hawkins has looked excellent in practices at Berea. But in the first two preseason games, he has caught two passes for 27 yards. Gordon has only three catches.

12. The Browns' leading receiver is Taylor Gabriel, who is a small slot receiver -- just like Hawkins.

13. Playing mostly fullback, MarQueis Gray leads the team by averaging 20 yards over his four receptions. Good for him, but someone has to emerge.

14. Miles Austin has caught one pass in two games. The Browns are careful with the veteran, who has battled hamstring injuries in the last two years. In 2013, Austin caught 10 passes in the opening game for Dallas. He had only 14 catches in the rest of the season. Couldn't stay healthy.

15. Veteran receiver Nate Burleson is auditioning for the all-quote team, but he has battled injuries and practiced little. He has missed more games (17) in the last two years than he has played (15).

Is it only a matter of time for Brian Hoyer to get replaced during the regular season?

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Coach Mike Pettine named Brian Hoyer as the Browns quarterback for the season opener at Pittsburgh.

But does that mean Hoyer will start the entire season?

Neither he nor Johnny Manziel have been impressive during the preseason. But Hoyer holds the edge in the experience category, although that may not be enough for him to hold the starting spot all season.

There's speculation that Hoyer could lose the job to Manziel as early as Week 5 if the Browns slip to 0-3 to start the season. The Browns have a bye in Week 4, and that would give Manziel extra time to prepare.

In the latest Tailgate Talk, fans were asked how long will Hoyer start for the Browns.