Dontre Wilson, J.T. Barrett, Eli Apple and Vonn Bell all factor in to our first outrageous predictions.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The key players are gone. We're trying this instead.

Each week, Bill, Ari and I will offer an outrageous prediction for the Buckeyes' game. It must be something that could come true, but also pushes the envelope a bit to tell you something about the game.

Here's our first try at it, as Ohio State kicks off against Kent State at noon Saturday.

Doug Lesmerises says Dontre Wilson will score three touchdowns

Three touches for Wilson is not enough. Last week, Wilson caught one pass and ran the ball twice. Ohio State tried to get him the ball a few more times, but it didn't work.

If Ohio State wants and needs to win one-on-one battles, this should be the guy to do it. I'll say he wins more than a few this week.

These three scores could come in the return game - he's back there on kicks and punts - as a receiver or in the run game. But if you think the Buckeyes' offense is going to break out in a big way this week, this is a guy who could do the breaking.

How outrageous is this? Wilson scored three touchdowns all of last year, and doesn't have any through the Buckeyes' first two games.

Ari Wasserman says J.T. Barrett will throw for 300 yards with no turnovers

In reality, predicting Barrett will throw for 300 yards without turning the ball over isn't all that outrageous, especially against a Kent State team that can't possibly match up with Ohio State athletically. But for this to happen, everything has to come together.

The playmakers need to make plays, he needs to avoid freshman mistakes, the offensive line needs to protect and Ohio State needs to get the running game going. I expect Barrett will pop a few big ones, keep his composure and lead the Buckeyes to a big bounce-back win over the Flashes. 

Bill Landis says Eli Apple and Vonn Bell will return interceptions for touchdowns

We've talked about Ohio State's inability to run the ball, but Kent State has taken it to another level this season. The Golden Flashes are 120th in the nation in rushing offense through two weeks, averaging less than two yards per carry. They couldn't move the ball on the ground against Ohio and South Alabama. I don't see them moving the ball on the ground against the Buckeyes, which means the ball will be in the air a lot.

KSU quarterback Colin Reardon has thrown it 81 times in two games, and I suspect the Flashes put it in the air at least 40 times this week. I'm predicting Eli Apple and Vonn Bell return interceptions for touchdowns this week. Both players got picks against Virginia Tech.

Be sure to like our cleveland.com Ohio State sports Facebook page, where we'll keep you up to date with everything that's happening in the world of Ohio State football, basketball and recruiting.

Cleveland Browns linebacker Jabaal Sheard continues his charity work.

BEREA, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns Foundation held a radiothon that raised more than $105,000 to benefit education and youth development in the area. The radiothon began at 9 a.m. on Tuesday through 1 p.m. on Wednesday.

Browns linebacker Jabaal Sheard participated in the event that took place at the Browns practice facility. Programming was highlighted by interviews with coaches, players and team executives.

During the latest Talking Shop interview at Berea Barbershop on North Rocky River Road, Sheard talked about his dedication to youth, and how a donor will participate in a fun event.

"I get to invite a special guest to one of my volunteer events," Sheard said. "I like to build playgrounds and [the winner] will be out there with us. You actually get dirty. Building a playground gives kids an opportunity to go out and play, so they can put those video games down."

Fans were also able to bid on such items as spending pregame with owner Jimmy Haslam, travel on the team bus to Buffalo, travel on the team plane to Carolina or an all-you-can-eat dinner with the offensive linemen.

The Browns Foundation modified its focus this past offseason to emphasize education through a solution-based, holistic approach to ensure Northeast Ohio youth receive the tools they need as a foundation for independence and success.

"This was important because it gives us a chance to show kids that we care," said Sheard, who donated backpacks to a school in his hometown in Florida. "Some of these kids don't have role models to look up to, so this gives us a chance to provide a positive example.

Maybe it isn't the spread offense that has made Big Ten football less relevant.

When legendary coach Fielding Yost led Michigan to a 56-game unbeaten streak and four straight national championships from 1901-04, not only was the Midwest growing to become the center of the college football universe, it was also the center of American existence.

At the time, the mean geographic center of U.S. population was in Bartholomew County, Ind., meaning Big Ten country was about as middle America as you could get, and football was rooted there just as deep as the corn industry in Iowa and the steel industry in Ohio.

Those days will never come back. At least, not in the same way.

Last Saturday, when the football world seemed centered anywhere but in the Big Ten, the mean geographic center of America's population was estimated to be somewhere around Lebanon, Mo., which is 90 miles (as the crow flies) south of Columbia, home of the Missouri Tigers, who are in their third year as members of the SEC.

And the country's growth regions had their way with the Big Ten on the field. Pac-12 power Oregon routed Michigan State. Ohio State was beaten at home by the ACC's Virginia Tech. Nebraska struggled to beat a Southern FCS power, McNeese State of Louisiana, which looked every bit as fast and athletic as the faster and more athletic teams in the Big Ten. The week before, SEC powerhouse LSU knocked off Wisconsin.

If you study demographics, it's no wonder this is happening. It's not about the coaching failures of a Brady Hoke or a Bo Pelini, it's about our changing landscape as a country.

The center of our nation's population, and the middle of its football universe, has now been taken over by the mighty SEC.

It's interesting to note that over time, as the nation's population center shifted steadily south and west, it seemed football started to be dominated more by teams from those regions. The question is, will it ever move back to the Heartland?

Possibly, but it won't be your granddad's Big Ten for reasons that are more about pure demographics then X's and O's.

We've heard about the economic and population decline of the Midwest for years -- the origin of the term "Rust Belt" is largely credited to presidential candidate Walter Mondale way back in 1984 -- and how, as factories closed in Detroit and Pittsburgh, workers migrated south to cheaper jobs, leading to future SEC athletes.

To blame it solely on the Midwest's declining industrial base is an incomplete picture. There is also the decline of agricultural America, another staple of past Midwestern prosperity.

The days of blue collar football with coaches like Bo Schembechler and Woody Hayes may be relegated to old black and white photos.Associated Press 

It's been estimated that, of those who remain in the Midwest, only 12 percent work in manufacturing and agriculture. When we think back to the Big Ten powers of years past, we think of those tough steel workers' sons from Western Pennsylvania and those big, burly farmers from the rural heartland -- "Them big ole' corn-fed boys," my high school coaches used to call them -- coming to college to play for tough men like Bo Schembechler or Woody Hayes.

Maybe it isn't the spread offense that has made Big Ten football less relevant. Maybe it's the fact that there simply aren't nearly as many blue collar kids or farm kids to produce those old-school teams.

The Midwest will come back. Eventually, people will figure out that Detroit, Youngstown, Cleveland and cities like them are great sources of cheap real estate. That means companies will eventually locate there because, among other things, schools in the Big Ten will provide a highly educated work force.

It's already starting in some places, particular the Big Ten cities. Columbus, Ohio and Madison, Wisconsin, have been two of the Midwest's best performing cities economically, perhaps a sign of a national economy that has shifted from the blue-collar farmer and steel worker to the educated worker ready to contribute to a high-tech field (and thus, growth in college towns).

But as the Midwest emerges from its almost four-decade-long slump to a new economy, that means the Big Ten will also have to reinvent itself because that son of a software engineer might not be cut from the same cloth as the auto worker's son of Big Ten seasons' past.

Maybe it's more than just a small symbolic victory that Urban Meyer came back from the SEC to coach at Ohio State. And that James Franklin left the SEC to lead Penn State this season.

The Big Ten, like the Midwest, needs to find a way to retain its own homegrown talent while also attracting plenty of skilled transplants. This is about finding the James Franklins, the Urban Meyers and the Ameer Abdullahs (the Nebraska running back from Alabama), both from a football standpoint and in general.

Because Bo and Woody, and the context in which they thrived, aren't ever coming back.

Second week of the football season is in the books, read about the headlines in the Senate Athletic League notebook.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – When Glenville lines up against Cleveland Heights on Saturday, the Tarblooders might be fighting for a Division II playoff berth.

The Tarblooders have failed to qualify for the playoffs only three times since 1999. They lost at least two games in each of those seasons, all as a Division I team. The Tarblooders have qualified for the playoffs with multiple losses just once since 1999’s playoff debut, and that was as an 8-2 seventh seed in 2007.

♥️♥️♥️ you Tarblooders no matter what the score! pic.twitter.com/p9bTicX3FA

— The Ginn Academy (@GinnAcademy) September 7, 2014

With an undefeated run in the Senate stretching back to 1997, the Tarblooders have earned plenty of computer points for conference wins. But the Senate rarely has many teams finish above .500 – last year only Glenville and John Hay managed it. That means the Tarblooders don’t receive a lot of those coveted second-level computer points for wins by beaten opponents.

Which makes Saturday’s game all the more important for the Tarblooders.

With two losses at the end of the season, they’re likely looking at a playoff berth between the fifth and eighth seeds. With at least three losses, they’re more likely to be left out, based on points needed to qualify in recent years.

- Scott Patsko, Northeast Ohio Media Group

Rhodes improves start from last season

League play begins in one week, but the way Rhodes' football team is playing has spectators wondering how far the Rams can go this season.

On Friday, the Rams won their second straight game to take the top spot in the league with a 2-0 lead after a 0-2 start last season. Rhodes shut out Brooklyn in Week 1, 22-0, then followed their performance by defeating Trinity, 20-19.

Lincoln West follows Rhodes in the league as the only other team to have a win. Lincoln West knocked off Horizon Science Academy, 30-20, but fell 18-6 against Brooklyn last weekend.

Still the two teams remain ahead of several 0-2 teams including last year’s conference title game winner John Adams, and playoff teams John Hay and No. 12 Glenville.

Senate Athletic League 2014 standings

Rhodes                   2-0

Lincoln West            1-1

East Tech                 0-2

Glenville                   0-2

John F. Kennedy       0-2

Whitney Young         0-2

Collinwood               0-2

John Adams            0-2

John Marshall          0-2

John Hay                0-2

Last week’s scores

Avon 44, East Tech 0

Brooklyn 18, Lincoln West 6

Cuyahoga Heights 34, John Adams 22

Harvey 27, John Marshall 0

Lutheran East 19, Collinwood 2

Norwalk 48, John Hay 20

Rhodes 20, Trinity 19

Richmond Heights 42, Whitney Young 0

Shaw 26, John F. Kennedy 0

St. Edward 47, Glenville 7

This week’s matchups

Clearview at Rhodes

Collinwood at Open Door Christian

East Tech at Villa Angela-St. Joseph

Glenville at Cleveland Heights

John Adams at GlenOak

John F. Kennedy at Maple Heights

John Hay at Central Catholic

John Marshall at Trinity

Whitney Young at Lutheran East

Senate Athletic League in the rankings

Glenville: No. 12 cleveland.com Top 25 

By the Numbers

116 – Yards on nine carries by Glenville running back Devonate Houston against St. Edward. He scored on a 35-yard run.

2 – Rushing touchdowns scored by John Adams’ Joey Johnson against Cuyahoga Heights.

210 – Yards and three touchdowns by Lutheran East running back Robert Drake against Collinwood.

374 – Passing yards, two touchdowns and four interceptions by John Hay quarterback Mylik Mitchell against Norwalk.

Who stood out last week

Frank Sumpter, Glenville: The Tarblooders lost two outstanding defensive backs to graduation last spring in Marshon Lattimore and Erick Smith. Both are now at Ohio State.

While the Tarblooders knew they’d have senior Trevon Story returning in the defensive backfield, it’s been senior Frank Sumpter who has earned the spotlight early this season. Against St. Edward on Saturday, Sumpter had two interceptions, including one in the end zone.

Tyrell Hogan, Rhodes: The senior wide receiver scored twice in the 20-19 win against Collinwood. Hogan returned a kickoff for 80 yards and ran in the end zone from 13 yards out.

Camryn Pollard, John Hay: Despite the loss at Norwalk, the wide receiver had 12 receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown.

Sound bite

Glenville coach Ted Ginn Sr.: "I thought we improved (from Week 1 to Week 2). The score really don't dictate the play of the kids. We made a lot of mistakes. We gave a lot of things away. But (St. Edward is) a great team with great coaches. We're all right. I think we're a great team. We have to limit those mistakes."

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Follow our new high school sports Twitter account above left and tag your related Tweets and score updates with the #NEOvarsity hashtag. Contact high school sports reporter Nathaniel Cline on Twitter by clicking the icon above right, by email (ncline@cleveland.com) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Ohio State coach Urban Meyer previews this week's game against Kent State on his weekly radio call-in show.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Live updates from Ohio State coach Urban Meyer's radio show on 97.1 the Fan, his last comments before the Buckeyes play Kent State at noon Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

• There hasn't been much Kent State talk this week. Meyer is done talking about Virginia Tech: "If this is my show, let's talk about the future and keep moving forward."

• The offensive line is still in the evaluation phase, according to Meyer: "I'm still not sure we're set on a top five." He said after the Navy game they needed to settle on a starting rotation. Seems after Virginia Tech there are more questions with that unit. There was some minor shakeup on the depth chart this week, but the starting five remained the same.

• Kicker Kyle Clinton and defensive back Nick Sarac have been awarded scholarships.

• Linebacker Josh Perry injured his knee a bit during the game against Virginia Tech, but should be good to go against Kent State. Meyer also added that Raekwon McMillan continues to push Curtis Grant at middle linebacker. Meyer said the linebacker unit is playing better than it was last year. Freshman Dante Booker has missed the last two weeks with a foot injury and an illness.

• Interesting from Meyer when given a chance to talk about Noah Spence returning this week, he was rather short with his answer: "He's a guy that is anxious to play."

• Meyer on the defense: "We have not played the kind of defense that we've all envisioned. There's been some great games where we've played well. I think up for a about three quarters we played good defense (against Virginia Tech). The fourth quarter drive hurt us. We're getting close, but enough with getting close, it's time to be a great defense."

• Meyer said he's happy with the play of the safeties, and mentioned freshman Erick Smith should see some time on special teams this week.

• Meyer still has faith in kicker Sean Nuerenberger after the freshman missed a pair of field goals against Virginia Tech. Meyer also said he thinks punter Cam Johnston is one of the best he's been around in terms of punting the ball inside the opponent's 10-yard line.

• Meyer doesn't expect to be fooled on offense this week. He expects Kent State to stay in the base 4-3 defense it's showed in it's first two games. He noted it's difficult to put in the kind of defense Virginia Tech used against Ohio State in one week.

• A big focus for Saturday is starting fast, which the Buckeyes haven't done through the first two weeks of the season. Meyer said he wants more aggressive play calling early on against Kent State.

• Don't expect to see much of tight end Jeff Heuerman this week. Huerman has been dealing with a foot issue all season after getting surgery in the spring, Meyer said they will scale him back this week and during the bye week to try to get him healthy for the Cincinnati game.

• Meyer said running backs Ezekiel Elliot and Curtis Samuel are the Buckeyes' two best practice players. He also mentioned offensive linemen Taylor Decker and Pat Elflein, and receiver Evan Spencer as some other top practice players.

• Meyer was impressed with a pair of calls regarding the offense: First asked why this Ohio State offense doesn't mimic the offenses Meyer had at Florida, the coach said it's a matter of personnel. He wants the offense to be more explosive and hopes it can get there this weekend.

Then asked if players have the ability to adjust at the line, Meyer said that will come as players get more experience. He added Braxton Miller was heading to the point that he would be able to do some of that before injuring his shoulder.

• On J.T. Barrett's running ability: "He's not a great runner, but he's a functional runner." He added that he doesn't want Barrett running the ball as much as he did against Virginia Tech.

• Meyer praised offensive coordinator Tom Herman for his ability to develop an up-tempo offense. He added it was hard to do against Navy and Virginia Tech, but we could see more of it as the year progresses.

• On Ohio Stadium upgrades: "It was gorgeous. It's hard to say that's not the best environment in college football."

• Asked about his experience on September 11, 2001, Meyer said he was 36, coaching at Bowling Green as was told about the first plane hitting the World Trade Center when he walked into the football office. As he went to get a cup of coffee, the second plane hit.

"That's when everything changed," Meyer said.

Junior running back Shakif Seymour scored six touchdowns in Holy Name's last game.

PARMA HEIGHTS, Ohio – Water dripped down the sides of Shakif Seymour’s face. He wanted to make sure he wasn’t late for his post-practice workout and interview. He wasn’t. He was early, but he came out to introduce himself in his shower sandals before running back in the locker room to grab his Air Jordans. 

It was Wednesday night, which means weightlifting for the Holy Name junior running back and Green Wave running back coach Jake Simon, better known as his buddy. The two work side-by-side, crunch-for-crunch, lift-for-lift through a workout at least three times a week.

Simon said the 6-foot-1, 210 pound star running back doesn’t know his own strength yet and Seymour just smiled. He may not max out but he knows his goals and he knows his place. It stems from three things his mom taught him: stay humble, work hard and eventually everything will be OK, even when it’s not. 

That last one is most important. Seymour hasn’t run from his past. He’s learned from it.

The Northeast Ohio Media Group spent an evening with Seymour away from football on Wednesday as part of a regular series that gets to know area athletes and coaches and their lives away from the field.

He grew up on the South Side of Chicago in a neighborhood called Englewood. It has one of the highest crime rates in the country and a declining population to go with it. 

Teishua Lawrence wanted to give her son the best chance to succeed so at age 10 she moved her family to Cleveland because an uncle told her it was nice here. She signed Seymour up for muny league football.

Had he stayed in Chicago, he would probably be a student at Simeon. That’s the high school where his favorite basketball player, Derrick Rose, went. It’s also the high school where basketball phenom Ben “Benji” Wilson was shot to death as a senior.

In sixth and seventh grade, Seymour realized he’d have to focus on his grades if he wanted to go to college. He was named valedictorian of his eighth grade class. Then he had to find a high school where he felt he could succeed, as well as where he felt comfortable.

He chose Holy Name, where math, especially geometry, and any kind of history are what he thrives on.

“I actually like doing homework,” he said. “Studying is the hard part.”

But if it's hard, if it will test him, if it will teach him a lesson, Seymour will put his dedicated work ethic into it.

On Tuesday night, after practice and a radio gig at the Hooley House with his teammates, he headed home to make dinner and then study for three tests. He was up until 1 a.m.

By 6:35 p.m. on Wednesday, Seymour was in his most relaxed place: the weight room. He did pull-ups and benched the bar of the bench press with a resistance band wound around the end to make it more difficult. Back and forth, Seymour and Simon trudged across the weight room to work out as many different muscles. Game day was approaching - Holy Name (1-1) plays Valley Forge on Friday at North Royalton - so the workout was light.

“I can do this and still smile about it afterward,” Seymour said. “This is cake.”

His trips to the end zone last Friday could be described a similar way. Against Normandy, Seymour found the end zone six times, or in his words he “smelled it.”

Those are the words that go through his head when he touches the ball “smell the end zone."

But the first words that fill his head when he hits the field? Lead the team.

“If I start off well, they start off well,” he said.

All of his work is drawing interesting from Division I schools. Last season, he rushed for nearly 1,000 yards while scoring 16 touchdowns.

Before the first snap of games, the four Green Wave running backs gather in a prayer group. One running back who is assigned says the prayer for the week. Then each running back says his intentions so they know each other better. Then they recite two more prayers, Our Father and a Hail Mary. His mom has always told him "God will fix everything, good or bad." 

She’s a single parent who has raised Shakif, his older sister Nikia, 18, and his younger brothers Jahad, 15, and Louis, 12. His dad hasn’t been in the picture since he was 4.

“She’s my role model,” Seymour said of his mother. “She pushed so hard to change everything.”

To this day, she reminds him of things like hard work and "stay in the books."

His books could be filled with his drawings. Beyond football, it’s what he loves most. Had he stayed in Chicago, he said he would have probably gone to an art school, but now he wants to major in business. He wants gain a scholarship so his mom doesn’t have to pay for his school and then get a good education so he can make money so his mom doesn’t have to work as hard anymore. She’s done her job. Now, he wants it to be his turn.

Well, Plan A is actually to become an NFL player.

“That’s the dream,” he said.

Plan B is to become a businessman who takes care of his family, makes money and is there for his kids. As a leader he has learned when one works hard, it pushes others to work hard.

During Wednesday's interview he didn't bring up the six touchdowns. When asked about the accomplishment he brought up one of those three lessons from his mom: work hard.

“I’ve got to lead the team,” he said. “They’re looking up to me. I scored six touchdowns, but they’re still looking to me to do more. I can’t just settle for what I did. They want to see the best out of me and I want to see the best out of my teammates so we have to bring it out of each other.”

Because if there’s anything the past has taught him it’s this: Good or bad, in the end, everything will be OK.

Follow our new high school sports Twitter account above and tag your related Tweets and score updates with the #NEOvarsity hashtag. Contact high school sports reporter Stephanie Kuzydym by email (skuzydym@cleveland.com) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Get your questions ready and join Ari Wasserman today at 2:00 p.m. as he talks about Ohio State's loss against Virginia Tech.

View full sizeAri Wasserman talks Ohio State today at 2:00 p.m. on the weekly podcast.Denise Polverine 

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Get your questions ready and join Ari Wasserman today at 2:00 p.m. as he talks all about Ohio State.

Ari will talk with cleveland.com's Chris Fedor about Ohio State's loss against Virginia Tech, what the team needs to focus on to get the season turned around and the struggles of the Big Ten.

You can jump in the comments section below and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Doug's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in MP3 format.

Wednesday's rainout may have given the Indians' players a break in their 30 games in 30 days grind, but the same could not be said for manager Terry Francona.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Quick hits from manager Terry Francona and the Indians before Thursday's doubleheader against the Twins at Progressive Field.

Some off day: Wednesday's rainout gave the Indians a break from their 30 games in 30 days grind, but Francona wasn't sure if it was all that much of a break.

"I got here at 10:30 a.m. and left at 8 p.m. so I'm not sure I'd consider that a day off," said Francona.

Cleared for takeoff: Utility man Mike Aviles passed his concussion tests by the Indians and MLB on Wednesday and was cleared to play Thursday. Aviles has not played since Sept. 1 after hitting his head on the outfield turf while making a diving attempt to catch a liner by Detroit's Miguel Cabrera.

"The one thing he hasn't done is get out on the field," said Francona. "Mikey has good numbers against Ricky Nolasco so I'm going to have to think about that (playing him). "

Ricky Nolasco is starting Game 2 for the Twins. Aviles is hitting .636 (7-for-11) vs. Nolasco.

Bang the drum: The Indians are starting to campaign for Corey Kluber as a Cy Young candidate. Kluber, who started Game 1 Thursday, is 14-9 with a 2.47 ERA. He ranks third in the AL in ERA, third in strikeouts at 223, fourth in innings pitched at 204 1/3, second in complete games with three, fourth in quality starts at 22 and third in WAR at 5.7.

The team distributed flyers to reporters at Thursday's game. This is the time of year teams look to gain support and votes from members of the Baseball Writers Association of America whose votes determine the winners of such awards.

First things first: Here's why Francona started Kluber in Game 1, "You don't have a crystal ball, but the way he's pitched he's gotten us pretty deep into games more often than not. That hopefully sets you up for Game 2 because you have to try and win Game 1 at all costs."

Double-dips: Thursday is the fifth doubleheader the Indians will play this season. So far they're 5-3, splitting with Oakland, Arizona and San Diego and sweeping the Tigers.

In the last five years, the Indians are 21-7 in 14 doubleheaders with seven splits and seven sweeps.

Basement tapes: In case you missed it, Rocco Scotti, Cleveland's stentorian tenor, was honored Monday before the Tribe's makeup game against the Angels at Progressive Field. Scotti, who regularly sang the national anthem at Municipal Stadium before Indians games, lip-synched his version Monday while a recording played over the PA system. Scotti is 94.

Rootstown ended its losing streak at 19 games with a Week 2 win.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – A lot of things about Woodridge’s football team are new this season. There’s first-year coach Jeff Decker, along with 11 new starters between offense and defense.

But winning has remained the same.

After reaching the playoffs for the second straight year last season, the Bulldogs have rolled through the first two weeks of 2014. A 56-28 win against Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy was followed by a 35-14 win against Manchester.

Last season, the Bulldogs split those two games, with the win vs. CVCA coming by nine points.

Another change has been the focus of the running attack. With the graduation of 1,500-yard rusher Dalevon Davidson, the Bulldogs had some production to replace. They found it in seniors Don Baker and Brandon Williams. Baker has 273 yards and five touchdowns this season while Williams, a standout a linebacker, had 120 yards in Week 2.

Quarterback Tom Finegan, meanwhile, has been another constant from last season. He’s 28-of-39 passing for 343 yards and two touchdowns.

The Bulldogs’ next test comes at Chagrin Falls Friday. Decker was a Tigers assistant coach for six seasons before joining Woodridge.

Rootstown flips the script

For 19 straight games, Rootstown didn’t want to look at the scoreboard. But on Friday, the Rovers finally ended their losing streak, beating Fairport Harding 27-0.

The Rovers almost ended the skid in Week 1, falling 27-20 to Newton Falls after failing to score from the 1-yard line on the game’s final play.

Running back Chad McGaha had 191 yards rushing and two touchdowns last week. The Rovers surrendered just 62 yards of offense, and held Fairport Harding to minus-16 yards rushing.

Proud of our boys for their commitment and work. Took care of business tonight and we DESERVE it!

— Rootstown Football (@RTownFB) September 6, 2014

Who stood out last week

Brandon Berry, Mogadore: The senior running back was limited in the preseason due to a hamstring injury and didn’t play in Week 1. He debuted in a big way last week with 13 carries for 138 yards and two touchdowns as the Wildcats beat Smithville, 41-15.

By the Numbers

736 – Days without a victory for Rootstown before the Rovers beat Fairport Harding.

307 – Yards rushing by Mogadore against Smithville.

127 – Yards rushing on just two carries by Streetsboro quarterback Jerry Judd (included a 97-yard TD) against Southern.

5 - Years since the last time Southeast began the season 0-2.

3 – Interception returns for touchdowns by Streetsboro against Southern. Bobby Dixon, Josh Reyes and Prince Franklin each had one.

0 – Turnovers for Garrettsville Garfield this season.

Off the field

We talked with Southeast's Corey Proctor and Kade Norquest during the Northeast Ohio Media Group’s football media days prior to the season. Watch the video below to learn about their celebrity crush, biggest supporter and pregame rituals.

Sound bites

"Our team is maturing and they are growing up and they are fighters. You have to love these guys, win or lose you want to be around them. I thought I would have to peel them off the ground following the (Week 1) loss but they were actually really pumped. You know last year we were all sophomores and juniors but we are growing up." – Rootstown coach Mark Geis after the Rovers ended their losing streak at 19 games last week. (The Record-Courier).

PTC County Division in the rankings

Mogadore: 4^th in cleveland.com Division V-VI-VII Top 10.

PTC County Division standings

Mogadore 2-0

Streetsboro 2-0

Woodridge 2-0

Garrettsville Garfield 1-1

Rootstown 1-1

Waterloo 1-1

Southeast 0-2

Last week’s scores

(click the game to read the recap)

Garrettsville Garfield 28, East Canton 0

Mogadore 41, Smithville 15

Rootstown 27, Fairport Hardin 0

Field 28, Southeast 7

Streetsboro 56, Southern 7

Chippewa 48, Waterloo 0

Woodridge 35, Manchester 14

This week’s matchups

(click the game to read the preview)

Woodridge at Chagrin Falls

Waterloo at Cardinal

Youngstown Christian at Streetsboro

Southeast at Crestwood

Rootstown at East Canton

Coventry at Mogadore

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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

The $650,000 Little Brown Jug is Ohio's signature horse race and harness fans will have ample opportunities to watch the three-year-old colts pace around the Delaware County Fairgrounds on Thursday afternoon.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The $650,000 Little Brown Jug is Ohio's signature horse race and harness fans will have ample opportunities to watch the three-year-old colts pace around the Delaware County Fairgrounds on Thursday afternoon.

It's not easy for network television to beam the 69^th edition of the sophomore pacing classic because elimination heats determine the winner, but the CBS Sports Network is going to give it a try. The live telecast from 5-6:30 p.m. will show the last Jug elimination heat at approximately 5:11 p.m.

The Jug rules require the champion to win two heats. The second heat of the Jug between elimination winners and top finishers will be aired live at 6:15 p.m. If other than an elimination winner wins the second heat, there will be a race-off between heat winners. CBS Sports Network will interrupt its scheduled programming to show the race-off live at approximately 7 p.m.

"The willingness of CBS to cut back in for live coverage of a race-off, if necessary, allowed the Delaware County Fair to schedule and structure the races to maximize the on-track experience for everyone," said production coordinator Sam McKee in a press release.

Gary Seibel and Dave Brower will host the Little Brown Jug show. Legendary race caller Roger Huston, who recently called the races at Northfield Park for a night, will call the Jug action for the 46^th straight year.

Betting the Jug: The Little Brown Jug program is being simulcast to fans watching and wagering at Northfield Park, ThistleDown Racino and Cedar Downs, the Sandusky off-track parlor. All three will beam the Delaware programs on Wednesday and Thursday, with Northfield kicking off the action at 11 a.m. ThistleDown and Cedar Downs begin Delaware Fairgrounds coverage at noon.

ThistleDown and Cedar Downs are also simulcasting the Tuesday Delaware program.

McWicked tops Jug list: Delaware officials have McWicked at the top of a their list of three-year-olds for this year's Little Brown Jug, despite a loss to All Bets Off at Northfield Park in the $400,000 Milstein Memorial on Aug. 15. Canadian trainer Casie Coleman, who won the last two Little Brown Jug classics, brought McWicked right back after the Northfield loss to score big in Pennsylvania Sires Stakes action. The Adios champ set a stakes mark by winning in 1:48.3 on Aug. 30 at The Meadows in Washington, Pennsylvania and added a 1:48.4 win at Harrah's Philadelphia on Sept. 7.

Owned by New York's SSG Stables, McWicked's top rivals, according to Jug experts, are He's Watching, Limelight Beach, Lyonssomewhere and Sometimes Said. Lyonssomewhere is the most interesting challenger after the 19-1 shot surprisingly won the $437,325 Cane Pace – the first leg of harness racing's Triple Crown – at Tioga Downs in Nichols, N.Y. on Sept. 1.

Delaware seats available: Reserved seats for Jug Day are still available, starting at $25. Seating packages can also be reserved in the Back Stretch and Top of the Stretch tents and the Hospitality Pavilion for Wednesday and Thursday racing. Call 1-800-335-3247.

Sbrocco's new star: Brecksville horseman Joe Sbrocco will watch his pacing star Captaintreacherous compete on Jug Day at the Delaware Fairgrounds in the Winbak Stakes. The Horse of the Year as a two-year-old, the son of Somebeachsomewhere skipped the Jug as a three-year-old, but the Captaintreacherous syndicate wanted to make an appearance with him this week.

Sbrocco and company have had a great run with Captaintreacherous. Many feel their precocious two-year-old Artspeak has the potential to be even better. Artspeak, a Western Ideal colt, has won all six of his career starts as a two-year-old, topped by a strong victory in the $667,000 Metro Pace at Mohawk Raceway near Toronto.

"Captaintreacherous did so many amazing things at two," trainer Tony Alagna told Harness Racing Update. "He won Pacer of the Year as a two-year-old, so that's a tough act to follow. But this horse has the potential to be that kind of horse, as well."

Artspeak and driver Scott Zeron cruised in the Metro, winning easily by 3½ lengths in 1:50.2. The syndicate bought the colt for $100,000 as a yearling. His next race will most likely be on The Red Mile in Lexington, Kentucky.

Merriman, Wrenn duel: North American dash leaders and Northfield Park regulars Aaron Merriman and Ronnie Wrenn Jr. are good friends and intense competitors. The reinsmen have dominated the national driving standings all season, and this week they're in a tight battle as they chase this year's crown.

Merriman was the leader on Tuesday night with 544 victories, just one better than Wrenn, who won last year's national dash title. Josh Sutton, who also races at Northfield Park, is third with 465 wins, holding a slim margin over George Napolitano Jr. (469) and Hall of Famer David Palone (457).

Check out links to preview capsules for Week 3 football matchups throughout the Northeast Ohio.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It is Week 3 of the high school football season and, for most teams, that means this is the last week before conference play begins. 

Check out links to preview capsules for Week 3 matchups throughout the region. 

Be sure to voice your opinions about which teams you think will come out on top this week by voting in the various polls and writing in the comments.

FRIDAY

Akron Garfield vs. Tallmadge

Akron Manchester vs. Black River

Akron North vs. Springfield

Archbishop Hoban vs. Shaw

No. 7 Avon vs. Twinsburg

Barberton vs. Alliance

Bay vs. Fairview

No. 11 Brunswick vs. Austintown-Fitch

Buchtel vs. Cardinal Mooney 

Chalker vs. Ashtabula Ledgemont

Chardon vs. Canton South

Cloverleaf vs. Buckeye

Columbia vs. West Salem Northwestern

Copley vs. Norton 

Coventry vs. Mogadore

Crestwood vs. Southeast

Eastlake North vs. Garfield Heights

Ellet vs. Amherst

No. 24 Elyria vs. Midview

Elyria Catholic vs. Beachwood

Euclid vs. No. 3 Mentor

Fairport Harding vs. Toronto

Field vs. Struthers

Firestone vs. No. 9 Stow

Galion vs. Keystone

Garrettsville Garfield vs Champion

Geneva vs. Conneaut

Gilmour vs. Hawken

No. 12 Glenville vs. No. 15 Cleveland Heights

Green vs. Wooster

No. 2 Hudson vs. No. 10 Brecksville

Independence vs. Lutheran West

John Adams vs. Canton GlenOak

John F. Kennedy vs. Maple Heights

Kenmore vs. Hubbard

Kenston vs. No. 22 Brush

Lorain vs. Toledo Scott

No. 5 Nordonia vs. Parma

Normandy vs. Lakewood

North Ridgeville vs. North Olmsted

Olmsted falls vs. No. 14 Mayfield

Orange vs. Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy

Perry vs. No. 20 Madison

Ravenna vs. Louisville

Richmond Heights vs. Oberlin

Rocky River vs. Warrensville Heights

Rootstown vs. East Canton

Streetsboro vs. Youngstown Christian

No. 19 Strongsville vs. Berea-Midpark

Valley Forge vs. Holy Name

Vienna Mathews vs. Newbury

No. 25 Wadsworth vs. Medina

No. 23 Walsh Jesuit vs. Columbus Bishop Watterson

Waterloo vs. Cardinal

Wellington vs. Milan Edison

West Geauga vs. Padua

Wickliffe vs. Brooklyn

Willoughby South vs. No. 21 Solon

Youngstown East vs. Westlake

SATURDAY

Avon Lake vs. Shaker Heights

Chagrin Falls vs. Woodridge

Clearview vs. Rhodes

Collinwood vs. Open Door

East Tech vs. Villa Angela-St. Joseph

John Hay vs. Central Catholic

John Marshall vs. Trinity

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin vs. University School

No. 1 St. Edward vs. St. Joseph Regional Prep

St. Joseph’s Prep (Pa.) vs. No. 4 St. Ignatius

No. 13 St. Vincent-St. Mary vs. Lake Catholic

Western Reserve Academy vs. Brookside

Whitney Young vs. Lutheran East

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.

Despite a furious rally in the second half, the Cleveland Browns have once again started the season with a loss, and it led to disappointment for some. Not for me.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Many of you are probably perplexed after reading that headline, but I think there is such a thing as a good loss, especially for a team that entered the year with numerous on questions on both sides of the ball.

Despite a furious rally in the second half, the Cleveland Browns have once again started the season with a loss, and it led to disappointment for some. Not for me. There were too many positives to come from the performance.

The offensive line was dominant, the running game showed it could be the foundation of the offense, defense was swarming in the second half and coaches showed their smarts with good halftime adjustments.  

For a team coming off a 4-12 season, there were signs of progress and reasons to believe this year might not be as frustrating as some recently. 

I give my thoughts on why a loss against Pittsburgh provides hope for the Browns as the season moves forward.

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

Be sure to follow Fedor on Twitter.

In matters regarding discipline, Roger Goodell has always wanted to be the one to dish out the sentence. The way this is looking, he may soon be on the receiving end.

There have been too many questions and far too few answers in the Ray Rice assault saga. In matters regarding discipline, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has always wanted to be the one to dish out the sentence. The way things look now, he may soon be on the receiving end. Here's a look at three stories creating buzz around the NFL this week, including Goodell trying to keep his cool on what is suddenly a very hot seat.

First down: Goodell's bumbling worthy of outrage

If the anonymous law enforcement official who spoke to The Associated Press about the Ray Rice video, this latest elevator punch-out version, is accurate in his account that it was delivered to the league office in April -- what might be a huge "if" -- then what can we conclude? Either the NFL staff members that occupy the Park Avenue headquarters are woefully incompetent, or Roger Goodell is lying to the general public and to the league owners.

The Rice domestic violence saga has only been the biggest issue facing the NFL, and it is hard to comprehend that such a volatile video was delivered and never made it beyond the desk of an employee whose name is nowhere near the upper portion of the league's masthead.

Even with all that, did Goodell really need to see the latest video to at least reasonably conclude how Janay Palmer, now Janay Rice, wound up unconscious in that Atlantic City hotel incident in February? Especially given that the police report noted Rice struck his then fiancée "rendering her unconscious"?

Three and a half minutes into Tuesday's CBS interview, Goodell said he did not need to see the video of Rice striking Janay in order to come to the decision that he did Monday, that of an indefinite suspension for the Pro Bowl running back. Really, Roger? If the initial evidence was as troubling as the commissioner said, then:

• Why interview Janay following the release of the initial video with, of all things, Ray present? There is nothing like conducting a domestic assault fact-finding interview with the victim AND the attacker together.

• Why merely reach for the ruler and administer a wrist slap in the form of a two-game suspension along with counseling sessions?

This is a societal issue infinitely larger than anything taking place on the football field, and Goodell's fumbling and bumbling is unpardonable. The more he speaks, the worse he looks, and because this is taking place on the NFL's stage, one that is hard to miss, the league announced Wednesday that former FBI director Robert S. Mueller III will be conducting a probe into how matters were handled.

A week ago, in referencing the suspension of Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay following his guilty plea stemming from a DUI arrest, the commissioner mentioned how individuals in lofty positions such as owners need to be, among other things, held to the highest standard. With the way this mess is proceeding, the person holding the league's highest office reeks of the lowest credibility.

Second down: Staying put in Buffalo

Marquise Goodwin (88) of the Buffalo Bills catches a kickoff at the renovated Ralph Wilson Stadium during the first half of a preseason NFL football game between the Buffalo Bills and Tampa Bay Buccaneers Saturday, Aug. 23, 2014, in Orchard Park, N.Y. (AP Photo/Bill Wippert) 

On Sunday, the Bills traveled to the Windy City and upended the Bears in overtime. On Monday, bids were submitted to purchase the team. On Tuesday, Terry and Kim Pegula were announced as the team's new owners. That was a rapid-fire hat trick of events, all of which would mean nothing, though, if not for one significant detail: The sale to the Pegulas, who also own the NHL's Buffalo Sabres, ensures that the Bills will remain in Buffalo.

Forget the talk of moving the team to Toronto, of potential celebrity owners like Bon Jovi and Donald Trump and everything else, because the Bills are staying put. It is indeed a sigh of relief for the team's faithful.

There is enough negative news going on in the NFL, and another franchise move would only add to it. While these past situations did not involve a transfer of ownership, the Al Davis-orchestrated Oakland-to-L.A.-to-Oakland mess, the Rams leaving Los Angeles, the Colts hightailing it out of town under the cover of darkness and Cleveland losing a team that was part of the All-America Football Conference are unfortunate franchise episodes on the NFL's timeline. Another was not needed.

Founded in 1960 as an original member of the American Football League, the Bills have a rich history in a city that has cheered on the likes of Jack Kemp and Jim Kelly. Fortunately, the cheering will continue.

Third down: Making the most of Megatron

Detroit Lions wide receiver Calvin Johnson (81) makes a catch for a touchdown defended by New York Giants strong safety Antrel Rolle (26) in the first quarter of an NFL football game at Ford Field in Detroit, Monday, Sept. 8, 2014. (AP Photo/Rick Osentoski) 

Audibles

The league's executive committee comprises owners or officers from each of the 32 teams. League bylaws state they could vote to remove the commissioner if it is determined he acted in a manner that is detrimental to the league's best interests. Given Dallas owner Jerry Jones' own questionable behavior, don't think for a minute he would give Goodell the boot. Same with Irsay. ... Following last Thursday's

Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson looks to pass in the second half of an NFL football game against the Green Bay Packers, Thursday, Sept. 4, 2014, in Seattle. The Seahawks defeated the Packers 36-16. (AP Photo/Scott Eklund) 

season-opening victory against Green Bay, it was pointed out that Seattle's Russell Wilson is a perfect 6-for-6 against teams quarterbacked by Aaron Rodgers, Tom Brady, Drew Brees and Peyton Manning. While the team he plays with has a lot to do with that, Wilson has been exceptional against the Packers, Patriots, Saints and Broncos. In those games, he has completed 63 percent of his passes for 1,233 yards with 12 touchdowns and, most impressive, nary a pick. It all adds up to a QB rating of 115.9. ... Speaking of ratings, Eagles running back LeSean McCoy obviously would give a certain server at a Philly eatery a very low rating. We'd give the running back, who signed an extension is 2012 that guaranteed him more than $20 million, an even lower rating for leaving just a 20-cent tip. ... A Pop Warner parent was not happy that his son did not get many footballs thrown his way -- that pretty much sums up the behavior of Larry Fitzgerald Sr., whose son and Cardinals star receiver showed much class in putting an end (we hope) to the subject.

Didn't someone with the NFL ask the commissioner, "Joe Haden got four games for Adderall, but you want to give only two games for Ray Rice's assault case?"

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Why was the NFL originally so lenient Ray Rice, the former Baltimore Ravens running back?

That is the first question, one that led to all the problems for the league ever since.

Consider being Roger Goodell, the NFL commissioner.

On February 15, Rice and Janay Palmer (now Rice's wife) were at an Atlantic City casino. That's where the fight happened in the elevator. Both Rice and Janay Palmer were arrested. Charges were later dropped against Janay Palmer, but Rice was charged with third-degree assault.

On February 19, TMZ has a video of the couple going into the elevator. Then the video shows Rice dragging her out of the elevator. While there was no video of what happened in the elevator at that point -- it's not hard to guess that something very bad happened to Janey Palmer.

And Goodell's initial response was a two-game suspension.

Why?

Wasn't there a single person around the commissioner to ask something like this, "We gave Joe Haden four games for Adderall, but only two games to Rice for hitting his wife?"

I picked Haden's case simply because it's familiar to Browns fans. It happened in 2012, and it's not as debatable as the drug tests around the Josh Gordan case. Many players have been suspended for four games for flunking various drug tests.

I go back to the same question -- why only two games for Rice?

This is not Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson or Calvin Johnson. Those guys sell tickets. They bring in television viewers.

But Ray Rice?

He ran for 660 yards last season, averaging 3.1 yards per carry. At the age of 27, it appeared Rice had the legs of a 47-year-old.

Nor was there any doubt about the case. On May 20, Rice entered a diversion program for first offenders. He caught what seems to be a huge break from the prosecutor's office. But he also admitted guilt so he could go into the program.

So by May 21, the commissioner knew the legal system had dealt with the case and there was no question of Rice's guilt.

Let's even assume that Goodell didn't lie when insisting he never saw the video of Rice punching his wife in the elevator before delivering the initial two-game suspension on July 24.

And then, the NFL seemed shocked when the public and media screamed about the NFL acting as if an assault case was less serious than players with minor drug infractions.

Do the commissioner and those around him live in fantasyland?

Each year, a few NFL players are involved in domestic violence. Many others are in significant legal problems.

And his response was two games for Ray Rice?

Talk about a missed opportunity.

Janay Palmer married Ray Rice on March 28, the day after he was arraigned on assault charges. She clearly wants all this to go away. Her motives are a separate issue to be worked out in private.

Goodell had a chance with the Rice case to deliver a suspension of at least eight games -- half of a season. And he could have set all types of counseling requirements, and have Rice's lost salary given to battered women's shelters.

Instead, he suspended him for two games.

Then he buckled under pressure, and made it six games.

And now, the entire video is out.

It's hard to imagine a circumstance why the NFL failed to acquire the entire tape -- unless the NFL really didn't want to see it.

And if the NFL did indeed have the tape (as the Associated Press reports) and lied about it, Goodell should be replaced as commissioner.

Some say the "coverup was worse than the crime."

No, the crime was awful -- something the NFL missed.

As for the possibility of a coverup -- that's incredibly stupid.

And all of that has to make everyone in the league question Goodell and his leadership.

Josh Gordon's return could happen if the new drug policy is approved, perhaps as soon as Friday afternoon.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Browns receiver Josh Gordon will be reinstated once the NFL's new drug policy passes -- as early as Friday afternoon -- but likely only for eight games, and it will ruffle some feathers, multiple league sources tell cleveland.com.

One league source said Gordon will likely be reinstated for about half the season because his positive test occurred in 2013, as early as January, the source said.

But he'd be rolled into the new agreement because his suspension didn't start until after the new league year began March 11.

Because Gordon tested positive in the 2013 league year, the NFL and NFL Players Association have negotiated a settlement that would enable him to get back on the field at the end of October or early November.

If Gordon also has a DWI hearing in November, and if convicted, would be suspended for two games for that. But a source said that Gordon could try to resolve the DWI early and serve it concurrently.

Several league sources have told cleveland.com that if Gordon's suspension is revised, others who tested positive in 2013 will fight to have their suspensions revised.

One of those sources said agents will argue that players dating all the way back to the new CBA in 2011 will fight to have their sanctions changed.

"It will open a can of worms,'' said one.

Gordon's eight-game suspension would most likely be retroactive to last week's opener in Pittsburgh. Depending on whether the bye week is counted, Gordon could return as early as a home game against Tampa Bay on Nov. 2, or at Cincinnati for a Thursday night prime-time game Nov. 6. Those are the eighth and ninth games on the Browns' schedule.

Gordon has been 'very optimistic' about being reinstated, his new boss, Jeff Sarchione, of Sarchione Auto Group told cleveland.com.

Steelers wide receiver fined by the league for kicking Browns punter on return.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Nobody kicks Spencer Lanning in the face and gets away with it. ESPN reported on Thursday that Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown has been fined $8,200 by the NFL for kicking Lanning during a punt return on Sunday.

”Brown, who was penalized 15 yards for unnecessary roughness, tried to jump over Lanning and said he thought the second-year man would go lower on the tackle attempt."

Photos and videos of the kick went viral almost immediately. As if the play itself wasn't strange enough, there was confusion over whether Brown had spoken to Lanning after the game.

"Brown said earlier this week that he talked with Lanning after the game and told him that he didn't try to hurt him on the play.

But Lanning told Cleveland reporters on Wednesday that he never talked to Brown, though he added that he didn't have any hard feelings over the play."

(ESPN: Antonio Brown fined $8,200 for kick)

More Browns links

Cleveland Browns tailgating: A religious experience (WaitingForNextYear)

Where the Browns match up well with the Saints (ClevelandBrowns.com)

All Signs Point To Josh Gordon Returning But Browns Temper Optimism (92.3 The Fan)

New Orleans Saints links

Saints coach Sean Payton purchases 100 Devon Still Bengals jerseys (CBSsports.com)

Film study: Reviewing the Saints defense (ESPN.com)

NFL links

Ray Rice Scandal Has Roger Goodell Hanging by a Thread (BusinessWeek)

Women Senators Urge NFL To Adopt 'Zero-Tolerance Policy' For Domestic Violence (Huffington Post)

NFL borrows prep, college playbooks (ESPN.com)

School officials decide to play game at Canton South after school shooter T.J. Lane is apprehended by police.

CHARDON, Ohio – Chardon’s football team will play at Canton South tonight as scheduled, according to an official in the athletic department.

Chardon school officials met Friday morning, a few hours after Chardon school shooter T.J. Lane was apprehended after escaping five hours earlier from a Lima jail, to decide. Football is the only high school sporting event scheduled for Friday. All Saturday high school athletic events also are on as scheduled, said Sue Puleo of Chardon's athletic department.

Chardon's football team is 2-0. The nonleague game starts at 7 p.m.

It was entirely a school decision, as it’s a common myth that the Ohio High School Athletic Association has a rule against athletics taking place when school is out of session for weather or other issues.

"There is no OHSAA rule on that in part so schools can decide based on why they decided to cancel that day. It's completely up to the school,” OHSAA spokesperson Tim Stried said.

Chardon marching band director Melissa Lichtler sent an email to band members and parents Friday morning saying the game is on for the band, in addition to an afternoon rehearsal.

Get your Cleveland sports questions ready and ask away for DMan at 12:30 p.m.

Talk Cleveland sports with Dennis Manoloff during his weekly podcast today at 12:30 p.m.Allison Carey/The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Get your questions ready and join Dennis Manoloff today at 12:30 p.m. as he talks Cleveland sports.

DMan will talk with cleveland.com's Chris Fedor about the Browns' loss against the Steelers, what area is most important for the Browns to work on heading into the second game and the possibility of Josh Gordon being reinstated. He will also talk about the Indians' series in Detroit this weekend.

You can jump in the comments section and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to DMan's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in MP3 format.

Safety Donte Whitner will get plenty of help when it comes to defending tight end Jimmy Graham.

BEREA, Ohio -- Defending Jimmy Graham is confusing enough because of his size, speed and pass-catching ability, but he adds even more pressure to a defense because he can line up as a tight end or wide receiver.

Graham averaged 14 yards per catch last season and led the league with 16 touchdown receptions. He had eight catches for 82 yards in his New Orleans Saints overtime loss to the Atlanta Falcons last week, but those particular stats do not bring any calm to a Cleveland Browns defense that will face Graham on Sunday.

"There isn't any one way that you can cover a player like that," Browns coach Mike Pettine said. "Then, the frustrating part sometimes is he's covered yet he's still open because [Drew] Brees is accurate enough that he can essentially throw him open. Very similar to what we would go through defending [Patriots TE Rob] Gronkowski with [Patriots QB Tom] Brady, where you would have a guy there but it's a size mismatch."

Despite safety Donte Whitner's smaller frame, he and Graham are the focus of attention as The Plain Dealer's key matchup in Sunday's home opener. On Sunday, we'll break down the matchup live at the end of each quarter on cleveland.com and wrap up the battle following the game with reaction from the lockerroom.

Like most teams, the Browns will employ a rotation of defenders focused on Graham. But Whitner will dedicate most of his attention on Graham for two primary reasons. One, teams have found success when it gets physical with Graham, a former college basketball player. For example, Graham was held to one catch in Week 6 last year against the Patriots primarily because of corner Aqib Talib's physical play. And two, not only is Whitner a physical player, he also has had previous success against Graham.

Cleveland Browns strong safety Donte Whitner will try to be physical against New Orleans Saints tight end Jimmy Graham on Sunday, as he was here with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Justin Brown last Sunday. (Joshua Gunter / The Plain Dealer) 

But how much physicality will the officials allow Whitner to impose, especially since the league wants to tone down aggressive play?

Physical or not, Whitner said it's a heavy task to cover Graham.

"You have to understand when they want to get him the ball, when they want to run short routes, when they want to take shots with him and where he is formation wise. Anyone that covers him will have their handful," Whitner said.

Last season as a member of the 49ers, Whitner and linebacker Patrick Willis rotated their coverage on Graham. He caught only six passes for 41 yards. In 2012, the duo combined to hold Graham to four catches for 33 yards.

"We did a bunch of different things against him last year," Whitner said. "It's going to be tough to duplicate that, but we're up for the challenge."

One of the many challenges in defending Graham is finding the right defender to guard him. Traditionally, a strong safety like Whitner is responsible for the tight end, but Graham is not your traditional tight end. Graham took 31 snaps as a tight end and 30 snaps as a wide receiver against the Falcons, according to an unofficial tally by NOLA.com.

So that means Whitner, a linebacker, and a corner such as Joe Haden, could all face Graham.

"I just think it's a matter of just not giving him the same look all the time, and hopefully the key part of it is the pressure up front," Pettine said. "If we can be disruptive up front and maybe force the ball out quicker than it should, then you're going to do you're guys on the back end a big favor."

TALE OF THE TAPE:

Browns safety Donte Whitner
School: Ohio State
Ht/Wt: 5-10, 208
Numbers: Led the Browns with 13 tackles last week at Pittsburgh.

Saints tight end Jimmy Graham
School: Miami
Ht/Wt: 6-7, 265
Numbers: Caught eight passes for 82 yards in last week's OT loss to the Falcons.

A year after the Trent Richardson trade, the Cleveland Browns have no shortage of options at running back with Ben Tate injured -- Bud Shaw's Spinoffs

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Because there's always something to spin in Cleveland sports...

• The Browns won't have Ben Tate Sunday in New Orleans.

But a year after trading Trent Richardson for a No. 1 pick, they can send out rookies Terrance West and Isaiah Crowell without looking back.

Approaching the one-year anniversary of the Richardson deal, there's still no better reason to applaud Joe Banner's work in Berea.

Banner, who is active on Twitter, would argue the Richardson deal was just one of the "smart" moves he promised when he came to town. But no other transaction received as much criticism when it happened and looked so good so soon after.

Richardson's downturn is enough to scare GMs straight when it comes to using a high pick on a running back.

Tate was a second-round pick by Houston. The Browns took West in the third round. They signed Crowell as an undrafted free agent.

If the pick the Browns received from the Colts works out – somebody named Johnny Cleveland if I remember correctly – even better.

In the meantime, not sure you'll ever see another running back taken in the Top 5. For a long, long time.

"The Cleveland Browns: Creating Legacies One Mistake At A Time."

• Without Tate, and Jordan Cameron Sunday, and probably Josh Gordon, if there's a tempo faster than "no-huddle," perhaps "Star Trek warp speed," the Browns might want to consider it.

• Josh Gordon tells Ondecker.com that he does not have a drug problem.

I've always found that taking the person's word for it is pretty fool proof.

• According to the Wall Street Journal, Alex Rodriguez has a profile on Linkedin.

He's not mistaking it for Tinder, right?

• The NFL has hired Robert Mueller to investigate its handling of the Ray Rice case.

Mueller is as independent as an investigator can be while working for a firm that recently represented the league in negotiations with DirecTv and has had various other ties to the league.

The great thing about independent investigations is that they allow the people under fire to say, "Sorry, can't talk about that. There's an ongoing investigation."

It buys Roger Goodell time. And it will no doubt result in the independent investigator wagging his finger at Goodell and suggesting new protocols to how evidence is collected and vetted in such cases.

Most importantly, it allows the NFL to return to the business of football. When next we hear about this there simply won't be the same insatiable appetite for Goodell's head.

It's brilliant, really. Of course, the competition for "brilliance"  is not so stiff at NFL headquarters these days.

• According to Predictionmachine.com, as a home underdog of six or more points the Browns are 10-8 over the last 10 years. That says it all.

Not the 58 percent success rate covering the spread.

The fact they've been home dogs of a touchdown or more 18 times.

#foramusementpurposesonly

• For some reason, Steelers' wide receiver/return man Antonio Brown told reporters he talked to Spencer Lanning after delivering a kung-fu kick to the Browns' punter Sunday at Heinz Field.

Lanning says that's not true, that he looked for Brown after the game but never talked to him.

For clarification, Antonio, Lanning's the one wearing your footprint on his facemask.

 • Speaking of Steelers' players who've enraged Browns' fans over the years, James Harrison weighed in on the Ray Rice domestic violence case and the call for Goodell to resign:

"@nflcommish ain't no fun when the rabbit got the gun huh?"

That's the lasting image of Harrison in my mind: a defenseless victim.

• Paul George, the injured Indiana Pacers' star, has apologized for a Tweet offered in support of Ray Rice:

"Keep it 100 lets act on this police violence like we actin on this Ray Rice case! Stay strong homie!

And then added this:

"If you in a relationship and a woman hit you first and attacking YOU.. Then you obviously ain't beatin HER. Homie made A bad choice! #StayUp"

George then clarified his comments in a text message to Mike Wells of espn.com:

"It's not cool to hit women I KNOW that," George wrote. "And that's not what I'm sayin I would never condone that. I was originally just trying to say if we gone come down hard on Ray Rice come down hard on all crime."

Imagine being misunderstood while having all of 140 characters to make a statement on a sensitive social issue.

 • The San Francisco 49ers suspended broadcaster Ted Robinson for two games after comments he made about Janay Rice, wife of Ray Rice.

So Robinson won't get to describe any quarterback sack by San Francisco defensive end Ray McDonald, who stands accused of inflicting bruises on his pregnant girlfriend.

At his own birthday party.

• Panthers' defensive end Greg Hardy, who was found guilty of assaulting a female and communicating threats, is playing while his case is under appeal.

The accuser, a 24-year-old cocktail waitress, says Hardy put his hands around her neck and told her he was going to kill her.

Hardy claims he was the one abused by his accuser, who admitted she was under the influence of alcohol and cocaine. He testified that her bruises occurred when she threw herself into the bathtub.

The Panthers gave Hardy the franchise tag, paying him $13.1 million this season.

So take that.

• You can make an over-under bet on how many times Chargers' quarterback Philip Rivers throws in the direction of Seattle All-Pro corner Richard Sherman.

In the season opener, Green Bay's Aaron Rodgers elected to stay away from Sherman.

Asked this week if he might switch sides of the field in hopes of getting some action, Sherman quickly rejected that option.

"We don't do that," he told Espn.com "That's a form of disrespect to the other corner. We have great players everywhere. That's (a) slap in the face."

And we all know Richard Sherman isn't going to make comments that anyone else could interpret as a slap in the face.

• Kenny Hill, Johnny Manziel's replacement at Texas A&M, likes the nickname "Kenny Trill" so much his family has filed to trademark the phrase.

Because that's what Texas A$M quarterbacks do apparently in case they never make it at the next level.

• Why "Trill?"  

"Trill" is a combination of  "true" and "real." Texas rapper Bun B has popularized it.

And I guess because Kenny Thrill is not cool enough.

• Eagles' running back LeSean McCoy is in the news for leaving a 20-cent tip on a $61.00 restaurant bill. McCoy said he did it to make a statement about the service and invited his critics to check with other area restaurants about his tipping habits.

OK, but 20 cents? We can only assume the ptomaine wasn't to his liking.

• Rory McIlroy somehow caused a stir by saying Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson are heading into the "twilight" of their careers.

"Golfers on average have a 20-25 year career, both into the back 9 of their careers," McIlroy tweeted on the eve of The Tour Championship. "Don't think there's anything wrong with saying that."

What will McIlroy say next? That Johnny Miller is "a little critical?"

• Not too long ago, maybe five years, McIlroy said he was pretty sure many players on the European Ryder Cup team would "fancy" a matchup with Woods because Woods wasn't playing that well at the time.

It was just as true as what he said this week.

Only in golf would that qualify as controversial. I mean, by Richard Sherman's standards, McIlroy is sending Woods another valentine.

• NBA commissioner Adam Silver is speaking up for embattled Atlanta Hawks' GM Danny Ferry after Ferry's comments about Luol Deng.

Said Ferry, "He's a good guy overall ... but he's not perfect. He's got a little African in him. And I don't mean that in a bad way."

Ferry described Deng as a "locker room lawyer," meaning Deng created animosity towards coaches or front office people behind their back and pretends to be supportive in their presence.

The Hawks claim Ferry was reading from a scouting report, but an audio tape obtained by the Atlanta Journal-Constution raises doubts about that.

The "locker room lawyer" charge could account for when Deng ripped the Cavaliers' "culture" off the record while acting supportive of Mike Brown during his time with the Cavaliers.

As for Ferry, we'll see where this goes: For now, the best thing to happen to Danny Ferry this week?

Roger Goodell.

For more Bud Shaw, read You Said It.