A look at the Division I football state championship preview between St. Edward and Huber Heights Wayne.

A look at the Division I football state championship preview between St. Edward and Huber Heights Wayne.

If the Indians do acquire Brandon Moss, the trade is not expected to cost them a player off their 40-man roster.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – There is no deal until there is a deal.

In baseball that line has stood the test of time and that's where the Indians and Oakland stand in their proposed trade of first baseman-outfielder Brandon Moss. Thursday night the Indians were "guardedly optimistic' that they could get a deal done, but that still wasn't a guarantee.

The A's, meanwhile, were reportedly working on other deals before signing off on Moss. Oakland was also reportedly talking to other teams about Moss as well.

GM Billy Beane signaled another retooling of the Oakland roster when he traded third baseman Josh Donaldson to Toronto for infielder Brett Lawrie, starting pitchers Kendall Graveman and Sean Nolin and shortstop Franklin Barreto. Moss is believed to be part of that retooling as well.

Moss, like Donaldson, was an All-Star last season. He hit .268 with 21 homers and 66 RBI at the break. He hit .173 with four homers and 15 RBI after the break and in October underwent surgery on his right hip to repair torn cartilage.

The Indians, reportedly, don't see the surgery on Moss's hip as a deal breaker.

The A's are looking for prospects. If the deal goes through, the Indians are not expected to part with a player, or players, on the 40-man roster.

Susan Slusser of the San Francisco Chronicle reported that the A's are interested in second base prospect Joe Wendle, who impressed the Indians with a strong showing in big league camp in spring training. Wendle played 57 games at Class AA Akron before a broken hamate bone in his right hand ended his season.

Wendle hit .253 (85-for-338) with eight homers and 50 RBI at Akron this year.

Last season Moss hit .234 (117-for-500) in 147 games. He posted a .772 OPS. Over the last three years with the A's, Moss has hit 21, 30 and 25 homers.

Moss played first base, left field, right field and DH last season.

Get set for the high school football state championship games with dozens of headlines from state finals week.

Get set for the high school football state championship games with dozens of headlines from state finals week.

A look at the Division VI football state championship preview between Kirtland and Minster.

A look at the Division VI football state championship preview between Kirtland and Minster.

The Akron Zips won their third straight game and fourth out of their last five, taking down Western Illinois Thursday night in Rhodes Arena.

AKRON, Ohio -- The Akron Zips did what they were supposed to do in a 73-49 triumph over Western Illinois on Thursday night in Rhodes Arena.

The overmatched Leathernecks (2-4) ran into an Akron team intent on showing its swagger and confidence. The Zips (6-2) went on the block for quick points from center Pat Forsythe, then knocked down open looks from the perimeter.

Four Akron players finished in double figures, led by Kwan Cheatham with 15, Forsythe with 14, Jake Kretzer with 13 and Deji Ibitayo with 11. The Leathernecks, held to 35.4 percent shooting, were led by Garrett Covington with 12 and Remy Roberts-Burnett with 10.

Akron's lead grew quickly from 10-0 to 19-6 to 34-9 before taking a 39-18 lead at halftime. No Zip was in double figures but Akron was shooting 53.8 percent from the floor with 11 assists on 14 baskets. The Leathernecks just had no answer as they were out-sized in the paint and on the perimeter by the Zips.

The second half was much like the first as the Zips built their lead to 55-21, then cruised to the finish. Akron would end the game shooting 24-of-55 from the field, primarily because the back of the bench, which Akron coach Keith Dambrot started putting in with more than five minutes to play, dulled what had been a sizzling performance.

Still Akron was 13 of 33 on 3-pointers, season highs in both categories, with five players knocking down 3-pointers and 13 players seeing action.

Akron takes a nine-day break before returning Dec. 13 vs. Middle Tennessee. The Leathernecks still have work to do, traveling to Cleveland for a Sunday game vs. Cleveland State.

Kirtland running back Jacob Boyd's life away from football is full of mainly football.

Kirtland running back Jacob Boyd's life away from football is full of mainly football.

Johnny Manziel could take over in the next week or two if the Browns fall out of the playoff race.

BEREA, Ohio – Brian Hoyer seems at his best when all margin for error is removed and the clock ticks toward the final seconds.

We've seen it in victory against the Vikings, Saints, Titans and Falcons and even in defeat in the season opener against the Steelers.

So maybe Hoyer takes some comfort in knowing his career as a Browns' starting quarterback has been reduced to a two-minute drill. He needs to rally a team he's led to an improbable 7-5 record on Sunday against the Colts or it's likely game over.

"I've been through a lot, and it's just one more thing to handle some adversity," Hoyer said. "It only makes you stronger. (We're) getting ready for Indy and back to business as usual."

The Browns made the right call Wednesday in giving Hoyer one more chance to keep them in playoff contention despite three consecutive poor outings that culminated with his benching in the fourth quarter of a 26-10 loss to the Bills. Common sense and little precedence for exposing a rookie quarterback to a must-win environment conspired against Johnny Manziel.

But there's a feeling of inevitability as well. Lose Sunday to Andrew Luck and the playoff-bound Colts and we probably see Manziel installed as starter no later than Dec. 21 in Carolina.

If the Browns fall out of the postseason race, they owe it to themselves to see what Manziel offers beyond his mop-up performance against the Bills, which included an 80-yard touchdown drive and a rookie mistake that -- except for the grace of video review -- would have resulted in a comical Bills' touchdown.

Manziel entered the league being likened to Robert Griffin III, which at the time was meant as a compliment. Many are anxious to see what the 22nd pick in last May's draft can provide, besides millions in merchandise sales. He's an exciting talent and he offered a glimpse of it in Buffalo.

But Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium, with so much riding on the outcome and so many key players potentially missing, is not the place to start a rookie with 18 NFL snaps. Especially when center Ryan Seymour might make his first NFL start.

While it's true the Niners went to youngster Colin Kaepernick ahead of Alex Smith two years ago in a postseason chase, it was originally out of necessity, not choice. Kaepernick proved he was capable and Jim Harbaugh rolled with him to the Super Bowl.

The Browns have a choice and left tackle Joe Thomas was one of several veterans who lobbied for the embattled incumbent.

"When you start throwing guys out there and seeing what they can do, the message is: 'We're already playing for next year. We don't think necessarily that we can get to the playoffs this year anymore,'" Thomas said.

Hoyer has overcome so much, including seemingly half his hometown rooting for him to fail so Manziel can play. Is there another example of such a scenario in sports?

But he has earned the criticism, throwing six interceptions to one touchdown in the last three games. The offense hasn't been the same since All-Pro center Alex Mack broke his leg on Oct. 12 and Hoyer has rarely risen above the adversity.

Without a dependable running game, which went down with Mack, Hoyer has been too ordinary too often. His completion percentage (56.2) and passer rating (79.9) have dropped to among the league's worst.

Hoyer has been gifted a league-leading 17 turnovers in the last seven games by his defense and transformed them into just three touchdowns. He couldn't capitalize on glorious field position after a Joe Haden interception at the Bills' 30 gave the Browns an opportunity to take a 10-0 lead.

The Bills had so little fear of the Browns' offense they went for it on a fourth-and-3 from the Cleveland 37 midway through the third quarter and trailing by only a field goal in a game they had to win. With Kyle Orton as their quarterback.

Short of leading the Browns into the playoffs it's hard to imagine Hoyer, an unrestricted free agent, returning next season. He's done a nice job getting the Browns to seven victories – he's had plenty of help, too – in a season many did not expect more than five.

But his play is faltering and with only one touchdown pass in the last 45-plus drives, Hoyer needs to play well against the potent Colts. Otherwise, the Browns' brain trust probably will convene another meeting about the quarterback job in the next week and we all know how it will end.

The Cleveland Cavaliers extended their winning streak to six games, beating the Toronto Raptors, 105-91.

TORONTO -- The Cleveland Cavaliers extended their winning streak to six games, beating the Toronto Raptors, 105-91. 

The Cavs, playing on the second night of a back-to-back, were led by LeBron James' 24 points and 13 assists. Tristan Thompson added 21 points off the bench.

The Cavs, 11-7, will wrap up their three-game road trip in Brooklyn on Monday night. 

Stick with cleveland.com throughout the game for updates, analysis and live audio, as well as wall-to-wall postgame coverage.

Stick with cleveland.com throughout the game for updates, analysis and live audio, as well as wall-to-wall postgame coverage.

Check out a number of videos on Kirtland's Division VI championship game against Minster.

Check out a number of videos on Kirtland's Division VI championship game against Minster.

Five-star running back Damien Harris will announce his decision on Jan. 9.

COLUMBUS, Ohio – One of the top remaining targets for Ohio State's recruiting class is five-star running back Damien Harris of Berea (Ky.) Madison Southern. 

The Buckeyes won't know until 2015 if they'll land him. 

That's because the 5-foot-11, 205-pound running back posted on his public Twitter account Friday afternoon that he won't be announcing his commitment until Jan. 9. 

I know a lot of people have been asking, but to make everything perfectly clear I'm pushing my decision date back to January 9th.

— Damien Harris (@Damien_D1Harris) December 5, 2014

Rated by 247Sports the No. 1 running back in the 2015 class, Harris is closely considering Alabama, Kentucky and Ohio State.The Buckeyes were once considered favorites in Harris' recruitment, but the Crimson Tide and Wildcats have gained a ton of momentum in recent weeks. 

Harris rushed for just under 1,500 yards and 23 touchdowns this season in only seven games of action. 

Marshall could throw some passes, Cardale Jones does know the first-team offense and the Wisconsin offensive line could be without an injured starter.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Five reasons the No. 5 Ohio State Buckeyes (11-1, 8-0 Big Ten) will beat the No. 13 Wisconsin Badgers (10-2, 7-1) on Saturday in the Big Ten Championship at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.

1. Jalin Marshall at quarterback: As Ohio State offensive coordinator Tom Herman was leaving practice this week, he was asked how Ohio State's starting H-back throws the ball.

"Better," Herman said of Marshall, "than you think."

So while Cardale Jones will make his first career start at quarterback with J.T. Barrett out for the season with a broken right ankle suffered against Michigan last week, it's Marshall, the former quarterback at Middletown High School, who could enter the quarterback mix as well.

Marshall was throwing passes after practice this week as reporters were let in, which might be a great smokescreen. But it also might show that the Buckeyes are ready to use Marshall as a Wildcat quarterback even more than they have so far, and that he might be ready to do more than throw the one pass he's thrown this season.

• 5 reasons Wisconsin will win

Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen isn't buying it. Or at least that's what he said Friday at the coaches' news conferences at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Jalin Marshall threw an incompletion on his only pass attempt this year. Will be throw it more against Wisconsin?Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer 

"I just do not believe that the success they've had on offense, the way they've rolled through the year, the amount of points that they've scored, the yards they've put up ...  their offense is going to remain very much the same," Andersen said.

Andersen went on to call Ohio State's offense option football in a way, a scheme that runs the quarterback and puts pressure on the safeties. The Buckeyes worked that offense with Braxton Miller and J.T. Barrett the last three years. While Jones can run, Marshall may be more equipped to really make that part of the offense work, whether Andersen believes it or not.

"He provides an interesting skill set," Urban Meyer said. "He's ready."

2. Wisconsin offensive line injuries: The Badgers have used the same five starters on the offensive line all season. Junior left tackle Tyler Marz (6-foot-5, 321 pounds), senior left guard Dallas Lewallen (6-6, 321), sophomore center Dan Voltz (6-3, 311), senior right guard Kyle Costigan (6-5, 319) and senior right tackle Rob Havenstein (6-8, 333) have been the bedrock of the Badgers' offense.

That's how it works at Wisconsin. But now the line has a crack.

Voltz hurt his ankle against Minnesota last week and his status is up in the air. Lewallen is Wisconsin's backup center, but he's already the starter at left guard. The third-string and fourth-string centers are out for the year.

So if Volz can't go, the Badgers may turn to freshman Michael Deiter, a native of Curtis, Ohio (near Toledo) who has been sitting all year as Wisconsin was hoping to redshirt him. If Volz is out, he may make his first career start and play his first college snap.

That could be tough on the Badgers. Wisconsin coach Gary Andersen said Volz will be a gameday decision.

"Dan, we sure hope he plays," Andersen said. "There's no one tougher. If there's any way that he can get out there and play, he's going to get that done. I expect that to happen. He expects that to happen."

If not, a lot will be asked of Deiter, and the Buckeyes could take advantage.

"We're prepared to play him if we need to, and so is he," Andersen said

3. Melvin Gordon doesn't equal points: Wisconsin's running back, who will be a Heisman finalist next week, won't be completely stopped. He has run for at least 122 yards in 11 of 12 games this season. But that doesn't mean the Badgers have always scored.

Gordon could go wild. But Ohio State could still win.

Gordon ran for 259 yards against Northwestern, and the Badgers lost 20-14. He ran for 200 yards against Iowa, and the Badgers pulled out that win just 26-24.

Wisconsin ranks 14th in the nation in scoring, at 37.5 points per game. Ohio State is fifth at 44.1

View full sizeOhio State quarterback Cardale Jones will make his first start Saturday, but he does know the other members of the first-team offense.Marvin Fong, The Plain Dealer 

4. Receivers know Cardale Jones: Ohio State's redshirt sophomore quarterback is new to starting. But he's not new to running with the first team.

With Braxton Miller out after shoulder surgery, Jones actually worked as the No. 1 quarterback during spring football and the first half of preseason camp. That means he got passed by J.T. Barrett at the end of camp, just before Miller got hurt. But that also means that Ohio State's first-team offense worked with Jones a good amount before this week.

That's good for Jones, but it's also good for everyone else.

"He was the starting quarterback all of spring and going into camp for the most part," tight end Jeff Heuerman said. "So it's not like these guys have never caught balls from him. They caught balls from him all spring long and in the offseason, he kind of was the starter throwing in the summer. We caught balls from him and we feel really comfortable with him back there."

The Buckeyes said Jones practiced well this week, and everyone always talks about his arm strength. But Meyer said he also has decent touch, and it's timing that matters as much as anything in this offense.

"He throws it a little more like Braxton than he does J.T.," Heuerman said. "He can sling that thing. Some of the timing stuff, it's just different, it takes you a day or two to adjust to it. Getting timing down with the receivers is the most important thing, and we worked on that a little extra this week."

5. Michael Bennett speeches: Two of the last three weeks, it came down to the words of Ohio State's senior captain and defensive tackle. At halftime at Minnesota and in the third quarterback against Michigan, Bennett had to get on the rest of the defense, remind them to forget about excuses and reinforce that the Buckeyes were the better team.

If Gordon is running over the Buckeyes on Saturday night, Bennett will be ready to step in again.

"I don't like it because it means that we needed it, but I'm not getting tired of it," Bennett said. "I'll give a speech, make a play, whenever we need it. That's how I am, that's how we are. If the guys need a little bit of extra juice, I'm there. We've got other guys to give it to them.

"We've got playmakers who are going to make plays. Talking and everything helps, but nothing juices up a defense like a sack-fumble for a touchdown. Like I said, I'm not tired of it, but I'd prefer to not have to do it it."

Listen to the full archive of our broadcast of the Division VI state championship game.

Listen to the full archive of our broadcast of the Division VI state championship game.

The Kirtland football team was in great shape to get the win, but was unable to get the victory.

The Kirtland football team was in great shape to get the win, but was unable to get the victory.

See pictures from Kirtland football's state title game.

See pictures from Kirtland football's state title game.

Kirtland lost a football game for the first time in 30 games, this one just happened to be the Division VI state title game against Minster.

Kirtland lost a football game for the first time in 30 games, this one just happened to be the Division VI state title game against Minster.

Led by senior Natalie Hill, Beachwood opens second half with 13-0 run en route to 67-53 win over Richmond Heights.

Led by senior Natalie Hill, Beachwood opens second half with 13-0 run en route to 67-53 win over Richmond Heights.

Get live coverage of the postgame news conferences after the 8 p.m. football state final between Nordonia and Cincinnati LaSalle.

Get live coverage of the postgame news conferences after the 8 p.m. football state final between Nordonia and Cincinnati LaSalle.

It seems like everything is done expect the trade itself.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The one and only thing left to do is the trade itself. Everything else has been done except the waiting.

If the Indians do acquire Brandon Moss from the A's, it's going to be a one-for-one trade. The Indians will be parting with a player not on their 40-man roster for Moss, who has hit 76 of his 91 career homers in the last three years for the A's.

Second baseman Joe Wendle could be the player headed to Oakland. He is one of the several young players the A's have asked about. Wendle missed much of last season with a broken hamate bone in his right hand.

The A's are in need of a big-league shortstop because Jed Lowrie filed for free agency. It does not appear they'll get one from the Indians, who ended last season with Jose Ramirez, 22, as their starting shortstop, Francisco Lindor, 21, right behind him at Class AAA Columbus and Erik Gonzalez, 23, right behind him at Class AA Akron.

Ramirez and Gonzalez are on the 40-man roster. Lindor isn't, but the Indians consider him their top prospect and all but untouchable.

The Indians are looking for more run production. Last season they didn't receive what was expected from several players including Nick Swisher, Jason Kipnis, Ryan Raburn, Michael Bourn and David Murphy.

They ranked seventh in the AL in runs scored. After the All-Star break, they hit .249 as a team and averaged just 3.7 runs per game. They managed to go 38-30 because the pitching staff posted a 3.03 ERA.

Moss hit .234 last season with 25 homers and 66 RBI. He's a left-handed hitter, which brings frustrated sighs of from some Indians fans because they think GM Chris Antonetti has gone left-handed crazy regarding the lineup. Progressive Field, however, favors the left-handed power hitter.

Last season, according to The Bill James Handbook, Indians right-handed hitters hit only 19 of the team's 72 homers at home. The Indians and the opposing right-handers hit just 57 of the 144 total homers hit at Progressive Field last season.

Over the last three years, lefties have out-homered righties at Progressive Field, 279-179.

Moss has hit only two homers at Progressive Field.

It's unclear if Moss, 31, will be ready for spring training. He underwent surgery on his right hip in October after struggling following an All-Star first half.

The addition of Ross would make for a crowded outfield/first base/DH situation. It means Antonetti might have to make an additional trade to make sure Ross would get regular playing time.

See high school boys basketball statewide scores for Friday, Dec. 5, 2014.

See high school boys basketball statewide scores for Friday, Dec. 5, 2014.