"What good does another quarterback do for you if we don't have wide receivers that can 1) get open and 2.) catch the ball?" - TriceUp

View full sizeNell Redmond | Associated PressThere are reports that the Browns have inquired about Philadelphia quarterback Kevin Kolb.

In response to the story Are Cleveland Browns interested in Philadelphia Eagles QB Kevin Kolb?, cleveland.com reader TriceUp doesn't think the quarterback matters much at this point. This reader writes,

"What good does another quarterback do for you if we don't have wide receivers that can 1) get open and 2.) catch the ball?"

Both feats occur during Blue Jays' 1-0 win -- on Bautista's homer -- over Ichiro's Mariners. Ichiro has finished each of his nine previous seasons with at least 206 hits. Bautista becomes 26th player to reach 50-home run milestone.

Associated PressSeattle's Ichiro Suzuki tips his hat to cheering fans in Toronto after reaching 200 hits for the 10th straight season.

Toronto, Ontario -- Jose Bautista drove in the only run with his major league-leading 50th homer, and the Toronto Blue Jays beat the Seattle Mariners 1-0 on Thursday.

Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki also became the first player with 10 straight 200-hit seasons, breaking his own record with a fifth-inning single.

Toronto right-hander Shawn Hill (1-2) pitched five shutout innings to win for the first time since April 10, 2009, with San Diego. Brad Mills, Jason Frasor and Scott Downs all worked one inning before Kevin Gregg closed it out in the ninth for his 35th save in 40 chances.

Bautista became the 26th player in baseball history to reach the 50-home run mark with a first-inning solo blast off Mariners right-hander Felix Hernandez (12-12).

After fouling back a 2-0 pitch, Bautista hammered the next one into the left field bullpen. All 50 of his homers have been to left or left center. He exchanged hugs and fist bumps with his teammates before coming out of the dugout for a curtain call.

Associated PressToronto's Jose Bautista begins to run out his 50th homer of the season.

The homer was Bautista's major league-high 31st at home this season, breaking Carlos Delgado's Toronto record set in 2000.

Prince Fielder (50) and Alex Rodriguez (54) were the last players to hit 50 homers, both in 2007.

Suzuki struck out in the first, doubled to left in the third and collected his 200th hit when he lined to center on the first pitch he saw from Hill in fifth.

His teammates came to the top step of the dugout to applaud him and Suzuki tipped his cap as the crowd of 12,590 gave him a standing ovation.

Suzuki, who finished 2 for 5, surpassed Willie Keeler with his ninth consecutive 200-hit season last year. He now has more 200-hit seasons than any player in AL history, breaking the record he shared with Ty Cobb. Pete Rose is the only other player to record 10 seasons with 200 or more hits.

Bautista's homer was the only run allowed by Hernandez, who gave up two hits in eight innings, his sixth complete game of the season and the 13th of his career. The right-hander, who walked four and struck out five, lowered his AL-leading ERA to 2.31.

Hill, who gave up four hits and walked one, matched a career-high by with seven strikeouts.

Game notes

Bautista has 26 home runs since the All Star break, a Blue Jays record. ... More than two dozen Japanese reporters were on hand at Rogers Centre to document Suzuki's record-setting hit. ... Toronto OF Fred Lewis left the team to have season-ending surgery on his left foot. ... Mariners rookie Matt Mangini got his first major league hit, a leadoff single in the ninth. ... Seattle OF Franklin Gutierrez, who had missed the past two games with flulike symptoms, pinch hit for Michael Saunders in the eighth. Gutierrez flied out to center.

"It's a great idea, and I am glad they are doing it. It's great to see anyone downtown with imagination driving more people down there to enjoy themselves. I just wish it wasn't so pricey." - BWillard9003

View full sizeCourtesy Cleveland Indians'Snow Days' are coming to Progressive Field.

In response to the story Indians announce details of first-ever 'Snow Days' at Progressive Field, cleveland.com reader BWillard9003 thinks having something like this downtown is a great idea. This reader writes,

"It's a great idea, and I am glad they are doing it. It's great to see anyone downtown with imagination driving more people down there to enjoy themselves. I just wish it wasn't so pricey."

"Reality is that both sides are making way too much. Price of tickets, merchandise, etc. is outrageous. Having said that, would love for the owners to play hard ball and watch the players suffer. The owners may be fleecing us, but I can't recall them throwing it in our face. Sick of the spoiled, rich players acting like fans are nothing." - jaxcav

View full sizeMarvin Fong | The Plain DealerDan Gilbert and the other NBA owners are facing the possibility of locking the players out next summer.

In response to the story Indians announce details of first-ever 'Snow Days' at Progressive Field, cleveland.com reader jaxcav hopes the owners go after the players union hard. This reader writes,

"Reality is that both sides are making way too much. Price of tickets, merchandise, etc. is outrageous. Having said that, would love for the owners to play hard ball and watch the players suffer. The owners may be fleecing us, but I can't recall them throwing it in our face. Sick of the spoiled, rich players acting like fans are nothing."

"They do their best to get name programs on the non-conference schedule, but there is only so much they can do. This isn't EA Sports where you can just look over who's available and load up the schedule. Personally, I love what Ohio State has done with their schedule for the future by setting up games with Miami again next year then two with California, two with Virginia Tech, two with Oklahoma and two with Tennessee. Not to mention that Nebraska joins the Big Ten next year." - ScriptOhio02

View full sizeMarvin Fong | The Plain DealerOhio State has tried to beef up its schedule by adding home-and-homes with teams like Miami, USC and others.

In response to the story Soph LB Jonathan Newsome chasing playing time for Buckeyes against lowly EMU: Ohio State Insider, cleveland.com reader ScriptOhio02 has no issues with Ohio State's scheduling. This reader writes,

"They do their best to get name programs on the non-conference schedule, but there is only so much they can do. This isn't EA Sports where you can just look over who's available and load up the schedule. Personally, I love what Ohio State has done with their schedule for the future by setting up games with Miami again next year then two with California, two with Virginia Tech, two with Oklahoma and two with Tennessee. Not to mention that Nebraska joins the Big Ten next year."

Transcript of news conference with Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini on Thursday, Sept. 23.

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerLinebacker D'Qwell Jackson is making progress in his recovery from a partially torn pectoral muscle and has been practicing this week, but his status for Sunday is uncertain.

(Opening statement)- "Good morning everyone. On the injury front, really no change in terms of adding any guys to practice. The same group that was out yesterday will be out today. Brian Robiskie will miss as well and Marcus Benard so you can add those two on the list of missing practice. I think all the guys that have missed have made strides. Hopefully, we will get a group of those guys that back out there on Friday and just see where it is and make the appropriate adjustments. What we're doing today is third down with the Ravens, it's pretty impressive defensively what they've been able to do on third down. They've given up four third down conversions so far this season which is a great number. We have our work cut out for us. Part of that is not getting in situations where you're in third and long. They are able to do a lot of things and they will do a lot more things when you increase the amount of yards you need in that situation. That's something we've got to make sure we manage throughout the course of the game. Offensively, they've been a good third down team and they have a lot of different weapons that they can go to. The thing that they have, I'd say similar to Kansas City, is they can push you deep and then hit a check down to Ray Rice and he's very effective with the ball in his hands, like Kansas City could do with Jamaal Charles. To able to get that vertical stretch and then have a threat like that underneath is something that we're going to have to be able to adjust to in our various defenses."

(On if young guys on the team can get caught up in the Ravens" intimidation strategy)- "It's their home opener so it's going to be loud and there is always a great atmosphere in that stadium. Some of our young guys have probably been Ray Lewis on PlayStation, that's their only exposure to him and now they are playing against him. You have got to be able to get past that. There were times at different places I've been where you're able to establish that real advantage of almost having an edge mentally on your opponent before the game ever started because there was a certain mystic to the team and you really use that to your advantage. When we were getting going in New England and New York you have to put that part aside, it doesn't affect the game. It only affects the game if you let it affect the game. It's only an issue if you let it become an issue. At the end of the day it still comes down to the same fundamental things. It's not going to be a crowd, it's not going to be the reputation, it's going to be how you play against that group. For the young guys it will be a new experience and I think it will be an exciting experience. I always enjoy those types of games because it's a fun place to play if you approach it the right way. I remember even playing Pittsburgh in the AFC Championship games and we had to go to Pittsburgh and they had the terrible towels and all those different things. You had to get past that and get to what was important."

(On if Jerome Harrison is not practicing)- "Yes, it's same group as yesterday Tony (Grossi), and then Brian (Robiskie) and Marcus (Benard)."

(On why Benard is not practicing)- "His ankle but my hope is that we'll get a group of these guys back here tomorrow."

(On why Harrison wasn't mentioned as injured in his press conference yesterday)- "That sometimes happens, where the plan was for him to go out and have a limited number of reps but as the morning went on it kind of stiffened up. He was on the injury report. My expectation in talking to Joe (Sheehan) and we talk about it the night before and he'll give me an update before practice if things change. Sometimes with that stuff it stiffens up. I expected him to able practice yesterday. That was the plan and that's what Joe and I had talked about. Really, it's gone the other way too Jeff (Schudel), where you think a guys not going to be able to go and then feels a lot better after you go through the morning and they've gotten their treatment in the morning and the guy's able to come out to practice and participate. You try to put together your best plan the night before with certain expectations, but you've just got to be able to adapt."

(On D'Qwell Jackson's role this week in practice and his progression)- "Yesterday was another step in our process so Friday was with no pads, yesterday was with pads and he got in some more reps than he got in on Friday. Today, he'll get a few more reps than he got yesterday and then we'll gauge it again tomorrow. I like where we're heading and I think that the plan we have in place is good but each day we have to take a step back, see how he is and that dictates the plan for the next day. We have a plan in place where if he can play I would imagine it would be in packages as opposed to going out and playing 65 plays, but sometimes it feels better and you can do more. You just want to make sure you do it the right way so that you don't risk re-injury because you have come so far to get to this point. It's a balancing act there."

(On what will happen when Jackson is healthy)- "At that point I think we'll just see where we are because as you guys can tell week to week it changes. Guys that you think are going to be there aren't there and that changes somebody's role dramatically. I couldn't give you a good answer right now. I just have to see where we are."

(On if Jackson got through the contact portion of practice yesterday okay)- "Yes, he did. It wasn't a ton of reps of doing that. For the reps that we had him do, he got through fine. Again, it's phased, it's all phased."

(On if Ray Lewis is considered one of the greats at his position)- "Yes, I think he is. What it's 15 years? That's amazing for that position and that level of contact and he's fast. We talked about this a little bit last year. I was watching either Serena or Venus Williams talk about her playing tennis and how even though as she's gotten older sometimes you don't respond physically as quickly as maybe you did. It's the natural progression of things, but because she has so much experience, she can anticipate the ball coming off someone's racquet. She was actually playing faster because of how she could see the game than when she was young and maybe things responded quicker. I think there's a lot of truth to that. When you can slow down the game, when you can anticipate things you react a lot faster. Rodney (Harrison) was the same way Ty Law was the same way. Things make sense quicker, you process quicker and now you're reacting. Even though time has affected a few things, you're faster than you were as a younger player because everything makes sense quicker."

(On what Ray Lewis is like in the locker room)- "I like that term force multiplier. He just makes people around him better. He's really good, he's really good at what he does and he forces, not in a negative way, but he makes people want to play better. He makes people want to push themselves because he is constantly pushing himself to be as good as he can be. When you have arguably your best player with that type of work ethic it affects everybody. I think all the great ones have that quality, where there's never a sense of complacency. There's never a sense of I'm good enough. It's this is what I have to work on to be better. I remember Jerry Rice talking about it, Paul Warfield talking about it, Jim Brown talking about it. The great ones they're great because they are talented but they marry that talent with this incredible work ethic and this constant honesty as to what they have to get better at. As opposed to you see a lot of under achieving guys where they're always looking for what they're satisfied with. All the other ones, they're looking for, "I'm going to get better at this. This is what I am going to improve on." It's a great trait. Now, you get a bunch of young guys learning how to think that way, it has a cumulative effect on the group."

(On why Ahtyba Rubin was on the field for some passing downs against the Chiefs)- "They did have so no huddle so we didn't change the group. I think they kept the same group in the same formation in first, second and third down so we weren't going to change the group and get caught in a substitution error. I really like Rubin. We play him now quite a bit, but he works on his pass rush techniques, he can push the pocket. He's not Dwight Freeney, but he can do certain things well that can affect the passing game. He can get a lot of push on the pocket which if you have a quarterback that likes to step up that has real value. He could be mixed in in some of those types of situations."

(On if that was Rubin's first interception of his life)- "I'm going to take a wild stab at yes, but I don't know definitely. Maybe there was one in pee-wees or maybe when he was out playing between the street lights."

(On what the Baltimore defense does against a quarterback who regularly leaves the pocket)- "They're pretty consistent in their approach. What they have is they play with a high motor all the time. They are constantly chasing. They get a lot of guys to the football. Sometimes those guys that do leaving the pocket end up giving up bigger plays than not because they got a lot of penetration and they're getting hats to the ball. I don't see a fundamental shift in what they do versus a moving guy and a stationary guy."

(On if the defense has to be aware of pushing their guys too far inside)- "Yes, it's like an outside runner, you've got to set the edge to force them to run between the tackles. It's the same thing with a scrambling quarterback. You have to set the edge of the defense and he's going to stay in between these two walls and then you've got to collapse the pocket inside. Sometimes you'll see teams run a lot of games and things which are good and create some pressure but if that inside guy doesn't come out and set the edge it also creates openings for those quarterbacks that can move."

(On Josh Freeman's 33 yard rush)- "I don't think anyone was surprised that he was going to run the ball. We covered that pretty sensibly."

(On James Davis" saying he was going to do everything he can in practice to make him want to play him on Sunday and how he did)- "First of all I love that answer. That is exactly the right answer and that's what everybody's perspective should be, "I'm going to practice so well you can't help but to play me." To me that's exactly the right approach from guys like James, or practice squad guys or anybody who wants more play time. That's your opportunity to make your case for play time is during practice. I thought he had a good day. I was pleased with what he did with his chances and that's one of the, you never want anyone to be injured, but that's one of the positive things for guys who are the next guy down the depth chart, suddenly a world of opportunity opens up to you, what will you do with it."

(On if Delhomme injury could go into next week)- "I think there's potential, but he's been progressively better each day. I thought he was moving around pretty good this morning when I saw him. With injuries, I don't really know."

(On Baltimore's secondary without Ed Reed)- "They picked up Chris Carr last year. I think he is playing really well. Fabian Washington, who they got in a trade, I think was a first round draft pick and Rob (Ryan) coached him in Oakland. He's quick, he has got good instincts. I think both of those guys have done a nice job for them. Dawan Landry is still back there and he's a big hitter and he's got good ball skills and I think he's a really good safety. Tom Zbikowski, who's played for them this year, he's done some good things and he's had playing time at different points last season as well. It's not like it's all new to him either. They usually bring in, and I hope I don't butcher his name, Haruki Nakamura, he comes in and plays in the slot. What he has done well for them is he's a good blitzer, he's a good run support player and he also gives them some versatility with how they can move around because he can go back and play safety too. Tom and come down or Dawan can come down, so there's some movement that can happen there. They have some other guys that they kind have got back from different situations who could be worked in this week."

(On if Baltimore's secondary is a little less aggressive without Reed)- "Dawan Landry does some pretty good things too. I think he got one against us and I was watching the New England game this morning, the playoff game. He had a nice pick in that game as well. He's got good ball skills, he's got good instincts. Ed Reed is Ed Reed, he's pretty unique back there. It's hard to replace a guy like that, but I think as a group, they have played pretty well."

(On if Delhomme is still in a boot)- "He's in a boot while he's walking around. Then when he's doing other things, the rehab and stuff like that, we take him out. That's pretty common, Jeff (Schudel), it's not just him."

(On who was responsible for drafting Ray Lewis in Baltimore)- "I was in the draft room, I remember the conversation. It was a pretty good draft, got (Jonathan) Ogden and Ray Lewis. Ozzie (Newsome) was running the show. I know Ted (Marchibroda) really liked him. I remember Ted talking to Art (Modell) about what type of player he was and how aggressive he was and a lot of the characteristics that he had. They were having that conversation when we were getting closer to our pick."

(On if Newsome was the top personnel guy in the draft room)- "I'm pretty sure he was the GM at that point."

(On who was in charge of the draft in Cleveland in 1995)- "I think it was Bill Belichick."

(On if Belichick was the lone man in charge of the draft at that point)- "Bill and Mike (Lombardi) and scouts, but I'm guessing Bill."

Transcript courtesy of the Cleveland Browns

Rocky River's boys team wins the West Shore Conference tournament, while Chardon takes the Premier Athletic Conference title.

Alex Urbanscik carded a 72, and teammate Cory Vinborg fired a 75 to lead Mentor's boys to the Lake Erie League Tournament golf championship Thursday, helping the Cardinals clinch their 12th straight overall LEL season title.

Allan Poe (76) and Adam Way (79) rounded out Mentor's team score of 302 on the par-70 Forest Hills Golf Course. The Cardinals finished 36 strokes ahead of second-place Lorain, which was led by Alec Nieto's 77.

West Shore Conference Rocky River, with Tim Smith shooting 70 and Tom Marcin 74, won the WSC tourney at Eagle Creek Golf Course. Fairview's Adam Sanders won medalist honors with a 69.

Premier Athletic Conference Holden Pahr shot a 78, and teammates Chad Sanders, Louie Seiler and Mike Maxwell each fired 79s at Stonewater Golf Club to give Chardon the PAC tourney and overall season titles. Riverside (326), led by Wes Tagg (78), and Willoughby South (340), led by John Baggott (78), finished second and third, respectively.

Girls golf

West Shore Conference Kaitlin Neumann's 81 helped Avon (353) finish first at Big Met Golf Course, ahead of second-place Bay (360), which had Caroline Kennedy card an 83.

Boys cross country

Open Door Invitational West Geauga, with third-place Mark Barber (18:54) and fourth-place Kyle Wilcox (18:55) setting the pace, won the team championship with 42 points. St. Peter Chanel's Cody Tschantz finished first (18:16) among individual runners, and runner-up Jacob Clark (18:48) helped Open Door Christian School place second (71) in the team standings.

Girls cross country

Open Door Invitational Avon's 33 points earned the team title, with Open Door Christian School's 44 placing second. The host Patriots' Gabrielle Neubauer won the individual championship in 21:44, while Avon's Kayla Welch (22:37) and Devon Delorge (22:38) were second and third, respectively, followed by Carly Poremba (22:38) of third-place West Geauga (63).

Boys soccer

Collinwood 2, Martin Luther King, Jr. 1 Denzel Anderson and Jalen McCoy each netted a goal, and goalkeeper Jamel Ransom made 12 saves for the Railroaders.

Volleyball

West Geauga 3, Chagrin Falls 1 Jessica Kodrich (nine kills, 16 assists), Kelly Nero (24 digs) and Michele Hanzlick (nine kills, four block assists) helped the Wolverines (7-1) defeat the rival Tigers, 14-25, 25-19, 25-22, 25-12, for the first time in nine years.

Elyria 3, North Royalton 1 The Pioneers (10-2) earned a 21-25, 25-19, 25-20, 25-18 win with superb efforts from Kristen Boros (22 kills, 15 digs), Shelby Obitts (16 kills), Shelby Regiec (111-of-112 passing, 41 assists) and Alanna Williams (17 digs).

Gilmour Academy 3, Berkshire 1 Brittany Link totaled 24 kills, 24 assists and 16 digs for the Lancers (10-0), who also got standout play from Maria Cup (15 kills) and defensive specialist Alex Walters (18 assists) in their 20-25, 25-19, 25-13, 25-17 win.

The Indians aren't exactly a fine-tuned machine in the race to get out of last place in the American League Central Division.

View full sizeChuck Crow / The Plain DealerJayson Nix is about to throw down his bat after striking out to end the eight inning on Thursday against Kansas City at Progressive Field.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — With the service garage at the end of the road clearly visible, the Indians are not merely leaking oil. The engine is knocking, the radiator hissing and the muffler scraping asphalt.

The jalopy that is the Tribe dropped its fifth in a row Thursday night, succumbing to right-hander Sean O'Sullivan and the Royals, 4-2, at Progressive Field.

O'Sullivan entered with a 2-6 record and 6.58 ERA.

The Tribe (62-91) fell 1 1/2 games behind the Royals (63-89) in the race for fourth place in the AL Central.

Kansas City leads the season series, 8-7.

Of the six divisions in Major League Baseball, only the AL Central features a last-place race in doubt.

The cellar dweller long has been decided in the AL East (Orioles), AL West (Mariners), NL East (Nationals), NL Central (Pirates) and NL West (Diamondbacks).

O'Sullivan gave up two runs in six-plus innings. Philip Humber and Robinson Tejeda each worked one scoreless to set up Joakim Soria.

Soria, nicknamed, "The Mexicutioner," pitched a perfect ninth for his 34th consecutive save and 41st overall.

"O'Sullivan had three pitches and changed speeds," Indians manager Manny Acta said. "The changeup was a good pitch for him. And the way we're swinging the bat right now, we're not helping ourselves."

The teams combined to go 0-for-17 with runners in scoring position, including 0-for-6 by the Indians.

The Royals took a 2-0 lead in the first off right-hander Mitch Talbot.

With one out, Mike Aviles ripped a first-pitch fastball onto home run porch. Billy Butler walked and advanced to second on Wilson Betemit's single. Kila Ka'aihue walked to load the bases.

Yuniesky Betancourt grounded up the middle, where second baseman Luis Valbuena made a backhand pick and attempted a glove-flip to shortstop Drew Sutton. A first-place team turns it into a snazzy out, maybe a double play. The Indians? Of course, the flip failed to find its mark, the ball rolling past Sutton.

Butler scored on what was ruled a fielder's choice/error second baseman.

Talbot avoided further damage by striking out Alex Gordon and getting Lucas May to fly to center.

Talbot, who had not pitched since Sept. 12 because of shoulder inflammation, wobbled again in the third. Betancourt singled with one out and scooted to third on Gordon's double. Justin Germano began warming in the Tribe bullpen.

May grounded to short to drive in Betancourt for a 3-0 cushion. Mitch Maier grounded to first.

Talbot kept his team in the game by retiring the side in order in the fourth and fifth. Germano replaced him to start the sixth.

"Mitch pitched in the beginning like a guy who hadn't pitched in a while," Acta said. "The last two innings, he had a better feel for his pitches and threw the ball better."

Talbot gave up three runs on five hits in five innings. He walked three and struck out two. He threw 53 of 96 pitches for strikes.

Such outings are not career-builders, but Talbot will take it this time given how his previous appearance ended. He exited after three batters (no outs) in a loss to the Twins.

"Physically, I felt great -- probably better than I have in 95 percent of my other starts," Talbot said.

The rookie Talbot (9-13, 4.61 ERA) has won once since the All-Star break. He is 3-9 with a 6.31 ERA overall at home.

The Tribe managed three hits -- all singles -- off O'Sullivan through six. Trevor Crowe, who substituted for game-time scratch Michael Brantley, had two of them. Brantley's left hamstring tightened.

Shelley Duncan led off the seventh with a five-pitch walk. Jayson Nix followed with a double into the left-field corner. Royals manager Ned Yost hooked O'Sullivan for Humber.

After Matt LaPorta walked, Valbuena cut the deficit to 3-1 with an RBI fielder's choice. Valbuena barely beat the relay from second baseman Aviles. When Humber attempted to pick off Valbuena, the ball popped out of first baseman Butler's glove. Nix trotted home.

Pinch hitter Jordan Brown flied to the wall in right. Crowe doubled to left, Valbuena stopping at third. Sutton stayed alive with two fouls in an 0-2 count before being called out on a 1-2 pitch.

O'Sullivan (3-6, 6.28) gave up the two runs on four hits. He walked four and struck out three.

O'Sullivan's previous start came Sept. 18 against Cleveland in Kauffman Stadium. He allowed five runs on six hits in four innings of a 6-4 loss. Rain delays that night totaled 3 hours, 40 minutes.

Germano worked two scoreless inning, then gave way to Tony Sipp. Sipp's third pitch of the eighth traveled an estimated 404 feet into the seats in right, Ka'aihue providing the thunder.

Sipp, a lefty, has coughed up 12 homers, including seven to left-handed batters.

Luke Carlin debuted with the Indians at catcher in the top of the eighth. He entered after Brown pinch hit for Lou Marson.

Tribe reliever Vinnie Pestano made his major-league debut in the ninth inning. He pitched around a two-out walk. One of the outs came when Pestano caught the dangerous Butler looking.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dmanoloff@plaind.com, 216-999-4664

Saturday's Road Runner Akron Marathon will be the 36th marathon this year for Dana Casanave

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerRunners begin their long slog during last year's Road Runner Akron Marathon. This year's race is Saturday.

AKRON, Ohio — Dana Casanave admits there have been times when she wonders what she got herself into by promising to run 52 marathons in 52 weeks.

"There definitely have been moments where I've doubted my sanity," she said, laughing.

But then the 29-year-old mother of three from Leesburg, Va., thinks of those she's running to help -- South African children affected by HIV/AIDS -- and it's not hard to step to the start line as she will Saturday morning for the Road Runner Akron Marathon.

It will be the 36th marathon she has run this year.

"It's an opportunity to do something I love to change a lot of children's lives," Casanave said.

Just about two years ago, Casanave was preparing for the Marine Corps Marathon in the fall in Arlington, Va., when she searched the event's website for a charity that could benefit from her efforts.

She was drawn to 2540.org, dedicated to devoting attention and resources toward saving children in South Africa from the devastating impacts of poverty and AIDS. The group takes its name from the biblical verse Matthew 25:40, "Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me."

Although the money she raises through donations benefits the organization as a whole, each race she runs with one specific child in mind. In Akron, she will run for a 10-year-old boy named Duma, one of nine orphan children being raised by their grandparents.

"It's very personal," Casanave said. "You're not running for your time. You're not running for yourself. You're running for somebody else.

"Everyone has a gift to give. Hopefully this will inspire people to find out what they can do to give to others."

A number of race participants will join Casanave in using the race to benefit others. There are at least 136 runners registered to fight hunger in Akron, 90 participants registered to run in support of the Stephen A. Comunale, Jr. Family Cancer Foundation and 47 participants registered to support the Church at Stony Hill's foster care mentoring program.

Rookie report: A year ago, Chuck Gough, 53, of Cuyahoga Falls weighed 330 pounds, took a dozen medications, including insulin, and walked with a cane. Today he's preparing to run his first marathon after bariatric surgery helped him drop 135 pounds.

"I'm a little nervous," said Gough, who is no longer diabetic and cut his medication costs from $100 per month to $12 per month. "But I'm excited. It has been a long hot summer, and I'm looking forward to putting on my shoes and running 26.2 miles."

Gough took part in the Marathon Training 101 workshop offered through the University of Akron and the Road Runner Akron Marathon. His longest run to date has been 21.5 miles.

Big crowd: Organizers are expecting 13,000 runners, including more than 1,800 in the marathon. There were 3,473 registered for the half marathon, 5,615 for the five-person relay and almost 1,300 for the kids relay. Runners can register at the Health & Fitness Expo at the John S. Knight Center at the University of Akron today.

TV coverage: Time Warner Cable will air coverage of Saturday's Road Runner Akron Marathon beginning next Thursday on Local On Demand Channel 411.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mschmitt@plaind.com, 216-999-4668

Ohio State draws what should be an easy assignment at home against Eastern Michigan, while Akron travels to Indiana and Bowling Green takes on No. 21 Michigan.

View full sizeMichael Conroy / AssociBowling Green will try to slow down Michigan quarterback Denard Robinson, above.

Division I

No. 2 Ohio State vs. Eastern Michigan

Kickoff: 3:30 p.m. Saturday at Ohio Stadium, Columbus.

TV/radio: WEWS Channel 5; WKNR AM/850.

Notable: The Buckeyes needed to fill out the schedule with another home date before opening Big Ten play next week at Illinois. EMU, which has lost its past 15 games, needed an $850,000 check to underwrite its athletic program. Ohio State's third- and fourth-teamers should get a lot of work.

Next for OSU: Oct. 2 at Illinois, noon.

Akron at Indiana

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Saturday at Memorial Stadium, Bloomington, Ind.

TV/radio: Big Ten Network; WARF AM/1350, WHK AM/1420.

Notable: The Zips (0-3) have been thumped by bad teams (Syracuse, Gardner-Webb, Kentucky) and face another projected cellar-dweller in Indiana (2-0). IU looks has wins over winless Western Kentucky and Towson State of the Football Championship Subdivision. Akron RBs Alex Allen (158 yards rushing, 3 TDs) and Nate Burney (179 yards rushing) will try to keep the Zips in the game. Zips QB Patrick Nicely is 30-of-75 passing for 333 yards and one TD with one INT this season. His favorite target has been WR Jeremy LaFrance (15 catches for 186 yards, 1 TD). The Zips have four sacks and have caused six turnovers this season, and could use a few more to put some pressure on the Hoosiers.

Next for Akron: Oct. 2 vs. Northern Illinois, 6 p.m.

Bowling Green at No. 21 Michigan

Kickoff: Noon Saturday at Michigan Stadium, Ann Arbor, Mich.

TV: ESPN2.

Notable: BG (1-2) will be starting backup quarterback Aaron Pankratz against the Wolverines (3-0) as starter Matt Schilz is out indefinitely with a shoulder injury. Pankratz came off the bench last week and passed for 111 yards (1 TD, 1 INT) to lock down BG's first win of the season, a 44-28 decision over Marshall. BG will need a strong running game from Willie Geter (243 yards, 2 TD), to keep Michigan's offense off the field. The Wolverines feature Heisman Trophy candidate Denard Robinson, who has rushed for 559 yards and four TDs, and thrown for 671 yards and four TDs.

Next for Bowling Green: Oct. 2 vs. Buffalo, 3:30 p.m.

Toledo at Purdue

Kickoff: Noon Saturday at Ross-Ade Stadium, West Lafayette, Ind.

TV: Big Ten Network.

Notable: Toledo (2-1, 2-0 Mid-American Conference) is last in the conference in total offense (221.0 ypg.) and near the bottom in defense (372.3 ypg., 5.2 yards per play) despite playing just one quality team (Arizona) so far this season. Purdue (2-1) appears vulnerable after struggling to hold off MAC cellar-dweller Ball State, 24-13, last week.

Next for Toledo: Oct. 2 vs. Wyoming, 7 p.m.

Miami (Ohio) at Missouri

Kickoff: 2 p.m. Saturday at Faurot Field, Columbia, Mo.

Notable: Miami (2-1, 1-0), the most surprising team in the MAC so far, takes on Missouri (3-0), which has won 20 straight nonconference games. The challenge for the RedHawks will be containing sophomore QB Blaine Gabbert (88-of-120, 852 yards, 4 TDs). Miami's defense is second in the MAC (280.0 ypg) and is particularly strong against the run (55.3 ypg). The defense has forced 10 turnovers. RedHawks QB Zac Dysert showed signs against Colorado State (18-of-22, 231 yds., 3 TDs, 0 INTs) that he is coming out of an early-season funk.

Next for Miami: Oct. 2 vs. Kent State, 1 p.m.

Ohio at Marshall

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Saturday at Edwards Stadium, Huntington, W.Va.

Notable: OU (1-2, 0-1), the defending MAC East champion, faces an 0-3 team that is not only a nearby rival, but is coming off a stunning loss at Bowling Green. The Bobcats have their own issues, primarily on offense, as no starting quarterback has emerged -- Boo Jackson (29-of-47, 303 yards, 3 TDs) leads the team in passing; Phil Bates leads the team with 101 yards rushing.

Next for Ohio: Oct. 2 at Eastern Michigan, noon.

Division II

Lake Erie at No. 12 Hillsdale

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday at Frank Waters Stadium, Hillsdale, Mich.

Radio: WFUN AM/970.

Notable: Lake Erie (0-3, 0-2 Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference) will play its second straight road game and plays a nationally ranked foe (Hillsdale 2-1, 1-1)for the first time. The Storm is coming off a 49-17 defeat at Saginaw Valley State. Junior QB Sean Bedevelsky (Brunswick) surpassed the 5,000-yard mark passing for his career last week. He needs 39 rushing yards to reach 1,000 for his career. Junior wingback David Romeo (Eastlake North) has 11 receptions in his past two games and is just 2 yards from reaching 2,000 all-purpose yards. Hillsdale defeated Ashland last week, 27-17, to rebound from a 44-41 road loss to top-ranked Grand Valley State the previous week. Storm coaches will participate in the Coach to Cure MD campaign Saturday to help raise awareness and funds for muscular dystrophy research. Fans can text "CURE" to 90999 to make a one-time $5 donation.

Next for Lake Erie: Oct. 2 vs. Ferris State, 1 p.m.

NAIA

Notre Dame College at Taylor

Kickoff: 1 p.m. Saturday at Jim Wheeler Memorial Stadium, Upland, Ind.

Radio: WWGK AM/1540

Notable: Notre Dame (1-3) takes on one of the top passing teams in NAIA football: Taylor comes into the game ranked ninth in the nation at 284.0 passing ypg. The Trojans threw for a school-record 418 yards in their season-opening 42-20 win Sept. 2. In four games, NDC has improved offensively in each one, posting 127, 191, 233 and 324 yards of total offense. Last week against NAIA No. 10 Walsh, RB Pedro Powell and WR Derrick Paster (Berea) notched the program's first 100-yard rushing and receiving games, respectively.

Next for NDC: Oct. 2 at Central State, 1:30 p.m.

Division III

Case Western Reserve vs. Denison

Kickoff: 7 p.m. Saturday at Case Field, Cleveland.

Notable: CWRU (2-0) is coming off its bye week. The Spartans scored a last-minute touchdown to defeat Rochester, 14-10, in Week 2 and have won 33 consecutive regular-season games. Senior QB Joey Baum (Walsh Jesuit) has thrown for 480 yards and four touchdowns. Senior WR Zach Homyk has been Baum's favorite target, hauling in 19 receptions for 252 yards and two scores. Junior LB Jacob Adams has paced the Spartans with 27 tackles, and junior end Richard Doolin has a team-best three sacks. Denison is 3-0 for the first time since 1990 but has not defeated the Spartans since 2004. The game is Heritage and Fireworks Night, with Case wearing throwback uniforms and a postgame fireworks show.

Next for Case: Oct. 2 vs. Allegheny, 1 p.m. (homecoming).

John Carroll vs. Marietta

Kickoff: 2 p.m. Saturday at Don Shula Stadium, University Heights.

TV/radio: SportsTime Ohio (tape delay at 11); WJCU FM/88.7.

Notable: John Carroll (0-2, 0-1 Ohio Athletic Conference) tries to avoid an 0-3 start for the first time since 1986. The Blue Streaks are 21-0-1 against Marietta. JCU has four of the top five tacklers in the OAC, led by Jonathan Cooley with 27. Marietta features dual-threat quarterback Andrew Keller, who is seventh in the OAC in rushing (56.0 ypg.) and sixth in passing (128.5 ypg).

Next for John Carroll: Oct. 2 at Otterbein, 1:30 p.m.

No. 2 Mount Union at Wilmington

Kickoff: 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Williams Stadium, Wilmington, Ohio

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

Notable: Mount Union (2-0, 1-0 OAC) beat John Carroll, 51-7, last week. Sophomore QB Neal Seaman completed 20-of-25 passes for 260 yards with three touchdown passes. The win was Mount's 45th straight regular-season victory, the nation's longest streak. All-American WR Cecil Shorts III (Collinwood) had five catches for 78 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Wilmington (0-2, 0-1) has scored seven points in both of its losses.

Next for Mount: Oct. 2 vs. Ohio Northern, 1:30 p.m.

Information from the college sports information departments was used in these preview capsules.

Rock N Roll Heaven beats I'm Gorgeous and Razzle Dazzle by 2 1/4 lengths in the final.

Daniel Dube drove Rock N Roll Heaven to victory for owner Frank J. Bellino and trainer Bruce Saunders.

"I've been reluctant to call him a great horse, but he is a great horse," Saunders said. "He's proven that. He's tenacious and he's got vicious high speed."

Rock N Roll Heaven beat I'm Gorgeous and Razzle Dazzle by 2 1/4 lengths in the final after winning his heat race by three lengths.

"The race worked out the way I wanted it to," Dube said. "He got to the front and got a breather. Then it was all over."

One More Laugh, winner of the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Cane Pace on Sept. 6 at Freehold Raceway in New Jersey, finished third in his qualifying heat and was scratched from the final.

Dube said he wasn't worried about Rock N Roll Heaven racing twice in a day for the first time.

"He was so relaxed after the first heat," Dube said.

The winner earned $280,303, bringing his career winnings to $1,803,904. In 23 lifetime starts, he has won 13 times and has six seconds and two third-place finishes.

The third leg of the Triple Crown is the Messenger Stakes on Nov. 6 at Yonkers Raceway in New York.

Northfield Park's request for 213 racing dates in 2011, the same as this year, was approved Wednesday by the Ohio Racing Commission at its meeting Wednesday at the Delaware County Fairgrounds. Ohio's other harness racing tracks, however, trimmed their schedules by a total of 17 race dates.

View full sizeGus Chan / The Plain DealerNorthfield Park will have 213 race dates in 2011.

Northfield Park's request for 213 racing dates in 2011, the same as this year, was approved by the Ohio Racing Commission at its meeting Wednesday at the Delaware County Fairgrounds.

Ohio's other harness racing tracks, however, trimmed their schedules by a total of 17 race dates.

Raceway Park, the Toledo harness track owned by Penn National Gaming Inc., requested a cut from 56 to 40 dates in 2011. In an agreement with the Ohio Harness Horsemen's Association, Raceway Park agreed to 46 dates. The commission also allowed Raceway Park to trim four race dates this year from Oct. 16-24.

General Manager Bill McLaughlin said a lack of standardbred horses necessitated a cut in the schedule. He said the track's horse population decreased by 27 percent this year. The track is now losing more horses as Michigan's Northville Downs, Windsor Raceway in Ontario and Lebanon Raceway kick off fall harness racing.

Scioto Downs was assigned 57 race dates for next year, a cut of six race programs. Lebanon pared its schedule by a couple dates to 50.

Claimer in feature: To add to Saturday's field for a $5,000 Open Pace, Northfield Park's Director of Racing Dave Bianconi opened the race to horsemen with $8,000 claimers looking to move up.

Trainer Billy Knipper made the move with 7-year-old Knob Hill Splash. The pacer not only went off as the favorite, but won the race in 1:54.3, and was claimed by Janie Cantrell of Oil Springs, Ky., a rare claim in a feature race. Knob Hill Splash ($4.60) had been owned by Mihajlo Zdjelar Jr. of North Collins, N.Y.

Knob Hill Splash was one of six winners on the evening for driver Dan Charlino, who handled Just Crowned in Thursday's Little Brown Jug. Charlino is eighth in the North America driving standings with 402 wins in 1,977 starts this season.

Women in the saddle: Diane King and Jane Magrell are back in the saddle after injuries this year, and both have been showing up in the Thistledown winner's circle.

King, 60, limits her racing these days, preferring to condition horses in the morning. Last week she rode one of her own horses, Larmon, and King and the chestnut thoroughbred both notched their first wins of the season. King was recovering from a fractured cheekbone suffered last month in a head-to-head collision with one of her horses when it threw back its head on the way to the barn.

Reconstructive surgery is in King's winter plans.

Magrell, 46, was sidelined four months after suffering a broken leg when a horse she was riding acted up in the starting gate.

Surgeons put her leg back together with a rod and four pins. After lengthy rehabilitation, she made it back to the races and won two races Saturday.

Sires stakes wind down: The Ohio Sires Stakes wraps up the 2010 action with races today and Saturday at Northfield Park, and the OSS championships on Ohio Super Night on Oct. 9 at Lebanon Raceway.

Northfield is sending out the 2-year-old trotting and pacing fillies today, with the freshman trotting and pacing colts going Saturday.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: degan@plaind.com, 216-999-5158

Tonight is Akron's first regular-season nationally televised soccer game, at home against No. 2 Tulsa (6-0), and the Zips look to set an attendance mark upward of 4,300 at Lee Jackson Field.

View full sizeMichael Nanchoff

AKRON, Ohio — The 2010 men's college soccer season started on a high for No. 1-ranked Akron, and it just keeps getting higher.

"We are just five games into the season," junior tri-captain Michael Nanchoff said. "We're playing well, but we can play better. We've beaten some good teams, but we will have to beat more to get where we want to go."

Nanchoff, a product of Walsh Jesuit High School in Cuyahoga Falls, has seen a lot through the eyes of his father, George, and Uncle Louie who were four-year letter winners and two-time All-Americans playing soccer for the Zips. But none of this Northeast Ohio soccer family has seen anything like this on the college level.

The Zips (5-0), last season's NCAA runners-up, have not allowed a goal this season. They have beaten then-No. 4 North Carolina and No. 3 Wake Forest on the road; and opened a new and improved home field last weekend before a boisterous crowd of 4,200.

"That was one of the best atmospheres I've ever experienced in my entire life," Nanchoff said.

Now comes Akron's first regular-season nationally televised soccer game, tonight against No. 2 Tulsa (6-0). And the record-keepers are on notice. The Zips look to set an attendance mark upward of 4,300 at Lee Jackson Field.

"They are a team that likes to play and not sit back," Nanchoff said of Tulsa. "We're definitely looking forward to a true soccer game. And I think the crowd will be incredible. It will be electric.

"Last year was such an incredible season. But the way we started this year, we've set a new tone. There is still a lot of work to be done. We've got to keep proving ourselves. We know we've got a target on our back. But we would not want to be in any other position."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: ealexander@plaind.com, 216-999-4253

Two-time Mr. Football Erick Howard is playing for a military academy but would like to transfer to another school, possibly Ohio State.

View full sizeAPErick Howard

Q: Hey, Tim: I saw in your column this week you mentioned Erick Howard as Mr. Football. Where is he now?

-- Dave DeNoma, Westlake

A: Hey, Dave: Howard is marching to a different drummer these days.

After winning back-to-back Mr. Football awards at North Canton Hoover in 2008 and 2009, he signed a national letter of intent in February with the University of Akron.

Howard had academic eligibility issues and never made it to Akron. He was going to resolve those issues while at Akron and begin playing in 2011, but instead enrolled this summer at Fork Union (Va.) Military Academy, where he also is playing football for FUMA's post-graduate prep team. He had 14 carries for 71 yards in a recent win against Louisburg College. Presumably, if Howard gets his grades in order, he will try to play college football.

Howard was a 5-10, 210-pound wrecking ball at Hoover. He ran for 6,013 yards in his four years and scored a Stark County record 79 touchdowns, according to the Canton Repository.

He is not obligated to attend Akron and he could play college ball just about anywhere. Where will he wind up? Akron remains a possibility, as does Cincinnati.

Howard recently told Buckeye Sports Bulletin he would like to play for Ohio State, and his goal is to play in the NFL. OSU has a history of taking players from Fork Union. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel expressed interest in Howard early in his Hoover career, but Howard didn't qualify academically and never received an offer from the Buckeyes. OSU currently is stacked with good, young running backs.

Stay tuned. Most of it is up to Howard and whether he gets his act together.

-- Tim

Tanski says he has no regrets in turning down scholarships to non-Division I schools in order to try his luck at Bowling Green State University.

View full sizeBart Tanski

Whatever happened to Bart Tanski, who was named Mr. Football in 2007 after quarterbacking Mentor to consecutive Division I state title games?

Foregoing numerous scholarship offers to play at non-Division I schools, Tanski is a walk-on at Bowling Green, where he is playing as the holder on field goals and extra points, as well as a second-team wide receiver.

"I wanted to go to a Division I school," said Tanski, majoring in engineering technology. "I wanted to play against Ohio State and Michigan. I figured I would eventually get my shot. I have no regrets."

Having never played wide receiver at any level, Tanski said the position has been a challenge.

"It never crossed my mind," he said. "I was a quarterback my whole life. The toughest part is getting the technique down. I've got to work extra hard. Having been a quarterback, it makes it easier with some adjustments. When I was warming up [at quarterback] I caught the ball. So it has helped my hands.

"Being the holder gives you a better shot at seeing the field and helping the team. It is different."

Mentor lost the state title game in double-overtime, 36-35, to Hilliard Davidson when Tanski was a junior. Cincinnati St. Xavier won his senior year, 27-0.

"It still stings a little bit," he said. "It would have been nice to win one of those. It was nice to have made it that far and do things for the city. I came back a few times last year, but unless [Mentor] makes the playoffs, I probably won't see them play."

Any advice for high school senior recruits?

"Pick a school that they love," said Tanski. "It's not just football. One day football can end and you will find yourself stuck there for four years. Make sure you love it."

-- Joe Maxse

Could Maple Heights go 10-0 and still miss the playoffs? The Mustangs don't think so.

View full sizeMaple Heights coach Todd Filtz.

Can Maple Heights go 10-0 and miss the playoffs?

"That is the popular question," Maple Heights coach Todd Filtz said.

The cause for concern is the Mustangs' schedule. Nine of its 10 opponents currently are 0-4 or 1-3. Shaw is 2-2.

Maple Heights is fifth in Division II, Region 6 and the eight teams with the most computer points make the playoffs at season's end. In Maple's favor is Shaw and Canfield are playoff-caliber opponents whose records should improve. Three of its remaining games are against Division I teams, which provide more playoff points when defeated.

After examining the remaining schedules for other Region 6 teams as well as the potential for points Maple Heights can earn, Filtz said he is not concerned.

"If we take care of our end, everything is going to work out fine," he said.

Shaq's status: Filtz said injured quarterback Shaq Washington (knee) could have played last week against Cleveland Heights had he been needed.

"He'll be on the field when he's 100 percent," Filtz said.

Maple plays host to Shaker Heights (1-3) tonight.

Comets' coverage: C.J. Jackson, Darian Hicks and Jovon Johnson each had interceptions when unbeaten Solon handed Parma its first loss of the season, 38-13, last week.

View full sizePDSolon coac Jim McQuaide.

The Redmen passed for 227 yards, but most of that came after Solon built a 31-0 lead.

"Parma's very good," said Comets coach Jim McQuaide, "but it was a team effort. Our front line kept pressuring the quarterback and our back-7 players can cover a lot of ground."

McQuaide then singled out junior Ryan Schwenke.

"Ryan's as good as anyone we have, plus he's also playing some fullback," he said.

The offense did its part, too, totaling 537 yards as Kyle Hammonds and Khoury Crenshaw accounted for 366 of Solon's 386 rushing yards.

Tough going: It is only the fifth week of the season and already there are no undefeated teams remaining in Division III, Region 9 of the computer standings. That region includes such playoff stalwarts as Cardinal Mooney, Buchtel, St. Vincent-St. Mary, Archbishop Hoban, Benedictine and Poland Seminary.

Young and restless: Tallmadge has been one of the surprise teams in the early going thanks to a potent offense engineered by a sophomore and two juniors.

Sophomore quarterback Anthony Gotto has thrown for 810 yards and eight touchdowns -- against five interceptions -- and juniors Tyrin Williams and Dylan Getz have combined to rush for 506 yards. In last week's 28-7 win over Revere, Williams was the workhorse with 186 yards and one touchdown on 21 carries, while Getz scored twice and had 65 yards on just three carries.

Big-play Falcons: Field coach Patrick Youel pointed to two huge plays that helped produce the Falcons' 38-34 victory over Kent Roosevelt last week.

Quarterback Jay Wilson and receiver Pat Boggs were involved in both of them. The first came with about six minutes to go with the Falcons leading, 31-28, but facing a fourth-and-6 on the Roosevelt 35. Wilson bought some time by scrambling before finding Boggs for a short completion. Boggs followed a block by junior tackle Ryan Stormer and picked up a first down. A short time later, this time on fourth-and-7 at the Roosevelt 19, the Falcons went for it again, and Wilson hit Boggs for a 19-yard touchdown.

Streak busting: Harvey's losing streak to Riverside is 17 years old, and the Red Raiders see an opportunity tonight to end it before it reaches adulthood.

"We have to beat Riverside if this program is going to go in the direction I want it to go," Harvey coach Marwin Wallings said. "The community needs a win.

"We're excited about the streak. You know it's in the back of your mind. We knew we would have to face this monster."

Harvey last beat Riverside in 1992. The Red Raiders are 2-2 and coming off a strong showing in a loss to West Geauga. Riverside is 0-4 and has not been competitive, having scored one field goal in the last three games. The Beavers were in a similar situation in 2007. They were 0-2, beat Harvey and won seven of their last eight games.

Final appearance? Fremont Ross' trip to Cleveland last weekend to play Benedictine was its first road venture in 17 games against the Bengals and it could be the last since both teams will join conferences next year: Benedictine to the North Coast League and Ross to the Three Rivers Athletic Conference. Benny holds a 13-4 advantage in the series after Friday's 47-7 loss.

Drama central: As if the West Geauga-Perry rivalry didn't already have enough drama. Perry coach Matt Rosati, who won his first 69 games at West Geauga, goes for his 100th career win tonight at West Geauga.

Dominators: What football team has been the most dominant the first four weeks? It might be Ledgemont. The Division VI Redskins rolled over their first four opponents by a combined score of 135-16. They are 4-0 for the first time in school history.

"They are sticking together. They are a pretty tight group," coach Joe LaRosa said.

Quarterback Shane Ritts has passed for 544 yards and seven touchdowns. Running back Dan LaRosa has 570 yards and 11 TDs. Lineman Josh Ohler (6-4, 210) is receiving several college looks. Linebackers Brad Siler, Kyle LaRosa and Kevin Piy lead the defense.

The next two games will tell the tale for this veteran team. It plays at Division IV Pymatuning Valley (3-1) tonight and plays host to Division V Grand Valley (4-0) next week. Resilience: A week after losing four two-way starters to major injuries, Cardinal beat Fairport Harbor, 12-7, last week. Vinnie Polverine, who took over for injured quarterback T.J. Minnick, scored on a 1-yard run and threw an 80-yard TD pass to Jason Farmwald.

Welcome back: Besides its victory over Hudson there was more good news for Strongsville. Two-way lineman David Kaminski played for the first time since undergoing surgery in May for a torn anterior crucial ligament, suffered while playing in a pickup basketball game. The 6-4, 270-pound offensive tackle was in on 52 plays.

"Sooner or later David will also be seeing time at defensive end," said Mustangs coach Russ Jacques.

Missing: Brunswick will be without at least three key performers tonight when it plays at Twinsburg in a Northeast Ohio Conference crossover. Running back Tevin Jackson, defensive end Jake Maurer and linebacker Ray T. Brown will be sidelined for violating the school's athletic code.

Coach Luke Beal, in his first season at Brunswick after a successful stint at Fredericktown in Knox County, made no excuses.

"We'll coach up the players we have and go from there," he said. "We will move on."

Mentor roots: Willoughby South quarterback Ray Russ, who leads the Rebels (4-0) into Osborne Stadium against Mentor (1-3) tonight, lived in Mentor until his seventh-grade year. But Russ said he didn't dream of becoming a Mentor quarterback. He was more into baseball, and when it came to football, he was a St. Ignatius fan because several cousins played for the Wildcats.

Second Santo: Another Santo is beginning to make big plays for Kirtland. Junior Zach Santo, the brother of former standout Rossi Santo, had two interceptions on consecutive plays from scrimmage against Hawken last week, returning the second 55 yards for a touchdown.

-- Bob Fortuna, Joe Maxse, Tim Rogers, Tim Warsinskey

Beal and Solis, brothers-in-law, are keeping the family pleasantries to a bare minimum as their teams prepare to play tonight.

View full sizePDTwinsburg coach Mark Solis.

It's been a light family affair for Brunswick rookie coach Luke Beal and Twinsburg fourth-year coach Mark Solis the past 51 weeks but the lines are drawn this week as each team prepares for tonight's Northeast Ohio Conference crossover football game.

Beal's wife, Stacey, is Solis' sister and it's the first time the brothers-in-law are coaching against each other.

"I tried to avoid Mark as much as possible this week," said Luke Beal.

Beal wasn't joking.

"Luke sent an assistant coach over when we exchanged films," Solis said with a chuckle. "It's a big game for both schools. We're an up-and-coming program while Brunswick built a strong program under former coach Rich Nowak."

Solis has a lot respect for his brother-in-law.

"He went 0-20 in his first two years at Galion Northmor, but stuck with it and went on to do a great job at Fredericktown," said Solis. "Luke's now coaching in a program where they just expect you to win and it's been so far so good. I'm happy for him."

While it'll be tense for both families -- Twinsburg stands 4-0 and Brunswick is 3-1 -- and a lot of Division I postseason computer points will be at stake, one thing's certain.

"My wife will definitely be sitting on the Brunswick side," said Beal.

Brunswick will be without at least three key performers tonight. Running back Tevin Jackson, defensive end Jake Maurer and linebacker Ray T. Brown will be sidelined for violating the school's athletic code.

Beal made no excuses.

"We'll coach up the players we have and go from there," he said. "We will move on."

Real Barnes-burner: North Royalton tight end Brit Barnes burned Nordonia's secondary for a 45-yard touchdown reception right before halftime to tie the game at 14-14, and the Bears ended up winning the NOC crossover game, 35-28.

"That touchdown was key," said Royalton coach Nick Ciulli. "We were down, 14-7, entering the second quarter but the crazy part was that Nordonia ran only one offensive play in the first quarter."

The Knights got a 93-yard kickoff return by Paul Ward for touchdown after Royalton's Logan Pearce sprinted 51 yards for the game's first score. Nordonia then grabbed a 14-7 lead on Donnie Eatmon's 19-yard run, one play after the Bears fumbled the ball away.

"It was a crazy game," said Ciulli. "We even had an offensive lineman score a touchdown. John Varro picked up a fumble and ran 9 yards for the score for his first touchdown ever."

Defensive rewards: Last year, St. Edward struggled so much on offense, it made life hard on the defense.

This year, the Eagles offense has been superb, and the defensive guys are reaping their rewards.

St. Edward (4-0) has allowed just nine points in its last two games against Cardinal Mooney and Inkster (Mich.). Coach Rick Finotti said the offense has been more explosive than they anticipated and opposing offenses are forced to play catch-up. Tailback Terrell Bates already has 10 touchdowns.

"We've been scoring three or four touchdowns in the first half, so that leaves teams with one dimension to do, and that makes it easier on our defense," Finotti said.

Two things St. Edward does very well is get to the quarterback and cover receivers. Outside linebacker Deonte Gibson and free safety Robbie Coury have been big in that regard.

St. Edward travels to Cincinnati Elder on Saturday for a game in "The Pit," one of the harsher high school venues for visiting teams. Finotti wants his players to turn that disadvantage around.

"We have to use that in our favor," Finotti said. "This team has created a great bond, and it's you against everyone in that stadium and everyone in that town, and sometimes that gives you an edge because you tend to come together more with your teammates and focus a little better."

Bad break: Highland suffered a big loss when junior quarterback Jerry Scholle suffered a broken collarbone against North Royalton. Scholle, arguably the best quarterback in the Suburban League, accounted for more than 2,200 yards in 2009. Coach Tom Lombardo said Scholle is expected to miss at least six weeks. Sophomore Austin Adams will take the majority of the snaps in Scholle's absence.

Finally: Lutheran West had reason to celebrate after ending its 13-game losing streak a week ago by defeating Brookside, 23-18.

The Longhorns (1-3, 1-0 Patriot Athletic Conference) had not won since the final game of the 2008 season.

They did it in dramatic fashion with a game-ending, goal-line stand to preserve the win. Lutheran West also had four interceptions and stopped three two-point conversion attempts.

"Our kids were absolutely ecstatic," said third-year coach Dave Geye. "It was huge for us because you could tell there was a lot of frustration and added pressure. It's huge relief."

The Longhorns went 7-3 in Geye's first season. Involved in coaching for 22 years after stints at Brooklyn and Elyria Catholic, Geye said he has never been involved with a winless drought like that.

"It was long," he said. "I'm glad it's over."

Schreck returns: Medina quarterback Jason Schreck got his first start of the season after dislocating his collarbone and responded by completing 6 of 8 passes for 100 yards and two touchdowns in a 21-17 NOC crossover win over Stow.

Both of Schreck's scoring strikes went to Justin Letts, who was under center while Schreck recuperated.

"We got another solid performance from [tailback] Jason Suggs," said Battling Bees rookie coach Larry Laird.

Suggs garnered 235 yards on 24 carries and a touchdown.

"Jason's got about 600 yards on the year," said Laird. "He and Letts have been real steady for us."

-- Bob Fortuna, Joe Maxse, Tim Rogers, Tim Warsinskey

The 2010 volleyball season will go down as one of the most challenging of Amherst coach Laurie Cogan's 20-year career.

View full sizePDAmherst volleyball coach Laurie Cogan.

If there was ever a season in Laurie Cogan's 20-year career, 2010 will go down as one of the most challenging for the Amherst volleyball coach.

The Comets, ranked No. 90 in the first PrepVolleyball.com Top 100 and No. 4 in the Division I coaches state poll, entered the week 13-0 overall and 6-0 in the Southwestern Conference with tournament titles at Norwalk and Field. Even more impressive considering Amherst isn't at full strength.

Senior/Wisconsin recruit Deme Morales has more than 100 kills as a primetime middle hitter but sophomore middle hitter Erica Turner, the team's tallest player at 5-9, recently returned from a deep ankle bone bruise suffered when she slipped on stairs at her home. Two days later, she was again sidelined with a sprained ankle and is now in a cast.

Sophomore Kristi Koller, a 5-8 rightside hitter, is playing at less than 100 percent because of a foot/calf muscle injury suffered during a spring accident on a golf cart.

"[Senior] outside hitter Kaylee Koller is playing well and [senior] rightside Chloe Fairchild is back after tearing her ACL last year after eight matches, but [freshman] Mallory Sliman is playing a lot more than expected in the middle because of the injuries," Cogan said. "When Erica comes back, it will allow us to move Mallory to the right side.

"The lineup still isn't where I want it to be since Deme would be on the outside if Erica and Kristi weren't hurt. Although our hitting isn't what it could be because of the injuries, our setter [senior Marissa Harned] is a two-year starter and this is the best defensive team I've had in a long, long time."

Never too late: It wasn't the Division II state title match but a win over North Coast League Blue Division foe Padua is huge anytime, according to Lake Catholic coach Rich Severino. So it's understandable he wasn't downplaying his team's recent 25-21, 21-25, 21-25, 25-20, 15-12 victory over the two-time state champion Bruins, ranked No. 7 in the coaches state poll.

"The girls felt they had [Padua] beaten at state last year," said Severino, referring to last season's setback. "To win that first game, at their house, was big but the key was our blocking. I think we had about 20 blocks.

"Padua played exceptionally well and if I had to give our team a grade, it would be a B-minus."

Lions coming on: Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin scored a major confidence-booster with a four-game win over Villa Angela-St. Joseph.

"This is my third season at NDCL," said Lions coach Tom Ray, "and I know it's our first win over them in at least four years."

Ray wasn't complaining about the match against No. 1-ranked Lake Catholic either, despite the fact NDCL lost in three games.

"We were playing well in the first two games until near the end," Ray said. "In fact, we led, 18-17, in Game 2 but a couple of mistakes killed us. Did we expect to beat Lake? No, but we were competitive so we're making progress."

NDCL's play has improved all-around.

Cassie Kuchta, Jackie Miozzi and Regina transfer Katy Hanratty and Erica Vella are setting the table for 5-8 Michelle Hren, freshmen Hannah Love, Morgan White and 6-0 sophomore Lauren Beck.

"Michelle's got a 25-inch vertical jump," said Ray. "Morgan's got a 26-inch vertical and she's the most athletic kid I've ever coached.

At it again: Streetsboro is 9-1, 6-0, ranked 17th in the Division II coaches state poll and is in the driver's seat to win its sixth straight Portage Trail Conference County Division title under veteran coach Bill Smerglia.

"We're very athletic, we play defense, we try to move the ball around and we have kids who can jump," Smerglia said.

Senior Jordan Genovese, 5-9 junior Rachel Kolke and 5-10 sophomore Lexi Brewster head the middle while 5-8 junior Jessica Oktavec and senior Jaclynn Hess handle the outside. The setter is senior Da'Nae Redding.

The Rockets have kept their composure even though they practice and play their home matches in the middle school gym since a fire burned down most of the high school.

Good week for Elyria: The Pioneers, ranked No. 16 in the Division I poll, had a good week, defeating 13th-ranked Strongsville and Buckeye, along with Valley Forge. Elyria handed the Bucks, ranked No. 12 in Division II, their first loss of the season while the victory over Strongsville gave the Pioneers sole possession of first place in the Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division.

"It's always good to beat a Division I team who's ranked higher than you in the [state] poll," said Pioneers coach Jodie Johnson, referring to the 25-15, 25-19, 14-25, 15-25, 15-13 win over Strongsville. "We had a match-up advantage in the first two games, then [Strongsville coach Erick Sopata] changed his lineup and we had a hard time adjusting.

"The key to winning the match was getting an early lead in Game 5."

Kristen Boros and Shelby Obitts teamed up for 44 kills and 25 digs with the help of setter Shelby Regiec, who finished with 42 assists.

Future Green Wave? Holy Name volleyball coach Jenny Phillips and husband, Scott, welcomed the birth of their first child Sunday -- a daughter weighing 8 pounds, 13 ounces, and 20 inches long.

Cross country

A new McGregor: Cross country fans who have been around a few years might be doing a lot of double-takes and wondering if professional distance runner Katie McGregor found a time machine and has come back as a Hudson Explorer. With her bright red hair gathered in a ponytail, Hudson freshman Kate McGregor looks strikingly like former Willoughby South state champion Katie McGregor.

"People ask me all the time if I know who Katie McGregor is," Kate McGregor said. "I didn't know until recently that she has red hair, too."

Katie McGregor, 33, is a six-time national champion who currently runs for Team Minnesota. Kate McGregor was coming off an injury and a two-week layoff when she placed 40th at the Boardman Spartan Invitational last week in 20:43.

Strongsville Invite: The Strongsville Second Sole Invitational on Saturday will feature an interesting mix of boys teams with Medina, Toledo St. Francis, Cincinnati St. Xavier, Mentor, Hudson and Avon Lake among the top contenders.

The girls field includes Hudson, Brunswick, Perrysburg, Louisville, Massillon Jackson, Mentor, Rocky River and Perry.

The boys race first at 10 a.m. The start is behind the high school and the finish is in Pat Catan Stadium.

Catholic meet: Most of the area's Catholic schools are headed to Kettering for the inaugural Midwest Catholic Cross Country Championships. The meet formerly was the All-Ohio Catholic Championships, and it has expanded to add teams from Indiana, Kentucky and Pennsylvania.

Defending OAC boys champion St. Ignatius returns to run in the Gold division, along with St. Vincent-St. Mary. Elyria Catholic and Trinity will square off in the Silver division.

Defending OAC champ Magnificat and SVSM are among the top teams in the girls Gold division.

New finish: The course at Boardman High School, a regional site, has a new ending. Instead of a sharp left turn atop a hill and finishing near the school, the turn is gone and runners have a long straight sprint downhill to the finish. The change received good reviews from runners and fans.

Field hockey

The beat goes: Those thinking Hathaway Brown will lose a beat after senior Sydney Kirby takes her talents to Princeton next fall should think again.

When Kirby had to sit out games against Ottawa Hills and Kent Roosevelt after receiving a red card in a victory over Hawken, Lilly Benjamin stepped up.

"Lilly's one of four outstanding sophomores," said Blazers coach Sydney Van Der Merwe. "Elizabeth Warner is a great defender, Annie Brockett is a super-fit midfielder and Sarah McCannis is doing the job as one of our sweepers."

Kirby has collected over 50 career goals but another sophomore, McKenzie Retino, is also an offensive threat while junior goalie Rachel Adler has collected four shutouts for HB, which entered the week 6-0-1.

Getting better: Hawken edged Magnificat, 2-1, for its first win of the season as sophomore Emily Heyd and junior Annabelle Rayburn scored. The Hawks lost to Hathaway Brown, 3-1, and Western Reserve Academy, 2-1, despite goals by junior Colleen Schikowski and sophomore Kathleen Graham, respectively.

"It's the first time in nine seasons that we've scored a goal against HB," said Emily Caswell Devey, who came out of retirement to coach the Hawks. "And I can't remember the last time we scored against WRA."

The game against WRA was even more satisfying for Devey because she used to be an assistant for Pioneers head coach Marie Fiedler.

"We're young so we're only going to get better," said Devey, whose goalie is Emily Anagnostos, one of only three seniors on the team.

Getting closer: Kent Roosevelt is winless but came close when it tied Magnificat, 2-2, behind goals from Nadia Black and Brooke Baughman.

"My main objective is to bring some stability to the field hockey program," said rookie coach Shannon Rakyta. "I'm their fourth coach in as many years."

Golf

Tourney time: While football has just reached the halfway point of the season, area golfers are about to begin their postseasons. Division II and III sectional tournaments, for both boys and girls, will be held at several sites next week. The girls Division II sectional at Punderson, which should be a two-team race between Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin and Hathaway Brown, gets things under way on Monday.

In all cases the top four teams and the top four individuals not on qualifying teams will advance to district play.

Season's end: The nine-team Northeast Independent School Girls Golf League, which consists of Beaumont, Hathaway Brown, Laurel, Magnificat, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, Padua, St. Joseph Academy, Walsh Jesuit and Warren John F. Kennedy, will hold its season-ending tournament today at Avon Oaks Country Club. Walsh Jesuit has won the five previous titles, which is based on a points system. One point is awarded for each dual or tri-meet victory and additional points are awarded according to the finish in the tournament. The tourney winner earns nine points, with the runnerup getting eight, etc.

NDCL enters today's event in first place with nine points. Hathaway Brown is second with eight, followed by Walsh Jesuit (seven) and Magnificat (six).

Quietly making noise: The girls golf team from Brecksville-Broadview Heights is in the midst of the best season in school history. The Lady Bees have won three invitationals and are 14-0 in dual matches while leading the Southwestern Conference.

Junior Halley Morell leads the team with a stroke average of 84, followed by Tess Stevens (86), Nikki Costa (86.5), Brynn Schumacher (86.67), Emily O'Donnell (90) and Erin Shaffeld (96). Stevens and Costa are the only seniors. The SWC tournament is Tuesday on Sweetbriar's Legacy Course.

Royal flush: Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy senior Jacob Forsythe was named player of the year and his coach, John Bucciarelli, was named coach of the year following the Principals Athletic Conference tournament Wednesday at the Legends of Massillon. Forsythe shot a 77 to claim medalist honors and lead the Royals to the team tournament title with a score of 324. Fairless was second at 339.

Boys soccer

First-hand look: Mentor coach Brady Dean has had his troops go up against the area's two top teams in recent weeks. The Cardinals were bested by Strongsville, 5-0, on Sept. 11 and lost to St. Ignatius, 9-0, last Saturday.

The Wildcats (9-0) are ranked second in the Division I state poll, while the Mustangs (7-0-1) are rated No. 5. According to Dean, you can pick your poison.

"These guys are technically pretty solid," said Dean, who coached for a time at St. Ignatius in the 1980s. "St. Ignatius is physically stronger and quicker. Strongsville may build a little more going for the attack. It should be a pretty good game."

St. Ignatius travels to Strongsville on Oct. 9 at 5 p.m.

Girls soccer

Toughening up: Brecksville-Broadview Heights went through one tough week. Ranked third in Division I going in, the Bees (7-1-2) lost to fifth-ranked Strongsville (8-1-1), 2-0, on Monday and played a scoreless tie against top-ranked and defending state champion Medina (9-0-1) on Wednesday.

It shows the Bees will be a force when the state tournament rolls around next month.

Sick leave: Medina coach Doug Corena said his team is battling numerous injuries. He plans to give it four days off to re-energize.

However, junior midfielder Jen Jankowski will have to call it quits on her campaign. After tearing ligaments in her left knee during the preseason, Jankowski tried to put off surgery until after the season.

She saw limited action in five games this season, taking one shot. But the knee has been causing problems, so she will undergo surgery to be better prepared for her senior season.

She scored five goals and had an assist during Medina's title run a year ago. Jankowski has already made an oral commitment to play at Cleveland State.

-- Bob Fortuna, Joe Maxse, Tim Rogers, Tim Warsinskey

The Plain Dealer's high school sportswriters preview this weekend's area football games.

View full sizeThomas Ondrey / The Plain DealerThe season doesn't get any easier tonight for Mentor senior quarterback Colton Wallace and the 1-3 Cardinals, who will host undefeated Willoughby South.

TODAY

Avon at North Ridgeville

What, when, where: West Shore Conference game, 7 p.m. at North Ridgeville Stadium, 34600 Bainbridge Road, North Ridgeville. Call 440-353-1170.

Records: Avon 4-0, 1-0; North Ridgeville 3-1, 1-0.

What to watch: This one looks to go a long way in deciding the league title. The Eagles, ranked No. 5 in Division II and No. 14 by The Plain Dealer, had to rally for a 48-24 win against Rocky River. They had allowed three points in their first three games. Running backs Adam Horrocks and Patrick Furnas have given quarterback Cody Schroeder a balanced attack. The Rangers have won three straight since an opening 6-0 loss to unbeaten Westlake, outscoring opponents, 112-54. Senior running back Brandon Mundell has paced the ground game.

PD pick: Avon.

Avon Lake at North Olmsted

What, when, where: Southwestern Conference game, 7:30 p.m. at North Olmsted Stadium, 5577 Burns Road, North Olmsted. Call 440-779-8797.

Records: Avon Lake 3-1, 1-0; North Olmsted 2-2, 0-1.

What to watch: The Shoremen, ranked No. 19 by The Plain Dealer, go for their fourth straight victory. They have outscored opponents, 126-21, during the streak. Quarterback Trent Toy has been producing through the air and on the ground. The Eagles can jumpstart their season after alternating victories. They are a .500 club, scoring 69 points and allowing 64. Senior quarterback Mike Shoemaker has spearheaded the offense.

PD pick: Avon Lake.

Brunswick at Twinsburg

What, when, where: Northeast Ohio Conference crossover game, 7 p.m. at Twinsburg Tiger Stadium, 10084 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg. Call 330-486-2480.

Records: Brunswick 3-1; Twinsburg 4-0.

What to watch: The winner will walk away with a ton of Division I, Region 2 computer points but more important, will earn bragging rights for Twinsburg coach Mark Solis or his brother-in-law, Brunswick coach Luke Beal. QB Aaron Macer brings versatility to the Tigers' offense because he can pass and run and he has three capable runners/receivers in John Barton, London Carter and Sam Burgess. They must be aware of the Blue Devils' outstanding DB Scott Suren. The key is the offensive line's depth where 8-9 players rotate, with the standouts being Brett Gulosh, Nico Gagne-Cross and Jeremy Thompson. Brunswick will counter with TB Nick Roberts, who was a primary reason it outrushed Garfield Heights last week, 269 yards to 49.

PD pick: Twinsburg.

Chagrin Falls at Kenston

What, when, where: Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division game, 7 p.m., Snyder Road, Bainbridge Township. Call 440-543-9821.

Records: Both teams are 3-1, 1-0.

What to watch: Both teams have been hampered by injuries. Kenston running backs Percy Johnson (back) and Pat Porter (shoulder) played last week, a good sign for the Bombers, who have won three in a row. Chagrin Falls lost junior kicker Alex Hallwachs and senior linebacker Alex Garnaut to season-ending knee injuries. Four players, including wideout Mike Hageman and lineman Dan O'Kane, are out with concussions. The bottom line on this game will be whether Chagrin can rebound from a flat defensive performance against the run in last week's loss to Aurora. Kenston will run hard and often.

PD pick: Kenston.

John Marshall at John F. Kennedy

What, when, where: Senate Athletic League football game, 3 p.m. at John F. Kennedy's Roye Kidd Field, 17100 Harvard Ave., Cleveland. Call 216-461-5759.

Records: John Marshall 3-1, 2-0; John F. Kennedy 3-1, 2-0.

What to watch: Another game where plenty of computer points are there for the taking. JFK LB Damien Roberts, NT Nate Phillips and linemen Christopher McCloud and Savron Jefferson have been solid, while 6-4, 230-pound Ohio State recruit Chris Carter Jr. is one of the premier linemen in the area. QB Antonio Howard, WR Marcus Martin and the tailback twosome of Isaac Johnson and Lawrence Drake make the Eagles go on offense. Marshall, under the direction of rookie coach Brooks Baird, is in the thick of the league title race, thanks to RBs Josh Sims and Dominique Dickerson and an offensive line led by James Plummer, Doug Hargis, Lee McClung, Teyvis Russell and Carl Hampton. Their marquee player is QB/S Tamaine Chappell, while LB DeAndre Brown has been a force on defense.

PD pick: John F. Kennedy.

Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas at Elyria Catholic

What, when, where: Nonleague football game, 7 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Stadium, 725 Gulf Road, Elyria, Call 440-365-6390 ext. 26.

Records: Aquinas 2-2, Elyria Catholic 4-0.

What to watch: The Panthers moved into the top spot of the Associated Press Division IV poll after their 34-28 overtime win against Columbus Bishop Hartley. They are ranked No. 12 in the Plain Dealer Top 25. EC enjoyed its best rushing game of the season by piling up 215 yards. It bodes well since senior quarterback Danny Reaser is averaging 392 passing yards with 18 touchdowns. The Knights lost this game at home last year, 28-7.

PD pick: Elyria Catholic.

Mayfield at Brush

What, when, where: Northeast Ohio Conference crossover game, 7 p.m. at Korb Field, 4875 Glenlyn Road, Lyndhurst, Call 216-691-2100.

Records: Mayfield 3-1; Brush 2-2.

What to watch: The Wildcats posted their first shutout of the season last week with a 33-0 blanking of Elyria as the running game, led by Carlos Cruzado and Aaron Evans, racked up 179 yards. The passing game produced only two completions, but those accounted for 93 yards and a touchdown. Mayfield, which held Elyria to 121 yards on the ground and only 1 yard through the air, will be tested by Arcs TB Patric Hammon and quarterback Mark Ciarlillo. However, Brush will need a stellar performance in the trenches to be successful, and Mayfield place-kicker Tyler Anderson could be the difference maker if the game is close.

PD pick: Mayfield.

Parma at Elyria

What, when, where: Northeast Ohio Conference crossover game, 7 p.m. at Ely Stadium, Ely Stadium, 1915 Middle Avenue, Elyria. Call 440-284-8300.

Records: Parma 3-1; Elyria 1-3.

What to watch: Look for another aggressive passing attack by Parma, led by QB Joe Pullman and WRs Romey Johnson, Amer Smith, Billy Pullman and Dylan Kurtz. LB Johnnie Karban is the defensive stalwart, but the Redmen's secondary will also need to be at their best. Elyria QB Dustin Stolarski won't be afraid to throw it to Demetrius Walton-Kirkendoll and Malik Merriweather, but will also have the option of handing the ball to Jumarr Lewis and Keon Nealy. Could be a good matchup on the line between Parma's 6-4, 290-pound T Jason Varwig and Elyria's 6-5, 260-pound two-way lineman/Ohio State recruit Chase Ferris.

PD pick: Parma.

Perry at West Geauga

What, when, where: Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division game, 7 p.m., Howell Field, West Geauga High School, 13401 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township. Call 440-729-5060.

Records: Perry 4-0, 2-0; West Geauga 4-0, 1-0.

What to watch: Who has the best player in the CVC? Last week, West Geauga coach Lou Cirino said it was his QB, Joe Drenski. Think Perry QB Mitchel Hokavar and the Pirates defense were listening? Either way, it's a great matchup and will go a long way toward determining not just the best player, but the best team in the CVC Chagrin. Perry coach Matt Rosati, whose first 69 victories came at West Geauga, goes for his 100th career win against his former school. Cirino is one of his former West G players.

PD pick: Perry.

Riverside at Harvey

What, when, where: Nonleague game, 7 p.m., Jack Britt Stadium, Recreation Park, Painesville. Call 440-392-5150.

Records: Riverside 0-4; Harvey 2-2.

What to watch: Is this the year for Harvey? The Red Raiders have not won this neighborhood rivalry in the lifetime of most of its players -- 18 years. Riverside has scored just 17 points, but it has played Perry, West Geauga, Fitch and Geneva, who are a combined 14-2. Harvey's victories are against winless Fairport Harbor and Wickliffe, but the Red Raiders opened some eyes in last week's 34-32 loss to West Geauga. QB Kaleb Coffee leads Harvey in rushing, allowing the Raiders to move Justin Rice back to his natural slot position. Riverside leads the series, 34-23-1.

PD pick: Harvey.

Westlake at Amherst

What, when, where: Southwestern Conference game, 7:30 p.m. at Amherst Field, 450 Washington Street, Amherst. Call 440-988-4433 ext. 226.

Records: Both are 4-0, 1-0.

What to watch: Huge conference game pits defense against offense. The visiting Demons have allowed only 15 points this season, scoring a modest 48. Senior quarterback Mike Massaad has thrown four TD passes. Points have not been a problem for the Comets, ranked No. 22 by The Plain Dealer. They have outscored opponents, 153-43. Senior quarterback Brennan Hosier has tossed 12 touchdowns passes, six to Tyler Parrish. Which strength will prevail?

PD pick: Amherst.

Willoughby South at Mentor

What, when, where: Nonleague game, 7 p.m., Osborne Stadium, Mentor High, 6477 Center St., Mentor. Call 440-974-5304.

Records: South 4-0; Mentor 1-3.

What to watch: The most anticipated game in Lake County, and fans might be rewarded with a shootout. South comes into the game with something to prove and the memory of a 31-2 playoff loss at Mentor in 2008. Mentor needs the win to keep its withering playoff hopes alive, and needs to prove it can finish games. The key matchup will be Mentor's front seven against a small but agile South offensive line. If they can protect QB Ray Russ and block for RB Dom Darling, it will be a tough night for Mentor. The Cardinals offer the South defense its stiffest test. RB Mike Korecz and QBs Colton Wallace and Mitch Trubisky can lead long drives or break long plays.

PD pick: South.

SATURDAY

Archbishop Hoban

vs. St. Vincent-St. Mary

What, when, where: Nonleague game, 7 p.m., InfoCision Stadium, East Exchange and Spicer streets, Akron. Call 330-873-3315.

Records: Archbishop Hoban, 2-2; SVSM 3-1.

What to watch: ''SVSM is ranked eighth in The Plain Dealer and 12th in the state by the Associated Press, thanks to its defense, which has given up just 25 points. Players such as S Mark Murphy, LB Mike Greising, CBs Doran Grant and Joe Breiding and DL D.J. Williams, Vince Joyce and Freeland Oliverio have dominated. Hoban, ranked 17th in The Plain Dealer, has given up 49 points -- 26 coming in a loss to Walsh Jesuit -- behind the play of junior DEs Greg McMullen and LaTroy Lewis and DBs Kerrigan Cain and Nate Greczanik. Inconsistency at quarterback has plagued both squads. Because the rivals are in the same computer region (Division III, Region 9), the game takes meaning, above just the traditional bragging rights. SVSM enters the game in third place in the computer standings, while Hoban is 15th. This is the 34th meeting between the schools and Hoban leads, 17-16, and has won 10 of the 14 games since the series resumed in 1996 after a long layoff. SVSM has won the past three, all under coach Dan Boarman.

PD pick: SVSM.

Eastlake North vs. Lake Catholic

What, when, where: Nonleague game, 7 p.m., Osborne Stadium, Mentor High, 6477 Center St., Mentor. Call 440-951-0077.

Records: Both teams 3-1.

What to watch: The schools have played twice, in 2000 and 2001, and Lake Catholic won both by shutouts. Getting a shutout against this North offense will be an accomplishment. The Rangers are averaging 32.5 points with prolific QB George Gresko leading the way. North also has a strong running game featuring Jordan Morris. Lake Catholic counters with a defense that held Ursuline and Walsh Jesuit each to 14 points while forcing a total of six turnovers. Cougars TB Richie Sanders has rushed for 758 yards and seven TDs.

PD pick: Lake Catholic.

St. Ignatius vs. Don Bosco Prep

What, when, where: Nonleague football game, 4 p.m. at Harding Stadium, 1952 Calvin Jones Way, Steubenville. Call 216-651-0222.

Records: St. Ignatius 2-2; Don Bosco 2-0.

What to watch: This "Rally in the Valley" game, which will be broadcast by Fox Sports, will be another challenge for 10-time Division I state champion St. Ignatius. It was supposed to be a rebuilding season for 2009 national champion Don Bosco, which is ranked 11th in the RISE/ESPN Fab 50 national poll, 16th in the USA Today Super 25 and has outscored opponents, 68-20. Pitt recruit Gary Nova and Mike Yankovich make for a nice QB tandem and plenty of bodies to throw to, including Pat Donadio and Leonte Carroo. The running game is propelled by converted DE Paul Canevari. St. Ignatius QB Matt Hoyer, who was shaken up and left last week's loss at Centerville late in the fourth quarter, was at practice this week, but Joe Greco also took a number of reps'. TBs Bobby Grebenc, Dan Grace and Tim McVey will need to be effective to open up the passing game'. S Mike Svetina, DE Mike Ryan and LBs Jim Sheehan, Rustom Khouri and Tyler Kette have paced the defense.

PD pick: St. Ignatius.

-- Bob Fortuna, Joe Maxse, Tim Rogers, Tim Warsinskey