CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Whether it's an Ohio State commit's possible return or top-ranked teams making long drives, there is plenty to dig into for Week 3 of the high school football season in Northeast Ohio.

North Ridgeville is 2-0 without running back/Buckeyes pledge Demario McCall. He could make his season debut Friday night as the Rangers visit Berea-Midpark, also 2-0 and ranked seventh in the cleveland.com Top 25.

Fresh off their wins last week, No. 1 Mentor and No. 2 St. Edward have long drives ahead of them. The Cardinals will travel to Cincinnati and face St. Xavier tonight. The Eagles head east to New Jersey for a Saturday battle with St. Joseph Regional. Click here for capsules breaking down every game involving Top 25 teams.

That's just a glimpse of what's to come for Week 3 of the high school football season with 82 games tonight and 12 contests Saturday involving local teams. See how to search schedules by date or team in our interactive database.

And don't miss Varsity Blitz Live tonight at 7, a live and interactive blog featuring a chat room for fans and reporters, along with the latest news, scores, analysis, pictures and videos. Get a peek at what you'll get in the Week 2 edition.

Here is all the essential football content posted all week, including news, predictions, features and contest winners, as we all gear up for Week 3:

Wanted: Video of top plays Friday and Saturday

Reporters from the Northeast Ohio Media Group are always looking for your highlight videos to be considered for the weekly Top Play of the Week contest. Check out the Week 2 winner and plays that were up for a vote by cleveland.com readers.

Submit video of top plays you record Friday and Saturday. Fans and teams are invited to send us video clips of their top plays through email (hssports@cleveland.com), Twitter, Vine or Instagram to be considered for the Play of the Week contest. The deadline to submit videos from Thursday and Friday games is Saturday at noon, and video from Saturday games is accepted until 10 p.m. Saturday evening. 

Be sure to tag "NEOvarsity" on social media message so we receive the video clip.

News and notes

Northeast Ohio Media Group reporters checked in with their weekly notebooks from around the area, in addition to features and news. Here is a collection of all the headlines.

• Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden and Mayor Frank Jackson stopped by East Tech's Dwayne Browder Field to celebrate its renovation (video).

• Kirtland regroups after its lengthy regular-season win streak ends, while Maple Heights junior Javonte Richardson is gaining recruiting steam.

• Drones are becoming more and more popular and the Ohio High School Athletic Association is taking precautions.

• St. Edward is getting defensive, while Elyria is winning the turnover battle.

• St. Ignatius will play its 1,000th game in school history. Reporter Joe Noga takes a look by the numbers.

• Kenston dug deep for a comeback win after All-Ohio LB Zach Silberman injured his knee.

• Brush is ready to make an "explosive move" with Jordan Overton and Brandon Adams leading the way.

• University School punter Will Hart verbally committed to Colgate.

• Warren Saba sparked Benedictine with returns, Dontez Rash added his power game, and where is Justin Layne?

• Seven unheralded Archbishop Hoban players are making the Knights' defense unstoppable.

• A look at the Texas football players who struck an official.

• And why is a St. Edward letterman jacket in the front seat in Desmond Howard’s Nissan Altima commercial?

Take your pick

• Northeast Ohio Media Group staff members make their Week 3 picks on the biggest games in the region.

• Staff members explain their Top 25 ballots.

TV, radio, webcast listings

Looking to tune in or log on? Click here to find out where you can go.

Game Balls, other awards

• Mentor's Tadas Tatarunas and Bay's Cole Gergye were Week 2 Game Balls winners. Check cleveland.com/hssports every Friday night for new Game Balls polls featuring the night’s top offensive and defensive performers.

• Players of the Week winners were Mentor WR Jason Blizzard and Midview QB Dustin Crum.

• Mogadore is the Team of the Week winner after its 41-17 victory Saturday against Gilmour.

Varsity Views

• St. Edward's locker room is hot, smelly and inspirational, writes Scott Patsko.

• Reporter Tim Bielik ponders whether a nine-game league schedule is good for the Southwestern Conference.

• Finally, reporter Scott Patsko isn't sure. Is he biased against your school or for it? He explains in a Varsity View.

More on St. Edward-St. Joseph Regional game

Sister website nj.com covers St. Joseph Regional, located in Montvale, N.J., and asked coach Augie Hoffmann and captain Austin Triglia about Saturday's matchup against St. Edward after losing to the Eagles 42-0 last year, the program's worst loss in more than a decade.

And check out five things to watch for in the rematch according to nj.com reporter Patrick Lanni.

For more high school sports news, like NEOvarsity on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Nordonia quarterback Justin Post entered this football season with the unenviable task of replacing 2014 cleveland.com Offensive Player of the Year David Murray. 

He's also leading the offense for a team that went to the Division II state title game last season. 

No pressure, right?

Two weeks into a season where Nordonia, now ranked No. 15 in the cleveland.com Top 25, having lost its quarterback and top receivers from a year ago, was expected to have to rely heavily on the run, Post and company are proving up to the challenge of keeping the team's passing game on the radar of opposing defenses. 

While the team's new run-focused offense shined brightly in the Knights' Week 2 win against Bedford, Post also turned in passing performance many coaches would kill for against one of the top teams in the area. He completed 15-of-26 passes for 204 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions. 

"He's got all the tools to be a great high school quarterback," said Nordonia coach Jeff Fox. "He's still got room for improvement but has shown several flashes of what he can do." 

His numbers aren't as impressive as what Murray did throughout last season but they don't need to be. Post and his core of receivers are doing their part to maintain balance in the Knights' offense, which means the pressure to perform doesn't fall solely on the shoulders of running backs Anthony Perrine and Tye Evans. 

Perrine and Evans each rushed for more than 100 yards in Week 2 and both reached the end zone twice. One of Evans' touchdowns came via a 13-yard pass from Post in the fourth quarter. He finished with five catches for 49 yards. 

Fox saw his team improve upon several little mistakes which led to big plays that hurt his team in Week 1 against Mayfield and recognized one big improvement in the way his players responded to a potentially devastating blow early against Bedford. Following an 84-yard kickoff return for a Bearcats touchdown, the Knights' players remained calm and composed, which is something they did not do well when they fell behind against the Wildcats. 

"Momentum doesn't exist for a mentally tough football team," Fox said. "In Week 1, we didn't respond the right way. The message isn't 'fix mistakes and be perfect.' The message is 'rally around each other, play hard and don't be afraid to make mistakes because your teammates will help you make up for those mistakes.'"

When talking about Nordonia this season, it is hard not to mention the lines. Two-way linemen Isaiah Anderson, Alex Chrustic, Charles Meriweather and Terek Zingale will play major roles in determining how far the Knights can go. 

Bees' success is due as much to what they aren't doing as what they are

Brecksville coach Jason Black attributes his team's ability to not allow opposing teams to score to the vested interest his players have on every play and their ability to execute at each position. 

The No. 13-ranked Bees gave up 139 yards of total offense in a 42-0 win against Garfield Heights in Week 2 and 95 in their 27-0 win against Padua in Week 1. 

On offense, the Bees' effort to not rely too heavily on Ohio University-commit Tyler Tupa is paying dividends. 

"Last year, we felt we had to force the ball to Tyler Tupa but haven't had to this year," Black said. "We are so deep at our skill positions this year. Tyler is still a huge part of what we do. He's a big reason why we've done so well so well." 

In Week 1, Tupa, Danny Shirilla and Josh Underwood each caught three passes for more than 30 yards. In Week 2, Tupa led all receivers with 107 receiving yards but saw other wideouts step up on scoring plays: Joey McGonegal, Shirilla, Zach Venesile and Sam Wiglusz.

"Teams are taking away Tyler a lot so we've been throwing to a lot of different guys and they've been making plays," Black said. 

Brecksville racked up 380 yards of offense against Garfield Heights and 372 yards against Padua. 

"The running game also is setting up the passing game for us more so than in past years," Black said.

Running back Josh Underwood and quarterback Luke Strnad combined for 107 rushing yards against Garfield Heights and six different ball carriers combined for 224 rushing yards against Padua. 

Strnad, who completed 22-of-28 passes for 273 yards and four touchdowns in Week 2, has yet to throw an interception. In fact, the Bees have not yet committed a turnover this season while getting their first two takeaways against the Bulldogs last week. 

Aurora's passing game demands respect

The Greenmen have a long-standing reputation as being a run-oriented team, however, that is not necessarily the case this year. 

"We probably have more speed and overall depth in the receiving core than we've had in past years," said Aurora coach Bob Mihalik. "We're built a little bit differently."

The team's passing numbers from the first two weeks are modest but paint a pictures of a program using its aerial attack efficiently and at the right moments.

Quarterback Nolan Sotka was 8-of-12 passing for 178 yards with three touchdown passes against Ravenna in Week 2 with no interceptions in a 38-10 win against the Ravens. 

Against Solon in Week 1, the Greenmen, who sit at No. 16 in the Top 25, went with a much more run-heavy approach, which worked, helping to earn them a 24-14 upset. The change in approach from one week to the next was the result of an in-game adjustment Aurora might not have been able to make as easily in past seasons. 

"We surely didn't go into Ravenna planning to throw more," Mihalik said. "They were crowding the box and away our run so we were more pass-heavy. You certainly don't want to be one-dimensional."

It is a toss-up as to whether Aurora looking to the air or on the ground on Friday as the Greenmen try for their third straight win against Twinsburg. 

Kent Roosevelt, Ravenna renew rivalry despite conference switch

Dozens of players and coaches, past and present and other alumni attended the annual Captains' Luncheon on Wednesday, which has become a cherished tradition for Kent Roosevelt and Ravenna. 

The two teams will meet on Friday for the first time since the Rough Riders move to the Suburban League after several seasons in the Portage Trail Conference with the Ravens. 

"Being in a different conference really doesn't make any difference for the rivalry," said Kent Roosevelt coach Tim King. "It's a great neighborhood rivalry between two very similar communities. Over the years, these have been some of the closest games in the history of both programs." 

King is looking forward to the game and feels his players will have a good opportunity to exercise a hard lesson they learned in their Week 2 loss to Stow. 

"We learned that on a Friday night, against a very good football team, there is no time for self-pity or hanging your head after not making a play," King said. "Ravenna is a tough, physical football team that likes to run the ball and we need to be ready. It should be a great game."

Mogadore prepares to play virtual "mirror image" of themselves in Elyria Catholic

The Wildcats are set to take on their second Division V playoff contender on the road in as many weeks. 

Coming off of a 41-17 win against Gilmour in Week 2, Mogadore is scheduled to face Elyria Catholic on Friday. 

"We find ourselves strikingly similar styles," said Mogadore coach Matt Adorni. "We turned on the film and it was like we were playing a mirror image of ourselves. It wasn't just that they were wearing green and white like us, it's their power and they can spread you out a bit. This is a great challenge for us at this point in the season." 

After losing to St. Thomas Aquinas, 24-22, in Week 1, the Panthers bounced back to beat Central Catholic, 37-8, in Week 2. 

The Wildcats' defense will be tasked with trying to stop running back Daryl Davis who rushed for five touchdowns last week while looking for another big performance by quarterback Zeddie Pollock, who threw for three touchdowns, including two to Zaire Webb, against the Lancers. Nate Alexander is coming off of a 92-yard rushing game with a touchdown in Week 2.

Woodridge gears up for Chagrin Falls

The Bulldogs are enter Week 3 coming off of a 34-14 win against Manchester to improve to 2-0 and are preparing to face a Chagrin Falls team still in search of its first win on Friday. 

Woodridge coach Jeff Decker knows better to take the Tigers likely, however.

"The Tigers are a very good 0-2 team. They've played two of the better teams in the area so being 0-2 is absolutely meaningless," Decker said. "We told our team that this is one of the best teams we will face this year. Basically all of their skill players are back and when you're facing that kind of experience and really, really smart football kids, you've really got to be on the top of your game, mentally, offensively and defensively." 

Woodridge quarterback Mason Lydic threw for five touchdowns against Manchester, including two to Joe Novak and King Alcardon Sanders.

My picks for top games to watch in Week 3

Games involving Suburban League teams

Cuyahoga Falls at Barberton, Friday, 7 p.m.

No. 25 Highland at North Royalton, Friday, 7 p.m.

Kent Roosevelt at Ravenna, Friday, 7 p.m.

Wadsworth at Medina, Friday, 7 p.m.

Games involving Portage Trail Conference teams

Crestwood at Coventry, Friday, 7 p.m.

Kent Roosevelt at Ravenna, Friday, 7 p.m.

Mogadore at Elyria Catholic, Friday, 7 p.m.

Woodridge vs. Chagrin Falls, Friday, 7 p.m.

Reporter Robert Rozboril covers the Suburban League and Portage Trail Conference. Check out his football beat notes every week.

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

Contact high school sports reporter Robert Rozboril by email (rrozboril@cleveland.com), on Twitter (@rrozboril) or on Facebook (facebook.com/rrozboril). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

BEREA, Ohio - Terrelle Pryor arrived in Browns' training camp as a curiosity and departed Thursday afternoon as an even bigger one.

An organization bereft of many playmakers released the converted quarterback without taking a long look at the 6-foot-5 receiver at his new position. They cut a multi-dimensional athlete who missed a large chunk of the preseason due to a hamstring injury and filled the roster spot with a former Seahawks running back expected to miss at least a few more weeks with a high-ankle sprain.

If you follow the logic please enlighten us. There are lots of unanswered questions regarding the Pryor saga the Browns will have to explain starting Friday. After announcing the move, the team chose not to make available coach Mike Pettine or Bill Kuharich, who's serving as general manager during Ray Farmer's four-week, league-imposed absence.

Pryor's attempt to make the transition from quarterback was one of the biggest stories of preseason. The club only heightened intrigue by lining him up as a wildcat quarterback and a personal punt protector for Andy Lee in the final exhibition game against the Bears. Pettine acknowledged Pryor's diversity would be something the Jets would have to account for in the run up to Sunday's season opener.

Well, that's one less worry for new Jets coach Todd Bowles. That's a minor detail, however, in the overall decision whether to cut or keep the former Ohio State standout.

Fair or not, people will speculate about the timing of the transaction as it relates to the start of Farmer's suspension. The general manager is not allowed in the facility or to make any roster decisions during his four-week ban in accordance with NFL rules.

So was it Pettine's call to release a player Farmer signed? Since the Text-gate fallout, coach and GM have gone out of their way to say they are -- to use Pettine's words -- "singing from the same hymnal." And to be clear, the signing of Pryor, was mentioned in that very quote highlighting their unity.

The "who's in charge here" theory would have zero credence had the Browns released Pryor on Saturday when rosters needed to be trimmed to 53 and Farmer was still on the job.

The receiver had missed ample time due to injury and appeared in only one game, earning no targets against the Bears. Players often get released based on the "can't make the club from the tub" axiom. Many would have understood the Browns' thinking.

So what's changed in the past five days? Pryor has been practicing. He was on the field Thursday less than an hour after offensive coordinator John DeFilippo told reporters:

"I am proud of the way Terrelle has handled things. I still am. He just needs to keep improving on those technique issues. It is a shame he has been out, too, and now 100 percent. It is good to finally see him open up a little bit. He has progressed nicely."

In fairness to the Browns, Pettine never said Pryor would be active for Sunday's opener and the club didn't have the luxury of stashing the fourth-year pro on a practice squad. Any compliment the coach paid him always seemed to be couched with the burning need to see Pryor deliver on his potential, "sooner rather than later."

"Once you make the 53 (man roster) you have to be a productive member of the team," the coach said Wednesday. "It's hard to just have that be a project for a year."

There's also a possibility Pettine and Farmer agreed over the weekend to give the Pryor experiment a few more days before reaching a verdict. Again, the decision to move on from Pryor and acquire Seahawks' Robert Turbin would make more sense if the running back could contribute immediately.

Turbin was a waiver claim so it's unclear how many other teams, if any, were interested in the fourth-year player. He's rushed for 928 yards on 231 carries and caught 43 receptions for 427 yards and two touchdowns.

How does a decision-making group balance such production versus Pryor's potential? It likely would have taken weeks, maybe longer, to determine if the receiver could make a successful transition. He never stood out in 11-on-11 periods during training camp before his injury.

But having invested so much time into Pryor and waiting out his hamstring problems, what were a few more weeks for a team lacking a big, play-making pass catcher?

Maybe, there's more to the story we don't know. Maybe, the Browns simply didn't think it was worth the wait. They would have spared themselves some grief, however, by cutting ties last weekend.

Pettine will provide answers Friday afternoon. So will the rest of the league in the coming days. Does another team take a flyer on Pryor?

He told NEOMG's Mary Kay Cabot the Browns made a "mistake" releasing him. The curiosity surrounding Terrelle Pryor grows even as he's already gone.  

Strongsville football defeated Brush, 49-14, on a rainy Friday night.

LYNDHURST, Ohio -- Strongsville running back Zach Kahn rushed for 243 yards and two touchdowns as the Mustangs' football team beat Brush, 49-14, on Friday. 

Strongsville started fast with 28 unanswered points in the first quarter, including a pair of touchdown passes by quarterback Ryan Robertson. The first was an 86-yard strike from to Peter Mocho on Strongsville's first series and the second was a 34-yarder to Justin Collins. Robertston finished 6-of 13 passing for 136 yards and three touchdowns. 

Kahn looked strong from the get-go, rushing for 151 yards and a touchdown in the first half. 

"We came in knowing we wanted to get our running game going," said Strongsville coach Larry Laird. "We are a zone-read team and our guys worked hard all week on making the correct reads and I think we finally got it going tonight. We threw some different formations at them too tonight that I don't think they were expecting." 

After the game, Brush coach Jeff Fink and WR/CB Jordan Overton said they noticed various formations the Mustangs used for which they had not practiced. 

The fourth Strongsville touchdown came on a fumble recovered by Thaddaeus Stanford and returned it for a touchdown. 

Strongsville struggled to hold on to the ball in the rain as well and it led to Brush's first touchdown in the second quarter when 

Rainy conditions contributed to five turnovers for Brush, five of which were fumbles. The Mustangs fumbled four times but lost only one which Austin Scott recovered back 42 yards for the Arcs' first touchdown in the second quarter. 

"The biggest part about the rain was our centers were having a hard time holding onto the ball and getting it back to our quarterback," Laird said. "We had some snaps that were sporadic and a little low for our guy, who's 6-foot-4. Anything below the knee is pretty low. Our guys know they better get on it because they don't want to face me if they don't." 

Fink said he didn't feel his team played as well as it did in the first two weeks of the season and is simply looking to see progress with his team. 

"We were being too aggressive early and they got us with some big plays early," Fink said. "As far as the rain, I wouldn't say it hurt us. I wouldn't let the guys say it was that big a factor. We turned the ball over because we didn't play as detailed as we should have." 

Strongsville reached the end zone twice more in the third quarter and Brush answered with an 80-yard rushing touchdown by Brandon Adams in the fourth. Adams led the Arcs in rushing with 109 yards on 10 carries while Overton led all receivers with five catches for 120 yards. 

With 2:18 remaining, the Mustangs added one more score on a 28-yard run by Christian Williams. 

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

Contact high school sports reporter Robert Rozboril by email (rrozboril@cleveland.com), on Twitter (@rrozboril) or on Facebook (facebook.com/rrozboril). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

North Ridgeville RB Demario McCall made his season debut, but Berea-Midpark won on the road.

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio — Berea-Midpark's football team slowed down North Ridgeville running back and Ohio State commit Demario McCall in his season debut Friday as the Titans won, 41-21, in Southwestern Conference play.

Visiting Berea-Midpark (3-0, 2-0), ranked No. 7 in the cleveland.com Top 25, had five rushing touchdowns. QB Nick Gassman and RB Shawn Epps each rushed for two touchdowns in the win.

Epps rushed for a game-high 145 yards on 26 carries.

"He's very good, probably unheard of until right now this season," Berea-Midpark coach Ray Hradek said of Epps. "But we knew what we had after last year. He's very good at catching the football and also running."

Check back soon for video.

Epps had a 56-yard touchdown less than two minutes into the game to give the Titans the lead for good. He added a 9-yard touchdown later in the first quarter to put his team up, 21-7.

"We had to just come out, just dominate the first half," Epps said. "It's very hard to run. But once you find a hole and you've got a big line like I do, (when) you find a hole you just go."

McCall missed the first two games of the season with a high ankle sprain. He had all three of his team's touchdowns in his return.

McCall had two rushing touchdowns and a receiving touchdown to help keep the Rangers close. McCall said he felt fine after the game.

"It felt good to get the first one out of the way," McCall said. "Now I've got to move on week by week, day by day."

Despite his three touchdowns, the Berea-Midpark defense led by Michigan State commit Joey Bachie held McCall in check. McCall finished with 100 yards rushing.

After Epps' first touchdown, Berea-Midpark recovered a fumbled North Ridgeville snap and Gassman scored on a 1-yard quarterback sneak to make it 14-0.

North Ridgeville trailed, 21-14, after the first quarter. Bachie scored on a 1-yard run to give his team a 27-14 lead. Then Berea-Midpark's Desmond Salley intercepted a Collin Sullinger pass and returned it 36 yards to give his team a 34-14 lead.

"They're a great team," North Ridgeville coach Luke Durbin said. "We had them in third-and-long probably three or four times in the first half and just couldn't make a play to get off the field. I give credit to them. They've got great players. They're got a great offensive scheme. They really stress the defense. When we needed to make a play to get off the field, we just couldn't make it."

Neither team scored in the second half as constant rain made the football slick and difficult to handle.

In Week 4, Berea-Midpark will host Amherst and North Ridgeville will travel to Olmsted Falls.

A heavy rushing attack led the way for the Kirtland Hornets as they send Villa-Angela St. Joseph to their first loss.

KIRTLAND, Ohio – The bitter sting of Kirtland's first regular season football loss in four years was short-lived for the Hornets and coach Tiger LaVerde as they blanked visiting Villa-Angela St. Joseph on Friday, 30-0.

A pair of seniors in tailback Joey Bates and wideout David Allchin led the way offensively in what transpired into a run-heavy attack amidst a rain-soaked Rodgers Field.

“We love running the ball, and running the ball is easier in the rain,” Allchin said. “We had to beat them up in the trenches and that’s what we did.”

It was the versatile Bates who got his team on the scoreboard first with a 6-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Kirtland gained good field position to set up the score, recovering a fumble by VASJ standout running back Jerry Higgins. The Vikings sophomore gained 77 yards on 15 touches, but wasn’t able to get across the goal line, running into a tough Hornets defense.

Snapping a streak of 56 consecutive regular season wins in a loss to Grand Valley last Friday, things quickly turned back to normal this week for last year’s Division VI state runner-ups.

“It was a really, really long week,” Allchin said. “We had to think about it a lot and get in the film room, but it was great to see us and get the 30-0 victory. Our defense played great and we eliminated the big play.”

While he and his teammates eliminated the big play, Allchin himself capped off the first half with the biggest play of the night – tossing a 41-yard touchdown to senior tight end Evan Madden on a well-executed flea flicker with seconds remaining on the clock.

“Allchin made a perfect throw,” LaVerde said. “He hit him right in his stride and in this weather, that’s hard to do. It’s a huge difference being up two scores.”

It was the only completion from both teams in the half, and one of just two from Kirtland on the night. Bates and Allchin combined for 150 yards on the ground, each adding rushing scores in the second half that put the game away.

Despite outscoring the opposition 74-7 through their first two games of the season, VASJ suffers its first defeat of the season.

“You have to cope with field conditions,” Vikings coach John Storey said. “It didn’t seem to bother them. We hurt ourselves a couple times with unopportune penalties and fumbles.”

Back in the win column, Kirtland hosts Richmond Heights next Friday night while VASJ travels to Shaw to take on the Cardinals.

Jim Berdysz is a freelancer from Cleveland.

Ohio State redshirt freshman Kyle Snyder, 19, became the youngest U.S. men's champion ever Friday at the World Wrestling Championships 2015.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Ohio State 19-year-old wrestler Kyle Snyder is a world champion, and the youngest in U.S. men's history. He won a stunning gold medal Friday night at the United World Wrestling Championships 2015 in Las Vegas.

Snyder, ranked 15^th in the world, shocked defending world champ Abdusalam Gadisov of Russia, 5-5 (criteria), in the 97 kilo/213-pound freestyle final at sold-out Orleans Arena.

How did Snyder win world championship at age 19, just 15 months after graduating from high school?

"I attribute that to my parents,'' he said. "They raised me the right way. They taught me that if you work hard and make the right decisions, and you're hungry enough for something, do everything you can to get it. I believe in them.''

Snyder, from Woodbine, Maryland, is the youngest men's wrestling finalist Team USA has ever had, and the gold medal caps a remarkable rise through the world ranks since he was pinned in the NCAA Tournament final as a true freshman in March. He helped Ohio State win its first national championship, but his runner-up finish stuck with him.

"I wasn't going to walk off that mat without a goal medal,'' Snyder said. "When you feel pain like that, you never want to feel it again. I wasn't going to take second at nationals. I wasn't going to take second at Pan Am (Games) and I wasn't going to take a silver medal at worlds. That was not going to happen.''m

Snyder is taking a year off from Ohio State in 2015-16 as an Olympic redshirt while aiming for a gold medal at next year's Rio Olympics.

Snyder came out on top of an action-packed second period against Gadisov that began tied, 1-1. Snyder scored a quick takedown on an ankle pick, but Gadisov responded with a single leg for a 3-3 tie. 

Gadisov took a 4-3 lead on a push-out with 61 seconds remaining. Snyder hit a low-level takedown with 22 seconds left. Gadisov's late push-out produced a 5-5 tie, but Snyder won on criteria.

He quickly wrapped himself in an American flag and circled the mat as the crowd cheered wildly.

"When you start hearing that 'USA' chant, especially on a day like today, September 11, it's important to come out and represent your country to the best of your ability,'' he said.

Gadisov won his first four matches by a combined score of 32-2.

The 26-year-old is ranked second in the world and knocked off top-ranked Khetag Gazumov of Azerbaijan in the quarterfinals, 5-0.

"I watch a lot of wrestling videos and I've been watching that man, Gadisov,for a long time,' Snyder said. ''I knew what he was good at. But I also knew that if I got into wrestling position, stayed stingy in my stance and wrestled hard for six minutes, I think I should win.''

Snyder had a favorable draw, but not an easy path to the final. He beat No. 13 Abbas Mohammadtaher Tahan of Iran, 6-3, in the semifinals. Snyder took a 4-0 lead in the match on a pair of early ankle picks. (See video at bottom of this post.)

Tahar cut the margin to 4-3, but Snyder received a penalty point and earned a push-out to finish off Tahar, who lingered on the edge of the mat. Snyder waved him back to center mat as the crowd cheered wildly.

Snyder won a quarterfinal by technical fall, 11-1, against Venezuela's Jose Robertti, whom Snyder had beat earlier this summer, 10-0, at the Pan Am Games.Syder also beat No. 8 Radoslaw Baran of Poland, 8-0.

Snyder's closest match was in the first round, a 2-1 decision over Ukraine's Pavlo Olinyk, a former world bronze medalist. Snyder displayed some early jitters, and took a 2-0 lead when Olinyk was penalized twice for passivity.

"If I didn't gut that one out, I'd be in the stands eating Skittles,'' he said.

Snyder was an NCAA runner-up as a true freshman in March, helping Ohio State win its first national championship. He is taking an Olympic redshirt in 2015-16, leaving the Buckeyes, but still training with them and members of the USA Wrestling Regional Training Center at OSU.

Snyder is Ohio State's third world medalist. Jim Humphrey and Mark Coleman won silvers. Humphrey's son, Reece, also is an Ohio State grad and wrestled Friday (story below).

Snyder previously won Junior World bronze and gold medals.

This summer, he beat reigning Olympic champion Jake Varner twice to make his first U.S. senior team, then won the Pan Am Games. 

Snyder was unbeaten in three years as a high school wrestler, then left to finish high school and train with the U.S. Olympic team in Colorado Springs before enrolling at Ohio State last year as the top recruit in the nation.

Snyder told The Plain Dealer before the tournament he believed he could win.

"In my brain, I believe I'm the best in the world, but until I go out there and wrestle in on Sept. 11 in Las Vegas, I won't know, and neither will anybody else,'' he said. "It's important to be confident. Now, you have to make it happen.''

Humphrey eliminated: Another Ohio State product, three-time World Team member Reece Humphrey, was eliminated at 61 kilos/134 pounds. Humphrey's first match against world bronze medalist Daulet Niyazbekov of Kazakhstan ended in an 11-11 tie. Humphrey won on criteria by virtue of a four-point throw.

Humphrey lost  a 6-0 decision to 2013 Junior World silver medalist Nomin Batbold of Mongolia in the second round and was pinned by India's Bajrang in the repechage.

"It's a little bit of a tough draw - it's really disappointing," Humphrey said. "A lot of people's hard work and sacrifice and a lot of months of training day in and day out. To have a poor performance is upsetting. That's wrestling. You have to be at your best and you have to beat the best. It's the World Championships. Everybody is good."

Vote for the top defensive player from Week 3

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Below is a look at some of the top Week 3 high school football defensive performers from Friday night.

Vote for your favorite in the poll below. Voting is open until Thursday at noon.

The Week 3 contenders:

Tyler Canova, Archbishop Hoban: Helped extend Knights' shutout streak to three games with a 41-yard fumble return for a touchdown in 27-0 win over Youngstown Ursuline.

Josh Petruccelli, Perry: Had three interceptions, including an 80-yard interception return for the winning score in Perry's 27-26 win over Madison, the school Petruccelli played for last year before transferring to Perry. 

Desmond Salley, Berea-Midpark: Intercepted a pass and returned it 36 yards to give his team a 34-14 lead over North Ridgeville.

Alonzo Wallace, Akron Garfield: Returned a 90-yard interception for a touchdown to open the scoring in Garfield's 21-14 win over Tallmadge.

Watch Ohio State teen Kyle Snyder's gold-medal winning match against No. 2-ranked Russian Abdusalam Gadisov at the United World Wrestling Championships 2015 .

LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- Kyle Snyder won the United World Wrestling Championships 2015 gold medal at 97 kilos/213 pounds on Friday in Las Vegas. He beat defending champion Abdusalam Gadisov of Russia, 5-5 on criteria. Watch the video at the bottom of this post.

Gadisov, 26, is ranked second in the world and had won his first four matches of the tournament by a combined score of 32-2, including a 5-0 quarterfinal win against No. 1-ranked Khetag Gazumov of Azerbaijan.

Snyder, 19, has always taken an aggressive, confident approach on the mat. He avoided the common, youthful mistake of getting conservative in the final.

Gadisov appeared confused and frustrated at times against Snyder, who has a history of going for headlocks and left-ankle picks, but repeatedly changed up in the championship match.

Snyder said he has been watching videos of Gadisov since he was in junior high, and Gadisov was the wrestler he most wanted to face in the finals.

"I watch a lot of wrestling videos and I've been watching that man, Gadisov,for a long time,' Snyder said. ''I knew what he was good at. But I also knew that if I got into wrestling position, stayed stingy in my stance and wrestled hard for six minutes, I think I should win.''

Snyder survived a 2-1, first-round match, won handily in the second round and quarterfinals before winning a tough, 6-3 semifinal against No. 13 Abbas Mohammadtaher Tahan of Iran.

Snyder, who just finished his freshman year at Ohio State, is the youngest world champion in U.S. wrestling men's freestyle history. He is ranked 15th in the world, and had been unranked until winning the Pan Am Games this summer. 

Snyder is taking an Olympic redshirt year off from Ohio State in 2015-16 while he continues to train for the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Here is his match against Gadisov:

See the top performers on offense and vote for who should win the Week 3 Game Ball.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Below is a look at some of the top Week 3 high school football offensive performers from Friday night.

Vote for your favorite in the poll below. Voting is open until Thursday at noon. Check out the Defensive Game Balls contest as well.

The Week 3 contenders:

Nick Best, Bay: Ran for 304 yards on 20 carries and three touchdowns, two from 67 and 80 yards, respectively, in the Rockets’ 34-17 win against Fairview.

Michael Canganelli, Mayfield: Rushed for 206 yards and four touchdowns on 21 carries in the Wildcats’ 36-6 win against Garfield Heights.

Gerett Choat, Avon: Rushed for 313 yards and scored three touchdowns on 51 carries in the Eagles' 41-40 victory against North Olmsted in triple overtime.

Tonye Hamilton, Richmond Heights: Accrued 179 yards on 20 carries and scored two touchdowns in the Spartans’ 18-6 win against Newbury.

Zach Kahn, Strongsville: Rushed for 243 yards and two touchdowns on 29 carries in the Mustangs’ 49-14 win over Brush.

Chawntez Moss, Bedford: Rushed for 196 yards and three touchdowns on 19 carries in the Bearcats’ 41-0 win against John Adams.

Donte Norris, Warrensville Heights: Ran for 133 yards and two touchdowns on only five carries in the Tigers’ 33-0 triumph against Beachwood.

King Alfred Sanders, Woodridge: Amassed 238 yards and four touchdowns on 30 carries in the Bulldogs’ 34-6 win against Chagrin Falls.

Luke Strnad, Brecksville: Threw for 212 yards and three touchdown passes in the Bees’ 22-16 win against Brunswick.

Logan Thut, Crestwood: Totaled 262 rushing yards and five touchdowns, along with a 92-yard kick return, and runs of 91 and 78 yards, respectively, in the Red Devils’ 62-29 defeat of Coventry. 

The No. 1-ranked team in the cleveland.com Top 25 suffered a rocking loss Friday in Cincinnati, while Avon and North Olmsted played into a triple overtime thriller.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The No. 1-ranked team in the cleveland.com Top 25 suffered a rocking loss Friday in Cincinnati, while Avon and North Olmsted played into a triple overtime thriller.

Mentor, which moved into the area’s top ranking after beating St. Ignatius last week, found itself on the wrong end of the running clock against St. Xavier in a 59-13 loss.

Meanwhile, No. 22 North Olmsted had its upset bid of No. 6 Avon upended when Jake Sopko and the Eagles emerged, 41-40 in triple overtime.

Ohio State recruit Demario McCall returned for North Ridgeville and produced three touchdowns in his first game of the season. However, No. 7 Berea-Midpark won, 41-21.

More games of note

• Michael Canganelli’s four touchdowns led No. 8 Mayfield past Garfield Heights.

• Zach Kahn’s 243 yards fueled No. 23 Strongsville in a 49-14 win at Brush.

• No. 12 St. Vincent-St. Mary survived a defensive struggle with No. 23 Lake Catholic, 10-7.

• A week after its 56-game win streak in the regular season ended, Kirtland came away with a resounding 30-0 win vs. VASJ.

• A former teammate haunted Madison, and Perry rallied, 27-26.

How the Top 25 fared

Take a look at how the cleveland.com Top 25 football teams fared on Friday. Check back to see how things pan out for the rest of the top-ranked teams in the area on Saturday.

Top plays of the week video contest

Capture video of a great play? Find out how to send it to us so we can consider it for the new weekly video contest to decide the Top Play of the Week.

Look for the video compilation Monday and vote for your favorite play of the week.

See hundreds of pictures from Friday night

Action photo galleries

• No. 7 Berea-Midpark at North Ridgeville (gallery)

• No. 8 Mayfield at Garfield Heights (gallery)

• No. 23 Lake Catholic at No. 12 St. Vincent-St. Mary (gallery)

• No. 23 Strongsville at Brush (gallery)

Feature photo galleries

• Lakewood at Olmsted Falls (Lakewood gallery and Olmsted Falls gallery)

• Canfield at Kenston (gallery)

Statewide scores

Click here for a rundown of every game from Friday across Ohio.

Game balls

• Vote for the best offensive performance of Week 3.

• Vote for the best defensive performance of Week 3.

Relive Friday night

Check out the Varsity Blitz Live blog for a rundown of all the latest news, videos and updates. Come back every Friday for Varsity Blitz Live, where you can join the conversation by including #NEOvarsity in Tweets or through cleveland.com's comments.

Best of Saturday

Sister website nj.com covers St. Joseph Regional, located in Montvale, N.J., and asked coach Augie Hoffmann and captain Austin Triglia about Saturday's matchup against St. Edward after losing to the Eagles 42-0 last year, the program's worst loss in more than a decade.

And check out five things to watch for in the rematch according to nj.com reporter Patrick Lanni. The game will be streamed live on stedwardeagles.com.

Also, No. 4 Benedictine travels to Holy Name and Cleveland Heights visits No. 9 Glenville. Click here to read more on those games.

For more high school sports news, like NEOvarsity on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.

Yes, the Indians offense needs some help over the winter, but the bullpen shouldn't be overlooked.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Do you have a question that you'd like to have answered in Hey, Hoynsie? Submit it here or Tweet him at @hoynsie. 

Hey, Hoynsie: Everyone talks about the Indians needing to improve their offense in the offseason. But to me the bullpen needs to be address just as much this winter. -- Joel Friedrichsen, Omaha.

Hey, Joel: The Tribe's pen has done a nice job this year, but you have a point.

It's become apparent that manager Terry Francona feels he's at least one late-inning reliever short because he frequently goes to Cody Allen in the eighth inning for four and five-out saves.

Right now, it doesn't seem that Francona has a lot of confidence in anyone else besides set-up man Bryan Shaw and Allen when the Indians have a one to two-run lead in the eighth or ninth inning.

The left-handed relief corp needs some help as well. After Marc Rzepczynski was traded and Nick Hagadone went on the disabled list, Francona's only options are youngsters Kyle Crockett and Giovanni Soto.

At the start of the year, the core of the pen was Allen, Shaw, Scott Atchison and Rzepczynski. Atchison and Rzepczynski are gone. Jeff Manship, Zach McAllister and Austin Adams have done a nice job, but it wouldn't be a surprise to see the Indians try to add a late-inning arm or two this winter.

It's something almost all teams do because of the wear and tear relievers go through during a season.

The Indians' bullpen entered the weekend with the fourth lowest ERA in the AL at 3.18.  The pen's innings are down as well because of the work of the starting rotation.

Hey, Hoynsie: Was the acquisition of Chris Johnson from Atlanta more of a sign of change coming at first base with Carlos Santana or third base with Giovanny Urshela? - Chris Zanon, Miami.

Hey, Chris: -- Initially, it was about balancing the books in sending Nick Swisher, Michael Bourn and between $11 million and $15 million to Atlanta for Johnson and the $17.5 million left on his contract.

But Johnson came over and immediately started to hit. Unfortunately, an insect bite put him on the disabled list and he hasn't regained his stroke since being activated. Still, I think Johnson's offense has intrigued some of the Indians decision makers.

Hey, Hoynsie: With Mark Shapiro leaving at the end of this season for a similar job in Toronto, I was wondering what his contract status was with the Indians in 2016? If so do we get any sort of compensation for allowing him to take a lateral move to another franchise? - Karl McCarlos, Chicago. 

Hey, Karl: Not sure about Shapiro's contract status, but there will be no compensation involved. Shapiro will have more power in Toronto than he has in Cleveland so it's not a lateral move. 

Hey, Hoynsie: Would you trade Bradley Zimmer, Justus Sheffield or Clint Frazier for Yasiel Puig if he became available in the offseason? - Michelle Kemp, San Francisco.

Hey, Michelle: If the Indians wanted to create a buzz, acquiring Puig would be one way. He's been bothered by hamstring problems this season and his production has fallen for the Dodgers, but he has talent to burn and he's signed through 2019 for about $25 million. 

I'd be surprised if the Dodgers traded him. If they did, they'd want more than prospects. 

Hey, Hoynsie: The Indians always seem to be search for that big power bat. Weren't they close to getting Josh Donaldson from the A's last year? What happen to that deal? - Shawn Marshall, Garfield Heights. 

Hey, Shawn: The Indians, and just about every other team in the big leagues, asked the A's about Donaldson. The A's kept saying no right up until the time they traded him to Toronto. The Indians did manager to pry Brandon Moss loose from the A's.

Hey, Hoynsie: I see all these questions about the Indians trading a starting pitcher or prospects to get a big bat. Yet no one will name who exactly that big bat is. Does this big bat really exist? - Alan Nolt, Rittman.

Hey, Alan: The big bat does exist. Just look at the Toronto Blue Jays lineup. The Indians problem has always been finding one to call their own.

Hey, Hoynsie: It seems to me that Paul Dolan's decision to take the Tribe off of free TV except for a few games every season has resulted in a plunge in interest in the team. Many people cannot afford to pay the cable rates for STO. Hasn't that strategy been a major contributor to the empty seats at Progressive Field? - Lee Petersen, Akron.

Hey, Lee: The Indians haven't been on free TV for several years. Owner Paul Dolan formed SportsTime Ohio in 2006 to carry Tribe games and then sold it to FOX Sports in 2012.

Almost every team in the big leagues has a similar deal. The Tribe's TV ratings, even this season, are among MLB's top 15. They went up 10 percent in August compared to July.

Following your logic, if people really wanted to see the Indians, but couldn't watch them on cable TV, wouldn't that spur them to go to an actual game at Progressive Field?

I don't think the Indians being on cable TV has had a big affect on attendance.

Hey, Hoynsie: If the Marlins offered the Indians center fielder Marcell Ozuna for Carlos Santana would you take it? - Stewart, Gotz, New Philadelphia.

Hey, Stewart: Santana is the more accomplished player, hitting in the middle of the Tribe's lineup every day for several seasons. Ozuna wasn't in the big leagues for much of this season with a poor Miami team.

On the other hand, Ozuna, 24, is younger than Santana, 29, who has shown an inability to adjust his swing, especially from the right side of the plate. The emergence of Abraham Almonte as an option in center field could convince the Indians to shop Santana in another direction.

I don't think the Indians would make a one-for-one deal with Santana and Ozuna.  

Hey, Hoynsie: I would like to know why the Indians traded their third best hitter (David Murphy) for a minor league shortstop? So far, I don't see anything special about him. I thought we were loaded with middle infielders. And now we have our shortstop fort the next eight to 10 years in Francisco Lindor. Evidently there is something I don't see or understand. - Jim Martin, Crewe, Va.

Hey, Jim: The Indians had a $7 million club option on Murphy for 2016, but if they didn't exercise it he would have been a free agent after this season. I don't think the Indians were going to pick up that option for a platoon outfielder so perhaps they were just looking to get something for Murphy.

At the time of the trade, GM Chris Antonetti said they had like shortstop Eric Stamets when he was an amateur player before the Angels drafted him. Like catchers, teams feel they can never have enough middle infielders. Stamets is a good defender, who doesn't hit much. He appeared in 33 games at shortstop for Class AA Akron.

Hey, Hoynsie: Your former weekly Indians podcast is sorely missed by your legions of fans in the Pacific Northwest. We want to hear your splendid Bob Feller impression again. - Scott Blake, Medford, Ore.

Hey, Scott: I appreciate the kind words, but you might be the only one who misses those podcasts. I do miss talking to the late Rapid Robert, however.

Hey, Hoynsie: In reading your article on how wide open the Indians outfield will be in 2016, you mentioned Tyler Naquin, Tyler Holt, James Ramsey, Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier all waiting for a shot. I think Anthony Gallas, also deserves a shot. - Steve Z., Independence.

Hey, Steve: Gallas, a hometown favorite, has certainly paid his dues.

Hey, Hoynsie: Is there any chance the Tribe might consider a six-man rotation next year? - Chris Stevens, Painesville.

Hey, Chris: I don't see that happening, but later this month it could happen for a turn or two when Corey Kluber recovers from a strained right hamstring. Kluber's return would give the Tribe six starters along with Carlos Carrasco, Trevor Bauer, Danny Salazar, Cody Anderson and Josh Tomlin.

Hey, Hoynsie: Any chance the Tribe takes a shot at former All-Star shortstop Starlin Castro and sticks him at third base? -- Chris Sellers, Miami, Ohio.

Hey, Chris: You mean the Cubs shortstop who used to turn his back toward the batter just when the pitcher was going to throw the ball? I think he's going to be the Cubs problem for a while.

One more thing, Castro is making $60.57 million from 2012 through 2019. So you know he's not coming to the Indians.

The Buckeyes host the Rainbow Warriors on Saturday in their home opener at Ohio Stadium. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Ohio State Buckeyes play their first home game since winning the National Championship on Saturday against the Hawaii Rainbow Warriors.

GAME INFORMATION

Who: Hawaii Rainbow Warriors (1-0) at No. 1 Ohio State Buckeyes (1-0)

When: Saturday, 3:30 p.m.

Where: Ohio Stadium

TV: Big Ten Network

Twitter: Follow Ari Wasserman, Bill Landis and Doug Lesmerises

Live chat: Join the cleveland.com conversation at 1:30 p.m.

Latest line: Ohio State -41

Series record: Saturday's game will be the first matchup between Ohio State and Hawaii.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT

Must-read links before kickoff

* Ohio State's depth chart for Hawaii, including the return of Joey Bosa, Jalin Marshall, Dontre Wilson and Corey Smith

* Cardale Jones is Ohio State's starting quarterback, but J.T. Barrett saw some time at the end of the game. Was that the blueprint for how Urban Meyer will use his quarterbacks? Not exactly.

So if it's still up in the air, here's a breakdown of how each performed against Virginia Tech.

* We heard so much about Curtis Samuel's move to full-time H-back this spring, then Braxton Miller happened. Both will get touches, and Samuel had Ohio State's first touchdown of the season. Samuel says he has some other things up his sleeve too. What happens at that spot now with Samuel, Miller and the return of Marshall and Wilson this week?

* Maybe you wouldn't expect a game against Hawaii to be a big weekend for recruiting visits, but it is because four-star defensive tackle Antwaun Jackson will be in Columbus. Meyer's quest for elite defensive tackles continues.

* Why read about basketball on a football weekend? Because Thad Matta also has a big recruiting visitor this weekend in five-star 2016 combo guard Kobi Simmons. Landing Simmons, which is an uphill battle against Kentucky, would be huge for the Buckeyes, and a sign of the lingering effect D'Angelo Russell can have on Ohio State's recruiting efforts.

* 5 reasons Ohio State will beat Hawaii -- including Braxton Miller "house calls" and a new defensive wrinkle for the Buckeyes

* 5 reasons Hawaii will beat Ohio State -- including the Buckeyes' kicking problems, and tired bodies from the short week

THE BAD OHIO STATE PODCAST

* Recorded in the parking lot of an Outback Steakhouse in Beckley, W.Va. -- Bill, Ari and Doug recap Ohio State's win over Virginia Tech and talk about how Urban Meyer might use the Buckeyes' quarterbacks. Give it a listen here.

GAME PICKS, OUTRAGEOUS PREDICTIONS

* Doug actually got an outrageous prediction right last week, saying Virginia Tech would lead at the half. That might be the first time any of us have been right. Here's our outrageous predictions for the Hawaii game -- including a touchdown pass for Ohio State's third quarterback, Stephen Collier.

* And check out our game picks. Two of us have Ohio State scoring in the 60s, and one of us thinks Hawaii will cover the big spread. 

OHIO STATE STAT LEADERS

* Passing: Cardale Jones, 10-19, 189 yards, 2 TDs, 1 INT

* Rushing: Ezekiel Elliott, 11 carries, 122 yards, 1 TD

* Receiving: Braxton Miller, 3 catches, 81 yards, 1 TD

* Tackles: Gareon Conley, Joshua Perry, Tyvis Powell, Raekwon McMillan, 8

* Sacks: Tyquan Lewis, 1.5

* Interceptions: Powell, 1

HAWAII STAT LEADERS

* Passing: Max Wittek, 19-38, 202 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT

* Rushing: Paul Harris, 17 carries, 68 yards

* Receiving: Marcus Kemp, 6 catches, 116 yards, 1 TD

* Tackles: Luke Shawley, 14

* Sacks: Shawley, 1.5

* Interceptions: Julian Gener, 1

BIG TEN SCHEDULE

* Oregon at Michigan, Noon (ABC)

* Western Illinois at Illinois, Noon (BTN)

* Bowling Green at Maryland, Noon (BTN)

* Buffalo at Penn State, Noon (ESPN2)

* Indiana State at Purdue, Noon (ESPNEWS)

* Miami (Ohio) at Wisconsin, Noon (ESPNU)

* Washington State at Rutgers, 3:30 (ESPNU)

* Minnesota at Colorado State, 3:30 (CBS Sports Network)

* Eastern Illinois at Northwester, 4 (ESPNEWS)

* Iowa at Iowa State, 4:45 (FOX)

* South Alabama at Nebraska, 8 (BTN)

* Florida International at Indiana, 8 (BTN)

* No. 7 Oregon at No. 5 Michigan State, 8 (ABC)

See video highlights and postgame interviews from Berea-Midpark's win against North Ridgeville.

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio — Check out football highlights and postgame video from No. 7 Berea-Midpark's 41-21 win against North Ridgeville on Friday.

The two teams combined for 62 points in the first half despite a constant rainfall and muddy field conditions.

The highlight video is at the top of the post.

Check out how North Ridgeville's team came out onto the field.

Watch a postgame interview with Berea-Midpark LB Joey Bachie.

Watch a postgame interview with North Ridgeville RB Demario McCall.

Berea-Midpark used a powerful running attack along with a physical defense to win at North Ridgeville.

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio — Despite facing new competition from Midview and Avon in the weeks to come, Berea-Midpark's football team showed it will be a tough team to beat in the Southwestern Conference.

The Titans, last season's SWC champions, fought off constant rain and the season debut of North Ridgeville RB Demario McCall to win, 41-21, and improve to 3-0.

Berea-Midpark quickly jumped out to a 14-0 lead and had an answer every time North Ridgeville tried to close the gap.

"I'm more happy with how our defense, for the most part, shut down (McCall)," Berea-Midpark coach Ray Hradek said.

McCall, who missed the first two games of the season due to a high ankle sprain, had three touchdowns, two rushing and one receiving. But the Titans' defense limited McCall's big plays and held him to 100 yards.

Rain made the grass field at North Ridgeville a tough surface to run on before the game even started. As the rain intensified, both teams had a hard time gripping the ball and positive plays were hard to come by.

The Titans were physical up front and McCall had a tough time finding running lanes.

"We did a good job of containing, tackling. Very good," Hradek said.

Berea-Midpark took to the ground game as well due to the difficult conditions. Nick Gassman and Shawn Epps combined for four rushing touchdowns with Gassman operating mostly out of the pistol formation.

Epps finished with 148 yards rushing on 20 carries, and Gassman carried the ball 15 times for 40 yards.

After Epps' 56-yard touchdown put Berea-Midpark on the board, North Ridgeville turned the ball over on a fumbled snap and Gassman scored on the ensuing possession with a quarterback sneak to put the Titans up, 14-0.

Berea-Midpark used a 20-7 advantage in the second quarter to push a 7-point lead out to 20 at halftime.

The Titans' last SWC loss came on Oct. 25, 2013, against Brecksville, which is no longer a member of the conference.

Three other SWC teams ended Week 3 undefeated: No. 5 Midview, No. 6 Avon and Olmsted Falls. Berea-Midpark will host Midview on Sept. 25, and travel to Olmsted Falls on Oct. 2.

The conference race will likely take a major turn one of those days regardless of the outcome.

But Friday's result proves that Berea-Midpark is a strong contender to win a tough and deep SWC.

Berea-Midpark's Joey Bachie is a Michigan State commit, and North Ridgeville's Demario McCall is an Ohio State commit.

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, Ohio — Two future football players in the Big Ten lined up opposite each other on Friday when Berea-Midpark defeated North Ridgeville, 41-21.

Berea-Midpark LB Joey Bachie, a Michigan State commit, was facing off against North Ridgeville RB Demario McCall, an Ohio State commit who was making his season debut after missing two games with a high ankle sprain.

McCall said the ankle felt fine after the game.

"I had no pain in my ankle at all," he said. "It just felt good to be out there with my brothers, to fight and put on a show."

McCall had three touchdowns and 100 yards rushing, but Bachie's team was on the winning side of the matchup. The Titans slowed down McCall and did not let him have too many big plays in the game.

"You can't contain him. You've just got to slow him down," Bachie said. "That's the only way you're going to stop him."

The two did not have too many one-on-one encounters in the game. But Berea-Midpark knew the plan was to key in on McCall in his return to action.

"He's the man, obviously, offensively. You don't get much better than that," Bachie said. "It's 1-on-11, pretty much. It's us 11. Not one man's going to bring him down. We've all got to run to the football and the defense played a great game."

Each of McCall's touchdowns came on strong efforts. His first touchdown, a 3-yard run, came from him going to his left and reversing his field and scoring on the right side of the formation.

Later in the first quarter, North Ridgeville QB Collin Sullinger found McCall open down the middle for a 37-yard touchdown reception.

McCall's final touchdown featured an assortment of moves as he wove his way through the defense for a 20-yard run.

Despite the three touchdowns, McCall did not have the big rushing numbers he has had in his last two seasons. He admitted that the wet weather and field conditions as a result affected his play a bit.

"I can't really do what I do in weather like that," McCall said. "I like to go 100 percent and cut (at that speed). I can't really do it on fields like that. I have to come to a complete stop and try to make my move and give the defender time to get me."

Friday night will not be the last time Bachie and McCall will face off as conference rivals. Next fall, they will be playing for the last two Big Ten champions.

"Four more years, four more years," Bachie said.

Browns offense takes a group approach, eschewing star system in trying to move the ball. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio - Isaiah Crowell pledged to play his hardest Thursday night for two of the most important groups in pro football.

"I will do everything I can to not let my team (or your fantasy team) down," the Browns running back wrote on Twitter.

Crowell's value to the former is high and to the latter, well, not so much. He's modestly priced in the DraftKings' running-back pool for Sunday's opener against the Jets. His status sums up how many view the Browns' offense inside and out of rotisserie sports.

Each season, the views of fantasy-football owners and the NFL are growing more aligned. Both emphasize the importance of quarterbacks, stars and scoring. It's what makes the Browns' approach under coach Mike Pettine such an outlier.

And, he knows it.

"I'm sure in the fantasy community I'm probably public enemy No. 1," Pettine said with a grin. "Running back by committee, receiver by committee, some unknown guys. To me, we believe in the concept of team and that we have a lot of different ways to get it done . . .

"Do we have any big names? No we don't, but at the same time, we still feel there's a lot of different ways to win football games."

It's doesn't make Pettine's philosophy wrong - he led the Browns to seven wins a year ago, the most since 2007 - yet it's not one shared by the league's majority.

The Browns have a high-profile punter and a low-wattage group of receivers. In a league beholden to the forward pass, they minimize the role of the quarterback.

Is it any wonder when DraftKings posted its QB values in midsummer for opening week, Michael Vick -- who was still a free agent --  cost more than Browns starter Josh McCown? Jim Dray and Gary Barnidge, commendable in Jordan Cameron's absence last season, were among the cheapest tight ends.

Here is the Sports Grid's take on the club:

When digging for Fantasy value on the Browns this year, you best bring your shovel and a change of clothes. Gone are Josh Gordon (suspension), Jordan Cameron (Dolphins via free agency) and Brian Hoyer (Texans via free agency). What remains is not pretty and Cleveland has all the makings of being a Fantasy wasteland in 2015.

How does it play in the Browns' locker room?

"It's probably person to person," receiver Brian Hartline said. "I'm glad (fantasy football) helps engage the fans and they have fun with it. That's not real football, though. We're excited about our own brand of football and putting a stamp on the field with the 2015 Cleveland Browns. That's what we're concerned about."

The Browns are built around their defense and offensive line. Recently asked by FOX Sports analyst Jay Glazer to name his breakout player for 2015, Pettine chose left guard Joel Bitonio. The franchise used the No. 19 overall pick on offensive lineman Cameron Erving, who essentially will redshirt unless there's an injury to one of the Browns' starters.

Many NFL analysts, like fantasy-league owners, respect and value the team's defense. The unit is DraftKings' third-most expensive for the opener. But recently two network analysts turned queries about the Browns' defense into commentaries on their offense.  

"With the Cleveland Browns you don't question their defense," former Steelers coach Bill Cowher said. "But the biggest thing is what kind of play are they going to get from their quarterback and the offense?"

Former Patriots and Chargers safety Rodney Harrison offered similar unsolicited comments.

"Offensively, that's what people are looking at," Harrison observed. "What are they going to do with the quarterback situation? Are they going to put points on the board? I think they are heading in the right direction, but I still think they are a 6-10 team at best and they are still two or three years away from being 9-7 or, even, 10-6."

The Browns most prolific player with the ball in his hands might be Andy Lee. He's the punter, one of the game's best, and the organization traded for him in the offseason.

"The ball makes a different sound when it comes off his foot," Pettine said.

Many expect Lee to be quite busy. Unfortunately, there's no fantasy category for punters, otherwise he might be the team's most valued non-defender.

The Browns' offense is aware of the negative perceptions. They heard the same criticism last year, as well, only to play a large part in helping the club to a 7-4 start before collapsing down the stretch. Crowell rushed for 607 yards and eight touchdowns. Taylor Gabriel finished third in yards per catch (17.3).

Ironically, the attack came unraveled not long after Gordon, a former Pro Bowler and fantasy-league darling, returned to the lineup.

Teams like the Seahawks have made deep playoff runs without front-line receivers. But as ESPN analyst and former general manager Mark Dominik noted, "they also have Russell Wilson."

He's a believer that good teams don't need the combination of a franchise quarterback, great running game and star wideout.

"When it comes to winning consistently, though, you have to be exceptional at two of the three," Dominik said.

The Browns don't match that description, but Pettine is confident his offense can succeed despite the consternation of fantasy-league owners. The first unit, led by the 36-year-old McCown, produced two long TD drives in the dress-rehearsal game against the Buccaneers. Offensive coordinator John DeFilippo's system could make Duke Johnson a fantasy value because of his pass-catching ability.

"We have a lot of guys with a lot of different skill sets," the coach said. "Each week, I think you need to adapt your game plan. What does it call for this week?"

It might require a good shovel and change of clothes.

I'm thankful, and ready. I will do everything I can to not let my team (or your fantasy team) down http://t.co/fEqKnA1IaE #DawgPound #browns

-- Isaiah Crowell (@IsaiahCrowell34) September 11, 2015

Here are 10 thoughts for the road after Mentor’s 59-13 loss at Cincinnati St. Xavier:

CINCINNATI, Ohio – With a four-hour drive ahead of me to get back to Northeast Ohio, here are 10 thoughts for the road after Mentor’s 59-13 loss at Cincinnati St. Xavier:

RELATED: Watch Mentor coach Steve Trivisonno's pregame locker room speech prior to Friday's game against St. Xavier.

1. The Cardinals’ Week 2 win against St. Ignatius was the kind people talk about for the next seven days. The 63-56 score. The crazy offensive stats. The big plays. The last-second touchdown. Jason Blizzard and Dairy Queen. St. Xavier folks were even asking me about it on the sideline Friday.

The win catapulted the Cardinals to No. 1 in the cleveland.com Top 25. On the outside, that all seems great, but Cardinals running back Alex Mathews thinks it wasn’t so great.

“We thought we were a little better than we were,” said Mathews. Somebody asked if the Cardinals needed a loss like Friday’s. “Honestly, I do. Because (two) years ago the same thing happened. We ended up getting smacked by Ignatius in Week 2 and ended up making a run for the (2013) state title. It … put us in our place.”

2. Mathews wasn’t the only one pointing out overconfidence. Cardinals coach Steve Trivisonno brought it up in his postgame talk, saying the players should be disappointed in their performance, and that they need to stop reading what newspapers are printing about them.

3. On the other end of the field, the Bombers were celebrating a victory after a tough Week 2 overtime loss to Cincinnati Colerain. Coach Steve Specht thought his team was in a better place preparing for Mentor because they lost to Colerain.

“It’s harder to get mentally focused after a game like that if you win,” said Specht. “You can get a little complacent. (We told the kids), don’t hang your heads, what a great game. To be part of something like that is fantastic. Now it’s Week 3, we learned an awful lot and you get to celebrate this week playing against another great opponent.”

4. This isn’t to say that the Cardinals would’ve been better off losing to St. Ignatius, but the complacency Specht warns about certainly mirrors the postgame remarks by Mathews and Trivisonno.

5. Both coaches mentioned the trip Mentor had to make to play Friday’s game.

“We’ve got to learn how to travel,” said Trivisonno. “To be a great team you have to learn how to travel.”

It’s not easy to load a team onto busses and take a four- or five-hour trip. Just as St. Edward, which lost road games in New Jersey and Cincinnati during last season’s state championship run.

“It’s hard to travel,” said Specht. “We travel a lot. We’re on the road to Indianapolis, we’re on the road to Nashville, we’re on the road to Omaha, on the road to Cleveland. It’s hard to travel with kids unless they do it a lot and get used to it.”

6. By the way, the Bombers are really, really good. Quarterback Sean Clifford (Penn State commit) is accurate and has big targets in 6-5 tight end Noah Davis (Michigan State commit), who had two touchdowns Friday, and 6-3 Colton Paul.

And the defense is outstanding. It held Mentor’s offense to seven first downs, 130 yards and one touchdown.

“This is one of the best defenses in the state,” said Mathews. “Last week they held Colerain to 13 points. Their defense is awesome. We did make a lot of mistakes on offense and didn’t play our best, but this is a really good defense.”

7. On Monday, I’ll be voting in the Associated Press Division I state poll for cleveland.com. I’m not yet sure how Mentor will factor into my ballot, but I know the Bombers will be on it. And pretty high on it.

8. “They had to win this game. We knew that. We didn’t match their intensity,” said Trivisonno. “They knew they had a playoff game to win and we didn’t play very well.”

Trivisonno has a point. The Cardinals, despite their defensive issues, remain the heavy favorite in the Greater Cleveland Conference. St. Xavier must not only navigate the rest of their Greater Catholic League games against Archbishop Moeller, LaSalle and Elder, but also out-of-state powers.

In terms of making the playoffs, the Cardinals can live with Friday’s loss. It probably would’ve hurt St. Xavier more.

9. One more note. Mentor athletic director Jeff Cassella said before Friday’s game that the Cardinals have this nonconference schedule lined up for 2017: at Massillon, home vs. St. Ignatius, home vs. St. Edward.

10. I lied, there’s another thing I need to say. Good riddance to the St. Xavier press box. More than 90 steps to get from the field to the booth. Everybody there was very nice and helpful, and the stadium is outstanding, but that’s way too high to climb for hospitality.

For more high school sports news, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Contact high school sports reporter Scott Patsko on Twitter (@ScottPatsko) by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Brunswick police say Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert was involved in a road rage incident Friday that concluded when he crashed his car into a drainage ditch. He was not injured in the crash.

BRUNSWICK, Ohio -- Cleveland Browns cornerback Justin Gilbert crashed his car Friday in Brunswick following a road rage incident that wove through several communities.

Gilbert, who was uninjured in the crash, drove his Dodge Challenger into a drainage ditch on West 130th Street in Brunswick Friday afternoon while trying to get away from a man who had been trailing his car, Brunswick police Sgt. Robert Safran said.

The incident originated on Interstate 71 southbound in Middleburg Heights, Safran said. Brunswick police received a call from the Ohio State Highway Patrol saying that the two cars involved, Gilbert's Challenger and a 55-year-old Parma man's Ford Mustang, were speeding down the highway toward Brunswick.

Brunswick police received several other 911 calls from passersby, including the driver of the Mustang.

The Mustang's driver told police that Gilbert had cut him off, and the two men had exchanged words and gestures. The man decided to trail Gilbert after their altercation, Safran said.

The Mustang followed Gilbert at a high speed on the highway until they exited in Brunswick, Safran said. The men drove briefly into Hinckley Township before entering Brunswick again.

Gilbert was attempting to turn into a driveway when he crashed into the ditch, Safran said. The Mustang's driver, who was also uninjured, remained at the crash site until Brunswick police arrived.

Gilbert was cited for driving with a lack of reasonable control and given a ticket, Safran said. The Parma man was also cited for disorderly conduct.

Gilbert has had a rough start to his career in Cleveland since the Browns made him their #1 draft pick in 2014.

Gilbert has failed to live up to expectations on the field.

The Browns open their season on the road Sunday against the New York Jets.

Check out high school sports highlights from Saturday.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Here are high school sports highlights from Saturday. See below for information on how you team’s accomplishments can be recognized in these daily roundups.

BOYS CROSS COUNTRY

Bruce Lerch Invitational at Brecksville

Twinsburg freshman Ryan Adkins won the individual championship at the Bruce Lerch Invitational with a time of 17 minutes, 25.11 seconds. As a team, Twinsburg had 83 points and finished second to Massillon Jackson, who had 43.

The Tigers had two top-ten finishers.

Ben Good of Brecksville finished second (17:33.29).

Chardon finished third with 87 points. Brecksville came in fourth with 93 points, edging out Woodridge, who also had 93, but had a lower top finisher.

Walsh Jesuit Tomahawk Run

Solon's Danny Cohen and Joe Riordan finished first and second, respectively, to give the Comets the Division I team title. Cohen finished in 16:02, and Riordan had a time of 16:05.

Lake Catholic junior Jacob Keating finished in fifth (16:24). Other local top ten finishers were Solon's Mark Shannon in sixth (16:45), Solon's Chantz Visse in eighth (16:53) and Archbishop Hoban's Joe Brennan in tenth (17:00).

In the Division II and Division III race, Gilmour won the team title with four top-ten finishers. Freshman Tyler Clark led the Lancers with a fifth-place finish (17:24).

Coventry's Tucker Pearce was the top local runner, coming in second (17:13). Harvey's Jose Reynoso finished fourth (17:21). McDonald's Danny Loomis won the race with a time of 16:56.

Wooster Invitational

Hudson senior Gavin Gaynor, the 2015 Division I track state champion in the 1,600-meter run, won the Wooster Invitational. His time of 15:42.2 helped the Explorers win the team title with 31 points.

Gaynor's teammate Blake Roberts finished in third (16:36.3). Five Explorers finished in the top ten.

Green had two top-five finishers including Stewart Schmidt in second (16:20.8) and Jared Cline in fifth (17:00.9). They helped the Bulldogs finish third as a team with 111 points. Willoughby South's team finished fourth with 114 points.

GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY

Bruce Lerch Invitational at Brecksville

Led by three top-five finishers, Woodridge won the Bruce Lerch Invitational with 53 points. Clare Willet led the way for the Bulldogs with her third-place finish (20:45.48). Teammates Nicole Fleming and Molly Howard finished fourth and fifth, respectively.

Massillon Jackson's Kayla Chapman finished first (20:01.09). Elizabeth Hinkle of Hudson finished in second place (20:33.00).

Twinsburg finished second with 59 points, and Hudson came in third with 66.

Walsh Jesuit Tomahawk Run

Aurora had only one top-ten finisher but won the team title at the Tomahawk Run with 67 points. Samantha Grohe was Aurora's best finisher, coming in fourth place (19:30). The Greenmen had five runners finish in the top 18 and all seven were among the top 25. Solon, which was the runner-up with 76 points, had the top two finishers and three in the top five led by winner Louiza Wise (18:48) and runner-up Olivia Howell (18:49). Hailey Erikkla finished in fifth (19:53).

Strongsville finished third in the team standings with 93 points. Kent Roosevelt was fourth with 121 points, and host Walsh Jesuit was fifth with 123.

Gilmour's Hannah Markel won the Division II and Division III race. Her win helped the Lancers take the team title with 43 points. Gilmour had two other top-ten finishers in the meet. Chagrin Falls finished in second with 64 points, and Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy was third with 67.

Wooster Invitational

Led by junior Riley Freeland's winning time of 19:42.7, Cloverleaf won the team title with 33 points. Three Colts finished in the top four, with Vanessa Rivera finishing in third (20:03.3) and Jenna Oliver taking fourth (20:19.3).

Madison's Caroline Lapish was the runner-up in the race (19:54.3).

Green finished second with 57 points. Kaleigh Renninger was Green's best finisher, earning sixth place (20:34.3).

BOYS SOCCER

Berea-Midpark 3, Valley Forge 1

Two goals from Danny Ruple in the first half helped keep Berea-Midpark undefeated. Danny Sasak added a goal in the second half to secure the win.

George Danut had a goal for Valley Forge.

Brooklyn 4, Wellington 4

Jacob Storrow had a hat trick for Wellington in a draw in Patriot Athletic Conference crossover play. Cole McLean had a goal also for the Dukes.

Brooklyn's Merouane Sadji and Andy Wiencek each had two goals and an assist.

Euclid 4, Streetsboro 1

Mohammed Doumbia had three goals to lead Euclid past Streetsboro. Connor Bowman also scored for the Panthers.

Benny Schaffer had Streetsboro's goal.

North Ridgeville 2, Riverside 2

Riverside rallied from a 2-0 halftime deficit to force a draw on the road.

Duke Crawford had both of North Ridgeville's goals.

Solon 1, Kenston 0

Scott Baskind's goal gave Solon the win against Kenston to improve the Comets' record to 6-1-1.

Solon goalkeeper Will Meyer made a key save on a penalty kick in the second half.

GIRLS SOCCER

Bay 2, Hathaway Brown 0

The Rockets got two first-half goals to defeat Hathaway Brown at home.

Bay got goals from Maddie Holmes and Lauren Heldt.

Buckeye 4, Lutheran West 0

Gabby Glancy's hat trick led the way for the Bucks at Lutheran West. Buckeye's Sophia Barnes had a goal and an assist.

Buckeye goalkeeper Julianne Finley made three saves to preserve the shutout.

Columbia 2, Keystone 2

Columbia rallied from a 2-0 deficit to earn a tie at Keystone.

Lanie Welker and Sammi Carrico had the goals for Columbia, and Lauren LaPointe and Jenni Lafferty scored for Keystone.

Cuyahoga Heights 2, Eastlake North 1

Cuyahoga Heights had a 1-0 lead at halftime and held on to beat Eastlake North.

Brooke Wilson and Lily Adams each had goals for Cuyahoga Heights.

Hudson 5, Copley 0

Hudson's Erin Torrence scored two goals and two assists to help the Explorers beat Copley.

Jordan Manley, Allie Dunne and Rayla Mclean each scored as well for Hudson.

Kenston 4, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin 2

Lexi Neal's hat trick led Kenston to a home win against NDCL. The Bombers had a 3-0 lead at halftime.

NDCL's Mary Malone scored twice in the loss.

Mayfield 2, West Geauga 0

Kristen Blanchard set up goals from Marissa Handel and Cassie Lewis to lead the Wildcats to the win.

Mayfield is 6-1 on the season.

VOLLEYBALL

Hudson Quad

Hudson went 2-1 at its home quad. The Explorers defeated Mayfield and Claymont, but lost to Massillon Jackson.

Magnificat Showcase

Wadsworth won the Magnificat Showcase highlighted by a pair of two-game wins against Magnificat and Dublin Coffman.

Wadsworth defeated host Magnificat in two games, both ending, 25-22. Jodi Johnson and Kacie Evans each had 10 kills for the Grizzlies.

How your team can be included in these roundups

These roundups are based on box scores and game notes entered in cleveland.com’s database by school or team representatives. If your team is not participating in the box score program please contact your athletic director or coach and encourage them to do so. They can obtain instructions and database login information from High School Sports Manager Kristen Davis at kdavis@cleveland.com.