ROCKY RIVER, Ohio - Magnificat tennis player Madison Hromada, a two-time district qualifier and part of the school's two coach state tournament championship teams, did not play in the Division I sectional tournament on Wednesday, bringing her high school career to an end. Hromada, a senior, told WEWS-TV that she was suspended from the team. She did not provide a...

Madison Hromada was seeded third in the Division I sectional at Oberlin College but was replaced by a teammate.



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(Peggy Turbett/The Plain Dealer)

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio - Magnificat tennis player Madison Hromada, a two-time district qualifier and part of the school's two coach state tournament championship teams, did not play in the Division I sectional tournament on Wednesday, bringing her high school career to an end.

Hromada, a senior, told WEWS-TV that she was suspended from the team. She did not provide a reason for being suspended. She also told the station she had been intimidated by the parent of another player on the team, whom she did not identify.

Rocky River police confirmed two reports had been filed with its office over earlier incidents at the school involving the tennis team. The reports were unavailable on Thursday, a spokesman said.

Coach Chris Johnson and school president, Sister Carol Anne Smith, did not return phone calls to The Plain Dealer.

Hromada was seeded third in the Division I sectional at Oberlin College. She was scheduled to play Lorain's Kelsey Leyva in a second-round match but was replaced by teammate Maddy Lugli on Wednesday.

Lugli defeated Leyva, 6-4, 6-1, and returned Thursday to beat two other players to advance to next week's district tournament, also at Oberlin College.

The sectional tournament, which leads to an eventual state championship, is for individuals only. The state championships won by Magnificat in 2007 and 2009 were conducted by the state tennis coaches association and not acknowledged by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: trogers@plaind.com, 216-999-5169

Cleveland Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme is "very encouraged" by his progress, but will leave it up to coaches to decide if he is able to play Sunday against Atlanta.

Brian Blanco / Associated PressQuarterback Jake Delhomme is encouraged by his progress in his recovery from a sprained ankle and hopes he will be able to be the Browns' starting quarterback on Sunday.

"I did a lot more [Wednesday] than I did last week and it didn't blow up on me," he said before Thursday's practice. "The coaches can make that decision, but the film doesn't lie. They'll be able to see through the course of the week whether I can be effective or help or hurt our team."

Delhomme moved well on the ankle in practice Thursday, not favoring it on dropbacks, rollouts or while walking from drill to drill.

"It's about the team and giving us the best chance to win," said Delhomme. "There's nothing greater than last Sunday, those 10 minutes in the locker room after the game. Job well done, mission accomplished."

Coach Eric Mangini said he will increase Delhomme's workload throughout the week to see how the ankle responds.

"We'll just keep playing it by ear through the end of the week," said Mangini. "We've got to keep doing a few different things we need him to do and test those through the course of the week, so I'm optimistic."

In the meantime, Delhomme and Seneca Wallace are still splitting reps. "Both guys will be prepared to play on Sunday," said Mangini.

Delhomme said he would be better prepared to escape the rush this week. "Last week, I don't know how swift I would've been," he admitted.

He said he has been in the same boat as rookie guard Shawn Lauvao, who suffered a high ankle sprain in practice around the same time. He was limited Thursday too.

"He's about four days ahead of me in this process," said Delhomme. "It's been very similar in the things we feel and whatnot. It was actually nice."

He said he's not sure how much the passing game would open up with him under center.

"We'll see," he said. "I think Seneca [Wallace] has played outstanding. I think he's done a phenomenal job."'"

If Delhomme starts against his former NFC South foe, it will be his 13th time. In seven seasons with the Panthers, he went 6-6 against them, with 16 TDs, eight INTs and a 90.1 passer rating. He lost in Atlanta last year, a 28-20 decision in Week 2, but came back in Week 9 and beat them at home, 28-19. It was one of his four victories in 11 starts before breaking a finger. He threw two TD passes, no INTs and earned his season-best 115.8 rating.

Hillis thigh: Browns workhorse Peyton Hillis was added to the Browns' injury report with a thigh injury and was limited. No players or coaches were available after practice.

Mack still idle: Center Alex Mack, who had his injured right shoulder wrapped Thursday, missed his second straight day of practice, one of five players still resting. Rookie Lauvao has gotten reps in his place and Steve Vallos is also a backup center. "Shawn did a nice job with his chances," said Mangini. The other idle players were right tackle John St. Clair, ends Robaire Smith and Kenyon Coleman and safety Nick Sorensen. Three others besides Delhomme, Lauvao and Hillis were limited. They were Josh Cribbs (ankle), receiver Brian Robiskie (hamstring), and Shaun Rogers (ankle, hip).

Chuck Crow / The Plain DealerCoach Eric Mangini says running back Jerome Harrison is not in the dog house, it's just that he is getting vewer carries because Peyton Hillis has been so effective.

Harrison not in doghouse: Mangini said that Jerome Harrison isn't in his doghouse even though the running back got no carries last week and trotted out only at the end for the victory formation.

"No, not at all," said Mangini. "He'll probably have some opportunities this week and every week is different. No, that's not the case at all."

He said he's going with the hot hand in Hillis "but it's not a function of Jerome being looked at any differently."

As for putting him in on the three kneeldowns, Mangini said he was only thinking about, 'Can we eat up all of this time right now and get in the right formation?' There was nothing more than that."

Hardesty sighting: Rookie running back Montario Hardesty, who recently underwent surgery to repair a torn ACL, was seen in the locker room for the first time since suffering the injury in the preseason finale. He declined to be interviewed, but offered, "I feel good."... The Browns signed defensive back DeAngelo Smith to the practice squad and released defensive lineman Boo Robinson.

The Monsters, top affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, open their fourth AHL season Friday against, and Quinn says his steam's stellar training camp has elevated his expectations.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerAfter spending last season with the AHL's Hershey Bears, goalie Jason Bacashihua is back with the Monsters. Bacashihua played in 58 games for Lake Erie from 2007 to '09.

By the conclusion of camp Thursday afternoon, Quinn had removed the qualifier.

"What I've seen not only has validated what I felt, it has elevated my expectations," he said from Hoover Arena in Strongsville. "From a work ethic standpoint and an attitude standpoint, I love where we are. I love the approach to practice, the attention to detail, the skill level. Bottom line: We have a group of professionals."

The Monsters, top affiliate of the Colorado Avalanche, open their fourth AHL season Friday against Syracuse. Faceoff is scheduled for 7:30 at The Q.

No question the players and coaches want to graduate to the NHL as soon as possible. But while they are here, the goal is to make the Calder Cup playoffs, which would be a first for the franchise. Lake Erie finished with a sub-.500 record in each of the previous three seasons.

"In the American Hockey League, it's tough to project what you're going to look like, standings-wise, because of the variables," Monsters General Manager David Oliver said. "And you don't really know what you have until you begin playing the games. But I really like what I've seen from these guys.

"Our work ethic, the speed of our practices, is NHL-caliber. These players hustle like NHLers."

Upgrading team speed and putting more pucks in the net were two of Oliver's objectives in the off-season. Adding players such as right winger Greg Mauldin figure to help on both fronts. In 77 games for the AHL's Bridgeport Sound Tigers last season, Mauldin had 25 goals and 29 assists.

"Greg's very elusive one-on-one," Quinn said. "Everything's full throttle with him. He's very purposeful with everything he does."

Other imports from AHL opponents include left winger David van der Gulik (16 goals and 24 assists in 64 games for Abbotsford); center Ben Walter (22 goals and 36 assists in 78 games for Lowell); and center Julian Talbot (17 goals and 15 assists in 76 games for Peoria).

Oliver and Quinn think the consistency of Mauldin/van der Gulik/Walter/Talbot will compensate for the loss of Lake Erie's top two scorers, T.J. Hensick and Darren Haydar.

"Obviously, Haydar and Hensick are quality players, but -- and this is not their fault -- we didn't win last year with those guys," Quinn said.

Quinn wouldn't say it, but the fact is, when the Monsters needed Haydar most last season, the AHL player of the decade fizzled. Hensick continued to cause evaluators to scratch their heads by not maximizing his physical skills.

In games when the Monsters struggle to score, they figure to have a chance because of the veteran goaltending duo of John Grahame and Jason Bacashihua. Bacashihua rejoins the Monsters after playing for the AHL's Hershey Bears last season.

Quinn said he will decide by this morning who will start against Syracuse.

Coming off a few up practices, the team's second preseason game is a bit of a downer and a reminder the Cavs still are very much in the neophyte stage in learning the Princeton offense.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerCavaliers guard Daniel Gibson (1) and Jamario Moon try and get a loose ball from the hands of the Wizards' Kirk Hinrich in the first period Thursday night at Quicken Loans Arena.

Well, until Thursday night.

That Princeton offense, Scott likes to say, is simple in theory because it follows basic basketball instincts of watching the defense and making natural adjustments. But it is called the Princeton offense and not, say, the Faber College offense, for a reason.

While it may be basic, the reads and timing of learning to work together takes awhile, especially when most of the players don't have experience running it, which is the case for the Cavs.

So ups and downs are expected. Coming off a few up practices, the team's second preseason game was a bit of a downer and a reminder it still is very much in the neophyte Princeton stage.

The Washington Wizards ended up handling the Cavs, 97-83, in front of an announced season-ticket-supplemented crowd of 19,124.

There were some positives, including another strong all-around performance by guard Ramon Sessions off the bench and some quality play from forward J.J. Hickson. But, in general, the offense that has been much of the focus of the preseason spun its wheels, at times literally.

When rotations got uncertain, the ball would stop and the shot clock would run down and there would be a bad shot. Or a bad pass. There were plenty of both.

The Cavs shot just 35 percent for the game, and that was with the benefit of 58 percent shooting in the fourth quarter when the benches were cleared. Through three quarters it was closer to 28 percent. There were also 26 turnovers, with seven different players having more than one.

In fairness, the Cavs played without guard Mo Williams, and forwards Antawn Jamison and Anderson Varejao for various reasons. But the progress in general was lacking.

"We just have way too many guys who are a little flustered with the process right now," Scott said. "We're still in the crawling stage ... we'll get better at it."

Even the two offensive bright spots, Sessions and Hickson, had their issues. Sessions had 10 points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and Hickson had 16 points and eight rebounds. But the two combined to shoot 8-of-24.

"It's just a matter of guys figuring out where guys can get their shots to fit their game," Hickson said. "It is not going to happen overnight. That is why you play preseason."

But it wasn't a great night for either team. The Wizards shot just 40 percent and scored just 33 points in the first half.

Point guard John Wall, the No. 1 overall draft pick, missed his first nine shots. But he rallied in the second half and finished with 12 points and nine assists. Washington big man Yi Jianlian, another off-season pickup, looked good as he scored 16 points with seven rebounds.

Forward Leon Powe had 10 points off the bench for the Cavs and Ryan Hollins, who started at center, had 14 rebounds (his career high is 12) and two blocks.

Friday will be an off day for most of the Cavs' veterans, the first since the start of camp, and all are looking forward to it. Several players seemed low on energy after a two-hour practice Thursday morning.

"After about 10 practices the guys are fatigued right now," Scott said. "I thought that showed."

The Gilmour Academy boys golf team will have the chance to better last year's fourth-place showing at the Division III state tournament thanks to winning Thursday's district tournament at Seven Hills Country Club. The Lancers' 315 effort was headed by Andrew Bieber, who earned medalist honors by shooting a 76. Runner-up Lake Ridge also qualified for the state tournament...

The Gilmour Academy boys golf team will have the chance to better last year's fourth-place showing at the Division III state tournament thanks to winning Thursday's district tournament at Seven Hills Country Club.

The Lancers' 315 effort was headed by Andrew Bieber, who earned medalist honors by shooting a 76. Runner-up Lake Ridge also qualified for the state tournament after shooting 332.

Jimmy Wild of Trinity qualified as an individual despite falling to Brandon Pluchinsky of South Range in a one-hole playoff.

Girls tennis

Division I sectional at Oberlin Lauren Golick of Westlake and Maddy Lugli of Magnificat qualified for next week's district tournament as did Medina's Ali Garrity and Magnificat's Noelle Kaufmann. Golick advanced with a 6-0, 6-0 win over Michelle Mullin of Highland and Lugli topped Cloverleaf's Ashley Ritchie, 6-2, 6-3. Garrity defeated Stephanie McAllister of Westlake, 6-1, 6-0 and Kaufmann bested Ashley Rice of Avon, 6-0, 6-1.

Division I sectional at Brush Erika Ginn defeated Mayfield's Victoria Henning, 6-1, 6-0 and Megan Richert of Lakeside edged Normandy's Hanah Ullman, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4 to qualify for one of the semifinal single matches while the other semifinalists will be determined Saturday.

Division I sectional at Canton St. Vincent-St. Mary's Taylor Wedlake will play Lindsey Kerr of Canton South, SVSM's Rose Klein will square off against Katelyn Caniford of Louisville Aquinas and Tallmadge's Kelsey Platt will meet Jule Smith of Orrville in quarterfinal singles matches Saturday.

Volleyball

Kenston 3, Chagrin Falls 0 The Bombers (19-1, 8-0), ranked No. 2 in the Division II state coaches poll, clinched another Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division title as outside hitter Molly Zeigler accounted for 10 kills and 10 digs and libero Stephanie Bindernagel chipped in with 13 digs.

Lake Catholic 3, Padua 1 Last year's Division II state runners-up defeated the state champions and in the process, the Cougars (15-1, 11-0) clinched the North Coast League Blue Division crown. Rightside hitter Abbey Detering had 10 kills and setter Kara Oster dished out 14 assists for the Cougars, ranked No. 1 in the state coaches poll.

Kent Roosevelt 3, Field 2 The Rough Riders (19-1, 11-1), ranked 19th in the Division I state coaches poll, took over sole possession of first place in the Portage Trail Conference Metro Division as middle hitter Emily Carter and outside hitter Kayse Schmucker teamed up for 32 kills and 12 blocks, setter Emily Rutzky collected 46 assists and libero Taylor Pensyl had 42 digs.

Brookside 3, Keystone 2 The Cardinals (12-3, 9-3) pulled a minor Patriot Athletic Conference Stars Division upset when middle hitter Jeanine Musall finished with 22 kills and seven blocks, setter/leftside hitter Gabby Piwowar had 23 assists and 26 digs, and setter Kady Whitsel added 33 assists.

Riverside 3, Chardon 0 Defending Premier Athletic Conference champion Riverside (18-1, 1-0-0) clinched at least a tie for the title behind Nicole Bayer's 29 assists, Katie Hasebein's 15 digs and Taylor Jaros' nine kills and six blocks.

Bay 3, Fairview 0 The defending West Shore Conference champion Rockets (18-2, 12-0), ranked 13th in the Division II state coaches poll, clinched at least a title tie as Rachel Vick led the way with 24 kills, followed by Bridget Doughty's 31 assists.

Boys soccer

Hawken 1, Western Reserve Academy 0 The Hawks (8-3-1) won the battle between two Division III state-ranked teams thanks to a goal by junior midfielder in the 24th minute of the second half on a counter attack shot from 35 yards into the top left corner of the net. Goalie Blake Parker made two saves for Hawken, ranked seventh in the state. WRA is ranked No. 10.

Walsh Jesuit 2, North Royalton 1 The Warriors (11-2), ranked No. 2 in the Division II state poll had senior forward Brent Townsend score twice in the second half, including the winning goal with nine minutes left.

Chagrin Falls 4, Beachwood 1 Midfielders Rory Gilbert, Jimmy Scolaro, defenseman Kyle Mansur and forward Matt Simon each scored a goal for the unbeaten Tigers (8-0-1), who are ranked No. 4 in the Division II state poll.

Gilmour Academy 2, Kirtland 1 The Lancers (8-4-1) got goals from junior midfielders Kevin Gleason and Rob Catanese in edging Kirtland.

Mentor 3, Brunswick 0 Goals by Andy Radel, David Reardon and Chris Jordan mustered the win for the Cardinals (7-6-2), who also got 10 saves from goalie Zach Mospens.

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy 9, Kidron Central Catholic 0 The Royals (9-3-1), ranked No. 4 in the Division III state poll, got a hat trick from Sachem Wilson.

Girls soccer

Strongsville 1, Magnificat 0 The Mustangs (12-1-1), ranked No. 3 in the Division I state poll, edged Magnificat on Ashley Meier's header from 12 yards with 14 minutes left. Goalie Caitlyn Moore earned the shutout by making three saves.

Hathaway Brown 4, Lake Catholic 1 Sophomore forward Halle Bachouros scored two goals for the Blazers (5-7-1) in a minor upset.

WADSWORTH, Ohio — Late in the second quarter, host Wadsworth was hanging tough with 20th-ranked Copley. The Grizzlies' running game was finding its stride, moving the ball with authority, and Copley's high-powered offense seemed eager to help by giving up a pair of fumbles. The second turnover led to a 1-yard touchdown run by fullback Bret Baughman, giving the...

Copley's C.J. Chatman outruns Wadsworth's Bret Baughman and Anthony Pappas (3) on a pass reception in the second quarter Thursday in Wadsworth.



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(Mike Cardew / Akron Beacon Journal)

WADSWORTH, Ohio — Late in the second quarter, host Wadsworth was hanging tough with 20th-ranked Copley.

The Grizzlies' running game was finding its stride, moving the ball with authority, and Copley's high-powered offense seemed eager to help by giving up a pair of fumbles. The second turnover led to a 1-yard touchdown run by fullback Bret Baughman, giving the Grizzlies a 7-0 lead.

The score was the wake-up call Copley needed.

The Indians grabbed control of the game with a monster minute and never looked back, ticking off 21 points in 59 seconds en route to a 35-21 win over Wadsworth in Suburban League action Thursday.

"That was pretty much a whirlwind," Copley head coach Ron Viscounte said of the 59-second onslaught, which featured a pair of Lou Gigliotti-to-Shawn Taylor touchdown passes sandwiched around an Isiah Wheeler interception return for a score. "That really put the momentum in our favor."

Copley's three-headed monster of quarterback Gigliotti, running back Aregeros Turner and wide receiver Taylor was simply too much for the Grizzlies. Gigliotti and Taylor hooked up for touchdown passes of 15, 45, and 44 yards, while Turner added a 62-yard touchdown run to pace the Copley attack.

"They just have so many weapons," Wadsworth head coach Greg Dennison said. "They have speed everywhere. They have guys who can make plays everywhere.

"You stop one area and they're going to get you in another area."

Copley (7-0, 4-0) needed just seven plays to answer Baughman's touchdown and tie the score at 7-7. Three plays into Wadsworth's ensuing possession, Wheeler picked off a pass and scored easily from 15 yards out.

The Indians forced a fumble on the kickoff, and on the next play Gigliotti and Taylor hooked up again, this time from 45 yards out, giving Copley a 21-7 advantage.

Wadsworth (2-5, 2-2) managed to run out the clock to end the first half, but the damage was done. Three touchdowns had turned Wadsworth's seven-point lead into a 14-point deficit.

"We knew we were going to play a good team in Wadsworth," Viscounte said. "They're physical, and we saw on tape they were able to move the ball on everybody, and we knew that we were going to be in for a battle.

"We figured they were going to be able to poke some holes in our line and make some plays, and we ultimately had to make sure we stood toe-to-toe with them, slugged it out, and we were able to do that."

Wadsworth's rushing attack was paced by Baughman, who scored a pair of rushing touchdowns, and freshman tailback Martice Jackson, who rushed for the Grizzlies' other score.

Bill Mayville is a freelance writer in Parma Heights.

A new coach, a new offense, a new season without LeBron James ... things are definitely different for the 2010-11 Cavaliers.

View full sizeLisa DeJong / The Plain DealerCavaliers coach Byron Scott knows there are plenty of things he has to change in the post-LeBron James era.

CLEVELAND, Ohio — It was 11:30 Thursday morning. The Cavaliers had been practicing for more than two hours.

Yes, a practice on gameday . . . not a shootaround, as new coach Byron Scott reminded me.

"It's still training camp," he said. "We may have a game, but in the morning, we're still practicing."

For about an hour, I couldn't watch practice. But I could hear it -- lots squeaks from basketball shoes and screams from coaches and players. Not angry yells, but persistent, decisive orders being delivered.

This is the world of Byron Scott, and a whole new basketball universe for the Cavaliers.

There's the Princeton offense, which isn't biochemistry -- but new and complicated for some of these Cavs. For too long, the team was used to standing on the perimeter, waiting for a pass from LeBron James.

"It's not that hard," insisted Scott. "If your man overplays you -- you make a backdoor cut to the rim. If he plays behind you, you cut away from him. But you have to keep moving."

Moving without the ball is not natural to most modern players, who grew up idolizing stars who usually dominated the ball. Much of the current NBA is one of two things: A) Driving to the basket. B) Taking a stationary shot from behind or near the 3-point line.

The Cavs can't play that way, as Scott wisely knew had he to change a lot in this post-LeBron season.

He knows some of the grueling morning practices will produce heavy-legged games such as the Cavs' 97-83 loss Thursday evening to Washington at The Q.

Lots of jumpers banged off the front of the rim as they shot 35 percent. The team often looked ragged, especially without Antawn Jamison (resting), Mo Williams (groin injury) or Anderson Varejao (just back from his grandfather's funeral in Brazil) seeing any playing time. As Scott said, it's the younger guys -- who played the most Thursday -- who will face the major adjustments.

A second-round pick in 2009, Danny Green appears overwhelmed in almost every facet of the game. Rookie Samardo Samuels has been bullish and active inside, but you can see the coaches working with him to find the right spots on the court.

The Cavs made 26 turnovers. . . . Yikes!

But what did look good was Ramon Sessions. His legs were a bit weary as he missed some easy shots, but the guard can dribble to the rim at will. In 25 energetic minutes, he had 10 rebounds, six assists and only one turnover. Had some of his teammates converted on a few layups, he could have finished with 10 assists.

Like Sessions, Daniel Gibson was 4-of-12 shooting. But also like Sessions, he is very comfortable with this offense. Add Williams to this guard mixture, and the Cavs could have some fun combinations.

Something to watch is J.J. Hickson. In one series, he fired up a silly airball. But he ran down the court, blocking a shot from behind . . . then sprinted down the court, catching a pass from Sessions and being fouled on a layup attempt.

Hickson had 16 points and eight rebounds in 24 minutes. He could easily average 15 points this season as Scott is challenging the 22-year-old forward to expand his game.

Veteran Cavs broadcaster Joe Tait said he's "never seen a Cavs team in this good of shape this early in the season." Scott knows physical conditioning can give his players an edge, especially over the course of six months and 82 games.

But right now, when you run "out of oxygen, it can go to the brain," Scott said.

Scott is giving most of the players a day off today. He knows that he has pushed most of them harder than perhaps any coach . . . ever . . . and they do need a break.

To reach Terry Pluto: terrypluto2003@yahoo.com, 216-999-4674

Coach Byron Scott says he's not worried about Varejao's conditioning after the forward missed the first 10 practices, but he does want him to get up to speed offensively and defensively.

View full sizeAssociated Press file photoAnderson Varejao has rejoined the Cavaliers after attending his grandfather's funeral.

INDEPENDENCE, Ohio — Anderson Varejao's first practice came 10 days after his teammates', putting him untold miles of running behind in the Byron Scott conditioning school.

But don't worry, the coach will make sure he catches up.

Varejao returned to the team after attending his grandfather's funeral in Brazil and spent time working with coaches following shootaround Thursday morning. That will continue for at least the next week as Scott plans to hold Varejao out of several preseason games so he can get up to speed and get his speed up.

Varejao did not play against the Wizards on Thursday and Scott said he would likely hold his best center out of the weekend road trip to Houston and Dallas.

"I'm not concerned about the conditioning, I'm worried about him getting up to speed both offensively and defensively," Scott said. "But watching him walk through the offensive stuff, he seemed to grasp that pretty good. I'm not real concerned, it's really just going to be time trying to get him up to speed."

Varejao is also still not 100 percent after he sprained an ankle in August.

Jamison, Woods sit: The Cavs didn't have the services of most of their big men against Washington. Scott held out forward Antawn Jamison to give him some rest. The coach said it wasn't related to the sore knee that knocked Jamison out of last week's scrimmage and some practice time. Also Loren Woods, who had been playing backup center, missed the game with a sore Achilles tendon.

Still chasing: Wizards coach Flip Saunders was sympathetic but realistic about what happened to Jamison, one of his former players. As Washington began a rebuilding project last season, it traded Jamison to the Cavs in a salary-cap clearing deal. It was believed Jamison had been hoping for a trade to a contender as the Wizards started over.

It didn't work out, however, as the Cavs were eliminated in the second round of the playoffs and are now transitioning.

"They say in the league that players who chase championships often don't get them," Saunders said. "You've got to be lucky. I'm sure Antawn thought it was a good opportunity, but they had some injuries and it just didn't work out."

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: bwindhorst@plaind.com, 216-999-5166

Ohio State starting tight end Jake Stoneburner will miss his second straight game Saturday, but OSU coach Jim Tressel says quarterback Terrelle Pryor has practiced this week like he's not hurt at all.

View full sizeMarvin Fong / The Plain DealerAn ankle injury will keep tight end Jake Stoneburner (11) on the bench Saturday when the Buckeyes play Indiana at Columbus.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State starting tight end Jake Stoneburner will miss his second consecutive game, sitting out Saturday against Indiana with a high ankle sprain he suffered against Eastern Michigan.

"I just don't think he'll be ready to go," OSU coach Jim Tressel said Thursday. "It's very close. In my mind, though, he hasn't done enough whacking and pushing off and taking that to the ninth degree. Unless we get some miracle big jump, I don't think we'll be there this week."

Reid Fragel will once again start in Stoneburner's place. Look for the Buckeyes to continue to put seven offensive linemen, along with Fragel at tight end, in for very short yardage. Backup tackles Andy Miller and Andrew Norwell saw action in those formations last week.

Popping brace: When Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor went down against Illinois last week with a strained quadriceps, Pryor said he heard a pop.

"That's a scary phrase," Tressel said, something a coach never wants to hear a player say.

This time, apparently, there was an explanation. Tressel said that the pop was actually Pryor's knee brace. Pryor has been wearing the brace on his left knee for extra protection on his plant leg after having arthroscopic surgery on his left knee in the off-season.

Tressel said Pryor had a great practice on Wednesday and anyone watching wouldn't know Pryor had any type of injury.

"He's been 100 percent," Tressel said. "He was ready to rock and roll."

Schwartz fine: Tressel described the scary moment the Buckeyes went through in practice with backup senior receiver Grant Schwartz on Wednesday. For a brief moment, it brought to the mind the practice injury from April of 2006 suffered by backup receiver Tyson Gentry, who fell awkwardly and was left paralyzed. Schwartz dove for a pass in a one-on-one passing drill and had a defender land with his knee on his back.

"It looked like it was one of those real serious injuries," Tressel said. "Fortunately, I think he was whacked real hard on a nerve, and now he's up and about and walking and doing fine. Those are the moments on the practice field you don't like."

Schwartz will miss Saturday's game but could return for Wisconsin in two weeks.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: dlesmerises@plaind.com, 216-999-4479

Did Lajoie legitimately go 8-for-8 in a 1910 doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman's Park to run down Ty Cobb for a batting title and automobile? Or did the Browns effectively attempt to hand the keys to the car to him with a "defense" that gave up a string of bunt singles?

View full sizeThe Plain DealerNapoleon Lajoie, star second baseman of the Cleveland Naps, battled for the batting championship and a new car with Ty Cobb in 1910. He went 8-for-8 in a doubleheader on the last day of the season, with the help of St. Louis Browns fielders, but it is still disputed as to who was the actual champ.

Or did he?

Did Lajoie legitimately go 8-for-8 in a doubleheader against the St. Louis Browns at Sportsman's Park to run down Ty Cobb for a batting title and automobile? Or did the Browns effectively attempt to hand the keys to the car to him -- and start the engine -- with a "defense" that gave up a string of bunt singles?

And was the 8-for-8, regardless of circumstance, actually enough to trump Cobb?

The combination of two legends, high stakes and various shades of gray creates, at the very least, a conversation piece 100 years later.

Entering the 1910 season, Detroit car magnate Hugh Chalmers offered a "Chalmers 30" to who ever finished with the highest average in the game. Owning a car in those days was a big deal.

The Detroit Tigers' Cobb, three-time defending AL batting champion, was the natural favorite to win. Pittsburgh's Honus Wagner and Cleveland's Lajoie were among those expected to be in the mix as well.

Eventually, it became a race between Cobb and Lajoie, who were destined to be enshrined in Cooperstown, N.Y., in the late 1930s. By the final weekend, Cobb seemingly had the fourth straight title in his pocket, especially given his decision not to play the last two games. Cobb claimed that a recurring eye issue dogged him; his long line of haters wondered if he winked through the pain.

The lead of a sidebar in the Sunday, Oct. 9, edition of The Plain Dealer read: "Nap Lajoie's chances of owning the automobile presented to the leading batsman of the country are mightily slim -- in fact, they are practically obliterated unless the 'official' figures prove that 'unofficial' figures are radically incorrect. Cobb, according to The Plain Dealer's estimate, is batting close to .383, while Lajoie's present mark is slightly in excess of .378." (We know now that the lead was .383 to .376.)

The article went on to tweak Cobb for his plans to sit out the final two: "Cobb left the Detroit team Friday night, departing for Philadelphia where he will be a member of the All-Star team that will practice with the Athletics. The Georgian declared that he was not feeling very well. The fact that he was ahead in the auto race and feared that he might take a slump in the two games yet to be played may have had something to do with the sudden decision."

On Oct. 9, about 10,000 fans watched the awful Browns play the sub-.500 Naps in the doubleheader. Most were on hand to see if Lajoie -- aka "The Big French man" or "Larry" -- could mount a challenge to Cobb.

View full sizeAPTy Cobb was a hated player in Major League Baseball, so no one was eager to see him win the batting title.

Lajoie tripled in his first at-bat of the opener, then, depending on one's definition of the term, bunted over and over. Lajoie went 4-for-4 in a loss and 4-for-4 with a sacrifice in a victory.

Lajoie kept dropping or pushing or dumping balls in front of Browns rookie infielder Red Corriden, who kept positioning himself ultra-deep, presumably on orders from his manager, Jack O'Connor.

A headline from the front page of The Plain Dealer's Oct. 10 edition stated, "Lajoie Wins Auto In Final Stretch," but acknowledged in a subhead that some thing had smelled at Sportsman's Park: "St. Louis Papers Say Browns Made It Easy for Nap Slugger."

After the writer of the "Special To The Plain Dealer" article described how excited fans were to see Lajoie pile up the hits, the case for the asterisk was summarized:

"But Larry's triumph is tinged with a charge of illegitimacy. St. Louis sporting writers assert that Lajoie was favored by opposing fielders. They say that the St. Louis pitchers pitched the ball where Larry could hit it to best advantage.

"They maintain that Corridon [sic], the Brown third baseman, did not field to the best of his ability when the Cleveland champion drove the ball into Corridon's territory. They insist that other fielders abetted him and aided Lajoie in his race for highest honors. Among others who wrote in similar strain, the baseball editor of the St. Louis Globe Democrat gave the fol lowing description of the St. Louis infield's work:

" 'Every time Lajoie stepped up to the plate, Corridon walked out to the very edge of the grass almost. The Browns' third sacker was virtually playing a short left field for Larry. This always resulted in the same old thing happening, that of Lajoie bunting down the third base line, Corridon rushing in to field the ball and then not throwing because a throw to first would have been useless.'"

The case for shenanigans was bolstered by various reports of pressure having been applied to the official scorer concerning Lajoie's second-game sacrifice. Whether the offender was St. Louis pitching coach Harry Howell or a Naps bat boy or someone else, the goal was to get the sacrifice changed to a hit, because Lajoie needed all the hits he could get. The scorer, possibly offered a bribe, refused to buckle. The play remained a sacrifice/error third base.

If the opposition had, in fact, laid down a Brown carpet for Lajoie, why had they done so? The answer apparently was as simple as ABC: Anybody But Cobb. The Browns were no different than other teams -- including, to a certain extent, the Tigers -- in their dislike for the irascible Cobb. If the down-to-earth Lajoie could be the foil, all the better.

The Plain Dealer's front page Oct. 10 listed how the Cleveland papers calculated the race. The Plain Dealer had Lajoie beating Cobb (.385 to .382), as did The Leader (382.4 to 381.7) and The Press (386.8 to 382.6). The News gave the nod to Cobb (384.15-384.09). Further indicative of the statistical uncertainty of the times was that each paper had a different hit total for Lajoie, ranging from 226 to 229.

A story on the cover of The Plain Dealer on Oct. 11 revealed that American League President Ban Johnson no longer would allow anymore individual contests/prizes as long as he was the league's boss. Johnson was furious about the allegations coming out of Sportsman's Park and promised to investigate.

Lajoie did not flinch. This, from the same story:

" 'It's too close for me to claim the victory and the auto,' said Lajoie at the Grand hotel in Cincinnati last evening. 'Take it from me, I am waiting until Ban Johnson and Robert McRoy tell me whether I have a better record than Cobb or Cobb has me beat. There is such a difference of opinion that I am not counting my eggs before they are hatched or taking a ride in that auto before Johnson and McRoy have poured in a little Cleveland gasoline.

" 'The talk about my not earning those eight hits in St. Louis, though, makes me tired. The first time up I smashed one to the outfield that went over Northen's head, yet some say he misjudged it. Then I hit one that Wallace was lucky to knock down. If that wasn't a hit, there never was one. Then we get down to those six bunts that I beat out. Suppose Corridon did play fairly well back. If he had played in for a bunt and I had swung hard on the ball, I suppose the youngster would have been roasted to a turn be cause he did not play deep."

McRoy was the American League secretary. Upon rechecking the season's stats, McRoy claimed that Cobb was not credited with a 2-for-3 performance from a late-September double header. Adding the 2-for-3 enabled Cobb to edge Lajoie. Johnson signed off on it.

Within a week of the season's conclusion, Johnson announced that Lajoie's 8-for-8 would stand even as O'Connor and Howell had been banished. Johnson also said that Lajoie should have gotten credit for a ninth hit in stead of the sacrifice. Still, according to Johnson and McRoy, Lajoie's perfect day was not enough to overtake Cobb. Johnson declared Cobb the winner of the title and the Chalmers 30. Cobb was credited with going 196-for-509 (.385069) to Lajoie's 227-for-591 (.384095).

Johnson declaring Cobb was entitled to the "Chalmers trophy" did not stop the president from asking Chalmers to provide Lajoie with an automobile, as well. Chalmers agreed; Lajoie, after initially balking, accepted the gift.

Debate continues to this day over who should be listed as the 1910 AL batting champion.

In the late 1970s, researchers Pete Palmer and Leonard Gettelson discovered that Cobb's 2-for-3 had been recorded and, therefore, was mistakenly duplicated. In April 1981, The Sporting News publicized the error but Commissioner Bowie Kuhn declined to alter the history books. In the eyes of baseball, Cobb would remain the 1910 AL batting champion -- part of nine consecutive titles from 1907 to 1915 -- and own 4,191 career hits.

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

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — The crazy thing, Reed Remington will tell you, is there was very little blood and no pain. "It never hurt, not when it happened, not while I was recovering and not now," said Remington, Walsh Jesuit's 6-4, 245-pound senior defensive end. "And, there was no blood. The worst part was just sitting around while it...

Walsh Jesuit's Reed Remington hasn't missed a down this season even though he nearly lost his finger in a weight room accident in the spring.



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(Chuck Crow / PD)

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — The crazy thing, Reed Remington will tell you, is there was very little blood and no pain.

"It never hurt, not when it happened, not while I was recovering and not now," said Remington, Walsh Jesuit's 6-4, 245-pound senior defensive end. "And, there was no blood. The worst part was just sitting around while it healed."

That's hard to imagine, given the events of March 12 in the Walsh Jesuit weight room when Remington lost control of a barbell and nearly lost the index finger on his right hand.

"The doctors told us it was very serious," said Walsh Jesuit coach Gerry Rardin, who accompanied Remington to the emergency room at Akron Children's Hospital.

Amazingly, Remington -- who is being recruited by Division I schools including North Carolina, Purdue, Northwestern, Bucknell and Fordham, as well as most of the Mid-American Conference -- has not missed a down. This despite undergoing surgery to repair a finger that was practically ripped off his hand just seven months ago. He has healed and will be on the field tonight when the 12th-ranked Warriors (4-2) travel to rival and No. 7 St. Vincent-St. Mary (5-1) in a game critical to both teams' playoff hopes.

Remington recalls every moment of the accident. He was on the last exercise of his workout just before spring break, the third of eight repetitions of shoulder presses with 165 pounds on the bar. He had the bar in the air, his arms extended behind his head.

"I was struggling to lock it out," he recalled. "I arched my back to lock it out and when I locked it out, I kind of lost control over my head. I kind of threw the bar in front of me. The bar hit my head and I fell down. I was able to get my left hand out of the way but my right hand got left behind."

His right hand got caught between the weight and the frame holding the apparatus. All 165 pounds crashed down on his index finger, ripping it from its place and pushing it horizontally across the hand's knuckles until it nearly touched his little finger. A dent remains in the frame where it was struck by the weight.

From that point things moved in a blur. Assistant coach Steve Grescovich grabbed a towel and wrapped the injured hand. Trainer Mark Herbele and other coaches rushed in from an outer office. A 9-1-1 call was placed. An ambulance arrived and Remington was off to Akron Children's Hospital.

His parents, Rob and Dianne, were in an eastern Cleveland suburb buying cabinets for a recreation room remodeling project when Rob's cell phone rang.

"When that call comes in and someone says your child has suffered a serious injury, your first thought is a car accident," said Dianne Remington. "It is very traumatic."

It wasn't until the Remingtons arrived at the hospital less than an hour later and saw their son sitting upright in the emergency room that they were able to breathe easy.

"I thought I was fine but I think my mom almost fainted," said Remington, who claims no discomfort with the finger, even when it gets whacked during a tackle. "Coach G wouldn't let me see it, but it didn't hurt. It's never hurt. It just went numb."

Grescovich, who has been at Walsh for nearly 35 years, said Remington's injury is one of the most gruesome he's seen.

"We didn't need to have Reed see what it looked like, but it was right up there with some of the others I've seen," said Grescovich. "But, Reed was responsive the whole time. He was very calm. He never gave any of us a sense that he was going into shock."

A decision was made to delay surgery until the next day. Dr. Nina Njus, a hand surgery specialist from Crystal Clinic Orthopedic Center in Fairlawn, was brought in. Nerves, arteries, tendons, ligaments and bones had to be repaired. The surgery took nearly five hours and Remington was hospitalized for five days. Some spring break.

After being released, he was forced to remain indoors for three weeks, with his hand wrapped in a blanket and raised above his heart.

"That was the worst part," said Remington. "The first day or two I slept a lot, but after that, it got real boring. I'd watch 'SportsCenter' and a lot of other TV. I wasn't even allowed to go outside for a walk. It was like I was a prisoner in my own home."

Today, Remington's finger remains slightly bent, resembling an inverted V. He wears a splint inside his lineman's gloves and tapes his index and middle fingers together for protection. He said the finger is nearly straight after each game. He said he will probably undergo another surgery after the season to permanently straighten it. He was given permission in June to return to football.

"The injury didn't hurt, but I was upset about all the hard work I had put in," he said. "I was afraid I was going to lose all that. I knew that I was going to miss a lot of time because of the surgery and that really bothered me. But, I was determined that I wasn't going to miss any of the season. That thought never crossed my mind. It just wasn't going to happen."

Remington said the injury has changed his approach to football and life.

"I'm more grateful for what I have and what I am, that's for sure," he said. "As for football, I play every down as if it's my last. I don't want this season to end and I really don't want it to end before it's supposed to."

He doesn't want the season to end. But when he looks back, it will be remembered as the season that almost didn't have a beginning.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: trogers@plaind.com, 216-999-5169

New York and Texas grab commanding 2-0 leads in A.L. Division Series, while Tim Lincecum pitches two-hitter to lead San Francisco to Game 1 win.

New York Yankees starting pitcher Andy Pettitte fields a ball hit by Minnesota Twins' Orlando Hudson, rear, during the first inning of Game 2 of baseball's American League Division Series, Thursday, Oct. 7, 2010, in Minneapolis. Pettitte threw to Derek Jeter who got Twins' Denard Span out before throwing to first to get Hudson out, for a double play. (AP Photo/Paul Battaglia)
• MLB scoreboard

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Andy Pettitte gave the New York Yankees yet another clutch performance in the postseason, pitching seven smooth innings in a 5-2 victory over the Minnesota Twins on Thursday evening for a 2-0 lead in their AL division series.

Lance Berkman hit a home run in the fifth and a go-ahead double in the seventh — right after a disputed pitch led to the ejection of Twins manager Ron Gardenhire — and sent the Twins to their 11th straight postseason loss. Eight of those have come against the Yankees, who trailed in each of those games.

The Twins haven't won a postseason game since 2004, matching the Philadelphia Phillies (1915-1976) for the second-longest streak in history behind the Boston Red Sox (1986-1995) and their 13 in a row.

Berkman put the Yankees ahead 3-2 with his double, one pitch after it appeared Carl Pavano sneaked strike three past him. Gardenhire barked at plate umpire Hunter Wendelstedt after Berkman's hit and got tossed.

Mariano Rivera pitched the ninth for his second save of the series. Game 3 is Saturday night at Yankee Stadium.

Rangers 6, Rays 0

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Two dominating pitching performances and a long home run by playoff neophyte Michael Young have the Texas Rangers on the verge of winning a postseason series for the first time.

Young hit a three-run homer one pitch after a disputed check-swing that prompted the ejection of Tampa Bay manager Joe Maddon, helping C.J. Wilson and the AL West champions beat the Rays for a 2-0 lead in their AL division series.

Texas is the only current major league franchise that's never won a playoff series. After taking two games on the road, that can change when the best-of-five matchup shifts to Rangers Ballpark for Game 3 on Saturday.

Ian Kinsler also homered for the Rangers, who are in the playoffs for the first time since 1999.

Wilson allowed two hits in 6 2-3 innings. Relievers Darren O'Day and Darren Oliver completed the combined two-hitter before a sellout crowd of 35,535.

Rays starter James Shields allowed four runs and four hits over 4 1-3 innings.

Giants 1, Braves 0

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Tim Lincecum pitched a two-hitter and struck out 14 in a dominating postseason debut, and the San Francisco Giants scored their only run after a questionable umpiring call to beat the Atlanta Braves in Game 1 of their NL division series.

The two-time Cy Young winner pitched a gem, a day after Philadelphia's Roy Halladay threw only the second no-hitter in postseason history in his debut. Lincecum outdueled playoff veteran Derek Lowe and caught a break, too.

Cody Ross singled in the only run Lincecum needed in the fourth after Buster Posey was called safe by umpire Paul Emmel on a steal of second. It was Posey's first career steal, even though he appeared to be tagged out by Brooks Conrad on the play — retiring Braves manager Bobby Cox, the all-time leader in ejections, did not argue.

Lincecum struck out Derrek Lee for the third time to end the 119-pitch masterpiece in 2 hours, 26 minutes. He became just the 12th pitcher with 14 or more strikeouts in a postseason game.

In a postseason already filled with plenty of stellar pitching, this was the first 1-0 game in the postseason since 2005, when the Chicago White Sox finished off a World Series sweep over Houston.

Game 2 of this best-of-five series is Friday night, with 13-game winner Matt Cain going for the Giants against Tommy Hanson.

The fall fishing season is swinging into action, especially at the Cleveland Metroparks’ Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights, where rainbow trout and catfish are being released this week. The Outdoor Odyssey at the Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation is Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., giving kids the chance to catch fish and win prizes. Youngsters...

File PhotoThe Outdoor Odyssey at the Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation is Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., giving kids the chance to catch fish and win prizes.

The fall fishing season is swinging into action, especially at the Cleveland Metroparks’ Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights, where rainbow trout and catfish are being released this week.

The Outdoor Odyssey at the Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation is Saturday from noon to 4 p.m., giving kids the chance to catch fish and win prizes. Youngsters get an Outdoor Odyssey passport to be stamped at a variety of stations, where they can experience such outdoor sports as fishing, golf and nature skills. When a passport has been stamped at five stations, it earns a prize.

State wildlife officials are releasing foot-long rainbow trout for the special weekend, and the Metroparks have added channel catfish. Trout also are being released today at Petros Lake in Canton; and Friday, Oct. 15, at Granger Pond in Mentor and at Painesville Recreational Park.

The Cleveland Metroparks Institute of the Great Outdoors hosts Accessible Adventures on Saturday, a fishing outing at Wallace Lake in Berea from 1 to 3 p.m. for people with disabilities and their families. Call 216-341-1704 for reservations. Park officials host Family Fishing Day on Sunday at Shadow Lake in Solon’s South Chagrin Reservation, with basic fishing classes and hands-on fishing.

The Cuyahoga Valley National Park’s Fall Fishing Day is Friday, Oct. 15, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Horseshoe Pond, with catch- and-release fishing. Horseshoe Pond is on Major Road, south of Peninsula, off Riverview Road.

Still on sidelines: Chief David Graham and four of his Division of Wildlife staff have been on paid leave since April, when they were charged with covering up an illegal resident hunting license sale to a South Carolina wildlife officer in 2006.

Brown County Prosecutor Jessica Little isn’t ready to let the five Ohio officials off the hook, despite a ruling this week by Judge Scott Gusweiler that their incriminating interviews with the Ohio inspector general’s office should be suppressed. He cited the Garrity Rule that protects employees questioned during an internal investigation.

Little plans to appeal Gusweiler’s ruling, which could take a couple of more months.

Out and about: The retrieving dogs are showing off on Saturday and Sunday at a Buckeye Retriever Club Hunt Test at Hambden Nursery, 14849 Rock Creek Road, Chardon, with spectators welcome. . . . LaDue and Nimisila reservoirs each received about 5,000 7-inch channel catfish this week, with Forest Hill Pond in East Cleveland getting about 150 cats. . . . Teachers wanting to become instructors for the popular National Archery in the Schools program can attend a free workshop at Ruffing Montessori in Cleveland on Oct. 29 by calling Ken Fry (330-245-3030).

Call a duck: Flambeau Outdoors and North Bend, Ohio, bass fishing pro Bill Lowen are teaming up to benefit Delta Waterfowl, a North Dakota-based conservation group. Lowen is very good at catching bass, and he’s also an avid waterfowler who makes his own Bill Lowen Duck Call. Lowen will make 500 limitededition duck calls for Flambeau, of Middlefield, with the $40 quacker available at billlowen. com and zonkshop.com.

Pheasant forecast: Ohio’s already meager wild pheasant population has slumped by about 40 percent this year, according to upland biologist Nathan Stricker. The decline reported by Pheasants Forever is because of heavy snows around the state in January through March.

Powerhouse pontoon: Ken Gouty of Antioch, Ill., outfitted his 27-foot pontoon with a supercharged 1,200-horsepower engine to shatter the pontoon speed mark with a 100-mph time trial at Missouri’s Lake of the Ozarks Shootout. Gouty said it took him about a half-mile of calm water to hit the 100-mph mark.

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

Rainbow trout and catfish are being released at the Cleveland Metroparks’ Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights, with trout fishing open to kids and adults starting at noon today. Muddy waters are pervasive along the Lake Erie shoreline, but expect the fall yellow perch bonanza to begin this weekend as calmer weather arrives. Cleveland area Jumbo yellow...

D'Arcy Egan/The Plain DealerMuddy waters are pervasive along the Lake Erie shoreline, but expect the fall yellow perch bonanza to begin this weekend as calmer weather arrives.

Rainbow trout and catfish are being released at the Cleveland Metroparks’ Ohio and Erie Canal Reservation in Cuyahoga Heights, with trout fishing open to kids and adults starting at noon today. Muddy waters are pervasive along the Lake Erie shoreline, but expect the fall yellow perch bonanza to begin this weekend as calmer weather arrives.

Cleveland area

Jumbo yellow perch have moved in and some stable weather should kick off outstanding fishing. The best perch fishing had been in 41 to 45 feet of water around Cleveland Harbor, especially off Cleveland Browns Stadium, East 72nd Street and Euclid General Hospital. Pier and breakwall perch fishing should improve, and good catches of smallmouth bass have been reported in rocky, near-shore areas.

To the west, perch fishing should be good this weekend in 30 to 40 feet of water from Huron and Vermilion to Avon Point. To the east, the hump northwest of the mouth of the Grand River will draw crowds if Lake Erie calms down and begins to clear.

The night walleye bite is just beginning, with some walleye caught casting from shore when the waves aren’t washing the piers and breakwalls. Anglers are casting weighted minnow-style lures after dark, with the Rapala and Bomber lures in blue-silver and black-silver leading the way. Trolling fishermen will do well, but must keep an eye on the weather, with lake temperatures cooling early this year.

Some steelhead trout are showing up along the shoreline and in the lower stretches of the Rocky River and Euclid Creek.

Lake Erie

Big winds and waves have slowed walleye and yellow perch fishing lakewide. Walleye are generally heading to their winter haunts off Vermilion and Huron, where good fall fishing should begin soon. Anglers who have been able to get out report some success off Huron, as well as along the shoreline.

The western lake perch fishing should be fair to good this weekend off the east side of Kelleys Island, around Ballast Island and off Catawba State Park and the Marblehead Lighthouse. Most of the perch have been of average size, but jumbo perch are beginning to school.

Rivers and streams

Local steelhead rivers have been up and down all week, with rain and water temperatures that are lower than usual expected to have lured some trout from Lake Erie. The big runs of trout are yet to come, with some fish reported caught this week. Spawn bags have been the hot ticket, but flies, spoons and spinner should catch trout as the water clears. Expect the best fishing to be in the lower stretches of the Rocky, Chagrin and Vermilion rivers. The Grand River will continue to be muddy for a few days.

Pennsylvania’s Elk Creek has been a top spot for steelhead trout in recent days.

Inland lakes, reservoirs

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is drawing down water levels at Lake Milton, West Branch, Berlin and Mosquito reservoirs and the Portage Lakes for the winter. Lake Milton’s drawdown will allow the construction of 24 courtesy docks at Lake Milton State Park, a $355,000 project funded by the Division of Watercraft. Improvements also are planned for the Portage Lakes as the waters levels are drawn down.

A crowd of bass fishermen is expected on Mosquito Reservoir this weekend for the Bad Bass Champs Tournament Trail Championship and at Mogadore Reservoir for the Electric Elite Series Open. Pymatuning walleye fishermen have shifted from jig-nightcrawler tactics to working blade baits as the lake water has cooled. Largemouth bass should be biting with a bright, sunny weekend on tap. Cooler waters have bass heading to shoreline cover, with anglers focusing on weed beds and shallow flats. Top lures should be spinnerbaits, plastic worms and pitching jigs. Wingfoot Lake should be a top spot for bass, as well as the Portage Lakes, especially Long Lake.

Bluegills and crappies should be hitting good most everywhere, as well as fall catfish. Try Tappan, Piedmont or Clendening for big flathead catfish. Saugeye fishing is heating up on those lakes, as well. Try blade baits, such as Vi-Bees and Cicadas on the points.

TODAY Elyria at Hudson

Quarterback Chris Humphrey, center, and undefeated Solon travels to Brunswick tonight.



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(John Kuntz / PD)

TODAY

Elyria at Hudson

What, when, where: Northeast Ohio Conference River Division game, 7 p.m. at Dante Lavelli Stadium, 65 N. Hayden Parkway, Hudson. Call 330-653-1438.

Records: Elyria 2-4, 1-0; Hudson 1-5, 1-0

What to watch: Elyria rebounded from a heartbreaking loss to Parma in Week 5 and put it all together last week in a 35-3 River Division opening-win over Cuyahoga Falls. Look for Elyria to try to again establish the running game with Keon Nealy, Jumarr Lewis and Jared Williams. Hudson is coming off its first win of the season, a 19-7 triumph over Stow, despite sophomore standout Ben Gideon being sidelined with a shoulder injury. He is expected back this week. The Explorers, who will need another outstanding performance from TB Joey Studer and QB David Nelson, will also have to keep an eye on Elyria's two-way lineman/Ohio State recruit Chase Farris.

PD pick: Elyria.

Mentor at Warren Harding

What, when, where: Lake Erie League, Lake Division game, 7 p.m., Mollenkopf Stadium, 860 Elm Road N.E., Warren. Call 330-841-2316.

Records: Mentor 3-3, 0-0; Harding 5-1, 1-0.

What to watch: This game probably will decide the LEL Lake Division champion and is a must-win game for both teams' playoff chances. Mentor is ninth and Harding 10th in Region 1. Harding senior RB Demond Hymes lit up Euclid last week with 263 yards rushing, 67 yards receiving and two TDs in a 42-14 win. Harding also had 145 yards in penalties. Mentor rescued its playoff hopes with consecutive wins against Willoughby South and St. Ignatius. The key factor in both victories was defensive end Kurt Laseak, who had three interceptions, caused a fumble, recovered a fumble and had five sacks. RB Mike Korecz and QB Colton Wallace are a good running combo, and Wallace is a big-play threat at wideout when Mitch Trubisky plays QB.

PD pick: Mentor.

North Olmsted at Brecksville-Broadview Heights

What, when, where: Southwestern Conference, 7:30 p.m., at 6380 Mill Road, Broadview Heights. Call 440-740-4770.

Records: North Olmsted (2-4, 0-3), Brecksville (4-2, 2-1).

What to watch: The Eagles have struggled their past three games, managing only a touchdown in each contest. They have hung tough on defense, but have to find a way to get points. The Bees dropped out of the PD Top 25 after last week's loss. Sophomore quarterback Tom Tupa and senior running back Matt Galland have supplied most of the offense. The playoffs are not out of the question for Brecksville, but they have to get solid on both sides of the ball.

PD pick: Brecksville.

Olmsted Falls at Westlake

What, when, where: Southwestern Conference, 7:30 p.m., at 27830 Hilliard Blvd., Westlake. Call 440-835-6354.

Records: Olmsted Falls (3-3, 2-1), Westlake 5-1, 2-1.

What to watch: The Bulldogs stayed in the race with a 24-14 win against Brecksville-Broadview Heights. They totaled 443 yards of offense, with Jeremy Ortiz gaining 122 on 18 carries. Junior quarterback Brennan Laird passed for 191 yards. The Demons regrouped after their loss at Amherst to take care of business at North Olmsted, 21-7. Junior Jonathan Brick was the workhorse with 247 yards on 40 carries, scoring all three touchdowns and passing for a 2-point conversion. The Demons have been strong on defense and will need it again to nullify an improving Olmsted Falls offense.

PD pick: Westlake.

Padua at Elyria Catholic

What, when, where: North Coast League crossover, 7 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Stadium, 725 Gulf Road, Elyria, Call 440-3656390-ext. 26.

Records: Padua 4-2, Elyria Catholic 6-0.

What to watch: The Bruins recovered from a 42-6 loss at Walsh Jesuit to handle NDCL, 28-7. Quarterback Jim Solano passed for three scores in the latter. The Bruins, rated No. 3 in Division III, Region 9, can earn a lot of computer points with a win. However, they will have to find a way to stop a Panthers' offense that has been nearly unstoppable. Senior quarterback Danny Reaser is 146-for-237 for 2,249 yards and 23 touchdowns. He has spread the ball around, with Zack Rogers at 51 receptions and Conor Voreis 41. The Panthers are No. 1 in Division IV and top the Region 14 computer rankings. They are No. 11 in the PD Top 25.

PD pick: Elyria Catholic.

Parma at Normandy

What, when, where: Northeast Ohio Conference Lake Division game, 7 p.m. at Byers Field in Robert M. Boulton Stadium, 7600 Day Drive, Parma. Call 440-88-52404

Records: Parma 5-1, 1-0; Normandy 1-5, 1-0

What to watch: Parma is known for its dangerous passing game thanks to QB Joe Pullman and WRs Romey Johnson, Amer Smith, Billy Pullman and Dylan Kurtz. The athleticism of Joe Pullman, along with the emergence of FB Cameron Thompson and the blocking of 6-4, 290-pound T Jason Varwig, has given its running game notice. The Redmen's defense received a boost with the return of DE Rob Mathews, who sat out last week against Brush with an ankle injury, but LB Johnnie Karban is out for the season because of a dislocated foot he suffered in their Week 5 game. Jeff Romano is spelling Karban. FB/S Shane Zerucha and T Mike Haumesser have provided the few bright spots for Normandy, which hopes to have DB Bryan Petrunek (concussion) and OG Andrew Soltis (shoulder injury) back.

PD pick: Parma.

Perry at Kenston

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

Records: Kenston 4-2, 2-1; Perry 5-1, 2-1.

What to watch: Both teams followed close, emotional losses Week 5 with wins last week. Perry beat Jefferson, 27-0, and Kenston came from behind to beat Orange, 32-21, on Pat Porter's fourth-quarter TD runs of 48 and 35 yards. Kenston RBs Porter and Percy Johnson combined for 55 carries and 380 yards last week. Look for Perry to find ways for Anthony Kukwa to get the ball in an effort to take pressure off QB Mitchel Hokavar, who is nursing a bad foot. He has 1,134 yards and 14 TDs passing, but five turnovers in the past two games.

PD pick: Perry.

Ravenna at Kent Roosevelt

What, when, where: Portage Trail Conference Metro Division game, 7 p.m., Roosevelt Stadium, 1400 N. Mantua St., Kent. Call 330-673-9595.

Records: Ravenna 4-2, 3-0; Kent Roosevelt 5-1, 2-1.

What to watch: This is the 89th meeting between these teams and the series can't get any closer, standing at 43-43-2. The game will have big playoff ramifications as both squads are in the Division II, Region 5 playoff hunt. Roosevelt is eighth and Ravenna is 11th. The is the last game against a Division II opponent for both teams as all remaining foes reside in Division III. Both team have big-play guys. Quarterback Evan Shimensky, who has completed 80 of 113 passes for 1,181 yards and 16 touchdowns, leads the Rough Riders. Ravenna counters with junior tailback D.J. Jones, who has gained 1,005 yards on 108 carries, and versatile Stephen Wilmington, who has rushed for 415 yards and caught 10 passes for 163 yards.

PD pick: Ravenna.

Shaw at Maple Heights

What, when, where: Lake Erie League Erie Division game, 7 p.m., Stafford Stadium, 19800 Stafford Ave., Maple Heights. Call 216-587-3200.

Records: Shaw 4-2, 2-1; Maple Heights 6-0, 0-0.

What to watch: Speed to burn in this game. A fast, aggressive Shaw defense will try to contain Maple QB Shaq Washington, who appears close to 100 percent, while concentrating on RB DeVonte Ransom. Shaw QB Robert Small (18 TD passes) is one of the area's most underrated players and he has numerous big-play targets. A win for Maple Heights will boost its sagging playoff status. The Mustangs are sixth in Region 6 because their first six opponents have a combined seven victories. Shaw has won four in a row and the Region 1 playoffs are a long shot, but a win puts the Cardinals in the LEL Erie driver's seat.

PD pick: Maple Heights.

Solon at Brunswick

What, when, where: Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division game, 7 p.m. at Judy Kirsch Stadium, 3581 Center Road, Brunswick. Call 330-273-0496.

Records: Solon 6-0, 1-0; Brunswick 4-2, 1-0

What to watch: What isn't there to watch when facing the Comets? The offense is scoring 38 points a game, thanks to a potent running attack led by QB Chris Humphrey and RBs Kyle Hammonds and Khoury Crenshaw. The defense, headed by LBs A.J. Hicks, Nick Davidson and Jovon Johnson, is surrendering just under 12 points a game and has a shutout under its belt. Brunswick expects to have TB Nick Roberts, LB D.J. Osters and DL John Bruketa back from injuries that kept them out of Friday's win over Nordonia, where Eric Fox stepped in and led the running game. LB Mike Vrsansky and CB Scott Suren need to have outstanding efforts for the Blue Devils.

PD pick: Solon.

Strongsville at Mayfield

What, when, where: Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division game, 7 p.m. at Mayfield Municipal Stadium, 6116 Wilson Mills Road, Mayfield. Call 440-995-6830.

Records: Strongsville 4-2, 1-0; Mayfield 4-2, 0-1

What to watch: The Mustangs are finally healthy and they're riding a four-game win streak and have outscored the opposition, 146-45, during that run. The consistency of TB Matt Bianco has allowed the passing to open up with two capable receivers in two-way players Ryan Aske and Iowa recruit Ray Hamilton. QB Austin Pritchard returns after a one-game suspension for breaking team rules, which will let Zach Sedivy concentrate on his LBing chores. Mayfield is licking its wounds from last week's loss to Solon since starting QB Caden Loew suffered a season-ending knee injury. That will put the load on rushers Carlos Cruzado and Nick Canganelli, as well WRs Chuck Zavarella, Nick DiSanto and Harry Morgenstern. The return of Mustangs' two-way lineman David Kaminski will present another concern for Mayfield.

PD pick: Strongsville.

Walsh Jesuit at St. Vincent-St. Mary

What, when, where: Nonleague game, 7 p.m., Green Street Stadium, 15 N. Maple St., Akron. Call 330-253-9113.

Records: Walsh Jesuit 4-2; SVSM 5-1.

What to watch: Both teams are facing a 'must-win' situation as far as the playoffs are concerned, Walsh Jesuit mainly because of who it has played -- Lake Catholic, Cincinnati LaSalle -- and SVSM because of who it is about to play -- Youngstown Cardinal Mooney and Youngstown Ursuline. Walsh is ninth in Division II, Region 9 and SVSM is second in Division III, Region 9. SVSM's defense, led by cornerback Doran Grant, safety Mark Murphy and lineman D.J. Williams, has gone 10 quarters without giving up a touchdown. It will be tested by QB Connor Cook, who has accounted for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns, tailback Ryan Jun (75 carries, 371 yards) and receivers Tyler Starkey and Kevin Enright, who have combined for 45 receptions for 632 yards. This is the 35th meeting between the two and the Warriors lead the series, 20-14.

PD pick: SVSM.

Wooster Triway at Manchester

What, when, where: Principals Athletic Conference game, 7 p.m., Jim France Stadium, Ohio 93, Akron. Call 330-832-3291.

Records: Triway 5-1, 3-0; Manchester 6-0, 3-0.

What to watch: Triway is one of a few schools in the conference that have been able to beat the Panthers, who have amassed a 120-12 record in conference play since 1989 and have beat Triway three times in the past five seasons. Both teams are in playoff contention in Division IV, but in different regions. Triway is fifth in Region 14 and Manchester is second in Region 13. Manchester senior Mark Noble is coming off a six-touchdown performance against Tuslaw, and the Panthers will need a similar performance against Triway's passing combo of QB Derek Carmichael and Sawyer Polen. Carmichael threw for 2,101 yards and 27 touchdowns last year and is at 1,665 yards this season. Polen has caught 43 of those passes for 626 yards. Manchester's defense, keyed by leading tackler Jake Miltner, Kyle Dougherty, Tyler Masters and Noble, has held opponents to 52 points.

PD pick: Manchester.

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

It will be hard to ignore Breast Cancer Awareness Month while attending a North Royalton football game in the next few weeks. Safeties James Holodnak and Scott Brooks, cornerbacks Nick Bonacci and Bob Barnes, defensive lineman Sean Gilligan and offensive lineman Anthony Myers have decided to wear pink gloves.

Several Browns and Bengals players wore pink gloves, towels and shoes during their game last weekend to promote breast cancer awareness, and now several North Royalton high school players will do the same.



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(John Kuntz / PD)

It will be hard to ignore Breast Cancer Awareness Month while attending a North Royalton football game in the next few weeks.

Safeties James Holodnak and Scott Brooks, cornerbacks Nick Bonacci and Bob Barnes, defensive lineman Sean Gilligan and offensive lineman Anthony Myers have decided to wear pink gloves.

Holodnak suggested the idea.

"My mom [Maureen] had breast cancer and is now in remission," said Holodnak.

"Everyone knows someone or has been affected by someone who has or had breast cancer. I wouldn't be surprised if all our guys are wearing [the pink gloves] before the month is over."

Remembering a friend: St. Ignatius' football players have stickers on the back of their helmets with senior Adam Grodzik's initials on it. Grodzik, a lacrosse player, recently lost his life in an automobile accident.

"Adam was well-liked by everyone and was a close friend to a number of our players," said Wildcats coach Chuck Kyle.

The football team honored Dan Murphy the same way last season when the sophomore crew team member died in an ATV accident.

"I hope this doesn't become a yearly thing," said Kyle.

Getting a grip: Elyria lost three of six fumbles, including two in the red zone, during a 20-17 loss to Parma in Week 5 but cleaned it up during last Friday's 35-3 victory over Cuyahoga Falls.

"The players had a great attitude the entire week and we had one of our best practices on [Sept. 29]," said Elyria coach Steve Hamilton. "We came out against Falls and didn't have one turnover.

"And I mean the ball never touched the ground once."

Working overtime: Normandy's win over neighborhood rival Valley Forge last week was the first this season for the Invaders, who like everyone in the school district is battling money problems, which has brought about a play-to-participate policy.

"We've lost some players due to pay-to-play and we've had our share of injuries, but that's part of the game," said Normandy coach Harry Caruthers. "What's made it tougher on all of us is the fact that a lot of our players are working at jobs for 4-5 hours after practice, then going home to do homework.

"It's hard on everyone."

Scoring drought's over: Solon's 48-14 victory over Mayfield made up for some lost time.

The Comets were blanked, 6-0 and 27-0, in 2006 and '08, at Mayfield Municipal Stadium. The last time they scored on the Wildcats' turf prior to Sept. 30 was a 30-0 rout in 2004.

Record-setting Bengal: Frank Hanis, a 1973 Benedictine graduate, witnessed his 325th straight Bengals football game last week.

The streak began when Hanis attended the Bengals' 48-0 victory over West Tech on Sept. 5, 1981. Saturday's game set a school record for Hanis, who surpassed the mark of 324 consecutive games set by Theodore Girard from 1973 to 2003, but it might be a game he'd like to forget.

Benedictine was shut out by unbeaten St. Edward, 45-0.

Nemec nears milestone: John Nemec wants to make sure the spotlight is focused on the right part of the stage.

"The focal point of this game is the kids, the community and the big game that the community looks forward to every year," the veteran Kent Roosevelt coach said about tonight's annual tug-of-war with neighboring Ravenna. We cannot lose sight of that and we can't let the focus be on anything but that. It's the kids' arena. The rest of us are just window dressing."

This from a man who has an opportunity to record his 200th career victory when Roosevelt and Ravenna get together for the 89th time.

Nemec, 64, is in his 30th year as a head football coach. He spent four years at Wapakoneta and the rest at Roosevelt. His teams have a combined mark of 199-95-3, 166-84-1 at Roosevelt.

Don't be misled. Nemec is proud of his record. Yet, he is reluctant to talk about it.

"How do I feel about winning 200?" he asked rhetorically. "I don't know. But I can tell you that I'd rather have 200 wins when I wake up on Saturday than 199."

So, how does he feel about having won 199?

"It's better than having won 198."

Walton among the few: Hawken's Cliff Walton last week joined an elite list of coaches who have won 200 games at one school. The Hawks' 60-0 victory over Richmond Heights improved Walton's record at Hawken to 200-108-1 in 30 seasons. His career record is 216-112-2, including two seasons at Lutheran East, which is his alma mater.

Other coaches from Greater Cleveland and Akron who have 200 victories at one school are: Jim France (328 at Manchester), Augie Bossu (275, Benedictine), Chuck Kyle (275, St. Ignatius), Bill Gutbrod (267, St. Joseph), Gerry Rardin (224, Walsh Jesuit) and John Cistone (207, St. Vincent-St. Mary).

Like France, Walton coaches in a stadium that bears his name, and prior to tonight's 7 p.m. home game against Independence, a ceremony will be held in his honor.

Rotating quarterbacks: Brush rotated three quarterbacks during its Sept. 30 Northeast Ohio Conference Lake Division loss to Parma.

Pocket passer Mark Ciarlillo and versatile Pharaoh Brown took snaps under center and Isiah Wilson was also thrown into the mix.

"We've been trying to get our running game going," said Arcs coach Rob Atwood, "and Isiah's one of those quarterbacks whose strong point is his ability to run."

-- Bob Fortuna, Tim Rogers, Tim Warsinskey

How good is Maple Heights? We are about to find out.

Shaw coach Rodney Brown.



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(Plain Dealer file)

How good is Maple Heights?

We are about to find out.

"They haven't faced a team like us," Shaw coach Rodney Brown said. "It's a two-way street this year. This is the biggest game in Northeast Ohio [tonight]."

Maple Heights, 6-0 and ranked fourth in The Plain Dealer Top 25, hosts No. 21 Shaw (4-2), which has won four straight. Maple Heights' first six opponents have won a combined seven games, causing the Mustangs to sink to sixth in the Division II, Region 6 computer rankings. It should be noted, Maple reached the state final last year as a No. 6 seed.

Maple Heights came from behind to beat Shaw, 28-22, last year.

"It was like a playoff game last year and I'm sure it will be the same," Maple coach Todd Filtz said.

Speed will be key.

Maple Heights quarterback Shaq Washington has recovered from a knee injury, and RB DeVonte Ransom and wideouts Andre Stubbs and Dana Day all can fly. Shaw counters with QB Robert Small and speedy wideouts Micah White, Ron McCloud and Jamel Hicks.

After missing three starts with a bruised knee, Washington was 9-of-22 passing with one TD against Shaker Heights, and was a more efficient 9-of-11 with two TD passes against Bedford last week.

The game also features two big-play defenders, Maple end Claybourne Miller and Shaw linebacker Antonio Longino. Playing free safety, Hicks will shadow Ransom.

Walton among the few: Hawken's Cliff Walton last week joined an elite list of coaches who have won 200 games at one school. The Hawks' 60-0 victory over Richmond Heights improved Walton's record at Hawken to 200-108-1 in 30 seasons. His career record is 216-112-2, including two seasons at Lutheran East, which is his alma mater.

Other coaches from Greater Cleveland and Akron who have 200 victories at one school are: Jim France (328 at Manchester), Augie Bossu (275, Benedictine), Chuck Kyle (275, St. Ignatius), Bill Gutbrod (267, St. Joseph), Gerry Rardin (224, Walsh Jesuit) and John Cistone (207, St. Vincent-St. Mary).

Like France, Walton coaches in a stadium that bears his name, and prior to tonight's 7 p.m. home game against Independence, a ceremony will be held in his honor.

Eden excels: University School junior quarterback Tyler Eden (6-4, 205) continues to improve and impress. A first-year starter, he has completed 92 of 165 attempts for 1,470 yards and 16 touchdowns with six interceptions in the Preppers' pass-oriented offense.

"He has a great deal of potential," coach Jim Stephens said. "He's the best we've had as far as athletic ability. He can run and he can throw. He has a cannon for an arm."

Red flag: Another week, another big game in the Chagrin Valley Conference's Chagrin Division. Tonight, Perry (5-1, 2-1) travels to Kenston (4-2, 2-1).

A potential red flag for Perry is the foot bone bruise quarterback Mitchel Hokavar is dealing with. He's been unable to practice and had five turnovers in the last two games.

"They recommended two to three weeks off and he refuses to sit. It means too much to him," Perry coach Matt Rosati said. "But he's not the same kid he was four weeks ago."

Defensively, Perry has had some trouble against the run, so with Kenston backs Pat Porter and Percy Johnson finally healthy, expect the Bombers to pound the ball out of the power-I formation. They combined for 55 carries and 380 yards rushing in a comeback win against Orange last week.

Porter and Johnson also will play safety and linebacker, respectively, which they did not do last week. Johnson (6-0, 217) has several colleges interested in him as a linebacker.

"We're not sure sometimes which side of ball he's better on," Kenston coach Roger Vasey said. "He's very hard to get off his feet."

Scoring drought's over: Solon's 48-14 victory over Mayfield made up for some lost time.

The Comets were blanked, 6-0 and 27-0, in 2006 and '08, at Mayfield Municipal Stadium. The last time they scored on the Wildcats' turf prior to Sept. 30 was a 30-0 rout in 2004.

Record-setting Bengal: Frank Hanis, a 1973 Benedictine graduate, witnessed his 325th straight Bengals football game last week.

The streak began when Hanis attended the Bengals' 48-0 victory over West Tech on Sept. 5, 1981. Saturday's game set a school record for Hanis, who surpassed the mark of 324 consecutive games set by Theodore Girard from 1973 to 2003, but it might be a game he'd like to forget.

Benedictine was shut out by unbeaten St. Edward, 45-0.

Rotating quarterbacks: Brush rotated three quarterbacks during its Sept. 30 Northeast Ohio Conference Lake Division loss to Parma.

Pocket passer Mark Ciarlillo and versatile Pharaoh Brown took snaps under center and Isiah Wilson was also thrown into the mix.

"We've been trying to get our running game going," said Arcs coach Rob Atwood, "and Isiah's one of those quarterbacks whose strong point is his ability to run."

Big loss: When Mayfield quarterback Caden Loew was sacked in the second quarter and left the game during the 48-14 loss to Solon, little did anyone know the knee injury would be season-ending.

"Caden hasn't been able to get an MRI yet because the knee is so swollen," said Wildcats coach Larry Pinto, "but he's done for the year."

Also questionable for tonight's game against Strongsville is center Mike Perozek and fullback Stefan Rood, who left the Solon game with concussions.

"It's a day-to-day thing with Mike and Stefan," Pinto said. "It's unfortunate but [injuries] are part of the game. Caden was having a nice year but we need to move on because we have some big, big games coming up."

Loew had completed 30 of 67 passes for 677 yards before the injury with eight touchdowns and four interceptions. Sophomore Alex Brooks now moves into the starting role.

Long live the king: Lutheran East defensive end Jalen Coleman had a day to remember during last Saturday's 26-20 overtime win over visiting Youngstown Christian. Not only was Coleman crowned Homecoming King, he also garnered 12 tackles and helped the Falcons hold the Eagles during a fourth-quarter goal line stand.

Twin brother/linebacker Marques Coleman registered 13 tackles, while quarterback Brian Burdine and tailback Levert Cox did their share offensively. Burdine passed for 116 yards and a touchdown and rushed for 160 yards while Cox gained 91 yards and found the end zone three times.

Nemec nears milestone: John Nemec wants to make sure the spotlight is focused on the right part of the stage.

"The focal point of this game is the kids, the community and the big game that the community looks forward to every year," the veteran Kent Roosevelt coach said about tonight's annual tug-of-war with neighboring Ravenna. We cannot lose sight of that and we can't let the focus be on anything but that. It's the kids' arena. The rest of us are just window dressing."

This from a man who has an opportunity to record his 200th career victory when Roosevelt and Ravenna get together for the 89th time.

Nemec, 64, is in his 30th year as a head football coach. He spent four years at Wapakoneta and the rest at Roosevelt. His teams have a combined mark of 199-95-3, 166-84-1 at Roosevelt.

Don't be misled. Nemec is proud of his record. Yet, he is reluctant to talk about it.

"How do I feel about winning 200?" he asked rhetorically. "I don't know. But I can tell you that I'd rather have 200 wins when I wake up on Saturday than 199."

So, how does he feel about having won 199?

"It's better than having won 198."

Precautionary move: Hudson coach Tom Narducci calls sophomore Ben Gedeon "an impact player" and "the answer." That is why he chose to use Gedeon sparingly in a 19-7 victory over Stow that snapped the Explorers' losing streak at five games.

Gedeon, 6-2, 207 pounds, has played quarterback, running back, wide receiver and linebacker this season. He came up with a slight shoulder problem two weeks ago and had been cleared by team doctors to play last week. Narducci thought better.

"He's a sophomore who is making an impact and if you have a question about who's going to play quarterback or who's going to play running back or linebacker, he is the answer," said Narducci. "I just thought it was better to give him an extra week's rest. He wanted to play."

-- Bob Fortuna, Tim Rogers, Tim Warsinskey

Ohio.com reporter Stephanie Storm writes about the unassuming Peyton Hillis off the field, and the battering ram Hillis on the field. Cincinnati Bengals cornerbacks Roy Williams and Ron Joseph probably felt like Hillis was hunting them Sunday when he inadvertently knocked both out of the Browns' 23-20 victory. They suffered knee and forearm injuries, respectively, as they attempted to tackle...

John Kuntz / The Plain DealerPeyton Hillis

Ohio.com reporter Stephanie Storm writes about the unassuming Peyton Hillis off the field, and the battering ram Hillis on the field.

Cincinnati Bengals cornerbacks Roy Williams and Ron Joseph probably felt like Hillis was hunting them Sunday when he inadvertently knocked both out of the Browns' 23-20 victory. They suffered knee and forearm injuries, respectively, as they attempted to tackle Hillis on separate plays.

''Peyton's real physical,'' Browns quarterback Jake Delhomme said. ''You don't see Roy Williams [fall like that]. He's a man, he can bring it. Peyton brought it to him a good bit last week.''

Hillis is happy to be who he is and where he is after being traded in March to the Browns from the Denver Broncos in the Brady Quinn deal.

''I love being a Cleveland Brown,'' said Hillis, who played in every offensive series last week, except for the final three plays when quarterback Seneca Wallace took a knee to run out the clock. ''I think the Lord had his way for sending me here. It's the best thing for me.''

Mangini says

Cleveland Browns coach Eric Mangini spoke to the media who covers the Atlanta Falcons, and Mangini had plenty to say about this team and the Falcons.

ON PEYTON HILLIS: “Peyton is a guy I played against when I was in New York and he was in Denver. . . He was tough to deal with. He was tough to deal with as a runner. He was tough to deal with out of the backfield. When we had the opportunity to get him, that was something that I really wanted to do. I thought he had versatility. 

ON THE FALCONS DEFENSE: “They play with tremendous effort defensively. Most of the time at the end of the play you’ll see four, five or six hats on the ball. That’s effort. That’s intensity. That has nothing to do with athletic ability. That’s want to. I really like the style of football that the Falcons play.”

When it comes to the quarterback situation, Mangini says he will keep a close eye on Jake Delhomme, who is coming back from an injury. Mangini is also pleased with the play of Seneca Wallace, who guided the team to their first win in a victory over Cincinnati last weekend.

Billions and billions

Nathan Vardi of Forbes.com writes how Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner is embroiled in a lawsuit over his October attempt to redeem $40 million from a hedge fund run by two sisters and a recent Republican Congressional candidate.

In legal papers, Lerner claims the funds have been “hidden.” 

Paige Capital Management, a New York hedge fund firm owned by sisters Michele Paige and Jessica Paige, sued Randy Lerner’s Lerner Master Fund, which holds trust assets of the Lerner family, in Delaware’s Chancery Court after Lerner notified Paige Capital that it planned to redeem its entire investment at the end of October.

“[W]e are fully prepared to litigate this matter to the bitter end because we will continue to manage your money, and collect management and incentive fees, until this matter is resolved many years hence,” Christopher Paige, Paige Capital’s general counsel, defiantly wrote in a March letter, court filings show. “You cannot win because you will spend more litigating than we’re fighting over … we decide the best way to protect the funds, and your opinion is irrelevant.”

LeBron James sings praises of MVP favorite Kevin Durant.

View full sizeTracy Boulian,
The Plain DealerKevin Durant couldn't score against Anthony Parker and then-Cav LeBron James last January. A poll of NBA general managers named Durant the favorite to win this year's MVP award, and two-time winner James says he knows why.

Miami -- A poll of NBA general managers released this week suggested that Kevin Durant is the overwhelming favorite to win the league's MVP award this season.

LeBron James -- the two-time reigning MVP -- knows why.

Albeit from afar, James has followed Durant's game closely for years. James will have a better view Friday night, when his Miami Heat match up against Durant and the Oklahoma City Thunder in a preseason game at Kansas City, Mo.

"You just appreciate great talent," James said. "He's just one of those guys, one of those kids, man, who's just going to continue to work hard and try to be one of the greats. For me, I admire stuff like that because I know how hard it is to work. I know how hard it is to get to that level where you feel like you're one of the superstars in this league. He's great. He's an unbelievable talent."

Sounds funny, James calling Durant a kid. After all, James is only 25.

Then again, Durant -- last season's scoring champion, less than a half-point more prolific than James -- just turned 22.

"He loves the game of basketball," James said. "He's a student of the game and he has a knack for knowing how to win and knowing how to put the ball in the hole."

Head-to-head, in the regular season, James and Durant have met five times. James won all five as a member of the Cleveland Cavaliers, averaging 29.6 points to Durant's 25.2.

This matchup on Friday won't count, but if nothing else, it'll serve as a chance for James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh to laud Durant in person -- all were duly impressed with the way he led USA Basketball to a world championship this summer, giving the Americans an automatic berth in the 2012 London Olympics.

James, Wade and Bosh decided to become teammates this summer in celebrated fashion. Barring a change of heart, they'll all likely be teammates with Durant in London two summers from now.

"As a fan of the game, which I always watch the game, that's pretty cool to see -- three guys, All-Stars, coming together," Durant said. "Of course, they're going to be fighting for a championship. But as a player on my team, I can't focus on them. I've got to worry about what I've got here, what we're working towards here."

That's what James has been telling him to do.

They started getting to know each other when Durant was in high school, which, naturally, wasn't all that long ago. It's not quite a mentor-mentee relationship, but James has shared many of his experiences with Durant, knowing the Thunder star is essentially dealing with many of the same things.

"He's great because he's humble," James said. "He accepts the challenge, but he's a very humble kid. He doesn't let it get to his head too much. He's been probably one of the best players since he was growing up. I mean, he was the freshman player of the year at Texas. He's gotten a lot of exposure and he knows how to handle it."

Thanks largely to Durant's continued emergence into superstardom, the Thunder had a breakthrough season a year ago, and figure to challenge the Los Angeles Lakers and others for the top spot in the Western Conference.

James doesn't think it's a stretch to add the Thunder into the overall title conversation, either.

"For him to be on the front of that, it's awesome," James said. "I'm proud of him."

Durant likely won't get too amped up for Friday night. Wade won't be playing, out with a strained right hamstring. The game won't count, and it's unclear how much James and Bosh will be on the floor for Miami, either.

There'll likely be a moment or two of Durant and James going at each other, which will be all either really wants.

"Right now, I'm just focusing on how we can get better," Durant said. "But over there, they have a great team and a great group of guys."

What kind of impression do the Indians' front office promotions leave on fans? Can the Browns win Sunday against Atlanta? We answer those questions as we welcome WaitingforNextYear.com writers Rick Grayshock and DP to talk about where the Indians go from here, whether they have confidence this rebuild will work and more.

View full sizewaitingfornextyear.com

What kind of impression do the Indians' front office promotions leave on fans? What does the team need to do to hold fan interest in 2011? We answer those questions as we welcome WaitingforNextYear.com writers Rick Grayshock and DP to talk about where the Indians go from here, whether they have confidence this rebuild will work and more. We also touch on Jake Delhomme's return, whether the Browns can get win No.2 on Sunday and predictions for the game against the Falcons, and should the Indians have an interest in Jim Thome this offseason?

More from Waitingfornextyear.com:

• What's next for Shin-Soo Choo?
  
• NBA 2k11 doesn't think too highly of the Cavs
  
• What Brian Daboll could learn from Rich Rodriguez about Josh Cribbs
  

Check out previous WFNY podcasts with cleveland.com.