"What I would like to see immediately is Pryor just shutting up and leaving the field if coach doesn't want to go for it on fourth down. He did it again Saturday night, showing him up with arm waving, etc. because he wanted to go for it. Just shut up and listen to your coaches." - bkh86

View full sizeAP FileTerrelle Pryor.

In response to the story Ohio State Buckeyes throttle Minnesota, 52-10, move into four-way tie top Big Ten, cleveland.com reader bkh86 would like to see Terrelle Pryor adjust his attitude a little. This reader writes,

"What I would like to see immediately is Pryor just shutting up and leaving the field if coach doesn't want to go for it on fourth down. He did it again Saturday night, showing him up with arm waving, etc. because he wanted to go for it. Just shut up and listen to your coaches."

LeBron James asked fans in a commerical what should he do? Here's the answer.

LeBron James broke the hearts of Cleveland fans when he left the Cavaliers and took his talents to South Beach, and the Miami Heat.

James responded to the criticisms of his departure with a Nike commercial asking the question: "What should I do?"

Well, Cleveland fans have the answer. Check out the video below.

PHILADEPHIA, Pa. -- Forward Antawn Jamison's status for tonight's game against the 76ers will not be determined until game-time, Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said before the team's shootaround. Jamison has been bothered throughtout training camp by a sore left knee, although tests have shown there is no injury. Jamison did not play on Tuesday against Atlanta and sat out...

PHILADEPHIA, Pa. -- Forward Antawn Jamison's status for tonight's game against the 76ers will not be determined until game-time, Cavaliers coach Byron Scott said before the team's shootaround.

Jamison has been bothered throughtout training camp by a sore left knee, although tests have shown there is no injury. Jamison did not play on Tuesday against Atlanta and sat out practice on Wednesday. He did practice Thursday, but Scott said he wanted to see how the knee reacted after shootaround and a pre-game warmup before deciding if Jamison would play.

While Jamison's status is undetermined, the coach said the team was looking forward to getting a lift from Mo Williams' return to the starting lineup. Williams, who missed time during training camp with a groin injury and then to attend the funeral of his father-in-law, played his first game of the seasonn against Atlanta, but came off the bench.

Today, Harry Petsanis and Chuck Booms will preview the Browns-Patriots game when they're joined by Tony Grossi, Browns beat writer for The Plain Dealer, live around 3 p.m.

Chat live with Tony Grossi every Monday at noon.

Varejao goes 10-for-10 from the field and scores 23 points, and Daniel Gibson scores 15 in the fourth quarter to help the Cavs snap their three-game losing streak.

View full sizeMichael Perez / Associated PressForward Anderson Varejao, left, is not known as a scoring threat, but he was 10-for-10 with 23 points on Friday during the Cavaliers' victory at Philadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA — Coach Byron Scott pulled Anderson Varejao aside shortly before the Cavaliers faced the Philadelphia 76ers on Friday night at Wells Fargo Center.

"He told me right before the game: 'If you're open, shoot it. I saw you making those shots before,' " Varejao recalled. "So I said, 'OK,' and that's what I did."

Indeed. Varejao shot 10 field goals and made all 10, finishing with 23 points and 12 rebounds to help the Cavs rally to beat the Sixers, 123-116. The victory, the first on the road this season, snapped the Cavs' losing streak at three and helped them improve to 2-3.

But Varejao had lots of help as the Cavs prevailed after wasting a 19-point first-half lead.

Daniel Gibson scored 10 straight points at one point of the fourth quarter and had 15 of his 22 points in the final period.

"It was a lot of fun out there," Gibson said. "We just gutted that one out. I wanted to be assertive and lead."

Mo Williams, making his first start after missing time with a groin injury and to attend the funeral of his father-in-law, also had 22 points, and he added seven assists.

Williams fed Varejao for a monster reverse dunk to cap a 15-5 run that got the Cavs back in control, perfectly executing a play Scott drew up in the huddle to take advantage of the way the Sixers were playing the pick-and-roll.

"That dunk he made was unbelievable," Gibson said of Varejao. "I didn't think he was going to reach it."

But he didn't miss a thing on Friday night.

View full sizeAPCavaliers guard Daniel Gibson (1) came up big in the fourth quarter, scoring 15 of his 22 points.

According to the Elias Sports Bureau, Varejao was the 27th player to be perfect from the floor with at least 10 field-goal attempts since the start of the 1986-87 season. He was the first since Darren Collison went 10-for-10 for New Orleans against Portland on March 27, 2010. He was the first Cav to do it since his good friend Zydrunas Ilgauskas went 10-for-10 on Jan. 23, 2008, against Washington.

It was also the second 20-10 game of Varejao's career. The other came on Dec. 11, 2009, against Portland when he had 22 points and 10 rebounds.

"Obviously, we had some guys play really big," Scott said. "Andy was fantastic. Boobie [getting 15] points in the fourth quarter was great, and when Mo came back in the game in the fourth quarter, I thought he did a hell of a job directing us on the offensive end."

Of course, the fact that the Cavs had to hang on after running off to a 50-31 lead in the second quarter was a bit problematic.

"Throughout my career, every time I've coached a team that gets off to a fast start, it scares me to death," Scott said. "All of a sudden, you start to relax. You get a little lackadaisical at times. I didn't know if we could keep up that pace, and we couldn't."

The Sixers took their first lead at 72-71 on a 3-pointer by Andres Nocioni with 5:48 left in the third quarter, and Scott called a timeout.

"As soon we came into the huddle, I said: 'Not this time. It's not going to happen this time. They made their run. Congrats. But right now it's time for us to make ours,' " Gibson said. "It took us a little while, but we did it."

With Varejao making all four of his shots in the fourth, the Cavs made 13-of-17 (76.5 percent) and outscored the Sixers, 44-32. They also owned an 11-6 edge on the boards that quarter. They needed all of that to erase the Sixers' 89-81 lead.

"That's a great win for our team," Scott said. "At 89-81, we could have folded, especially on the road. I thought we showed great character. I don't know if we had to get it with 70-plus games left to go.

"But was it an important win? Yeah. It was an important game for us."

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

ELYRIA — Elyria Catholic made a habit of letting its offense dominate the action while rolling to a 9-1 record in the regular season. But it took a big play from the defense to get the Panthers started Friday night in a 28-21 victory over Huron in the first round of the Division IV football playoffs at Knights of...

ELYRIA — Elyria Catholic made a habit of letting its offense dominate the action while rolling to a 9-1 record in the regular season.

But it took a big play from the defense to get the Panthers started Friday night in a 28-21 victory over Huron in the first round of the Division IV football playoffs at Knights of Columbus Field in Elyria.

While the Panthers struggled to get their high-powered offense thawed out in the first quarter, Huron was moving the ball with its short passing game in a light, steady snow.

On a second-down play from the Panthers' 8, Jake Lawler intercepted a pass from Tigers quarterback Brian Bollenbacher that glanced off a receiver's hands. Lawler sprinted down the left sideline, getting some blocks past midfield that cleared the way for a 95-yard touchdown return.

"I saw the cornerback made a great break on the ball and it bounced into my hands," said Lawler, a junior. "I saw my teammates just running down in front of me and blocking all the way. It feels awesome."

The play seemed to kick-start the Panthers offense. Midway through the second quarter, Elyria Catholic launched a 99-yard touchdown drive. A 53-yard pass from Danny Reaser, plus a late-hit penalty, was the big play of the drive.

"We definitely needed [Lawler's play]," Reaser said. "Without that I don't think we get on the roll we did on offense. It gave us the momentum. We felt like nothing could stop us from there."

Joe Dempsey finished the drive with an 8-yard touchdown run.

"I'm obviously really proud of Jake Lawler," Elyria Catholic coach Ben Malbasa said. "I've coached him in JV basketball and varsity football. He's a kid who has a knack for making some pretty big plays in life."

The Panthers increased the lead to 20-0 on a 5-yard run by Reaser with 1:50 left in the first half.

Huron (7-4) cut the deficit to 20-14 on a late first-half score and Bollenbacher's 4-yard run early in the third quarter.

Elyria Catholic regained a two-touchdown lead on a 12-yard pass from Reaser to Conor Voreis on a fourth-and-3 play with 4:36 left in the fourth quarter.

A 22-yard pass from Bollenbacher to Jake Hillman on the last play of the third quarter cut the Panthers' lead to 28-21, but Elyria Catholic was able to thwart the Tigers' bids to tie the game in the fourth quarter.

Lawler's second interception stopped Huron on a fourth-and-6 play from the Panthers' 24, with 5:44 left in the game.

Elyria Catholic moves on to face Orrville in a second-round game at a site to be announced.

Bob Migra is a freelance writer in Westlake

AVON LAKE, Ohio — Avon Lake's comeback bid came up short Friday night as the second-seeded Shoremen were upset by Maumee, 20-13, in a Division II, Region 6 football quarterfinal. Visiting Maumee, seeded seventh, gained a 17-0 lead at halftime.

AVON LAKE, Ohio — Avon Lake's comeback bid came up short Friday night as the second-seeded Shoremen were upset by Maumee, 20-13, in a Division II, Region 6 football quarterfinal.

Visiting Maumee, seeded seventh, gained a 17-0 lead at halftime.

Avon Lake pulled to within 17-7 in the third quarter when senior Trent Toy tossed an 18-yard touchdown pass to senior Ron Willoughby. Following a Maumee field goal of 34 yards in the third quarter, Avon Lake got within one possession early in the fourth when Dontez Smith scored on a 1-yard run, making it 20-13 with 9:49 remaining.

But the Shoremen were unable to get any closer, ending their season at 8-3.

Maumee (8-3) advances to play third-seeded Olmsted Falls, a 41-12 winner over John F. Kennedy.

The excited mood while preparing for the high school football playoffs has become somber in Mentor after the death of a Cardinals player on Thursday. The team plays St. Edward tonight in Lakewood in the first round.

View full sizeThomas Ondrey, The Plain DealerThe Mentor football team is dealing with the death of teammate Brandon Shima as its prepares for tonight's playoff game in Lakewood against St. Edward.

MENTOR, Ohio -- On Wednesday, music reverberated through Mentor High School's football locker room as the Cardinals prepared for the playoffs. Players joked back and forth, and some danced and sang the chorus to the optimistic song, "Don't Worry, Be Happy."

On Friday, there was no music. No dancing. No joking. The football team mourned the death of junior Brandon Shima while still prepping for tonight's rematch against St. Edward at Lakewood Stadium, which will be played as scheduled at 7 p.m.

Shima died Thursday at his home. The cause of death was natural, according to Lake County Coroner Lynn Smith. Shima had been home sick and was found in a bathtub around noon.

An autopsy was performed Friday morning by Cuyahoga County Coroner Frank Miller. Smith said the death was not related to MRSA. Shima, 16, was being treated for MRSA more than a week ago but showed signs of healing.

The football locker room was sanitized as a precaution Thursday when school officials initially learned of Shima's death.

View full sizeThe PDCoaches say they will leave Brandon Shima's locker alone, which still has his equipment inside.

"[MRSA] was definitely ruled out," Smith said. "He had signs of minor abnormalities in his heart that were congenital, but it wasn't the cause of death. We've also ruled out drugs and suicide."

It was initially believed Shima died by slipping in the bathtub and hitting his head, but Smith said there were no signs of trauma.

Shima was a bright, well-liked player, according to coaches and teammates. He played mostly free safety on the junior varsity and got into two varsity games, making one tackle, according to Mentor coach Steve Trivisonno.

"He was a good kid. I'll remember he was always smiling," said fellow junior Kurt Laseak, a linebacker. "He wasn't the greatest football player, but he worked so hard. Every day, he loved coming in and busted his butt 100 percent on every play. He loved to play football.

"One of my biggest memories of him is that smile. Every time I think about him, I think about that smile."

Shima's red metal locker in a back corner still had his silver helmet hanging from a hook with shoulder pads, practice jersey and other equipment stuffed inside. "We'll leave it like that, just the way he left it," assistant coach Jim Funk said.

View full sizeThe PDBrandon Shima was well-liked by teammates, coaches say.

Mentor High has experienced seven deaths since July 2005, including one other death this fall. Grief counselors were at the school once again Friday, and Trivisonno said the team gathered in an auxiliary gym and met with counselors.

Upon hearing of Shima's death after school Thursday, players met without coaches present and decided to continue practicing. As practice neared Friday, a couple players tried to lighten the mood by taping above the entrance motivational fortunes they found in fortune cookies.

"They're boys," Trivisonno said. "They're trying to deal with it the best they can. They're coping. We'll take it one step at a time. We'll bond together as a team and do the best we can."

Tonight, Mentor players will wear a helmet sticker with Shima's number, 38, and a moment of silence is planned prior to kickoff.

Smith said a final autopsy report will be completed in two to four months.

Plain Dealer reporter Pat Galbincea contributed to this story.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: twarsinskey@plaind.com, 216-999-4661

Haydar scores a natural hat trick, including a power-play tally with less than one second left in overtime, as the Wolves defeat the Monsters, 6-5.

View full sizeDarren Haydar

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Chicago Wolves right winger Darren Haydar inflicted three layers of pain on his most recent former team Friday night at The Q.

The veteran Haydar scored a natural hat trick, including a power-play tally with less than one second left in overtime, as the Wolves defeated the Monsters, 6-5.

Haydar ranked second on the Monsters last season with 64 points in 66 games. Chicago signed the AHL's reigning player of the decade in July.

"For me, it was just another game where I'm trying to find my way," Haydar said. "We had a great group of guys last year. Obviously, I wish things would have worked out differently with [parent] Colorado, but they didn't. Hockey's a business, and I moved on."

Lake Erie (5-5-1-1) squandered leads of 3-0, 4-1 and 5-2.

Haydar's game-winner was set up by a Kevin Montgomery hooking penalty at 4:32 of overtime. "There was no need for that call, but you've got to kill the penalty," Quinn said.

Haydar beat goalie Trevor Cann from the slot to push the Wolves to 6-4-1-0.

"It was a knuckler that went five-hole," Haydar said.

Lake Erie lost despite three power-play goals in the first period.

At 3:42 of the first, Wolves center Angelo Esposito received a game misconduct for the elbow infraction. It meant the Monsters, barring a penalty of their own, had five minutes to score as many goals as possible with a man-advantage.

Lake Erie cashed in the first time at 4:57, when defenseman Ray Macias punched in a rebound. Credit Mark Olver and Ryan Stoa got the assists.

The Macias tally snapped his club's skid on the power play at 0-for-24. The Monsters entered the night 1-for-41; the 2.4 percent efficiency ranked last in the AHL.

After Matthew Ford scored on the power play Oct. 17 at San Antonio, Lake Erie was blanked in such situations for seven straight games.

Stoa's redirect of a Joel Chouinard shot at 6:12 made it 2-0. Macias also earned an assist.

The crowd, already excited, went positively wild when center Mike Carman beat goalie Peter Mannino from the left circle at 7:58. Chouinard had the assist.

The Monsters answered relatively quickly with center Ben Walter's third of the season. Walter extended his points streak to six games.

The Wolves pulled within 4-2 later in the first. Between periods, Wolves coach Don Lever replaced Mannino with Edward Pasquale.

The Monsters restored a three-goal cushion in the second period, then Chicago got busy. The Wolves scored the final two goals of the second courtesy of Akim Aliu (13:47) and Haydar (16:39).

Colt McCoy is learning from his coaches and veteran mentors what to do before his home debut as a starting quarterback. Drawn from the files of other Browns quarterbacks since the team's return, here's a sample of what not to do.

Bill Haber / Associated PressBrowns quarterback Colt McCoy was No. 1 with fans after the team beat New Orleans, and he can stay that way as long as he avoids serious blunders.

Injuries trashed that plan, however, and on the eve of McCoy's home debut against the Patriots, it's time, me being a helpful guy and all, to point out a few things about other Browns quarterbacks over the years . . . so McCoy can know what not to do.

All the timely tips below are based on either observation of the players involved or on comments by Browns officials about them.

1. When receivers are running deep sideline routes, don't throw the ball out of bounds, giving them no chance to catch it. (Seneca Wallace, consistently, 2010.)

2. Don't throw the ball when a tackler is on you like a full body tattoo. In particular, don't throw it to the other team. (Jake Delhomme vs. Tampa Bay, 2010.)

3. Right now, it's all peaches and cream between McCoy and the fan base. There will be some hard times, though. No matter how bad it gets, don't cry. (Tim Couch vs. Baltimore, 2002.)

4. If a former Browns quarterback offers to tell you how he coped with the ups and downs, don't tell him you're a big boy who played in the SEC -- or Big 12 -- and thanks, but no thanks. (Couch to Bernie Kosar, 2002.)

5. Heisman, Schmeisman. McCoy won everything in college but the Heisman Trophy. The last Browns quarterback to win college football's biggest award lasted exactly one half of the 1999 opener as the starter in a 43-0 loss. He returned with Detroit two years later to throw seven interceptions. Yes, the Browns won that day. (Ty Detmer.)

6. It's a good idea to move past midfield more than once a game. (Doug Pedersen and Spergon Wynn vs. Pittsburgh, 2000.)

7. Don't break your leg, even in a "teeny-tiny" way, on a quarterback sneak. (Kelly Holcomb vs. San Francisco, 2003.)

8. Nothing indicates that this will be a problem, but if you're late to a meeting and a hulking offensive lineman, on whom you depend for your well-being, harumphs in displeasure, don't tell him you've been to the Pro Bowl -- or, in your case, the BCS Championship Game -- and who does he think he is? (Jeff Garcia to Ross Verba, 2004.)

9. It's not a real good idea to call out your team's No. 1 draft pick even if he sits out training camp, or to feud with him until it gets to the point where you won't throw the ball to him even if he's open. (Garcia again, with Kellen Winslow, 2004.)

10. It also helps to avoid those 0.0 quarterback rating games. (Garcia vs. Dallas, 2004.)

11. If guys are open deep, speaking hypothetically, of course, lead them so they don't have to come back and win jump balls for your zeppelin passes. (Couch, career-long offense.)

12. If you throw four interceptions, don't run off the field after each one with your hands clamped to your helmet, like either your head is going to blow off or you just realized Chicken Little was right. (Derek Anderson vs. Cincinnati, 2007.)

Gene J. Puskar / Associated PressColt McCoy celebrates with Benjamin Watson after the tight end caught McCoy's first NFL touchdown pass in Pittsburgh. It might seem obvious, but more touchdowns and fewer interceptions are always a good thing for Browns quarterbacks.

13. Not good to get punched in the face in the weight room by a teammate. (Brady Quinn by Shaun Smith, 2008.)

14. The stuff that worked at Texas against the Aggies and Red Raiders is usually not a good idea at this level. (Charlie Frye, busting his MAC attack moves on NFL defenders, career-long offense.)

15. You're in serious trouble if you can't move the ball as far as the distance from the pitcher's mound to home plate in baseball. (17 yards total offense by Luke McCown and Garcia in 2004 vs. Buffalo.)

16. Speaking of short distances, you can't have a weaker arm than the kid pegging the paper with the old column in it on the lawn. (Ken Dorsey, 2008.)

17. Don't make a commercial, in which you toss sandwiches to fans from a float in a victory parade in a weird, foodie version of Mardi Gras, when you're not even playing. (Quinn, 2007.)

18. If the Browns should beat Bill Belichick and the Patriots Sunday, don't let it go to your head. One of the most forgettable quarterbacks in the inglorious history of the reborn Browns also won such a game. (Pedersen, 2000.)

19. Two words: Trent Dilfer.

20. Two more: Bruce Gradkowski.

Make the fans remember you for better things than most of these guys did.

It's unknown if the Cavaliers forward will be ready for Saturday's game in Washington.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerThe Cavaliers are staying cautious with Antawn Jamison as he deals with a sore left knee.

"He still has a little soreness in there, so we're just going to take it day by day, continue to keep working on it and hopefully we'll have an idea [Saturday] if he's going to be able to play in Washington," Cavs coach Byron Scott said.

"If it was April and the last five games of the season and you were trying to get a different seeding for the playoffs, he could play. But right now, it's still a little sore, the flexibility is not all the way there, so obviously we want to be a little bit more cautious with it and make sure he can get it as healthy as possible."

Friday night was the second straight game Jamison missed. If he's unable to play tonight at Washington, he would have three days before the next game Tuesday at New Jersey.

Old friends: Count Scott among those concerned as Philadelphia coach Doug Collins has battled vertigo as the result of a fall he took over Memorial Day weekend. Collins was an assistant coach at Arizona State when Scott was a sophomore.

View full sizeMCTPhiladelphia 76ers head coach Doug Collins.

"Needless to say, I learned a hell of a lot in one year playing under him and talking to him about the NBA and getting advice and trying to teach me what it was to be a professional," Scott said. "We've kept this relationship going for a long, long time. He's been one of my mentors, one of the great people in my life. I have a lot of love for that man, because he has been very special to me."

Scott admitted he was impressed as a young player with a former All-Star coaching him.

"I looked at him as, 'OK, I'm going to be there one day,' " Scott said. "I was very impressed when I watched him play back in the day. I knew I could learn a lot from somebody who was a four-time All-Star and one of the great two-guards in the league."

Before the game, Collins admitted he quit taking some medication that he felt caused him to leave the bench for the second half of Philadelphia's 101-75 victory over Indiana on Wednesday night.

"I feel really good," he said. "I got a good day's rest yesterday, and I think we're trying to get to the bottom of this. But I feel really good. I feel better than I've felt in a long time. I went to a rehab center yesterday for my head.

"It wasn't Betty Ford, either," he said with a laugh.

Turner report: Collins seems thrilled with rookie Evan Turner from Ohio State, the No. 2 pick in the draft after the Wizards took John Wall of Kentucky. Collins said it's a mistake to try and compare the two.

"Evan's doing great," he said. "Evan is not going to be flashy. You see John Wall. That guy is a human highlight film with the ball. When you look at the stat sheet afterwards, Evan is one of our best defensive rebounders. He's a good defender. He will make the mid-range jump shot.

"He's a very, very good team guy. He is really growing, and his personality is really starting to come out. He's really enjoying himself here, and that means as much to me as anything. I've always felt that if players were enjoying playing, they will play better. Evan has gotten better and better and better since I've been around him, and I'm very proud of him for that."

Turner came into Friday night's game averaging 9.2 points and 5.6 rebounds per game.

Though tight end Jake Stoneburner is getting healthier during the bye week, Reid Fragel has proven the Buckeyes need him at tight end, too.

View full sizeNeal C. Lauron / Columbus DispatchWhile Ohio State tight end Reid Fragel has made some important catches for the Buckeyes, his biggest plays have come while blocking.

"Jake said [Wednesday] that he finally felt like he was really pushing off like he had prior to being injured," OSU coach Jim Tressel said. "So hopefully that's a great example of maybe what a bye week can do to take him from 90 percent to 100 percent."

So far at 90 percent, Stoneburner has only been 50 percent of Ohio State's new tight end equation. The redshirt sophomore was injured against Eastern Michigan in week four, sat out against Illinois and Indiana and was eased back against Wisconsin. In the Buckeyes' past two blowout wins against Purdue and Minnesota, the tight end rotation hasn't been exact, but the idea has been fairly simple.

When the Buckeyes want to throw, the tight end is 6-5, 245-pound Stoneburner, a high school receiver turned tight end. When the Buckeyes want to run, the tight end is 6-8, 260-pound true sophomore Reid Fragel, whom some outsiders thought eventually might grow into a tackle, though the Buckeyes never envisioned that.

It's obvious that the offensive staff does see him as a force in the run game though, and if the run game has picked up after the first month of the season as Fragel has played more, maybe that's a bit more than a coincidence.

"He's got more size, longer arms," Tressel said this week of Fragel. "Jake may have a little more quickness, and Jake has great hip strength. And when his feet and his quickness allow him to get in body position, he's got a pretty good strike. When you're on one leg, you're not going to have any hip strength. So they're a little bit different."

The Buckeyes have been taking advantage of that. Looking at the first four drives against Purdue and the first two drives against Minnesota, basically the first quarter in each of the past two games, the difference is stark.

Five times the Buckeyes had no tight ends, and for 11 plays both were in the game. But on 25 plays, Fragel was the only tight end. The Buckeyes ran 21 times. On the four pass plays, Fragel was out in the pattern as a receiver just once.

On eight plays, Stoneburner was the only tight end. The Buckeyes ran twice and threw six times, and Stoneburner was out in the pattern five of those six times, catching two passes.

The one time Fragel did go out, he caught a 14-yard pass against the Golden Gophers when the Buckeyes were deep in their own territory. Tressel called it one of the most important plays of the game.

"He's done a great job stepping in, especially being young," OSU quarterback Terrelle Pryor said of Fragel recently.

But Fragel's bigger plays have come blocking. When Dan Herron ran the ball five straight times on the opening touchdown drive against Purdue, Fragel was dominant, burying a Boilermaker on his face on one play, then sealing the left edge on Herron's touchdown run off left tackle.

"One thing on the positive side [about Stoneburner's injury], it's given Reid an opportunity to maybe grow more than he could have had Jake been in there to take as many reps as he was in the preseason," Tressel said. "So Reid is coming along. . . . I think he could be a special tight end."

If Stoneburner is 100 percent healthy against Penn State next Saturday, don't expect Fragel to go away.

Game times announced: The kickoffs for Ohio State's final two games were announced by the Big Ten on Friday. The Nov. 20 game at Iowa will start at 3:30 p.m. and be televised by ABC (WEWS Channel 5) or ESPN. The Nov. 27 game against Michigan in Ohio Stadium will begin at noon and be televised by ABC or ESPN.

It had been previously announced that the Buckeyes' home game with Penn State in a week will start at 3:30 p.m. on Channel 5.

Another recruit: Rivals.com and Scout.com reported that Maryland linebacker Conner Crowell gave an oral commitment to Ohio State on Friday, making him the 18th player in the 2011 recruiting class and the first linebacker. At 6-1 and 215 pounds, Crowell is ranked as a three-star player by Rivals and Scout. His final choices came down to Ohio State and Penn State.

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

Join DSN's Glenn More and Joe Lull every Saturday from 8-10 a.m. as the break down Friday night's big playoff games and look ahead to Saturday's gridiron matchups all the way through the state football championships. In today's inaugural show, they'll be joined by Kirtland football coach Tiger LaVerde, Aurora's Bob Mihalik and Solon coach James McQuaide.

Across the Gridiron airs Saturdays from 8-10 a.m.

Joe Lull and Glenn Moore talk high school football Saturdays from 8-10 a.m.

Listen Live to DSN

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Join DSN's Glenn Moore and Joe Lull every Saturday from 8-10 a.m. as they break down Friday night's big games and look ahead to Saturday's gridiron matchups all the way through the state football championships on Across the Gridiron on Digital Sports Network.

They'll talk high school football, interview area coaches, take your calls, read your comments in the chat room and answer your emails. 

On today's inaugural show, they'll be joined by Kirtland football coach Tiger LaVerde, Aurora's Bob Mihalik and Solon coach James McQuaide.

If Ohio State wants to compete at the top of the conference, the Buckeyes will have to be playing at that level by January.

View full sizeKirthmon F. Dozier / Detroit Free PressMichigan State's 6-6 forward Draymond Green is the heart of the Spartans.

If Ohio State wants to compete at the top of the conference, the Buckeyes will have to be playing at that level by January.

With four teams -- No. 2 Michigan State, No. 4 Ohio State, No. 13 Illinois and No. 14 Purdue -- in the top 14 of the preseason Associated Press poll, the Big Ten might be the nation's best conference, featuring a depth of talent in the senior and freshman classes.

The Class of 2007 has been dominating the conference for years, and though Ohio State's Evan Turner went to the NBA, the seniors from that recruiting season who remain -- from Purdue's JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore to Michigan State's Kalin Lucas and Durrell Summers to Illinois' Demetri McCamey, Mike Davis and Mike Tisdale to Wisconsin's Jon Leuer and Keaton Nankavil to OSU's Jon Diebler and Dallas Lauderdale -- know how to win and know each other. There are no secrets here.

Throw in the seven top 50 freshmen on the rosters of Ohio State, Michigan State and Illinois, led by OSU big man Jared Sullinger, and there looks to be another crop of players ready to control the league for a while.

TEAM-BY-TEAM BREAKDOWNS Doug Lesmerises predicts the order of finish

1. Michigan State

Coach: Tom Izzo (364-146, 15 years at MSU)

2009-10: 28-9, 14-4 (co-champ).

Key returners: Draymond Green (9.9 ppg, 7.7 rpg), Kalin Lucas (14.8 ppg, 4.0 apg).

Overview: A seventh Final Four appearance in the past 13 years is certainly attainable with Lucas, the preseason Big Ten player of the year; Green, a versatile big man, good passer and great leader; guard Durrell Summers, a potential first-round NBA pick; what should be a healthier season from former St. Edward star Delvon Roe; and big-time big man recruit Adreian Payne from Dayton.

2. Ohio State

Coach: Thad Matta (156-54, six years at OSU; 258-85, 10 years overall.)

2009-10: 29-8, 14-4 (co-champ).

Key returners: William Buford (14.4 ppg, 5.6 rpg), David Lighty (12.6 ppg, 4.5 rpg).

Overview: The Buckeyes are two teams in one, with a quartet of talented veterans in Buford, Lighty, Jon Diebler and Dallas Lauderdale; and a six-man freshman class that's among the best in the nation. There may be some bumps early, but if freshman Aaron Craft can provide solid minutes at point guard, it's not hard to imagine freshman big man Jared Sullinger emerging as maybe the league's best player by the end of the season, and the Buckeyes actually improving despite losing national player of the year Evan Turner to the NBA.

3. Purdue

Coach: Matt Painter (112-56, five years at Purdue; 137-61, six years overall.)

2009-10: 29-6, 14-4 (co-champ).

Key returners: E'Twaun Moore (16.4 ppg), JaJuan Johnson (15.5 ppg, 7.1 rpg).

Overview: The Boilermakers on the first day of practice lost star Robbie Hummel for the season with a torn ACL, the same ACL he tore in the middle of last season. Now, as then, his loss moves Purdue from great to good. Seniors Moore and Johnson are still first-team All-Big Ten-type players, and a fully healthy year from point guard Lewis Jackson will help Purdue contend. But already the season looks like a what-could-have-been.

4. Illinois

Coach: Bruce Weber (173-72, seven years at Illinois; 276-126, 12 years overall.)

2009-10: 20-15, 10-8 (fifth).

Key returners: Demetri McCamey (15.1 ppg, 7.1 apg), Mike Davis (10.7 ppg, 9.2 rpg).

Overview: The Illini have all the pieces, from veteran starters like McCamey at the point and Davis and Mike Tisdale inside, to young potential like 2010 Big Ten Freshman of the Year D.J. Richardson and incoming McDonald's All-American Jereme Richardson. Illinois' most recent Big Ten title was six years ago, and if you're looking for a dark horse in the race this season, this is your team.

5. Wisconsin

Coach: Bo Ryan (217-82, nine years at Wisconsin; 600-185, 26 years overall.)

2009-10: 24-9, 13-5 (fourth).

Key returners: Jon Leuer (15.4 ppg, 5.8 rpg), Jordan Taylor (10.0 ppg).

Overview: The Badgers need to come up with some depth, but everyone should know never to underestimate Ryan's squads. With 6-10 scorer Leuer as the heart of the team, there's no reason to doubt Wisconsin's chances of making a 13th straight NCAA Tournament and giving the league fits.

6. Northwestern

Coach: Bill Carmody (140-163, 10 years at Northwestern; 232-188, 14 years overall.)

2009-10: 20-14, 7-11 (tied-seventh).

Key returners: John Shurna (18.2 ppg, 6.4 rpg), Michael Thompson (14.2 ppg, 4.1 apg).

Overview: Still looking for the first NCAA Tournament appearance in school history, the Wildcats have reason for optimism, just as they did a year ago. Shurna can score against anyone, and senior point guard Thompson is the ball handler every good team needs. With former All-Big Ten second-teamer Kevin Coble deciding not to return for a fifth and final season, immediate help from freshman JerShon Cobb might be needed.

7. Minnesota

Coach: Tubby Smith (63-39, three years at Minnesota; 450-184, 19 years overall.)

2009-10: 21-14, 9-9 (sixth).

Key returners: Blake Hoffarber (10 ppg, 46.7 percent 3-pointers), Ralph Sampson III (8.2 ppg, 5.8 rpg).

Overview: Senior guard Al Nolen returns after being ruled academically ineligible for the second half of last season, but it's 6-8, 240-pound forward Trevor Mbakwe who's the biggest addition for the Golden Gophers. The transfer from Marquette by way of junior college sat out last season because of legal issues and could make the difference for a team on the NCAA Tournament bubble.

8. Indiana

Coach: Tom Crean (16-46, two years at Indiana; 206-142, 11 years overall.)

2009-10: 10-21, 4-14, (tied-ninth).

Key returners: Christian Watford (12 ppg, 6 rpg), Maurice Creek (16.3 ppg)

Overview: After two seasons of baby steps, the Hoosiers could take a bigger jump in Crean's third year with eight players with starting experience returning. Creek fractured his knee last December and missed the rest of his freshman season, but he is a rising star. This team could win eight Big Ten games.

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9. Michigan

Coach: John Beilein (46-53, three years at Michigan; 597-371, 32 years overall.)

2009-10: 15-17, 7-11 (tied-seventh).

Key returners: Zack Novak (7.4 ppg), Stu Douglass (6.8 ppg).

Overview: After losing stars Manny Harris and DeShawn Sims, any sort of hope is tied to the new guys. Freshmen Tim Hardaway Jr., son of the former NBA star, and Evan Smotrycz are among the youngsters who will have to put up points right away.

10. Penn State

Coach: Ed DeChellis (95-123, seven years at Penn State; 200-216, 14 years overall.)

2009-10: 11-20, 3-15 (11th).

Key returners: Talor Battle (18.5 ppg, 5.3 rpg), David Jackson (9.5 ppg).

Overview: Senior guard Battle is as good as any player in the league, but he'll need consistent help from some seniors who have shown flashes in the past. Last season's last-place finish was a huge disappointment for a team thinking it could compete.

11. Iowa

Coach: Fran McCaffery (first year at Iowa; 251-77, 14 years overall.)

2009-010: 10-22, 4-14 (tied-ninth).

Key returners: Matt Gatens (12.3 ppg), Eric May (9 ppg).

Overview: First-year coach McCaffery has to thank Ohio State at least a bit for his new gig -- his signature win in his previous stop at Siena was over the Buckeyes in overtime in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Tournament. He has quite a job ahead of him, though.

After four young football players last year all choose to play at St. Edward, The Plain Dealer updates their situations ... and finds one has decided to leave the school, and possibly stop playing football.

View full sizeJohn Kuntz / The Plain DealerThree top grade-school football players featured a year ago in a Plain Dealer series are now high school sophomores and play together on the St. Edward junior varsity team. They are, from left, quarterback Ryan Fallon, running back Kenneth Butler and defensive back/kick returner Steven Clark. When this photograph was taken Oct. 2 in Lakewood, the team had just beaten Massillon.

With Jodie Valade / Plain Dealer Reporter

One year ago, The Plain Dealer featured a four-day series entitled "Big Man on Campus."

The series was the result of reporters Bill Lubinger and Jodie Valade spending a year following four of Northeast Ohio's top eighth-grade football players in 2008.

The four players were Kenneth Butler and Steven Clark for the Sims Raiders in Cleveland's Muny League; and Ryan Fallon and Ian Stuart for St. Thomas More in Cleveland's CYO, the organization that oversees sports for children in Catholic parishes.

We reported on their families, the high schools that tried to attract them, and the stories behind how they selected their schools for fall 2009.

When the series left off in October 2009, all four had chosen St. Edward High School in Lakewood and were playing freshman football for the Eagles.

This fall, we catch up with the boys as sophomores -- and find that one has decided to leave St. Edward, and perhaps football, to make a fresh start at another school.

View full sizePDSt. Edward junior varsity quarterback Ryan Fallon is congratulated after a victory over Massillon from Kim Clark, mother of Eagles defensive back and returner Steven Clark.

It didn't take Ryan Fallon long to feel confi dent he was going to have a good freshman year.

The confirmation came in his first game as a freshman in 2009, when the very first pass he threw in his very first start for St. Edward was a long touchdown.

That was exactly the kind of sign he needed that he was in the right place, that he'd made the right decision on which high school he should attend.

It was a long and arduous decision-making process for Fallon during his eighth-grade year, when he attended St. Leo the Great for classes and played quarterback for St. Thomas More's storied football team.

It culminated in a last-minute change from St. Ignatius to St. Edward. The 4.0 student was impressed by the academic quality of both schools, but in the end, he was won over by St. Ed's two freshman football teams. He was guaranteed to receive play ing time on one of them. As his mom, Kathy, said time and again, he wouldn't be happy if he wasn't playing.

He needn't have worried.

Ryan recovered from a broken hand suf fered midway through his eighth-grade sea son, emerged from a growth spurt standing 5-10, and was the starting quarterback on St. Ed's top freshman team.

He hooked up with his favorite receiver for 14 touchdowns, and off the field managed to make the honor roll each semester. A 4.0 student through grade school, Ryan earned about a 3.7 GPA his freshman year.

"He's a leader in that class," St. Edward var sity coach Rick Finotti said. "When we needed to get kids in the weight room, he was able to make sure they were there. He's quiet, but he's a leader."

In fact, Ryan's most trying moment of the year didn't occur on the football field or in the classroom.

His father, Michael, was arrested March 29 and charged with domestic violence, threats of domestic violence and endangering chil dren after an early-morning incident at the Fallon house, when he was issued a drug ci tation for marijuana.

The charges were eventually dismissed, and Michael went through rehab and still works as a Cleveland firefighter.

Ryan said the support of his teammates helped him through the difficult time with his family.

"Everything's back to normal," Ryan said.

On the football field everything was back to the way it was last year, too.

This season as a sophomore, Ryan was the starting quarterback for the junior varsity team, and he has dressed for varsity games so he can learn from the sidelines.

-- Jodie Valade

View full sizeIan Stuart

IAN STUART St. Thomas More/St. Edward/Padua High School

A year ago, Ian Stuart's muscles bulged from his 14-year-old frame like those on a seasoned athlete. His chiseled jaw showed the definition of a football player who had seen years of action, not a freshman lineman at St. Edward High School. All his 5 feet, 10 inches, blurred down the field each time he ran sprints in practice.

Little has changed in 12 months. Ian's body is still sculpted, he's still fast, as he was as a dominant lineman for St. Thomas More in 2008.

He's also still 5-10 and hasn't added much bulk to his 170-pound frame. His teammates caught up.

Ian was slated to switch to fullback this season after playing both de fensive and offensive line for St. Edward.

But the part changed most for Ian in the past year is he realized he wasn't happy. Most of his friends from St. Thomas More went on to Padua High School. So in October, Ian joined them.

Padua was Ian's first choice before he switched to St. Edward, and it's where his older sister, Margo, attended high school.

The move had little to do with football, and was difficult for both Ian and his mother, Valerie.

"He felt alliances to St. Ed's; it was really taxing on both of us," Valerie Stuart said. "I just figured there's no reason to stay if you want to be someplace else."

Ian wants to start over and keep a low profile now, and said he preferred not to be interviewed for this story.

Private school rules would require him to sit out a year of football after transferring, but Valerie Stuart says her son might need to get a part-time job to help contribute to education costs. He hopes to continue wrestling, as he did for St. Edward last year.

But most of all, Ian just wants to be with his friends and start anew.

-- Jodie Valade

View full sizePDSt. Edward junior varsity defensive back Steven Clark (1).

STEVEN CLARK Sims Raiders/St. Ed ward High School

Two seasons after directing the Sims Raiders of the Greater Cleveland Muny League, Steven Clark maintains the serious look of the hyper-competitive quarterback.

St. Edward football coach Rick Finotti notices how Steven doesn't get too wound up, even after making a sensational play, as if there's something brewing within. "He's got an inner tiger to him," Finotti said.

With Steven, now a St. Edward sophomore, it's always been quiet confidence.

"I treat high school [football] like I did Muny football," said Steven, who will be 16 in late December. "It hasn't changed for me."

At least not his approach to the game.

But he's not a starting quarterback anymore. As he was his freshman season, Steven is a cornerback on the junior varsity. He has also played some wide receiver, filled in briefly at quarterback, and returns punts. They are positions where Steven can show off his improved speed from running legs of the 400- and 800-meter relays on the varsity track team last spring and AAU track this summer.

Steven, a lean 5-9, 140 pounds, is 2 inches taller and about 10 pounds heavier than last year. As a freshman, he carried a 2.8 grade-point average and served as freshman student council treasurer. He wants to get his GPA up to 3.3 this year.

One of his best friends is teammate Ryan Fallon, the JV quarterback who played at St. Thomas More in grade school. In fact, the Clarks and Fallons continue to carpool to and from school, a tradition that started during freshman football.

Steven's parents, Kim and Mike Clark, continue to adjust to other changes. Steven's sister is a freshman at Elyria Catholic, which means more tuition payments and more sacrifices.

Kim, a full-time teacher in Lorain, taught summer school again this year. And Mike, who works for the city of Cleveland's water department, still referees football games on the side to make extra money, meaning he misses most of Steven's games.

"We just have to deal with it," Mike said.

When Steven was an eighth-grader at Lorain's Whittier Middle School, the high school choice came down to St. Edward and Division I football, or Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, a Division III school in Munson Township.

The Clarks decided the commute from their home on Cleveland's West Side to Geauga County would have been a nightmare, especially in the winter.

Although Mike is pretty sure his son would be playing with NDCL's varsity as a sophomore, neither he nor Steven regrets the decision.

"My name would be out there," Steven said, "but I wouldn't reach my potential."

-- Bill Lubinger

View full sizePDSt. Edward junior varsity running back Kenneth Butler.

KENNETH BUTLER Sims Raiders/St. Edward High School

For Kenneth Butler, the leap from eighth grade to Lakewood's St. Edward High School could have been even longer than the daily commute from his home in Cleveland Heights.

From a mostly black public middle school to a mostly white Catholic high school.

From impressing the girls, to sitting in class with nothing but boys.

From jeans, T-shirts and hoodies to ties and uniforms.

To a more demanding curriculum.

The risk? Culture shock. Failure maybe.

But entering his sophomore year, Kenneth is meeting the challenge in the classroom and on the field the way he runs with the football -- determined, disciplined, with an eye on the end zone.

"I'm just doing it for her," he said, referring to his mother, "and I know one day this will pay off."

Angel Butler, a nurse's aid for home hospice-care and single mom, has been the broken record about schoolwork that parents must be. Kenneth, who turned 15 in September, has heard the sermon his whole life, even before his days as a standout eighth-grade running back for the Sims Raiders of Cleveland's Muny League.

He was listening. Kenneth, who carried a C average in middle school, managed a 3.1 grade-point average as a freshman. He considered world history his hardest but most interesting class and hit the books nightly -- even through the time crunch of football season.

He usually makes the 60-90-minute ride home by RTA bus from practice, because Angel picked up a second home health-care job to pay the tuition and other bills.

"He's matured," Angel said. "He's focused on what he has to do."

At 5-8, 170, Kenneth weighs 25 pounds more at the same height than last season. He's muscle-thick from top to bottom and can bench press 245 pounds. He's the starting junior varsity tailback and dresses for varsity, but there are three talented seniors ahead of him.

"I know my time will come," Kenneth said.

And it is coming. The undefeated St. Edward varsity piled up several one-sided victories this season, allowing Butler some decent varsity playing time. In the regular season, he carried the ball 23 times for 92 yards, including a 39-yard run and a touchdown.

St. Edward football coach Rick Finotti praised his effort. He said anytime he peeked in the classroom, he noticed Butler's tie pulled up, his top button buttoned and his face in a book.

"I think I have the talent and brains to get where I need to go," Kenneth said.

-- Bill Lubinger

Watch or listen live now as Flotsam and Jetsam of Sports airs Saturdays from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. on Digital Sports Network

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Join DSN's Greg Kozarik and Daryl Ruiter Saturdays at 10 a.m. as they go around the world of sports and preview some of the big college and pro football games of the weekend.

The regional quarterfinals continue tonight across Northeast Ohio. Tune in live tonight beginning at 6:30 p.m. for live coverage of the playoffs with cleveland.com Digital Sports Network's high school football game of the week,

View full sizeJohn Kuntz | The Plain Dealer

The regional quarterfinals continue tonight across Northeast Ohio. You can check out recaps of Friday night and all of tonight's scores, photos, recaps, roundups and more from The Plain Dealer tonight on our high school football page.

Tune in live tonight beginning at 6:30 p.m. for live coverage of the playoffs with cleveland.com Digital Sports Network's high school football game of the week, University School vs. Padua. This Division III, Region 9 matchup features the first and eighth seeded teams. The winner will advance to play the winner of Buchtel and Poland Seminary.

• Listen to the game live (pregame at 6:30 p.m.)
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Join DSN's Harry Petsanis and Jim DeFranco every Saturday from 1-4 p.m. as they talk about the hot topics in the world of sports this weekend, break down the big games and look ahead to Sunday's matchups.

Sports Weekend airs Saturdays from 1-4 p.m.

Jim DeFranco and Harry Petsanis talk on Sports Weekend now until 4 p.m.

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Join DSN's Harry Petsanis and Jim DeFranco every Saturday from 1-4 p.m. as they talk about the hot topics in the world of sports this weekend, break down the big games and look ahead to Sunday's big matchups.

Brajdic again claims Division II title with an all-division Scioto Downs record. Woodridge's Div. II team title is its 5th straight. Medina second by one point in Div. I.

Scott Shaw, The Plain DealerMichael Brajdic, Bay's record-setting cross country runner.

By Tim Warsinskey, Plain Dealer Reporter

Columbus, Ohio -- Pardon Northeast Ohio while it continues to repeat itself.

Bay senior Michael Brajdic, Woodridge and Independence repeated as boys champions at the state cross country meet Saturday at Scioto Downs.

Medina finished second to Louisville, 125-126, in the closest Division I team race in 23 years.

Brajdic won his second straight Division II title while setting an all-division course record, 15:01.9. His winning margin was 20 seconds and he broke the 23-year-old record, set by Bob Kennedy, by 1.3 seconds.

Woodridge won its fifth straight title in Division II, and is just the second school to win more than four consecutive boys walnut and gold trophies. The Bulldogs beat runner-up St. Vincent-St. Mary, 48-69. Avon, making its first trip to the state meet, was third with 87 points and Elyria Catholic placed fourth (90). Woodridge's Vibushan Sivakumaran placed seventh overall.

Independence defended its Division III state title, 85-94, over No. 1-ranked McDonald. Delta placed third, followed by Trinity and Berkshire. Independence junior Ryan Polman, last year's individual champion, was the Blue Devils' highest finisher in fifth place.

In Division I, led by John Sweeney in fifth place, defending team champion St. Ignatius took third.

Get Tony's picks for Week 9 of the NFL.

Express-Times Photo | MATT SMITHMichael Vick returns for the Eagles today against the Colts.