Lake Erie gizzard shad don't like chilly water, a bonus for fishermen when big lake temperatures slowly ebb at this time of year.

D'Arcy Egan, The Plain DealerBob Hanko of Cranberry Creek Marina in Huron catches a walleye while trolling Lake Erie on Wednesday afternoon.

 HURON, OHIO - Lake Erie gizzard shad don't like chilly water, a bonus for fishermen when big lake temperatures slowly ebb at this time of year.

 The temperature-sensitive shad move to warmer near-shore waters and the lower stretches of rivers and streams, where they're much more comfortable feeding on algae and zooplankton. That comfort zone also works against them, attracting ravenous walleye bulking up for winter and the spring spawning season.

As shad attract walleye, the snaggle-toothed walleye lure an army of fishermen. Anglers launch small boats to troll the shoreline or cast diving plugs from piers and breakwalls.

The best fishing is generally after the sun goes down. That is the nature of walleye, which have the advantage of superior vision to make them a premier predator under low light conditions.

And walleye prefer eating soft-finned gizzard shad, rather than yellow perch, white perch and white bass.

While anglers prowl the major harbors at night to troll or cast lures, including Cleveland and Lorain, a stretch of Lake Erie from Huron to Vermilion has become a prime location. This week, sportsmen have been finding success there while walleye fishing 4 to 6 miles offshore during the day. At sunset, the schools of shad move closer to the sandy beaches and so have the walleye and the fishermen.

"It's starting to get wild and crazy on Lake Erie after dark," said Bob Hanko of Cranberry Creek Marina in Huron. "The Huron Pier is also drawing a crowd at sunset as a lot of fishermen take advantage of that window of opportunity."

For walleye, the area north of the Huron River is an annual gathering place. Walleye hatched around the Western Basin roam Lake Erie throughout the summer, chasing schools of baitfish. Now they're back, feeding heavily in this area until they head to the Lake Erie reefs or up the Sandusky River to spawn in March and April.

 Hanko and I were trolling through a pack of boats northeast of Cranberry Creek on Wednesday afternoon, a bumpy ride in brisk southwest winds. With a school of Reef Runner lures unsuccessfully swimming behind the boat, and the marine radio chatter going on about a definite lull in the walleye fishing, we decided to try fishing closer to shore. We'd be in calmer water, but away from where good catches had been reported the past few days.

 It was getting late in the day, and we were hoping to ambush a few walleye in the 15- to 25-foot depths usually best after the sun goes down.

We'd been out after dark at this time of year, and had seen the magic of shallow-water walleye aggressively attacking lures, despite chilly lake temperatures. You can sometimes shine a flash light in the water after dark and see the beam reflected in dozens of walleye eyes. 

 It was still a couple of hours away from sunset, but a walleye liked the look of a colorful Reef Runner, a rainbow mix of green, blue and gold. It was the Cheap Sunglasses model, and attached to one of the lines for a very good reason. Hanko had taken his son, Blake, fishing a couple of days before and the youngster insisted it would be the hot walleye lure. 

 "That lure caught most of the fish," said Hanko, with a smile.

It took only a few minutes for that lure to hook up with the first walleye of the afternoon. Not a monster, but a walleye big enough to feed a small family.

"Or at least a couple of very hungry fishermen," said Hanko. 
 

Late-season boaters must be cautious

 The walleye and yellow perch fishing has been quite good around Lake Erie this week, and the chilly waters demand small boat anglers take precautions.

Bad weather is a critical issue, especially after dark. Fishermen need to constantly check weather reports and keep an ear glued to the marine radio. If a storm moves in or waves begin to build, head for the launch ramp.

Before putting the boat in the water, it must contain all of the necessary safety gear. That includes life jackets for everyone on board, flares, fire extinguisher, distress flag and a working marine radio and cell phone. A boater must have a study anchor and chain, and anchor line that is more than three times the depth of water that will be fished. Batteries must be fully charged, fuel tanks should be full and night running lights must work. 

 Wear layers of insulated clothing topped by rain gear. Let someone know where you'll be fishing and when you'll return to the launch. 
 

Are the NBA players getting restless? Several players meet with antitrust lawyer.

APJoined by about 35 members of the NBA Players Association, Los Angeles Lakers point guard and association president Derek Fisher, center, answers questions.

Yahoo.com has this article on how several NBA players participated in a clandestine conference call with an antitrust attorney on Thursday to discuss the process of decertifying the Players Association.

Angry with the concessions already made to the owners and fearful of worse ones coming with the completion of a new collective bargaining agreement, the players could push for a scenario that throws negotiations into chaos and could eventually lead to the loss of the 2011-12 season.

And Adrian Wojnarowski of Yahoo.com also writes how several prominent NBA agents were proponents of the calls.

Unless the Players Association refused to go lower than a 52-48 percent revenue split with the NBA and the remaining system issues went in the union’s favor, sources said there was broad agreement among the players on the call that the next step should be a serious consideration of decertifying the union and filing an antitrust suit in federal court.

 

Peyton Hillis' teammates had a meeting with him this week to discuss his behavior this season.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerPeyton Hillis has lost some of this teammates with his behavior this season, report says.

BEREA, Ohio  -- Browns running back Peyton Hillis has irked some of his teammates with his antics this season, according to a report on Yahoosports.com.

Among other things, teammates were upset that an injured Hillis, who missed the game with a pulled hamstring, spent most of the pre-game in San Francisco throwing passes from midfield to the crossbar along with quarterback Thad Lewis.

“It was a bad look,” one veteran told Michael Silver of yahoosports.com. "And it did not sit well with any of us.''

Another source told the Plain Dealer that some players were upset that Hillis went back home to Arkansas to get married last Tuesday when he should've been getting treatment on his pulled hamstring. He practiced Wednesday and then sat out the rest of the week and the San Francisco game.

Hillis also pulled up lame in practice on Friday with a re-injury of his pulled hamsting. He threw the football and his helmet to the ground in frustration. He underwent an MRI and is expected to be out at least a couple of weeks.

A group of about eight veterans summoned Hillis to a meeting on Wednesday to talk about some of his behavior this season, which includes taking the advice of  his agent not to play with strep throat and going home to Arkansas on a Tuesday and getting married.

“A few guys tried to talk to him, to make him understand the best way to go about things is to put your head down and do the best you possibly can,” All-Pro left tackle Joe Thomas told Silver. "Because if the Browns aren’t going to pay you, some team will break the bank – and either way you need to play hard.”

Another veteran told Silver: “I’ve never seen anything like it. Last year, Peyton was such a positive, inspirational force on our team – but now he’s like a different guy. It’s like he’s in a funk that he can’t get out of, and it’s killing us, because we really need him. And we’ve told him that. But we’re at the point where we just don’t know what to do.”

After Hillis missed the Dolphins game with strep throat, ESPN reported that some players felt he sat out because of his contract negotiations.

Hillis said Thursday that he felt his teammates were fine with him this season.

Apparently, he's wrong.

Get live updates via Twitter, recaps, photos and listen to Solon vs. Willoughby South live on Saturday night at 7 p.m.

View full sizeThe Plain DealerThe Solon Comets take on Willoughby South on Saturday night at 7 p.m.

cleveland.com and The Plain Dealer have Northeast Ohio covered throughout the playoffs as we'll bring you live scoring updates via Twitter and on our live scoreboard, audio broadcasts of one game each week and updated brackets that give you access to previews, recaps and more.

This week's live broadcast features a Division I, Region 1 matchup between the Solon Comets, whose only loss this season came at the hands of Mentor, and Willoughby South, featuring Kareem Hunt who ran for over 400 yards twice this season.

Follow this weekend's action on cleveland.com with the following links below:

• Live Saturday: Solon at Willoughby South 

• Full statewide scoreboard

• Complete statewide brackets

• Regional quarterfinals preview capsules

Kristen Davis: @CleveHSsports
Joe Maxse: @JoeMaxse
Tim Warsinskey: @TimsTakePD
Tim Rogers: @TimRogersPD
Bob Fortuna: @BobFortuna

Coach Pat Shurmur's press conference.

Joshua Gunter, The Plain DealerCoach Pat Shurmur.

Browns Head Coach Pat Shurmur press conference

(Opening statement)- "The three players that are out as of listed today would be Auston English, Montario Hardesty and Dimitri Patterson. Peyton (Hillis) we'll have to see on his hamstring. I think he's going to get an MRI here this afternoon, just to double check and everybody else will be available."

(On if he knows anything more about Hillis' injury from practice)- "It's fresh. It was early in practice and then he went in and I'm sure he'll be evaluated to see where he's at."

(On how comfortable he is with Chris Ogbonnaya possibly getting the start at running back)- "I'm very comfortable. I think he's done everything we've asked to this point and he came in and played in a limited role and did well. Last week, I thought he went in and did a good job with a major role. Hopefully, it'll be somewhere in between."

(On what he thinks about Hillis and what Hillis' thoughts are)- "Well I'd ask you to think about what he thinks. It's a game where you have injuries, you deal with them, you try to fight back from them and that's what we all try to do. At this point though, unfortunately, if he's not ready to go we just move on and I think that's the mindset at any position. I'm sure if he can't play this week then I'm sure he'll be frustrated by that, but the key is to do everything in his power to get healthy so he can play."

(On if Colt McCoy is pressing by trying to make everyone around him better and if that can be a problem at times)- "I think it's important that everybody does their job. The nature of the quarterback position is such where you try to worry about and be responsible for everything. I think that's the nature of it. I think at this point though it's just very important how we all do our jobs, execute the offense, get completions and really distribute the football. I think that's something he's aware of."

(On if McCoy has a better understanding now)- "I think so and again I think there's a process that all players go through, including quarterbacks in this league and it's different than being in college, it's very different. Everything you do is challenged in this league. Whether you're playing offense, it's the defense or whether you're playing defense, it's the offense so you're being challenged constantly. I think it's important that you just keep playing your way through it. The more you see the better you'll get."

(On if it's difficult for college quarterbacks to adjust to the NFL knowing they may lose more than one game)- "I think you have guys that have proven they are winners and they can win. There's a general disappointment and frustration that goes with losing and you do everything in your power to go through the process to change the results. I think that's where he's at."

(On Buster Skrine filling in for Dimitri Patterson)- "He's another young guy that's going to get a great opportunity filling in for Dimitri. I'm confident that whatever his role requires he'll do well. He's a guy that's challenged, he's really challenged himself to learn the scheme and when he's in there playing he plays extremely hard. I anticipate that he'll show up well."

(On if Phil Dawson had to prove to him this season how reliable he was from 50-plus yards)- "He's a great kicker, I knew that coming in to it. Obviously, because of the lockout I didn't have an opportunity to talk to him. I think the thing I've gained an appreciation for is what a great person, what a great competitor, what a great pro he is. I think that's what I've learned about him. I knew going into this that he was an outstanding kicker and I was counting on that. What I didn't know about him was all the other stuff I just mentioned."

(On if Mike Adams will see any playing time at cornerback on Sunday)- "That's a Sunday thing. You could see a lot of guys at a lot of different spots, I think that's fair to say."

(On if Hillis can't go will they bring Owen Marecic in for two-back sets or will they consider bringing up Armond Smith from the practice squad)- "We're going to have to talk about what we're going to do there, but if we don't make a roster move then we'll go with the two-backs we have and use Owen if we go to a one-back set. We have cover ups in other areas in terms of guys playing multiple positions so we can do that. You always have tight ends trained as fullbacks, you have linemen trained as tight ends and we do the same thing at halfback as well."

(On how challenging it has been for him with all of the injuries this season)- "Let me say this, I love my job. I love the profession and I really do enjoy the challenges of trying to put together a team that's going to win a game on Sunday. I think that's the part that stimulates me. Nothing is surprising in this business and I've kind of made the promise to myself that nothing will surprise me. You put it together the best you can with the guys and they've had three great days of practice. We have a locker room of guys that try to do the right thing. I hope we can go out and put together an effort where the results are winning."

(On Ogbonnaya and Thomas Clayton coming in with great attitudes and work ethic)- "I think they've displayed a sense of professionalism that's good, that you need when you bring in guys and try and get them up to speed quickly. I appreciate that and again, I hope they can go out and perform well."

(On if the locker room has taken on his attitude of 'nothing will surprise us')- "I hope so. I think that's the message in the NFL. You have to have a short term memory whether you win or lose and you keep plugging and I think that's the message. Andy Reid texted me this week with the same advice, just keeping plugging along and he's right. That's the way we did it, that's the way I've always learned to do it and you work hard, you get up in the morning and try and do the right thing, make good decisions, put your guys in the best position you can to help them make plays and then you just throw it out there and here you go."

Robert "Bo" Dutton coached basketball and golf at Barberton High School and worked at Thistledown until age 92.

View full size

Dutton, a mutuel clerk for over 58 years, died Wednesday, Nov. 2, at home in Norton.

He'd been head basketball and golf coach at Barberton High School and a member of two high schools' sports halls of fame. But he'll be best remembered, by far, as Thistledown's senior clerk.

"He just loved the horses," said Bob "Railbird" Roberts, retired Plain Dealer sportswriter.

Dutton's son, Bob, said his father bet just a few dollars a day but placed them with care. "He had his own system and terminology and abbreviations."

Dutton liked to tell stories, sometimes about customers. In 2001, he told The Plain Dealer about a bettor accusing a rider of throwing the nation's most famous race. "Imagine a jockey not wanting to win the Kentucky Derby!" Dutton said.

He was born in Ashtabula with a name reflecting his partly Southern ancestry: Robert Edward Lee Dutton. In the Army, he was nicknamed Beau, maybe in honor of General Lee's comrade, General Beauregard. Dutton spelled it "Bo," but passed along Beau as a middle name to descendants.

He grew up in Findlay, River Styx and Wadsworth. He played baseball, football and basketball at Wadsworth High School and Kent State University, making the former's hall of fame and earning a master's degree in education at the latter. In the Army, he became a sergeant, helped invade Italy and Okinawa, then helped to occupy Japan.

Dutton spent his whole teaching career in Barberton schools, including Lincoln, Portage Junior High and Light Junior High. From 1955 to 1969, he taught science and history at Barberton High. He also spent the first three of those years as assistant football coach and the next eight as head basketball coach.

The hoops team won 108 games and a sectional title. Players included John Mackovic, later a coach in the National Football League and at top colleges.

Dutton founded the district's adult education program in 1969 and led it until his retirement in 1974. During those five years, he also coached the high school's golf team.

In 1953, he began working part-time as a mutuel clerk at Thistledown. Over the years, he also worked at Northfield Park. Toward the end, he only clerked on Thistledown's busiest few days per year. But he came on many other days to bet, driving there until a year ago.

Dutton also golfed at Barberton Brookside Country Club. His best score was 73, and he shot two holes in one. He kept jogging into his 80s and walking after that.

He outlived his wife, the former Marie Gnau, and one of their two children. By a day, he outlived a close friend, Walter Ritzman, who'd founded Ritzman Pharmacies and the Barberton Community Health Clinic. Both families suggest contributions to the health center.

Robert Edward Lee Dutton

1919-2011

Survivors: son, Robert Beau Dutton of Berea; four grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

Funeral: 11 a.m. Monday, Nov. 7, at Campfield-Hickman-Collier Funeral Home, 566 W. Park Ave., Barberton.

Contributions: Barberton Free Clinic, 113 9th St. N.W., Barberton, Ohio 44203.

Will Peyton Hillis play again for the Browns this season?

Plain Dealer file photoPeyton Hillis was once a fan favorite.

Peyton Hillis re-injured his hamstring and that probably means he will not play on Sunday at Houston.

Hillis has not played since he saw limited time against the Oakland Raiders last month. Hillis, who has been nursing a sore hamstring, has 60 rushes for 211 yards.

And now Mary Kay Cabot writes how some of Hillis' teammates are not happy with his actions.

Will the injuries and "attitude" mean Hillis will not play again this season?

Plain Dealer's Cleveland Browns beat writer Mary Kay Cabot hosts News and Notes with Chris Ogbonnaya, Thomas Clayton, Joe Thomas and Colt McCoy as they prepare for the game against the Houston Texans in Texas Sunday. Watch video

COLUMBUS -- The dual-sport abilities of freshman Audrey Warner might have made the difference for the Hathaway Brown field hockey team Friday in a state semifinal at Upper Arlington. Warner found herself with the ball and an opportunity to push one into the goal during overtime of the Blazers' game against Gahanna Columbus Academy.

Hathaway Brown senior Emily Weinberg tied the Blazers' state semifinal against Gahanna Columbus Academy at 1-1 during the first half . - (Lisa DeJong, The Plain Dealer)

COLUMBUS -- The dual-sport abilities of freshman Audrey Warner might have made the difference for the Hathaway Brown field hockey team Friday in a state semifinal at Upper Arlington.

Warner found herself with the ball and an opportunity to push one into the goal during overtime of the Blazers' game against Gahanna Columbus Academy.

Some of the mobility she has gained from also playing ice hockey might be one of the factors that helped her gain her footing near the net as her goal helped Hathaway Brown earn a 2-1 victory.

"All season Audrey has had opportunities like that and sometimes she hasn't been successful, but today she was," coach Sydney Van Der Merwe said. "She's only a freshman, but the fact that she also plays ice hockey helped her. She did an awesome job."

The Blazers (15-2-2) will play for their third state championship at 1 p.m. Saturday at Upper Arlington against Thomas Worthington. Their other titles came in 2002 and '08.

The Blazers, who are making their 13th state tournament appearance since 1983, fell behind 1-0 with 27 minutes, 53 seconds left in the first half when Columbus Academy's Courtney Deena smashed one past goalkeeper Brenna Scully.

Hathaway Brown answered with 20:48 to go before halftime when junior Annie Brockett assisted a goal by senior Emily Weinberg.

Academy had the last penalty corner of regulation but couldn't turn it into a score. Neither team created much thereafter until Warner took advantage of her opportunity with two minutes left in the first sudden-death overtime.

The last time a state tournament game went into overtime was in 2005. Hathaway Brown beat Academy, 1-0, in two overtimes to win the 2002 state championship.

"I saw an opening in the net and I found it," said Warner, who had one goal and one assist in Hathaway Brown's 2-0 win over Shaker Heights in the district final. "I intercepted it and was just so happy to end the game and move on."

Columbus Academy finished with a 17-2-1 record and lost in a state semifinal for the second consecutive season. The Vikings have won eight state titles in coach Anne Horton's 21 seasons but lost to Hathaway Brown, 3-1, in the 2008 state final.

The Blazers, who lost in a state semifinal a year ago, will get a chance in the final to avenge a 1-0 loss to Thomas Worthington on Oct. 1.

"We've been working all season for this," Weinberg said. "We've had trouble historically at Hathaway Brown once we've gotten to state in getting past this round. We were the underdogs so we didn't feel like we had anything to lose.

"I definitely think we can beat [Thomas Worthington]. We were having an off day the first time we played them."

Jarrod Ulrey is a freelancer in Columbus.

Royal Delta wins the $2 million Ladies' Classic by 2 1/2 lengths under the lights Friday at Churchill Downs, capping an opening day of the season-ending world championships that includes three upsets.

View full sizeDarron Cummings, Associated PressJose Lezcano rides Royal Delta to victory in the Ladies' Classic at the Breeders' Cup Championships on Friday at Churchill Downs.

LOUISVILLE, Ky. -- The Saudi prince with a passion for horses had a hand in raising Royal Delta from her birth on his Kentucky farm. He died a few months before her biggest victory at the Breeders' Cup.

Royal Delta won the $2 million Ladies' Classic by 2 1/2 lengths under the lights Friday at Churchill Downs, capping an opening day of the season-ending world championships that included three upsets, with John Velazquez aboard two of them.

Prince Saud bin Khaled died in February after an illness. His Palides Investments stable continued to operate, although Royal Delta is set to be sold at auction next week as part of a complete dispersal of his holdings.

"He was just a wonderful man," said Karen Woods, who co-owned 2008 Juvenile Fillies winner Maram with the prince and was his longtime companion. "It's just a shame that his sons don't have the same passion that he does for the sport."

Royal Delta rallied in the final furlong to give Hall of Fame trainer Bill Mott his second straight win and fourth overall in the Ladies' Classic. The 3-year-old filly was the slight 2-1 favorite over Plum Pretty.

"It's nice just to win one of these, let alone two in a row," Mott said.

European-based horses were shut out during the six-race Breeders' Cup card, while Canada and Saudi Arabia had a win apiece in front of 40,677 on a sunny but chilly day.

In the Ladies' Classic, Royal Delta ran 1 1/8 miles in 1:50.78 under Jose Lezcano and paid $6.40 to win.

"She broke real good and she was very comfortable and relaxed," Lezcano said. "When I asked her, she gave me a very good kick."

It's Tricky finished second and Pachattack was another 2 1/4 lengths back in third. Kentucky Oaks winner Plum Pretty, trained by Bob Baffert, was fourth in the 10-horse field.

Plum Pretty took the early lead as expected while running slow fractions, with Royal Delta in fourth. Turning for home, Plum Pretty began fading and Lezcano swung Royal Delta four-wide to come charging down the stretch and earn her fifth win in eight career starts.

"I started to get a little worried because the speed seemed to be carrying very well," Mott said. "About the time I started to worry, I saw her starting to gain momentum. Once she got to 'em, it was adios, see you later."

The win clinched year-end 3-year-old filly honors for Royal Delta, who will be part of the sale at Keeneland. Woods hopes she will stay in Mott's barn.

The prince began his breeding and racing operation in 1984 with the purchase of six horses. He set up his 260-acre Chanteclair Farm near Midway, Ky., 11 years later.

"He loved the farm and every horse. He knew them all well," said Woods, adding that the prince personally chose which stallions and mares would produce the best matings, including the one that led to Royal Delta's birth.

Juvenile Fillies

My Miss Aurelia won the $2 million Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies by three lengths Friday to stay undefeated.

Ridden by Corey Nakatani, My Miss Aurelia ran 1 1-16 miles in 1:46.00 and paid $6.20 to win as the 2-1 favorite. It was Nakatani's eighth Breeders' Cup win and first since 2006, and the second win for trainer Steve Asmussen.

Grace Hall was second and Weemissfrankie, co-owned by MTV's Rob Dyrdek, was third.

Now 4-for-4, My Miss Aurelia is named for the mother of co-owner George Bolton. The 2-year-old filly was bred and is co-owned by Stonestreet Stable.

Filly&Mare Turf

Perfect Shirl rallied in a wild stretch scramble, surging to win the $2 million Filly & Mare Turf at 27-1 at Churchill Downs on Friday.

John Velazquez was aboard for his second win of the day, having earlier won the Juvenile Fillies Turf with another long shot, Stephanie's Kitten at 6-1. It was his 11th win in the world championships.

Roger Attfield saddled his first Breeders' Cup winner, ending an 0-for-14 slump.

Perfect Shirl beat the previously unbeaten Nahrain by three-quarters of a length. Misty For Me, recovering from a stumble at the start, was a nose back in third in the blanket finish.

Filly & Mare Sprint

Musical Romance pulled off a 20-1 upset in Friday's $1 million Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Sprint.

Breeders' Cup rookie Juan Leyva guided the 4-year-old through an opening on the rail to her ninth win in 33 starts. It was also the first Breeders' Cup win for trainer Bill Kaplan in three tries.

Musical Romance beat Switch by 11/4 lengths.

Turbulent Descent, a winner in six of eight races coming in, managed to fight her way to the front turning for home after a tough trip. She finished fifth.

Musical Romance paid $42.40 to win, running the seven furlongs in 1:23.47.

Juvenile Sprint

Secret Circle won the $500,000 Breeders' Cup Juvenile Sprint on Friday, giving Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert his eighth win in the world championships.

Secret Circle is 3 for 3, beating the filly Shumoos by one length in the inaugural running of the stakes for 2-year-olds.

Baffert ranks third in Breeders' Cup victories behind D. Wayne Lukas and Shug McGaughey. Secret Circle is owned by Karl Watson, Paul Weitman and longtime Baffert friend and client Mike Pegram.

Rafael Bejarano was aboard as Secret Circle prevailed despite bearing to the outside in the stretch.

Juvenile Fillies Turf

Stephanie's Kitten rallied in the final furlong to overtake Stopshoppingmaria and win the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf by three-quarters of a length Friday.

Ridden by John Velazquez, 6-1 shot Stephanie's Kitten ran one mile in 1:38.80 and paid $14.20, $6.60 and $5.20. It was the jockey's 10th win in the world championships and trainer Wayne Catalano's third.

Stopshoppingmaria returned $9.20 and $7.60 in her turf debut, while Sweet Cat paid $9.40 to show.

Stephanie's Kitten is owned by Ken and Sarah Ramsey, who have six horses entered in the two-day event, including four sired by Kitten's Joy.

AURORA, Ohio — Madison and Aurora slugged it out throughout the first half, trading scores before heading to the locker rooms with Aurora holding a slim three-point lead. In the second half, the Greenmen erupted for 28 points en route to a 45-20 win over the Blue Streaks in Division II, Region 5 quarterfinal action at Veterans Stadium on...

AURORA, Ohio — Madison and Aurora slugged it out throughout the first half, trading scores before heading to the locker rooms with Aurora holding a slim three-point lead.

In the second half, the Greenmen erupted for 28 points en route to a 45-20 win over the Blue Streaks in Division II, Region 5 quarterfinal action at Veterans Stadium on Friday.

Sixth-seeded Madison (8-3) got the ball to open the second half and started pounding straight at the Aurora defense, ripping off big runs on the first four plays of the drive. On the fifth play the Blue Streaks tried a little misdirection and attempted to roll out quarterback Andy Karlson, but Zach Quinn was ready. The senior linebacker/tailback burst through the line and dropped Karlson for an 11-yard loss, which effectively killed the drive and switched momentum to the Greenmen.

"They got the ball and got a couple of first downs and they ran that boot pass, and we got the sack and that took them out of what they wanted to do," Aurora head coach Bob Mihalik said. "Our defense came up big there."

From there the Aurora defense, which had struggled to slow the Madison offense in the first half, came to life and began dominating the Blue Streaks, forcing a pair of turnovers and keeping Madison off the scoreboard until a late touchdown with the game well out of reach.

"Defensively I thought we made some good adjustments to stop their power game in the second half," Mihalik said.

The Greenmen offense also came to life in the second half. Running behind an aggressive offensive line, Aurora scored four rushing touchdowns, two by Quinn, one by fullback Anthony Opet and one by quarterback Blake Calcei.

"I can't say enough about our offensive line," Mihalik said. "We challenged them all week and told them this was the most physical team we were going to play.

"I don't know what our rushing statistics were but when you score 45 points on a team like that, you've done a good job."

The Greenmen (10-1) advance to take on second-seeded Tallmadge, which knocked off New Philadelphia. The win is No. 3 Aurora's first playoff victory since their state championship in 2008.

A frustrated Madison coach Tim Willis saw some positives from the loss.

"They kept playing when things weren't going well," Willis said. "It's frustrating, because I know we can play with this team, and obviously the first half showed that. But you have to play 48 minutes this time of year."

Bill Mayville is a freelance writer from Parma Heights.

MENTOR, Ohio — Rematches can be tricky affairs. Whether you were the winner or loser in the first get-together, how many changes, if any, do you make, especially after playing 10 games?

Lake Catholic's Evan Gormley fends off the tackle of Benedictine's Alexander Naida. - (Thomas Ondrey, PD)

MENTOR, Ohio — Rematches can be tricky affairs.

Whether you were the winner or loser in the first get-together, how many changes, if any, do you make, especially after playing 10 games?

Lake Catholic definitely made all the right adjustments as the Cougars put away Benedictine for the second time this season, 47-21, in a Division III regional quarterfinal on Friday night at Mentor High's Osborne Stadium. The Cougars (10-1) will play the winner of today's St. Vincent-St. Mary - University School contest on Friday at a site to be determined.

Five weeks ago in a North Coast League game, Lake Catholic bested the Bengals, 30-6, by running for 282 yards and passing for only 8. In much better conditions this time, the Cougars went to the air and junior quarterback Mark Baniewicz responded with five touchdown passes, two each to senior wide receivers Richie Miller and Aaron Phillips.

"We know in the postseason you have to grow in the passing attack," said Baniewicz, who finished an efficent 7-for-11 for 202 yards. "Conditions weren't good for passing the first game."

Miller turned in an all-around game.

Both of his catches went for touchdowns on receptions of 27 and 54 yards in the first half. He also had the emotional game-changer as he scored on a 68-yard run off a reverse in the third quarter, putting a huge damper on Benedictine's comeback hopes after the Bengals had cut the deficit to 27-14.

"At halftime, coach [Mike Bell] told me to be ready for it," said Miller, who also had an interception in the first half as a cornerback and recovered teammate Evan Gormley's fumble in the fourth quarter to preserve another scoring drive. "I think we ran it once this year for about 10 yards. It was third-and-15 and we executed it."

Lake Catholic finished with 439 yards of offense, Gormley leading the ground game with 91 yards. Benedictine finished with 282 yards, senior Bryan Lacey totaling 100 yards on the ground and junior Dan Piascik throwing for 175 yards.

In the first meeting, Lake Catholic led, 14-0, after seven minutes of play and another bad start was not what the Bengals wanted.

"Part of that is they are a very good football team," said Benedictine first-year coach Ben Malbasa, whose club winds up at 7-4. "Give them a lot of credit. That was a great call [on the reverse] by coach. I'm sure they are going to have a long playoff run."

The Cougars were on the board in less than 90 seconds as they covered 70 yards in five plays. Baniewicz found Miller down the middle from 27 yards out for the score.

Two possessions later, Baniewicz went to Phillips on a quick look-in pattern and the senior took it 39 yards to the end zone. On the first play after recovering a Benedictine fumble, Baniewicz found senior Ryan Fyffe down the middle for another 39-yard scoring play with 3:54 left in the first quarter.

On the first possession of the second quarter, Baniewicz went back to Miller for a 54-yard scoring play, the fleet wide receiver outracing two Bengals defenders to the end zone the final 30 yards to make it 27-0.

Benedictine put together its only sustained drive as the Bengals moved 82 yards in seven plays. Key was a 27-yard reception by junior Maarshall Howell that took the ball to the Lake Catholic 32.

Two plays later, senior Bryan Lacey broke several tackles going 24 yards for the touchdown with 6:27 left in the half.

The Bengals opened the second half with an 11-play, 73-yard drive that was capped by fullback Richard Allen's 1-yard plunge.

It was the fifth time the teams have met in the postseason, with the Cougars now holding a 3-2 advantage.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:jmaxse@plaind.com, 216-999-5168

On Twitter:@JoeMaxse

RAVENNA, Ohio — All it took was a whole lot of D.J. Jones for Ravenna to earn its first playoff win in school history. Friday's action was so heavy, in fact, that the clock stopped working with 1:33 remaining.

Ravenna's D.J. Jones.

RAVENNA, Ohio — All it took was a whole lot of D.J. Jones for Ravenna to earn its first playoff win in school history.

Friday's action was so heavy, in fact, that the clock stopped working with 1:33 remaining.

But when things finally came to an end, the Ravens knocked off Southeast, 42-35, to mark the sixth year in a row they've beaten the Pirates.

This time, it didn't come in a Portage Trail Conference contest. It came in a Division III, Region 9 quarterfinal.

But things weren't decided until Ravenna strong safety Kyle Kornbau deflected a pass from Noah Kainrad intended for Trevor Norquest in the end zone with less than 30 seconds to play.

Because of it, Ravenna (9-2) will face top-seeded Chagrin Falls (11-0) next week at a neutral site to be determined.

"This is a great experience, and it means a lot to finally win," Jones said. "It's everything we wanted to do since we were freshmen. We just wanted to win the game and make our town proud by being the first ones to do it."

Southeast (10-1) kept up with the Ravens for just about all 48 minutes and went into halftime with the score knotted, 21-21.

But Jones, who had 163 yards and three touchdowns in the first half, continued his torrid pace after intermission.

When the final whistle sounded, Jones had amassed 223 yards and five scores.

The yardage gives Jones 2,355 yards rushing on the season as he's found the end zone 33 times on the ground this year.

"He's a special player," Ravens coach Jim Lunardi said. "What else can you say about him? They were keying on him, but we had to go with our workhorse."

This was a game of more than just Jones as Kainrad (14-of-22, 224, two TDs), Bryant Lavigna (79 total yards, four TDs) and Norquest (five catches, 140 yards, TD) had huge games for the Pirates.

"What do you say about this?" Lunardi said. "We were in a game like this last week against Kent Roosevelt and stalled on the 4. Southeast was resilient. I told the newspapers that all week. They were 10-0 for a reason."

While the Pirates bow out after registering their first unblemished regular season in school history (the Pirates were 9-0-1 in 1982), they didn't go out with a whimper.

"They made history in a lot of ways, but what I'm most proud of is who they are," said Southeast coach Steve Sigworth, who played on the '82 squad. "I told my seniors I wasn't most proud of the 10-0 season or the PTC [County Division] title. It was about their character."

Brad Bournival is a freelance writer in North Royalton.

See a photo gallery from the game here. BEDFORD Ohio — History begins where history ends. Maple Heights' reign is over. Shaw is hoping this is the start of something permanent.

Shaw quarterback William Woods breaks away for a touchdown in the first quarter as Maple Heights' Kent Staten chases. - (John Kuntz, PD)

See a photo gallery from the game here.

BEDFORD Ohio — History begins where history ends. Maple Heights' reign is over. Shaw is hoping this is the start of something permanent.

Shaw upset the defending state champion Mustangs, 22-12, Friday night in a Division II, Region 6 quarterfinal at Bedford Bearcat Stadium.

It was Shaw's first playoff victory in four appearances.

Maple Heights was 9-1 in the playoffs the past two seasons, finishing second in 2009 and winning its first state football championship last year.

"We beat a state champ. We beat a great team," Shaw coach Rodney Brown said. "But as I was telling my gentlemen, it's just begun now. The expectations are up."

History isn't just written in ink. Friday, it was embedded in the faces of the Lake Erie League rivals. Brown, a hulk of a man, fought back tears as his star quarterback, William Woods, patted him on the back near the end zone.

"That's all for love, coach. That's all for you," Woods told Brown. "You deserved that."

Not far away, Maple Heights coach Todd Filtz sat on the floor of his quiet locker room, his back against a cold, cinderblock wall, lamenting his team's three turnovers, two in the end zone.

"In crucial times, we made crucial mistakes," Filtz said. "You can't do that in the postseason. When you get in the postseason, everybody is good, and when you make one mistake, it can cost you. We made way more than one."

Shaw (7-3) never trailed, but the outcome was in doubt until the final minute. Senior safety Deondre Westfield returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown on the final play.

Maple Heights' best chance to take the lead came as it trailed, 16-12, early in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Da'Junn Graham was tackled at the 1 by Travon Powell. Graham fumbled and the ball squirted into and out of the end zone for a turnover and a touchback with 7:29 to play.

Later in the quarter, Shaw's defense forced Maple Heights (8-2) to turn the ball over on downs. Woods responded with a 52-yard run, and he was forced out at the 10. Maple's defense held at the 1, but the 99 yards and 86 seconds remaining was too much too late, and the season-ending pick-six followed.

The speedy, athletic Woods was reminiscent of Maple's star of the past two years, Shaq Washington. He had 113 yards rushing on eight carries, including a 36-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. He completed 8 of 18 passes for 167 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown pass to Jacob King that broke a 6-6 tie in the third quarter. Woods lost a fumble and threw an interception, but he also picked off a Graham pass in the end zone.

"As good as Shaw teams have been in the past, nobody ever won a playoff game. This is history and we feel good about it," he said.

The game took a strange turn in the second quarter.

Shaw fumbled a punt return, and Maple recovered at the Shaw 46 early. Maple proceeded to the 29, but Graham's pass in the end zone intended for 6-4 Cliff Garner was short and intercepted by Woods.

That began a bizarre sequence of four turnovers, plus a 71-yard flanker pass in the span of six plays.

It resulted in zero points.

Just as suddenly, calm replaced chaos. Maple Heights pieced together a 95-yard, 10-play drive that tied the score, 6-6. Michael Jenkins powered over the goal line on a 3-yarder behind right tackle Alex Jones.

Maple Heights, plagued by the lack of a true kicker throughout its recent playoff runs, went for two points and Graham was tackled short by Tayveon Morrow.

They traded 76-yard touchdowns in the third quarter.

King beat his man on first down and Woods found him alone at midfield, and with no safety in sight, King scored easily for a 76-yard touchdown reception.

Graves, a Cincinnati recruit, returned the ensuing kickoff 76 yards. Shaw added a safety a few minutes later. Linebacker Scottie Thornton tackled Jenkins in the end zone on a run for a 16-12 lead late in the third.

Shaw (7-3) plays Tiffin Columbian (9-2) next Friday at a neutral site to be determined.

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

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD

It was an offensive showcase as Kent Roosevelt beat Howland, 30-21, in a Division II, Region 5 quarterfinal at InfoCision Stadium in Akron. Roosevelt's plan of attack: A heap of screen passes with a few deep balls.

It was an offensive showcase as Kent Roosevelt beat Howland, 30-21, in a Division II, Region 5 quarterfinal at InfoCision Stadium in Akron.

Roosevelt's plan of attack: A heap of screen passes with a few deep balls.

"We do a lot of the bubble plays, but our kids can go deep," said head coach John Nemec. "That really is their strength, going deep. They hit a couple of beautiful strikes."

Junior TraVon Chapman led the passing attack, completing 30 of 47 passes for 368 yards and two touchdowns, each more than 50 yards. He also added a rushing touchdown.

"He's a great player," Nemec said. "He's been doing that all year. He didn't do anything differently tonight than he's been doing this season. That's how he plays."

Junior DeVeon Smith was at the helm of the Tigers' offense. Smith scored three touchdowns and gained 242 yards on 26 carries in his team's first loss of the season.

The Tigers, who trailed by two touchdowns at halftime, began the second half with 85 yards of offense from Smith.

He ignited the drive with a 60-yard kickoff return, followed by three rushes for 25 yards, and he capped it with a 10-yard touchdown run.

The extra point missed wide left, cutting Roosevelt's lead to 21-13 with 10:36 remaining in the third quarter.

Roosevelt's Jose Rocha booted a 28-yard field goal, extending the Rough Riders' lead, 24-13. That was their first field goal this season.

"We knew he can kick," Nemec said, "we just haven't taken the opportunity, prior to this."

Smith tightened the score with a 3-yard touchdown. Brendan Cope followed with a successful two-point conversion run.

But the trend continued. Every time Smith managed to inch the Tigers closer, Chapman was there to close them out.

After a scoreless quarter, Chapman carried in a touchdown from the 3-yard line, sealing Roosevelt's victory.

Roosevelt, the Portage Trail Conference Metro Division champion, struck first, 7-0, as Chapman tossed a 55-yard touchdown to Richard Graves just 1:33 into the game.

Howland answered with a drive to Roosevelt's 20-yard line, where the Rough Riders' defense stood strong, forcing a 39-yard missed field goal.

Although the Tigers struggled on their first drive, Smith powered through the Rough Riders' defense, breaking three tackles en route to a 29-yard touchdown.

Roosevelt responded with two straight touchdowns. Shakeel Howard punched in the ball from the 3-yard line. Then Chapman recorded his second touchdown with a 76-yard completion to Tony Britt.

Cody Erbacher is a freelance writer in Kent.

Damon Washington and Christian Hauber combined for seven touchdowns as Kirtland's top-seeded football team won its Division V playoff opener Friday night. The host Hornets routed Columbiana, 49-8, in a Region 17 quarterfinal.

Kirtland's Damon Washington - (PD file)

Damon Washington and Christian Hauber combined for seven touchdowns as Kirtland's top-seeded football team won its Division V playoff opener Friday night.

The host Hornets routed Columbiana, 49-8, in a Region 17 quarterfinal.

Washington ran for 213 yards and scored three touchdowns, while Hauber reached the end zone four times. Hauber ran 28 times and gained 147 yards. Hauber also excelled at linebacker, causing two fumbles. Cannon Schroeder had two sacks.

Kirtland (11-0) outgained Columbiana (8-3), 435-156.

The Hornets will play No. 4 Sugarcreek Garaway next week in a regional semifinal. Garaway defeated No. 5 New Middletown Springfield, 32-14.

Columbiana Crestview 44, Cuyahoga Heights 20 Nick Blower rushed for 260 yards and scored on three long touchdown runs to lead third-seeded Crestview in the Division V, Region 17 quarterfinal.

Blower had scoring runs of 87, 65 and 66 yards for the Rebels (10-1), who advance to play No. 7 Louisville Aquinas.

Adam Coppock added 231 total yards.

Cuyahoga Heights quarterback Alex Zander was 21-of-39 passing for 302 yards. He threw touchdown passes to Jordan D'Orazio and Tim Surman. Logan Matt caught nine passes for 160 yards.

The sixth-seeded Redskins end their season at 9-2.

Toledo Central Catholic 48, Olmsted Falls 19 The fifth-seeded Bulldogs were unable to overcome a 28-6 halftime deficit in the Division II, Region 6 quarterfinal.

Quarterback Brennan Laird had a hand in all of Olmsted Falls' scoring with touchdown runs of 29 yards and 1 yard, and a 33-yard strike to Drew Meketa.

The Bulldogs (7-4) edged the Irish, 340-331, in total offense.

The Irish (8-3) will face top-seeded Avon (10-1), which advanced with a 45-24 win over Highland.

Glenville 58, John Hay 13 The Tarblooders turned a 7-0 second-quarter lead into a rout in the Senate Athletic League city championship game.

The annual game at Collinwood Athletic Complex features the league's top two teams that don't qualify for the Ohio High School Athletic Association playoffs, which Glenville (7-3) had reached every year since 2003.

Quarterback Quan Robinson was 10-of-14 passing for 167 yards and a touchdown, in addition to a 2-yard run to open scoring.

V'Angelo Bentley had four catches for 104 yards. He scored on a 6-yard run and a 67-yard interception return.

Breaking down the four components of today's Ohio State football game: mental, physical, emotional and, a part of the game that's too easy to forget these days, the fun.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, The Plain DealerOhio State quarterback Braxton Miller is more comfortable operating the offense out of the shotgun formation, coaches say.

Attention Jim Bollman critics: Ohio State's offense is evolving.

It's not only about the passing game going 7-for-12 in the win over Wisconsin after a 1-for-4 performance in the win over Illinois. During the bye week between the Illini and Badgers, the Buckeyes focused on getting freshman quarterback Braxton Miller more comfortable, and the change was obvious.

The pistol formation -- the shortened shotgun with running back Dan Herron lining up behind Miller and fullback Zach Boren typically aligned next to Miller as the lead blocker -- was used just 17 percent of the time against the Illini. Against Michigan State in the Big Ten opener, it wasn't used on a single snap.

Against the Badgers, the pistol was a mainstay, accounting for 39 percent of the OSU formations.

Ohio State tight ends coach John Peterson, the offensive coach who spoke with reporters this week, said Miller is more comfortable in the shotgun because he lined up so often that way in high school. So Bollman, the offensive coordinator, has adjusted. Overall, for example, the Buckeyes were under center 45 percent of the time in the Big Ten opener against Michigan State, 69 percent of the time against Illinois and just 28 percent of the time against Wisconsin.

"It's a very comfortable set for him," Peterson said of getting Miller out from behind center.

The word from practice this week is that the Buckeyes have been working on even more of a spread offense. Don't expect Miller to throw it 30 times today, but if Ohio State is going to give the freshman a longer leash, the time to do it would be now, against the No. 112-ranked defense in the country.

In its past four games, Indiana has allowed an average of 51 points and 529 yards per game. Ohio State's highs this season are 42 points and 517 yards, both in the opener against Akron.

Moving forward, expect the pistol to be a major part of the offense. Boren, as a blocker, said he's comfortable with it, and all he needs to do is change the foot he steps with after the snap. The look also gives the Buckeyes more balance in the run game, with defenses less able to identify which direction a run play is headed.

Before the Wisconsin game, I wrote why seven completions per game might be the perfect number for Ohio State the rest of the way. Against the Badgers, that was right. Today, it might be more. The rest of the season, it should move back toward seven, but from a formation that makes Miller more comfortable.

All Ohio State fans know John Simon and Johnathan Hankins have been difference-makers on the defensive line this season. But watch Adam Bellamy.

The redshirt sophomore from Aurora High School has started five of the eight OSU games this season and is now finally listed as a starter on the depth chart, which reflects what has been the reality for weeks. With the current personnel, the Buckeyes are better off going big up front, with Simon slightly out of position at the Leo defensive end. Bellamy's progress as a big defensive end -- he's 6-4 and 302 pounds -- has helped that happen.

Bellamy had his play of the year last week, getting his first solo sack of the season while wiping out a potential Wisconsin field-goal try at the end of the first half. With the Buckeyes rushing just three players on a third-and-1 from the 44-yard line with 24 seconds left, Wisconsin double-teamed Hankins and had a third lineman eyeing him. Simon forced Wisconsin quarterback Russell Wilson out of the pocket, and Bellamy beat the right tackle quickly and cleanly with a great spin move, sacking Wilson for a loss of 7 yards as the final seconds of the half ticked off.

With Simon and Hankins around, Bellamy won't often be double-teamed. So his job is to beat those single blockers, such as on that play, and make an offense pay.

When first-year Indiana coach Kevin Wilson jumped on his weekly Big Ten conference call with reporters this week, the first three words out of his mouth while looking back at last week's 59-38 loss to Northwestern were "another poor performance."

The former Oklahoma offensive coordinator is trying to keep his wits while working to shape the Hoosiers, who, at 1-8 overall and 0-5 in the Big Ten, are the only conference team without a Big Ten win.

Wilson said he wasn't connecting with his players initially, so now it's important to stay upbeat.

"When things from the outside are not looking good, from the inside we try to maintain, as coaches, a great deal of energy and enthusiasm," Wilson said. "If I don't have it and the staff doesn't have it, the players won't."

He began to shape his offensive ideas in the Mid-American Conference while at Miami (1990-98), mostly as offensive coordinator. That's where OSU cornerbacks coach Taver Johnson, who later became a Miami defensive assistant after Wilson left for Northwestern, got to know him.

"The fast tempo of their offense, the no-huddle, that's something Kevin has always instilled," Johnson said.

Ohio State sophomore safety Christian Bryant and Indiana freshman receiver Shane Wynn are very tight. They've played football together since they were 6, most recently at Glenville High School.

Today is the first time, according to Wynn, that the Cleveland natives will take the field on opposite sides of the football.

"It's gonna be wild," Wynn said of his return to Ohio with the Hoosiers. "But he's on the other team. It's definitely fun to play football against an old friend and your best friend."

Wynn said he and Bryant communicate every day, and they could wind up colliding this afternoon. Bryant is Ohio State's third-leading tackler and a boom-or-bust playmaker in the secondary. Wynn is a kick returner, with one touchdown already this season, and a receiver, with 14 catches.

But with the Hoosiers missing two of their three leading receivers, Wynn's role could increase. Damarlo Belcher (25 catches for 286 yards) was kicked off the team, and Duwyce Wilson (17 catches for 217 yards) was lost for the season with a knee injury.

With the Buckeyes and Hoosiers on each other's schedules every season as Leaders Division foes, this won't be the last time that Bryant and Wynn have to enjoy the game without wearing the same uniform.

-- Doug Lesmerises

Lake Erie gizzard shad don't like chilly water, a bonus for fishermen when big lake temperatures slowly ebb at this time of year.

View full sizeD'Arcy Egan, The Plain DealerBob Hanko of Cranberry Creek Marina in Huron weighs a walleye he caught while trolling Lake Erie on Wednesday afternoon.

HURON, Ohio — Lake Erie gizzard shad don't like chilly water, a bonus for fishermen when water temperature slowly ebbs at this time of year.

The temperature-sensitive shad move to warmer near-shore water and lower stretches of rivers and streams, where they're much more comfortable feeding on algae and zooplankton. That comfort zone also works against them, attracting ravenous walleye bulking up for winter and the spring spawning season.

As shad attract walleye, the snaggle-toothed walleye lure an army of fishermen. Anglers launch small boats to troll the shoreline, or cast diving plugs from piers and breakwalls. The best fishing is generally after the sun goes down. That is the nature of walleye, which have the advantage of superior vision to make them a premier predator under low light conditions.

And walleye prefer eating soft-finned gizzard shad, rather than yellow perch, white perch and white bass.

While anglers prowl major harbors at night to troll or cast lures, including Cleveland and Lorain, a stretch of Lake Erie from Huron to Vermilion has become a prime location. This week, sportsmen have been finding success there while walleye fishing 4 to 6 miles offshore during the day. At sunset, the schools of shad move closer to the sandy beaches, and so have the walleye and the fishermen.

"It's starting to get wild and crazy on Lake Erie after dark," said Bob Hanko of Cranberry Creek Marina in Huron. "The Huron Pier is also drawing a crowd at sunset as a lot of fishermen take advantage of that window of opportunity."

For walleye, the area north of the Huron River is an annual gathering place. Walleye hatched around the Western Basin roam Lake Erie throughout the summer, chasing schools of baitfish. Now they're back, feeding heavily in this area until they head to the Lake Erie reefs or up the Sandusky River to spawn in March and April.

Hanko and I were trolling through a pack of boats northeast of Cranberry Creek on Wednesday afternoon, a bumpy ride in brisk southwest winds. With a school of Reef Runner lures unsuccessfully swimming behind the boat, and the marine radio chatter going on about a definite lull in the walleye fishing, we decided to try fishing closer to shore. We'd be in calmer water, but away from where good catches had been reported the past few days.

It was getting late in the day, and we were hoping to ambush a few walleye in the 15- to 25-foot depths usually best after the sun goes down.

We'd been out after dark at this time of year, and had seen the magic of shallow-water walleye aggressively attacking lures, despite the chilly lake temperature. You can sometimes shine a flashlight in the water after dark and see the beam reflected in dozens of walleye eyes.

It was still a couple of hours away from sunset, but a walleye liked the look of a colorful Reef Runner, a rainbow mix of green, blue and gold. It was the Cheap Sunglasses model, and attached to one of the lines for a very good reason. Hanko had taken his son, Blake, fishing a couple of days before and the youngster insisted it would be the hot walleye lure.

"That lure caught most of the fish," Hanko said with a smile.

It took only a few minutes for that lure to hook up with the first walleye of the afternoon. Not a monster, but a walleye big enough to feed a small family.

"Or at least a couple of very hungry fishermen," Hanko said.

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

Central Michigan misses a 28-yard field goal with no time left on the clock, allowing the Golden Flashes to escape with a 24-21 victory Friday at Dix Stadium.

View full sizePaul Tople, Akron Beacon JournalCentral Michigan defenders chase down Kent State running back Jacquise Terry (22) during the first quarter at Dix Stadium on Friday in Kent.

KENT, Ohio — A Kent State defense that was expected to preserve victory instead nearly gave one away to visiting Central Michigan.

David Harman missed a 28-yard field goal with no time left on the clock, allowing the Golden Flashes to escape with a 24-21 victory Friday at Dix Stadium.

It was the second straight win for KSU (3-6, 2-3 Mid-American Conference). CMU slipped to 3-7, 2-4.

Standing on the sideline those final seconds, KSU coach Darrell Hazell seemed to be standing in prayer.

"I wasn't praying; I was thinking about overtimes," Hazell said. "There was a rush of emotion [when CMU missed], an emotional 15 seconds."

Leading, 24-14, with 7:27 to play, Kent's defense -- which held CMU to 21 yards of offense in the third quarter -- began to fade. The Flashes allowed a quick 72-yard scoring drive by the Chippewas capped by a 52-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Radcliff to Titus Davis. This was followed by a three-and-out from Kent. After getting 6 yards on the ground from robust freshman tailback Trayion Durham, Kent failed the next two plays to get the critical first down.

Following the punt to CMU's 18, Kent's defense was whistled for two pass interference calls and allowed the Chippewas to convert a third-and-14 as they got down to Kent's 12. But Harman's kick with no time left veered wide left, sending Kent's sidelines into revelry.

"We're giving up too many big plays in the passing game," Hazell said. "We're a step slow in the secondary."

For the second straight week, Kent's previously tough defense gave up over 400 yards -- this time, 402 to CMU as Radcliff passed for 316 yards and three TDs. But Kent's offense had its second straight solid performance, producing 422 yards. The Flashes rushed for 141 yards -- 90 from Durham -- and got 281 yards and three TDs from quarterback Spencer Keith.

In the first quarter, Kent State safety Luke Wollett picked off a tipped CMU pass at the Chippewas' 44.

Four plays later, tailback Jacquise Terry took a swing pass from Keith and ran 15 yards for a touchdown and 7-0 lead.

Early in the second quarter, Kent receiver Matt Hurdle ran a simple 6-yard out on third down, but when the CMU defender mistimed his tackle, Hurdle turned upfield and ran untouched for an 85-yard touchdown, giving the Golden Flashes a 14-0 lead. The Chippewas then found gaping holes in Kent's normally solid defensive line and went 86 yards in eight plays for a touchdown to trim Kent's lead to 14-7.

That was just the harbinger. One drive later, the Chippewas went 96 yards, capped by a 36-yard touchdown pass from Radcliff to tie it, 14-14, with 1:26 left in the first half. Kent used the time wisely and attempted a Freddy Cortez 44-yard field goal. But he shanked it, leaving the teams tied at the half.

The two teams settled in during the third quarter, as both defenses got key third-down stops to stop potential scoring drives.

In the fourth, Kent staked its claim first with a nine-play, 80-yard drive that featured burly tailback Trayion Durham getting critical yards up the gut, ultimately setting the stage for a 25-yard touchdown pass off play-action from Keith to Chris Gilbert for a 21-14 lead for the Golden Flashes with 13:47 left.

Cornerback Sidney Saulter stepped up for the defense, as Kent intercepted Radcliff a second time. Saulter's unsportsmanlike penalty put Kent's offense at its own 5. But once again, Durham showed his worth, pounding the Flashes down inside the CMU red zone before a pair of passes stalled the drive and led to a 34-yard field goal from Cortez.

This one he nailed, giving KSU's defense a two-possession lead -- 24-14 -- to protect with just over seven minutes to play. The Chippewas, however, didn't flinch. They moved swiftly, getting one score and in position for another. But they could not finish the job.

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

Because of bowl affiliation and BCS seeding, every game matters for good teams in college football; more so than in any other sport's regular season.

Sue Ogrocki, Associated PressTexas Tech's Bradley Marquez celebrates with fans in Norman, Okla., after the Red Raiders upset the Sooners last month. The loss likely will keep Oklahoma from playing for the national title, even if the Sooners win out, underscoring just how important every game in college football is under its current setup.

In college football, it is a little-game sport, too. That is its strength, not its weakness. It is the last refuge of the endangered species known as the regular season.

Some games are bigger than others, of course. There are rivalries that are blood-deep and DNA-coded. Army-Navy is that way. Ohio State-Michigan. Auburn-Alabama. UCLA-USC. Victory in those games can redeem an entire season.

Still, college football has the most meaningful regular season around. The BCS receives a lot of criticism because of its exclusivity. But if a team wants to play for it all in college football, it better win 'em all. It better have no slips, better not mail one in, better not overlook anybody, even the meekest menace.

Many fans consider a playoff system to be the cure-all for college football. And a playoff system is coming, as surely as there's a blue field in Boise. Too much money can be made for it not to happen. The BCS is simply on the wrong side of history, as well as public sentiment, by giving the traditional powers most of the lucrative bowl bids.

But when a playoff system is implemented, the current requirement of near-perfection for teams to play in the BCS Championship Game would be sacrificed. Whoever has the hot hand in the playoffs will rule. There would be a second chance for an injury-riddled team like the Packers, the sixth and lowest seed, as well as the Super Bowl champions last season.

Injuries are part of the game, though.

There certainly would be no UConn, getting hot and winning its conference tournament, then riding the momentum all the way to the NCAA men's basketball tournament championship.

No team with a .500 record in the league is going to streak its way to a BCS bowl game.

"September is for pretenders. November is for contenders," former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel used to say.

It's November. There's no pretense that every game isn't important now.

Those two missed field goals that led to Boise State's loss to Nevada in overtime last year cost the Western Athletic Conference, its home at the time, $16 million, the difference between the Rose Bowl's $17 million payout and the $1 million from the storied Maaco Bowl, Boise's eventual landing place.

Ohio State's loss to Wisconsin last year cost the Buckeyes a berth in the BCS championship game, a potential prize for which Tressel traded much of his integrity.

In the Big Ten, with no BCS Championship Game contenders, the regular season is still an exacting examination of teams' credentials as they scramble for the lucrative consolation prize of the Big Ten's Rose Bowl berth.

Saturday, Ohio State plays conference doormat Indiana, which offers the lowest threat level since woebegone Akron in the opener. The Hoosiers erupted for 38 points against Northwestern last week, but, unfortunately surrendered, ahem, 59.

At the very least, a victory makes Ohio State bowl-eligible, a status that seemed out of reach just a few weeks ago.

Fans might remember that in 2009, Purdue, which finished with a 5-7 record, forced Terrelle Pryor into two interceptions and two lost fumbles and gave the Buckeyes their only Big Ten loss. It was OSU's first loss since 2001 to a team that finished with a losing record.

This season, Minnesota, almost comically inept for much of the season, rose up and beat Iowa last week.

Ohio State should be favored in its last four games. If the Buckeyes win out, with a small helping hand by Nebraska or Wisconsin in defeating Penn State, OSU would thus reach the inaugural Big Ten Championship Game. That's with the proviso that the NCAA's Committee on Infractions declares the Buckeyes eligible for it.

The nation might have yawned after the Buckeyes' 33-29 frenzy over Wisconsin because of the Big Ten's parity/mediocrity. Here in the heartland, it is still a big deal. If the Buckeyes have been doing a chest-puffed strut ever since Braxton Miller's pass came down in the last 20 seconds, defeat could happen this afternoon. Even against Indiana. You just have to stretch your imagination a little. (OK, a lot.)

"We are in no place to look past anything," said Ohio State coach Luke Fickell.

Little things mean a lot.