Indians play at Minnesota.

Chuck Crow, The Plain DealerJeanmar Gomez gets the start for the Indians tonight against the Twins in Minnesota.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV and radio sports listings

AUTO RACING  

8 a.m. Grand Prix of Italy practice, Speed Channel  

Noon Federated Auto Parts 400 practice, ESPN2 

2:30 p.m. Federated Auto Parts 400 Happy Hour Series, ESPN2 

4 p.m. Virginia 529 College Savings 250 qualifying, ESPN2 

5:30 p.m. Federated Auto Parts 400 qualifying, ESPN2 

7:30 p.m. Virginia 529 College Savings 250, ESPN 

BASEBALL  

7:05 p.m. Bowie at AKRON AEROS, AM/1350 

8:05 p.m. LAKE COUNTY CAPTAINS at Bowling Green (if necessary), AM/1330 

8:10 p.m. CLEVELAND INDIANS at Minnesota, SportsTime Ohio; AM/1100, FM/100.7 

10 p.m. L.A. Dodgers at San Francisco, MLB Network 

CANADIAN FOOTBALL LEAGUE  

9 p.m. Calgary at Edmonton, NBCSN 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL  

8 p.m. Utah at Utah State, ESPN2 

GOLF  

8:30 a.m. KLM Open, Golf Channel  

12:30 p.m. Kingsmill Championship, Golf Channel  

3 p.m. BMW Championship, Golf Channel 

HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL  

7 p.m. Ashtabula Edgewood at Lakeside, AM/970 

7 p.m. Clearview at Amherst, AM/1320 

7 p.m. Elyria at Midview, AM/1380 

7 p.m. St. Pauls (La.) vs. Lincoln (Fla.), Fox Sports Ohio 

10 p.m. John Curtis (La.) vs. Plant (Fla.), Fox Sports Ohio

RODEO  

10 p.m. Pro Bull Riding (tape), CBSSN 

TENNIS  

12:30 p.m. U.S. Open, mens doubles final, womens semis, WOIO 

Both teams rolled to season-opening wins last week. Central Florida is favored by some pundits to win the Conference USA title.

Marvin Fong, The Plain DealerCoach Urban Meyer (center, white shirt) and some Buckeyes' players before Ohio State's season-opening 56-10 win over Miami (Ohio) last Saturday in Columbus.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Ohio State Buckeyes and Central Florida Knights play on Saturday afternoon in Columbus.

Both teams are coming off easy season-opening wins. Ohio State routed Miami's (Ohio) RedHawks, 56-10, last Saturday in Columbus. Central Florida visited Akron last Thursday night and rolled to a 56-14 win over the Zips.

The Buckeyes are ranked 14th in the Associated Press top 25. The Knights, considered by some as the Conference USA championship favorites, picked up a few votes and theoretically rank 39th.

Ohio State is not ranked in the USA Today/Coaches poll, because of its NCAA sanctions including the one-year ban from postseason play being served this year due to the memorabilia for tattoos/cash scandal. Again, Central Florida gets some voting points, essentially ranking 36th.

Central Florida may also be ineligible for a bowl game. The Knights have allegedly made improper contact with people associated with agents, and given money to recruits. Central Florida can receive votes in the USA Today/Coaches poll until the NCAA rules on its appeal.

Michael Corleone could have just as well been speaking for Browns fans when he uttered his infamous line, "Just when I thought I was out . . . they pull me back in." We get excited leading up to the season. We hope. We predict a better year. Then comes kickoff.

View full sizeTed Crow, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Michael Corleone could have just as well been speaking for Browns fans when he uttered his infamous line, "Just when I thought I was out . . . they pull me back in."

We get excited leading up to the season. We hope. We predict a better year.

Then comes kickoff.

By Week 3, we're disappointed. Deflated by Week 8. Disgusted by Week 12.

Then comes next season and they pull us back in.

So, let's partay!

At 1 p.m. Sunday, the Cleveland Browns will open their home season against the Philadelphia Eagles.

Let's hope a change in running back, quarterback and ownership will bring a change in fortune.

And if not -- woohoo, we'll party anyway.

It's the Cleveland Browns Survival Guide: Things to Do, Places to Go and Ways to Enjoy the Season Regardless of the Score.

Long snapper's guide to Cleveland

 Christian Yount has been with the Browns for less than a year. But the long snapper has assembled enough favorite places to play tour guide for many a dawg.

"Everything is out in the open in New York or Los Angeles," says Yount. "You have to look a little harder in Cleveland."

Seems like Yount has a good eye, not to mention a unique interest in exploring area neighborhoods and hangouts.

"A lot of guys like Michael Symon's B Spot, but I think Lolita is his best place," says Yount, referring to Symon's Tremont eatery, 900 Literary Road. "It has a great food and wine selection."

Yount, a Los Angeles native, is also a fan of the straight-up grilled cheese sandwich at Melt Bar and Grilled, 14718 Detroit Ave., Lakewood.

He also raves about the craft beer scene in Cleveland, with places such as Mike's Bar & Grille (130 Front St., Berea); Rocky River Brewing Co. (21290 Center Ridge Road, Rocky River); and Market Garden Brewery (1947 West 25th St., Cleveland).

"I like Momocho," he says referring to the Ohio City eatery, 1835 Fulton Road Cleveland. "But I wish there were more Mexican places here.

"I just never imagined there would be so many places here," he adds. "I haven't even gotten around to the more underground places around town -- I still have some work to do."

John Petkovic, The Plain DealerDawg food? Hardly. This season, Cleveland Browns Stadium will roll out eateries by three local chefs - Michael Symon, Jonathon Sawyer and Rocco Whalen. Rosie & Rocco's boasts a unique menu that includes a tasty chicken meatball sandwich.

Culinary dawgs

 Just 'cause they call 'em dawgs doesn't mean they gotta eat Purina.

Cleveland Browns Stadium has added three eateries bearing the names of three of the area's favorite chefs -- Michael Symon's B Spot, Rocco Whalen's Rosie & Rocco's, and Jonathon Sawyer's Street Frites.

"We're all big Browns fans," says Whalen. "And food and sports go hand in hand."

Whalen even remembers what he was eating when he watched The Drive.

"Meatloaf and mashed potatoes," he says. "I'm still haunted to this day."

By the game, that is. I watched a turkey of a Browns game during preseason, but have fond memories of the chicken meatball sandwich served at Rosie & Rocco's. Really good.

Get the party started

We love our traditions -- in part, because we pine for happier times. Bob Golic not only reminds us of that past, he's also a happy-go-lucky dawg. Which makes partying at Bob Golic's Sports Bar & Grille a no-brainer. At 8 a.m. Sunday, the joint, 1213 West Sixth St., Cleveland, will host a pregame tailgate. Come game time, Bob will hold court there with his brother, Mike Golic. Call 216-363-1130.

Early bird eats the worm

What do you get when you cross tailgaters with the Barley House? I don't know, but I bet it's a party-hearty party. The bar-restaurant, 1261 West Sixth St., Cleveland, will host tailgate parties every home game this season. It begins at 8 a.m., in the Barley House parking lot, and features games, a Jumbotron and a simulcast by WKRK FM/92.3, "The Fan." Call 216-623-1700.

Do you remember Brian Sipe?

Gillespie's Map Room has the vibe of a bar in some previous time, like when the Kardiac Kids played. Bonus: The joint, 1281 West Ninth St., Cleveland, is a five-minute walk to the stadium. So you won't need directions to the game, even if you're loaded. The action starts at 9 a.m. with a brunch and rolls out a happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m. Call 216-621-7747.

Postgame highlights

Party promoter extraordinaire Arnold Hines is always good for some postgame highlights -- at Fortress. The nightclub -- 1360 West Ninth St., Cleveland --will host postgame parties after every home game starting at 9 p.m. $20; free for ladies before midnight. Call 216-298-4448.

"No one parties more than Browns fans," says Hines, who co-owns Fortress with Zdenko Zovkic of XO Prime Steaks fame.

He's not just talking about tailgating.

"You don't even have to go to the game," he says. "I'll come downtown to watch the game and then go out afterwards -- and it doesn't matter if they win or lose."

A brunch for all seasons

All kinds of joints roll out a brunch during Browns season. Nauti Mermaid -- 1378 West Sixth St., 216-771-6175 -- perfected its brunch before there even was a preseason.

It runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.

Yes, you can get bacon and sausage, bagels and French toast. But the menu also rolls out unique offerings you'd never find at some greasy spoon.

The shrimp omelet and lobster omelet are stellar; so is the crab cake Benedict. So is the vibe.

The Mermaid is as much a casual hangout as it is a restaurant -- where you can eat well in the Warehouse District without losing your wallet or chowing like a dawg.

Joe gets around

Joe Haden covers a ton of ground -- on and off the field.

"I'm always around town," says the beloved Browns cornerback. "The fans are great and there's so much to do here."

Haden has a long list of recommendations, including:

• For dinner: XO Prime Steaks, 500 W. Saint Clair Ave., Cleveland. "It isn't just the food," says Haden. "Z, the owner, is a cool guy."

• To watch a game: Barley House.

• To hit the clubs: Fortress.

Haden is also a regular at Cavs and Indians games. "I like basketball and baseball," says Haden. "But I also love bowling."

Don't be surprised to see him at Corner Alley, 402 Euclid Ave., Cleveland.

Bernie left his mark on him

 It's one thing to be scarred by the Browns, quite another to be tattooed.

Dana Depew is the latter

The Cleveland artist has No. 19 tattooed on his left hand, an homage to former Browns quarterback Bernie Kosar.

"Bernie was my childhood hero," says Depew, who also creates works inspired by the Browns. "But he also represents Cleveland: so close to winning it all only to have his bubble burst."

This year, Depew is hopeful -- well, he is every year.

"We have a superstar in Trent Richardson, some good receivers and a quarterback who can actually throw the ball," says Depew.

Then there's the new owner, Jimmy Haslam.

"With the Browns, there's always just enough to make you say, 'maybe it'll be different,' " says Depew. "Time heals all wounds and after an off-season, we go right back at it."

The tailgate must go on

The Browns hit the road Sunday, Sept. 16, to play the Cincinnati Bengals. That won't stop the Southeast Cuyahoga County Browns Backers from tailgating.

Every road game, the group descends on the Maple Grove Tavern -- 14832 Pease Road, Maple Heights -- for a party that begins before the game and goes into the evening.

"Of course, it helps the party if the Browns win or at least keep it close," says bar owner Nick Summa.

The fans bring an array of party foods -- from snacks to prepared meals to desserts. They also bring two RVs, which turn the parking lot into a pregame tailgate.

"We can call them dawgs," says Summa. "But Browns fans are more loyal than dogs."

A series that has been played every season since 2005 has picked up steam, evolving into a nice rivalry on a couple levels -- East-West, public-parochial -- but without animosity between programs that appear to share mutual respect.

View full sizeJoshua Gunter, Plain Dealer file photoMentor's Mitch Trubisky scores during last year's victory over St. Ignatius.

In Cleveland area high school sports, there are no more prominent positions than starting quarterback at St. Ignatius and Mentor. St. Ignatius has the unique heritage, and Mentor runs a peerless passing attack.

Enter St. Ignatius senior Mike LaManna and Mentor senior Mitch Trubisky, who lead their 2-0 teams against each other Saturday at Byers Field in a burgeoning Greater Cleveland rivalry between the schools, if not necessarily between the quarterbacks themselves.

LaManna and Trubisky meet for the first time since they attended an Ohio State football camp together two years ago.

"I remember him being a nice kid," Trubisky said of LaManna. "There wasn't a Mentor-Ignatius rivalry when we were there. We were both just having fun throwing the ball around."

That has changed. A series that has been played every season since 2005 has picked up steam, evolving into a nice rivalry on a couple levels -- East-West, public-parochial -- but without animosity between programs that appear to share mutual respect.

On the field, St. Ignatius is No. 1 in The Plain Dealer Top 25 this week, and Mentor is No. 2. Their third meeting in a year also is a rematch of a 2011 Division I regional championship.

LaManna and Trubisky, who both wear No. 10, easily could have been opposing starters in two epic games last year, a Mentor regular-season win and a St. Ignatius regional final victory. Trubisky started both games. He compiled 533 yards and five touchdowns passing and rushing in the Mentor win but was hounded by a relentless pass rush in the loss.

LaManna wound up taking a back seat last season to Eric Williams, who transferred in from Oregon for his senior year and led the Wildcats to their 11th state championship. LaManna could well have been the starter if not for Williams.

"I had no idea Eric Williams was coming in," LaManna said "I was definitely anticipating getting my shot. I was going to work to be the starting quarterback, and Eric came, and I accepted my position as a backup.

"I knew Eric was a great quarterback, and I knew he was capable of leading the team. In all honesty, I had no problem. I wasn't mad at all and got to learn a lot from him."

The 6-2 left-hander from Strongsville knows full well the history of first-year senior starters at St. Ignatius. LaManna is the fourth consecutive senior to earn the starting job, joining a longer list that includes state champions Sean Grady (2004), Kevin Mayer (1991) and Andrew Holland (2008), as well as 2010 Pitt recruit Mark Myers and 1997 Louisville recruit Dave Ragone, who went on to play in the NFL.

"I'm aware of that. I've seen it in the past," said LaManna, who does not yet have any scholarship offers. "I've wanted to be the St. Ignatius quarterback since I was 7. I went to the 2008 state final and watched Andrew Holland, and I was a freshman when Mark Myers was a senior and I admired him."

Trubisky, a North Carolina recruit, has taken a back seat to no one in the past year and is an Ohio Mr. Football candidate this fall considering his prolific 2011 season and the nature of the Mentor's pass-first offense.

He's fully aware of what's on the line Saturday in a game that should draw more than 10,000 fans. "It's the type of game a lot of people are talking about and a lot of people will remember, and it's the type of game that will set the tone for the rest of the season," he said.

Trubisky, as he often does with his laser throws, nailed it. These two teams are destined to meet again in the playoffs, and any team that has eyes on the Division I state title in Northeast Ohio this year will have to figure out a way to stop one of these two quarterbacks.

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

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD

Former Browns owner Art Modell, who died Thursday, never wanted to leave Cleveland and never got over his decision to move the team to Baltimore. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio — Years after Art Modell moved the Browns to Baltimore, he'd sit in his owners' suite when the Browns were in town and belly laugh with visitors from Cleveland about the good ol' days.

Those trips down memory lane, which included impressions of Modell that he howled over, were some of his happiest moments in Baltimore -- especially in the later years, when his body was feeble and his mind was fading.

"They were hugely significant," said Ravens Senior Vice President Kevin Byrne, who also spent 15 years with Modell in Cleveland. "It made him sit up taller, made him more alert. ... He cherished those moments."

Modell, who owned the Browns from 1961 to 1995 and the Ravens from 1996 to 2004, died Thursday morning of natural causes at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, where he was surrounded by his adopted sons John and David. He was 87.

As of Thursday, the Browns had no plans to acknowledge Modell's death at Sunday's home opener against Philadelphia.

"I don't think they should," Byrne said. "There's still too much anger from too many people."

Those who know Modell, who had been suffering from congestive heart failure and other health problems for years, said he had never been the same since his wife Pat -- whom he referred to as "the actress" from her soap opera days -- died in October. In a statement from David on Thursday, he said his father "finally rejoined the absolute love of his life, my mother Pat Modell."

But others know he was also never the same after announcing on Nov. 6, 1995, that he was moving his second true love -- the Cleveland Browns -- to Baltimore. Although Modell embraced the Ravens and his new community, the move tore him apart.

"There was a lingering sadness, no doubt," Byrne said. "I think he truly felt for the fans that he let them down, because he couldn't make it work. He often second-guessed himself and said, 'Maybe I should've gone public with all the missed deadlines and broken promises.' "

Byrne said Pat Modell, Art's wife of 43 years, was a driving force behind Modell's decision.

"Pat clearly encouraged him to leave Cleveland," Byrne said. "She was upset and bitter about the treatment Art was receiving from politicians and some members of the media. She would say, 'Art, they just don't care. They don't care what you've done for the Cleveland Clinic. They don't care that you've gone to the playoffs seven out of 10 times in the '80s. You should go have a meeting with Baltimore.' "

Byrne said: "Right up until the end, Modell would always respond, 'No, they'll find a way to get it done.' But it snowballed, and in the end, it became personal. He felt he had to do it."

The day the announcement was made, Modell acknowledged: "This has been a very, very tough road for my family and me. I leave my heart and part of my soul in Cleveland. But frankly, it came down to a simple proposition: I had no choice."

Public Enemy No. 1

Modell, one of the NFL's pioneers and innovators, once told the New York Daily News: "Let me put this in perspective: I didn't give up 35 years of my life, where I was part of everything that went on in Cleveland, because I happen to like crab cakes. I moved for a legitimate reason. It was tough."

From the moment he delivered the crushing blow, Modell became public enemy No. 1 in Cleveland, a spot he never relinquished, even when LeBron James took his talents to South Beach. The threats on Modell's life were so numerous that he traveled with armed bodyguards and never showed his face in his adopted hometown again, a fact that deeply saddened him.

"It hurt Art a lot that he could never go back to Cleveland," Byrne said. "He was deeply involved with the Cleveland Clinic [as president], and he could never go back there. He built the Hospice of the Western Reserve, and he couldn't go back there. All of his friends were there. But Art would admit, 'I did that, and I did it to my wife.' "

Modell died knowing he'd always be reviled in Cleveland, the city he adopted in 1961 when he purchased the Browns.

"I have a great legacy, tarnished somewhat by the move," he said in 1999. "The politicians and the bureaucrats saw fit to cover their own rear ends by blaming it on me."

Years after the move, in 2004, Modell revealed to a group of reporters that he was about to go bankrupt in Cleveland.

"I'll tell you one thing which I've never said before at any time," he said. "If I didn't move my team to Baltimore, my family would've gone to bankruptcy. I had to [move]. I couldn't afford it. You declare bankruptcy in the NFL, and it's an automatic revocation of your license. They strip you of the ballclub."

Modell insisted he didn't sell the team to good friend and minority owner Al Lerner because he wanted to pass it along to his sons. As it was, his debt continued to climb in Baltimore to an estimated $185 million, and he was forced to sell the Ravens anyway. Stephen Bisciotti, a Baltimore entrepreneur, purchased a minority share in 1999 for $275 million and assumed complete ownership in 2004 for an additional $325 million, leaving Modell an honorary 1 percent stake.

No regrets

But Modell, who survived two major heart surgeries and a life-threatening staph infection shortly after the move, was still majority owner when he hoisted the gleaming Lombardi Trophy after the 2000 season, another dagger in the heart of Browns fans.

"I don't look back with any regrets," Modell said during Super Bowl week. "I'm grateful for my life. My life was nip and tuck too many times, and I was able to survive. I live for my family -- my wife, my sons, their wives and, above all, my grandchildren."

He took some consolation over the years in the fact that he left the Browns' name and colors in Cleveland.

"I feel no vindication," he said after the Super Bowl victory. "I'm simply delighted, on behalf of my family, ecstatic that there is a football team in Cleveland called the Cleveland Browns, and they wear uniforms with seal brown and burnt orange colors, and they have the legacy of Jim Brown and Otto Graham and dozens of others, and above all, playing in a new stadium."

Hall of Fame?

It was the move to Baltimore that ultimately cost Modell a spot in the Pro Football Hall of Fame during his lifetime. A finalist in 2002, he made it to the list of 15. But at that point, candidates are presented to selectors, and Modell failed to make the cut to 10. Modell, who was also a semifinalist (final 25) in seven seasons between 2004 and 2011, is currently on the preliminary list of 75 candidates for the Class of 2013.

"In many ways, I think he does [belong in the Hall]," said former Browns left tackle Doug Dieken. "The money the players get today is a direct part of what he did [negotiating television contracts]. He won a championship here in '64 and won one with the Ravens. It probably wouldn't be a popular move here, but at some point, hopefully we win a championship and people will forget."

It's unclear if Modell's death will effect his chance of selection to the Hall.

"I don't know if it will have any real effect," said Joe Horrigan, vice president-communications/exhibits for the Hall of Fame and an NFL historian. "We ask selectors to vote based on a person's accomplishments throughout his career, so they'll determine he's either deserving or not. More so than his death, I think the passage of time will be a factor."

Hall of Fame voter Gary Myers of the New York Daily News, who has voted the past three seasons, said he'll vote for Modell anytime he's on the ballot.

"One owner, Al Davis, moved his team twice, and he's in the Hall of Fame," said Myers. "You can make the case that Art's contribution to the league are as profound as Al Davis'."

Former Colts General Manager Bill Polian said Wednesday, "The criteria is, can you write the history of the league without this person? And you can't write it without Art Modell."

The Modell legacy

Modell is widely credited with helping to increase the NFL's popularity through his work as chairman of the NFL's Television Committee from 1962 to '93. During his tenure, NFL TV contracts set the standard and records for the highest in sports history. He was the only elected NFL president in league history, serving in that capacity from 1967 to '69.

"Art Modell's leadership was an important part of the NFL's success during the league's explosive growth during the 1960s and beyond," NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said in a statement. "As the longtime chairman of the league's Broadcast Committee, Art was a visionary who understood the critical role that mass view of NFL games on broadcast television could play in growing the league. Art played important roles in many other league matters as a key adviser to [former commissioners] Pete Rozelle and Paul Tagliabue, and also built championship teams in Cleveland and Baltimore."

In 1970, he helped spawn ABC's "Monday Night Football" and volunteered to host the first game, a 31-21 victory over Joe Namath and the Jets.

"Eighty-five thousand people, largest crowd at a Cleveland sporting event, standing room only," recalled Byrne. "It was pretty cool."

In Cleveland, he was first vilified for firing the legendary Paul Brown but then somewhat vindicated when he won the 1964 world championship, the most recent time a Cleveland team has won a title. He wasn't in favor of cutting quarterback Bernie Kosar in 1993 but publicly supported coach Bill Belichick's decision to do it.

At the time, Browns fans thought it was the worst thing Modell could ever do.

They had no idea how wrong they were.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: mcabot@plaind.com, 216-999-4670

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

The catch against Miami (Ohio) was the best by a Buckeye since the columnist began covering the team in 1984.

View full sizeKyle Robertson, Columbus DispatchIt will be tough for any Buckeye to top this catch by Devin Smith.

COLUMBUS, Ohio — A great catch defies gravity, boundaries and defenders' obstruction.

A great catch makes you accuse your eyes of lying.

A great catch can inspire a team, ignite a crowd and transform a player.

Ohio State sophomore wide receiver Devin Smith made a great catch last Saturday against Miami (Ohio). It earned a two-page photo spread in the current Sports Illustrated. It was the top catch in the first week of college football, according to ESPN. It might turn out to be the best of the season.

Big-game context, of course, is what Smith's one-handed, back-of-end zone, beyond-belief catch lacks. It was not against Michigan, the ancient rival, or Wisconsin, the new one.

"We really try to evaluate, 'Who can make a big play?' I ask the question all the time, 'Who can physically score the touchdown?' I didn't know Devin Smith could. I have not seen it. Now I know he can," said coach Urban Meyer. "I'm not talking about the one [by Smith last season] against Wisconsin, where the guy scrambles the run, catches it and falls down. I mean, go make a touchdown."

I've been covering Ohio State football since Chris Spielman was a freshman. Here are the rankings of the best Buckeyes catches I have ever seen:

1. Devin Smith vs. Miami (Ohio), 2012: There have been many bigger catches, in terms of context, but none that was more difficult (see http://tinyurl.com/9n7ggzw). One demand of a great catch can be reacting to an off-line throw. A great touchdown catch also beats a great nonscoring catch, in my view.

On Smith's snag, the ball seemed so clearly overthrown that the Miami defender, playing behind him, extended his arms to try to make the interception. But a twisting Smith leaped backward, caught the ball with one hand and -- now for the surreal part -- never steadied it against his body, including on the landing.

"I finally saw some still shots of it, and that as a good a catch as I've ever seen," Meyer said.

2. Cris Carter, 1985 Citrus Bowl against Brigham Young: The catch is in the first 20 seconds of this clip (see www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Xu9SgfabTU). Said quarterback Jim Karsatos, "When I finally saw it on film, he was tiptoeing the sidelines, and he jumped up and caught the ball left-handed by the point of the football at least a yard out of bounds. Then he somehow levitated back in bounds to get both his feet in bounds. I swear to this day he actually levitated to get back in bounds. It just blew me away."

Carter will be in the Pro Football Hall of Fame someday. He had the best hands of any Ohio State player ever.

"One day, he caught a backhanded pass when it was 10 degrees outside, and everyone looked around like, 'What the heck was that?' " said Meyer, who was a graduate assistant when Carter played at OSU.

3. Anthony Gonzalez against Michigan, 2005: (See www.youtube.com/watch?v=HHjWpxcFWbE.)

Riding the shoulders of a Michigan defender, twisting to make the catch, then absorbing the hit and fall, Gonzalez's play was at least the equal of Troy Smith's play-extending, inside-out move against the Wolverines' pass rush. It made possible the Buckeyes' rally from a nine-point deficit with seven minutes to play.

4. Michael Jenkins' "Holy Buckeye" play against Purdue, 2002: Notable for artistry, context and poise, with quarterback Craig Krenzel checking down from covered tight end Ben Hartsock to Jenkins, the play included a route adjustment by the other wideout, Chris Gamble. (See my discussion of the play at http://tinyurl.com/6vkqhfd). Although it kept the perfect season alive, it is downgraded slightly since Krenzel's throw into the wind was right on the money.

5. Mayfield's Mike Lanese against Michigan, 1984: Lanese, a Rhodes Scholar, flew through the air to convert a third-and-11 on Mike Tomczak's off-target pass. The catch prolonged the drive that sent the Buckeyes to the Rose Bowl. The catch is about 61/2 minutes into the clip (see www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FGynpv8xCo).

Or how about Terry Glenn's 75-yard score against Pittsburgh in 1995? (See www.youtube.com/watch?v=rb-3Xvi591g.) Glenn was OSU's only Biletnikoff Award winner as college football's best wide receiver.

Or Jenkins' 45-yard snag in double-coverage to get OSU away from its own goal-line, enabling the Buckeyes to run out the clock in a 19-14 win at Wisconsin in 2002?

Or Chris Vance's catch (see www.youtube.com/watch?v=feBEFypINE8) at the end of a rout against Purdue in 2001? It lacked all big-moment context but still was remarkable.

Or Brian Robiskie's beneath-the-goalposts, end-zone catch (see www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCF_c49cc38) against Penn State in 2006? Troy Smith, however, made it happen by scrambling over the meadows and through the woods.

The question now is whether Devin Smith is a one-season wonder like Glenn, a one-hit wonder like Lanese, or another Jenkins or Carter in the making?

It's enough, though, to catch a rising star.

WADSWORTH, Ohio — Despite losing one of the best backs in Medina County history, Wadsworth coach Greg Dennison hasn't abandoned the running game. Two might not always be better than one, but it worked Friday.

Wadsworth Grizzlies

WADSWORTH, Ohio — Despite losing one of the best backs in Medina County history, Wadsworth coach Greg Dennison hasn't abandoned the running game.

Two might not always be better than one, but it worked Friday.

For the most part, Dennison and the Grizzlies kept things on the ground and were rewarded with an efficient 29-0 victory against county rival Medina in the final nonleague game for both schools.

Dennison went the two-for-one route in replacing the graduated Jack Snowball, who rushed for 2,595 yards in earning Division I Offensive Co-Player of the Year honors last year.

Juniors Martice Jackson and Scott Campbell took turns running over, around and through the Medina defense in helping the Grizzlies improve to 2-1 on the season.

The victory was the 125th for Dennison in his 18 seasons at Wadsworth.

Injuries, suspensions and illness can derail a football team, and that's what Medina (1-2) is going through. The Bees have lost two potential starters to knee injuries, and several players are still serving a five-game suspension for violating team rules. The Bees lost running back Emerson Buckland, a 6-1 senior, to an apparent knee injury with 16 seconds left in the opening quarter.

Dennison entered the game determined to establish the running game, something that was missing in last week's loss to Wooster.

"We knew we had to get back to being physical and win the line of scrimmage," said Dennison, whose team opens the Suburban League season by hosting Highland next week. "We kind of lost that last week against Wooster. Our kids responded. We had a good week of practice and came out and were physical."

The Grizzlies found it Friday, grinding out 336 yards of offense behind tackles Daryk Maki and Chandler Martinez, guards Connor Van Fleet and Alex Infantino and center Kegan Long, with all but 64 yards coming on the ground.

Jackson, who was the starting tailback as a freshman when Snowball suffered a season-ending knee injury but saw little playing time last year, was the workhorse. The 5-9, 198-pounder rushed for 146 yards and scored touchdowns on runs of 20 and 8 yards on 27 carries.

Campbell, 5-9, 181 pounds, did most of his work in the second half and finished with 85 yards and a 22-yard touchdown on 14 carries.

"Both Martice and Scott ran well," Dennison said. "They are good for one another. They push each other and compete. They make one another better."

The Grizzlies' defense was no-nonsense, holding the Bees to 96 yards of total offense. And it's tough to score when you don't have the football. Wadsworth ran 56 plays to 38 for the Bees.

Senior fullback Gunnar Graham scored Wadsworth's other touchdown on a 3-yard run in the second quarter, capping a five-play, 42-yard drive set up when the Grizzlies' defense stopped the Bees on a fourth-and-two.

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

On Twitter: @TimRogersPD

LORAIN, Ohio — Avon got the best of both football worlds on Friday night. The Eagles showed they can beat you running or passing the football as they were in control at Lorain, 40-14, in the independent game at George Daniel Stadium. Throw in solid defense, especially when it counted in the first half, and it showed how good...

Avon quarterback David Zeh. - (PD file photo)

LORAIN, Ohio — Avon got the best of both football worlds on Friday night.

The Eagles showed they can beat you running or passing the football as they were in control at Lorain, 40-14, in the independent game at George Daniel Stadium. Throw in solid defense, especially when it counted in the first half, and it showed how good the Eagles can be.

"We like to mix it up," said Avon senior quarterback David Zeh, who finished 16-for-22 for 218 yards and two touchdowns in three quarters of work. "We can play it fast or slow. The team is getting stronger. We got our guys back and that has my confidence up."

The Eagles (2-1) were at full strength for the first time this season as a reported 10 players were back in uniform after sitting out the first two games for a violation of team rules.

Avon showed its balance as the Eagles passed for 227 yards and ran for 228.

Senior running back/defensive back Ross Douglas carried the ball 16 times for 114 yards, scoring on runs of 1 and 7 yards. His 33-yarder in the second quarter keyed his first touchdown.

"We played a very good Lorain team and now we'll go on to next week," said Douglas, who has made a commitment to play at Michigan. "Last year we needed a field goal. This time we put it to them. It was a great team win."

The Eagles were on the board in less than three minutes as they covered 61 yards in five plays. Key plays were a 29-yard pass to senior Ralph Smith and an 11-yarder to junior Braeden Friss that got the final yards for the 6-0 lead.

The Titans answered with their best drive of the half as they kept the ball for 16 plays and 62 yards, but they gave up the ball on downs at the Avon 28.

Going to the running game with seniors Austin Bevins, Mark Kvach and Douglas, Avon covered 72 yards in 15 plays. Zeh got the score on a 6-yard run up the middle with nine minutes left in the first half.

On their next possession, the Eagles needed six plays to move 61 yards, Douglas busting loose for 33 yards on first down and Kvach gaining 27 yards on a screen pass to the Lorain 7.

Avon made it four scores on four possessions with a 75-yard drive, Zeh completing passes of 20 and 23 yards. He finished it off with a 13-yarder to Bevins coming out of the backfield with 2:35 left in the half.

Avon put up 334 yards of offense in the half, Lorain managing 74 yards.

"Week by week, we are getting better," said Avon senior nose tackle Jeremiah Burris, who anchored his club's defensive line. "It doesn't matter what personnel are out there."

Trailing, 35-0, the Titans (0-3) finally found some offense as they covered 73 yards in the third quarter. Sophomore quarterback Eddie Williams lofted a 17-yard scoring pass to sophomore Rashod Berry, who made a nice catch at the back of the end zone for the score with 1:17 left in the quarter.

Sophomore Sherman Saunders broke loose for a 56-yard touchdown run with 8:16 to play.

"I'm hoping our kids keep their confidence," said Lorain coach Mark Solis, whose club has played three very strong opponents. "We had opportunities to make some plays. Playing young guys, they are going to make mistakes."

The Titans finished with 240 yards of offense, Saunders gaining 144 yards on 18 carries.

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

On Twitter: @JoeMaxse

Left-hander David Huff, sitting in the visitor's locker room at Comerica Park on Wednesday, watched Oakland's Brandon McCarthy get hit in the head with a line drive. It brought back bad memories.

View full sizeDoug Duran, Contra Costa Times via MCT Athletics pitcher Brandon McCarthy holds his head after being hit with a line drive by the Angels' Erick Aybar in the fourth inning Wednesday in Oakland, Calif.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — David Huff sat in the visitor's locker room at Comerica Park before Wednesday's game against Detroit, watching the replays of Oakland right-hander Brandon McCarthy getting hit in the side of the head by a line drive off the bat of Angels shortstop Erick Aybar.

It brought back frightening memories.

"After being hit like I was, you're always concerned about what you went through and what another pitcher is going through," Huff said. "His injury was a lot more severe than mine."

McCarthy needed surgery after suffering an epidural hemorrhage, brain contusion and skull fracture.

On May 29, 2010, Huff was hit in the side of the head by an Alex Rodriguez line drive at Yankee Stadium. The ball glanced off his head and continued into right field for a double.

View full sizeAPDavid Huff

Huff was taken off the field on a stretcher, but he made his next start.

"It's a scary thing," Huff said. "You're only 60 feet away, and the ball is coming off the bat at 100 mph. You never know.

"You're up there trying to throw strikes. That's your main concern. You're concentrating on that. You can't be going up there saying, 'I might get hit if I throw this pitch.'

"But it does cross your mind. To see something like that happen is scary. My thoughts and prayers go out to him and his family."

No comment: Closer Chris Perez, after criticizing Indians ownership and the front office in a FOXsports.com story about the success that some small-market teams are having this year, told reporters Friday, "I'm not answering any questions."

Perez criticized Larry and Paul Dolan for not spending enough money to make the Indians competitive. He also criticized current General Manager Chris Antonetti and his predecessor, Mark Shapiro, for not making the right kind of deals.

Return engagement? Look for third baseman Lonnie Chisenhall to join the Indians as soon as Class AA Akron is done with the Eastern League playoffs. The Aeros lost the first two games against Bowie in the best-of-five series. Game 3 was Friday.

Manager Manny Acta said there has been discussion about letting Chisenhall play for Class A Lake County in the Midwest League playoffs. The Captains won their first-round series with a three-game sweep of Bowling Green, Ky.

"We have to make a decision if we're going to bring him here or continue to play him at Lake County," Acta said. "The fact is, he's not going to come here and play every day right off the bat. There's a very good chance we might add him on this trip."

The Indians opened a four-game series against the Twins at Target Field on Friday night. They continue a three-city trip with a three-game series against the Rangers in Arlington, Texas, starting Tuesday.

Chisenhall suffered a fractured right ulna bone above his wrist in late June when he was hit by a pitch. He needed surgery and is just now ready to play.

He was hitting .278 (20-for-72), with three homers and nine RBI, with the Indians at the time of the injury. He started the season at Class AAA Columbus, where he hit .314 (37-for-118), with four homers and 17 RBI in 30 games.

Looking ahead: Several Indians players are hoping to participate in next spring's World Baseball Classic. South Korea's Shin-Soo Choo is one of them.

"First, I want to concentrate on our team finishing strong in September before I start thinking about next year," Choo said. "The second thing is, I want to finish the season healthy. Then I'll think about it."

The last time Choo played with the Korean national team, he helped win the gold medal in the Asian Games in November 2010. As a reward, Choo didn't have to serve his required two years of military service.

"I really want to play because I have a lot of experience on the Korean national team," Choo said. "When you play for your country, it feels so much different than when you play in the regular season.

"At the end of the season, I'll think about it."

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

On Twitter: @hoynsie

See a photo gallery from the game here. MAPLE HEIGHTS, Ohio — The good life can be more difficult to maintain than achieve, and that's the next rung on the Chardon football ladder back to respectability.

Chardon's Reilly Hawkins goes airborne after getting tripped up by Maple Heights' Kent Staten in the first quarter Friday. - (Joshua Gunter, PD)

See a photo gallery from the game here.

MAPLE HEIGHTS, Ohio — The good life can be more difficult to maintain than achieve, and that's the next rung on the Chardon football ladder back to respectability.

"Now we have to handle success," Hilltoppers coach Mitch Hewitt told his players Friday following a 35-20 nonleague victory at Maple Heights.

Chardon is 3-0 for the first time since 2004, including victories against West Geauga and Kenston.

"We're doing better now, but we have to keep working and keep getting better," said Chardon fullback Matt Bolden, who rushed for 177 yards on 23 carries. "This is definitely a better feeling compared to being 1-3 or 1-2."

Bolden, a 6-1, 195-pound junior, proved to be yet another weapon in Chardon's deep wing-T backfield. He wasn't featured in the first two games, but he found plenty of room to run against Maple Heights' 4-4 defense.

The Hilltoppers chose not to challenge the speedy Mustangs on the edges early, handing off to Bolden up the middle off misdirection plays.

"The [isolation play] was open, and I had a feeling I'd be getting the ball," Bolden said. "A lot of things were open in the middle, and the line was doing a great job blocking people off the ball."

The edges were more available later for quick quarterback T.J. Benenati, who engineered a clinching, seven-minute touchdown in the fourth quarter after Maple Heights scored to pull within 28-20. Bolden and Benenati each converted a fourth down on the drive, and Roger Davis ran in from 8 yards out on third down for a 35-20 lead.

"I'm not a wing-T fan, but one thing I like about the wing-T is you can drain a whole quarter off the clock, and they're good at that," Maple Heights coach Devlin Culliver said. "They made the first downs when they needed to make them."

Culliver, in his first year at Maple Heights after coming over from Painesville Harvey, was reunited with former Harvey two-year starting quarterback Kaleb Coffee, who started Friday in his first game for the Mustangs. Culliver said Coffee's transfer was cleared by the Ohio High School Athletic Association last week.

After a slow start, Coffee energized the Mustangs (2-1). He completed 18-of-25 passes for 191 yards and one touchdown, and ran 19 times for 91 yards and two TDs. He ran and passed for all 67 yards of an 11-play scoring drive, including his 2-yard TD run on the last play of the third quarter.

Maple Heights made some key mistakes. Poor blocking on two punts set up short Chardon scoring drives in the first half. Maple also had a third-quarter touchdown pass nullified by a holding penalty and did not get any points off that drive. A high snap on fourth down ended the possession.

Chardon halfback Reilly Hawkins scored two touchdowns. His 9-yard sweep to the right broke a 6-6 tie, and his 3-yarder late in the second quarter gave Chardon a 21-12 lead.

The Hilltoppers begin Premier Athletic Conference play next week against Eastlake North before big games against Madison and Willoughby South. Hewitt was quick to caution his team not to get ahead of itself.

"As quick as we're on top, we could be down, so it's about being humble and respecting the process and at the same time understanding that winning and losing is very fragile," Hewitt said. "There were probably 10 plays in this game that decided the outcome."

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

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD

GRAFTON, Ohio — Talk about quick-strike. Midview quarterback Cody Callaway hooked up with receiver Eric Lauer for an 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play Friday night at Ross Field.

Midview

GRAFTON, Ohio — Talk about quick-strike.

Midview quarterback Cody Callaway hooked up with receiver Eric Lauer for an 80-yard touchdown pass on the first play Friday night at Ross Field.

It was the first of many big connections from Callaway to Lauer in the Middies' 37-27 nonleague football victory over Elyria in front of a standing-room-only crowd of about 4,500.

"It was just a great block on the outside from Zac Wilson," said Lauer, who finished with eight catches for 298 yards and two touchdowns. "This is a big win. We prepared all week for them. This is a big boost."

Callaway had similarly gaudy numbers, completing 19 of 36 passes for 441 yards and four touchdowns.

"The offensive line protected me great," Callaway said. "Their rush is all you hear about in the newspapers, with (Tracy) Sprinkle and a couple of the other guys. They're definitely a good football team and I respect them. I hope they respect us now that we played them."

Callaway put up numbers in the early going that seemed more appropriate for some kind of electronic game than high school football.

On the first play, Lauer took a short pass near the left sideline, broke one tackle, got a block from Wilson and was on his way.

"We had a good feeling coming in," Midview coach Bill Albright said. "The kids were relaxed. We had a great week of practice. Eric and Cody (played great). The rest of our receivers made some great catches and our offensive line did a fabulous job against a big Elyria defense."

On the first two plays of Midview's next series, Callaway completed a 30-yard pass to Lauer and a 29-yarder to Zach Bates.

A few plays later, Callaway was flagged for intentional grounding. It just gave him a few more yards to add to his total, as he completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to Wilson on fourth-and-goal. Elyria defender Shawn Masterson went for the interception and the ball just cleared his fingertips.

Midview (3-0) increased the lead to 17-0 on a 31-yard field goal by Brendan Matcham midway through the first quarter and 24-0 on a 4-yard touchdown run by Callaway with 11:18 left in the second quarter.

By that time, Callaway had passed for 251 yards.

Elyria came back with a much-needed score on its next possession. Sophomore quarterback Hunter Parsh completed all four of his passes during an 80-yard drive, finishing it off with an 18-yard pass to Da'Juan Glover.

Midview extended its lead to 31-7 late in the third quarter on a 35-yard pass from Callaway to Tyler Stephenson. That's when Elyria rallied.

Jumarr Lewis, taking over at quarterback for Elyria and running a wildcat offense, scored on a 71-yard run. Masterson blocked a Lauer punt minutes later and Sprinkle recovered it in the end zone for a touchdown, cutting Midview's lead to 31-21. After a Midview fumble, Jordan Connell scored Elyria's third touchdown in 3:15 to get the Pioneers within a score, trailing 31-27.

Elyria (2-1) had a chance to take the lead, moving to the Midview 18, but Jared Armstrong intercepted a Parsh pass on third-and-9 to end the threat. Lauer then got behind the Elyria defense for another big-play touchdown, this one 60 yards, to ice the victory.

"They wanted it a lot more than we did,"

Elyria coach Kevin Fell said. "We got in a hole and couldn't battle out. Give all the credit to Midview. Their quarterback looked great. They played a great football game."

Bob Migra is a freelance writer in Westlake.

GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — You would have a hard time convincing anybody that Shaw's football team didn't have a great season last year. But coach Rodney Brown and his Cardinals still think there is some unfinished business. Shaw compiled a 7-4 record in 2011 and upset defending state champion Maple Heights in the first round of the playoffs before...

Shaw

GARFIELD HEIGHTS, Ohio — You would have a hard time convincing anybody that Shaw's football team didn't have a great season last year. But coach Rodney Brown and his Cardinals still think there is some unfinished business.

Shaw compiled a 7-4 record in 2011 and upset defending state champion Maple Heights in the first round of the playoffs before being ousted by Tiffin Columbian in the second round.

In this young season, the Cardinals are 2-1 after Friday's 38-7 dismantling of host Garfield Heights, which is considered one of the favorites to win the Lake Division of the Northeast Ohio Conference. Shaw is a failed two-point conversion from being undefeated heading into next week's key Lake Erie League opener with Euclid.

"This year, we're a team," Brown said. "There's a cohesiveness that I really like. Last year, we had great senior leadership from William Woods, but these guys have aspirations of not only winning the LEL but also getting back to the playoffs and finishing what we started."

The Cardinals have excellent athletic ability throughout the roster, led by strong-armed quarterback Jacob King, who needs to develop touch on some of his throws but has the ability to be an outstanding passer. He completed only 2 of 14 attempts in the first half but came back with touchdown passes of 71 and 40 yards to Jackie Curry barely two minutes apart in the third period to break it open.

Curry rarely left the field and made several outstanding plays on both offense and defense. But perhaps his most important came on the fifth snap.

King threw an interception on the first play of the game, and the Bulldogs immediately drove down the field. Junior tailback Craig Sloan broke off a big gainer and was inside the Shaw 10-yard line when Curry came up and took the ball from him and raced 91 yards down the left sideline for the game's first score.

"That play changed everything," Curry said. "The back was carrying the ball loose, and I spied it out. I just went in and got the strip."

Four plays later, Shaw's Devonte Price returned an interception 44 yards for another score, meaning the Cardinals had run just one offensive play but had a 13-0 lead just 4:05 into the game.

"[Curry] is a very, very good player," Brown said. "My mouth was just hanging open watching him play. He single-handedly put us on his back and led us to victory. He's a special kid."

It was a difficult night for the Garfield Heights side. There were five turnovers, several penalties and not much to cheer about.

"What a game," Bulldogs coach Chuck Reisland said with a shake of his head. "We picked off the first ball, and then we fumble it in close. If we had gone in there . . . "

Sloan scored the lone touchdown for Garfield Heights on a 3-yard run early in the second period, cutting the margin to 19-7. But that was all the 1-2 Bulldogs could muster.

Shaw also got two scores from Antoine Barbee on runs of 3 and 8 yards.

Joe Magill is a freelance writer in Auburn Township.

Eyes Super Freaky posts his third win in a row and fourth in 10 starts.

NORTH RANDALL, Ohio — Eyes Super Freaky proved he's the distance champ at Thistledown, capturing the lengthy 1 1/4-mile $50,000 Governor's Buckeye Cup with Luis Gonzalez aboard for Louisville, Ohio, owner Randy Blevins.

"He's green and still learning to run," said trainer Gary King, "but Eyes Super Freaky can go forever. I was a little concerned, putting him in against a bunch of older horses, but I thought he'd do well after winning the $75,000 Cleveland Gold Cup [on July 12], a 1 1/16-mile race."

Next up, said King, is the $75,000 Best of Ohio Endurance on Oct. 12, another 1 1/4-mile distance test.

Eyes Super Freaky posted his third win in a row and fourth in 10 starts, pushing his season earnings to $77,630 after making only one start as a 2-year-old. The grey homebred son of Silver Wagon paid $6.80, 4.40, 3.00, followed by long shot Bold Captain ($21.20, 9.00), and Only Boy ($2.60).

Coming out of the starting gate, Gonzalez settled in on the outside with Eyes Super Freaky, letting Sneak a Cold Treat and Thats a Heckofacat duel for the early lead. The two early speedsters were side-by-side at the 3/4-mile pole when Gonzalez asked Eyes Super Freaky to make his move. The gelding moved up to third at the mile, then took over in the stretch for the win in 2:04.80.

"I thought the best early position for Eyes Super Freaky would be in the middle of the pack on the outside, where we wouldn't get into trouble," said Gonzalez. "We were fourth or fifth over much of the early going. I was patient, figuring Sneak a Cold Treat would be the horse we'd have to beat, and confident I'd have a lot of horse left at the end."

King said he has been training the sophomore for the distance races, a mainstay of the 3-year-old stakes, including swimming Eyes Super Freaky in the Thistledown pool.

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

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — The offense was effective, sometimes explosive, the defense was dominant and opportunistic, and Logan Paul and Shawn Turk each found the end zone twice. That was more than enough for Westlake to hold off a second-half rally by Rocky River, as the Demons stopped the Pirates, 29-13, in a nonleague football game at Rocky River...

ROCKY RIVER, Ohio — The offense was effective, sometimes explosive, the defense was dominant and opportunistic, and Logan Paul and Shawn Turk each found the end zone twice.

That was more than enough for Westlake to hold off a second-half rally by Rocky River, as the Demons stopped the Pirates, 29-13, in a nonleague football game at Rocky River Stadium on Friday.

The Demons (3-0) showed flashes of dominance, but recurring bad habits in the form of excessive and untimely penalties prevented Westlake from putting the game away early. Holding a 20-0 lead late in the second quarter, Westlake took over on their 41-yard-line and quickly advanced to the Rocky River 29 before the Demons self-destructed.

Westlake was whistled for five penalties on the drive -- two unsportsmanlike conduct/late hits, two delay-of-game penalties and one holding call -- and were ultimately pushed out of scoring range and forced to punt.

It was the second straight week the Demons struggled to keep the penalties under control, but coach Mark Campo is confident they will be able to clean up that area of their game.

"We're still shooting ourselves in the foot with penalties," Campo said. "I told the team that we can't do things like that against Southwestern Conference teams.

"They don't realize yet how good they could be if we just fix a few things. But that's a good thing -- they're fixable, and the guys are going to go back and work and we're going to go back and coach our fannies off and get ready on both sides of the ball."

The Westlake attack was paced by senior tailback Paul, who capped the Demons' opening drive with a 3-yard touchdown run, and then had a 60-yard touchdown run on Westlake's first play of the second quarter.

"Logan is a hard runner," Campo said. "He plays fast, he plays hard, he plays physical, he is on the field the whole time, and he's tough to bring down.

"We're trying to get him to run a little bit lower, but he's starting to figure it out, and he's definitely a weapon."

For the second straight week, Rocky River (1-2) struggled out of the gate before making a run in the second half, but once again the deficit was too big to overcome.

"We don't give up," Rocky River coach Rick Adams said. "I told [the team] I'm not questioning effort. We just have to come out and at the beginning of the game -- and at some point -- somebody has to step up and make a play.

"We've just got to come out and play four quarters."

Bill Mayville is a freelance writer in Parma Heights.

Akron now trails in the best-of-five Eastern League Western Division playoff series, 2-1.

View full sizeAPAkron pitcher Danny Salazar

Aeros 4, Baysox 3 Akron scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to defeat visiting Bowie and stay alive in the best-of-five Eastern League Western Division playoff series. The teams will play tonight in Akron with the Baysox ahead in the series, 2-1.

With Bowie ahead, 2-0, on Friday night, SS Davis Stoneburner (.667) doubled to lead off the sixth inning for Akron. After C Roberto Perez (.300) walked, RF Jordan Henry (.250) popped out to short. CF Tyler Holt (.364) singled to score Stoneburner and send Perez to third. DH Chun-Hsiu Chen (.000) walked to load the bases.

Baysox RF Ronnie Welty then made an error on a ball hit by 1B Jesus Aguilar (.222) to score Perez, and 2B Matt Lawson (.400) hit a sacrifice fly to score Holt. Chen scored on an error by 3B Zelous Wheeler to end the scoring.

Akron starter Danny Salazar (3.38) gave up two runs in 5 1/3 innings. Reliever Bryce Stowell (1-0, 5.40) pitched 1 innings to get the victory, while Preston Guilmet (0.00) pitched two perfect innings for the save.

Rodolph Austin and Luton Shelton scored from free kicks as Jamaica beat the United States 2-1 on Friday in a World Cup qualifier, giving the Reggae Boyz their first win over the Americans.

AP File PhotoIn this June 12, 2012, file photo, United States' Clint Dempsey, left, scores against Guatemala during a 2014 World Cup qualifying soccer match in Guatemala City. Dempsey scored 35 seconds into Friday's game at Jamaica, the fastest goal in U.S. history in a World Cup qualifier.

KINGSTON, Jamaica — Rodolph Austin and Luton Shelton scored from free kicks as Jamaica beat the United States 2-1 on Friday in a World Cup qualifier, giving the Reggae Boyz their first win over the Americans.

Clint Dempsey, playing his first competitive match in three months, put the U.S. ahead after just 35 seconds; the fastest American goal in a World Cup qualifier. But Jamaica, who had not won in 18 previous games against the U.S., scored in the 23rd and 62nd minutes.

Jamaica leads Group A with seven points, followed by the U.S. on four, with both having played three games. Guatemala, which has one point from its only game, was at home later Friday against Antigua and Barbuda, which has one point from two games.

The U.S. and Jamaica meet again on Tuesday at Columbus, Ohio. The top two teams from the group advance to next year's six-nation regional finals, which will produce three qualifiers for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

Missing injured Landon Donovan (hamstring) and Michael Bradley (thigh), the U.S. was dominated in midfield and now has a record of four draws and a loss from five games at The Office, as Independance Park is known.

The U.S. went ahead when Maurice Edu played a through pass to Herculez Gomez, whose initial shot and follow-up both were stopped by goalkeeper Dwayne Miller. The second shot rebounded to Dempsey, who scored from about 10 yards for his 28th international goal. He has scored in all three U.S. qualifiers this year.

Dempsey's previous match was a World Cup qualifier at Guatemala on June 12. Dempsey had held the record for fastest U.S. goal in a qualifier when he scored 53 seconds in against Barbados in 2008.

Dempsey moved from Fulham to Tottenham on Aug. 31 just before the transfer deadline closed and had missed the start of the English Premier League season while his club status was sorted out.

Jamaica increasingly dominated the midfield, and the Reggae Boyz equalized after a late tackle by Kyle Beckerman on Austin gave Jamaica a free kick about 28 yards out. Austin took the kick and his shot deflected off Beckerman's right foot on the defensive wall and past Howard.

Beckerman was replaced in the 58th minute by Danny Williams, who made his first competitive appearance for the U.S. Williams also had been eligible to play for Germany.

Dempsey nearly scored in the 44th minute. Michael Parkhurst crossed and Dempsey's sliding shot was stopped by Miller's sprawling save.

Jamaica took the lead after Austin was fouled by Edu. Shelton's free kick from about 25 yards went in just inside the post as Howard dived to his right. It extended Shelton's Jamaican tally to 34 international goals.

Right back Steve Cherundolo was left out because of a strained right calf, further depleting a the U.S. lineup. Captain Carlos Bocanegra, who transferred last week from fourth-tier Glasgow Rangers to Spanish second-tier club Racing Santander, was benched.

Below is a look at some of the top Week 3 performers from Friday night. Vote for your favorite in our online poll below on this webpage. Each week, voting is open until Wednesday at noon.

Chagrin Falls quarterback Tommy Iammarino is one of 10 area players up for the Week 3 Game Balls contest.

Below is a look at some of the top Week 3 performers from Friday night.

Vote for your favorite in our online poll below on this webpage. Each week, voting is open until Wednesday at noon.

The winner receives a Game Balls T-shirt. See who won every Thursday in The Locker Room.

The players in this week's contest: 

Tra’Von Chapman, Kent Roosevelt 

Khoury Crenshaw, Solon

Jake Czerwinski, Aurora

Mitchell Guadagni, Hudson

Jeremy Holley, Elyria Catholic

Tommy Iammarino, Chagrin Falls

Travis Tarnowski, North Royalton

Clayton Uecker, SVSM

Joe Vuraich, Wickliffe

Dorian Williams, Streetsboro 

Plain Dealer Ohio State reporter Doug Lesmerises puts today's matchup -- and the future -- into focus.

Snapshot: Offense

Statistically, most football teams evaluate a big play as anything that gains at least 20 yards. Visually and emotionally, you know it when you see it.

Seeking out those plays -- not just accepting them as they come -- is a major part of the Ohio State offense, something the Buckeyes did in the first week against Miami (Ohio), and something they need to do even more today against Central Florida.

"We've got those guys all over the board," OSU sophomore receiver Evan Spencer said. "It's just a matter of getting the ball in our hands and making a play."

So far, the Buckeyes are on the right track. They had eight big plays from scrimmage in the opener, four passing and four running. In 13 games last season, they had 50 such plays, 25 each running and passing. That is an average of less than four per game.

One game in, the big plays have doubled.

Devin Smith made a 23-yard, spectacular, one-handed catch last week that stole the show, but Spencer also made a leaping 44-yard grab to the 1-yard line.

"It's physical and mental," Spencer said. "You've got to mentally trust yourself to go up and make a play, and physically, you've got to distort your body in different ways in order to go up and make it."

Both were more created than designed, but first-year coach Urban Meyer is constantly on the lookout for players who can regularly manufacture amazing.

"We really try to evaluate who can make a big play," Meyer said. "I ask the question all the time: 'Who can physically score the touchdown?' I didn't know Devin Smith could. I have not seen it, now I know he can.

"I'm not talking about [Smith's game-winning 40-yard catch last season] against Wisconsin where the guy scrambles the run, catches it and falls down. I mean go make a touchdown. I think Carlos Hyde can. I think Braxton Miller can. To see Evan Spencer go up, we had to see him do that.

"We're still trying to figure out who can score a touchdown. Not who can score, but who can go make a touchdown, and that's what we're trying to still figure out. The good news is I think we have a couple guys that can do that."

Snapshot: Defense

On the other side of the ball, the Buckeyes gave up three big plays from scrimmage against Miami -- all in the passing game -- two of them 42-yard and 58-yard completions in the first quarter created by miscommunication in the OSU secondary. Members of the group were in disagreement as to what coverage the Buckeyes were in.

That was a huge deal, because the same thing happened too often in 2011.

"It was an 'uh-oh' moment," said OSU junior safety Christian Bryant, who didn't seem to be involved in either mistake. "A couple of guys were like, 'We can't have what happened last year.' So we just came together as a group."

The Buckeyes adjusted, with Bryant and cornerbacks Bradley Roby and Travis Howard earning winning grades from the coaches for their performances. But while Miami turned those two big plays into just three points, UCF is capable of

capitalizing on similar problems.

Images of Urban

Several Buckeyes provide insight into how to gain Meyer's trust, but few show it as well as backup quarterback Kenny Guiton. The junior is a player Meyer viewed as an afterthought when he arrived in Columbus, and now Meyer has taken to calling him "Coach Guiton."

"I feel like it's a sign of respect, just saying that I know my stuff basically, so that's cool," Guiton said.

When starter Miller went out with cramps in the third quarter last week, Meyer had confidence when he put Guiton in the game.

"Coach Meyer has a great relationship with both of the quarterbacks, and I like being around him," Guiton said. "He gives great tips. He's seen everything and he's been in the game for a while, and it's great to have him on our side. He calls me 'Coach' now, so I feel like I need to keep moving up on that. I want to let him know that I can actually do the things that, if he's going to call me 'Coach,' I can be that one day."

For now, all Meyer must do is have confidence if and when he calls Guiton into the game.

Focus on 2013

As a tight end and pass catcher, fifth-year senior Jake Stoneburner seems to fit the Meyer offense. But when he's gone after this season, the Buckeyes believe they have two options for that role in sophomore Jeff Heuerman and redshirt freshman Nick Vannett. Heuerman may be the better blocker, Vannett the better receiver. Vannett had two catches in his OSU debut last week.

Out of Westerville Central High in the Columbus suburbs, Vannett committed to Ohio State when Jim Tressel was still around, despite having concerns about how little the tight end was thrown to in that offense.

"It couldn't have worked out any better," Vannett said of his role in the new scheme. "In high school, I was so used to playing all over the place -- in the slot, lined up to the tackle, out wide. Now that we run a similar offense here, I just feel comfortable. I think I'm able to showcase my skills doing that. I couldn't be happier."

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