Thanks to big plays and the return of Joe Haden, the Browns snapped their 0-5 skid and beat the Bengals, 34-24. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- It was a birthday bash for Brandon Weeden, a sendoff soiree for Randy Lerner, a housewarming party for Jimmy Haslam and a welcome-back celebration for Joe Haden all rolled into one.

En route to their thrilling 34-24 win over the Bengals, the Browns avoided losing a franchise record 12 straight games, snapped their NFL-long 12-game losing streak in the division, handed coach Pat Shurmur his first AFC North victory and gave Haslam something to boast about heading into his big approval vote Tuesday in Chicago.

"Oh my goodness, it was like a big weight off everybody’s shoulders," said Haden, who returned from his four-game suspension. "It felt like we won the Super Bowl, honestly. Everybody’s excited. I’m just so happy that it was the game that I came back, and we just made it happen."

At least half a dozen Browns players were kind and generous enough to bring huge gifts to the multi-purpose celebration:

• Haden gave his downtrodden defense a huge emotional lift, intercepting a third-quarter pass to set up a TD, finishing second on the team with seven tackles and breaking up three passes. A.J. Green caught seven passes for 135 yards and two TDs — including a 57-yarder in the fourth quarter that made things tense, but Haden kept his teammates buoyed.
• Josh Gordon made a spectacular one-handed grab for a 71-yard TD that pulled the Browns even at 7-7 just nine seconds into the second quarter.
• Josh Cribbs froze the Bengals with a "stay-away" hand motion on a punt return and ran it back 60 yards to set up a third-quarter field that pulled the Browns within 14-10.
• Montario Hardesty dusted himself off, replaced an injured Trent Richardson, rushed for 56 yards and his first NFL touchdown, leaping up and over for a 1-yard score that put the Browns up for good, 20-14, four seconds in the fourth quarter.
• Ben Watson caught his first TD of the season, a 3-yarder to make it 27-17, after fellow tight end Jordan Cameron caught a 23-yard pass on — guess what? — a third-and-1 play.
• Sheldon Brown, who stood reluctantly on the sidelines the first game against the Bengals, stepped in front of Brandon Tate to swipe a pass and return it 19 yards for a TD that blew the game open, giving the Browns a 34-17 lead with 7:50 remaining.
• Defensive end Emmanuel Stephens preserved the victory by strip-sacking Dalton after he had moved the Bengals to the Browns’ 9 with Cincinnati trailing, 34-24, with over two minutes remaining. Billy Winn recovered and returned the fumble 35 yards. For good measure, Usama Young picked off Dalton in the end zone with six seconds left.

"This game, it kind of felt like we were gonna win from the start," said Cribbs. "I don’t know what it was about the day, we just felt it. This was our day, this was our win and I think it’s going to start now. I think we’re onto something. We’re clicking on all levels now."

The only slight downer in the euphoric locker room was the sight of Richardson slowly pulling on his clothes and walking gingerly to the interview room, obviously trying to hide the pain. Richardson, who touched the ball on the first four plays and was prepared for a monster game, took a helmet to his side on the opening drive, and suffered a rib injury. He’ll undergo an MRI tomorrow. He tried to gut it out, and but after missing a key block on a third-and-1 play in the third that resulted in Weeden getting sacked, Richardson was done.

Still, he put on a brave face at the podium and said he’ll be back next week. More than anything, he was happy for his teammates.

"It just shows what the sky is for," said Richardson. "The sky is the limit for us and it shows that we can accomplish a lot as long as we stick together and believe."

The players were inspired by a sign on the closed end that read: "11-5 starts today.’’

"It says they never give up," said Cribbs. "We were 0-5 and they’re still packing the house. That’s why this is Believeland and we’re right there with them."

Weeden, who turned 29, fulfilled his pledge to subdue his ego and not throw costly picks. He threw one — on his opening drive — but it came on a tipped ball. Dalton cashed in with a 55-yard TD pass to tight end Jermaine Gresham to put Cincy up 7-0. They also led, 14-7, after Green’s 4-yard TD catch, but the Browns scored on four straight second-half possessions to put it away. Weeden also overcame a dry spell of seven straight drives without a first down.

"A win like this really helps a young quarterback," said Brown. "It gives him the confidence that he can win. I think that’s the biggest thing. Because in this league, your quarterback play, that’s more important than anything."

To a man, the players attributed much of their surge to Haden’s return. The defense forced four turnovers and won the turnover battle, 4-1.

"He sparked everyone today," said D’Qwell Jackson. "Just the intensity that he brings and the all-out effort he approaches every day with, it rubs off on you. He was all over the field."

Even at the end, after Haden had given up the 57-yard TD to let the Bengals get within 34-24 with 5:21 left, he inspired the troops.

"We were saying ‘Stop the bleeding, don’t give up,’¤’’ said Haden. "Everybody was like, ‘No, we’re not going to lose this game.’ At the end, sack, fumble — we just were so excited because we weren’t going to let ourselves lose."

Weeden called Cribbs’ 60-yard return the biggest play of the game, while several defenders said they thought the biggest play was Brown’s pick-six.

"All I heard was a loud thump and Sheldon was running to the end zone," said safety T.J. Ward. "It was great. Sheldon is one of the biggest leaders on our team. You know you can count on him."

After the game, Haslam was in the locker room cheering on the guys and congratulating Shurmur.

"He was excited," said Jackson. "He’s a fan. He knows every one of us. You can tell he’s going to be around. It’s going to be a good thing. Hopefully we can string some more wins, keep him around here and hopefully we keep this thing the way it is."

Sunday’s victory felt like maybe they finally got this party started.

Cavs coach Scott has been impressed with Zeller, the 7-foot center who was Cleveland's second first-round draft pick. Cavs must reduce roster by two to reach regular season limit of 15 players. More Cavaliers story links.

Cleveland's Tyler Zeller and Washington's Earl Barron fight for a rebound during the Cavs' 99-95 preseason loss to the Wizards on Saturday at Quicken Loans Arena. Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Cavaliers play their fifth of seven preseason games tonight, meeting the Orlando Magic at US Bank Arena in Cincinnati.

The Cavaliers open their 43rd NBA season on Oct. 30, when they host the Washington Wizards at Quicken Loans Arena.

Plain Dealer and cleveland.com Cavaliers coverage includes Mary Schmitt Boyer's story that former Cavs coach Mike Fratello says fans need to give Cleveland guard Dion Waiters -- the fourth overall pick in the 2012 NBA draft -- time to adjust to the NBA.

Waiters is from Syracuse. Center Tyler Zeller of North Carolina was the Cavaliers' second first-round draft pick in June, the 17th overall selection.

Bob Finnan writes for the News-Herald and Lorain Morning Journal that Cavs coach Byron Scott is happy with Zeller's play during training camp:

After seeing Tyler Zeller up close and personal for the first two weeks of training camp, Cavaliers coach Byron Scott’s opinion remains the same.

“He’s basically everything that we thought: A big man who can run the floor, knock down shots, a good passer, just a good, all-around basketball player,” Scott said. “That’s what Tyler is. I think he’ll get better and better as the year goes on.”

The 7-foot, 250-pound Zeller has averaged 8.0 points, 4.8 rebounds, 1.3 assists and 24.5 minutes played in the Cavaliers' four preseason games. He's made 50 percent of his field goal attempts (11 of 22) and 67 percent of his free throws (10 of 15).

Cavaliers story links

The Cavs need to reduce their roster by two, to 15 players, for the regular season. The decisions won't be simple. (By Jason Lloyd, Akron Beacon Journal)

Previewing the Cleveland Cavaliers, who could have a tremendous backcourt with Kyrie Irving and Dion Waiters. (By Sean Deveney, SportingNews.com)

Guard-forward Kelenna Azubuike, who is trying a comeback after his promising career was sidetracked by knee problems, is waived by the Cavaliers. (Fear The Sword/SB Nation)

Video: Backup point guard Donald Sloan talks with Cavs' television play-by-play announcer Fred McLeod following Monday's shootaround. (nba.com/cavaliers)

The primary Cavs training camp story-lines. (Bleacher Report)

The Cavs are hoping that Dion Waiters can emerge as a big-time player. (rantsports.com)

(Previous week's ranking in parentheses) 1. St. Ignatius, 8-0 (1): At Cincinnati St. Xavier on Saturday.

Twinsburg makes its debut this season in The Plain Dealer's Top 25 football poll after defeating Solon last week. - (Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer)

(Previous week's ranking in parentheses)

1. St. Ignatius, 8-0 (1): At Cincinnati St. Xavier on Saturday.

Wildcats sent St. Francis back to New York smarting after a 56-0 spanking.

2. St. Edward, 8-0 (2): At Cincinnati Archbishop Moeller on Saturday.

Eagles' late-game stop on their own 5-yard line preserved a 27-16 win over St. Xavier.

3. Mentor, 7-1 (3): Hosts Strongsville on Friday.

Cardinals scored every time they had the ball in the first half in a win at Medina.

4. St. Vincent-St. Mary, 7-1 (4): At Massillon on Friday.

Parris Campbell rushed for 123 yards, three TDs in a rout over Barberton.

5. Willoughby South, 8-0 (5): Hosts Riverside on Friday.

Rebels need to stay focused because Riverside presents the perfect trap game.

6. Chagrin Falls, 7-1 (7): Hosts Orange on Friday.

Tigers scored 21 fourth-quarter points to put West Geauga away, 30-16.

7. North Royalton, 8-0 (6): At Stow on Friday.

Bears stayed unbeaten but it wasn't easy in a thriller over Cuyahoga Falls.

8. Hudson, 7-1 (8): Hosts No. 15 Elyria on Friday.

Explorers' defense held Mayfield to 82 first-half yards, then the offense did the rest.

9. Aurora, 7-1 (9): Hosts Harvey on Friday.

Romel Pollard, Brett Rodgers and Nate Sotka paced Greenmen's defense in romp over Perry.

10. Nordonia, 7-1 (10): At Highland on Friday.

Knights' second-half dominance helped bury Revere, stay unbeaten in Suburban League.

11. Avon, 7-1 (12): At Rocky River on Friday.

It was smooth sailing for Eagles in a 49-20 victory at Vermilion.

12. Midview, 7-1 (13): Hosts Elyria Catholic on Friday.

Eric Lauer's one-hand grab sparked Middies in West Shore Conference win over Lakewood.

13. Euclid, 5-3 (14): At Maple Heights on Friday.

Panthers bounced back from loss to Warren Harding in a 62-40 rout of Lorain.

14. Elyria, 6-2 (16): At No. 8 Hudson on Friday.

Pioneers turned in a complete-game effort in their 49-13 dusting of Stow.

15. Twinsburg, 5-3 (--): Hosts Medina on Friday.

Tigers off to 3-0 start in Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division, including wins over Solon, Brunswick.

16. Brunswick, 5-3 (11): Hosts Solon on Friday.

Blue Devils snapped two-game losing streak with win over archrival Strongsville.

17. Cleveland Heights, 6-2 (15): Hosts Lorain on Friday.

Tigers' postseason chances in question after Lake Erie League loss at Warren Harding.

18. Westlake, 7-1 (18): Hosts Berea on Friday.

Logan Paul's 265-yard, career rushing effort pushed Demons past Midpark in huge league victory.

19. Avon Lake, 6-2 (19): Hosts Olmsted Falls on Friday.

Shoremen's David Winkel-to-Jimmy Hessel combo too much for Brecksville in a 31-21 win.

20. Kirtland, 8-0 (17): At Beachwood on Saturday.

Hornets stung Berkshire with 537 total yards in a 51-12 win.

21. Glenville, 6-2 (20): Plays Lincoln-West on Friday at Collinwood.

Tarblooders' 42-0 win over John F. Kennedy means they haven't been scored on in Senate Athletic League.

22. Kenston, 6-2 (22): At West Geauga on Friday.

Bombers' weeklong film sessions will teach them one thing -- don't overlook Wolverines.

23. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, 6-2 (24): At Padua on Friday.

Lions went to the airwaves, passing for 284 yards in a win over Archbishop Hoban.

24. Kent Roosevelt, 7-1 (25): At Norton on Friday.

Rough Riders' high-octane offense was at it again in blowout victory over Springfield.

25. Mogadore, 8-0 (--): At Southeast on Friday.

Wildcats hold 327-123 scoring advantage, including two shutouts, in another banner year.

Dropped out: Chardon, Shaker Heights.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here's how a state panel of sports writers and broadcasters rates Ohio high school football teams in the sixth weekly Associated Press poll of 2012, by Ohio High School Athletic Association divisions, with won-lost record and total points (first-place votes in parentheses). DIVISION I

St. Ignatius (first) and St. Edward (second) are now the top two teams in the Division I state poll after Cincinnati Colerain fell one spot. - (Tim Harrison, Special to The Plain Dealer)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here's how a state panel of sports writers and broadcasters rates Ohio high school football teams in the sixth weekly Associated Press poll of 2012, by Ohio High School Athletic Association divisions, with won-lost record and total points (first-place votes in parentheses).

DIVISION I

1, St. Ignatius (21) 8-0 238

2, St. Edward (2) 8-0 206

3, Cin. Colerain (1) 8-0 199

4, Dublin Coffman (1) 8-0 153

5, Tol. Whitmer 8-0 136

6, Willoughby South 8-0 96

7, Pickerington N. 8-0 89

8, W. Chester Lakota W. 8-0 63

9, Mentor 7-1 44

10, Austintown-Fitch 7-1 34

Others receiving 12 or more points: 11, Hilliard Darby 24. 12, Springboro 20. 13, Can. GlenOak 19. 14, Massillon 15. 15, North Royalton 14.

DIVISION II

1, Tol. Cent. Cath. (21) 8-0 246

2, Cin. Turpin 8-0 204

3, Tiffin Columbian (1) 8-0 180

4, Dresden Tri-Valley (2) 8-0 156

5, Aurora (1) 7-1 115

6, Zanesville 7-1 102

7, Pataskala Licking Hts. 8-0 83

8, Mansfield Sr. 7-1 61

9, Cin. NW 8-0 44

10, Trotwood-Madison 6-2 34

Others receiving 12 or more points: 11, Avon 29. 12, New Philadelphia 21. 13, Chardon 18. 14, Cin. Mt. Healthy 16. 15, Tipp City Tippecanoe 12.

DIVISION III

1, Alliance Marlington (16) 8-0 223

2, Kettering Alter (5) 7-0-1 213

3, Napoleon 7-0-1 158

4, Chagrin Falls (1) 7-1 153

5, Day. Thurgood Marshall (2) 7-1 150

6, Bryan 8-0 110

7, St. Vincent-St. Mary (1) 7-1 102

8, Millersburg W. Holmes 7-1 84

9, Bellevue 7-1 73

10, Niles McKinley 7-1 32

Others receiving 12 or more points: 11, Urbana 15.

DIVISION IV

1, Cols. Hartley (15) 8-0 228

2, Ottawa-Glandorf 8-0 188

3, Creston Norwayne (5) 8-0 186

4, Clarksville Clinton-Massie (2) 8-0 177

5, Brookfield (2) 8-0 137

6, Genoa Area 8-0 127

7, St. Clairsville (1) 8-0 118

8, Richwood N. Union 8-0 77

9, Cols. Ready 7-1 41

10, Williamsport Westfall 7-1 35

Others receiving 12 or more points: 11, W. Salem NW 12.

DIVISION V

1, Coldwater (17) 8-0 239

2, Kirtland (7) 8-0 214

3, Lima Cent. Cath. (1) 8-0 191

4, Columbiana Crestview 8-0 140

5, Sugarcreek Garaway 8-0 133

6, Northwood 8-0 101

7, Covington 8-0 90

8, Louisville Aquinas 7-1 48

9, Cuyahoga Heights 7-1 37

10, Youngs. Ursuline 5-3 29

Others receiving 12 or more points: 11, Bucyrus Wynford 25. 12, Lucasville Valley 23. 13, Cin. Summit Country Day 19. 13, Archbold 19. 15, Day. Christian 15. 16, Wheelersburg 14. 17, Oak Hill 13.

DIVISION VI

1, Mogadore (20) 8-0 239

2, McComb (2) 8-0 203

3, Ada 8-0 183

4, Leipsic 8-0 159

5, Malvern 7-1 110

6, Shadyside 8-0 103

7, Newark Cath. (1) 7-1 99

8, Maria Stein Marion Local (1) 6-2 71

9, Zanesville Rosecrans 7-1 66

10, Fremont St. Joseph 7-1 48

Others receiving 12 or more points: 11, Warren JFK 17. 12, Danville (1) 15.

The rookie's status is unknown for Sunday's game against Indianapolis. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- Trent Richardson suffered a rib injury in the Browns' win over Cincinnati, and his status for Sunday's game at Indianapolis is uncertain.

The rookie running back absorbed a helmet hit to his right side in the first quarter and sustained a "rib cartilage" injury. He was expected to undergo magnetic imaging testing early on Monday. Coach Pat Shurmur said Richardson is day to day as the Browns look to win their second straight against the Colts.

Richardson said Sunday that despite the pain he believes he will play on Sunday. He's likely to be limited in practice this week. He managed 37 yards rushing on 14 carries before departing the Bengals' game in the third quarter. His last snap came on a failed attempt to block Robert Geathers, who sacked quarterback Brandon Weeden.

The Browns received a big boost from Montario Hardesty, who ran for 56 yards and a touchdown in his first carries this season. The ground game could be crucial against the Colts, who rank 26th against the run and allowed 252 rushing yards to the New York Jets in a 35-9 loss.

Shurmur praised the performance of Hardesty on Monday in his news conference. The team returns to practice on Wednesday.

"If we want to strictly talk about Montario, he was running the ball hard and he was making quick decisions and he was gettin' it and hittin' it," Shurmur said. "I was very impressed with his running style last night."

Weeden escapes injury: Weeden said he felt fine Monday, after having his ankle stepped on by a Bengals lineman. Weeden was momentarily hobbled, but never missed a play.

"There's nothing there," he said.

Savoring a win: After the game, Weeden celebrated his 29th birthday with a dinner in the company of his wife and in-laws. He saw a noticeable difference in the city's disposition following a Browns' win.

"The morale was a lot better," he said. "There were some excited people. People were great. Really friendly and congratulating and really excited about what we were able to do. It just showed the passion this town has and I'd love to win a lot more because it's a lot more fun going out to eat and being around people when you win games."

Weeden completed 17 of 29 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns to go along with an interception and a 92.7 passer rating. He's hoping the season's first victory gives the Browns a bounce.

"The taste of winning, the feeling of walking in that locker room after you win a game, that never gets old," he said. "There's nothing that can replace that feeling. ... It's got to give us confidence, guys are real excited to be here. It's a lot more fun today. Guys are joking, laughing, having a good time versus losing a game."

Outgoing owner: Randy Lerner, whose run as majority owner ends Tuesday, sent Shurmur a congratulatory email after his first win of the season. The coach said he and Lerner frequently have exchanged texts.

Long ball catcher: Josh Gordon has just 12 receptions, but he's making them count. He leads the NFL with a 22.8-yard reception average for players having at least 10 catches.

Taylor getting close: Defensive tackle Phil Taylor could return to practice this week having recovered from a torn pectoral muscle. Once he begins practicing, the Browns have 21 days to either activate him or put him on the injured-reserve list.

"I'll let that play itself out here," Shurmur said. "But he's absolutely where we thought he would be at this point. We are going to get him going here soon."

Quotable: Shurmur was asked about what the victory meant: "This isn't about me. This is about my players. This is about our city. This is about trying to build a consistent winner.

"It's our first win in a long time. I think we've been building up to it. I've sat here and said I think we're getting better. It's easy for folks to roll their eyes until you win a game. Now that we've won one, I want our players to get greedy with that feeling and go out and try to win against the Colts."

Deflected passes: Weeden had three passes batted by Bengals defensive linemen and one produced a first-quarter interception by Michael Johnson. It has become a recurring problem in recent weeks.

"You know, it's tough," Weeden said in a conference call. "Sometimes when guys don't really rush, they're coached to stick their arms up and try to get in throwing lanes. As a quarterback, it's tough ... you're trying to pull the trigger and it's tough to throw around guys. I'd like to throw a curveball like in baseball, but it's not that easy."

Shurmur said the 6-3 Weeden simply can't throw over the long arms of the defensive linemen. "It's not a mechanics issue," Shurmur said. "You typically want to throw in windows. ... It's a coordinated effort. You throw balls in all areas of the field. You want to throw in windows. You want to get their hands down with some of the quick throws."

Cavaliers were moved by visit to Cincinnati's Underground Railroad Freedom Center.

View full sizeMarvin Fong, PD fileA chance to experience some American history at Cincinnati's Underground Railroad Freedom Center left an impression on the Cavaliers' Daniel Gibson.

CINCINNATI, Ohio -- Daniel Gibson was moved by the Cavaliers' visit to the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center here Sunday afternoon.

The team arranged for a private tour after the Cavs arrived for Monday's game against Orlando at U.S. Bank Arena.

"Just had a powerful visit to the Freedom Center in Cincy," Gibson tweeted on Sunday. "Special thank you for opening your doors to us. #Inspired."

He also tweeted a picture he called a "powerful image from the museum that impacted me the most." It showed slaves emerging from their chains and the sea toward freedom.

"When I saw the picture, I started to visualize how that might have been or how that might have felt, being taken from a place where you were comfortable and forced onto a ship, taken across these miles, with no food, smashed into a small area where people were just on top of each other," Gibson said. "I'm sure there was a lot of sickness and hunger and pain. I think the pictures did a great job of depicting how bad they wanted to be free."

Monday evening, he and Donald Sloan were still talking about it and looking at the pictures they'd taken on their phones. Asked if all the players were as moved as he'd been, Gibson said, "I believe so....You could hear a pin drop."

Been there, done that: Byron Scott doesn't really know new Orlando coach Jacque Vaughn, but he has been where Vaughn is now.

Scott started his coaching career in Cleveland as LeBron James departed for Miami. Vaughn will take over an Orlando team missing Dwight Howard.

"He's walking in almost exactly like I did," Scott said. "We had no attachment to the situation prior to getting there."

Asked what advice he'd give Vaughn, Scott said, "Just understand it's a process. It's going to take some time. Just stay very diligent in what you're doing and just keep going forward."

On Twitter: @pdcavsinsider

Scott Fujita has been embroiled in the New Orleans bounty system probe.

Browns linebacker Scott Fujita (99, hitting Ravens QB Joe Flacco) may be facing a career-ending neck injury. AP file

BEREA, Ohio -- Scott Fujita, who’s experienced so much off-the-field turmoil in the past six months, may have his season and career cut short by a neck injury.

A source confirmed to The Plain Dealer on Monday night the 33-year-old Browns linebacker is consulting a specialist. Some have speculated Fujita was mulling retirement after the 2012 schedule, but this is not how he would want his 11-year career to end.

Neither Fujita nor his agent Don Yee could be reached for comment Monday by The Plain Dealer.

It’s unclear when the injury occurred, but the outside linebacker missed Sunday’s game against Cincinnati with what the club termed a “shoulder/neck” injury. Rookie James-Michael Johnson made his first career start in Fujita’s absence and likely will get the assignment versus Indianapolis this week.

News of Fujita’s injury being career threatening was first reported by ESPN’s Chris Mortensen.

Fujita has started four games this season while making as much news for his ongoing legal battle with the NFL concerning his alleged role in the New Orleans Saints bounty probe. He had his suspension reduced from three games to one last week, but he remains locked in a battle with league commissioner Roger Goodell as he tries to clear his name of any wrongdoing in the high-profile probe.

Fujita accused Goodell of abusing his power in the case a day after the commissioner admitted there was no evidence to prove the 11-year veteran had contributed to a pay-to-injure pool. Fujita, a member of the NFL Players Association executive committee, has maintained his innocence since the league suspended four players in May. He played for the Saints from 2006-09 and won a Super Bowl in his final season with the club. He signed a three-year deal with the Browns in 2010.

A week ago, the linebacker was angered by the “condescending tone” he said Goodell took in a letter announcing his penalty reduction. The commissioner expressed his “disappointment” in Fujita for not doing more to stop other former Saints teammates from participating in the program.

“For him to come out and say he was disappointed in me for not standing up to my coach,” Fujita said last Wednesday. “I haven’t had someone tell me they were disappointed in me since I was 12 years old, and that was my father.”

Fujita made the comments after practice. A few hours later, it was revealed he had been limited in training due to a shoulder injury. He then missed practice Thursday and Friday for a “shoulder-neck” injury.

The Browns (1-5) have been plagued with injuries on defense from prior to the start of training camp. They lost linebacker Chris Gocong to season-ending Achilles surgery in August. The Browns have been relying on undrafted youngsters such as Craig Robertson and L.J. Fort at linebacker.

Johnson returned to the lineup two weeks ago after missing a month with an oblique/rib injury. He appeared primarily on special teams in the Oct. 7 loss to the New York Giants, but participated in 21 of the 74 defensive snaps against the Bengals, making two tackles.

“I felt like I got the rust off through the week of practice,” Johnson said after the game. “I played OK, but I can play better though.”

Browns President Mike Holmgren will not be present for Jimmy Haslam's approval vote on Tuesday.

When Jimmy Haslam's purchase of the Browns is ratified by the NFL on Tuesday, it will occur without the presence of team president Mike Holmgren (right). Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer

CHICAGO -- Browns President Mike Holmgren has not accompanied Jimmy Haslam to the NFL owners' meeting here, where Haslam will be approved today as new owner of the Browns, team spokesman Neal Gulkis said.

Originally, Holmgren had planned to attend. Gulkis said he didn't know why Holmgren decided not to come.

Likewise, former Eagles President Joe Banner, who's set to join Haslam in Cleveland once the transfer of ownership is complete,will not be here. Banner's role with the team will be defined shortly after Haslam takes over, and Holmgren's status could be determined at that time.

Haslam said recently he didn't plan to discuss personnel changes until after the season. Haslam was stopped briefly by reporters on his way into the hotel and said he was excited about the big day. He also said he wasn't sure of the process.

"I'm a rookie," he said. As for his new team, he said, "We've got a lot of work to do."

Haslam's approval requires a three-fourths vote, or 24 of 32 teams, but Steelers owner Art Rooney II told the Plain Dealer he thinks it will be unanimous.

 The only question some owners might have is that Haslam is still in the process of divesting his 12.5 percent stake in the Steelers. Rooney said the club hopes to sell Haslam's shares to existing stockholders, and that the process will  take several months. He said Haslam will have dual ownership during that time, but that the NFL's Finance Committee has worked out an agreement whereby Haslam wouldn't be privy to any Steelers information during that time.

"It won't be a problem,'' said Roonye II.

Current Browns owner Randy Lerner, who will retain a 30 percent share in the team, will not attend the meeting.

Casting the vote for the Browns will be Executive Vice President of Business Operations Bryan Wiedmeier. He and Neal Gulkis, Vice President of Media Relations are the only two members of the Browns in attendance.

Haslam is not permitted in the room during voting, which will take place in the morning.

Coming close with no cigar week after week is taking its toll on Akron's head coach

View full sizePaul Tople, Akron Beacon-JournalTerry Bowden likes the effort, but not the results, so far this season for 1-6 Akron.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If the record does not say how down the Akron Zips' fortunes are on the football field, the weariness in coach Terry Bowden's voice sure does. Even as he holds out hope that the second victory of the season is near, coming close with no cigar week after week is taking its toll.

"Again, our team has come up a little short at the end of the game," Bowden, whose team is 1-6, 0-3 in the Mid-American Conference, said Monday in the weekly conference coaches teleconference. "Pretty much the same story each and every week. The players play hard, they fight to stay in games. [Last] week we're behind, fight back to within six, kick the onside kick and we did not recover to have a chance to win the game.

"The players have shown no signs of quitting or giving up. Those strides have been made. I've told our team we no longer worry about that. Coming into the season the talk was the guys have lost their attitude of winning, and never giving up. Every game this year, other than the first one, this team has gone down into the fourth quarter or the last play or overtime. Unfortunately, that's not winning."

The Zips, coming off a 34-28 loss to No. 25 Ohio (7-0), host defending MAC champions Northern Illinois (6-1, 3-0) at noon Saturday.

Believe it or not: There is a changing of the guard so to speak at mid-season. Known as a passing league for most of the last decade, this year the teams in the fight for division titles have players sitting at the top of the league in rushing.

The outlier is Buffalo's Branden Oliver, who leads the league with an average of 142 yards per game on the ground, although he has only played in three games due to injury. But after that, the leader board is well represented.

• Beau Blankenship, Ohio (139.5 per game, 4.8 yards per carry). There are many reasons the Bobcats are having such a good season, and Blankenship is at the top of the list.

• Jordan Lynch, Northern Illinois (131.1, 7.1). He is the prototypical big, physical, dual-threat quarterback who has had great success in the MAC.

• David Fluellen, Toledo (113.1, 5.8). UT is tied with NIU for the West lead and Fluellen is key. Like most in the bunch, he is averaging better than 5 yards a rush.

• Dri Archer, Kent State (104.2, 10.8). Archer's reputation as a home-run hitter shows in his average of nearly 11 yards per carry. He combines with bullish Trayion Durham (97.5, 4.2) to give Kent a dangerous duo.

Meanwhile, only two of the top six passing QBs in the league are on winning teams.

Coming on strong: Akron sophomore tailback Jawon Chisholm has rushed for an average of 144.3 yards in three league games. That caught the attention of Northern Illinois head coach Dave Doreen as the Huskies prepare to play at Akron this Saturday.

"Their tailback is fun to watch," the coach said. "He jumps off the tape. Jawon Chisholm is a great player. He's a sophomore and he's going to be good for a while."

Repeat after me: Archer did it again for Kent State, accounting for 222 yards rushing and a pair of touchdowns, one passing, one running, in the Golden Flashes' win over Army. That led to the almost weekly question: "How fast is Archer?"

"Where he is different, I think, is in small seams," Kent coach Darrell Hazell said. "He goes through small seams so fast where your angle [for a tackle] has to change drastically in a hurry. If he hits the crease, and you have the wrong angle, it's over."

Such was the case on his 84-yard touchdown run against the Black Knights.

He said it: "There is such a long way to go, and we know what we're up against. Being picked to win the conference, you have a bull's-eye on you. And now it's only getting bigger." -- Ohio coach Frank Solich on the Bobcats being ranked for the first time since 1968.

No metropolitan area in the country has a wrestling Killer Quintet to match the one approaching graduation in Northeast Ohio this school year.

View full sizeLisa DeJong, The Plain DealerNew Ohio State recruit Nathan Tomasello of Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy is one of many top wrestling talents in Northeast Ohio this winter.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- If they were a government agency or perhaps a rock group, they'd be known a BATCH or C-THAB. If their bouts featured a cage, they'd be Team NEOFight.

As it is, five guys named Domenic Abounader, Edgar Bright, Anthony Collica, Dean Heil and Nathan Tomasello figure to shine a national spotlight on Northeast Ohio in the coming winter. A recent spate of college commitments has confirmed to the outside world what those who spend their days in padded rooms have known for a while: This wrestling season will feature some of the best senior talent we have seen in more than a decade.

No metropolitan area in the country has a Killer Quintet to match the one approaching graduation in Northeast Ohio this school year. They have 10 state titles and three national championships between them, and all five are ranked among the top 25 nationally by wrestling guru Josh Lowe of intermatwrestle.com.

View full sizeSt. Edward photoSt. Edward's two-time state champion Domenic Abounader.

Tomasello, a Parma resident from Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, is three-time state champion and has won two freestyle junior national championships and hasn't lost a match since his freshman year. He recently gave an oral commitment to Ohio State. (His twin, Troy, is among the country's top junior figure skaters.)

St. Edward's Heil, of Strongsville, also is going for his fourth state title and committed to Oklahoma State in January. Solon two-time state champ Collica joined Tomasello atop the national junior freestyle podium last summer, and will join Heil at Oklahoma State next fall.

Abounader won his second state title last year and St. Edward coach Greg Urbas said Abounader gave an oral commitment to Michigan last week. Dramatic state final losses the last two years did nothing to lessen the stock of St. Edward's Bright, who recently committed to Pittsburgh.

"Clearly, it's a very talented group," Lowe said.

View full sizeSt. Edward photoSt. Edward's Dean Heil is seeking a fourth state title.

Lowe has Heil ranked 13th in the 2013 national recruiting class, Collica 16th, Bright 18th, Abounader 20th and Tomasello 23rd.

The caliber of colleges chosen also speaks highly of B-CHAT. Oklahoma State is coached by wrestling legend John Smith. Michigan is a Big Ten power. Ohio State is on the verge of becoming a national contender thanks in no small part to coach Tom Ryan recruiting well in Ohio.

It's worth noting the No. 1-ranked national recruit also is an Ohioan and an OSU recruit, St. Paris Graham three-time state champ Bo Jordan.

The list of prominent Northeast Ohio recruits from this class goes beyond the Fab Five.

It includes Solon two-time state champ Brandon Thompson; Brecksville three-time state placer Aaron Assad; St. Edward's Markus Scheidel, who lost to Collica in last season's state final, and St. Edward's Colin Heffernan, who has numerous college offers.

View full sizeSt. Edward photoSt. Edward's Edgar Bright.

They'll share the national spotlight, but the question remains, who will notice?

Wrestling these days is one of those sports that doesn't draw crowds of people who aren't wrestling fans. Really, how many want to send all day Saturday in a gym watching an endless parade of matches if wrestling isn't your thing? How many want to drive hours to watch the finals of a tournament that might only feature one or two of your favorite school's athletes?

The answers lately have been "not many."

Northeast Ohio's HB-TAC has the type of athletes that are worth watching regardless of one's interest in the sport, but more is needed to bring big crowds back the mats. Wrestling has one other significant factor that could help draw fans this year.

View full sizeSolon photoSolon's two-time champion Anthony Collica

The state dual meet team tournament will be an Ohio High School Athletic Association-sponsored event for the first time, giving more credence to the title of state dual meet champion.

That means for perhaps the first time in decades, midweek dual meets that are part of the state tournament ladder will be more compelling to the casual sports fans, giving them a reason to visit the local high school gym on a winter night.

On Twitter: @TimsTakePD

Brewer was a valuable tight end for the Browns, helping them win the 1964 championship, and later excelled at outside linebacker.

Johnny Brewer's versatility helped the 1960s Browns. NFL/Browns

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- A countdown of the top 100 players in Cleveland
Browns history. Players must have spent at least four seasons with the
Browns. The ranking is based only on players' careers with the Browns.

No. 66, Johnny Brewer, tight end-linebacker-defensive end, 1961-67

The Browns selected Johnny Brewer in the fourth round of the 1960 draft, when he still had a year of college eligibility remaining at Mississippi. That pick was the 41st overall, since the NFL included just 12 teams in 1960. The league expanded to 14 teams the next year.

Brewer played at Mississippi in 1960, making first-team All-American and helping the Rebels earn a share of the national championship for the second straight year.

The Browns used Brewer as a backup defensive end during his rookie season. Though he showed promise at the position, he was moved to tight end prior to the 1962 campaign, and won the starting job.

The tight end position was being transformed during the era, with stars such as the Baltimore Colts' John Mackey and the Chicago Bears' Mike Ditka becoming playmakers with their receiving and ability to run after the catch.

Not all teams were ready to employ their tight ends as receivers as much as were, for instance, the Colts and Bears. Brewer, though, gave Cleveland enough of a receiving dimension at the position that defenses couldn't ignore him. In the meantime, he excelled at his primary duty, to block for backs Jim Brown and Ernie Green and, when he wasn't included as a receiver in a passing play, for quarterback Frank Ryan.

Brewer caught 89 passes for 1,256 yards and six touchdowns during his four seasons as Cleveland's tight end. Those were solid numbers for the position on the run-oriented Browns. Brewer had sure hands, and his 14.1 yards per catch showed that he could get downfield and break some tackles, too. He also had two valuable receptions for 26 yards in the Browns' 27-0 championship game win over the Colts in 1964.

Cleveland took tight end Milt Morin with its first pick in the 1966 draft. It was no indictment of Brewer's play. Morin, though, was a special talent, and the Browns needed help at outside linebacker, as Galen Fiss turned 35 prior to the 1966 campaign, when he would come off the bench in what would prove to be his final season.

Brewer was inserted as the starting right linebacker, and made the 1966 Pro Bowl team. He was one of the league's fastest players at the position, and a sure tackler. Brewer intercepted three passes and recovered five fumbles in his two seasons as a Browns' linebacker. He returned a pick 70 yards for a touchdown during the Browns' 42-37 win over the Washington Redskins in a 1967 game.

Brewer never missed a game with Cleveland. Following the 1967 season, he was traded to New Orleans for a 1970 second-round draft pick. Brewer played three seasons for the Saints to finish his career.

(The Browns' all-time top 100 players so far)

Video: A segment of the 1964 champion Browns highlights film includes wins over the Redskins, Lions and Eagles. Johnny Brewer (83) plays tight end. Brewer is featured at about 5:25 in. At seven minutes in, he catches Frank Ryan touchdown passes of 24 and 13 yards during the Browns' 38-24 win over the Eagles on Nov. 29 at Cleveland Stadium:

Kyrie Irving looked sharp in Monday's preseason game, finishing with 22 points, making five of eight field goals, including a 3-pointer.

CINCINNATI -- Kyrie Irving admitted he brought a different mindset to Monday night's 114-110 overtime victory over the Orlando Magic at US Bank Arena.

"I definitely started out with a different aggressiveness than I have in the other preseason games," Irving said. "In the other preseason games I started out trying to run the offense and get everybody involved as much as possible. Tonight I was just making plays, whether it was for my teammates or myself."

As a result, Irving looked more like himself, finishing with a preseason-high 22 points, making five of eight field goals, including a 3-pointer, and all 11 free throws. He came into the game averaging 10.8 points while making just 11 of 46 shots (23.9 percent). He had missed the first six 3-pointers he took.

Coach Byron Scott figured it was just a matter of time until the reigning NBA Rookie of the Year came around.

"I told you I wasn't worried," Scott said. "I'm not worried about that young man right now. I know he's just trying to get into a rhythm. This is about the right time -- with a couple of preseason games to go and the season a couple of weeks away from starting -- to start finding his rhythm.

"I thought he was aggressive offensively. He looked to be aggressive getting to the basket and obviously got to the free-throw line 11 times, too. That was real good for us because it showed he was being aggressive. Like I said before, I'm not worried about him at all, especially his shot."

Irving is still recovering from a lost summer after breaking his right hand during the summer league in Las Vegas in early July. But he knew he'd come around, too.

"I was never worried about my shot," he said. "It's preseason for a reason. I stick with my same routine. It's more a mental thing than a physical thing."

Irving and rookie Dion Waiters started in the backcourt for the second straight game, and played about 20 minutes together -- none of it late in regulation or overtime.

Instead, with decisions to make about the roster -- the Cavs have 17 players and the limit is 15 -- Scott went with point guard Jeremy Pargo down the stretch. Pargo, obtained from Memphis in the trade for D.J. Kennedy, had not played in the past two games. He finished with six points, making two of eight shots. He had five assists and five turnovers in 27:07.

He made a three-point play with 4.1 seconds left in regulation to tie the score at 107 and send it into overtime, but a turnover with 32.4 seconds could have cost the Cavs the game.

"I think I can play a lot better," said Pargo, who said he didn't know if he was on the bubble. "I had some silly turnovers that almost cost us the game. I really need to tighten up on that. But overall, we got the win at the end of the day, and that's what the focus is."

In addition to Pargo, Scott found some minutes for undrafted rookies Kevin Jones and Micheal Eric. The coach was asked if he'd reached any conclusions about his reserves.

"Yeah," he said, before being asked if he'd care to share those conclusions.

"No."

On Twitter: @pdcavsinsider

The Buckeyes would be rated in the BCS just where they are in the AP poll. But because of NCAA sanctions, Ohio State is ineligible for the BCS standings and for postseason play.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State fans should feel free to celebrate an imaginary ranking of seventh in the BCS standings for which the Buckeyes are ineligible.

Due to its postseason ban, Ohio State can't be part of the coaches poll, the Harris poll or the BCS standings, which were unveiled for the first time Sunday night. But the Buckeyes are part of the AP poll, where they were seventh this week. And, interestingly, they are still ranked by all six computer formulas that make up one-third of the BCS standings. Ohio State is just removed when the BCS takes those standings for its formula.

In those six ratings this week, the Buckeyes were ranked:

No. 5 Sagarin

No. 5 Colley Matrix

No. 6 Wolfe

No. 6 Anderson and Hester

No. 8 Massey

No. 11 Billingsley

The BCS formula throws out the top and bottom computer rating for each team and then uses the middle four. A No. 1 ranking gets 25 points, and a No. 25 ranking gets one point. So the Buckeyes would total 79 points between the four rankings, which would be listed as a .7900 in the computer standings.

That raw number, which accounts for one-third of the BCS, would have put the Buckeyes sixth among the computers, behind, in order, Florida, Notre Dame, Alabama, Kansas State and Oregon State.

Remember though, each team ranked behind the Buckeyes in any individual computer poll also would have a lower rating if the Buckeyes were included.

In the poll part of the formula, the BCS gives a team a rating based on its overall percentage of votes received. For instance, in the coaches poll component, Alabama has a 1.000 rating because it received all the first-place votes in that poll.

In the AP poll, the Buckeyes received 1,071 of the 1,500 available points. That's .714 percent. So we'll count that number twice to make up for the two polls in which the Buckeyes don't appear.

So add .714 to .714 and then add in the .790 computer rating, divide by three, and you get .7393. That's what Ohio State's BCS number would be: .7393.

Again, not accounting for the points other teams would lose if the Buckeyes were in the polls, that would rank Ohio State seventh in the overall BCS standings.

And here's how the rankings would look:

1. Alabama .9761

2. Florida .9092

3. Oregon .8993

4. Kansas State .8963

5. Notre Dame .8774

6. LSU .7522

7. Ohio State .7393

8. South Carolina .6930

9. Oregon State .6808

10. Oklahoma .6664

Williams back, and at linebacker? After sitting out Saturday's game with a concussion, senior Nathan Williams has been cleared and will practice this week and play against Purdue, coach Urban Meyer said. But he might not be only at defensive end.

Meyer said freshman Noah Spence played well in Williams' place on Saturday, and with a linebacker shortage and defensive lineman surplus, the Buckeyes may be looking for ways to get both on the field.

In the first game of 2011, before he suffered the knee injury that ended his season, Williams played a lot of linebacker. Some of the responsibilities for the outside linebacker are similar to the Leo defensive end spot that Williams plays, so it could work again.

"The number one most important thing is trying to find a way to get your best 11 guys on the field," Fickell said. "There's not a magic trick to it."

Fickell on pizza: A Columbus television station ran a story last week about a pizza delivery man who claimed he was fired for telling Fickell's wife on the phone, after taking her order, that the OSU defense needed to play better, and the Fickells then complained about it.

Ohio State later put out a statement, and the store owner confirmed, that the Fickells did not call to complain and played no role in the firing. But Monday was the first time Fickell met with reporters since the story came out, and he was asked if he wanted to make a comment.

"Nothing needs to be said. Remember this, our whole philosophy is don't whine, don't complain, don't make excuses," Fickell said. "I think I said it a million times last year. My 5-year-olds know that, my wife knows that, we're all in the same boat, we would never whine and we would never complain.

"I actually agree with him."

Game time change: The Purdue game for Saturday is set at noon, and the Big Ten announced a time switch for Ohio State's visit to Penn State on Oct. 27. That game will now start at 5:30 instead of 6 p.m.

Mark Rudner, the Big Ten associate commissioner who deals with TV, told The Plain Dealer that ESPN asked for the time change and both schools agreed.

Also: Meyer described fullback Zach Boren's move to linebacker as "temporarily permanent." Boren is listed as a co-starter at middle linebacker with Storm Klein. ... Running back Jordan Hall, who has missed two games with a sprained ligament in his knee, is not healing as well as the Buckeyes hoped, and he should continue to be out of action for the near future. ... Meyer said left tackle Jack Mewhort, quarterback Braxton Miller and running back Carlos Hyde were the co-players of the game on offense against Indiana. There were no defensive players of the game.

The Buckeyes said it was shocking when Urban Meyer joined their defensive meeting on Sunday. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio – After the regular meeting of the Ohio State defensive players and coaches on Sunday, when they watched film of Saturday's 52-49 win over Indiana, Urban Meyer walked into the room.

Senior defensive lineman John Simon said the Sunday meeting was already more urgent, with the defenders knowing they had a lot to correct. But this was Meyer's first visit to a Sunday defensive meeting all season. The coach said he didn't throw any Gatorade bottles against the wall, that it wasn't the time for that. But this was serious.

“It was just shocking,” senior cornerback Travis Howard said, “because everybody knows what we are capable of doing. And him just coming in there showed that we didn't do so great on Saturday. We definitely need to change and go out there and prove ourselves and practice like the Silver Bullet defense.

“Once we saw him, we knew it was a big deal. … Of course he was upset. In his voice, he was very unsatisfied with what we did out there.”

Immediately after Saturday's win, when the Buckeyes gave up 15 points in the final two minutes and had to hang on against the Hoosiers, Meyer said he would get more involved with that side of the ball. He got right to it.

“I'm not happy at all with what's going on on defense,” Meyer said Monday. “That includes players, coaches, and I think we can all get better. It's a team effort. We've got good coaches, good players and we'll move forward and get better.”

He was welcomed by former head coach and defensive coordinator Luke Fickell, who also met with reporters Monday and faced the questions about a defense giving up 400 yards per game, which ranks 69th in the nation.

“I think he has the ability to get over there and do motivational types of things and point out some things and make things uncomfortable at times, but that's how you grow,” Fickell said. “I think it's been a good thing and hopefully he continues to spend a little more time with us.

“It's obvious, but sometimes when it comes from the top down, it becomes a little more obvious.”

To Meyer, the problem is clear: big plays. He ticked off three areas of focus to prevent them: give four to six seconds of relentless effort, cut down on missed tackles and get better leverage to the ball.

“It's been absurd how many big plays we give up. How do you do that?” Meyer asked.

In 12 regular-season games in 2012, the Buckeyes gave up 37 big plays from scrimmage of 20 yards or more. In seven games this season, Ohio State already has allowed 30.

Meyer is an offensive mind and his expertise lies there. But after giving up 38 and 49 points in consecutive games, he won't sit back. Although the offense is rolling, this is not the team he wants to put on the field. A high-flying attack that means high scores on both sides of the ball won't sit with Meyer, because he doesn't think you can win that way.

“Long run, no. I think temporarily (you) can,” Meyer said. “At some point you have to play some really good defense, and (elite teams) do. The top two right now are Alabama and Florida, the two best defenses in America. And that's not by accident they're 1-2 (in the BCS standings).

“The great teams we've had over the years, yeah, we scored some points, but at the end of the day, defense wins games. As much as I love the other part, the defense and kicking game, that's how you can win a game.”

“Do we want to win 48-47? We want to win, but no. Ohio State is going to be a defensive school. Absolutely. Our teams are going to be defensive, no question.”

The fact that the Buckeyes (7-0, 3-0 Big Ten) are undefeated and ranked No. 7 in the AP poll heading into Saturday's home game with Purdue (3-3, 0-2) is a point worth noting. But this defense will eventually catch up to the Buckeyes if it continues. And Fickell said he doesn't need to hear that from the outside – he already knows it.

“If you can put more pressure on me than I put on myself, then I don't know you could do it,” Fickell said. “We could give up 14 points and for some reason, I'm not going to sleep at night. I've always been a competitor, so the outside pressure, I don't know, I don't feel it. … There's no more pressure than I put on myself.”

Asked how he thinks he has done this season calling defensive signals for the first time in his coaching career and making in-game adjustments, Fickell pointed out that Indiana had just 14 points at the half Saturday, with one touchdown on a bad play on a 59-yard run, and the other after a blocked punt gave up a short field. So he said there weren't many halftime adjustments because there wasn't a need.

“We've got to get better. And there's not a perfect defense, there's not a perfect call,” Fickell said. “And that's where we've got to make sure we are getting ourselves out of the idea that there's a perfect call. You've got to put guys in a situation where they know what they need to do and they have the ability to go make plays.”

Meyer, who had never worked with any of the four defensive coaches before this season, said he feels good about his relationship with those assistants.

“I feel comfortable. I think it takes time. It's not the same staff it was a year ago,” Meyer said. “There are new guys in that room. But I feel good. They're a good team and great coaches. We just need to see more production on that side of the ball.”

And at least for now, Meyer is going to be with them more often, hoping to get it.

The 10th-seeded Midview Middies (10-13) topped 11th-seeded West Shore Conference foe North Ridgeville, 21-25, 28-26, 25-17, 25-17, in a Division I sectional semifinal volleyball match Monday night at Midview. Alex Nilges’ career-high 18 kills and 13 digs paced Midview. Melissa Randolph had 13 digs, Meghan Higley finished with 44 assists and Cassie Haight had two blocks.

Midview

The 10th-seeded Midview Middies (10-13) topped 11th-seeded West Shore Conference foe North Ridgeville, 21-25, 28-26, 25-17, 25-17, in a Division I sectional semifinal volleyball match Monday night at Midview.

Alex Nilges’ career-high 18 kills and 13 digs paced Midview. Melissa Randolph had 13 digs, Meghan Higley finished with 44 assists and Cassie Haight had two blocks.

The Middies will play top-seeded/Southwestern Conference champion Avon Lake in Wednesday’s sectional title game.

Twinsburg 3, Harding 0 The fifth-seeded Tigers (15-8) advanced to Wednesday’s Division I sectional final at Stow against No. 8 Nordonia behind MacKenzie Harrison’s 16 kills and Morgan Winston’s 33 assists.

Fairport Harbor 3, Badger 1 The Skippers won their Division IV sectional semifinal, led by Lauren Bodi’s 13 kills and Hannah Hites’ 25 assists and eight service aces. Fairport will play Maplewood in a sectional final Saturday at Kinsman Badger.

Chardon 3, Shaw 0 The sixth-seeded Hilltoppers (5-18) will play fourth-seeded Mayfield in a Division I sectional final Wednesday at Euclid as Dana Douglas’ eight kills paced the win over Shaw.

Kirtland 3, Wickliffe 0 The Hornets made short work of Wickliffe in a Division III sectional semifinal. Alicia Ponzani’s 12 kills, Rachel Polak’s 11 kills and Amanda Gabor’s 15 assists led Kirtland.

Girls soccer

Midview 2, Elyria 1 Emily Leyve’s second-half goal was the difference in the Division I sectional semifinal.

Fairview 2, Firelands 1 The Warriors got goals from Nicole Burger and Stephanie Miller to pull out the double-overtime Division II sectional semifinal.

Midpark 4, Shaker Heights 1 The Meteors won the Division I sectional semifinal as Katie Bainbridge scored two goals.

Wickliffe 7, Cornerstone Christian Academy 0 Cassie Daye had two goals and two assists and Blue Devils goalie Sarah Heyduk had eight saves the Division III sectional semifinal shutout.

Yankees, behind 2-0 in the American League Championship Series, visit the Tigers.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV sports listings

BASEBALL CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES 

8 p.m. AL, Game 3, New York Yankees at Detroit, TBS 

COLLEGE FOOTBALL 

9 p.m. Louisiana-Lafayette at North Texas, ESPN2 

SOCCER 

2:55 p.m. Men, Spain vs. France, ESPN2 

6:30 p.m. Men, U.S. vs. Guatemala, ESPN2 

Jimmy Haslam's new colleagues Art Rooney, Jerry Jones and Bob Kraft are thrilled to have him join their exclusive NFL fraternity.

Jimmy Haslam already has friends among NFL owners who will officially welcome into that fraternity on Tuesday. "I know how badly he wants that team to win," says New England owner Robert Kraft, "and that will become his principal focus." John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer

CHICAGO -- Steelers owner Art Rooney has two regrets about his minority partner, Jimmy Haslam, buying the Browns.

"He'll be a great owner, but I wish he wasn't buying a team in our division," Rooney said with a smile in the lobby of the downtown hotel where the NFL owners will vote Haslam into their exclusive fraternity on Tuesday.

His other regret is that he's losing Haslam as part of the Steelers family. Haslam, 58, purchased about a 12.5 percent stake in 2008 and is in the process of divesting it.

"No. 1, he's a been a great partner and we've really enjoyed having him and his family as part of our ownership group for the last few years," said Rooney. "He's been a very constructive, positive person. I'm sorry we're losing him, but it's the NFL's gain."

Rooney and some of his counterparts -- including Cowboys owner Jerry Jones and Patriots owner Bob Kraft -- have spent time with Haslam and saw firsthand his passion for ownership.

"Jimmy came in for almost every game every year, both home and away, so he took it seriously and wanted to be part of things as much as possible," said Rooney. "I know he'll do a great job. I'm happy for him and his family. They just love football and they're really excited about this opportunity."

A two-thirds vote is required for approval, but Rooney expects it to be unanimous.

"I imagine it will be," he said. "I don't expect any controversy."

The only question might be about the dual ownership he'll hold in the Browns and Steelers for a few months. Haslam is trying to sell his Steelers stock to existing owners.

"There will be [overlap] but we've sort of worked it out with the finance committee and the commissioner [Roger Goodell], where Jimmy won't have access to Steelers information during this time," said Rooney. "It won't be a problem, but will it take a few months."

Rooney, who attended Cleveland's Gilmour Academy in Gates Mills, still has plenty of friends in Cleveland and knows how excited they are.

"I'm happy for them -- to a limited extent," he said. "His enthusiasm, his energy -- Cleveland fans are in for a treat."

The Patriots' Kraft was the first owner Haslam visited after agreeing to buy the Browns for $1 billion. Randy Lerner will retain a 30 percent stake for four years.

"I had a chance to speak to him right before he bought it and I told him it was one of the league's great franchises," said Kraft. "He reminded me a little of myself coming in because he's so passionate and enthusiastic. I know how badly he wants that team to win, and that will become his principal focus."

Kraft cautioned Haslam that he'll need patience.

"When we came here in '94, we had the worst won-loss record -- 19-61 in the previous five years -- and for 34 years they had been blacked out [on local TV]," he said. "People forget. The good thing about the Cleveland market is that strong fan base."

Kraft, whose team has won three Super Bowls since 2001, said Haslam will have to adjust to the intense scrutiny.

"The media and the whole community feels like they own part of it and have a right to great input," he said. "You've got to do what's right for the franchise long-term and not listen to people with short-term agendas."

His best piece of advice: "Surround yourself with good people. It sounds simple, but it's easy to get seduced by people who might not have the highest character and aren't willing to put the team first."

Of course, it's helped Kraft to have Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. "To win consistently, you need a good quarterback and a good coach," he said, adding that Haslam's experience in building Pilot Flying J into a multi-billion enterprise will serve him well.

"I think he'll lend us his business expertise," said Kraft. "He has a different exposure to a marketplace that I'm not sure anyone else in our league does."

Kraft was equally impressed with Haslam's love of football and family.

"He really wants to turn the Browns into a big-time winner," said Kraft. "If I were a Cleveland fan, I'd be pretty excited."

The Cowboys' Jones, who hosted Haslam last week at sparkling Cowboys Stadium, advised Haslam to capitalize on his new team's tradition and tremendous national appeal, not unlike that of the Cowboys.

"It's a tremendous asset," said Jones. "Anytime that I've not recognized the value of tradition, I've misjudged it. With a great fan base and the great Cleveland Brown tradition, that's of huge value ultimately to winning. I would maximize that. I've always ranked the Cleveland Browns right at the top of the league in terms of tradition."

Jones said Haslam's ardent support of the University of Tennessee reminds him of his own support of Arkansas, two schools with similar backgrounds. He's also been impressed with Haslam's growing truck-stop empire.

"He has a family-oriented business structure that's not different from what I envision his NFL ownership will be like," said Jones. "We're better off for having him in the league because of his knowledge of commerce and marketing, all of that. He's got great people skills and he's made of all the right stuff to be a very effective influence in the NFL."

On Twitter: @marykaycabot

CLEVELAND, Ohio - It is not a fervent wish but if Lauren Golick had her druthers the entire state tennis tournament would be played indoors. Golick, the Westlake senior, will make her fourth consecutive appearance in the state tournament, which gets under way Friday at the Ohio State Outdoor Tennis Courts with the possibility of being moved indoors if...

Westlake senior tennis player Lauren Golick says she had made significant strides since last year, when she placed fourth at state. - (ImpactActionPhotos.com)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - It is not a fervent wish but if Lauren Golick had her druthers the entire state tennis tournament would be played indoors.

Golick, the Westlake senior, will make her fourth consecutive appearance in the state tournament, which gets under way Friday at the Ohio State Outdoor Tennis Courts with the possibility of being moved indoors if there's inclement weather.

On Saturday, the event moves to the outdoor courts at Hilliard Davidson High. Both days the Elysium Tennis facility in Plain City will serve as a rain site.

"If you play indoors you don't have to deal with the wind and the sun," said Golick, who is 5-4 in state tournament matches and is looking to improve on last year's fourth-place finish. "But, playing outdoors can be the great equalizer. It depends on who is able to adjust to the conditions better. I guess I'd rather play indoors, but playing outdoors is more of a challenge."

By virtue of her third straight district championship clinched last week at Oberlin College, Golick received a favorable pairing for the state tournament. Placed in the upper eight of the 16-player bracket, she opens play against first-time singles qualifier Julie Brockman of Springboro. Brockman, who was part of a doubles team that finished fourth in last year's state tournament, finished fourth in her district this year.

A win will put her against Magnificat's Emily Witt or Olentangy Liberty's Sydney Power. Witt was fourth in last week's district at Oberlin and Golick defeated Power in her opening match in 2010.

Meanwhile, reigning state champion Mehvish Safdar and runner-up Sandy Niehaus are in the bottom half of the bracket and are likely to meet in the semifinals. Golick, a Cleveland State recruit, lost to Niehaus in last year's semifinals.

"I looked at the draw and I'm not complaining," said Golick, while pointing out she made significant strides from last year. "We traveled all over and I played in a lot of USTA events and I gained a lot of experience and learned how to play against different styles. Anything can happen."

Been a while: The last time a player from Greater Cleveland won a state singles championship was in 2008 when Mentor's Kara Sherwood won the Division I title and Gilmour Academy's Lauren Davis prevailed in Division II. It has been even longer for a doubles win as the Hathaway Brown sister team of Morgan and Cameron Dorsey were the last winners in 2007.

-- Tim Rogers

Volleyball

Hornets sting Adams: John Hay won the Senate Athletic League volleyball title by beating John Adams in four sets as all-league selection Ne'Sha Hall served 24 points and Jordan Bolan came off bench to contribute 20 service points.

It's the sixth city title for the Hornets, first since 2000, but they will lose eight players to graduation from their 13-4, 13-1 squad, including league MVP Ogechi Onyeukwu.

Coach Mary Simpson will have to replace back row specialist Heaven Roberts, setter Shakira Lewis, Raven Payne and Bolan. Next season's team will be built around Destiny Hall, a 6-0 junior outside blocker and junior outside hitter Amber Thomas.

Bridesmaid no longer: Southeast shared the Portage Trail Conference County Division title with defending champion Waterloo, and Crestwood did likewise in the Metro Division with defending champ Kent Roosevelt.

Both Southeast and Crestwood placed second a year ago.

"We've had good senior leadership from outside hitter Mallory Czuchra, right-side hitter Mallory Lorence and libero Sally Hoffman," said Red Devils coach Wanda Hoffman.

Their future lies in junior right-side hitter Taylor Atkins and sophomores, setter Holly Hoffman and middle hitter Hayley Zigman and Morgan Strenk.

The two Hoffmans are the coach's daughters.

Outside/middle hitter Alana Woodard, setter Tiffany Sanders and middle hitter Alexis McPeak headline Southeast's solid senior class, while junior Brittany Butcher will bring some experience back to next year's front row.

"We don't have much height," said Pirates coach Mary Tarka. "Alana's our tallest at 5-7 but she jumps likes she 6-feet tall."

Milestone efforts: Various players and coaches recently reached milestone achievements, starting with veteran Berkshire mentor Joni Prots.

Her Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division champion team gave her victory No. 200 in a win over Harvey.

Black River junior setter Emily Cartwright got her 1,000th career assist as did Gilmour Academy sophomore setter Megan Polak.

Willoughby South had senior setter Bri Waite garner a school single-match record 57 assists when the Rebels defeated Geneva in five sets to clinch the Premier Athletic Conference title. Waite entered the week with a single-season school record 630 assists and a career record 1,460 assists.

Black River senior outside hitter Megan May tied the school's single-match record with 34 digs in a win over Firelands.

-- Bob Fortuna

Field hockey

Joining the club: It's been a season of injuries, one Hudson hasn't been able to avoid. The Explorers lost senior standout center midfielder Sarah Schroeder before the first game because of surgery for a torn ACL. Junior center back Jackie Ulmer missed three games with a broken foot and junior forward Kiley Merrill could be lost for the season because of a knee injury.

"Kiley had an MRI done and has a doctor's appointment [today]," said Explorers coach Jen Haney. "She was told it could be one of three things: Torn meniscus, MCL sprain or slight dislocation."

Hudson will play the Ottawa Hills/Cleveland Heights winner in a district tournament game on Friday.

-- Bob Fortuna

Girls soccer

Good job: Cuyahoga Heights brought home its first Chagrin Valley Conference girls soccer title in 10 years as the Redskins won the Metro Division. They went 10-3-3 overall.

Senior midfielder Kate Crawford led the club with 11 goals and nine assists, with senior defender Sarah Baudo contributing five goals and 11 assists. Sophomore goalkeeper Jenna Stegmaier recorded seven shutouts, adding four goals and four assists when playing in the field. The Redskins will host Open Door Christian Academy today in a Division III sectional final.

Doubling up: Independence sophomore forward Jen Wisniewski had two goals in a 2-2 tie against Firelands and had all the scores in a 3-2 win against Wickliffe. With 25 goals, she needs one more to set the school's single-season scoring mark.

She could get that today when the Blue Devils (7-7-2) host Brooklyn in a Division III sectional final.

Wisniewski also showed her prowess on the running stage as she finished second in the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division cross-country meet in 19:58.

Both sides now: Westlake had the distinction of winning both the girls and boys Southwestern Conference championships.

The girls went 6-1 in the conference and 8-6-1 overall. Their lone conference loss was to Avon, 5-2, on Oct. 8. The Demons had a return engagement against the Eagles on Wednesday in a Division I sectional final.

The Westlake boys finished 11-3-2 and were 6-0-1 in league play. They host Olmsted Falls on Saturday.

Go figure: The Division II Rocky River district shapes up as hard to figure.

Bay, ranked No. 2 in the state coaches poll for much of the year, did not get the No. 1 seed, which would have given the Rockets (14-1-1) the home field advantage through the district final. Instead, No. 4-ranked Rocky River (14-2) got the top seed.

So all Bay did was knock off the Pirates, 2-0, a week ago to claim the West Shore Conference title.

If the Rockets are going to earn a possible rematch, they will likely have to face rugged Holy Name (11-2-2) in a district semifinal. The Green Wave, ranked No. 10, own a 2-1 win against Rocky River and are poised to make a run after playing a very strong schedule.

-- Joe Maxse

Boys soccer

Go figure II: St. Ignatius and St. Edward can debate about more than their undefeated football teams.

The two-time defending Division I state champion Wildcats (13-0-3) did not get the No. 1 seed in the University Heights District, that honor going to the Eagles (11-1-4). It would give St. Edward the home field if the teams reach the district final.

The teams played to a scoreless tie at St. Edward on Sept. 19. That would suit the Eagles since they lost an overtime heartbreaker, 1-0, on the Wildcats' home turf in last year's district final.

Both teams have been gearing up for the playoffs against tough competition.

The Wildcats, ranked No. 13 in the latest National Soccer Coaches Association of America poll and No. 2 in the Ohio coaches poll, handed No. 17 Marquette (Wis.) High its only loss two weeks ago. The Eagles, unranked in both polls, suffered their lone loss last Friday in New York City against national power Martin Luther King, 3-1. They came back to defeat Francis Lewis (N.Y.), 2-1, during the East Coast trip.

-- Joe Maxse

Cross country

Champ feels great: Chardon senior Corinne Kule feels good about winning four Premier Athletic Conference championships, but she feels even better about feeling good. Kule won her fourth PAC title in 19:34 last week at the Perry Outdoor YMCA, and she led the Hilltoppers to their fourth straight league championship.

A year ago, Kule was battling through what she eventually learned was anemia, a correctable blood condition that can wreak havoc on endurance athletes if not treated properly. Kule now takes iron supplements and said she feels healthy.

She placed 44th at the state meet as a sophomore, but fell to 61st last year and couldn't understand why she wasn't improving.

"Last year, I wanted to finish better, but didn't find out I was anemic until the end of the season," she said. "Mentally, you get really down on yourself and you don't know why you can't keep up in workouts and why you can't keep up with the pack you think you should be up with.

"When you get healthy, it's a relief."

Kule has won six of eight races this year and ran a personal-best 18:38 at the Strongsville Invitational. She has a strong chance to be a top 15-finisher and earn All-Ohio honors at the Division I state meet next month.

Kule said she's enjoying every healthy step of her senior year.

"I feel a lot more confident in my ability," she said. "It's senior year, and you really realize the sport is about having fun and loving what you're doing."

Kule runs Saturday at the Lakeland Community College district meet, where the Hilltoppers are defending champions.

-- Tim Warsinskey

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GETTING TO KNOW IAN HOLT School: Stow.

Stow golfer Ian Holt heads to this week's state tournament with four victories and three runner-up finishes this fall. - (Joshua Gunter, The Plain Dealer)

GETTING TO KNOW IAN HOLT

School: Stow.

Year: Junior.

Birth date: Oct. 20, 1995.

Height: 6-2.

Weight: 190.

Residence: Stow.

College: Orally committed to Kent State.

Family: Parents, Dale and Cindy; sister, Olivia.

2012 events: 11.

Victories: Four.

Runner-up finishes: Three.

Scoring average: 72.5.

Low round: 67 (Candywood).

Fairways hit: 47 percent.

Greens in regulation: 68.7 percent.

Putts per round: 32.1.

In the bag: Ping S56 irons, Ping i20 driver, 3-metal, 5-metal, wedges, hybrid and a Nike Method 001 putter. Nike 20XI-X ball.

GETTING TO KNOW CHASE JOHNSON

School: Walsh Jesuit.

Year: Junior.

Birth date: Jan. 2, 1996.

Height: 6-2.

Weight: 195.

Residence: Barberton.

College: Orally committed to Kent State.

Family: Parents, Mel and Cheryl.

2012 events: 11.

Victories: Seven.

Runner-up finishes: Two.

Scoring average: 70.5.

Low round: 67 (Brookledge).

Fairways hit: 58 percent.

Greens in regulation: 74 percent.

Putts per round: 32.6.

In the bag: Ping S56 irons, Ping Anser driver, 3-metal and 5-metal. Ping Nome putter. Titleist Pro-V1x ball.