Quantcast
Channel: Cleveland Sports News
Viewing all 53367 articles
Browse latest View live

OHSAA football playoffs: 33 teams from Greater Cleveland qualify for postseason

0
0

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Thirty-three high school football teams from Greater Cleveland have qualified for the playoffs. The final computer poll became official Sunday morning by the Ohio High School Athletic Association. The playoffs start Friday with regional quarterfinals in Divisions II, IV and VI. Divisions I, III and V play Saturday. 

Mayfield, led by quarterback Drazen Markovic, surged from 14th to eighth to claim the final playoff berth in Division I, Region 1. - (Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Thirty-three high school football teams from Greater Cleveland have qualified for the playoffs.

The final computer poll became official Sunday morning by the Ohio High School Athletic Association. The playoffs start Friday with regional quarterfinals in Divisions II, IV and VI. Divisions I, III and V play Saturday. 

See a list below of all the local teams that qualified for the playoffs.

Along the story lines, Mayfield surged from 14th to eighth to claim the final berth in Division I, Region 1 following North Olmsted’s Week 10 loss to Olmsted Falls. Mayfield edged Cleveland Heights for the last spot.

St. Edward clinched the No. 1 spot in Region 1 after its 20-13 win over St. Ignatius on Saturday night and will play Mayfield in the first round. St. Ignatius is No. 2 and will face Austintown Fitch on Saturday.

Nordonia got the eighth spot in Region 2 despite finishing the regular season with two straight losses.

Kenston qualified in Division II, Region 5, snaring the last spot after Friday’s loss to favored Aurora.

Highland made a push after a big Week 9 win over Nordonia but just missed, finishing ninth in Region 6.

John Hay will make its first trip to the playoffs in just its fourth year of existence. The Cleveland public school will host a first round game Saturday, as the Hornets finished fourth in Division III, Region 9. They will host Ravenna.

Beachwood (7-3) missed out by a .33 margin in Division IV, Region 13.

Fairport will make its first playoff appearance since 1991 -- and second in school history -- after the Skippers finished seventh in Division VI, Region 21.

In the first round, the No. 1 seed plays the No. 8 seed; No. 2 plays No. 7; No. 3 plays No. 6; and Nos. 4 and 5 meet. 

Check The Plain Dealer on Monday for division-by-division previews from a statewide perspective, including best opening-round games, upset picks and predictions on who will be crowned state champs on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1.

Here is a list of the local football teams that qualified for the playoffs (number represents the playoff seed):

Division I

Region 1

1. ST. EDWARD

2. ST. IGNATIUS

3 WILLOUGHBY SOUTH

4. MENTOR

6. NORTH ROYALTON

8. MAYFIELD 

Region 2

6. HUDSON

7. AVON LAKE

8. NORDONIA 

Division II

Region 5

1. TALLMADGE

2. KENT ROOSEVELT

3. AURORA 

4. CHARDON 

7. ELLET

8. KENSTON 

Region 6

3. WESTLAKE 

4. AVON

7. MIDVIEW

Division III

Region 9

1. CHAGRIN FALLS

3. NOTRE DAME-CATHEDRAL LATIN 

4. JOHN HAY

5. RAVENNA 

6. ST. VINCENT-ST. MARY

8. WOODRIDGE

Division IV

Region 13

3. STREETSBORO

4. MANCHESTER 

5. HAWKEN

Region 14

7. CLEARVIEW

Division V

Region 17

1. KIRTLAND

3. CUYAHOGA HEIGHTS 

Region 18

3. COLUMBIA

Division VI

Region 21

1. MOGADORE

7. FAIRPORT

 


Cleveland Browns RB Trent Richardson active and will play vs. Chargers today, FB Owen Marecic inactive

0
0

Browns running back Trent Richardson is active for today's game against the Chargers, but fullback Owen Marecic is not.

trent richardson Cleveland Browns' running back Trent Richardson is active for today's game against the Chargers. Fullback Owen Marecic is not

CLEVELAND --  Browns running back Trent Richardson is active for the Chargers game and will play today despite the rib cartilage injury that got him benched for the second-half of last week's 17-13 loss to the Colts.

 Richardson was listed as questionable for the game and was limited in practice all week.

 On the other hand, fullback Owen Marecic, who's dropped four passes this season, is inactive for the first time this season. Marecic is a healthy scratch for the game, a team spokesman said. Tight end Alex Smith will handle some of the fullback blocking duties.

 Receiver Mohamed Massaquoi will also miss his fifth straight game with his pulled hamstring. Other inactives are running back Brandon Jackson, cornerback cornerback Dimitri Patterson, defensive tackle Ahtyba Rubin and offensive lineman Jarrod Shaw.

 The fact that Jackson is inactive is a sign that the Browns plan to give Richardson a significant amount of playing time. Richardson, who suffered the rib/chest injury two weeks ago, acknowledged this week that the ultimate test will come when he takes that first hit in the game.

 "Since you really can't hit that much in practice, you've really got to wait till that first contact on game day,'' he said.

 But he stressed that he feels much better than he did a week ago.

 "I can tell a big difference,'' he said. "Last week, it was still fresh. This week, it feels way better than it did last week.''
 
 If Richardson struggles, Montario Hardesty is ready to step in and carry the load. Hardesty has played well this season in relief of Richardson.

 "I feel like the game has slowed down for me this season,'' he said. "I'm healthy and hitting the holes fast.''
 
 With Massaquoi out, rookie receiver Josh Gordon will start his fifth game of the season including his fourth in two-receiver sets. He's got four TDs in the past three games.
 

Cleveland Browns: Pregame fan question of the day (video)

0
0

Mike Holmgren is on his way out, and many fans agree that it's the right move. Watch video

CLEVELAND, Ohio --- Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam didn't take long to make his first move as owner.

Shortly after NFL owners approved the sale of the Browns to Haslam, he announced that Joe Banner will take over in running football operations and president Mike Holmgren would leave by the end of the season.

Is Holmgren's departure the right move? Browns fans were asked that question prior to today's game against the San Diego Chargers.


OHSAA football: JFK forfeit denied, keeping Mayfield and Edgewood in playoffs, Cleveland Heights and Beachwood out

0
0

Computer ratings are final as they stand, OHSAA spokesman says

John F. Kennedy's football forfeit to John Adams that could have altered the Northeast Ohio football landscape will not be recognized by the Ohio High School Athletic Association, and the playoff brackets will not be changed, OHSAA spokesman Tim Stried told The Plain Dealer today.

“The forfeit will not be counted and the computer ratings are final as they stand,'' Stried said.

At stake were playoff berths for Cleveland Heights and Mayfield in Division I, Region 1, as well as Beachwood and Edgewood in Division IV, Region 13.

The ruling means Mayfield will receive the No. 8 seed and will play St. Edward next Saturday. Cleveland Heights will stay at No. 9 and will miss the playoffs because the top eight teams advance.

In Region 13, Edgewood will be No. 8 and prepare to face Brookfield.

At issue is a forfeit by John F. Kennedy of its Oct. 18 victory against John Adams. JFK forfeited because a player participated who did not meet Cleveland Metropolitan School District academic eligibility standards, which are more stringent than OHSAA standards.

Stried said the OHSAA will not accept the forfeit because the student met OHSAA eligibility requirements.

OHSAA bylaw 10-2-1 states: “All athletic contests in which ineligible players have participated shall be forfeited.''

“What's not written there but implied is, 'eligible per OHSAA regulations,'” Stried said.

Stried said the bylaw may need to be rewritten to be clarified.

Cleveland Heights contacted the OHSAA to request a review of the forfeit situation this weekend. Stried said Cleveland Heights officials were told the appeal was denied and no further action would be taken.

If the forfeit had been observed and John Adams picked up an additional victory, it would have given Cleveland Heights enough second-level computer points to pass Mayfield for the eighth seed in Region 1, coach Jeff Rotsky said. Cleveland Heights defeated John Adams.

In Region 13, Beachwood trials No. 9 Edgewood by a slim margin. Edgewood beat JFK, and if JFK received another loss, it would have decreased Edgewood's second-level point total enough for Beachwood to pass it, Beachwood coach Ryan Williams said.



Cleveland Browns vs. San Diego Chargers: 2012 NFL megablog and live chat

0
0

Join our live coverage with in-game updates from Plain Dealer reporters at the stadium here in our megablog. Our in-game chat and post-game audio show with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore and The Plain Dealer's Dennis Manoloff can be found in the megablog's comments section.

richardson-run-beng-2012-jg.jpg Trent Richardson will start today's game against the Chargers, and hopes to have a better performance as he recovers from his ailing ribs.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Welcome to Week 8 of the Browns/NFL Megablog, otherwise known as "sure, the action on the field is interesting, but what's going on in the owner's box?" edition of our live blog from today's Browns-Chargers game at Cleveland Browns Stadium.

Keep refreshing your browser, and you'll get the latest information from beat writers Mary Kay Cabot, Tom Reed, Branson Wright, Dennis Manoloff and columnists Terry Pluto and Bud Shaw as the two teams clash amid a windy and rainy Sunday afternoon. We'll also have updates on NFL news from around the league.

As was the case last week, cleveland.com's Glenn Moore will conduct the in-game chat in the comments section. Remember to follow our comments guidelines and everyone will enjoy themselves. Also, Moore and Manoloff will conduct their live post-game webcast immediately after the final gun today.

Browns 7, Chargers 0, 4:17 left in first quarter

1:28 p.m.: Weeden's corner route pass to Gordon is knocked down by the wind. Then on the 12th play of the drive, Richardson cuts back and forth over the right side, is nearly knocked down but is righted by Shawn Lauvao and easily covers the remaining distance for a 26-yard TD run. Dawson converts the PAT.

1:26 p.m.: A Richardson run and a short Weeden to Alex Smith pass set up third-and-6, and Weeden's scramble comes up two yards short. But a defensive holding call on Quentin Jammer gives the Browns a first down at their 42.

Richardson takes a pitch to the left and cuts upfield for eight yards. On third-and-1 at the Chargers 49, another pitch to Richardson is good for 12 yards at the 37.

Weeden finds Watson wide open down the left side and the throw is just a little long, off Watson's outstretched left hand. Browns not worrying about the rain, but a second-down pass is deflected. Third and 10 ... Weeden starts running up the middle, but finds Chris Ogbonnaya on the right sideline, and Ogbonnaya is knocked out of bounds just a couple of inches short of the sticks.

Browns go for it. Quarterback sneak seems like an obvious call, and gets a full yard for the first down at the 26.

1:16 p.m.: On third-and-3 at the 32, a draw by Ronnie Brown comes up a couple feet short. Chargers are going for it. Jackie Battle loses a yard as Ward blitzes over the right side of the San Diego line.

From Branson Wright: "T.J. Ward got in for the tackle on fourth-and-1 because the defensive line got good penetration. Ward slipped between the bodies and made the tackle."

Antonio Gates was also very late off the ball, missing his block on Ward cleanly.

1:14 p.m.: Goodman being carted off to the locker room. After two Ryan Mathews runs, Ronnie Brown converts a third-and-1 with a four-yard run off right tackle.

Chargers start with four straight runs before Rivers finds Michael Floyd for 14 yards on the right side as Joe Haden slides to the grass on the cut. Mathews cuts over the right side for 11 yards as T.J. Ward is leveled by fullback Le'Ron McClain.

1:08 p.m.: Richard Goodman's return comes out to the 20, but Goodman is down with an injury after being tackled by L.J. Fort. TV takes its first commercial break.

1:04 p.m.: Chargers choose tails, but Browns win the toss and defer to the second half. Third straight week the Browns have won the opening decision.

1:02 p.m.: Ohio State's marching band performing the National Anthem at Cleveland Browns Stadium -- so CBS provides Browns fans watching on TV the anthem from the Patriots-Rams game in London. Because???

12:55 p.m.: Latest weather news: Rain up to a quarter-inch could fall during the game, with winds gusting up to 40 mph. Which should make the Browns feel a little better than the Chargers. But does it?

12:44 p.m.: From @marykaycabot: "#browns prez mike holmgren still on the job. Just walked thru pressbox."

12:39 p.m.: Jim Donovan says Browns "can't be afraid to run the ball." He also points out a perceived advantage with kicker Phil Dawson, who is perfect in 12 attempts this season. San Diego's Nick Novak is 5-of-6 with a long of 47.

12:30 p.m.: The Browns' inactive list leads off with the name of fullback Owen Marecic, who was not listed on any injury reports during the week. Also inactive are CB Tashaun Gibpson, RB Brandon Jackson, WR Mohamed Massaquoi, CB Dimitri Patterson, DT Ahtyba Rubin and G Jarrod Shaw. Trent Richardson is active, and presumably could have Alex Smith in the backfield for blocking help.

Out for the Chargers are CB Marcus Gilchrist, TE Ladarius Green, LB Jonas Mouton, WR Eddie Royal, SS Brandon Taylor and DB Shareece Wright.

How are the Chargers enjoying their visit to balmy Northeast Ohio? From the Associated Press' Tom Withers: "Watching opposing kickers deal with windy conditions during pregame at #Browns Stadium always a treat. Lots of head shaking goes on."

Then again, it's not like we're dealing with Hurricane Sandy yet, either. The Patriots and Rams are playing in London today and aren't worrying about storms -- for now. Pro Football Talk reports that the Patriots have contingency plans for staying in England until as late as Wednesday if Sandy prevents them from returning to the Boston area.

PFT is also breaking news on the Adderall front, with a report that former Browns cornerback Eric Wright, now with the Bucs, could be facing a four-game suspension for a positive drug test.


 

Join our live in-game chat with cleveland.com's Glenn Moore and other fans in the comment section below. Use the audio player for the post-game show with Dennis Manoloff. The call-in number is 440-678-7599. Mobile users can click here


OHSAA football: Division III playoffs scout report for 2012 postseason

0
0

DIVISION III State final: Saturday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m., at Canton's Fawcett Stadium.

Jack Campbell looks to carry Chagrin Falls, the top seed in Region 9, far into the playoffs. - (Thomas Ondrey, The Plain Dealer)

DIVISION III

State final: Saturday, Dec. 1, 11 a.m., at Canton's Fawcett Stadium.

REGION 9

8 Woodridge (7-3)

at 1 Chagrin Falls (9-1)

7 Hubbard (7-3)

at 2 Niles McKinley (8-2)

6 St. Vincent-St. Mary (8-2)

at 3 Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin (8-2)

5 Ravenna (6-4)

at 4 John Hay (8-2)

REGION 10

8 Caledonia River Valley (8-2)

at 1 Napoleon (9-0-1)

7 Elida (8-2)

at 2 Bellevue (9-1)

6 Sandusky Perkins (9-1)

at 3 Urbana (9-1)

5 Cols. Bishop Watterson (7-3)

at 4 Bryan (10-0)

REGION 11

8 Poland Seminary (7-3)

at 1 Alliance Marlington (8-2)

7 Wintersville Indian Creek (9-1)

at 2 Millersburg West Holmes (9-1)

6 Zanesville Maysville (9-1)

at 3 Steubenville (8-2)

5 Granville (9-1)

at 4 Dover (8-2)

REGION 12

8 Circleville Logan Elm (6-4)

at 1 Dayton Thurgood Marshall (9-1)

7 Springfield Shawnee (7-3)

at 2 Kettering Archbishop Alter (8-1-1)

6 Circleville (6-4)

at 3 The Plains Athens (9-1)

5 Cin. Archbishop McNicholas (7-3)

at 4 Gallipolis Gallia Academy (8-2)

Note: Most games will be played at the higher seed's home field on Saturday at 7 p.m. Official sites and times will be released early this week.

CONTENDERS

Bellevue: The Redmen, 14-time postseason qualifiers, have a dual-threat quarterback in Jalen Santoro, while 6-1, 195-pound LB Matt Dudek has again been the leader on defense.

Chagrin Falls: Talented team has been ravaged by injuries to key players all season, but finally is regaining its health and appears capable of a deep playoff run. Speed and versatility continue to be strengths.

Columbus Bishop Watterson: The Eagles are no stranger to success, going for a third championship in 22 postseason appearances. Quarterback Andy Elberson is a tough runner and passer. The Eagles' 4-3 defense has good size, starting with 6-3, 280-pound two-way lineman Andrew Lorenz.

Dayton Thurgood Marshall: The Cougars have made three playoff appearances since 2006. They sport a run-oriented, double Wing-T attack, with the lead roles going to TBs Denzel Norvell and Veyante Copeland. Gerry Green, a 6-6, 240-pound TE/DE, is a load.

Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin: The Lions ran the table after losing their first two games. They return to the postseason for the first time since 2008. They have allowed only 80 points since those defeats, putting up 397 on the season. The Lions have hit their stride just right.

St. Vincent-St. Mary: Making their 17th playoff appearance, the Irish has a good shot at a fifth title. A rematch of last year's regional final loss to Chagrin Falls is a possibility, though SVSM has a tough first-round game at NCDL. Losses were at Massillon and at Cardinal Mooney, and its victories included Woodridge, Walsh and Youngstown Ursuline.

Steubenville: The Big Red is no stranger to the postseason: 24 appearances and three titles. LB/TB Teshawn Luke, LBs Matt Petrella and Robert Hayden, TB Dashon Redman, WR/DB Evan Westlake and DT Arin Goldsmith are talented enough to lead a deep run.

BEST OPENING-ROUND GAME

6 SVSM at 3 NDCL: Momentum is big on the side of NDCL, which has won eight straight, is playing at home and is coming off a shutout of Lake Catholic. SVSM has a special group of players that needs to avoid mistakes against the disciplined, ball-hawking Lions.

UPSET SPECIAL

6 Circleville at 3 The Plains Athens: The Plains' only victory over a team with a winning record was Division V Nelsonville-York, which didn't make the playoffs. It also lost by 28 to Gallia Academy, which is No. 4 in Region 12. Circleville runs the wing-T offense and is coming off three straight losses to tough teams, two of which are in the playoffs.

IMPACT PLAYERS

Dante Booker, SVSM: Among Ohio's top 2014 college recruits, LB has extraordinary quickness and can take over game.

Jack Campbell, Chagrin Falls: RB/LB has 883 yards and 10 TDs despite an earlier injury. He's a big contributor on defense.

Nick Evans, NDCL: RB has been the added dimension to solid passing game. Has run for 1,351 yards and 19 TDs.

Jordan Hargrove, SVSM: The 6-0, 180-pound wideout has 54 catches for 812 yards and 10 TDs.

Tommy Iammarino, Chagrin Falls: Completed 68 percent of his passes (130-of-193) for 2,259 yards and 29 TDs with just five interceptions.

Jordan Lauf, Napoleon: Toledo basketball recruit has used his 6-5, 191-pound frame to grab 24 catches for 575 yards and 13 TDs.

Mylik Mitchell, John Hay: Sophomore QB has completed 129 of 197 passes for 1,732 yards and 20 touchdowns.

Denzel Norvell, Thurgood Marshall: The 5-8, 175-pound speedster has garnered 1,011 yards on 120 carries and 16 TDs.

Kyle Spellman, Ravenna: Senior, run-first QB missed first half (broken hand) but has come back strong. Accounted for 199 yards rushing and passing and three TDs in double-OT loss to Roosevelt last week.

Dymonte Thomas, Alliance Marlington: TB/LB and Michigan recruit has 1,198 rushing yards, 157 receiving yards and 19 TDs. He has made 66 tackles.

Clayton Uecker, SVSM: Senior QB has passed for 1,782 yards and 19 TDs with nine interceptions. He has outstanding chemistry with his receivers.

Malik Zaire, Kettering Alter: The 6-2, 207-pound QB and Notre Dame recruit has thrown for 1,681 yards, 21 TDs and only two picks in more than 140 attempts. He has rushed for 916 yards and eight scores.

PLAIN DEALER PICKS

Final four: St. Vincent-St. Mary, Columbus Bishop Watterson, Alliance Marlington and Kettering Alter.

State champ: St. Vincent-St. Mary. The talent is there. So is the coaching. The Irish played a challenging schedule. This is a team that can make plays few others can make or defend. Getting there won't be easy, but SVSM is equipped for the long run.

Bob Fortuna, Joe Maxse and Tim Rogers contributed to this report.

OHSAA football: Division IV playoffs scout report for 2012 postseason

0
0

DIVISION IV State final: Friday, Nov. 30, 3 p.m., at Canton's Fawcett Stadium.

Nick Peyakov, left, and Manchester will try to give Hawken the runaround in the first round. - (Phil Masturzo, Akron Beacon Journal)

DIVISION IV

State final: Friday, Nov. 30, 3 p.m., at Canton's Fawcett Stadium.

PAIRINGS

REGION 13

8 Ashtabula Edgewood (6-3) at 1 Brookfield (10-0)

7 West Salem Northwestern (8-2) at 2 Creston Norwayne (10-0)

6 Youngstown Liberty (8-2) at 3 Streetsboro (7-3)

5 Hawken (9-1) at 4 Manchester (7-3)

REGION 14

8 Upper Sandusky (7-3) at 1 Cols. Bishop Hartley (10-0)

7 Clearview (7-3) at 2 Ottawa-Glandorf (10-0)

6 Cols. Bishop Ready (7-2) at 3 Genoa Area (10-0)

5 Galion (9-1) at 4 Richwood North Union (10-0)

REGION 15

8 Cadiz Harrison Central (7-3) at 1 St. Clairsville (10-0)

7 Bloom-Carroll (5-5) at 2 Ironton (6-3)

6 Indian Valley (6-4) at 3 Johnstown-Monroe (8-2)

5 Piketon (8-2) at 4 Minford (8-2)

REGION 16

8 Cin. Madeira (9-1) at 1 Clarksville Clinton-Massie (10-0)

7 West Milton Milton-Union (8-2) at 2 Williamsport Westfall (9-1)

6 Middletown Bishop Fenwick (8-2) at 3 Norwood (9-1)

5 Cin. Hills Christian Academy (9-1) at 4 Batavia (10-0)

Note: Most games will be played at the higher seed's home field on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Official sites and times will be released early this week.

CONTENDERS

Columbus Bishop Hartley: The Hawks have two titles in 10 postseasons and love to run with Toledo recruit/FB Ja'Waun Woodley and TB Marcellus Calhoun. QB Jared Brandewei often throws to WR Dominique Scott and 6-5, 245-pound TE/LB and Notre Dame recruit Jacob Matuska.

Genoa Area: The Comets, making their fifth postseason appearance, are winners of 58 of their past 59 regular-season games. Watch out for tailback Kyle Nutter, OL/LB Nick Keller and SE/CB Casey Gose.

Hawken: The only team to score more than 14 points against the Hawks was playoff-bound Cuyahoga Heights (28). What the Hawks lack in numbers and depth, they make up for with a highly skilled junior set, led by running backs Khari Anderson, Seth King and Josh Walters and quarterback Ian Bell.

Manchester: A Panthers attack that throws deep and often? Believe it with this group, led by 6-3 QB Nick Peyakov and 6-3 WR Jamar Dukes. Manchester averaged 30 points per game, and its losses were to playoff-bound Hillsdale and Woodridge as well as 6-4 Tuslaw.

Norwayne: Bobcats play a terrible regular-season schedule and until last year had just one playoff victory in school history, but they proved they are for real last year by winning the Division IV state title. Jon Zimmerly owns every school rushing record, and first-year QB Joe Dreher has been outstanding.

Ottawa-Glandorf: The Titans, 10-time postseason qualifiers, will go as far as QB Caleb Siefker and 6-2, 200-pound TB Tristan Parker take them. They have a stellar offensive line.

St. Clairsville: The Red Devils, seeking their first title in eight postseasons, are versatile with QB Matt Kinnick and TB Jaylon Brown. Boston College recruit Dan Monteroso is the primary receiver. Michael Ferns, a 6-3, 175-pound Michigan recruit, is tough on both lines.

BEST OPENING-ROUND GAME

5 Hawken at 4 Manchester: Worth it just to see the legendary coaches, Manchester's Jim France (348 career victories, 20 playoffs, 14 playoff wins) and Hawken's Cliff Walton (215 career victories, nine playoffs, 10 playoff wins). Also two competitive teams that will put on a great show. Walton won their only two previous meetings, in the 1991 and 1993 playoffs.

UPSET SPECIAL

6 Columbus Bishop Ready at 3 Genoa Area: The Silver Knights' only losses under first-year coach Joel Cutler were to 10-0 Bishop Watterson and 10-0 Lima Central Catholic. A defense that has been outstanding much of the season will be a strong test for Genoa's high-scoring attack.

IMPACT PLAYERS

Khari Anderson, Hawken: Junior RB has been nursing a sprained ankle and appears healthy. He is a game-breaker.

Jaylon Brown, St. Clairsville: Junior TB plays much larger than his 5-8, 155-pound frame. Has gained 1,147 yards with 24 TDs.

Joe Dreher, Norwayne: Entered last week having completed 69 percent of his passes for 2,361 yards and 25 TDs in 179 attempts.

Jamar Dukes, Manchester: He's a 6-3 WR/DE who has three 10-catch games and 57 receptions for 784 yards and 11 TDs. Also has 53 tackles and two interceptions.

Brandon Gency, Streetsboro: Versatile QB who runs well and is the leading tackler on defense.

Mark Murgiano, Hawken: Senior WR/S stepped up at RB when needed because of injuries. Also returns kicks.

Kyle Nutter, Genoa Area: The 5-11, 190-pound TB is durable, gaining a school-record 2,055 yards and 30 TDs.

Nick Peyakov, Manchester: A 6-3, 210-pound QB who made coach Jim France a believer in the forward pass. Peyakov has passed for 2,074 yards and 21 TDs.

Jeremy Quinlan, Brookfield: QB/S passed for 920 yards and rushed for 850-plus yards, good for 26 TDs. Has more than 50 tackles and five picks.

Dorian Williams, Streetsboro: Senior RB/DB has 1,981 yards and 23 scores on 49 carries.

JaWaun Woodley, Columbus Bishop Hartley: The Toledo recruit has gained 1,513 yards, 19 TDs and has collected 30-plus tackles and an interception.

Jon Zimmerly, Creston Norwayne: Has rushed 162 times for a school-record 1,685 yards and 31 TDs. Also has 60-plus tackles.

PLAIN DEALER PICKS

Final four: Creston Norwayne, Columbus Bishop Hartley, St. Clairsville and Clarksville Clinton Massie.

State champ: Bishop Hartley. We like Norwayne's chances to reach the final again, but Hartley is just too loaded, and its 42-8 dismantling of Bishop Ready last week had a "wow" factor.

Plain Dealer reporters Bob Fortuna, Joe Maxse and Tim Rogers contributed to this report. 

OHSAA football: Division V playoffs scout report for 2012 postseason

0
0

DIVISION V State final: Saturday, Dec. 1, 3 p.m., at Massillon's Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Speedy Damon Washington, left, and Kirtland will face Beverly Fort Frye. - (Chuck Crow, The Plain Dealer)

DIVISION V

State final: Saturday, Dec. 1, 3 p.m., at Massillon's Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

PAIRINGS

REGION 17

8 Beverly Fort Frye (8-2) at 1 Kirtland (10-0)

7 Youngstown Ursuline (6-4) at 2 Sugarcreek Garaway (10-0)

6 Bellaire (8-2) at 3 Cuyahoga Heights (9-1)

5 St. Thomas Aquinas (9-1) at 4 Columbiana Crestview (10-0)

REGION 18

8 Collins Western Reserve (8-2) at 1 Lima Central Catholic (10-0)

7 Hamler Patrick Henry (8-2) at 2 Northwood (10-0)

6 Archbold (8-2) at 3 Columbia (9-1)

5 Liberty Center (8-2) at 4 Findlay Liberty-Benton (9-1)

REGION 19

8 Coal Grove Dawson-Bryant (6-3) at 1 Lucasville Valley (10-0)

7 Jeromesville Hillsdale (7-3) at 2 Oak Hill (8-2)

6 Baltimore Liberty Union (8-2) at 3 Wheelersburg (8-2)

5 Loudonville (8-2) at 4 Bucyrus Wynford (8-2)

REGION 20

8 Casstown Miami East (7-3) at 1 Coldwater (10-0)

7 North Lewisburg Triad (8-2) at 2 Cin. Summit Country Day (10-0)

6 New Lebanon Dixie (7-3) at 3 Covington (10-0)

5 Miamisburg Dayton Christian (10-0) at 4 West Liberty-Salem (10-0)

Note: Most games will be played at the higher seed's home field on Saturday at 7 p.m. Official sites and times will be released early this week.

CONTENDERS

Coldwater: The Cavaliers, in their 18th postseason, are primed to win a third title because the seniors have been labeled their best ever. Austin Bruns is a 6-4, 205-pound QB. TB/S Jordan Chapin and LB Zach Dickman give the Cavaliers balance.

Columbia: The Raiders ran off nine straight wins to earn their third postseason bid, allowing 106 points during that stretch. Defense can take a team a long way this time of year. They also like to pound the ball.

Cuyahoga Heights: The young Redskins, in their 15th postseason, closed well after a Week 5 loss to Kirtland. QB Jordan Martin can pass to wide receivers Trenton Gallo or Jack Alpert or take off and run. The defense has a stellar linebacker in 6-1, 180-pound Jack Kleppel.

Kirtland: The defending state champion Hornets, in their seventh postseason, are winners in 42 of their past 43 games. QB Scott Eilerman is capable of throwing the pass but hasn't had to because of TBs Damon Washington and Sam Kukura. Tackles Canon Schroeder and Evan Brettrager make it hard for opponents to run up the middle.

Lima Central Catholic: The nine-time postseason qualifier Thunderbirds have solid runners with Jon Washington, Mykale Rogers, Kalito Lasenby and Ryan Pitts, plus a big-time college receiver prospect in Darius West. West, Pitts and Sam Huffman are ball hawks in the secondary. Ben Stolly is a force in the trenches.

Lucasville Valley: Nate Arnett has become the premier tailback for the seven-time postseason-qualifiers. Quarterback Will Howard's transition from wideout has been smooth.

Youngstown Ursuline: The four-time state champion Irish reached their 17th postseason behind 6-4, 216-pound, dual-threat quarterback Chris Durkin. Khallid Pierce and Sha'Haun Williams are talented linemen, while two-way player Tramain Thigpin could be their best.

BEST OPENING-ROUND GAME

7 Hamler Patrick Henry at 2 Northwood: Two good defensive teams with superb line play. Three-time postseason qualifier Northwood is led by 6-2, 246-pound Justin Rohrs and 6-3, 228-pound David Bogart. Patrick Henry, in its 14th postseason, will counter with 6-4, 235-pound Colt Pettit and 6-1, 230-pound Jake Carrizales.

UPSET SPECIAL

7 Youngstown Ursuline at 2 Sugarcreek Garaway: Forget the fact Ursuline stands 6-4 while Garaway is unbeaten. Ursuline has played Zanesville, St. Edward, Lake Catholic, Steubenville and St. Vincent-St. Mary. Garaway also has seen that level caliber of teams -- on television.

IMPACT PLAYERS

Jay Banyasz, Columbia: The 6-2, 170-pound junior QB/S has passed for 1,020 yards and nine TDs, rushed for 577 yards and eight scores and has made 38 tackles.

Nick Blower, Columbiana Crestview: The 5-7, 139-pound tailback has sure hands, 1,729 rushing yards and 21 TDs. He has not fumbled.

Evan Brettrager, Kirtland: The 6-1, 210-pound DE leads team with 65 tackles, including eight sacks.

Austin Bruns, Coldwater: At 6-4 and 205 pounds, he has the size to be a Division I college QB. He also has the talent, passing for more than 1,900 yards and rushing for nearly 500 yards with 29 total TDs.

Jason Kleppel, Cuyahoga Heights: The 6-1, 180-pounder has gathered in 23 passes for 313 yards as a tight end. LB also has 148 tackles, including 13 for loss and 56 solos.

Jordan Martin, Cuyahoga Heights: The 5-11, 175-pound QB/S uses his receivers well and at appropriate times to the tune of 1,699 yards and 22 TDs. Has also rushed for a team-best 386 yards.

Eddie Miller, Wheelersburg: The 6-2, 165-pounder has passed for 2,032 yards and 23 TDs and rushed for 1,021 yards with 14 TDs, but his eight interceptions are a concern.

Joel Rich, Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas: Boston College recruit and TE/DE has over 240 reception yards and 60-plus tackles, including five sacks.

Tyler Walter, Sugarcreek Garaway: The 6-0, 180-pounder has completed 150-plus passes in more than 230 attempts for more than 2,500 yards with 34 TDs and just three picks.

Damon Washington, Kirtland: The 6-0, 180-pound safety/tailback has speed not seen too often at this division. He enters the playoffs with 1,385 yards and 32 TDs on just 110 carries.

PLAIN DEALER PICKS

Final four: Kirtland, Lima Central Catholic, Lucasville Valley and Coldwater.

State champ: Kirtland. Not much has changed for the defending champs since last season, when they made program history. They enter with a 25-game winning streak, which includes a wake-up call from their double-overtime win over Beachwood in Week 9. They will have to pass more in upcoming weeks since teams will key on TB Damon Washington.

Plain Dealer reporters Joe Maxse, Tim Rogers and Tim Warsinskey contributed to this report.
 


OHSAA football: Division VI playoffs scout report for 2012 postseason

0
0

DIVISION VI State final: Friday, Nov. 30, 11 a.m., at Massillon's Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Gary Strain, left, will help top-seeded Mogadore against stiff competition in Region 21. - (Michael Chritton, Akron Beacon Journal)

DIVISION VI

State final: Friday, Nov. 30, 11 a.m., at Massillon's Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

PAIRINGS

REGION 21

8 Steubenville Catholic Central (6-4) at 1 Mogadore (10-0)

7 Fairport (7-3) at 2 Malvern (9-1)

6 Youngstown Christian (7-2) at 3 Warren JFK (9-1)

5 Berlin Center Western Reserve (8-2) at 4 Shadyside (10-0)

REGION 22

8 Arlington (7-3) at 1 McComb (10-0)

7 Toledo Ottawa Hills (7-3) at 2 Fremont St. Joseph C.C. (9-1)

6 Delphos St. John's (6-4) at 3 Leipsic (8-2)

5 Tiffin Calvert (6-4) at 4 Norwalk St. Paul (7-3)

REGION 23

8 Hannibal River (7-3) at 1 Danville (9-1)

7 Lancaster Fairfield (8-2) at 2 Newark Catholic (8-2)

6 N. Robinson Col. Crawford (8-2) at 3 Glouster Trimble (9-1)

5 Willow Wood Symmes Vy. (8-2) at 4 Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans (7-3)

REGION 24

8 Waynesfield-Goshen (4-6) at 1 Ada (9-1)

7 Lewisburg Tri-County North (7-3) at 2 Minster (8-2)

6 Bradford (8-2) at 3 Maria Stein Marion Local (8-2)

5 Fort Loramie (8-2) at 4 St. Henry (7-3)

Note: Most games will be played at the higher seed's home field on Friday at 7:30 p.m. Official sites and times will be released early this week.

CONTENDERS

Ada: Strong defense is big reason they are in their eighth postseason. WR/LB Jacob Ansley and WR/S Micah Roberson have led the unit to three shutouts and limited opposition to 89 points, while QB Mason Acheson and record-setting TB Kellen Decker are reasons they have scored 369 points.

Delphos St. John's: The Blue Jays are going after their seventh title in 14 postseasons. Experienced players have excelled, including QB Mark Boggs, TB Tyler Jettinghoff, 6-3, 235-pound OG Seth Bockey, LB Cody Looser and DT Brock Bonifas.

Fairport: The veteran Skippers reached the postseason for only the second time in school history under second-year coach Brandon Lauer. With the exception of a loss to Kirtland, the defense has been solid all season. The big-play offense has produced at least 49 points on four occasions.

Malvern: The Hornets seek their first title in eight postseasons despite having to rebuild the entire offensive line. They have good size.

Maria Stein Marion Local: Defending champion Flyers have six titles in 13 tries. John Bertke, a 6-4, 210-pound junior QB, had another breakout year, while 6-2, 210-pound Alaric Keller and 6-3, 230-pound Kyle Mescher headline a strong LB corps.

Mogadore: The Wildcats, seeking their fourth title, have qualified for their 26th postseason. TB Gary Strain is complemented by QB Anthony Ricci and WR Kasey Beard, while defense is headed by 5-10, 175-pound end Scot Hower.

Zanesville Bishop Rosecrans: The Bishops reached their sixth postseason with a 23-player roster. TB Luke Lloyd, FB Chase Lanning and QB Adrick Cronin have been able to sustain long drives, helping the defense hold five opponents to seven points or less.

BEST OPENING-ROUND GAME

5 Fort Loramie at 4 St. Henry: Fort Loramie's defense surrendered just 11.1 points per game, including four shutouts. St. Henry's offense is scoring 24.7 points per game, and that's not easy in the Midwest Athletic Conference. An outstanding test for both teams.

UPSET SPECIAL

8 Arlington at 1 McComb: McComb, going for its second title in 15 postseasons, has one of the division's more versatile players in TB/LB Jerry Brown but is not very deep. Arlington advanced to its fourth postseason with QB Blaiz McBride and TBs Austin Rettig and Kyle Bormuth, plus a Wing-T offense that can give opposition fits.

IMPACT PLAYERS

Adam Bertke, Maria Stein Marion Local: The 6-4, 210-pound QB has more than 1,340 yards passing and more than 700 yards rushing.

Kevin Bourne, Newark Catholic: His forte is in the secondary, where he has a state record-tying 108-yard interception return for a TD.

Kyle Burchett, Fairport: The 6-0, 190-pound TB/LB is strong and tough. Has 1,428 yards on 170 carries and 13 TDs.

Brenton Colabella, Steubenville Catholic Central: The 6-2, 185-pound junior QB is a prototype pocket passer who has completed 138 of 230 attempts for 2,159 yards, 23 TDs and just five interceptions.

Garrett Eilerman, Fort Loramie: Two-way lineman is everywhere despite his 5-11, 177-pound frame. Has over 70 tackles, 5.5 sacks, four fumble recoveries, two blocked punts and a block field goal.

Alec Herrell, Symmes Valley: The 5-9, 170-pound TB/LB has rushed for 806 yards and 12 TDs, averaged 24.5 yards per kickoff return and has more than 40 tackles.

Nic Paolo, Fairport: The 6-2, 210-pound QB is part of a strong senior class. Is not shy about airing it out with 1,510 passing yards and 14 TDs.

Cobin Plessinger, Malvern: The 5-11, 175-pound TB/LB never leaves the field. Has rushed for more than 1,000 yards and nine TDs. Has 37 tackles with two sacks and an interception and he's only a junior.

Alec Rossi, Warren JFK: The 5-11, 200-pound TB/LB is durable and valuable. Has rushed for more than 1,000 yards, 13 TDs. Also has more than 180 yards in receptions and more than 100 tackles, including 13 for losses, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

Gary Strain, Mogadore: The 6-1, 205-pound workhorse wasn't expected back until midseason due to a broken foot suffered during the summer, but he missed just two games and has rushed for more than 1,250 yards and 17 TDs.

PLAIN DEALER PICKS

Final four: Mogadore, Delphos St. John's, Newark Catholic and Maria Stein Marion Local.

State champ: Maria Stein Marion Local. You can't buck tradition, and the Mid Athletic Conference has plenty. Despite graduating a ton of standouts from last season's state championship team, they are big and quick enough for a repeat performance.

Plain Dealer reporters Joe Maxse, Tim Rogers and Tim Warsinskey contributed to this report.

San Francisco Giants sweep Detroit Tigers to win World Series

0
0

Although Detroit took a lead for the first time in the Series, the Giants came back to tie it and then won it in the 10th inning on a hit by former Indian Marco Scutaro.

series-giants.JPGView full sizeThe San Francisco Giants celebrate after winning the seventh World Series title in franchise history.

DETROIT -- The Giants didn't lead from wire-to-wire, but they came close in sweeping Detroit to capture their second World Series championship in three years.

Trailing for the first time in the Series on a cold and wet Sunday night, San Francisco rallied for a 4-3 victory in 10 innings at Comerica Park to win the seventh world title in franchise history.

Marco Scutaro, the Giants' secret weapon since being acquired from the Rockies in a midseason trade, drove in Ryan Theriot with the winning run on a two-out single off Phil Coke. Scutaro, MVP of the NLCS after hitting .500, got his start in pro ball with the Indians.

"Sometimes you worry that the baseball gods are going to make guys like Marco run out of hits," said Matt Cain, who started Game 4. "But he had one more hit left and it was the biggest one."

Miguel Cabrera's two-run homer gave the Tigers their first lead of the Series, 2-1, in the third inning. In the sixth, Delmon Young pulled the Tigers into a 3-3 tie with a two-out homer. It erased Buster Posey's two-run homer in the top of the inning that had given the Giants a 3-2 lead.

Tiger shortstop Jhonny Peralta almost ended it with two outs in the ninth on a long drive to the deepest part of left-center field, but Angel Pagan used Comerica's vast outfield to run the ball down near the fence.

Peralta had another long drive to the fence in left field that was caught in the sixth. The two drives captured the essence of the Tigers' World Series.

"They swept us," said manager Jim Leyland. "No bad breaks. No flukes. It's simple, they did better than we did."

Peralta's drive in the ninth was the last gasp for the Tigers because they couldn't do anything against the Giants' bullpen. Jeremy Affeldt, Santiago Casilla and Sergio Romo pitched the final three innings. Romo earned his third consecutive Series save by retiring the side in order. Cabrera, Detroit's Triple Crown winner, took a called third strike for the final out.

Pablo Sandoval, who hit .500 (8-for-16), was named World Series MVP. He set the tone in Game 1 by hitting three homers.

"I'm happy, very happy," said Sandoval. "I learned a lot from my last World Series. I grew up. I matured."

It's no surprise the Giants overcame Detroit's early 2-1 lead on Sunday night. They rallied from a 2-0 deficit against Cincinnati in the NLDS and a 3-1 deficit against St. Louis in the NLCS to reach the Series.

Cain and Max Scherzer neutralized each other with strong starts. Scherzer left in the seventh with the score tied, 3-3. Cain was gone after seven innings with the score still tied.

Cain allowed three runs on seven hits. He struck out five and walked two.

"I never though we'd sweep," said Cain. "I thought this would go down to the wire."

Theriot set up the winning rally with a leadoff single in the 10th. Brandon Crawford sacrifice him to second, but Pagan struck out. Scutaro followed with his game-winning hit.

"This is a group of guys that would not be denied," said manager Bruce Bochy. "They showed so much character. They kept fighting and said we weren't going home."

Cabrera's wind-blown homer that dropped over the right-field wall with two outs in the third was good for a 2-1 lead. It marked the first time in 56 straight innings that the Giants trailed. They hadn't played from behind since losing Game 4 of the NLCS to St. Louis.

Austin Jackson drew a one-out walk. He went to second when Quintin Berry, who tried to reach on a bunt, was thrown out at first on a nice play by Sandoval. Cabrera, with two hits in his previous nine at-bats in the Series, lifted a 1-1 pitch into the wind in right and watched it barely make it over the wall for his second homer of the postseason.

Cabrera's homer gave the Tigers their first runs in 20 consecutive innings. The Giants threw consecutive shutouts against them in Games 2 and Games 3. Until the homer, no Giants starting pitcher had allowed more than one run against the Tigers.

The Giants took a 1-0 lead in the second against Scherzer. Hunter Pence hit a ground-rule double to left-center. Brandon Belt followed with a triple into the right-field corner. With one out the Giants had a chance to add to the lead, but Gregor Blanco grounded out to second as Belt held third. Theriot flied out to right.

Scherzer allowed three runs on seven hits. He struck out eight and walked one.

In three start this postseason, Scherzer posted a 2.08 ERA with 26 strikeouts and four walks in 171/3 innings.

Monday, Oct. 29 television sports listings for Cleveland and Northeast Ohio

0
0

San Francisco 49ers visit Arizona Cardinals in Monday Night Football.

CLEVELAND, Ohio

Today's TV sports listings

NFL

8:30 p.m. San Francisco at Arizona, ESPN

What you need to know about the Cleveland Browns-Baltimore Ravens game: Monday Browns Blast

0
0

The Ravens are 5-2 and leading the AFC North, but have some problems to resolve if they want to make a run at a championship. Links to stories on the Ravens, who visit the Browns on Sunday.

joe-flacco-connor-barwin.jpg Baltimore quarterback Joe Flacco (5) is pressured by Texans' linebacker Connor Barwin (98) during the Ravens' 43-13 loss at Houston on Oct. 21.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Baltimore Ravens are coming off their bye week as they prepare to visit the Cleveland Browns on Sunday.

The AFC North foes played in Baltimore on Thursday night, Sept. 27, the Ravens holding on for a 23-16 win. That was Baltimore's ninth straight win over the Browns.

Check The Plain Dealer and cleveland.com for Browns coverage. Besides all of the numerous reports on the current Browns, a cleveland.com feature is the Browns History Database, which includes Plain Dealer game stories on almost every Browns regular season and playoff game from 1946 through 2010. Click here for the page that links to the Browns vs. Ravens game stories.

While the young Browns try to attain respectability and then hopefully emerge as a contender before long, the Ravens are among the teams with championship hopes, now.

Matt Vensel wrote for the Baltimore Sun (with a photo gallery )about some of the issues the Ravens need to resolve to maximize their chances for a title:

Among the things the Ravens will need to attack are their inconsistent offense, a toothless pass rush, a run defense that allowed an average of 207.3 rushing yards the past three games, and their tendency to start slowly away from M&T Bank Stadium. And they must do it with urgency.

The Ravens hit the road again after the bye week to take on the Cleveland Browns and then host the Oakland Raiders a week later, followed by road trips to Pittsburgh and San Diego in back-to-back weeks. Other tough opponents after that include the Steelers (again), Washington Redskins, Denver Broncos, and New York Giants, who are the defending Super Bowl champions.

"I think these next couple of weeks are going to be big," outside linebacker Paul Kruger said. "This bye came at a perfect time. I feel like we're going to get our bodies back, get our rest and it will be easier to come back and refocus and get the excitement back and come in strong."
Baltimore Ravens story links

It's pretty amazing how linebacker Terrell Suggs got back on the field less than six months after having Achilles surgery. (By Thomas Jackson, Ravens Football Machine)

A look back to each of the Ravens' first seven games, with a photo gallery. (By Jeff Zrebiec, Baltimore Sun)

Through the season's first seven weeks, the Ravens were the most-penalized team in the NFL. (By Matt Jergensen, Baltimore Gridiron Report)

Torrey Smith, in his second season, has the qualities needed to be among the NFL's top wide receivers. (By Jeff Zrebiec, Baltimore Sun)

Major disappointments for the Ravens through their first seven games. (By Tynan Patrick, Ebony Bird)

The top five players on the Ravens so far this season. A slideshow. (Bleacher Report)

The Ravens took advantage of their bye week to try to figure out some problems. (CBS Baltimore/Associated Press)

Some problems that the Ravens need to correct to have their best chance at a championship. (Bleacher Report)

The Ravens are fined $20,000 by the NFL for not listing safety Ed Reed on an injury report. (By Dan Hanzus, NFL.com)


NFL Roundup: Giants hold off Cowboys; Steelers shut down RG3

0
0

Also Sunday, Atlanta remained the only unbeaten team, moving to 7-0 by winning at Philadelphia 30-17; New England routed St. Louis 45-7 at London; Green Bay beat Jacksonville 24-15; Denver routed the Saints 34-14. Click for game recaps.

The New York Giants sure feel at home at Cowboys Stadium.

They should: After their wild 29-24 victory Sunday at Jerry Jones' palace outside Dallas, the Giants are 4-0 when they visit the billion-dollar building.

"Every time we come here, it's a nail-biter in some way, shape or form," coach Tom Coughlin said. "That's the way it is in this division."

The way it is right now is that the Super Bowl champions appear well on their way to running off with the NFC East. At 6-2 with four consecutive victories, they are far in front of Dallas (3-4), Philadelphia (3-4) and Washington (3-5).

New York needed some good fortune and big plays by the defense to take this win.

New York (6-2) led 23-0 just 2 minutes into the second quarter when defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul returned an interception 28 yards for a touchdown. That was the third pick thrown by Tony Romo, among six turnovers by Dallas — three made by safety Stevie Brown.

They didn't score again until Lawrence Tynes kicked his fourth of five field goals, from 43 yards with 10:20 left for a 26-24 lead. He added a 37-yarder after Brown recovered a fumble.

Yet the Cowboys looked like winners when a 37-yard pass from Romo was grabbed spectacularly by Dez Bryant with 10 seconds left. But when the play was reviewed, Bryant's hand touched out of bounds before the rest of his body came down in-bounds.

"I'll take the breaks, I'll take the luck, whatever you want to call it," defensive end Tuck said. "I'll take it. We needed it."

New York's thrilling win wasn't the only tight ending — not even close. Chicago, Indianapolis and Detroit also needed nearly all 60 minutes or even more to come through. The Bears edged Carolina 23-22, the Colts needed overtime to win at Tennessee 19-16, and the Lions rallied past Seattle 28-24.

Also Sunday, Atlanta remained the only unbeaten team, moving to 7-0 by winning at Philadelphia 30-17; New England routed St. Louis 45-7 at London; Green Bay beat Jacksonville 24-15; Denver routed the Saints 34-14; Pittsburgh defeated Washington 27-12; Miami romped past the New York Jets 30-9; Cleveland got by San Diego 7-6; and Oakland beat Kansas City 26-16.

On Thursday, Tampa Bay beat Minnesota 36-17.

The Monday night game has San Francisco (5-2) at Arizona (4-3).

Off this week were Houston (6-1), Baltimore (5-2), Buffalo (3-4) and Cincinnati (3-4).

___

BEARS 23, PANTHERS 22

At Chicago, the Bears (6-1) trailed 19-7 in the fourth quarter. But Brad Nortman shanked a 6-yard punt, and Jay Cutler connected with Kellen Davis on a 12-yard scoring pass.

On Carolina's next play, Steve Smith slipped on a pass pattern and Tim Jennings returned his second interception of the game 25 yards for the go-ahead score.

Cam Newton drove the Panthers to the Chicago 27, and Justin Medlock's 45-yard field goal hit the right upright and went through to put Carolina (1-6) ahead 22-20 with 2:27 remaining. Medlock had five field goals.

On the winning drive, Cutler moved the Bears 55 yards to the 23 to set up Robbie Gould's 41-yard kick as time expired. The Panthers lost their fifth straight game.

"We were down," Jennings said. "We knew we had to score on defense. Our captains rallied up the troops. We knew that if we got our hands on the ball we had to score. That's been our mentality all season."

COLTS 19, TITANS 13 OT

At Nashville, Vick Ballard made a sensational dive into the end zone to finish a 16-yard touchdown pass play from Andrew Luck to win it at 4:49 of overtime. The Colts (4-3) have beaten Tennessee (3-5) in seven of eight overall and seven of the past 10 in Nashville.

"They were all around, and I just knew I had to get in," Ballard said. "The only way I could get in from the 5 was to jump, so I did."

The Colts did it with Luck leading a pair of 80-yard touchdown drives. The top pick overall in April's draft set up Delone Carter's 1-yard TD run that tied it at 13 with 3:24 left in the fourth quarter.

LIONS 28, SEAHAWKS 24

At Detroit, Matthew Stafford's 1-yard touchdown pass to Titus Young with 20 seconds left capped Young's breakout performance and secured the victory.

Young also caught a TD throw midway through the second quarter and finished with nine receptions and 100 yards receiving — both career highs. He stepped in for the injured Nate Burleson.

"I wasn't worried about Titus," coach Jim Schwartz said. "Titus has never lacked for self-confidence."

Zach Miller made a spectacular, 16-yard catch on a pass from Russell Wilson with 5:27 left to put the Seahawks (4-4) ahead. But Stafford led a 16-play, 80-yard possession. Young broke inside of cornerback Brandon Browner and caught the winning TD pass.

FALCONS 30, EAGLES 17

At Philadelphia, the Eagles (3-4) lost for the first time in 13 games after a bye under Andy Reid. They were no match for the Falcons as Matt Ryan threw touchdown passes on Atlanta's first three possessions against Philadelphia and new defensive coordinator Todd Bowles.

The Falcons improved to 7-0 for the first time in franchise history as they scored on their first six possessions before punting for the first time with 5:35 left.

"When you do that, it's going to be a good day," said Ryan, who finished 22 of 29 for 262 yards for his first win against his hometown team in three tries.

Michael Vick didn't turn over the ball, but he struggled and failed to beat his former team in his second start against the Falcons since returning to the NFL in 2009.

"The thing I know is, I'm giving it everything I've got out there when I step on the field," Vick said. "Deep down, as long as I know I'm doing that, giving it everything, that's all I can ask out of myself."

PATRIOTS 45, RAMS 7

At London, the Ex-Pats, uh, Pats (5-3) made this international game a rout. Tom Brady led touchdown drives on the first five possessions for New England.

The Rams (3-5) looked ready to put up a fight when Sam Bradford hit Chris Givens with a 50-yard touchdown pass on the opening drive. But Brady cut through the St. Louis defense at will for a 28-7 lead by halftime, then hit Brandon Lloyd for a 9-yard score to start the third quarter.

New England surpassed 350 yards of total offense for the 17th straight game, breaking an NFL record set by the Rams in 1999-2000.

Patriots coach Bill Belichick enjoyed the Wembley scene. Of course, the winner always enjoy the scene, no matter where it is.

"The stadium was great," he said. "Playing on grass is always good. ... It's good to see the jerseys muddy, grass stains. Guys picking up dirt out of their facemasks, stuff like that. We don't see a lot of that back in the States."

PACKERS 24, JAGUARS 15

At Green Bay, the Packers (5-3) struggled with the undermanned Jaguars (1-6), but still squeezed out their third consecutive victory. Aaron Rodgers hit old favorite Donald Driver on a 4-yard touchdown in the fourth quarter, his second TD pass of the game,

Rodgers passed Bart Starr for second place on Green Bay's all-time list with 153, behind only Brett Favre's 442.

Dezman Moses gave the Packers their first touchdown on a blocked punt in almost 22 years.

Jacksonville was without All-Pro RB Maurice Jones-Drew, but backup Rashad Jennings finished with 115 yards of offense, and Cecil Shorts had a career-best 116 yards on eight catches.

BRONCOS 34, SAINTS 14

At Denver, Peyton Manning shook off a bleeding right thumb after banging it on an opponent's helmet to throw for 305 yards and three TDs. It was Manning's fifth straight 300-yard game, setting a franchise record for Denver (4-3) and matching his personal best.

The Broncos gained 530 yards against the Saints (2-5), who came in with the NFL's worst defense, which was not helped by the return from suspension of Joe Vitt as interim coach.

Denver held Drew Brees and the league's top-ranked passing offense to 213 yards.

steelers.jpg Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger (7) throws a pass in his 1934 throwback jersey during their win over the Redskins.

STEELERS 27, REDSKINS 12

At Pittsburgh, Ben Roethlisberger threw for 222 yards and three touchdowns as the Steelers (4-3) won consecutive games for the first time this season. Jonathan Dwyer added 107 yards rushing in his second NFL start.

Pittsburgh never let Redskins rookie QB Robert Griffin III get going; he was held to 16 of 34 passing for 177 yards and a score while managing 8 yards rushing.

"It is very frustrating," Griffin said as Washington fell to 3-5. "You want to go out, be successful, execute plays and have everything work for you and then when you have a day like today when you have almost nothing work for you."

DOLPHINS 30, JETS 9

At East Rutherford, N.J., rookie QB Ryan Tannehill hurt his left knee and quadriceps in the first quarter, but Matt Moore stepped in and Miami's special teams stepped up. Moore threw a touchdown pass to Anthony Fasano, Olivier Vernon recovered a blocked punt in the end zone for a touchdown and blocked a field goal, and the Dolphins smothered Mark Sanchez and the Jets (3-5).

After a week of trash talking between both sides, the argument easily was won on the field by the Dolphins (4-3), winners of three in a row.

"It was very satisfying for us, as good as it gets," Reggie Bush said. "We wanted to have the opportunity to jump on them early and we accomplished that. Once we got them down early, I thought that was it."

BROWNS 7, CHARGERS 6

At Cleveland, rookie Trent Richardson rushed for 122 yards and scored a touchdown in wet conditions. The Browns (2-6) won their second straight game at home — and first for new owner Jimmy Haslam III — as Richardson scored on a 26-yard run in the first quarter.

The Chargers (3-4) dropped their third straight. Philip Rivers threw for only 154 yards.

RAIDERS 26, CHIEFS 16

Oakland (3-4) won its sixth in a row at Kansas City, getting four field goals from Sebastian Janikowski, 114 yards rushing by Darren McFadden, and two TD passes from Carson Palmer.

Matt Cassel threw for 218 yards in place of Brady Quinn, who left in the first half with what the team called a "head injury." Quinn had started his second straight game.

The Chiefs (1-6) have lost four straight and still have not led in regulation this season.


Cleveland Browns host the Baltimore Ravens -- Who wins? (poll) Monday Browns Blast

0
0

Browns are 2-6; the Ravens, 5-2. Cleveland lost at Baltimore, 23-16, on Sept. 27.

boldin-robertson-patterson.jpg Cleveland linebacker Craig Robertson intercepts a Joe Flacco pass intended for Baltimore wide receiver Anquan Boldin (81) during the Browns' 23-16 loss in Baltimore on Sept. 27. Browns cornerback Dimitri Patterson (21) is also in the play.


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, as they begin the second half of their 2012 season.

The Browns will be trying to halt a nine-game losing streak against Baltimore. The Ravens posted a 23-16 win over the Browns on Thursday night, Sept. 27 in Baltimore.

Cleveland is 2-6 and in last place in the AFC North. First-place Baltimore, coming off its bye week, is 5-2, one game ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Baltimore leads the all-time series against Cleveland, with 20 wins to the Browns' seven.

The Browns began the season with five losses: 17-16 to the Philadelphia Eagles at Browns Stadium; 34-27 to the Bengals in Cincinnati; 24-14, at home, to the Buffalo Bills; the 23-16 loss at Baltimore; 41-27 to the Giants in New York.

Then, the Browns posted their first win, at home over the Bengals, 34-24. They lost to the host Colts, 17-13, in Week 7. The Browns defeated the San Diego Chargers, 7-6, on Sunday in Cleveland.

The Ravens opened the season with a 44-13 romp over the Bengals in Baltimore, then lost to the Eagles, 24-23, in Philadelphia.

Baltimore then won four straight games: at home, 31-30 over the New England Patriots, followed by the win over the Browns; 9-6 over the Chiefs in Kansas City; 31-29 over the Dallas Cowboys in Baltimore.

The Ravens last played on Oct. 21, at Houston, where they were routed by the Texans, 43-13.




Cleveland Browns earn dramatic 14-13 win over Baltimore Ravens during their drive to the 2002 playoffs: Monday Browns Blast

0
0

In 15th game of 2002 season, Tim Couch directed a 92-yard drive capped by a last-minute touchdown pass to Mark Campbell. Video highlights of the 2002 Browns season.

mark-campbell2.jpg Mark Campbell after catching a 1-yard touchdown pass from Tim Couch in the final minute of Cleveland's game at Baltimore on Dec. 22, 2002. The TD, followed by Phil Dawson's extra point, gave the playoff-bound Browns a 14-13 win over the Ravens.


CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns host the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday, in the 28th game between the teams.

Cleveland is 2-6 and in last place in the AFC North. First-place Baltimore is 5-2, one game ahead of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Ravens defeated the Browns, 23-16, on Thursday night, Sept. 27 in Baltimore.

Baltimore leads the all-time series against Cleveland, with 20 wins to the Browns' seven, and has won the last nine meetings. The teams first played in 1999, when Cleveland began play as an expansion franchise after not having a team for three years. Then-Browns owner Art Modell moved the team to Baltimore after the 1995 season and it became known, of course, as the Ravens.

Modell died this Sept. 6 at age 87. He had sold 49 percent of the Ravens' ownership share to current owner Steve Bisciotti in 2000, then another 50 percent in 2004, retaining a one percent share of the team.

Cleveland.com features the Browns History Database, which includes Plain Dealer game stories on almost every Browns' regular season and playoff game from 1946 through 2010. Click here for the page that has links to PD stories on the Browns-Ravens games.

Click onto the score of the following games for the specific Plain Dealer game stories.

The Browns have made the playoffs once since re-joining the NFL in 1999. That was in the 2002 season (click here for the page that links to PD stories on every Browns game during that season). The campaign ended with the wild card Browns losing to the Steelers, 36-33, in a playoff game at Pittsburgh on Jan. 6, 2003.

The 2002 Browns lost their first meeting with Baltimore, 26-21, on Sunday night, Oct. 6 in Cleveland. That gave the Browns a 2-3 record.

Then, that Dec. 22 in Baltimore, the Browns earned one of the rare big wins in their post-expansion era. Cleveland defeated Baltimore, 14-13, to become 8-7 and stay in the playoff race. Then, a week later in Cleveland, the Browns bested the Atlanta Falcons, 24-16. That win, coupled with a couple other outcomes around the NFL, gave the Browns their playoff berth.

The Browns trailed, 13-7, late in the game at Baltimore on Dec. 22, 2002. From The Plain Dealer game story on the Browns' 14-13, last-minute win:


After Ravens punter and Cleveland native Dave Zastudil booted the ball to the Browns' 8 with 2:18 to play, it looked typically grim for the Browns.




Which is to say, typically do-able. Nine of their previous 14 games this season had been decided in the final minute, and they had won four of them.




Couch got the drive going with completions of 11 and 9 yards to seldom-used receiver Andre King, which moved the ball to the 28 at the two-minute warning.




"I could feel us rolling," Couch said. "You could see the confidence in guys' eyes. In the huddle, I was saying, 'This is it.' "




After the timeout, Couch fired high to Morgan, and the big receiver made an outstretched grab for another 17 yards. Pause for a tipped pass at the line of scrimmage and near interception by Gary Baxter. Then, the play of the game.




Jamel White, who had scored the first touchdown on a 3-yard run three hours earlier, took a little dumpoff pass from Couch and turned it up the right sideline. White accelerated through Baltimore's "prevent" for a 28-yard gain, and then was hit out of bounds by Ravens cornerback Chris McAlister.




"I don't get many opportunities," said White. "I'm thinking, 'I've got to make a play.' And then the guy [McAlister], I guess he was upset, and he hit me out of bounds."




McAlister, who earlier in the fourth quarter baited Mark Campbell into a key taunting penalty after a catch, was flagged for unnecessary roughness. The penalty moved the Browns to the Ravens' 13.


And, the play that -- along with Phil Dawson's extra point -- won the game for the Browns:


.....Couch faked a handoff, rolled to his right, looked momentarily for Steve Heiden, and then tossed the ball to Campbell, who was wide open in the end zone for the touchdown.



It was fitting that two players who have labored four years together since the start-up of the new Browns collaborated for the touchdown that secured the team's sweetest - if not prettiest - victory yet.


Video: It's choppy, and there's not much audio, but it's entertaining. Highlights from the 2002 Browns season:




Win a pair of Cavaliers tickets to Tuesday night's home opener, courtesy of cleveland.com

0
0

Win a pair of Cavs tickets to the season opener against the Wizards on Tuesday, October 30.

KYRIE.JPGView full sizeKyrie Irving and the Cavaliers are back in action on Tuesday night at The Q.

The Cavaliers are back in action Tuesday night at The Q, as they host the Washington Wizards in the 2012-2013 season opener.

Fans who attend opening night can get a T-shirt courtesy of Quicken Loans and a Cavs magnet schedule. Great seats start at $10. Get your tickets at The Q box office, any Northern Ohio Discount Drug Mart, call 800-820-CAVS or go to cavs.com.

cleveland.com is giving away 1 pair of tickets to Tuesday night's home opener against the Wizards.

All you need to do is follow us on Twitter and share this contest.

Follow these instructions to enter:

1. Sign in to your Twitter account.

2. Follow @clevelanddotcom.

3. Retweet this message:

RT @clevelanddotcom I want to win a pair of tickets to the @Cavs home opener Tuesday night. http://ow.ly/eNOAd

cavs-tweet.jpg

Our winner will be selected at random and notified via direct message MONDAY, OCT. 29 AT 3 P.M. The winner can pick up the tickets during business hours Monday or Tuesday at cleveland.com's offices in The Flats.

Good luck! If you have any questions, please contact Dan Labbe.

Trent Richardson is the bad-weather back the Cleveland Browns have long needed: Bill Livingston's Monday Morning Musings

0
0

Richardson's toughness, production in Sunday's rain and wind shows he can be a player Browns can depend on.

Gallery preview

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Monday Morning Musings after Sunday's 7-6 Browns win over the San Diego Chargers. . . Or: "The North Coast Offense Strikes."

1. Ever since the days of Kevin Mack and Earnest Byner, the Browns have said they need to be able to run the ball because they have to play in weather similar to Sunday's windblown soaker. A lot of guys have auditioned for the role of either Mack or Byner, including Leroy "He Scored!" Hoard, Jamaal Lewis, ands, memorably, Peyton Hillis. After everyone but me and you and a dog named Boo got a shot, the highest-drafted running back in franchise history, Trent Richardson, crashed for 122 yards on 24 carries and a stunning 26-yard touchdown run in a 7-6 victory over San Diego.

Unless he contracts Peyton Hillis Disease, and seeks to join the CIA or takes part of a game week off to get married or maybe comes down with the sniffles or whatever Hillis had (OK, it was supposedly strep throat), Richardson looks like the real deal.

2. Just a quick note to Richardson: Jim Brown is a football icon. It's fine to be thrilled with his approval. I have problems with the irresponsible things Brown has said over the years, including some really toxic stuff in the Maurice Clarett scandal at Ohio State about former athletic director Andy Geiger. But Brown was a warrior, all the way and on every given Sunday.

That LeBron James T-shirt Richardson wore when meeting with the press last week -- not such a hot idea. Kids are kids and most have no use for history. I understand that.

Still, Richardson might want to Google Game 5 Boston-Cleveland, Eastern Conference semifinals in 2010. LeBron James is still a pariah to many fans here because he quit on his team that night. He's also that to those reporters with the guts to acknowledge in print what they saw with their own eyes.

3. Wind is a quarterback's worst enemy, even worse than rain or, within reason, snow. They just don't know where the ball is going to go. Even a power arm like that of Brandon Weeden can't cope with it. It's particularly tough at the Dawg Pound end of Cleveland Browns Stadium, because the "cutouts" that provide views of the lakefront and keep the stadium from being a bowl also tend to change the kicking conditions.

4. Wind funneled through a constriction is subject to the so-called "Venturi Effect," which has nothing to do with golfer Ken Venturi almost melting in the heat at the U.S. Open at Congressional in the early 1960s, and everything to do with jet aircraft and automotive engineering. The theory details how air pressure reduces when it flows through a constricted area. When the air emerges on the other side of the constriction, it explodes with an often violent, swirling motion.

5. Coping with that and the cold and the sometimes poor footing is why Phil Dawson should be considered the best kicker of his generation, by the way.

6. Not sure what the problem is with Philip Rivers, the Chargers' quarterback. Great talent, fine supporting cast, creative coach, career underachiever -- that's the bottom line.

My own view is that Rivers or his coaches sometimes get too cute with all the toys available.

I don't think Rivers is that different from the QB whose N.C. State team lost, 44-38, to Ohio State in triple overtime at the Shoe in 2003. On fourth-and-goal at the Buckeyes' 2 in the third OT, N.C. State grouped four wideouts to the left in a diamond formation, then tried to run the tailback up the middle against the dispersed defense. OSU's Will Allen butt-planted him 6 inches short of the goal-line.

Same with the Bolts. All those toys and they kick two field goals on a rainy day, the poor California dears, and lose to a previously one-win Browns team.

7. Don't judge me for overvaluing college impressions. I never forgot Braylon Edwards dropping a fourth-and-1 3-yard square-out right in the bread basket against Ohio State in 2004 at the Michigan 29-yard line. He re-ran variations of that play in the NFL with the Browns too many times to count.

8. We're not having this victory conversation if Robert Meachem doesn't drop a perfect 51-yard TD pass from Rivers, though.

9. Then again, Brandon Weeden missed a wide-open Ben Watson deep, too.

10. Gotta give it up to the Browns and Chargers. They play excellent wide-open receiver defense. The Cavaliers might be interested in studying their technique to use in free throw defense. Maybe scream in a guy's face, as did Buster Skrine on a botched fair catch?

11. Pat Shurmur is damned if he does and damned if he doesn't. Ripped for punting on fourth-and-1 at Indianapolis two weeks ago, he endured the barbs of TV analyst Rich Gannon when Josh Cribbs and Travis Benjamin misfired on a double reverse. Shurmur's record is 6-and-18 overall, and he is probably doomed. He has reached the point that, whatever he does, somebody in the media will get him for it.

To reach Bill Livingston:

blivingston@plaind.com, 216-999-4672

On Twitter: @LivyPD

Cleveland Browns and NFL A.M. Links: Jim Brown meets with Joe Banner today; the Browns find a solution in Trent Richardson; Chargers worst team in the NFL?

0
0

Jim Brown will meet with Jimmy Haslam today.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - One of the biggest moments following Sunday's victory over the San Diego Chargers was the embrace in the locker room between Trent Richardson and the great Jim Brown.

Despite everything Brown said about Richardson being ordinary, and the fact that Brown was released from his duties by outgoing team president Mike Holmgren two years ago, none of it seemed to matter on this day. Brown's presence among the players seemed natural. He's an elder statesman among 53-plus players who could benefit from his football and non-football experiences.

Brown meets today with chief executive officer Joe Banner and owner Jimmy Haslam, and more than likely the discussion will include Brown's possible role with the team. Brown met Haslam for the first time in September when Brown was here participating in the Cleveland Browns Legends event. The two met for nearly an hour about Brown's potential role with the team.

That role will soon be defined.




More Browns and NFL links:

Scribbles from the Browns vs. Chargers game (Cleveland.com).

The San Diego Chargers are in a free fall (U-T San Diego).

Jimmy Haslam revels in first victory as owner (Cleveland.com).

Are the Chargers the worst team in the NFL (U-T San Diego)?

The Browns find a solution in Trent Richardson (Cleveland.com).

Brandon Weeden credits defense for the victory (WFNY).

Quick Slants following the Browns and Chargers (Cleveland.com).

Style points doesn't matter, because a win is a win (The News-Herald).

Sunday was a day for playmakers for the Browns (CantonRep.com).

Trent Richardson inspires his teammates to victory (Ohio.com).

The Browns secondary comes up big in the fourth quarter (Fox Sports Ohio).
 
 


Final Top 25 football poll by The Plain Dealer for 2012 high school season

0
0

FINAL PD FOOTBALL TOP 25 (Previous week's ranking in parentheses)

St. Edward celebrates a blocked punt and recovery in the fourth quarter of Saturday's win over St. Ignatius. - (John Kuntz, The Plain Dealer)

FINAL PD FOOTBALL TOP 25

(Previous week's ranking in parentheses)

1. St. Edward, 10-0 (2): Hosts Mayfield on Saturday.

Eagles edged archrival St. Ignatius, 20-13, to win Plain Dealer poll championship.

2. St. Ignatius, 9-1 (1): Hosts Austintown Fitch on Saturday.

Wildcats need to forget loss to St. Edward and get ready for the postseason.

3. Mentor, 9-1 (3): Hosts Warren Harding on Saturday.

Cardinals have outscored their foes, 158-28, over their past three games.

4. St. Vincent-St. Mary, 8-2 (4): At Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin on Saturday.

Fighting Irish got much-needed win over Youngstown Ursuline.

5. Willoughby South, 10-0 (5): Hosts North Royalton on Saturday.

Rebels breezed through season, but postseason is called "second season" for a reason.

6. Chagrin Falls, 9-1 (6): Hosts Woodridge on Saturday.

Tigers racked up 530 yards in total offense in a 56-16 win at Perry.

7. Aurora 9-1 (8): Hosts New Philadelphia on Friday.

Greenmen stayed grounded while soundly beating Kenston, 48-20.

8. Avon, 9-1 (9): Hosts Perrysburg on Friday.

Eagles ran off nine straight wins after opening-season loss at Avon Lake.

9. Midview, 9-1 (10): At Toledo Central Catholic on Friday.

Middies need to sharpen play if they are to go deep into the postseason.

10. Hudson, 8-2 (13): At Canton GlenOak on Saturday.

Victory over North Royalton should give Explorers a running start into the postseason.

11. North Royalton, 9-1 (7): At Willoughby South on Saturday.

Bears fall just short of an unbeaten regular season in Week 10 loss to Hudson.

12. Euclid, 7-3 (11): Season is completed.

Panthers end year on a 55-0 blowout win over Warrensville Heights.

13. Cleveland Heights, 8-2 (17): Season is completed.

Tigers' victory over Shaw turned out to be too little, too late.

14. Westlake, 9-1 (18): Hosts Mansfield Madison on Friday.

Demons must shorten conference title celebration and focus on the big picture.

15. Twinsburg, 6-4 (14): Season is completed.

Tigers had successful season considering they didn't have their ace tailback.

16. Brunswick, 7-3 (15): Season is completed.

Blue Devils never gained the consistency needed to extend their season.

17. Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin, 8-2 (19): Hosts St. Vincent-St. Mary on Saturday.

Lions were unstoppable from Week 3, culminated by Week 10 win over Lake Catholic.

18. Elyria, 7-3 (12): Season is completed.

Football is a game of inches and, as Pioneers learned, so is making the postseason.

19. Avon Lake, 8-2 (21): At Toledo Whitmer on Saturday.

Shoremen's win over Amherst gave coach Dave Dlugosz his 200th career triumph.

20. Kirtland, 10-0 (20): Hosts Beverly Fort Frye on Saturday.

Hornets rebounded from their Week 9 scare to pound Independence, 63-28.

21. Nordonia, 7-3, (16): At Massillon on Saturday.

Knights slid into the postseason despite last Friday's loss to Wadsworth.

22. Glenville, 8-2 (22): Plays John Adams in Senate Athletic League title game Friday at Collinwood.

Tarblooders beat John Adams on Friday but league shutout streak was snapped at six games.

23. Kent Roosevelt, 9-1 (24): Hosts Ellet on Friday.

Rough Riders needed double overtime against Ravenna to clinch conference championship.

24. Mogadore, 10-0 (25): Hosts Steubenville Catholic Central on Friday.

Wildcats are thrilled with league title but they want much more.

25. Cuyahoga Heights, 9-1 (--): Hosts Bellaire on Saturday.

Redskins' only blemish was loss to defending Division V state champion Kirtland.

Dropped out: North Olmsted.

Cleveland Indians RF Shin-Soo Choo finalist for Gold Glove award

0
0

Shin-Soo Choo of the Indians is a finalist for a Gold Glove award, but what about Michael Brantley and Jason Kipnis?

choo-catch-twins-ap.jpgShin-Soo Choo is known for his strong throwing arm.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Right fielder Shin-Soo Choo was the only Indians player named as a finalist for a Gold Glove award. The awards will be announced Tuesday at 9:30 p.m. on ESPN2.

Choo's competition among American League right fielders is Kansas City's Jeff Francouer and Oakland's Josh Reddick.

The Indians didn't do much right last season on the way to 94 losses, but they did play good team defense. They finished tied for the fifth best fielding percentage in the AL with Toronto and Los Angeles at .984. They ranked fifth in errors with 96.

Choo, known for his strong throwing arm, appeared in 154 games in right field. He was charged with two errors and recorded seven assists. Choo had a .993 fielding percentage.

He will have a tough time beating Francouer or Reddick. Francouer led the AL with 19 assists, while Reddick finished third with 15.

Center fielder Michael Brantley and second baseman Jason Kipnis also played well defensively for the Tribe, but were not named as finalists. Last year shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera was a finalist, but he didn't make the cut this year.

Gold Gloves, sponsored by Rawlings, are voted on by managers and coaches. They cannot vote for players on their own teams.

The Gold Gloves will be presented on Nov. 9 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.

Brantley and Kipnis faced tough competition at their respective positions.

The AL finalists in center field are Detroit's Austin Jackson, LA's Mike Trout and Baltimore's Adam Jones. The finalists at second base are Boston Dustin Pedroia, Seattle's Dustin Ackley and New York's Robinson Cano.

Former Indians Brandon Phillips is a finalists at second base in the National League for Cincinnati.

Viewing all 53367 articles
Browse latest View live




Latest Images