The Plain Dealer's high school sportswriters preview this weekend's area football games.
View full sizeThe season doesn't get any easier tonight for Mentor senior quarterback Colton Wallace and the 1-3 Cardinals, who will host undefeated Willoughby South.TODAY
Avon at North Ridgeville
What, when, where: West Shore Conference game, 7 p.m. at North Ridgeville Stadium, 34600 Bainbridge Road, North Ridgeville. Call 440-353-1170.
Records: Avon 4-0, 1-0; North Ridgeville 3-1, 1-0.
What to watch: This one looks to go a long way in deciding the league title. The Eagles, ranked No. 5 in Division II and No. 14 by The Plain Dealer, had to rally for a 48-24 win against Rocky River. They had allowed three points in their first three games. Running backs Adam Horrocks and Patrick Furnas have given quarterback Cody Schroeder a balanced attack. The Rangers have won three straight since an opening 6-0 loss to unbeaten Westlake, outscoring opponents, 112-54. Senior running back Brandon Mundell has paced the ground game.
PD pick: Avon.
Avon Lake at North Olmsted
What, when, where: Southwestern Conference game, 7:30 p.m. at North Olmsted Stadium, 5577 Burns Road, North Olmsted. Call 440-779-8797.
Records: Avon Lake 3-1, 1-0; North Olmsted 2-2, 0-1.
What to watch: The Shoremen, ranked No. 19 by The Plain Dealer, go for their fourth straight victory. They have outscored opponents, 126-21, during the streak. Quarterback Trent Toy has been producing through the air and on the ground. The Eagles can jumpstart their season after alternating victories. They are a .500 club, scoring 69 points and allowing 64. Senior quarterback Mike Shoemaker has spearheaded the offense.
PD pick: Avon Lake.
Brunswick at Twinsburg
What, when, where: Northeast Ohio Conference crossover game, 7 p.m. at Twinsburg Tiger Stadium, 10084 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg. Call 330-486-2480.
Records: Brunswick 3-1; Twinsburg 4-0.
What to watch: The winner will walk away with a ton of Division I, Region 2 computer points but more important, will earn bragging rights for Twinsburg coach Mark Solis or his brother-in-law, Brunswick coach Luke Beal. QB Aaron Macer brings versatility to the Tigers' offense because he can pass and run and he has three capable runners/receivers in John Barton, London Carter and Sam Burgess. They must be aware of the Blue Devils' outstanding DB Scott Suren. The key is the offensive line's depth where 8-9 players rotate, with the standouts being Brett Gulosh, Nico Gagne-Cross and Jeremy Thompson. Brunswick will counter with TB Nick Roberts, who was a primary reason it outrushed Garfield Heights last week, 269 yards to 49.
PD pick: Twinsburg.
Chagrin Falls at Kenston
What, when, where: Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division game, 7 p.m., Snyder Road, Bainbridge Township. Call 440-543-9821.
Records: Both teams are 3-1, 1-0.
What to watch: Both teams have been hampered by injuries. Kenston running backs Percy Johnson (back) and Pat Porter (shoulder) played last week, a good sign for the Bombers, who have won three in a row. Chagrin Falls lost junior kicker Alex Hallwachs and senior linebacker Alex Garnaut to season-ending knee injuries. Four players, including wideout Mike Hageman and lineman Dan O'Kane, are out with concussions. The bottom line on this game will be whether Chagrin can rebound from a flat defensive performance against the run in last week's loss to Aurora. Kenston will run hard and often.
PD pick: Kenston.
John Marshall at John F. Kennedy
What, when, where: Senate Athletic League football game, 3 p.m. at John F. Kennedy's Roye Kidd Field, 17100 Harvard Ave., Cleveland. Call 216-461-5759.
Records: John Marshall 3-1, 2-0; John F. Kennedy 3-1, 2-0.
What to watch: Another game where plenty of computer points are there for the taking. JFK LB Damien Roberts, NT Nate Phillips and linemen Christopher McCloud and Savron Jefferson have been solid, while 6-4, 230-pound Ohio State recruit Chris Carter Jr. is one of the premier linemen in the area. QB Antonio Howard, WR Marcus Martin and the tailback twosome of Isaac Johnson and Lawrence Drake make the Eagles go on offense. Marshall, under the direction of rookie coach Brooks Baird, is in the thick of the league title race, thanks to RBs Josh Sims and Dominique Dickerson and an offensive line led by James Plummer, Doug Hargis, Lee McClung, Teyvis Russell and Carl Hampton. Their marquee player is QB/S Tamaine Chappell, while LB DeAndre Brown has been a force on defense.
PD pick: John F. Kennedy.
Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas at Elyria Catholic
What, when, where: Nonleague football game, 7 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Stadium, 725 Gulf Road, Elyria, Call 440-365-6390 ext. 26.
Records: Aquinas 2-2, Elyria Catholic 4-0.
What to watch: The Panthers moved into the top spot of the Associated Press Division IV poll after their 34-28 overtime win against Columbus Bishop Hartley. They are ranked No. 12 in the Plain Dealer Top 25. EC enjoyed its best rushing game of the season by piling up 215 yards. It bodes well since senior quarterback Danny Reaser is averaging 392 passing yards with 18 touchdowns. The Knights lost this game at home last year, 28-7.
PD pick: Elyria Catholic.
Mayfield at Brush
What, when, where: Northeast Ohio Conference crossover game, 7 p.m. at Korb Field, 4875 Glenlyn Road, Lyndhurst, Call 216-691-2100.
Records: Mayfield 3-1; Brush 2-2.
What to watch: The Wildcats posted their first shutout of the season last week with a 33-0 blanking of Elyria as the running game, led by Carlos Cruzado and Aaron Evans, racked up 179 yards. The passing game produced only two completions, but those accounted for 93 yards and a touchdown. Mayfield, which held Elyria to 121 yards on the ground and only 1 yard through the air, will be tested by Arcs TB Patric Hammon and quarterback Mark Ciarlillo. However, Brush will need a stellar performance in the trenches to be successful, and Mayfield place-kicker Tyler Anderson could be the difference maker if the game is close.
PD pick: Mayfield.
Parma at Elyria
What, when, where: Northeast Ohio Conference crossover game, 7 p.m. at Ely Stadium, Ely Stadium, 1915 Middle Avenue, Elyria. Call 440-284-8300.
Records: Parma 3-1; Elyria 1-3.
What to watch: Look for another aggressive passing attack by Parma, led by QB Joe Pullman and WRs Romey Johnson, Amer Smith, Billy Pullman and Dylan Kurtz. LB Johnnie Karban is the defensive stalwart, but the Redmen's secondary will also need to be at their best. Elyria QB Dustin Stolarski won't be afraid to throw it to Demetrius Walton-Kirkendoll and Malik Merriweather, but will also have the option of handing the ball to Jumarr Lewis and Keon Nealy. Could be a good matchup on the line between Parma's 6-4, 290-pound T Jason Varwig and Elyria's 6-5, 260-pound two-way lineman/Ohio State recruit Chase Ferris.
PD pick: Parma.
Perry at West Geauga
What, when, where: Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division game, 7 p.m., Howell Field, West Geauga High School, 13401 Chillicothe Road, Chester Township. Call 440-729-5060.
Records: Perry 4-0, 2-0; West Geauga 4-0, 1-0.
What to watch: Who has the best player in the CVC? Last week, West Geauga coach Lou Cirino said it was his QB, Joe Drenski. Think Perry QB Mitchel Hokavar and the Pirates defense were listening? Either way, it's a great matchup and will go a long way toward determining not just the best player, but the best team in the CVC Chagrin. Perry coach Matt Rosati, whose first 69 victories came at West Geauga, goes for his 100th career win against his former school. Cirino is one of his former West G players.
PD pick: Perry.
Riverside at Harvey
What, when, where: Nonleague game, 7 p.m., Jack Britt Stadium, Recreation Park, Painesville. Call 440-392-5150.
Records: Riverside 0-4; Harvey 2-2.
What to watch: Is this the year for Harvey? The Red Raiders have not won this neighborhood rivalry in the lifetime of most of its players -- 18 years. Riverside has scored just 17 points, but it has played Perry, West Geauga, Fitch and Geneva, who are a combined 14-2. Harvey's victories are against winless Fairport Harbor and Wickliffe, but the Red Raiders opened some eyes in last week's 34-32 loss to West Geauga. QB Kaleb Coffee leads Harvey in rushing, allowing the Raiders to move Justin Rice back to his natural slot position. Riverside leads the series, 34-23-1.
PD pick: Harvey.
Westlake at Amherst
What, when, where: Southwestern Conference game, 7:30 p.m. at Amherst Field, 450 Washington Street, Amherst. Call 440-988-4433 ext. 226.
Records: Both are 4-0, 1-0.
What to watch: Huge conference game pits defense against offense. The visiting Demons have allowed only 15 points this season, scoring a modest 48. Senior quarterback Mike Massaad has thrown four TD passes. Points have not been a problem for the Comets, ranked No. 22 by The Plain Dealer. They have outscored opponents, 153-43. Senior quarterback Brennan Hosier has tossed 12 touchdowns passes, six to Tyler Parrish. Which strength will prevail?
PD pick: Amherst.
Willoughby South at Mentor
What, when, where: Nonleague game, 7 p.m., Osborne Stadium, Mentor High, 6477 Center St., Mentor. Call 440-974-5304.
Records: South 4-0; Mentor 1-3.
What to watch: The most anticipated game in Lake County, and fans might be rewarded with a shootout. South comes into the game with something to prove and the memory of a 31-2 playoff loss at Mentor in 2008. Mentor needs the win to keep its withering playoff hopes alive, and needs to prove it can finish games. The key matchup will be Mentor's front seven against a small but agile South offensive line. If they can protect QB Ray Russ and block for RB Dom Darling, it will be a tough night for Mentor. The Cardinals offer the South defense its stiffest test. RB Mike Korecz and QBs Colton Wallace and Mitch Trubisky can lead long drives or break long plays.
PD pick: South.
SATURDAY
Archbishop Hoban
vs. St. Vincent-St. Mary
What, when, where: Nonleague game, 7 p.m., InfoCision Stadium, East Exchange and Spicer streets, Akron. Call 330-873-3315.
Records: Archbishop Hoban, 2-2; SVSM 3-1.
What to watch: ''SVSM is ranked eighth in The Plain Dealer and 12th in the state by the Associated Press, thanks to its defense, which has given up just 25 points. Players such as S Mark Murphy, LB Mike Greising, CBs Doran Grant and Joe Breiding and DL D.J. Williams, Vince Joyce and Freeland Oliverio have dominated. Hoban, ranked 17th in The Plain Dealer, has given up 49 points -- 26 coming in a loss to Walsh Jesuit -- behind the play of junior DEs Greg McMullen and LaTroy Lewis and DBs Kerrigan Cain and Nate Greczanik. Inconsistency at quarterback has plagued both squads. Because the rivals are in the same computer region (Division III, Region 9), the game takes meaning, above just the traditional bragging rights. SVSM enters the game in third place in the computer standings, while Hoban is 15th. This is the 34th meeting between the schools and Hoban leads, 17-16, and has won 10 of the 14 games since the series resumed in 1996 after a long layoff. SVSM has won the past three, all under coach Dan Boarman.
PD pick: SVSM.
Eastlake North vs. Lake Catholic
What, when, where: Nonleague game, 7 p.m., Osborne Stadium, Mentor High, 6477 Center St., Mentor. Call 440-951-0077.
Records: Both teams 3-1.
What to watch: The schools have played twice, in 2000 and 2001, and Lake Catholic won both by shutouts. Getting a shutout against this North offense will be an accomplishment. The Rangers are averaging 32.5 points with prolific QB George Gresko leading the way. North also has a strong running game featuring Jordan Morris. Lake Catholic counters with a defense that held Ursuline and Walsh Jesuit each to 14 points while forcing a total of six turnovers. Cougars TB Richie Sanders has rushed for 758 yards and seven TDs.
PD pick: Lake Catholic.
St. Ignatius vs. Don Bosco Prep
What, when, where: Nonleague football game, 4 p.m. at Harding Stadium, 1952 Calvin Jones Way, Steubenville. Call 216-651-0222.
Records: St. Ignatius 2-2; Don Bosco 2-0.
What to watch: This "Rally in the Valley" game, which will be broadcast by Fox Sports, will be another challenge for 10-time Division I state champion St. Ignatius. It was supposed to be a rebuilding season for 2009 national champion Don Bosco, which is ranked 11th in the RISE/ESPN Fab 50 national poll, 16th in the USA Today Super 25 and has outscored opponents, 68-20. Pitt recruit Gary Nova and Mike Yankovich make for a nice QB tandem and plenty of bodies to throw to, including Pat Donadio and Leonte Carroo. The running game is propelled by converted DE Paul Canevari. St. Ignatius QB Matt Hoyer, who was shaken up and left last week's loss at Centerville late in the fourth quarter, was at practice this week, but Joe Greco also took a number of reps'. TBs Bobby Grebenc, Dan Grace and Tim McVey will need to be effective to open up the passing game'. S Mike Svetina, DE Mike Ryan and LBs Jim Sheehan, Rustom Khouri and Tyler Kette have paced the defense.
PD pick: St. Ignatius.
-- Bob Fortuna, Joe Maxse, Tim Rogers, Tim Warsinskey