TODAY Elyria at Hudson
Quarterback Chris Humphrey, center, and undefeated Solon travels to Brunswick tonight.
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(John Kuntz / PD)
TODAY
Elyria at Hudson
What, when, where: Northeast Ohio Conference River Division game, 7 p.m. at Dante Lavelli Stadium, 65 N. Hayden Parkway, Hudson. Call 330-653-1438.
Records: Elyria 2-4, 1-0; Hudson 1-5, 1-0
What to watch: Elyria rebounded from a heartbreaking loss to Parma in Week 5 and put it all together last week in a 35-3 River Division opening-win over Cuyahoga Falls. Look for Elyria to try to again establish the running game with Keon Nealy, Jumarr Lewis and Jared Williams. Hudson is coming off its first win of the season, a 19-7 triumph over Stow, despite sophomore standout Ben Gideon being sidelined with a shoulder injury. He is expected back this week. The Explorers, who will need another outstanding performance from TB Joey Studer and QB David Nelson, will also have to keep an eye on Elyria's two-way lineman/Ohio State recruit Chase Farris.
PD pick: Elyria.
Mentor at Warren Harding
What, when, where: Lake Erie League, Lake Division game, 7 p.m., Mollenkopf Stadium, 860 Elm Road N.E., Warren. Call 330-841-2316.
Records: Mentor 3-3, 0-0; Harding 5-1, 1-0.
What to watch: This game probably will decide the LEL Lake Division champion and is a must-win game for both teams' playoff chances. Mentor is ninth and Harding 10th in Region 1. Harding senior RB Demond Hymes lit up Euclid last week with 263 yards rushing, 67 yards receiving and two TDs in a 42-14 win. Harding also had 145 yards in penalties. Mentor rescued its playoff hopes with consecutive wins against Willoughby South and St. Ignatius. The key factor in both victories was defensive end Kurt Laseak, who had three interceptions, caused a fumble, recovered a fumble and had five sacks. RB Mike Korecz and QB Colton Wallace are a good running combo, and Wallace is a big-play threat at wideout when Mitch Trubisky plays QB.
PD pick: Mentor.
North Olmsted at Brecksville-Broadview Heights
What, when, where: Southwestern Conference, 7:30 p.m., at 6380 Mill Road, Broadview Heights. Call 440-740-4770.
Records: North Olmsted (2-4, 0-3), Brecksville (4-2, 2-1).
What to watch: The Eagles have struggled their past three games, managing only a touchdown in each contest. They have hung tough on defense, but have to find a way to get points. The Bees dropped out of the PD Top 25 after last week's loss. Sophomore quarterback Tom Tupa and senior running back Matt Galland have supplied most of the offense. The playoffs are not out of the question for Brecksville, but they have to get solid on both sides of the ball.
PD pick: Brecksville.
Olmsted Falls at Westlake
What, when, where: Southwestern Conference, 7:30 p.m., at 27830 Hilliard Blvd., Westlake. Call 440-835-6354.
Records: Olmsted Falls (3-3, 2-1), Westlake 5-1, 2-1.
What to watch: The Bulldogs stayed in the race with a 24-14 win against Brecksville-Broadview Heights. They totaled 443 yards of offense, with Jeremy Ortiz gaining 122 on 18 carries. Junior quarterback Brennan Laird passed for 191 yards. The Demons regrouped after their loss at Amherst to take care of business at North Olmsted, 21-7. Junior Jonathan Brick was the workhorse with 247 yards on 40 carries, scoring all three touchdowns and passing for a 2-point conversion. The Demons have been strong on defense and will need it again to nullify an improving Olmsted Falls offense.
PD pick: Westlake.
Padua at Elyria Catholic
What, when, where: North Coast League crossover, 7 p.m. at Knights of Columbus Stadium, 725 Gulf Road, Elyria, Call 440-3656390-ext. 26.
Records: Padua 4-2, Elyria Catholic 6-0.
What to watch: The Bruins recovered from a 42-6 loss at Walsh Jesuit to handle NDCL, 28-7. Quarterback Jim Solano passed for three scores in the latter. The Bruins, rated No. 3 in Division III, Region 9, can earn a lot of computer points with a win. However, they will have to find a way to stop a Panthers' offense that has been nearly unstoppable. Senior quarterback Danny Reaser is 146-for-237 for 2,249 yards and 23 touchdowns. He has spread the ball around, with Zack Rogers at 51 receptions and Conor Voreis 41. The Panthers are No. 1 in Division IV and top the Region 14 computer rankings. They are No. 11 in the PD Top 25.
PD pick: Elyria Catholic.
Parma at Normandy
What, when, where: Northeast Ohio Conference Lake Division game, 7 p.m. at Byers Field in Robert M. Boulton Stadium, 7600 Day Drive, Parma. Call 440-88-52404
Records: Parma 5-1, 1-0; Normandy 1-5, 1-0
What to watch: Parma is known for its dangerous passing game thanks to QB Joe Pullman and WRs Romey Johnson, Amer Smith, Billy Pullman and Dylan Kurtz. The athleticism of Joe Pullman, along with the emergence of FB Cameron Thompson and the blocking of 6-4, 290-pound T Jason Varwig, has given its running game notice. The Redmen's defense received a boost with the return of DE Rob Mathews, who sat out last week against Brush with an ankle injury, but LB Johnnie Karban is out for the season because of a dislocated foot he suffered in their Week 5 game. Jeff Romano is spelling Karban. FB/S Shane Zerucha and T Mike Haumesser have provided the few bright spots for Normandy, which hopes to have DB Bryan Petrunek (concussion) and OG Andrew Soltis (shoulder injury) back.
PD pick: Parma.
Perry at Kenston
What, when, where: Chagrin Valley Conference game, 7 p.m., Snyder Road, Bainbridge Twp. Call: 440-543-9821.
Records: Kenston 4-2, 2-1; Perry 5-1, 2-1.
What to watch: Both teams followed close, emotional losses Week 5 with wins last week. Perry beat Jefferson, 27-0, and Kenston came from behind to beat Orange, 32-21, on Pat Porter's fourth-quarter TD runs of 48 and 35 yards. Kenston RBs Porter and Percy Johnson combined for 55 carries and 380 yards last week. Look for Perry to find ways for Anthony Kukwa to get the ball in an effort to take pressure off QB Mitchel Hokavar, who is nursing a bad foot. He has 1,134 yards and 14 TDs passing, but five turnovers in the past two games.
PD pick: Perry.
Ravenna at Kent Roosevelt
What, when, where: Portage Trail Conference Metro Division game, 7 p.m., Roosevelt Stadium, 1400 N. Mantua St., Kent. Call 330-673-9595.
Records: Ravenna 4-2, 3-0; Kent Roosevelt 5-1, 2-1.
What to watch: This is the 89th meeting between these teams and the series can't get any closer, standing at 43-43-2. The game will have big playoff ramifications as both squads are in the Division II, Region 5 playoff hunt. Roosevelt is eighth and Ravenna is 11th. The is the last game against a Division II opponent for both teams as all remaining foes reside in Division III. Both team have big-play guys. Quarterback Evan Shimensky, who has completed 80 of 113 passes for 1,181 yards and 16 touchdowns, leads the Rough Riders. Ravenna counters with junior tailback D.J. Jones, who has gained 1,005 yards on 108 carries, and versatile Stephen Wilmington, who has rushed for 415 yards and caught 10 passes for 163 yards.
PD pick: Ravenna.
Shaw at Maple Heights
What, when, where: Lake Erie League Erie Division game, 7 p.m., Stafford Stadium, 19800 Stafford Ave., Maple Heights. Call 216-587-3200.
Records: Shaw 4-2, 2-1; Maple Heights 6-0, 0-0.
What to watch: Speed to burn in this game. A fast, aggressive Shaw defense will try to contain Maple QB Shaq Washington, who appears close to 100 percent, while concentrating on RB DeVonte Ransom. Shaw QB Robert Small (18 TD passes) is one of the area's most underrated players and he has numerous big-play targets. A win for Maple Heights will boost its sagging playoff status. The Mustangs are sixth in Region 6 because their first six opponents have a combined seven victories. Shaw has won four in a row and the Region 1 playoffs are a long shot, but a win puts the Cardinals in the LEL Erie driver's seat.
PD pick: Maple Heights.
Solon at Brunswick
What, when, where: Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division game, 7 p.m. at Judy Kirsch Stadium, 3581 Center Road, Brunswick. Call 330-273-0496.
Records: Solon 6-0, 1-0; Brunswick 4-2, 1-0
What to watch: What isn't there to watch when facing the Comets? The offense is scoring 38 points a game, thanks to a potent running attack led by QB Chris Humphrey and RBs Kyle Hammonds and Khoury Crenshaw. The defense, headed by LBs A.J. Hicks, Nick Davidson and Jovon Johnson, is surrendering just under 12 points a game and has a shutout under its belt. Brunswick expects to have TB Nick Roberts, LB D.J. Osters and DL John Bruketa back from injuries that kept them out of Friday's win over Nordonia, where Eric Fox stepped in and led the running game. LB Mike Vrsansky and CB Scott Suren need to have outstanding efforts for the Blue Devils.
PD pick: Solon.
Strongsville at Mayfield
What, when, where: Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division game, 7 p.m. at Mayfield Municipal Stadium, 6116 Wilson Mills Road, Mayfield. Call 440-995-6830.
Records: Strongsville 4-2, 1-0; Mayfield 4-2, 0-1
What to watch: The Mustangs are finally healthy and they're riding a four-game win streak and have outscored the opposition, 146-45, during that run. The consistency of TB Matt Bianco has allowed the passing to open up with two capable receivers in two-way players Ryan Aske and Iowa recruit Ray Hamilton. QB Austin Pritchard returns after a one-game suspension for breaking team rules, which will let Zach Sedivy concentrate on his LBing chores. Mayfield is licking its wounds from last week's loss to Solon since starting QB Caden Loew suffered a season-ending knee injury. That will put the load on rushers Carlos Cruzado and Nick Canganelli, as well WRs Chuck Zavarella, Nick DiSanto and Harry Morgenstern. The return of Mustangs' two-way lineman David Kaminski will present another concern for Mayfield.
PD pick: Strongsville.
Walsh Jesuit at St. Vincent-St. Mary
What, when, where: Nonleague game, 7 p.m., Green Street Stadium, 15 N. Maple St., Akron. Call 330-253-9113.
Records: Walsh Jesuit 4-2; SVSM 5-1.
What to watch: Both teams are facing a 'must-win' situation as far as the playoffs are concerned, Walsh Jesuit mainly because of who it has played -- Lake Catholic, Cincinnati LaSalle -- and SVSM because of who it is about to play -- Youngstown Cardinal Mooney and Youngstown Ursuline. Walsh is ninth in Division II, Region 9 and SVSM is second in Division III, Region 9. SVSM's defense, led by cornerback Doran Grant, safety Mark Murphy and lineman D.J. Williams, has gone 10 quarters without giving up a touchdown. It will be tested by QB Connor Cook, who has accounted for more than 1,000 yards and nine touchdowns, tailback Ryan Jun (75 carries, 371 yards) and receivers Tyler Starkey and Kevin Enright, who have combined for 45 receptions for 632 yards. This is the 35th meeting between the two and the Warriors lead the series, 20-14.
PD pick: SVSM.
Wooster Triway at Manchester
What, when, where: Principals Athletic Conference game, 7 p.m., Jim France Stadium, Ohio 93, Akron. Call 330-832-3291.
Records: Triway 5-1, 3-0; Manchester 6-0, 3-0.
What to watch: Triway is one of a few schools in the conference that have been able to beat the Panthers, who have amassed a 120-12 record in conference play since 1989 and have beat Triway three times in the past five seasons. Both teams are in playoff contention in Division IV, but in different regions. Triway is fifth in Region 14 and Manchester is second in Region 13. Manchester senior Mark Noble is coming off a six-touchdown performance against Tuslaw, and the Panthers will need a similar performance against Triway's passing combo of QB Derek Carmichael and Sawyer Polen. Carmichael threw for 2,101 yards and 27 touchdowns last year and is at 1,665 yards this season. Polen has caught 43 of those passes for 626 yards. Manchester's defense, keyed by leading tackler Jake Miltner, Kyle Dougherty, Tyler Masters and Noble, has held opponents to 52 points.
PD pick: Manchester.
-- Bob Fortuna, Joe Maxse, Tim Rogers, Tim Warsinskey