Not too long ago, Avon and Brookside were neighborhood rivals. Now, they're just neighborly.
Renovations to Brookside's Sevits Stadium has forced the Cardinals to play their home opener against Firelands at Avon. The Eagles play at Aurora for a Thursday night game to open their season, making Avon's stadium -- which is pretty much the class of Lorain County -- Brookside's home for a night.
Brookside Athletic Director Dick Kerschbaum said the plan is subject for approval, but he and Avon Athletic Director have discussed the arrangement and don't forsee any problems.
As Kerschbaum said, there's a lot of red tape that must be sorted out to make it happen, such as who will be the site manager and if Avon has anyone available. Kerschbaum runs the stadium at Brookside, but he likely will not have access to everything that would need to be accessible during the course of a high school football game.
The last time Avon and Brookside were accociated in a high school football game came during the final week of the 2004 season. Avon beat Brookside at Sevits Stadium for the final Lorain County Conference title. Firelands was also in that conference and left with Avon for the West Shore Conference. Brookside vs. Firelands has been a consistent matchup since the LCC split apart, but the rivalry between Avon and Brookside has not lived past 2004.
In a way, it could be renewed. Just in a neighborly twist.