Now that Avon Lake has lost a game early in the season, I can't help but think how The Morning Journal power poll will shake out. Should Avon Lake remain No. 1? I would still pick the Shoremen over any other area team in a head-to-head matchup, but I also think someone else deserves to move up to No. 1. The question is who?

St. Paul may be my choice when I file my vote in our rankings. The Flyers looked great against St. Mary and performed against playoff contender Tiffin Calvert. Granted, the Flyers are Division VI.

If you factor current ranking and size, you could argue Avon should make the jump to No. 1. But, after an impressive victory over Midview and my opinion they are the team best equipped to beat Avon Lake, my vote would have to go to the Amherst Comets. Then again, Admiral King looked to be the better team in its scrimmage with Amherst.

See where this is going?

It really doesn't matter who's No. 1. In actuality, it doesn't matter who's No. 1 in the poll by the end of the season (Avon Lake was No. 1 last year, but St. Paul went deeper than anyone in the playoffs). What is great, though, is the talking points the poll creates, and this upcoming poll should create more debating than any we've had in awhile.

That gets me excited.

That blur at Clearview High School Friday night was Anthony Hitchens. See it? Then, it went by again. Again, it was Hitchens. Then ... again ... this time, it was James Washington.
The Clippers got the ball to their skill guys, mainly Hitchens and Washington, which is where Vermilion was no match. What's left for Clearview? A schedule in the Patriot Athletic Conference that favors the Clippers and should build to a playoff appearance; a home playoff game at that.
Meanwhile, it's an awfully tough start for Vermilion.
The Sailors already had Huron in Week 1 and have Amherst next week. Clearview looked to be the most winable on paper, but the Clippers showed that paper is tougher to rip than a thick phone book. The good news for Vermilion is, with the exception of Avon, the Sailors may not have a West Shore Conference game tougher than these first three.

... Wellington comes out and smacks Avon in the face Friday night.
On the morning of Week 2 of the high school football season, I opened up the paper and saw an overwhelming number of sportswriters picking Avon to beat Wellington. Our competition had Avon an 11-0 favorite, and the Journal's Sideline Swami predicted the Eagles to win as well.
Well, the Dukes have had their ups and downs with Norwayne to open the season. That didn't surprise me. I also picked Avon to beat Wellington this week, which I'm not wavering from. But, I want to make clear Wellington isn't a team that should be a huge underdog to anyone.
Avon is that good, so here's my prediction for a Wellington team not getting much love this week: The Dukes fall to 0-2, but win seven of their last eight games. They'll win the Patriot Athletic Conference Stars Division, which is a change from my original pick of Black River, and I'll also go on record saying this game against Avon will decide whether or not Wellington can make the playoffs.

If you're still trying to figure out what high school game to attend Friday -- that is if you don't have your own school -- one game stands out: Vermilion at Clearview.
Both teams are title contenders in Lorain County's two most-local conferences, Vermilion in the West Shore and Clearview in the PAC Stripes.
What makes this game so intriguing is Vermilion has controlled the series, yet the Clippers are poised. What I'm most interested in seeing is Vermilion's pass rush against one of the area's most explosive offenses. To be honest, watching the Vermilion offense vs. the Clearview defense could be a yawn fest -- although I'll give the edge to Vermilion's offense, which could be the difference maker.
Keeping the Sailors out of the Clearview backfield will be priority No. 1 if the Clippers have any chance of winning this game. Talent-wise, it's not even close. Clearview is the better team and has been for awhile. Vermilion, though, wins these football games and it's because of what the Sailors have up front. If Derek Hoebing, Derek Barbato, Justin Turner and the rest of that front seven gets to Clippers QB Zach Anderson, Vermilion will win.
If not, I can't think of anyone who could contain James Washington or Jordan Celestino.

The players get what they want. Al Stacey will be Admiral King's boys basketball coach for the 2008-09 season.
Stacey will be an interim coach for the upcoming season, replacing Michael Scott, who left to become the assistant principal at Southview.
Stacey's experience speaks for itself. He had been Scott's most-trusted assistant since he took the Admirals job in 2003. Before that, Stacey was with Scott and Lorain Schools Athletic Director Bryan Koury at Southview.
Stacey's involvement doesn't end with boys basketball either. He assists Admiral King softball coach Pam Jackson and has been involved with Midview's football program for years.
With the timing of Scott's resignation this summer, Koury had said he wanted to conduct a full search. The current timetable didn't allow for that with the school year approaching. Stacey was more than qualified, the players wanted him as coach, and Stacey has always talked about moving south for his retirement.
That makes the interim tag best for both parties.

I know it's like an echo with me, but it's Friday and the start of Week 1 in the high school football season. What am I looking for? The linemen!
That's right, the linemen.
Tonight at Elyria, I'm not looking to see Brandon Kish or Brandon Morgan cut through holes on their way downfield. No. I'm looking for those guys opening the holes.
One player in particular is Greg Davison. For the last two years, Davison has been a fullback. But, Elyria coach Steve Hamilton is asking him to play guard because of an injury. At 6-foot-3, 230 pounds with a 4.6 40-yard dash, Davison was already intriguing to watch as a fullback.
Now, I can't wait to see him pull on an unsuspecting D-lineman.

If you open up our high school football preview section Thursday, you'll notice a new character to the Journal staff. His or her name is The Swami.
I say his or her because I am forbidden to say who this person is. I can't deny or admit it is myself, new sports editor Erik Pupillo, staffers Dan Gilles or Francis X. Bova III, or even former Morning Journal sports reporter Theresa Neuhoff, who's at our sister paper in Willoughby. Who is it? A mystery more foggy than that crystal ball The Swami uses.
But, enough with that. I want to make a quick prediction and address the early season opener -- Avon at Aurora Thursday night.
I was looking forward to attending this game, but a quick staff change will have me in the office. Fortunately, the game will be on STO, which has me -- and I'm sure many fans -- extremely thankful.
When these opener takes place, expect a lot of points to be put up on the scoreboard. Both teams have excellent quarterbacks and both teams are favorites in their conferences. (I at least think Avon will win the West Shore Conference.)
I see a lot of points being scored in not just Avon's opener, but the Elyria-Amherst game and others will likely see touchdowns come in the bunches, in my opinion. Why? Well, in my last post, I noted what I observed from Amherst's defense at Admiral King. Across the board, you look at Clearview and other teams, and offenses should be excellent this year.
The telling tale will be when Vermilion, with a superb defense, travels to play Huron and it's high-octane offense.

Ready for some touchdowns? At Amherst, be prepared to see many.
Admiral King scored on its first offensive play, as first-year quarterback Chad Hall hit Anthony Harrison on a big pass play during the Admirals’ 13-7 win in their half of football with the Comets.
Amherst showed what its offense could do, as Brandon Kish and Brandon Morgan ran all over the field. The question, though, is the defense.
After Admiral King scored so quickly, its running game controlled the clock and the rest of the half. Granted, Amherst’s biggest linemen are on offense and the defense was undersized against Admiral King’s big offensive line, but King has never been much of a prolific-scoring offense. Amherst won’t play easy teams in the Southwestern Conference, which makes me think: How many touchdowns will be scored in most of Amherst’s games?
My guess is a lot.
For the Elyria game in Week 1, I’m predicting the Pioneers and Comets combine for at least seven touchdowns. Elyria’s offense could use some momentum and high-scoring games are looking like a trend this year in Amherst.

A visit to Elyria Catholic during picture day allowed me to talk with coach Ben Malbasa.
The second-year coach will have plenty of new faces on offense with many familiar ones on the line. Zach Drews returns at linebacker, which also makes EC an intriguing team to watch this season.
The thing with EC, though, is this team will be much different, personnel wise, than the one Malbasa inherited from former coach Dave McFarland. No more Cody Schuster at quarterback, Jacob Schuster at running back, Jayson Graham at running back or Richie Baker at receiver.
Malbasa is high on Alex Alicea, one of his junior running backs, and this season will be telling for Malbasa. How will he do with players he has had a greater chance to mold.
My guess is just fine.

Been meaning to post this sooner, but on Monday Admiral King welcomed back a familiar face: Vincent Lee.
Lee, who played varsity basketball as a sophomore at the school, moved to Kansas City last year. He returned Monday after a year at Center High School, where he earned honorable mention all-conference in the Suburban Small 6. Don't let the Small 6 name fool you. Center is Class 4A, which is the biggest division in Missouri.
So, Lee, who returns to Admiral King, gives an already strong secondary an added kick. Now, it's important to mention the Admirals cornerbacks and safeties didn't fare too well in their scrimmage against North Ridgeville, but Rangers coach Jeff Riesen is high on his receivers this season. And, in my opinion, what happened shows how much better the receiving corps are than the secondaries this year.
Lee's addition gives King the best secondary in the area, in my opinion. Keystone's is also solid. So is North Ridgeville, Huron and few others. Amherst, which will scrimmage Admiral King Thursday night, also has potential in the secondary, but it's unproven talent.
With Lee, Chris Kimbro, NaJerron Clipper and a few others, I feel much better than a few people I spoke with who think the unit needs work. If King's secondary is the furthest behind right now, that's a good thing for the Admirals.

Take your pick: the offensive side or the defensive side.
Either way, Avon Lake probably has you beat.
The Shoremen have a load of experience -- and talent -- on the offensive line. Whether it’s junior Christian Pace, Central Michigan-bound Adam Schneid or Joe Coyne, Avon Lake has the bulls up front as usual. What’s scary is they have coach Dave Dlugosz smiling more than usual.
Perhaps it’s because he’s a former linemen?
Perhaps it’s what he takes pride in as a coach?
Maybe they’re just that good this year, even for his standards. If that’s the case, that’s pretty scary.
Now, on the defensive line, Zach Murray and Sean McCann return. Both were All-Journal performers last season, and Joe Gaydosh is no slouch, either. After talking with Gaydosh at Saturday’s scrimmage against Midview, I got the feel he’s a product of the Avon Lake program.
Many of the things he said has been said before by seniors who waited their turn to shine.
Now, Gaydosh has his turn.
That should present a whole line of problems for the rest of the Southwestern Conference.

Midview coach Bill Albright didn’t seem to happy to see me Saturday. Then again, he’s never seen me approaching him with a video camera.
I wouldn’t want to see me either in that case.
But, my guess Albright was more upset at what he saw on the field at Avon Lake, the sight of their final game of the 2007 season. In that playoff meeting, Avon Lake would have beaten Midview via mercy rule if there was one. Saturday in the scrimmage, it didn’t look that bad. Two touchdowns through the air were the scoring highlights, and both went to Avon Lake.
Up front, Midview hung with the Shoremen for the most part. Some of the mistakes in the secondary had Albright less than pleased, but the toughest part for Midview this season is simple.
How will the Middies rush the quarterback?
They lose Drew Ebersole and Ross Moore from last season’s team. Those two combined for more than 30 sacks in each of the last two seasons. Whenever I’d look at the area statistical leaders, Moore and Ebersole were both atop the sack leaders on a consistent basis.
I expect Midview to be tough. Afterall, this is Midview.
If Albright wasn’t upset about anything Saturday, then it’d be time to be worried.

New quarterback? No problem. New receivers? No problem.
Not when you return all five starting offensive linemen like coach Matt Stoll and the Wellington Dukes. Last year, the Dukes had a three-year starter in Kull McClurg at quarterback. The team finished 6-4 and has had its share of three-year players at the position -- Gary Edwards and Dave Haswell over the last eight years come to mind.
This year's team will rely on Steve Simonson at quarterback. Simonson has some size and athleticism, which will be needed when the Dukes go to a spread offense.
Yes, I said spread.
Stoll said the team will still incorporate some of its wing-T offense, but will use plenty of spread. Again, yes, I said spread. Even with all five linemen back.
The Dukes traditionally have had strong lines on both sides of the ball, regardless of how many were coming back from the previous year. This year, with all five and running back Austen Gray, you'd think they'd be a power running team. Stoll said the changes are a sign of the times, but don't be surprised if Wellington sticks to its roots. This is Wellington, you know.

Bill Groomes, an assistant coach at Oberlin who’s been with head coach Dave McFarland for years, calls out Hugh Thornton’s name dozens of times within a few minutes.
Practice is winding down and all that is left is conditioning.
Thornton leads the way.
The 35 players present at Oberlin’s two-a-day session break down and pop back up during one drill. Thornton is the first down and the first back up. They break 5 yards downfield for bear crawls and crab walk back. Again, Thornton is the first down and back.
His hustle and talent is unmatched, and Groomes uses him as an example.
Groomes and McFarland hope Thornton’s presence is contagious. He has Division I scholarship offers lined up and has returned to Oberlin, a town he once called home while in elementary school. Still, he doesn’t break in his effort, an effort that could have Oberlin do big things if continued by the entire team in 2008.
That’s Thornton’s mindset.
He played high school football last year in Idaho at the Class 5A level, which is the equivalent to Division I in Ohio. Oberlin is a Division V school, much smaller than anything he has been around since playing football.
With Thornton leading the way, a second wave of optimism has hit Oberlin. The first one was McFarland’s arrival from Elyria Catholic last year.
McFarland, though, hopes Thornton isn’t it. With an offseason weight lifting program that attracted up to 40 players at once, McFarland hopes his Oberlin team can go from having no offensive line to at least an average one. Without one last year, they were 4-6.
Just imagine how good they could be with one.

So, you’re a Division I school with talent all around and, most importantly, some size and experience on the offensive line. Sounds like a good situation, right?
Welcome to Admiral King.
The previous two seasons looked good, too. One turned into a share of the Lake Erie League Erie Division title and the other was good until a second-half struggle left the playoff-hungry Admirals at 6-4 for the season.
Now comes a big senior class -- with 23 being the most Mark Campo has had in his five years as head coach -- and the expectations now is their year at Admiral King.
It will come with talented Erie Division teams from Bedford and Warrensville Heights, but that only means more playoff points will be on the line when they meet. Last year, heading into the season, the sentiments among players was to take the next step and make the playoffs. This season will be their best chance to do that.

First-year Brookside coach Keith Grabowski is back in Lorain County, and his new job is certainly a hefty one. He takes over a Brookside program with few returning starters, only a handful of seniors and plenty of sophomores suiting up this season.
Grabowski, though, is eager, as he should be. Those few seniors he has aren’t crying or complaining about their situation. They’re embracing it.
Take lineman Paul Grattan, for example.
His senior year hinges on the fact Brookside will start at least eight sophomores. In the world of high school football, that can spell doom to a senior’s season. Grattan isn’t looking at it that way.
“I believe in a lot of these younger kids,” he said. “I saw them on J.V. They’re hard workers.”
Not only were the J.V. players solid, but the freshmen -- many of whom will start -- played on a freshman team that won the Patriot Athletic Conference.
Two of those sophomores are Jason Bodenski and Art Howell. Bodenski will lead a line backing crew with no starters back, while Howell will play in the secondary and serve as a running back. Howell also has some experience playing quarterback, but junior Rocky Radeff will be the starter.
For Grabowski, his new job at Brookside marks a return to Lorain County after one year with Brush. He left Amherst for the head coaching job at Ashtabula Lakeside, but teacher cutbacks forced Grabowski to look elsewhere. Before he was at Amherst, Grabowski coached at Fairview. That makes Brookside the smallest school he has coached.
Grabowski doesn’t seem to be bothered by it. He just intends to have his Cardinals play bigger than many expect.

The No. 1 question centered around Keystone is can it reproduce last year’s 8-2 season? Coach Rob Clarico said any school can have a banner season once every 20 years like Keystone did in 2007. The question is can that team build on it? That’s what Keystone faces.
And, it’s possible the Wildcats could do just that.
Mainly because of their defensive line, which includes seniors Forrest Smith and Matt Herb, the Wildcats could be sniffing a Patriot Athletic Conference Stars Division title. They nearly won it last season, and again the likes of Wellington, Buckeye and Black River will be in their way.
One thing that works in Keystone’s favor is who it plays in the Stripes Division. The Wildcats don’t have to face Stripes favorite Clearview. Instead, they get Columbia, Oberlin and Lutheran West. All three games should be tough, but what this year’s Wildcats team has in its favor is the defense.
Especially with Smith and Herb up front, they will be tough -- even for those big Stars Division teams -- to run against. The secondary is also experienced and the linebackers have some athleticism.
The question is will be on offense. Keystone lost running back Shane Robinson to graduation and starts a first-year senior at quarterback in Tyler Minnich. Kyle Smith takes Robinson’s spot in the backfield. All the pieces Clarico has are good enough to get the job done. Are they good enough to go 8-2 again?
We’ll know by Week 1 when they face Monroeville.