If anything has been missing the last few years, it's a long playoff run from any team not named Norwalk St. Paul.

The Flyers have made a habit of producing in the playoffs, and that should continue this season the way things are going. But, what about everyone else? There should be a steady diet of area teams in the playoffs, and not just that, but many of them are looking at first-round home games.

Avon will be at home, as will Clearview. The winner of the Amherst-Avon Lake game may play at home in the first round. Typically, when area teams make the playoffs, specifically anyone other than Avon Lake or St. Paul, these teams have needed to win their first game on the road.

That won't be the case this year.

I read a discussion board topic the other day asking if Clearview is for real and if it will be able to do anything in the playoffs. I say yes, and the reason the why is the defense. This defense has speed and is aggressive. The Clippers won their big games, against Vermilion, Buckeye and Lutheran West, with defense. They can create turnovers and control the tempo of the game, which will be critical after Week 10.

With this reasoning, don't be surprised if Clearview lasts the longest among Lorain County teams in the playoffs. No one may be able to match what St. Paul can do in Division VI, but that's another topic for another time.