School's in Session

-30-

2008-12-31T01:04:00.000-08:00

If you're not used to newspaper lingo, you probably don't understand what that headline means atop this blog entry. It signifies the end of a story, and I thought it would be appropriate for my last blog entry, which you could call a going-away blog.

Tuesday night's Lorain County Holiday Classic was my last day at The Morning Journal. Next week, I will begin work with a newspaper in Southeast Pennsylvania, an hour north of Baltimore and less than two hours west of Philadelphia.

Covering the Classic was an appropriate going away for me because high school basketball is my ultimate passion between high school sports I covered at the Journal. It's weird because I played football and was only a camera guy for basketball at Oberlin, but anyone who knows me knows that's just one of the quirks that comes with me. I don't want to make this a soggy going-away commentary, so I will get into some house-cleaning opinions, but first I want to give you some final rankings from me as the boys high school basketball season begins to approach its midway point.

Yeah, it's almost here. Admiral King is 7-0, and that's where I will start:

1. Admiral King: They aren't as good as their 7-0 record, but they are head and shoulders above the competition. I don't think that will change. What's funny is this team could be better next year when comparing what they will have back (Malcolm Barnett, Anton Harris and Gary Donald) compared to other area teams. But, look at who else is here: four-year starter Chris Kimbro and three-year starter Adrian Casey, both Lorain County Mr. Basketball frontrunners. Then, role players are stepping up like Marquan Anderson with established guards Bryant Parker and Vincent Lee. This team just doesn't have a hole. Height is a weakness, but what the Admirals possess in the post is not. This team will win the Division I Midview District.

2. Vermilion: The Sailors just suffered a loss to Admiral King in the Lorain County Holiday Classic championship game, but that doesn't change their standing. Yes, they lost a West Shore Conference game to Bay, but Admiral King is the barometer. North Ridgeville, the favorite in the WSC, didn't look as good against AK like Vermilion did, pushing its lead to 10 points in the first half and just playing with a swagger and heart. Vermilion may not win the WSC, but it will beat Ridgeville at least once and make things interesting. The Sailors will also repeat in Division II as district champions in Westlake.

3. Southview: The Saints have disappointed me with losses to Warrensville and North Royalton, but North Royalton is solid. The foursome of Josh Biber, Montrell Elliott, Quincy Ezell and Quinton Ezell has gotten a lot of attention from the Journal over the years. Hype could be a good word. But, these guys have talent and it is their time. They will win 15 games and that bodes well around here.

4. North Ridgeville: Tough losses to Admiral King and Valley Forge push them behind Southview in my eyes. They have the area's best bigman in 6-foot-11 Drew McGhee and the area's best Scottie Pippen impersonator in 6-5 Keene Cockburn. The key for Ridgeville will be the use of sophomore point guard Danny Montgomery. If he gets more reigns in the Rangers' offense, the Rangers will be better off.

5. Edison: This team was overlooked at the beginning of the season. I admit it, and I want to give them some respect before I step out. They have size to go with their talent, too.

6. Perkins: I joked with someone about Sandusky at the Classic. The Blue Streaks have lost a lot of kids to Perkins, including what would have been their best basketball player in Shon Alexander. Instead, he's Perkins' best player.

7. Keystone: I was ready to put Clearview up here, but Keystone's impressive wins -- including one over Clearview -- has to push them up. Matt Herb has been playing since he was a freshman. He's undersized, but the Wildcats have solid players on the perimeter to make it work in the Patriot Athletic Conference Stars Division. We may have found a favorite for that division title.

8. Clearview: The Clippers will be better than Keystone by the end of the season, but you have to respect what the Wildcats did this week, beating Clearview by one at the Avon Holiday Tournament. Clearview, though, is poised for a strong run with James Washington as a senior in the post and a slew of juniors around him. Don't look ahead to next year. This is their year.

9. Amherst: John Srnis is just a perfect fit as coach at Amherst. Many coaches have had trouble with parents at that school. Please treat him well because he deserves it. Srnis has always been a great basketball mind and he seems to have found a comfort level with the Comets that he didn't have at Elyria. He will turn Amherst into a force in the Southwestern Conference. He will be the Macgyver of coaches in the area!

10. Avon Lake: The Shoremen have height, but some disappointing losses early have set them back.

tie, Norwalk: Hat's off to Steve Gray. He lost one of the area's biggest and best players in Kyle Smith, but the Truckers still have a solid team in place.

tie, New London: Tom Howell has quietly done a solid job since taking over for Dale Marschall after the program went through a "hey day," if you will, with Marschall's son Erik, now at Bowling Green. With Western Reserve down, New London has reason to believe it can retake the Firelands Conference title.

OK, I cheated a little with a three-way tie for 10th, but I felt like mentioning those teams. As for some predictions, here's a few. Chris Kimbro will be Mr. Basketball for Lorain County. Coaches can nominate only one player from their schools, and Mr. Basketball has traditionally been a guard's award. Kimbro initiates with the ball so much that it's hard to ignore him. Southview's Josh Biber and North Ridgeville's Drew McGhee will also get consideration, and I have to believe McGhee has an inside track because he has a scholarship to Miami of Ohio lined up.

As for the Journal Player of the Year, I'll go with Adrian Casey, Kimbro's teammate at Admiral King. Casey lost out to McGhee last season, Admiral King is easily the best team in the area, and Casey's double-double production has not only remained steady, but it's getting better.

Speaking of player of the year awards, I want to lobby for Miss Softball later this spring. Typically, these Lorain County awards for top senior are not split between two players, but this year it has to be a must. There's no way Elyria's Tess Sito and Keystone's Kara Dill can be separated. They're both unbelievable as pitchers, hitters and fielders. They play in the area's most productive sport, and I can't think of a season in a sport where two players were that much better than anyone else. Heck, Sito played baseball when she was younger. If the committee has to, give her Mr. Baseball and Dill Miss Softball.

It's the only fair thing to do, and if you know me, I'm all about that.

Green with envy

2008-12-27T09:56:00.000-08:00

I hear there's a possibility Elyria Catholic's football program is considering the addition of black jerseys, if the players get permission to have fundraisers. This would be nice, and I find opposition from EC traditionalists somewhat amusing.

Change is inevietable. Look at Oberlin. A majority of former students and athletes were 100 percent opposed to changing the school nickname from Indians to anything else. The reason for that change came from pressure from those outside the community -- such as Oberlin College students bringing in activists to stir change for a class project.

Changing a jersey is minor. In fact, I believe the football team uses black practice jerseys. And let's face it. Alternate jerseys have become common in sports, so it's only natural that high schools, which can make it happen, would do the same.

Entering my junior year of high school, a football coach said to me "you guys worry too much about what you look like," when there was talk of changing our home jerseys from blue to red. He was right, but pride does play a key role in high school athletics, and the jersey is a key part. When I see kids wanting to do something like change their jersey, I see school pride.

If they can make it happen by creating funds on their own -- especially at a school that requires tuition -- that is a tremendous amount of school pride. If their request to seek this endeavor is not approved by the school or shunned by alumni, then they don't deserve to have kids with this pride at their institution.

Don't forget your mouthguard

2008-12-21T14:53:00.000-08:00

Think a mouthguard is overrated? Maybe you only need them for sports like football or if you're playing in the post.

Not true.

Two Friday's ago, Firelands senior guard Justin Morell lost three teeth in the Falcons' 53-52 loss at Clearview. He lost them when Clearview forward James Washington made a key block late in the fourth quarter. Morell, without hesitation, went after the loose ball after Washington's block and crashed to the floor chasing after it. So did Clearview's Kyle Baughman, whose knee crashed into the back of Morell's head and smacked it into the floor, creating a lesson for Morell and his teammates.

Firelands coach Steve Lias said mouthguards were offered before the season began. It was something they went over because a player lost a few teeth during practice last season. Morell, a first-year senior, wasn't around for that one and didn't take a mouthguard before the season.

Now, he will. And so will a few of his teammates.

Lias estimated only four players between varsity and J.V. used mouthguards before Morell's teeth came out. Now, half the players on varsity and J.V. are using them.

Every dive to the floor for Morell or any other Firelands player may not come without the thought of Morell's teeth. The hustle did earn him some glory and three new pearly whites, but at least the mouthguard will take away any hesitation -- and not the respect that comes with such hustle.

Next year's gridiron best

2008-12-13T12:39:00.001-08:00

I meant to write this sooner, but every season, and just about every sport, when all-star sections like Friday's All-Star Football Edge come out, I think about who's coming back next year. So, I'll get right to it. Here's my pre-pre-pre-preseason All-Journal Football team for 2009:

QB - Eric Schwieterman, St. Paul: He will be a senior and gets a slight nod over Elyria Catholic's Danny Reaser.
RB - Anthony Hitchens, Clearview: He will be my preseason favorite for player of the year.
RB - Mike Mansnerus, Avon Lake: With the second half he had and Christian Pace back to anchor the offensive line, who can stop the Shoremen?
WR - Josh Russ, Elyria Catholic: If Reaser can't make this team, Russ definitely will. By the way, Danny Accordi would be just as good of a selection.
WR
TE - Dan Schneider, Avon Lake: I smell a deep playoff run for Avon Lake, and a lot of big plays for Schneider, who I think may be the most underrated player in the area next season. He will tie things together for Avon Lake with his run blocking and ability to stretch the defense with his pass catching, something the Shoremen will desperately need.
OL - Christian Pace, Avon Lake: He, along with Joe Coyne, were the two guys I wish I could have gotten on the first team this year. Pace is a lock!
OL - Jared Schuster, Elyria Catholic: The offense will work because of this anchor.
OL -Isaiah Byler, Elyria: Injuries really hurt Byler this year.
OL - Kyle Cory, Edison: The Chargers are my early pick to win the Sandusky Bay Conference.
OL - Greg Knapp, Wellington: Having him back on the line will be big for the Dukes.

DL - Josh Pierce, Avon: Next season, the Eagles' defense will be their focal point -- just like it was in the playoffs.
DL - Eddie Wimbley, Sandusky: He could lead the area in sacks. I believe he's Francis X. Bova's favorite player.
DL - Dakota Schwann, Monroeville: The Eagles have to bounce back, right? Having him and Carl Black returing in the interior is reason to believe so.
DL - Tony Petrosky, Midview: Bill Albright got some great play from Petrosky this year as a sophomore. Knowing how good Midview's program is, you can bet Petrosky will be a beast.
LB - Jake Niece, Firelands: As you can probably tell by the recognition we've given him the last two years, I dig the way he plays linebacker. But, you got to love the way he's been playing since he was thrown into the fire at Firelands as a freshman when things were bleak.
LB - Austen Gray, Wellington: When a Wellington player is left off the first and second team for football, I feel bad. Even at 4-6. Gray should be a lock next season.
LB - Anthony Hitchens, Clearview: We don't put guys down twice, but I really thought Hitchens would get that this season until we decided not to do so. He's even better as a linebacker than a running back.
LB - Jaron Hicks, Oberlin: The Phoenix should improve yet again next season, and Hicks is a big reason why.
DB - Dan Tracht, St. Paul: Expect the Flyers to keep, well, flying. They keep plugging guys in, but Tracht will have been a three-year presence.
DB - Jake Neuschaefer, Elyria: He will be a junior next season and a reason for optimism at Elyria with its underclassmen.
DB - Zach Rogers, Elyria Catholic: Rogers played excellent this season. You will hear his name more.

K - Ryan Galik, Avon: He will be a senior and was a contender to make a team this year. Collin Owens is another top kicker next season. Owens stepped in for Lucas Wright at Clearview when the Clippers beat up on Brookside. Owens looked like a better kicker that night.
KR - Tony Williams, Clearview: In junior high, he was the one name I kept hearing among what will be the 2009 season's senior class.

There you have it. As for a player of the year ranking, how about this: 1) Hitchens, 2) Schwieterman, 3) Mansnerus, 4) Reaser, 5) Running back Josiah Holt of Midview.

O'Rourke takes Golden Helmet

2008-12-10T20:12:00.000-08:00

Avon can celebrate. Ryan O'Rourke is the Golden Helmet winner, which goes to Lorain County's top senior, and Matt Kiessling is this year's Lombardi winner, for top defensive lineman.

Coming Friday, he will be The Morning Journal's Football Player of the Year in the All-Star Football Edge, our last Edge of the year.

O'Rourke was a pretty simple choice for the Golden Helmet and the Journal award. He didn't throw an interception until his team's regional final loss 13 games into the season. Ask any coach, and a stat like that is unheard of. He broke practically every passing record at Avon and a few for the county.

Opening-night thoughts

2008-12-06T09:49:00.001-08:00

Opening night in high school basketball had a little bit of everything. First, blowouts. Second, a nice closely-contested game between Firelands and Keystone.

The Firelands victory was no surprise. Notice, despite a 2-19 finish last season, they were given a considerable boost in our preseason rankings. The reason is simple: There's considerable talent back for the Falcons, and they should mesh much better with coach Steve Lias, who has known them for years.

As for the blowouts, that's customary early in the season. Amherst's victory was not surprising. I went into the game expecting an extremely raw performance from Oberlin, although through the first quarter, in a close game, I thought Oberlin would win. The Comets looked polished. Will they have enough to compete and win in the Southwestern Conference? Yes, but my preseason pick is Avon Lake. The Shoremen have too much height with Mark Homenik and Mike Herrilko.

The Clearview-Vermilion game, which Vermilion won handily, was quite interesting. The reason for the blowout may be the difference between Division II and Division III programs. Clearview has talent, but Vermilion has numbers -- particularly with post players who move well. I have yet to look at the box score, but I'd assume James Washington was outnumbered inside by Derek Hoebing, Derek Barbato, Tim Clark ... you get the picture.

I spoke with New London coach Tom Howell last night after his team's 59-57 win over Edison. I expect both teams to be strong this season and at least get to the district semifinals this season. In the Firelands Conference, Western is down -- at least when it comes to coach Chris Sheldon's expectations -- so I wonder how much of a door that opens for New London to retake a conference championship or St. Paul to emerge? The first New London-St. Paul game ought to be quite interesting.

Boys hoops season hits climax

2008-12-01T20:26:00.000-08:00

Every sport -- basketball in particular -- seems to go in spurts. That's usually because every once in awhile, a class has a considerable number of athletes playing varsity by their freshman or sophomore years.

This trend is usually more common for programs than overall sports, but it's been commonplace in boys basketball.

Consider this season a climax season for boys basketball. Look at Admiral King and Southview, for example. The majority of both lineups will have seniors who've been playing for three or four years. Vermilion has an excellent senior class returning from last season's regional run and Clearview -- although it has mostly juniors -- will be a different team next year when post standout James Washington graduates.

A lot of programs are hitting the end of strong runs, talent wise, with graduating seniors. Because of that, boys basketball as a whole, in a sense, is hitting the end of a run. That may not be a good run, but consider two Lorain County boys teams making regionals last season a big step up. I expect that step up to continue this season, but take a big step down next season.

So, go out and enjoy some high school basketball games. The regular season starts Friday and OHSAA Foundation (scrimmage) games are going on now. EC and North Ridgeville will play a good one Tuesday night.

Consider this year's senior class much like the Class of 2004 that featured Jordan Beard, Brett Bartlett and Chad Szalay. Go out and watch players like Clearview's Washington, Oberlin's Morgan Jones, Southview's Fearsome Foursome or Admiral King's Chris Kimbro and Adrian Casey.

Enjoy it. Next year, they will be gone. And so will some good basketball.

Basketball preview hits news stands Tuesday

2008-11-24T09:08:00.000-08:00

Yes, basketball season has arrived. Our annual high school preview will be released Tuesday.

There are a few things different with this year's preview, which I want to address; two in particular:

1) Teams will be organized by Division. With all the conferences these days -- 10, plus independents, for the 29 area teams -- we decided to change the format and organize teams by the four Divisions. This is more of a direct shot at the schools, if I can be critical, because there's just way too many conferences and not enough local teams.

This year, we tie the Divisions together with a road to regionals theme. If you know me, you know I put an emphasis on conference play with many stories -- particularly in the preview. This year, it's more about how teams stack up in their postseason district. If the schools get their act together and consolidate league affiliations, we'll go back. Unless that happens, I hope everyone likes this new format. It beats having only two or three area teams grouped together because they play so many out-of-area schools.

2) Wrestling is absent from this preview. It's strictly a basketball preview. Mathematics worked in this, too, and I don't want wrestling to get pushed to the back of this special section as it usually is. The section, for the last two years, has been broken into two parts. It makes sense for those two parts to be boys and girls basketball.

Now, if you like wrestling -- and wrestling around here is as good as it gets -- keep an eye out for the daily sports section later this week. We will run a series of previews, starting with Division I on Thanksgiving, Division II Friday and Division III Saturday. I hope everyone who follows wrestling will enjoy this. More information can be included, and it can be presented in cleaner format; not being crammed with basketball.

What next for Avon?

2008-11-16T11:21:00.000-08:00

This year's Avon football team was built for a run with all the seniors it had at key positions. Now, where do the Eagles go next year?

They will have to replace their quarterback, running back, receivers, key linemen, among others. We could in fact see a team that better resembles the one we saw in three playoff games: a stout defense that can move the ball just enough to win games. Offensively, fullback Zak Wearsch could become a key feature back, and the defense looks like it has potential: especially up front.

In the West Shore Conference, Midview would be my early pick, but you have to wonder if this gives the Eagles' program momentum with the way Avon is growing.

Gyms starting to heat up

2008-11-06T21:03:00.001-08:00

November is my favorite month. Yes, it's my birthday, but the best present of all is having football and basketball playing at the same time.

This year could be one of those years football carries over into basketball season. Remember teams having to postpone their schedules because the football teams did so well in the playoffs? I'm sure Avon does, and the Eagles will likely be doing it for the first time since 1996. The '96 Eagles were so good in football, their boys basketball team picture wasn't even taken in time for the annual previews.

I'll let that be my judgment in whether the '08 Eagles are better than the '96 Eagles.

As for everyone else, it's business as usual. For a few, like North Ridgeville, Admiral King and Southview, it's business on high alert. All three teams have a ton of talent and experience back, and if they're going to make a big run at conference or postseason championships, this is their year.

Basketball seems to run in spurts with successful teams, and I think this is the end of a spurt. Last year, Elyria and Vermilion ended a long drought of big schools getting to regionals. This year, the Division I and II schools have a good chance of doing it again.

More basketball will consume my mind and many others' minds as November draws on. Until then, it's a good time to know what's coming, but, more importantly, enjoy the football runs of Avon and Norwalk St. Paul.

Dill epitome of area's softball greatness

2008-11-03T18:44:00.000-08:00

Yes, I said greatness in the headline. It's a word that shouldn't be thrown around loosely, and I don't think I've ever refered to something as great in a story or column.

But, when it comes to softball in this area, greatness is synonymous with the sport. A question Tim Alcorn brought up Monday night on a WEOL broadcast was the state of Lorain County football, and why it’s not on par with other areas in Ohio. That question could be asked in many area sports, but not softball.

In softball, Lorain County – and the Canton-Akron area – is where the talent lives. Keystone’s Kara Dill is the epitome of great softball.

She’s about to sign with Kentucky next week, adding herself to the long list of Division I college softball players from the county that keeps growing. The ironic thing is Dill isn’t just a pitcher, which is the draw about softball. Dill is a better middle infielder and hitter, two aspects that don’t get the same love as pitching.

So, congratulations go out to Dill and adding herself to the list of greatness that is Lorain County softball. And, the next time wonder about the state of Lorain County in football and basketball, allow it to produce a greater appreciation for softball – a sport the area can pound its collective chest about.

What we learned Friday

2008-11-01T10:17:00.000-07:00

Lorain County football is up, but it still has a long way to go. For the first time in a long time, Lorain County was better than Erie and Huron counties -- a comparison many at the Journal draw upon. What does that really mean? Not much.

After reading a few discussion boards and sitting back and soaking in Friday's night's regional quarterfinal games, it's obvious strength of schedule is part of the problem. But, that strength of schedule also comes from within.

By that, I mean all teams need to improve, and not just the top-tier teams with their schedules. They can only do so much.

Take Avon, which plays Defiance Saturday night, for example. If the Eagles win, you can look at their Week 1 game at Aurora and say you saw then this team had the poise to win in the playoffs. If they lose, you can look at their West Shore Conference schedule, in which they scored more than 40 points every game, and say that conference was a detriment to their chances.

Schools like Ottawa-Glandorf, which beat up on Clearview Friday, don't just go out and schedule the best competition for the first three weeks. Their competition within the conference, from the teams they know and see every year, is strong.

In the office, we had this discussion one time with schools around Lima and basketball. In areas like that, the kids just seem to be more dedicated to the sport. I'd argue it's the more rural areas, or perhaps less distractions. Another is stability.

Avon Lake is the class of the area, and Dave Dlugosz has been there for a few decades. St. Paul makes the playoffs consistently, as does Huron. Both of their coaches have long-standing tenures. Amherst, which has a strong program, has gone through three coaches this decade. Avon is on its third coach since the last time it went 10-0 12 years ago.

The coaching situations aren't neccessarily the fault of the coaches. Take Clearview, for example. The Clippers' last two coaches, Matt Wilson and Mike Collier, have taken their teams to the playoffs. But, the Clippers went through three other coaches after Tom Hoch died in 1997 and before Wilson became coach.

The inconsistency isn't the coaches' faults. It sure isn't the athletes' faults, and believe me, they're just as talented as the kids in Lima or at Ottawa-Glandorf. The fault is with the administration. Oberlin's fall to multiple winless seasons came because a school board member wanted a new coach, and that set the program back by what seemed like light years before Dave McFarland took over.

Many of these coaching changes have come because of agendas with school board members. Look how much better Admiral King has been in the last three years -- it's because Mark Campo has been able to stay. Let the athletic directors do their jobs and oversee the athletic programs. If other administrators worry about what they need to -- which is putting their school systems in a position to succeed academically -- then athletics will take care of themselves.

This year is different

2008-10-30T07:46:00.000-07:00

I always find myself ready for basketball season once Week 10 of high school football conlcludes. That is not the case this year.

We have six area teams -- Amherst, Avon, Avon Lake, Clearview, Huron and St. Paul -- in the football playoffs. All six could win this weekend, although I think Huron has the toughest chore at undefeated Genoa Area. Then again, I'd never bet against a Tony Legando-coached team.

I could argue back and forth with myself on this forever.

The point is football playoffs are actually more exciting than the prospects of basketball season this year. The reason being the chances area teams have, and that's saying something with considerable talent returning to the basketball court in Lorain County.

Like I've said, St. Paul, Avon and Clearview could make considerable runs (in that order). I'm confident Avon Lake will win a slugfest Friday night at Medina Highland. I will be there and can't wait for that one.

As for Amherst and Huron, I'm 50-50. I just get this feeling the last two weeks have taken too much out of the Comets, but the defense isn't going down without the fight. If Amherst loses at Twinsburg, it will be something like 14-13. But, if you put me to it and say "MAKE A PICK GOUL!" then I'm going with Amherst, 27-18.

On a side note, rumor has it Amherst is changing helmets next year. The yellow helmet will be replaced with a green one. Although, it sounds unlikely that Comet with the face, reminiscent of Meat Wad from Aqua Teen Hunger Force, will make a return.

Playoff outlook

2008-10-24T23:48:00.001-07:00

Well, here we are. After all that, Amherst still gets into the playoffs -- which is more than deserved after the Comets' start and overcoming an ankle injury to Brandon Kish.

As I look over the playoff projections on JoeEitel.com, I wonder a few things. Here they are:

* If Amherst and Admiral King had swapped schedules, would King be in and Amherst be out? After seeing the two teams play a half of football in August, the Admirals looked like the better team. I will grant you Amherst's defense is much better than then, but Admiral King's big offense would still be too much for the Comets to handle.

* How about this matchup: Huron wins its first-round game, as a fifth seed, and plays Clearview in the second round. I'm hoping for this matchup. For the Journal's sake, matchups between eastern coverage area schools and western area schools are great. Plus, Dan Gilles, a former Journal reporter who recently became the Sandusky Register's sports editor, made a recent claim that sports, teams, whatever, are superior in Erie and Huron counties. A Clearview-Huron matchup would do wonders in making Gilles back his words.

* Avon Lake at Highland should be awesome. Highland has one of its best teams ever, while Avon Lake is on some kind of high the way it's been playing since the Brecksville loss (by the way, I got a kick out of the Avon Lake bias comments I read on MorningJournal.com from a few Amherst fans).

* Home games! Avon, Clearview and St. Paul will be at home. At the Oberlin-Wellington game Friday night, I was asked if this is a down year for teams making the playoffs. It's quite the opposite. I think this might be one of the best playoff years in recent memory. The difference is having area teams playing at home. Think about recent playoff teams. Other than Avon Lake, most had to play on the road in the opening round. Clearview and Midview had to travel to places like Defiance and Macedonia in recent years. Elyria Catholic had to go to Coldwater back in 2005, while Elyria had to play at Toledo. Three area teams, including TWO in Lorain County, playing at home in the first round is big.

It should be fun, and I'd like to make a few quick predictions. St. Paul will win state. Not to put any pressure on the Flyers, but I'm that impressed with the way they play. Watching them is like playing NCAA Football 09 with the difficulty set to J.V. Also, don't be surprised if Clearview makes a deep run. The Clippers could go 9-1 or 10-0 again next year, but this is the team built for a tournament run. They can stretch teams with the pass and have hard-nosed leaders on defense.

Ready for a long postseason?

2008-10-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

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.

Be sure to thank Matt Wilson and the Braves

2008-10-18T09:28:00.000-07:00

The Amherst-Avon Lake rivalry hasn't had so much riding on it in the last few years. Not since both teams made the playoffs in 2004, when Avon Lake handed Amherst both of its losses, have these two teams played with the Southwestern Conference title on the line.

But, it's still not the same.

The reason I say this is Brecksville. If it wasn't for former Clearview coach Matt Wilson and his Berea Braves' upset of the Bees on their homecoming night, this game would mean nothing when it comes to the SWC title. Brecksville beat both Amherst and Avon Lake this season, giving the Bees a moral tiebreaker with the winner of next week's Amherst-Avon Lake game, when the two teams will likely share the SWC title.

Even if Brecksville would have beat Berea this season, Amherst vs. Avon Lake would still have great significance. It's still what I would argue is the more important aspect of this game, which is playoff standing. Avon Lake is playing for a chance at a first-round home game. Amherst is playing just to make sure it doesn't get shut out of the playoffs -- and a second loss would likely spell the end of the Comets' chances to make the Division I playoffs.

So, Friday night, a lot will be on the line when Amherst visits Avon Lake. Most importantly, playoff implications. But, the winner of this game ought to send a nice gift and a big thank you to Berea if it plans to celebrate sharing the SWC title with a team that beat it this season.

Good-bye to a friend

2008-10-14T21:04:00.000-07:00

If you weren't at George Daniel Field last Friday or read Tuesday's page 2 of The Morning Journal sports section, then you probably don't know 14-year sports reporter Dan Gilles is leaving to become sports editor at The Sandusky Register (I'm unsure if the "The" is capitalized, but Gilles claims it is).

As I'm writing this, Gilles is going through some papers, taking some handshakes from co-workers and finishing up his last night at the Journal.

Gilles' departure is especially a big blow to the Lorain County wrestling community, but a definite boost for anyone who loves their wrestling coverage around Sandusky. Gilles has been a hard-nosed worker since I met him back in August 2000. We'll definitely miss him around here, especially after everyone has left and there is Gilles typing up the high school football scorebook and updating standings.

When almost everyone -- coaches, players and fans -- is asleep, resting up for their next day at school or on the job, Gilles was hard at work, trying to produce something they'd enjoy.

Can Comets survive final two weeks?

2008-10-11T21:29:00.000-07:00

So, it comes down to this.

Brecksville and Avon Lake.

The two teams trailing Amherst by a game in the Southwestern Conference standings play the Comets in the final two weeks. First, Amherst gets Brecksville at home and then Avon Lake on the road.

Can they win both? Sure. Can they lose both? Yeah. Anything can happen in these final two weeks of the regular season.

A few weeks ago, I would have predicted a loss to Brecksville and a win against Avon Lake. Now, I'm not so sure about that; not with the way Avon Lake has been running the football with Mike Mansnerus getting most of the carries.

I'll leave my predictions at this: Avon Lake wins out. As for the Amherst-Brecksville game, my opinion will change all the way up to Friday.

Eye-opening numbers

2008-10-10T10:07:00.000-07:00

A quick glance at the area passing leaders shows something quite interesting.

Yeah, Ryan O'Rourke is up there with 1,338 yards passing, 20 touchdowns and no interceptions -- yes, NO interceptions -- but someone else is up there, too. He has thrown a few picks, which is to be expected from a sophomore, but Elyria Catholic's Danny Reaser has matched O'Rourke's passing yards through seven weeks.

What makes this impressive is Reaser wasn't even the clear-cut starter at the beginning of the season. Still, Reaser has 1,340 yards passing and 11 touchdowns.

Why do I bring this up? Well, we're getting to a point in the season where some teams have their eyes on Week 11. Others might as well have their eyes on Week 1 of 2009. EC, with its recent losses in the stiff North Coast League, has become one of those teams that has to look ahead past Week 11.

And, if you look ahead, things look good. Not only will Reaser be back as a junior, but leading rusher Alex Alicea, key linemen like Jared Schuster and receivers like Josh Russ will be back. The biggest loss will likely be linebacker Zach Drews, but Drews missed the first few games because of injury. The Panthers showed then they could win without the preseason All-Journal selection, although the schedule has gotten much tougher.

Next year, the Panthers should be the reason those teams have a tough schedule. In fact, it's reasonable to believe they'll be a preseson No. 1.

Lackluster week?

2008-10-07T09:58:00.000-07:00

Usually, by this time of the year, we're talking about the conference title and playoff implications of big games. I don't see that this week -- at least in Lorain County.
Now, don't get me wrong: this week's games have playoff implications, but it's not like any of them are going to decide a conference title.
When Amherst and Brecksville play, of course, that will change. But, Avon already has the West Shore Conference in hand, while Admiral King is on the outside looking in for the Lake Erie League Erie Division title.
The two most intriguing games this week in Lorain County are Lutheran West at Oberlin and North Ridgeville at Vermilion.
If Oberlin wins, next week's Clearview-Oberlin game will be huge. North Ridgeville-Vermilion is interesting just because it's two strong defenses and will likely determine who's second in the WSC. Although, North Ridgeville still has a say in the matter.
Out west, in Erie and Huron counties, it's the exact opposite, though.
St. Paul-Western Reserve will decide the Firelands Conference, while Perkins puts its unbeaten Sandusky Bay Conference record on the line at Huron. Perkins has yet to play Clyde, also unbeaten in the SBC with a win over Huron, which makes this week very interesting.
Anyone who knows me knows I'm a Lorain County guy, but this week definitely takes a bow to Erie and Huron counties on Friday night.

No Kish, don't panic

2008-10-02T13:11:00.000-07:00

Don't feel sorry for Amherst now that it will play without Brandon Kish for the rest of the season. Feel sorry for Kish himself.
The Comets have plenty of pieces to take on the personnel loss. They can play on without him. Kish can't.
For the second straight year, a leg injury has spelled the demise of Kish's season. Last year, it was a hamstring injury. This year, it's a broken bone around his ankle. That's the first broken bone of his career, which means the injuries are unrelated. Fortunately for Kish, he already committed to Ball State before the season.
The question for Amherst is can it withstand the loss? I think so. The Comets match up better against Brecksville, which was a frontrunner for the Southwestern Conference title before a loss last week to Berea. Coincidentally, Amherst plays the same Berea team Friday night.
That will go a long way in telling how the Comets will fare.

Eagles in a class of their own

2008-09-26T22:29:00.000-07:00

As I watched Avon dismantle Vermilion Friday night, I thought to myself, "Was this believable before the season started?" It was realistic to expect Avon to win the West Shore Conference and have a banner season. I don't think anyone expected was a team that could be put in the class of its 1996 team that went undefeated.

If you remember that team, the '96 Eagles won with Zach Mitchell and Tim Nelson running the football, a stout defense, and sophomore Christian Wimmer as the quarterback.

This year's team is much different in that the quarterback is a senior, and the team revolves around his play -- vs. a young quarterback being cushioned by veterans around him. Either way, it's an exciting time in Avon. I stand by my prediction that would have Vermilion second in the WSC. Sure, the Sailors have some tough games with Rocky River and North Ridgeville left, but I'm believing Avon is 41-18 better than the rest of the WSC.

Here's some conference-by-conference items I'll be thinking about Saturday morning:

SWC: I still can't believe I heard on the radio Berea shut out Brecksville. I'll have to see that one in print. Brecksville's loss and an apparent injury to Brandon Kish has me thinking Avon Lake looks like a good pick to win the Southwestern Conference again. If Kish is out for a long period of time, I think Amherst can get to the Avon Lake game without him. But, they won't have much of a chance against a smart defense that won't falter by keying on Kish and allowing Brandon Morgan speed by them the other way on a misdirection run.

LEL: Shaw's win over Admiral King was no surprise, but the magnitude of the beating was eye opening. I'll be interested to see where the Admirals fall in the computer ratings. Even if they win out, it's going to be tough for them to make it. I fear their non-conference schedule is just too light. They needed this one.

PAC: Oberlin has guaranteed itself of not having a losing season for the first time since 1997. Next up is Brooklyn and a chance at a 6-1 start, the first of its kind at Oberlin since defensive coordinator Jehu Anderson was a senior there. Then, Oberlin has Lutheran West, which plays Clearview in a Stripes Division showdown next week. If Lutheran West and Oberlin win, it will be ironic. The last time Oberlin was 6-1, it played for the Lorain County Conference title against Wellington in Week 8.

NOC: Another tough loss for Elyria, but last week's defeat to Parma has me thinking 1-9 - or 2-8 if Elyria can beat Lakewood - is that team's fate.

NCL: Like Admiral King, losses like Friday's are going to cost Elyria Catholic a shot at the playoffs.

SBC: Huron vs. Clyde looked to be the difference maker in the Sandusky Bay Conference. With Clyde's win, the Fliers look to have a hold on the conference like Avon does with the WSC.

FC: St. Paul plays Saturday, and I doubt the Flyers will lose before the playoffs, but The Swami said it's time to take New London seriously. With the seniors and experience New London had back, I expected a breakout season. Still, I would be surprised if New London won more than twice in the last four weeks.

NOL: Every week Bellevue shows there's reason to believe it's back.

Shoremen make SportsCenter

2008-09-19T10:01:00.000-07:00

Mike Mansnerus' halfback pass to Kevin Morisette made No. 6 on ESPN SportsCenter's Top 10 Plays Thursday night.
In case you missed the highlight or the game, Avon Lake beat Olmsted Falls, 34-7. Mansnerus, a lefty, rolled to his left on the pitch and hit Morisette for a deep touchdown pass. The win was big enough for Avon Lake, overcoming an 11-6 loss last weeek at Brecksville. Add the highlight getting a push nationally, this could give Avon Lake quite a boost for the second half of the season.

Midseason is here

2008-09-18T22:44:00.000-07:00

If I didn't have to stay in the office Friday night (the Journal is implementing a new system, and I must help ease the transition), I'm sure I would hear WEOL's Tim Alcorn mention how he can't believe we're coming to the midway point of the season.

Each year, he says it and I know a lot of people are thinking it.

So, with the midway point upon us after Friday night's games, what will the second half have in store for the area?

I'm sticking by a few of my predictions, like Vermilion winning five or six of its last seven games and the Southwestern Conference prediction that I rattled off last week.

There are a few surprises:
- I'm still in shock Wellington is 0-4. Like Vermilion, this is another team capable of turning its season around. The Dukes' fate will depend on their psyche after some tough losses in the fourth quarter.
- Edison and Western Reserve are 3-1. Maybe this was lack of respect on my part, but I didn't think either would be much better than 5-5 or 6-4. They're both looking like they'll win at least seven.
- Monroeville is also 0-4, but then again, the Eagles have been plagued by injuries.
- Avon Lake lost two games in the first four weeks. I still scratch my eyes at this because the Shoremen still have what any team would dream to possess -- uncanny talent up front.
- Anthony Harrison has back-to-back 200-plus yard performances. I know he's good, but I wouldn't have thought Admiral King's offense would allow a back to get enough carries to reach that point. Then again, Harrison is averaging about 10 yards per carry.

Sportsmanship starts with the pros

2008-09-15T19:58:00.000-07:00

As I'm watching the Monday Night Football game between Dallas and Philadelphia, I notice Terrell Owens flapping his arms, immitating the Eagles' dance that he once flaunted so frequently.
Obviously, this is Owens at his finest. The sad part of it is the pros are there for everyone to see, making what guys like Owens do a direct impact the kids who watch them.
Now, don't let me have you think Owens' actions are going to make a high school senior replicate him.
A seventh- or eighth-grade football player may, though.
That's what makes the flaunting and showboating bad. Personally, I don't mind it, but seeing Owens flap his arms Monday night got me thinking about the impact it could have on that seventh grader.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association goes out of its way to promote sportsmanship, requiring public address announcers to read its message before games, and by other avenues.
That could get lost when someone flaps his arms like an eagle this week during his team's seventh-grade football game.