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Chardon at Kenston
(by Tony Lange - August 30, 2012)
(Editor’s note: Tony Lange went 6-2 last week.)
Chardon at Kenston
After Kenston battled Hudson down to the wire last Friday, it would be foolish to pick against the Bombers in week-two football, despite their 17-14 loss.
The Bombers, however, will have more work cut out for them as they host Chardon at 7 p.m. this Friday in a Division II Geauga County showdown.
The Hilltoppers smothered West Geauga last week, 41-12, by running around, over and through the Wolverines.
Chardon's first-year senior quarterback, T.J. Benenati, didn't have to throw a single pass in the first half as the Hilltoppers carried the ball to a 28-6 lead. Benenati gained more than 200 yards on foot himself when it was all said and done.
Kenston's front seven, however, doesn't appear to be a pushover unit as it held the Explorers to 3.5 yards per carry last week.
If the Bombers want to stop Chardon's wing-t offense, however, they will need to significantly step up their game from a year ago. In their 2011 match, the Hilltoppers tallied 348 of their 393 offensive yards by running the ball.
The 2011 Bombers were favored to win that game, and, if they had, one would have to assume the Kenston would have earned a playoff bid instead of finishing its season at 6-4.
In 2011, Chardon beat Kenston, 41-26.
TONY’S TAKE: The Bombers will prevail, 28-27.
Chagrin Falls at NDCL
Now that their confidence-boost game - 63-21 over Revere - is out of the way, the Chagrin Falls Tigers have to get down to business for week-two football.
They will travel to Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin at 7 p.m. Friday and play the Lions on their new Lozick Field, an artificial-turf project that was part of $6.2 million in campus and stadium improvements.
During their home opener last Friday, NDCL lost, 43-24, to Willoughby South.
The Lions did, however, hold all-Ohio back Kareem Hunt to a modest 127 yards rushing. But Hunt did have 99-yard and 88-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns.
NDCL, meanwhile, was led by quarterback Robbie Nash, who passed for almost 200 yards. He also threw three picks.
Interceptions seemed to be Nash's pitfall during NDCL's matchup against Chagrin Falls last season, as the Lions' multiple-set, I-formation offense gave up six passes to the Tigers' defensive secondary.
Nonetheless, the 2011 Tigers had a tough time capitalizing as their red-zone offense just couldn't get the job done. Chagrin only led by three points until two quick touchdowns in the final two minutes of the game sealed the Tigers' victory.
In 2011, the Chagrin beat NDCL, 27-10.
TONY’S TAKE: Chagrin Falls will win, 31-14.
Riverside at West Geauga
After a somewhat embarrassing week-one performance, whether or not West Geauga has the ability to bounce back in week-two football will say a lot about the 2012 Wolverines and what they're all about.
The Wolverines suffered a 41-12 blowout against Chardon last week, and now they are in much need of a strong showing at home this Friday as the Riverside Beavers come to town at 7 p.m.
A Division I program, Riverside is head coached by Dave Bors, former West Geauga head coach, who departed three years ago after a 9-2 season with the Wolverines in 2009.
Bors and the Beavers had losing records in 2010 and 2011, and this season Riverside became a pay-to-play school district as its taxpayers fail to pass levies.
As a direct result, participation in high school football this fall comes with $783 price tag at Riverside.
The Beavers, however, didn't seem to be affected last week as they beat Perry, 37-24, for the first time since 2005.
West Geauga has never lost to Riverside since the two schools became regular opponents in 2007.
In 2011, the Wolverines beat the Beavers, 21-0.
TONY’S TAKE: West Geauga will defeat Riverside for a sixth straight season, 24-17.
University School at Linden-McKinley
Returning from a 34-7 loss to Division I Massillon Jackson, the University School Preppers will hit the road again this Friday to face another new opponent.
The Preppers will make the two-hour bus ride to Columbus to play the Division III Linden-McKinley Panthers at 7:30 p.m.
The Panthers are coming off a 36-14 win against Africentric Early College, a Division VI team in Columbus.
Neither team is favored to make the playoffs this year.
Linden-McKinley did, however, tack on 423 rushing yards last week, with two players accumulating 100-plus-yard games.
Nonetheless, the Preppers are the heavy favorites to win this week-two football matchup. It will be a good opportunity for them to sort out some inconsistencies and find their rhythm.
TONY’S TAKE: University School will win, 49-7.
Beachwood at Orange
Coming off a 21-20 loss to Bay last Friday, the Orange Lions took away two lessons from their defeat - yards don't win games, and missed extra points can certainly lose them.
Orange dominated the grid last week with more than 300 yards passing, but turnovers and a blocked PAT in the fourth quarter cost the Lions the game.
As Orange hosts the Division IV Beachwood Bison at 7 p.m. this Friday, it will be interesting to see which quarterback gets the start.
Sophomore Stephen Borgman led the Division III Lions, completing 28 of 44 passes last week, but senior quarterback Dominic Vitali, who started as a junior, was sidelined in the preseason with illness.
The Bison, meanwhile, are coming off a 21-6 triumph against Gilmour. They outgained the Lancers, 320-218 yards, in that game. And they did so without their standout quarterback, Corey Jones, who was sidelined for most of the game after an injury during the opening drive.
To pick up a week-two win, Orange will have to find a way to man up on the line and slow down the Bison's run game. Also, the Lions' offense will have to execute all facets of their pass game.
In 2011, the Lions beat Beachwood, 28-17.
TONY’S TAKE: Orange will win, 28-21.
Lutheran West at Hawken School
After taking care of business at home with a 40-14 victory against Western Reserve Academy, Hawken School will carry that momentum on the road at 7 p.m. Friday against Lutheran West.
Perhaps adding some pieces back to their puzzle, which were sidelined by injury and illness among other things, the Hawks should only improve in week-two football.
Much of the Hawks' week-one win was attributed to Khari Anderson's 196 yards rushing for five touchdowns. But, to win this week, the Hawks could have to rely on some other offensive weapons.
The Lutheran West Longhorns, under the direction of new head coach Dave Stupka, look to be an improved team from last season as they beat Firelands, 29-7, last week.
During the win, the Longhorns found different ways to score, including a kickoff return touchdown, a touchdown reception, two touchdown runs and a field goal.
Since the Longhorns and Hawks became regular foes in 2005, Hawken has won four of the seven battles, including the last three.
In 2011, Hawken clobbered the Longhorns, 34-7.
TONY’S TAKE: The Hawks will win this Division IV, nonconference matchup, 28-20.
Tusc. Cen. Catholic at Gilmour
Well, Gilmour Academy didn't beat Beachwood last Friday, falling, 21-6. But the Lancers' program took a big step in the right direction after the Bison had stampeded Gilmour, 52-7, in 2011.
Nonetheless, the Lancers want wins, not pats on the back.
In week-two football, Division V Gilmour will host the Division VI Tuscarawas Central Catholic Saints at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Under the direction of new head coach Casey Cummings, the Saints are coming off a 51-29 win against Lancaster's Fisher Catholic last Saturday in a matchup that was tied, 21-21, before they broke loose.
As a team, Central racked up more than 600 yards of offense, and much of that was attributed to 6-foot-3 senior quarterback Michael Lawless, who passed for 318 yards with three touchdowns and ran for 177 yards with two touchdowns. He also completed a pair of two-point conversion passes.
Leading receiver for the Saints, Cade Cummings had four catches for 160 yards.
Should the Lancers win, they'll have to slow down that quarterback-receiver combo.
Gilmour will also have to have a well-mixed pass-run offense with good performances from quarterback Matt Botek and running back Benoit Mapango.
In 2011, Tuscarawas Central Catholic beat Gilmour, 39-20.
TONY’S TAKE: The Lancers will upset the Saints, 35-31. (Editor’s note: Tony Lange went 6-2 last week.)
Chardon at Kenston
After Kenston battled Hudson down to the wire last Friday, it would be foolish to pick against the Bombers in week-two football, despite their 17-14 loss.
The Bombers, however, will have more work cut out for them as they host Chardon at 7 p.m. this Friday in a Division II Geauga County showdown.
The Hilltoppers smothered West Geauga last week, 41-12, by running around, over and through the Wolverines.
Chardon's first-year senior quarterback, T.J. Benenati, didn't have to throw a single pass in the first half as the Hilltoppers carried the ball to a 28-6 lead. Benenati gained more than 200 yards on foot himself when it was all said and done.
Kenston's front seven, however, doesn't appear to be a pushover unit as it held the Explorers to 3.5 yards per carry last week.
If the Bombers want to stop Chardon's wing-t offense, however, they will need to significantly step up their game from a year ago. In their 2011 match, the Hilltoppers tallied 348 of their 393 offensive yards by running the ball.
The 2011 Bombers were favored to win that game, and, if they had, one would have to assume the Kenston would have earned a playoff bid instead of finishing its season at 6-4.
In 2011, Chardon beat Kenston, 41-26.
TONY’S TAKE: The Bombers will prevail, 28-27.
Chagrin Falls at NDCL
Now that their confidence-boost game - 63-21 over Revere - is out of the way, the Chagrin Falls Tigers have to get down to business for week-two football.
They will travel to Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin at 7 p.m. Friday and play the Lions on their new Lozick Field, an artificial-turf project that was part of $6.2 million in campus and stadium improvements.
During their home opener last Friday, NDCL lost, 43-24, to Willoughby South.
The Lions did, however, hold all-Ohio back Kareem Hunt to a modest 127 yards rushing. But Hunt did have 99-yard and 88-yard kickoff returns for touchdowns.
NDCL, meanwhile, was led by quarterback Robbie Nash, who passed for almost 200 yards. He also threw three picks.
Interceptions seemed to be Nash's pitfall during NDCL's matchup against Chagrin Falls last season, as the Lions' multiple-set, I-formation offense gave up six passes to the Tigers' defensive secondary.
Nonetheless, the 2011 Tigers had a tough time capitalizing as their red-zone offense just couldn't get the job done. Chagrin only led by three points until two quick touchdowns in the final two minutes of the game sealed the Tigers' victory.
In 2011, the Chagrin beat NDCL, 27-10.
TONY’S TAKE: Chagrin Falls will win, 31-14.
Riverside at West Geauga
After a somewhat embarrassing week-one performance, whether or not West Geauga has the ability to bounce back in week-two football will say a lot about the 2012 Wolverines and what they're all about.
The Wolverines suffered a 41-12 blowout against Chardon last week, and now they are in much need of a strong showing at home this Friday as the Riverside Beavers come to town at 7 p.m.
A Division I program, Riverside is head coached by Dave Bors, former West Geauga head coach, who departed three years ago after a 9-2 season with the Wolverines in 2009.
Bors and the Beavers had losing records in 2010 and 2011, and this season Riverside became a pay-to-play school district as its taxpayers fail to pass levies.
As a direct result, participation in high school football this fall comes with $783 price tag at Riverside.
The Beavers, however, didn't seem to be affected last week as they beat Perry, 37-24, for the first time since 2005.
West Geauga has never lost to Riverside since the two schools became regular opponents in 2007.
In 2011, the Wolverines beat the Beavers, 21-0.
TONY’S TAKE: West Geauga will defeat Riverside for a sixth straight season, 24-17.
University School at Linden-McKinley
Returning from a 34-7 loss to Division I Massillon Jackson, the University School Preppers will hit the road again this Friday to face another new opponent.
The Preppers will make the two-hour bus ride to Columbus to play the Division III Linden-McKinley Panthers at 7:30 p.m.
The Panthers are coming off a 36-14 win against Africentric Early College, a Division VI team in Columbus.
Neither team is favored to make the playoffs this year.
Linden-McKinley did, however, tack on 423 rushing yards last week, with two players accumulating 100-plus-yard games.
Nonetheless, the Preppers are the heavy favorites to win this week-two football matchup. It will be a good opportunity for them to sort out some inconsistencies and find their rhythm.
TONY’S TAKE: University School will win, 49-7.
Beachwood at Orange
Coming off a 21-20 loss to Bay last Friday, the Orange Lions took away two lessons from their defeat - yards don't win games, and missed extra points can certainly lose them.
Orange dominated the grid last week with more than 300 yards passing, but turnovers and a blocked PAT in the fourth quarter cost the Lions the game.
As Orange hosts the Division IV Beachwood Bison at 7 p.m. this Friday, it will be interesting to see which quarterback gets the start.
Sophomore Stephen Borgman led the Division III Lions, completing 28 of 44 passes last week, but senior quarterback Dominic Vitali, who started as a junior, was sidelined in the preseason with illness.
The Bison, meanwhile, are coming off a 21-6 triumph against Gilmour. They outgained the Lancers, 320-218 yards, in that game. And they did so without their standout quarterback, Corey Jones, who was sidelined for most of the game after an injury during the opening drive.
To pick up a week-two win, Orange will have to find a way to man up on the line and slow down the Bison's run game. Also, the Lions' offense will have to execute all facets of their pass game.
In 2011, the Lions beat Beachwood, 28-17.
TONY’S TAKE: Orange will win, 28-21.
Lutheran West at Hawken School
After taking care of business at home with a 40-14 victory against Western Reserve Academy, Hawken School will carry that momentum on the road at 7 p.m. Friday against Lutheran West.
Perhaps adding some pieces back to their puzzle, which were sidelined by injury and illness among other things, the Hawks should only improve in week-two football.
Much of the Hawks' week-one win was attributed to Khari Anderson's 196 yards rushing for five touchdowns. But, to win this week, the Hawks could have to rely on some other offensive weapons.
The Lutheran West Longhorns, under the direction of new head coach Dave Stupka, look to be an improved team from last season as they beat Firelands, 29-7, last week.
During the win, the Longhorns found different ways to score, including a kickoff return touchdown, a touchdown reception, two touchdown runs and a field goal.
Since the Longhorns and Hawks became regular foes in 2005, Hawken has won four of the seven battles, including the last three.
In 2011, Hawken clobbered the Longhorns, 34-7.
TONY’S TAKE: The Hawks will win this Division IV, nonconference matchup, 28-20.
Tusc. Cen. Catholic at Gilmour
Well, Gilmour Academy didn't beat Beachwood last Friday, falling, 21-6. But the Lancers' program took a big step in the right direction after the Bison had stampeded Gilmour, 52-7, in 2011.
Nonetheless, the Lancers want wins, not pats on the back.
In week-two football, Division V Gilmour will host the Division VI Tuscarawas Central Catholic Saints at 1:30 p.m. Saturday.
Under the direction of new head coach Casey Cummings, the Saints are coming off a 51-29 win against Lancaster's Fisher Catholic last Saturday in a matchup that was tied, 21-21, before they broke loose.
As a team, Central racked up more than 600 yards of offense, and much of that was attributed to 6-foot-3 senior quarterback Michael Lawless, who passed for 318 yards with three touchdowns and ran for 177 yards with two touchdowns. He also completed a pair of two-point conversion passes.
Leading receiver for the Saints, Cade Cummings had four catches for 160 yards.
Should the Lancers win, they'll have to slow down that quarterback-receiver combo.
Gilmour will also have to have a well-mixed pass-run offense with good performances from quarterback Matt Botek and running back Benoit Mapango.
In 2011, Tuscarawas Central Catholic beat Gilmour, 39-20.
TONY’S TAKE: The Lancers will upset the Saints, 35-31.
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