WEEK 1 >> GAMES TO WATCH

Vermilion at Clearview

What: Nonconference game When: 7, Aug. 26 Where: Tom Hoch Field, 4700 Broadway, Lorain Last time: 2015 — 30-20, Vermilion Scouting report: Last year, this game was an instant classic. A back-and-forth battle that I’m sure both teams will remember as kickoff approaches. Well, the Sailors who are back, that is. This game will have some different dynamics from last year as both teams graduated some talented players in key positions. It will be the first good look that fans get at sophomore quarterback Seth Hurd and the offensive line only has two returning starters in Brock Naill and Seth Lyons. However, junior Caine Zannoni is a running back who can make the quick cuts and give the line time to develop. On the other side of things, Clearview returns a veteran-heavy team. The Clippers have all but one offensive starter back and return seven starters on defense. It would appear that the Clippers have the clear advantage in this one, but that is also what many thought last year, and the result was a great game. Maybe that will be the case in the 2016 edition of this budding rivalry.

Avon Lake at Elyria

What: Nonconference game When: 7, Aug. 26 Where: Ely Stadium, Middle Avenue and South Maple Street, Elyria Last time: 2015 — 31-7, Elyria Scouting report: Last year’s score doesn’t mean a thing. Ask either coach and they will tell you exactly that. Both teams understand that they are different than last year. Take Elyria. With a sophomore at quarterback in Dontae Beckett, the Pioneers offense lived and died with his growth. Now a junior, Beckett is one of the forces that have the Pioneers thinking big. Or, consider Avon Lake. The Shoremen were in the midst of a program overall that saw plenty of changes in Dave Dlugosz’s second year back. Now everything is in place and Avon Lake has plenty of senior leadership. What does that mean for this game? It means it is hard to predict. Expect Pioneers’ running back Chris Atkinson to chew up the ground en route to a solid game, but don’t be surprised if Avon Lake’s Matt Stanfield sticks with him rush for rush. Or, maybe Beckett will be on display with his improved skills both in the air and with his feet. And with the Shoremen featuring one of the top receivers in Lorain County, Carson Toy, you can’t count out the Avon Lake aerial attack.

Elyria Catholic at Brookside

What: Nonconference game When: 7, Aug. 26 Where: 1812 Harris Road, Sheffield Scouting report: This one should be a fun one. Two teams that narrowly missed out on the playoffs last year have a chance to pick up that win they needed last year to get the 2016 campaign started off right. As with plenty of other teams in the area, both teams have a fair amount of roster turnover. However, both also return some great talent. Both teams will have strong rushing games, with 6-foot-2, 200-pound senior Tim Ackerman leading the charge for the Cardinals while a stable that includes 5-foot-9, 160-pound senior Daryl Davis and 5-foot-7, 159-pound senior Tony Loparo will pound the ground for the Panthers. Where it will get interesting is if the teams try to air it out. The Cardinals have an inexperienced secondary with only junior Dustin Spirko as a returning starter. The edge has to go to the Panthers, who return Josh Klingshirn as his five interceptions from last year.

Lorain at Midview

What: Nonconference game When: 7, Aug. 26 Where: Ross Field at Ed Adelsburg Stadium, 38199 Capel Road, Grafton Last year: 2015 — 28-0, Midview Scouting report: It was hard to tell it last year, but the scoreline showed a lot about both teams. First, it showed that both teams were going to have outstanding defenses. And yes, Lorain gave up 28 points, but that was the thirdfewest points scored by the Middies in 12 games that year. It also explained that Midview would be just as strong of an offense, while the Titans would go through some growing pains. Well, this game should show quite a bit about both teams again this year. The Middies have a new slew of receivers, but still have quarterback Dustin Crum and have running back Alec Forrer back. Meanwhile, the Titans now have a year behind the leadership of junior quarterback Davion Dower, so don’t expect another shutout. Dower was making his first career start last year, and it showed. The Titans’ coaching staff is high on Dower and the players around him — RB Carlos Chavis, WR Dasean Brooks and Naz Bohannon and slot receiver Zion Cross. This one should be a battle, both offensively and defensively, as both teams know that a win will go a long way toward playoff points down the line.

— Jon Behm