The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Avon, Olmsted Falls remain class of area
Avon Lake will offer a new look; Lorain needs players to step up
That familiar feeling is back. It’s football time. Teams have just returned to the field for two-a-days and training camp and undoubtedly have a lot to work on before Week 1 comes at the end of the month.
Just how much work, though, is up for debate.
So, here is a quick, team-by-team look at what The Morning Journal area squads look like as practices are underway.
Here are Divisions II and I. Divisions IV and III were published Aug. 4, while Divisions VI and V were published Aug. 3.
DIVISION II
• Amherst: It’s back to the drawing board of the Comets. As is the story with many area teams, Amherst is under a new coach. The difference is that Amherst now has veteran coach Mike Passerrello in charge. Playing in a tough Southwestern Conference, it could be a long year for the Comets, though, as Amherst returns three starters on offense and four on defense. The key is that junior running back Khennedy Scagliozzo is back. If Passerrello stays true to his formula at Firelands, Scagliozzo could be the premier back of Lorain County this year.
• Avon: As seems to always be the case, the Eagles need to reload this season. And, as always seems to be the case, there is no reason to worry about Avon. While all of the skill positions will be replaced, junior quarterback Ryan Maloy logged valuable minutes while splitting at
quarterback with the graduated Matt Kelly. Defense is where things could get interesting for the Eagles, as one of the best classes graduated for Avon.
• Avon Lake: After a playoff appearance last year, the Shoremen are hungry for greatness again. It’s a good and bad thing. The good thing is that younger players got to see how a successful team works. The bad thing is that most of them were on the sidelines watching, rather than getting experience playing. Avon Lake will have a very new look as it takes the field.
• Midview: We’re about to find what the Middies are all about. Midview has to retool nearly everywhere on offense with Dustin Crum, Alec Forrer and Keith Johnson all graduating. Expect Connor Wolf to become a focal point of the offense as Seamus Higley develops at quarterback. Defensively, the Middies should be fine, returning seven starters — including Ben Gendics, Nick Crum and Noah Markus all in the secondary.
• North Olmsted: Just as Drive Morris Stadium continues to be under construction, so do the Eagles. Running back Darren Anders was a pleasant surprise last year and should experience a much larger role as a junior. Defense may be a strong point, but the secondary will need some major improvements in a very pass-happy conference.
• North Ridgeville: The Rangers had a rough season. That being said, it was a great learning season that should have North Ridgeville in the mix this year. Shomari Williams will be the focus of the offense at running back, but it might be tough to find holes as Mike Wiseman is the only returning lineman. Defensively, Tyler Sycz and Jamir Malone should thrive, while the secondary will benefit from returning all but one starter. Expect some low-scoring battles from the Rangers this year.
• Olmsted Falls: The Bulldogs were the last SWC team standing last year. The good news is that the defense should be very strong across the board. The bad news is that the offense will need to be completely reinvented with the graduation of Spencer Linville who oftentimes was 90 percent of the Olmsted Falls’ offense last year. Expect some transitional pains early before a late run for the Bulldogs.
• Westlake: It’s reinvention time for the Demons. Westlake won games by winning scoring marathons last year. That won’t work this year without Trey Bialowas, Terrance Rose, Q’Darr Robinson, Conner Sterneckert and Trevor Bielozer. More bad news comes in the form of the defense, which returns one starter. It could be a tough year for the Demons, but Westlake has proven it doesn’t conform to expectations.