Get ready for Week 3 of high school football

AVON LAKE AT AVON

What: Medley Memorial Game of the Week When: 7p.m. Sept. 8 Where: Joe Firment Stadium, 3075Stoney Ridge Road, Avon Records: Avon Lake 1-1, Avon 2-0 Last time: 2016playoffs — 27-26, Avon Lake For the record: These teams tend to bring out the best in each other, and this year will be no different. Make no mistake, the Eagles have had this one circled on their schedule since Avon’s regional quarterfinal exit in last year’s playoffs at the hands of rival Avon Lake. The Shoremen also have had this one circled, as it is their chance to prove that last year was not a fluke. The Eagles have looked like an unstoppable force so far this season. Behind quarterback Ryan Maloy (38-52, 393 yards, three touchdowns), the Eagles’ offense is as good as ever, with Maloy spreading the ball to nine receivers through two games. Similarly, the Avon Lake offense is looking as strong as last year behind Jack Mikolich (29-71, 383, 3) and the rushing of Konnor Riggs (44caries, 134yards, three touchdowns). The edge really goes to Avon on defense, with the Eagles allowing 11.5 points per game to the Shoremen’s 20.5. Look for that to be the determining factor in this game.

VERMILION AT FIRELANDS

What: Nonconference game When: 7p.m. Sept. 8 Where: Firelands Stadium, 10643Vermilion Road, Henrietta Township

Records: Vermilion 2-0, Firelands 2-0 Last time: 2016— 21-3, Firelands For the record: For the first time since this annual rivalry was moved to Week 3in 2011, both teams are entering at 2-0. To add to the intrigue, both teams are now in Division IV, Region 14, meaning this game is big in terms of playoff possibilities as well as bragging rights. Firelands has been great so far this season behind big play ability, leading to an average of 32.5points per game. Vermilion has been just as effective at putting points on the board, averaging 43points per game. Neither team is a slouch on defense either, with the Falcons allowing just 11.5points per game, compared to the Sailors at 8. Basically, expect this game to be a tight affair compared to previous years.

LUTHERAN WEST AT NORMANDY

What: Nonconference game When: 7p.m. Sept. 8 Where: Byers Field, 7600Day Drive, Parma

Records: Lutheran West 2-0, Normandy 2-0

Last time: First meeting For the record: Both teams are in uncharted waters right now, with Lutheran West starting 2-0for the first time since 2013and Normandy at 2-0for the first time since 2007. In fact, 2007is the last times both teams have been 2-0at the same time. So, this game means a lot to both teams, as neither team has been 3-0since 2007. So, what should be expected? Honestly, this game will not be as close as casual observers believe. Normandy has done a great job beating up on teams that are smaller than them, as the Division II team blanked D-III Lincoln West and struggled to top D-VI Wellington. Compare that to Lutheran West — which as a reminder should be a D-V school based on enrollment if not for Competitive Balance — who has blanked D-VI New London and topped D-IV Hawken. In other words, Lutheran West has played competition similar to what it should, while Normandy has looked for wins against smaller schools. What does that mean for this one? It means Lutheran West has had the chance to play in tougher games, leading to an advantage later in the Longhorns’ showdown with Normandy. Expect the Longhorns to start 3-0in a close game that ends with Lutheran West taking advantage of a big fourth quarter.

NORTH OLMSTED AT MIDVIEW

What: Southwestern Conference game When: 7p.m. Sept. 8 Where: Ross Field at Ed Adelsburg Stadium, 38199 Capel Road, Grafton

Records: North Olmsted 2-0, Midview 2-0 Last time: 2016— 41-6, Midview For the record: This game features two teams that have re-invented themselves in the offseason. On one hand, you have Midview, which has developed into a legitimate rushing threat behind Connor Wolfe (40carries, 319yards, two touchdowns) while maintaining its deep-threat passing ability behind Seamus Higley (29-45, 388yards, five touchdowns). On the other hand is North Olmsted, which has already matched its win total from last year behind a strong rushing threat from Darren Anders (32, 254, 4). The Middies have been a top-notch team in the Southwestern Conference since joining it. That has not changed. North Olmsted, on the other hand, can use this game as a great measuring stick to determine exactly where it stands in one of Ohio’s toughest conferences.