The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
High school football» Week 8
LORAIN AT MAPLE HEIGHTS
What: Lake Erie League game
When: 7 p.m. Oct. 11
Where: Maple Heights Stadium, 5500 Clement Drive, Maple Heights
Records: Lorain 4-3 (1-1 LEL), Maple Heights 7-0 (2-0 LEL)
Last meeting: 2017 — 4819, Lorain
The way we see it: Lorain — Paul Barney, Robert Fenbers, Marissa McNees; Maple Heights — Jon Behm, Chris Coon, Fuad Shalhout, Dan Gilles, Gridiron Guru, Matt Lofgren; Consensus — Maple Heights, 6-3
For the record: It’s a rare Thursday night game for Lorain; it’s also rare for such uncertainty to surround Lorain as it enters a Lake Erie League game. Lorain has admittedly hit a rough patch in its season, but may be in the clear following a homecoming decimation of Warrensville Heights last week. With that being said, if the Titans hope to get at least a share of the LEL title, a win against Maple Heights is a must. And that is where things get interesting. Yes, the Mustangs enter this one undefeated and at the top of the conference table. But how strong Maple Heights can be is still up for debate. Of their seven wins, three have come against Division III teams. Maple Heights is a
D-II school. Additionally, of the seven wins, only one has come against a team with a winning record (Week 4 vs. 4-3 University School). The combined record of the Mustangs’ seven opponents thus far is 15-34. However, none of this can really be blamed on Maple Heights, and they have done what was needed against inferior opponents by blowing out teams to the tune of a 37.3 average margin of victory. Lorain will be the first real test Maple Heights has faced. The Mustangs have not faced a rushing attack like the one Lorain offers this season. On the flipside, Lorain has not faced a passing attack the likes of Maple Heights’ since possibly Week 1 with Midview. Maple Heights quarterback Devin Dial has been making teams pay all season, with receivers Bernard Bates and De’Von Fox making defenses remain honest as a solid one-two punch. There’s plenty of what-if scenarios with this game, so getting to see them resolved should be fun.