The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Week 1 games to watch
NORTH OLMSTED AT EASTLAKE NORTH
What: Nonconference game
When: 7, Aug. 30
Where: Nick Carter Stadium
Last year: Did not play
For the record: North Olmsted was 2-8 last year and comes in on a five-game losing streak. QB Anthony Guercio returns as starter.
... The key in this game is for North Olmsted to find a way to stand toe-to-toe with North’s size, and for the Rangers’ small, quick defense to keep Guercio from dominating . ... North is looking to bounce back from a 2-8 season a year ago when the Rangers were decimated by injuries. This is still a young team, but they are gigantic on the offensive line and can grind teams into the ground with their size and physicality. Ryan Baer (6-6, 305), Ethan Spoth (6-4, 310) and Gabe Siupinys (6-0, 290) anchor the huge North line. QB Dylan Froelich injured his shin/ankle in the NDCL scrimmage but is expected to be good to go in the opener. James Walker, Thomas Walker and Brandon Dolan can all run the ball well behind that huge line.
AVON LAKE AT AVON
What: Southwestern Conference game
When: 7 p.m., Aug. 30
Where: Joe Firment Chevrolet Stadium, 3075 Stoney Ridge Road, Avon
2018 records: Avon Lake 10-2, Avon 12-2
Last meeting: 2018 — Avon Lake won, 31-28.
For the record: Avon Lake has beaten its rival twice in the past three seasons, including a 2016first-round playoff game, this year the teams aren’t waiting until the second half of the season to face each other. Avon will no doubt pack the house for its season-opener and arguably its most anticipated game of the season when it debuts a new-look offense, including senior quarterback Danny Zeh. The Shoremen offense looks different from 2018as they too have a first-year quarterback in senior Harry Herbert, but feature an athletic defense with seven returners that will make for an instant classic typical of most Avon Lake-Avon football games.
ELYRIA AT MIDVIEW
What: Nonconference game
When: 7 p.m., Aug. 30
Where: Ross Field at Ed Adelsburg Stadium, 38199 W. Capel Road, Grafton
2018 records: Elyria 0-10, Midview 2-8
Last meeting: 2014 — Midview won, 42-25.
For the record: Both teams are looking to make a statement in their season opener after sub-par finishes in 2018. Midview returns most of its offensive and defensive lines which will help first-year quarterback Zac Gill, who also has a pair of running backs, T.Y. Nelson and Domenic Roman, and wide receiver Nathan Bashak returning to the lineup. On the other hand, Elyria returns eight starters on offense, including quarterback Dylan Sharlow, and six on defense. But the Middies
always create a tough environment for opponents which will be difficult for Elyria to overcome if it gets behind early.
FIRELANDS AT EDISON
What: Nonconference game
When: 7 p.m., Aug. 30
Where: Edison Charger Stadium, 2603 State Route 113 East, Milan 2018 records: Firelands 4-6, Edison 3-6
Last meeting: 2018 — Edison won, 41-23.
For the record: Edison owns a 3-1 advantage in the series since these teams began scheduling each other in 2015, with Firelands’ only win over the Chargers coming in 2017. The Falcons are still a generally young team despite returning 20 lettermen, but have experience and athleticism to improve on last season’s 4-6 record. Edison is coming off a down-year, too, having not won a game since Sept. 7, 2018, and will put up a tough fight against Firelands on its home field.
KEYSTONE AT BAY
What: Nonconference game
When: 7 p.m., Aug. 30
Where: Bay Memorial Stadium, 29230 Wolf Road, Bay Village
2018 records: Keystone 5-5, Bay 8-3
Last meeting: 2018 — Bay won, 27-6.
For the record: Don’t expect a similar lopsided result as last season. Keystone returns seven starters on each side of the ball including one of the area’s top quarterbacks in senior Jacob Shackelford and its entire offensive and defensive lines. Bay brings back quarterback Logan LaMere, but the senior is one of only three returning starters on offense while the defense has four. Home field advantage could help the Rockets in this game but Keystone will no doubt put up a tough fight in a game that, should the Wildcats win, would help their playoff chances down the road.
LORAIN AT BRUNSWICK
What: Nonconference game
When: 7 p.m., Aug. 30
Where: Brunswick Auto Mart Stadium, 3581 Center Road, Brunswick 2018 records: Lorain 6-4, Brunswick 1-9
For the record: This Lorain senior class has been waiting to take the field since last year’s final game. The Titans are loaded with playmakers on offense and are determined to make a statement on the road in
their season opener. Brunswick is coming off a one-win season in 2018, its only win against Elyria (31-0), but plays in the brutal Greater Cleveland Conference so the Blue Devils are used to stiff competition. Lorain knows what it can do on offense, it’ll just be about settling in as it takes the field for the first time, but the defense needs to show what it can do against a Division I opponent.
INDEPENDENCE AT COLUMBIA
What: Nonconference game
When: 7 p.m., Aug. 30
Where: Columbia Raiders Stadium, 14168 W. River Road, Columbia Station 2018 records: Independence 6-4, Columbia 7-4
Last meeting: 2018 — Columbia won, 35-6.
For the record: Columbia won this game handily last season but this isn’t the same team as it has been in the past. The Raiders return three starters on offense and one on defense, lost the county’s alltime leading rusher — Brandon Coleman — to graduation and have been forced to retool the offense with a group of young, inexperienced players. This game is the first chance to see how first-year quarterback Andrew Champagne and junior Joe Governale, who takes over for Coleman, fill the voids on offense, while a defense with one returning starter, senior lineman Carson Heidecker, finds its footing against the Division VII Blue Devils.
SANDUSKY PERKINS AT ELYRIA CATHOLIC
What: Nonconference game
When: 7 p.m., Aug. 30
Where: Knights of Columbus Field, Elyria Catholic High School, 725 Gulf Road, Elyria
2018 records: Perkins 2-8, Elyria Catholic 9-3
For the record: Elyria Catholic is looking to pick up where it left off after an incredible 2018 season. With 25 returning lettermen the Panthers are primed to do just that, and a home opener against a young Perkins team that finished with a mere two wins last season should help set the stage for another banner year. Junior Steven Navilinsky steps in at quarterback with plenty of big targets, including three returners: Jaret Frantz (6-foot-4, 200 pounds), Connor Trockley (6-3, 175) and Nate Damron (6-5, 220). Despite maybe a few adjustments, the Panthers should command the field against Perkins.