The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
High school football »
Week 9 games to watch
(8) MEDINA HIGHLAND AT (1) AVON
What: Division II, Region 6 playoff game
When: 7p.m., Oct. 23
Where: Joe Firment Chevrolet Stadium
Records: Medina Highland 4-2, Avon 7-0
Last week: Medina Highland def. Ross, 41-21, Avon def. Perrysburg, 42-20
On deck: Winner advances to a regional semifinal to play the winner of (13) Barberton and (5) Brecksville-Broadview Heights
For the record: Rather than having a second straight bye week, Coach Mike Elder and the Avon Eagles picked up a game with Division I Perrysburg last weekend after their playoff game with North Olmsted was called off. The move turned out to be a solid one as the Eagles flexed their muscles in a 42-20win. Avon didn’t show any signs of rust or that it was slowing down. The Eagles showed that they are just getting started. ... Quarterback Niko Pappas continues to impress as he accounted for 187total yards three total touchdowns against the Yellow Jackets. ... Medina Highland needs to prepare for a high-powered Avon offense, which is tough to prepare for because it boasts several offensive weapons in addition to Pappas.
(22) NORTH ROYALTON AT (3) AVON LAKE
What: Division II, Region 6 playoff game
When: 7p.m., Oct. 23
Where: Avon Lake Memorial Stadium
Records: North Royalton 2-6, Avon Lake 6-1
Last week: North Royalton def. Olmsted Falls, 33-27, Avon Lake def. Wadsworth, 30-7
On deck: Winner advances to a regional semifinal to play the winner of (10) Toledo St. Francis de Sales and (2) Toledo Central Catholic
For the record: North Royalton is a dangerous team and is red hot. The Bears finished the regular season 0-6but are proving that anything can happen in the playoffs after pulling off back-to-back upsets on the road. The 22nd-seeded
Bears defeated 11th-seeded Amherst in triple overtime in the first round and downed sixth-seeded Olmsted Falls in double overtime last weekend. Avon Lake can’t let its guard down against a very confident team. ... Avon Lake rolled past Wadsworth last weekend behind its stingy defense. The Shoremen held the Grizzlies to seven points and forced four turnovers. Defensive back Billy Simpson recorded three interceptions in the first half and Nate Cikalo put an exclamation point on the win when he returned an interception for a touchdown in the fourth quarter. ... The Shoremen are playing complimentary football and will look to get running back Gage Duesler going early. The senior ran for 144yards and one TD against Wadsworth.
(5) VAN WERT AT (4) KEYSTONE
What: Division IV, Region 14 playoff game
When: 7p.m., Oct. 24
Where: Wildcat Stadium
Records: Van Wert 6-1, Keystone 7-0
Last week: Van Wert def. Port Clinton, 46-20, Keystone def. Edison, 46-27
On deck: Winner advances to a regional semifinal to play the winner of (8) Kenton and (1) Bellevue
For the record: Keystone continues to prove why it earned back-to-back conference titles. The Wildcats ran past Edison last weekend behind bruising back Gideon Lampron. The junior racked up 301rushing yards and five touchdowns to up his season totals to 1,481 yards rushing and 20TDs in seven games. ... Keystone received contributions in all three phases as the defense forced three turnovers and speedy receiver Ryne Shackelford returned a
kickoff for a touchdown for the second straight game. ... Van Wert boasts a highpowered passing attack, something Keystone will need to slow down as it looks to advance to its first ever regional semifinal.
CLEARVIEW AT VERMILION
What: Non-conference game
When: 7p.m., Oct. 23
Where: Sailor Stadium
Records: Clearview 2-5, Vermilion 1-7
Last week: Clearview had a bye week, Wellington def. Vermilion, 35-21
For the record: Clearview is coming off of a bye week following its first-round playoff loss to Bryan. The Clippers will have fresh legs to take on a scrappy Vermilion team that won its first game on Oct. 2since Week 9of the 2018season. The Sailors hung tough with Wellington last week before the Dukes pulled away for a 35-21win. ... Clearview boasts talented signal-caller Robert Davis who leads The Morning Journal coverage area in passing yards with 1,243. He will look to get Hiram Carreras involved early and often as the receiver leads the coverage area in receptions with 39 and is second in receiving yards with 519. ... Vermilion is playing solid football as of late behind quarterback Ben Rini. The dual-threat QB has racked up 1,226total yards of offense and 10total touchdowns this season. His go-to receiver is Ethan Young who has caught 23 passes for 385yards and three scores in 2020.
(10) FIRELANDS AT (2) SHELBY
What: Division IV, Region 14 playoff game
When: 7p.m., Oct. 24 Where: William J. Wilkins Stadium
Records: Firelands 7-1, Shelby 7-0
Last week: Firelands def. Napoleon, 21-20, Shelby def. Rossford, 32-13
On deck: Winner advances to a regional semifinal to play the winner of (11) Clyde and (3) Huron
For the record: After posting its first ever playoff win in the first round, Firelands followed that up with an upset of seventh-seeded Napoleon on the road last weekend. The Falcons weren’t ready to go home as they rallied from a twoscore deficit in the second half against the Wildcats. ... Firelands is a complete team with weapons on both sides of the ball. On offense, quarterback Kyle Ransom continues to impress in his first year as the starting QB. Running back Donald Crawford and receivers Alex Angle and Caden Bomback have combined for 21total touchdowns this season.
... On defense, the Falcons boast a potent pass rush. Jack Valerius (eight sacks, 14TFLs), Casey Kelley (4.5 sacks, 14TFLs) and Gavin Gede (three sacks, 13TFLs) get after the quarterback on a weekly basis.
MIDVIEW AT ELYRIA
What: Non-conference game
When: 7p.m., Oct. 23
Where: Mercy Health Field at Ely Stadium
Records: Midview 1-6, Elyria 1-7
Last week: Midview had a bye week, Berea-Midpark def. Elyria, 51-48
For the record: Elyria is getting a head start playing against future conference opponents as it is set to join the Southwestern Conference next year. After facing SWC member Berea-Midpark last week, the Pioneers are set to square off with another SWC member this week in Midview. After being eliminated from the playoffs by Euclid on Oct. 9, Elyria coach Devlin Culliver had a message for Berea-Midpark and the entire SWC, “We’re trying to send them a message that here we come.” The Titans were ready and squeaked by the Pioneers in their first unofficial conference game. Next up is Midview, which is coming off of a tough loss to North Olmsted in the first round of the playoffs on Oct. 9. The Middies will be just as fired up for this game as the Pioneers will be as both teams are aiming for a win.