The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Perry the heavy favorite in CVC Chagrin
Chagrin Valley Conference Chagrin Division Favorite: Perry Don’t forget: West Geauga Darkhorse: Chagrin Falls For the record: The Pirates were 10-0 last year, had only seven seniors, and could be even better this season. That makes them the easy choice as the favorite. With Kolston Brewster leading the offense and Nick Mason leading the defense, there just aren’t many (any?) weak spots here. It’s going to take a huge effort to sidetrack Perry this year. West Geauga was an underclassman-heavy team last year and returns standout QB Jax Shenkel. The Wolverines have a new coach in Brian Craemer and should be right in the thick of things league-wise. Chagrin Falls is on the upswing. Valley Division Favorite: Kirtland Don’t forget: Cuyahoga Heights Darkhorse: Independence For the record: With all due respect to darkhorse Independence, this is a two-horse race. Cuyahoga Heights was Division VI state runner-up last year and Kirtland was state champion the previous year. The Hornets get the nod with their physical size in the trenches and their
punishing running game of Joey Torok and Brett Diemer. Heights lost QB Brett Lowther to graduation, but returns Lucas D’Orazio and Dylan Drummond. The Oct. 20 Kirtland-Heights game is as “Don’t-miss” as they get. Independence could sneak up on teams this year, but if someone besides Kirtland or Cuyahoga Heights wins the league, it would be a major surprise.
Greater Cleveland Conference
Favorite: Mentor Don’t forget: Solon Darkhorse: Strongsville, Euclid
For the record: In such a strong, balanced league, it’s tough to find a favorite. But Mentor gets the nod
because it can flat-out outscore teams if it wants to with QB Tadas Tatarunas, a deep skill set and a big, veteran offensive line. If the defense comes through, the Cardinals will be scary good. Solon has more back on defense and hosts Mentor this year, so the Comets will be right there. Strongsville was 2-8 last year, but new coach Lou Cirino has an experienced team back. Euclid is young and inexperienced, but has promise.
North Coast League
Blue Division Favorite: Akron Hoban Don’t forget: Benedictine Darkhorse: Lake Catholic, NDCL
For the record: How does a team that loses Danny Clark to Kentucky and Todd Sibley to Pitt remain the favorite, you ask? A veteran offensive line, Division I college recruits Garrett Houser (Navy) and Daeshon Martin (Cincinnati) and a ton of playoff experience is a major reason; Benedictine’s resurgence from a 3-7 season hinges on a defense that returns nine starters. There’s plenty of skill on offense, including receivers Chris Jefferson and Davon Fox. Lake Catholic has by far the biggest offensive line in the league (averaging 278 pounds) and a marquee back in D.J. Griffus. The Cougars will be a factor in this year’s NCL race. Never count out NDCL. White Division Favorite: Warren JFK Don’t forget: St. Thomas Aquinas Darkhorse: VASJ For the record: St. Thomas Aquinas and defending Division VII state champion Warren JFK both graduated a slew of talent last year. But then again, VASJ lost Aubrey Shabazz (Euclid) to transfer and standout running back Jerry Higgins isn’t playing football this year to concentrate on basketball. So this is anyone’s guess and anyone’s race. We’ll side with the reigning state champions.
Northeast Athletic Conference
Favorite: Grand Valley Don’t forget: Windham Darkhorse: Newbury For the record: Grand Valley has won the league and gone to the playoffs the past two years. The conference championship definitely goes through Orwell, where All-Ohio running back Eduardo Hernandez still leads the team. Windham was a playoff team last year, too, but word is the Bombers are short on numbers this season. With Johnny Chambers at the helm, Newbury has a shot at being in the title hunt. The Black Knights were 3-2 in the conference last year, but there’s a big gap to make up after a 48-0 loss to Grand Valley.
Western Reserve Conference
Favorite: Chardon Don’t forget: Brush Darkhorse: North For the record: A year ago Chardon was head and shoulders above the rest of the pack. The Hilltoppers are still the favorites, but the gap between them and the rest might have narrowed. Chardon is big and physical on both sides of the ball, and that Wing-T offense is just as effective even with new faces at quarterback and running back. Brush is getting a lot of attention in preseason talks with coaches. Quarterback Godwin Joe is a differencemaker. Is this the year Brush contends? North has size, depth and experience. Many coaches point to them as a factor in the league race, which hasn’t happened in a long while.