TOP OF THE CROP

Football

(1) 1-0 1: 2: 3: (2) (3) Mentor Euclid Perry 1-0 1-0 4: (4) Kirtland 1-0 5: (5) Kenston 1-0 6: (7) Benedictine 1-0 7: (10) Lake Catholic 1-0 8: (8) NDCL 1-0 9: (6) Brush 0-1 10: (NR) West Geauga 1-0

Dropped out: Chardon

0-1

Watch list: Mayfield 1-0, Madison 1-0, Chardon

Crop comments: Mentor is an easy No. 1 this week after a thrilling 42-39 win over St. Edward. Another big task awaits in Week 2 at St. Ignatius . ... Euclid soundly defeated Glenville in its opener and faces Lorain next. A Week 3 battle with St. Ignatius looms large . ... Perry struggled a little with Riverside in the first week. If a meniscus injury to Jaylen Anderson lingers, the Pirates might have some trouble . ... Kirtland blasted Chagrin Falls in the opener. The Hornets might be underranked here. Many feel this week’s game against Columbia is a regional final preview . ... Kenston cruised past Streetsboro in Week 1. If Jon Tomcufcik throws like that all year — combined with that vaunted running attack led by Jack Porter — then defending the Bombers is going to be a chore. ... Benedictine throttled Ursuline in Week 1. Nick Demchuk played like the veteran quarterback he is. He should have been on the preseason Tony Fisher Award watch list. He’ll be there this week . ... Lake Catholic makes a big jump from No. 10 to No. 7 after its impressive win against Division I Stow. The Cougars should be heavily favored this week Cleveland Central Catholic . ... Did any player have a better Week 1 than quarterback Nick Gattozzi of NDCL? He can pass, he can run, and he doesn’t make mistakes. He’ll be the focal point of opposing game plans all season long . ... Brush was tripped up by Hoover in its opener. There were some mistakes that can be shored up, but the Arcs stay in the Crop this week with John Hay and John Adams coming the next two weeks. The Arcs can’t slip there . ... West Geauga gets the nod at No. 10 this week over Mayfield and Madison, just because its win came against Chardon, which was in the Crop last week. Coach Adam Sopkovich doesn’t have an experienced team. But he has one that believes in itself, and that counts for a lot with NDCL up next.