High school football games to watch

Lake Catholic at Dover, Aug. 19: This one is the area’s high school football lidlifter, as the reigning D-IV state runner-up Cougars travel a few hours to play the tradition-rich Tornadoes. Mentor at Canton McKinley, Aug. 20: It doesn’t get much better than this. The Cardinals vs. the tradition-steeped Bulldogs at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Chagrin Falls at Kenston, Aug. 20: These nextdoor neighbor rivals don’t get together all that often, so it’s good to see them duking it out in Week 1.

Glenville vs. Chardon at Riverside, Aug. 20: Coach Ted Ginn’s Tarblooders open up against the defending Division III state champs in a game played at Riverside because of Chardon’s field issues.

CVCA at VASJ at Case

Western Reserve, Aug. 20: The Vikings unveil the Jeff Rotsky era with a game against CVCA. Many are interested to see how fast rebuild-expert Rotsky turns around the storied VASJ program.

St. Ignatius at Mentor, Aug. 27: The Wildcats come to the JTO in what might be the first of two meetings this year. Their paths always seem to cross in the playoffs.

Toledo Central Catholic at Benedictine, Aug. 28: These two teams have goals of deep playoff runs — maybe state titles — so this is a big litmus test early on. New Middletown Springfield at Geneva, Sept. 3: The defending Division VI state runners-up visit SPIRE in this Week 3 bout. Two weeks later, the Eagles host reigning D-V state champ Kirtland. Gulp.

Kirtland at Westinghouse Academy (Pa.), Sept. 3: This one is worth the drive to suburban Pittsburgh. The Hornets face a Westinghouse team (Division II size) that was undefeated last season.

Madison at Perry, Sept. 3: New Perry coach Bob Gecewich gets introduced to the Pirates’ most bitter rival. It’s always a physical hate-fest when these teams collide. Mentor at St. Edward, Sept. 4: Just like Mentor’s Week 2game with St. Ignatius, this Mentor-Ed’s game could be a precursor to a playoff rematch.

St. Ignatius at Euclid, Sept. 10: This is one of four straight home games for the Panthers and a big test of legitimacy against Coach Chuck Kyle’s Wildcats. West Geauga at Kirtland, Sept. 10: Welcome to the CVC Chagrin Division, Kirtland. The Hornets move up from the CVC Valley to face a West G team that is one of the league favorites. Riverside at Chardon at West Geauga, Sept. 10:

The Beavers and Hilltoppers open WRC play in a game played at West Geauga — where Riverside coach Dave Bors and Chardon coach Mitch Hewitt used to coach together.

North at South, Sept. 17: The Rebels host this annual showdown between the Willoughby-Eastlake High Schools.

Kenston at Chardon, Sept. 24: Many feel the Bombers and Hilltoppers are the teams to beat in the WRC. This week 6battle will tell a lot if that feeling is true. University at Gilmour, Sept. 25: The Preppers and Lancers meet up in a battle of prep schools. This is a more bitter rival than many know.

Kirtland at Perry, Oct. 1: The Hornets haven’t lost a league game since Oct. 21, 2016. The Pirates haven’t lost a league game since Oct. 23, 2015. Somebody’s gonna suck up a loss in this one.

Medina at Mentor, Oct. 1: The Cardinals swatted the Bees twice last season, including a 49-14 whipping in the playoffs. Medina feels its the GCC favorite this year. Here’s its chance to prove it.

Mayfield at South, Oct. 1: This game will have no sacks. The Wildcats and Rebels run such quick passing routes out of the shotgun that sacks are nearly impossible. However, high scoring is very much in play. Lake Catholic at VASJ at Case Western Reserve: The Vikings and Cougars have not locked horns in a number of years. This one could get interesting. South at Kenston, Oct. 8: This game might take all night, the way the Rebels and Bombers forecast at putting points on the board this season. Bet the over in this one.

Wickliffe at Independence, Oct. 8: The Blue Devils are gonna win this one. The only question is which group of them. Wickliffe won the CVC Metro last year. Independence is the league favorite this year. Who blinks first? Benedictine at Akron Hoban, Oct. 15: The Bengals and Knights were members of the old North Coast League. Now they’re independents, but that doesn’t change the high level of play in this one.

VASJ at NDCL, Oct. 15: The Vikings will likely be able to throw the ball very effectively this year. The Lions have one of the area’s best defensive backfields. What a great Crown Conference matchup!

Berkshire at Cardinal, Oct. 22: There’s just something about the Kinsman Cup being up for grabs in Week 10. This local rivalry always has a playoff feel.

NDCL at Lake Catholic, Oct. 23: Once again, these bitter rivals play in Week 10, the way it ought to be.