The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Projections
An argument could be made the Pirates are further along in that regard, with Brayden and Javin Richards along with Jadynn Anderson returning among more under first-year coach Bob Gecewich. Even with program great Jaylen Anderson off to West Virginia, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Perry among the class of the CVC Chagrin again and deep in the mix in turn for a topeight berth.
Lake’s state final run was inspiring in 2020, powered by a seasoned and determined group of seniors. Jaxon French takes over at QB for a Cougars squad not lacking in opportunity for younger players in a transition year. If last year’s run proved anything, though, projecting against Lake is a mistake.
On paper, it appears the class of this region is going to be Ursuline, paced by quarterback Brady Shannon and a dangerous offense. The Fighting Irish will assuredly be on a mission after having what they hoped would be a deep playoff run a year ago derailed in the loss to the Cougars by missing several standout players due to COVID protocols. The ultimate X-factor in this region will likely be Glenville. With the Senate League taking last year off due to the pandemic, there’s no telling what the Tarblooders
will bring to the table. Typically, Glenville is one of the most potent and deep teams in a given region — particularly so now that it’s down in Division IV.
DIVISION V, REGION 17
(teams are listed in alphabetical order; area teams in CAPS; 2020 records are listed) Contenders: Bellaire (5-4), Cardinal Mooney (2-6), Columbiana Crestview (7-2), Garrettsville (9-1), Harrison Central (5-4), KIRTLAND (11-0), Sandy Valley (7-3), South Range (9-1)
What to look for: At this juncture and at this rate, there are only so many ways to describe the perch Kirtland enjoys in its playoff region, as a multiple-time state champion and Ohio small-school powerhouse. So we’ll just leave it at this: The Hornets will be loaded up once again for a run deep into November toward
December and should be the prohibitive favorite in this region.
After a program-defining 2020 campaign in which it went 6-2 and won a pair of playoff games, another News-Herald coverage area squad in Beachwood is a bit of a mystery at the moment for this exercise. The Bison have a new coach in Van Monroe and had some outgoing transfers, so they can’t really be gauged properly on paper vs. last fall as a result. If it wasn’t for the roster turnover, Beachwood would factor in as a topeight contender here.
In Year 2 under Carl Pelini, chances are good Cardinal Mooney will have an uptick in fortune. The Cardinals have several starters back on both sides of the ball, including the electric Zy’ere Rogers in the backfield. After a 2-6 season a year ago, tempering expectation a bit is fine. But Mooney should
contend for the top eight nonetheless.
It seems like a pair of 5-4 squads from 2020, Bellaire and Harrison Central, could have enough back to take a step forward — perhaps not all the way to the top four, but enough to get into that Nos. 5-8 level.
DIVISION VI, REGION 21
(teams are listed in alphabetical order; area teams in CAPS; 2020 records are listed) Contenders: Berlin Center Western Reserve (6-4), Brookfield (6-4), Columbia (7-3), LaBrae (6-4), Mogadore (6-2), New Middletown Springfield (11-1), Norwayne (9-1), Pymatuning Valley (8-1), St. Thomas Aquinas (5-3)
What to look for: The two News-Herald coverage area entries in this region are Cardinal and Wickliffe. After the Blue Devils’ historic 8-1 campaign in 2020, there is some hesitancy here simply because they graduated so many key components to that squad. That, in turn, makes it an extremely young squad this fall. That doesn’t mean there will be a major downturn, of course. But it does mean there are probably going to be some growing pains as Coach Marce Porcello nurtures a young group along. Cardinal could very well be improved from its 2-8 record last season. Having some size back on the line helps. But as far as improving all the way into the top eight, the Huskies will need to prove they’re capable of such an upswing. Among the rest of the region are the usual calling cards. Berlin Center Western Reserve is always tough and physical. Mogadore is one of the most well-regarded programs on the gridiron year-to-year.
There’s not much more room to build after the laudable 11-1state final run last year by New Middletown Springfield. But they’ll certainly try, led by prolific quarterback Beau Brungard, the Division VI co-offensive player of the year in Ohio last fall. He accounted for nearly 3,000 yards passing and rushing, along with 42 touchdowns. So hopes should be high there once again.
DIVISION VII, REGION 25
(teams are listed in alphabetical order; area teams in CAPS; 2020 records are listed) Contenders: Dalton (63), Independence (6-2), Leetonia (7-2), Lucas (7-3), Malvern (7-1), Monroeville (5-2), Norwalk St. Paul (63), Warren JFK (9-3)
What to look for: The lone News-Herald coverage area squad in this region, with Richmond Heights on Year 2 of its hiatus, is Fairport. Unfortunately, with the known roster numbers struggles and an unexpected coaching change, this goes beyond playoff aspirations for the Skippers. At this point, being able to field a full team and make it through this season as the program celebrates its 100th anniversary is the prize here. Here’s to hoping Fairport can make that happen, because clearly under these circumstances, the road is uphill at best.
As far as contenders in this region, the pattern is likely to play out the same way it always does. Region 25 will be top-heavy in the top two or three, a cadre of teams hovering around .500 will comprise much of the rest and opportunity is wide open for a playoff berth. Because of how much the bottom half of this region usually struggles, it would not be a total shock to see a 2-8 team at least contend for Week 11.
Greater Cleveland-wise, Independence was young last year and should be poised for a nice campaign after going 6-2 in 2020. Warren JFK has some good size back in the trenches, especially for Division VII, and is optimistic after its 9-3state final charge in 2020.