The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
West Geauga>>Wolverines
Just the facts
Conference: CVC Chagrin
Coach: Adam Sopkovich, fourth year (1513)
OHSAA: Division III, Region 9
2020: 6-2
Twitter: @WestGFootball
Home field: Howell Field
Outlook
Aspiration is high in Chester Township, as it should be with the quality back in the fold after a 6-2 campaign. The running game has to step up with the graduation of Trae Zimmerman, but the offense should be exciting with Stewart at the controls and Stazzone (31 receptions, 490 yards, nine TDs in 2020 regular season) leading the receiving charge. The Wolverines should also boast one of this area’s best offensive lines, anchored by skilled bookend tackles in Gasbarrino and Sadler. The disruptive duo of Myers (seven sacks, 10 TFLs) and Sadler (10 TFLs) pace a defense that could be solid, and DiLalla is a special teams difference-maker.
Player to watch
Danny Stewart, a 5-foot-7, 175-pound senior, was an All-Ohio QB last fall, throwing for 1,208 regular-season yards and 13 TDs and also running for 320 yards and four scores. Stewart is a heady leader and winner whose understanding of the offense and his personnel should help his squad thrive further.
Underclassman to watch: Stewart, Stazzone and Sadler were effusive in what junior ATH-SS Travis Velba (5-10, 180) could bring to the table, with a Taysom Hill style of Swiss army knife appeal.
Bottom line
IF: … the running game finds its way and new defensive starters excel; THEN … this could be one of this area’s more complete teams, a CVC and playoff contender potentially 8-2or better.
— Chris Lillstrung
Schedule (subject to change)
Aug. 20: Bay at West Geauga, 7
Aug. 27: West Geauga at Streetsboro, 7 Sept. 3: West Geauga at Parma, 7
Sept. 10: West Geauga at Kirtland, 7 Sept. 17: West Geauga at Edgewood, 7 Sept. 24: Lakeside at West Geauga, 7 Oct. 1: Orange at West Geauga, 7 (HC) Oct. 8: West Geauga at Geneva, 7
Oct. 15: Chagrin Falls at West Geauga, 7 Oct. 22: Perry at West Geauga, 7