The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Season kicks off for area teams
John Kampf previews the biggest games in the area, including Kenston, right, taking on neighborhood rival Chagrin Falls. Plus, staff picks in the Way We See ‘Em.
CHAGRIN FALLS AT KENSTON
What: Nonconference game
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 20
Where: Bomber Stadium
For the record: The Battle of Chagrin doesn’t happen every year. But when it does, it’s a doozy. Chagrin is led by first-year coach John Scott, though as a longtime assistant, he’s hardly an unfamiliar face. Kenston has a ton of returners back from a team that went 3-4last year. … Chagrin is pretty young, with only six starters back. But a biggie is senior Nick Dalessandro in the trenches. The Tigers will rely on him on both sides of the ball. RB Donny Hardy is a durable 190-pound running back. But Chagrin’s key is defense and slowing down Kenston’s offense. … The Bombers feature one of the scariest offenses in the area, with QB Nikko Georgiou surrounded by a stellar receiving corps, a 6-6 tight end in Ryan Miller and a speedy back in Sean Patrick. Chagrin’s defense will have to be on point. In fact, Chagrin’s offense — and its ability to run the ball — might be the best defense. It would keep Georgiou & Co. on the sideline.
GENEVA AT MADISON
What: Nonconference game
When: 7 p.m., Aug. 20
Where: Dick Hamblin Field
For the record: These two nextdoor-neighbor rivals line up to play hard-nosed, run-oriented football. … Geneva has a vaunted running attack that features Brady Peet and Dylan Hamilton. But keep an eye on multitalented QB Wyatt Fuduric, who can both pass and run. He’s also an All-Ohio defensive back. … Madison is led by senior QB Michael O’Brien, but make no mistake, the Blue Streaks want to establish the run with Kenyon Boncela and Mitch Polovic behind that big offensive line. … Madison has the size advantage. But whichever team controls the line and stops the run — forcing the opposition to throw the ball — will be the favorite.
GLENVILLE VS. CHARDON
What: Non-conference game
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 20
Where: Riverside Stadium
For the record: Chardon is playing this “home game” at Riverside while its field is under construction, and it’s a doozy. … The Hilltoppers graduated a ton this offseason but looked strong in the scrimmages. Alex Henry got the nod at QB, but Zoran Vujaklija is in the mix, too. Sean Carr is a battering ram at RB, and the line — while relatively inexperienced — is big and strong. Defensively, keep an eye on standout returners Nathanael Sulka, Trey Liebhardt and Alex McDonald. … Glenville has outstanding size on the line, including Fred Johnson (64, 300) and Taveron Sanders (6-4, 300). Coach Ted Ginn Sr. and his team didn’t play last season because of the pandemic, but rest assured they’ll be ready for this one. There’s going to be some hard hitting and a lot of athleticism on the field in this game from both teams. Chardon always plays with an edge, maybe more so now as the defending Division III state champion.
HARVEY AT KIRTLAND
What: Nonconference game
When: 7 p.m. Aug. 20
Where: Rogers Field
For the record: The
Red Raiders and Hornets swapped divisions in the CVC this year, with Harvey going to the smaller-school Valley and Kirtland going to the bigger-school Chagrin. So this is a nonconference game. … Kirtland has won 41games in a row, as well as three straight state titles. The Hornets have looked strong in the preseason scrimmages against bigger schools. The line is big and physical behind All-Ohioan George Prusock. Pierce Boyd and Ramon Lescano could both see time at QB in this one. Mason Rus (RB-LB) and Gage Sullivan (TE-DB) are both twoway starters with All-Ohio credentials to their name. … Harvey’s program is growing under second-year coach Mick Mohner. The Red Raiders have good size and depth on both the offensive and defensive lines. Rick Coleman Jr. is a dynamic playmaker on both sides of the ball.
RIVERSIDE AT PERRY
What: Nonconference game
When: 7 p.m., Aug. 20
Where: Alumni Stadium
For the record: The traditional lidlifter between these two schools. Riverside is coming off a 6-2 campaign a year ago, while Perry went 5-2. But so much is different with these programs, it’s hard to look at last year that much. … Perry is under first-year coach Bob Gecewich. The Pirates have very good skill, but are a little thin on the lines. Look for Sophomore Brayden Richards and freshman Walter Moses to split duties at QB in this one. There’s a deep stable of backs to lean upon, so Perry can rotate them in to keep fresh. Receivers Javin Richards and Brock Sivon can fly. … The Beavers took some heavy graduation losses, but has a marquee player to lean upon in senior Dom Tromba. The line is huge compared to that of Perry, so attrition in the trenches could benefit Riverside. Riverside also has the advantage of depth with a deeper roster. … If it comes down to a kick at the end of the game, Perry’s Calvin Rowan is darn good.
SOUTH AT NDCL
What: Nonconference game
When: 7 p.m., Aug. 20
Where: Lion Stadium
For the record: South was 3-5last season, while NDCL finished 4-4. … The Rebels bring back a slew of starters on both sides of the ball. South’s skill set is staggering, from QB Colin Quinlan to speedy RB Tyrone Singleton to a quartet of receivers who started last year. … On the flipside, NDCL returns its entire secondary — Ryan Niska, James Cipolla, Matt Ferrell and Ryan Moskal. … NDCL’s Jacob Koenig is an experienced QB as well. The Lions are very good at playing power-run football, which sets up an opportunistic passing game. … The keys are A) South controlling the line of scrimmage so NDCL doesn’t run the ball up and down the field to keep the Rebels’ high-octane offense on the sideline, and B) NDCL finding a way to slow down at South offense so the game doesn’t turn into an offensive shootout.
MENTOR AT CANTON MCKINLEY
What: Nonconference game
When: 7 p.m., Aug. 20
Where: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
For the record: McKinley is coming off a tumultuous offseason in which a number of coaches were let go stemming from accusations they used inappropriate punishment to discipline a player. Antonio Hall, a former lineman and the school’s AD, takes over as interim head coach. … McKinley has some marquee players, such as 6-foot-4, 235-pound safety Harold Fannin. Lineman Stefan Monahan (6-6, 315) was an All-Ohioan last year. The Ruffin Twins — Caleb and Colin — are two-way starters at receiver and defensive back. … Mentor was a Division I state final four team a year ago, but has a lot of new faces in the lineup. QB Jacob Snow will make his second career start — the first being in last year’s state semifinal. The Cardinals would like to establish the run behind their veteran offensive line to set up the pass, with Brenden Panhorst featured at RB and Evan Harper the main threat at receiver. The defense is led by five-star national recruit Brenan Vernon. … This is the first of three rugged games to start the season for the Cardinals, with St. Ignatius and St. Edward coming up next.