Key matchups to affect titles, playoff bids

Sports Editor Jon Behm breaks down four important football games, including Lorain at Bedford and Olmsted Falls at Avon Lake. Plus, the Athletes of the Week.

Emma Peeler

WESTLAKE, JUNIOR >> TENNIS Onthecourt: Peeler advanced to her third state tournament after placing second at the Northeast District tournament. She beat Medina’s Elizabeth Stuart, Riverside’s Angelica Ross, and Brecksville’s Mia Zivkovic, to advance to the district final, where she lost to Magnificat’s Anna Roggenburk, 6-1, 6-4.

Jacob Raesler

AMHERST, FRESHMAN >> CROSS COUNTRY On the course: Raesler was the top placing freshman in the Southwestern Conference Championship at Lorain County Community College, placing 21st with a personal record 18:03. He was fourth on the team and ran 40 seconds faster than he did at the SWC Preview meet.

Ron Rivera

BROOKSIDE, SENIOR >> FOOTBALL, WIDE RECEIVER On the field:

Rivera scored all of Brookside’s touchdowns in a loss to Black River, hauling in four passes for 170 yards and three touchdowns.

Sarah Robertson

ROCKY RIVER, JUNIOR >> TENNIS On the court: Robertson qualified for the state tournament after finishing third at the Northeast District tournament. She topped Brecksville’s Mia Zivkovic, 6-2, 6-0, in the third-place match to finish 3-1 at the district tournament.

Justin Sturgill

LORAIN, SENIOR >> FOOTBALL, QUARTERBACK

On the field: In a 48-19 trouncing of Maple Heights, Sturgill was 14-for-21 for 190 yards and three touchdowns. He added 11 yards and touchdown on six carries. NORTH RIDGEVILLE, SENIOR >> VOLLEYBALL, SETTER On the court: In the regular season finale against Lakewood, Sullinger posted a statline of seven kills, three aces, 15 digs and 34 assists. She followed that with a five-set tournament loss line of 23 digs and 36 assists — which came on a perfect 111 of 111 setting performance.

Bobby Weber

KEYSTONE, SENIOR >> FOOTBALL, QUARTERBACK

On the field: Weber did a bit of everything in the Wildcats’ 43-0 win over Wellington. The senior was 15-for-26 for 293 yards and two touchdowns, adding 57 yards and a score on eight carries.

Shomari Williams

NORTH RIDGEVILLE, SENIOR >> FOOTBALL, RUNNING BACK

On the field: In a tight 19-14 loss to the AP poll’s No. 1 Division II team Avon, Williams rushed 31 times for 206 yards and a touchdown.