Games to Watch

AMHERST AT AVON

What: Medley Memorial Game of the Week When: 7p.m., Oct. 20 Where: Joe Firment Stadium, 3075 Stoney Ridge Road, Avon Records: Amherst 5-3, Avon 8-0 Last time: 2016— 30-0, Avon For the record: Amherst has a shot at its first postseason berth since 2008 if it splits its final two games, but a victory over Avon would all but assure a Week 11 for the Comets. Amherst, which is holding the final playoff spot in Division II, Region 6, will need to play a nearly flawless game to top the Eagles, but nearly flawless is what the Comets looked like in Week 8 against North Olmsted. Avon, on the other hand, is the only team in D-II, Region 6 to have already clinched a postseason berth. Still, the Eagles have yet to lock up home field and the No. 1 overall seed. A win against Amherst would most likely do the former and go a long way to securing the latter. Expect a strong duel between The Morning Journal area’s top rusher in Amherst’s Khennedy Scagliozzo (1,473 yards, 18 touchdowns) and the area’s top passer in Avon’s Ryan Maloy (116-for159, 1,582 yards, 15 touchdowns). While those two duke it out, it could come down to the success of secondary weapons — namely Amherst quarterback Matt Fairchild and Avon’s targets in Chris Mullins, David Orlando and Tony Eberhardt —to determine the winner.

OLMSTED FALLS AT AVON LAKE

What: Southwestern Conference game When: 7p.m., Oct. 20 Where: Avon Lake Memorial Stadium, 175Belden Road, Avon Lake Records: Olmsted Falls 7-1, Avon Lake 6-2 Last time: 2016— 29-28, Olmsted Falls For the record: The Shoremen will need to win one of their final two if they want a shot at the postseason. The tough part is that those final two games come against Olmsted Falls and Midview. However, behind a balanced attack with quarterback Jack Mikolich (1,272yards, 10touchdowns) and running back Konner Riggs (1,014yards, nine touchdowns), Avon Lake has been one of the most competitive teams in The Morning Journal area this season. The tough task will be figuring out how to slow an Olmsted Falls rushing attack that has been top-notch all season. Led by Luke Lombardo (805 yards, 16touchdowns) and Jack Spellacy (605yards, 11 touchdowns), the Bulldogs are averaging 330yards per game on the ground this season. This one could turn out to be a highscoring affair, as both teams know how to score in droves.

BLACK RIVER AT FIRELANDS

What: Patriot Athletic Conference game When: 7p.m., Oct. 20 Where: Firelands Stadium, 10643Vermilion Road, Henrietta Township Records: Black River 7-1, Firelands 7-1

Last time: 2016— 37-13,

Black River

For the record: The Falcons get to figure out something that they have not had the opportunity to do yet this season: How will they respond to a loss? Firelands will have to rebound with one of its best outings of the season, as Black River is not much of a step down from Buckeye. The Pirates will look much like the Bucks did last week — at least on offense. Black River is a force on the ground behind the three-pronged attack of Travis Sexton, Riley Gibbs and Jacob Campbell. To put in perspective how strong those three are at running the ball, in their win over Brookside last week, they ran for a combined 491yards and eight touchdowns — on 15carries. The Falcons defense, though, should be more than up to the task. It is allowing an average of 12.6points per game, and kept both Buckeye and Edison — a pair of playoff teams with high-caliber offenses — to 25 and 17, respectively. Expect the Falcons to do what they have all season — rely on Nick Denney while using the bigplay ability of Michael Bansek and Logan Strader. This will be a knock-down, hard-hitting affair, but if the Falcons stay the course, they should be staring down a victory and then a win-and-in playoff scenario in Week 10.

LORAIN AT BEDFORD

What: Lake Erie League game When: 7p.m., Oct. 20 Where: Bedford Bearcat Stadium, 475Northfield Road, Bedford

Records: Lorain 7-1, Bedford 7-1 Last time: 2016— 42-7, Lorain For the record: Lorain is looking to claim back-to-back Lake Erie League titles, and that is what is on the line in this one. The winner will claim a share of the title, while the loser has to rely on some help to become champion. Both teams feature high-powered offenses, as the Bearcats are led by quarterback Emmanuel Jenkins (1,515yards) and his favorite receiver, Davion Johnson (968yards), and have a tremendous run game anchored by Kenny Wilkins (955yards). Lorain, on the other hand, is led by The Morning Journal area’s best TD-to-interception ratio quarterback Justin Sturgill (1,131yards, 18touchdowns, one interception), the area’s leader in touchdown receptions, Tyshawn Lighty (554 yards, 11touchdowns) and an explosive running back in Daylin Dower (117carries, 1,011 yards, 8.6yards per carry, 12 touchdowns). With Bedford’s offense averaging 43.75points per game to Lorain’s 41.25, this one should come down to defense, where Lorain has the edge. One of the top defenses in the area all year, the Titans are allowing 17.25points per game behind the strong play of Antonio Wyatt, Nathaniel Melendez, Kelvin Torres and Dakota Mincy. Bedford has allowed 23.6points per game. This one could come down to who makes the final stop.