The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Elder a fan of tests in early going
Mike Elder knows the team he had playing in Week 1 won’t resemble anything like the one he hopes will suit up in Week 11 for the start of the Division II playoffs.
That’s because over the course of a 10-game season, teams mature, continue to bond and find ways to win in the clutch.
The latter applies perfectly to why the Avon coach loves tough matchups early in the season. There were plenty of questions heading into 2019 for Elder’s Eagles as 10 starters needed to be replaced off last year’s state final four team.
He found some answers in a 13-12 win over neighborhood rival Avon Lake on Aug. 30.
“I know people have different opinions about these tough games early in the season. But I enjoy them,” said Elder. “Playing Avon Lake the first week points to our rivals throughout (the offseason). You don’t have to wonder if you have your team’s attention. It’s their focus. And you can’t slowly roll into your season. You have to be ready.”
It was a big win for Avon from a computer-points perspective in Division II, but even with that Elder knows win or lose, these types of games early in the season aren’t the end-all, be-all.
Case in point 2018, when Avon lost to Avon Lake, 3128, in Week 3. It was Avon’s only loss of the regular season. In the playoffs, the Eagles won three in a row and advanced to a state semifinal, where it lost to eventual state champion Akron Hoban, 42-7.
“I’ve won (tough early season games) before, and I’ve lost them,” said Elder. “They’re not the death of you if you lose.”
Avon’s Week 2 opponent on Sept. 6 is Division I Lorain, which lost its opener at Brunswick, 31-7. It’s the fist matchup between the Lorain County schools since a 2011 and 2012 series. The Eagles won both games — 2421 on a last-second field goal in 2011, then, 40-14, in 2012.
Elder is excited about the all-Lorain County non-conference game that he says works “geographically,” but admitted finding teams to play his Eagles out of conference is becoming more of a challenge. Last season, Avon was set to play D-I Mentor but could not make it a two-year series. So the Cardinals backed out to create a series with St. Edward.
“It’s not about playing Division I teams,” said Elder of adding Lorain. “At the end of the day, I’d rather play a really good D-II team — teams we might see in the playoffs. But I won’t rule out playing anyone.”
Clippers check boxes
Clearview is a Division IV team coming off a 9-1 regular season in 2018 plus a playoff victory.
Still, in football, there’s not much guaranteed from year to year, so Coach Mike Collier was curious — not concerned — how his team would react with a long bus ride to Toledo Scott in Week 1.
Not only did Collier’s team deliver a dominant 50-22 win, the Clippers impressed in all three phases.
Offensively, senior quarterback Chase Christensen threw four touchdown passes, two to Jordan Reed, who also intercepted a pass. Clearview had three interceptions on the night. On special teams, Terrance Cavin returned a kickoff 85 yards for a TD in the fourth quarter.
It was a 6-6 after the first quarter, but the visitors scored the games next 38 points to build a 44-6 advantage. All of which had Collier fairly satisfied for a season-opening performance.
“We definitely came together in a positive way,” said Collier. “There’s always some apprehension in Week 1 without any type of game film, but we’re very pleased with the start. We got things rolling after the first quarter, and did a lot of nice things in all phases.”
Collier was especially impressed with his senior QB, whose debut was a big bump from last season, when he threw for just two TDs in 2018.
“Chase did a great job running the offense, and he showed great command in the huddle,” said Collier.
Clearview travels to Vermilion for a Week 2 showdown that was originally scheduled as the season opener for both schools. However, when Clearview had an opening in its schedule, it was filled with Toledo Scott, a team the Clippers have traditionally scrimmaged. By making the Scott game Week 1, ClearviewVermilion was switched to Sept. 6.
Westwood Cup
While their Aug. 29 meeting marked the first time neighborhood rivals Rocky River and Westlake met on the gridiron since 2014, it also celebrated a new tradition called the Westwood Cup, named after the country club that resides in both communities.
The brainchild of Westlake athletic director Tony Cipollone, the matchup provided a trophy that goes to the winner each year. With senior Tommy Bebie rushing the ball 16 times for 150 yards and three scores, the Pirates scored 35 secondhalf points to pull away to a 41-14 victory to claim this year’s cup.
Team MVPs were also recognized, with Bebie being honored for Rocky River and Conner Gregory taking honors for the Demons. Also, perhaps most importantly of all, Westwood Country Club gave each school a check for $500 to go to each institution’s education foundation.