Football Week 4 games to watch

Adam Schabel previews the top games involving area teams, including Avon Lake facing Amherst in a key Southwestern Conference matchup. Plus, the Way We See ’Em.

AVON LAKE AT AMHERST

What: Southwestern Conference game

When: 7 p.m., Sept. 18 Where: Mercy Health Stadium

Records: Avon Lake 2-1, Amherst 3-0

Last year: Avon Lake 35, Amherst 0 Last week: Avon Lake def. Midview, 42-0, Amherst def. Berea-Midpark, 28-24 For the record: This one is shaping up to be a great matchup between two top teams in the SWC . ... Avon Lake is hitting their stride after losing a heart breaker to Avon in Week 1. Quarterback Michael Corbo led his team to a big win over Midview in Week 3. The senior completed 12of 15passes for 213yards and two touchdowns against the Middies. Corbo also ran six times for 51yards and a pair of TDs . ... Amherst narrowly escaped Berea-Midpark with a win last week. The Comets came through in the clutch on a last second score by Macky Purdue . ... There will be plenty of playmakers looking to show off their stills on both sides in the contest. Avon Lake’s Corbo along with running back Gage Duesler will lead the Shoremen, while Amherst QB Tyler Brezina, running backs Torre Weatherspoon and Jonathan West as well as receiver Ty Weatherspoon will look to contribute in any way possible to help their respective teams pull out a win . ... Whichever team wins will have a good shot at a conference title.

BUCKEYE AT ELYRIA CATHOLIC

What: Great Lakes Conference game

When: 7 p.m., Sept. 18 Where: Knights of Columbus Field Records: Buckeye 1-0, Elyria Catholic 1-1 Last year: Buckeye 36, Elyria Catholic 32 Last week: Buckeye def. Lakewood, 27-0, Elyria Catholic def. Bay, 27-0 For the record: Both teams are riding high as they are coming off of shutout wins. ... Elyria Catholic bounced back and routed Bay after a tough Week 1loss to crosstown rival Elyria. After struggling to get going against the Pioneers, the Panthers’ offense found a rhythm last week against the Rockets. Quarterback Steven Navalinsky tossed three TD passes with two of those going to receiver Jaret Frantz. Elyria Catholic had to replace every defensive starter from last season’s squad and that was apparent in its Week 1loss. However, the young Panther defense showed vast improvement last week against Bay. Coach Brian Fox has to be happy with the effort his team showed in Week 3. He will have his team ready for a GLC battle with the Bucks and the Panthers will have revenge on their minds after falling to Buckeye last year.

FIRELANDS AT CLEARVIEW

What: Lorain County League game

When: 7 p.m., Sept. 18 Where: Tom Hoch Field Records: Firelands 3-0, Clearview 2-1

Last year: Clearview 32, Firelands 10 Last week: Firelands def. Brookside, 42-0, Clearview def. Wellington, 26-20 For the record: Firelands continues to roll and is off to its first 3-0start since 2017. Running back Carter Janicek led the way for the Falcons last week as he rushed for 100yards and two touchdowns on 12carries. Firelands’ defense is on another level to start the season. Coach Ryan O’Rourke’s defensive unit has recorded a pair of shutouts and has allowed opposing offenses to score just three combined points so far this season . ... Clearview returns home after playing two straight road games. The Clippers’ offense will have its hands full going up against Firelands’ solid defense. However, Clearview quarterback Robert Davis is up to the challenge. The senior has racked up 699yards and six touchdowns through the air, while also adding 105 yards on the ground through three games . ... This is a big LC8game with the winner putting itself in position to make a push for the conference title.

WELLINGTON AT COLUMBIA

What: Lorain County League game

When: 7 p.m., Sept. 18 Where: Columbia Raiders Stadium Records: Wellington 1-2, Columbia 1-2 Last year: Columbia 22, Wellington 14 Last week: Clearview def. Wellington, 26-20, Columbia def. Oberlin, 43-6 For the record: This is a big LC8 matchup with the winner putting itself back in the mix for a conference title. ... After starting the season 1-0, Wellington has dropped a pair of close games to Brookside and Clearview. The Dukes will look to get off to a fast start with quarterback Jayden Skinner leading the way. Skinner has tallied 470yards passing with three touchdowns through three games, while running back Kaleb Taylor has racked up 337yards rushing so far this season. ... Columbia found a secret weapon in last week’s win over Oberlin. Center Lucas McKee lined up at running back and showed off his speed. The senior racked up 184 yards rushing and three touchdowns in the first half alone. Sophomore quarterback Carter Kalamasz seems to be settling in, which is a good sign for coach Jason Ward’s offense.

NORTH OLMSTED AT AVON

What: Southwestern Conference game When: 7 p.m., Sept. 18 Where: Joe Firment Chevrolet Stadium Records: North Olmsted 1-1, Avon 3-0 Last year: Avon 38, North Olmsted 7

Last week: Olmsted Falls def. North Olmsted, 56-27, Avon def. North Ridgeville, 49-14 For the record: After defeating North Ridgeville in its season opener, North Olmsted ran into a tough Olmsted Falls team last week. Quarterback Anthony Guercio and the Eagles will look to bounce back this week against Avon. North Olmsted will have their hands full in this matchup. ... Avon is rounding into form and played a complete game last week. After pulling out a pair of nail-biting road wins over two tough teams in rival Avon Lake and Olmsted Falls, the Eagles settled in against North Ridgeville. Avon’s defense showed that they are a formidable unit, surrendering just 14points to the visiting Rangers. On the other side of the ball, quarterback Niko Pappas threw for 130yards and a pair of TDs, while the Eagles’ ground game combined to rush for 289yards. Running backs Devon Hunter, Desmond Kelly and Isidor Hadgis combined for 187of those yards.

BEREA-MIDPARK AT MIDVIEW

What: Southwestern Conference game When: 7 p.m., Sept. 18 Where: Adelsburg Stadium Ross Field Records: Berea-Midpark 0-3, Midview 0-3 Last year: Berea-Midpark 28, Midview 20 Last week: Amherst def. Berea-Midpark, 28-24, Avon Lake def. Midview, 42-0 For the record: Midview is seeking its first win of the season and has a prime opportunity to get it at home this week. The Middies are hosting winless BereaMidpark, which is coming off of a tough last second loss to Amherst. Coach Luke Beal and his Middies just finished navigating through a brutal portion of their SWC-only schedule. They faced Olmsted Falls, Amherst and Avon Lake — three top-tier teams in the conference — during their first three weeks of the season. Midview quarterback Ethan Surdock will look to get going early against the Titans.