The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Avon runs past Glenville
After two weeks of waiting, Avon head coach Mike Elder recorded his 200th career victory as the Eagles took down Glenville 55-18 on Sep. 3. The Eagles bounced back strong against a solid Glenville team after falling to Medina 34-17 on Aug. 27.
Elder has a current overall record of 200-48 in his 15th year at Avon and his 22nd overall as a head coach.
His current overall record at Avon is 150-25, with an incredible regular season record of 12613 and a playoff record of 24-12.
He was 6-4 at Indian Valley in 2000, 7-3 at Ravenna Southeast in 2001 and 37-16 at Perry from 2002-2006.
“It’s a reflection of all the coaches that have helped me get there,” Elder said about win 200. “More importantly the players, I have coaches on my staff that won some of those games as players and now as caches. It is just a time to press pause in this journey and you go from one week to the next and it is a rat race during the season but I will press pause and reflect on all the great coaches and players I have had.”
The Eagles bounced back immediately, taking a 49-6 lead into halftime. The Eagles jumped out to a 21-0 lead early and never looked back.
“I just think we had a real good week of practice and the kids were ultra-focused,” Elder said. “I think losing can be good for you if you use it the right way.
“We continue to grow,” Elder added. “Hopefully this team can accomplish some big goals.”
For the most part, the Eagles defense bottled up the athletic Glenville offense with team tackling and formations.
“We play team defense,” Elder said. “It is eleven guys running around knowing what they do and doing their job and it showed tonight. We were very concerned with the explosive play because (Glenville) has some tremendous athletes.”
Eagles sophomore running back Jakorion Caffey had two touchdowns and 100 yards on single digit carries.
“He’s special,” Elder said. “I think he can do some special things and play on Saturdays.”
Elder added “the biggest thing was the offensive line. They did a great job correcting some mistakes and giving those guys space.”
Eagles quarterback Sam DeTillio had 200 yards passing and four touchdowns and Tim Conwell had eight catches for 120 yards and three touchdowns.
All in the first half. “Every week he is just getting better and better,” Conwell said about DeTillio.
Conwell added “we were focused all week at practice and just wanted to get a huge win.”
“Our guys were all running around,” DeTillio said. “The lineman did a great job and they stepped up and gave me some time to make plays.”
DeTillio added “preparation was key this week.”
Both DeTillio and Conwell had nothing but praise for their head coach and his milestone.
“He’s the best coach ever,” Conwell said. “Every year when people graduate, they make it hard to leave because they are the best coaches and include everyone.”
“He is one of the greatest coaches ever,” DeTillio said. “Wins and losses are great but he is focused on making us and the community better and that is who he is. It means a lot to play for somebody like that and have a mentor like that.”
Avon will turn their attention to rivalry week and their next game as they host Avon Lake.
“This is going to be a great week for us,” Elder said. “We love the game and the rivalry and it is two wonderful communities coming together and competing. I have nothing but respect for them.”
“We are ready,” DeTillio said about the upcoming game. “We can’t wait. We are going to put our heads down, study up and work. We are ready.”