High school football» Week 6 games to watch

KIRTLAND AT INDEPENDENCE

What: CVC Valley Division game When: 7 p.m., Sept. 30 Where: Stan Skoczen Stadium Records: Kirtland 5-0 (2-0 CVC Valley), Independence 4-1 (2-0 CVC Valley) Last week: Kirtland def. Berkshire, 42-0, Independence def. Fairport, 46-0 For the record: The Hornets haven’t lost a conference game since Sept. 24, 2009, and will be favored in this one, too, despite the similar records of the teams. ... Kirtland has its patented running game to rely upon. Last week the Hornets hung 427 rushing yards on Berkshire, with Joey Torok (115) leading the way. Brett Diemer, normally an offensive guard, had a career-high 81 yards and two touchdowns, while Kevin Dagis and Gage Ward also had success on the ground. Until someone slows down Kirtland’s run game, the Hornets can simply pick and choose when to throw a pass ... The Blue Devils got touchdowns from seven different players last week. QB Ben Artrip and RB Kevin Stefanski are players to watch for Independence.

SOLON AT MENTOR

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game When: 7 p.m., Sept. 30 Where: Jerome T. Osborne Stadium Records: Solon 4-1 (2-0 GCC), Mentor 2-3 (1-1 GCC) Last week: Mentor def. Shaker Heights, 41-0, Solon def. Euclid, 33-13 For the record: This is an important game for the Cardinals. A win keeps the Cardinals in the GCC race and Division I, Region 1 playoff picture. A loss likely eradicates both . ... The Cardinals got a much-needed shot of optimism last week against Shaker Heights, with a 79-yard, four-touchdown performance by running back Isaiah Gullick and a 206-yard passing performance by quarterback Tadas Tatarunas. That the Cardinals gave up only 184 total yards (84 in the air) was an improvement over recent weeks. However, Solon is going to be a much tougher opponent than Shaker Heights, so the optimism is tempered a bit . ... The Comets have an experienced quarterback in Joe Bubonics, a strong back in Thomas Wilks, and one of the best defenses in the area.

STRONGSVILLE AT EUCLID

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game When: 7 p.m., Sept. 30 Where: Sparky DiBiasio Stadium Records: Strongsville 1-4 (0-2 GCC), Euclid 3-2 (1-1 GCC) Last week: Euclid lost to Solon, 33-13, Strongsville lost to Medina, 42-23 For the record: This will be an emotional game following the death of Euclid’s Andre L. Jackson this past weekend. The Panthers will play with heavy hearts, but will undoubtedly be motivated to play well and win for their fallen teammate . ... Euclid struggled offensively last week at Solon. Quarterback Noah Mitchell was harassed by the Solon defense and finished 9-for-27 for 100 yards. Running back De’quan Pruitt ran for 115 yards. A touchdown was called back because of a penalty, which hurt the Panthers. The Euclid defense struggled slowing down Solon’s offense. That could be bad news because Strongsville has scored 20 or more points in every game since a 21-14 season-opening loss to Avon . ... Strongsville has some youth with RB Taylor Griffin and QB Jony Major both being sophomores. Peter Mocho is another player to keep an eye on.

MAYFIELD AT BRUSH

What: Western Reserve Conference game When: 7 p.m., Sept. 30 Where: Korb Field Records: Mayfield 2-3 (1-1 WRC), Brush 2-3 (2-0 WRC) Last week: Mayfield def. Kenston, 31-13, Brush def. South, 41-20.

For the record: The Wildcats have owned this series of late, winning 10 in a row and winning 25 of the last 26 games between the next-door neighbor rivals. ... The Wildcats have been better on offense than some thought they would be this year, averaging 27.6 points per game. But they have also given up 30 or more points three times this year . ... Mayfield QB Anthony Williams has thrown for 812 yards this year, and RB Michael Canganelli can do damage via the run, pass or special teams. Julian Hicks is one of the area’s top-producing receivers . ... Brush’s offense has taken off since Godwin Joe returned to quarterback. The Arcs had nearly 500 yards of offense last week against South. Joe can run or pass, and the emergence of Christian Wright (two straight 200-plus yard games) helps the offense.

SOUTH AT NORTH

What: Western Reserve Conference game When: 7 p.m., Sept. 30 Where: Nick Carter Stadium Records: South 2-3 (1-1 WRC), North 2-3 (1-1 WRC) Last week: North def. Riverside, 10-8, South lost to Brush, 41-20.

On the airwaves: WINT-AM 1330 For the record: The Rebels have owned this rivalry of late. But there’s a feeling this game could go either way . ... North’s defense is playing well, having shut down Riverside’s offense last week. Then again, South’s offense might be a notch ahead of that of Riverside because of the playmaking ability of quarterback Mike Federico and receiver Devanaire Conliffe. Federico threw for 298 yards and two scores last week against Brush, doing so on an eye-popping 57 pass attempts. Needless to say, North’s pass defense is going to get a big-time test this week. Matching up with Conliffe (10 catches last week) will be a chore for North . ... The Rangers’ best defense might be their offense. If North can grind the ball on the ground and keep Federico on the sideline, that might do the trick.

MADISON AT RIVERSIDE

What: Western Reserve Conference game When: 7 p.m., Sept. 30 Where: Riverside Stadium Records: Madison 1-4 (0-2 WRC), Riverside 3-2 (1-1 WRC) Last week: Riverside lost to North, 10-8, Madison lost to Chardon, 63-14 For the record: This matchup is always a hardhitter, going back to the days of the old Northeastern Conference to the Premier Athletic Conference — two defunct conferences — and now the WRC. League championship status is probably iffy for both teams, but it’s still a good matchup . ... Madison has been ravaged by injuries, with three of their best players — Mark Primer, Josh Ferry and Isaiah McClure — missing games lately. The Blue Streaks were drilled by Chardon last week, but most teams that face the Hilltoppers will suffer the same fate. Quarterback Josh Gibson continues to be the top playmaker for Madison both with his arm and his legs. Riverside’s defense will be focused on him . ... Riverside was slowed down quite a bit last week by North. QB Nate Sleek threw for 300-plus yards two weeks ago, but was held to 78 by North.

LAKE CATHOLIC AT AKRON HOBAN

What: NCL Blue Division game When: 7 p.m., Sept. 30 Where: Dowed Field Records: Lake Catholic 2-3 (0-0 NCL), Akron Hoban 4-1 (0-0 NCL) Last week: Lake Catholic lost to Cardinal Mooney, 4212, Akron Hoban def. Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary, 24-0 For the record: The Cougars are in a rough stretch of their schedule right now, going from playing Division IV state contender Youngstown Cardinal Mooney last week to defending Division III champion Akron Hoban this week. The Knights scored four touchdowns in a 5-minute, 29-second span last year against Lake in a 49-0 win. ... There’s no doubt Hoban has firepower. Quarterback Danny Clark, who decommitted from Ohio State earlier this week, is a four-star recruit and possibly the best quarterback in Ohio. Running back Todd Sibley, a Pitt recruit, is among the best in Ohio at his trade, too.