The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
No sign of Pirates slowing in CVC Chagrin
CVC Chagrin
Favorite: Perry Darkhorse: Geneva
Don’t forget about: Orange The Pirates are 25-2 the past two seasons. They haven’t lost a regularseason game since 2015. Coach Matt Rosati says this is the team Perry has waited for. Everything points to another huge year with that video game-like offense and a fast, aggressive defense. But Geneva, a Week 9 matchup, has Rosati worried. Keep an eye on Orange. The Lions can put a lot of points on the board.
CVC Valley
Favorite: Kirtland Don’t forget about:
Cuyahoga Heights
Darkhorse: Wickliffe The Hornets are filthy loaded this year. They have the biggest line in school history, two 1,500-yard rushers return, and a quarterback with a strong arm is taking the snaps. Cuyahoga Heights lost some offensive weaponry to graduation, but is always a conference threat. Wickliffe moves down from the Chagrin Division this year and has Isaac Pettway. The Blue Devils could be a factor.
Greater Cleveland Conference
Favorite: Mentor Darkhorse: Solon
Don’t forget about: Euclid This is one of the best leagues in Ohio, and Mentor gets the nod. The Cardinals have three Big Ten recruits on their lines, nine returners on defense and an offense that averages 30 to 40 points per game no matter who graduated the previous spring. Their nonconference schedule is brutal, so they have to stay healthy during that run. Solon is always a factor. Euclid is gigantic in the trenches and has a Big Ten recruit (Brandon Wright) at running back with talented receivers. Don’t be surprised if the Panthers win it.
NCL Blue
Favorite: Akron Hoban Darkhorse: Benedictine Don’t forget about: Good question The Knights are the defending Division II state champions, and they were young last year. They gave up only 9.0 points per game in league play last year. The best chance to beat them might be hoping they come with their B or C game, not their A game. Benedictine probably stands the best chance to topple Hoban this year. The other league foes were outscored by Hoban, 197-30, last year.
NCL White
Favorite: Cleveland Central Catholic Darkhorse: Gilmour
Don’t forget about: VASJ With the expansion of the NCL White, there’s some variance as far as computer points, with a Division III squad in Cleveland Central Catholic and a pair of D-VII teams in St. Thomas Aquinas and Warren JFK. The Ironmen typically put a solid product on the field, and a number of squads here suffered heavy graduation losses. Area-wise, Gilmour could factor in strongly amid its NCL debut led by C.J. Charleston and Jack Kosar.
Northeast Athletic Conference
Favorite: Grand Valley Darkhorse: Windham Don’t forget about: Newbury Until someone proves otherwise, the Mustangs are the team to beat, even with the graduation of a tremendous senior class. Newbury lost all-everything quarterback Johnny Chambers to graduation. That’s a lot to make up for. Windham went 9-3 last season and is a conference threat. Grand Valley heads to the CVC Valley next year, so the Mustangs want one more NAC banner before making the jump.
Western Reserve Conference
Favorite: Kenston Darkhorse: Mayfield Don’t forget about: Brush The consensus — and Coach Jeff Grubich doesn’t want to hear it — is that the Bombers are the head-and-shoulders favorite. They are big on the line, have a marquee quarterback, an All-Ohio running back and highlightreel receivers. Mayfield has the ability to get up and down the field and pile up points with QB Michael Huss. Can’t forget about reigning champion Brush. The Arcs are big on the lines and have athletes galore. Replacing QB Godwin Joe is the only question mark.