The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Week 2 of high school football preview inside
The second week of the high school football season is here. John Kampf lets you know what games to watch and The News-Herald staff picks who will win in a bevy of matchups with area teams.
KIRTLAND AT COLUMBIA
What: Nonconference game
Where: Columbia Raiders Stadium When: 7 p.m., Aug. 31
Records: Kirtland 1-0, Columbia 1-0
Last week: Kirtland def. Chagrin Falls, 43-0, Columbia def. Independence, 35-6
For the records: Many feel this could be a regional championship game come November. Kirtland drilled Columbia, 49-14 last year. ... The Hornets dominated Chagrin Falls in Week 1 behind a 314-yard rushing performance. Columbia is going to have its hands full trying to slow down All-Ohio running backs Joey Torok and Jake Neibecker, running behind that huge offensive line . ... Columbia had no problem in a 35-6 win over Independence last week. Brandon Coleman is a star running back the Hornets’ defense will have to contend with. He scored three times last week against Independence, showing no ill signs from a knee injury that cut short his junior campaign.
KENSTON AT CHAGRIN FALLS
What: Nonconference game Where: C.S. Harris Stadium When: 7 p.m., Aug. 31
Records: Chagrin Falls 0-1, Kenston 1-0
Last week: Kenston def. Streetsboro, 44-14, Kirtland def. Chagrin Falls, 43-0
For the record: This is the 61st edition of this next door neighbor rivalry, with Chagrin Falls holding a 35-25 lead. But the Bombers will be heavily favored in this one, heading west up Washington Street to face the Tigers . ... Chagrin couldn’t get much going last week in a 43-0 loss to a loaded Kirtland team, being held to 176 total yards in the loss. Getting quick RB Mick Lawrence the ball will likely be a focus of the Chagrin staff . ... Kenston got 133 yards rushing and two touchdowns from Jack Porter, and 180 yards passing and three scores from Jon Tomcufcik . ... When the Kenston offense is rolling, the Bombers are tough to stop. Chagrin’s defense will need to be on point.
LORAIN AT EUCLID
What: Nonconference game Where: Euclid Community Stadium When: 7 p.m., Aug. 31 Records: Lorain 1-0, Euclid 1-0
Last week: Euclid def. Glenville, 42-17, Lorain def. Midview, 44-14
For the record: This is a new nonconference game for both teams, and it’s a doozy. Two teams with big postseason aspirations. ... Euclid looked strong in its season-opening win over Glenville. Coach Jeff Rotsky’s offense can hurt teams from Brandon away Michigan in Wright multiple behind State hammering that ways, recruit huge offensive game that line, features to the Dre’von passing Lindsay. Lorain’s defense held up fine against Midview last week, holding Midview to negative-22 yards rushing . ... Lorain’s offense piled up 514 yards against Midview. Daylin Dower ran for 195 yards to lead the Titans. ... Defenses will be under the spotlight in this one.
PERRY AT CHARDON
What: Nonconference game
Where: Chardon Memorial Stadium When: 7 p.m., Aug. 31
Records: Perry 1-0, Chardon 0-1
Last week: Perry def. Riverside, 28-14, West Geauga def. Chardon, 20-19
For the record: This is the renewal of a rivalry that hasn’t seen the Pirates and Hilltoppers play since 1967, according News-Herald correspondent Jay Kron. Chardon is on a 4-0 streak, winning from 1964-1967, but Perry leads the all-time series, 18-15 . ... Chardon is going to try to get in the win column after a heartbreaking loss to West Geauga last week in a game in which the Hilltoppers had a 19-0 lead. Andrew Kobuszewski ran for 73 yards and threw for 94, but the rest of the team only accounted for 121 yards . ... Perry got off to a slow start against Riverside, but got its offense going in the second half. First-year QB Drew Schiano threw for 219 yards and three scores. He has a ton of options to get the ball to, but All-Ohio RB Jaylen Anderson (meniscus) won’t be one of the after having knee surgery this week.
WEST GEAUGA AT NDCL
What: Nonconference game Where: Lion Stadium When: 7 p.m., Aug. 31 Records: West Geauga 1-0, NDCL 1-0
Last week: NDCL def. South, 41-28, West Geauga def. Chardon, 20-19
For the record: There’s bad blood in this rivalry, for whatever reason. And with both teams coming off of opening-week wins, there’s going to be a lot of adrenaline in this one. .. West G got a lot of momentum in coming back from a 19-point deficit to beat Chardon last week. The Wolverines were outgained, 298176, but were fueled by a momentum-stealing kickoff return for a touchdown and a pair of field goals. West G’s defense did a good job of shutting down Chardon’s running game. That will be a key focus this week, too, as NDCL’s Zach Urda and Nick Gattozzi are both running threats. Gattozzi ran for 135 yards and threw for 269 and three touchdowns. It’s safe to say the West G defense will look to slow down the Lions’ quarterback in this one.
MASSILLON JACKSON AT MAYFIELD
What: Nonconference game Where: Wildcat Stadium When: 7 p.m., Aug. 31 Records: Mayfield 1-0, Massillon Jackson, 0-1 Last week: Mayfield def. Walsh Jesuit, 3-0, Akron East def. Massillon Jackson, 14-13
For the record: Neither team in this matchup got much going offensively last week. The only difference is that Mayfield still earned a ‘W,’ while Jackson didn’t. ... Jackson was held to 124 yards by Akron East. Coach Tim Budd’s team is led by QB Trey Wright. They have a big, physical offensive line. Kicker Bryce Mouton is a weapon . ... Mayfield got 43rushing yards from Jamir Nunley and 80 passing yards from Michael Huss, but the Wildcats’ offense consisted only of a field goal. The good news for the Wildcats is that the defense played well, holding Walsh Jesuit to 4 yards rushing . ... Both teams play good defense. The key here will be which one can get a little offense going and put some points on the board.
LAKE CATHOLIC AT CLEVELAND CENTRAL CATHOLIC
What: Nonconference game Where: Stefanski Stadium When: 1 p.m., Sept. 1 Records: Lake Catholic 1-0, Cleveland Central Catholic 0-1 Last week: Lake Catholic def. Stow, 31-7, Holy Name def. Canton Central Catholic, 39-0
For the record: The Cougars are on a roll after defeating Division I StowMunroe Falls in Week 1. The Cougars scored on defense, scored on offense, got a field goal, and also had a score set up by a blocked punt and a long kickoff return. So all facets of the game were working for Coach Scott O’Donnell’s crew. Nate Rieple had a huge all-around game. QB Matt Slowey’s touchdown pass just before the half gave the Cougars a lot of momentum . ... Central Catholic was shut out last week by Holy Name. The Ironmen will have to play very well to get a win in this one, especially with the momentum Lake has after that opening week win. That being said, Lake can’t afford to get caught looking ahead to next week’s game against Youngstown Ursuline.
MENTOR AT ST. IGNATIUS
What: Nonconference game Where: Byers Field, Parma When: 7 p.m., Sept. 1
Records: Mentor 1-0, St. Ignatius 0-1
Last week: Mentor def. St. Edward, 42-39, Akron Hoban def. St. Ignatius, 21-14
For the record: This is a huge game for both teams. If Mentor can win on the road against St. Ignatius, that, coupled with last week’s win over St. Edward, will give the Cardinals a huge head start in the Division I playoff rankings. That being said, St. Ignatius doesn’t want to start 0-2 after last week’s loss to loaded Division II Akron Hoban . ... Mentor’s running game took center stage last week against St. Edward. Junior Brian Trobel ran for 191 yards and four touchdowns, while sophomore QB Ian Kipp ran for 174 yards ad two scores. Will St. Ignatius clamp down on the run? If so, Mentor might have to take some shots downfield in the passing game to loosen up the defense a bit . ... St. Ignatius is going to want to get its running game going this week after being held to 1 yard rushing against Hoban. Conversely, the Wildcats gave up 217 yards on the ground. Patrick Delahunty and Griffin Hanna are both possible starters at QB.