Conference outlooks for 2023 season

jkampf@news-herald.com

CROWN CONFERENCE

Favorite: Walsh Jesuit Darkhorse: NDCL

Don’t forget about: Lake Catholic

For the record: Coach Nick Alexander’s Warriors were the class of the Crown last season and look to be again this year. Walsh has just been at a different level than the rest of the conference of late. Its defense is extremely stingy, with Noah Brock, John Keough and Brock Sherman standing out. Keller Moten is new at quarterback, but he has a lot of skill around him, including Keough and Owen Feliciano. … Lake Catholic has been impressive in the preseason camp. QB Frankie Trinetti is healthy after a concussion slowed him last year. Cross Nimmo, a junior like Trinetti, is garnering some big-time Division I college offers. Lake can throw the ball very well and is strong defensively. … NDCL has Ryan Lipowski back at quarterback and a Josh Grambo-led defense. That’s a good start with a new coaching staff.

CVC CHAGRIN DIVISION

Favorite: Perry

Darkhorse: Lutheran West Don’t forget about: Hawken

For the record: The Pirates have big goals this year and have the weaponry to get them done. The skill set is tremendous with QB Walter Moses, ultra-utility man Brayden Richards and RB Jayden Studio leading the way. Whoever wants to beat the Pirates will have to find a way to slow down that highlight reel offense — or try to score with the Pirates. Lutheran West was a strong team last year and will be a prime contender despite big graduation losses. … Hawken graduated marquee player Dom Johnson, but there’s a lot left in the tank. Jordan Johnson and Luke Mangini will man the running game, and Donovan Moorhead looks to step in at QB for injured Lucas Brandt. The lines are big, physical and experienced. The Hawks are very much in the conference championship picture.

CVC LAKE DIVISION

Favorite: Lakeside

Darkhorse: Geneva

Don’t forget about: Jefferson, Madison

For the record: Coach Buzz Edwards’ Dragons get the nod in what promises to be an extremely competitive CVC Lake Division. Lakeside returns top-end talent both in the trenches with guys like Grayson Petros and in the skilled positions with guys like QB Alex DiSalvatore and receiver Jimmy Timonere. The injury bug hit the Dragons hard last year. If they stay healthy, look out. … Geneva can’t be discounted. The Eagles return nine starters on both offense and defense. They can run the ball mercilessly with Luke Smith, Kenny Young and others. Expectations are high. Are the Eagles ready to deal with them? … Madison comes over from the Western Reserve Conference. The Blue Streaks are experienced and hungry to compete in a conference more their size than the WRC. … Jefferson took heavy graduation losses from last year’s state final four team, but Kaige Boczar and Luke Funtash return, so the Falcons must be taken seriously.

CVC METRO DIVISION

Favorite: Cuyahoga Heights Darkhorse: Independence

Don’t forget about: Wickliffe

For the record: Coach Al Martin’s team finished 9-3last year and won a pair of playoff games. They welcome back mammoth Nick Novak (6-2, 270) on the line and a slew of athletic talent. With Lutheran West moving to another division of the CVC, Heights will be the favorite here. Independence and Wickliffe — yes Wickliffe — will be the stiffest competition. Wickliffe has had a total of one senior in the past two years. That means Coach Marce Porcello has a very experienced team on his hands. Bobby Plumb is expected to get a ton of carries this year. EJ Mester is another big playmaker. The lines are anchored by gigantic Mitchell Lindsey.

CVC VALLEY DIVISION

Favorite: Kirtland

Darkhorse: Everyone else.

For the record: Another year, another expected romp through the league schedule for Coach Tiger LaVerde’s squad. Kirtland hasn’t lost a league game since Week 9 of 2016. Don’t expect the Hornets’ streak to be snapped this year. The Hornets have a slew of experience back from last year’s Division VI state runner-up team and it’s an angry group after losing to Marion Local. It would take a monumental upset for the Hornets not to run the table in the CVC Valley this year. Not to say it is impossible — see Grand Valley-Kirtland from 2015 — but the odds aren’t good for that to happen.

GREATER CLEVELAND CONFERENCE

Favorite: Medina

Darkhorse: Cleveland Heights Don’t forget about: Mentor

For the record: The Bees are the defending champions and get the early nod here. QB Danny Stoddard is back after throwing for 5,035 yards and 58touchdowns last season to go with 692 yards and 12 more scores. Top receivers Jack Wojciak and Austin Knowles are also back. Any team that wants to knock off Coach Larry Laird’s team is probably going to have to do it in an offensive shootout. … Moving over from the Lake Erie League, Cleveland Heights is in its first year in the GCC. Keep an eye on Marquise Davis. He ran for 869yards and 11TDs last year and was also a standout on defense. Brandon Caesar (6-4, 235) is a big-time Division I college prospect. … You can’t count out Mentor. That being said, the Cardinals are younger and more experienced on the varsity level than they have been in a long time. QB Scotty Fox leads a potentially potent offense. Mentor’s big question is how fast the defense grows up, with an entirely new front seven.

NORTHEAST ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Favorite: Pymatuning Valley Darkhorse: Vienna Mathews Don’t forget about: Fairport

For the record: Pymatuning Valley won the league title last year with a 4-0 conference mark. The Lakers went 0-6 in their non-league slate, but still won the title and went to the Division VI playoffs. Coach Neal Croston’s team was physical and impressive in a scrimmage against Conneaut. His son, Ryan Croston, was an AllOhioan last year and will operate behind a big and physical offensive line. … Mathews went 8-3 last season, its only loss in league play coming at the hands of PV. This year’s Mathews-PV game is in Week 8 (Oct. 6). That should be for the league title again. … James Gadomski and Maverrick Piotrowski give Fairport two talented skilled position players. Josh Parsons is a strong lineman. The Skippers could be in the hunt, too, if they stay healthy.

WESTERN RESERVE CONFERENCE

Favorite: Riverside

Darkhorse: Kenston

Don’t forget about: Chardon

For the record: Whew. Hold on tight folks. This is going to be a fun race to watch. Riverside is the defending league champion and returns most of its offensive skill set, including 2022 Tony Fisher Award winner Mikey Maloney at quarterback. Chardon returns most of it offense, too, and according to Coach Mitch Hewitt is bigger physically and faster than any team he’s had. Keep Week 10 (Oct. 20) clear because that’s when the Hilltoppers and Beavers meet in the regular-season finale. It’s not out of the question that both teams will be undefeated at 9-0when they meet. … Of course, Kenston will want to have its say in that discussion. With RB Sean Patrick, WR Tymir Cardona and QB Lucas Kaltenbach, the Bombers are very much in the title picture, too. Mayfield is pretty good as well. But they nod has to go to Riverside and Chardon at this point.