Teams gearing up for conference play
· Yahoo Sports
Now, the fun really begins.
Visit biznow.biz for more information.
Most of the Ashtabula County teams, plus Madison, will start a seven-game sprint for a conference championship.
It’s not that the first three weeks weren’t fun and important — they were.
Coaches spent the first three games trying to put the pieces into the puzzle. Some of the parts don’t fit, others do and others are still being decided where to go.
It’s still a work in progress, as well, as injuries and other factors, are taken into account.
It was good to see county games such as Jefferson against Conneaut in Week 2 and the Spartans at Edgewood last Friday.
For the first half of the Conneaut-Edgewood game I watched, it was a great atmosphere with two rival schools battling each other.
It’s important to maintain those type of rivalries to a degree.
Grand Valley get things kicked off tonight against University School.
That is one of the two non-conference games county teams will play.
Saint John goes to Crestline for the other non-conference contest Friday.
“It’s always special to start conference play,” Madison coach Mike Gilligan said. “You get a few games under your belt and get some things ironed out and figure out who your playmakers are and now you get to compete against conference opponents.”
University School (2-1) at GV (3-0)
The Preppers started off with impressive wins over Brookside 64-42 and Bay 35-14, before falling to North 27-8 last Friday. The Mustangs received an unexpected weekend off as Fairport cancelled last Friday’s game due to low numbers. GV, which recorded a 1-0 forfeit win, is led by a solid running combination of Luke Giddings and Caden Rowland. Giddings and Rowland combined for 171 yards rushing with two touchdowns in a 28-14 win over Ravenna Southeast in the second week. Giddings also has 28 tackles defensively.
Geneva (2-1) vs. Edgewood (2-1) at Corlew Stadium
The start of CVC Chagrin Division games begins for both teams. The Eagles have rebounded nicely after an opening-season loss to Shaker Heights with decisive wins over Lakeside (41-6) and Normandy (42-0). The Warriors dropped their first game of the season, falling to Conneaut 20-17, after posting wins over Saint John 33-0 and Harvey 52-41.
South (3-0) at Lakeside (1-2)
This CVC Lake game has the Rebels, who are 3-0 for the first time since 2021 and are outscoring their opponents 113-34, facing off against the Dragons. In a 45-21 win over Brush last Friday, QB Luke Jensen threw for 303 yards and five TDs. Anthony Mock caught three passes for 140 yards and two scores. The Dragons are trying to figure out how to score more points. Lakeside has managed just 12 points in its last two games. Against Cleveland Rhodes, in a 21-6 loss last Friday, JJ Murphy threw for 175 yards. Seven of those passes went to Dae’Veon Gaines for 122 yards and Masceo Boles rushed for 127. But the Dragons have been plagued by drops and inopportune penalties.
Berkshire (1-2) at Conneaut (3-0)
Both teams are starting Valley Division play. The Badgers lost their first two games, before blanking Cardinal 56-0 last Friday. Senior QB Oliver Miller has thrown for 283 yards with five TDs. Dasen Marker leads the way with 12 catches for 216 yards and two TDs. The Spartans, who are ranked fourth in Division V, Region 17, according to joeeitel.com, are 3-0 for the first time since 2019. QB Wyant Dobran has thrown for 437 yards with four TDs and rushed for another 165 and four scores. Alden Goudge is averaging 21.4 yards per reception. Deondre Weatherspoon has posted two sacks on defense.
Perry (3-0) at Jefferson (0-3)
The Pirates have rolled in their opening three wins, outscoring their opponents 115-29 in the process. Perry ended Kirtland’s 29-game regular-season winning streak 31-10 last Friday. For Perry, Carter Crofoot recorded a pick-six in the third quarter, which helped the Pirates pull away. Chase Sivon also recovered a fumble in the third quarter, which set up a TD and break a 10-10 tie. For the Falcons, QB Mason Kalil threw for 207 yards and one TD in a 21-10 loss to Lakeview. Paxton Fritzsche caught five passes for 105 yards and one score. Josiah Tillman notched 11 tackles.
Pymatuning Valley (1-2) at Mathews (2-1)
The Lakers jumped into the win column with a 40-0 win over Valley Christian School last Saturday. Kason Bailey rushed for 130 yards and two TDs, while Wyatt Toothman had two scores. On defense, Dash Vickery returned an interception 60 yards for another scores. The Mustangs won games one and three, while losing the second contest. Mathews used a strong running game to defeat Newton Falls 28-7 last Friday.
Saint John (2-1) at Crestline (2-1)
The Heralds will look to exact a little revenge after last season’s 28-21 Bulldogs win. For the season, QB Anthony Benedict has thrown for 305 yards and four TDs. Carter Beck and Gus Petros both check in with two receiving TDs. John Miller leads the defense with 19.5 total tackles and two interceptions. Interestingly enough, all three Heralds’ games have been 33-0 outcomes. Crestline, which is in the Mansfield area, rallied to defeat Mapleton 43-36 last Friday for its second straight win. QB Kody Lawhorn was 19 of 36 for 329 yards and five TDs. Ramon Hawk caught eight passes for 159 yards and three scores. Quentin Kapp rushed for 112 yards and recorded a defensive touchdown.
Chardon (1-2) at Madison (1-2)
The Blue Streaks will go against former Western Reserve Conference and current CVC Lake foe. The Hilltoppers’ lone win was 25-7 over Cleveland Heights in Week 2, but Chardon lost 38-31 to McDowell (Pa.) last Friday. The Blue Streaks will seek to rebound after a 16-13 loss to Holy Name last Friday. Madison couldn’t score the potential game-winner from the Holy Name 1 in the last five seconds. Anthony Telekno had 169 yards and three rushing TDs.