High school playoffs start tonight from Avon Stadium as the Avon Eagles host the Sandusky Blue Streaks in a Division 2, Region 6 match-up. You can tune in to 1320 AM or listen online (replay will be available online as well). I'll be working with Bob Karlovec and Brian Dietz.
Sandusky (6-4) from the Greater Buckeye Conference has a long storied history as a football powerhouse in the state. The Blue Streaks were state champions in 1965 and 1988. They have made the play-offs seven times between 1978 and 1990. However, the most recent years have not been kind to Sandusky. This year’s 6-4 record marks the first winning season since 1999. The Blue Streaks 8th play-off appearance is their first in twenty years.
The Blue Streaks head coach Mike Franklin is in his 5th year (22-28) coaching and is a Sandusky graduate. Senior running back Cordney Strickland (6-1, 185) had a huge year with 1479 yards rushing and 18 touchdowns. Quarterback Lucas Poggiali (Jr., 6-1, 180) is among the leading passers in the GBC while Tristen Jeffries and Dameyion Smith were among the league leaders in receptions.
Avon had a perfect 10-0 season and is making their 4th trip to the post-season. Their last trip to the play-offs was in 2008 which was also an undefeated regular season plus wins against Defiance and Columbian before losing Big Walnut. The Eagles 2010 campaign started big with a win at Avon Lake spoiling the Shoremen’s $2.8 million renovated stadium. After a pair of shut-outs against Wellington and Lorain, Avon rolled through the West Shore Conference.
The Eagles are a deep team. They have a trio of running backs featuring sophomore Ross Douglas (680 yards, 9 TDs), junior Adam Horrocks (366 yards, 5 TDs), and sophomore Mark Kvach (219 yards, 2 TDs); they have two quarterbacks in senior Cody Schroeder (99-167-1615, 19 TDs, 4 INTs) and junior Justin O’Rourke (36-61-511, 7 TDs, 2 INTs); and talented receivers junior Matt Eckhardt (37-709, 10 TDs), senior Kevin Krakora (27-358, 5 TDs), and senior Connor Friss (23-366, 6 TDs). The Eagle defense has several talented athletes as well including senior Patrick Furnas (six sacks), junior Bryan Cox, sophomore Alex Kelly, and junior Matt Tomlin.
The winner of tonight’s game faces the winner of Maple Heights and Toledo Central Catholic.
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