I will be covering high school football tonight from the sidelines of Tom Hoch field as the Clearview Clippers (3-1, 1-0) host the Buckeye Bucks (1-3, 1-0). You can tune in to 1320 AM or listen online (replay will be available online as well). I'll be working with play-by-play announcer Bob Karlovec and color commentator Darryl Maynard.
Both teams have dominated the Patriot Athletic Conference since the PAC originated in 2005. Buckeye has won the Stars division three straight years and four of the last five seasons. Clearview has won the last four Stripes Division titles and the last two years outright.
Although the history between the two teams is brief (played each other every year since 2007, Buckeye leads the series 2-1), the game tonight is pivotal for play-off implications. Clearview defeated Buckeye in 2008 en route to a perfect 10-0 regular season. Buckeye was victorious last year 19-17 which allowed the Bucks to make the play-offs and Clearview missed the post-season despite an 8-2 record.
Buckeye had a slow start this year with three losses (Cloverleaf, Elyria Catholic, Midview) but rebounded with a resounding 29-14 win last week against Oberlin. School district financial woes have forced each player to pay $600 to play. Prior to 2010, the Bucks have enjoyed seven straight winning seasons.
Austin Friel takes over at quarterback for Buckeye this year after serving as the back-up to Mike Kelly in 2009. Friel comes into the game 43-83 for 496 yards passing, 4 TDs, 6 INTs and 54-149 rushing with 2 TDs. Carlton Waitkins is the leading receiver in Medina-County with 23 catches for 350 yards. He set school records with 14 catches and 233 yards against Elyria Catholic three weeks ago.
Clearview started the season with a 45-6 thrashing against Elyria Catholic. Since then, it’s been one-sided victories against Vermilion, Fairview, and Wellington.
The Clippers are living life without superstar running back Anthony Hitchens. He’s now at Iowa and the Clippers haven’t missed a beat. They feature a four man rushing attack that have picked up the slack with senior quarterback Davon Daniels, and running backs Matt Jordan, DeShawn Carter and Chad Anderson.
Both head coaches Billy Burke (Buckeye) and Mike Collier (Clearview) are in their 4th season at their respective schools.
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