Merry Swishmas Tribe Fans

ESPN is reporting the Cleveland Indians have signed New York Yankees OF Nick Swisher.

I'm glad the Tribe recognized a need and moved quickly to replace Shin-Soo Choo after trading him earlier this month.

I'm luke-warm on Swisher - he's not a $14m ballplayer. Signing him to a 4-year $56 million contract (there is a 5th year at $14 million due to easily obtainable performance measures) is a lot for an average outfielder. The deal makes him the highest paid player in franchise history.

Nick Swisher is better than Shane Victorino - I'm actually glad he took less money to sign with Boston. I don't understand why Cleveland is so willing to spend money this off-season for marginal talent.

Look at Travis Hafner: In 2007, he was one of best power hitters in baseball, still in his prime and was worthy of a $12m/year contract (4 years/$49 million). By 2012, his salary handcuffed the Tribe's payroll.

Why are the Indians going down the same path in 2012 for a guy who is 32?

I'm glad the Indians are making attempts to improve the team. I like the Choo trade. Riding the Nick Swisher train and putting all of eggs in one basket is not the way to go.

AIW End of the World: Hits and Misses

@aiwrestling held their #EOTW event last Friday in Cleveland Ohio. Here are the results and below are the Hits and Misses - all AIW wrestling blog posts.

HITS

Josh Alexander: newcomer to AIW against a veteran in Louis Lyndon who is more a tag team specialist with his partner Flip Kendrick. Both men got in adequate offense. Alexander is in the middle of a push yet Lyndon got in enough offense that it made both men look good and Alexander's win seem meaningful.

AIW End of the World

Results from last night's @aiwrestling #EOTW event at Turner Hall in Cleveland Ohio - all AIW wrestling blog posts.


1. Josh Alexander pinned Louis Lyndon after hitting a spinning tombstone piledriver.
   
   
2. AIW Womens Champion Allysin Kay defeated Kobald (with Veronica Ticklefeather) after hitting a T-bone suplex
   
   
3. Davey Vega beat Chuck Taylor (with the Swampmonster)
   
   
4. Old School Express (Jock Samson, Marion Fontaine and Colt Cabana) defeated The Submission Squad (Pierre Abernathy, Evan Gelistico and Gary Jay) when Cabana forced Jay to tap out in the Chicago Crab.
   
   INTERMISSION
   
   
5. Jarek 1:20 pinned Jacka after hitting a kick in a Beyond Wrestling Showcase match.

Let the Coaching Carousel begin

Wisconsin football head coach Bret Bielema leaves the school to take the same job with Arkansas. Now Badger Athletic Director Barry Alvarez will coach the team for the Rose Bowl. Sound outrageous?

Not really, here are more coaches who are leaving their schools in the middle of the season to take a better job and leave their kids behind to play their respective bowl games without them.

• Dave Doeren (leaving Northern Illinois to go to North Carolina State),
• Darrell Hazell (Kent State/Purdue),
• Gus Malzahn (Arkansas State/Auburn)

New trend? Nope. Brian Kelly left Cincinnati prior to the 2010 Sugar Bowl, biggest football game in school history, to take the job at Notre Dame. The Bearcats subsequently got hammered by Florida.

What a bunch of scumbags.

How is it possible that a coach can leave before the end of the season? Why do athletic directors allow that to happen? Don't their contracts require them to at least finish the season?

I don't blame coaches for wanting to enhance their careers. I fault their timing, their mixed message to the kids and the system that allows this to happen.

Coaches can jump around whenever they want to chase a buck. Conferences jump around to chase a buck. Yet the players who are not "wink, wink" being compensated have to sit out a year if they transfer to another school. That's College Football for you.

AIW Hell on Earth 8

Results from last night's @aiwrestling #HOE8 event at Turner Hall in Cleveland Ohio - all AIW wrestling blog posts.


1. Jacka defeated Biff Busick via submission in a Beyond Wrestling Showcase match.
   
   
2. The Submission Squad (Pierre Abernathy & Evan Gelistico with Gary Jay) defeated the Old School Express (Jock Samson and mystery partner Marion Fontaine) when Gelistico pinned Samson using the ropes for leverage.
   
   
3. Josh Alexander pinned Louis Lyndon after hitting a spinning tombstone piledriver in a triple-threat match also involving Davey Vega.
   
   
4. Ethan Page (with Seleyza Sparx) defeated Colin Delaney when Sparx splashed Southern Comfort in Delaney's face allowing Page to hit his finisher and score the pinfall.
   

Columbia falls in District Semi-Finals

Columbia's magical season has come to crashing finish as the Patrick Henry Patriots throttle the Raiders 56-15 at Don Paul Stadium in Fremont, Ohio in a Division V Region 18 Semifinal. You can listen to the replay online.

Patrick Henry scored early. Taking the opening kickoff, the Patriots drove 80 yards in six plays capped by senior quarterback Gabe Jones 7-yard touchdown run. The subsequent kickoff bounced off a Columbia player before Patrick Henry's Brandon Cole recovered. The Patriots struck again on the next play when Jones found Josh Petersen for a 37-yard touchdown pass.

Down 13-0 with 9:31 left in the first quarter and Columbia hasn't run a play from scrimmage.

Patrick Henry vs. Columbia tonight

The @_CHSFootball play-off football journey continues tonight as they travel to Fremont Ross High School's Harmon Field at Don Paul Stadium to face the Patrick Henry. It's a Division V, Region 18 semifinal with Columbia ranked No. 3 with a 10-1 record against the No. 7 seed Patriots at 9-2. I will be covering the high school football game for WOBL. 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 Don Vincent.

Columbia's Jay Banyasz runs past the competition

@_CHSFootball play the first Week 12 game in school history tomorrow and @JBanyasz8 has played a big role in making that happen.

It's been a special year for the Raiders, after losing the first game of the season 20-14 to Cleveland Central Catholic, Columbia has now won 10 straight which is the most in school history. 

Particularly the last three weeks have been special: (1) a dominating 35-7 victory against Fairview, (2) a 51-25 win at Clearview to clinch the Patriot Athletic Conference Stripes Division and (3) a 39-34 triumph in the first ever home play-off game in school history.

Banyasz leads Columbia to a historic win

@JBanyasz8 leads @_CHSFootball to victory once again. The 6-2, 170 pound junior quarterback Jay Banyasz ran 34 times for 271 yards and four touchdowns plus he completed 11 of 15 passes for another 168 yards and two more touchdowns. You can listen to the replay online.

Banyasz now on the season is over 1000 yard mark rushing having carried 160 times for 1009 yards and 17 touchdowns.

He has particularly turned it on in the last three weeks. In the victories over Fairview, Clearview and Archbold, Banyasz has 634 yards rushing and 13 of those touchdowns.

Archbold vs. Columbia tonight

The @_CHSFootball will host the first post-season football game in school history as they take on the Archbold Blue Streaks. I will be covering the high school football game for WOBL. 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 sideline reporter Dave Andrews.

Central Catholic rocks Midview and wins big

The Toledo Central Catholic Fighting Irish raced out to a big lead and never looked back in winning 50-7. You can listen to the replay online.

The Irish jumped out to 43-0 halftime lead and never looked back.

Junior quarterback DeShone Kizer ran the ball 7 times for 32 yards and two touchdowns. He also was 10-14 throwing the ball for 197 yards and 4 touchdowns.

Midview vs. Toledo Central Catholic Tonight

The @MiddieUpdates make their 6th high school post-season appearance tonight as they travel to the Glass City to take on the Toledo Central Catholic Fighting Irish. I will be covering the high school football game for WOBL. 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 sideline reporter Dave Andrews.

Both teams under into this game with 9-1 records. The Middies are the #7 seed while the Irish at the #2 seed in Division 2, Region 6.

Columbia earns their Stripes

The Raiders used a dominating rushing attack in the 2nd half blowing open a close game and defeating the Clearview Clippers 51-25. You can listen to the replay online.

Columbia led by junior quarterback Jay Banyasz (23-161 and five touchdowns rushing, 132 yards and one touchdown passing) and junior Jacob Kleinhenz (17-80 one touchdown rushing).

The victory in the mud and rain at Tom Hoch field in Lorain Ohio gave the Raiders their 2nd Stripes Division title of the Patriot Athletic Conference. The win also assures Columbia of hosting their first play-off game in school history in Division V, Region 18.

Columbia vs. Clearview: The Names and Numbers

@_CHSFootball and @chsclippers play tonight with the PAC Stripes Division on the line. Here is your guide to the game as you listen online. 

PAC STRIPES STANDINGS

Columbia (8-1, 6-0, 10 points)
Clearview (7-2, 5-1, 9 points)
Lutheran West (4-5, 3-3, 5 points)
Fairview (3-6, 3-3, 5 points)
Oberlin (5-4, 2-4, 2 points)
Brooklyn (0-9, 0-6, 0 points)

Lorain County High School Football Week 10 Picks

Last week of the regular season is coming up. Play-off spots are still up in the air as are the conference races.

The biggest matchup is a winner take all game between the Columbia Raiders and the Clearview Clippers. For Columbia, a victory would give them 12 points and the PAC Stripes, in addition to potentially securing a home play-off game next week in Region 18. For Clearview, a victory and they would win the Stripes Division with 11 points and hang on to a play-off spot in Region 14.

Patriot Athletic Conference Stripes Division Columbia (8-1, 6-0, 10 points) Clearview (7-2, 5-1, 9 points) Lutheran West (4-5, 3-3, 5 points) Fairview (3-6, 3-3, 5 points) Oberlin (5-4, 2-4, 2 points) Brooklyn (0-9, 0-6, 0 points) Stars Division Black River (5-4, 5-1, 8 points) Keystone (5-4, 4-2, 7 points) Buckeye (3-6, 3-3, 5 points) Wellington (3-6, 3-3, 5 points) Firelands (2-7, 2-4, 4 points) Brookside (0-9, 0-6, 0 points) West Shore Conference Avon (8-1, 6-0) Midview (8-1, 5-1) Rocky River (5-4, 4-2) Elyria Catholic (5-4, 3-3) Lakewood​ (4-5, 3-3) Bay (3-6, 1-5) Vermilion (2-7, 1-5) North Ridgeville (1-8, 1-5) Southwestern Conference Westlake (8-1, 5-1) Avon Lake (7-2, 5-1) Brecksville (5-4, 5-1) North Olmsted (7-2, 4-2) Midpark (5-4, 2-4) Berea (3-6, 1-5) Amherst (2-7, 1-5) Olmsted Falls (1-8, 1-5) Lake Erie League Warren Harding (8-1, 6-0) Euclid (6-3, 5-1) Cleveland Hts (7-2, 4-2) Shaw (5-4, 3-3) Bedford (4-4, 2-3) Maple Hts (4-4, 2-3) Lorain (2-7, 2-4) Warrensville Hts (1-8, 0-6) Northeast Ohio Conference River Division N. Royalton (9-0, 4-0) Hudson (7-2, 3-1) Elyria (7-2, 3-1) Mayfield (5-4, 2-2) Cuy. Falls (3-6, 0-4) Stow (2-7, 0-4)

Both teams are on a roll. After a loss in week 1 to Cleveland Central Catholic, Columbia has won eight straight games. Clearview has won four straight.

A winner take all game takes in the PAC Stars division. Black River travels to new Wildcat Stadium to take on Keystone. The Pirates have an 8-7 advantage in total points. Although neither team will go to the play-offs, the winner will earn two points and win the division.

Keystone has won two straight since the return of quarterback Marcus Gunter including a close 15-14 at Buckeye. Black River also winners of two straight in dominating fashion over Brookside (63-14) and Firelands (43-0).

Avon has a one-game lead in the West Shore Conference at 6-0 while Midview is at 5-1. The Eagles will clinch the crown with a win against North Ridgeville or a Midview loss at Bay.

One week to go and still a three-way tie in the Southwestern Conference. Two of teams, Brecksville and Westlake will face each other while Avon Lake hosts Amherst. The winner of the Brecksville / Westlake game can win the conference outright with an Amherst win while the best Avon Lake can hope for is a shared conference championship.

If the season ended today, the Week 11 match-ups are ....
Friday November 2:

• Midview at Avon (Region 6: #6 vs. #3)
• Clearview at Ottawa-Glandorf (Region 14: #7 vs. #2)

Saturday November 3:

• Avon Lake at Canton Glen Oak (Region 2: #5 vs. #4)
• Columbia at Liberty-Benton (Region 18: #5 vs. #4)

In the prediction game, I was 14-2 last week to put my record at 126-39 for the year. A great week.

However, Jeremy was one better with a 15-1 mark for his best week of the year. Apparently, I should not have waited until last week to introduce the trash can image.

PRIME Wrestling Brawl In The Hall II

SPOILER ALERT: Results from last night's @PRIMEwrestling TV taping event at Local 1005 UAW Hall in Parma Ohio - all wrestling blog posts.

1. Nicky Valentino defeated Jay Flash via cross-faced chickenwing submission.
   
   
2. Jessicka Havok pinned Queen Bobbinette Carey.

Black River 43, Firelands 0

The Pirates used a dominating running attack to defeat the Firelands Falcons 43-0. You can listen to the replay online.

Black River was led by junior running back Andrew Vaughn (18-175 rushing, two touchdowns) and senior Austin Phillips (14-121 rushing, three touchdowns).

Things turned bad early for Firelands. Trying to punt deep in his own territory, freshman Brad Thrasher went down on one knee to catch a bad snap. Under high school rules, the ball carrier is ruled down. This gave Black River the ball on the Firelands 18. The first play from scrimmage for the Pirates turned into an 18-yard run for Vaughn less than a minute into the game.

Firelands at Black River tonight

Another big game in the PAC Stars Division tonight in Sullivan, Ohio as the Black River Pirates host the Firelands Falcons. I will be covering the high school football game for WOBL. 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 sideline reporter Dave Andrews.

Looking at the division standings, still four teams alive with two weeks left:

Lorain County High School Football Week 9 Picks

Patriot Athletic Conference Stars Division Black River (4-4, 4-1, 6 points) Buckeye (3-5, 3-2, 5 points) Keystone (4-4, 3-2, 5 points) Firelands (2-6, 2-3, 4 points) Wellington (2-6, 2-3, 3 points) Brookside (0-8, 0-5, 0 points) Stripes Division Columbia (7-1, 5-0, 8 points) Clearview (6-2, 4-1, 7 points) Fairview (3-5, 3-2, 5 points) Lutheran West (3-5, 2-3, 3 points) Oberlin (5-3, 2-3, 2 points) Brooklyn (0-8, 0-5, 0 points) West Shore Conference Avon (7-1, 5-0) Midview (7-1, 4-1) Rocky River (5-3, 4-1) Elyria Catholic (5-3, 3-2) Lakewood​ (3-5, 2-3) North Ridgeville (1-7, 1-4) Vermilion (2-6, 1-4) Bay (2-6, 0-5) Southwestern Conference Avon Lake (6-2, 4-1) Westlake (7-1, 4-1) Brecksville (4-4, 4-1) North Olmsted (6-2, 3-2) Midpark (5-3, 2-3) Berea (3-5, 1-4) Amherst (2-6, 1-4) Olmsted Falls (1-7, 1-4)

Just two weeks left in the regular season. There are still five teams in contention for the post-season and none of the conference races in Lorain County have been decided.

First the post-season, currently, Week 11 match-ups are ....
Friday November 2:

• Avon at Mansfield (Region 6: #5 vs. #4)
• Midview at Westlake (Region 6: #6 vs. #3)
• Clearview at Ottawa-Glandorf (Region 14: #7 vs. #2)

Saturday November 3:

• Avon Lake at Canton Glen Oak (Region 2: #5 vs. #4)
• Columbia at Patrick Henry (Region 18: #5 vs. #4)

Next the county races:

• The PAC Stars Division has Black River, Buckeye and Keystone in the hunt. The Wildcats control their own destiny as they travel to Buckeye in week 9 and then host Black River in week 10. The Pirates host Firelands this week can win the division by winning their last two games.
  
  
• In the PAC Stripes, Columbia and Clearview are on a collision course in week 10. First the Raiders will have to get by Fairview who have won two straight. Clearview travels to winless Brooklyn.
  
  Note: In the Patriot Athletic Conference, teams earn two points for a division win.
  
• Avon leads the West Shore Conference at 5-0 with a tie for 2nd place between Midview and Rocky River. The Eagles are red hot having won seven straight games travel to Rocky River who have won four straight themselves. Midview hosts Elyria Catholic.

Keystone 27, Wellington 14

Sophomore wide receiver C.J. Conrad had 204 yards receiving on 12 catches and scored three touchdowns as the Keystone Wildcats defeat the Wellington Dukes 27-14. You can listen to the replay online.

Wellington struck first after Jake Deidrick recovered a muffed punt deep in Keystone territory. The Dukes went 19 yards on 6 plays capped by a Tyler Polen 3-yard run to give Wellington a 7-0 lead.

Keystone tied the game late in the 2nd quarter when Conrad caught a 40-yard pass from junior quarterback Marcus Gunter with just 47 seconds remaining capping a 9-play, 81-yard drive.

Cleveland 34, Cincinnati 24

The Cleveland Browns earned their first win of the season at home against the Cincinnati Bengals. Here are thoughts, news and opinions while watching the game.

Opening Rant

Nice going Scott Fujita: once again selfishly putting yourself ahead of your team.

Instead of practicing and being a leader on the field (he's inactive today), you're spending time challenging Roger Goodell over the bounty scandal. D'Qwell Jackson suffered a concussion last week and he's going to play today.

Keystone vs. Wellington tonight

Critical PAC Stars Division match-up takes place this evening in Wellington, Ohio as the Dukes host the Keystone Wildcats. I will be covering the high school football game for WOBL. 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 sideline reporter Dave Andrews.

Looking at the division standings, all but one team is still alive with three weeks remaining:

Lorain County High School Football Week 8 Picks

Coming down the home stretch of the year. There plenty of teams with conference and post-season goals still alive.

If the season ended today, your Week 11 match-ups are:

• Avon Lake at Canton Glen Oak (#5 vs. #4)
• Perrysburg at Avon (#5 vs. #4)
• Midview at Tiffin Columbian (#7 vs. #2)
• Clearview at Ottawa-Glandorf (#8 vs. #1)
• Columbia at Patrick Henry (#5 vs. #4)

All Lorain County conference races are up in the air:

• Avon's win last week vs. Midview puts the Eagles ahead of the Middies in the West Shore Conference.
  
  
• Friday's night game between Brecksville and Avon Lake will go a long way to determining who wins the Southwestern Conference with Westlake still in the hunt.
  
• Columbia and Clearview are the leaders in the PAC Stripes Division with both teams scheduled for a Week 10 showdown.
  
• Five of the six teams in the PAC Stars Division still have a shot. The two leaders, Firelands and Black River will play each other in Week 9.

I had another solid week with predictions checking in with a 12-4 record. The season total is now 99-34. Jeremy had went 9-6 to move to 75-54. Get ready Jeremy, it's almost Garbage Time.

Get your updated school schedules and standings and results.

The picks

Keystone (3-4, 2-2) at Wellington (2-5, 2-2) - I will covering this game for WOBL radio - tune in to 1320 AM or listen online

Clearview 36, Oberlin 14

Clearview continues their dominance of Oberlin in bad weather conditions in winning big 36-14. You can listen to the replay online.

After the game was tied at 14 at halftime, the Clippers ran for 218 yards in the 2nd half led by senior running back Chad Anderson who had 34 carries for 243 yards and four touchdowns.

Clearview got on the board late in the 1st quarter taking advantage of Oberlin blown coverage with sophomore quarterback Roger Engle finding senior Ryan Vargo down the sideline for a 50-yard touchdown. After Oberlin punted, the Clippers struck again with a 5-play, 65-yard drive culminating with an Anderson 19-yard scoring run.

The Phoenix rallied to close the first half. Senior quarterback Jason Moore Jr. was 10-12 in the 2nd quarter for 120 yards in leading Oberlin back to even at halftime. First a 4-yard touchdown run that capped a 7-play, 55-yard drive that pulled the Phoenix to 17-7. Then Moore Jr. completed a 10-yard touchdown pass that was initially tipped by Vargo but then fell into the hands of Marcus Bailey to cap a 12-play, 88-yard drive with just 17 seconds remaining. Moore finished the night with 77 yards rushing and 185 yards passing.

Clearview vs. Oberlin tonight

Conference titles and critical play-off hopes are on the line tonight in Oberlin, Ohio as the Phoenix host the Clearview Clippers. I will be covering the high school football game for WOBL. 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 sideline reporter Dave Andrews.

Clearview is currently ranked 8th and hanging on to the final play-off spot in Division 4, Region 14 while Oberlin is the 12th team in Division 5, Region 18 on the outside looking in.

In the Stripes Division of the Patriot Athletic Conference, both teams are in the thick of things.

Lorain County High School Football Week 7 Picks

Can't believe it is week 7. Just when college and the pros get underway, high school is winding down. This game isn't winding down, I'm still going strong. Last week, my record was 13-3 to bring my season total to 87-30.

Jeremy had an 11-5 record for the 2nd week in a row to give him a 66-48 mark. Pretty soon, I'll calculate the magic number for myself to be declared the winner of this game. If Jeremy is still within striking distance come week 10, he'll avoid the trash can image.

Get your updated school schedules and standings and results.

The picks

Clearview at Oberlin - I will covering this game for WOBL radio - tune in to 1320 AM or listen online

Akron Marathon 2012

Participated in the Relay Race portion of the Akron Marathon. The team consisted of Maureen Vastagh, Douglas Morgan, Ken Slater, myself and Kevin Kowel.

My portion of the race (Leg 4) started at Sand Run Parkway and Portage Path and finished at Firestone High School – covered approximately 4.5 miles from the 16.2 mark of the race to the 20.7 mark.

The team officially finished at 4:22:38.


Members of the "Knights of the Buffet Table" team:
Douglas Morgan, Ken Slater, myself (back) and Kevin Kowel (front).

Beginning of the race at National Inventors Hall of Fame.

Runners relax at the Canal Park outfield after the race.

This is one of the relay marathon participants who was
dressed in a Cleveland Browns Trent Richardson jersey, long hair extensions
and a #92 Browns helmet (assuming Michael Dean Perry).
He hadn't started his portion of the race yet.
The sun was out and I bet he was warm.

Firestone High School was Relay Point 5 of the race

Firelands 32, Wellington 29

Firelands gets their first victory of the year as the Falcons built a big 3rd quarter lead and hung on to win. You can listen to the replay online.

Senior quarterback Joe Hyster had 148 passing and two touchdowns in addition 57 yards rushing. Hyster made his impact defensively as well with two turnovers. First he tipped a Dylan Weidrick pass that was intercepted by Stephen Peterson. Then he intercepted a Weidrick pass and 61 return led to a touchdown pass from Hyster to Dakota Dodge to put Firelands up 32-15. Hyster earlier hooked up earlier with Nick Bauer for a 2nd quarter score.

Senior running back Zach Hofecker had nine carries for 26 yards but three of those rushes went for touchdowns.

Firelands vs. Wellington tonight

I will be covering high school football tonight in Wellington, Ohio as the Dukes host the Firelands Falcons. 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 sideline reporter Dave Andrews.

What a difference a year makes. Both these teams were in the play-offs a year. Firelands qualified as the 8th and final seed in Division 3, Region 9 while Wellington earned the 8th spot in Division 4, Region 14. Fast forward to 2012 and neither team is going to the post-season. Firelands is still looking for their win of the year while Wellington earned their first victory defeating Clearview 43-13 last week.

Lorain County High School Football Week 6 Predictions

We have reached the halfway point of the season and at 73% success rate. I'm on pace for my best season ever picking games. Didn't have a strong week last Friday with a 10-6 record to bring my season total to 74-27.

I'm somewhat concerned this week that I'm picking 13 road teams to win. I thought long and hard before pulling the trigger on Bay, Brecksville, Clearview, Columbia, Lorain and Rocky River. All are games that could go either way.

Jeremy for the first time this year had a better weekly record than yours truly. After earning an 11-5 record, his season total is 56% and he can hold off the trash can image for another week. A lot of toss up games in week 6 - prime opportunity to catch up in the season standings.

Get your updated school schedules and standings and results.

The picks

Firelands at Wellington - I will covering this game for WOBL radio - tune in to 1320 AM or listen online

Lutheran West 40, Brookside 0

A record-setting night for Chris Ranc and it's a 40-0 victory for Lutheran West over Brookside. You can listen to the replay online.

Ranc, the 6-2, 190 senior captain, ran the ball 34 times for 356 yards and four touchdowns.

After a blocked field goal on their first possession, the Longhorns scored three straight times including 1-yard run by quarterback Greg Kunze, a 1-yard run for Ranc and a 3-yard run for Ranc on 4th and 2 with eight seconds to go in the the half. Ranc had 27 carries and 214 yards at the intermission.

The 3rd quarter was more of the same. Ranc ran 53 yards for a touchdown that was called due to a penalty. Then on the next play, Ranc ran 57 yards for a touchdown that counted. After a Brookside three-and-out Ranc hit paydirt again from 54 yards.

Lutheran West vs. Brookside tonight

I will be covering high school football tonight in Sheffield, Ohio as the Brookside Cardinals host the Lutheran West Longhorns. 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 sideline reporter Dave Andrews.

Both teams dropped their opener in Patriot Athletic Conference play and are looking to bounce back prior to Division play starting next week.

Lutheran West is 1-3. After defeating Firelands 29-7 in week 1, the Longhorns have dropped their next games at home to Hawken (21-13), Independence (35-9) and Black River (31-30, OT) on their newly renovated field.

Brookside is looking for their first win of the season losing their first four games against Oak Harbor, Rhodes, Margaretta and Oberlin.

Lorain County High School Football Week 5 Predictions

Wahoo, what a week it was. Move over Aaron Rodgers you have company.

Yes, ladies and gentlemen, yours truly is coming off his best week since I started making predictions three years ago. Last Friday I went 15-1 with my picks to go to 64-21 on the year. Upon further research, my previous best week was a 13-1 record in week 8 last year. Only a two-point conversion in overtime prevented me from my first ever perfect week.

In addition to the 2011 Green Bay Packers, other 15-1 NFL teams include 1984 San Francisco 49'ers, 1985 Chicago Bears, 1998 Minnesota Vikings and 2004 Pittsburgh Steelers.

Jeremy, had his best week of the season with a 10-6 for 62.5% correct. This after two straight weeks of 13-9 (59.1% correct). This Sunday night will be Jeremy's first chance to pay his bet - we'll see if he concedes this contest. Trailing by 17 games in the loss column with six weeks to play, that's three more correct picks needed per week to catch up. Good luck Jeremy, the trash can image is coming.

Get your updated school schedules and standings and results.

The picks

Lutheran West at Brookside - I will covering this game for WOBL radio - tune in to 1320 AM or listen online

Columbia 20, Wellington 6

Junior QB/FS Jay Banyasz did a little of everything in leading Columbia to a 20-6 victory over Wellington. You can listen to the replay online.

In the 2nd half, Banyasz ran for a touchdown, passed for a touchdown, intercepted a pass and recovered a fumble.

After trailing 6-3 at halftime, Banyasz went to work leading a 9-play 68-yard drive culminating with a touchdown run from 8-yards out. After intercepting a Dylan Weidrick pass, Banyasz found Ben Verbus for 26-yard gain deep in Wellington territory leading to a Matt Zelinsky 31-yard field goal. Banyasz recovered a Weidrick fumble and later iced the game with a 20-yard touchdown pass to Verbus with 6:13 remaining.

Columbia at Wellington tonight

I will be covering high school football tonight in Wellington, Ohio as the Dukes host the Columbia Raiders. 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 sideline reporter Dave Andrews.

Both teams begin Patriot Athletic Conference play this evening and neither team is sure how good they are.

Columbia is 2-1 for the 4th straight season. From 2009 to 2011, the non-conference portion of their schedule is identical:

• loss in week 1 to Cleveland Central Catholic (20-14 this year), 
• win in week 2 vs. South Central (40-0)
• win in week 3 vs. Chippewa (28-7).

Wellington is 0-3 in their non-conference schedule dropping games against Norwayne (47-7), Avon (33-0) and Edison (35-20). Norwayne won the Division IV state championship last season while Avon finished as runners-up in Division II.

Cleveland Indians 2013 Schedule

Make your plans now for next season. The Yankees come to town in April.

APRIL
April 2 @TOR
April 3 @TOR
April 4 @TOR
April 5 @TB
April 6 @TB
April 7 @TB
April 8 vNYY
April 9 vNYY
April 10 vNYY
April 11 vNYY

Lorain County High School Football Results: 2012

Amherst

Week 1: Lost 63-28 at Elyria
Game story | 2nd story | 3rd story

Lorain County Football Team Rankings

Three weeks of high school football are complete. Six schools are looking for their first win while only two are still undefeated.

Get your updated school schedules and standings. Here are my team rankings with their overall and conference records:

1. Midview 3-0, 0-0 – The Middies have came up huge against Elyria last week. Cody Callaway-to-Eric Lauer is the most lethal passing combination in the county.
   
   
2. Avon Lake 2-1, 0-0 – When was the last time a Dave Dlugosz team blew a 24-point halftime lead in losing in double overtime against Massillon Jackson. North Olmsted is next. Be very afraid Eagles.
   
   
3. Elyria 2-1, 0-0 – Loss to Midview will bring the Pioneers back to earth. Still a lot of talent at the skills positions and defense to not have a successful season.

Lorain County High School Football Week 4 Predictions

Conference play begins this week in high school football. It's time for teams to play their familiar rivals. Week 3 of picks was stellar for me with a 19-4 record to bring my season total to 49-20.

Congratulations to Jeremy, who has crawled over the .500 mark with a 2nd straight 13-9 week. I was told the Jeremy image I'm using in these posts are from a wild party he attended. I offered to instead replace the image with a picture of a trash can due to his garbage picks.

Get your updated school schedules and standings.

The picks

Columbia at Wellington - I will covering this game for WOBL radio - tune in to 1320 AM or listen online

Amherst 49, Clearview 16

Host Amherst used a balanced offensive attack and a stingy defense to defeat Clearview 49-16. You can listen to the replay online.

With the victory, Amherst snaps a nine-game losing streak (and 13 losses in 14 games). The last time Amherst won a game was also against Clearview by a score 35-14 on Sept, 9, 2011. The last time the Comets won at home was October 15, 2010 by a score of 28-14 against Brecksville.

Clearview vs. Amherst tonight

I will be covering high school football tonight at Amherst High School as the Comets host the Clearview Clippers. 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 sideline reporter Dave Andrews.

Clearview Thetreak.

Lorain County High School Football Week 3 Predictions

After a dreadful first week of the 2012 season, I rebounded with an 18-5 record in week 2 to get my season record to a respectable 30-16.Unfortunately for Jeremy, he is still looking to crack the .500 mark at 21-23. Get your updated school schedules and standings.

Week 3 of the season begins tomorrow. Here are the predicted winners this week in bold.

Clearview at Amherst - I will covering this game for WOBL radio - tune in to 1320 AM or listen online

Monica & Chuck

That title sounds like the name of a TV sitcom. Instead it's my very good friend Monica Newell who had her picture taken with Cleveland Sports personality Chuck Galleti last Saturday at Cleveland's Progressive Field.

Due to the image and email restrictions. None of my friends can view the picture. Here is yet another attempt to share the photo.

Oberlin 28, Vermilion 27

Host Amherst used a balanced offensive attack and a stingy defense to defeat Clearview 49-16. You can listen to the replay online.

With the victory, Amherst snaps a nine-game losing streak (and 13 losses in 14 games). The last time Amherst won a game was also against Clearview by a score 35-14 on Sept, 9, 2011. The last time the Comets won at home was October 15, 2010 by a score of 28-14 against Brecksville.

Vermilion vs. Oberlin tonight

I will be covering high school football tonight at Oberlin High School as the Phoenix host the Vermilion Sailors. 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.

Thetreak.

Lorain County High School Football Week 2 Predictions

2012 season is underway. Here are the predicted winners this week in bold.

Vermilion at Oberlin - I will covering this game for WOBL radio - tune in to 1320 AM or listen online

2012 WOBL radio

This is my 6th year covering high school football in Lorain county Ohio for WOBL 1320 AM. Below are the list of games I worked in 2012.

You can also review my 2011 games.

8/24	Amherst 28 at Elyria 63	Listen | Summary | Preview
8/31	Vermilion 27 at Oberlin 28	Listen | Summary | Preview
	Game begins at 1:09:45; 2nd half begins at 2:35:10
9/7	Clearview 16 at Amherst 49	Listen | Summary | Preview
	Game begins at 1:00:30; 2nd half begins at 2:46:25
9/14	Columbia 20 at Wellington 6	Listen | Summary | Preview
	Game begins at 1:08:50; 2nd half begins at 2:30:20
9/21	Lutheran West 40 at Brookside 0	Listen | Summary | Preview
	Game begins at 19:34; 2nd half begins at 1:53:38
9/28	Firelands 32 at Wellington 29	Listen | Summary | Preview
	Game begins at 1:12:45; 2nd half begins at 2:36:35
10/5	Clearview 36 at Oberlin 14	Listen | Summary | Preview
	Game begins at 1:08:35; 2nd half begins at 2:36:00
10/12	Keystone 27 at Wellington 14	Listen | Summary | Preview
	Game begins at 1:07:24; 2nd half begins at 2:30:25
10/19	Firelands 0 at Black River 43	Listen | Summary | Preview
	Game begins at 1:07:33; 2nd half begins at 2:38:00
10/26	Columbia 51 at Clearview 25	Listen | Summary | Preview
	Game begins at 1:12:00; 2nd half begins at 2:51:45
11/2	Midview 7 at Central Catholic 50	Listen | Summary | Preview
	Game begins at 1:14:20; 2nd half begins at 2:54:00
11/3	Archbold 34 at Columbia 39	Listen | Summary | Preview
	Game begins at 33:25; 2nd half begins at 1:59:25
11/10	Columbia 15 vs. Patrick Henry 56	Listen | Summary | Preview
	Game begins at 32:25; 2nd half begins at 2:09:45

Elyria 63, Amherst 28

Host Amherst used a balanced offensive attack and a stingy defense to defeat Clearview 49-16. You can listen to the replay online.

With the victory, Amherst snaps a nine-game losing streak (and 13 losses in 14 games). The last time Amherst won a game was also against Clearview by a score 35-14 on Sept, 9, 2011. The last time the Comets won at home was October 15, 2010 by a score of 28-14 against Brecksville.

Amherst vs. Elyria tonight

I will be covering high school football tonight at Steele High School in Amherst, Ohio as the Comets host the Olmsted Falls Bulldogs. 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 sideline reporter Darrin Goats.

Thetreak.

Lorain County High School Football Week 1 Predictions

Football begins in two days. Here are my predictions with the winner listed in bold.

Amherst at Elyria - I will covering this game for WOBL radio - tune in to 1320 AM or listen online

Lake Geneva, Wisconsin

View all blog posts not related to sports

Lorain County HS Football Schedules and Standings

CONFERENCE STANDINGS Patriot Athletic Conference Stars Division Black River (6-4, 6-1, 10 points) Keystone (5-5, 4-3, 7 points) Wellington (4-6, 4-3, 7 points) Firelands (3-7, 3-4, 6 points) Buckeye (3-7, 3-4, 5 points) Brookside (0-10, 0-7, 0 points) Stripes Division Columbia (9-1, 7-0, 12 points) Clearview (7-3, 5-2, 9 points) Lutheran West (5-5, 4-3, 7 points) Fairview (3-7, 3-4, 5 points) Oberlin (6-4, 3-4, 4 points) Brooklyn (0-10, 0-7, 0 points) West Shore Conference Avon (9-1, 7-0) Midview (9-1, 6-1) Rocky River (6-4, 5-2) Elyria Catholic (6-4, 4-3) Lakewood​ (4-6, 3-4) Bay (3-7, 1-6) Vermilion (2-8, 1-6) North Ridgeville (1-9, 1-6) Southwestern Conference Westlake (9-1, 6-1) Avon Lake (8-2, 6-1) Brecksville (5-5, 5-2) North Olmsted (7-3, 4-3) Midpark (6-4, 3-4) Olmsted Falls (2-8, 2-5) Berea (3-7, 1-6) Amherst (2-8, 1-6) Lake Erie League Warren Harding (9-1, 7-0) Euclid (7-3, 6-1) Cleveland Hts (8-2, 5-2) Shaw (5-5, 3-4) Bedford (5-5, 3-4) Maple Hts (4-6, 2-5) Lorain (2-8, 2-5) Warrensville Hts (1-9, 0-7) Northeast Ohio Conference River Division N. Royalton (9-1, 4-1) Hudson (8-2, 4-1) Elyria (7-3, 3-2) Mayfield (6-4, 3-2) Stow (3-7, 1-4) Cuy. Falls (3-7, 0-5)

TEAM SCHEDULES

Amherst Comets
Lost 63-28 @ Elyria (WOBL)
Lost 21-13 vs. Midview 
Won 49-16 vs. Clearview (WOBL)
Lost 39-21 vs. Westlake 
Won 20-12 @ Berea 
Lost 56-24 vs. Midpark 
Lost 35-14 vs.  Brecksville 
Lost 28-14 @ Olmsted Falls 
Lost 22-0 vs. North Olmsted 
Lost 49-7 @ Avon Lake 

Avon Eagles
Lost 42-28 @ Avon Lake
Won 33-0 vs. Wellington 
Won 40-14 @ Lorain
Won 35-3 vs. Lakewood 
Won 42-7 vs. Bay 
Won 45-14 @ Elyria Catholic
Won 28-0 @ Midview
Won 49-20 vs. Vermilion
Won 42-21 @ Rocky River
Won 41-7 vs. North Ridgeville
vs. Perrysburg *

Avon Lake Shoremen
Won 42-28 vs. Avon 
Won 34-21 @ Lorain
Lost 54-47, 2 OTs vs. Massillon Jackson 
Won 33-13 @ North Olmsted 
Won 39-28 vs. Midpark
Won 62-26 @ Berea 
Lost 28-21 vs. Westlake
Won 31-21 @ Brecksville
Won 21-17 vs. Olmsted Falls
Won 49-7 vs. Amherst
at Toledo Whitmer *

Bay Rockets
Won 21-20 @ Orange
Lost 13-3 vs. Westlake
Won 20-13 @ Fairview
Lost 23-20 vs. Elyria Catholic
Lost 42-7 @ Avon
Lost 19-14 @ Vermilion
Lost 24-8 vs. Lakewood
Lost 19-7 vs. Rocky River
Won 13-12 @ North Ridgeville
Lost 36-30, OT vs. Midview

Berea Braves
Won 33-29 vs. John Hay
Lost 21-12 @ Garfield Hts.
Won 28-14 @ Normandy
Lost 44-0 @ Brecksville
Lost 20-12 vs. Amherst
Lost 62-26 vs. Avon Lake
Won 40-21 vs. Olmsted Falls
Lost 43-16 vs. North Olmsted
Lost 35-8 @ Westlake
Lost 63-0 @ Midpark

Lorain County High School Football Stories

Time to get ready for High School Football. First up is a series of posts recapping the 2011 season.

• Part 1: WOBL Radio Games
• Part 2: Final High School Football Regular Season Standings
• Part 3: Final Team Power Rankings
• Part 4: Top Players of 2011
• Part 5: Top Stories of 2011

Here are some of the headlines from the off-season:

Friday June 8, 2012
West 49, East 27, All-Star Game | Preview (West roster) | Preview (East roster)

AIW Girls Night Out 7

Results from last night's @aiwrestling #GNO7 event at Turner Hall in Cleveland Ohio - all AIW wrestling blog posts.

This is the first event in which wins and losses matter and a competitor's W/L record being a focus point going forward.

1. Athena (substituting for Leah Von Dutch) defeated Sassy Stephie (with Chest Flexor) after avoiding Stephie's Kiss My Sass and hitting the O-factor.
   
   
2. Thunderkitty pinned Trash Cassidy when Cassidy use of a steel chair backfired
   
   
3. The Social Network (Nikki St. John & Annie Social with Sammy Geodollno) defeated Miss Heidi & Angeldust when St. John pinned Angeldust when she didn't see the blind tag and was rolled up from behind.
   
   Afterward, Miss Heidi turned on Angeldust and joined the Social Network.
   
   
4. Kimber Lee pinned Melanie Cruise with a rollup after Cruise missed her top rope legdrop.
   
   
5. "Crazy" Mary Dobson defeated L'il Naughty in a Pondo rules match (no DQ, no countout and falls count anywhere) after hitting a top rope hurracarana and a senton onto a tumbtack covered Naughty.
   
   Afterward, the Social Network came out and beat down Dobson and declare they are ready to take over the Womens division of AIW.

AIW Absolution VII

Results from last Sunday's @aiwrestling #ABSO7 event at Turner Hall in Cleveland Ohio - all AIW wrestling blog posts.



1. Rickey Shane Page defeated John Thorne in a barbed wire match.
   
   While the ring was being put together, a fight breaks out between the St. Louis Submission Squad (Gary Jay, Evan Gelistico & Pierre Abernathy) and Da Latin Crime Syndicate (K-Fernandez, Luis Diamante & Joey "Snake").
   
   
2. Eddie Kingston (subbing for Archibald Peck) won a six-pack challenge match by pinning Arik Cannon in a match that included Façade, Drake Younger, Ethan Page and Davey Vega.
   
   
3. Marion Fontaine defeated Colin Delaney via knockout in round three of a bare knuckle brawl with Archibald Peck as the special guest referee.

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

View all blog posts not related to sports

WOBL / WDLW Football Schedule - 2012

High School Football is coming soon. Here's the upcoming radio schedule for 2012.

	AM 1320 WOBL	AM 1380 WDLW
Week 1, 8/24/12	Amherst @ Elyria	Lorain @ Midview
Week 2, 8/31/12	Vermilion @ Oberlin	Avon Lake @ Lorain
Week 3, 9/07/12	Clearview @ Amherst	Elyria @ Midview
Week 4, 9/14/12	Columbia @ Wellington	Lakewood @ Avon
Week 5, 9/21/12	Lutheran West @ Brookside	Lakewood @ North Ridgeville
Week 6, 9/28/12	Firelands @ Wellington	Avon @ Elyria Catholic
Week 7, 10/5/12	Clearview @ Oberlin	Westlake @ Avon Lake
Week 8, 10/12/12	Keystone @ Wellington	Elyria Catholic @ North Ridgeville
Week 9, 10/19/12	Firelands @ Black River	Elyria Catholic @ Midview
Week 10, 10/26/12	TBD	TBD

Cleveland 10K race, 2012

Ran the 2012 Cleveland 10k race earlier today. Official time was 59:28 (59 seconds slower than last year). Below are some of the memories of the event.

Moments away from the start of the race.

Ode to Josh Beckett

It's my day off
I think I'll do some golfing
No matter I just missed a start
Make $17 mil
How dare you try and judge me?
I didn't even rent a car

Starts
Missing Starts
Playing Golf
Screwing Me
Screwing You
Sweet Missing Time
Off days never felt so good (so good, so good)
I feel inclined
Blow up Bobby Valentine

The Josh Beckett controversy continues. After missing a start and playing golf on an off day, Beckett got hammered by the Cleveland Indians in first start back in the rotation.

Since Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline is traditionally sung by Red Sox fans during the 8th inning, ESPN's Colin Cowherd came up with the above song parody. 

AIW JT Lightning Invitational Tournament

Results from this weekend's Absolute Intense Wrestling's "JT Lightning Invitational Tournament" event at Turner Hall in Cleveland Ohio - all AIW wrestling blog posts. Interview and Recap Show.

The big event of the weekend was a 24-man tournament. Night one included 12 opening round matches in the tournament and night two saw the quarter-final, semi-final, and final rounds of the tournament.

The winner of the tournament is not only 2012 JLIT Champion but also becomes AIW Absolute Champion. Before the event, it was announced that current champion Shiima Xion was stripped of the title (video below).

Night One

Non-tournament match:

1. Preshow: The Submission Squad (Gary Jay, Evan Gelistico & Pierre Abernathy) defeated Team Michigan (Maserati Rick, KJ Crush & Jack Verville) in a Beyond Wrestling Showcase match when Gelistico pinned Rick with a small package.

1st round tournament matches:

2. Louis Lyndon defeated Mat Fitchett via cross arm breaker submission.
   
   
3. Bobby Beverly beat Kodama (replacing Dave Crist) after hitting a superkick and a modified EVO.
   
   
4. Marion Fontaine defeated Michael Facade after hitting a big right haymaker.
   
   
5. Ophidian (replacing Johnny Gargano) pinned Gregory Iron with a roll-up. Afterward, Iron cut a heel promo and said everyone is jealous of his success in Cleveland (video below).
   
   
6. Willie Mack pinned Ethan Page (subbing for the injured Sugar Dunkerton) after hitting the Chocolate Thunder Bomb (sitdown powerbomb).

AIW Straight Outta Compton

Results from last night's Absolute Intense Wrestling's "Straight Outta Compton" event at Turner Hall in Cleveland Ohio - all AIW wrestling blog posts.

1. The Sex Bob-Ombs (Mat Fitchett & Davey Vega) defeated The Submission Squad (Evan Gelistico & Pierre Abernathy) when Fitchett pinned Abernathy after hitting a running shooting star press.
   
   
2. The Duke defeated Jock Samson with a roll-up in a No DQ match. During the contest, the Submission Squad (Gary Jay, Evan Gelistico & Pierre Abernathy) began a 4-on-1 attack on the Duke. Da Latin Crime Syndicate (K-Fernandez, Luis Diamante & Joey "Snake") came out to even the score. Afterward, the Duke shook hands with Da Latins.

2012 All Lorain County Girls Basketball Teams

Avon's Emily Julius with the award for winning
Miss Basketball as Lorain County's top senior basketball player

Congratulations to Avon's Emily Julius as she was named the 2012 Miss Basketball of Lorain County Ohio.

• Senior year: 19.4 points, 8.4 rebounds and 2 assists per game; 84% FT. The Eagles finished the season 12-7. 
• Junior year: 14.2 points, 10.2 rebounds and 2 assists per game. Her season was cut short due to a knee injury 
• 4.03 GPA
• Will continue her career next year for Ohio Wesleyan and will major in English and pre-law.

The Miss Basketball award started in 1985 and Julius is the first Avon student to win the award.

The announcement was made earlier tonight at Elyria Catholic High School when the Lorain County Girls Basketball Coaches Association held their 32nd annual All-Star games.

More on Emily Julius | 2nd story

All-Morning Journal Girls Basketball team 
All-Ohio girls basketball honors: Divisions III and IV
Plain Dealer's 2012 high school girls basketball all-star team

DIVISION I
First Team
Name	Grade	Height	Position	School
Emily Julius	12	5'9"	G/P	Avon
Madison Stoyka	12	5'7"	G	Lorain
Alexandria Harris	11	6'3"	F	Lorain
Lacey LeDuc	12	5'7"	G	Avon Lake
Ashley Montgomery	12	5'5"	PG	North Ridgeville
Mary Jones	11	5'6"	F	Elyria
Breanna Fortney	12	6'0"	F	Lorain
Second Team
Name	Grade	Height	Position	School
Bergen Read	12	5'9"	F	Elyria
Natalie Wilden	12	5'7"	PG	Avon
Brooke Wallace	9	6'2"	F	Amherst
Jessica Fields	12	5'7"	G	Lorain
Alexis Middlebrooks	10	6'0"	F	Elyria
Kim Zelonis	12	5'7"	G	Avon Lake
Isabella Pecchia	10	5'10"	F	North Ridgeville
Honorable-Mention
Name	Grade	Height	Position	School
Amanda House	11	6'0"	F	Midview
Preshus Hawthorne	12	5'5"	G	Lorain
Melody Farris	12	5'5"	G	Lorain
Morgan Dziak	11	5'9"	G	Amherst
Jocelyn Spraggins	10	5'4"	G	Elyria
Kaitlin Neumann	11	6'0"	F	Avon
Molly Disbrow	11	5'9"	F	Avon Lake
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Emily Julius, Avon
COACH OF THE YEAR: Mark Feldmann, Lorain
DIVISION II
First Team
Name	Grade	Height	Position	School
Emily Nagy	12	5'8"	G/F	Keystone
AuBree LaForce	11	5'1"	G	Vermilion
Desiree Ray	11	5'8"	F	Clearview
Mackenzie Conrad	12	5'10"	P	Keystone
Casey Morrissette	10	5'9"	G	Firelands
Second Team
Name	Grade	Height	Position	School
Gabby Piwowar	12	5'4"	G	Brookside
Alisha Silva	12	5'5"	G	Keystone
Angel Blakley	9	5'5"	G	Clearview
Hannah Bartlome	10	5'7"	G	Vermilion
Megan Kudela	12	5'9"	P	Firelands
Honorable-Mention
Name	Grade	Height	Position	School
Danielle Wilmoth	12	6'3"	P	Keystone
Emily Kolar	12	5'4"	G	Keystone
Rachel Holowecky	11	5'7"	G	Firelands
Heather Younkin	10	5'11"	P	Clearview
Tamara McCoy	12	5'9"	P	Clearview
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Emily Nagy, Keystone
COACH OF THE YEAR: Nick Dimacchia, Clearview
DIVISION III
First Team
Name	Grade	Height	Position	School
Danielle LoParo	12	5'0"	PG	Elyria Catholic
Victoria Reisinger	12	5'9"	P	Wellington
Asia Alston	12	5'8"	F	Oberlin
Brittney McNamara	11	5'9"	G	Elyria Catholic
Second Team
Name	Grade	Height	Position	School
Karissa McGrath	11	5'9"	F	Elyria Catholic
Christine Lyzen	11	5'8"	G	Columbia
Megan Brasee	12	5'10"	F	Wellington
Kelsey Brooks	10	5'7"	G	Oberlin
Honorable-Mention
Name	Grade	Height	Position	School
Kaley Marshall	11	5'6"	G	Columbia
Karly Rollin	10	5'6"	PG	Wellington
Erin Reisinger	11	5'9"	G	Wellington
Marisa Ternes	12	5'6"	G	Elyria Catholic
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Danielle LoParo, Elyria Catholic
COACH OF THE YEAR: Chris Reutepohler, Wellington
DIVISION IV
First Team
Name	Grade	Height	Position	School
Monet Saunders	11	6'1"	P	Lake Ridge Academy
Alexa Hart	10	6'3"	P	Lake Ridge Academy
Kara Barr	12	6'0"	P	First Baptist
Second Team
Name	Grade	Height	Position	School
Briana Rodgers	11	5'2"	G	Open Door
Davonna Bradford	12	5'10"	W	Lake Ridge Academy
Brooke Camera	11	5'11"	G	Open Door
Honorable-Mention
Name	Grade	Height	Position	School
Sydeny Clark	11	5'7"	W	Lake Ridge Academy
Tori Odle	11	5'4"	G	First Baptist
Becca Miksa	12	5'7"	P	Open Door
PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Monet Saunders, Lake Ridge Academy
COACH OF THE YEAR: Randy Thomas, Lake Ridge Academy

Cleveland Browns: In Holmgren we trust

I made a New Year's resolution this year that I would stop watching bad football.

I'm sure I will break that resolution August 11, 2012 - around the time the Cleveland Browns play their first exhibition season.

I can't ever remember being so invested in a football team and received so little. What's there to like about this football team:

• A team owner Randy Lerner who appears not to care
• A team President "the Big Show" Mike Holmgren who appears arrogant and out of touch to Browns fans

Drafting QBs in Round 1

I was curious at QB successes and failures in top 20 picks of the NFL Draft. In the 10 year period, ten quarterbacks became solid starters for their respective teams while 12 did not work out.

2008: Hits: 2 (Matt Ryan, Joe Flacco); Misses: 0

2007: Hits: 0; Misses: 1 (JaMarcus Russell)
Note: Brady Quinn drafted 22

2006: Hits: 1 (Jay Cutler); Misses: 2 (Vince Young, Matt Leinart)

No RG3, what's next

After weeks of speculating whether the Cleveland Browns will move up in the NFL Draft in order to select Baylor quarterback Robert Griffin III, we have our answer.

The Washington Redskins will acquire the #2 pick in April's draft from the St. Louis Rams in exchange for picks #6 and #39 in 2012 plus 2013 & 2014 1st Round selections. Cleveland's best trade proposal was #4, #22 and 2013 1st rounder.

Cleveland still has nine picks in the upcoming draft including #4, #22, #37. The Browns still have plenty of options at quarterback.

Cleveland Browns Shopping List

Today the NFL starts free agency. The Cleveland Browns said they won't be active but that doesn't mean we can't speculate. Here are the positions of need and who could fill them.

QB:

Chad Henne, Miami – Only 26 but seems like he has been around forever. Picking up a veteran will (1) provide competition for Colt McCoy in training camp and (2) remove the pressure of having to get a QB in the NFL Draft. I'm not sold on Green Bay's Matt Flynn he's the same age as Henne but will command way too much money this off-season. He has only started two games in his career. He can't play against Detroit's secondary every week.

AIW Gauntlet For The Gold 7

Results from last night's Absolute Intense Wrestling's "Gauntlet For The Gold 7" event at Turner Hall in Cleveland Ohio - all AIW wrestling blog posts.

1. Preshow: AERO defeated Benjamin Boone when AERO reversed a body slam into a small package for the pin.
   
   
2. Da Latin Crime Syndicate (K-Fernandez, Luis Diamante & Joey "Snake") defeated The Submission Squad (Gary Jay, Evan Gelistico & Pierre Abernathy) when Diamante pinned Jay
   
   
3. Colin Delaney beat Marion Fontaine when Delaney hit Fontaine with his crutch leading to the pinfall.
   
   
4. The original match between Ophidian and Eric Ryan was changed to a triple threat match when Kobald joined in. Eric Ryan pinned Ophidian

Monster Hill Conquered

For those of you who read this blog know that I have taken up running. From time to time I set goals and today's run and achieving one of them. Residents of Parma Ohio may know this hill on Broadview Road just south of Ridgewood Drive. You can get a view of downtown Cleveland at the top of the hill.

My best guess is the hill has a 200 foot elevation. My friend James Ryan requested a visual so here we go.


View Larger Map

LeBron returning to Cleveland? Yeah right

LeBron James is in Cleveland for a game Friday night between the Heat and the Cavaliers. After practice at the Q on Thursday, LeBron tells reporters: "If I decided to come back, hopefully the fans will accept me."

Asked further about Cavs owner Dan Gilbert: "I don’t hold grudges., he said what he said out of anger. He'll probably want to take that back. I made a mistake too."

At first glance it seems like LeBron is extending an olive branch to the Cavalier organization. However we know better.

During the entire 2009-2010 season, LeBron teased the home fans in every city the Cavaliers visited. Whether it was New York, New Jersey, Los Angeles, Miami or Chicago, James talk about his impending free agency.

Now he is doing it again. LeBron can opt of his contract after the 2013-2014 year and if the Heat haven't won a championship (or two, three, seven) by then LeBron may need to get out of dodge.

Don't believe it for a second. As long as Gilbert is still the owner, the only time James will come to Cleveland is as a visiting player.

With rookie Kyrie Irving running the offense, the ball moves around and the rest of the players on the floor are in the flow. Too many times with LeBron he would dribble, dribble, dribble and then launch a panic three-pointer. Not saying the Cavaliers are a better team with Irving instead of LeBron – just pointing out that the franchise has moved on and so should we.

The build toward the game tonight could have been about the Cavaliers past (James) and Cavaliers present and future (Irving) and instead James made it about himself like the selfish player that he is.

11th annual WWE Royal Rumble Party

Congratulations to Laura and George Zilka as they were the big winners at last night's 11th annual Girod Royal Rumble party. Both had wrestler Sheamus who was the 22nd entrant and the last man standing in a 30-man over the top rope battle royal. Laura picked #22 in the Mirage Division and George had picked #22 in the Bellagio Division.

All WWE blog posts
Wikipedia Royal Rumble page

UNDERCARD

Yoshi Tatsu pinned Heath Slater after a spinwheel kick from the top rope.

Smackdown World Champion Daniel Bryan defeated Mark Henry and The Big Show in a Triple Threat Steel Cage Match.

WWE Royal Rumble - Mirage Division

Payouts

$20 Laura Zilka - Last Man Standing (a)
$5 Judy Manke - First to lose a wrestler (b)
$5 Darrin Goats - First to lose all three wrestlers (c)
$5 Darrin Goats - Wrestler #13 (d)
$5 Darrin Goats - Wrestler who eliminated Wrestler #13 (e)

The Match

(1) The Miz - Laura Zilka
Cue up The Miz's music as the #1 entrant, per the final Raw before the PPV. Miz emerged through his "Awesome" bubble letters from WM27 last year as Cole declared that Miz will go coast-to-cast tonight. In the ring, Miz took the mic and said everyone backstage is laughing and snickering at him for being #1. He said those same people doubted him when he first set foot in WWE and he will prove everyone wrong tonight.

(2) Alex Riley - Judy Manke
Riley came out as #2 to begin the match. After a brief exchange, Miz dumped Riley over the top rope, eliminating Riley. [RILEY: 1 Judy Manke (b)] Miz then danced around in the ring, waiting for his next foe.

WWE Royal Rumble - Bellagio Division

Payouts

$20 George Zilka - Last Man Standing (a)
$5 Marc Iacianci - First to lose a wrestler (b)
$5 Jack Newell - First to lose all three wrestlers (c)
$5 Jack Newell - Wrestler #13 (d)
$5 Marc Iacianci - Wrestler who eliminated Wrestler #13 (e)

The Match

(1) The Miz - Andy Rigo
Cue up The Miz's music as the #1 entrant, per the final Raw before the PPV. Miz emerged through his "Awesome" bubble letters from WM27 last year as Cole declared that Miz will go coast-to-cast tonight. In the ring, Miz took the mic and said everyone backstage is laughing and snickering at him for being #1. He said those same people doubted him when he first set foot in WWE and he will prove everyone wrong tonight.

(2) Alex Riley - Marc Iacianci
Riley came out as #2 to begin the match. After a brief exchange, Miz dumped Riley over the top rope, eliminating Riley. [RILEY: 1 Marc Iacianci (b)] Miz then danced around in the ring, waiting for his next foe.