Mon Feb 13 2012
Week 2 was pretty productive for the Portage Trail Conference’s Metro Division as the eight-team group finished with a 5-3 mark against non-conference opponents.
ARE HIS SHOELACES TIED?
The Evan Shimensky watch continues, as the Roosevelt senior looked like Denard Robinson — or maybe Robinson looked like Shimensky — as he almost single-handedly controlled rival Stow last Friday during a 41-14 victory.
Just like the speedy Michigan quarterback, whose nickname is “Shoelace” because he doesn’t tie his shoes, rushed for 200 yards and threw for 200 in a Saturday win over Connecticut, Shimensky was responsible for 406 yards (337 passing and 69 rushing) or 89 percent of the Rough Riders’ total offense.
For those keeping track, the Kent State-bound Shimensky is an eye-poppingly accurate 26-of-32 (81 percent) through the air after two games and a date with Akron Firestone looms Friday to close out non-league play.
Firestone is an athletic group, but their strength is on the defensive line where Ohio State-bound DT Tommy Brown anchors the unit. Brown brings size (6-foot-5, 332) and could post some trouble for Shimensky if he’s able to get into the backfield.
FORGET THE PAST
The Southeast 2010 Revenge Tour continued last week, as the Pirates beat up on Newton Falls en route to a 35-22 victory.
That marked the second consecutive week the Pirates (2-0) got a win over a team that bested them during last season’s 1-9 campaign. Just a year ago, Southeast started 0-2 after losses to West Branch (24-14) and Newton Falls (35-0).
Rolls have reversed in 2010 and next up for the Pirates is Hubbard, who handled Southeast 43-7 a year ago. That was a Hubbard team that went 10-2 overall and made a playoff appearance.
This is going to be the biggest test yet for Southeast, as the Eagles (1-1) are loaded and looking to make another playoff run. Look out for WR Danny Duvall, who caught 691 yards and eight TDs a year ago.
On the other side of the ball, the Pirates will have to contend with senior LB/FB Blake Novotny. The 6-foot-3, 210-pound Youngstown State offer totaled 158 tackles and eight sacks last season.
PLAYER OF THE WEEK
Field’s Jake Kruse takes the honors this week for making the biggest play of the night in the Falcons’ come-from-behind win over Cleveland Central Catholic.
Trailing 31-28 with less than three minutes to go in the fourth quarter, Kruse took advantage of a miscommunication between CCC quarterback Darius Richard and his receiver and forced a costly interception.
With new life, the Falcons marched down the field before quarterback Jay Wilson rushed in from 21 yards out for the game-winning score.
“Obviously it was a great play by Jake, but I think the defensive line really played well on that particular play,” said Field head coach Patrick Youel. “They were able to get pressure on their quarterback for one of the first times all night.
“That was a game-changing play, though,” Youel added. “The game was back and forth all night and that play put us in a position where were able to get into the end zone a few plays later.”
Last Friday’s victory was extremely important for the Falcons, as they fell just short in Week 1. Even if they were to win in Week 3, a 1-2 mark going into PTC play would all but eliminate the Falcons from playoff contention in a tough Region 9.
Of course Week 3 is no guarantee as the Falcons play host to 2009 Division IV state runners-up Chagrin Falls. The Tigers already dispatched Crestwood in Week 1 and will be looking to make it 2-0 against PTC foes this Friday.
“What stands out about Chagrin Falls is how well-coached and disciplined they are,” said Youel. “I’m not sure if it’s team speed or hustle, but their players just fly around the field and make plays.
“The key for us is going to be to execute and play as hard as they’re going to,” said Youel. “We’re excited to play this kind of competition, though, because it’s the level Kent (Roosevelt) and Ravenna play every year and that’s where we want to be as a program.”
GAME OF THE WEEK
This week is a tough call as border rivals Crestwood and Streetsboro meet up for the final time as cross-division foes, but the game of the week has to go to Ravenna at Louisville.
These two teams are becoming annual opponents as this will be the fourth straight season the Ravens have met the football-crazed Leopards.
Louisville has won all three of their previous meetings, including a 28-0 victory in 2009, but major graduation losses have left the Leopards a bit depleted at key positions.
Gone are players like Boston College signee Bob Swigert and all five starting offensive linemen off of last year’s 10-1 team.
The Leopards come into Friday’s game with an 0-2 mark after losses to Walsh Jesuit and Hoover, so it will be interesting to see where their mindset is at and how the Ravens’ electric athletes are able to fair against one of the toughest teams on their schedule.
For those making the trip to Louisville for the game, be sure to note that the game is a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
METRO DIVISION FOOTBALL STANDINGS Team Overall Division Norton 2-0 0-0 Roosevelt 2-0 0-0 Southeast 2-0 0-0 Coventry 1-1 0-0 Field 1-1 0-0 Ravenna 1-1 0-0 Springfield 1-1 0-0 Crestwood 0-2 0-0 Week 2’s Results Aurora 42, Crestwood 7 Cloverleaf 13, Springfield 6 Field 35, Cleveland Central Catholic 31 Kent Roosevelt 41, Stow 14 Norton 32, Kenmore 25 Ravenna 14, Streetsboro 7 Southeast 35, Newton Falls 22 Tusky Valley 34, Coventry 7 Friday’s Games Chagrin Falls at Field Firestone at Kent Roosevelt NIles McKinley at Coventry Northwest at Springfield Norton at Woodridge Ravenna at Louisville Southeast at Hubbard Streetsboro at Crestwood
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Contact Colin Harris at charris@recordpub.com or 330-298-1123
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