Well, here we are. Week 9 is in the books and it all comes to down to Week 10 for area teams to stake their claim for a shot at post-season play or a chance to host a first round playoff game. A number of teams have already clinched a playoff spot, including Mentor, Chagrin Falls, Lake Catholic, University School, Willoughby South, Kirtland, and Ledgemont. Madison has all but clinched it and should be in. Other teams including Mayfield, VASJ, Hawken, Perry, Kenston, and West Geauga are all on the bubble and need some interesting things to happen in order for their playoff dreams to become reality. This leads us to the Eastlake North Rangers. The Rangers are currently 9th in the Division I - Region computer rankings. With a win tonight over rival Willoughby South and some help with losses from 7th place - Cleveland JFK at East Tech (unlikely) and 8th place - Youngstown Boardman and Austintown Fitch (maybe), the Rangers might sneak in for their first playoff berth in school history. According to standout News-Herald prep writer Bill Tilton, teams North fans should be rooting for to win in Week 10 to boost their secondary points include Brush, Midpark, and Cuyahoga Falls. Let's take a closer look at one of the best rivalry games in all of Northeastern Ohio by heading out to Harry E. Winters Stadium in Willoughby, where the Rangers need the biggest win in their school history to happen Thursday night against the South Rebels.
It truly doesn't get any bigger than this for North coach George Burich and his Rangers. South is the four-time defending Premier Athletic Conference champion, including this year's title. They have beaten North the last seven times they've played. South has won a staggering 21 PAC games in a row and have already clinched a playoff berth with an outside shot at hosting a first round game. Both teams come into Thursday night's game, which will be televised live on Fox Sports Network Ohio, with explosive offenses and sometimes suspect defenses. Even with the wet and sloppy playing conditions, I expect these teams be involved in a shoot-out. South features junior workhorse running back Kareem Hunt (1804 yards, 31 Touchdowns). Meanwhile North boasts talented, fourth-year starting quarterback George Gresko (2020 yards, 20 TD passes) and senior breakout running back Jordan Morris(1156 yards, 13 TD's). Gresko has turned into one of the area's best signal callers in recent memory and has racked up some impressive career numbers, but is lacking a win over South. It invokes memories of former Michigan Wolverines quarterback Chad Henne, who was one of the best quarterbacks in Big Ten history, but was never able to beat rival Ohio State. Gresko and company will do everything possible to take advantage of this opportunity. In the end, I think the South Rebels come away with win. Rebel coach Matt Duffy is one of the area's best game day and overall coaches and is a master motivator. That is not to say Burich isn't, but Week 8's 41 - 7 loss, to University School, where the Rangers gave up 335 rushing yards, was alarming. And don't sleep on South junior quarterback Casey Klicman. The first year starter has had some turnover issues with 10 interceptions, but has also thrown for 1685 yards and rang up another 385 yards on the ground. Without trying to be too impatient, Klicman and Hunt should be the talk of the area heading into the 2012 season.
Madison is No. 2 in the Division II - Region 5 computer rankings after blowing out Lakeside, 59 - 8. Although the Blue Streaks haven't officially clinched a playoff berth, with a win at home against Riverside in Week 10, Madison should be fine with a chance to host a first round game.
University School hung on to beat a scrappy Chardon team, 38 - 35. US is ranked 3rd in the Division III - Region 9 computer rankings. The Preppers need a win in Week 10 at Geneva and then they will host a first round playoff game.
The Kirtland Hornets destroyed Fairport, 54 - 6 and are currently ranked as the No. 1 team in the Division V - Region 17 computer rankings. Kirtland hosts Newbury with a shot at a perfect 10 - 0 regular season and will be hosting a first round playoff game.
Chagrin Falls clawed their way past Orange in Week 9, 27 - 6. The Tigers are the No. 1 ranked team in the Division III - Region 9 computer rankings and will be hosting a first round playoff game. Chagrin has a shot at a perfect 10 - 0 season if they can get past Perry at home in Week 10.
The Lake Catholic Cougars beat Akron Hoban, 28 - 6 in Week 9 and are currently ranked 2nd in the Division III - Region 9 computer rankings. Lake has a tough road match up in week 10 against the No. 1 ranked team in the Division II state poll, Avon. Win or lose, the Cougars should be hosting a first round playoff game.
The Mentor Cardinals flew past Strongsville in Week 9, 38 - 7. Mentor is the No. 1 ranked team in the Division I state poll and is 1st in the Region I computer rankings. The Cardinals have also moved up in some national publications to as high as the 22nd ranked team in the country. Mentor is looking for a perfect 10 - 0 regular season and travels to Twinsburg, who is having a better than talked about year. Mentor will be hosting a first round playoff game at the J.T.O.
The Ledgemont Redskins rallied past a fired up and feisty Grand Valley team, 24 - 18 to remain unbeaten and hold on to their spot as the 3rd ranked team in the Division VI - Region 21 computer rankings. If Ledgemont can tally a win in Week 10 over Southington, the Redskins should be hosting a first round playoff game and owners of a perfect 10 - 0 season.
That wraps up the latest edition of the "Prep Lowdown with Lou." In next week's segment, we will take a look at all the area playoff match ups as well as predictions on each game. Be sure to follow me on Twitter @SweetLou_21 for scores, updates and pics from Thursday night's game at South and Friday's action.
Also, don't miss my radio show "The Breakdown" that airs on Monday nights on clevelandsportsforums.com from 8pm - 10pm. It's a football related talk show featuring the Cleveland Browns, the Ohio State Buckeyes and Northeast Ohio area high school football teams. I am joined with former Willoughby South, Case Western Reserve University and Cleveland Gladiator quarterback Dan Whalen as we break down all the X's and O's from Friday, Saturday and Sunday's football action.
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