Neil Young sang “Tonight’s the Night” and indeed it truly is as two HS games get us up and running! Youngstown Chaney vs Akron East (at Ellet) and Kent Roosevelt at Ravenna! Tomorrow and Saturday it breaks loose with a full slate of contests including the NE Ohio vs America Showcase and at Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. This will be a spectacle as Massillon takes on Valdosta (Ga.) Friday at 7p and Saturday features the St. Edward Eagles vs Center Grove (Ind.) Noon, Archbishop Hoban vs Frederick Douglas (Ky.) 4p and Glenville vs Dinwiddie (Va.) at 8p.
Talk to the players, coaches, students, parents, relatives, and alums of all the schools and they will tell you, as they should, their game is the most important one on the schedule! Coaches have another mission! In addition to winning with class and dignity plus keeping their players safe they must develop scholar athletes who are life-ready adults.
I understand the warm weather, heavy populated states boast about their HS Football prowess and no doubt California, Texas, Florida, and many other southern states DO have a great product and produce stellar football programs and players, but I will also put NE Ohio and the entire state for that matter up against anyone! Check out Coldwater, Marion Local and closer to home Kirtland and Chardon in addition to the “BIG” city schools and they will match up with schools from any state. Tradition plus developing the young men at an early age, look at Mentor, into their system keeps young men home and leads to success on the gridiron.
There are so many sleeper games on the schedules too as schools have been working hard at resurrecting programs such as Lakewood, Benedictine, Solon – proudly MY ALMA MATER, and many more while so many work, practice, and develop players to keep grand traditions alive.
It’s great to see Coaches who know the game but also truly care about their squads as scholar athletes roaming the sidelines. Jason Black at Brecksville- Broadview Hts is back for his 2nd year of his 2nd go at it at the home of the Bees and Ryan Franzinger takes over for THE LEGEND Chuck Kyle at S. Ignatius. Vets such as Avon’s Mike Elder, Hoban’s Tim Tyrrell, Kirtland’s Tiger LaVerde, and Kentson’s Jeff Grubich are a few who are ready to go…again. I also must give a special SHOUT OUT to Senate City Series Coaches who against some odds we can imagine are rescuing lives and saving souls. Ted Ginn (Glenville), Terrence Cleggett (John Marshall), Rodney Decipeda (John Hay) and Bryan Williams (Buchtel) are just a few heroes of the gridiron.
Enjoy a game as soon as possible! No kids in school? Support a team in your neighborhood, city, or town and truly I will see you, meet you and greet you at a game!
Indeed, enjoy every sandwich, take care of each other and it’s your world, pay attention. For now, Adios Amigo…long may you run.
#MunchOnSports is powered by Ganley Chevy Of Aurora, www.getmorecheddar.com and the Ken Ganley Automotive Group. Read more of what’s on my sports gourd just about daily at www.neosportsinsiders.com .
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