Announcement
From The GAZETTE by Albert Grindle, Staff Writer
Talk about confidence boosters. Medina and Buckeye each picked up potentially season-changing victories Friday. The Bees clipped Stow in overtime, and the Bucks rolled over a strong Lutheran West squad.
The Fighting O’Boyles’ triumph was the game of the week, however, with their offense pretty much revolving around one man. With that said and the season half over, Pat O’Boyle is pound-forpound the most rugged player in the county. All the kid did Friday was rush for 115 yards, pass for 156 more, all the while scoring three touchdowns against a Stow defense that allowed just 14.3 points per contest coming in. The Bees’ defense, which has played better over its last two games, showed up as well when it counted, forcing the Bulldogs into a field goal attempt in overtime that went begging. That set up sophomore Justin Letts’ game-winning 32-yarder to seal the deal.
Meanwhile, the Bucks dominated a Longhorns squad that was predicted to win the Patriot Athletic Conference Stars Division by most publications. It was evident Buckeye played a full game similar to their first half against Highland, rolling up a whopping 391 yards on the ground. Workhouse Cory Reisner (164 yards, 3 TDs), speedy Ryan McCormick (106) and quick quarterback Mike Kelly (81) all had big days on the ground as Lutheran West had no answer for Buckeye’s ground-it-out style.
It was a textbook victory for coach Billy Burke’s troops, and don’t be surprised if Buckeye rolls untouched the rest of the season. The argument persists that the PAC is at its alltime worst— think Keystone, Brooklyn, Oberlin, Columbia and Brookside— but crazier things than the Bucks getting into the playoffs with a 6-4 record have happened. However, it must be pointed out Buckeye’s remaining opponents have a combined record of 5-20, which isn’t going to sit well with the computers.
Wheelin’ and dealin’
The last-place Spencer Redbirds decided enough was enough early this week, mortgaging their future for a shot at this year’s Gazette Prep Fantasy Football title. Desperate to improve a squad already five games out of playoff contention, Spencer acquired Black River slot back Jake O’Connor from the Mallet Creek Maulers for injured Buckeye quarterback Austin Friel and a pair of 2009 draft choices. “We’re more jacked up than a 10-year-old after two cans of Red Bull,” said Redbirds owner, president and general manager Albert Grindle, whose team gave up second and fifth-round picks.
After the Redbirds’ front office burned up the phone lines, the team finally swung a deal for O’Connor, who dazzled Spencer scouts with three TDs against Oberlin. The 5 foot 9, maybe 155 pounder’s ability to return kicks was another added bonus — returns for scores are worth between 8-10 points in GPFF play — as was his eligibilty at both running back and wide receiver. The sophomore is reportedly slated to start alongside Brunswick tailback Brit Musal in the backfield, with Medina’s Jake Arthur or Brunswick’s Tevin Jackson at all-purpose to round out Spencer’s threeback attack. “It’s all or nothing, baby,” Grindle proclaimed as he tossed darts at a Poe Ravens logo. “We’re not going down without a fight.”
