From The GAZETTE, By Brad Bournival, Staff Writer
Black River football coach Al Young is aware of it. Buckeye coach Chris Medaglia knows it will end.
No matter how it's viewed, the fact that Buckeye comes into tonight's game against the Pirates having not surrendered a touchdown is astounding.
"They're everything they're cracked up to be," Young said. "To be honest I don't know what we're supposed to do. I haven't figured it out yet."
Buckeye holds a 10-6 series advantage over the Pirates and has won four of the last five times. That's what matters to Medaglia, not the fact that the Bucks have outscored opponents 229-3 this year.
"It gives us a team focal point I guess. We don't want it to end," he said. "It's nice while it lasts, but it's not what we concentrate on. It's just something that's happening. In the end it's about winning and losing."
That's how both are viewing this Patriot Athletic Conference tilt that will give one team a leg up in the Stars Division. That, and bragging rights for a year from schools that don't exactly like each other.
"Records are a non-factor," Medaglia said. "If you can't get up for this game, this time of year, you're playing for the wrong coach at the wrong school. Shame on you."
Back in Black
BLACK RIVER (2-4, 1-2): Since Derrick Waltz took over at quarterback in Week 4, the Pirates are 2-1 and moving their way back toward respectability in the league. Last week's overtime win over heavy favorite Wellington showed just how far the team has come since starting the season 0-3. "It seems like the longer we've played, the better we've gotten," Young said. "(Last week) we made the right plays at the right time. It's amazing after all the things that have transpired, we've kept playing hard." … The reason Black River has a home game with the Bucks for the second straight season comes from the fact Buckeye played the Pirates at home in 2002 and 2003. With the both teams in the PAC, it will go back to a rotating schedule again. … Tackle Jesse Campbell is out for the season with a neck injury.
Last Week: W, 10-7 at Wellington. This Week: Buckeye (6-0, 3-0). Next Week: at Brooklyn (4-2, 1-2).
Two down could mean two out
BRUNSWICK (5-1, 2-1): In the 12th spot in Division I, Region 2, the Blue Devils can't afford a loss even though teams like Green (home with Tallmadge), Massillon Jackson (home with Canton McKinley) and North Canton Hoover (home with McKinley) could fall below them in the upcoming weeks. "That's what it looks like now, 9-1 gets us in," Brunswick coach Rich Nowak said. "We can't afford to lose another game for a lot of reasons besides the playoffs, but that's part of the game." … With 17 yards passing on Saturday, Anthony Lanzara will move past his stepfather Gary Clift (2,498) and into fourth-place at Brunswick for most passing yards. … In 12 meetings, Brunswick has never lost to Parma. … Running back Mike Francescangeli (separated shoulder) won't play against the Redmen, but two-way players Jason Reitenbach (ankle) and Dave Pace (knee) will. Mansfield replaces Cleveland Heights on the non-conference schedule next year and Hudson takes over for Lakewood in 2007.
LW: W, 39-7 Medina. TW: at Parma (1-5, 0-3). NW: at Normandy (6-0, 3-0).
Don't cry me a River
BUCKEYE (6-0, 3-0): Medaglia doesn't buy Black River's 2-4 start. That's why the conference favorites aren't looking forward to Keystone next week. "Whenever you play a rival, you throw records out," he said. "Our focus isn't on winning the conference championship or making the playoffs. It's on beating Black River. They've played some good opponents. We gave our kids examples of teams that went into a game against teams with worse records and got snakebitten." … Lineman Tony Fabri is expected to see 20-25 snaps this week.
LW: W, 34-0 at Columbia. TW: at Black River (2-4, 2-1). NW: Keystone (4-2, 3-0).
The payoffs dealing with playoffs
CLOVERLEAF (5-1, 2-1): Nestled in the third spot in the Division II, Region 6 playoff picture, the Colts know exactly what's at stake the remaining four weeks of the season. After a trip to Highland, Cloverleaf plays Green, Copley and Tallmadge. Those three have a combined record of 15-3 and are fighting for postseason position as well. "I think anytime you lose at this point, you've got to get back on track," said Cloverleaf coach Kevin Gault of last week's loss to Revere. "I told them I want this to hurt and they agreed. I think we have a shot to get in at 1-3, but we can't leave anything to chance. The whole goal is to go 4-0 and win the league championship. You do that and everything takes care of itself."
LW: L, 26-23 Revere. TW: at Highland (1-5, 0-3). NW: at Green (5-1, 3-0).
The good, the bad, the ugly
HIGHLAND (1-5, 0-3): It's been a strange season for the Hornets and the statistics prove it. Steve Weigand's 83-yard fumble recovery for a touchdown two weeks ago at Revere broke a school record (82, Clint Walters vs. Buckeye, 1997). Weigand also became the first Hornet to rush for a TD and score on a fumble recovery in the same game since Mark Funfgeld did it against Rittman in 1989. Kevin Callari's 91-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against Tallmadge was the second longest in school history (92, Brick Jones vs. Hudson, 1993). On the flip side, last week's 69 points allowed were the second most in school history (72, Orrville in 1964) and the 48-point margin is the biggest since 1999 (62-8, Copley). Highland has allowed 259 points and is projected to give up 432. That would be much more than the current school mark of 324 set in 1996.
LW: L, 69-21 Tallmadge. TW: Cloverleaf (5-1, 2-1). NW: at Barberton (3-3, 0-3).
No kuchen, no turnovers either
MEDINA (1-5, 1-2): Though the Bees lost by 32 last week to Brunswick, they did something rarely seen this season. The team outgained the Blue Devils on the ground 154-86. The difference? Medina coughed it up four times, to Brunswick's none to push its turnover ratio to minus-12 (16 Int., 4 fumbles) this season. "I've told them you've got to be in the game in the fourth quarter before you can win," Medina coach Greg Reed said. "You've got to be able to stay competitive and so far that hasn't happened. And it's because of the turnovers. It's hard when you're down 21-0 to come back." … Normandy is off to its best start in school history. Undefeated through six games, the Invaders are better on paper than their 1981 and 2004 playoff teams. … Matt Gaynor will get the start at quarterback tonight versus Normandy.
LW: L, 39-7 at Brunswick. TW: Normandy (6-0, 3-0). NW: Parma (1-5, 0-3).
Welcome back Carter?
WADSWORTH: (4-2, 1-2): The Grizzlies don't need a scouting report on Copley running back Delone Carter (129 carries, 1,150 yards, 26 TDs). All they have to do is look at last year's film from Week 7. In that 48-7 win by the Indians, Carter ran for 239 yards on 18 carries and added four touchdowns. "It's more a matter of containing him than trying to stop him," Wadsworth coach Greg Dennison said. "He'll get his yards. It's just tackling in gangs and not giving up the big play." … Linebacker Matt Wenger (mononucleosis) and two-way lineman Adam Grey (hip) are still out, but linebacker Jeff Smith (virus) is back after missing last week.
LW: W, 44-15 at Barberton. TW: Copley (4-2, 1-2). NW: Tallmadge (6-0, 3-0).
Bournival may be reached at Bournival929@sbcglobal.net or 330-721-4045.