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While I will never be a fan of the OHSAA season starting so early into August, and the fact of 16 teams per region being a far cry from the 4 per region that I grew up with and still feel it should be. Even I cannot deny that this time around a 16 vs 1 presents one of the most intriguing matchups on the docket this weekend. The seemingly invincible Avon Eagles (10-0) will host the scrappy underdog North Olmsted Eagles (5-5). Just as the seemingly invincible Apollo Creed faced the scrappy underdog Rocky Balboa.
On paper, the two teams seem worlds apart from one another. Avon, defeated some of the best teams in the area such as Glenville, Avon Lake, Olmsted Falls, North Ridgeville and Canton McKinley. Also, a lot of people look at St. Ignatius as being, “awful”, however, I couldn’t disagree more with that ridiculous statement, the Wildcats also have one of if not the toughest schedules in the area, and Avon handled them soundly to open the season at The Stadium.
Avon, six times this season put up running clocks on teams. They also beat St. Ignatius by 21 and Olmsted Falls by 21. Since I started covering High School Football in 2015, this is one of the best Avon teams I have ever seen. Nolan Good has weapons every time he drops backs with the sure handed Mat Maxey and the speed demon Cole Kepner just to name a few. Good reminds me of a mix of Jake Sopko and Niko Pappas, two of the best to ever do it for Avon. They also have a tremendous defense that can shut down any attack.
Even in the most loaded Division II in years, Avon is the trendy pick to win it all and should be. They will have to get past any combination of Highland, Wadsworth, Hoban and Massillon, but with how loaded they are, I see them doing it.
We often hear about Tom Lombardo at St. Ed’s, Chuck Kyle formerly at St. Ignatius, Tim Tyrell at Hoban and Nate Moore at Massillon, as well we should. But, I have always said for years, Avon Head Coach Mike Elder is on their level and should be considered as one of the best in the state across all divisions. Elder is a mastermind of getting everything out of his players and inspiring them no matter the odds. He has proven that time and time again.
Avon should win this game big, and many expect them too. However, here is why we always play the game no matter what the odds are. Anything can happen, and North Olmsted is a prime example of that. They are the embodiment of the American “can do” spirit that sports were built on.
North Olmsted couldn’t have started their season off any worse as they went 0-4 with a combined 14 points in that stretch. It looked like a lost season as they had been outscored 114-14. Almost any other head coach may have thrown in the towel, but not Tim Brediger, not a man amongst boys. Coach Bred is not only one of the best coaches in the CWC, but quite frankly, one Hell of a motivator. Also, I cannot help but mention that off the field, he is one of the nicest human beings you will ever meet.
They began to turn it around in week five against Normandy on the road. Ironically enough, this was our YouTube game of the week that we actually broadcasted live from a depleted Byers Field press box. The Eagles began to show what they could do at full strength that night and came out firing away. Senior Quarterback Tommy Horsfall began to find his stride as did tailback Matthew Chalkwater who showed what he could do when healthy.
The Eagles kept that momentum and the Brediger spirit of leadership to win 5 of their final 6 games. Quite frankly, they should have won 6 straight if not for a horrid missed running into the punter call against River that would have sealed that game. They had a thrilling second half comeback to defeat Bay the next week, once again showing that spirit and confidence level was strong.
My point is this, they are not going to fold and go down easy just because of the incredibly difficult task ahead. Coach Brediger lives in Avon, and I’d have to imagine has heard the Avon Eagle hype all year, he knows what lies ahead.
In closing, I’m going to go off the record to go on the record for a moment. Since I began Kee On Sports in 2018, no two fan bases have been bigger supporters then Avon and North Olmsted. Their articles get the most clicks, their business owners and residents produce the most sponsorships BY FAR, and quite frankly, they treat my staff and I incredibly well. I’ve often had the thought of closing Kee On Sports one day soon, and opening up a new company called, “The Eagle Insider”. A website that covers only these two cities and St. Ed’s. That is just how grateful I am to have covered coach Elder and coach Brediger.
I refuse to make a prediction for this game, even though the easy thing would be to say, “Avon in a blowout”. But, both coaches, both programs and both fan bases deserve better than that. These are kids were talking about, not professional athletes getting paid millions. I’m proud of both schools and both fan bases and wish them both nothing but the best. I truly hope it is a good game and fully expect it to be.
Good luck to both schools and if this is truly a David vs Goliath type matchup, I’d buy a front row seat to the big fight. If North Olmsted can get that running game going, also use Tommy Horsfalls legs when needed, they have a fighting chance. They also have speed on the outside when needed too, they just have to catch every ball even when they get only an inch of separation. Each inch in this game for North Olmsted is crucial. North Olmsted also boasts one of the stronger kicking games as well.
For Avon, the just need to do what they have done for 10 straight weeks and no one can touch them if they do. That is controlling the line on both sides of the ball and playing mistake free football. Good was picked off 5 times in the first 3 weeks, he has since settled down and has played nearly flawless football. The only team that can beat Avon right now, is Avon. If they play mistake free and control the line, it will be a long night for North Olmsted.
But, again, that is why we play the game!
A FULL PLAYOFF WEEK ONE SCHEDULE CAN BE FOUND HERE – https://keeonsports.com/ohsaa-playoff-week-one-schedule/
This is an awesome article and appreciate the spin. Does the OHSAA need to look at things like scheduling and the overall points system? North Olmsted played an extremely tough non-conference schedule (granted lost all 3) and receives 0 points for that. A different team could play 2 historically underperforming teams win and get “some” points. Better than 0. So the reward for playing a challenging non-conference schedule is a 16th seed. I am sure there is something that could be done to help fix this.