Sep 11, 2009
Week 1 football review

From www.SportsInk.com

Northeast Ohio Conference teams flexed their muscles in Week 1 of the high school football season by going 12-4 against non-league foes.
Though their collective success was not unexpected, it was an effective reminder to the rest of the area that every NOC team comes ready to play every week.
"The way the conference is makes things especially tough early on, both for us as coaches and the kids," said Brunswick coach Rich Nowak, whose team topped visiting Mansfield 29-6. "A certain standard is expected (by others) in your non-league games.
"It makes you more of a target where other schools get geared up to try and knock you off, so you have to be at your best right away. That helps toughen your team up for your division later, but it also can cause big problems if you cant get going from the start."
The Blue Devils were one of four Valley Division squads to start with a victory, joining Nordonia (34-19 over Tallmadge), Solon (19-0 over Shaker Heights) and Mayfield (34-0 over Bedford).
Strongsville fell to Euclid 21-14 in a battle of state-ranked teams, while Medina dropped a 42-25 decision to Valley Division favorite Hudson.
"You have to take advantage of every chance you have to win games in the NOC because it's not going to get any easier -- for us or anyone else," Bees coach Greg Reed said.
The Explorers helped the River Division go 4-2 in the first week by winning their split-site, interdivisional affair. The first three quarters were played Friday night in Hudson, the final period Saturday morning in Medina.
Hudson won the Summit County portion 21-3, while the Bees claimed the Medina County quarter 22-21. Explorers quarterback Richie Piekarski sat out Saturday after taking 14 stitches in his right elbow, but will be ready to play tonight against Uniontown Lake. Ditto for Bees QB/RB/P/K Justin Letts (ribs) against Brecksville.
Elsewhere in the River, Twinsburg blasted Firestone 51-6, Elyria edged Amherst Steele 14-13 and Lakewood beat Berea 28-8. Stow lost to Suburban League favorite Wadsworth 21-7 and Cuyahoga Falls fell to Barberton 35-14.
"It's a great league to be part of because there are no off-nights, regardless of who you play," said Explorers coach Tom Narducci, adding with a chuckle. "When you win, everybody is a little happier than normal, but when you lose, everyone else in your city knows more about football than you do."
The lower Lake Division actually had the best week of the bunch, going 5-1 against a diverse group of foes.
North Royalton began what should be a very successful season by routing Brecksville 41-13, while Garfield Heights rolled over Cleveland South 41-0. Lyndhurst Brush also made a statement with its 45-34 triumph over Eastlake North.
Parma Normandy beat Madison 23-14 and Parma nipped Midpark 26-23, but Parma Heights Valley Forge fell to North Olmsted 23-14.