Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division preview

Tim Warsinskey, The Plain Dealer, August 13, 2009 9:27 a.m.

PD projected finish

1. Kirtland (12-1 overall, 4-0 league in 2008)

2. Berkshire (7-3, 3-1)

3. Cardinal (6-4, 2-2)

4. Fairport Harbor (2-8, 0-4 in Metro Division)

5. Newbury (0-10, 0-4)

Preseason awards

Preseason offensive MVP: Royal Bretregger, Kirtland, FB, Sr., 6-0, 190.

Preseason defensive MVP: Anthony Ritossa, Kirtland, LB, Sr., 6-4, 225.

Preseason Most Valuable Lineman: Tanner Neumore, Berkshire, OT/DT, Sr., 6-5, 320.

Outlook: Kirtland has a lot of holes to fill, but enough good players to make it happen. Berkshire is enormous up front and needs to develop a quarterback to take advantage of quality wideouts. Cardinal will run well, but defense is questionable. Feisty Newbury has doubled the size of its team with nearly 30 players. Fairport Harbor switches from Metro Division and reunites with its old East Suburban Conference rivals. Grand Valley joined the Northeast Athletic Conference.

Top 3 games: Sept. 18, Cardinal at Fairport Harbor; Oct. 2, Kirtland at Berkshire; Oct. 30, Berkshire at Cardinal.

Kirtland

Last year: 12-1, 4-0. Advanced to Div. V regional final.

Coach: Tiger Laverde (28-7 in three season; 28-7 overall).

Key players: Royal Bretregger, FB/MLB, Sr., 6-0, 190; Lino DeSapri, OT/DE, Sr., 6-0, 195; Paul Guhde, QB/FS, Jr., 6-0, 205; Christian Hauber, RB/LB, Soph., 6-0, 200; Anthony Ritossa, TE/LB, Sr., 6-4, 225; L.J. Solinsky, WR/DB, Sr., 6-0, 175.

Scout report

Strengths: Despite losing 14 seniors, several standouts remain and this should remain a formidable team. Ritossa is an Akron recruit and few players in CVC Valley can match up against him. Bretregger and Guhde showed flashes of brilliance in limited opportunities last year.

Concerns: Lines must be almost completely rebuilt. Need to avoid pressure of repeating 2008 campaign.

Berkshire

Last year: 7-3, 3-1.

Coach: Terry King (47-14 in six seasons; 92-71 in 16 seasons overall).

Key players: Eric Burzanko, QB, Fr., 5-11, 175; Josh Hess, SE/FS, Sr., 6-2, 175; Tyler Keys, QB, Sr.; Evan Monroe, TE/PK/DE, Sr., 6-4, 235; Tanner Neumore, OT/DT, Sr., 6-5, 320; Uriah Pucinni, FB/LB, Sr., 5-11, 205; Brian Weaver, SB/SS, Sr., 6-1, 190.

Scout report

Strengths: Neumore, a transfer from St. Peter Chanel, completes an incredible offensive line for a Division V team that averages 250 pounds. Some big backs, too, in Pucinni and Weaver. Good depth at WR. Will run a lot of one-back out of the shotgun.

Concerns: Much will depend on the outcome of the QB battle between senior Tyler Keys, who didn't play last year, and promising freshman left-hander Tyler Burzanko. Lost 15 seniors off last year's team. Pay-to-participate is $395 and 32 players are out practicing.

Cardinal

Last year: 6-4, 2-2.

Coach: Eric Cardinal (57-35 in nine seasons; 57-35 overall).

Key players: Devin Brown, LB, Sr., 5-10, 168; Aaron Byler, FB/LB, Sr., 6-0, 170; Adam Farmwald, WR/RB, Jr., 5-8, 161; Chad Gilson, FB/LB, Jr., 5-10, 163; T.J. Minnick, QB, Jr., 6-1, 175; Cameron Mitchell, OT, Jr., 6-1, 275; Vinnie Polverine, FB/LB, Jr., 6-0, 175; Clayton Thurling, G, Jr., 6-1, 251; Channing Vaughn, NT, Jr., 5-11, 170; Preston Wood, G, Sr., 5-11, 205.

Scout report

Strengths: Eight starters return on offense, including QB Minnick. Gilson, Byler and Polverine combined to rush for 1,458 yards.

Concerns: Four starters back on defense. Need to develop a passing game. Pay-to-participate is $400 and there are 34 players.

Fairport Harbor

Last year: 2-8, 0-4 in Metro Division.

Coach: John Lipps (7-33 in four seasons; 7-33 overall).

Key players: Toby Adams, WR/DB, Sr., 5-1, 135; Matt Amiott, OT, Sr., 5-7, 171; Nate Blair, DE, Jr., 5-2, 220; Ryan Hall, G/DE, Sr., 6-1, 170; Zach Hites, C/NT, Jr., 5-9, 233; Michael Hogya, RB/LB, Jr., 5-9, 176; J.C. Giffin, RB/S, Jr., 5-9, 153; Daniel Ross, G/LB, Sr., 5-6, 187.

Scout report

Strengths: Ross is a four-year starter. Big junior class. Good RBs and LBs.

Concerns: Finding the right personnel for the passing game and two offensive tackles.

Newbury

Last year: 0-10, 0-4.

Coach: Ray Harriman (2-18 in two seasons; 2-18 overall).

Key players: Zack Kania, C/ILB, Sr., 5-11, 185; Adam Kirsch, OT/DT, Jr., 6-2, 295; Dan Levesque, TB/FS, Jr., 6-1, 175; Jordan Munn, QB/DB, Sr., 6-0, 165; Ingo Schlaf, G/DE, Sr., 5-11, 260; Tommy Walsh, T/NT, Sr., 6-1, 275.

Scout report

Strengths: Both lines are coming along nicely, and are athletic with some size. Kirsch is one of the better linemen in the area and forms a good tackle combo with Walsh. Could get up to 30 players, a big step forward for a program that almost ran out of bodies last year. Had 12 freshman come out.

Concerns: Finding the right combination in the backfield. Developing linebackers. No quality depth.