Brunswick linebacker tears ACL: Prep football notes

Plain Dealer staff reports, August 17, 2009 9:27 a.m.

An MRI scan has shown Brunswick senior linebacker Zach Nekich tore his left ACL during a recent practice.

"Zach's our best defensive player," said Blue Devils coach Rich Nowak. "He's a great cover guy and very good at getting in the opposition's backfield."

Nowak called the injury hard luck and freakish.

"It happened during a blitz drill and it was a non-contact thing," said the coach. "Zach tripped over the quarterback and went down."

It's not known if the 5-11, 225-pounder is out for the season.

Relatively speaking: Ashtabula Lakeside coach Bill Lipps, who was promoted from offensive coordinator to head coach last month, is the second cousin of Fairport Harbor coach John Lipps. Bill Lipps replaced Van McWreath, who last month was hired as Pymatuning Valley's principal.

Stat of the day: In 2008, Chagrin Valley Conference members Aurora, Perry, Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga Heights and Kirtland were a combined 10-4 in the playoffs. Aurora won the Division III state championship.

Lining up: Solon coach Jim McQuaide is pleased with the way his offensive line is shaping up.

"We struggled up front last year," McQuaide said, "but we're much bigger and stronger this year."

Set starters are senior tackle Brandon Nelli (6-4, 232), senior guard Nick Mastrantoni (5-10, 187) and at tight ends senior and Ohio State recruit Darryl Baldwin (6-6, 250) and senior Ryan Rosenberg (6-0, 208). Starting candidates include tackles Donald Williams (6-1, 225) and Shane Gontarz (6-1, 230), junior guard Sam Camiener (6-2, 240) and senior center Joe Butkovic (5-10, 230).

That bodes very well for tailback Kyle Hammonds. The 5-9, 164-pound junior gained 816 yards with 12 touchdowns last season.

"Kyle is bigger and stronger and he has the ability to do some great things," said McQuaide, whose team is the NOC Valley Division favorite.

The only drawback in camp, so far, has been the sprained foot suffered by 5-9, 190-pound senior fullback Austin Hood, who is expected to miss two weeks.