Notebook: Gulley brothers turning heads in Garfield's revamped offensive attack

Zac Jackson, OhioHSsports.com, September 22, 2009 3:32 p.m.

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Akron Garfield's Tyson Gulley - (PD file photo)

Akron Garfield coach Bob Sax knew he needed to do something to open up his offense as the Rams navigated a brutal early season schedule.

So he went to a shotgun spread look that features both Gulley Brothers - senior Tyson and sophomore Toneo - in the backfield with both taking snaps at quarterback.

It wasn't enough to solve St. Vincent-St. Mary's rugged defense in Week Three, but last week Tyson took over the Rams' Akron City Series opener against Akron North in what became a 40-12 Garfield win. Tyson Gulley threw a touchdown pass, was on the receiving end of another, ran for a pair of scores and returned an interception 80 yards for a touchdown.

That's neither misprint nor exaggeration. He did it all in one game.

He'll probably have to be even better this week as the 2-2 Rams fight for their Div. II, Region 5 playoff lives in a trip to 4-0 Massillon Friday night.

TOUGH LOSS -  Several reports out of the Cincinnati area have confirmed that Cincinnati Anderson OL Andrew Norwell, an Ohio State recruit, is done for the season after suffering an ankle injury in the Redskins' big win over Columbus DeSales last week.

Norwell is regarded as one of the best linemen in the nation and was a big part of the Redskins' back-to-back trips to the Div. II state title game the last two seasons. His loss makes their new road - through Div. I, Region 4 - even tougher.

STILL STANDING - Just two unbeaten teams remain in Div. I, Region 3, and after Friday there will be just one.

When 4-0 Dublin Coffman travels to 4-0 Groveport-Madison, plenty of computer points - enough to take a huge step towards eventually hosting a first-round playoff game - will be at stake. Groveport-Madison stayed perfect by topping Pickerington North last week, 14-10, while Coffman has been largely unchallenged to this point.

They're the only unbeatens in the Columbus-dominated region after Pickerington Central was upset last week by Lancaster, 17-14.

HOLDING SERVE - All six teams that sat atop last week's initial Associated Press state poll won last weekend and remain on top in this week's second poll.

Reigning Div. I champion St. Ignatius ended Mentor's 22-game home win streak in dominant fashion, routing the Cardinals 47-7. Div. II's top team, Louisville, survived a scare as Bobby Swigert played through an ankle injury and a late field goal topped Canton South, 17-14.

Youngstown Mooney (III), Kettering Alter (IV), Coldwater (V) and Delphos St. John's (VI) all won easily and maintained their spots atop their respective polls this week. Mooney is gearing up this week for a big one with 4-0 Mentor Lake Catholic.

St. Ignatius received 19 first-place votes this week, while second-ranked Cincinnati St. Xavier got three and third-ranked Elder got seven votes for the top spot. St. Ignatius and St. Xavier meet in Cleveland in Week Nine.