Chagrin Valley Conference Metro Division preview

Tim Warsinskey, The Plain Dealer, August 13, 2009 9:24 a.m.

PD projected finish

1. Cuyahoga Heights (9-2 overall, 4-0 league in 2008)

2. Hawken (4-6, 3-1)

3. Independence (4-6, 1-3)

4. Beachwood (2-8, 0-7 in Chagrin Division)

5. Richmond Heights (6-4, 2-2)

Preseason awards

Preseason offensive MVP: Zach D'Orazio, Cuyahoga Heights, QB, Sr., 6-1, 190.

Preseason defensive MVP: Nick Lipchek, Independence, ILB, Sr., 5-10, 205.

Preseason Most Valuable Lineman: Patrick Meade, Cuyahoga Heights, C/DT, Sr., 5-11, 185.

Outlook: If Cuyahoga Heights can get healthy when league play begins, it will be very tough to beat and could make a deep playoff run. But don't sell Independence and Hawken short. Independence's huge senior class has been pointing toward this fall for three years. Hawken has one of its best offenses in several years. Beachwood switched from the Chagrin Division and the Bison is a wild card because of so many new junior and senior players as enthusiasm for program picks up. After nearly canceling football, Richmond Heights is trying to steady itself.

Top 3 games: Oct. 9, Hawken at Independence; Oct. 16, Cuyahoga Heights at Hawken; Oct. 30, Cuyahoga Heights at Independence.

Meet the teams

Cuyahoga Heights

Last year: 9-2, 4-0. Advanced to Div. V regional quarterfinal.

Coach: Al Martin (115-26 in 12 seasons; 115-26 overall).

Key players: David Bronza, FS, Sr., 5-7, 150; Zach D'Orazio, QB/SS, Sr., 6-1, 190; Brandon Eddy, C, Sr., 6-2, 170; Anthony Eder, G/DT, Jr., 5-10, 185; Patrick Meade, C/DT, Sr., 5-11, 185; Zach Noernberg, SB/OLB, Sr., 5-10, 165; Nick Simon, SE/CB, Sr., 5-9, 155; Alec Torgerson, FB/ILB, Jr., 5-10, 180.

Scout report

Strengths: Redskins return 14 starters. Big-play offense is protected by an athletic line. D'Orazio (1,250 yards passing, 16 TDs, 5 INT) has committed to Akron. Torgerson had 112 tackles and forced four fumbles. All four starters back in defensive backfield.

Concerns: Two big weapons missing as practice begins. Noernberg (560 yards rushing/receiving, six TDs) had shoulder surgery in the spring and is to begin practice next week. Simon (32 catches, 613 yards, nine TDs) might be out until September while he recovers from a spleen injury.

Hawken

Last year: 4-6, 3-1.

Coach: Cliff Walton (188-102-1 in 28 seasons; 204-107-1 in 30 seasons overall).

Key players: Kent Green, RT, Sr., 6-1, 210; Teddy Hook, LB, Sr., 6-0, 185; Pat Horsburgh, TE, Sr., 6-5, 250; Adam Kanter, LB, Sr., 6-1, 188; Cooper Keller, LB, Sr., 6-1, 170; Michael Marivito, OL/DL, Sr., 6-0, 205; Zach McMains, QB, Sr., 5-10, 180; Matt Miller, CB, Sr., 5-8, 150; Sam Mintzer, RG, Sr., 5-10, 195; Charlie Primbas, OL/DL, Sr., 5-10, 210; Kyle Simmons, LB, Sr., 6-0, 195; Greg Tasiadis, DB, Sr., 5-7, 145; Brian Vogt, CB, Sr., 6-2, 165; Jake Willen, HB, Sr., 5-10, 165; John Wilson, WB/FL/DB, Sr., 5-11, 175.

Scout report

Strengths: A must-see offense with McMains (1,100 yards, 16 TDs), Wilson (1,221 yards rushing/receiving, 16 TDs) and Willen (776 rushing/receiving). Horsburgh moved out from tackle and is a game-changing tight end. Outstanding defensive backs.

Concerns: Small junior class backing up 18 seniors.

Independence

Last year: 4-6, 1-3.

Coach: John Shirilla (68-45 in 12 seasons; 68-45 overall).

Key players: James Bailey, DT, Sr., 6-1, 200; Adam Funke, G, Sr., 5-9, 195; Alex Gesicki, SB, Sr., 5-10, 180; Nick Kraus, FB/DE, Jr., 6-1, 190; Ryan Lest, CB, Sr., 6-1, 170; Nick Lipchek, TB/FB/ILB, Sr., 5-10, 205; Joe Mancino, TB, Jr., 5-9, 165; Jon Moore, CB/PR, Sr., 6-2, 175; Paul Sabolsky, OLB, Sr., 5-11 185; Anthony Siciliano, SE/CB, Sr., 5-11, 175; James Soldat, OT/DT, Sr., 6-2, 225; Matt Steffas, SE/CB, Sr., 6-2, 170; Sam Stretar, QB, Jr., 5-10, 160; Zach Zastawny, G, Sr., 5-9, 190.

Scout report

Strengths: Blue Devils feature 16 seniors plus a junior backfield who all started last season. Lipchek (81 tackles, three caused fumbles, five fumble recoveries, one interception) was first-team all-district last season. Stretar passed for 811 yards and six TDs and Mancino rushed for 706 yards and six TDs.

Concerns: Coming off two straight losing seasons, do Blue Devils know how to win big games? Experience, skill and speed are not issues, but size could be.

Beachwood

Last year: 2-8, 0-7 in Chagrin Division.

Coach: Ryan Williams (5-15 in two seasons; 5-15 overall).

Key players: Sam Bernstein, OT/DL, Sr., 6-2, 235; Jason Edwards, DB, Jr., 5-8, 160; Brennen Fletcher, DL, Sr., 5-9, 165; Matt Sabroff, FB/LB, Sr., 6-0, 190; Airion Watkins-Clark, TB/FS, Sr., 6-2, 170; Jake Weiss, DL, Jr., 5-8, 165; Stephen Yarbrough, WR/SS, Sr., 6-2, 190.

Scout report

Strengths: Switch to CVC Metro from CVC Chagrin and stability in coaching has helped boost numbers from 20s two years ago to high 40s. Among them are several new juniors and seniors who could play significant roles. Watkins-Clark, Sabroff, Fletcher and David Shapiro form a nice stable of running backs. Defensive line has some quickness, strength and depth with Landon Gray, Fletcher, Weiss, Virdell Robinson, Dmitri Galloway, Taylor Shamis, Bernstein and Joon Kim.

Concerns: Inexperience at quarterback. Must improve on defense.

Richmond Heights

Last year: 6-4, 2-2.

Coach: William Cloud (first season as a head coach).

Key players: Brian Baber, RB/WR/DB, Sr., 5-6, 185; Sylvester Bailey, OT/DE, Fr., 6-0, 235; Demetrius Hooks, DB, Fr., 5-8, 165; Larry Jones, WR/DB, Jr., 5-9, 170; Tyler Lowe, G/C/LB, Sr., 5-9, 210; Keith Philpott, QB, Jr., 5-10, 175.

Scout report

Strengths: Several good athletes. Lowe would be a standout on any team in the league. Bailey is a very promising player. Philpott not a natural QB, but has a nice arm. Probably will use a run-based spread offense and 3-3-5 stack defense.

Concerns: Started practice with 15 players after sports nearly were canceled last spring. Pay to participate is $350. Cloud hoping to get 22-25 players.