Games to Watch (Northeast Ohio Week 1)

With a tumultuous offseason it is finally that time of the year. This season will yield some interesting regular season matchups that normally would not take place. So here’s the deal, OHSAA has sanctioned an abbreviated season that will allow for 6 regular season games and everyone will qualify for the playoffs after the first 6 weeks. Because the season has been cut short, most schools are only playing within conference which leaves several interesting contest between independent powers. Here are the top matchups in week 1 of this unforgettable season. &nbsp; Our first matchup we will look at is <strong>Akron Archbishop Hoban vs Cleveland St Ignatius</strong>. This one will be a slobber knocker and definitely a great place to start if you want see a good game this weekend. Ignatius is coming off of a season where I’m sure they feel they did not perform to standard. Iggy is a state power historically looking to return to prominence within the state after missing the playoffs and going 5-5. Their opponent, Archbishop Hoban also did not finish how they would have envisioned at the beginning of last year after winning several stat championships in a row. Even still, they were still relatively successful finishing the season at 11-2 losing in the regional finals to the eventual state runner up in a close contest with a score 17-14. With both these programs having very different seasons, Iggy actually outlasted Hoban last year winning 42-41 in a thriller being one of the two losses on Hoban’s record last year. <strong>Players to watch</strong>: For Iggy be on the lookout for OLB 6’4 225lb Senior [player_tooltip player_id="34208" first="Aidan" last="Hubbard"],  Center 6’2 300lb Junior [player_tooltip player_id="34472" first="Ashton" last="Montgomery"], TE 6’4 210lb Senior Nick Lamirand, OLB 6’1 210lb Nick Velotta. For Hoban, pay attention to DE 6’3 235lb Senior [player_tooltip player_id="34198" first="Darryl" last="Peterson"], MLB 6’0 215lb Senior [player_tooltip player_id="34219" first="Damon" last="Ollison"], QB Senior [player_tooltip player_id="34268" first="Shane" last="Hamm"], MLB 6’0 230lb Senior [player_tooltip player_id="34313" first="Luke" last="Bauer"], DB 6’0 190lb Senior [player_tooltip player_id="34355" first="Alvin" last="Stallworth"]. <strong>My prediction</strong>: I think if the past is any indication of the future this will be a closely contested game, but I have to give the edge to Hoban. They have a deep senior class and I am expecting that experience to flex its muscles this week. I expect senior QB [player_tooltip player_id="34268" first="Shane" last="Hamm"] to have a big game. &nbsp; This next matchup is big time. I mean really big. Two state powers will face off this opening week and both are coming off of great seasons and have expectations to have another great year. We have <strong>Massillon Washington vs Lakewood St Edward.</strong> Massillon Washington for the second straight season finished as state runner ups and 14-1 record. Eds on the other hand lost in the regional title game but felt some post season success finishing 12-2. Both are ranked 4th and 5th in the state according to maxpreps coming into this year. These teams did not play one another last year. <strong>Players to watch</strong>: For Massillon you need to watch their wideouts and Res these guys have about 5 or 6 D1 guys on the offensive side of the ball. This very well may be the most talented team in the state. On the defensive side watch for seniors DB [player_tooltip player_id="34252" first="Martavien" last="Johnson"], MLB [player_tooltip player_id="34269" first="Jumacius" last="Portis"], DE Mike Miller. These guys are huge impact players. For Eds, look out for Senior MLB CJ Hankins, Senior DB Jaylen Castleberry, Junior Defensive End [player_tooltip player_id="34390" first="Trey" last="Bixby"], Senior Defensive End Charles Calhoun. <strong>My prediction</strong>: This honestly could go either way. It is early in the season and I can see Eds pulling this one off with the discipline and veracity they play the game of football, but Massillon is so deep. It will come down to if this Massillon team is able to mesh. Because of the talent they have, I have to go with them but I will not be shocked if Eds pull off the big win. &nbsp; &nbsp;