Playoff Time - Our thoughts, NOT picks.

It is arguably the best time of the year. Fall is here, Halloween, a change of seasons and high school football playoffs are upon us. There may be some buzz in greater Cleveland about a couple Division I teams and their chances, but for east-siders, the representation runs wide and deep. We start with Mentor, last year's runner-up to the Division I title. The Cardinals are poised and appear to be peaking at the right time to settle in for a long playoff run, perhaps back to the title game. They face some immediate competition right in their own back yard. Painesville Riverside took it right down to the wire and a win over Madison in week 10 put them into the fray and they'll tangle with Mentor in round one.

The Euclid Panthers have reasserted themselves into the post season in a big way finishing the regular season 9-1 which included a thrilling 35-34 win over Mentor. Coach Mike Rezzolla has the big cats purring at a pace to go deep into the playoffs as well. D1 prospects Howard Drake and Devon Jennings have been the cornerstones of a talented offense that helped power Euclid back into the post season and a first round game at home against Boardman.

Solon will play host to North Royalton in a battle between east and west in the first round and Nordonia will be at home for game one taking on Perrysburg.

Division II continues the eastside trend as the Blue Streaks of Madison travel to Warren Howland for their first game. Running back Nick Yeager has been strong and consistent all season behind a great offensive line anchored by big Kevin Hendricks and company. Mayfield finds themselves at home taking on Padua and the Bruins have found some of their early season magic as of late but Wildcats have been very hot toward the end of the season.

Off to Division III where Aurora has been solid all season long finishing 9-1. The Greenmen play host to Cortland in what should be a very good battle. Lake Catholic got off to a great start this year dropping Euclid in their opener, but from then on the road had its ups and downs. The Cougars finished the regular season with a loss to arch rival Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin and lost their only solid offensive weapon in running back Randy Greenwood who is suspended for game 1 of the playoffs due to a game 10 ejection last week. It will take great coaching and an "all hands on deck" approach against Ravenna. One positive is they play at home for round one.

Division IV features one of the best quarterbacks in northeast Ohio. Perry junior Vinny Hokavar, while enduring a painful separated shoulder several weeks ago has led his team to a 9-1 record. "Air" Hokavar has been the key to the Pirates run into the postseason under new head coach Matt Rosati and they must hope he's healthy and keep him that way if they stand a chance against a bigger Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary team. The Irish did have a 17-0 lead over D-IV titan and reigning D-IV state champ Youngstown Mooney and got run late in the second half and lost that game 21-17.

The Kirtland Fighting Hornets have been a bright spot in D-V all season. They got off to a 4-0 start, stumbled losing the next two then rebounded to finish the season strong. Hard to stop Rossi Santo has been their best weapon on offense scoring 26 regular touchdowns out of the backfield. They face a tough task however in round one as they travel to take on South Range who finished 10-0.

Good luck to all of these teams, players and coaches alike. Play strong and hard. Listen to your coaches, play fair and play to win. Remember, D1 Football is watching you.

Player of the Year

In accordance to the same criteria used during the regular season for the "Shut Up and Play the Game" GameDay MVPs, D1 Football will present a Player of the Year award during the post-season. This award exemplifies HEART and HUSTLE.

There are great players that ride the coattails of a successful team. Then there are those guys that go and lay it all out there each week to help their team be successful. Those are true MVPs.

Each of the 10 regular season MVPs are eligible and we're adding a couple more as the season winds down. In addition to the regular season winners we've added several other names worthy of consideration. This list will be narrowed to 10 semi-finalists then down to 5 finalists then voted on by D1 Football's celebrity panel.

Not only will stats be compiled, but we also take into account the intangibles such as HEART and HUSTLE along with coaches and classmates and teammates.

Good luck to you all and we'll keep you all informed on the announcements forthcoming.

Current list:
GameDay MVPs-
1. Vinny Hokavar - Perry
2. Michael Hounshell - NDCL
3. Dan Goodrum - VASJ
4. Nick Proudfoot - Ledgemont
5. Toney Foster - VASJ
6. Travis Smith - Euclid
7. Kevin Hendricks - Madison
8. Randy Greenwood - Lake Catholic
9. Bobby Scott - West Geauga
10. Rossi Santo - Kirtland

Others for consideration:
Bart Tanski - Mentor
Nick Yeager - Madison
Howard Drake - Euclid
Devon Jennings - Euclid
Ashante Williams - Mayfield
Isaiah Charlton - Chardon
Josh Lewis - Benedictine
McConnell Smith - University

SPECIAL INCLUSION TO THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WILL BE COACH OF THE YEAR. This will be the kickoff to next year's Coach of the Week award we'll present during the regular season.

CONTEST - GUESS THE STADIUM AND WIN!

"Do you think you know northeast Ohio high school football?"

The following pictures are aerial shots of area high school football stadiums/fields. Guess them ALL and win a FREE large Pizza from Zeppe's compliments of D1 Football. Guess them ALL, PLUS the bonus "mystery" stadium and we'll throw in a little something extra!! The pictures are numbered, so answer accordingly. Email your answer to ufc@d1football.net. We will award 3 winners!! Good luck!


Stadium #1 ???



Stadium #2 ???



Stadium #3 ???



Stadium #4 ???



Stadium #5 ???



Stadium #6 ???



"MYSTERY" STADIUM ???




Remember to e-mail your answers to ufc@d1football.net. If you have them all right, we'll email you back and get your information and send you your winnings! Remember be one of the first 3 to win!

Diehard Support -Perry vs West Geauga

Last night D1 had the honor of being on the sidelines for the West Geauga - Perry game in support of our players and coaches on both sidelines. This was supposed to be a game that sealed a home game in the first round of the playoffs for the Pirates from Perry. This was supposed to be Perry head coach Matt Rosati battling his former team, the West Geauga Wolverines. This was supposed to be the return to the playing field for Vinny "Air" Hokavar, probably the most talented quarterback in high school football in northeast Ohio. It was supposed to be a great game. What happened stunned the big crowd as West Geauga rolled up 41 points against a team rought with injury and players deactivated for the game. Vinny Hokavar started the game for the Pirates and threw the ball sparingly, limited by the extent of pain in his throwing shoulder. Halftime saw Hokavar return from the locker room without his pads. Good move as the Wolverines had done a lot of damage in the first half already leading 20-0.

Perry did manage to move the ball in the third quarter and garner a score, but that was about all they could do without their start quarterback and leader in the huddle. Big credit to Vinny who stayed right with his teammates on the sidelines throughout this agonizing loss, their first of the season. Though they may have slipped from a home game in round one of the playoffs, they can still pull out a win next week to close the regular season and possibly reclaim that first round homer. Congratulations to Dave Bors and a nice win over the best opponent they've faced all season long. Attacking on offense and an absolute "shut down" defense.

Seeing how lethargic and hampered on offense leads me to think, for this team, can one player truly make the difference? In game play, NO, but emotionally and mentally the team may have taken a hit that they couldn't overcome. This isn't too uncommon. Hats off to Perry head coach Matt Rosati who kept his guys fired up, although you had to figure he knew he was limited to what he could do and he had already veered from his normal gameplan. He very much deserves a nod as coach of the year.

As for our official visit, we had a great time making the rounds, meeting with moms and dads, players, the youth football and various school representatives. The fans were incredible. Now here is a place that has a terrific fan base. Beautiful facility too and a great atmosphere. Below are some pictures from the night. Stay together Pirates. You're still in the thick of the playoff hunt. Believe in your coach, he knows how to get you where you want to go. Believe in yourselves. You can jump right back on the track to winning. Vinny, keep you chin up and rest that arm for the playoffs. You are your team's leader. Good luck.



Fans out in force.


Do they love their coach or what?


Air Hokavar checks the plays.



Pirate huddle.



Air DiLillo joins the band!

Greenwood earns GameDay MVP honors.

Lake Catholic junior running back Randy Greenwood has been named D1 Football's "Shut Up and Play the Game" GameDay MVP for week 8 of the 2007 season. He'll be receiving his award and gear this week. Randy joins a healthy list of student athletes that showed "HEART" and "HUSTLE" helping their teams succeed on the field. The current list of this years winners so far include:

Week 1 - Vinny Hokavar, QB/FS, Perry High School
Week 2 - Michael Hounshell, OL/DL, Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin High School

Week 3 - Dan Goodrum, RB/DE, Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School
Week 4 - Nick Proudfoot, RB, LB, Ledgemont High School


Week 5 - Toney Foster, RB/DB, Villa Angela-St. Joseph High School

Week 6 - Travis Smith, WR/LB, Euclid High School

Week 7 - Kevin Hendricks, OL, Madison High School
Week 8 - Randy Greenwood, RB, Lake Catholic High School

The winners of this award receive their plaque and a spirit package from our sponsors. A nice touch and a small way to show our support for the efforts they make at home, in school and on the field. Keep up the great effort guys. HEART makes a champion.

Only two weeks left...who will be the next two GameDay MVPs?

D1 Football Success Stories

D1 Football would like to help you advance. Not only do we have a strong faith our program, but we also believe many other things that directly affect our passion to see you reach your goals…

D1 Football believes that every young man, that is seven or in eleventh grade, deserves our full attention and passion.

We believe that in 90 SECONDS, We can change the way a young man thinks about the way he wants to play out his football career.

We believe that in the soul and heart of every young man in this country, athlete or not,…… is the someone just looking for a chance. They want no guarantees. They just want someone to tell them what opportunities lie ahead, show them how to achieve it, and then believe in them enough to let them try.

What do you believe?

Here are some guys playing at the next level that believed in D1 and our philosophy, we believed in them, but more importantly they believed in themselves:


Brigham VanEtten (West Geauga '07), WR - University of Akron

Jerome Royal (Cleve Hts '07), WR - University of Akron

Nate Schkurko (Twinsburg '07), Long/Short Snapper - Youngstown State University

Jim McDonald (Riverside '07), LB - Ashland University

Justin Jones (NDCL '07), LB - Ashland University

Sam Fikaris (Mayfield '07), DL - California University of Pennsylvania

We've been where you guys want to go and we truly believe that we can help you get there. It's not easy and it's not all on us either. We make no guarantees, but if YOU want it bad enough and YOU put in your effort to strive toward your dream then there's no telling where you can go. Maybe a scholarship, maybe an invited walk-on or maybe advice if you want to walk-on yourself. We've done those things and our experience will take you farther than any recruiter in a suit that never played the game or took the journey. We have associates with our team that have played and coached high school, college and professional football. Together we have well over 30 years of experience with this great sport.

You have to commit. You have to be willing to do your best, first at home, then in school and then on the football field. Do not slack off in your studies. Pay attention at practice and then play your hearts out on the weekends. Be sure to take part in all that D1 has to offer. The Ultimate Football Combine held each June (plus the FREE baseline event in February), get signed up on the website and get your profile (your football resume) started NOW. Talk to your counselors at school and get the ball rolling on your NCAA Clearinghouse information. GET WITH US AND TALK FOOTBALL AND TAKING YOUR GAME TO THE NEXT LEVEL!

D1 FOOTBALL WILL BE WATCHING YOU.

D1 "Ballers" getting it done!

You can look at stats and think WOW that kid is great depending on his TOTAL stats. This is high school football NOT the NFL. Look at the AVERAGES and what the kids do WHEN THEY GET A CHANCE TO PASS, CARRY OR CATCH THE BALL.

First let's look at quarterback ratings. These are the top QBs in the area based on the NFL, NCAA and AFL (arena) QB rating systems. Remember a RATING is factual, a RANKING is subject to human error.

1. Howard Drake (Euclid), NFL - 120.3, NCAA - 174.9, AFL - 114.7
2. Vinny Hokavar (Perry), NFL - 119.7, NCAA - 183.6, AFL - 116.16
3. McConnell Smith (University), NFL - 117.1, NCAA - 172.1, AFL - 109.1

For those thinking what I think you're thinking...
Bart Tanski (Mentor), NFL - 106.1, NCAA - 154.2, AFL - 99.8

Now check these D1 kids out. Just some random stats and averages that are impressive.

Vinny Hokavar (Perry) 63/111 1119 yds passing 16 TD / 3 INT
Howard Drake (Euclid) 62/103 905 yds passing 14 TDS . 2 INT
Andre Wells (VASJ) 23/45 310 YDS passing 5 TDS / 1 INT

Kyle Petersen (Chardon) 83 rushes 740 YDS ( 8.9avg) 9TDS (11 total)
Toney Foster, Jr (VASJ) 96 rushes 554 YDS (5.8 avg) 6 TDS
Dan Goodrum (VASJ) 34 rushes 303 YDS (8.9 avg) 4 TDS (5 total)

These are just a sample of what kids are doing to help their teams. Remember look at the AVERAGES. That is a true measure as to what the kids are doing when they get the ball.

Congratulations guys. Keep playing your hearts out. Drive your teams into the post season. Inspire your teammates.

D1 Football will be watching you!

"Shut Up and Play the Game" GameDay MVP awards

Dan Goodrum week 3 MVP

Toney Foster, Jr. week 5 MVP

Travis Smith week 6 MVP

This season D1 Football began the "Shut Up and Play the Game" GameDay MVP awards given out each week to the player who best fits this description. His team may not win the game, he may not have the biggest stat total, may not even be a skill position player. This award exemplifies HEART and HUSTLE. A true difference maker. Not a media darling. A player who wins this award receives a plaque and a spirit package compliments of some of our sponsors. T-shirts will soon be added to the package.

Week 1 started out with a bang and Perry High School's Vinny Hokavar took the inaugural honors. This junior quarterback has set the standard this season, not only on the field, but at home and in the classroom.

Week 2 the award was given to Michael Hounshell of NDCL for taking his offensive line play to a new level and helping get the offense and the team on track for their first win of the season and head coach Byron Morgan's 200th victory of his career.

Week 3 was a difficult one to hand out as VASJ's Dan Goodrum put together an ourstanding display encompassing more than 250 all-purpose yards and 3 sacks in three quarters of play until the game was suspended due to lightning with the Vikings leading Maple heights 29-12. The next day the game was completed and for some reason Dan saw "zero" touches
and the game plan went too conservative allowing the Mustangs back in the game and on to victory 33-29. Nonetheless Dan deserved the award for what he did on the original night of the game.

Week 4 we had a dilemma. Too many good performances and players that made a difference, so we put the award up for a vote on the website, www.d1football.net. Ledgemont's Nick Proudfoot won the voting narrowly beating out VASJ's Toney Foster, Jr. The other nominees included Chardon's Kyle Petersen, Benedictine's Josh Lewis and Padua's Andy Dziak.


Week 5 was an easy choice....Toney Foster, Jr. from VASJ locked up the award with a follow-up against Holy Name to his breakaway game the week before against Shaw.


Week 6 the GameDay MVP was clearly Euclid's Travis Smith who exploded to help his Panthers knock off top rated Mentor 35-34.

Now week 7 is upon us and things still aren't "locked" for teams vying for playoff spots. This week is THE week in high school football here. This is the make or break week for a lot of teams. Some teams on the bubble could see their's "pop" if they don't play their hearts out. Villa Angela-St. Joseph and Lake Catholic come to mind as well as Lake's opponent Padua. NDCL also faces a critical game in order to stay in the points chase against Akron Hoban, who has no shot at all of the post season. Chardon, who's been strong all season, could be on the outside looking in if they drop this week's game to Madison. Both teams are 4-2, but Madison has only recently picked up the tempo of their play.

Who will be the GameDay MVP for week 7?

Will any of these make or break games come down to the GameDay MVP being the deciding factor?

We can only watch and see. We can only watch and enjoy northeast Ohio high school football 2007.