We're taking a very early look at the upcoming season, but also looking back and seeing where some of "our boys" are heading to play in college.
D1 Football is very, very proud to work with our area's fine young talent all season long, but this season we amped up the off-season training a bit and had a stellar program at Lost Nation Sports Park. Over 30 schools had their teams represented in workouts that kept the kids fresh and kept their desire for football burning. We also witnessed some of our players take big steps in moving on to the next level. Here's a list of those off to college from the class of 2009 that we had the pleasure of being a part of their journey:
Randy Greenwood (Lake Catholic) - University of Akron
Patrick Nicely (Willoughby South) - University of Akron
Neil Perko (Kirtland) - Lake Erie College
Schyler Chappell (Kirtland) - Lake Erie College
Ben Madden (Kirtland) - John Carroll
Kyle Smith (Kirtland) - Ohio Northern University
Jeffvron Gill (Euclid) - University of Buffalo
Rossi Santo (Kirtland) - Edinboro
Andrew Pisorn (Kirtland) - Grove City College
Vinny Hokavar (Perry) - Case Western Reserve University
Torry Treu (Kenston) - Davidson College
AJ Holderman (Kenston) - Robert Morris College
Andre Wells (VASJ) - Lake Erie College
Congratulations to all of you and best of luck in your upcoming college experiences. WE WILL BE WATCHING YOU.
On to the upcoming season of northeast Ohio high school football.
A VERY early look ahead with mini-camps right around the corner. We start off down in D-V where Kirtland looks to return to the post-season and get a ring after coming so close last year losing a heart-breaking regional title game to Ursuline 18-17. The Hornets should be set to roll in the Valley Division of the CVC, but the post-season might be interesting as division rival Berkshire is now D-V along with former D-IV champ Coldwater and cross-county VASJ. The loss of key components from last year's stellar 10-0 team, including players and coaches, will be tough to replace, but Tiger LaVerde can get the most out of his players.
Keeping with the CVC, Chagrin Falls looks to be a favorite in the CVC, plus they drop to D-IV. The Iamarino brothers team up for what should be a competitive season to say the least for the Tigers. Another CVC Chagrin team, Wickliffe, has been flying below the radar in the wake of seasons of 1-9, 1-9 and 2-8 under very uninspired coaching staffs. This season looks to change all of that. P.J. Insana comes back to take the helm of his alma mater and is joined by an all-star cast of coaches, 7 of whom were former St. Joseph Vikings players of coaches. From red horns to blue this group is on a mission to help these kids find the passion that is football and get them winning again to jump start this program.
All is not lost in Lake County as Lake Catholic looks to rebound from a season of injury and a miss at the post-season. Head coach Mike Bell is confident that he and his staff have the kids ready. They've been working hard in the off-season, some with us here at D1, and they have one goal. Get back to winning and find the post-season. Mentor also needs a composure fix after the playoff beating they took at the hands of Strongsville last year to end a great 2008 campaign. Never say never with Steve Trivisonno. Willoughby South sees Cal Rainey take the reins from Pat Nicely and they have a ton of team speed. Watch out for these "runnin' Rebels in 2009.
Out west, Strongsville loses Kellen Pagel to graduation and must fill that void at QB, but our buddy Russ Jacques knows how to win, no matter what. Chico IS the man and St. Ignatius is the team to beat in D-I this year. No more talk of teams from down south until they can handle the Wildcats. Look for the "Holy War" to mean something this year as the St. Edward Eagles take flight with a new defensive-minded head coach in Ricky Finotti and the expert offensive play calling of Joe Perella.
In the city of Cleveland and the Senate in particular, keep an eye on John Hay. They are returning to Varsity football after a very long time out of the lights. We're not expecting them to come in and be gang busters, but we worked with this class group of young men all off-season and we think they have the fire burning and we believe they will open some eyes this year on the road back to football. We know they'll be baby steps, but as you know babies make a lot of noise.
Other teams to keep and eye on this season starting this spring with mini-camps:
Aurora - "Another title for the Greemen after losing so much beef?"
Chardon - "Can they get back to their winning ways?"
Mayfield - "How much will losing Finotti dampen the defense of the Wildcats?"
Perry - "We know Air Hokavar is gone, but can we get deeper into the playoffs boys?"
Glenville - "Will they ever win a playoff game beyond round one?"
Euclid - "Still hungry?"
Eastlake North - "Will they ever make it to the post-season?"
Solon - "Have the Comets lost their fire?"
Kenston - "Do we need to get out the shovels now?"
Richmond Heights - "Will they even have a team this year?"
Streetsboro - "Can the magic continue this year?"
Brunswick - "Manco is off to Lake Erie College, but count on these Blue Devils to be in the hunt again"
and YES BOYS...THE "DAMNED GOOD DOZEN" WILL RETURN TO STIR UP MORE CONTROVERSY THIS SEASON!!!!!! Here's how last year wrapped up : FINAL DGD
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
THE NEW "ZIPS!"
A D1 FOOTBALL EARLY EXCLUSIVE!!!
Former Lake Catholic standout Randy Greenwood along with Willoughby South QB Patrick Nicely and Rebel lineman Josip Vidovic signed their Letters of Intent today to accept scholarship offers to the University of Akron. The three area athletes joined together at Willoughby South High School this afternoon in front of friends, family and the media for the usual photo op and interviews. The thing that made this day special were the young men themselves. A very nice group of kids on and off the football field. True gentlemen.
Dotting I's and crossing T's
Watch the videos
Randy Greenwood is just simply anxious to get back to football after sitting out his senior season with a leg unjury. The class act by Akron to stand true in their offer not only speaks volumes about head coach J.D. Brookhart, but opens up the door for Randy to realize his dream to play D-1 football and be a part of a special time in Zips' football. Akron will open up a new stadium with some fresh local talent and a renewed outlook on taking over the MAC.
Vidovic, Greenwood and Nicely
Patrick Nicely, coming off a great senior year realizes that he'll have to sit and learn early on, but also knows that's the process and it's for the best. This kid is ready to win! It's nice that he'll have one of his high school linemen there with him too along the way.
The players and their high school coaches
A very proud Greenwood family
Introducing new Akron WR Randy Greenwood!
D1 Football and northeast Ohio are proud of you guys!
This is a very nice day for northeast Ohio football as a whole as we get to have renewed hope that out young talent will once again bring forward the notion of this area being the "Cradle of High School Football" as they move on to their college careers. Gentlemen, D1 Football and ALL of you coaches, fans and the rest of northeast Ohio wish you all health and success in your promising young futures. Do right by mom and dad. Get it done in the classroom. THEN go lights out on the football field. Be proud of what you have accomplished becasue we are proud of each one of you.
Former Lake Catholic standout Randy Greenwood along with Willoughby South QB Patrick Nicely and Rebel lineman Josip Vidovic signed their Letters of Intent today to accept scholarship offers to the University of Akron. The three area athletes joined together at Willoughby South High School this afternoon in front of friends, family and the media for the usual photo op and interviews. The thing that made this day special were the young men themselves. A very nice group of kids on and off the football field. True gentlemen.
Dotting I's and crossing T's
Watch the videos
Randy Greenwood is just simply anxious to get back to football after sitting out his senior season with a leg unjury. The class act by Akron to stand true in their offer not only speaks volumes about head coach J.D. Brookhart, but opens up the door for Randy to realize his dream to play D-1 football and be a part of a special time in Zips' football. Akron will open up a new stadium with some fresh local talent and a renewed outlook on taking over the MAC.
Vidovic, Greenwood and Nicely
Patrick Nicely, coming off a great senior year realizes that he'll have to sit and learn early on, but also knows that's the process and it's for the best. This kid is ready to win! It's nice that he'll have one of his high school linemen there with him too along the way.
The players and their high school coaches
A very proud Greenwood family
Introducing new Akron WR Randy Greenwood!
D1 Football and northeast Ohio are proud of you guys!
This is a very nice day for northeast Ohio football as a whole as we get to have renewed hope that out young talent will once again bring forward the notion of this area being the "Cradle of High School Football" as they move on to their college careers. Gentlemen, D1 Football and ALL of you coaches, fans and the rest of northeast Ohio wish you all health and success in your promising young futures. Do right by mom and dad. Get it done in the classroom. THEN go lights out on the football field. Be proud of what you have accomplished becasue we are proud of each one of you.
Monday, February 2, 2009
RANDY GREENWOOD TO SIGN LOI TO AKRON!
Former Lake Catholic High School standout Randy Greenwood will sign his Letter of Intent to accept a scholarship at the University of Akron this week.
The 2008 season was pretty rough on Randy as a preseason leg injury prematurely ended his high school career. Through surgery and rigorous rehabilitation, RG is back up to speed and even playing basketball this season. There's no doubt in his level of conditioning and committment.
In 2007, Randy helped lead the Cougars to the D-III Region 9 Title and on into the State Semi-Finals where they would fall victim in the last minutes of the game to Licking Valley. No matter where he lined up on the field he was always a threat! Running back and defensive back were the norm, but throw in a little receiver, punter and quarterback and, well, he very much emulated his hero, "Superman" on the football field.
Talent runs very deep in the Greenwood family. Randy younger brothers are also very talented athletes at Fairport Harbor.
Now, Randy moves on from high school to take hold of his dream to play NCAA Division-I college football at the University of Akron. Coach Brookhart and the Zips have truly landed a class act on and off the football field.
Randy and several other prominant area high school players took part in several youth football camps to "give back" to the community. "He is never put out by helping out the younger kids when asked," says D1 Football Director of Football Operations Rusty Bliss, who's worked with Randy the past couple of years. "Randy well deserves this scholarship opportunity not only because of the type of athlete he is, but because of the type of young man he has become. He's gone through a year of hell and he's made his way back and now he's on the verge of taking the next big step towards his dream. He's a great role model for these younger players," said Bliss.
Randy will say goodbye to northeast Ohio high school football after graduation and become a piece in a bigger puzzle. The Zips have a new stadium and a new outlook for their future in the MAC. The team is geared up to win and the way that they stood by their committment to Randy after his leg injury shows nothing but class on the university's part. Coach Brookhart would love nothing better than to start building with local talent from northeast Ohio.
Look out Mid American Conference, Randy Greenwood is coming at you!
From those of us who have watched you up close grow over the years, we wish you nothing but the best in following your dream! Good luck RG.
The 2008 season was pretty rough on Randy as a preseason leg injury prematurely ended his high school career. Through surgery and rigorous rehabilitation, RG is back up to speed and even playing basketball this season. There's no doubt in his level of conditioning and committment.
In 2007, Randy helped lead the Cougars to the D-III Region 9 Title and on into the State Semi-Finals where they would fall victim in the last minutes of the game to Licking Valley. No matter where he lined up on the field he was always a threat! Running back and defensive back were the norm, but throw in a little receiver, punter and quarterback and, well, he very much emulated his hero, "Superman" on the football field.
Talent runs very deep in the Greenwood family. Randy younger brothers are also very talented athletes at Fairport Harbor.
Now, Randy moves on from high school to take hold of his dream to play NCAA Division-I college football at the University of Akron. Coach Brookhart and the Zips have truly landed a class act on and off the football field.
Randy and several other prominant area high school players took part in several youth football camps to "give back" to the community. "He is never put out by helping out the younger kids when asked," says D1 Football Director of Football Operations Rusty Bliss, who's worked with Randy the past couple of years. "Randy well deserves this scholarship opportunity not only because of the type of athlete he is, but because of the type of young man he has become. He's gone through a year of hell and he's made his way back and now he's on the verge of taking the next big step towards his dream. He's a great role model for these younger players," said Bliss.
Randy will say goodbye to northeast Ohio high school football after graduation and become a piece in a bigger puzzle. The Zips have a new stadium and a new outlook for their future in the MAC. The team is geared up to win and the way that they stood by their committment to Randy after his leg injury shows nothing but class on the university's part. Coach Brookhart would love nothing better than to start building with local talent from northeast Ohio.
Look out Mid American Conference, Randy Greenwood is coming at you!
From those of us who have watched you up close grow over the years, we wish you nothing but the best in following your dream! Good luck RG.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
It's On! 2009 Starts with a Bang!
D1 FOOTBALL TRAINING BEGINS FRIDAY JANUARY 30TH AT LOST NATION SPORTS PARK!
Those who will attend this 3 month event will be treated to some of the most comprehensive, personal "football specific" training in northeast Ohio.
If you haven't made plans to join us and you're still interested, contact us at ufc@d1football.net or just simply show up for the Open House on Friday the 30th.
AREA COLLEGE PROSPECTS!!! GET US YOUR VIDEO!
Send us your highlight and game films on DVD and we'll get them posted online on our SCOREBOARD page. Send us photos too and when you see your "D1 Trading Card" photo on the scoreboard, click on it and the world will see your video!
Players/Parents wishing to order SCOUT PACKS make sure you include at least three photos and as many stats as possible. Also contact your school counselor for a copy of your transcripts so we can include those too.
Those who will attend this 3 month event will be treated to some of the most comprehensive, personal "football specific" training in northeast Ohio.
If you haven't made plans to join us and you're still interested, contact us at ufc@d1football.net or just simply show up for the Open House on Friday the 30th.
AREA COLLEGE PROSPECTS!!! GET US YOUR VIDEO!
Send us your highlight and game films on DVD and we'll get them posted online on our SCOREBOARD page. Send us photos too and when you see your "D1 Trading Card" photo on the scoreboard, click on it and the world will see your video!
Players/Parents wishing to order SCOUT PACKS make sure you include at least three photos and as many stats as possible. Also contact your school counselor for a copy of your transcripts so we can include those too.
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