Tuesday, September 29, 2009

A tale of two rivals

Many football programs have more than one rival. Michigan has Michigan State and Ohio State. MSU has the Wolverines and Notre Dame. ND has Michigan, MSU and USC, to name a few. On the high school level the Massillon Washington-Canton McKinley rivalry is Ohios oldest and one of the most recognizable rivalries in the entire country. But Massillon also counts Warren Harding as a big rival.
Locally our Little Giants take part in Ohios second-oldest rivalry with the Sandusky Blue Streaks. It is a series that has been going on since 1895. It is also one of the nations oldest high school football rivalries. It means a lot to both communities, even in times when one of the two programs, in this case Sandusky, is really struggling.
But like the aforementioned programs with more than one rival, Fremont Ross also has a second intense rivalry. That would be with this weeks football opponent, the Findlay Trojans. And as much as we want to beat that team from Erie County, we also point to and want to beat Findlay.
Just seven years after the Ross-Sandusky series started, Fremont Ross and Findlay began their historic football series. The year was 1902, 107 year ago, and the Trojans won the first ever game between the two schools 41-11. The next time the two teams met was the sixth game of the 1906 season and once again the Trojans won 58-0. After those two drubbings the two teams would not face each other again until the third game of the 1917 season and the result was much the same as the previous two meetings, Findlay won 30-6. Fremont Ross would wait until the 1919 season before getting a taste of victory over their Hancock County foes with a 22-0 shutout win.
Coming into this Friday nights homecoming game at the Don the two rivals have met 86 times since that inital game at the start of the 20th century. Despite the early Trojan success, the Little Giants have a commanding 52-31-3 lead in the series. The two teams have met on the gridiron every year from 1930 on. That surpasses the Ross-Sandusky rivalry which has seen interruptions twice, in 1943 and again in 1987 and 1988.
The Ross-Findlay rivalry has seen some interesting streaks. The most recent was a six game win streak by the Trojans from 1998-2003. That matched the win streak the Little Giants had from 1992-1997.
We all know the great players and coaches that have taken part in the Little Giants side of this rivalry. Well Findlay too, has seen its share of noted players and coaches in the series. Rothelisberger, Schramm, Iriti, Walker and more have made stellar plays for the Trojans, while coaches such as Hite and Bill Jones have piloted Findlay on the sidelines.
There have been some incredible games between the two teams. In this fans mind the 1974 game was probably the greatest in the history of the rivalry. The 7-0-1 Little Giants visited the powerful Trojans at Donnell Stadium in the ninth game of the '74 campaign. 11,000 fans ringed Donnell for that game and they saw the Tom Hollman coached Little Giants slug out a 12-7 victory enroute to another Buckeye Conference title. In 1975 the unbeaten Trojans came into Harmon Stadium to face the 6-1-1 Little Giants. 10,000 were on hand to watch Findlay win 22-13.
So that brings us to 2009 and the 87th renewal of this old rivalry. Findlay comes in 1-4 while our Little Giants are 4-1. Both teams have been pointing to this game. The Trojans pin their hopes on turning their less than successful campaign around with a win over their hated rivals. Their team and fans have been pointing to this game from the preseason on. The Little Giants meantime, have also been pointing to this game, remembering what happened to them and their playoff hopes in a 37-34 heartbreaking loss to the Trojans in 2008 at Donnell Stadium.
Some folks seem to think that a team can only have one major rival. Well the facts and history points to another point of view. At Fremont Ross we are fortunate to be a part of two historic rivalries in the story of Ohio high school football. We'll take care of that team from Erie County in week 10. But before that let's take care of the other rival by knocking off the Trojans this Friday night at the Don.

Be there. All the goals are still there.

LET'S GO LITTLE GIANTS

BEAT FINDLAY!!




Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Week five ticker....

We're coming into the midway point of the '09 football season and the games get bigger and bigger in relation to the playoff race.

In region 2...
Toledo Whitmer(4-0) the current #1 team in R2 takes on Toledo St. Johns(2-2) at Toledo Starts Spartan Stadium. St. Johns is currently 14th in the region and coming in after losing to Toledo St. Francis last weekend 7-6. Whitmer rolled over Toledo Rogers 43-20 last weekend. The Titans would roll up some serious harbins with what would be an upset win but I don't believe that will happen. Whitmer is the real deal this year.

#2 Brunswick(4-0) hosts #8 Twinsburg(3-1) Friday night. This is a huge R2 battle with the winner cementing their presence in the top 8. Brunswick was a 43-22 winner over Garfield Heights last weekend while the Tigers easily knocked off Parma Normandy 27-7.

#5 Hudson has a big battle with the Comets of Solon(4-0) at home. The Explorers were 35-34 overtime winners over winless Strongsville last weekend while Solon, currently the #4 team in R1 was a 42-6 winner over Parma.

As far a our Little Giants go it would helpful if Twinsburg and Solon were to win. #7 Perrysburg and #9 Oregon Clay, two teams ahead of #11 Ross face winless teams. The Yellow Jackets take on 0-4 Bowling Green while the Clay Eagles face winless Toledo Start. Look for a mild upset in that Start-Clay game as I expect the Spartans to pull out the win.

In other games of interest this weekend....
The Napoleon Wildcats of the Greater Buckeye Conference, currently 4-0 and the #1 team in R10 take to the road to visit the Irish of Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary(3-1). SVSM is ranked 4th in R9 this week. I know Napoleon fans see red when people criticize their non-conference schedule as weak, but frankly, it is compared to who SVSM plays in the first part of the season. Because of that I look for the Irish to win this one.

This weeks "are they for real" team is the Galion Tigers(4-0). The Tigers are enjoying some football success after a long drought. Galion is currently the #4 team in R14 and will be seriously tested by the Tornadoes of Tiffin Columbian(2-2) this Friday night in Galion. Columbian is currently 15th in R10 and a win would help them move up handily, not to mention how much it would help teams that have beaten the Tornadoes, such as Fremont Ross. I expect Tiffin will win this one.

The high-flying Comets of Genoa(4-0), currently 5th in R14 visit the 2-2 Northwood Rangers on Friday night. Genoa has outscored their opponents 228-7 in their first four games. This weekend should be no different up along I-280.

A big battle will take place Saturday night in Delphos when the Jefferson Wildcats(4-0) host the Thunderbirds of Lima Central Catholic(3-1). Jefferson, the "other" team in Delphos is currently ranked 3rd in R18 and are coming off a 17-7 win over Allen East. LCC is 10th in the same region and hammered Columbus Grove last weekend 43-0. A Thunderbird win would move them up nicely in R18. Look for that to happen.

Hicksville(4-0), currently the #5 team in R18 visits Wayne Trace(3-1) the #12 team in R18. The Aces were 48-19 winners over Antwerp last weekend while the Raiders were edged by Edgerton 33-32. This one could be a great one to watch for folks in far Northwest Ohio.

Lakota(3-1), a 16-0 loser to Fremont SJCC last Saturday night continues their buzzsaw introduction to the Midland Athletic League this weekend. The Raiders, currently #7 in R18 despite losing to the Crimson Streaks take on unbeaten Carey(4-0) on Friday night. The game is at Lakota. Carey was a 14-8 winner over Tiffin Calvert last weekend. The Blue Devils are currently ranked 5th in R22.

Then there is the huge MAL battle between two 4-0 team in Bascom on Friday night. The Cheiftans of Hopewell-Loudon host the suprising Crimson Streaks of Fremont St. Joseph Central Catholic. H-L is currently in 4th in the R21 playoff chase after beating Mohawk 28-6 last weekend. SJCC is sitting in 3rd in the R22 playoff chase after knocking off Lakota last Saturday night. SJCC can make a big statement with a win in this one but it won't be easy. We'll be rooting for the Streaks to get the win.

Ashland Crestview hosts Monroeville on Friday night. Both teams come into this one at 3-1 and in the playoff hunt in their respective regions. The Crestview Cougars, who lost their first game of the '09 campaign last weekend to Norwalk St. Paul 27-7 are currently ranked 6th in R18. Monroeville is in 7th place in R21 and was a 60-18 blowout winner over New London last Friday night.

As always lots of great games to choose from this weekend as the playoff races begin to take shape. Get out and support your team. Support the kids.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Our out of state opponents

With the Little Giants entertaining the Knights of Bloomfield Hills Lahser this coming Friday night I thought it would be a good time to look back at our history with opponents from outside the state of Ohio.

The first time Ross took on an out of state team was back in 1952. The Little Giants hosted Hammond (IN) Bishop Noll in the ninth game of the '52 campaign and won 33-26. Bishop Noll made another appearance on the Little Giant schedule in the second week of the 1955 season and once again Ross won, this time by a 7-0 count. That win was #2 in what turned out to be the historic 29 game win streak that ran from 1955-1957.

The next time the Little Giants took on an out of state team was in the 1960 season. Ross got the ok to play an 11th regular season game that year and travelled to Louisville (KY) to take on Bishop Flaget High School in the first week of the season. It was a long trip back to Fremont as the Little Giants lost that one, 25-7.

The Little Giants would wait 31 years before playing another team from outside the Buckeye state. That team was the Mules of Bedford(MI). Ross and the Mules played nine times when the two were members of the Great Lakes League. The Little Giants won all nine of those contests.

To review here how we have fared against teams from outside Ohio...
1952...Ross 33 Hammond(IN) Bishop Noll 26
1955...Ross 7 Hammond (IN) Bishop Noll 0
1960...Louisville (KY) Bishop Flaget 25 Ross 7
1991...Ross 20 Bedford(MI) 12
1992...Ross 28 Bedford(MI) 14
1993...Ross 46 Bedford(MI) 16
1994...Ross 34 Bedford(MI) 10
1995...Ross 28 Bedford(MI) 12
1996...Ross 51 Bedford (MI) 0
1997...Ross 34 Bedford(MI) 7
1998...Ross 28 Bedford(MI) 6
1999...Ross 27 Bedford (MI) 14

12 games against opponents from out of Ohio with a record of 11-1. 9-0 against Michigan teams. Granted all those wins were against one team but that unbeaten string against the Wolverine state is worth keeping intact, don't you think?

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Week four ticker....

Week four brings the following games of interest in region 2.

Brunswick(3-0) has a big game against Garfield Heights(3-0). The Blue Devils were 37-21 winners over Massillon Perry last weekend. Garfield Heights, currently ranked 11th in R1 knocked off Parma Heights Holy name 28-14.

There is a big battle of 3-0 powers at Whitmer Memorial Stadium in Toledo tomorrow night. The Whitmer Panthers host the Rams of Toledo Rogers. Whitmer is currently the #2 team in R2 while Rogers is the number one team in R6. The winner of this one will pile up a lot of harbins. I look for a disciplined Whitmer team to win this one.

The Elyria Pioneers, currently in 7th in R2 host the 3-0 Mayfield Wildcats. Mayfield is currently in 4th place in R1. Elyria is coming off a 48-15 loss to Avon Lake while Mayfield was a 31-6 winner over Olmsted Falls last weekend.

North Canton Hoover and Massillon Perry two 2-1 teams hook up tomorrow night in North Canton. The winner of this one will move up in R2.

Canton McKinley(2-1) will host Austintown Fitch(3-0) on Saturday night at Fawcett Stadium with the winner getting a lot of points as well.

There is a great rivalry game at the Glass Bowl in Toledo tomorrow night between Toledo St. Francis and Toledo St. Johns. The Knights(3-0) are coming off a 31-18 win over Dayton Carroll and are ranked third in R6. The Titans are coming in after beating Sandusky 42-21. The Titans are 11th in R2.

In other games of interest...
A big battle of 3-0 teams looms tomorrow night at Buckenmeyer Stadium in Napoleon. The Wildcats host the surprising Golden Bears of Bryan. Napoleon was a 35-0 winner over Bowling Green last week while Bryan rolled to 3-0 with a 43-14 win over Delta. This one could be a great game and I would not be suprised to see Bryan pull off a bit of a shocker.

The Edison Chargers are currently ranked fourth in R14. They can pile up some playoff points with a win over the Huron Tigers tomorrow night. Edison is hosting the 2-1 Tigers and is coming off a 44-6 win over Wellington. Huron is coming in after being shellacked 42-3 by Norwalk St. Paul. I look for Huron to win.

There is a big battle coming Saturday night at Don Paul Stadium between two 3-0 teams. The newest member of the Midland Athletic League, the Lakota Raiders pay a visit to the Crimson Streaks of Fremont St. Joseph Central Catholic. Lakota is currently in third place in R18 while the Streaks are ranked fourth in R22. Lakota was a 38-28 winner over Margaretta last week while the Crimson Streaks beat Gibsonburg 21-6. This one should be a dandy.

Tomorrow night folks in Henry County get to see the latest renewal of the bitter rivalry between Patrick Henry and Liberty Center. Patrick Henry is 3-0 after hammering Montpelier last week 48-6 and is currently in a tie for fourth in R18. The Tigers of Liberty Center are 2-1 after edging Evergreen last week 21-20. LC is in in 10th in R18.

Another R18 battle tomorrow night, over in far Northwest Ohio pits two 3-0 team against each other. Wayne Trace and Edgerton hook up at Edgerton. Wayne Trace was a 14-12 winner over Convoy Crestview last weekend while Edgerton, currently fifth in R22 was a 20-10 winner over Oregon Cardinal Stritch.

A huge battle will take place in Ashland County tomorrow night as the Flyers of Norwalk St. Paul(3-0) , fresh off their blowout win over Huron visit the Cougars of Ashland Crestview(3-0). The Cougars beat Lucas 49-7 last week. NSP is currently in second place in R21 while Crestview sits in second place in R18.

Another big Midland Athletic League battle takes place in Bascom tomorrow night. The Cheiftans of Hopewell-Loudon(3-0) host the Warriors of Mohawk(2-1). H-L beat Northwood 41-22 last week while Mohawk was a 26-3 winner over Upper Sandusky.

If you want offensive fireworks tomorrow night you may want to make the trip to Toledo to watch Toledo Christian(2-1) host Ada(3-0). Both of these team put up a lot of points. Ada beat Columbus Grove last week 56-28 while Christian lost to Fort Loramie 30-27.

As always there are a lot of great high school football games in our area and all over Ohio this weekend. Go out and support your favorite team. Support the kids.

Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Forty years ago....Week four of 1969

Forty years ago, it was September of 1969. Richard Nixon was President. The Vietnam war was still raging creating hardships for the families of the brave men giving their lives, and creating controversy for the people who vehemently opposed our involvement in Southeast Asia. Gas was cheaper, food was cheaper, and overall prices were cheaper than they are today.

Locally, Joseph Tipton was Mayor of Fremont. People still shopped downtown at stores like Joseph's, Penney's and Montgomery Ward. Fremonters were considering whether to build a flood control system on the Sandusky River. And on the football field, the Little Giants of Fremont Ross were still in a rebuilding mode after the retirement of legendary Mal Mackey after the 1966 season.

Chuck Shuff was in his second season as the Ross head coach. After a 1-9 campaign in 1968 the Little Giants were 0-2-1 after their first three games in '69 with losses to Toledo Rogers and Toledo Bowsher on either end of a 26-26 tie with Cleveland Lincoln-West. Week four of that 1969 season would see the Little Giants opening up Buckeye Conference play at home against the Tygers of Mansfield Senior. The Little Giants beat the Tygers on that fall night 24-22 giving Coach Shuff his first Buckeye Conference victory ever, but just one of only two wins in the '69 season.

A sixth grader at Stamm school got to see his first ever Ross football game that night. You see, the young man had often looked over at Harmon Stadium many times during recess and thought how big that stadium looked. He thought about much fun it would be to attend a game there. He had heard all the stories from family members about the great games that had taken place there. The great players, coaches, and the historic rivalry with that school in Erie County. He heard how much we were supposed to hate Sandusky.

And finally he was there. Inside the stadium, sitting there watching the players during pregame warmups. Watching the band march onto the field. Staring at that big scoreboard in the Northeast corner of the stadium. When the game began he could not believe how loud it was, how intense the people around him were. They were yelling real loud, urging the Little Giants on, wanting them to win. And the Little Giants did win. They beat Mansfield 24-22. The people around him were happy, the students were cheering, the cheerleaders were ringing the victory bell. That little boy was hooked. In his sixth-grade mind he vowed that he would come back, and often. He felt the tradition and the pride that was Fremont Ross football. He knew it was important to all those people there that night. He could feel that it would become important to him...and it did.

Forty years later, that little boy has seen many changes in our world. Prices are higher, a different President is in the White House and unfortunately brave men and women are still putting their lives on the line for their country in a different part of the world than they were in 1969. But one thing has not changed. He still loves and follows his Little Giants. Every Friday night in the fall he can be found in Don Paul Stadium or whatever stadium Ross may be playing in, rooting on the team he learned to support on that fall night back in '69.

By now I'm sure you have figured out that the little boy is me. I've been fortunate to be able to spend the last forty years supporting our Little Giants, through the good times and bad. Through wins and losses. Just like all of you. Generation after generation of Fremonters, who make their way to the corner of Miller St. and Woodson Way on Friday nights in the fall. It's where we belong. It's what we do.

I'm looking forward to the next forty years.


Let's GO Little Giants
BEAT BENEDICTINE!!

Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Benedictine week...

The Bengals of Cleveland Benedictine come calling this Friday night. Benny is 1-2 on the season with losses to Chardon NDCL and Mentor Lake Catholic. The Bengals win was this past Friday night, 28-0 over Chardon. The series between the Little Giants and Bengals began in 1980 and look like this....

1980...Benedictine 21-12
1981...Benedictine 12-10
1982...Benedictine 14-7
1983...Ross 16-6
1984...Benedictine 31-14
1985...Benedictine 28-21
1986...Benedictine 23-0
1987...Benedictine 14-13
1988...Benedictine 17-12
2003...Benedictine 49-10
2004...Benedictine 34-26
2005...Benedictine 31-0
2006...Ross 34-28
2007...Benedictine 30-0
2008...Benedictine 12-0

So yes, Benny has a 13-2 lead in the series. But look at the scores. Very few of the games were blowouts. Seven of the Little Giant losses were games that could have gone the other way. But those games are all in the past.

So we have a Benny block. At least that's what some say. We are intimidated by the Bengals. We can't beat Benedictine. They have our number. Maybe, maybe not. But let's end that this year.

It's time for the Little Giants to come out and play hard, every play, every down. Remember they are a program that has lost two games this season in blowout fashion. This is a team that can be beat. Let's put the past behind us and end this whole benny block. Let's beat the Bengals this Friday night.

Thursday, September 10, 2009

Week three ticker....

Three weeks into the 2009 season and here are the big games in Region 2.

Wadsworth(2-0) takes on Medina(1-1). The Grizzlies were 37-29 winners over Nordonia last week. Wadsworth currently sits in a tie for fourth in R2 with Perrysburg. The Bees of Medina are currently in 14th place in the region.

The current #7 in the region, Brunswick(2-0) hosts Massillon Perry(2-0) tomorrow night. The Perry Panthers are the #9 team in R2. The winner of this one will vault much higher in the playoff race.

Twinsburg(2-0) has a tough task ahead of them with a game at 2-0 Aurora. Twinsburg easily handled Parma Valley Forge last week 42-0. Aurora was a 44-19 winner over Crestwood.

North Canton Hoover(1-1) makes the trip to Richland County to take on powerful Lexington. The Minutemen are 2-0 and looking to make a statement with a win over the Vikings. I think Lex wins this one.

Other games of interest.....
The Fighting Irish of Toledo Central Catholic(2-0) host Penn High from Mishhawaka, IN(3-0). Should be a great battle between Ohio and Indiana football. CCHS wins.

Holland Springfield (1-1) can gain some good harbins by knocking off Oregon Clay. The Blue Devils are currently ranked in 11th in R5 while Clay(1-1) is 10th in R2.

In this weeks "are they for real " catagory, we put the Golden Bears of Bryan(2-0). The Bears are coming off a 35-10 win over Archbold and take on Delta(1-1) on Friday. Bryan is currently in 6th in R10.

The Oak Harbor Rockets have a big task ahead of them tomorrow night. OH is coming off a 51-0 thrashing by the Comets of Genoa. The Rockets are at Eastwood (2-0). Oak Harbor currently sits in 8th place in R10 and if they could somehow pull off the win over the Eagles they would move up nicely. Eastwood wins.

Genoa travels across Route 163 to pay a visit to the Port Clinton Redskins. Both teams are 2-0 and the winner will get a load of playoff points. Genoa is currently in 2nd in R14. PC is 10th. A Port Clinton win would be a huge upset.

Bucyrus(2-0) hosts their longtime rival Galion(2-0) for a nonconference game. In a couple of years this one will be a league tilt again. This one could be a fun one.

In Bascom the Cheiftans of Hopewell-Loudon(2-0) will host the Rangers of Northwood(1-1). A win by Northwood, currently ranked in an 11th place tie with Delta in R18 would move them up. They aren't going to knock of H-L. The Cheiftans are currently in a third place tie in R21.

There will be a whale of a game at Huron Friday night. The Tigers(2-0) host the 2-0Flyers of Norwalk St. Paul. Huron was a 42-18 winner over Norwalk last week while NSP was a 37-13 winner over Tiffin Calvert. This one has classic written all over it.

The high powered offense of Toledo Christian(2-0) will be on the road at(2-0) Fort Loramie. Christian has had some high-scoring battles so far this season with wins over Delta 50-43, and Holgate 62-49. Ft. Loramie is coming off a 14-7 win over New Bremen.

Over in Hancock County Ada(2-0) hosts Columbus Grove (1-1). The Bulldogs are currently in 5th in R22.

Saturday night at the Don the Crimson Streaks of SJCC(2-0) renew an old rivalry by hosting the Golden Bears of Gibsonburg(1-1). SJCC knocked off Sandusky St. Marys last week. SJCC wins a close one.

Plenty of great games to chose from this weekend. Go out and support your team. Support the kids.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Columbian week...

Friday night will be the 55th meeting between Fremont Ross and Tiffin Columbian. The series between the two schools began 102 years ago in 1907. The two teams actually played twice in the inaugural season. Columbian won both games that year, 5-0, and 28-5. Ross has since taken a 35-17-2 lead in the series. The last 10 Ross-Columbian results look like this...

2008..Ross 28-6
2007...Ross 35-7
2006...Ross 17-7
2005...Columbian 21-7
2004...Columbian 35-13
2003...Columbian 56-7
2002...Columbian 47-7
2001...Columbian 35-7
1994...Columbian 21-13
1993...Ross 27-0

Columbian is 1-1 on the season. The Tornadoes were beaten by Toledo Whitmer 35-7 in week one. Tiffin evened their '09 record with a 39-23 win over Mansfield Madison last Friday night. The Little Giants are also 1-1. Ross opened the season with a 24-7 win over Toledo Start in week one and lost to the same Whitmer team that beat Tiffin, 29-25 last week.

Last years game between the two at Frost-Kalnow Stadium in Tiffin saw The Little Giants play their best game of the season enroute to a 28-6 win. Some folks say the '08 edition of the Little Giants lost focus after that win. I don't think that will be an issue in '09. This teams seems very focused on winning. Let's get back to it at the Don Friday night.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Football eve thoughts....

As the sun sets on this beautiful late summer day some thoughts heading into week 2....

As I write this I've got the Massillon-Canton GleOak game on and the Tigers are out to a 14-0 lead. This is another big game in region two this weekend. Perrysburg and Clay at BGSU's doyt Perry Stadium will be interesting. The Yellow Jackets and Eagles both opened the season with wins. The loser of this one will gain some second level points down the road for the winner.

Tomorrow night in Northeast Ohio Wadsworth(1-0) takes on Nordonia(1-0). The Grizzlies are coming off a 21-7 win over Stow-Munroe Falls while Nordonias week one win was over Tallmadge 34-19.

Another big game in R2 taking place tonight is North Canton Hoover(1-0) against neigborhood foe and D2 power Louisville. A lot of points to be gained by the winner in this one.

And then of course, theres the R2 battle tomorrow night at Whitmer Memorial Stadium. the Little Giants of Fremont Ross(1-0) visit the Panthers of Toledo Whitmer(1-0). Ross is coming off a 24-7 win over Toledo Start while the Panthers were 35-7 winners over Tiffin Columbian last Friday night. This one just got a bit more interesting as ESPNU announced today that Little Giant junior Greg Brown has announced his intention to attend the University of Michigan. Earlier this week Whitmer junior defensive end Kenny Hayes verballed to Ohio State.

Massillon now leading GlenOak 21-0 sounds like a good crowd at PBTS.
Louisville leading North Canton Hoover 19-0

There are also some great games in our area of Ohio this weekend.

Is St. Francis for real? A big win over Findlay would go a long way in proving that yes, they are. Findlay on the other hand is hoping they are able to turn things around.

Also in the "are they for real" catagory lets talk about the Lima Senior Spartans. 49-14 winners over Celina last weekend. I think the Spartans have a shot a beating the John Snoad coached Gahanna Lincoln Lions.

The Perkins Pirates of the SBC will pay a visit to Strobel Field in Sandusky tomorrow night. The Pirates have many appearances at Strobel but this time they taking on the Blue Streaks. Look for a Pirate win tomorrow.

The Crimson Streaks of Fremont SJCC will be at Strobel Field Saturday night in their annual showdown with the Panthers of Sandusky SMCC. St. Joe is coming off a win over Oregon Cardinal Stritch 40-7 while the Panthers lost to powerhouse Norwalk St. Paul. The Crimson Streaks will win the 75th meeting between these two old rivals.



Toledo Central Catholic(1-0) hosts Dublin Scioto at the Gallahger Athletic Complex tomorrow night. This one is a battle of "Figthing Irish" teams. Sciotos Irish were losers to Pickerington North last week, 12-7.

We can't forget about the battle for the "Celestial Ball" between Genoa(1-0) and the Oak Harbor Rockets(1-0). While it was good to see OH win last week, the Comets will come out on top in this one, handily.

Shelby and Lexington hook up tomorrow night at Shelby. Both teams are 1-0. Lex should win that one.

Edison visits Monroeville tomorrow night. The Chargers of the SBC were winners last Friday night over Norwalk 35-19 while Monroeville were 33-24 victors over Keystone. Should be a great game. Monroeville wins.

Two 1-0 teams meet at Tru-Lay field in Port Clinton tomorrow night. The Redskins are hosting the Gibsonburg Golden Bears. The Golden Bears hope to go 2-0.

Halftime
Massillon 21
GlenOak 3

Louisville 27
Hoover 6

Over in the far Northwest part of Ohio tomorrow night the Blue Streaks of Archbold host the Golden Bears of Bryan. Both teams will come in 1-0.

And an interesting game will take place tomorrow night in Delphos as the Blue Jays of St. Johns(1-0) host the Rams of Tinora(1-0). The 'Jays were 21-14 winners over Lima CC last week while Tinora beat Liberty Center in impressive fashion 35-7

Gonna be a great night in Northern Ohio tomorrow night for high school football. Go to a stadium and support a team, support the kids.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Whitmer week....

Friday night the Little Giants continue their City League audition tour with a visit to Whitmer Memorial Stadium to take on the Panthers. Coming into Fridays game both teams are 1-0 on the season. Whitmer knocked off Tiffin Columbian 35-7, while Ross scored a 24-7 win over Whitmers bitter rival, the Start Spartans.

Fridays game will be the 22nd meeting between the two programs in a series that began in 1930. Ross leads the series 14-7 and the Little Giants won last years game 34-14. The series results so far....
1930....Ross 13-6
1931....Whitmer 3-0
1932....Ross 32-0
1989....Ross 35-0
1990....Whitmer 27-7
1991....Whitmer 34-7
1992....Whitmer 26-20(OT)
1993....Ross 21-14
1994...Ross 45-0
1995...Ross 29-13
1996...Ross 23-17
1997...Ross 17-0
1998....Ross 38-14
1999....Ross 6-0
2000...Whitmer 10-0
2001...Ross 10-0
2002...Whitmer 35-7
2006...Ross 35-21
2006....Whitmer 21-17
2007....Ross 23-21
2008...Ross 34-14

Both teams have been hyped all preseason as two of the best in Northwest Ohio. Whitmer is expected to challenge teams like Central Catholic, St. Johns and St. Francis for the Toledo City League title. Ross has been mentioned as the favorite in the Greater Buckeye Conference. Both teams are mentioned as contenders in the playoff race in region two. http://www.joeeitel.com/hsfoot/2009region_2.html

The winner of this weeks game will get a huge load of playoff points as the season goes on as the loser will go on to win a lot of games.

In the pre-game talk this week many folks are picking Whitmer to win. Citing the Panthers size and how physical they are. People have mentioned how much Whitmer pushed Columbian around in week one. There are questions however, about just how good, or bad, Columbian really is this year. The same can be said of our Little Giants. Some folks say Start really wasn't that good a team and they gave Ross a bit of trouble.

Al talk notwithstanding, the two teams will kick off at 7pm Friday night. You can be sure a big crowd will be in attendance. Make sure you are there too.

Make no mistake about it. Fridays game is BIG. GO TO WHITMER. GET BEHIND YOUR LITTLE GIANTS! BE LOUD!

Let's GO Little Giants!!
POUND THE PANTHERS!!