CLEVELAND, Ohio — Despite early season struggles, Medina and Brunswick are still standing.
They are among three Greater Cleveland Conference teams to make the Division I, Region 1 quarterfinals with Mentor, which entered the season as the area’s No. 1-ranked team and is currently second. The Cardinals expected to be here, but Medina and Brunswick spoiled the hopes of Northeast Ohio powerhouses St. Edward and Canton McKinley.
Can they do it again? Medina visits St. Ignatius at Byers Field in Parma, while Brunswick gets another shot at GCC rival Mentor.
They are among five games in which area Top 25 teams meet, including No. 19 Walsh Jesuit at No. 16 Benedictine, No. 18 Riverside at No. 5 Hudson and No. 20 Mayfield at No. 1 Archbishop Hoban.
Learn about those games and more, as cleveland.com counts down 10 of the biggest Week 9 matchups on Friday and the top five playoff games on Saturday.
Aurora tail back Evan McVay mishandles a handoff that he recovered late in the fourth quarter, November 22, 2019, at Stewart Field in Solon. (John Kuntz, cleveland.com)cleveland.com
No. 22 Aurora (6-2) at New Philadelphia (6-1)
What: Division III, Region 9 quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium in New Philadelphia
What to know: Aurora expects to be without eight starters again after powering past Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin last week after coach Bob Mihalik and his team learned a day earlier that some players must quarantine because of coronavirus contact tracing during the school day. The Greenmen rushed for 390 yards with senior Evan McVay (145 yards) and junior quarterback Alex Moore (132 yards) carrying much of the load. They are the fifth seed in the region, seeking a return to the state semifinals, but first must get past the fourth-seeded Quakers. Aurora beat them last year in the second round, 34-17. This year, New Philadelphia is ranked 10th in The Associated Press state poll for Division III. The winner here advances to play top-seeded Chardon (7-0) or Geneva (7-1).
cleveland.com pick: Aurora
North Royalton (2-6) at No. 4 Avon Lake (6-1)
What: Division II, Region 6 quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Avon Lake Memorial Stadium at Avon Lake High School
What to know: Can North Royalton strike again against the Southwestern Conference? The Bears took down Amherst, 48-45, in triple overtime two weeks ago. They upset Olmsted Falls, 33-27, last week in double overtime. They visit another SWC power in third-seeded Avon Lake, which possesses one of the area’s top defenses that used three Billy Simpson interceptions last week in a 30-7 win against Wadsworth. The winner will face second-seeded Toledo Central Catholic (5-0) or Toledo St. Francis DeSales (6-2).
cleveland.com pick: Avon Lake
Barberton (3-5) at No. 9 Brecksville (6-1)
What: Division II, Region 6 quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Brecksville-Broadview Heights High School
What to know: Iowa commit Joe Labas became Brecksville all-time leading passer Friday, moving by 2017 graduate Luke Strnad, who held a mark of 6,798 yards. Labas threw for 314 yard and two TDs on 24-of-30 passing in a 49-33 win vs. Oregon Clay. He also rushed for a score, setting up a Suburban League rematch with Barberton. The Magics upset fourth-seeded Toledo St. John’s Jesuit, 21-14, with a few trick plays. Junior running back Cameron Macon led Barberton with 149 yards and three TDs on 33 carries. Brecksville beat Barberton in Week 4, 45-31, as senior running back Garrett Kubitz became the Bees' all-time leading rusher that night. The winner of this rematch will play top-seeded Avon (7-0) or Highland (4-2).
cleveland.com pick: Brecksville
Geneva (7-1) at No. 7 Chardon (7-0)
What: Division III, Region 9 quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Chardon Memorial Field at Chardon High School
What to know: Former Chardon assistant Chip Sorber brings his Eagles and their Wing-T offense, which he carried over from his time with the Hilltoppers, for a matchup with the state’s top-ranked team in Division III. Chardon’s Wing-T led to James Pettyjohn rushing for 121 yards on just four carries in last week’s 49-14 win against Warren Howland. Fellow senior linebacker Vincent Ferrante added 10 tackles, while Cade McDevitt forced and recovered one. Ferrante (56) and McDevitt (39) are Chardon’s leading tacklers with Iowa State commit Myles Mendeszoon (39 tackles). This could be a grind-it-out regional quarterfinal. The winner will play New Philadelphia or Aurora, which Chardon met in last year’s regional championship.
cleveland.com pick: Chardon
Highland (4-2) at No. 3 Avon (7-0)
What: Division II, Region 6 quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Joe Firment Chevrolet Stadium in Avon
What to know: Avon and Highland have a playoff history, and coach Mike Gibbons' Hornets are coming of age this year with sophomore Lukas Stiles' four TDs last week, including three at running back, in a 41-21 win vs. Fremont Ross. The Eagles and Hornets last met in the 2017 playoffs, with Avon scoring a 28-10 victory. Avon senior quarterback Niko Pappas sparked a 42-20 regular-season win last week vs. Perrysburg with the Eagles on a playoff bye. Pappas threw for 132 yards on 10-of-14 passing with two TDs, plus a rushing score and 55 yards on the ground. Eight-seeded Highland must contain him to force the upset and advance to the next round against Brecksville or Barberton.
cleveland.com pick: Avon
No. 20 Mayfield (5-1) at No. 1 Archbishop Hoban (6-0)
What: Division II, Region 5 quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Dowed Field in Akron
What to know: Mayfield pushed Hoban in last year’s regional semifinals before the Knights emerged with a 21-17 win after then-junior quarterback Shane Hamm’s fourth-down TD pass to Kharion Davis. At the time, few local teams provided Hoban with such a challenge. This year, road wins at Benedictine (31-24) and Walsh Jesuit (27-14) are the only games that didn’t end in a blowout for the area’s top-ranked team. Mayfield has picked up its play with three straight wins since a 35-14 loss to Chardon. Four TD runs by senior Joey Dostal, who rushed for 185 yards on 31 carries, led a 55-31 win last week against Nordonia. Dostal and senior quarterback Michael Huss are the chief concerns for a Hoban defense that has been dominant for much of the season.
cleveland.com pick: Hoban
No. 13 Brunswick (6-2) at No. 2 Mentor (7-1)
What: Division I, Region 1 semifinal
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Jerome T. Osborne Stadium at Mentor High School
What to know: Mentor is riding a five-game winning streak that began with a 38-0 win at Brunswick. The Blue Devils have won four straight since then. Will this Greater Cleveland Conference rematch be different? Defensive backs David Hamrick and Connin Som picked off Canton McKinley quarterback Elijah Wesley last week to spark their 27-14 upset at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Mentor likes to throw with senior quarterback Ian Kipp, but the Cardinals like the ground game even more. They rushed for 297 yards last week in a 31-14 win vs. Stow with senior Riley Coughlin compiling 170 yards and two TDs on 22 carries. Coughlin scored twice the first time at Brunswick.
cleveland.com pick: Mentor
No. 18 Riverside (6-1) at No. 5 Hudson (7-0)
What: Division II, Region 5 quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Hudson Memorial Stadium at Hudson High School
What to know: Two of the area’s most versatile offenses will be on display in Hudson, where the Explorers' 42-0 win last week against Bedford marked the sixth time this season they scored that many points. Riverside has maintained a high-octane scoring punch in six of its victories, including Matt Spofford’s 141 yards and two TDs last week on just 10 carries in a 39-28 win vs. Youngstown Boardman. The Beavers can run or pass with 5-foot-8 quarterback Dom Lulow, who has various dual-threat teammates as running or receiving options. The same goes for 5-8 senior Jacob Paltani at Hudson. Paltani has rushed for 551 yards and five TDs while throwing for another 1,231 yards and 11 TDs. He has fellow senior Drew Lightner as a running option, versatile junior Aiden Lal with receivers Colin Pierce and Luke McLaughlin at his disposal. The winner advances to a regional semifinal against second-seeded Austintown-Fitch (7-0) Warren Harding (5-3).
cleveland.com pick: Hudson
No. 19 Walsh Jesuit (5-1) at No. 16 Benedictine (3-4)
What: Division II, Region 5 quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Euclid Community Stadium at Euclid High School
What to know: The status of Benedictine senior quarterback Ronnie Schultz (855 yards passing this season) could be the key to this game. Schultz has been inactive since leaving the Bengals' 42-14 home loss three weeks ago to Austintown-Fitch. Junior CeeJay Yarboro is settling in the pocket, however, and threw for 198 yards with two TDs in last week’s 35-0 win vs. Willoughby South. Walsh Jesuit junior Matt Natale tossed four TD passes in last week’s 49-14 win vs. Garfield Heights with three scores going to Dom Grguric. The team that can establish its running game will have a leg up in this meeting of former North Coast League teams that did not play in the regular season. Benedictine held Willoughby South’s talented backfield to just 22 yards rushing last week. Walsh Jesuit will lean on junior Will Rumple behind a powerful line, led by Kentucky commit David Wohlabaugh. Benedictine sophomore Duane Jackson is picking up steam behind the Bengals' senior-laden line. The winner of this fourth- vs. fifth-seeded matchup will play Hoban or Mayfield.
cleveland.com pick: Benedictine
No. 11 Medina (5-3) at No. 12 St. Ignatius (3-3)
What: Division I, Region 1 semifinal
When: 7 p.m. Friday
Where: Byers Field in Parma
What to know: Both the Bees and Wildcats went on the road last week with impressive performances. While St. Ignatius' 30-20 win at Euclid came with a career-high 174 yards rushing and 233 total scrimmage yards from junior Marty Lenehan, Medina provided an upset heard around the state with its 35-31 victory against St. Edward. The Bees prevented a rematch between two of the area’s biggest rivals and are in position to reach their first regional championship game in program history. While St. Ignatius has 15 regional crowns since 1988 with coach Chuck Kyle, the Wildcats will need to do what St. Edward could not last week: force the Bees into mistakes. Medina coach Larry Laird said Friday his team has cleaned up its play to win five of its last six games. Dorian Boyland’s 156 yards rushing with two TDs and junior quarterback Drew Allar’s 220 yards passing with three TD strikes to Luke Hensley paced the Bees' effort before junior linebacker Matt Spatny forced and recovered a fumble inside Medina’s own 5-yard line to seal the win.
cleveland.com pick: Medina
Shaw (5-2) at Canal Fulton Northwest (7-0)
What: Division IV, Region 13 quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Dr. Martin Smilek Stadium at Northwest High School in Canal Fulton
What to know: Shaw’s magical season continued last week with a 36-0 win vs. Lisbon Beaver Local. The Cardinals used a potent running game and stingy defense, which have been their staples, but penalties are a tough habit to shake. They committed 18 of them for 108 yards before advancing to face the top seed in Northwest. Shaw won its first playoff game since 2011, but Northwest possesses an experienced quarterback in Jordan Mick and has won all but one game this year in decisive fashion. The winner faces 12th seeded Lake Catholic (4-2) or 13th seeded Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (6-2).
cleveland.com pick: Northwest
Beachwood (6-0) at Canfield South Range (7-0)
What: Division V, Region 17 quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Rominger Athletic Complex in Canfield
What to know: If Beachwood pulls the upset, it could set up an area matchup with a Garrettsville Garfield team (7-0) that faces Columbiana Crestview (5-1). The task will be a tall one vs. second-seeded South Range, which is ranked third in the state behind 2019 Division V finalists Kirtland and Ironton.
cleveland.com pick: South Range
Sandy Valley (6-2) at No. 8 Kirtland (6-0)
What: Division V, Region 17 quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Chardon Memorial Field at Chardon High School
What to know: One of Kirtland’s closest calls last year in its march to the Division V state crown came with a 38-24 win vs. Sandy Valley in the first round at Rogers Field in Kirtland. The Hornets sought a new site, expecting their grass field to be in poor condition for Saturday’s matchup, and will play on Chardon’s turf. Kirtland gave coach Tiger LaVerde his 200th career win last week with a 42-0 victory against Manchester, a program they beat in last year’s regional championship. LaVerde is 180-17 in 15 years at Kirtland, which seeks a third straight state crown, second straight in Division V and sixth overall in 10 years.
cleveland.com pick: Kirtland
No. 24 Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (6-2) at Lake Catholic (4-2)
What: Division IV, Region 13 quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Jerome T. Osborne Stadium at Mentor High School
What to know: CVCA’s 55-28 win last week at Perry allowed Lake Catholic to get a home game after the Cougars' 41-0 win at Canton South, pitting the 13th seed in the region against the 12th seed. Both teams could spend much of their time Saturday at the JTO chasing each other’s quarterbacks. Lake Catholic senior Joe Malchesky ran for 201 yards and a TD on 17 carries last week. CVCA senior Michael Bevington ran 39 times for 121 yards to help power the Royals. Their win Saturday at Perry marked just their third postseason victory in 11 games.
cleveland.com pick: CVCA
Van Wert (6-1) at No. 23 Keystone (7-0)
What: Division IV, Region 14 quarterfinal
When: 7 p.m. Saturday
Where: Keystone High School in LaGrange
What to know: Junior Gideon Lampron rumbled last week for 301 yards rushing and five TDs in Keystone’s 46-27 home win vs. Edison. The Wildcats remain home as the fourth seed to host Van Wert, which also put up big numbers in a 46-20 win against Port Clinton. Van Wert senior quarterback Owen Treece threw for 292 yards and four TD passes. He had a hand in seven TDs, including three on the ground with 130 yards rushing. This has the makings of a shootout with the winner either visiting top-seeded Bellevue (7-0) next week or playing host to Kenton (4-3).
cleveland.com pick: Keystone
INDEX OF REGIONAL PLAYOFF BRACKETS
REGIONAL PLAYOFF PREVIEWS
FULL WEEK 9 SCHEDULE
All times 7 p.m., unless noted. Regional seeds are noted for playoff games.
Thursday, Oct. 22
Akron City Series
Buchtel at Ellet
Great Lakes Conference
Bay at Parma
Friday, Oct. 23
Division I, Region 1
No. 8 Medina (5-3) at No. 5 St. Ignatius (3-3)
No. 6 Brunswick (6-2) at No. 2 Mentor (7-1)
Division II, Region 5
No. 8 Mayfield (5-1) at No. 1 Archbishop Hoban (6-0)
No. 5 Walsh Jesuit (5-1) at No. 4 Benedictine (3-4)
No. 6 Riverside (6-1) at No. 3 Hudson (7-0)
Division II, Region 6
No. 8 Highland (4-2) at No. 1 Avon (7-0)
No. 13 Barberton (3-5) at No. 5 Brecksville (6-1)
No. 22 North Royalton (2-6) at No. 3 Avon Lake (6-1)
Division III, Region 9
No. 8 Geneva (7-1) at No. 1 Chardon (7-0)
No. 5 Aurora (6-2) at No. 4 New Philadelphia (6-1)
No. 10 Dover (4-4) at No. 2 Streetsboro (7-0)
No. 5 St. Vincent-St. Mary (5-2) at No. 3 Canfield (7-0)
Division III Region 10
No. 8 Revere (4-2) at No. 1 Tiffin Columbian (6-1)
No. 12 West Holmes (6-2) at No. 4 Padua (5-1)
No. 6 Holy Name (5-1) at No. 3 Bowling Green (6-1)
Division VII, Region 25
No. 10 Independence (6-1) at No. 2 Lucas (5-2)
Akron City Series
Akron East at Akron North
Chagrin Valley Conference
Hawken at Cardinal
Great Lakes Conference
Buckeye at Rocky River
Fairview at Lakewood
Holy Name at Valley Forge
Suburban League American Division
Kent Roosevelt at Cuyahoga Falls
Revere at Tallmadge
Nonconference
Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin at Ashtabula Lakeside
Cloverleaf at Black River
Midview at Elyria
Normandy at North Ridgeville
Lutheran East at Norton
Marlington at Ravenna
Stow at Steubenville
Kenston at Twinsburg
Westlake at University School
Copley at Woodridge
Saturday, Oct. 24
Division IV, Region 13
No. 8 Shaw (5-2) at No. 1 Canal Fulton Northwest (7-0)
No. 13 Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (6-2) at No. 12 Lake Catholic (4-2)
No. 10 Chagrin Falls (5-2) at No. 2 Poland Seminary (6-1)
Division IV, Region 14
No. 5 Van Wert (6-1) at No. 4 Keystone (7-0)
No. 10 Firelands (7-1) at No. 2 Shelby (7-0)
Division V, Region 17
No. 9 Sandy Valley (6-2) at No. 1 Kirtland (6-0)
No. 7 Beachwood (6-0) at No. 2 Canfield South Range (7-0)
No. 6 Columbiana Crestview (5-1) at No. 3 Garrettsville Garfield (7-0)
Division VI, Region 21
No. 5 Pymatuning Valley (7-0) at No. 4 Mogadore (5-1)
No. 10 Leavittsburg LaBrae (6-2) at No. 2 Wickliffe (7-0)
Akron City Series
Kenmore-Garfield at Firestone, noon
Contact sports reporter Matt Goul on Twitter (@mgoul) or email (mgoul@cleveland.com).