The 2007-2008 high school wrestling season started this week and is already in full swing with the some of the best wrestlers in the nation competing Friday and Saturday at the 14th annual Walsh Jesuit Ironman.

Stay tuned for Ironman updates and click here to check out a notebook from the Beacon Journal’s wrestling preview.

Click here to check out a story about the Beacon Journal’s featured wrestler: Barberton senior Adam Cogar.

ED SUBA JR./Akron Beacon Journal

Barberton senior Adam Cogar lifts a tire during his wrestling training. Cogar finished second in the 215-pound weight class at the Division I state tournament in Columbus last March.

The Louisville football team had the most successful 2007 season among area high schools.

The Leopards lost to Cincinnati Anderson 31-25 in the Division II state final and finished with a record of 12-3. No other area team advanced to a state championship game. Brunswick made it to the Division I state semifinal but lost to Mentor.

I was looking at Louisville’s roster recently, and I it made me think that the Leopards are going to have what it takes to make another long playoff run next season.

Junior quarterback Neal Seaman and his favorite target, junior receiver Brandon Mathie, will be back. Junior defensive back Bob Swigert will also return.

Don’t get me wrong, though. The Leopards will need some younger players to step up and fill in for some defensive standouts who will be graduating, including defensive end Matt Schooley and linebackers Clay Swigert, Marcus Poyser and J.D. Whaley.

I think Louisville coach Paul Farrah will find the players to fill those holes, and the Leopards will be among the best area teams again in 2008.

Garfield senior Whitney Mercilus has orally committed to continue his football and academic career at Illinois.

Mercilus, 6-foot-3 and 235 pounds, filled a variety of roles for the Golden Rams football team under coach Bob Sax. Mercilus played tight end on offense, kicked, punted and played defensive end.

Mercilus had 24 receptions for 417 yards and eight touchdowns this past season. He also made 36 solo tackles and had two sacks.