Three Firestone football players will be continuing their careers in college next season, and two at the same school.
Trevor Kennedy, who was a first-team All-City performer at quarterback, will play at Mercyhurst (Pa.) College, along with receiver Jeffery Brantley. Meanwhile, Ross Davis, a running back for the Falcons, will be a preferred walk-on at the University of Akron.

The three players helped the Falcons (7-2, overall and 6-0 in the City Series) win the outright City championship for the first time since the school opened in 1963 and started playing in 1964.

The City Series baseball teams will not have a four-team playoff at the end of the regular season. One veteran City coach said there may have been the perception on the outside that the reason the league did away with the playoff system several years ago was because the district was going through financial difficulty, which forced cuts in extracurricular activities.

The district passed a levy which helped bring back those extracurricular activities that were cut. But Ellet coach John Sarver said the levy had nothing to do with the elimination of the playoff system.

Sarver said it all started a few years back when the basketball teams decided to drop the four-team playoff system and instead just play the championship game between the top two teams. That change was implemented because the basketball teams, in putting together schedules each season, had to factor in the possibility of playing in the semifinal and/or championship games. That meant coaches could only schedule 18 games (OHSAA rules allow for 20 regular season games) in case they made it to the City playoffs. But if a team didn’t make the playoffs, they would have only played 18 or 19 games during the regular season.

So the baseball teams decided to follow suit and drop the playoff system, allowing the coaches to schedule two additional games in place of the two dates they would have reserved for the playoffs.

Incidently, OHSAA rules allow 27 regular season baseball games.

When it comes to track, it’s always about who ran the fastest, jumped the highest or threw the shot or the discus the farthest. But sometimes there are stories, GREAT, INSPRATIONAL STORIES, that don’t have to do with who won.

For instance, I remember watching the local news in the fall, I think it was, and there was an amazing story about a young lady (she may have been from the Youngstown area), who was competing in the state high school cross country meet and was almost near the finish line. Then came a gruesome sight. She broke her leg on the course and fell to the ground.

But this young lady had the courage and fortitude to crawl and limp her way to the finish line, despite being in obvious pain.

It was a story of incredible self-will. This young lady needed medical help, but she didn’t want it. She was withering with pain but she wanted to finish that race, and if you watched the video, you couldn’t help but get a little emotional, knowing she was in a world of pain. But watching her will her way to that finish line, regardless of the pain she was experiencing, was breathtaking and moving.

The yound lady gave a great television interview a few days later and it was great to see she was doing well and was in good spirts. I think she even joked that all she was thinking about, when she went down, was that she wasn’t going to be able to dance at her sister’s wedding later that night.

I witnessed another incredible story, but it didn’t involve injury. A few years ago I was covering a regional track meet at Ravenna and the Copley girls were favored in this particular relay event. As the race began, Copley was right there, as expected. But during one of the exchanges, the baton was dropped and the team was out of the race.

The young lady who dropped the baton was devasted. I mean, I had never seen an athlete more distraught. What I found out later was that the young lady was only a sophomore and there were two seniors on that relay team. The sophomore felt she had blown it for the seniors because it was their last chance to make it to state.

She was on the infield of the track, as the race was still going, slumped over an emotional ball.

She just shuddered and shook as she cried.

Then, former Copley standout Carrie Dyer, who was a senior and on that relay team, ran to the young runner to comfort her.

Then the rest of the realy team followed.

To me, that was one of the most inspirational stories I had ever witnessed.

The sophomore was heartbroken. But she was heartbroken because she cared about her teammates and wanted to perform at her best so that it would help the seniors.

It didn’t happen. But when it didn’t happen, the seniors weren’t mad, bitter or upset. They showed support for their younger teammate because they loved her. And in the end, winning didn’t matter.

So, with that, I’m asking readers to post any inspirational stories you witnessed, in track or any other sport, that didn’t involve someone winning.

A story where someone overcame odds to get where they are. Or a story about teammates helping one another.

Those are the most compelling stories.

Tom O’Neil is still the track coach at North even though he gave up his position as head football coach after the 2006-07 season.

But that football mentality is still in his head.

While I was at a City Series track meet at Ellet Tuesday, I found it odd that O’Neil was standing along the fence near the finish line with a stop watch. Now keep in mind, the meet was between host Ellet, Buchtel and Firestone. North wasn’t competing.

So I asked O’Neil, “Hey Tom, are you helping with the timing?” He answered, no, we run against Buchtel in a few days so I’m just scouting.”

I doubled over in laughter. I couldn’t believe it.

Then again, as competitive and thorough as O’Neil was as a football coach for 12 years at North, it didn’t surprise me.

The Firestone football team ended 21 years of frustration Saturday by defeating their West Akron rival Buchtel 27-26.

The Falcons improved to 6-2 overall and 5-0 in the City Series under coach Tim Flossie. Buchtel drops to 1-7, 1-3 under coach Ricky Powers.

The Falcons held a 27-12 lead in the third quarter and held onto win despite a valiant Buchtel rally.

Senior Trevor Kennedy led the Falcons with two rushing touchdowns and a passing touchdown to senior Alex Paul. Kennedy completed 8-of-9 passes for 82 yards, and rushed for 70 yards on 10 carries.

Firestone senior Darshawn Thomas rushed for a touchdown and gained 76 yards on 21 carries.

Buchtel was led by senior Johnny Adams, who had an 84-yard touchdown reception and finished with 160 yards receiving on six catches. Griffins junior Tahj Dent passed for 218 yards and sophomore Johnathan Coleman rushed for two touchdowns.

Firestone’s last victory over Buchtel came in 1985.

Here are a few quick notes regarding City Series football, which has certainly been surprising this season.

The madness began Sept. 15 when Ellet defeated Buchtel.

With Buchtel (0-5, 0-3 City Series) struggling, the race for the title is wide open. It appears that (listed alphabetically) Firestone (3-2, 2-0), Garfield (3-2, 1-0) and North (4-1, 2-0) are the favorites to win the City Series title.

These notes were gathered via Beacon Journal records.

– The Firestone win over Ellet (27-7) on Friday (Sept. 21) was the Falcons first victory over the Orangemen (3-2, 1-1) since 1996. Ellet had won 10 in a row over Firestone from 1997-2006. The Falcons defeated the Orangemen twice in the 1995 season, once in the regular season and once in the City championship game. It should be noted that Buchtel played in the state playoffs that season and that is why Firestone and Ellet met in the title game.

– The North win over Buchtel (24-0) on Friday (Sept. 21) was the Vikings first victory over the Griffins in 23 years, according to people within the North football community.

– Firestone and North meet this Friday (Sept. 28). The Falcons won last year 21-6, but the Vikings won the previous four meetings (2002-2005). Since 1994, North has won seven times and Firestone has won six times.

– Firestone and Garfield meet next Friday (Oct. 5). The Falcons won 37-21 last year, but the Golden Rams won the previous nine meetings (1996-2005). Since 1994, Garfield is 10-2 against Firestone (wins in 1995 and 2006). They did not play each other in 2004.

– Garfield and Buchtel meet Oct. 19. The Golden Rams last beat the Griffins in 2001 and 1998. Buchtel has won the past five meetings (2002-2006).

I will look for other trends and streaks within the City Series and post them at a later date. Stay tuned.

ED SUBA JR./Akron Beacon Journal

Firestone senior wide receiver Gary Franklin tries to avoid Ellet defenders after making a catch during the Falcons’ win over the Orangemen Friday night.

The visiting Ellet Orangemen football team defeated the Buchtel Griffins 14-12 Saturday afternoon.

The victory gives Ellet a 3-1 overall record and a 1-0 City Series mark.

The loss for Buchtel (0-4, 0-1) ends a 31-game winning streak against City Series opponents. Buchtel’s last loss to a league foe was to Garfield in 2001 and the last time Ellet beat Buchtel was in 1995.

Buchtel senior Kameron Alexander opened the scoring with a 62-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. The point after touchdown (PAT) was blocked. The Griffins led 6-0 at halftime.

Ellet opened the third quarter with an impressive 12-play drive that covered 65 yards. Ellet senior quarterback Chad Keppler threw a 10-yard touchdown pass to junior Travis Hamad on a 4th-and-9 play, and then senior Tom Yakubik made the PAT.

Keppler opened the fourth quarter with a 1-yard touchdown rush, which was followed by a Yakubik PAT.

Buchtel responded late in the fourth quarter with a 64-yard touchdown. Senior receiver Johnny Adams caught a short pass from junior quarterback Micah Mosley and made some fantastic moves to score. The Griffins two-point conversion failed after three penalties set them back; two delay of games and a personal foul (unsportsmanlike conduct).

Ellet’s defense and offensive line were particularly impressive, and Orangemen junior Davon Roberson rushed for 74 yards on 20 carries.

Adams had four receptions for 111 yards and Alexander rushed for 79 yards on 12 carries.

The Akron Beacon Journal will have a story on this game in Sunday’s newspaper.

The City Series’ two best football teams from last season meet at noon Saturday when Buchtel hosts Ellet.

The Griffins and Orangemen were each 5-0 in City Series games last season and shared the City title because they were not scheduled to play each other.

This season, the two teams meet in week four.

Buchtel comes into the game at 0-3 after losses to Walsh Jesuit, Steubenville and Warren Harding. Ellet is 2-1 following wins over Springfield and Cuyahoga Falls and a loss to Tallmadge.

Recent history favors Buchtel, as the Griffins have won 31 consecutive City Series games and 78 out of its past 81 league games dating back to 1995.

Garfield was the last City Series school to defeat Buchtel. The Golden Rams beat the Griffins in 2001 and 1998. Ellet’s last victory over Buchtel came in 1995.

Here are the scores between Buchtel and Ellet from 1995 to 2005, according to Beacon Journal records:

2005 Buchtel 21-6
2004 Buchtel 48-21
2003 Buchtel 48-0
2002 Buchtel 28-9
2001 Buchtel 35-7
2000 Buchtel 52-14
1999 Buchtel 34-17
1998 Buchtel 50-14
1997 Buchtel 35-8
1996 Buchtel 19-10
1995 Ellet 27-24

So the question entering Saturday’s matchup is: Can Ellet knock off Buchtel and end the streak?

Let us know what you think.

Buchtel senior Johnny Adams has committed to Michigan State to play football on scholarship, according to rivals.com.

Adams, 5-foot-11 and 160 pounds, told rivals.com he decided to commit to Michigan State over offers from Illinois, Indiana, Purdue, Syracuse, West Virginia and others.

“I’m a Spartan,” Adams told rivals.com. “I committed (Thursday) morning. I like the Michigan State atmosphere, the coaching staff, I like the players there because I know some of them and I just felt like it would be a great fit for me. I called coach Mark Dantonio. He was very excited.”

Adams is a standout defensive back for the Griffins. He is playing quarterback this season. As a junior he had 14 touchdowns receiving and six interceptions on defense.

Stay tuned for more on this story. We hope to have thoughts/quotes from Buchtel football coach Ricky Powers as soon as possible.

Antonio Pittman, a former standout running back at Ohio State University at Buchtel High School, was released Saturday by the New Orleans Saints.

The Saints selected Pittman in the fourth round of the 2007 NFL Draft.

The Beacon Journal’s Marla Ridenour reported that soon after Pittman was cut, the St. Louis Rams claimed him off waivers. Pittman is projected to be star running back Steven Jackson’s backup.