Hey everyone! This is my column that’s running in the Akron Beacon Journal Friday, but it’s posted on Ohio.com now, as you can see. Thanks to everyone who submitted votes for their favorite high school nicknames. If there are other crazy nicknames from out of state, post them so we can all get some laughs. Thanks again!

Field looks to stay undefeated in the Portage Trail Conference Metro Division when they host Southeast (1-6, 1-3) tonight.

The Falcons (6-1, 4-0) defeated host Norton 32-7 last week. Mike Boosinger and Patrick Boggs each rushed for two touchdowns, and Boosinger returned an interception for a touchdown.

What a week that was and what a game coming up. As you read my thoughts, remember this – to reach the football playoffs, eight teams in each of the four regions in each division get their ticket punched. The top four teams host first round home games.,

Let’s go:

Roll 7, please!

I have beeen watching high school sports longer than some of my colleagues have been alive. So when I tell you that Ravenna coach Jim Lunerdi took one of the biggest gambles I’ve ever seen in defeating bitter rival Kent Roosevelt, 29-28 in overtime, I believe that is a big statement.

Here was the situation – Kent had just scored the go ahead touchdown in the OT to go ahead 28-21. Ravenna quarterback Zach Thomas, who wears No. 7, then counters with a 6-yard touchdown run to cut the lead to 28-27. Conventional wisdom is to kick to the extra point and play another overtime.

Instead, the Ravens come out from a time-out and Lunerdi, convinced by his assistant coaches, go for the 2-point conversion. Thomas barely falls over the goal-line and Ravenna wins 29-28.

What was on the line? The Ravens came in 3-0 in the Metro Division of the Portage Trail Conference and Kent was 2-1, and both teams desperately needed playoff points. Ravenna and Kent now are 13th and 14th in Division II, Region 5 and now must win out for a hope of getting to the post season in this brutal division, one of the best in the state.

Surprising Spartans

Springfield’s 5-2 season now becomes the focus for both Ravenna and Kent. Kent hosts the Spartans this week, which is No. 12 in Division III, Region 13. so the winner’s chances of the post season improves.

Two of Ravenna’s last three games are against the Spartans and Field, which is 6-1 and also 4-0 in the division and No. 4 in Division III, Region 9. The  Falcons have already defeated the Rough Riders, so the Oct. 23 game at Ravenna could be for both the division and a playoff berth.

The big game

As each week as passed, it became apparent that Week 8 would gives football fans a big game in the River Division of the Northeast Ohio Conference. As  Twinsburg plays at Hudson Friday night, the stakes could not be bigger.

Face it – in an otherwise weak division, the winner will bring home the division crown. The winner also grabs a huge number of critical playoff points, which neither can get in the remaining two weeks of the schedule. It appears Twinsburg is the No. 4 team in Division I, Region 5, Hudson is No. 8. The Explorers obviously need this game more.

Field coach Patrick Youel likes to emphasize the importance of “team.”]ep

The Falcons displayed that this past Friday with a 16-13 victory at Springfield. The Spartans fought hard, but the Falcons made the biggest plays during the game.]ep

Senior Aaron Polasky, junior Jay Wilson, senior Zack Horovitz were the stanfout players that guided Field to the win. There were many more though.]ep

Youel praised the play of his defense: Polasky, Wilson, Horovitz, sophomore Jake Kruse, junior Jim Cercek and seniors Brian Grubich, Mike Boosinger, Zack Moore, Justin Fleming, Dan Demyan and Mike Ries.]ep

Polasky converted an extra point, three field goals, and grabbing an interception with exactly 1:00 remaining in the fourth quarter to secure the win.]ep

Wilson tossed a 13-yard touchdown pass to Horovitz in the second quarter. That duo each had a second-half interception.]ep

Field plays at Norton tonight.]ep

Springfield and Field will square off tonight at 7 p.m. at Springfield.

Each team has a 4-1 overall record and a 2-0 mark in the Portage Trail Conference Metro Division.

Springfield defeated Norton 26-13 this past week. Spartans senior quarterback Steven Cole completed 9-of-12 passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns.

Spartans junior wide receiver Chase Cole had seven receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown; and junior running back Zack Talbert gained 110 yards on 32 carries and scored a touchdown.

“I thought our team did a good job of playing through a little adversity,” Springfield caoh Kevin Vaughn said. “Our team has been hindered by some minor injuries, and for the team to continue to play at a level that allows us to continue to be successful says a lot about the team. Our staff felt that it was positive to see some of our younger players rise to the challenge when their best was asked of them. We also thought winning on the road during the other schools homecoming is something to be proud of.”

Vaughn said one concern for tonight’s game is penalties. The Spartans were penalized seven times for 70 yards last week.

“That’s too many penalties,” Vaughn said. “We have to play smarter and more disciplined as a team.”

Field enters this game without senior running back Jay Lugo, who is now a student at Streetsboro. Regardless, Vaughn thinks the Falcons are a dangerous opponent because of the other players on the team

“We feel they are a quality opponent and we have a lot of respect for their coaches and the way their kids play the game,” Vaughn said. “To defeat field we need to contain their run game and be successful with ours. We feel that we match up well with them and are very excited for the challenge. Are kids understand that there are not only conference championship implications, but playoff implications as well. Practice has been good this week and hopefully that will transfer onto the field Friday.”

A large crowd is also expected tonight, which excites Vaughn.

“Ever since the Ellet game we have been getting good crowds, and I know Field has been getting big crowds too,” Vaughn said. “It should be a big crowd tonight.”

Field football coach Patrick Youel confirmed that standout senior running back Jay Lugo has left Field High School and is now a student at Streetsboro.

Youel said Lugo is “moving to Streetsboro due to certain circumstances” and that “it’s a private matter.”

“His family is moving out of the district and moving to Streetsboro,” Youel said. “Obviously it was shocking news for all of us. He is such a great kid. It’s such an unfortunate circumstance for him.”

Lugo, 5-foot-6 and 165 pounds, rushed for 168 yards and four touchdowns this past Friday to help host Field defeat Crestwood 48-14. The Falcons have a 4-1 overall record and are 2-0 in the Portage Trail Conference Metro Division.

Lugo is not eligible to play football at Streetsboro, according to Ohio High School Athletic Association rules. He can play basketball, a sport he also excels in, for the Rockets.

Youel said the Falcons players found out Lugo would be leaving prior to playing and defeating Kent Roosevelt 31-13.

“We will miss him, but as a team it’s 11 men, not 1,” Youel said. “That is what I told our guys. We can’t control things. As good of a player he is and as much of a brother he is, we can’t control things. We are going to be a little bit less of a team, but we have four or five other running backs that can play and will have to step it up. We are confident in their ability and it’s their time to shine. Our offensive line is really a key too.”

Youel said junior running back Chuck Snyder has been very productive this season alongside Lugo and will see his role increased.

“It was definitely upsetting news and we dealt with it in house,” Youel said. “Friday was Jay’s going away party. He had an incredible performance and got almost 300 all-purpose yards. Our fans did a tremendous job when he came out of the game in the third quarter. They gave him a two minute standing ovation and after the game the team presented a game ball to him.”

Lugo attended Windham High School his freshman and sophomore years, and then went to Field as a junior. He played in the state playoffs for both schools.

“He said he will stay in touch,” Youel said. “It was a decision that was out of his control. It was emotional for our guys and for Jay. I had senior parents throw a going away party for him. We have to keep going though. There are 50 guys on this team. We will miss him and we love him, but we have to keep going.”

Field plays at Springfield (4-1, 2-0) at 7 p.m. Friday.

The Field football team is on a roll right now after two impressive wins at Northwest and at Kent Roosevelt.

Field coach Patrick Youel was extremely pleased with his team’s performance this past Friday when the Falcons defeated the Rough Riders 31-13.

“We just came out, we had a great game plan from our coaching staff and our kids came me out and executed it very well,” Youel said. “We had an offensive line that dominated. We had six kids that rushed for 318 yards on 51 carries.”

Field, which defeated visiting Waterloo in Week 1 and lost at East Palestine in Week 2, has compiled a 3-1 record.

Youel said in the Roosevelt game, Field had drives of 10, 15 and 13 plays that ended with scores.

“We really executed really well up front,” Youel said. “Our defense stepped up and played well too, limiting their offense to 13 points.”

Junior Nate Stasik, junior Jimmy Cercek, senior Justin Fleming, senior Josh Nagy and junior Cody Moore comprised the Falcons starting offensive line unit that impressed Youel so much.

Youel said senior Jay Lugo, junior Charles Snyder, senior Mike Boosinger, senior Zack Moore, sophomore Pat Boggs and junior Jay Wilson were the six ball carriers behind the linemen.

Lugo rushed for 127 yards on 16 carries and Snyder gained 92 yards on 14 carries.

Wilson rushed for two touchdowns and Lugo rushed for one touchdown. Wilson also tossed a touchdown pass to Patrick Boggs. Field’s Aaron Polasky converted a field goal.

Boosinger made 8.5 tackles from his inside linebacker spot.

“We just have to continue to stay together,” Youel said. “This is the closest group I have been around.”

Field travels to East Palestine Friday night for a Week 2 matchup after the Falcons dispatched visiting Waterloo 48-0 this past Friday/Saturday.

Senior tailback Jay Lugo rushed for three touchdowns in the victory and gained 237 yards on 12 carries. Junior quarterback Jay Wilson passed for two touchdowns and rushed for another.

The Falcons gained 315 yards rushing on 31 carries and passed for another 92 yards. East Palestine was limited to just 92 yards rushing and 25 yards passing.

Zack Moore rushed for a touchdown and Patrick Boggs and Zack Horovitz each had a touchdown reception

Field has an experienced team fresh off of consecutive state playoff appearances, the first two postseason trips in the history of the school’s football program.

The Falcons return eight starters on offense and nine on defense. Field coach Patrick Youel is excited about what senior Jay Lugo can accomplish rushing behind an offensive line that features juniors Nate Stasik and Jim Cercek and seniors Justin Fleming and Josh Nagy.

Seniors Brian Grubich, Zack Moore, Aaron Polasky and Mike Ries will be counted on for leadership and production defensively.

Junior Jay Wilson is expected to be the quarterback in place of the graduated Matt Eldreth.

“In all my years in football, this is the closest bunch of kids I have seen,” Youel said.

Check Thursday’s Akron Beacon Journal for a special section in the newspaper that previews the 2009 season, which includes a feature story on the Field football team.

Field High School senior Traci Vandegrift has been selected to play on the 2009 USA Volleyball Women’s Junior National A2 Volleyball Team.

Vandegrift, who is also a standout basketball and softball player for the Falcons, is one 10 athletes that will train for five days beginning July 16 in preparation for an international style competition in Ft Lauderdale, FL from July 21-25.

The 2009 USA Volleyball High Performance Championship will return to the Ft. Lauderdale Convention Center, the same site that hosted the event in 2006 and 2007, with over 90 teams.

The event features tournaments for both boys and girls that include teams from USA Volleyball Region High Performance teams, international teams from Italy, Puerto Rico and Canada, and teams from the USA Volleyball High Performance pipeline.