Firestone senior Cierra Harris has made an oral commitment to attend and play basketball for the University of Dayton.

Harris, a 6-foot-1 guard/forward, will become a four-year starter when she plays this winter for the defending City Series champion Falcons. She averaged 12.5 points, 13.2 rebounds, two assists and one steal per game as a junior. She earned second-team all-district and All-City Series honors.

“Cierra is a multidimensional player,” Firestone coach Audley McGill said. “She is well-rounded and can do everything for us; handle the ball, defend, rebound and score.

“She has worked real hard to get to this point and has sacrificed her game for the benefit of the team.”

Archbishop Hoban High School announced Monday that it has hired Scott Koenig as its new head baseball coach.

Koenig, who was an assistant coach at Firestone for the past six years, will replace former Knights coach Ted Guscoff. Guscoff, who was the head baseball coach at Hoban for five seasons, guided the Knights to the district tournament four times and the regional tournament once. He resigned from Hoban in July to take the head coaching job at Massillon.

Koenig, 46, is the president of Titan Transportation, an Akron-based trucking company. Koenig
is a 1979 graduate of Nordonia High School, where played center field for the baseball team.

“I’m excited about it,” Koenig said about getting his first head coaching job. “It’s going to be great to have my own program and institute a lot of things I learned about baseball and how to play the game. I’m looking forward to helping these kids take it to the next level.”

Northwest 42, Firestone 21

Varsity Letters Player of the Game: Northwest senior wide receiver/defensive back Teddy Robb.

Robb had two touchdown receptions and two interceptions to lead the Indians over the Falcons.

“This was one of my better games,” said Robb, a second-team all-district selection in Division III last season.

Robb opened Northwest’s scoring with a 68-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback Jim Shiplett. Robb also jump started a 21-point third quarter with an 8-yard touchdown catch from Shiplett.

“Teddy is an outstanding talent,” Northwest coach Vic Whiting said. “He’s got a lot more football to play both this year and in the future.”

Robb has received interest from some Mid-American Conference and Big Ten colleges, but he said he hasn’t narrowed down his choices yet.

KEN LOVE/Akron Beacon Journal

Northwest senior wide receiver/defensive back Teddy Robb helps gang tackle Firestone senior running back Darshawn Thomas during the Indians’ 42-21 victory over the Falcons Friday night.

Firestone senior Dominic Moore has orally committed to the University of Akron soccer team, Falcons coach Mark Schwerdtfeger said.

Moore, who is also an accomplished hurdler in track, played stopper in the Falcons defensive alignment last fall.

“He is such a strong defender,” Schwerdtfeger said. “He is a really good leader and he is probably the most athletic player I have had in my 13 years as Firestone’s coach.”

As a sophomore, Moore was fourth in the 300 hurdles at the Division I state meet and seventh in the 110 hurdles. He has won two City Series titles in the 300 hurdles and was a regional qualifier as a junior, but could not compete due to an injury.

Moore was also an all-district soccer selection as a junior.

I went to the City Series football media day to gather information, get answers to some of your questions and most importantly, eat lasagna. Here are some items I have in my notebook:

—All the coaches agreed that the 2007 season might be the most wide open the City Series has been in years.

“I think this could be one of the most balanced years that we’ve seen in the City Series in a long, long time,” said Ellet coach Joe Yost, who is entering his 29th season with the Orangemen.

Yost will be inducted into the Summit County Hall of Fame on October 2.

—Firestone coach Tim Flossie was entertaining as usual. After Joe Howard, the Akron Schools director of athletics, introduced Flossie as the coach who is celebrating the 20th anniversary of winning his first state championship with Buchtel, Flossie joked about it.

“I’m so old I can’t even remember the damn thing,” said Flossie, who won back-to-back state titles as the Griffins head coach in 1987 and 1988.

Flossie went on to talk about the value of the City Series and how its underrated.

“I get sick and tired of hearing about the suburbs,” he said. “It enrages me. … We have a 3.0 student here and they have an 8.9 student there.”

—I talked to Buchtel senior Johnny Adams about making the switch from wide receiver to quarterback this season.

“I feel like it’s my senior year, and I’m ready to take charge of the offense,” Adams said.

Adams, who has a 2.7 grade-point average and scored a 22 on the ACT, said he feels comfortable in his new position because the Griffins offensive line looks solid. “Our line is bigger, stronger and smarter than any line we’ve had since I’ve been here,” he said.

Adams, who earned special-mention all-state honors as a defensive back/receiver/kick return specialist last season, said he has received offers from the following colleges: University of Akron, Michigan State, Pitt, Syracuse, West Virginia, Indiana, Purdue, Northwestern, Iowa, Marshall and Toledo. Adams said he hasn’t narrowed down his choices yet.

—Garfield defensive end/tight end Whitney Mercilous said he has narrowed down his colleges of choice to Purdue and Illinois. Whitney, 6-foot-3, 235 pounds, was a second-team all-district pick in Division II last season, when he had 23 tackles (eight for a loss).

—North senior running back Larry Dawson said he’s received offers from the University of Akron, Bowling Green State University and Army. Dawson said he hasn’t made a decision where he will go, but he knows what he wants.

“I want to be comfortable,” said Dawson, who has a 3.8 grade-point average. “I want to be on a team where I at least know one person. I want to be somewhere we can compete.”

At BG, Dawson said he knows former Walsh Jesuit standout running back Mark Wooldridge. At UA, Dawson said he knows former Buchtel standout running back Bryan Williams.

—East coach Damon Beasley said East senior linebacker Shomari Akhdar, a first-team All-City selection last season, is receiving interest from Villanueva, Holy Cross and Miami of Ohio. Beasley also said Bowling Green has shown interest in senior fullback/linebacker Demetrius Bentley, a second-team All-City selection in 2006.

—East High School students will go to school in the old Central-Hower buidling in downtown Akron because their building is being renovated. Beasley said the move has had a positive affect on the football team.

“It was a tough process at first, but it turned out to be a blessing,” Beasley said. “It’s a nice facility. The kids like it a lot.”

—Flossie said Firestone running back Darshawn Thomas is the real deal. Thomas ran for 1,126 yards and eight touchdowns on 211 carries for the Falcons (4-6, 3-2).

“He runs a 4.3 40 (yard dash), Flossie said. “He’s fast and he’s tough. He could go to a Division I school. I think he’s as good as Antonio Pittman.”

Pittman was a standout running back at Buchtel and Ohio State University. He’s now an NFL rookie with the New Orleans Saints.

—Kenmore coach Tony Grimes said Cardinals senior running back/linebacker Thomas Cheairs gaining interest from colleges because of his speed and size (6-foot-2, 195 pounds).

“He’s probably our best athlete,” Grimes said of Cheairs. “He’s got some schools looking at him at the low-Division I level.”

—Buchtel first-year coach and legendary area running back Ricky Powers talked about the importance of emphasizing academics among his players.

“We’ve got to get our kids to understand that school is first,” said Powers, who was a star player on the Griffins team that won state titles under Flossie. “That’s they only way they’re going to get to play at the next level.”

Powers knows about playing at the next level. He played for the University of Michigan, then went on to play for the Detroit Lions and Browns.

Here is a preseason look at City Series football for the 2007 season. In this post, you will find players (and any all-star recognition they received in the league last season) to watch from each team and my predictions for the upcoming season.

ELLET (8-2 overall, 5-0 in the City Series last season; City Series co-champs).

Top players: senior OL Tyler Dunagin (first-team All-City and honorable-mention all-district in Division III), senior RB Paris Wicks (first-team offense), senior LB-QB Chad Keppler (first-team defense), senior DL Branson Price (first-team defense), senior LB Aaron Byard (second-team defense), junior LB Travis Hamad.

BUCHTEL (6-4, 5-0; City Series co-champs)

Top players: sophomore DB-RB Solomon Griffin (first-team defense), senior DB-WR (now QB) Johnny Adams (second-team defense, special-mention All-Ohio in Division III).

FIRESTONE (4-6, 3-2)

Top players: senior RB Darshawn Thomas (first-team offense), senior DL-OL DeAndre Tucker (first-team defense), senior QB Trevor Kennedy (second-team offense), junior OL-DL Richard Barucci (second-team offense), senior LB-TE Alex Paul (second-team defense).

GARFIELD (3-7, 3-3)

Top players: senior DL Whitney Mercilous (first-team defense and second team all-district in Division II), senior DB-WR Jerome Beasley (first-team defense), senior Garrick Twitty (first-team defense), sophomore DB-RB Tyson Gulley (second-team defense), junior OL-LB Laimere Latson (second-team offense).

EAST (5-5, 2-3)

Top players: senior LB Shomari Akhdar (first-team defense), senior LB-FB Demetrius Bentley (second-team defense), senior DL-OL Mark Humphrey (second-team defense).

NORTH (1-9, 5-0)

Top player: senior RB-DB Larry Dawson (second-team defense).

KENMORE (0-10, 0-5)

Top player: senior LB-RB Thomas Cheairs.

Now that you have a feel for which players are returning this year, here are my predictions for how the City Series standings will look at the end of the 2007 season.

1. Buchtel

2. Firestone

3. Ellet

4. Garfield

5. East

6. North

7. Kenmore

Here is my explanation for my picks: Buchtel is always a force to be reckoned with in the City Series, and I think the Griffins’ excitement to play for legendary running back Ricky Powers in his first year as head coach will translate to success. Also, I think Soloman Griffin is a special player. He earned accolades for his defense last season, but he’s also an excellent running back with big-play potential.

I think Firestone will continue to improve in coach Tim Flossie’s second year with the Falcons. After the Falcons failed to win a game for two consecutive seasons, Flossie led them to a 4-6 record last year (and they had a winning record in league play: 3-2). Senior Darshawn Thomas had the best 2006 season of any of the City Series running backs. Thomas rushed for 1,126 yards and eight touchdowns on 211 carries.

I think Ellet will be very good, too. The Orangemen should have a dynamic offense with senior quarterback Chad Keppler and senior running back Paris Wicks returning. Travis Hamad and Aaron Byard should bring stability to the defense as inside linebackers in a 4-4 system. However, I think Firestone has a legitimate shot to beat Ellet. The Orangemen beat the Falcons 16-7 last season.

Garfield will have a tough defense, but its offense seems questionable. After a .500 record last year, East will need younger players to step up because it graduated several key seniors, including last year’s City Series Player of the Year - quarterback Kenny Hicks. I think North will improve because senior running back Larry Dawson is good enough to carry the Vikings if he stays healthy. Kenmore has a lot to prove after going winless last season.

What do you think of these predictions? If you agree let me know. If you disagree let me know and give me your predicted finish … and hurry because the season begins next Thursday.

Bob Black has returned to the football coaching staff at Firestone High School as an assistant to head coach Tim Flossie.

Black was an assistant at Wadsworth for the past four seasons after being the head football coach and a teacher at Firestone for several years. During his stint at Wadsworth, he remained a health and physical education teacher, and an assistant athletic director at Firestone.

“It is great to be wearing the green and gold again,” Black said via e-mail.

Posted by Michael Beaven for the Beacon Journal

Firestone baseball coach Brad Lightfoot confirmed that five Falcons seniors will continue their careers in college.

Infielder Eric Lehman, catcher Ivory Alexander, outfielders Justin Porter and Alex Pantages and pitcher Josh Bartlett form the Firestone quintet. Lehman, Alexander and Porter earned first-team All-City Series honors. Pantages and Bartlett were second-team All-City Series.

Lehman and Alexander were also selected to play in the Mizuno All-Star Game at Jacobs Field in Cleveland according to Lightfoot.

Lehman, Firestone’s MVP, will attend Baldwin-Wallace College in Berea after batting .463 with 37 hits, one home run, 19 RBI, 21 runs scored and eight stolen bases.

Alexander is headed to the University of Akron after batting .459 with 39 hits, seven home runs, 29 RBI, 31 runs scored and 21 stolen bases.

Porter selected Cleveland State University after batting .402 with 33 hits, three home runs, nine RBI, 23 runs scored and 28 stolen bases.

Pantages will attend Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Ind. and plans to play baseball and football. Pantages batted .315 with 23 hits, one home run, seven RBI, 15 stolen bases and 11 runs scored.

Bartlett decided to attend Youngstown State University. He earned the win in Firestone’s victory over Woodridge, who advanced to a Division III regional tournament.

The Falcons finished the season 14-14.

Posted by Michael Beaven for the Beacon Journal

Firestone senior Collister Fahie plans to continue his track and field career at the University of Akron.

Fahie placed second at the Division I state meet in the long jump with a personal-best distance of 22-feet-7.75 inches this season. He also qualified for the state meet in the 100 meters.

Fahie was the high-point scorer at the City Series meet this season with 36 points. He won the long jump and the 100 and was second in the 200 and the 400.

Fahie was also the high-point scorer at the Kent Roosevelt Rough Rider Invitational and the North Paul Sehzue Invitational.

Posted by Michael Beaven for the Beacon Journal

It would not be a shock to see Kenmore and Ellet back in the City Series Baseball Playoff Championship game next season.

As both coaches pointed out after Sunday’s game at Canal Park the teams will each return almost every player that started in the game, assuming any unforseen circumstances.

Kenmore (15-7) will return seven of nine starters and Ellet (16-9) will return eight, nine counting the designated hitter.

“Unless another City team steps it up, we could both be playing in this game next year,” said ninth-year Ellet coach John Sarver, whose Orangmen teams have won five out of the past eight City Playoff Championships and six out of eight City regular season titles.

Kenmore senior left-handed pitcher Adam Harris is one player who is departing, along with senior Mike Despot. Harris earned the win Sunday and said he was a bit surprised by his team’s emergence this season.

“I expected us to be good, but we were so young and I didn’t know how we would respond to the challenges of a season,” Harris said. “But we came together, bonded and did well.”

Much of that credit should be directed to ninth-year Kenmore coach Joe Nauer and his staff.

Kenmore and Ellet each asserted themselves over perrenial City Series contender Firestone early in the season. The Falcons suffered two losses each to the Cardinals and Orangemen and fell out of the race.

Ellet won the regular season title with a 12-0 record and Kenmore placed second at 9-3. Sarver said he wanted his players to not forget what they achieved.

“I tried to remind (our kids) we were here because we did so well in the regular season,” said Sarver, whose team will need to replace senior Mikey Canavan. “I tried to remind them they had a great year. Kenmore was one-run better than us on one particular day.”

Ellet had earlier beated Kenmore 5-4 and 2-0 this season.

“It’s ironic that both games at Canal Park (against Kenmore this season) ended with a 5-4 score,” Sarver said. “The three games we played were so close. It shows there is a lot of parity between these two teams.”

Kenmore will return: juniors Aaron Bond and Dominick Harper, sophomores Ryan Harris, Dusty Newberry and Brett Mudd and freshmen brothers Mike Massaro and Matt Massaro.

Ellet will return: juniors Chad Keppler, Isaiah Fridley, Jon Archual, Cory Martin and Kelcey Eberle, sophomores Travis Hamad and Cory Gravesmill and freshmen Steven Lively and Matt Merring.