BEACON JOURNAL POWER POLL
Week 2 of the 2008 Beacon Journal poll.

1. Walsh Jesuit (III, 1-0): The Warriors came away with an impressive 48-14 win at Licking Valley, which reached the Division III state championship last year. Senior quarterback Kyle Snyder rushed for 249 yards and two touchdowns. Next: Archbishop Hoban.

2. Louisville (II, 1-0): Seniors Neal Seaman (21-of-31, 230 yards) and Brandon Mathie (nine receptions, 134 yards) helped the Leopards defeat Ravenna 29-15. Next: at North Canton Hoover.

3. Northwest (III, 1-0): Running back Dan Beers scored two touchdowns and the Indians scored 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter for a 34-13 win against Orrville. Next: Firestone.

4. St. Vincent-St. Mary (IV, 1-0): The Irish rushed for 324 yards (163 by senior running back Harvie Tuck IV) in a 31-12 win against Villa Angela-

St. Joseph. Next: at Clear Fork.

5. Massillon (I, 1-0): Bo Grunder caught four touchdown passes from Mike Clark as the Tigers defeated Buchtel 45-29. Next: Jordan (Utah) at Fawcett Stadium on Saturday.

6. Highland (III, 1-0): The Hornets’ defense stood tall in a 40-15 win against Rocky River. Next: Buckeye.

7. Nordonia (I, 1-0): The Knights had three touchdowns in a matter of two minutes in the third quarter to defeat Tallmadge 28-7. Next: Wadsworth.

8. Wadsworth (I, 1-0): In the Grizzlies’ 35-19 win over Wooster, Aarick Jones scored two touchdowns and Wadsworth scored 21 points in the third quarter. Next: at Nordonia.

9. Brunswick (I, 1-0): The Blue Devils scored 42 points in the first half as running back Brit Musal scored three touchdowns. Quarterback Ricky Manco threw for 150 yards. Next: at Brush.

10. Archbishop Hoban (II, 1-0): The Knights kicked off the season with a thrilling 27-26 overtime win Thursday against Garfield. Quarterback Josh Masters rushed for two touchdowns. Next: at Walsh Jesuit.

11. GlenOak (I, 1-0) The Golden Eagles were in a battle but held on to a 14-7 win against Twinsburg. Next: at Brecksville.

12. Mogadore (VI, 1-0): The Wildcats’ defense stepped up in a 27-7 win against Mineral Ridge. Sophomore running back Kodey Chance scored two rushing touchdowns. Next: Holy Trinity (Canada).

13. Waynedale (V, 1-0): Running back Thad Nofsinger scored three touchdowns and the defense didn’t allow a touchdown until the fourth quarter in a 55-7 win against Tusky Valley. Next: Danville.

14. North Canton Hoover (I, 1-0): In a 41-22 win against Washington, D.C., Dunbar, junior running back Erick Howard rushed for 185 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns. Next: Louisville.

15. Lake (II, 1-0): The Blue Streaks trailed by three points with just over two minutes to go before pulling out a 39-30 win against Green. Next: Lucas (Ontario, Canada).

16. Alliance (II, 1-0): Dail’len Cottle rushed for three touchdowns, including a fumble return for a score, in a 39-26 win against Crestwood. Next: at Parma Holy name.

17. Perry (I, 1-0): The Panthers racked up 406 yards on 42 carries, and running back Caleb Laps finished with 163 yards, in a 48-14 win against Barberton. Next: Canton Central Catholic

18. Kent Roosevelt (II, 1-0): The Rough Riders opened things up in a 35-0 win against Kenston. Next: at Stow.

19. Hudson (I, 1-0): Kevin Meyer scored two touchdowns, including a 65-yard return on the opening kickoff, in a 38-16 win at Medina. Next: at Twinsburg.

20. Revere (II, 1-0): John Battaglia rushed for 179 yards and two touchdowns on 39 carries and the defense was strong in a 24-0 win against Firestone. Next: North Royalton.

Others to watch: Aurora, Canton South, Cloverleaf, CVCA, Dalton, Ellet, Field, Firestone, Garrettsville, Garfield, Green, Jackson, Manchester, Norwayne, Ravenna, Streetsboro, Stow, Tallmadge, Tuslaw, Twinsburg.

The Beacon Journal’s ‘‘Power Poll’’ ranks teams based on expectations for the 2008 season within their OHSAA division relative to other area teams. It is not a predictor of head-to-head strength. Here are the first rankings with division and 2007 record.
1. Walsh Jesuit (III, 9-2)
Quarterback Kyle Snyder and running backs Cameron Ontko and Armand Dehaney give the Warriors plenty of offensive firepower. Big Ten recruits Pat McShane (Indiana) and Brian Smith (Northwestern) will anchor the lines. If the Warriors’ defense holds up, this could be a big season on Wyoga Lake Road.
2. Louisville (II, 12-3)
Quarterback Neal Seaman and receiver-defensive back Brandon Mathie are back for a Leopards team that was the 2007 Division II state runner-up.
3. Northwest (III, 12-1)
The Division III poll champion has some holes to fill, but lineman Nate Klatt (Michigan State) and running back Danny Beers head an impressive list of returnees.
4. St. Vincent-St. Mary (IV, 9-3)
Coach Dan Boarman’s second Irish team, which will be led by receiver Todd Culver and linebacker Harvie Tuck IV, is primed for another season to remember for the Green Street faithful.
5. Massillon (I, 4-6)
Jason Hall is seeking to make an impressive debut as the Tigers’ head coach, just as he did in 2007 with an inexperienced Nordonia team. Running back J.T. Turner and linebacker Matt Rose are the leaders
6. Highland (III, 6-4)
The Hornets’ fans have been waiting for this senior class to arrive, and that time is now. Back Chris Snook and linebacker Tyler Houska anchor strong offensive and defensive units.
7. Nordonia (I, 10-2)
The Knights, one of the surprise teams in the area last season, will sneak up on no one this season. Tailback John Hamilton and linebacker Luke Batton are potent offensive and defensive leaders.
8. Aurora (III, 9-2)
Lineman Adam Bellamy, an Ohio State recruit, and defensive back-wide receiver Dee Brizzolara will lead the Greenmen’s quest for a fourth consecutive appearance in the state playoffs.
9. Wadsworth (I, 9-2)
Dru Jones, the leading all-time rusher in Medina County history, is gone, but the Grizzlies have a deep and talented junior class ready to fill the void.
10. Brunswick (I, 13-1)
Ricky Manco, who takes over at quarterback for Beacon Journal player of the year Sean Bedevelsky, leads a solid Blue Devils team looking for a seventh consecutive trip to the state playoffs.
11. Tallmadge (II, 10-2)
The Blue Devils’ attempt to win another Suburban League championship will rest on a core of seniors led by tailback Tyler Fortner and linebacker Nick Thompson.
12. Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy (IV, 9-2)
Running back John Pettigrew, who just missed rushing for 2,000 yards in 2007, returns for a Royals team trying for a fourth consecutive trip to the state playoffs.
13. Firestone (II, 7-4)
Coach Tim Flossie has quickly rebuilt the Falcons and has them poised to follow up the first playoff season in school history with another one.
14. Archbishop Hoban (II, 3-7)
The Knights’ defense will be strong, and quarterback Josh Masters and tight end Brian Slack are back to lead a potentially strong offense.
15. Garfield (I, 7-3)
The Rams will contend for honors in the City Series behind a core group of seniors led by running back-safety Tyson Gulley.
16. Ravenna (III, 8-3)
The Ravens, who will be led by running back Blayre Davis, will be seeking their second consecutive appearance in the state playoffs.
17. GlenOak (I, 6-5)
The Golden Eagles, who qualified for the state playoffs for the fourth time in school history last season, return eight starters on defense, led by lineman Aaron Williams.
18. Waynedale (V, 9-3)
Optimism is high among the Golden Bears’ faithful that tailback Thad Nofsinger and his teammates will have a long run in the state playoffs.
19. Mogadore (VI, 10-2)
The Wildcats always seem to face heavy graduation losses and then find able replacements. A 22nd appearance in the state playoffs is likely.
20. Orrville (IV, 6-4)
The Red Riders, who missed the state playoffs by one spot in 2007, have plenty of offensive talent back, led by quarterback Joe Besancon and running back Josh Graber.
Others to watch: Alliance, Buckeye, Canton Central Catholic, Canton McKinley, Canton South, Cloverleaf, Ellet, Garrettsville, Green, Hudson, Jackson, Kent Roosevelt, Lake, Manchester, North Canton Hoover, Northwestern, Norwayne, Perry, Revere, Stow, Streetsboro, Tuslaw, Twinsburg.

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.

I have been the Beacon Journal voter to the Associated Press state prep poll for eight years. My goal is to vote for the best area teams - to give them representation — and the best statewide teams. Here are the local schools whom I voted for today after the fourth week.
If your team is not there and you think they should be, now is the time to state your case!
Div I: Brunswick, Wadsworth, GlenOak and Stow (for the first time ever).
II: Tallmadge, Lake and Cloverleaf.
III: Walsh and Northwest
IV: St. V-M, Canton CC, CVCA, Orrville and Manchester
V: Norwayne, Waynedale and Northwestern
VI: Mogadore

The third weekly Beacon Journal power poll,
with ranking, school, division, record and last week’s
ranking:
1. Tallmadge (II, 3-0) 1
2. Walsh Jesuit (III, 3-0) 2
3. Brunswick (I, 3-0) 3
4. Wadsworth (I, 3-0) 5
5. Hudson (I, 3-0) 7
6. Lake (II, 3-0) 11
7. Northwest (III, 3-0) 10
8. St. Vincent-St. Mary (IV, 3-0) 12
9. Louisville (II, 2-1) 15
10. Canton Central Catholic (IV, 3-0) 13
11. North Canton Hoover (I, 2-1) 6
12. Perry (I, 2-1) 14
13. Nordonia (I, 3-0) 16
14. Massillon (I, 1-2) 4
15. Orrville (IV, 2-1) 17
16. GlenOak (I, 3-0) NR
17. Stow (I, 3-0) NR
18. Aurora (III, 3-0) NR
19. Field (III, 3-0) NR
20. Norwayne (V, 3-0) 18
Others of note: Alliance, Archbishop Hoban,
Canton McKinley, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Acade\
my, Cloverleaf, Ellet, Firestone, Garfield, Manchester, Moga\
dore, North, Northwestern, Revere, Smithville and
Waynedale.