Garfield football coach Bob Sax had an inclination last fall that Illinois junior and former Garfield standout Whitney Mer would turn pro after the season. In fact, that came true recently when the junior defensive end announced his intentions to enter early into the NFL Draft.

“I went up to their Michigan game and spent some time with him that weekend,” Sax said. “He was confident that he was not going to make a final decision until after the season was over, but he did say that the idea of being a high draft pick was exciting. I couldn’t be happier for him.”

Mercilus, a first-team All-American, had 16 sacks to lead the nation this season, according to ESPN.com.

“He is an outstanding young man that puts in the work necessary to be successful in whatever he puts his mind to,” Sax said.

Garfield senior running back Robert Lyons is still considering his college options, according to Garfield coach Bob Sax.

“A lot D-2 and D-3 schools have been in to see him,” Sax said. “Just waiting to see which has the best package to offer.”

Garfield High School graduate Whitney Mercilus is heading to the National Football League.

Mercilus, a defensive end at Illinois, decided to pass on his senior season to enter the 2012 NFL Draft after leading Division I college football with 16 sacks as a junior.

Mercilus’ 2011 season also included setting an Illinois and Big Ten record for forced fumbles with nine. His 22.5 tackles for loss this season were tops in the Big Ten and second in the nation.

He was rewarded for his impressive season by earning first-team All-American honors and receiving the Hendricks Award, which goes to the nation’s top defensive end.

Garfield football coach Bob Sax went to see Illinois defensive lineman Whitney Mercilus play Michigan a few weeks ago and was able to spend some time with the former Garfield standout.

Mercilus, a junior, is one of the nation’s top college football players this season. He was named Bronko Nagurski Trophy finalist earlier this month and led the nation in sacks (13.5), sacks per game (1.23) and forced fumbles (8).

The Nagurski Trophy winner will be announced Dec. 12.

“I am not surprised at all with the success that he had had this season,” Sax said. “He is a remarkable kid and driven for excellence. He always puts in the work needed to get better. He did the same thing here at Garfield.”

Sax said he expected analysts would be speaking highly of Mercilus during his junior and senior years of college.

“I really believe that if he would stay for his last year he would be a big time player, but it looks like he may enter the draft early,” Sax said. “He said he would consider all of these things after the season is over.”

Illinois is bowl eligible but the program recently announced Ron Zook would not return next season.

Sax said Mercilus is on track to graduate in the spring and only has four classes remaining for his degree.

“I am really proud of what he has done for himself,” Sax said.

Notes: Garfield senior running back/outside linebacker Robert Lyons is receiving a lot of attention from Division II and III college programs, according to Sax. …Garfield is already preparing for the 2012 season. “We are currently in the weight room and are getting ready for next season. Excited to have almost everybody back and looking to compete,” Sax said.

Garfield football coach Bob Sax said the Rams need to worry about themselves with an 0-4 record and take care of the football this week against North (0-4).

“We have not been able to do that at all this season,” Sax said. “We are very young team and we continue to be our own worst enemy. Turnovers and penalties at key moments have cost us good drives and potential scoring opportunities.”

Garfield lost to Buchtel 26-0 last week. “Last week against Buchtel, we had a breakdown in our special teams that resulted in two touchdowns,” Sax said.

Sax said there is no quit in the Rams and he thinks their effort was “tremendous.” He said North is a much better team this year and the Rams must be fundamentally sound on both sides of the ball.

“We are getting better, it is just now showing up on the scoreboard yet,” Sax said. “Our seniors are doing a good job keeping us focused.”

Game: Garfield Rams (0-2) at the Tallmadge Blue Devils (0-2)
Time:  7 p.m.
What to look for:  You can expect two desperate teams scrounging to get back into the race for the playoffs.
So far this season:  The Garfield Rams are still gelling as a team, but they need to get to it quick.  You have to wonder if coach Bob Sax’s team will be able to given that his team’s defensive unit has given up better than 40 points in their first two games.
Fate has victimized coach Joe Vassalotti’s Blue Devils in two close losses.  You can overcome one of those, but what about two?  Which is most devastating?  My guess is we’ll find out tonight.  Last week they lost to Ellet on a last-second reception at the end of the game.  Beat Garfield and they right the ship.  Fall and there’s something deeper going on with the Blue Devils.

Garfield football coach Bob Sax said Wednesday he’s been pleased with the progress the Rams have made during the first official week of practice.

“Things are going as good as they can until we get all the pads on and play real football,” Sax said.

Sax noted he likes what running back/outside linebacker Robert Lyons has been doing early this preseason. Lyons got hurt in Week 4 last year and never returned healthy.

“He was emerging as our best running back and played outside linebacker,” Sax said.

Garfield plays Barberton in a scrimmage at 10 a.m. Friday before another scrimmage with Northwest Aug. 18 at 6 p.m.

“I like the makeup of our team,” Sax said. “They are working hard.”

Garfield football coach Bob Sax announced two college commitments from the 2011 class.

Senior defensive end Kevin Brewton has committed to Findlay. Brewton is 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds. Senior fullback Tyeler Matthews (5-10, 210) has committed to West Virginia Tech.

Two boys basketball games highlight the action at Copley High School in the Northeast District Sectional Tournament tonight beginning at 6 p.m.

In the first game:

Firestone Falcons  (12-7) vs. Ellet Orangmen (4-14)

In a nutshell:  These are two traditional City Series rivals squaring off in tournament play.  If Ellet can’t contain Firestone’s Darius Carter this one could be painful.  They also have to watch for Jerome Lane who as improved over the course of the season.  The Falcons blew the Orangmen out in two prior meetings this year.  They say it’s difficult to beat any team three times in a season; I don’t think so in this case.

Garfield Rams (11-8) vs. Kent Roosevelt (13-6)

In a nutshell:  These teams should be relatively even.  Competition is generally better in the City Series, giving Garfield some credibilty.  Roosevelt will have to be sure to contain forward Kevin Brewton.  The Rams will have to contend with Roosevelt junior Bruce Thomas who is coming off a near triple-double against Southeast.

Garfield senior TE-DE Kevin Brewton has been receiving interest from Ball State lately, according to Garfield coach Bob Sax.

Brewton, who has an offer from Akron, hasn’t set up a visit with Ball State yet.

“They came to see him play in Week 10 and have been trying to get him down there for a game,” Sax said of Ball State.