After Week One of the five weeks of football playoffs, here are my observations looking back and moving ahead.

*The Federal League rematch of Canton McKinley and Canton GlenOak will be a different game. The Bulldogs were the eight seed going into top seeded Toledo Whitmer and demolished the Glass City bunch, which did not surprise me, McKinley has found its swagger and I expect them to beat GlenOak this time.

By the way and for what it’s worth, I don’t think Hudson, the team edged out by McKinley for that eighth and final spot, could have won that game in Toledo.

*Massillon will be favored to beat Twinsburg, but I for one think Twinsburg can pull the upset.  Twinsburg’s defense must set the tone early on and stop Massillon’s running game and force quarterback Robert Partridge to run for his life.

*Just wonder how Garfield or Buchtel might have done in the playoffs. Something has to be done to get a City Series team in the post season with smarter scheduling and more home games.

*In Division II, Louisville, another No. 1 seed, was kayoed by No. 8 Columbus Marion-Franklin. One has to wonder if quarterback Bobby Swigert had stayed healthy how deep into the playoffs the Leopards go.

*Division III, Archbishop Hoban’s offense is killing them. They could surprise Poland Seminary at Uniontown Lake’s Blue Streak Stadium Friday night, but not if the offense is as bad as its been in big games.

Don’t be shocked if Northwest, a sixth seed, knocks off No. 2 seed Dover. I have Indian fever!

*One of the coolest stories of the year is Woodridge in Division IV. The Bulldogs put a whipping at Martins Ferry in their first playoff appearance in school history (49-28) and winning their first ever league title.  This team can light up scoreboards on on given night.

*Lest we not forget Mogadore. The Wildcats lone loss was to Woodridge and Saturday night I look for them to knock off Norwalk St. Paul at Medina’s Kenneth Dukes Stadium.

Mogadore hosts East Canton tonight knowing it has a clinched a spot in the state playoffs.

The Widlcats are currently fifth in the Division VI, Region 21 standings and are hoping to get into the top four spots and host a playoff game.

Juniors Kodey Chance and Jake McAvinew each rushed for a touchdown to help the visiting Wildcats (8-1, 5-1) to a 28-0 win over Waterloo this past week.

Mogadore senior quarterback Drew Babbitt threw two touchdown passes, one to senior Landon Trainer and one to senior Matt Traugh. Chance rushed for 105 yards on 10 carries and McAvinew gained 102 yards on 16 carries.

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!

Mogadore improved its record to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the Portage Trail Conference County Division with a 39-15 win at Streetsboro last week.

Junior Jake McAvinew and rushed three touchdowns and senior Mike Simonetti rushed for one touchdown.

The Wildcats host the Windham Bombers (0-7, 0-4) tonight.

The Mogadore football team heads into a Week 4 game at Rootstown tonight with a 3-0 record.

Mogadore defeated visiting Northwestern 28-7 this past Thursday in a game that was televised on Fox Sports Ohio.

Mogadore coach Matt Adorni said the experience for his players to play live on TV was special.

“It was a fantastic atmosphere,” Adorni said. “It was a chance that not all kids in our sport get. I wish all kids could get to do that once.

“I really applaud FSN. They do a fantastic job. It was a playoff atmosphere, but once we started it was a football game and you forget you are on TV. It had a different feel to it, but it was a lot fun.”

Seniors Mike Leymon and Phil Laston, and juniors Kodey Chance and Jake McAvinew each scored a rushing touchdown for Mogadore.

“I thought we threw ball well early in the game and we slowly found some things we liked,” Adorni said. “We hit on some key passes and also had some interceptions. I thought our defense played well for all but one series. I like the way we took away from them what they wanted to do.”

Adorni additionally praised the play seniors Zach Glagola and Andrew Monea. Glagola played outside linebacker and had two interceptions.

“He played really strong against the run and he was all over the place,” Adorni said of Glagola. “He had eight or nine tackles and deflected a pass too. He had a fantastic game.”

Monea was solid at guard offensively and along the defensive line.

Adorni said the chance to play live on TV was presented earlier in the year.

“They called us in the spring,” Adorni said. “It was a no-brainer. It was nice Northwestern wanted to do it too. It was definitely a good time.”

Adorni said he knew people from Texas, Florida and California that were able to watch the game on television.

Mogadore was one of the few schools in the Northeast Ohio area that was able to complete its Friday night football game on Friday night.

The Wildcats game with visiting Mineral Ridge did have a delay of around an hour and a half due to lightning, yet the season opener for both schools ended at nearly 11:15 p.m., according to Mogadore coach Matt Adorni.

Adorni was pleased with the final outcome, as Mogadore won 28-21 behind two rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter by junior Kodey Chance.

Mogadore led 14-0 after the first quarter following a 32-yard touchdown by senior quarterback Drew Babbitt to senior split end Matt Traugh, a 46-yard touchdown run by junior Jake McAvinew and a successful two-point conversion in which Babbitt tossed a pass to Chance.

“We got out of the gates pretty good and got up 14-0,” Adorni said.

Then some penalties and turnovers hurt Mogadore. Mineral Ridge responded with 14 unanswered points in the second quarter to tie the score at halftime. Mineral Ridge then scored seven points in the third quarter to take a 21-14 lead.

Mogadore answered with Chance in the fourth quarter and Adorni also credited the defensive unit for playing through the humidity.

Adorni said junior Kyle Cramer and senior Pat Tipton each had an interception and McAvinew and senior Andrew Monea came up with key sacks late in the game.

“We can’t take the foot off the gas pedal,” Adorni said.

CLICK IMAGE FOR MORE PHOTOS: Standout Mogadore High School football players Kodey Chance (left) and Jake McAvinew at Wildcat Stadium in Mogadore.(Ed Suba Jr./Akron Beacon Journal)

Juniors Kodey Chance and Jake McAvinew will attempt to lead Mogadore to its 23rd state playoff appearance since the state football playoffs began in 1972.

The Wildcats return six starters on offense and nine on defense, and should be a team to watch in the Portage Trail Conference County Division.

Mogadore coach Matt Adorni said Chance, McAvinew, seniors Phil Laston and Mike Leymon combined to rush for about 2,400 yards last season. Seniors Kevin Pollock and Andrew Monea will anchor the offensive line, and seniors Landon Trainer, Matt Traugh and Zach Glagola will be key receivers.

Chance, McAvinew and Traugh will lead the defense.

Mogadore has made the playoffs every year since 1999. Among the 22 previous postseason teams are state titles in 1979 (Class A), 1996 (Division VI) and 2002 (Division VI).

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

ARCHBISHOP HOBAN (20-4, 13-1 North Coast League)
Seniors Rachel Tecca, Nikki D’Amico and Brittany Brown return to lead the Knights, the defending NCL champions and a program that has made the Division II regional tournament three out of the past four seasons under coach Tracy Miller. Tecca, a 6-foot-1 forward and University of Akron recruit, averaged around 20 points and 10 rebounds last season. D’Amico, a guard, and Brown, a forward, also will play integral parts along with junior point guard Taneka Lewis, junior forward Krissy Sokol and sophomore guard Grace Foote.

CLOVERLEAF (8-13, 5-9 Suburban League)
• Coach John Carmigiano expects the Colts to be much improved this season with three returning starters and a transfer. Senior starters Brittani Pekar (10.7 points, 7.2 rebounds), Candace Andel (10.1 points) and Kayla Henry are back, and 6-foot-3 junior center Brooke Forsythe, formerly of Brunswick, is another pivotal player. Sophomore guard Sarah Schleich and senior forward Caitie Coughlin also return.

COPLEY (13-7, 10-4 Suburban League)
• The senior tandem of Beth Mantkowski and Brittany Powell will guide the Indians this season. Mantkowski, a 6-foot-2 center, averaged about 16 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks last season and has committed to Ashland University. Powell, a 5-foot-7 guard and Gannon University recruit, averaged about 14 points and five rebounds. Sophomore 6-foot guard Taylor Reif will also be a key contributor after averaging 9.6 points and 4.2 rebounds last season.

CUYAHOGA VALLEY CHRISTIAN ACADEMY (15-6, 9-3 PAC-7)
• The Royals will look to improve upon last season’s second-place finish in the PAC-7. Seniors Jeanette Pettigrew, Alyssa Presley, Melissa Knepper, Jessica Glenn and Victoria Risenhoover and junior Turea Moore provide an experienced foundation for CVCA coach Bill Stalnaker to work with. Defending PAC-7 champion Manchester (18-5, 12-0) will still be a formidable opponent with senior guard Lexis Staubs returning.

FIELD (18-5, 11-3 Portage Trail Conference Metro Division)
• Senior Traci Vandegrift returns to lead the Falcons. Vandegrift, a 6-foot center and Albany recruit for volleyball, gives Field a presence in the lane with her skill set and athleticism. Juniors Lauren Feciuch, Arielle Kenyon and Tabitha Murray are also back for coach Jeff Kidd, along with sophomores Hanna Mueller and Emily Ulrich. Field is seeking to dethrone defending PTC Metro champion Southeast, which posted a 20-0 regular-season record last season, but lost several players to graduation. Southeast does return senior Mya Levels, a 6-foot-2 forward and UNC-Wilmington recruit who averaged nearly 19 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks last season.

FIRESTONE (10-10, 8-4 City Series)
• The Falcons will look to challenge for the City title with senior guards Danielle Thomas, Jaysha Russell and Dominique Echols playing prominent roles for coach Audley McGill. Thomas averaged about six points and seven rebounds last season. Russell did not play for Firestone last season, but she contributed around 15 points per game for the Falcons as a sophomore.

GREEN (20-4, 11-3 Suburban League)
• Sophomore Logan Pastor and junior Deanna Wheeler return to lead the Bulldogs under the guidance of coach Tony Whitmer. Pastor and Wheeler, 5-foot-10 and 5-foot-8, respectively, each averaged around 10 points last season. Juniors Selana Reale and Kelsey Corle will also be counted on for production, along with senior Tiffany Henley and freshman Lydia Corle.

HUDSON (12-10, 5-5 Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division)
• The Explorers are hoping to emerge in the NOC this season with seniors Jennifer Lawson and Hannah Jones leading the attack under coach Dennis Lawler. Lawson, a 6-foot-1 forward, averaged 12.1 points and 9.9 rebounds last season. Jones, a 6-foot-4 center and Indiana-Purdue Fort Wayne recruit, posted 6.5 points and 5.5 rebounds. That duo will be accompanied by sophomore guard Jessica Monsman, senior guard Emily Griffiths and junior Lindley Hill.

KENMORE (22-3, 13-0 City Series)
• Senior 5-foot-8 point guard Andola Dortch returns to lead the Cardinals, the defending City Series champions under coach Yontami Jones. Dortch, a University of Toledo recruit, uses her skill and quickness to be a prolific scorer. She will be joined by senior forward Scharlawn Hubbard, junior forward Courtney Palmer, junior guard Shanequa Williams and sophomore guard Markayla Powers. Kenmore reached the Division I Regional semifinal last season.

LAKE (15-7, 5-5 Federal League)
• Senior Lauren Myers returns to give the Blue Streaks an effective shooter from long range. Myers, a 5-foot-10 guard and Wheeling Jesuit recruit, averaged 14.6 points last season. Seniors Jordan Jenkins, Dana Brown, Cindy Netti, Kelly Vigars and Jessica Saporito are also back for coach Thom Grubb. Jenkins is a Tiffin University recruit.

LOUISVILLE (18-4, 13-1 Northeastern Buckeye Conference)
• Juniors Jessica Lairson and Erin Thornton will be key players for the Leopards under first-year coach Garee McCully. Lairson averaged 11.9 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.4 steals last season. Sophomore Desi Givens and freshman Brianna Libertore should also be vital players for Louisville, which shared the NBC title with rival Northwest last season.

MOGADORE (13-7, 10-4 Portage Trail Conference County Division)
• The Wildcats will rely heavily on the production of junior guards Jordan Poth and Amanda Sidwell and sophomore center Presley Destro. That scoring trio should make coach George Tompkins happy and give opponents’ defenses trouble all season.

NORTH CANTON HOOVER (20-3, 10-0 Federal League)
• Senior Jessica Carpenter returns to lead the Vikings, who must reload after the graduation of frontline standouts Brittany Orban (Northwestern) and Kyle Baumgartner (University of Akron). Carpenter, a 5-foot-8 guard and Baldwin Wallace signee, averaged 11.1 points for the Federal League champions last season. Coach Paul Wackerly will also have the luxury of having seniors Leah Gibson and Eleni Bourlas back with juniors Allison Peare and Alyssa Chovan. Senior guard Erica Iafelice is expected to return this season after a back injury.

NORTHWEST (21-3, 13-1 Northeastern Buckeye Conference)
• Junior 6-foot forward Dakota Harkins is expected to be the Indians’ top player under the tutelage of coach John Martin. Seniors Rachel Miller, Candace Gemma and Erika Stach will be counted on for leadership and production. Sophomore Jessica Wormald also returns for Northwest, which shared the NBC title with rival Louisville last season. Martin is also counting on a few other sophomores and freshmen to emerge on the varsity team as the season progresses to soften the loss of junior Tabatha McKinney, who transferred to Canton South.

RAVENNA (14-8, 10-4 Portage Trail Conference Metro Division)
• Junior guard Lauren Tilden returns to lead the Ravens and is one of the most dangerous 3-point shooters in the area. Junior forwards Chanel Berry, Kayla Plaso and Dannielle Boyce will figure prominently for Ravenna, along with senior forward Lauren Flarida. Coach Rod Chlysta said the rotation is in flux due to depth and competition, and that freshmen could emerge into larger roles as the season progresses.

ST. VINCENT-ST. MARY (9-11)
• The Fighting Irish will be led by three seniors; Jessica Bridenthal, Jill Brownfield and Amanda Olszewski. Bridenthal, a 6-foot-1 forward-center, averaged 10.5 points and 5.9 rebounds last season and has committed to Ashland University. Sophomore Maria Arnone also returns for coach Joe Jakubick, a former University of Akron player.

STOW (12-11, 5-5 Northeast Ohio Conference Valley Division)
• The Bulldogs return three starters — senior forward Kelsey MacWherter, senior guard Dana Cummins and sophomore guard Sarah Parsons — under coach Bob Podges. MacWherter and Cummins each averaged nearly 10 points last season. Junior forward Sonya Istocka should also be a major contributor for Stow.

TWINSBURG (20-2, 10-0 Northeast Ohio Conference Lake Division)
• Senior Rachel Peelman, a 5-foot-8 forward, is a solid defender, and 5-foot-3 senior Katie Whittington is a steady point guard for the Tigers. That tandem will lead the Tigers, along with Lauren Macer, for coach Mike Kelley. Malina Howard and LaShawna Gatewood are two highly touted freshmen that should figure into Twinsburg’s plans.

WADSWORTH (17-6, 12-2 Suburban League)
• Senior Lindsay Tenyak, a 5-foot-9 senior guard, will step into a more prominent role this season for the Grizzlies. Tenyak helped Wadsworth win the Suburban League title last season by averaging about eight points and 4.5 rebounds. Coach Andrew Booth is also counting on senior Kate Macko, sophomores Robyn Rotterschmidt and Taylor Woods, juniors Kristen O’Brien and Sam Gearhart and freshman Christy Cingel. Cloverleaf, Copley, Green and Tallmadge will attempt to dethrone Wadsworth in the Suburban League.

WALSH JESUIT (19-5)
• The Warriors will be led by senior Amy Gardner, a 5-foot-10 senior guard and University at Buffalo recruit. Gardner averaged 13.5 points, 3.5 rebounds, 3.1 assists and 2.2 steals last season. Claire Lysaght and Kendra Simmons are senior tri-captains with Gardner. Coach Pete Zaccari is also relying on junior Nneka Offodile, freshman Rachel Theriot and juniors Cheryl Yu and Sarah Sureck to produce on the court.

— Michael Beaven

The Akron area will have three athletes competing for the United States of America in the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.

The athletes are: basketball player LeBron James, swimmer Mark Gangloff and javelin thrower Kim Kreiner. The trio all competed and represented USA in the 2004 Olympics in Athens, Greece.

Gangloff won a gold medal in the 2004 Olympics as a member of the 400-meter medley relay and placed fourth in the 100-meter breast stroke. James won a bronze medal on the basketball team.

James graduated from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School in 2003 and currently stars for the Cleveland Cavaliers in the National Basketball Association.

Gangloff graduated from Firestone High School in 2000 and Auburn University in 2005.

Kreiner graduated from Mogadore High School in 1995 and earned a degree from Kent State.

The Akron Beacon Journal wishes the trio good luck in Beijing!!!

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.