5 Questions with Don

This is an exciting time of year to be in our business. Three Lorain County High School Football teams have made it to the postseason. The Indians won the Central Division and advanced to Game 7 of the ALCS (ugh!). The Buckeyes are number one in the nation for now and the Browns are generating excitement not seen in this area since the late 80's. So it's fun to be us!

And on the eve of Midview vs. Avon Lake and Elyria Catholic's trip to Eastwood, I thought it would be interesting to pick the brain of WDLW Play by Play Announcer Don Vincent for some insights. The man we lovingly refer to as "Grandpa" also has been my partner for the Oberlin College games on WOBL since 2002. So I asked questions and he gave some interesting answers......

1. You've mentioned on the Showcase that you think this Avon Lake team is as good as (and perhaps better than) the State Championship level teams of 2003-04. What does this team possess that makes them so strong?

Coming into this season there were a couple of concerns about this team: The defense was a little suspect and there were no legitimate stars – good players with solid numbers last year, but no one you could point at a say, “He’s the guy.” Other than that great O line, experienced QB, solid running back core, good D line. So what’s different?

The defense has been pretty darn good. In week one I talked to Dave Dlugosz about his pass defense and questioning its ability to contain other teams. It took about a week for Dave to get it where it needed to be. Giving up a big play once is not the end of the world, how many teams can do that repeatedly? The Shoremen gave up 126 points this year, not quite two TD’s a game (including extra points). That will win you a ton of games.

As for the lack of stars, that is actually where I’ll hang my hat on my earlier statement. This team is so deep, it’s ridiculous. Look at it this way: You start the game with Mike Haddad and Jeff Tell in the offensive backfield. Both legitimate All-Conference and All-County Selections, perhaps other awards on the way for both of them. If for some reason they are unavailable (injury, illness, need a break) you replace them with Kevin Mansnerus and Scott Shaffer, both of whom would likely start on almost any other team. When your 2’s are legitimate 1’s, you’re pretty darned good. And don’t forget, they practice against each other.

And then there’s Dave Dlugosz…

2. I give you a vote for county Coach of the Year. Who does it go to?

Tough call this year. So many candidates. Frank Horvath leads the Sailors to a 6-4 season after several disappointing years, including a huge win over eventual playoff team Midview. Bill Albright led the Middies into the playoffs and an 8-2 record and did so with a number of injuries to key players. Ben Malbasa comes into a program and immediately takes them to the playoffs, in impressive fashion having to rebound from a couple of tough losses. Rob Clarico at Keystone bumps it up a few notches and leads his ‘Cats to 8-2.

But I guess my vote goes to McFarland at Oberlin. The history was against him, the numbers sucked, the attitude was lacking and no one believed there was hope for this program, except Dave. Takes a team that doesn’t know how to win and wills them to victories. What a great job!

3. What was the most memorable game you called this year?

Middie fans won’t like this, but Vermilion’s win over Midview was huge. It was a great back and forth battle, both teams displaying prowess offensively and defensively. It even ended on a big play. Sign me up for next year!

4. What teams surprised you/disappointed you this fall?

I don’t suppose the Tribe is a topic for conversation.

Surprised by Keystone and Columbia. Thought they would do well, but not that well. Avon and Midview brought a passing attack to Lorain County – I like the balanced offensive approach to things because it will lead to more post season success.

Disappointed – Wanted the Saints to get a win (they’ll get there) and I still don’t understand Brookside. All the success they’ve had over the last couple years on both the gridiron and on the power lifting platforms, I expected a more cohesive unit.

5. Gonna put you on the spot: How far do the Shoremen go in this postseason?

Gee, no pressure here with a Lorain County matchup in round one, huh?!?

Not to suggest that any team that they will play can’t beat them, but I think the path to the Semifinals presents limited obstacles for the Shoremen. There are a couple potential matchups at the semi’s and finals that I wouldn’t mind seeing. Columbus De Sales and Cincinnati Turpin both intrigue me. Both are perennially tough teams. Another, although I don’t think we’ll see it, is a game with Warren Howland – North East Ohio v. North East Ohio.

I’ve already Mapquested Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Bonus Question: Can the Yeomen win out and finish 5-5?

I’d love to answer that question, but I can’t. The problem is that I would have to predict how the Yeomen will play and they’ve been a bit too inconsistent. Ask me if they can – easy answer. Sure. Here’s what needs to happen. Greg Mangan will have to play loose and easy. Have fun utilizing all that talent in the receiver corps. R V Carroll and his O-line will need to have great games (140+ yards per). Someone on defense will have to commit to putting QB’s on their butts and the DB’s will have to remember to stay deeper than the deepest receiver. Do those things and you can put two more tallies in the win column.

Double Super Secret Bonus Question: Will there actually be anyone left watching our TV/Radio simulcast on SportsTime Ohio when they see what you, Jason, and I look like?

Would you?

Yeomen can make history

I have to apologize first and foremost...it's been a while since we've posted a blog up here. We're in the midsts of a busy stretch of the football season and of course, we all have a vested interest in what's happening at Jacobs Field.

I'm not going to talk much about the Tribe on this post. I'll let Terry Pluto set the stage for Game 5 here.

Last weekend was one of the best sports weekends as a fan that I've had in a while. The Browns won to go to the bye week at 3-3. The Indians split in Boston after a memorable extra inning win in Game 2. Ohio State has climbed back to the number one ranking in college football. And Oberlin College remained undefeated in NCAC play after their come from behind win over Earlham.

What a long, strange trip it has been for the Yeomen. They were left for dead after three rough non-conference losses to Case, Heidelberg, and Washington and Jefferson (whose records are a combined 14-4, by the way). Now, they are very much alive and have a chance to shock the Division III college football world this weekend in Crawfordsville against the Little Giants from Wabash.

Understand what you face when you take on the Little Giants: A team that has won two straight NCAC titles and three of the last five. They have a potent offense and bring probably the best defensive football player in the nation to bear in senior linebacker Adrian Pynenberg. They possess a swagger that comes from knowing that they're still on top of the conference mountain until someone knocks them off. Wabash also happens to play in the most hostile environment in the league at Hollett Little Giant Stadium, where the fans are almost on top of you and frankly....they don't care for the opposition too much.

That being said, there's something out there that makes me think the Yeomen are ready for this challenge. Maybe it's a hunch, maybe it's just wishful thinking. But I like what I see from Jeff Ramsey's squad heading into Saturday. The offensive line has played extremely well over the past four games coinciding with R. V. Carroll's return to form as the conference's best rusher. The move of Chase Palmer to strong safety has resulted in the Utah native playing his three best games as a Yeoman.

These guys are hitting people. Hard.

To beat Wabash is a lot different from beating Earlham, Denison, or Hiram however. Oberlin must protect the football. They can't allow anything close to the nine sacks they gave up a year ago when the two teams met at Savage Stadium. And they must avoid special teams breakdowns which always seem to haunt them in matchups like these.

It's a very, very tall order. But as this college football season has taught us, anything is possible.

ALSO: Just a quick note of condolences to our good friend Brent Harris, the Sports Information Director at Wabash. Brent had a death in the family and will not be at the game on Saturday. They don't come any nicer, or more talented than Brent and we'll miss seeing him at Hollett.