Sidelines: Eastwood QB Leady has shoulder injury

9/17/2004

Kevin Leady, the Eagles starting quarterback the last three seasons, remains a question mark for the game after injuring his shoulder early in a 21-14 loss to Oak Harbor last Friday.

It s a separated shoulder, but we initially thought it was a broken collarbone, said Eastwood coach Jerry Rutherford.

The multi-talented quarterback, who passed for more than 1,900 yards and rushed for more than 1,400 yards a season ago, has taken part in the Eagles practices on a limited basis this week. But his status for the Eastwood contest could be a game-time decision.

Leady, who suffered the injury on the first play of the Eagles second series against Oak Harbor, played in every game last season and has played a significant role in the Eagles putting points on the scoreboard. He scored 26 touchdowns last fall. He either rushed for at least one touchdown or passed for a score in all but one game last season.

Obviously for the last three years he s been a big part of our offense, Rutherford said. It means other guys have to step up and meet the challenge. We ve got guys who can do that.

Junior Corey Weitland and sophomore Mike Oberdick are the top candidates to play quarterback if Leady is not able to. Weitland, a two-year starter at free safety, has served as Leady s backup and stepped in for Leady in the first half against Oak Harbor. Oberdick, the starting QB on the junior varsity squad, played QB for all of the second half against Oak Harbor.

If Kevin is ready to play, he ll be in there Friday night, Rutherford said. But we have people who know the system. Obviously, we ll be better prepared this week if Kevin doesn t play.

Monroe St. Marys dominant on defense

Monroe St. Marys 3-0 start to the 2004 season is a testament to what the Falcons attempt to do on defense.

We always talk about rallying to the football, Coach Jack Giarmo said. We want to create fumbles and create interceptions.

We play disciplined defense and we just worry about each person doing their own things. Its a reading defense and everyone understands what they re doing.

Defensive backs David Thomas, Neal Howey and Nick Jordan, along with linebacker Mike Mueller, have accounted for at least one turnover apiece. St. Marys defense has five interceptions and four fumble recoveries in three games for an average of three turnovers a contest. It has led to the Falcons outscoring their opponents 115-0.

Nevertheless, Giarmo, in his seventh season in charge, believes the Falcons defense is still a work in progress. I think our defense is getting better, but we just have to keep executing, Giarmo said.

Central set to play at home

The last time Central Catholic played a varsity home game in football the country was in the mist of the Great Depression.

On Sept. 25, 69 seasons later, the Irish will host another varsity home game on its own home turf. Central, which usually plays its home games at other schools, will welcome Scott to the Gallagher Athletic Complex to play in a City League matchup that also will represent the Irish s homecoming game.

A total of 1,500 temporary seats will be brought in to double the facility s seating capacity.

Schoenrock huge in Northview s success

Northview dominated the Northern Lakes League in volleyball a year ago.

The Wildcats romped to a 22-3 overall record, and won the league title with a 13-1 mark.

Middle blocker Meagan Schoenrock is one of only three returning letter-winners. The 6-2 senior, who saw limited playing time on the front line a year ago, is making a major impact this season. She leads the team in kills (45) and stuff blocks (36) while steering Northview to a solid start. The Wildcats started the week 4-2 overall, including 2-1 in the NLL.

She s definitely been our go-to player, Northview coach Melissa Belcher said. She has the most power on our team and she s been dominating at the net.

Schoenrock s presence has helped the Wildcats make others take notice during what was initially expected to be a rebuilding season.

Overall, we re surprising people with how were doing right now, Belcher said.

Eagles fly fifth at Tiffin Carnival

Notre Dame Academy placed fifth a year ago in the top division of cross country competition at the traditionally tough Tiffin Carnival meet.

The Eagles, led by Alli McMaster, placed fifth overall again as a team in the Division I-A girls varsity meet Saturday at Hedges Boyer Park. A total of 26 schools were represented in the Division I-A meet.

You always want to come back and do better, but as long as we didn t go the other way I m pleased with what we did, Notre Dame coach Becky Rudnicki said.

McMaster crossed the finish line in a solid time of 19:33.30 to place 10th overall. Freshman Monica Guisfredi (20:05.90) ran 24th. Also, Meredith Harris (20:08.10) placed 28th, Erin McGowan (20:45.30) came through in 56th place and Erica Daney (21:31.90) claimed 86th for the Eagles.

In other competition, Defiance s Darren Flickinger (15:51.20) and Nick Vandemark (15:55.25) placed fourth and fifth, respectively, in the Division I-A boys varsity race. Also, Central Catholic s Kevin Spalding (15:58.20) ran eighth and Whitmer s Skyler Schmitt (16:01.30) placed 10th.

In the Division II boys race, Eastwood s Jimmy O Brien (16:30.10) and Corey Johnson (16:36.90) placed fourth and sixth, respectively.

In the Division II girls race, Liberty Benton s Kailee Whitaker (19:24.30) ran fifth while Van Wert s Kathryn Bagley (19:28.85) finished seventh.

Bryant scores 100th

Ottawa Hills soccer player Dan Bryant recently became the school s all-time leading scorer when he scored the 100th goal of his career.

Bryant, a 2003 All-Mid East Team selection and two-time (2002, 2003) second-team All-Ohio performer, broke the record of 99 held by 2001 graduate Chase Ormond.