Got a favorite high school football team? What makes you think they deserve more coverage or a better ranking than the next person's favorite school? Take your shots or deliver your roses when Blade sports writer Steve Junga chitchats about the current high school football season in Northwest Ohio and Southeast Michigan.
Kevin Cesarz: (12:00 P.M. ET ) Welcome to our high school chat with Steve Junga. We are about ready to get underway. Steve covered volleyball last night and is working on features on St. Francis, Clay, and Monroe St. Mary C.C.
Adam (Sarasota, Fla.) Former Sylvania resident. Do you think Sylvania Southview is starting a tradition of being a powerhouse in Ohio football?
Steve Junga: (12:05 P.M. ET ) Powerhouse might be too strong of a description, but the Cougars certainly are one of the state’s respected teams in Division II. Coach Jim Mayzes might be the best motivator of athletes from an emotional standpoint, and Southview has gotten a pretty steady stream of good athletes in the last 10 years.
Brian (Sylvania) What's your favorite high school football conference?
Steve Junga: (12:08 P.M. ET ) By birth, I guess, I’m a City League guy. But my Blade beats have taken me over the years out into the area and I have found no better league for excitement in the area than the Northwest Ohio Athletic League. The best teams in the NWOAL each year are usually ranked among the state’s best in their division, and many have been strong contenders for state championships. Since I’ve been doing this, Archbold, Wauseon and Liberty Center have all won state titles, and Patrick Henry and Delta will each have good shots this year. When it comes to fan following, there is no comparison to the NWOAL.
Barry (Otsego) What games are you covering this weekend?
Steve Junga: (12:15 P.M. ET ) Our plan right now is to get to the big NLL matchup Maumee at Southview, which will likely decide that league championship. Last year this was a classic, with Southview pulling out a 43-40 win late. Also, we plan to be at the big SLL showdown between league unbeaten teams, Otsego and Eastwood, at Eastwood. Because Eastwood QB Kevin Leady is not yet at 100 percent, the two-time defending-champion Eagles are not as strong a favorite as they were in the preseason, so this could be interesting. Also, we hope to get to the Central-Whitmer City League battle at Bowsher. The loser is out of the CL race, and the winner still has a shot at catching St. Francis.
Mark (Sylvania) Who do you believe are the best athletes on offense and defense in the Toledo area? Why?
Steve Junga: (12:19 P.M. ET ) On offense, in no particular order, Scott RB Romen Walton, Central QB Dan Amato, Delta RB Nate Kmic, Patrick Henry receiver Marc Krauss, Southview receiver Aaron Waldie, St. Francis RB Robert Garza, Eastwood QB Kevin Leady, and Otsego RB Cody Donald. On defense, Maumee LB Bard Goatley, St. John’s LB Marcus Waugh, and Waldie at DB…if I’ve forgotten someone, forgive me.
Pat (Perrysburg) In the Toledo area, a young girl WON the punt, pass and kick competition. Do you think she will be allowed to play on junior high or high school special teams, let alone in college?
Steve Junga: (12:26 P.M. ET ) Why not? There are no rules against girls competing. In fact, right now in our area there is a girl kicking PATs and field goals for Cardinal Stritch, another girl who is a backup lineman at Whitmer, and a third girl who is playing football at Archbold as part of a senior project…Coaches are much more open minded these days.
Gary (Onsted, MI) How come you don’t cover Michigan teams more?
Steve Junga: (12:32 P.M. ET ) Good question. I agree with you that we could do more, at least with the Michigan schools nearest Toledo like Erie Mason, Whiteford, Bedford, Ida, Dundee, Blissfield and the three Monroe schools. We have written features on most of the above in the past few years, and we did cover Erie Mason and Monroe SMCC in the playoffs last year. We also did the Erie/Blissfield regular season game. But this is still woefully short of the mark. Part of the problem on Friday-night football coverage is a lack of response from the schools/coaches themselves after games. They are simply not reporting.
Woodward (Toledo) I think our school needs more coverage because were trying to get respect but we need interviews. We need some coverage in The Blade so people could know what were trying to do. SO PLEASE GIVE US SOME COVERAGE.
Steve Junga: (12:36 P.M. ET ) I did a feature on the Polar Bears’ rise last season, and we covered two of their 2003 games. Last week I wrote an item on coach Delffs and his team’s surprising season this year after being picked to finish 11th by CL coaches. Hopefully, if they continue to do well and are a factor in the league race in coming weeks, we’ll get to another of their games. Also, I haven’t ruled out another feature on Woodward this year.
Steve Junga: (12:41 P.M. ET ) Since we’re making requests, the new Sidelines section on Thursdays has been a big hit with area prep readers and we plan to run with this. But, we could still use more good story ideas, even for our notebook portion. Encourage the coaches from your school of choice to contact us when an interesting story arises.
Scott High School Football (Toledo) Could they stop going to the run and on fourth pass because it is not working?
Steve Junga: (12:46 P.M. ET ) Having seen only one Scott game, I’m in no position to evaluate the play selection of the Bulldog coaches. When they played Central I think the Bulldogs on offense were a bit overmatched by the Irish defense. However, Romen Walton may be the best back in the immediate area, and it’s hard to not feel tempted to run him on every down.
Kevin Cesarz: (12:49 P.M. ET ) Thanks, Steve for your time. We see you at the game this weekend (whichever you end up being at), and be sure to check out our high school sports coverage on toledoblade.com. Permanent Link
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Kevin Cesarz: (12:00 P.M. ET ) Welcome to our high school chat with Steve Junga. We are about ready to get underway. Steve covered volleyball last night and is working on features on St. Francis, Clay, and Monroe St. Mary C.C.