NEW LEAGUE, PLENTY OF COMPETITION
By Dom DiPasqua/Staff Writer
Saturday night, July 11, 2015
BRECKSVILLE – Yes, schools in the Suburban League will be a little closer to home. It is a few less miles from Mill Road to Wadsworth than it was to Amherst, at least as the crow flies. There is no Hot Dog Heaven in Wadsworth and that is a bummer. But what lies ahead for Brecksville-Broadview Heights on the gridiron this fall are seven teams that will provide outstanding competition, week in and week out. And that will be something for BBHHS fans to sink their teeth into.
“There will be no nights off in the Suburban League,” is what North Royalton head coach Nick Ciulli told me this past week when our paths crossed. The Bees coaching staff is well aware of that as well.
The Suburban League, at least the National Division or big school part of the 15-school conglomeration, will be a challenge for Brecksville. Then again the Bees bring plenty to the table themselves. And that is why they were invited to join this more geographic-friendly grouping of schools.
Beeville is coming off an 8-3 season where they made the Division II playoffs for the second straight year. 2014 was the first time in school history that veteran head coach Jason Black’s squad danced into week 11 two years in a row. For the second straight November Madison eliminated the red and gold.
Aside from winning a conference championship, playing football in November is a stated goal for just about every team that has spent the last six months pumping iron, going through obstacle courses and tuning up with summer 7-on-7’s.
Suburban League schools know a lot about playing football in November and even beyond that. Nordonia took a 14-0 record into last seasons D-2 state title game. The talented Knights were knocked off by Cincinnati LaSalle that cold and wet Friday in Ohio Stadium.
In Division I, Hudson finished 13-1. The Explorers only loss came in the state semi-final against St. Edward. It was a game where the Eagles simply had too much talent.
Wadsworth finished 7-4. The Grizzlies suffering a first-round loss to Austintown Fitch in a Division I bracket. Over on Graham Road at Stow-Munroe Falls, Bulldogs went 7-3 and just missed the playoffs by a dog hair.
The combined records of the eight schools that will make-up the recomposed SL (National) went 56-35 last fall. Mathematically that is a .615 winning percentage.
Yes, the competition will be good in the Suburban League. And so will the facilities. All schools have excellent football stadiums. The natural grass playing surface and cozy confines at Cuyahoga Falls adds uniqueness to the “new feel” of this big transition for the Bees who spent a decade in the Southwestern Conference.
A sneak peak at the future …
SUBURBAN LEAGUE CAPSULES:
BRECKSVILLE – BROADVIEW HEIGHTS BEES
Head Coach: Jason Black.
2014 Record: 8-3.
2014 Playoffs: First-round Division II loss at Madison.
2015 Opener: August 28 vs Padua Franciscan (home).
CUYAHOGA FALLS BLACK TIGERS
Head Coach: Sean Flaherty.
2014 Record: 4-6.
2014 Playoffs: N/A.
2015 Opener: August 28 vs Kent Roosevelt (away).
HUDSON EXPLORERS
Head Coach: Ron Wright.
2014 Record: 13-1.
2014 Playoffs: State semi-final Division I loss to St. Edward.
2015 Opener: August 28 vs Austintown Fitch (away).
NORDONIA KNIGHTS
Head Coach: Jeff Fox.
2014 Record: 14-1.
2014 Playoffs: State championship game Division II loss to Cincinnati LaSalle.
2015 Opener: August 28 vs Mayfield (away).
NORTH ROYALTON BEARS
Head Coach: “Papa” Nick Ciulli.
2014 Record: 2-8.
2014 Playoffs: N/A.
2015 Opener: August 28 vs North Ridgeville (away).
STOW-MUNROE FALLS BULLDOGS
Head Coach: Mark Nori.
2014 Record: 7-3.
2014 Playoffs: N/A.
2015 Opener: August 28 vs Green (home).
TWINSBURG TIGERS
Head Coach: Mike Bell.
2014 Record: 1-9.
2014 Playoffs: N/A.
2015 Opener: August 28 vs Copley (away).
WADSWORTH GRIZZLIES
Head Coach: Greg Dennison.
2014 Record: 7-4.
2014 Playoffs: First-round Division I loss to Austintown Fitch.
2015 Opener: August 28 vs Ashland (home).
NEXT UP:
The Bees will travel to Midview this Monday evening for a 7-on-7 passing scrimmage with the Middies, Strongsville and Elyria Catholic. First pass is at 5:00 pm.
See You At The Bee Hive!
To contact: Ddipa67834@aol.com.
Follow the Lady Bees volleyball team on the worldwide web at: beesvolleyball.com.
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