CLEVELAND — The Mid-American Conference men’s basketball tournament returns to Rocket Arena this week, and the storylines are pretty clear.

Miami had the historic season. Akron still feels like the program to beat. Kent State has star power. Toledo is trying to end a drought that’s older than most players in the league. Bowling Green plays defense like it’s personal. Ohio is weird. Buffalo can shoot. UMass is the wild card.

Eight teams. Three days. One automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

Here is a closer look at the field heading into Cleveland.

No. 1 Miami RedHawks (31-0, 18-0)

Miami’s regular season was historic. The RedHawks went undefeated, finished 18-0 in MAC play and have not lost since last year’s conference championship game against Akron.

The offense is the headline. Miami averaged 90.9 points per game and ranks among the most efficient offenses in the country. The RedHawks shoot over 52 percent from the field and nearly 40 percent from 3-point range.

What makes the offense so difficult to defend is the balance. Miami regularly plays multiple scorers and has had seven players average double figures this season. Guards Peter Suder, Brant Byers, Eian Elmer and Luke Skaljac lead a deep perimeter group that can score from anywhere.

Coach Travis Steele has been able to rotate lineups all season without losing production.

The only lingering question is defense. Miami can score with anyone, but if the shots ever stop falling, the RedHawks will need to prove they can grind out a win on the other end.

Still, they enter Cleveland as the No. 1 seed for a reason.

No. 2 Akron Zips (26-5, 17-1)

If Miami had the best season, Akron remains the program everyone is chasing.

The Zips have won three of the last four MAC Tournament titles and enter the postseason on a 16-game conference winning streak. Akron finished the regular season with seven straight victories, many of them convincing.

Point guard Tavari Johnson has been the centerpiece of the offense, averaging more than 20 points per game while ranking among the MAC leaders in assists. Johnson controls the pace and is one of the most dangerous guards in the league.

Akron also gets major production from Amani Lyles, Shammah Scott and Evan Mahaffey, giving the Zips scoring at multiple positions.

The biggest difference between Akron and most teams in the field is defense. The Zips lead the MAC in field-goal defense and force turnovers at one of the highest rates in the conference.

That defensive edge is a big reason Akron still enters the tournament as a favorite despite Miami’s perfect record.

No. 3 Kent State Golden Flashes (23-8, 14-4)

Kent State once again put together a strong season under coach Rob Senderoff. The Golden Flashes’ only MAC losses came against Miami, Akron twice and Central Michigan.

Kent’s success starts with forward Delrecco Gillespie, who averages 18.1 points and 11.2 rebounds per game. Gillespie leads the nation in double-doubles and has been one of the most dominant rebounders in college basketball.

Point guard Cian Medley runs the offense and leads the MAC in assists, giving Kent one of the best inside-outside combinations in the conference.

The challenge for the Golden Flashes has been defense. Kent allows more points than any MAC tournament team and has struggled with foul trouble throughout the season.

If the defense holds up, Kent State has enough talent to compete with anyone in the bracket.

No. 4 Toledo Rockets (17-14, 11-7)

Toledo continues to chase a long-awaited MAC Tournament championship. The Rockets won the first conference tournament in 1980 but have not claimed the title since.

This year’s team is built around its backcourt. Sonny Wilson and Leroy Blyden Jr. are both among the top scorers in the MAC and carry much of Toledo’s offensive production.

Wilson also plays heavy minutes and ranks among the national leaders in field goals made.

Inside, Sean Craig and Austin Parks provide balance for the Rockets and help keep the offense from becoming too perimeter-focused.

Defensively, Toledo has been solid and disciplined. The Rockets rank among the national leaders in fewest fouls committed, which limits opponents’ opportunities at the free-throw line.

Toledo has the talent to compete with anyone in the bracket, but the challenge has been finishing tournament runs against the league’s top teams.

No. 5 Bowling Green Falcons (18-13, 9-9)

Bowling Green quietly had one of the most balanced profiles in the conference.

The Falcons are one of only two MAC teams to rank in the top four in both scoring offense and scoring defense. The other is Akron.

Much of that success comes from Javontae Campbell, one of the most disruptive defenders in the country. Campbell leads the NCAA in total steals and steals per game while also averaging nearly 19 points.

Bowling Green’s defensive pressure forces turnovers and creates extra possessions, which makes the Falcons dangerous in tournament settings.

Sam Towns, Josiah Shackleford and Mayar Wol provide additional scoring support.

If Bowling Green can control tempo and create turnovers, it has the potential to upset higher seeds in Cleveland.

No. 6 Ohio Bobcats (15-16, 9-9)

Ohio’s season has been uneven. The Bobcats finished below .500 for the first time under coach Jeff Boals, struggling with defensive consistency and outside shooting.

Ohio ranks near the bottom of the conference in 3-point shooting and has also faced rebounding disadvantages due to its smaller lineup.

Despite those issues, the Bobcats have one of the MAC’s most talented guards in Jackson Paveletzke. He ranks among the conference leaders in both scoring and assists and is capable of carrying the offense.

Forward Javan Simmons will also play a key role as Ohio faces larger frontcourts throughout the bracket.

If the Bobcats can find offensive rhythm, they have the ability to challenge higher seeds.

No. 7 Buffalo Bulls (17-14, 7-11)

Buffalo improved this season after two difficult years, but depth remains a concern.

The Bulls rely heavily on their starting lineup and receive limited scoring from their bench, which ranks among the lowest in the country.

Ryan Sabol has been one of the most dangerous shooters in the MAC and ranks among the national leaders in made 3-pointers. His scoring ability gives Buffalo the chance to keep games close.

Daniel Freitag is another key contributor, though his availability has been uncertain due to injury.

Buffalo’s ability to stretch defenses with outside shooting could make them competitive, but the lack of depth presents a challenge in tournament play.

No. 8 UMass Minutemen (16-15, 7-11)

UMass enters its first MAC Tournament after an inconsistent regular season.

The Minutemen ended the season on a positive note with a win over Ohio after losing six straight games.

Leonardo Bettiol leads the team in scoring and shoots more than 60 percent from the field, while Marcus Banks adds nearly 17 points per game.

UMass is also strong on the offensive glass and leads the MAC in 3-point defense.

However, foul trouble has been a major issue. The Minutemen commit one of the highest foul rates in the country and have struggled at the free-throw line.

Those issues will need to improve quickly if UMass hopes to pull off an upset in Cleveland.

The bracket points toward one matchup everyone is watching: Miami vs. Akron.

Miami enters undefeated and owns the best offensive numbers in the conference. Akron brings the recent championship history and one of the strongest defenses in the league.

If both teams advance, the MAC championship could come down to the perfect season against the conference’s most consistent winner.

That possibility alone makes this week in Cleveland worth watching.

CLEVELAND— Midseason check-ins are usually where you either (1) start dreaming about June or (2) start Googling “best draft prospects” at 2 a.m. The 2025-26 Cavaliers are stuck in the middle—talented enough to scare good teams, messy enough to lose games on a single possession they didn’t finish.

Sunday’s 114-110 loss to Detroit was basically the Cavs’ season in one night. A strong start, a second-quarter disaster, a legit late push, and then one rebound that didn’t get secured—again.

And the weirdest part? The most telling stat of the year might be the one that has nothing to do with Donovan Mitchell’s shot-making or Evan Mobley’s blocks.

It might be Lonzo Ball.

At the halfway-ish point, Cleveland is 20-17 and sitting in the East’s second tier, chasing a Detroit team that’s sprinting away with the conference (26-9). That record is fine. The way they’re getting there is the problem.

Because when Lonzo plays, the Cavs look like a team trying to find itself.
When he doesn’t, they look like a team that already knows.

With Lonzo Ball:
13-14
-1.0 net rating (115.7 ORTG, 116.7 DRTG)
118.0 PPG, 27.5 APG

Without Lonzo Ball:
7-3
+11.6 net rating (122.2 ORTG, 110.6 DRTG)
122.4 PPG, 28.3 APG

(From @TheCavsJack on X)

That’s not a small swing. That’s a whole different team.

Now, I’m not here to do the “Lonzo is the problem” thing with a victory cigar in my mouth. The sample sizes are uneven, opponent quality matters, and injuries have made this season feel like one long “questionable” tag. Still—the split is loud enough to stop pretending it’s nothing.

It points to the bigger reality: the Cavs don’t have a clean identity right now, and the rotation hasn’t settled. When the lineups are simplified (often because someone is out), the offense is cleaner, the pace is quicker, and the decision-making looks less like a group project.

That showed up against Detroit, even in a loss.

Cleveland opened Sunday with real defensive bite—holding Detroit to 19 points in the first quarter, blocking shots, and looking like the tougher team for about 12 minutes.

Then the second quarter happened. And the second quarter has basically been Cleveland’s arch-nemesis this year.

Detroit dropped 47 in the quarter. Daniss Jenkins—a two-way guy who probably didn’t have “21-point quarter on the Cavs” on his New Year’s bingo card—went nuclear, hitting six threes in that stretch. Cleveland lost track of him, recovered late, and paid for it every time.

That’s the Cavs in a nutshell: one mistake becomes two, then three, then suddenly you’re playing uphill for the rest of the night.

They still had their chances. Mitchell dragged them back with a 9-0 burst late. Sam Merrill hit a lightning-bolt three that cut it to two with barely any time coming off the clock. Cleveland even had the ball down two late.

And then:

• Mitchell got stripped.

• Detroit got a tip-in off an offensive rebound.

• Mitchell missed a free throw while trying to claw back.

• Ball game.

It’s not that Cleveland didn’t compete. It’s that the Cavs keep losing the same kinds of moments: loose-ball rebounds, live-ball turnovers, one possession where you have to finish the play.

Mobley is the reset button—and the Cavs need it.

The most encouraging midseason trend is on defense, and it starts with Mobley looking like a one-man glitch in the paint.

His recent block totals are ridiculous (15 blocks across four games, including four Sunday). When he’s healthy, Cleveland’s defense has a backbone. You can see it in how drivers hesitate and how wings think twice before floating something up near the rim.

The Cavs have climbed back toward the top-10 range defensively over the last couple weeks, and that’s not a coincidence. This is what a Defensive Player of the Year does: he changes what both teams are allowed to do.

But there’s a catch. Defense can’t save you if your offense goes into mud for an entire quarter. The second quarter is killing them.

Cleveland’s second quarter issues aren’t a “bad luck” thing anymore. It’s structural. And Atkinson pretty much said it without saying it: the bench groups haven’t worked.

That’s where the Lonzo conversation comes back. He was brought in to stabilize those minutes—organize the offense, push tempo, make the second unit feel like a unit instead of five guys taking turns playing 2 bounce.

It hasn’t consistently happened. Sometimes it’s injury timing. Sometimes it’s lineup fit. Sometimes it’s just shots not falling. But the common theme is the Cavs’ bench minutes feel fragile. If the first punch doesn’t land, the whole sequence falls apart.

And on a night where Jarrett Allen and Dean Wade were out (two of your better rebounders and “glue” pieces—though I’m still yet to believe Allen will stay past Feb. 6), the margin for error was basically zero. Cleveland didn’t have the depth to absorb that, especially against a Detroit team that knows exactly what it wants to be.

Detroit knows who it is. Cleveland is still deciding. After the game, Mitchell talked about Detroit having an identity — physical, relentless, consistent. And he wasn’t wrong.

Detroit is the team that wins the “adult” parts of basketball: rebounding, strength, paint touches, second efforts. You don’t beat them by being cute.

Cleveland, meanwhile, still swings between styles:

• Some nights they want to be a defensive-first transition team.

• Some nights it turns into a three-point math experiment.

• Some nights it’s just Mitchell bailing water with a bucket.

The Pistons didn’t play perfect Sunday, but they played like themselves. The Cavs played like themselves for one quarter… then spent the rest of the game trying to get back to it.

So what does the midseason verdict look like?
The Cavs are not cooked. They’re also not a finished product. They’re 20-17 in a conference where Detroit is running away with the 1-seed pace, New York and Boston are right behind, and everybody else is fighting for position.

That means the Cavs still have time—but the “we’re still figuring it out” line has an expiration date.

Here’s what has to tighten up in the second half:

1. Win the second quarter (or at least survive it). Keep a star on the floor. Stop bleeding.

2. Take care of the ball. Live-ball turnovers turn into instant runs.

3. Rebound like it matters. Because it does. One tip-in decided Sunday.

4. Decide what Lonzo’s role is. If the numbers say the offense hums more without him, Cleveland needs to either adjust how he’s used or stop forcing the fit.

5. Keep building the defense around Mobley. That’s the one part that looks “real” every night.

The Cavs don’t need to become the Pistons. But they do need to stop being surprised by what kind of game they’re in. Right now, Cleveland has the talent to hang with anyone—and the habits to trip over itself against anyone.

By Aiden Brueck, The Letter Media Network

Contact: brueckaiden@gmail.com

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There are few things less productive in the NBA universe than arguing about end-of-season awards.

You know the drill: one side throws stats, the other yells “eye test,” and somewhere in between we all pretend like the trophy ceremony in June means more than a title.

While opinions will always vary, there are performances that stand out based on consistency, contribution to winning, and overall influence on the game. These are the selections that reflect what actually happened on the court—not just the names that generated the most discussion.

Here’s a look at the picks that best represent this season’s real award winners.

Most Valuable Player: Nikola Jokić

Yes, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander was sensational. And yes, he was the offensive engine for the best team in the league. But Jokić did something that’s never been done in NBA history: he became the first center to average a triple-double — 29.6 points, 12.7 rebounds, 10.2 assists — while shooting 63.3% true from the field.

He was a center by the way guys, don’t want that to fly over your head.

He doesn’t need to shout his value. You can see it in how every Denver possession orbits around him.

SGA was incredible. But Jokić was inevitable.

He’s a center just so you know—just checking if you know.

Defensive Player of the Year: Evan Mobley

You probably didn’t notice it because he doesn’t make highlight reels, but Evan Mobley was elite defensively this year—again.

He anchored one of the league’s best defenses and made life easier for every Cavs rotation player. Whether switching on guards or contesting at the rim, Mobley did all the little things right and rarely took a wrong step. He’s the reason Cleveland didn’t need gimmicks to defend—just structure.

Rookie of the Year: Jaylen Wells

Stephon Castle had momentum late, and that matters to people who only watch spring basketball.

Jaylen Wells was the more consistent, more efficient, and more impactful rookie across the entire season.

Wells averaged 10.4 points, 3.4 rebounds, and shot 39.9% from three on solid volume. He played real minutes, in meaningful games, for a Memphis team that stayed in the playoff hunt longer than expected. He fractured his wrist late in the year, and people seemed to forget about him. They shouldn’t have.

Sixth Man of the Year: Payton Pritchard

The Celtics’ second unit shouldn’t work on paper.

They play fast, undersized, and rely on shooters to stay efficient. And yet, it was one of the best benches in the league.

Why? Payton Pritchard.

He averaged 14.3 points and 4.4 assists per game, shot 40.7% from deep, and made the Celtics’ already elite offense basically unstoppable when the starters sat. He was steady, smart, and incredibly effective.

Want a guy who padded numbers on a bad team? There are options. Want a guy who helped the best team in the league get better? This is your pick.

Most Improved Player: Ivica Zubac

This one’s going to mess with the “we need a guard who made a leap” crowd, but Zubac earned it.

He upped his averages from 10.8 points and 9.2 rebounds last season to 16.8 points and 12.6 boards per game. That’s a massive leap, especially on a team that needed every inch of his size and every ounce of his consistency with Kawhi Leonard missing half the season (per usual in the 2020’s)

He didn’t need a new bag; he just got significantly better, and that’s what the award is for.

Clutch Player of the Year: Jalen Brunson

Clutch scoring isn’t about just showing up in close games; it’s about owning them. Brunson led the league in clutch points at 5.6 per game, shot 51.4% from the field in those moments, and basically turned every fourth quarter into his own personal highlight reel.

Brunson had that rare ability to slow everything down and still get his shot every time. Whether it was a foul-line fadeaway or a back-down into a pivot jumper, he lived in the mid-range like it was before I was born. If you watched a single Knicks game this year, you know this is the right call.

Coach of the Year: Kenny Atkinson

This isn’t complicated. Atkinson took over a team that had chemistry issues, major injuries early, and unclear spacing. He turned it into a 64-win squad with a top-5 offense and defense. That’s not just “good coaching.” That’s surgical.

He elevated Evan Mobley, balanced the frontcourt rotation, and actually got Jarrett Allen to shoot 70% from the field. Cleveland also led the league in clutch wins. That’s not luck — that’s structure. That’s coaching. And that’s why this award should already have his name on it.

Executive of the Year: Sam Presti

Look, if you stockpiled picks, made smart deals for Caruso and Hartenstein, developed Chet into a stretch-5 alien, and built a 68-win team without a single All-NBA veteran, you deserve Executive of the Year.

Presti didn’t just win trades. He built an actual contender through patience, vision, and the rare ability to stop tinkering when things are working. The Thunder might be ahead of schedule. Presti isn’t.

Every award race was tight this year. That’s fine. But close doesn’t mean complicated.

And if your pick didn’t make the list?

Maybe next year they can focus less on their podcast.

By Aiden Brueck, The Letter Media Network

Contact: brueckaiden@gmail.com

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April 15, 2025

It took five games in three days and a relentless 35-win season, but the Canton-Akron Jets 18U team did what no Northeast Ohio club has done in a decade: they brought home a USA Hockey State Championship.

A hard-fought 4-3 overtime win on March 2 at the Buckeye Cup in Columbus secured the state championship and punched the team’s ticket to the National Championships in Irvine, California, where they’ll take on top-tier programs from hockey hotbeds across the country.

“With this team being deep, we have good odds to make it to the semifinals,” said head coach Sean Houston. “We’re blessed at every position, and that’s why we are where we are.”

Road to the Cup

The title didn’t come easy. The Jets played five games from February 28 through March 2, grinding their way past Newark Generals, Hilliard, Team Ohio, perennial powerhouse Dayton Stealth (Gold), and the Miami Jr. Redhawks.

Dayton and Hilliard had split the last five state championships. But in 2024–25, the Jets ended that cycle.

“Hockey is a game of mistakes,” Houston said. “The team with the most mistakes loses. My goal for the players is to keep it very simple and work as a team in numbers.”

That mindset defined their run.

Deep Roster, Deeper Production

The Jets’ identity isn’t built around one or two superstars. Instead, it’s a team where every line can contribute, every shift matters, and every role is valued.

Take senior Owen Everhart from North Canton.

His 46 goals and 27 assists in 50 games (1.46 PPG) made him the team’s leading scorer. Right behind him was Tyson Hunka of Green, who delivered 23 goals and 22 assists in just 33 games (1.364 PPG)—the kind of efficient production that makes a line dangerous every time it hits the ice. Hunka also provided the goal in OT to secure the Buckeye Cup win.

Juniors Lukas Black (43 points, West Branch HS), Tyler Benson (24 points, Jackson), Ethan Bell (25 points, Jackson), Jack Barbieri (25 points, Jackson), and Jackson senior Ben Sanders (13 points) gave the Jets their depth—and their edge. Whether it was transition offense, special teams, or holding possession, Jackson’s core was everywhere.

Gage Weaver (Strasburg), another junior forward, added 34 points to the mix. His speed and offensive IQ helped space the ice and create opportunities across multiple lines.

What makes that production even more valuable? Penalty discipline. Bell, Benson, and Barbieri combined for just 13 total penalty minutes on the year.

Defensively, junior Robert Haneberg from Green, sophomore Rossi Nicely from North Canton, and senior Connor Sepe held things down in the back end. Nicely, just a sophomore, chipped in 14 points and played heavy minutes during the Jets' championship stretch. Angel Nikolov (Dover) and Brennan Hostler (Firestone HS), two seniors, brought stability and physicality throughout the postseason.

Nikolov is from the Czech Republic. His dad is currently in the United States with a work Visa, and he joined the team in December of 2023. His dad was drafted to the NHL in 1994 by San Jose.

In goal, Connor Mould, a Poland Seminary junior, was the backbone. Appearing in all 50 games, Mould posted a presence behind the blue line and kept the team in games even when shots piled up.

Where are the kids from?

The Jets don’t pull players from one school or town. Their roster is built from across Northeast Ohio: Dover, Wooster, Canton, Akron, Youngstown, and even the Cleveland metro. It’s a club team that starts shaping its identity long before the first puck drops.

“We start the team-building process in March and pick players by the end of May,” Houston said. “Season after season, it depends on the talent pool. But if you treat players well and run a good program, you can build something consistent.”

They’ve done more than that this season.

What now?

The Jets entered the USA Hockey National Championships with optimism. But the opening game—against the Screaming Eagles from Colorado—was a wake-up call. After a tight first period, the Jets were outscored 5–1 in the second, eventually falling 10–3 in their opener at Anaheim ICE.

They were outshot 32–17, a stat that shows the difference in pace and puck possession—and reminded the team that national play requires another level.

“We have the skill and balance, but at Nationals it’s about execution shift to shift,” Houston said. “We’ll adjust.”

They’ll play the Long Beach High School Bulldogs (NY) today at 3:15PM PT (6:15PM ET). Tomorrow, they’ll take on the San Diego Central Cathedral Jets at 11:15AM PT (2:15PM ET)

This article will be updated as their play continues with scores.

Fans can follow the team’s run at the USA Hockey Nationals by streaming games on USAHockeyTV or joining the conversation online using #USAHNationals.

By Aiden Brueck, The Letter Media Network

Contact: brueckaiden@gmail.com

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March 27, 2025

In what world can you sue a national association to create precedent for team selection in March Madness?

Our world, apparently.

"The Attorney General believes the public deserves to know what objective metrics are used by the committee to ensure the best 68 teams are in the tournament." West Virginia Attorney General John “JB” McCuskey wrote in a letter to Scott Bearby, senior vice president of legal affairs for the NCAA.

This might sound harsh, but if you’re relying on a lawsuit to get into the tournament, you probably weren’t making a deep run anyway. If West Virginia, Boise State, or any other bubble team really deserved it, they should have just won more games. March Madness is about proving it on the court—not in court.

Do we not all know it's just an eye test? If you're whining about your team not looking good on paper the chances are that they're probably not good in the year so far. A team can, yes, make a good run and prove that they're competitors. However, if we turn the NCAA M.M. selection into an objective one, does this not entirely defeat the purpose of regular season statistics and strength of schedule? If that's what you're basing it off of, what are we even doing?

If we forced a fully objective system, it would undermine the whole point of regular-season competition. Teams schedule tough games for a reason—to prove themselves against elite competition. A purely numbers-driven approach could overvalue individual stats or mid-majors that rack up wins against weaker opponents while punishing power conference teams grinding through tough schedules.

For instance, teams in the top 25 of the NET rankings have historically received at-large bids at a rate of nearly 90%, while mid-majors ranked in the 40s or lower are far less likely to get in unless they win their conference tournaments. The committee takes into account quadrant wins, road victories, and even late-season performance—things that raw numbers don't always capture.

And let’s be real—historically, has there ever been a truly egregious snub? Sure, there are always debates, but the teams that miss the cut usually had their chances and just didn’t do enough. If you're left out, it probably means you had flaws that outweighed your case.

It’s not like the committee is a secret society throwing darts at a bracket. There’s a structured voting process, and members recuse themselves from discussions involving their own schools. Could there be bias? Of course—it’s humans making decisions. But that’s why there’s a group, not a single person, making the call.

I will admit, North Carolina should not be in the tournament. Could WVU have taken their spot? Sure. However, West Virginia's inconsistency, especially their inability to rise above .500 on the road, undermines their entire case. Also, they split even in conference play; that meant six teams were ahead of them. They lost ten games to lower ranked opponents, with some of those opponents rising above them in the ranks due to the win.

At the end of the day, the easiest way to avoid this drama is simple: take the decision out of the committee’s hands. Every team has a clear path—win your conference tournament, and you’re in. Complaining about an at-large bid is basically admitting you weren’t good enough to win the games that guaranteed you a spot.

If the government can step in and challenge the selection process for March Madness, what’s next? Suing the College Football Playoff for leaving out an 11-1 team? Taking legal action against the Heisman committee for picking the “wrong” winner? The moment we start litigating sports decisions, we open a potential legal drama fueled hell-hole that extends far beyond basketball.

Look at the bigger picture here—this lawsuit isn’t really about fairness in March Madness. It’s about making a public statement, probably for political clout. If an Attorney General is spending resources on a sports bracket, maybe there are bigger issues they should be focusing on.

by Aiden Brueck

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FINAL, Mid-American Conference Championship

Akron 76, Miami (OH) 74

Akron didn’t trail once in 2025’s edition of the MAC men’s basketball tournament, yet they still found themselves down 18 to a Miami (OH) team they had blown out by 30—in the championship game. The Zips came back from that 18-point deficit—and then won it with seconds to spare.

Miami came out swinging, with Kam Craft and Mehki Cooper hitting early threes. But it was Peter Suder who put the Zips on their heels, drilling six three-pointers in the first half. Suder’s scoring barrage helped push the RedHawks to an 18-point lead, making Akron’s comeback seem improbable.

It was then that the Zips saw an 18-point deficit with 8:13 to go in the first half. Every time Akron tried to crawl back, Miami would just keep scoring. That was the main difference between the RedHawks’ 30-point loss to Akron and their championship game.

“We’ve been here before. We’ve been down at halftime and we fought through. We know the guys we got in the locker room. In the first half we had some bad body language, but we had some older guys come up and say something in halftime…We ‘gotta have positive energy if we ‘wanna make a run,” Akron’s Nate Johnson said.

So naturally, the Zips did just that. Tavari Johnson was part of that answer for Akron. Tavari shot 3-4 from beyond the arc. All of those came in the second half. The first three was to build back on what they’d lost, the second and third were to keep it within six.

“Just try to make every shot. I try to shoot it with confidence. Trusting my worth and knowing that my team believes in me—and believes that the shots are going in…[it] brought me confidence to rise up and knock them down,” Tavari said about his three-point shooting.

It also helped that Suder only shot four threes in the second half, making only two of them. Miami scored 46 points in the first half, and had only ever scored 50 points by halftime once this season. They only scored 28 in the second half.

As the game neared its conclusion, Akron found themselves in a situation where they needed to make a play, and it came down to a final, last-second possession.

Miami sophomore Evan Ipsaro's clutch mid-range jumper missed, and with around five seconds remaining, the RedHawks had already used up 27 seconds of game time.

As soon as the shot didn’t fall, Akron junior Amani Lyles grabbed the board—and he had a target. Akron head coach John Groce knew exactly what the situation needed, even with two timeouts left and Miami having none.

"I saw Amani get the rebound, I saw the outlet, and then I looked right at the clock. I knew we had two timeouts, but [the assistant coaches] had also told me that Miami was out of timeouts. I looked at the clock, and immediately it registered to me, ‘He’s got enough time to score.’ I’m thinking, do I call a timeout to set our defense? But I fortunately remembered they didn’t have any. I didn’t want to give them a chance to draw something up, and it goes through your head like, ‘boom,’” Groce said.

Nate Johnson had b-lined straight to the other side of the court almost as soon as Ipsaro’s shot went up, and he was practically unguarded. One euro step later, and he won it for the Zips.

“I was supposed to crash the glass—I hope I don’t get yelled at for that—I saw [Amani Lyles] get the rebound. I saw him down there, he boxed out, and he’s a good passer,” Johnson said about his championship-winning shot.

He’s gathered awards this season like nobody else: MAC Player of the Year, MAC Defensive Player of the Year, and finally, MAC tournament MVP.

Akron has now gone 3-4 with conference championship wins in the last four years. Akron were 2-5 on the season when trailing with five minutes remaining, while the RedHawks were 20-2 when leading at the half. It was clear on paper who should’ve won, and yet Akron pulled it out.

Amani Lyles had 14 total rebounds for the Zips tonight, leading all players. He was ten boards ahead of second place.

Akron’s comeback showcased a whole lot of tenacity.

What’s next for Akron?

It certainly is a time to be alive for Akron. It’s back-to-back tournament appearances for the Zips. Akron goes dancing in the NCAA tournament for the third time in four years. This marks their 17th trip to March. This will only be their sixth time winning a tournament title to represent the Mid-American Conference in the tournament. It’s their seventh trip to the big dance overall. This is also John Groce’s sixth time taking a team to the tournament.

Their 28-win path set a record for most wins in a season in program history.

What’s next for Miami (OH)?

For Miami, an attempt to gain their first tournament berth since 2007—which, funnily enough, came after a buzzer beater against Akron—falls short. This was the first time the program reached 25 wins, ever.

It’s easy to chalk up Miami’s run as a disappointment, sure. However, when you look at the bigger picture, things are looking quite bright for the RedHawks.

“I thought we could win this thing. I knew that back in June when we got our guys on campus. Hopefully, we can use this as fuel for motivation into spring, because you know, we’re ‘gonna be back in this game next year,” Miami (OH) head coach Travis Steele said regarding the team’s fall short this season.

In March, it’s not just about who wins—it’s about fighting on.

That’s the MAC.

Statistics and totals:

Sights and Sounds:

By Aiden Brueck, The Letter Media Network

Contact: brueckaiden@gmail.com

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March 16, 2025

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AIDEN BRUECK - March 15 2025

There’s an account on the social media platform X which calls for the firing of Toledo head coach Tod Kowalczyk. After multiple MAC regular-season championships, MAC Coach of the Year honors, multiple 20+ win seasons, and NIT appearances—is it still not enough for Rockets’ fans?

Of course, the goal is to win the MAC tournament and make it to March Madness. But after this year’s semi-final loss to Akron, Toledo has now gone 45 years without an NCAA tournament appearance, with their last showing back in 1980.

"I’ll be honest with you: it’s a team that was not nearly as together or united as a team I’ve had in the past. The chemistry was nowhere near where it had been. We will get back to our Rocket culture, we’ll get back to it in a hurry. But that needs to happen, we ‘gotta wait.” Kowalczyk said.

That prompted response was a reminder that, beneath his calm exterior, every decision and every call weighs heavily on him. That mix of passion and frustration left him open, offering a rare window into just how deeply the highs and lows of coaching affect him.

"You have to sell your program. In recruiting, season ticket holders. Maybe I did that too much. I don’t know if we have other people that will do it—on our behalf." Kowalczyk said.

“I just feel like maybe it hurts.”

It’s not often you see that kind of raw honesty in a press conference. Not from someone like Tod. Not in a setting designed for damage control and half-truths. But there he was—unfiltered, exposed, saying things that weren’t perfectly packaged.

And it worked.

Maybe he was exhausted, maybe he just didn’t have the energy to spin. No polished statements, no carefully crafted non-answers. Just a guy who looked like he’d been through it, speaking without a script.

Because when someone stops playing the game, you actually start believing them.

I think Toledo fans need to believe him too.

He knows the job isn’t just about X's and O's. It’s about relationships, about building a culture that goes beyond the players on the court. That self-awareness is rare in sports. Coaches don’t often admit their missteps out loud, and when they do, it’s usually a rehearsed line. But Kowalczyk’s admission felt different—it felt like he was trying to hold himself accountable in front of the public, which is not an easy thing to do.

Kowalczyk also voiced his displeasure with the transfer portal and the lack of loyalty in college basketball.

“I’d like to do a study in 20 years and see the impact of guys’ livelihoods in futures that go to four different schools,” he said, expressing concern about the long-term consequences of constant movement.

He pointed to players who left his program last offseason.

“You look at the three guys that left, they did not have success and hurt their chances professionally.”

For Kowalczyk, the portal may offer short-term fixes, but it’s clear that jumping from school to school can ultimately jeopardize a player’s future success.

And maybe that’s what Toledo fans need to hear—something real. Sometimes, the polished answers and media-speak don’t do justice to the truth. What we got from Kowalczyk was a coach who was clearly tired, but also one who has invested so much into the program that his struggles hit him personally. That authenticity doesn’t come around often, and it’s a rare glimpse into the heart of a coach who cares deeply, even when the tournament results don’t show it.

So, maybe this is the moment for Toledo fans to pause and reflect on what Kowalczyk has brought to the program. Yes, the NCAA tournament drought stings, but does that outweigh everything he’s accomplished in the last decade? In times of frustration, the long-term success a coach has built is forgotten. Perhaps, for once, the best thing fans can do is believe in Kowalczyk’s promise to rebuild, to get the culture back on track, and to trust that he’ll figure it out—because after all, sometimes the best thing a coach can do is just be real with the people behind his team.

Follow my live updates for the championship game on X, here.

FINAL

Akron (27-6) 100, Toledo (18-15) 90

For Akron junior Nate Johnson, this seemed like a fairly normal game from the jump: hit a couple of threes, get off to a hot start, and make the opponent play catch-up.

It was a lot more than just a normal game for Johnson by the end of regulation.

Nate leads the team in scoring (13.2) and steals (1.8), and logged significantly more minutes than his usual workload entails with 35:32 total. He went 10-16 from the field (31 total points), spearheading a terrific Zips performance that saw the entire team shoot 56.1% from the field—they went 55.6% from beyond the arc.

“Yesterday, I was focused on defense and making an impact on that end. Today, I wanted to stay aggressive while still contributing defensively. And we had other guys like [Tavari Johnson] stepping up on offense, too." Nate Johnson said.

Toledo never had a lead over Akron—not one.

Junior guard Seth Hubbard logged a personal season-high 28 points for the Rockets, leading his team in scoring. In fact, Hubbard only averaged 7.8 points per game this season (tournament included).

The current leader in point average, sophomore Sam Lewis, had 23 in the Rockets’ loss. In the 51 total personals called between both teams, he was caught in the crossfire and fouled out late in the second half.

Speaking of fouls, the calls were a real twist. Free-throw shooting turned into quite the drama. Both teams held their ground, but the Rockets edged out the Zips with one more made free throw (27).

Toledo actually outscored Akron in the second half, but the previously mentioned barrage of buckets from the Zips to start the game proved too much for the Rockets.

"We don’t pretend like this isn’t hard. It’s not supposed to be easy, it’s supposed to be very difficult." Akron head coach John Groce said to the media after the game.

Akron has yet to trail in the MAC Tournament, and Friday’s electric atmosphere played a role in keeping that streak alive.

"It’s kind of like a home game," Nate Johnson said. "It just gives you more energy to go on the other side, make it a stop, come back on offense and just engage with the crowd to try and get something going."

Akron will take the floor against Miami on Saturday night, looking to claim its sixth MAC Tournament title and punch its ticket to the NCAA Tournament.

Akron has Miami of Ohio tonight in the MAC championship game.

The most interesting tidbit about the game tonight, which you’ll find on ESPN2 at 7:40PM EST, is a duel between two half-brothers.

That’s right, John Groce and Trevor Steele are half-brothers.

When Akron last faced Miami, it was a stroll for the Zips. They racked up one of four 100-point games this season, cruising to a 102-75 victory. Tavari Johnson contributed 15 points on 5-of-9 shooting (.556), including 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. He also dished out six assists, grabbed one rebound, and added a block in the blowout, helping Akron stay perfect in the MAC and at home—at least, through that game.

Follow my live updates for the championship game on X, here.

March 14, 2024 - Rocket Arena - Cleveland, Ohio

Mid-American Conference commissioner Jon Steinbrecher made himself available to the media for a short 20-minute roundtable to answer questions.

Here are some of his direct quotes, along with the takeaways and implications.

On automatic bids for Power conferences:

“It seems to me that participation in the event is something earned, and it shouldn’t necessarily be slotted, but I’m open to the conversation.” Steinbrecher said.

Takeaway: Steinbrecher is skeptical of automatic bids for Power conferences in an expanded playoff, advocating instead for merit-based selection. However, he remains open to discussion on refining selection criteria.

On Revenue Sharing and the House Settlement:

“We’ve spent hours discussing how to generate revenue sources to fund this, but also the mechanical issues of how to manage it. Schools are up to their eyebrows in this process.” Steinbrecher said.

Takeaway: MAC schools are bracing for financial and logistical challenges in implementing revenue sharing for athletes, with no cap agreed upon for school contributions.

On Eddie George’s Hiring at Bowling Green:

“I like the idea of hiring a sitting head coach. Too often, we look at offensive coordinators, but a track record of leadership and program-building is invaluable.” Steinbrecher said.

Takeaway: Steinbrecher supports Bowling Green’s choice, emphasizing experience in leadership over hiring coordinators with no head coaching experience.

On the Transfer Portal and Player Mobility:

“I spent seven years working on transfer reform, and within a year, it was blown up due to antitrust concerns. Now we have student-athletes suing to play five or six years instead of four.” Steinbrecher said.

Takeaway: He acknowledges the legal complexities surrounding transfer rules, but still expresses some concern about the long-term educational impact of the transfer portal.

“We need a national NIL standard. States are competing to give their schools an edge, tweaking rules to create advantages.” Steinbrecher said.

Takeaway: He wants federal oversight of NIL to prevent states from making self-serving regulations that disrupt a competitive balance in college sports.

On NCAA Tournament Expansion:

“I don’t have fixed feelings on it. If we’re just taking the 15th-place team from a power conference, what’s the value of that?” Steinbrecher said.

Would expansion truly benefit the tournament, especially if it significantly benefits power conferences rather than mid-majors.

“If you expand the men’s tournament, you have to expand the women’s. And then there’s the logistics—flights, costs, and keeping the Final Four schedule intact.” Steinbrecher said.

He highlighted the logistical and financial hurdles of expansion, particularly the travel issues for mid-major programs.

On the Long-Term Impact of Player Movement:

“The more a young man or woman transfers, the less likely they are to graduate. Let’s put a pin in the calendar and check the graduation rates in four or five years.” Steinbrecher said.

Takeaway: Steinbrecher warned the media that increasing player mobility could negatively affect academic outcomes. He believes future evaluations will be necessary.

Steinbrecher’s responses balanced between openness to change, but skepticism about its unintended consequences. The importance of competitive fairness, financial stability, and maintaining the educational mission of college athletics amidst rapid changes are more important to the conference’s outlook.

Follow my live updates for the rest of the tournament on X, here.

FINAL

Akron 96, Bowling Green 67

“We’ve got a group that really doesn’t care who shoots.” Akron basketball head coach John Groce said.

The Zips could care less about who shot the ball, with eleven threes made in the first half alone. Akron (1) defeated Bowling Green (8) 96-67 to advance into the semi-finals of the Mid-American Conference Tournament.

It also helped that Akron had a bit more to play for this time.

After the conclusion of the regular season, the MAC (Mid-American Conference) tournament is arguably the most important in all of the conference’s sports. The winner gets the conference’s only automatic bid into the March Madness bracket. At this point in the season, it’s win or go home for all eight teams that qualify.

After time expired in their quarter-final matchup against #8 seeded Bowling Green, the #1 seeded Akron Zips marched forward in the bracket.

But the way they did it—that’s the story.

Akron’s bench scored 45 points. Yes, you read that right.

Those 45 points were nuclear, and it was easy to see why Akron’s ten-man rotation is such a valuable asset this late in the game.

“When we sub—we don’t drop off necessarily…obviously we expect that from those guys at this point, they’ve done it often.” Groce said

Akron was led by Bowen Hardman (17 points), who scored double digits for the ninth time this season. He currently leads the team in total three-pointers with 62.

Hardman, a junior Ohio State transfer, only averages around 10.2 minutes-per-game; tonight, he played more than double that average. It worked, too; he scored 17—leading all Akron scorers.

Overall, Akron had six players score double figures. (* - Starter)

• Bowen Hardman, 17

• Seth Wilson, 15*

• Tavari Johnson, 14*

• Shammah Scott, 14

• Sharron Young, 12

• Isaiah Gray, 11*

• James Okonkwo, 8*

• Nate Johnson, 3*

• Amani Lyles, 2

From the Falcon’s nest, what could have been a Cinderella run for the ages fell short.

Bowling Green won four of their last five games after starting their conference play 2-7.

Part of their latter-half success was their willingness to change their system with—at that point—nothing to lose.

“We were left for dead.” Bowling Green head coach Todd Simon said.

But the squad bought in.

Marcus Johnson played all but three minutes in the loss, draining three-pointers late to keep spirits alive when his team was down thirty-two at most.

He finished with 23 points, the most of any player in the game. On his way there, he knocked down five three’s.

Trailing him in the points department were (* - Starter):

• Jamai Felt, 12*

• Javontae Campbell, 10*

• Braelon Green, 8

• Derrick Butler, 7*

• DaJion Humphrey, 5*

• Wilguens Jr. Exacte, 2

At the end of the first half, parallels of their first meeting in January were apparent. Akron trailed by 13 at the half then, and Bowling Green trailed by 12 at the half today.

The Falcons had 22 turnovers, most of which were caused by the 17 total steals by Akron.

In the press conference after their loss to Akron, Coach Simon revealed that junior guard Javontae Campbell broke his left hand two weeks ago and was playing the end of the season with two broken hands.

The Zips totaled six blocks. James Okonkwo, a North Carolina transfer, had two blocks against the Falcons.

Akron moves on to the tournament semi-finals, where they will face Toledo (5) tomorrow afternoon. I’ll have coverage of that as well.

Follow my live updates for the rest of the tournament on X, here.

Aiden Brueck

March 13, 2025

I am excited to announce the rebranding of The Green Sports-Letter to The Letter. As the sole contributor to this platform, I’ve decided to evolve the focus to bring even more dedicated and in-depth coverage of Northeast Ohio’s high school sports scene.

This rebrand follows my work as a part of The Letter Media Network YouTube channel, where Canton Repository sportswriter Mike Popovich and I have been broadcasting free audio-only streams of local high school basketball—we also plan to continue into the baseball, softball, and lacrosse seasons. I also have released an in-depth full-disclosure interview with Louisville basketball head coach Tom Siegfried, which you can find below; this was one of my most impactful projects to date.

This rebrand reflects my commitment to spotlighting remarkable athletes, teams, and events that make up the fabric of Stark and Summit County. The Letter will provide commentary, player profiles, and the stories that matter most to fans in our region.

Don’t worry, though. The Green Sports-Letter Instagram will remain semi-active throughout the spring season as the main medium for quick updates and highlights, keeping the Green audience connected to the action in real-time. Expect mostly lacrosse coverage, as I’m also serving as the PA announcer for the team’s home games.

However, my exclusive Green coverage will end after my senior year at GHS has concluded in May.

A huge thank you goes to Scooper Girl and Michelle Herdlick for their incredible support as sponsors. Without them, none of this would be possible, and I’m genuinely grateful for their belief in what we’re building together. Special shoutout to 35° Brix in Green as well for their title sponsorship during the football season.

Whether you're a longtime follower or just joining my blossoming project, I'm excited to have you along. We're diving deep into Northeast Ohio's high school sports, sharing the stories of athletes making an impact both on and off the field.

The new home for all content is now located at theletter.media

Aiden
The Letter

For any media inquiries, please contact me at:
Email: brueckaiden@gmail.com

A new era tips off at Green as Mitch Spotleson steps into Mark Kinsley’s shoes after 26 years.

It’s the end of an era for Green High School basketball, as 26-year cornerstone head coach Mark Kinsley left his base to former Federal League player of the year Mitch Spotleson.

“It’s not about me. It’s up to the kids now.” Spotleson said.

They already have the necessary leadership handed to them on a silver platter. Senior twins Anthony & AJ Fortunato both carry the tools for a physical and resilient roster. AJ’s physicality is marked by his size and defensive abilities, evidenced by a play in practice where he completely trucked his opponent off of a screen. Anthony carries that same weight, only on offense. The senior made 32 three-pointers in his 2023 season, marking a 34% knock-down percentage.

On the impact of the returning Fortunato twins, Spotleson is enthusiastic about their role in shaping the team.

“Anthony is going to be a scorer for us. His physicality, his ability to shoot the ball—those are things we’re going to need big time to stretch the floor. And AJ brings that toughness, that defensive mindset. Those are things our younger kids need to see and be around. When you have one guy playing tough and physical, it seems like others start to feed off it. Having both of them back will bring a ton of physicality and leadership—things we haven’t really had much of in the preseason since so many guys are new to varsity-level competition.” Spotleson said.

Junior Sam Dubravetz logged significant minutes last season, holding his own as a sophomore alongside first-team All-Federal League talents like Brady Rollyson and Jarrett Taylor. Dubravetz shot 47.7% from the field in the 17 games he played in 2023.

Junior shooting guard Ben Brauneck rarely plays what Spotleson lists him as on the roster sheet. The dynamic playmaker has all the utilities of a forward, while also being able to anchor at the five. Brauneck got only two varsity shots up in 2023, but will have a significant increase in playing time under coach Spotleson.

Junior David Szarnicki will also be a bit of a wild card. Only seeing the court on JV his sophomore year, the forward has the ability to shoot from the wing and also make tough layups. The stretch-four will enable some new perspective for Spotleson’s Bulldogs.

Opportunities aren’t just limited, though. They’re up for grabs at the beginning of the season.

“We’ve got some juniors stepping up, which is encouraging, and there’s a good chance we’ll see some underclassmen, even potentially a freshman or two, earn opportunities as the season progresses. We’re looking at everyone right now.” Spotleson said.

The most intriguing roster appearance this year is senior Wyatt Knowlton, who previously took part in a church league after not playing post-freshman year.

Senior Antonio Martin, who was on the starting lineup last year until an injury late in the season, has opted out of playing for Green basketball this year.

Despite the challenges of limited experience and a tough looking Federal League, Spotleson remains confident.

“People can say we lost a lot, but let’s go surprise some people,” he says.

He’s instilling a “chip-on-our-shoulder” mentality, aiming to exceed expectations by winning close games and pulling off upsets.

“People are going to look at us and say, ‘Oh, they lost a lot of scoring,’ or, ‘The Federal League brings back so much talent.’ But for us, it’s about surprising people. Let’s go win 14 games when no one thinks we can. If we can take care of the games we’re supposed to win, steal a couple others, and be ready for the postseason, that’s a successful season in my book.” Spotleson said.

As for his long-term vision, Spotleson is focused on positioning the team for success in the postseason.

“With the new tournament layout, anyone can win two games and be a district champion,” he notes.

Acknowledging his team’s challenges ahead, particularly in the Federal League, Spotleson is committed to creating a competitive edge through preparation.

“We’ve upped our scrimmage schedule to make sure we’ve seen the kind of talent we’ll face in games. We’ve scrimmaged teams like Hiland, who played in a Division IV state championship, and Twinsburg, who has a strong program that could make a tournament run. We want to walk into game one knowing we’ve been tested already, so it doesn’t feel like a completely new level.” Spotleson said.

Green Bulldogs (18-6, 9-3 in 2023)

• Federal League Player of the Year: Brady Rollyson

• Federal League First Team: Brady Rollyson, Jarrett Taylor

• Federal League Second Team: Antonio Martin

Returning lettermen

• Anthony Fortunato, Sr.

• AJ Fortunato, Sr.

• Sam Dubravetz, Jr.

Coaching Staff

• HC: Mitch Spotleson, first year.

• Asst./JV: Tyler Kernen, second year.

Basketball Schedule (2024-25)

• 12/10: Brunswick, 6:45 PM @ Green

• 12/13: @ Massillon, 7:15 PM

• 12/17: Hoover, 6:45 PM @ Green

• 12/20: Lake, 6:45 PM @ Green

• 12/27: @ Dover, 7:00 PM

• 12/28: Copley, 1:45 PM @ Green

• 1/3: @ Perry, 6:45 PM

• 1/7: @ McKinley, 6:45 PM

• 1/10: @ GlenOak, 6:45 PM

• 1/14: Jackson, 6:45 PM @ Green

• 1/19: Canfield, 12:30 PM @ Green

• 1/21: Stow-Munroe Falls, 7:30 PM @ Green

• 1/24: @ Hoover, 7:00 PM

• 1/28: @ Lake, 6:45 PM

• 1/31: Perry, 6:45 PM @ Green

• 2/4: McKinley, 6:45 PM @ Green

• 2/7: GlenOak, 6:45 PM @ Green

• 2/11: @ Jackson, 6:45 PM

• 2/14: @ Austintown-Fitch, 7:00 PM

• 2/15: East, 6:45 PM @ Green

• 2/18: @ Firestone, 7:00 PM

• 2/21: @ Boardman, 7:00 PM

This time, it was win or go home.

“I thought our enthusiasm, you could feel it in pregame, you could feel it yesterday in practice, Monday and practice would be two good days between there. That's where you win a football game, I thought I really liked their attitudes and how they came out and executed in that first half. I thought that was really good.” Green head coach Mark Geis said after the game.

Quarterback Tyson Hunka had a keeper touchdown for himself, too. The two-year starter tacked on 82 yards for Green’s 242 total rushing yards on the night. Two touchdowns from Hunka enabled the Bulldogs to take an early lead over Riverside, which ultimately harbored the nail in the coffin for the Beavers.

“It’s nice because [if] I didn’t see anyone open, the pocket collapsed and I just saw a bunch of Green grass and took off.” Hunka said.

Hunka had—practically—a 50/50 split for rushing and receiving yards. He flung 88 yards in the air for 170 total yards of offense.

Senior AJ Fortunato had a team-leading 11 solo tackles in the win.

“Senior year. We lose we go home. None of us want to lose. We got a chip on our shoulder [from] the last two weeks, and we wanna keep winning; we wanna keep playing football.” Fortunato said.

Notable players for Green included junior Evan Georgiou and and senior Antonio Martin. Martin had the first points on the board with a 35-yard receiving touchdown, he also nabbed an interception. Georgiou had an interception for himself, too; his third of the season.

The real MVP for Green, however, was junior Evan Reed. Reed rushed for two touchdowns, adding a third on a kickoff return in the second half.

“We worked on it all week. I’ve got to give props to my blockers.” Reed said.

Reed had 67 yards rushing, averaging 6.1 yards per carry. His elusiveness carried primarily on jet sweeps, but he scored both of his touchdowns on runs up the middle.

“It all starts with the middle man. It’s just make one cut and go. You see a hole, you make it, and bury your legs forward. The line do a good job of giving me that vision.” Reed said.

Green will travel to Nordonia (9-2) next week for round two of the Division II Region V playoff bracket. Nordonia beat Solon (3-8) 38-6 in round one.

Follow my live updates next week on X: @aidenthebrew

The Green Sports-Letter is proudly presented by 35° Brix, click their logo below to visit.

For Green’s head football coach Mark Geis, his team’s matchup against Perry this Friday is one that’s been in the making for over 20 years.

“We actually played each other back in high school, so him and I have known each other for a long time.” Geis said.

Keith Wakefield, who served as the Perry head coach from 1987-2003 and 2013-2020, led Perry’s current head coach Zach Slates’ the same time Geis played for Hoover High School. Wakefield is now Slates’ defensive coordinator.

Geis’s senior season at Hoover saw him as a captain, where his team’s playoff hopes were ended by the then Wakefield-ran Perry Panthers.

On Friday, the former opponents will meet for the fourth time as head coaches.

Here’s everything you need to know before Perry travels to Green Memorial Stadium.

Perry Panthers (3-5, 1-3): ‘Wing-T’ It to Win It

Perry has been struggling with four consecutive losses after a 3-1 start. But there’s some good news—two-way playmakers Kyson Walker and Jayden Wilson are expected to return to bigger roles this week after missing recent games. Perry's running game is well-balanced, racking up 1,562 yards and 11 touchdowns, with Connor Shephard contributing 339 yards and four scores. Green went 10-4 last season, and Perry went 4-7, but Perry beat Green 20-14 and currently lead the all-time series 6-2.

Senior Austin Mattox shoulders a lot for the Panthers, playing as both quarterback and safety. Mattox, a three-year senior starter, threw for 856 yards and six touchdowns last season while rushing for 378 yards and four touchdowns. This season, he’s had seven touchdowns—both passing and rushing—and leads the team in tackles and interceptions. He owns 46 tackles, and is tied for the second most interceptions in the Federal League.

Starting for three years, Mattox isn’t a stranger to Green.

“He’s really a do-it-all, kind of like a Swiss Army Knife on the field. He’s like a true throwback football player in the fact that he does it all. It’s really cool to see.” Geis said.

Perry has increased those passing numbers, and have done it partly to expand the wing-T offense. The senior isn’t just handling business at QB—on defense, he's snagged three interceptions and tops the team with 46 tackles, proving he’s just as dangerous on both sides of the ball.

"I hate to, like, sound old—that's what the '90s kind of looked like. You turned on Federal League film, you saw someone that stood out on film and played all three phases of the game, and that's what he does." Geis said about Mattox.

Junior Connor Shephard is the leading rusher, tallying 339 yards on 71 carries with 4 touchdowns. Known for his consistency, Shephard can break off significant runs; his longest run this season was 40 yards. Senior Kyson Walker also stands out, contributing 261 rushing yards and 3 touchdowns, while adding another dimension in the passing game with 13 receptions for 172 yards and 2 touchdowns. His ability to impact both the ground and air attacks makes him a key offensive weapon.

But it isn’t just Walker and Shepard doing the heavy lifting, it’s genuinely a consistent run game all around. It’s practically what Perry’s known for. Their wing-T offense has been a staple of the program, and this year isn’t any different.

“This is, normally, how they operate. They usually don’t have someone who stands out having a ton of carries, usually they just have a lot of solid football players who know how to do their job really well. That’s how they’re operating this year.” Geis said.

Senior Marcellys Harris has quietly contributed 118 yards on 22 carries, boasting an impressive 5.4 yards per carry average. Though he hasn’t scored any rushing touchdowns yet, Harris is a reliable option who adds depth to the backfield.

Junior Kaleb Lawhun has also made his presence known, with 106 yards on 27 carries. Averaging 3.9 yards per carry, Lawhun provides solid support in the rushing attack, helping keep the defense on their heels.

Sophomore Jonathan Lemon has contributed 166 rushing yards on 31 carries, averaging 5.4 yards per carry. Though he hasn’t scored any touchdowns yet, his ability to gain solid yardage each time he touches the ball adds important depth to Perry’s backfield.

Green Bulldogs (6-2, 3-1): The Power of ‘III’

Green has plenty of pieces on offense and defense, with most of those pieces playing both sides of the ball. Some even remain in the game throughout all three phases.

Anthony McMichael III, a junior who earned a starting safety role in his sophomore season, has worked his way up to becoming the anchor of a Green defense that has racked up 13 total team interceptions.. McMichael currently leads the Federal League in interceptions, having four under his belt. He also plays offense, where he’s split reps with fellow junior Evan Reed. The two-way safety had a career-high 87 rushing yards against GlenOak.

Speaking of Evan Reed, he’s barely behind McKinley’s Nino Hill for the most touchdowns in the Federal League this season. Owning nine to his name, not all of them have been at running back; Reed had a kickoff return touchdown last week against Louisville.

At quarterback, junior Tyson Hunka has been a steady presence for Green, completing 58% of his passes for 1,311 yards. Hunka has thrown for ten touchdowns while being intercepted six times.

Senior wide receiver Antonio Martin has been one of Tyson Hunka’s main targets, recording 23 catches for 368 yards, with an average of 16 yards per reception, all in just five games. Martin missed the first three weeks of the season due to an ACL injury sustained during basketball, but since his return, he’s made a significant impact, posting strong numbers in a short span. In the 2023 season, he earned All-Ohio honors as a cornerback; Martin currently has three interceptions since his 2024 debut.

Junior two-way lineman Dario Lombardi leads the team with four sacks, supported by 2023 All-Federal League senior linebacker AJ Fortunato. AJ’s twin brother, Anthony Fortunato, has also had an outstanding season, making big plays in every game. Anthony has delivered impact moments on both sides of the ball, with interceptions on defense and house calls on offense.

Perry is no stranger to upsets. They defeated Lake 17-7 in their Federal League opener during week four. The Panthers nearly pulled off another upset against Austintown-Fitch but fell short, losing 20-15. Austintown-Fitch is in a similar position as Green, having also secured a 35-0 victory over GlenOak.

If the Bulldogs win out, they could earn a share of the 2024 Federal League football title with a McKinley loss this Friday.

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FINAL - Green (6-2, 3-1) 28, Louisville (3-5) 0

Green’s defense put on a show Friday night, and the scoreline wasn’t far off from what folks expected—but the game was more than just the Bulldogs' second shutout of the season.

Fresh off a dominant win over GlenOak in Week seven, Green carried that momentum right into their matchup against Louisville. Back-to-back shutouts are now in the books for the Bulldogs.

Here’s how the action unfolded, and why Green’s defense is the talk of the town.

The game didn’t see much action in the first half; senior All-Ohioan Antonio Martin snagged a pass and took it to the house in the first three minutes, giving Green a 7-0 lead. That was the last scoring play of the first half.

Louisville’s starting quarterback, senior Tate Aljancic, was injured late in the second. Junior Gabe Stoffer—who has over 200 receiving yards in 2024—took over for Aljancic. Stoffer also played double duty on special teams, punting and punt returning for the Leopards.

The second half of play, however, was where things got a bit more exciting.

Junior Evan Reed, who’s second overall for total touchdowns in the Federal League, had two more tonight. Both of which came in the second half; both of which also came together in very different ways.

His first touchdown came right out of the gate, where he took the second half kickoff all the way. His second came late in the fourth quarter, following strong field positioning by junior Anthony McMichael III, allowing him to punch through the middle for a three-yard score.

The final score was 28-0, though. The fourth and final touchdown for the Bulldogs wasn’t thanks to their offense; rather, it was thanks to a fumble recovery in the endzone by junior lineman Dario Lombardi. His first touchdown of the season came after stellar play on both sides of the ball.

Green’s defense, as it has been in the last eight weeks of play, was what won them the game. Four sacks and an interception allowed the Bulldogs to keep building their lead on offense.

The lone interception from the Green defense was from Martin, who snagged a jump ball around the 50-yard line.

Sophomore Kameron Worner, who saw some some reps at running back against GlenOak, made his presence felt for Green on defense. He had four unassisted tackles against Louisville, tying him for second in the stat behind senior AJ Fortunato. Worner also had a sack.

“I got my chance to play and showed out. And then—I guess—we’ve just moved some people around and I got the spot.” Worner said.

Speaking of AJ Fortunato, he had arguably his best game this season in terms of solo tackling; nine total solo tackles were claimed by the All-Leaguer. Fortunato also had a sack.

There were five sacks last night for Green, though. Junior Josh Taylor and Lombardi were credited for one sack each, with senior Aiden Clark having the fifth.

On the Louisville side, their method of advancing the ball proved effective. While the approach may not have been immediately clear, it still got the job done. Junior Owen Dimarzio did it all for the Leopards against Green, having 46 total yards of offense for himself.

Looking Ahead

The Bulldogs have risen to 6-2 on the season, and the Leopards fall to 3-5.

Green has officially clinched a top 16 playoff spot in the Division II Region 5 standings. Louisville currently controls their own destiny with two weeks left. They are currently in second place in the entire region.

In week nine, Louisville will stay at home to play the undefeated South Range Raiders of Division V; South Range fell to Green last season 21-7. Green will play at home against Perry, which could have a large effect on the Federal League standings if a McKinley loss to Jackson next week falls into place.

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Louisville comes into this matchup looking to shake off past struggles, leaning heavily on their do-it-all playmaker Owen DiMarzio. But Green, riding high with a defense built on fundamentals and a balanced offensive attack, is ready to prove they still own the upper hand. With both teams hungry for a win, this game will be a test of which squad can impose their style first.

Tomorrow, October 11th, Green (Uniontown) will travel to Louisville. Here’s everything you need to know before their non-league matchup.

Versatility Fuels Louisville's Offense

Louisville’s offense is driven by junior receiving back Owen DiMarzio, who’s racked up 787 yards. On the ground, he’s been a workhorse with 494 rushing yards, averaging 4.3 yards per carry and finding the end zone five times. He’s averaging 112 all-purpose yards a game.

In terms of their passing game, junior receiver Quin Burick stands out as the top target with 22 receptions, totaling 221 yards and two touchdowns. He leads a group of five Leopards who’ve each recorded over 100 receiving yards. Senior quarterback Tate Aljancic has completed 60.8% of his passes, amassing 1,037 yards, six passing touchdowns, and five interceptions so far this season. Aljancic has 112 yards on his feet, with two rushing touchdowns.

Aljancic has an abundance of weapons in his receiving core. Five of their receivers have over 100 receiving yards. Seniors Ashton Marshall and Austin Wade make timely grabs, and junior Gabe Stoffer has almost 200 receiving yards.

However, Louisville has struggled against Federal League opponents, dropping 17 of their last 18 matchups. Their lone win came in 2022, where they beat Green 27-23. In their most recent meeting last year, Green dominated Louisville 42-7.

Green's Defensive Renaissance

According to Green’s head coach Mark Geis, their dominant secondary thrives on fundamentals. Headed by junior Anthony McMichael III at safety, have combined for ten interceptions through seven weeks.

“Sometimes they’ve been in the right spot at the right time, but they’ve put themselves in those opportunities.” Geis said.

The boost in defensive performance could be linked to their solid fundamentals, but it might also be a result of Green's off-season coaching adjustments, with Monte Board stepping in as the new defensive coordinator following a recent departure.

“[Coach Board is] more of a technique type of guy. He’s fundamentals, all about the fundamentals. He’s doing a great job; I couldn’t ask for a better coach in any situation.” senior All-Ohio Antonio Martin said.

Speaking of Martin, he still leads Green in receiving yards (289) despite missing the first three weeks of the season. Averaging 14.5 yards per catch, he’s found the end zone three times.

Junior Evan Reed has been one half of the catalyst behind Green’s balanced offensive approach. He had two rushing touchdowns against GlenOak in week seven.

“We’re always going to play to the styles of our players. We’re going to put our kids in a position that they can be successful at, and we’re going to coach them really hard to play very hard.” Geis said.

Reed’s playmaking has proven to be not only explosive, but consistent. He’s scored a touchdown in almost every game he’s seen the field.

“I’ve always been confident coming to the game, knowing that I can be a good player. I can contribute to the team, no matter the situation or scenario. Just being able to trust my guys; the O-line, the fullbacks—it really makes my job easy.” Reed said after his performance against GlenOak.

The other half is Anthony McMichael III, previously mentioned, who is used slightly less than Reed; however, he still finds success when he’s playing offense.

Junior quarterback Tyson Hunka continues to be a steady presence for Green’s offense, completing 57.1% of his passes for a league-leading 1,176 yards, nine touchdowns, and four interceptions so far this season.

Junior Dario Lombardi has elevated his game in the trenches line this season. After missing nearly all of the 2023 season due to injury, only playing two quarters, he's made a strong comeback. As a two-way lineman, Lombardi has recorded four sacks, ranking him third in the Federal League in that category.

Louisville's game plan will likely revolve around getting the ball to Owen DiMarzio early and often, using him as both a runner and a receiver to stretch Green’s defense. Expect them to test Green’s front seven with inside runs while mixing in short passes to keep the pace fast and control possession. Louisville might also take a few deep shots to catch Green off guard, but their main focus will be on sustaining drives and keeping the game within reach.

Green’s approach will center on their balanced attack. They’ll likely start with Evan Reed and Anthony McMichael III on the ground to establish the run game, wearing down Louisville’s defensive front. This will set up Hunka to take advantage of play-action and find Antonio Martin and his other targets downfield. On defense, Green’s secondary, led by Anthony McMichael III, will focus on shutting down Louisville’s passing game, forcing them into uncomfortable situations. Up front, Dario Lombardi and seniors Cam White and Nolan McKendry will look to disrupt Louisville’s offensive rhythm by applying pressure, making Aljancic hurry throws or scramble out of the pocket.

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A win could be the turning point for either team—Green aiming to stay in the hunt for the Federal League title, and GlenOak desperate to break their losing streak.

Here are the essential facts before Green (4-2, 2-1) travels to GlenOak (0-6, 0-3) tonight.

The last two out of three games played between the Green Bulldogs and GlenOak Golden Eagles have been decided by a blocked field goal. The outlier, their 2022 game, wasn’t decided by a field goal; rather, it’s a game Green head coach Mark Geis’s team are fueled by this week.

“It has been something that has been on our mind.” Green head coach Mark Geis said.

GlenOak have had their longest losing streak since their nine-loss season in 2019. Currently 0-6, they’ve played one of the most objectively difficult and physical out of conference schedules in northeast Ohio.

Thanks to this schedule, the Golden Eagles have only been able to accumulate 20 points in six weeks, opposed to the 205 points they’ve allowed their opponents to score.

But, this isn’t where the road ends for GlenOak. Parallels to their 2023 season can be found hidden in the cracks of their team, even if the total losses now are stacked against them a bit further than they were last year.

They went 7-5 in 2023, but went 2-4 in the first six weeks.

GlenOak has a recent history of turning things around, and Scott Garcia’s locker room morale would be turned on its head with a win against Green.

GlenOak’s defense is led by senior linebacker David Potter, who currently has seven tackles-for-loss this season.

They still have to beat a riled-up Green team, though.

Attempting to piggyback off of their last-minute win against Jackson, the Green Bulldogs found their four-game winning streak halted thanks to McKinley in week six.

The Bulldogs aren’t counted out of a Federal League championship, however. If Green wins out, they take the top spot with a McKinley league loss.

Green junior Tyson Hunka currently leads the Federal League in passing yards, amassing 1,084 through six weeks of play. He’s tied for second in the conference for passing TDs. Hunka was 17-of-31 passing for 208 yards agaisnt McKinley last week.

Junior Evan Reed is going to be the primary running back.

The most notable for Green, figuratively and sometimes literally, is senior Antonio Martin. Despite missing the first three weeks due to an ACL injury suffered during the basketball season, he’s already racked up three receiving touchdowns on 255 yards. He already has the second most receptions in the Federal League.

“We know at any moment we can make an explosive play. He brings that to the table.” Geis said.

After limited cornerback reps against Hoover, he’s come back to the defensive phase in a big way. A game-sealing interception against Jackson was the kickoff to his return to the secondary.

“I will say, defensively, he’s probably played some of his best football of his career in the last couple of weeks. He’s gone up against some really good wide receivers—he’s taken on the challenge of really going up against some good matchups. It’s fun to watch him play.” Geis said.

In terms of other weapons defensively, Green has junior Anthony McMichael III. He currently leads the Green defense with 46.5 tackles and two interceptions.

Junior Dario Lombardi led the Federal League in sacks last week, and his prowess on both sides of the line are substantial in Green’s success. Lombardi is returning from an injury that ended his sophomore season.

“He’s very strong. He’s worked very hard to get to the point he’s at. It takes a lot of hard work to get to that level. He’s got an interesting dynamic of: he’s athletic, he has good speed, but he’s also very strong. He plays his position very, very well.” Geis said.

Junior Evan Georgiou has two interceptions as a cornerback, and is expected to make another leap forward against the Golden Eagles.

With Green chasing a shot at the Federal League title and GlenOak fighting to salvage their season, tonight promises to be more than just another game—it's a chance for both teams to rewrite their storylines.

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As the McKinley Bulldogs roll into ‘G-town’ with a staggering 1,051 total yards of offense against Federal League opponents, the Green football team find themselves at a pivotal moment in the season.

After dominating their early matchups, McKinley is riding high on momentum from recent blowouts against Perry and GlenOak.

But this Friday, the stakes are personal: a victory for Green head coach Mark Geis’s Bulldogs would not only mark their best start in years but also solidify their status as the team to beat in the Federal League, making school history by going undefeated through the first three weeks of conference play.

Here’s everything you need to know before tomorrow’s game.

McKinley's Power on Both Sides

The McKinley Bulldogs currently have 1,051 total yards of offense against their Federal League opponents; their games against Perry and GlenOak were both runaways.

Defeating GlenOak 35-6, McKinley senior quarterback Kam Montgomery had 17 completions on 20 passing attempts. He has 839 total passing yards this year. Montgomery is 6’5”.

Darius Hill, a sophomore for McKinley, has nine catches this season with four touchdowns. Hill is a surefire explosive play if given the right opportunity.

What distinguishes McKinley’s offense, aside from their height advantage at quarterback, is their running back duo positioned behind that strength. Nino Hill, a senior Buffalo recruit, has 422 rushing yards for 5.5 yards per carry. His counterpart, senior GlenOak transfer Jamar Johnson, has 305 rushing yards; Johnson has 5.9 yards per carry.

“[Johnson is] a very physical runner; he’s definitely a downhill type of guy. Hill has a little more side-to-side stuff; they are like two different types of running backs, but just as impactful in the game,” Coach Geis said.

It’s an offense that has more than a few layers, to say the least.

“Honestly they have so many playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. You really can’t say, ‘Hey we’re gonna’ take this away or that away’,” Geis says.

If Green focuses on one area more than another they’ll find themselves leaving home plate wide open.

“You have to play pretty balanced and take everything away, cause if you take one thing away and you just put everybody in the box to stop the run, you’re gonna’ have plenty of guys to throw it to on the outside. Say you’re going to take it with a pass, and they’re going to try and run it.” Geis said.

McKinley's defense is built around a fast, aggressive front seven that excels in gap control and creating negative plays. Leading the charge is linebacker Dante McClellan, a senior Missouri recruit with sideline-to-sideline speed and versatility. McClellan’s ability to read offensive keys and attack gaps quickly makes him a constant threat, with five tackles for loss and two interceptions on the season. McClellan saw offensive playing time last year, where he was one of the better two-way players in Northeast Ohio. He has been focusing primarily on defense this year.

“He basically took the game over in the second half on defense.” Geis said in regards to McClellan’s performance against Green in 2023.

Fellow linebacker Antonio Stevens adds to this strength, leading the team in tackles and excelling in run support by maintaining gap discipline and limiting yards after contact. Stevens is a sophomore.

Up front, senior K'Vuone McNeal plays as a disruptive three-technique defensive tackle, using his explosiveness to penetrate the backfield, tallying eight tackles for loss and consistently forcing double teams. Senior defensive end Dior Garner provides strong edge-setting against the run and is effective in collapsing the pocket with six tackles for loss, while senior Robert Brown’s power at nose tackle allows him to control the A-gap and push the pocket on passing downs.

Five Weeks of Injuries? Green Bulldogs Aren’t Bothered

Green’s first half of the season was remarkable considering the adversity they had faced early on.

They started the year without senior all-Ohioans Mike Schaal and Antonio Martin. While the Bulldogs won’t see Schaal this season, Martin returned in week four’s Federal League opener against Hoover. Martin played strictly offense with the exception of some DB work in the fourth quarter. In week five against Jackson, he was playing practically the whole game.

All-league senior linebacker AJ Fortunato was injured in week two against Painesville Riverside, leaving him out of action for two weeks. Another senior linebacker, Aiden Clark, was hurt in week three against Tallmadge, leaving him out against Hoover.

Despite all those injuries, Green persevered through the first half of their season.

Green now has four straight wins after a loss to Dover in week one and is coming off of a comeback win against Jackson.

This week, they’re preparing for the most physical game on their schedule.

“Hopefully the momentum of us playing pretty well over the past four weeks—we’ve improved in some phases—keeps improving.” Geis said.

If Green were to win, it would be the first time they’re undefeated in the Federal League through three weeks.

But how will they contest against a large, physical, and explosive McKinley roster?

Green’s defense has been their strength throughout the first half of the season. The secondary is anchored by junior safety Anthony McMichael III, who led the team in tackles against Jackson with eight. Senior Anthony Fortunato is a lockdown at cornerback, forcing a fumble against the Polar Bears in week five; Fortunato also got a pick against Hoover. Fortunato had a pick six against McKinley; it seems like he has a knack for explosive plays ending in touchdowns.

Another key for Green will be Anthony’s identical twin brother, AJ Fortunato. The 2023 all-league linebacker elevates Green’s defense, coached by Monte Board. Senior safety Brock Kuznik made his presence known against Jackson, containing standout Polar Bear receiver Noah Colando to only two receptions for 14 yards.

Senior Antonio Martin earned All-Ohio honors for his 2023 season. He had the game-sealing interception against Jackson.

“He’s, in my opinion, one of the better two-way players in the area. Again, he’s a little rusty two games in. You know [Martin was] not moving a whole lot in the offseason. But he worked his tail off to rehab. I really honestly can’t put his presence into words for our football team.” Geis said.

Green junior lineman Dario Lombardi is tied for the most sacks in the Federal League with four in five weeks, competing with Hoover's Mitchell Braucher for the top spot.

An additional staple for Green’s secondary is junior Evan Georgiou. He’s nabbed two interceptions on the season, one of which was ripped out of his receiver’s hands against Jackson.

In terms of Green’s offensive strengths, they have plenty.

“Offensively we’ve been able to move the ball a little better every week. Hopefully we take care of the football a little better.” Geis said.

Junior starting quarterback Tyson Hunka has completed 62 of his 105 pass attempts for 876 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions so far this season, positioning him among the top passers in the area.

Evan Reed, a junior, rushed for 259 yards and a touchdown in the first half of the season. He currently has four touchdown receptions as well, and the balance he provides to his team has been exceptional.

Antonio Martin returned to the starting lineup after his ACL injury and has had 108 receiving yards in two weeks.

Senior Kaden Gregory and the previously mentioned Evan Georgiou have combined for 176 receiving yards in Federal League play, and Anthony Fortunato is always an option as well.

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FINAL | Green (4-1, 2-0) 21, Jackson (2-3, 1-1) 17

Everything fell into place for the Bulldogs last Friday in a win against Federal League opponent Jackson. A seemingly immaculate share amongst all offensive talent, two interceptions and solid pass coverage, and a game-winning drive all came together within the 48 minutes of regulation.

Green’s defensive line, led by seniors Nolan McKendry and Cam White, kept pressure on Jackson junior QB Lucas Ecrement. The Polar Bears were limited to only five completions, where they only gained 46 total passing yards.

Senior running back Foster Stanley rushed for a 3-yard touchdown on his sixth consecutive carry to give the Polar Bears the advantage late.

Kristian Satterfield dealt with an issue related to his shoulder, but returned to the game for Jackson's next possession and finished with 23 carries for 78 yards.

On the Bulldog side of things, junior Tyson Hunka had one of his best games to date. The junior went 16-for-30 on passing attempts; he had 181 total passing yards and three touchdowns.

Jackson’s standout senior receiver, Noah Colando, was limited to just two receptions on five targets. Lining up across from him was Green senior Antonio Martin, who had only played on offense and special teams against Hoover until the final drive. Few would have predicted Martin stepping up as Green's primary defensive back, especially after limited defensive reps in Week 4. However, he made a game-sealing play with an interception during Jackson’s last drive; Martin also had four receptions for 51 receiving yards.

Green junior running back Evan Reed caught a pass and took it down the field 34 yards for a touchdown at the end of the third quarter.

The Bulldogs took a drive with 2:26 left down the field for a score. A facemask penalty and clutch receptions from senior Kaden Gregory and junior Evan Georgiou drove head Coach Mark Geis’s squad within the ten yard line.

The offensive line, anchored by the previously mentioned Nolan McKendry kept Hunka clean throughout the uphill climb.

Hunka, who was able to pick up a first & goal with his feet after after Gregory’s catch, was also shocked.

“That’s just all God. I mean we can’t do anything about that. That’s just complete luck, praise; I mean that’s unbelievable.” Hunka said.

Green was down until under 30 seconds left, where a catch went awry off of Evan Reed‘s chest in the endzone; the ball fell into the hands of a promptly open Anthony Fortunato, who was credited for the touchdown.

“I just knew I had to make a play at the end of the game like that. You know, we were down. We needed a touchdown. The ball’s coming my way, I catch it.” Fortunato said.

His presence wasn’t just felt on offense, though. He had a forced fumble at cornerback in the fourth quarter; it didn’t end up in the Bulldogs’ hands, but it was a setback for the Polar Bears.

“If we didn’t have Antonio I think everyone would be talking about Anthony, because he’s one of the better corners that I’ve seen. He’s very physical. He caused a fumble on one of his hits at corner, and obviously came up with a big play in a big moment. Great kid, great player, lucky to have him.” Geis said about Anthony.

Green will look forward to a penalty-ridden McKinley Bulldogs this Friday at home, while Jackson will face an up and down Perry team.

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Recently, it seems like Green and Jackson’s respective Federal League championship hopes in football are either heightened or derailed all together depending on the outcome of their early season matchup.

Jackson, as always, has a talented roster full of varsity veterans and newcomers. There are 20 returning lettermen for the Polar Bears; their 2023 season saw above average play with, in Jackson’s elite standards, below average results.

“Jackson has a very good football team.” Green head coach Mark Geis said.

Jackson has their dynamic junior, Lucas Ecrement, back from injury. During his sophomore year, Ecrement threw for 2,086 yards and 18 touchdowns, while rushing for 468 yards and two TDs before injuring his knee in a week ten loss at North Canton. This season, he’s had 48 completions on 81 attempts; he has 697 yards, eight TDs and two interceptions. Ecrement had 229 passing yards for three touchdowns against Mayfield last week; he only drifted outside the pocket once, where he was taken 2 yards the opposite way.

Ecrement’s top target, senior Noah Colando, hauled in three receptions for two touchdowns against Mayfield. Despite having only three catches, Colando racked up an impressive 153 receiving yards.

“The Colando kid is very dangerous if you let him get loose.” Geis said.

In terms of a dedicated rushing attack, Jackson has Kristian Satterfield. Satterfield turned his final season up a notch in week two, where he had 214 total rushing yards against Stow. Against Mayfield last week, he 64 rushing yards.

Jordan Warmath, a Jackson senior linebacker, has recorded 31 total tackles in 2024. Senior Zac Saleh currently has 35 tackles, with eight of those being tackles for loss. Linebacker Mitchell Braucher has three sacks so far, which is tied for the most in the Federal League.

Green’s quarterback, junior Tyson Hunka, plays in a similar style to Jackson’s improviser. Hunka had one of his best games to date against Hoover last week, he racked up 260 passing yards, three TDs and one interception on 13 completions. He runs the ball just as much as he passes, too; he had eleven run attempts for 27 yards in that same game.

Evan Reed, a Green junior, has proven to be a valuable bulldozer for his Bulldogs. He has 241 total rushing yards this season; his four touchdowns so far lead his team in the stat. His counterpart, junior Anthony McMichael III, had 28 yards in week three against Tallmadge.

“We strive for balance. We strive to be balanced; then we adjust in game accordingly to what we’re doing well, or what a team is giving us. We will be at our best when we can be balanced.” Geis said.

Green’s Dario Lombardi has also found himself being tied for the most in the Federal League; though, he’s a force on both lines.

Green senior receiver Anthony Fortunato had an incredible third down conversion against Hoover; his only reception was a shifty burst of speed through Hoover’s defense, where he took a catch 46 yards to the house. He also had a crucial interception in crunch time for the Bulldogs. AJ Fortunato, Anthony's identical twin brother, has been questionable after missing the past two weeks due to injury. If he returns at linebacker against Jackson, it could significantly impact the Bulldogs' defense.

One of biggest pieces in Green’s gameplan, senior all-Ohioan Antonio Martin, made his return last week after being sidelined with an ACL injury from basketball season. He made an immediate impact. Martin caught six passes for 60 yards and a touchdown against Hoover. Fittingly, his touchdown was the first score of that game.

Jackson secured a 20-13 victory last year; while two years ago, Green triumphed 29-28 with a 2-point conversion pass in the final 44 seconds. That win remains the Bulldogs' only victory over Jackson since joining the Federal League in 2015.

Jackson will aim to stretch Green’s defense by using wide formations, allowing Lucas Ecrement to exploit mismatches in the passing game while giving Kristian Satterfield lanes to run between the tackles. Defensively, Jackson will likely focus on containing Tyson Hunka by setting the edge and forcing him to stay in the pocket, minimizing his ability to scramble and create on the run. Linebackers will need to be disciplined in their pursuit to prevent big plays on the ground.

Green, meanwhile, will want to keep Jackson’s front seven on their heels by mixing in designed quarterback runs and short passes to slow down the pass rush. On defense, Green will look to pressure Ecrement by collapsing the pocket, forcing him to make quick decisions and limiting his ability to extend plays.

“Similar to playing Hoover, similar to playing Federal League competition…it will be a good football game.” Geis said.

The outcome will hinge on execution and in-game adjustments from both sides.

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