Opponent Preview: Solon (Week 8)

Week 8

Who:  Solon
What:  Northeast Ohio Conference (Valley Division) game
Where:  Stewart Field (Solon)
When:  October 18 at 7:00
Opposing Coach:  Jim McQuaide (89-27 at Solon, 165-89 overall)

Looking Back…

Solon had an unusually quiet season (5-5, 2-3 NOC Valley) in 2012.  For a team that finished atop the NOC the previous three seasons, their 4th place finish last season was very shocking.  Solon went 26-1 against the NOC from 2009-11 and just 4-4 last season.  Injuries and a lack of depth contributed to a difficult season.  A victory over an 8-2 Shaker team was Solon’s signature win. Graduated from Solon are a talented group of talented athletes that were dangerous on both sides of the ball:  DB/WR Darian Hicks (Michigan State), QB/WR Drew Barksdale (Boston College), RB/CB Khoury Crenshaw (Michigan for track/field), and LB/QB George Berry (1st team All-District).  

Schedule…

The Comets will try to get back to their winning ways as they start the season with non-league games against a trio of Division II teams: Kenston, Glenville, and Willoughby South.  Kenston and South are coming off playoff seasons and Glenville is in Rivals Top 100 national rankings.  Mayfield returns to Solon’s schedule in 2013 as a NOC crossover.  Valley Forge is the their other crossover.  The NOC Valley schedule also includes Hudson, Brunswick, Twinsburg, and Strongsville.  Overall, Solon’s schedule has five returning playoff teams and three others that had winning records but fell short of making Week 11. 

2013 Solon Outlook…

The Comets have one of the top football traditions of any team in the Cleveland area.  The struggles of last season are an anomaly.  Solon played several QB’s last season.  Ryan Gallagher (five starts) and Matt Laubscher had opportunities as sophomores.  Now a year older, look for one/both of these QB’s to be counted on to take control of this offense.  Skill position players are an area of concern due to little experience returning.  Solon’s strength should be on both lines. The offensive line returns four starters.  Brandon Reynolds and Ben Peterson are the anchors of the defensive line.  LB John Sensibaugh (139 tackles, 17 TFL) was 2nd team All-District as a sophomore.  Another strength on the team will be in the defensive backfield as Brandon Byrd, Kollyn Crenshaw, and Antwain Hamilton return. Keon Hemerlein returns as the NOC’s most valuable kicker in 2012. 

Next:  Hudson (Week 9)