Cleveland-Area High School Football Previews

by Jeff Fisher
Ohio High School Football Huddle

When it comes to high school football coverage in the Buckeye State, you can't beat the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

According to the previews that have been coming-out over the past week, it looks like defending Division I champ St. Ignatius and Glenville should be fighting it out for bragging right again this year. Glenville has plenty back from last year's squad that took-down St. Ignatius in Week 1, but then lost to the Wildcats 8-7 on November 8th.

To check-out the Plain Dealer's previews, just click on conference or league name.

Chagrin Valley Conference - Chagrin Division
Aurora, Chagrin Falls, Kenston, Perry, West Geauga, Wickliffe
Chagrin Valley Conference - Metro Division
Beachwood, Cuyahoga Heights, Hawken, Independence, Richmond Heights
Chagrin Valley Conference - Valley Division
Berkshire, Cardinal, Fairport Harbor, Kirtland, Newbury
Lake Erie League - Erie Division
Admiral King, Bedford, Shaw, Southview, Warrensville Heights
Lake Erie League - Lake Division
Northeast Ohio Conference - Lake Division
Cleveland Heights, Euclid, Maple Heights, Mentor, Shaker Heights
Brush, Garfield Heights, Normandy, North Royalton, Parma, Valley Forge
Northeast Ohio Conference - River Division
Cuyahoga Falls, Elyria, Hudson, Lakewood, Stow, Twinsburg
Northeast Ohio Conference - Valley Division
Brunswick, Mayfield, Medina, Nordonia, Solon, Strongsville
Senate Athletic League
Cleveland South, Collinwood, East High, East Tech, Glenville, John Adams, John Hay, John F. Kennedy, John Marshall, Lincoln West, Rhodes

Big 33 Classic Featured on ESPN's E:60

by Jeff Fisher
Ohio High School Football Huddle

The 52nd Big 33 game in June added to the excitement that surrounds what many, including myself, consider THE BEST high school football all-star game in America. Ohio beat Pennsylvania 38-31, snapping a two-game PA win streak.

ESPN's E:60 recently did a great feature on the game that has featured names such as Montana, Namath and Marino...and, as I always point out has had at least one alum play in every Super Bowl.

Click here to watch the video from E:60.

Below are the highlights from this year's game...

Portsmouth Gets New Stadium

by Jeff Fisher
Ohio High School Football Huddle
On the surface, the story that Portsmouth High is getting a new football stadium this year, wasn't a big deal. I was just going to post it and move on.

Then I did a little research, and I found a story that I believe will all of the Ohio Huddle readers will like.

Portsmouth is a proud football town in southern Ohio. On September 5th, the brand new $10 million Clark Athletic Complex will be christened when the Trojans host Portsmouth West. However, the stadium that is being left behind, is what I find the most interesting part of the story.

For years the Portsmouth Trojans played at historic Spartan Stadium that was built in 1930. It was the home field of the NFL's Portsmouth Spartans from 1930-33. The original name of the field was Universal Stadium.

While Green Bay is the last small town standing in the NFL, Portsmouth in the 30's had that professional football feel until the team was sold and was moved to Detroit in 1934 to become the Lions. In fact, in my research I found an interesting tie between Portsmouth and the Packers.

On December 4, 1933, the Spartans beat the world champion Packers 19-0 in what is considered the most famous game at Universal Stadium. What made it great was the fact that Portsmouth only had only eleven players. The game became simply known at "The Iron Man Game".

I bet you didn't know this!

To learn more about the old stadium, click here to read a story about its historical designation in the state of Ohio.

Below is video from a July 14th naming ceremony. The athletic complex was made possible by a generous grant from the Clyde and Maycel Foundation.

Cox Communications' 2009 High School Football Game of the Week

by Jeff Fisher
Ohio High School Football Huddle











Cox Communications will air ten live high school football games from the Cleveland-area this fall. Below is the list of games that will air on Channel 45.

August 28 - Padua vs. Olmsted Falls
September 4 -St. Edward vs. Euclid
September 11 - Brecksville vs. Normandy
September 18 -Lakewood vs. Valley Forge
September 25 - Walsh Jesuit vs. Padua
October 2 -Normandy vs. Valley Forge
October 9 - Normandy vs. Parma
October 16 - Berea vs. Olmsted Falls
October 23 - North Royalton vs. Parma
October 30 -Rocky River vs. Fairview

Texas Tops Florida in Vote for Top High School Football State; Ohio Finishes 3rd

by Jeff Fisher
Ohio High School Football Huddle

The Lone Star State received the first vote cast in The High School Football Huddle's Question of the Week "What is the Best State for High School Football", and Texas never looked back in claiming the top spot in our voters minds.

Texas captured 42% of the vote to easily outdistanced second place Florida, which received 25% of the votes. Finishing in third was Ohio with 13% of the votes cast...followed by Georgia 10%, California finished in a tie for fifth with 7% each.

Thanks to everyone for taking part in the vote. Look for our new Question of the Week on Monday.