PTS Lite - Football

Ed Dick talks about the local teams in this weekend's State Championship games as well as the BCS.

PTS Lite- November 30th, 2011

Josh discusses the Browns, NBA, College Hoops, and has your Beer of the Week.

PTS Lite-Urban Meyer to OSU

PrimeTime Sports Co-Host Brent Bartchak talks about Ohio State hiring Urban Meyer

Weekend Recap

Welcome back from the Thanksgiving holiday, Sports Fans. Leftovers have been scoured, the riots emanating from Black Friday has dissipated, and the Browns have lost yet another heartbreaker. Sounds like standard operating procedure, doesn't it?

A couple of big ticket items happened while we were away. The NBA lockout ended after 149 days, just in time for the major games to be played on Christmas. Us fans could care less about the particulars, as long as there is basketball to bridge the gap between football and baseball, we're all good here.

The Cavs are a young team with two freshly-minted first-round draft picks: PG Kyrie Irving and F Tristan Thompson. They traded JJ Hickson to the Kings for Omri Casspi, who will be looking to be the reliable swingman. Older, more experienced players like Baron Davis and Antawn Jamison will provide the leadership for the youngsters. They could very well be traded before the end of the year. My early thoughts are that Byron Scott's Cavs will be very exciting to watch. They may not win many games, but at this point of the franchise, it's more important for the Cavs to follow the Oklahoma City Thunder plan and accumulate top level talent through the NBA Draft Lottery.

Ohio State football, our fourth professional franchise in the Cleveland area, went from losing to Michigan 40-34 for the first time in 8 years to winning the sweepstakes in the Urban Meyer head coaching pursuit. Meyer was just introduced as the next head Buckeye, supplanting Luke Fickell after a 6-6 season. Let's be honest here, Fickell had no shot at winning enough games to keep this job. Through all of the suspensions, injuries, lack of choices for assistant coaches, he managed to take down the mighty Wisconsin Badgers to virtually save the season. Now, was he the best in-game coach around? Absolutely not. He didn't handle the Joe Bauserman-Braxton Miller situation well, and that may or may not have cost him a game or two. Ultimately the right move was made with Miller taking the snaps and going through his learning pains.

Fickell was the best candidate to replace Jim Tressel. He is an Ohio State and Columbus guy through and through. Fickell wasn't going to pass on the opportunity for his dream job no matter how stacked the deck was against him. "Next man up" was his motto, meaning if a player was hurt or not able to perform, the next guy had to be ready to pick up the slack and continue on. He practiced what he preached in taking over for Tressel.

In the long run, it's impossible to ignore the possibilities with Urban Meyer taking over the program. He's taken three teams to unimaginable heights. He restored Bowling Green, took Utah to an undefeated season, leading to a BCS win, and lead Florida to two National Titles. He has not lost a BCS bowl and he's 7-1 overall in bowl games. He'll bring a little SEC influence to the Midwest already stocked with the ideal spread QB in Braxton Miller. As a Buckeye fan, I have to say it'll be much better to have Meyer on your side rather than staring at him across the field as we did in the 2006 National Championship.

Locally, congratulations to the three NE Ohio teams that qualified for their respective state championship games: St. Ignatius in Division I, Avon in Division II, and Kirtland in Division V. It's the last week of high school football. Be sure to support the teams in their quest for Ohio football immortality.

Lastly, what can you say about the Browns? No, really, I'm asking you folks. What can you say about them? Post your thoughts on our Facebook page.

Enjoy the post-Turkey Day sports!

PTS-Lite: MLB Collective Bargaining

Check out Brent Bartchak talk about the latest MLB news.

PTS-Lite Behind the Scenes 11/16/11

Here is some behind the scenes footage from our December shoot at the Brunswick Rec Center.

High School Football Playoffs - Regional Finals

The Elite Eight of high school football continues tonight. Tickets to the state semifinals are in high demand and teams will have to pay top-dollar to get their shot at a state championship. Divisions 2, 3, and 5 had their turn last night. Local area teams, Avon, Chagrin Falls, Aurora, and Kirtland were all successful last night across the various divisions. Tonight brings us Divisions 1, 4, and 6. There are two prominent D1 games that we'll take a quick look at.

Division I Region 1 Final - Saturday 7pm

#1 Mentor Cardinals (11-1) vs. #2 St. Ignatius Wildcats (10-2) at Lakewood Stadium

It doesn't get much better than this for local fans. A rematch of Mentor's 38-24 victory in Week 3, this game promises to bring the intensity tenfold. Coach Steve Trivisonno leads his team against the Ohio high school football legend Chuck Kyle. Mentor is coming off of an exciting 42-40 win against Solon, while the Wildcats are brimming with confidence having knocked off the defending Division I State Champions, St. Ed's. It's very difficult to beat the same team twice, especially when the opposing coach is one of the best of all-time in Kyle. Mentor can enjoy an edge having defeated St. Ignatius already. Mentor QB Mitch Trubisky threw for boatloads of yards in the first match, but also threw 4 interceptions. Trubisky threw 5 picks against Solon last week. Despite the high volume of turnovers, the junior QB has accounted for 53 TDs through the air and on the ground. Defensively, it's hard not to notice DE Tom Strobel. The Michigan recruit has been a monster all year for the Cardinals. The Wildcats will attempt to control the clock with RB Tim McVey and Dan Grace. St. Ignatius needs to keep it close from the start. Both teams have tremendous kickers, which nullifies any advantage on special teams they normally enjoy. It's going to be a great game in Lakewood tonight, and I'm taking Mentor to advance.

Prediction: Mentor

Division I Region 2 Finals - Saturday 7pm

#1 Toledo Whitmer Panthers (12-0) vs. #7 Wadsworth Grizzlies (11-1) at Cedar Point Stadium

This is a rematch of a wild 2007 first round match-up. Wadsworth led late, only to be turned back by multiple trick plays and onside kicks from the Panthers. Whitmer won this region last season and returns much of what got them there. The Panthers have Division I recruits all over their roster, including DL Chris Wormley, RB Joey Webb and Leroy Alexander, and OL Storm Norton. Defensively, Whitmer has held teams to just more than a TD per game and less than 200 total yards. Wadsworth counters with the Division I Inland District Offensive Player of the Year in RB Jack Snowball, who's rushed for over 2,500 yards and 31 TDs. Paving the way for Snowball are OG Nick Tavanello and FB Bret Baughman, who rushed for 76 yards and 4 TDs against the Hudson Explorers last week. Baughman also leads the defense from the LB position, as the Grizzlies allow just over 14 points per game. Look for the head coach of the Grizzlies, Greg Dennison to ground-and-pound, putting together long drives with 10+ plays. It'll be up to the offensive line to keep the Panthers off of Snowball until he can get to the second level. Wadsworth is making their first trip to the Elite Eight since 2003. It's going to be a tough go for the Grizzlies. My heart wants the Grizzlies to win, but my head is saying Whitmer.

Check out these games if you're in the areas. Both of these games will not air live on TV and it's supposed to be a great night. Good luck to all teams, especially the Wadsworth Grizzlies.

PTS Lite- Browns and Beer

Josh recaps the Browns/Rams and gives you the Beer of the Week

PrimeTime Sports Game Of the Weeek Wadsworth vs. Hudson 11/12/11

Here is footage that Ed Dick and Brent Bartchak shot at the Wadsworth vs. Hudson playoff game.

High School Football Playoffs - Regional Semifinals

Sports fans, we're steam-rolling into Round 2 of the Ohio High School Playoffs. The Regional Semifinals are about to kickoff in about an hour with Divisions 2, 3, and 5 battling for a spot in the Regional Finals. Let's take a look at the local matchups.

Division 1 Region 1 - Saturday 7pm

#1 Mentor Cardinals (10-1) vs. #5 Solon Comets (10-1) at Parma Byers Field

This is a rematch of Northeast Ohio Valley Division co-champs. Solon was soundly defeated at home against the 5-wide passing attack of the Cardinals, 44-20. It's going to be a tough go for the Comets to stop Mitch Trubisky and his ring of receivers. It's hard to beat a team twice in the same season, but Mentor's high-powered offense will outscore Solon's rushing attack.

Prediction: Mentor

#2 St. Ignatius Wildcats (9-2) vs. #6 St. Edward Eagles (8-3) at Brunswick Judy Kirsch Field

The Holy War Part Deux comes two week after their annual Week 10 battle, won by the Wildcats 20-17. St. Ed's is the defending state champs and are chomping at the bit to get another shot. The Eagles have a monstrous OL to help QB Kevin Fallon and TB Dwayne Aaron. The Wildcats counter with TB Tim McVey and QB Eric Williams. This will be a tremendous battle, and I think the champs get revenge.

Prediction: St. Edward

Division 1 Region 2

#3 Hudson Explorers (10-1) vs. #7 Wadsworth Grizzlies (10-1) at Canton Fawcett Stadium

The champions of the NOC River, Hudson, takes on the Suburban League's Wadsworth Grizzlies in a battle between two exciting RBs. The Grizzlies have 2,250 rusher Jack Snowball going against the multi-talented TB Ben Gedeon, who has over 1300 yards of offense. This will be a rough and tumble matchup at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. PrimeTime Sports will be there to provide highlights and analysis. The winner of this game takes on either Toledo Whitmer or Canton McKinley.

Division 2 Region 5 - Friday 7:30pm

#2 Tallmadge Blue Devils (9-2) vs. #3 Aurora Greenmen (10-1) at Solon Stewart Field

Prediction: Tallmadge

#1 Walsh Jesuit Warriors (9-1) vs. #4 Kent Roosevelt Rough Riders (10-1) at Twinsburg Tiger Stadium

Prediction: Walsh Jesuit

Division 2 Region 6 - Friday 7:30pm

#1 Avon Eagles (10-1) vs. #4 Toledo Central Catholic Fighting Irish (8-3) at Fremont Ross Harmon Field

The champions of the West Shore Conference led by QB Justin O'Rourke, Avon Eagles will battle RB Amir Edwards and the Fighting Irish. Avon's only loss is to perennial state power Lake Catholic. Toledo Central Catholic is battle-tested against Northeast Ohio teams in the playoffs. I like the Eagles to win this one.

#6 East Cleveland Shaw Cardinals (7-3) vs. #7 Tiffin Columbian Tornadoes (9-2) at Sandusky Strobel Field.

Prediction: East Cleveland Shaw

Division 4 Region 13 - Saturday 7pm

#1 Girard Indians (10-1) vs. #4 Sullivan Black River Pirates (9-2) at Uniontown Lake Alumni Field

The Pirates of Black River claimed the first playoff victory of the Patriot Athletic Conference defeating Akron Manchester. Andrew Vaughn heads up the Wing-T attack with 1,579 yards and 21 TDs, along with Austin Phillips and his 1,000 plus yards. John Guilford and Austin Jones head up the defense. Girard has a great talent at QB in Dan Graziano, who has passed for 1,400 yards and 19 TDs and run for 1,573 yards and 16 TD. The Indians can score with the best of them, but I'll take Medina County's Pirates. The winner of this game gets Orrville or Creston Norwayne.

That's a quick look at the playoffs this weekend. Tune in over the weekend for all of the scores. Better yet, check out the games live and enjoy the atmosphere! We'll be live at Canton Fawcett Stadium for the Wadsworth-Hudson game!

Prediction: Avon Eagles

PTS Lite- Browns/Texans Recap

Josh Jeffi talks about the Browns latest game against the Texans and also gives you his Beer of the Week.

High School Football Playoff Matchups: Round 2

Here are the High School Football Playoff Matchups for the 2nd round of the playoffs.

Division 1:

Region 1:

#5 solon vs. #1 Mentor

#6 St. Edward vs. #2 St. Ignatius

Region2:

#5 Canton McKinley vs. #1 Whitmer

#7 Wadsworth vs. #3 Hudson

Region 3:

#4 Upper Arlington vs. #1 Hillard Davidson

#6 Lincoln vs. #2 Pickerington Central

Region 4:

#4 Archbishop Moeller vs. #1 Middletown

#3 St. Xavier vs. #2 Colerain

Devision 2:

Region 5:

#4 Kent Roosevelt vs. #1 Walsh Jesuit

#3 Aurora vs. #2 Tallmadge

Region 6:

#4 Teledo Central Catholic vs. #1 Avon

#7 Columbian vs. #6 Shaw

Region 7:

#4 Big Walnut vs. #1 Marion-Franklin

#3 New Albany vs. #2 Tri-Valley

Region 8:

#5 Wapakoneta vs. #1 Trotwood-Madison

#6 Turpin vs. #2 Kings

Division 3:

Region 9:

#4 Ravenna vs. #1 Chagrin Falls

#6 St. Vincent-St. Marry vs. #2 Lake Catholic

Region 10:

#5 Elida vs. #1 St. Francis DeSales

#3 Eastmoor Academy vs #2 Clyde

Region 11:

#4 Cardinal Mooney vs. #1 Stenbenville

#3 Minera vs. #2 Dover

Region 12:

#4 Thurgood Marshall vs #1 Springfield Shawnee

#7 Jackson vs. #3 Jonathan Alder

Division 4:

Region 13:

#4 Black River vs. #1 Girard

#3 Norwayne vs. #2 orrville

Region 14:

#4 Genoa Area vs. #1 Kenton

#3 Bishop Hartley vs. #2 Eastwood

Region 15:

#5 Coshocton vs #1 St. Clairsville

#6 Ironton vs. #2 Johnstown-Monroe

Region 16:

#5 Chaminade-Julienne vs. #1 Waynesville

#7 Cincinnati Hills Chrisian Academy vs. #3 Clinton-Massle

Division 5:

Region 17:

#4 Garaway vs. #1 Kirtland

#7 St. Thomas Aquinas vs #3 Columbina Crestview

Region 18:

#5Patrick Henry vs. #1 Liberty Center

#7 Hicksville vs. #6 Liberty-Benton

Region 19:

#5 Portsmouth West vs. #1 Wynford

#6 Ashland Crestview vs. #2 Lucasville Valley

Region 20:

#8 Versailles vs. #5 Coldwater

#6 West Jefferson vs. #2 Pleasant

Devision 6:

Region 21:

#5 Malvern vs. #1 Berlin Center Western Reserve

#3 Youngstow Christian vs. #2 Shadyside

Region 22:

#5 McComb vs. #1 Leipsic

#3 Calvery vs. #2 St. John

Region 23:

#5 Bealsville vs. #1 Symmes Valley

#6 Bishop Rosecrans vs #2 Buckeye Central

Region 24:

#5 Ada vs. #1 Merian Local

#6 Minster vs #2 Fort Loramie

PrimeTime Sports Game of the Week Highland vs Avon 11/4/2011

Ed Dick and Brent Bartchak were at the Highland vs. Avon Playoff game and here are some highlights from the game.

PTS Playoff Preview.wmv

Ed Dick previews the Medina County Playoff Teams!

PTS Lite w/ Josh Jeffi

Here is Josh Jeffi talking about the Browns game against the 49ers & Beer!