D2/R6 2025 Official Thread

cjb5656

cjb5656

Well-known member
As always, a nod to Eastisbest in my continuing this annual thread, which I have pondered not continuing many times, but I always enjoy Eastisbest's weekly game decisions based on the local food scene...so here we are again for 2025. Since I included the term "Official" in the title, this is the official D2/R6 thread and all others are unsanctioned (kidding, of course).

Last season's defending region champion is the Avon Eagles, who finally beat Akron Hoban in the state semifinals and went on to defeat Cincinnati Anderson to secure Avon's first state championship. That is the second D2 championship for R6 in the last three years, along with Toledo CC in 2023. Unfortunately, Toledo CC will be absent from the region for one more year, but it looks very promising for them to return in 2026. Meanwhile, who is going to win the region in 2025? Does Avon have enough returning? Does Highland? Will the young Wadsworth team use its experience to win it all in 2025? Anthony Wayne? Toledo St Francis DeSales? Olmsted Falls? Avon Lake? A total surprise?

Here is R6 for 2025, barring any last minute enrollment shifts:

ANTHONY WAYNE (WHITEHOUSE)
AVON
AVON LAKE
BARBERTON
BOWSHER (TOLEDO)
BRECKSVILLE-BROADVIEW HTS
CLAY (OREGON)
FREMONT ROSS
HIGHLAND (MEDINA)
LAKEWOOD
NORTH OLMSTED
NORTH RIDGEVILLE
NORTH ROYALTON
OLMSTED FALLS
RHODES (CLEVELAND)
SANDUSKY
SPRINGFIELD (HOLLAND)
ST. FRANCIS de SALES (TOLEDO)
ST. JOHN'S JESUIT (TOLEDO)
START (TOLEDO)
STEELE (AMHERST)
SYLVANIA NORTHVIEW
SYLVANIA SOUTHVIEW
VALLEY FORGE (PARMA HEIGHTS)
WADSWORTH
WAITE (TOLEDO)
WESTLAKE

I'm not going to predict the 16 (too many) playoff teams, but I'll predict the top 8.

Earlybird R6 Elite 8:

1. Avon
2. Wadsworth
3. Highland
4. Avon Lake
5. Olmsted Falls
6. Anthony Wayne
7. Toledo St Francis DeSales
8. Sandusky

R6 Championship

Avon over Wadsworth

Here's last year's thread:

cjb5656

Thread 'D2/R6 2024 Official Thread'

As always, a nod to Eastisbest in my continuing this annual thread, which I have pondered not continuing many times, but I always enjoy Eastisbest's weekly game decisions based on the local food scene...so here we are again for 2024. Since I included the term "Official" in the title, this is the official D2/R6 thread and all others are unsanctioned (kidding, of course).

We have two new additions, but old friends, to R6 in Sandusky and Wadsworth...both of whom should be factors in the playoffs. A notable absence, unfortunately, is the Detroit powerhouse Toledo Central Catholic. They...
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Another year of same-ol. Avon continues to dodge us Toledo Eastsiders (well, except when they play St Voucher).

Goal: a new local owned and run place to try in every R6 team area and tracking down the Brew Pubs. Looking forward to Roots on rt20, mentioned by ClydeHS1971. And this is going to be the year I'm finally going to see those damn alpacas. I've had car breakdowns, snow squals and too many Friday games I can't get all that way after work before the place closes. I'm feeling a cough coming on already. cough, cough. Hope I don't become a General Board thread.

Locally: posters seem convinced SFS and Start are legit on the upswing. AW probably still our best shot at ringing the bell (get-it? An Avon joke). SJJ can't get worse. Clay looks like a reboot. IDK if they have someone to replace the QB?

Looking forward to the new year cjb5656.
 
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eastisbest said:
Another year of same-ol. Avon continues to dodge us Toledo Eastsiders (well, except when they play St Voucher).

Goal: a new local owned and run place to try in every R6 team area and tracking down the Brew Pubs. Looking forward to Roots on rt20, mentioned by ClydeHS1971. And this is going to be the year I'm finally going to see those damn alpacas. I've had car breakdowns, snow squals and too many Friday games I can't get all that way after work before the place closes. I'm feeling a cough coming on already. cough, cough. Hope I don't become a General Board thread.

Locally: posters seem convinced SFS and Start are legit on the upswing. AW probably still our best shot at ringing the bell (get-it? An Avon joke). SJJ can't get worse. Clay looks like a reboot. IDK if they have someone to replace the QB?

Looking forward to the new year cjb5656.
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Here is a Toledo food truck I went to several times last year when I would get a yen for a Connecticut style lobster roll (doused in melted butter, not slathered in mayo…which is Maine style). A bit pricey, but delicious.

 
Back to football.

Can some fans of teams in R6 (or fans who know these teams) make the case that their team can win the region this year? I can make a strong case for Avon, but I want to hear from Wadsworth, Highland, Sandusky, Fremont, AW, St Francis, Olmsted Falls, Start…anyone else…as to what they are bringing to 2025 that can propel them to the D2 state semis.
 
Hope Avon Lake takes advantage of some of the returning talent and takes the next step, following the girls basketball team success.
 
eaglepride said:
Hope Avon Lake takes advantage of some of the returning talent and takes the next step, following the girls basketball team success.
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As an outsider (so just my perception; maybe I am wrong) I feel Avon Lake's biggest weakspot in recent years has been quarterback play. I know historically they want to be physical and run the football but they have not had great running teams recently. I feel they have however had some phenomenal receivers but no quarterbacks to get them the ball consistently against the better teams.
 
poursomebrewonit said:
As an outsider (so just my perception; maybe I am wrong) I feel Avon Lake's biggest weakspot in recent years has been quarterback play. I know historically they want to be physical and run the football but they have not had great running teams recently. I feel they have however had some phenomenal receivers but no quarterbacks to get them the ball consistently against the better teams.
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I’m just a resident watching the neighborhood kids grow up and have no idea other than cheering them on.
 
I'll chime in on why I believe Olmsted Falls will be competitive in the Region. I won't provide any rankings as I don't have the slightest clue about other teams.

  • The entire offensive line is back
  • All 3 RB's have starting experience and options behind them for breathers
  • Finally, a year with depth everywhere
  • MLB who's ready for a national recruitment
  • Size and experience up front (with rotational depth to keep kids fresh)
  • Team speed a focus of the offseason
  • Upgraded schedule - Mentor Week 1, 5 D1 games in total - should pay dividends come playoff time
  • Undefeated freshmen class - some exceptional athletes with a real chance to contribute this year
Should be a fun season on Bagley Road with some excellent competition. SWC should be loaded again this season.
 
Of all the main contenders, believe only Wadsworth brings back a starting QB. 2024 had a lot of senior QBs (Avon, AL, NR, AW, Highland, OF, Amherst) so will be interesting to see kids step up. First few weeks could look vastly different than Week 11 on as new signal callers get some games under their belt.
 
Nathanial Durant said:
I'll chime in on why I believe Olmsted Falls will be competitive in the Region. I won't provide any rankings as I don't have the slightest clue about other teams.

  • The entire offensive line is back
  • All 3 RB's have starting experience and options behind them for breathers
  • Finally, a year with depth everywhere
  • MLB who's ready for a national recruitment
  • Size and experience up front (with rotational depth to keep kids fresh)
  • Team speed a focus of the offseason
  • Upgraded schedule - Mentor Week 1, 5 D1 games in total - should pay dividends come playoff time
  • Undefeated freshmen class - some exceptional athletes with a real chance to contribute this year
Should be a fun season on Bagley Road with some excellent competition. SWC should be loaded again this season.
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Excellent info and all good reasons why Falls can challenge for the R6 championship.
 
poursomebrewonit said:
As an outsider (so just my perception; maybe I am wrong) I feel Avon Lake's biggest weakspot in recent years has been quarterback play. I know historically they want to be physical and run the football but they have not had great running teams recently. I feel they have however had some phenomenal receivers but no quarterbacks to get them the ball consistently against the better teams.
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I agree QB play has not been great and AL has had good receivers last few years. I think the bigger issue recently is AL does not appear to be as physical (weight room) in last 3-4 years. In D2, you have to bring a level of size and physicality and I was near them when they walked off the field this past year and they have some studs, but I thought they did not look very big at a lot of positions. Falls plays Avon tough often and you can tell they put the work in the offseason. Highland lives in in their weight room and they have been very impressive last two years. Success is built January to July. Maybe just a few down years but the AL/Avon game has been over by half recently and you don't expect that from a program like the Shoremen. Hopefully it turns around as R6 is better and the rivalry game more fun with a good Shoremen team.
 
Not much but the Toledo SFD running back Eli Neal returns if i’m not mistaken? He had a solid year last year, but I could be thinking of the wrong guy.
 
Uticapenn said:
I agree QB play has not been great and AL has had good receivers last few years. I think the bigger issue recently is AL does not appear to be as physical (weight room) in last 3-4 years. In D2, you have to bring a level of size and physicality and I was near them when they walked off the field this past year and they have some studs, but I thought they did not look very big at a lot of positions. Falls plays Avon tough often and you can tell they put the work in the offseason. Highland lives in in their weight room and they have been very impressive last two years. Success is built January to July. Maybe just a few down years but the AL/Avon game has been over by half recently and you don't expect that from a program like the Shoremen. Hopefully it turns around as R6 is better and the rivalry game more fun with a good Shoremen team.
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That's because Avon with Elder leading the program has vastly improved whereas Avon Lake is stuck with a coach that isn't getting the results / ability from players to compete with Avon lately. Very few teams can compete with Avon. Enjoy the ride while it lasts and hopefully Avon Lake can change some leadership decisions. I am a resident of AL and that's what I have heard and seen over the past 4-6 years.
 
So it looks like Toledo CC will miss being back in D2 by one boy. They are right on the dividing line of D3/D2, but fall on the D3 side.

I’m curious as to how they are viewed in this region. Are you happy they are out of R6? Do you wish they were back in R6? Why?

From my perspective I wish they were in R6. Even though they make Avon’s path more difficult, I love the challenge they present. And they bring attention to the region no other school brings. Love em or hate em, they are like the Yankees or Cowboys. They bring eyeballs to the region that aren’t there when they are not. If I followed a school where they were losing top athletes to TCC each year I might have a different perspective, though, which is why I asked the questions.

Have at it.
 
cjb5656 said:
So it looks like Toledo CC will miss being back in D2 by one boy. They are right on the dividing line of D3/D2, but fall on the D3 side.

I’m curious as to how they are viewed in this region. Are you happy they are out of R6? Do you wish they were back in R6? Why?

From my perspective I wish they were in R6. Even though they make Avon’s path more difficult, I love the challenge they present. And they bring attention to the region no other school brings. Love em or hate em, they are like the Yankees or Cowboys. They bring eyeballs to the region that aren’t there when they are not. If I followed a school where they were losing top athletes to TCC each year I might have a different perspective, though, which is why I asked the questions.

Have at it.
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IDK. R6 is already the deepest Region of the D2 regions. For the Fantastic 50 last year, 6 of the Top 16 teams in Region 2 were D6. Add TCC and almost half the strength of D2 would be concentrated in one region.
 
Uticapenn said:
IDK. R6 is already the deepest Region of the D2 regions. For the Fantastic 50 last year, 6 of the Top 16 teams in Region 2 were D6. Add TCC and almost half the strength of D2 would be concentrated in one region.
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Yeah, but it varies from year to year. For whatever reason the mix in R7 doesn’t seem strong most seasons, though it tends to be better when the Fed champ is in the mix at least, but Massillon is definitely the top dog every year. R5 had some really stacked years in the recent past, but Hoban was too tall of a mountain for everyone. We can relate to that at Avon, of course. R8 has produced some great champs, but hasn’t been overly deep lately. R6 has a few constant contenders in Avon, Highland, Olmsted Falls and Anthony Wayne. Toledo CC when they are there, of course. Avon Lake has taken a step back for some reason. Wadsworth has nice runs every few years. Not sure if the other two Toledo Catholics can reach their previous levels of glory, as it seems TCC is concentrating the talent. Sandusky and Fremont Ross are in smaller leagues now and probably would need a couple great back to back classes to really contend. North Ridgeville could be a program to watch.
 
brian1227 said:
North royalton jv tesm beat the awesome nordonia jv team.They will be good could finish 3 over hudson.
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If they finish 3rd, it will be over Nordonia.

Nordonia craps the bed every year against Hudson. And this year's game is at Hudson. Another Jeff Fox meltdown coming up!
 
Sad news out of Avon. Former Avon football player and current University of Cincinnati freshman offensive lineman Jeremiah Kelly passed away.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the family.
www.gofundme.com

Donate to Aid for Jeremiah's Family After Loss, organized by Ashley Stephens

Hi My name is Ashley Stephens, and I am a fellow Avon football mom and parent! Je… Ashley Stephens needs your support for Aid for Jeremiah's Family After Loss
www.gofundme.com www.gofundme.com

1000005646.jpg
 
poursomebrewonit said:
Sad news out of Avon. Former Avon football player and current University of Cincinnati freshman offensive lineman Jeremiah Kelly passed away.

A GoFundMe has been set up for the family.
www.gofundme.com

Donate to Aid for Jeremiah's Family After Loss, organized by Ashley Stephens

Hi My name is Ashley Stephens, and I am a fellow Avon football mom and parent! Je… Ashley Stephens needs your support for Aid for Jeremiah's Family After Loss
www.gofundme.com www.gofundme.com

View attachment 80098
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Absolutely devastated here in Avon. Immensely popular not because of how great he was on the field, but what an unbelievable person he was off it. Always smiling, always laughing and one of the hardest workers who transformed himself into one of the greatest players to ever wear the purple and yellow. Just received his black shirt at Cincy this past week and was having an unbelievable spring practice there. Heartbroken for the family and for all the students and teammates at AHS. Avon lost one of our best ever and this one hurts. Prayers for the family and the Avon Eagles......
 
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