Greater Cleveland Conference 2024

Predict GCC Winner

  • Brunswick

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Cleveland Heights

    Votes: 16 47.1%

  • Euclid

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Mentor

    Votes: 16 47.1%

  • Medina

    Votes: 1 2.9%

  • Shaker Heights

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Strongsville

    Votes: 1 2.9%
  • Total voters
    34
  • Poll closed .
SVillegrad said:
I think people wanted to bury Strongsville and Brunswick too soon. Both programs were young last year and had talent returning. Both also have new coaches, so gotta give them more than 3 weeks before drawing conclusions.

Medina has been disappointing, but that's only because it was so obvious that if they didn't get good QB play, the offense (10 new starters) was going to struggle. The defense, though, has been the biggest letdown for Medina.

But the biggest letdown in the GCC isn't any of the westside teams, it's Cleveland Heights and Shaker Heights. There is no silver linings from either. At least Euclid also has the new coach factor and has won as many games this year as they had the previous 2-3 years combined.
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I mean I’m not surprised by Brunswick and Strongsville playing well as the season goes on. I never wrote them off as terrible or bad teams, and to be honest if this was a 6 point win knowing strongsville strength in the front 7 on D I would not be as surprised as you are right, Strongsville matches up well with Heights and even Pasteur had Strongsville losing by 4 which means the game is a toss up , but 28-6 with Davis playing is really surprising.

Davis is really an X factor for the team and not Just on offense, he is a hell of a line backer. Strongsville must have found a way to neutralize him in the middle on D also.

Well it is clear now that neither Brunswick nor Strongsville will fear Mentor coming up. Glad they are playing better now , it signals to Mentor they can’t sleep on these two teams.
 
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bwickbluedevis said:
maybe I should rant on how Brecksville or NoRo are scared to schedule us.
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NoRo is D2 and plays elite (Highland) or good (North Ridgeville, Maple Hts.,) D2 teams that it loses to. Why, then, schedule OOC against D1 Brunswick or Strongsville. Has nothing to do with fear, just playing more equivalent competition.

Same for Brecksville, a smaller D2 school who also plays decent OOC games with Tallmadge, Maple, and Lake.

They're not scared, just realistic. No real reason to "schedule up" when you're going 1-9 to 3-7 against same-sized OOC teams and in the SLN.
 
MentorGrad2002 said:
I don't think a Brunswick fan should be lecturing us on who to schedule. You guys would have a lot of catching up to do . Why would you even bring up any Catholic schools. When do you schedule them ?
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Let's see Walsh Jesuit in a couple of weeks. We've also played Benedictine, Padua, Lake Catholic and Walsh Jesuit in past regular season.
 
UnDone said:
The good Catholic school?

Ed’s dropped us to play more out of state games and how would Mentor know Iggy was going to struggle like this?
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I was just using that as an example because that is what mentorgrad was saying about Solon and Glenville with not scheduling Mentor.
 
raising4daughters said:
NoRo is D2 and plays elite (Highland) or good (North Ridgeville, Maple Hts.,) D2 teams that it loses to. Why, then, schedule OOC against D1 Brunswick or Strongsville. Has nothing to do with fear, just playing more equivalent competition.

Same for Brecksville, a smaller D2 school who also plays decent OOC games with Tallmadge, Maple, and Lake.

They're not scared, just realistic. No real reason to "schedule up" when you're going 1-9 to 3-7 against same-sized OOC teams and in the SLN.
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You missed my point on Brunswick or Strongsville strength of schedule. Yes I miss playing these old PC schools and I understand everyone's situation. I just used them as an example to counterpoint mentorgrad complaining about Solon not scheduling Mentor. But what I was trying to say is if Brunswick or Strongsville had Lorain's schedule right now they both would be 6-0
 
bwickbluedevis said:
Let's see Walsh Jesuit in a couple of weeks. We've also played Benedictine, Padua, Lake Catholic and Walsh Jesuit in past regular season.
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That's not the same as playing Ignatius since 2005, Eds in three home and homes , Moeller , St X etc. Can add Ursuline , Mooney in their prime years , Lake Catholic and others. Plus Massillon and Glenville plenty

Again it's a joke for a Brunswick fan to talk about who Mentor plays. You guys have a lot of catching up to do in schedule strength over the years
 
bwickbluedevis said:
I was just using that as an example because that is what mentorgrad was saying about Solon and Glenville with not scheduling Mentor.
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Glenville was only brought up because this guy came into the GCC thread to start stuff. Solon and Mentor had a good rivalry but then Solon bowed out to keep Shaker Hts who is a lesser challenge. Sorry that you can't handle facts

Mentor and Ignatius have developed a nice rivalry since 2005. That should stay. It was started when Ignatius was still top dog and they won multiple state titles since it started. The other big Catholic school isn't a rival. If you guys want to play one , go ahead. We don't need to play both every year
 
bwickbluedevis said:
Yes I miss playing these old PC schools and I understand everyone's situation. I just used them as an example to counterpoint mentorgrad complaining about Solon not scheduling Mentor.
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Fair. I miss those old Pioneer Conference days (and I played in the late 70s and early 80s when it included Wadsworth and Cloverleaf, but not yet Medina). Eventually, Brunswick and Strongsville just grew so much bigger than Brecksville and NoRo.

Over the last decade, Brecksville's and NoRo's football programs have really fallen down to a point where they both regularly lose to D3 schools (NoRo to Padua, Brecksville to Tallmadge). I think Strongsville would put a running clock on both this season.
 
I’m honestly baffled as to how Shaker Heights is struggling. They came into the season with some pretty high expectations, and the signing of Trey McNutt to Oregon.

Wonder if the close losses to Solon (they led 21-9 in the 4th before losing) and Euclid messed with their psyche.

And the 35-3 loss to Brunswick (a team they’ve had close battles with every year they’ve played) is very concerning IMO.
 
Strongsville’s win over Heights is the most shocking GCC losses since Mentor’s OT loss to Solon in 2018. Anybody have any insight on this game?

The Mustangs are clearly positioning themselves as the second best team in the league.
 
cardzfan1234 said:
Strongsville’s win over Heights is the most shocking GCC losses since Mentor’s OT loss to Solon in 2018. Anybody have any insight on this game?



The Mustangs are clearly positioning themselves as the second best team in the league.
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it was basically an overall bad performance by the whole team. Nobody was motivated they let Strongsville quarterback do whatever he wanted to offensewas terrible. Defense was terrible. Defensive backs got burnt . The
Mustangs pretty much bottled up Marquise Davis, except for up the middle touchdown run of 51 yards which was height only points as a point after was missed, but I don’t wanna say and use it as an excuse of all the injuries heights has had over the season so far Two players went out with injuries last night. Heights doesn’t have much depth to replace the injured Players.
 
MentorGrad2002 said:
That's not the same as playing Ignatius since 2005, Eds in three home and homes , Moeller , St X etc. Can add Ursuline , Mooney in their prime years , Lake Catholic and others. Plus Massillon and Glenville plenty

Again it's a joke for a Brunswick fan to talk about who Mentor plays. You guys have a lot of catching up to do in schedule strength over the years
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I'm sorry, you've been complain how bad Brunswick has been since the start of the GCC. Why would Brunswick schedule Ed's, Iggy, Moeller or X? That would make no sense. And if you're not going to count Benedictine or Walsh (who is currently 6-0) you can throw Ursuline and Mooney out because we played them during their prime as well. Brunswick has also scheduled Austintown-Fitch, Avon, Avon Lake, Highland, Olmsted Falls and several Stark County schools. I know what Brunswick is, I have no grand illusions and if a Mitch Trubisky caliber player comes through I'll gladly take on Ed's.
 
bwickbluedevis said:
I'm sorry, you've been complain how bad Brunswick has been since the start of the GCC. Why would Brunswick schedule Ed's, Iggy, Moeller or X? That would make no sense. And if you're not going to count Benedictine or Walsh (who is currently 6-0) you can throw Ursuline and Mooney out because we played them during their prime as well. Brunswick has also scheduled Austintown-Fitch, Avon, Avon Lake, Highland, Olmsted Falls and several Stark County schools. I know what Brunswick is, I have no grand illusions and if a Mitch Trubisky caliber player comes through I'll gladly take on Ed's.
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Not complaining. Disappointed in them and Strongsville because I'd rather have good competition in the GCC. Just like in boys basketball

And think it's laughable that a Brunswick fan thinks we should schedule Ignatius and Eds both every single year when you guys won't play either of them ..
 
MentorGrad2002 said:
Glenville was only brought up because this guy came into the GCC thread to start stuff. Solon and Mentor had a good rivalry but then Solon bowed out to keep Shaker Hts who is a lesser challenge. Sorry that you can't handle facts

Mentor and Ignatius have developed a nice rivalry since 2005. That should stay. It was started when Ignatius was still top dog and they won multiple state titles since it started. The other big Catholic school isn't a rival. If you guys want to play one , go ahead. We don't need to play both every year
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Maybe Solon already had a deal with Shaker who is in the same region and was a decent team at this point last year. Or Solon does not view Mentor as a rival and unless you work or have a spy in Solon's athletic department you can't factual say they bowed out for lesser competition or as an outsider I can say Mentor bowed out against Canton McKinley for lesser challenge Massillon Jackson. At this point why would Mentor want to schedule Solon? They are beneath your caliber of competition. I also, think it's laughable that you don't completely read everything because I never once said Mentor had to schedule both Ed's and Iggy and why would Brunswick schedule them at this point? It would most likely be a running clock at the start of the 3rd quarter.
 
bwickbluedevis said:
Maybe Solon already had a deal with Shaker who is in the same region and was a decent team at this point last year. Or Solon does not view Mentor as a rival and unless you work or have a spy in Solon's athletic department you can't factual say they bowed out for lesser competition or as an outsider I can say Mentor bowed out against Canton McKinley for lesser challenge Massillon Jackson. At this point why would Mentor want to schedule Solon? They are beneath your caliber of competition. I also, think it's laughable that you don't completely read everything because I never once said Mentor had to schedule both Ed's and Iggy and why would Brunswick schedule them at this point? It would most likely be a running clock at the start of the 3rd quarter.
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Well you can't say any of that on McKinley because McKinley wouldn't renew. Same reason as Solon.

You are just trying to argue at this point because you can't take people spitting facts on Brunswick underachieving.
 
I got to see Mentor play yesterday. I was impressed with their offense. Feel like they could have switched up the strategy at the goal line late in the first half when they got turned away at the 1, but it didn't affect them too much.

Scotty Fox is the real deal indeed, throwing for three scores and almost hitting Austin Van Huss for a fourth. Justen Hodge is someone I could see landing a D1 offer in the near future, as he had a good game as well. The defense also came up with three turnovers, helping their cause.

Jackson Farley's big TD run helped swing the mo in the Cardinals' favor, as River Rouge stayed in it in the second half, even forcing a turnover of their own.

In a bit of a preview, I would say that River Rouge relies on their ground game a ton. #19 and #27 do the lion's share of running the ball. #19 scored a touchdown and had a long gain in the first quarter, and #27, although he didn't break free for any BIG runs, he did score a couple times on the ground. Didn't really see the Panthers throw much at all, even being down by as much as 34-7.

In the first quarter, River Rouge (for some reason) decided to go for it on fourth and short on their own 30, and failed to convert, giving Mentor a short field to take advantage and score. The final score is not an indicator of how close the game was.

If Cleveland Heights has a chance to win, they need to contain the River Rouge ground game. Hopefully the Tigers can turn it around quick, or they are potentially an early exit in the playoffs.

Highlights below:

 
things are looking a little more interesting than they did three weeks ago with Strongsville and Brunswick showing signs of life under their first-year head coaches.

Brunswick did what any competent team should do in blanking a bad Euclid team 37-0.

Strongsville poured it on what is turning out to be a bad Medina team, 49-14. The Mustangs scored just about every way possible: punt return, kick return, scoop and score on a fumble on a Medina kick return, a 50-yard passing TD and three rushing TDs.

JJ Pleasant had about a good a special teams game as possible. He had both return TDs and punched the ball out on the fumble that was returned.

While I doubt either Brunswick or Strongsville will beat Mentor, both are playing better than their record appears, so not exactly a 3-4 and 4-3 team at this point. There is no doubt that Brunswick beats Berea-Midpark be multiple scores if they were to play now; they probably still wouldn't beat Olmsted Falls or Highland, but both IMO would be close.

Same with Strongsville. They would beat Avon Lake easily and hammer Solon. The 21-17 loss at Benedictine (in a game where all they needed was to make one stop in the second half) is hardly a bad one.

Teams caught Brunswick and Strongsville early in the year as they were breaking in new systems. They are both night and day better than in weeks 1-3.

Medina, though, it's rough for them. Injuries are piling up on defense and while they got pretty good QB play, there was still two bad interceptions (they have to be well over 20 interceptions on the year in 7 games .... I don't think Allar and Stoddard combined threw 20 in the 5.5 years they were starters). I thought if they didn't get good QB play, they could be a 3-7 team and looks as if that's where they will finish (though would not shock me if Shaker beats them and they go 2-8).
 
I agree, although I don’t think Brunswick will be much of a challenge for Mentor, the Strongsville game makes me nervous. I will say though that I’m glad Mentor will get a strong game to prep for the playoffs. Teams like Whitmer , Eds , Iggy are in Dog fights every week. Worried Mentor may not be battle tested enough to make a deep run.
 
Things are also looking rough for Shaker Heights as well. The Red Raiders lost 45-6 to Mentor this evening. The wheels have fallen off of a once promising season.

One of their star players is potentially out for the season due to injury.
 
Mr. Red Raider said:
I got to see Mentor play yesterday. I was impressed with their offense. Feel like they could have switched up the strategy at the goal line late in the first half when they got turned away at the 1, but it didn't affect them too much.

Scotty Fox is the real deal indeed, throwing for three scores and almost hitting Austin Van Huss for a fourth. Justen Hodge is someone I could see landing a D1 offer in the near future, as he had a good game as well. The defense also came up with three turnovers, helping their cause.

Jackson Farley's big TD run helped swing the mo in the Cardinals' favor, as River Rouge stayed in it in the second half, even forcing a turnover of their own.

In a bit of a preview, I would say that River Rouge relies on their ground game a ton. #19 and #27 do the lion's share of running the ball. #19 scored a touchdown and had a long gain in the first quarter, and #27, although he didn't break free for any BIG runs, he did score a couple times on the ground. Didn't really see the Panthers throw much at all, even being down by as much as 34-7.

In the first quarter, River Rouge (for some reason) decided to go for it on fourth and short on their own 30, and failed to convert, giving Mentor a short field to take advantage and score. The final score is not an indicator of how close the game was.

If Cleveland Heights has a chance to win, they need to contain the River Rouge ground game. Hopefully the Tigers can turn it around quick, or they are potentially an early exit in the playoffs.

Highlights below:

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Heights pulls out a victory over River Rouge last night 14-7 @ Medina next Friday.
 
GCP441 said:
Heights pulls out a victory over River Rouge last night 14-7 @ Medina next Friday.
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Did Davis play running back? I can’t understand how the team I saw play Mentor in Week 5, mainly due to the efforts and talent of Davis, mustered such little scoring in the following two weeks. I saw Mentor play Heights and River Rogue in back to back weeks. Neither team had much of a defense. Yet these two teams play and they were in a defensive battle!
 
cardzfan1234 said:
Did Davis play running back? I can’t understand how the team I saw play Mentor in Week 5, mainly due to the efforts and talent of Davis, mustered such little scoring in the following two weeks. I saw Mentor play Heights and River Rogue in back to back weeks. Neither team had much of a defense. Yet these two teams play and they were in a defensive battle!
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Yes, Marquis Davis did play running back. I can’t explain why it was such a low scoring game. He scored on this play.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1842636500418363845
 
Strongsville rolled easily over Shaker Heights last night, 50-0. The Mustangs are definitely on the rise in the Greater Cleveland Conference. Flip the Benedictine and Solon losses, and this team is sitting at 7-1! Looks like they have been making major strides in a short period of time.

As far as Shaker Heights goes, it looks like the wheels have fallen off BIG time. They started the season off so promising, and now have lost six in a row.

My guess is the two close losses against Solon and Euclid must have affecting them something serious.
 
GCP441 said:
www.cleveland.com

Cleveland Heights vs. Euclid football: Marquise Davis sets school records with 465 yards, 8 TDs

The Tigers won their third straight, 70-27.
www.cleveland.com www.cleveland.com
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brian1227 said:
Stat padding and embarrassing.
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Classless. But I'm sure wondering if the coach of Hts who was not hired by Euclid when they chose Rotsky may still be butt hurt. No matter though. They are not winning squat. I'm sure there will be a fool who will defend this stat padding. GTFO.
 
The GCC is now accepting applications for possible league expansion beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. The league is currently accepting applications for full membership, but may also consider schools interested in joining in the sport of football only.
 
FightingCardinal said:
The GCC is now accepting applications for possible league expansion beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. The league is currently accepting applications for full membership, but may also consider schools interested in joining in the sport of football only.
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Definitely not going to find a football only member unless it's a private school. Don't think there's any chance of that

Id bet it's either Riverside to get to 8 or just staying at 7. The other options aren't appealing or simply won't come to the GCC. Then again, we did take Lorain...
 
MentorGrad2002 said:
Definitely not going to find a football only member unless it's a private school. Don't think there's any chance of that

Id bet it's either Riverside to get to 8 or just staying at 7. The other options aren't appealing or simply won't come to the GCC. Then again, we did take Lorain...
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Maybe their hoping Austintown Fitch or Boardman will apply for football out of the AAC.
 
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