Crestview  VS  St. Clairsville
     The defending ITCL Upper Tier Champions begin the 2010 season with a difficult non-conference opener as the Rebels travel to take on the St. Clairsville Red Devils.  The Red Devils are a D4 school that went 6-4 in 2009, and missed out on the playoffs after a disappointing 21-18 loss to Harrison Central in week #10.  Recently, the Devils have made it to the OHSAA playoffs in 2006, 2007, and 2008.  In 2007 they advanced to the Region 15 finals.
    Obviously coach Cusick knows that they will face a quality team in the Red Devils, but the Rebels are prepared to face the challenge.  "I love this game because it will be a playoff type atmosphere in week 1.  They are opening a new stadium and we are the opener.  They will be much improved and are looking to get back to the playoffs.  This is a big game for both schools," Cusick would remark about the contest.  Cusick also pointed out that the Red Devils are a team that he has a lot of respect for, "Great tradition.  They are in the hunt for the playoffs yearly."  Cusick also talked about what the Rebel fans will see from the Devils in week one, "They run multiple sets on offense, and 4-4 team on defense."  This is certainly a showcase game for the ITCL to show some in the state of Ohio the mettle of the ITCL league.
2010 Key
ITCL Games
                                           Western Reserve  VS  Independence
     The Western Reserve 2010 schedule will feature two games against the Blue Devils.  They traditionally play rival McDonald, but this year they will take on the Independence Blue Devils.  Indy is becoming a playoff caliber program as they have made it to the OHSAA post-season tournament in 2000, 2003, and again last year, losing to Hawken in a thrilling 14-7 contest.  “Every game is very important. We know that Independence is a quality team year in and year out. There is no doubt this will be a challenging contest.  When you play a team that is consistently good every year, you can see where you are at as a program and it can be used as a measuring stick for the rest of the season,” Reserve’s head coach Andy Hake would comment about the Independence program.
    Hake admitted that he doesn’t know much about the Independence team, but he knows they will face a big challenge.  “We have never played these guys, so I really don’t know what they run on offense and defense. We will be getting some film on them and break them down, so I’ll know more soon. But what we do know is they went 9-1 last year and they return their QB and RB, so I know they will have quality skill.  South Range has played them the last few years and those two teams really went at each other in the past. We know that it will be a very physical game and that is the challenge.  We will be up for it though, our kids are tough and they will not back down. "
     Hake concluded by saying that this might be a regular season game, but it will have both a playoff atmosphere, and implications.  “This will be a playoff atmosphere type game. Both of us would benefit greatly regarding computer points and this is the type of game that can vault you up a few spots in the playoff hunt. We know who they are and we respect them as we do everyone. We just need to go out and play our game and let the chips fall where they may.”  On September 3rd we will see which Blue Devil team gets to hold all those chips, as Reserve tries to establish itself as a regular playoff contender in Northeast Ohio.
                                                Warren JFK  VS  South Range
     The luster may have faded a tad after the struggles of South Range last year, but there is no doubt that the Raiders will be fired up to take on playoff contender Warren JFK to kick off the 2010 season.  The Eagles hold a three game to one advantage in the series, all in playoff competition.  They first met in 1992 with JFK winning 35-18 in a first round game.  They Eagles would win again in 2003 (34-14), and in the Region 17 Finals in 2006 (21-14).  The lone Raider victory was in 2001 when they beat a Josh Cayson led Eagles team 31-13 on their way to the Regional Finals.
    “The relationship grew out of the playoffs,” JFK’s Athletic Director John Gillen would comment.  “We have played two or three times recently in the playoffs.  We have a two year agreement and we hope to possibly extend it, we will have to wait and see.”  Gillen would comment on how important this game will be, “We look at it as a very big game.  South Range is a good, hard hitting team that is always well coached.  They have some real good boys there.  We are looking forward to playing them.”
     Gillen would also comment on how big this game may be around this area.  “Two schools with very good programs, it will certainly be of interest here in Trumbull County, and I’m sure it will be in your area (Mahoning and Columbiana Counties).”  No doubt area fans will have a chance to see a week #11 or 12 type atmosphere game in North Lima in week #1.
    “It’s a big game, for a lot of different reasons,” Bears Head Coach Matt Altomare would say.  “We use to play on October in the TCL when it usually really meant something.  It’s not quite the same with a bonfire with hot weather at the end of August, but it still really means a lot for both the team and the community.  It’s just a good clean rivalry game.”
     Spaite talked about how much this game is a week two playoff contest.  “The Crowd is always good, loud and enthusiastic. I have said this since I came here in 1994; Leetonia plays us harder than they play anyone else.  Their kids always play above their talent level and NEVER quit. It is as intense and as hard fought a D6 game as there is in the State.”  Altomare would agree, “It’s always a packed stadium, it’s always a close game with both teams being very competitive.  With it now being played the first week of school, I think it adds a little enthusiasm to the game.”  The 2010 version of this rivalry should again be one for area fans to witness high school football at its best.
                                                Leetonia VS Columbiana
     The Tri-County League may not exist any longer, but these two arch-rivals have kept their dislike for one another fresh and alive.  The two schools are only a few short miles away from each other, the players see each other regularly, and they both are very deep in tradition and pride.  “Leetonia and Columbiana have played almost nonstop since 1916 - we have a traveling Trophy sponsored by "The Knights of Columbus" since 1974,” Clippers head coach Bob Spaite would remark.  “It is ALWAYS - regardless of talent - one of the most physical games we play all year.”  And with the talent coming back from last year, this game should provide another classic match-up in this rivalry.
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