Opponent Preview: Shaker Heights (Week 6)

Week 6

 

Who: Shaker Heights

What:   Northeast Ohio Conference crossover game

Where:  Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium

When:  October 4^th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Jarvis Gibson (3^rd season at Shaker, 10-10)

History:  Mentor and Shaker played annually in the Lake Erie League from 1993 to 2010.  Mentor holds a slight edge (9-7) during that time.  This will be the first meeting since the two became the most recent members of the NOC.  The Cards have won the last six meetings. 

Looking Back...

Shaker Heights is coming off a very successful inaugural season in the NOC.  The Raiders went 8-2 and nearly made the playoffs.  A 22-21 setback to Brush late in the season was all that separated Shaker from a Region 1 playoff berth and an undefeated record in the NOC Lake.  The only other defeat was to Solon (24-21).  The Raiders scored at least 34 points in all eight of their wins.  3^rd team All-District QB Jimmie Pope, now graduated, was a big part of that offense.  Other key losses include lineman Donovan Munger (Ohio State recruit), all-district DB Anthony Kinney, WR Derrick Burgess (Youngstown State), LB Jalen Stackhouse, and WR/DB Mel Leach. 

Schedule...

Shaker has moved up from the Lake to the River division in the NOC.  This elevation will provide a more challenging NOC schedule than a year ago.  Mayfield, Elyria, Medina, North Royalton, and Stow will make Shaker work for every win.  The non-league schedule has JFK, Cleveland Central Catholic, and University School.  Normandy is the other NOC crossover besides Mentor.  Starting the season 4-1 or 5-0 is essential if Shaker hopes to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

2013 Shaker Heights Outlook...

Shaker made the playoffs six times between 1997-2005.  From 2006-2011, the Raiders struggled with a 14-46 record.  Under Coach Gibson, Shaker is headed in the right direction following their 8-2 season in 2012.  DE/TE Joe Henderson (6’4, 230) is one of Ohio’s top recruits and is headed to Tennessee.  He will be a factor on both sides of the ball.  Jamarez Brown (6’5, 270) is one of the most coveted lineman recruits in the country.  An athletic group of receivers Odel Spencer (Bowling Green recruit), Nolan Jackson-Daniel (offer from Buffalo), and Trey Johnson should give new QB Brian Jones some confidence.  Look for 1,000-yard rusher Ramses Owens and RB/LB Greg Claytor (JJHuddle Top 100 prospect) to get most of the carries.  The Raiders will certainly be in the mix to make the now expanded Region 1 playoffs. 

Next Preview:  Brunswick (Week 7)