High school football playoffs: Avon facing familiar foe in Medina Highland

Mike Elder is anxious to play Highland on Friday but he knows how tough it'll be. "People ask what it's like to play Highland," said Elder after practice Wednesday. "It's like playing ourselves. It's like Avon playing Avon. That's a really competitive situation. We do it. We face each other on offense and defense." The two teams were ranked first and fourth Region 6, but MaxPreps rates Avon at No. 5 and Highland sixth in Division II. Highland has a 1,600-yard passer. Avon has one that's thrown for 2,500. Highland has a record-setting running back with over 1,100 yards and 23 touchdowns. Avon has a trio of backs that have compiled nearly 1,000 yards and 24 touchdowns. Both have quality receivers. Highland's Grady Gibb has completed 89 of 104 passes for 1,647 yards and 22 touchdowns. He's thrown only two interceptions. Avon's Blake Elder has completed 152 of 225 attempts for 2,502 yards and 28 touchdowns. He's been picked off just three times. Casey Myser holds the Medina County career scoring and touchdown records and has piled up 1,163 yards this season. Avon's trio of backs — Quiante Smith, Cam Wendell and Michael Colburn — have totaled 986 yards. The Hornets have four receivers with at least 255 yards, led by Lucas Gerding with 465 yards and six touchdowns. Avon's top four receivers also have at least 255 yards, led by Grant Barr's 854 yards and 10 touchdowns. Both defenses are stout. Highland has four shutouts and hasn't given up more than 10 points in any game. The Hornets have outscored the opposition 515-54. Linebackers Evan Foust and Jameson Gordon lead in tackles with 63 and 59, respectively. Safety Nick Dobrowski intercepted seven passes. Avon has outscored its opponents 492-142. Ryan Stolarski and Trevor Maly lead the Eagles in tackles with 55 and 48, respectively. Caiden Clapham and Jairel Fenton each have two interceptions. Both teams have solid kicking games and special team units. Bryan Morgan, head coach at North Ridgeville, has played both teams. "Highland is just more run-dominate than Avon," said Morgan. "They run a lot of counter very well. They just control the line of scrimmage. Their quarterback's statistics aren't great, but the one that pops out at you is the fact that he's completing over 80 percent of his passes. They run a lot of RPO (run, pass option) stuff that's really hard to guard. "(Avon's) big advantage is its depth. They just run so many guys out on the field that can play at a high level. The depth is going to be their advantage." Elder knows the Hornets have been polishing their stingers in anticipation of this game. He knows Highland has wanted a rematch since last year's 28-20 Avon win in the regional final. "No question," he said. "Listen, we have video evidence that they've been pointing to this game forever and wanted us. So now, they've got us, and we're excited about that. What we're not going to do is walk into the game feeling like we're being hunted. That doesn't work that way. "We're not being hunted. We're hunting. We're coming after them and they're coming after us and that's fine. We're going to meet in the middle, but we're not sitting back defending anything. We're going after what we believe we want and that's to get to the state Final 4 and spend another week together." Avon has won the region seven of the past eight years. "Thanksgiving dinner comes with that," said Elder. "We talk about check points along the way and moments. We're trying to collect cool moments for these kids. The truth is, the work is done in terms of being a successful team. They've all learned everything they need to learn in the game of football. Everything now is just moments, cool moments we're trying to stack on. These are cherries on top of what's already successful." Contact Tim Gebhardt at 329-7135 or timothygeb@msn.com.