CONNEAUT — There have been many games and events hosted at Conneaut’s Ricaurte Stadium Joslin Field over the years.
On Friday evening, however, there will be a little more excitement in the air as the Spartans will take to the field against visiting Jefferson at 7 p.m.
Joslin Field was upgraded over the summer from grass to artificial turf — and the matchup against the Falcons will be the first varsity football game Conneaut will host on its new surface.
“Any time there is something new, it can give the kids a little bit more of a reason to be excited,” Spartans coach Rocco Dobran said. “They are able to show off something for the first time. I think they are also happy to be doing it against a county school. It gives a better feel about it, and there should be good attendance at the game.”
Conneaut defeated Jefferson last year, 46-21, in a game that matched two teams in the same Chagrin Valley Conference Lake Division. With the addition of four new teams, the CVC realigned, so Friday’s game is a non-conference contest.
Through his experience as Jefferson’s offensive coordinator last season — his first in the area — Falcons first-year head coach Caleb Davis does not believe the lack of being a league matchup will matter much when the two teams square off.
“I could tell by the way our kids got up before the game and the way their kids got up before and during the game that it means something to both sides,” he said.
Both teams had close games in the opening week as Conneaut (1-0) came away with a 20-13 win at Cuyahoga Heights, while Jefferson (0-1) lost a heartbreaking 14-7 decision at home against Chagrin Falls.
The Spartans avenged a 27-24 opening week loss to Cuyahoga Heights a year ago.
Senior Wyant Dobran completed 16 of 23 passes for 215 yards, including a 18-yard touchdown to junior Jacob Thompson. He also rushed for 50 yards and another score.
Thompson and seniors Davonte Harris and Aiden Goudge each caught four passes. Thompson posted 72 yards, followed by Harris at 49 and Goudge 44.
Junior Luis Cedeno added three receptions for 37 yards, as Dobran spread the ball to multiple weapons.
Senior tailback Isaiah Boles added a 11-yard touchdown run as the Cuyahoga Heights defense keyed on the explosive back.
“Wyant is in his first year at quarterback and it is nice for him to have a lot of weapons,” coach Dobran said. “He is a smart kid and knows how to get it to them.”
Dobran said his team is working to clean things up for the second game.
“We had too many turnovers and special teams flaws that we have to fix,” he said. “I think with the experience we have is why we were able to hold them off at the end.”
Davis saw enough on film to concern him as his team prepares for Conneaut.
“They’ve got a lot of skill guys — a lot more than Chagrin,” Davis said. “And up front they are the same size as Chagrin, but when I watch how they play, they are stronger.”
Davis feels confident as his defense played extremely well against the Tigers.
“I don’t know if they can play any better,” he said. “We gave up 14 points. You should be able to win those games.”
However, crucial mistakes is why his team was unable to hold off Chagrin Falls, despite owning a 7-0 lead at the half.
“It boils down to some costly mistakes [punt blocked] and some costly penalties,” Davis said. “We had the ball three times in the red zone [last week] and then penalties pulled us back out of the end zone.”
Davis knows his team will need to capitalize on those drives better, but he saw plenty of good from his offense as did Dobran when he scouted the Falcons.
Jefferson junior quarterback Mason Kalil completed 13 of 22 passes for 233 yards and a touchdown. He also was the team’s leading rusher with 46 yards.
“They have the same quarterback and do much with him in both the run and throw game,” Dobran said of Kalil, a dual-threat quarterback. “Any time a quarterback can do that it puts stress on the defense.”
Dobran also knows the Falcons have weapons on the outside that can stretch the back end of his defense.
Senior Shawn Miklacic had five catches in the opening week for 52 yards, including a 11-yard touchdown.
Junior Paxton Fritzsche displayed his ability to make explosive plays with four receptions for 136 yards.
“We saw in track this last spring that No. 17, Fritzsche, is really fast and when he gets it, he can put stress on the defense as well,” Dobran said.
Davis knows the atmosphere will be exciting.
“It is a fun matchup and matchups in-county bring people out,” he said. “Both schools are similar in size, and both feel good about their chances.”
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