The Chardon Hilltoppers football team has not exactly had the start they had hoped for this season. Starting off 0-2 against West Geauga (20-15) & Kenston (31-21), it is not quite how they predicted their season to start. Although it was rough with those two losses, they are on a two game win streak and are looking to make it three against the Madison Blue Streaks this Friday night. But after this Friday, it’s homecoming week.

Every student would love to go into their homecoming weekend with a win on Friday night, which puts a lot of pressure on the team. And although they did not get the start to the season they had hoped for, the team is looking very promising for the rest of the season. Going against a very talented 4-0 Willoughby South team, the Hilltoppers know it will be tough one. But they also know they have the talent and the skill that they need in order to win. With breakout junior quarterback, Patrick Sullivan, who averages about 120 rushing yards per game and Maryland commit, Andrew Gray, this offense will be tough for the Rebels defense to stop. Joe Connick and the young, talented running backs Jordan Barrett, Christian Ross and Mikey Connick, make this offense even harder to keep from scoring. The Hilltoppers defense is something to watch as well. Led by All-Ohio cornerback, Anthony Cantanzriti, linebacker Pete LeMaster and defensive end Joey Fodor, it’s almost impossible for other teams to do anything. When a pass isn’t batted down by the 6’5 defensive end, Cantanzriti is there to pick the ball off. And if they try to run the ball, 210 pound linebacker, LeMaster, is there to lay their running back out.   Joe Connick and Andrew Gray, bring a spark to the defense as well.

The Toppers will have a tough Homecoming game this year, but so will the Rebels. Coach Ty Merkle of the Toppers said “We know what we need to do in order to win. It will be a tough game. But if everything goes as planned, we will end up with another W”. The Toppers must execute well on both sides of the ball, which is hard not to do with the players they have. If everything goes as planned, like Coach said, homecoming weekend won’t only be more enjoyable for the team, but for the whole student body.