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Sports

Cleveland Heights Football Team Ready for St. Edward's Challenge

City of Cleveland Heights braces for one of the biggest nights in the community's history

Cleveland Heights head football coach Jeff Rotsky is hearing from everybody these days.

The Cleveland Heights Parks and Recreation office. The mayor’s office. The NFL.

When your team has completed a perfect 9-0 season, won the Lake Erie League title, and poised to in its history, you’re undoubtedly a very popular guy in town.

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Around the country and in Cleveland Heights, it seems everyone wants to celebrate the Tigers’ opening-round Division I, Region 1 quarterfinal matchup against defending Division I state champion St. Edward at 7 p.m. Saturday.

Rotsky is appreciative of the support he’s received from all levels of the community, whether they’re within the city’s limits or have gone on to bigger careers elsewhere.

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“Mayor (Ed) Kelley, Larry Shaw (commissioner of Cleveland Heights Parks and Recreation) … have been great friends and really supportive. I’ve gotten texts in the last 24 hours from Barry Cofield of the Redskins, and now we talk all the time. And Jason Kelce of the Eagles. Jason said he’s definitely proud of Cleveland Heights. … It’s been an incredible blessing,” Rotsky said.

It’s likely one of the biggest nights in the school’s history with not only the football game, but also the school’s production of The Sound of Music, which will feature 600 students in the district. The district to attend the football game and the musical.

And it's a big night for the city, too. One of the largest events of the year in Cleveland Heights, other than the , is the , which brings in a crowd of about 2,500, half the number of people expected this weekend.

"Basically what you’re seeing is a partnership between the city and the school to make this the best event possible, not just the football game but The Sound of Music play," Kelley said. 

Initially, the school , but the players stepped in and wanted it right at the despite the field’s often difficult conditions. at various parking lots around the city to keep the game at home.

"The city has taken an overwhelming situation with this many people and this many cars between 6 and 7:30 to make it as painless as possible … It’s going to be a challenge, but we wanted to make sure our football team had the opportunity to host the game on their home field," Kelley said. "We’re also proud of the cheerleaders, the band, the (students in The Sound of Music. It’s a great weekend to be a part of Cleveland Heights High School."

Still, nobody’s picking Cleveland Heights to do much against St. Edward, but Rotsky is undaunted.

“We were an underdog against Maple Heights,” Rotsky said of the Tigers' 20-12 victory at Maple Heights last Friday night. “I hear on the radio this week that we’re supposed to lose by three touchdowns. You know what? That’s great. Our kids are still going to show up Saturday night.”

Kelley has more than just hope for the team.

"I’m convinced, and you can quote me on this, that this Cleveland Heights team will beat St. Ed's on Saturday. No doubt in my mind."

Cleveland Heights, ranked 12th in the Associated Press’ Division I state poll, features the quadruple threat of senior quarterback Bryce Jones who passes, runs, punts and plays defensive back for the Tigers.

Jones has the luxury of handing off to running backs Marcus Bagley and Braxton Gamble behind a powerful offensive line led by Wisconsin recruit Kyle Dodson.

And St. Ed is, well, St. Ed, one of the marquee names in Northeast Ohio football, having won its first state title with a 15-0 record last season.

On Saturday, the Eagles come into Crawford Field ranked ninth in Division I with a 7-3 record. They also bring along enormous lines featuring major college football recruits like Kyle Kalis (Michigan), Sam Grant (Boston College), Tyler Orlosky (West Virginia), Darryl Render and Greg Kuhar.

St. Edward quarterback Ryan Fallon and running back Dwayne Aaron stand behind that line with receivers Anthony Young and Quincy Jones flanking on the outside.

So how will the Tigers deal with St. Ed’s size up front?

“I’m going to feed my guys a lot of pizza the next couple days,” Rotsky said.

In all seriousness, though, he knows the Tigers will have to do more than eat their way to the next round.

“We’re going to humbly accept that challenge,” Rotsky said. “We’re by no means small, but we’re looking to match up against those guys.”

Cleveland Heights Patch editor Michelle Simakis contributed to this article.

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