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Top-seeded Chagrin Falls next for No. 5 Lakeview
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By Pete Mollica
CORTLAND — Lakeview High head coach Tom Pavlansky knows his Bulldogs are going to have their hands full on Saturday night in the Division IV Region 13 semifinal matchup with Chagrin Falls.
The Bulldogs (8-3) will take on the No. 1-seeded and unbeaten Tigers in a 7 p.m. kickoff at Aurora Inkstop Field in Veterans Stadium.
“They are a really good football team,” Pavlansky said. “Really good. They start 19 seniors and their quarterback [Chris Trinetti] was just named The Plain Dealer’s Player of the Year in the division.
“They run a very balanced attack and they’ll throw or run from anywhere on the field and the quarterback is a dual threat.”
The Bulldogs are the No. 5 seed in the region and this is their fifth time in the playoffs. Last week, they posted a 24-13 win over No. 4-seeded Manchester on the road.
Lakeview’s last appearance in the playoffs was 2007 and their playoff record stands at 4-4.
But as good as Chagrin Falls (11-0) appears to Pavlansky, he still feels his team is capable of winning.
“We are going to have to tackle really well on defense and offensively we have to sustain drives and keep their offense off the field while taking time off the clock,” he said. “Our special teams have to continue to play well. Last week we did very well there and it must continue.”
The Bulldogs have some weapons of their own, led by senior Te Elias, who is a two-way standout at running back and linebacker.
“What can you say about Te?” he said. “He never comes off the field and I can’t say enough good things about him.
Elias (5-9, 185) set the Bulldogs’ single-season rushing record with more than 1,500 yards. He also set touchdown marks for a season (25) and a career (38).
Pavlansky is also impressed with sophomore quarterback Anthony Franco (5-10, 170).
“Anthony just keeps getting better every single week and he works his tail off in practice. He wants this team to succeed,” he said.
Trinetti is the main offensive threat for the Tigers and last week in their 41-13 win over Campbell he had his hands in five of the Tigers’ six touchdowns. He ran for two and passed for three more.
This is the Tigers’ seventh appearance in the postseason and their second straight. They are 5-6 overall in postseason.
mollica@vindy.com