All season the teams of the Tri-point football league have battled each other to make it to the league Championship game. This Saturday, the final two will take the field to see who will take the crown. The interesting thing about this year's match-up is that it's a battle of 300's. That's right folks, you heard it right. The Port City Spartans and Ohio Gladiators will do battle this weekend for the 2023 league Crown. Before we go any further, let's take a look at each team with our version of the "tale of the Tape". Ohio Gladiators:  Record: 6-2 Head Coach: Chris Ballentine Players to watch: Danny Skalecki, Brandon Milbry, Grant Lisk OVERALL: The Gladiators played tough games all season. The offense averaged 23 points a game, but that hasn't stopped them from punishing opposing defenses with a balanced attack. Their defense however is their staple. Only giving up 8 points a game, But with a defensive line and secondary the Gladiators have they...

        The Cobras lost a tough game against the Bobcats last week, but will be looking to travel down to historic portsmouth,Ohio to play the Port City Spartans. The Spartans are new to the Tri-point league, but the city itself is no stranger to football. A former NFL city. Portsmouth was once home to the NFL team the Portsmouth Spartans( now Detroit Lions) back in the 1930s.  This iteration of the Spartans is young and talented. So let's take a look at the Spartans. Port City Spartans: Colors: Black, Purple, Gray Head Coach: Datoine Robinson Record: 2-2 overall, 1-0 league play (last game N/A) Key players offense: Mike Clay, Hayden Kinney, Darion Jones Key players defense: Rayshawn Raglin, Jaelin king, Dion Mckinley Overall: The Spartans display a balance of speed and defense. They play tough and can hang wit the best of them.  The Cobras declined to be part of the "Tale of the tape" part of the article as it was all business back in the "Snake Pit" this ...

     While we did apologize for there not being a stream for the Cobras game against the Leviathans back on May 20th. That did not stop the Cobras from coming home with the win that day. That game was also at a neutral site for both teams. This weekend however, the Cobras will be back home in lakewood at the "Snake Pit" for the first time in well over a year. This week's visitors, the Mahoning Valley Ruff Ryderz. Before we get down to the nitty-gritty let's take a look at both teams for a in-depth analysis. Cleveland Cobras: Colors: Green, black, white Head Coach: Adam Rogerson Record: 1-0,( defeated Leviathans 20-3 May 20th) Key players offense: Antonio Boyd, Emmet Calhoun, Malik Gabby Key players defense: Reese Smith, Smoke Fortson, Devierre Glenn Overall: The Cobras struggled in the first half against the Leviathans, but turned it up in the second half. Calhoun scored a rushing touchdown, while the defense had 6 sacks on the Leviathans quarterback as well as an in...

        This weekend the Tri-point Football league kicks off their second season, and it's starting with a bang! The weekend will kick off with the "Hall of Fame Classic". Four games at Staudt fields on the campus of Walsh University. The two three 'o'clock games will feature the Mahoning valley Ruff Ryderz vs. the Mountain State Outlawz on field one. While the Steel City Kingz will play the Tri-State Longhorns on field two. The two seven 'o'clock games will see the Canton Hurricanes take on defending league champ Greensburg Golden Hawks, while the Cleveland Cobras will take on the West Virginia Leviathans. To get you ready for Saturday night, let's preview the game we will be covering as the Cobras look to get back to playoff form again Leviathans. First up, the Cobras. Cleveland Cobas Colors: Green, Black, White 2022 record: 4-5, lost to Ohio Bears in playoffs. Head coach: Adam Rogerson (2nd year) Key players offense: Deon "Red" Carter, Abe...

        The Cobras defense showed dominance in last weeks win over the visiting Ohio Bears. This week they will look to make it two in a row as they head back to West Virginia to take on the West Virginia Black Knights. This will be the first meeting between the two teams and both teams are looking to climb a little higher in the Tri-point Football League rankings. With that being said lets look at both teams. West Virginia Black Knights record: 1-2 Head coach: Russell Blanchard Players to watch: Christopher Featherstone, Deyontae Richardson Overall: Not much has been shown about the Black Knights, But we are told they're a very scrappy unit with ball players on both offense and defense. We spoke with Coach Russell about his expectations for this weekend and here's what he said.       " I expect us to come out and play with heart and determination like we do every game. we do that everything else will take care of itself." Cleveland Cobras record:...

               After losing two games on the road, the Cobras are finally back in the friendly confines of the "Snake Pit", also known as Ken Dukes Stadium at Medina high School. The Cobras played the Golden Hawks close last week, but that was last week and in football you can't look behind, only forward. This week the Cobras welcome in the Ohio Bears out of Columbus. The Bears are a new team and will come into this weekends game looking to go 3-0 in league play. With that being said let's look at how the teams match up. OHIO BEARS: record: 2-0 (bye week last week) Head coach: Buddy Williams players to watch: N/A Overall: The Bears look to stay perfect on the season after coming off a bye week. Not much information was given about the team so we will just have to play the guessing game until Saturday night. CLEVELAND COBRAS:  record: 0-2 (lost to Greensburg 30-16 last week) Head coach: Adam Rogerson overall: The Cobras played tough all 4 quar...

        The Cleveland Cobras look to bounce back from a week one loss to the Ohio Gladiators, But they have a tough task ahead as the travel to play the Greensburg Golden Hawks. One team will be coming in looking to stay ahead in the league standings. The other will be looking to bounce back and will be looking to improve from week one. so lets look at the tale of the tape. GREENSBURG GOLDEN HAWKS:  Head coach: Curtis Gardner record: 1-0 (beat Ohio Phoenix in week one 21-0 players to watch offense:  (RB)Shai Mckenzie,  (QB)Dakota King, (WR)Deandra Smith players to watch defense: (LB)Damon Jett, (DE)Seth Spoonhoward, (CB)Lonnie Chambers overall: The Hawks look to stay perfect after beating the Ohio Phoenix 21-0 in week one. Former Virginia Tech Hokie Running back Shai Mckenzie will look to have a good showing against the Cobras to help in the Hawks push towards another win. On defense look for Linebacker Damon Jett to lead the charge with help from Seth...

          This Saturday night, the Cleveland Cobras will open their Tri-point Football league season against the Ohio Gladiators in what should be a highly anticipated match-up in week one. Before we even get to the game lets take a look at both teams by the tape. OHIO GLADIATORS: Head coach: Chris Ballentine Preseason record: 1-1-1 Key players offense: Danny Skalecki, Brad Tscannen, Twan Miller, Montae Taylor, Tony Perrine Key players defense: Russell Terry III, Austin Mobley, Ruben Williams, Nate Pritchett, John Rice Overall: The Gladiators have played a preseason schedule just to get the kinks out. playing to a tie with the Akron/Canton Pitbulls, beating the Kings, and losing to the Cleveland Rams. The Gladiators look to their defense to lead the charge with a veteran core and on offense will sport a few known veterans in the Ohio minor league scene. Now let's take a look at the Cobras. CLEVELAND COBRAS: Head Coach: Adam Rogerson Preseason record: no games pl...

  This high school football season our network had the honor of broadcasting the Senate League game of the week. While it wasn't perfect, the audience, passion, and support for the entire league, players, and coaches was PHENOMENAL! Unfortunately, we won't be covering the Senate league officially next season, But that's not the problem. The problem is what was behind the scenes and games that frustrates the alumni, players, coaches, and supporters of the Senate league and the Cleveland Metropolitan School District.  Let's start from the top. For those not in the know, The Senate league is one of the oldest leagues in Ohio, forming in 1904. The league was formed with core members Central(defunct), Collinwood, East high, East Technical, Glenville, John Adams, Lincoln( now Lincoln west), South, West, and West Technical high school.  What history doesn't tell you is that some of the most prolific and historic high schools in Cleveland as well as the nation were once mem...

This week the top spot in the Senate league is on the line as the Rhodes Rams travel to the east side to play the Glenville Tarblooders in this weeks Game of the week. This will arguably be one of the most entertaining games in the league this season and both teams are looking to have a great showing against one another. For a more in depth perspective, here's a tale of the tape for both teams.   Rhodes High school: Record: 3-1 Conference record: 1-0 The Rams come into this week's game with a 3-game win streak and a 1-game conference Win streak after beating John Hay 36-0.  Glenville high school Record 2-3 Conference Record: 1-0 The Tarblooders come in with a 2-game win streak after beating lake catholic and a 55-0 Conference win over rival Collinwood.  Skinny: both teams sit 1 and 2 respectively in Conference standings, but one will take sole possession at the top after this week. Glenville has not lost a Conference game since head coach Ted Ginn Sr. Took over (24 years ...

        The opening Senate league game of the week featured two teams who were hoping for positive outcomes after not playing the 2020 season due to covid. John Adams and Lincoln West took the field and both were looking to make a statement. Unfortunately for the Wolverines, the Rebels made it clear they were on a mission.     " I just wanted us to come out and play hard and continue to get better. I wanted us to play hard and as a team, and we did that and we got the job done today."  That was John Adams head coach Gary Jackson on what he expected out of his Rebel team and they did not disappoint. In the first quarter after forcing the Wolverines to punt, John Adams return man Semaj Luke would take the first punt of the game 40-yards all the way to the house for touchdown and the first points of the game. The Rebels would miss the extra point, but that wouldn't stop the onslaught that was coming. After another punt, the Rebels would drive down ag...

   As we stroll along in the Senate league, we take a trip down to what we Railroaders and beloved Principal Mr. Montoya referred to as " T.S.D.T.S" ( that school down the street) Glenville High School. Glenville High School Nickname: Tarblooders Colors: Red and Black Head Coach: Ted Ginn Sr. (24th season as head coach, 45th overall) Key offensive players: Da'shaun Whatley, Raphael Williams, Tavereon Sanders, Melvin Appling Key defensive players: Zaterion Ward, Trevion Johnson, Jessie Agee, Sir' Sean Ingram, Quantrial Johnson Overall Preview: In coach Ginn's twenty-fourth year as Head Coach, he will have a new look Tarblodder team. The Tarblooders will also look to continue their dominance over the Senate League that has lasted since coach Ginn took over back in 1997. Knowing that the Glenville doesn't rebuild, they re-load is something that has become natural to the Tarblodders. The Tarblodders will also be looking for another outright Senate league title as ...

 We are continuing on in our Senate league preview. Today we head to the railroad station on E.152nd street and St. Clair known as Collinwood High School.   Collinwood High School Nickname: Railroaders Colors: Royal Blue and Gray Head Coach: Greg Wheeler jr. ( 10th season) Key players offense: Damarjae Goggans (senior), Dae'Shawn Davis (junior), Jason Sullivan (junior) Key players defense: Nyill Dukes (junior), Thomas Ware (junior), Chaz Johnson (junior) Overall Preview: The Railroaders are looking to rebuild and reload after covid canceled the 2020 season. Back in 2018 the Railroaders finished strong, winning their last four games to make the Senate City Championship before falling to John Marshall. 2019 wasn't so kind to the Railroaders as they would finish the season 2-8, but Head Coach Greg Wheeler jr. is looking to continue his goal to build back up the Railroader tradition.       "  Covid caused a mass amount of transfers out of the district. We may h...

  Moving along with our senate preview, we take a trip to the south east side of Cleveland and head to good ol' John Adams High! John Adams High School Nickname: Rebels Colors: Maroon and Gold Head Coach: Gary Jackson Key players: Desmond Sains (senior), D'Wayne Bray (senior), Brian Whitlow (senior), Torreon Hughes (senior), Christopher Williams (senior), Darion Reed (junior), Dayvon Snell (junior), Que Miller (junior), David Snell (junior), Lamar Williams (sophomore). Overall Preview: The Rebels will be looking to bounce back from their 2019 loss in the Senate City Championship against league rival John Hay. The Rebels will have a good core of senior and junior leadership, but they will have a lot to make up for with the underclassmen. The Rebels have a fairly tough non-conference schedule, but they could make it out of that with a good record going into conference play. We spoke with Rebel head coach Gary Jackson about the upcoming season.     " This could be a very int...

   As we continue with the Senate Athletic League preview, we will stay on the west side of Cleveland and introduce the next team.  James Ford Rhodes High School Nickname: Rams Colors: Royal blue, White, Black Head Coach: Robert Andrews Key players: WR/DB Ty'shawn Lane (senior),  RB/DB Dion Floyd (senior), OL Samarr Scott (senior), RB/DB Jumerius Hope (senior), OL/DL Lavar Johnson (senior), RB/LB Calvin Gore (junior), OL/DL Alex Harris (sophomore), RB/DB Te'von Meredith (sophomore), QB/LB Deshaun Coleman (junior), LB/RB Areon Cowling (senior), QB/LB Victor Pratt (junior), OL/DL Cory James(senior), DB/RB Raymeir Black-Cogburn (junior), WR/DB Marshawn McGowan (senior) Overall Preview: The Rams will look to battle rival John Marshall over the dominance of the west side. They have veteran leadership on both offense and defense. They have a lot of two-way players on the team and keeping them fresh come the middle of the season will be important. If the Rams can survive th...

When it comes to football, the Senate Athletic League (SAL) in Cleveland, Ohio is one of the oldest leagues in Ohio. Yet, nobody would know this because the Senate has been overlooked since the late 1990's. That changes today as we give you a team by team preview of the entire Senate League! John Marshall High School Nickname: Lawyers Colors: Red and White Head Coach: Terrance Cleggett  ( 6th year) Key offensive players: WR Tavion Jackson (senior),  WR Ashawn Palmer (junior), RB Antonio Neuhoff (senior), RB Jamaree Pope (senior), Key defensive players: LB Jaylin Cook (junior), LB Antiono Neuhoff (senior), FS Jamyis Williams (senior), LB Desmond Brown (senior)  Overall Preview:  Coach Cleggett and the Lawyers are geared up and looking to return to form after a canceled 2020 season for the entire Senate league. The "CODE RED" defense is led by a veteran core of seniors and juniors. The Lawyers look to return back to the Senate League City Championship and possibly a st...

  ~Canton, Ohio~   If you would have told me ten years ago that I would have been sitting in the press box at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium covering the 2021 Pro Football Hall of Fame induction ceremony, I would have told you " you're crazy"! Fast forward to 2021 our company the 216 Sports Network was approved for media credentials to cover the induction ceremony. To say we were overjoyed is an understatement. I have lived in Cleveland, Ohio all my life. Never had I been inside the stadium, but Sunday night I took it all in as I arrived at the hall of fame. From other media crews to the fans and even the kind staff members. This was an experience that EVERY football fan should have on their bucket list. To answer the question, Yes I was in the press box. That still didn't take away the beautiful view of the stadium and stage as fans filled every seat.  Fans from all over the country and even the world came together for one weekend and celebrated the induc...

  I first met Brandon Harris when I got the chance to be an assistant coach at my moms' old high school Shaw High School. Unbeknownst to me, he was the little brother of a good friend of mine. I watched Brandon on the field for the first time at practice and was immediately impressed. His natural ability, passion, and work ethic was better than some older guys I had played with. I worked with the receivers and defensive backs under the coach that gave me my start in pee wee Rod "the hammer" Williams, so I knew Brandon was talented and well coached. I didn't know it at the time, but Brandon had been through a lot in his young life. Even with that, it never stopped him from being a great young man. "Bee-low" as he was called by coaches and teammates alike would work hard from the first whistle to the last and become a standout during his time at Shaw. His talent would catch the eyes of Bowling Green State University and he would earn a full scholarship after g...

Since the College Playoff was instituted in 2014 there has been a lot of controversy and new scenarios that have popped up. Now in 2021 a proposal for a 12-team College Playoff format will be discussed next week in Chicago. According to ESPN, the proposal would include a twelve(12) team playoff with the top six teams being conference champions (assumingly) and the next top six highest ranked teams decided by the college football playoff committee. More importantly, no team or conference would have an automatic qualifying bid. With that being said, since the College playoff has been in existence the question has been what would a six, eight, ten, or even twelve team format would look like? Well based on the format from the many playoff bracket scenarios we have an idea (see picture below).                                                         ( pho...

Every time there's a kickoff or punt you're looking at the returner hoping for a big play or the play that turns the game upside down. In this case, I decided to take a look at what I feel are the top five college football return specialists of ALL-TIME! So let's get to it. 5. Deion Sanders (FSU)                                                             (getty images) I get it, it was so long ago how can he be on this list? Simple, this is where "Prime Time" started.  Sanders would return kickoffs and punts and would absolutely scare opposing teams to the point where they would just stop kicking to him altogether. "Prime Time" would also keep this trend going in the NFL for years after leaving Florida State. 4. Tim Brown ( Notre Dame)                             ...