After a 2-0 start, Shaker football aims to end a five-year losing streak against the Solon Comets
This year the Comets are 0-2 after suffering losses to Strongsville and North Olmsted.
Senior Raider linebacker Will Berglund takes care not to underestimate the opponent. “0-2 doesn’t mean they won’t play hard and physical,” Berglund said in a text message. “We expect to play a team that’s hungry for a win.”
Shaker opened on the road against the Willoughby South High School Rebels and prevailed 39-26. In the home opener against Charles F. Brush High School, Shaker won comfortably, 36-6.
Starting 2-0 isn’t a familiar position for football in recent years. Senior linebacker Stephen Henderson pointed to increased camaraderie that came from the team’s summer participation in a Penn State University 7-on-7 tournament, where the Raiders faced some of the best teams in the country.
“It brought us more together as a team,” Henderson said.
Head Coach Alex Nicholson’s varsity teams have yet to beat Solon in his five years at Shaker. “We’ve struggled to beat them the last few years,” Nicholson said.
Following a 34-0 loss to Solon last season, Nicholson said he doesn’t plan to change much of the game plan. “Nothing in x’s and o’s, just higher execution and stepping up,” he said.
Senior linebacker Bryan Patterson sees promise. “This year we have a big advantage over them,” said Patterson, one of 18 returning starters.
During tonight’s game, all senior Raider football players will participate in a teacher recognition event in which they give their favorite teacher their away jersey to wear during the game. This is the first year for the event.
Berglund chose someone very special for the honor. “My mom is representing me,” Berglund said in a text message. “She works at Fernway, and she is representing me because she has been an amazing mother and role model for me.”
