Hubbard knocks Ravenna out of playoffs with 40-12 loss

HUBBARD - For the third time in 10 years, Ravenna was unsuccessful in winning a game in the first round of the high school state playoffs.

On Saturday, Ravenna (7-4) fell to Hubbard (9-2) in the opening round of the Division III, Region 9 playoffs by the score of 40-12.

For the second consecutive year, Ravenna High School is in the Division III football playoffs. This season, the Ravens will play at Hubbard on Saturday night at 7 p.m. against the 8-2 Eagles, a member of the All-American Conference.

Ravenna earned its way into the playoffs with a 7-3 record and finished sixth in Region 9. Hubbard was third in Region 9.

It's hard to compare the two schools as there are no common opponents. Hubbard had victories over Warren John F. Kennedy, Howland, Salem, Lakeview, Brookfield, Youngstown East, Struthers and Niles McKinley. Ravenna, on the other hand, beat Streetsboro, Canton South, Norton, Southeast, Crestwood, Coventry and Springfield.

According to Ravenna coach Jim Lunardi, the Ravens are healthy for the most part. Missing from the lineup is senior center Josh Boettler with a broken arm, while senior wideout Jamiran Mack is probable after missing the final two games with an injury.

"Our kids are rejuvenated from the season," said Lunardi. "After we lost to Field, the kids were down. We bounced back against Springfield and made the playoffs.

"I told the kids this is a new season. It's one game at a time. We have as good of a chance as anyone. We're one of eight teams that qualified."
Playing on the road is not new for Ravenna. The Ravens only had four home games this season, and they faced their toughest opponents on the road.
"Going on the road isn't strange for the kids," said Lunardi. "We played Lake Catholic up there last year in the playoffs. Most of the team had that experience. That game we could have won.

"So this year, a lot of our preparation is mental. We must not make mistakes. We have some talented kids and we need to make some plays."

The difference could be Ravenna's outstanding senior running back, Blayre Davis. In a win over Southeast this season, all Davis did was run for 356 yards in 21 carries and score seven touchdowns on runs of 4, 38, 2, 57, 13, 25 and 63 yards. Davis also caught two passes for 11 yards and returned two kickoffs for a total of 50 yards in that game.

The Ravens have a lot of team speed. Several players can go the distance for a touchdown. It's more than a one-man team.

On defense, the Ravens swarm to the ball. Tackling will be the key. The coaches have put the players in position to make plays, but it has been execution that has been a problem.

For Hubbard, 180-pound sophomore running back Andre Givens has gained 1,004 yards in 180 carries for a 5.58 yards-per-carry average.

At quarterback is 6-2 junior Matt Shelton, who has completed 42-of-86 passes for 723 yards. Senior Danny Bellino has also seen action at quarterback, completing 24 passes for 456 yards. The top receiver is sophomore Danny Duvall, who has caught 15 passes for 337 yards.

Hubbard has scored 29 points per game while Ravenna is averaging 30 points per game, which could make for a tight game.

Original Article can be found at: http://www.recordpub.com/news/sports_article/4456541?page=0

The area will once again be well-represented when the state playoffs get under way beginning with the regional quarterfinals on Friday night.

SPRINGFIELD - Faced with a dismal rainy night and needing a win to solidify a playoff slot, Ravenna High School came through with a 25-12 win over winless Springfield on Friday.
The Ravens finish the regular season with a 7-3 overall mark and 5-2 in the Metro Division of the Portage Trail Conference. The two losses in the Metro Division secured third place.

Ravenna will likely play at Liberty in the first round of the Division III playoffs in Region 9. Selections will be announced on Sunday.

Last weekend was a a disappointment and a complete embarrassment to fans, athletes, and the coaching staff.  while the loss to the Falcons did not remove the Ravens from the play-offs, it did create a serious doubt as to whether or not the Ravens are ready or even able to lay claim to what is rightfully theirs.