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Sports

Unbeaten Solon Can't Overlook Talented North Royalton

Comets Coach Jim McQuaide wants players to keep paying attention to details

Little things mean a lot during the course of the high school football season.

"When you reach this point in the season you sometimes lose attention to detail," said Solon head coach Jim McQuaide. "We have to make sure we pay attention to the little things."

A lot of Northeast Ohio football fans are paying attention to the Comets, who take an unbeaten 3-0 mark into Friday night's homecoming contest against North Royalton. Solon, ranked 11th in the Division I state poll, is coming off an impressive 28-2 win over visiting Akron Buchtel last week as the Comets continue to take care of business.

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"We made some plays in all three aspects of the game," said McQuaide, whose team is riding a 23-game regular season win streak and a 19-game home winning streak. "Playing well on offense, defense and special teams is what we're striving for."

Solon's standout back Khoury Crenshaw remains out with a concussion but could return next week. George Berry, a top running back in his own right, had a big night against Buchtel as he gained 103 yards and scored a touchdown.

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Quarterback Patrick Kramer was also on his game, completing 13 of 20 passes for 152 yards with Drew Barksdale hauling in three receptions for 43 yards. "George did a very good job running the ball and Patrick was very efficient and threw to a lot of different receivers. His efficiency is getting better and he has a lot of options."

Darian Hicks had the biggest play of the night as he returned a kickoff 85 yards for a touchdown. It was Hicks' second kick return for a score this season.

The defense kept the speedy Griffins in check all night. Nick Davidson had a strong game with 11 tackles while Ryan Schwenke continues to impress as well. "They were good players last season and they are playing better this season," said McQuaide.

Friday night's NOC crossover game will be the first meeting between Solon and North Royalton since the 2007 playoffs when the Comets came away with a 26-7 victory. The Bears went 9-1 last season but failed to make the playoffs. They are 1-2 this year after losses to Brecksville-Broadview Heights and Medina Highland and a victory over Revere.

"They are better than their record," said McQuaide. "They are very diversified on offense, spread you out and run the no-huddle. On defense they are moving all the time."

North Royalton piled up 57 points in its first two games of the season before being held to just seven against Highland. The Comets are averaging 32 points per outing while holding opponents to a mere five points per game.

"We have to try and simulate the no-huddle offense in practice this week," said McQuaide.

While Crenshaw will remain on the sidelines as he continues to recover, Ryan Pastor will return to the lineup Friday night. Pastor, a key defensive player, is back after suffering an ankle sprain.

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