Captain Kangaroo

SSA football players of the year : Grant Hrabovsky By Dave Schrecengost VALLEY NEWS DISPATCH Thursday, November 18, 2004 At 6-feet-3 and 285 pounds, Grant Hrabovsky makes a big impression on people. "A lineman my size at Shady Side Academy stands out," Hrabovsky said. "I outweigh all the other linemen on my team except one by at least 50 pounds." While Hrabovsky's size caught people's attention, it was his play on the football field that really turned heads. A dominant two-way lineman who started at nose guard and offensive tackle, Hrabovsky was a force on both sides of the football for Shady Side. "(Hrabovsky) was one of our biggest question marks coming into this year, but he really showed he could play at the next level," Shady Side coach Dave Havern said. "He did everything we asked. By the end of the season, everybody was running away from him and double-teaming him, but he still kept making plays." Hrabovsky, The Herald's choice as Shady Side's Football Player of the Year, put up some impressive numbers on defense. He recorded a team-high 53 tackles, including 16 for loss, had six quarterback sacks and forced four fumbles. "He made a lot of tackles, and six sacks -- that's a hell of a number for a noseguard," Havern said. "As big and strong as he is, he had an incredible bull rush, but he could move really well laterally, too." Hrabovsky spent countless hours in the weight room during the off-season, dropping a few pounds while adding muscle. He set team records in the bench press (385 pounds), deadlift (510) and squat (605). There aren't many players with Hrabovsky's combination of size and strength playing at Class AA schools in the WPIAL. Those attributes also make Hrabovsky, who lives in Fox Chapel, attractive to college scouts. Division I Akron and a slew of smaller schools have been recruiting him. "People at the next level are going to like him," Havern said. "He's still raw, but he has a a good mind for football, and he could probably put on another 30 pounds. He has the frame where he could go up to about 310 (pounds)." Hrabovsky's leadership on and off the field were needed during Shady Side's 3-6 season. "I wish we could have won some more games," Hrabovsky said. "I'm just happy that we played our best." Havern says the graduation of Hrabovsky will leave a huge hole in Shady Side's program. "He was a great mentor for some of our younger linemen," Havern said. "We had nine great seniors, but he'll be the hardest to replace because of his size, strength and durability."

Him, Dwight Smith and Jason Taylor. All should be in the "Ring of Honor." I wouldn't retire the jersey.

Put down the crack pipe.

Woo hoo!

I ALWAYS have extra pops in the chiller for Z-P! I'll bring some for the 'dude too...but he doesn't show up much anymore? Victim of some sort of assasination plot? I will be in the lot by 4pm. Hopefully earlier.

I'm guessing 22K? I haven't heard much Marketing push for the game? Do any of the 20K that left in the 3rd quarter of the Marshall game return for a few more quarters Saturday? Another question is: Will the Akron fans be vocal? I know the fans in the endzone were pretty clueless for the Marshall game. They sat quietly on their asses for 2 quarters, then filed out early. I can guarantee Miami's fans will be pretty boisterous...and it wouldn't shock me to see 6-8k worth of those white turtleneck and red sweatshirt wearin' bastards in the stands belchin' up their tailgate foie gras and Bordeaux, screaming for their team. 49 hours til kick off...

Sorry if you missed it...but it is still football season in Summit County!

Since I bitch every time DL Morgan writes a poorly-researched, factually incorrect cut-n-pasted column, it wouldn't be fair for me not to mention it when he writes a good one. Nice job, DL. Unfortunately, your percentage of "good" columns hovers somewhere between Bryan Hipsher's FG percentage and UCF football's winning percentage.

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Zips are good at stopping the straight ahead run, so they should be able to keep Clemens in check. Zips defense gives up yards, but also generates turnovers. Every game for the past 5 has been a "playoff" game for the Zips, so the jitters probably won't be there. Frye is 0-3 vs Miami. He's due. Zips 31-Miami 27

Why not?

Miami (7-3, 6-1 MAC) at Akron (6-4, 6-1 MAC) - 6:00 Television: FOX Sports Net Ohio/Empire Network (Ron Thulin, play-by-play; Rob Otto, analyst). Site: Akron , Ohio - Rubber Bowl (35,000/AstroPlay) Series: Miami leads 10-4-1 ... the RedHawks have won three in a row and six of the last seven ... Akron 's last win was in 2000, 37-20. Coaches: MIA-Terry Hoeppner (47-23, sixth season); UA-J.D. Brookhart (6-4, first season). Game Notes: * It's all on the line for the East Division championship in this game. * Miami is the defending MAC Champion and also won a co-divisional title in 1998 - the Zips shared the East tile in 2000 and are after their first ever post season action since going to I-A in 1987. * Akron has won five in a row, a school record for its I-A competition. * Miami has captured five in a row also and its last two road games have resulted in wins ... the Zips have come back from 28-7 and 13-0 deficits the last two games for wins. * QBs Josh Betts ( Miami ) and Charlie Frye ( Akron ) rank third and fourth, respectively, in the league in passing efficiency. * Frye needs 13 completions to reach 900 for his career. * The Zips have allowed four punt returns for a score this year and will be challenged by Miami specialist Ryne Robinson, a sophomore who holds the MAC all-time record with five punt returns for a touchdown - the Zips have rebounded from a 1-4 overall start to the season with two five-point wins and one three-point victory among its five-game winning streak. Comment: Akron is very focused and has done a great job winning five in a row, but Miami does have more talent and is used to playing in and winning ‘big games’ when they count. Expect Miami to pull away late. Nick’s Pick: Miami 35 – Akron 24 Line: Miami by 8

After the 3rd overtime period you are forced to go for 2 points on TD's. There are no more ties in football...just like there's no crying in baseball. I maintain: You gotta get out of Mahoning County.

Ummmm....they've had overtime in college football for about 6 years. Dude, you gotta get out of Mahoning County.

Wow is that a confused column. Is DL Morgan doing some grad work at U of A?

It's interesting to look at...but pretty irrelevant. Was it rainy one when Miami played, and sunny when Akron played...was a key player(s) from an opponent out vs Akron, but played vs Miami...has the opponent declined or improved in the time between their Akron and Miami games...was Akron learning an entirely new system, while Miami's players were familiar with theirs...and so on... Akron doesn't play a wide open, shoot-em-out style. We rely on hard hits, turnovers and nonstop agressiveness to win on D. That has proven to give us a better-than-average chance to win over the past 7 games. By nature, we don't have many blow-outs. On offense, we are balanced. We move the ball and don't make many mistakes. We also have the intangable at QB in 5th year senior Frye. He can put the team on his shoulders, much like Roethlisberger could. If Miami tries to grind it out against us, I like our chances. From what I've seen from Clemens, he isn't a cut back runner, which is good. The shifty guys give our defense fits. Maybe Brandon Murphy gets more than his normal carries to take advantage of this? Regardless, it will be a great game Saturday. The Zips are playing solid football and have a lot of confidence at the moment. Add the home field to the mix...can't wait for kick off!

My guess: The Zips need to win-out to go bowling. Assuming BG is in (which they are), I would be shocked if a bowl chose Akron over NIU, Toledo, Miami or Marshall...even if we'd have beaten 2-of-the-4. Zips gotta take it one game at a time, starting Saturday.

The Zips QB next season will be Getsey. He was slated to be the #2 QB at Pitt this season, but transferred to Akron in early September. Obviously, it will be a step down from Frye...but it is reasonable to expect it will be similar to the Roethisberger-Betts transition. Our OL will take the biggest hit, losing 4 senior starters. But...the OL has been hot/cold this year. I can't believe the drop off will be too bad. We lose Fuller, Blackburn and Agyeman...and LeFall on defense. Replacements shouldn't be too much of a problem. I expect to be very competitve next season. And, if you're happy with your 2004 season...you can't begin to imagine how I feel about ours!

The loss of Marshall creates a void in the East. I really hope the Miami/Akron rivalry fills that void. It should...with Marshall's departure your coaching staff now needs a fresh press box to smash, and we need a replacement MAC East opponent to slap around 2-out-of-every-three years! All I know is, if the Zips win this Saturday, I'm staying the F away from the Miami staff when I rush the field!

To quote my buddy Zipsrifle: "Who's Lee Owens?"

* Hell of a road win for the Zips! Outscored OU 31-6 to close out the game! Defense held the OU offense to 13 points! * Biggs and the OL still struggling to post a big games vs. anyone but a bottom-feeder? Biggs needs a big game vs. Miami. Can he do it? * I love seeing the Zips win, with #5 hovering around 200 yards passing. Dude is all about winning...not stats...and it has carried us to a MAC East Championship game! * What is the Marketing push for this one? No need to give out freebies. Should be a great crowd...screw OSU! * I just shake my head and smile when I think of the progress this team has made over the course of the season. Warms my heart! * A Duane LeFall sighting?? Where'd that come from? I hope he and Kiki are ready to do some damage this week! * Scary thought...Miami's Betts is really playing well right now. We need to get pressure on the guy, because Miami's WR's are right up there with Marshall's. * Miami's defense ISN'T playing all that great. Expect a shootout Saturday. 38-31-ish score. * Our D gives up yards, but sure is making big plays and winning games!! * I have three distinct memories of the last time Miami played Akron @ the Rubber Bowl 1.) Roetlisberger running in front of the Zips bench waving the "#1" finger at the Zips after tossing a deep TD pass. 2.) Frye going SACK, SACK, SACK on a critical series, as the Zips tried to mount a comeback. 3.) Hearing, from the parking lot, the Miami team whooping it up in the Rubber Bowl locker room at games end...it was a raucous celebration. Frye and the Zips are 0-3 vs Miami. This game is for all the marbles (until the MACC game). I want to see #5 walk off the field victorious in his final home game, and doing it vs a Miami team would be the sweetest exclamation point to put on an awesome career. Additional exclamation points can, of course, be added in the post season.

The MAC “Elite” #1) BG: Last week #1: As predicted...drilled Marshall. Game vs. Toledo would be fun to watch. #2) Toledo - Last week #3. Big, big win vs NIU. Playing well at the moment. #3) Miami - Last week #2: Beat Toledo pretty handily, but I think Toledo is the better team. Drubbed hapless WMU this week. The “Upper-Middle of the Pack” #4) Zips - Last week #4 – Posting 31 on OU at Athens is pretty impressive. Outscored the Bobcats 31-6 in the final 3 quarters! Frye and Co. peaking at the right time. #5) Marshall - Last week #5: Put up 35 on BG, but could never stop them. Herd is on the ropes, but gets a patsie in WMU this week. The “Middle Rung” #6) Can't - Last week #7: Mauled the woebegone Bobcats, then Buffalo 33-7 and now EMU 69-3! Cribbs "smokin'" the competition. Give credit to the flushes...I'd take them vs. NIU (@ Can't) right now. #7) NIU - Last week #6: Barely beating UCF...then needing OT to beat Ball State...then a loss to Toledo that included getting shut out in the second half. NIU is playing their way out of the possible 3rd MAC bowl bid. A few weeks ago they would have been considered a lock. “Who Sucks More?” #8) OU - Last week #10. How do you move up after a home loss? Look who's below!! #9) Buffalo: Last week #13. Drilled by Can't. Not even in the same league. Bad, bad team. BUT...THEY DRILL CMU 33-6 this week!! Wow... #10) Ball State - Last week #11 : Pee-yeeewww... #11) EMU: Last week #11. The best directional team in Michigan! EMU's new coach seems to be decent...at least that's what I thought until the 66 point pasting @ Can't! #12) CMU - Last week #9: Drubbed by Buffalo. Does it get any worse? #13) UCF - Last week #12: They should move to Michigan and become yet another sucky directional Michigan school if they're going to suck this bad. Wait...there's already a Central Michigan. Maybe they could be "University of South Central Michigan"? O’Leary cashes another check from the $700K/yr salary. How does he do it with a straight face? #14.) Western Michigan - Last week #14. Yet another drilling of epic proportions. Darnell has Blackney disease. Brought the team from "championship caliber" to the bottom of the MAC. The MAC teams ranked 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 are absolutely HORRIBLE.

Their board moderator is funny. If you type "Akron" in any post text, it is automatically converted to "crAkron." The dude is clever...