Avon Lake at Benedictine
What: Nonconference game
Where: Euclid Community Stadium in Euclid
When: 7 p.m., Aug. 24
Records: Avon Lake 1-0, Benedictine 0-1
For the record: Benedictine may be in the midst of a 12-game losing streak that’s lasted from the end of the 2021 season to its 49-26 Week 1 loss to Walsh Jesuit. Make no mistake, though: They are young and hungry under first-year coach Joe Prevesk. In last year’s 0-10 season, five games were decided by one possession against teams the caliber of Cleveland Heights (22-21), Akron Buchtel (24-19) and Walsh Jesuit (38-32 in double overtime). Avon Lake struggled in its 19-14 win over Strongsville, which went 3-8 in last year. The good news is the defense performed well. Complementary football will be key in this matchup to not compromise its defense. Avon Lake coach Matt Kostelnik was adamant in the preseason about running the football, and rushing for 44 yards against the Mustangs is not a recipe for success. This should be a bounceback game for the offensive line. Wide receiver Luke Stuewe lived up to the hype as a Division I football recruit, who had over 100 receiving yards from four catches and intercepted two passes on defense.
