By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Janiere Cook has accepted the challenge.

With injuries to fellow running backs Marcus Council and Logan Fincham, the Streetsboro senior standout has jumped into the lead role as the Rockets’ feature back.

Cook, who has been a contributor for the team since his sophomore season, took his game to an entirely new level last week during a victory over Coventry.

Cook rushed for 305 yards in only 16 carries for an average of 19.1 yards per carry.

He scored three touchdowns and led the Rockets to a convincing 48-6 Metro Athletic Conference road victory.

It was the second-best single-game rushing game in Streetsboro school history.

The only game better was produced by Richter McCallister, who rushed for 315 yards in a state playoff game against Dover during the 2020 season.

“Janiere has responded well to an increased workload and has taken on a leadership role in helping lesser experienced running backs acclimate into the offense,” Streetsboro head coach Pete Thompson said. “Against Coventry, he showed power, speed, vision and elusiveness.”

Cook’s incredible 308-yard performance actually was very nearly more.

He had a 40-yard touchdown called back by a penalty and another 60-plus-yard jaunt was walked back when it was determined that he stepped out of bounds at the 30-yard line.

For the season, Cook has now rushed for 715 yards and 10 touchdowns.

JANUSKA EMERGES FOR DEVILS

Over the last couple of weeks, senior Wyatt Januska has emerged as an offensive force for the Crestwood Red Devils.

In the team’s narrow Week 3 loss to Cuyahoga Heights, Januska rushed for 201 yards in only 12 carries and scored four touchdowns. He also had two receptions for 51 yards in the game.

In Week 4, the Devils dominated Beachwood to pick up their first win of the season.

And Januska was in a leading role once again.

He ran for 74 yards and three touchdowns and also had 96 yards receiving and another score.

Now, for the season, Januska’s totals include 388 yards rushing, 191 yards receiving and eight total touchdowns.

“Wyatt’s emergence has been a huge boost for our offense,” Crestwood head coach Jack D’Amato said. “He’s really started to find his rhythm and made big plays when we need him. His ability to read defenses and find open space has allowed him to make significant contributions, whether it’s breaking off a big run or making a key catch. It’s clear that he’s growing more confident in his role and that confidence is showing up on the field.”

In studying the team’s opening games of the season, D’Amato and his coaching staff made a decision to adjust Januska’s role within the offense and it has paid off for the Devils.

“We noticed that he is really effective when given more opportunities in space, so we’ve worked to get him the ball in different situations where he can use his strengths,” D’Amato said. “Whether it’s moving him around in different formations or allowing him more touches in key moments, these changes have really helped him settle into a groove. The coaching staff has been intentional about putting him in positions where he can succeed and it has paid off.”

AURORA SEEKS TO BOUNCE BACK

You need to go back nearly 30 years to find the last time the Aurora football team started a season with at least three losses in the first four weeks.

In the 1997 season, when the Greenmen finished 2-8 overall, the team lost its first six games of the season before running off a Week 7 win over Berkshire (26-7).

This season, Aurora is seeking a needed bounce-back win and host Revere on Friday.

The Minutemen are 3-0, with their Week 2 game against Akron Garfield canceled.

Revere defeated Kent Roosevelt last week 28-16.

TONIGHT’S WEEK 5 SCHEDULE

Revere at Aurora

Brooklyn at Crestwood

Field at Norton

Champion at Garfield

Cuyahoga Falls at Kent Roosevelt

Ellet at Mogadore

Woodridge at Ravenna

Beachwood at Rootstown

Southeast at Crestview

Springfield at Streetsboro

Waterloo at Mineral Ridge

Cardinal at Windham

FRIDAY NIGHT FORECAST

We will get to to enjoy another beautiful night for football.

At kickoff, the temperature will be in the low 70s and it will hover in the high 60s throughout the remainder of the game.

No rain is expected and clear skies.

UPDATED STANDINGS

CHAGRIN VALLEY CONFERENCE

VALLEY DIVISION

Rootstown 4-0, 0-0

Kirtland 4-0, 0-0

Berkshire 2-2, 0-0

Chagrin Falls 1-2, 0-0

Crestwood 1-3, 0-0

METRO ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Norton 3-0, 1-0

Cloverleaf 3-1, 1-0

Streetsboro 3-1, 1-0

Woodridge 2-2, 1-0

Coventry 1-3, 0-1

Ravenna 1-3, 0-1

Springfield 1-3, 0-1

Field 0-4, 0-1

SUBURBAN LEAGUE

AMERICAN CONFERENCE

Highland 4-0, 1-0

Revere 3-0, 1-0

Copley 3-1, 1-0

Barberton 1-3, 1-0

Kent Roosevelt 2-2, 0-1

Aurora 1-3, 0-1

Cuyahoga Falls 1-3, 0-1

Tallmadge 1-3, 0-1

MAHONING VALLEY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

GREY DIVISION

Crestview 4-0, 1-0

Garfield 3-1, 1-0

Brookfield 2-2, 1-0

Southeast 2-2, 1-0

Liberty 3-1, 0-1

Champion 2-2, 0-1

LaBrae 2-2, 0-1

Newton Falls 0-4, 0-1

MAHONING VALLEY ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

SCARLET DIVISION

McDonald 4-0, 1-0

Mineral Ridge 3-1, 1-0

Campbell Memorial, 2-2, 1-0

Jackson-Milton 3-1, 0-1

New Middletown Springfield, 1-2, 0-0

Lowellville 1-3, 0-1

Western Reserve 1-3, 0-1

Waterloo 0-3, 0-0

NORTHEASTERN ATHLETIC CONFERENCE

Grand Valley 3-1, 1-0

Pymatuning Valley 3-1, 1-0

Fairport Harding 3-0, 0-0

St. John 1-3, 0-0

Cardinal 0-3, 0-0

Mathews 1-3, 0-1

Windham 0-4, 0-1

POSTSEASON UPDATE

DIVISION III, REGION 9

15. Kent Roosevelt

21. Aurora

DIVISION IV, REGION 13

2. Streetsboro

18. Ravenna

T22. Field

DIVISION V, REGION 17

T9. Garfield

14. Southeast

T23. Crestwood

DIVISION VI, REGION 21

10. Rootstown

DIVISION VII, REGION 25

4. Mogadore

T19. Waterloo

T19. Windham

THE TRENCH TEAM IS COMING

The 12th annual Portage Sports All-Trench Team is scheduled to be announced next week.

The feature spotlights the best offensive linemen in Portage County and has long been an appreciated story for a group of players who oftentimes are not given their deserved spotlight.

Be on the lookout for the story to publish on Portage Sports next week!

WEEK 6 LOOKAHEAD SCHEDULE

Copley at Aurora

Kent Roosevelt at Barberton

Cloverleaf at Ravenna

Field at Springfield

Norton at Streetsboro

Southeast at Garfield

Chagrin Falls at Crestwood

Cleveland Central Catholic at Mogadore

Rootstown at Berkshire

McDonald at Waterloo

Windham at Mathews