By Tom Nader

Publisher and Editor

Friday’s fourth week of high school football will have nice weather, the start of league play and much, much more.

Let’s look at all of the action before tonight’s kickoff.

WHERE IS ALL THE NOISE?

Through the first three weeks of the season, I have seen plenty of intensity on the field, but not as much in the bleachers.

Throughout games, during critical moments, the vocal support falls silent too often.

The game atmosphere is something that must be created by fans and student sections who are enthusiastic at the right times.

Tonight is a night to bring the noise!

TONIGHT’S SCHEDULE

Aurora at Revere

Kent Roosevelt at Cuyahoga Falls

Tuscarawas Central Catholic at Windham

New Middletown Springfield at Waterloo

Norton at Ravenna

Coventry at Streetsboro

Field at Woodridge

Newark Catholic at Mogadore

Rootstown at Pymatuning Valley

Beachwood at Crestwood

LaBrae at Garfield

Southeast at Newton Falls

TONIGHT’S WEATHER

Tonight will be far different than last Friday.

Perhaps you have needed the entire week to dry off from last week!

At kickoff tonight, the skies will be empty of rain clouds and filled with sunshine.

The temperature will be in the high 70s and will remain in the low 70s by the fourth quarter.

Take advantage of what will be a gorgeous fall night of high school football.

STATISTICAL LEADERS

This week’s updated offensive and defensive statistical leaders can be found here.

STATE POLL

The first Associated Press state poll was released this week. Aurora (Division III), Streetsboro (Division IV) and Windham (Division VII) are all recognized in the poll.

See the full poll lists here.

PIGSKIN PICKS

The fourth week of picks for the Pigskin Picks Challenge were posted on Thursday night.

Check out who is picking who and who owns the standings lead.

The Week 4 picks are sponsored by Roma’s Bar and Grille, which is located in Mogadore.

STREETSBORO’S NEW TACKLES RECORD

Streetsboro senior Jackson Gula became the football program’s career tackles leader in a Week 3 win over Alliance.

Gula now has 304 tackles.

The record was previously held by Kyle Skonieczny (2003-06), who had 301.

Gula’s year-by-year tackles totals:

• Freshman: 87
• Sophomore: 90
• Junior: 105

Senior: 22 (through Week 3)

Gula also has eight career interceptions, which is tied for a record with Cory Lanterman (2005-08).

UNUSUAL START FOR MOGADORE

The Mogadore Wildcats have opened 2024 in unfamiliar territory.

The most storied program in Portage County has celebrated more success than anyone else, and in most cases, more than multiple programs combined together.

That’s why the Cats’ 0-3 start has been so unusual.

It is the first time Mogadore has lost its first three games to begin a season since 1966.

FAST START FOR AURORA

With all of the success the Aurora Greenmen have had on the gridiron over the last 20 years, it is interesting that the team has three 4-0 starts in the last 10 seasons.

This year’s group has the potential to become the next great Aurora team to have the honor of a 4-0 start in that timeframe, joining the teams from 2021, 2019 and 2015.

Aurora plays at Revere tonight.

ALL-TRENCH TEAM

One of my favorite stories each and every year is my All-Trench Team.

This is a feature that is designed to spotlight the standout offensive linemen in Portage County.

This is the feature’s 11th year and the story will post on Thursday (Sept. 19) on Portage Sports.

Stay tuned to see who this year’s story highlights.

LOOK-AHEAD WEEK 5 SCHEDULE

Aurora at Copley

Barberton at Kent Roosevelt

Ravenna at Woodridge

Streetsboro at Springfield

Norton at Field

Akron North at Rootstown

Crestwood at Brooklyn

Garfield at Champion

Crestview at Southeast

Mogadore at Ellet

Mineral Ridge at Waterloo

Windham at Grand Valley

PORTAGE SPORTS IN WINDHAM

A special and sincere shoutout to Windham and its maintenance and grounds team for painting the Portage Sports logo onto the football field for Friday night’s Week 4 matchup with Tuscarawas Central Catholic.

What an honor to have the “PS” logo as part of Ed Liddle Field for a football night with the Bombers!

The design and color look great!

I can’t wait to get to the field on Friday night to see it for myself.

Windham has had a special place in my heart for a long time and this is just another example of how great the people are at the school and community.