Olmsted Falls looks to test younger Avon team and its SWC dynasty

High School SportsPath toward SWC title takes a big turn with Avon at Olmsted FallsOLMSTED TWP., Ohio — Avon has won 35 straight football games in the Southwestern Conference, including last week’s opening rout of North Ridgeville.The Eagles (2-2), who are 15th in this week’s cleveland.com Top 25, needed it after a two-game skid against nonleague opponents: Pine-Richland (Pa.) and Upper Arlington. Their bid for an 11th straight SWC title continues with a trip to Olmsted Falls’ Charles A. Harding Stadium and an opponent that has come close to challenging Avon’s throne.The 20th-ranked Bulldogs (3-1) pushed Avon two years ago in the playoffs before a high-scoring loss, giving them high hopes last year. Those hopes quickly ended, both in the regular season with a 28-0 win by the Eagles and again early in the playoffs.This is a different — and much younger — Avon team, however.VASJ, Garfield Heights meet in marquee east-side football clashSep. 15, 2026, 2:05p.m.No. 1 Massillon vs. No. 2 St. Edward is Friday: Can the Eagles snap the Tigers’ streak?Sep. 15, 2026, 1:05p.m.Who is No. 1 in every division? Matt Goul’s Ohio high school football rankings for Week 5Sep. 15, 2026, 8:05a.m.The Eagles returned only four starters on offense and two on defense from their state championship team. They have been tested early this season before putting up big numbers last week against North Ridgeville. Senior running back Michael Colburn rushed for three touchdowns and 98 yards in a 62-21 victory. Junior quarterback Trevor Sykora completed his first eight passes and had 137 yards with two TDs.Olmsted Falls senior Cameron Pesch led the Bulldogs’ third straight win by cruising last week at winless Elyria. The quarterback completed all six of his passes for 140 yards and two TDs with another 53 yards rushing on just three carries.Both teams have big-play defenders, including Falls linebacker and West Virginia recruit Mason Cerovac. Avon senior defensive tackle Nolan Robke not only had a sack and helped the Eagles against the run, but he ran back an interception 20 yards for a touchdown last week. Robke leads the defense with two sacks on the season, while Cody Canning has a team-high 20 tackles, including three tackles for loss.These teams have met twice per year, including the Division II playoffs, for the last five seasons. Avon has won every time, not only in that stretch but since they became conference rivals in 2013.It’s a 19-game winning streak in total.Matt Goul has covered high school sports with some college and pros sprinkled in since 2005 with a bachelor's degree from Kent State University. He has covered high school basketball and football in Northeast...