GENOA – While it was certainly more famine than it was feast for the ever-hungry Genoa football Comets during their bitterly-disappointing 16-6 loss to by-now arch-nemesis the Orrville Red Riders at beautiful Avon Lake Memorial Stadium last Friday, Nov. 19, 2010 . . . the much-celebrated, 12-1, back-to-back-to-back-to-back Suburban Lakes League-champion, and reigning Division-IV regional-runner-up gridders from G-Town – as well as that rabid, local fan base known as “Comet Nation” – nonetheless do indeed have so much to be thankful for when they sit down to break bread with their families this holiday season.

So, in what is quickly becoming a fulfilling, finger licking tradition around the cozy WRSCradio.com offices every November . . . as you and yours prepare to carve up the turkey, pile on all those creamy, irresistible mashed potatoes, ladle out rivers-upon-rivers of golden gravy, and oh, yes, hopefully wrinkle up your collective noses to that ever-suspect green bean casserole left sitting forsaken on the counter this Thanksgiving . . . your ever-loyal, eternally-grateful Genoa-based WRSC broadcast team of Simone Eli, Rick Waldron, and yours truly, Jeff Norwalk, once again will commence to generously serve up our annual “Golden Microphone Awards” as if they were so many good, old-fashioned Pillsbury Crescent Rolls just hot out of the oven . . . as we raise a well-deserved glass to G-Town’s beloved Comets, and toast a bountiful 2010 season.

“Offensive Player-of-the-Year” – While sensational sophomore running back Kyle Nutter doesn’t exactly possess the raw, punishing power of a Hummer like Greg “the Human Bowling Ball” Hillabrand, nor the sheer, freakish speed of a Maserati like Connor Wendt . . . the Comets’ new feature back for 2010, and hopefully beyond, didn’t even come close to stalling out, and breaking down like a proverbial Ford Pinto under duress like many critics guessed he would either! Indeed . . . rolling up a high-octane 1,656 yards, on 268 durable carries, for a formidable 6.2 yards-per-carry average, and 22 touchdowns . . . let’s call No. 34 a brand-new, sleek 2010 Dodge Charger with a whole lot of good, old-fashioned American muscle under the hood . . . as in 13 games, Nutter not only ran over the opposition all season long, but he also went a long way in helping to leave the notion that this would be a rebuilding year for the Comets sans Hillabrand, Wendt, and longtime starting quarterback Matt Bassitt, well in the dust.

“Offensive Player-of-the-Year Runner(s)-Up” – Still, even the most classic racers need a little help crossing the finish line from time to time . . . so, call this unit six greasy, grinding tanks, or perhaps even more-appropriately, just one, well-oiled  tow truck-of-a-machine that labored, and labored, and labored some more to help pull the Comets’ new-look offense through . . . because without all those gaping holes opened up at the point-of-attack, or those nasty, grill-rattling blocks downfield executed by a hustling Genoa offensive line featuring the likes of seniors Matt Keaton (LT), “Big” Andrew Hayes (RG), and Luke Sutter (RT); juniors Evan Wendt (LG) and Jarrod Adkins (TE); and super-sophomore Nick Keller (C), and the rest of their mates in the trenches . . . Kyle Nutter could be in the “garage” halfway through the season.

“Defensive Player-of-the-Year” – Even though he dropped upwards of 10 pounds in the offseason due to a rigorous, rabid strength and conditioning program to help him prepare physically and mentally for his senior year . . . did anyone truly play “bigger” for the then-three-time defending SLL champs in ’10 than “Big” Andrew Hayes, a senior guard, who not only finally notched first-team all-SLL accolades for his work on the Comets’ “O”-line - as well as an esteemed “SLL Co-Player-of-the-Year honor, which helped him to make league history – after being shunned by voters following a strong junior season . . . but who also found his niche on coach Tim Spiess’ rabid “Pit Bull” defense as a starting defensive tackle for the very first time in his memorable career . . . where he seemed to lead the pack as the “big dog” week in and week out, on his way to devouring opposing ball carriers ( he was third on the team with 49 tackles), and going for the jugular on several big plays (who could forget his late pick to seal the deal against a marching Belleville-Clearfork team down in Tiffin during the regional semis, or his early interception against Orrville to set up the Comets’ only score), which bulked up his defensive totals on the year to two interceptions, one fumble recovery, and six “big” sacks.

“Defensive Player-of-the-Year Runner-Up” – Sure . . . fellow starting linebacker Tyler “T-Pick” Pickard may have recorded more tackles (57), and put up greater numbers (three sacks, three interceptions, and two picks returned for touchdowns), and aforementioned defensive tackle Andrew Hayes may have played the game with more urgency and ferocity . . . but throughout the Cinderella 2010 season – and truly, throughout his entire celebrated Comet career – perhaps no Genoa gridder has soldiered on with as much pure heart, love for the maroon-and-gray colors, good, old-fashioned intestinal fortitude, and unwavering reliability than old-school senior linebacker and defensive signal caller “Superman” Seth Dufendock. Fine . . . dislocate his shoulder, knock him into next week with a crack-back block, and step all over his ankle with your cleats . . . he’ll still peel himself right off the turf, and keep coming after you! The Comets’ second-leading tackler with 53bruising takedowns, to go along with his 24 assists, his two sacks, and his endless blue-collar grit . . . pull back that familiar No. 10 jersey, and there’s likely to be an “S” emblazoned on “Dufe’s” chest.

“Special Teams Player-of-the-Year” – While when it comes to talking about winning football, the average fan is most likely to add up rushing yards, and touchdown passes, and numbers of points put up on the scoreboard by the offense, and then subtract takeaways, and sacks, and key goal line stands by the defense, as well as other tone-setting stats . . . the true pigskin purist knows that the all-important, added dimension of special teams figures into the formula, as well! So, in laymen’s terms, for the Comets . . . take junior all-SLL, all-Ohio, seemingly all-World placekicker Tyler Pickard, and then add a money-in-the-bank ratio of 53 extra-points made on 59 attempts (for 90%), and then figure in a 77% success rate on field goals, in which “T-Pick” went 10 of 13 on the year, and then factor out not one, but two school record-breaking boots of 45 and 47 yards in as many years (and last but not least, don’t forget all those nice rainmaking punts, and touchbacks he boomed, to help tilt the field in Genoa’s favor) . . . and not only do you have the second most-successful Comets’ team in rich Genoa football history. But also, a literal shoe-in as the most-celebrated kicker the mighty maroon-and-gray has ever turned out!

“Rookie-of-the-Year” – While as a junior, it may have been difficult at times to truly classify the Comets’ brand-new, 2010 starting signal caller as a bona fide “rookie” . . . when one considers that prior to this Cinderella season, Josh Bryer mostly stood on the sidelines, learning the ropes of coach Mike Vicars’ classic “Wing-T” offense under then-longtime incumbent, and standout all-league quarterback Matt Bassitt . . . that label indeed seems justified. Still, in his first full season at the helm, No. 11 didn’t play at all  like a scared, awkward, mistake-prone newbie, but rather like a seasoned, poised, and legit  number one . . . on his way to showing flashes of true brilliance (again, who could forget how Bryer stood up in the pocket, and delivered a dart to senior wide receiver Derek Allgier in the middle of the end zone, on a pass that literally zinged its way between two converging Rossford defenders, back in week one), and putting up otherwise very steady, workmanlike numbers (72 completions, on 137 attempts, for 53%, and 13 touchdowns, and only five interceptions through 13 contests). Though as always . . . what remains as the most impressive and reassuring about the Comets’ field general of the future is his mental toughness, as he runs his huddle confidently, takes care of the ball, and doesn’t wilt under the heat of the Friday night lights.

“Breakout Player-of-the-Year” – Maybe it was due partly to the slightly-skewed view from the often-obstructed press box windows . . . but didn’t it seem like welcome transfer player and junior defensive end Devin Sibby packed on some impressive, game-changing muscle to his compact 5-8, 185 lb. frame, to go along with a whole lot of good, old-fashioned Comet “nasty” this 2010 season, “Comet Nation?” Menacing opposing ball carriers to the tune of 38 tackles (to finish fifth on the team) through 13 games, as well as signal callers wearing different colors with a feverish nine sacks to lead all Comet rushers – No. 44 also recovered two fumbles – “Sib” is definitely the G-Town version of “Pocket Hercules.”

“Defining Moment-of-the-Year” – Indeed, even after cruising to the program’s typical 10-0 record throughout the SLL’s regular season, blowing opponent-after-opponent out (save for Oak Harbor and Eastwood), and producing both a 1,000-plus yard rusher and a 1,000-plus yard passer in a pair of so-called “rookies” . . . certain critics of the 2010 Genoa football Comets, and let’s face it, even some “doubters” deep inside “Comet Nation,” were reluctant to truly define this edition of the G-Town gridders as either a bona fide, battle-tested champion, or a legitimate contender for the D-IV state crown. However . . . this team finally did  “come-of-age,” and in the process ultimately shut up the naysayers who were crying “Strength of schedule! Strength of schedule!”, when it proved it had both the guts and the character to come from behind, and win a close one in a pressure-cooker situation, like it did when it nipped a tough Ottawa-Glandorf Titans’ team 7-6 during the first round of the playoffs, in front of a capacity crowd at Comet Stadium. Want to see a football team grow up firsthand, Comet critics? Go back and watch tape of that first sustained offensive drive of the second half . . . or better yet, that last defensive stance, with time running out, and the Titans marching. That’s the mettle of a champion. 

“Facility-of-the-Year” – Sure . . . there were twice as many stairs to climb – perhaps even three-times as many – than your ever-loyal, eternally-grateful Genoa-based WRSCradio.com broadcasting team is used to, to get to the top of the high school football nirvana that is Avon Lake Memorial Stadium, in idyllic Avon, Ohio . . . but once we hefted all that equipment up the bleachers, caught our breath, and dabbed at our brows . . . oh, what a view! There was the high-tech, state-of-the-art digital scoreboard . . . which not only flashed the typical score, downs, and time . . . but also entire 2010 team pictures, and pulsating team logos, as it simultaneously broadcasted every tick, every punishing run, and every slobber-knocking hit of the game. There was the pristine, lush turf, which was surrounded by seating for close to 5,700 – some of which was theater-style, minus the cup holders – which was all tucked cozily into a pastoral, wooded-type setting alive in fall color, which of course whistled with a bitterly-cold wind howling in off nearby Lake Erie. There was convenient parking. There was a friendly, personable staff. And did we mention that we had 50-yard-line seats in the toasty, and spacious press box? Indeed . . . the giant “AL” painted beautifully on the middle of the field doesn’t just stand for “Avon Lake.” It also stands for “All-Legend.” 

“Press Box-of-the-Year” – No, it didn’t look like much from the road when the WRSCradio.com limo pulled up for the big, Friday, Nov. 12 heavyweight donnybrook with the smash-mouth Bellville-Clearfork Colts – okay, okay . . . it was really just a red Jeep Liberty – but once your roving broadcast team finally did brave the stairs-upon-stairs at Tiffin’s Frost-Kalnow Stadium, and reached the top where the deep, double-tiered structure seemed to rest precariously like some sort of impressive glass tomb . . . we indeed discovered that it was not only a whole lot, but also the proverbial “penthouse” of all press box facilities encountered in two full seasons of covering Genoa Comets’ football together, as it was alive with amenities! Soundproof glass? Check. Dual levels to separate the media outlets from the coaching staffs and statisticians, and allow for stretching out? Check. A neat, little porthole through which to feed a “crowd mic?” Check. And for the first time ever . . . a pair of doting, motherly types who actually came around just before halftime to take our meal orders for the press-row buffet . . . which just added to the warm northwest Ohio hospitality of making sure our whistles always stayed wet, via their constant serving up of ice-cold Sunkists and Diet Cokes to us throughout our broadcast . . . which leaves only one thing left to be said. Waiter . . . check, please! We want to go back to Tiffin! 

“Press Box Spread-of-the-Year” – While those ever-pesky, always-formidable Eastwood Eagles under legendary coach Jerry Rutherford perpetually make for a guaranteed knockdown, drag-out heavyweight fight for the coveted SLL crown each and every year . . . during this year’s “bout for the bling” at Freedom Field just outside of sleepy Pemberville, the most definitive moment for your loyal WRSCradio.com broadcasters came not when Comets’ defensive juggernaut Andrew Hayes collided with Eastwood’s battering ram of a ball carrier Pernell Connor for the very first time . . . nor after Genoa’s Kyle Nutter toted the rock for a career-high 218 yards against that iron-fisted Eagles’ defense . . . nor on the field of play at all!  But rather when press row was introduced to Eastwood’s heavyweight halftime spread . . . which was laid out like a beautiful, bountiful Thanksgiving Day feast itself in the middle of October . . . for all of the piled-high pulled pork sandwiches, zesty chicken wings, homemade meatballs, and other meaty, messy vittles that were generously provided for us to take on! And for desert? Who could beat a tray of soft, homemade sugar cookies delivered personally to the press box just for us, by our friends and longtime advertisers of Shear Delight, Genoa . . . who happen to also be longtime Eastwood Eagles’ supporters! Boo-yah!

“Grid Grub-of-the-Year” – Carrying on the hearty WRSCradio.com tradition two-years-in-the-making of dining out, err, heartily, at a local eating establishment every time the Comets go on the road . . . and then dishing about said-eats, and their tasty merits during the third quarters of ensuing broadcasts . . . the “Golden Microphone,” or should we dub it more fittingly the “Golden Spatula” for the “Grid Grub-of-the-Year” honor for 2010 goes to the dogs . . . as in the quaint, but charming “Dog House” located at 127 S. Main St. in equally-charming downtown Ada . . . which the WRSC crew made a pit-stop at during a long road-trip to extremely-rural McGuffey, Ohio where the Comets were to butt heads with the Upper-Scioto Valley Rams. Indeed, owned and operated by the personable, and welcoming John Downer and Casey Simon . . . “The Dog House” boasted upwards of 22 different varieties of hot dogs (how fun it would be to try them all!), along with thick, juicy burgers, chicken wings, piping-hot, greasy fries, mozzarella sticks, chewy chocolate chip cookies for desert, and even “icees,” to go along with so much more! All-in-all . . . our visit definitely gave our mouths fuel to run throughout our night behind the mic . . . even if the Upper-Scioto stadium staff turned off the lights before we could finish our post-game show.

“Most Valuable WRSCradio.com Team Member-of-the-Year” – While the “Golden Microphone” for this one could easily go to either “the Standard Bearer of “Comet Nation” himself, Mike Hayes (for his enduring Comet spirit, his tireless help in providing Genoa football news tips and insight, and his ongoing assistance on broadcasts and the “Genoa Comet Coaches’ Corner” coaches’ show at Ray’z Café); or Genoa High School junior, Dean “the Gopher” Camp (for his equally-tireless running to and from the FFA concession stand at Comet Stadium, to provide his broadcaster friends with eats during home games); or even Todd Traver and his ever-industrious statistician’s crew, for expediently providing us with the numbers we needed to help us connect the proverbial “dots” during broadcasts (also guys, thanks for not letting us think to highly of ourselves, when we thought we were spinning radio gold) . . . this year, the award goes to the third member of our very own WRSCradio.com Genoa Comets’ family . . . Simone “Smooth-as-Silk” Eli, for her diligent background research on each of G-Town’s opponents as the season wore on; her crunching of Traver’s aforementioned numbers; her production of pre-game scripts for weeks one-through-11, and her filling in as a very intelligent, insightful “color analyst” while Rick was out on the P.U.P. list. Add all of this to the fact that she plays basketball as an up-and-coming two-guard for Coach Curt Miller’s six-time Mid-American Conference-champion Bowling Green State University Lady Falcons, is a frequent flier on the University Dean’s List, and is a budding sports broadcaster at BGSU herself . . . and it’s no wonder  this super-intern has been nicknamed “Smooth-as-Silk.” She always delivers.   

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