Looking at the numbers halfway through the North Royalton Football season, senior wide receiver/defensive back Bradley Kmetz is making the most of his time on the field.
In the first five games, Kmetz caught 11 passes for 337 yards and six touchdowns. Brad is averaging slightly more than 30 yards a catch. Most receivers will tell you that if you average over 20 yards a catch, you’re having a great season.
In all-purpose yards, (rushing, pass receiving, kickoff returns and punt returns) Kmetz is averaging 115 yards a game, second on the team. His six touchdowns are also second on the team.
The 30-plus yards per reception is an eye-opening number. But, Brad knows there are a lot of teammates responsible for his success.
“Joey (Marousek) knows that I can get open. When he has the time, I know that he can deliver the ball. When you put the two together, we have something special with each other.”
The result was a 50-yard TD reception in the Twinsburg game. Against Stow-Munroe Falls, the Marousek-Kmetz connection resulted in TD passes of 58 and 41 yards. Against Parma, Brad scored on a 24-yard touchdown pass from Marousek. In the season opener, Kmetz had two receptions and a touchdown.
Brad says he prefers defense to offense when he plays for the Bears.
“I love defense because it gets my aggressiveness out of my system. I get to show a little more of my ‘mean’ side. But, I just love being out there with all of my teammates whether it is on offense, defense or special teams.”
In the Highland game, Brad had a forced fumble in the game. Against Parma on the opening drive of the game, Kmetz tipped a pass that resulted in an interception for a teammate on the way to a 34-0 North Royalton win.
Football isn’t the only sport that Brad participates in at North Royalton High School. He also plays on the basketball team and runs on the track team. Brad calls basketball “my fun sport.” In track, Brad participates in the long jump and a number of relay teams.
Brad says that football is his passion. “Being out here with the team and everyone drives my passion. It’s awesome to see the growth between all the players. Everyone says that football is like a family, and it really is, to see the players that they are today.”
Does Brad hope to play football in College? “I would love to consider it and see what options I can do with it.” Brad said he has been contacted by colleges who want him to be a track athlete.
For the remainder of the season, Kmetz said the goals for the Bears are relatively simple. “We want to win, stay healthy and try to make it to the playoffs. We want to get in and see what we can do with it.”

By JOE JASTRZEMSKI
Contributing Writer