Mentor's dominating 38-14 win over previously unbeaten Hudson was easily their top performance of the year. The Explorers came to Mentor with an 8-0 record and the top spot in the Region 1 computer rankings. The Cardinals clearly showed they are playing on another level than even the strongest of their league foes.
NOC Dominance
Mentor is wrapping up their third season in the Northeast Ohio Conference. During that time, they have a 13-1 record against the NOC Valley and a 19-1 overall record against NOC teams. The lone blemish was in Week 10 in 2011 at Twinsburg. In the 19 wins, the 24-point margin of defeat by Hudson is the closest any team got. Hudson had an impressive year in the Valley (going 3-0 against Solon, Strongsville, and Brunswick) - but Mentor is in a league of their own.
Krizancic
If not for the recent string of Mr. Football QB's - we in Mentor may appreciate Conner Krizancic a little more. He is having a fantastic season. After a slow start due to an apparent dead arm, Krizancic has come into his own and his playing his way as an All-District QB. Who would have thought that 6 or 7 weeks ago? After Week 3, Krizancic was 23-38 passing for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns. Lately, he is able to do better than that in a single game. On the season, the senior has 2,662 combined yards (passing, rushing, and receiving) to go along with 32 touchdowns.
Defense
The offense was good on Friday. But the defense continued their strong play as well. Hudson came into this game with a much hyped QB in Mitchell Guadagni. He certainly showcased a strong and accurate arm. Guadagni was able to bust a couple of big runs. But the defense made sure it wasn't five or six big plays with his legs. Overall, Guadagni was held in check - and that is all you can ask out of your defense. The defensive line did their part in forcing Guadagni to make quick throws. The secondary was led by some big pass break ups by seniors Kiyah Powell and Keith McCormick. Senior LB Justin McMahon had another strong performance that included an interception. The defense is continuing to improve each week. Opponents will not be putting up big numbers on this defense in November.
Making the most of it
Senior receiver Jake Berardinelli has had very few opportunities in the first eight games of the season. Most of his reps came when the game was already over. He was recovering from an injury at the beginning of the season and lost his starting spot. Berardinelli certainly earned that spot back for the rest of the season with his stellar play on Friday. The 6'1, 200-pound target was effective at coming up with a big play when needed most. With opposing defenses are focused on the legs of Krizancic and RB Eddie Daugherty as well as the deep receiving threats in Fritts/Plavcan - the opportunity to shine is there. In the past two games, Berardinelli has 7 catches for 95 yards and a touchdown. He has rushed for 43 yards on just four carries as well.
Computer Points
Mentor now sits at No. 2 in the Region 1 computer rankings. I project the Cards to finish no lower than that as long as they take care of business against Strongsville (5-4) this week. That means a home game in Week 11 and (hopefully) a favorable draw. Mentor's most likely first round opponents are Toledo Whitmer (remember them?), Massillon Jackson, and Shaker Heights. All should be decided by Saturday. Check www.joeeitel.com/hsfoot for the latest.
Monday, October 28, 2013
Thursday, October 24, 2013
Mentor/Hudson Preview
With a game this big, it deserves its own preview. To my knowledge, this is the first time Mentor and Hudson have played each other. Could it get much bigger than this? The Explorers are having one of their best seasons in school history. They have the opportunity to take on the defending Region 1 champs and prove they belong with the top teams in Division I.
Hudson
Hudson (8-0) is the top team in Region 1 in the computer points standings. They didn't get there by accident. The Explorers have given Brecksville and Stow their only losses of the season. They also own signature wins over Brunswick and Solon.
Hudson's defense has given up no more than 17 points all season. Stow/Brecksville (each have a 7-1 record) scored only 7 points a piece on Hudson in regulation - Brecksville ended up with 14 total in 2OT. The Explorers are allowing just under 10 points per game. Their defense is led by LB Ben Hart, DB John Zuccaro, DL Charles Behal, DB Matthew Rightnour, among others.
On offense, it starts and ends with talented QB Mitchell Guadagni. The 6'2 junior had a stellar season in 2012 and is showing the area that he will be playing on Saturdays after he graduates from Hudson. Guadagni has an offer from Buffalo, and more are sure to come over the next several months. Aside from his 1,459 yards and 15 TD's in the air - Guadagni is the leading rusher with 580 yards and 4 touchdowns. It is rare that Mentor goes up against a team that has superior QB play. This might be one of those rare occasions. Joining Guadagni in the back field are RB's Dean Miller and Ben Hart. WR Jared Ruffing (29 catches for 441 yards) is the No. 1 target.
Mentor
The Cardinals (7-1) have been on a roll since the St Ignatius loss in Week 2. Over the last six games, the defense has posted three shutouts and also held Brunswick to just a field goal. The offense has scored 35 or more against every opponent except St Ignatius. QB Conner Krizancic is having a strong season. RB Eddie Daugherty is helping to balance the offense. Overall, Mentor is proving to be pretty balanced on both sides of the ball.
Mentor's signature wins so far are against Solon (35-0), Brunswick (45-3), and Shaker Heights (56-14). Standouts on defense include DE Kent Berger, DT Nico Lautanen, and LB Justin McMahon. Overall, the defensive line has been the most consistent unit of the entire team. This is not the 2012 defense that got their teeth knocked in week after week in the playoffs.
Matchup
Many will point to the QB battle as the key deciding factor of the game. It may be. I think Hudson needs to have superior QB play to win. Mentor shouldn't be as reliant on that factor. If Krizancic outplays Guadagni, Mentor should win. But I think the Cardinals have a little more talent in other areas and could still win the game if Guadagni proves to be a more talented signal caller.
I look for Mentor's strong defensive line to be a bigger key to the game than Krizancic. The boys up front need to put pressure on Guadagni and (more importantly) come up with some big sacks or tackles near the line of scrimmage when he is on the run. As stated, Guadagni is Hudson's leading rusher in attempts and yards. He will be throwing or running on 80-90% of the plays. If the defensive line can have a big game, it will go a long way.
On offense, Mentor needs to establish their running game. Krizancic is an effective runner that is good for at least a couple huge plays with his legs. If RB's Daugherty/Mathews can move the chains and take some pressure off the passing game, Mentor's offense should be able to shine. Hudson has some talent and experience in the secondary. They will likely be focused on stopping WR Brandon Fritts. If that happens, the Cardinals could use a big game from his counter part, Corey Plavcan.
Prediction
Hudson has proven to be a good defensive team. So has Mentor. Hudson has a dynamite QB that can kill opponents with his arm and his legs. So does Mentor. This will be a very tough matchup. Although we may find that Hudson has a more talented QB, I think Mentor has the better overall team.
Mentor 28 Hudson 17
Sunday, October 20, 2013
Week 8 Review
Mentor's defense was dominant from start to finish as the Cards improved to 7-1 with a 35-0 road victory over rival Solon. The Comets dropped to 4-4. Mentor improved their record to 11-9 in the series and they now have won 9 of the past 11 games against Solon. The defensive line was at their very best. Kent Berger, Nico Lautanen, Delvon Maddox, Billy Hudson, and Trevor Morrison all made their presence known. QB Conner Krizancic didn't have his usual accuracy, but he did still manage 264 passing yards and 122 rushing yards.
Defense Shines...Again
The defense came up big again. It wasn't just the shutout. It was the way the shutout happened. Mentor had three early fumbles that put the defense in tough positions. But they answered the call and stuffed the run very well. For the night, Solon had just 39 yards on 36 carries. Solon had just two first downs in the entire first half.
The shutout is the third of the season. Last year, it was an exception when the defense played well. This year, it is an exception when they don't play well. The 1st quarter against McDowell and the first half against Brush are the only major bumps in the road over 32 quarters of play. It was the most impressive and dominant defensive performance I have seen from Mentor in years. The Comets are a likely playoff team. The last time Mentor's defense shutout a playoff team was in 2007...in Solon...against the Comets.
Tough at home
Solon has been very good at home over the years. Since 2002, Solon is 56-8 at home. Mentor accounts for half of those home losses. The Comets are 2-4 against Mentor and 52-4 against everyone else.
Offense
The offense wasn't as efficient as we have seen them lately. Even though the defense kept Solon in check all night, the Mentor offense couldn't find any consistency. Yes, they scored 35 points. But it was not easy. The game was just 14-0 until a Krizancic to Plavcan touchdown strike in the 3rd quarter. Since 2011, Mentor has scored 30+ points in 33 of 35 games. The only team to hold them under 30 did it twice. Can you guess who it was?
What's ahead?
Defense Shines...Again
The defense came up big again. It wasn't just the shutout. It was the way the shutout happened. Mentor had three early fumbles that put the defense in tough positions. But they answered the call and stuffed the run very well. For the night, Solon had just 39 yards on 36 carries. Solon had just two first downs in the entire first half.
The shutout is the third of the season. Last year, it was an exception when the defense played well. This year, it is an exception when they don't play well. The 1st quarter against McDowell and the first half against Brush are the only major bumps in the road over 32 quarters of play. It was the most impressive and dominant defensive performance I have seen from Mentor in years. The Comets are a likely playoff team. The last time Mentor's defense shutout a playoff team was in 2007...in Solon...against the Comets.
Tough at home
Solon has been very good at home over the years. Since 2002, Solon is 56-8 at home. Mentor accounts for half of those home losses. The Comets are 2-4 against Mentor and 52-4 against everyone else.
Offense
The offense wasn't as efficient as we have seen them lately. Even though the defense kept Solon in check all night, the Mentor offense couldn't find any consistency. Yes, they scored 35 points. But it was not easy. The game was just 14-0 until a Krizancic to Plavcan touchdown strike in the 3rd quarter. Since 2011, Mentor has scored 30+ points in 33 of 35 games. The only team to hold them under 30 did it twice. Can you guess who it was?
What's ahead?
Mentor (7-1) hosts undefeated Hudson (8-0) on Friday. Both teams have clinched a playoff berth. Both are certain to host in Week 11. If Hudson can win, they will likely be the top overall seed in Region 1. If Mentor can win, they will not only guarantee their third straight NOC league title, but they will garner a lot of computer points. St Edward and St Ignatius are clearly the top two teams in Region 1. The winner of this game will clearly put themselves in the top three in the region. Hudson junior Mitchell Guadagni is the top QB Mentor has played all season. The undefeated Explorers have surrendered just 79 points in eight games. This is the best defense Mentor has played since St Ignatius. This will be a very well attended game. This is Hudson's biggest regular season game in many years...maybe ever. Come early.
Sunday, October 13, 2013
Week 7 Review
With Mentor scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions and gaining an early 14-0 lead, the game had blowout written all over it. But Brunswick buckled down and held Mentor out of the end zone for several drives in a row. The offense did eventually catch fire as the Cards exploded for a 45-3 win. Senior QB Conner Krizancic is continuing to look better and better. Krizancic finished with 220 yards in the air and 91 rushing yards. Krizancic threw for three touchdowns and rushed for two more.
Defense Shines
While the offense gets plenty of attention (and deservedly so), this was a game where the defense deserves a lot of credit. When your offense scores 45 points, one might think it doesn't matter what defense is out there. But the game was a two score game until midway through the third quarter. While the offense was a bit inconsistent, the defense was steady and consistent throughout the game. Brunswick, primarily a running team, had trouble moving the chains against the talented Mentor front seven. The secondary was able to stay on top of their toes and make big plays when needed. Senior CB Kiyah Powell broke up multiple passes on critical plays.
Fritts/Plavcan Play Big
Whether it is admitted or not, it has to be a frustrating season for senior receiver Brandon Fritts. After compiling All-Ohio numbers as a sophomore and junior, Fritts (a North Carolina recruit) had just one touchdown in the last five games. With Krizancic playing QB, opposing defenses are able to focus more on Fritts. Adjusting to a new QB can take some time too. In the win against Brunswick, Fritts had his best game of the season with five catches for 82 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Fellow senior wideout Corey Plavcan also had a strong game with four catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. Mentor's offense will be at its best when Fritts/Plavcan are causing havoc for opposing defenses.
Computer Points
According to Joe Eitel (a trustworthy source on computer points), Mentor is currently No. 6 in Region 1. Not only is Mentor safely in a playoff spot, but they are probably one win away from clinching a home game. The last three games against Solon (4-3), Hudson (7-0), and Strongsville (5-2) provide lots of computer point opportunities to move higher. If Mentor can continue to win each week, they should be on the top two or three seeds in Region 1.
What's ahead?
Mentor will make a trip to Solon (4-3) to take on a Comets team that is coming off a humbling 42-14 loss to Hudson. You better believe that Solon will be in a fowl mood when Mentor comes to town on Friday. The Comets are Mentor's top rival in my opinion. The two have played every season since the late 90's - including four playoff games. Mentor has a slight edge in the overall series. If Solon brings their best, this will be a very competitive and entertaining football game.
Defense Shines
While the offense gets plenty of attention (and deservedly so), this was a game where the defense deserves a lot of credit. When your offense scores 45 points, one might think it doesn't matter what defense is out there. But the game was a two score game until midway through the third quarter. While the offense was a bit inconsistent, the defense was steady and consistent throughout the game. Brunswick, primarily a running team, had trouble moving the chains against the talented Mentor front seven. The secondary was able to stay on top of their toes and make big plays when needed. Senior CB Kiyah Powell broke up multiple passes on critical plays.
Fritts/Plavcan Play Big
Whether it is admitted or not, it has to be a frustrating season for senior receiver Brandon Fritts. After compiling All-Ohio numbers as a sophomore and junior, Fritts (a North Carolina recruit) had just one touchdown in the last five games. With Krizancic playing QB, opposing defenses are able to focus more on Fritts. Adjusting to a new QB can take some time too. In the win against Brunswick, Fritts had his best game of the season with five catches for 82 yards and a couple of touchdowns. Fellow senior wideout Corey Plavcan also had a strong game with four catches for 91 yards and a touchdown. Mentor's offense will be at its best when Fritts/Plavcan are causing havoc for opposing defenses.
Computer Points
According to Joe Eitel (a trustworthy source on computer points), Mentor is currently No. 6 in Region 1. Not only is Mentor safely in a playoff spot, but they are probably one win away from clinching a home game. The last three games against Solon (4-3), Hudson (7-0), and Strongsville (5-2) provide lots of computer point opportunities to move higher. If Mentor can continue to win each week, they should be on the top two or three seeds in Region 1.
What's ahead?
Mentor will make a trip to Solon (4-3) to take on a Comets team that is coming off a humbling 42-14 loss to Hudson. You better believe that Solon will be in a fowl mood when Mentor comes to town on Friday. The Comets are Mentor's top rival in my opinion. The two have played every season since the late 90's - including four playoff games. Mentor has a slight edge in the overall series. If Solon brings their best, this will be a very competitive and entertaining football game.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Week 5 Review
After experiencing quite a scare being down 28-7 early in the 2nd quarter, Mentor went on a 55-7 tear and defeated a talented Brush Arcs team. The final score (62-43) resembled a lot of high school basketball games. QB Conner Krizancic put together another strong performance in the win with 423 combined passing/rushing yards.
Slow Start
The first two possessions of the game went perfectly for Mentor. The defense stuffed Brush on three consecutive running plays and forced a punt. The Cardinals offense picked up where they left off against Twinsburg and drove down the field for a touchdown. The next 12 minutes or so of football went nothing like anybody would have expected. Brush's offense exploded for touchdown drives on four straight possessions. Mentor's offense struggled to find any rhythm for the rest of the 1st quarter. Before you knew it, Mentor found themselves down by three touchdowns. It felt reminiscent of the slow start against Erie McDowell in Week 1 when Mentor found themselves down 16-0 early in the game.
Electric Offense
After a mostly ineffective opening quarter, the offense erupted with five touchdowns in the 2nd quarter to help give Mentor a 42-35 halftime lead. Krizancic was effective with his arm and his legs. RB/WR Eddie Daugherty (188 total yards and 4 TD's) continues to give opposing defenses problems whether he is carrying the ball out of the back field or running a route across the middle of the field. Daugherty led the team with 10 catches. The Krizancic to Corey Plavcan (5 receptions for 96 yards and 2 TD's) connection was very smooth. It is good to see Krizancic and the offense continue to grow each week.
Computer Points
According to Joe Eitel (a trustworthy source on computer points), Mentor is currently No. 11 in Region 1. Remember that in the expanded playoffs, Region 1 now consists of 35 teams where 16 will make the playoffs. It shouldn't be a question of if Mentor can make the playoffs, but positioning for a home playoff game and one of the top seeds is the goal. The four teams Mentor has beaten so far have a combined record of 6-14. The next four teams (Shaker, Brunswick, Solon, and Hudson) are 15-5. There are lots of computer point opportunities to be had. If Mentor can take care of business and finish no worse than 8-2, they should have no problem hosting in Week 11.
What's ahead?
Shaker Heights (4-1) is back on Mentor's schedule for the first time since the two played in the LEL. This is the most important Mentor-Shaker matchup since the playoffs and league were on the line in a 2004 game at Mentor. That was the only time since 2000 that Mentor came up short against the Raiders. Shaker is coming off their first loss (14-6) of the season to an undefeated Stow team.
Slow Start
The first two possessions of the game went perfectly for Mentor. The defense stuffed Brush on three consecutive running plays and forced a punt. The Cardinals offense picked up where they left off against Twinsburg and drove down the field for a touchdown. The next 12 minutes or so of football went nothing like anybody would have expected. Brush's offense exploded for touchdown drives on four straight possessions. Mentor's offense struggled to find any rhythm for the rest of the 1st quarter. Before you knew it, Mentor found themselves down by three touchdowns. It felt reminiscent of the slow start against Erie McDowell in Week 1 when Mentor found themselves down 16-0 early in the game.
Electric Offense
After a mostly ineffective opening quarter, the offense erupted with five touchdowns in the 2nd quarter to help give Mentor a 42-35 halftime lead. Krizancic was effective with his arm and his legs. RB/WR Eddie Daugherty (188 total yards and 4 TD's) continues to give opposing defenses problems whether he is carrying the ball out of the back field or running a route across the middle of the field. Daugherty led the team with 10 catches. The Krizancic to Corey Plavcan (5 receptions for 96 yards and 2 TD's) connection was very smooth. It is good to see Krizancic and the offense continue to grow each week.
Computer Points
According to Joe Eitel (a trustworthy source on computer points), Mentor is currently No. 11 in Region 1. Remember that in the expanded playoffs, Region 1 now consists of 35 teams where 16 will make the playoffs. It shouldn't be a question of if Mentor can make the playoffs, but positioning for a home playoff game and one of the top seeds is the goal. The four teams Mentor has beaten so far have a combined record of 6-14. The next four teams (Shaker, Brunswick, Solon, and Hudson) are 15-5. There are lots of computer point opportunities to be had. If Mentor can take care of business and finish no worse than 8-2, they should have no problem hosting in Week 11.
What's ahead?
Shaker Heights (4-1) is back on Mentor's schedule for the first time since the two played in the LEL. This is the most important Mentor-Shaker matchup since the playoffs and league were on the line in a 2004 game at Mentor. That was the only time since 2000 that Mentor came up short against the Raiders. Shaker is coming off their first loss (14-6) of the season to an undefeated Stow team.
Sunday, September 22, 2013
Week 4 Review
In barely over a half of football, the Cardinals dominated Twinsburg their 49-0 win. The game was called after one possession in the 3rd quarter when lightning filled the skies. There were lots of positives to take away from the win. It is also fair to put into perspective that Twinsburg is currently 0-4 and it is difficult to say how good they are. For what its worth, their four opponents so far are 15-1.
Krizancic's Rise
Privately, I had some concerns about senior Conner Krizancic running the offense. During the scrimmage season and the first couple regular season games, Krizancic shared duties with sophomore QB Matt Eiswerth. Krizancic had mixed results. He was mostly used as a running threat. As a fan, it was difficult to see the offense lose Conner at receiver, a position in which he is a top 5 or 10 talent in the entire state. We saw first hand that Eiswerth can play with his 5 touchdown passes in Week 1. We also saw that the two QB system failed miserably against a very talented team like St Ignatius. At that point, it seemed the best chance for the offense to succeed was to stick to one QB. Unfortunately, neither had any varsity experience at the position. The coaches went with Conner and this the Week 4 win over Twinsburg showed a lot of reasons why.
Stellar Offense
The offense was pretty close to perfect on this night. The opponent was not exactly stellar, but this was a big step from Week 3. Rather than sticking to a safe and rather predictable offense (that still would have likely been successful), Mentor's offense went for big and usually were able to hit. Krizancic looked significantly better than any other time I have seen him. After a pretty pedestrian 127 passing yards on 23 attempts, Krizancic threw for 227 yards on just 11 attempts. This went along with his usual effective running game that included a 76-yard touchdown run. What stood out from Week 3 to Week 4 was a passing game was anything but safe. Several strikes down the field to Brandon Fritts, Corey Plavcan, and Eddie Daugherty were right on the money. Daugherty continues his offensive terror. It was especially good to see Fritts and Plavcan make big plays.
Future is bright
The strength of the current senior class is obvious. But don't sell the younger guys short. The defensive tackles use a rotating trio of underclassmen. All three (sophomore Billy Hudson and juniors Trevor Morrison/Nico Lautanen) have been very effective in stopping the run and getting to the QB. Junior LB J.D. Matsko is a mainstay on the defense after getting some starts in 2012 as a sophomore. We know what sophomore QB Matt Eiswerth and junior RB/WR Eddie Daugherty are capable of. Junior receiver Kyle Tankovich has 7 catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Look for that production to really blossom as Krizancic continues to stay at QB. Sophomore RB Alex Mathews has 114 all purpose yards and 3 TD's so far. Projected starter Jerrell Jackson, injured to start the season, got his first carry of the season to start the half against Twinsburg. It was a beautifully ran 30 yard touchdown.
What's ahead?
Mentor will play an NOC crossover at Brush, a 2-2 team that has lost a couple of games in the closing minutes. The Arcs have more talent than Twinsburg or Euclid, so if the defense can continue their shutout streak it would be very impressive.
Krizancic's Rise
Privately, I had some concerns about senior Conner Krizancic running the offense. During the scrimmage season and the first couple regular season games, Krizancic shared duties with sophomore QB Matt Eiswerth. Krizancic had mixed results. He was mostly used as a running threat. As a fan, it was difficult to see the offense lose Conner at receiver, a position in which he is a top 5 or 10 talent in the entire state. We saw first hand that Eiswerth can play with his 5 touchdown passes in Week 1. We also saw that the two QB system failed miserably against a very talented team like St Ignatius. At that point, it seemed the best chance for the offense to succeed was to stick to one QB. Unfortunately, neither had any varsity experience at the position. The coaches went with Conner and this the Week 4 win over Twinsburg showed a lot of reasons why.
Stellar Offense
The offense was pretty close to perfect on this night. The opponent was not exactly stellar, but this was a big step from Week 3. Rather than sticking to a safe and rather predictable offense (that still would have likely been successful), Mentor's offense went for big and usually were able to hit. Krizancic looked significantly better than any other time I have seen him. After a pretty pedestrian 127 passing yards on 23 attempts, Krizancic threw for 227 yards on just 11 attempts. This went along with his usual effective running game that included a 76-yard touchdown run. What stood out from Week 3 to Week 4 was a passing game was anything but safe. Several strikes down the field to Brandon Fritts, Corey Plavcan, and Eddie Daugherty were right on the money. Daugherty continues his offensive terror. It was especially good to see Fritts and Plavcan make big plays.
Future is bright
The strength of the current senior class is obvious. But don't sell the younger guys short. The defensive tackles use a rotating trio of underclassmen. All three (sophomore Billy Hudson and juniors Trevor Morrison/Nico Lautanen) have been very effective in stopping the run and getting to the QB. Junior LB J.D. Matsko is a mainstay on the defense after getting some starts in 2012 as a sophomore. We know what sophomore QB Matt Eiswerth and junior RB/WR Eddie Daugherty are capable of. Junior receiver Kyle Tankovich has 7 catches for 67 yards and a touchdown. Look for that production to really blossom as Krizancic continues to stay at QB. Sophomore RB Alex Mathews has 114 all purpose yards and 3 TD's so far. Projected starter Jerrell Jackson, injured to start the season, got his first carry of the season to start the half against Twinsburg. It was a beautifully ran 30 yard touchdown.
What's ahead?
Mentor will play an NOC crossover at Brush, a 2-2 team that has lost a couple of games in the closing minutes. The Arcs have more talent than Twinsburg or Euclid, so if the defense can continue their shutout streak it would be very impressive.
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Week 3 Review
Mentor's 36-0 win at Euclid was the first step in their quest to move on and improve from the Week 2 loss to St Ignatius. The offense and defense were very effective. Mentor was up 14-0 early in the game after running just four offensive plays. The scoring couldn't keep up with that kind of pace, but overall it was a strong display of Mentor's running attack.
QB Question is Answered
After weeks of witnessing Conner Krizancic and sophomore Matt Eiswerth receive relatively equal reps, it appears the coaches are moving in the direction of using a single QB instead of two. Conner Krizancic (12-23 passing for 127 yards, one TD) took every meaningful snap behind center on Friday night. He wasn't asked to do much with arm since he was effective using his legs (64 yards and a TD on 11 attempts). It was the most comfortable I have seen Conner play the position. While it hurts the offense to lose such a talented receiver, hopefully the senior captain will make up for it with stellar play at QB. Mentor's history shows that success comes behind not just a good QB - but a great, All-Ohio (and sometimes Mr. Football) QB. It is asking a lot of Krizancic, or any QB on the roster, to live up to the standards of Thom Abbot, Bart Tanski, and Mitch Trubisky. Mentor will have to find other ways to achieve great success besides a 3,000-yard passing QB.
Eddie, Eddie, Eddie...
Junior RB Eddie Daugherty (155 yards and 2 TD's) did a terrific job running the ball and is clearly the MVP on offense through three games. Daugherty had a couple standout touchdown runs in the first half. When the offensive line can provide a hole for Daugherty to get past the first level of defenders, he is a serious home run threat. One thing that was missing in the Ignatius loss was a commitment to Daugherty and the running game. Mentor's offensive identity (especially with Krizancic at QB) is a running team. The small, but speedy back is a big key to the offense.
Defense
Euclid is not a stellar offensive machine by any means. But a shutout is a shutout. The Mentor defense did what they were supposed to do and outplayed a struggling Euclid offense. The defensive line continued to be the standout unit. DE Delvon Maddox had a key sack and interception. DT Nico Lautanen spent a lot of time in the Euclid backfield pressuring/sacking QB Ryshon Johnson as well as helping to stop the run. DE Kent Berger and DT's Trevor Morrison and Billy Hudson were also effective. Let's not forget that the 2012 defense had two shutouts in the regular season before giving up an average of 50 ppg in the playoffs. The defense can't settle for a shutout in Week 3.
What's ahead?
Mentor travels to Twinsburg, the place of one of the most heartbreaking regular season losses. In 2011 the Tigers upset the undefeated and No. 1 ranked Cardinals in Week 10. Twinsburg (0-3) has had trouble so far with their grueling non-conference schedule. It gets no easier with Mentor coming to town.
QB Question is Answered
After weeks of witnessing Conner Krizancic and sophomore Matt Eiswerth receive relatively equal reps, it appears the coaches are moving in the direction of using a single QB instead of two. Conner Krizancic (12-23 passing for 127 yards, one TD) took every meaningful snap behind center on Friday night. He wasn't asked to do much with arm since he was effective using his legs (64 yards and a TD on 11 attempts). It was the most comfortable I have seen Conner play the position. While it hurts the offense to lose such a talented receiver, hopefully the senior captain will make up for it with stellar play at QB. Mentor's history shows that success comes behind not just a good QB - but a great, All-Ohio (and sometimes Mr. Football) QB. It is asking a lot of Krizancic, or any QB on the roster, to live up to the standards of Thom Abbot, Bart Tanski, and Mitch Trubisky. Mentor will have to find other ways to achieve great success besides a 3,000-yard passing QB.
Eddie, Eddie, Eddie...
Junior RB Eddie Daugherty (155 yards and 2 TD's) did a terrific job running the ball and is clearly the MVP on offense through three games. Daugherty had a couple standout touchdown runs in the first half. When the offensive line can provide a hole for Daugherty to get past the first level of defenders, he is a serious home run threat. One thing that was missing in the Ignatius loss was a commitment to Daugherty and the running game. Mentor's offensive identity (especially with Krizancic at QB) is a running team. The small, but speedy back is a big key to the offense.
Defense
Euclid is not a stellar offensive machine by any means. But a shutout is a shutout. The Mentor defense did what they were supposed to do and outplayed a struggling Euclid offense. The defensive line continued to be the standout unit. DE Delvon Maddox had a key sack and interception. DT Nico Lautanen spent a lot of time in the Euclid backfield pressuring/sacking QB Ryshon Johnson as well as helping to stop the run. DE Kent Berger and DT's Trevor Morrison and Billy Hudson were also effective. Let's not forget that the 2012 defense had two shutouts in the regular season before giving up an average of 50 ppg in the playoffs. The defense can't settle for a shutout in Week 3.
What's ahead?
Mentor travels to Twinsburg, the place of one of the most heartbreaking regular season losses. In 2011 the Tigers upset the undefeated and No. 1 ranked Cardinals in Week 10. Twinsburg (0-3) has had trouble so far with their grueling non-conference schedule. It gets no easier with Mentor coming to town.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
Week 2 Review
The 26-6 Week 2 home loss to St Ignatius was quite deflating. This was the fewest points for a Mentor team since a 17-3 loss to Strongsville in 2008. For those of us who have been so spoiled with all-world offensive execution most of the last decade (especially the past two seasons), it was a tough pill to swallow.
Offense...
Outside of a great 70-yard TD run by Conner Krizancic late in the 1st quarter, the offense wasn't able to muster much on Friday night. The two-QB system worked out in Week 1, but failed to give the offense any consistency in Week 2. Sophomore QB Matt Eiswerth, spectacular with 5 touchdowns in Week 1, got a taste of a top notch defense in the Wildcats. He saw a lot of defensive pressure and blitzes that disrupted any attempt at a scoring drive. It is safe to say that the entire offense (coaches included) feels they have a lot of work to do in order to solve the top defenses.
QB Carousel...
After Week 1's comeback win against McDowell, the question of who is the QB didn't seem to matter. When you win, nobody raises too many questions. Now after a loss, you can be sure the coaches will take a nice hard look at the immediate and future impact of the QB decision. Are two QB's better than one? If one is better, who will it be? This decision is what the season will likely hinge on. We know that Mentor relies on strong QB play to be successful.
Defense...
The defense gave up over 400 yards of offense to a balanced St Ignatius attack. But considering the hand that was dealt them, I was impressed with the way the defense kept Ignatius out of the end zone as often as they did. When a team's offense consistently is losing the field position battle, it puts the defense in a bad spot. Time and time again the St Ignatius offense had a short field. Mentor's defense wasn't without flaws, but they held their own and played good enough to win. After the way last season went, it was a step in the right direction. If the defense continues to improve all season, they will be a competent playoff defense.
What's ahead...
Mentor travels to Euclid to take on the winless Panthers. Look for a preview later in the week.
Offense...
Outside of a great 70-yard TD run by Conner Krizancic late in the 1st quarter, the offense wasn't able to muster much on Friday night. The two-QB system worked out in Week 1, but failed to give the offense any consistency in Week 2. Sophomore QB Matt Eiswerth, spectacular with 5 touchdowns in Week 1, got a taste of a top notch defense in the Wildcats. He saw a lot of defensive pressure and blitzes that disrupted any attempt at a scoring drive. It is safe to say that the entire offense (coaches included) feels they have a lot of work to do in order to solve the top defenses.
QB Carousel...
After Week 1's comeback win against McDowell, the question of who is the QB didn't seem to matter. When you win, nobody raises too many questions. Now after a loss, you can be sure the coaches will take a nice hard look at the immediate and future impact of the QB decision. Are two QB's better than one? If one is better, who will it be? This decision is what the season will likely hinge on. We know that Mentor relies on strong QB play to be successful.
Defense...
The defense gave up over 400 yards of offense to a balanced St Ignatius attack. But considering the hand that was dealt them, I was impressed with the way the defense kept Ignatius out of the end zone as often as they did. When a team's offense consistently is losing the field position battle, it puts the defense in a bad spot. Time and time again the St Ignatius offense had a short field. Mentor's defense wasn't without flaws, but they held their own and played good enough to win. After the way last season went, it was a step in the right direction. If the defense continues to improve all season, they will be a competent playoff defense.
What's ahead...
Mentor travels to Euclid to take on the winless Panthers. Look for a preview later in the week.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Week 2 Preview (St Ignatius)
History...
Mentor's 31-0 win the in the regional semifinal in 2003 was a milestone victory in their football program. Since that game, St Ignatius has a slight 6-5 edge in head-to-head meetings. The Wildcats currently have a 5-3 lead in the regular season series dating back to 2005. This has become the premier big school public/private rivalry in the state. That is largely due to the success of the programs. Since the 2001 season, these teams have combined for 41 playoff wins (19 belong to Mentor), 11 regional final appearances (six for Mentor), six regional titles (three for each), five state final appearances (two for Mentor), and three state titles (all by St Ignatius).Week 1...
Both teams played out of state opponents to open the season. Mentor edged Erie McDowell (PA) at home, 44-30. St Ignatius fell 29-20 on the road to Brother Rice, the back-to-back state champions from Michigan. What does that all mean? Hard to say. Ignatius was down 27-6 late in the 3rd quarter. Mentor got down 16-0 halfway through the 1st quarter. Both teams had some offensive struggles at times. Both teams had some trouble keeping the other offense off the field for good chunks of the game. It is safe to say that even though Mentor is somewhat pleased with their Week 1 performance, the Wildcats are not alone in feeling that vast improvement is needed.
What to expect...
St Ignatius senior QB John Thomas is still unproven, but he does have some talented receivers in Michael Siragusa, Jacky Hyland, and Nick Fabian. Siragusa and Faban both had 80-yard touchdown plays against Brother Rice. St Ignatius has a big offensive line (featuring a Notre Dame commit and a sophomore already offered by OSU) that will look to establish the running game. Senior RB Mike Vitale didn't get a lot of carries against Brother Rice, but he did have a late touchdown run that brought Ignatius within a score. While this offense doesn't seem quite as potent as most recent Ignatius teams, they still have talent. And a good offensive line.
Mentor will use strength verse strength as their line is the most talented unit on defense. Seniors Kent Berger and Delvon Maddox will have to get some pressure on Thomas and not allow time for their talented receivers to get open for big plays. The three-man tackle rotation of Nico Lautanen, Trevor Morrison, and Billy Hudson (averaging roughly 6'3 and 260) will have to be effective in stopping the run. The secondary was not tested at all against McDowell, a heavy running team. Their ability to keep the very talented Siragusa in check is a big key to the game.
When Mentor has the ball, they will try to solve St Ignatius' 3-3-5 stack defense. Unfortunately for the Wildcats, they will have to continue their season without All-Ohio LB Kyle Berger. The Ohio State commit suffered a season-ending injury in their last scrimmage. Berger was a one-man wrecking crew against Mentor last season. Stopping the Ignatius pass rush will be very important for Mentor to win - especially if they play sophomore QB Matt Eiswerth a lot. The youngster will need some time in the pocket to be comfortable. When Conner Krizancic is in at QB, look for him to keep the Wildcats on their toes with his ability to throw and run.
One thing Mentor can count on is an advantage in the receiver-defensive back matchup. Brother Rice's QB had a lot of success throwing on the unproven corners and safeties of St Ignatius. Mentor's talented trio of Brandon Fritts, Conner Krizancic, and Corey Plavcan will be a threat every play. In order to open up the passing game, Mentor has to make sure they establish the run with Eddie Daughterty. The junior RB averaged roughly 10 yards per carry in Week 1.
Prediction...
Before the season, this was the only regular season game I predicted a Mentor loss. With the injury to stud LB Kyle Berger to go along with another season ending injury to a key player (QB John Mahoney), the Wildcats aren't at full strength. That is a big advantage to Mentor. Berger was as important to the St Ignatius defense as Trubisky was to Mentor's offense. I predict the defense will play better than in Week 1 with a more traditional (though potentially more dangerous) offense. I think Eiswerth and Krizancic will both be effective in their own ways.
Prediction: Mentor 34 St Ignatius 28
Sunday, September 1, 2013
Week 1 Review
Week 1 Review
Slow start...
For the first several minutes of the game, this looked like it was going to be a LONG season. Defense struggled mightily to stop McDowell's triple option offense. The Spartans had two possessions on offense and two pretty easy scoring drives. Mentor's first possession ended with QB Conner Krizancic falling on a bad snap in the end zone with a safety. The second possession looked like it was headed for a second straight three and out as Mentor faced a 4th and 1. While lined up to punt, Mentor instead called a timeout in hopes of picking up a 1st down as they were down 16-0. At that point, I have to say I speak for many fans when I say there was some inward panic about this game and even the entire season.
And then...
Mentor picked up the first down and Krizancic ended up throwing a touchdown pass to get Mentor on the scoreboard. Sophomore QB Matt Eiswerth entered the game and allowed Krizancic to slide over to receiver. The Eiswerth-led offense put up points on three more drives to get out to a 23-16 lead. The play of the half was Brandon Fritts' catch and run touchdown in which he ran through and knocked down at least a few Spartans. Even though McDowell tied the game at halftime (and had a 30-29 lead early in the 4th quarter), there was something about the improved defense and the switch at QB that gave me confidence that Mentor would indeed win the game. Two fourth quarter touchdowns from Eiswerth to Krizancic helped give Mentor the 44-30 win.
Defense...
A slow start on the first two possessions had many at the JTO thinking, "here we go again." But the defense adjusted to the triple option. The defensive line started winning the battle of the trenches and found their way into the backfield to make some big stops. Kent Berger was the biggest standout on defense, but all picked up their game after having trouble early. The improvement on defense was a major factor as Mentor finished the game on a 44-14 run.
Eiswerth...
This was quite the coming out party for the sophomore QB. With Krizancic's sore throwing arm and the offense needing a change, Eiswerth was just what the offense needed. Former All-Ohio QB's at Mentor (Thom Abbott, Bart Tanski, and Mitch Trubisky) all had varsity opportunities as sophomores. I don't think any of them had five touchdowns in one game. What does that mean? Hopefully it means Mentor has found their next All-Ohio signal caller.
Two QB's Better than One?
The phrase, "quarterback controversy" comes with a lot of baggage and negativity. There is also the old adage, "If you have two QB's, you don't have one." And there is also the "two heads are better than one." Coach Trivisonno's postgame comments allude to the fact that both Krizancic and Eiswerth will be used at the QB position from now. Apparently there is no controversy, just opportunities for the offense to make the most of both players' skill sets. We will have to wait and see how the offense will unfold with the use of both talented football players.
What is ahead?
In case you are living under a rock, Mentor's next opponent will be St Ignatius. I can't wait!
Saturday, August 24, 2013
Week 1 Preview
Week 1
Who: McDowell Trojans (Erie, PA)
What: 2013 regular season and home opener
Where: Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium
When: August 30th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Mark Soboleski (9th season overall, 5th with McDowell)
History: The two teams met for the first time last season. Mentor took a rare trip to Pennsylvania and rallied from a nine point second half deficit to defeat McDowell, 34-27.
What to Expect...
McDowell's triple option offense gave Mentor fits last year as they piled up 461 rushing yards when the two played in Erie. The top three rushers in that game have since graduated from McDowell. Replacing that trio are a few dynamic two-way players from 2012 that saw most of their impact on defense in the secondary. Junior Jake Tarasovitch (McDowell's leading tackler last season) took over the starting QB position mid-way through 2012 due to injuries. Standout DB Tyree Spearman will also become the primary ball carrier. WR/DB Jamie Szymczak is a threat on offense as well.
The Trojans are on the honorable mention list for the AAAA (PA's big school division) Top 10 pre-season poll released by PA Football News. Returning all of the starters from the secondary is a big reason for that consideration. The experience Tarasovitch received last year as a sophomore will be a big benefit in 2013. Three starting offensive lineman return, including All-State tackle Scot Augustine. If there is a player for Mentor's defense to really keep an eye on, it probably will be Spearman. The senior has 4.4 speed and is one of the top recruits in his region.
Mentor might have a little bit of trouble getting the passing game going on the account of replacing a Mr. Football QB against McDowell's experienced and talented secondary. Big and talented senior receiver Brandon Fritts will be a difficult matchup for any team though. The front seven on McDowell's defense is the biggest area of concern according to Soboleski. With a young group of lineman and linebackers on the other side of the ball, Mentor should be able to use the running game (with weapons like QB Conner Krizancic and RB Eddie Daugherty) to move the chains. Don't be surprised to see a lot of two back sets. Mentor looks deep at the position with sophomore Alex Mathews and junior Jerrell Jackson (transfer from Harvey) also in the mix.
Mentor had two big questions to address as they transitioned from last season to 2013. One had to do with the defense and the other was at quarterback. The defense returns many starters from last year's team - but it was a defense that struggled. How much will they improve? The other question was not only who would be the QB, but more importantly: How will they perform? Senior Conner Krizancic has excelled at receiver the previous two seasons and is ready to take on the job. However, sophomore Matt Eiswerth took most of the snaps at QB in Mentor's scrimmage against Hoover. He looked very comfortable and competent at the position, which included a very nice touchdown pass to Corey Plavcan. Will Mentor use two QB's on Friday? Watch and find out.
Prediction...Mentor is a more balanced team in 2013. Not an all-world offense, but also not a defense that will be giving up 450 rushing yards again. McDowell is trying to replace the production of standout RB/DE James Conner (currently at Pitt), as well as other graduates. A couple advantages are that McDowell relies on two-way players and the game will be in Lake County. I think the Cardinals will win this game on the strength of their offensive weapons, a veteran offensive line, and a defense that has a chip on their shoulder. I predict Mentor by two scores.
Mentor 34 McDowell 20
#onceacard
Who: McDowell Trojans (Erie, PA)
What: 2013 regular season and home opener
Where: Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium
When: August 30th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Mark Soboleski (9th season overall, 5th with McDowell)
History: The two teams met for the first time last season. Mentor took a rare trip to Pennsylvania and rallied from a nine point second half deficit to defeat McDowell, 34-27.
What to Expect...
McDowell's triple option offense gave Mentor fits last year as they piled up 461 rushing yards when the two played in Erie. The top three rushers in that game have since graduated from McDowell. Replacing that trio are a few dynamic two-way players from 2012 that saw most of their impact on defense in the secondary. Junior Jake Tarasovitch (McDowell's leading tackler last season) took over the starting QB position mid-way through 2012 due to injuries. Standout DB Tyree Spearman will also become the primary ball carrier. WR/DB Jamie Szymczak is a threat on offense as well.
The Trojans are on the honorable mention list for the AAAA (PA's big school division) Top 10 pre-season poll released by PA Football News. Returning all of the starters from the secondary is a big reason for that consideration. The experience Tarasovitch received last year as a sophomore will be a big benefit in 2013. Three starting offensive lineman return, including All-State tackle Scot Augustine. If there is a player for Mentor's defense to really keep an eye on, it probably will be Spearman. The senior has 4.4 speed and is one of the top recruits in his region.
Mentor might have a little bit of trouble getting the passing game going on the account of replacing a Mr. Football QB against McDowell's experienced and talented secondary. Big and talented senior receiver Brandon Fritts will be a difficult matchup for any team though. The front seven on McDowell's defense is the biggest area of concern according to Soboleski. With a young group of lineman and linebackers on the other side of the ball, Mentor should be able to use the running game (with weapons like QB Conner Krizancic and RB Eddie Daugherty) to move the chains. Don't be surprised to see a lot of two back sets. Mentor looks deep at the position with sophomore Alex Mathews and junior Jerrell Jackson (transfer from Harvey) also in the mix.
Mentor had two big questions to address as they transitioned from last season to 2013. One had to do with the defense and the other was at quarterback. The defense returns many starters from last year's team - but it was a defense that struggled. How much will they improve? The other question was not only who would be the QB, but more importantly: How will they perform? Senior Conner Krizancic has excelled at receiver the previous two seasons and is ready to take on the job. However, sophomore Matt Eiswerth took most of the snaps at QB in Mentor's scrimmage against Hoover. He looked very comfortable and competent at the position, which included a very nice touchdown pass to Corey Plavcan. Will Mentor use two QB's on Friday? Watch and find out.
Prediction...Mentor is a more balanced team in 2013. Not an all-world offense, but also not a defense that will be giving up 450 rushing yards again. McDowell is trying to replace the production of standout RB/DE James Conner (currently at Pitt), as well as other graduates. A couple advantages are that McDowell relies on two-way players and the game will be in Lake County. I think the Cardinals will win this game on the strength of their offensive weapons, a veteran offensive line, and a defense that has a chip on their shoulder. I predict Mentor by two scores.
Mentor 34 McDowell 20
#onceacard
Tuesday, August 20, 2013
2013 Mentor Preview
I have previewed the rest, so why not preview the best? Here is a look at what to expect for the 2013 version of the Mentor Cardinals:
Looking Back...
The 2013 season had its ups and downs to be sure. Mentor won their third regional title since 2006 with a thrilling 57-56 triple overtime win against St Ignatius. The comeback win against the state's No. 1 ranked team (St Edward) the week before was almost as unforgettable. The magical run came to an end against Toledo Whitmer in a 62-34 state semifinal loss. Mentor's defense in the playoffs (209 points surrendered in four games) surely puts the team at/near the record of the most points given up in one playoff season.
Mitch Trubisky became the second Mentor QB to win Ohio's Mr. Football award (Bart Tanski in 2007). Trubisky had over 10,000 yards of offense in his time at Mentor. RB/WR Nick Delisa (1,400 total yards and 21 TD's) had a very strong (and surprising) senior season. Other key losses to graduation include DB Reese Armstrong, LB Joe Iafelice, CB Jaylen Dowdy, and OL Brandon Short. It was a season (especially a playoff run) that anyone following the program will not forget.
Offense...
The bread and butter for Mentor in the last decade or so has been the effective play of their no-huddle spread offense. They key to that offense is the play of the QB. There is no replacing Trubisky. Conner Krizancic, one of the best overall athletes at Mentor the past 10-20 years, has the difficult task of doing just that. Krizancic played the position in middle school and as a freshman before playing receiver the past two seasons. Mentor will not only have to replace Trubisky at QB, but they lose a dynamic player at receiver with Krizanic's move behind center. Brandon Fritts, a 6'4 All-Ohio receiver committed to North Carolina, is one of the state's best. Fritts (1,188 yards and 17 TD's) will provide the big, athletic, and experienced target that will help Conner adapt to his new role. Fellow senior Corey Plavcan (36 receptions for 598 yards in 2012) returns and will line up wide on the opposite side of Fritts. Eddie Daughterty, a small but effective RB/WR as a sophomore in 2012, will be another weapon that can still play both positions. The offensive line is always key to any offense. Mentor returns four starters.
Defense...
As stated above, the defense had a season they would like to soon forget. In the four playoff games and the regular season loss to St Ignatius (the five toughest opponents of the season), the defense gave up an average of 51.4 points per game. To be frank, that just won't cut it. The defense was pretty green for the start of last season after graduating most of the defense from 2011. Implementing a new 3-3 stack defensive scheme didn't do them any favors either. But nobody can make enough excuses to justify 56, 56, and 62 (the point totals in the last three games).
Mentor will return to a more traditional 4-3 defense this fall. That will certainly help. DE's Kent Burger and Delvon Maddox will be key to the defense. The defensive line (which also includes big interior lineman like Nico Lautanen, Billy Hudson, and Mitch Morrison) has to be a strength of the team in order for them to achieve the team success of 2012. Senior LB Justin McMahon was one of the team leaders in tackles last season. The other "Mc's" (Safeties Mason McKenrick and Keith McCormick) bring experience to the defense. The secondary has to replace both cornerbacks as well as safety Reese Armstrong - the captain of the defensive backfield. New defensive backs coach Byron Morgan (longtime successful head coach at Mayfield, Solon, and NDCL) should help that group.
It is also important to note that kicker Mike Muzik (7 FG's and 93% on PAT's) returns.
Prediction...
I predict the defense will improve a good amount. I hear only good things about Berger/Maddox on the edges. Any defensive coach will tell you that an effective pass rush will help make a defensive backfield look better. The defensive tackles last year were young and I expect big improvement from that group. Justin McMahon could be an all-conference or all-district type of linebacker this fall.
I expect the offense to drop off from their record setting pace last season. I don't know how a team can keep up last year's offensive efficiency when losing a Mr. Football QB, a dynamic player like Delisa, and essentially "losing" an All-Ohio receiver in Krizancic changing positions. Hopefully returning 80% of last year's line will make up for some of that. Eddie Daugherty looks to be a full time RB and will be counted on to keep the chains moving. Overall, the ability for Krizancic to adjust (and hopefully excel) at the QB position will tell the tale as to the success of this offense.
And so...I predict an NOC Valley championship, a 9-1 regular seasons, and hosting a playoff game in Week 11.
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Opponent Preview: Hudson (Week 9)
Week 9
Who: Hudson
What: Northeast Ohio Conference (Valley Division) game
Where: Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium
When: October 25 at 7:00
Opposing Coach: Ron Wright (19-5 at Hudson)
History: To my knowledge, this will be the first ever meeting
Looking Back...
Hudson finished the 2012 regular season with and 8-2 (4-1 NOC River) record and ended up sharing the River title with North Royalton. The Explorers defeated three playoff qualifiers during their regular season and picked up a Week 11 win on the road against GlenOak. Hudson had a respectable 39-28 loss to Whitmer, the eventual state-runner up in Division I. Hudson's all-everything LB/RB Ben Gedeon (Michigan recruit) terrorized opponents for the last few seasons on both sides of the ball. Along with Gedeon, the Explorers will look to replace a couple of 1st team all-district linemen (Adam Coberly and Jadon Idoine), and their top WR's (Tim Kennedy and Leighton Antonio).
Schedule...
Hudson’s non-league schedule includes Euclid, Uniontown Lake, and Brecksville. These three teams combined for a 15-15 record in 2012. The two NOC crossovers are Stow and Cuyahoga Falls. Both finished 3-7 in 2012. This half of the schedule is very winnable. The other half of Hudson’s schedule is the NOC Valley. The Explorers will have to be at the top of their game in their first season of the Valley if they want to make the playoffs for a third straight season. The home games against Solon and Twinsburg (longtime conference foes) are the biggest games of the season. Hudson will play at Brunswick and Strongsville.
2013 Hudson Outlook...
Hudson begins their NOC Valley stay in 2013 after doing very well in the NOC River since 2007. Some of their predecessors who moved up a division (Twinsburg and Mayfield) did well in the transition. Others (Nordonia) did not fare too well. How will Hudson do? A lot will depend on QB Mitchell Guardagni. Starting all season as a sophomore, Guardagni had a breakout season with over 2,000 yards passing and 26 TD's a season ago. He threw for 324 yards and 3 TD's in a 38-6 road playoff win against GlenOak. Guardagni was the 2nd leading rusher last season as well. In life after Gedeon, this highly ranked QB prospect will have to pick up the offense. John Zuccaro returns as an all-district DB that had 8 interceptions and 95 tackles in 2012. Pierce Roster was a 1st team all-district kicker last season. Next: Strongsville (Week 10)
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
Opponent Preview: Solon (Week 8)
Week 8
Who: Solon
What: Northeast Ohio Conference (Valley Division) game
Where: Stewart Field (Solon)
When: October 18 at 7:00
Opposing Coach: Jim McQuaide (89-27 at Solon, 165-89 overall)
Looking Back…
Solon had an unusually quiet season (5-5, 2-3 NOC Valley) in 2012. For a team that finished atop the NOC the previous three seasons, their 4th place finish last season was very shocking. Solon went 26-1 against the NOC from 2009-11 and just 4-4 last season. Injuries and a lack of depth contributed to a difficult season. A victory over an 8-2 Shaker team was Solon’s signature win. Graduated from Solon are a talented group of talented athletes that were dangerous on both sides of the ball: DB/WR Darian Hicks (Michigan State), QB/WR Drew Barksdale (Boston College), RB/CB Khoury Crenshaw (Michigan for track/field), and LB/QB George Berry (1st team All-District).
Schedule…
The Comets will try to get back to their winning ways as they start the season with non-league games against a trio of Division II teams: Kenston, Glenville, and Willoughby South. Kenston and South are coming off playoff seasons and Glenville is in Rivals Top 100 national rankings. Mayfield returns to Solon’s schedule in 2013 as a NOC crossover. Valley Forge is the their other crossover. The NOC Valley schedule also includes Hudson, Brunswick, Twinsburg, and Strongsville. Overall, Solon’s schedule has five returning playoff teams and three others that had winning records but fell short of making Week 11.
2013 Solon Outlook…
The Comets have one of the top football traditions of any team in the Cleveland area. The struggles of last season are an anomaly. Solon played several QB’s last season. Ryan Gallagher (five starts) and Matt Laubscher had opportunities as sophomores. Now a year older, look for one/both of these QB’s to be counted on to take control of this offense. Skill position players are an area of concern due to little experience returning. Solon’s strength should be on both lines. The offensive line returns four starters. Brandon Reynolds and Ben Peterson are the anchors of the defensive line. LB John Sensibaugh (139 tackles, 17 TFL) was 2nd team All-District as a sophomore. Another strength on the team will be in the defensive backfield as Brandon Byrd, Kollyn Crenshaw, and Antwain Hamilton return. Keon Hemerlein returns as the NOC’s most valuable kicker in 2012.
Next: Hudson (Week 9)
Saturday, August 10, 2013
Opponent Preview: Brunswick (Week 7)
Week 7
Who: Brunswick
What: Northeast Ohio Conference (Valley Division) game
Where: Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium
When: October 11th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Luke Beal (4th season at Brunswick, 18-12 record)
History: Mentor has won their only two meetings as NOC members. The teams also played in the 2007 state semifinal, in which Mentor won 39-14.
Looking Back...
Brunswick finished 7-3 last season, which included a 39-14 home loss to Mentor. Key wins on the season included Hudson (2012 playoff team), Lake Catholic, and Solon. The Blue Devils were upset at home by Twinsburg - a game that cost Brunswick a playoff spot in Region 2. A trio of talented offensive players have graduated. With 3,045 career rushing yards, Nick Roberts became Brunswick's all-time leader in that category. The Yohman twins (Keith and Dan) were also key to the team's success. Keith was a 1st team all-district player that excelled on both sides of the field. Dan was the starting QB. Also graduated are key lineman Austin Monyak and Garrick Koermer. Top LB's Brad Darlington and Danny Stepp will also be missed.
Schedule...
Brunswick has three teams (Mentor, Austintown Fitch, and Hudson) on the schedule that made the 2012 playoffs. Rivalry games with Strongsville and Medina are always key. The NOC Valley schedule is always a challenge. Solon, Twinsburg, and Elyria (NOC River crossover) are three key games to watch. If Brunswick wants to make the playoffs in the expanded Region 1, those are the kind of teams they need to beat. Normandy and Padua round off the schedule.
2013 Brunswick Outlook...
Coach Beal's teams have gone steadily improved to finish 5-5, 6-4, and 7-3 in his three seasons. What will it take to take the next step of 8-2 or better? It will be a challenge as it looks like it might be a bit of a rebuilding season with the number of key players graduated. The replacements of Roberts and the Yohmans will be key to the season. Big junior Steven Ficyk (6'4, 180) is projected to start at QB. Senior Chase Rieg will get a chance to be the primary ball carrier. Returning receiver Zach Parker could be a big part of the offense. Most of the returning experience comes on the offensive and defensive lines. That will have to be a strength of the team as the new skill position players adapt to their new roles.
Next: Solon (Week 8)
Friday, August 9, 2013
Opponent Preview: Shaker Heights (Week 6)
Week 6
What: Northeast Ohio Conference crossover game
Where: Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium
When: October 4th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Jarvis Gibson (3rd season at Shaker, 10-10)
History: Mentor and Shaker played annually in the Lake Erie League from 1993 to 2010. Mentor holds a slight edge (9-7) during that time. This will be the first meeting since the two became the most recent members of the NOC. The Cards have won the last six meetings.
Looking Back...
Shaker Heights is coming off a very successful inaugural season in the NOC. The Raiders went 8-2 and nearly made the playoffs. A 22-21 setback to Brush late in the season was all that separated Shaker from a Region 1 playoff berth and an undefeated record in the NOC Lake. The only other defeat was to Solon (24-21). The Raiders scored at least 34 points in all eight of their wins. 3rd team All-District QB Jimmie Pope, now graduated, was a big part of that offense. Other key losses include lineman Donovan Munger (Ohio State recruit), all-district DB Anthony Kinney, WR Derrick Burgess (Youngstown State), LB Jalen Stackhouse, and WR/DB Mel Leach.
Schedule...
Shaker has moved up from the Lake to the River division in the NOC. This elevation will provide a more challenging NOC schedule than a year ago. Mayfield, Elyria, Medina, North Royalton, and Stow will make Shaker work for every win. The non-league schedule has JFK, Cleveland Central Catholic, and University School. Normandy is the other NOC crossover besides Mentor. Starting the season 4-1 or 5-0 is essential if Shaker hopes to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2005.
2013 Shaker Heights Outlook...
Shaker made the playoffs six times between 1997-2005. From 2006-2011, the Raiders struggled with a 14-46 record. Under Coach Gibson, Shaker is headed in the right direction following their 8-2 season in 2012. DE/TE Joe Henderson (6’4, 230) is one of Ohio’s top recruits and is headed to Tennessee. He will be a factor on both sides of the ball. Jamarez Brown (6’5, 270) is one of the most coveted lineman recruits in the country. An athletic group of receivers Odel Spencer (Bowling Green recruit), Nolan Jackson-Daniel (offer from Buffalo), and Trey Johnson should give new QB Brian Jones some confidence. Look for 1,000-yard rusher Ramses Owens and RB/LB Greg Claytor (JJHuddle Top 100 prospect) to get most of the carries. The Raiders will certainly be in the mix to make the now expanded Region 1 playoffs. Next Preview: Brunswick (Week 7)
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
Opponent Preview: Brush (Week 5)
This is the fifth of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2013 season.
Week 5
Who: Brush
What: NOC Crossover
Where: Korb Field (Lyndhurst)
When: September 28th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Josh Wells (2nd season, 7-3 record)
History: Mentor and Brush played against each other in the old Greater Cleveland Conference. This will be the first time the two have played in the NOC.
Looking Back...
Last season Brush was one of the surprises in the NOC as they went undefeated in the NOC Lake (7-3 overall record) to go along with a win over Twinsburg, the No. 2 team in the Valley. The other signature win on the season was a 22-21 nail biter over NOC Lake favorite, Shaker Heights. Brush lost a couple non-league games to Kenston/Madison that ultimately cost them a Region 1 playoff berth. The Arcs will have to replace standout defensive players like Patric Hannon, Harry Durrah, Ransford Bailey, Devin Person, and Tony Andrews.
Schedule...
Brush’s non-league schedule includes Padua, Kenston, and Lakeside. Due to their success in the Lake division, the Arcs get matched up in crossovers with Mentor and Mayfield – two of the most successful teams in the NOC. The schedule has two extremes. On the one hand are three returning playoff teams and the other are seven teams that combined for a 17-53 record in 2012. Brush should be a favorite to win (possibly sweep) the NOC Lake. Shaker Heights (8-2 in 2012) has been replaced in the division by Cuyahoga Falls.
2013 Brush Outlook...
Brush has moved down to Division II this season. In order to take the next step from last season, look for the Arcs to count on senior Stephen Shorts to lead the offense. Shorts is an athletic QB that will use his arm and feet for big plays. His number one target in 2013 will likely be 6’2 WR Alfonso Onunwor. Devari Gill is a returning RB that will provide some stability to the offense. The line will be led by Jonah Harper (6’3, 265) and Larry McClough (6’3, 215). The team graduated most of their top defensive players from 2012. Rebuilding that unit will be key for the Arcs as they strive to make the playoffs for the first time since 2005.
Next Preview: Shaker Heights (Week 6)
Week 5
Who: Brush
What: NOC Crossover
Where: Korb Field (Lyndhurst)
When: September 28th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Josh Wells (2nd season, 7-3 record)
History: Mentor and Brush played against each other in the old Greater Cleveland Conference. This will be the first time the two have played in the NOC.
Last season Brush was one of the surprises in the NOC as they went undefeated in the NOC Lake (7-3 overall record) to go along with a win over Twinsburg, the No. 2 team in the Valley. The other signature win on the season was a 22-21 nail biter over NOC Lake favorite, Shaker Heights. Brush lost a couple non-league games to Kenston/Madison that ultimately cost them a Region 1 playoff berth. The Arcs will have to replace standout defensive players like Patric Hannon, Harry Durrah, Ransford Bailey, Devin Person, and Tony Andrews.
Schedule...
Brush’s non-league schedule includes Padua, Kenston, and Lakeside. Due to their success in the Lake division, the Arcs get matched up in crossovers with Mentor and Mayfield – two of the most successful teams in the NOC. The schedule has two extremes. On the one hand are three returning playoff teams and the other are seven teams that combined for a 17-53 record in 2012. Brush should be a favorite to win (possibly sweep) the NOC Lake. Shaker Heights (8-2 in 2012) has been replaced in the division by Cuyahoga Falls.
2013 Brush Outlook...
Brush has moved down to Division II this season. In order to take the next step from last season, look for the Arcs to count on senior Stephen Shorts to lead the offense. Shorts is an athletic QB that will use his arm and feet for big plays. His number one target in 2013 will likely be 6’2 WR Alfonso Onunwor. Devari Gill is a returning RB that will provide some stability to the offense. The line will be led by Jonah Harper (6’3, 265) and Larry McClough (6’3, 215). The team graduated most of their top defensive players from 2012. Rebuilding that unit will be key for the Arcs as they strive to make the playoffs for the first time since 2005.
Next Preview: Shaker Heights (Week 6)
Monday, August 5, 2013
Opponent Preview: Twinsburg (Week 4)
Week 4
Who: Twinsburg
What: Northeast Ohio Conference (Valley) game
Where: Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium
When: September 14th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Joe Schiavone (3rd season at Twinsburg, 13-7 record)
History: An original NOC member, Twinsburg joined the Valley division (2011) at the same time Mentor joined the conference. Twinsburg upset a 9-0 Mentor team (No. 1 in AP poll at the time) in the 2011 regular season finale, 38-35. Mentor shutout Twinsburg 41-0 last season.
Looking Back...
Twinsburg has played well (4-1 in both seasons) during their first two years in Valley Division play. Despite finishing 1st (2011) and 2nd (2012) in the league, the Tigers have failed to make the playoffs in either season. QB Jalen Washington used his arm and legs to lead the offense for the previous two seasons. Washington will transition to Ohio State on a baseball scholarship. Also graduated are 4/5 of the offensive line, leading receiver Connor Rea, and star RB John Barton (injured for most of the 2012 season). Twinsburg has to replace a lot of skill and size on offense as well as key defensive players like Scott Tegowski (honorable mention all-district), Ben Bisesi, and Rob Williams.Schedule...
Six of the Tigers’ opponents made the 2012 playoffs and those teams combined for 10 postseason wins. Twinsburg plays one of the toughest non-league schedules in the NOC: Avon, Aurora, and Nordonia. Throw in a NOC crossover with North Royalton and the always rugged NOC Valley schedule to give Twinsburg one of the most demanding schedules of any Division II team in the state. Maintaining their steady pace in the Valley as well as adding another winning season will be a challenge.2013 Twinsburg Outlook...
Twinsburg moves to Division II this season with the changes of adding a 7th division and decreasing the size of Division I. The Tigers return some experience (especially on defense) from the 2nd place team in the NOC Valley. Cameron Dial, a three year starter, is a standout defensive end that headlines the 3-4 defense. Dial was the Valley Co-Defensive POY and 1st team all-district in 2012. Jacob Turay (2nd leading tackler in 2012) and Mike Mickovic will man the middle positions at linebacker. Safeties Kon Grewal and Darion Eiland also return. On offense, there will be some speed and talent at the receiver positions. Tailin Johnson, Mike Peelman, and Darius Jones are the names to look out for. According to Schiavone, “the defense will be relied on heavily…speed and athleticism are our cornerstones of success.”Next Preview: Brush (Week 5)
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Opponent Preview: Euclid (Week 3)
This is the third of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2013 season.
Week 3
Who: Euclid Panthers
What: Non-league game
Where: Sparky Dibiaso Stadium (Euclid)
When: September 14th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Tom Gibbons (6th season, 28-24 record)
History: Mentor and Euclid have played one another for decades, having been in the GCC and LEL together. The Cardinals have a slight edge (20-16) in the overall series.
Looking Back...
Mentor's 33-13 win in Week 1 in 2012 ended up being the 2nd lowest scoring game of the season. It may have been party due to a slow start in August, but also give credit to Euclid. Last year Euclid went 7-3 and finished 2nd in the LEL behind Warren Harding. A narrow 28-20 loss to the Raiders in Week 7 was all that separated Euclid from winning the league and getting a playoff spot. Euclid was a very senior-laden team in 2012. LB Myles Alexander (1st team all-district), 360-pound OL Matt Blaha, 1,000-yard rusher Juwan Ford, and leading receiver Rakeesh Nolden are among those who graduated.
Schedule...
The 2013 schedule includes a non-conference slate of Hudson, Cleveland Central Catholic, and Mentor. The LEL schedule is headlined by Warren Harding (2012 playoff team) and Cleveland Heights (17-3 last two seasons). Euclid had an impressive 6-1 record in league play last season. It will be difficult to match or surpass that given the number of seniors (30+) that have graduated. Key games on the schedule include the opener against Hudson and league rival Cleveland Heights.
2013 Euclid Outlook...
The Panthers were built to have a strong 2012 with so much experience on their roster. They couldn't be further from that in 2013. One area of strength and experience will be in the secondary with Ryan Epps, Christian Priah, and Harrison Roberts all coming back. Ryshawn Johnson stepped in to play QB as a sophomore last season, so expect some progression at the position. Euclid will bring back a couple big starters on the offensive line as well. Euclid will be inexperienced, but should be able to win some games with the help of a strong coaching staff, returning QB, a big offensive line, and an experienced secondary.
Next Preview: Twinsburg (Week 4)
Week 3
What: Non-league game
Where: Sparky Dibiaso Stadium (Euclid)
When: September 14th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Tom Gibbons (6th season, 28-24 record)
History: Mentor and Euclid have played one another for decades, having been in the GCC and LEL together. The Cardinals have a slight edge (20-16) in the overall series.
Looking Back...
Mentor's 33-13 win in Week 1 in 2012 ended up being the 2nd lowest scoring game of the season. It may have been party due to a slow start in August, but also give credit to Euclid. Last year Euclid went 7-3 and finished 2nd in the LEL behind Warren Harding. A narrow 28-20 loss to the Raiders in Week 7 was all that separated Euclid from winning the league and getting a playoff spot. Euclid was a very senior-laden team in 2012. LB Myles Alexander (1st team all-district), 360-pound OL Matt Blaha, 1,000-yard rusher Juwan Ford, and leading receiver Rakeesh Nolden are among those who graduated.
Schedule...
The 2013 schedule includes a non-conference slate of Hudson, Cleveland Central Catholic, and Mentor. The LEL schedule is headlined by Warren Harding (2012 playoff team) and Cleveland Heights (17-3 last two seasons). Euclid had an impressive 6-1 record in league play last season. It will be difficult to match or surpass that given the number of seniors (30+) that have graduated. Key games on the schedule include the opener against Hudson and league rival Cleveland Heights.
2013 Euclid Outlook...
The Panthers were built to have a strong 2012 with so much experience on their roster. They couldn't be further from that in 2013. One area of strength and experience will be in the secondary with Ryan Epps, Christian Priah, and Harrison Roberts all coming back. Ryshawn Johnson stepped in to play QB as a sophomore last season, so expect some progression at the position. Euclid will bring back a couple big starters on the offensive line as well. Euclid will be inexperienced, but should be able to win some games with the help of a strong coaching staff, returning QB, a big offensive line, and an experienced secondary.
Next Preview: Twinsburg (Week 4)
Friday, August 2, 2013
Opponent Preview: St Ignatius (Week 2)
This is the second of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2013 season. See the Week 1 preview here.
Week 2
Who: St Ignatius
What: Non-league game
Where: Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium
When: September 7th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Chuck Kyle (31st season, 11 state titles)
History: St Ignatius leads the regular season series (5-3) dating back to 2005. These Region 1 juggernauts have played in the last two regional finals. The Wildcats won in 2011 (23-17) and the Cardinals won in 2012 (57-56 3OT).
Looking Back...
St Ignatius was 11-2 (including playoffs) in 2012. The triple overtime loss to Mentor last November in the regional final will not be soon forgotten by anybody in attendance. The game won the 2012 "Sports Moment of the Year" by the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards. St Ignatius dominated the regular season game (48-21) only to be upset a couple of months later on the same field. RB Tim McVey (500+ rushing/receiving yards and seven TD's) and QB Michael LaManna (558 passing yards and 8 TD's) were simply dominant in the two games against Mentor. Both have since graduated along with top WR Conor Hennessey and standout DE Kevin Kavalec (Boston College).
Schedule...
The 2013 schedule includes in-state matchups with rivals St Edward and St Xavier - two teams (along with St Ignatius) ranked in Rivals top 100 nationally. The 11-time state champions have a difficult time finding opponents willing to play them. The other seven games on the schedule are against teams from Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, Maryland, and Canada. Even though some of these teams are pretty talented, St Ignatius will likely be a favorite against all out of state opponents.
2013 St Ignatius Outlook...
Chuck Kyle and his coaching staff know how to turn out successful teams year in and year out. The graduation of key players will always have an effect, but the cupboard is not bare. LB Kyle Berger (Ohio State) and OL Jimmy Byrne (Notre Dame) are major national recruits. The hard hitting two-way player Dameon Willis is a talented returnee with offers from several DI college programs, including Indiana and Louisville. The gifted 6-2 WR Michael Siragusa (offers from MAC schools) showed his worth with 170 yards and 3 TD's in the 2012 regional final. John Hiland is another returning receiver for the Cats. The key for St Ignatius will be quarterback play. Senior Peter Mahoney is the top candidate to replace LaManna.
Expect the defense to be strong and the offense to be efficient - though probably not quite as potent as last year's bunch led by McVey, LaManna, and Hennessey. Kyle will almost certainly have a team ready to be serious contenders for a 12th state championship. Without a doubt, this will be the toughest opponent on Mentor's schedule in 2013.
Next Preview: Euclid (Week 3)
Week 2
Who: St Ignatius
What: Non-league game
Where: Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium
When: September 7th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Chuck Kyle (31st season, 11 state titles)
History: St Ignatius leads the regular season series (5-3) dating back to 2005. These Region 1 juggernauts have played in the last two regional finals. The Wildcats won in 2011 (23-17) and the Cardinals won in 2012 (57-56 3OT).
Looking Back...
St Ignatius was 11-2 (including playoffs) in 2012. The triple overtime loss to Mentor last November in the regional final will not be soon forgotten by anybody in attendance. The game won the 2012 "Sports Moment of the Year" by the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards. St Ignatius dominated the regular season game (48-21) only to be upset a couple of months later on the same field. RB Tim McVey (500+ rushing/receiving yards and seven TD's) and QB Michael LaManna (558 passing yards and 8 TD's) were simply dominant in the two games against Mentor. Both have since graduated along with top WR Conor Hennessey and standout DE Kevin Kavalec (Boston College).
Schedule...
The 2013 schedule includes in-state matchups with rivals St Edward and St Xavier - two teams (along with St Ignatius) ranked in Rivals top 100 nationally. The 11-time state champions have a difficult time finding opponents willing to play them. The other seven games on the schedule are against teams from Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, Maryland, and Canada. Even though some of these teams are pretty talented, St Ignatius will likely be a favorite against all out of state opponents.
2013 St Ignatius Outlook...
Chuck Kyle and his coaching staff know how to turn out successful teams year in and year out. The graduation of key players will always have an effect, but the cupboard is not bare. LB Kyle Berger (Ohio State) and OL Jimmy Byrne (Notre Dame) are major national recruits. The hard hitting two-way player Dameon Willis is a talented returnee with offers from several DI college programs, including Indiana and Louisville. The gifted 6-2 WR Michael Siragusa (offers from MAC schools) showed his worth with 170 yards and 3 TD's in the 2012 regional final. John Hiland is another returning receiver for the Cats. The key for St Ignatius will be quarterback play. Senior Peter Mahoney is the top candidate to replace LaManna.
Expect the defense to be strong and the offense to be efficient - though probably not quite as potent as last year's bunch led by McVey, LaManna, and Hennessey. Kyle will almost certainly have a team ready to be serious contenders for a 12th state championship. Without a doubt, this will be the toughest opponent on Mentor's schedule in 2013.
Next Preview: Euclid (Week 3)
Wednesday, July 31, 2013
Opponent Preview: Erie McDowell (Week 1)
Here is the first of my previews of Mentor opponents for the 2013 season. Every 2-3 days or so I will try to post some info on each opponent starting in Week 1 with Erie McDowell. It will lead up to the beginning of the season. (Thanks to www.goerie.com for info on McDowell)
Week 1
Who: McDowell Trojans (Erie, PA)
What: 2013 regular season and home opener
Where: Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium
When: August 30th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Mark Soboleski (9th season overall, 5th with McDowell)
History: The two teams met for the first time last season. Mentor took a rare trip to Pennsylvania and rallied from a nine point second half deficit to defeat McDowell, 34-27.
Looking Back...
In last year’s game, McDowell used a strong and balanced running attack to amass 450 yards on the ground. McDowell had three players (Khyre Drayer, Sean Gallagher, and James Conner) go for over 100 yards against Mentor. All three were seniors. Drayer and Conner (playing college ball at Pitt) were standout two way players that led McDowell in rushing in 2012. Gallagher was a competent starting QB until he got injured.
Schedule...
McDowell was 7-6 (including playoffs) in 2012. Four of their six losses were to Ohio power teams (Mentor, St Ignatius, St Edward, and Mooney). The Trojans will again have those same four Ohio teams on the schedule along with solid in-state programs like Erie Cathedral Prep and Lancaster Catholic. Finishing with a winning regular season record will be a stiff challenge for McDowell.
2013 McDowell Outlook...
The Trojans return a veteran group on the offensive line, including Scot Augustine, a near 300-pound all-state lineman in 2012 that is also a standout heavyweight wrestler. McDowell will run the triple option behind the experienced group of linemen. Tyree Spearman is a highly recruited defensive back who has 4.4 speed. He will be the primary ball carrier for the Trojans. The leading tackler from 2012, Jake Tarasovitch, returns as well. Tarasovitch (359 rushing yards in 2012) will likely be the QB for this year after starting several games when last year’s starting QB (Sean Gallagher) was injured. Jamie Szymczak will join Spearman in the backfield as another weapon in the triple option. McDowell also boasts an all-region kicker/punter in Ethan Stark.
Next Preview: St Ignatius (Week 2)
photo courtesy of goerie.com
Who: McDowell Trojans (Erie, PA)
What: 2013 regular season and home opener
Where: Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium
When: August 30th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Mark Soboleski (9th season overall, 5th with McDowell)
History: The two teams met for the first time last season. Mentor took a rare trip to Pennsylvania and rallied from a nine point second half deficit to defeat McDowell, 34-27.
Looking Back...
In last year’s game, McDowell used a strong and balanced running attack to amass 450 yards on the ground. McDowell had three players (Khyre Drayer, Sean Gallagher, and James Conner) go for over 100 yards against Mentor. All three were seniors. Drayer and Conner (playing college ball at Pitt) were standout two way players that led McDowell in rushing in 2012. Gallagher was a competent starting QB until he got injured.
Schedule...
McDowell was 7-6 (including playoffs) in 2012. Four of their six losses were to Ohio power teams (Mentor, St Ignatius, St Edward, and Mooney). The Trojans will again have those same four Ohio teams on the schedule along with solid in-state programs like Erie Cathedral Prep and Lancaster Catholic. Finishing with a winning regular season record will be a stiff challenge for McDowell.
2013 McDowell Outlook...
The Trojans return a veteran group on the offensive line, including Scot Augustine, a near 300-pound all-state lineman in 2012 that is also a standout heavyweight wrestler. McDowell will run the triple option behind the experienced group of linemen. Tyree Spearman is a highly recruited defensive back who has 4.4 speed. He will be the primary ball carrier for the Trojans. The leading tackler from 2012, Jake Tarasovitch, returns as well. Tarasovitch (359 rushing yards in 2012) will likely be the QB for this year after starting several games when last year’s starting QB (Sean Gallagher) was injured. Jamie Szymczak will join Spearman in the backfield as another weapon in the triple option. McDowell also boasts an all-region kicker/punter in Ethan Stark.
Next Preview: St Ignatius (Week 2)
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