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)

photo courtesy of  goerie.com

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)