Opponent Preview: Euclid (Week 3)

This is the third of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2014 season.

Week 3

Who:  Euclid Panthers

What:   Home opener

Where:  Jerome T Osborne Stadium

When:  September 12th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach:  Tom Gibbons (7th season, 33-29 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 (21-16) in the overall series.  The two will both be part of the newly formed GCC starting next season.

Looking Back...
In hindsight, Mentor's comfortable 36-0 win at Euclid during Week 3 last season was an important game for the Cardinals.  After some uncertainty in the QB position, it was the first game in which eventual All-Ohio QB Conner Krizancic would start from beginning to end.   The shutout was a great showing for the defense.  Euclid (5-5) closed their season on a four game winning streak, but missed out on the playoffs.  It was not a banner year for the Panthers (who went 0-5 against playoff teams), but youth and inexperience played a great deal into that.   LB Rayanthony Bruster and OL/DE Jeremiah Peters are among they key player that were seniors last season.

Schedule...
The 2014 schedule includes a rugged non-conference slate of Hudson (10-2), VASJ (9-2), and Mentor (13-2).  The LEL schedule is headlined by Cleveland Heights (27-5 last three seasons), Bedford (10-2 last season), and Warren Harding.  Euclid was a respectable 5-2 against the LEL last season.  Currently, Euclid has a nine game schedule.

2014 Euclid Outlook...
Dual threat QB Ryshon Johnson has been starting since he was a sophomore.  His continued development will be a big part of the team success.  Johnson was injured during the second half of last season.  Terry Duckworth, a sophomore last season, filled in for Johnson and helped the Panthers end the season on a winning note.  He will probably have a place on this team somewhere.  RB Taji Holden will be a key part of the Patherns' offense.  LB Harrison Roberts (Bowling Green commit) leads the defense and has the most impact of any player on the team.  LB Christian Woods is another key returning player on defense.  Given the returning players and looking at their schedule, it would be a success if the Panthers could find a way to have a winning record.

Next Preview:  Twinsburg (Week 4)