First of all, it is important to note that scrimmages are not games. The results, winners, and final score should be looked at with a grain of salt. Even though this particular scrimmage did have pretty realistic game-like conditions, a team (and its fans) shouldn't get too high or too low with the results.
With all of that said, Mentor's 35-0 "win" over Massillon was an impressive showing. The varsity began their day with each team's offense getting 10 plays. Both Mentor and Massillon moved the ball into the red zone, but neither scored. After that point, the game-like conditions began. It was one half of football. Besides a ban on hitting on special teams (punts and kicks returns), the only major difference between the scrimmage and a real game was a lack of hitting on the QB's. Anytime they were touched (behind or past the line of scrimmage), the refs stopped the play. Besides that, it felt like real game conditions.
Mentor's offense looked pretty sharp considering they were replacing a Mr. Football candidate at QB (Krizancic), an All-Ohio receiver (Fritts), and the entire offensive line. QB Jake Floriea was hardly perfect, but he did make a lot of good throws. An important thing is he didn't throw any interceptions. RB/WR Eddie Daugherty continues to impress. Whether he was getting carries out of the backfield or catching passes down out of the slot, Daugherty was the most effective player for the Cardinals. Daugherty had one touchdown reception today along with a few other big plays.
The offense did a good job of mixing up the passing and running game. They were very balanced. Floriea didn't run much, but that was by design. I expect his legs to be a bigger part of the offense as the regular season starts. RB Alex Mathews looked good today. He had a couple long runs, including a touchdown sprint that took him around 60 yards. He ran through and then outraced the Massillon defense down the sideline. Mathews also put Mentor up 28-0 with a short touchdown run.
The final score of the day was a nice jumping touchdown catch by WR Malik Porter. The 6'2 junior looks like he could be a very nice receiver. I was also impressed with fellow junior receiver Jason Blizzard. He lines up on the outside opposite of Porter. Blizzard looks like he can fill in nicely in a role Corey Plavcan had last year. Senior RB/WR Jerome Jackson looked comfortable in his transition to more of a receiver role. He had a few big plays today, including a short touchdown run for the first score of the game.
I can't speak for Massillon. I know that they are considered one of the top teams in Division II. They have a big time QB (sophomore Danny Clark) that has already committed to Ohio State. The Tigers didn't look very good today. Mentor's first team defense shut them out on all six possessions. Massillon picked up multiple first downs on just one or two of those possessions. Massillon had four punts, a fumble, and a turnover on downs. Mentor's defense was steady. The defensive line can be difference makers with guys like Nico Lautanen, Billy Hudson, and Trevor Morrison. The secondary broke up some passes. Massillon didn't have any consistency on offense today. Mentor's defense certainly had a say in that.
Overall, I have to believe the coaches were very pleased with the scrimmage.
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