Opponent Preview: Brunswick (Week 7)

Week 7

Who:  Brunswick

What:  Northeast Ohio Conference (Valley Division) game

Where:  Brunswick Auto Mart Stadium

When:  October 10th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach:  Luke Beal (5th season at Brunswick, 24-17 record)

History:  Mentor has won all three regular season meetings as NOC members.  Mentor also won the playoff game last season, 42-0.  The teams played in the 2007 state semifinal, in which Mentor won 39-14.  

Looking Back...

Brunswick finished 6-5 last season as they fell to Mentor in the first round of the playoffs. The Blue Devils best win last season was against Elyria, another playoff team in Region 1.  Brunswick had a tough schedule that included losses to Mentor, Hudson, and Fitch - three of the top teams in NEO last season.  The Cards outscored the Blue Devils 85-3 in the two games.  Brunswick sneaked into the playoffs as the 15 seed in light of a 6-4 record.  Brunswick had 8 players receive all-district recognition.  All but one of those players were seniors.  WR/DB Zach Parker, LB Elijah Galloway. and DL Justin Boey are among the standouts that graduated.  

Schedule...

Brunswick has five teams (Mentor, Fitch, Solon, Elyria, and Hudson) on the schedule that made the 2013 playoffs.  Rivalry games with Strongsville and Medina are always key to the season.  The NOC Valley schedule will be more challenging than last season.   Games against Normandy (0-10), Padua (4-6), Medina (3-7), and Twinsburg (2-8) are very probable wins.  How the Blue Devils perform against Elyria, Solon, and Strongsville will be the difference between making the playoffs or not.   

2014 Brunswick Outlook...

Coach Beal's teams have steadily improved to finish 5-5, 6-4, and 7-3 in his first three seasons.  Brunswick's 6-4 record last season was a step back in terms of wins, but they did make the playoffs.  Most of the prominent players from last season have graduated, but there are 40 upcoming seniors on this team that are ready to contribute.  The Blue Devils return six starters on each side of the ball, so experience will be on their side.  This is a deep and experienced group led by returning QB Steven Ficyk (6'4, 215).  The senior threw for over 1,600 yards last season and 14 TD's.  He will be key to the team's success.  RB/WR Joe Pinzone (439 all-purpose yards last season) and WR/TE Ethan Engelka (6'3, 218) return to give Ficyk some talented targets.  DL Tom Knuff (6'2, 285) is the best returning lineman. 

Next Preview:  Solon (Week 8)