Opponent Preview: Brush (Week 5)

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

Week 5

Who:  Brush

What:  NOC Crossover

Where: Jerome T Osborne Stadium

When:  September 26th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Josh Wells (3rd season, 14-6 record)

History:  Mentor and Brush played last season for the first time since their old GCC days.  Mentor won the offensive battle 62-43.

Looking Back...
Last season Brush had a successful season as they finished 7-3 and went to the Region 3 playoffs.  The Arcs lost to top seeded Glenville (DII state runners-up) in the first round.  The Week 5 game at Brush last season was certainly one of the most challenging regular season games of the season for the Cards.  The high powered Brush offense caught Mentor sleeping as they jumped out to a commanding 28-7 lead.  Mentor eventually played up to their potential on both sides of the ball as they went on a 55-7 run.  The game was a wakeup call for the Mentor defense.  After surrendering 43 points to Brush, the Cards gave up just a total of 53 points over the next 8 games.  

Schedule...
Besides Mentor, Brush plays only two teams that had winning records in 2013.  The schedule sets up nicely as Brush plays in the least competitive division of the NOC.  The nonleague games are Padua, Lakeside, and Kenston.  The schedule provides a lot of opportunities for wins.  Key games on the season are Kenston (made playoffs last season), local rival Mayfield, and Garfield Heights (7-3 last season).  A win over Brush should mean a good amount of computer points for Mentor.  

2014 Brush Outlook...
Brush has a lot of talent to replace from last season.  QB Stephen Shorts, WR Ugochhukwu Onunwor, RB Javari Gill, and top lineman Jonah Harper were among the standouts on a very talented offense.  Brush returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2005.  As the Arcs look to build on that appearance, the cupboard is hardly bare.  LB Matthew Draper (6'1, 215) - a transfer from Glenville - is the most talented player on the Brush roster.  Draper has several DI offers that include Kentucky, Louisville, and Cincinnati.  RB Darryl McCluney (6'3, 215) was one of the leading rushers (754 yards, 8 TD's) for the Arcs last season.  WR Jordan Overton (offers from several MAC schools) made an impact on the offense last season as a sophomore.  Finding a replacement for the dynamic Shorts will be a big key to their season.  If they can do that, a return to the playoffs is within reach.

Next Preview:  Shaker Heights (Week 6)