Opponent Preview: Solon (Week 8)

Week 8

Who:  Solon

What:  Northeast Ohio Conference (Valley Division) game

Where:  Jerome T Osborne Stadium

When:  October 17th at 7:00

Opposing Coach:  Jim McQuaide (95-32 at Solon, 171-94 overall)

History:  Mentor leads the overall series 11-9.  Solon leads the regular season series 9-7, but Mentor has won all four playoff meetings (2002, 2006, 2007, 2011).

Looking Back…

Solon (6-5 in 2013) has struggled for the last two seasons, going just 11-10 (0-1 in playoffs).  After an up and down season in 2013, the Comets fell to Westerville Central (55-7) in the first round of the playoffs.  Mentor won 35-0 during Week 8 at Solon.  It was one of their top defensive games of the season.  As for Solon, their biggest wins on the season were against playoff teams Kenston and Brunswick.  Some key players will need to be replaced.  Brandon Reynolds, a standout defensive end, was the leader of the line and led the team in tackles-for-loss.  RB Antwain Hamilton (leader in rushing yards and touchdowns) and WR Kollyn Crenshaw were the standouts at the skill positions.  The offensive line graduated a few key starters.  

Schedule…

The Comets will open the season with games against Kenston, Shaker Heights, and South.  All three made the playoffs last season.  In my opinion, Weeks 1-3 will make or break Solon's season.  Mayfield and Valley Forge are the NOC crossovers.  Both teams are improved from last season, but Solon will be the favorite.  The NOC Valley schedule also includes Hudson, Brunswick, Twinsburg, and Strongsville.  Overall, Solon’s schedule has six returning playoff teams.  If Solon can find a way to at least get a split in those games, they will put themselves in good position to return to the playoffs.  

 

2014 Solon Outlook…

Solon brings back their two QB's, Ryan Gallagher (over 1,000 passing yards last season) and Matt Laubscher.  Both have been getting varsity reps at QB since their sophomore seasons.  Experience and depth at the position will be a big advantage for Solon.   Hamilton, 1,000-yard rusher last season, will be missed at the RB position.   Look for Gil Barksdale and Melvin Jackson to be the primary ball carriers.  Both were productive on varsity even though Barksdale was a sophomore and Jackson was a freshman.  The top 5 receivers for the Comets last season were seniors.  That will be a key position they need to reload.  Defensively, Solon's top returnees are LB John Sensibaugh (three-year starter) and DE Tyree Seals.  Sensibaugh was the leading tackler for Solon for the second straight season.  Seals was second on the team in tackles-for-loss.  LB Alex Brown (3rd in tackles last season) and junior DL Ben Peterson (a starter since he was a freshman) are other top returning players on defense.  If the Comets can establish a consistent offense, the team should be able to return to the playoffs.  

Next:  Hudson (Week 9)