Opponent Preview: Boardman (Week 1)

**Disclaimer:  This is a fan blog and NOT associated with the Mentor football program

Here is the first of my previews of Mentor opponents for the 2015 season.  Every few days or so I will try to post some info on each opponent starting in Week 1 with Boardman.  It will lead up to the beginning of the season.

Week 1

Who: Boardman

What:  2015 regular season opener

Where:  Jerome T. Osborne Stadium

When:  August 28th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Joe Ignazio (3rd season as head coach)

History:  Mentor won last year's meeting at Boardman by a score of 48-14

Looking Back...
Boardman and Mentor have been on different paths lately.  Boardman (2-8) averaged 8.1 ppg while Mentor averaged 39.9.  After starting out 0-7, Boardman knocked off playoff hopefuls Jackson and Canton McKinley in back-to-back weeks.  Boardman is 7-23 during the last three seasons.  Mentor (11-2 in 2014) has more playoff wins (8) than Boardman has regular season wins during since 2012.

Schedule...
Once again, Boardman will have their hands full with a difficult schedule.  Local parochial powers Mooney and Ursuline are both on the schedule for the first time in many years.  Three teams that made the DI playoffs last year (Massillon Perry, Lorain, and Fitch) are also on the schedule.  Along with Mentor, that makes a total of six 2014 playoff teams.  Warren Harding, Canfield, Jackson, and Lakeside are the other opponents.  The Spartans have one of the tougher DII schedules in NEO.

2015 Boardman Outlook...
Boardman is hoping to take a step or two forward after a couple of disappointing seasons.  From 2007 to 2011, the Spartans had three playoff appearances and zero losing seasons.  After three losing seasons in a row, Boardman is hoping to get closer to returning to playoff football.  They will have to find a new QB to do so.  Last year's starting QB Sean Birchfield moved to Florida for his senior season.  Last year's top overall player, LB/TE Eric Croutch, is now playing football at Ohio University.  Boardman had a small group seniors on last year's team, so lots of sophomores and juniors had opportunities.  The Spartans should be a pretty experienced group this season.  The overall varsity numbers should be the highest in the Ignazio tenure.  Three-year starter Mario Graziani had 843 yards rushing in 2014.  The senior RB/LB will be key to the success of the offense.  Leading receiver Travis Koontz returns on offense as well.  On defense, Graziani is one of the Spartans' best as he was 3rd in tackles and led the team in sacks.  Senior LB Erick Ritz returns after leading the team in tackles last season.  Boardman should see some continued improvement during the third year of Ignazio.   With their rugged schedule and recent struggles, don't expect to see a whole lot of wins for Boardman in 2015.

Next Preview:  St Ignatius (Week 2)