**Disclaimer: This is a fan blog. It is not affiliated with the Mentor football program.
This is the sixth of my opponent previews. To view the other previews for the first five opponents, click on the team: Boardman (Week 1), St Ignatius (Week 2), St Xavier (Week 3), Euclid (Week 4), Shaker Heights (Week 5), and Solon (Week 6)
This is the sixth of my opponent previews. To view the other previews for the first five opponents, click on the team: Boardman (Week 1), St Ignatius (Week 2), St Xavier (Week 3), Euclid (Week 4), Shaker Heights (Week 5), and Solon (Week 6)
Week 7
Who: Medina
What: Greater Cleveland Conference game
Where: Jerome T Osborne Stadium
When: October 9th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Dan Sutherland (4th season at Medina, 7-23 record)
History: Mentor played Medina while both were in the NOC Valley in 2011 and 2012. Mentor won by a combined score of 108-28.
History: Mentor played Medina while both were in the NOC Valley in 2011 and 2012. Mentor won by a combined score of 108-28.
Looking Back…
Medina is one of the largest school districts in Ohio. They have been successful at several sports over the years (recent state championships in soccer, cross country, and lacrosse). Football has not been one of them. Coach Larry Laird (currently at GCC member Strongsville) had the magic touch for the Bees as he guided them to the program's only playoff win in 2010. Since Laird left, Medina has had a losing season each of the past four years.
In 2014, Medina was 2-8. Of their eight losses, five were to playoff teams and two were against teams with winning records that didn't make the playoffs. Their two wins were against Shaker Heights and Eastlake North. The Bees had primarily senior starters last year, especially on defense. Offensive graduates include QB Collin Minor (All-District honorable mention) and lineman Zeke Martin (Illinois).
In 2014, Medina was 2-8. Of their eight losses, five were to playoff teams and two were against teams with winning records that didn't make the playoffs. Their two wins were against Shaker Heights and Eastlake North. The Bees had primarily senior starters last year, especially on defense. Offensive graduates include QB Collin Minor (All-District honorable mention) and lineman Zeke Martin (Illinois).
Schedule…
As I posted on my GCC notes, Medina's non-conference schedule is somewhat challenging - but not overwhelming. Lakewood is the opener. The Rangers (2-8 last season) have had pretty limited football success in the 2000's. It is an important game for Medina to win if they want to see improvement in 2015. The other two nonleague games are against a couple of 2014 playoff teams: Kenston and Wadsworth. Those two games will be a challenge. In the GCC, Medina is going to have their hands full with the top of the league. The Bees got outscored 106-20 last season by Strongsville, Brunswick, and Elyria - three GCC schools on the schedule. But Medina was a very reasonable 4-4 against their nearby rivals, Strongsville/Brunswick, from 2010-2013.
2015 Medina Outlook…
Medina's biggest strength for the 2015 season will be the running game. Sutherland's system includes a wing-T offense. Running the ball is the focus of the offense. They did graduate top lineman Zeke Martin, but the other four starting offensive lineman do return. Starting RB Jimmy Daw had a nice sophomore season last year. He even got some action carrying the ball as a freshman in 2013. Daw is on pace to be one of the most productive RB's in Medina history. The 6'3, 205-pound junior had several 100+ yard rushing games last season. He finished the year with 850 yards rushing, 270 yards receiving, and 15 total TD's. Daw already has an offer from Bowling Green. If Medina can be successful running the ball, they should see some improvement on their recent setbacks.
Defensively, Medina didn't close last season very well. The Bees gave up a total of 130 points over the last three games. Most of the 2014 starters were seniors. Safety Collin Winters is one of the few returning starters on that side of the ball.
The Bees are still trying to build a winning program. Considering their schedule includes six 2014 playoff teams (Mentor, Solon, Brunswick, Elyria, Kenston, and Wadsworth) - there is a good chance that a winning season will have to wait another year.
The Bees are still trying to build a winning program. Considering their schedule includes six 2014 playoff teams (Mentor, Solon, Brunswick, Elyria, Kenston, and Wadsworth) - there is a good chance that a winning season will have to wait another year.
Next: Strongsville (Week 8)
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