Opponent Preview: Shaker Heights (Week 5)

This is the fifth of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2016 season. Here are the other previews:

Massillon
St Ignatius
St Xavier
Euclid 

Week 5

Who: Shaker Heights Raiders 

What: GCC Game

Where: Jerome T Osborne Stadium

When: September 23rd at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Jarvis Gibson (7th season at Shaker, 22-38 regular season record)

History: Mentor and Shaker have been in two leagues together over the years. The Cards lead the series 12-7 that dates back to the LEL days. Mentor has won eight in a row in the series. Shaker's last win against Mentor was in 2004. In a game that was much closer than the final score, Mentor prevailed 35-12 against Shaker last season. 

Looking Back...
The Raiders had a tough opening season in the Greater Cleveland Conference. After starting the season 3-0, Shaker went 0-7 in GCC play. The most competitive loss in league play was against Brunswick (31-14). Shaker did outscore their three non-conference foes 111-9 as the highlight of their season. 

Schedule...
The non-conference schedule is completely different from the one Shaker was so successful with last season. New on the schedule are Skyline from Michigan (4-5 record last year), John Adams (3-7), and Bedford (5-5). This is the easier part of the schedule and one that Shaker has to take advantage of. The Raiders are at the bottom of the GCC and will have to claw their way out of the basement. With teams like Mentor, Solon, Elyria, Euclid, etc. - Shaker will have their hands full winning in league play. 

2016 Shaker Outlook...
Junior QB Jamir Dismukes returns to lead the offense. Dismukes showed some flashes of being a big time playmaker last season against Mentor. Dismukes has some talented receivers returning, including speedster Terrance Colvin and junior Micah Hills. Colvin is dangerous on special teams as well. 

LB Jaylin Garner is another super junior on the roster. Garner (6'2, 230) has been offered by Cincinnati and is being recruited by Big Ten schools. He may be an impact player on offense as well. 

Shaker is not short on talent and potential on offense. But putting it together to win games against a rugged GCC schedule remains to be seen. This is probably another losing season for the Raiders. 

Next Preview:  Solon (Week 6)