Looking Back...
The 2013 season had its ups and downs to be sure. Mentor won their third regional title since 2006 with a thrilling 57-56 triple overtime win against St Ignatius. The comeback win against the state's No. 1 ranked team (St Edward) the week before was almost as unforgettable. The magical run came to an end against Toledo Whitmer in a 62-34 state semifinal loss. Mentor's defense in the playoffs (209 points surrendered in four games) surely puts the team at/near the record of the most points given up in one playoff season.
Mitch Trubisky became the second Mentor QB to win Ohio's Mr. Football award (Bart Tanski in 2007). Trubisky had over 10,000 yards of offense in his time at Mentor. RB/WR Nick Delisa (1,400 total yards and 21 TD's) had a very strong (and surprising) senior season. Other key losses to graduation include DB Reese Armstrong, LB Joe Iafelice, CB Jaylen Dowdy, and OL Brandon Short. It was a season (especially a playoff run) that anyone following the program will not forget.
Offense...
The bread and butter for Mentor in the last decade or so has been the effective play of their no-huddle spread offense. They key to that offense is the play of the QB. There is no replacing Trubisky. Conner Krizancic, one of the best overall athletes at Mentor the past 10-20 years, has the difficult task of doing just that. Krizancic played the position in middle school and as a freshman before playing receiver the past two seasons. Mentor will not only have to replace Trubisky at QB, but they lose a dynamic player at receiver with Krizanic's move behind center. Brandon Fritts, a 6'4 All-Ohio receiver committed to North Carolina, is one of the state's best. Fritts (1,188 yards and 17 TD's) will provide the big, athletic, and experienced target that will help Conner adapt to his new role. Fellow senior Corey Plavcan (36 receptions for 598 yards in 2012) returns and will line up wide on the opposite side of Fritts. Eddie Daughterty, a small but effective RB/WR as a sophomore in 2012, will be another weapon that can still play both positions. The offensive line is always key to any offense. Mentor returns four starters.
Defense...
As stated above, the defense had a season they would like to soon forget. In the four playoff games and the regular season loss to St Ignatius (the five toughest opponents of the season), the defense gave up an average of 51.4 points per game. To be frank, that just won't cut it. The defense was pretty green for the start of last season after graduating most of the defense from 2011. Implementing a new 3-3 stack defensive scheme didn't do them any favors either. But nobody can make enough excuses to justify 56, 56, and 62 (the point totals in the last three games).
Mentor will return to a more traditional 4-3 defense this fall. That will certainly help. DE's Kent Burger and Delvon Maddox will be key to the defense. The defensive line (which also includes big interior lineman like Nico Lautanen, Billy Hudson, and Mitch Morrison) has to be a strength of the team in order for them to achieve the team success of 2012. Senior LB Justin McMahon was one of the team leaders in tackles last season. The other "Mc's" (Safeties Mason McKenrick and Keith McCormick) bring experience to the defense. The secondary has to replace both cornerbacks as well as safety Reese Armstrong - the captain of the defensive backfield. New defensive backs coach Byron Morgan (longtime successful head coach at Mayfield, Solon, and NDCL) should help that group.
It is also important to note that kicker Mike Muzik (7 FG's and 93% on PAT's) returns.
Prediction...
I predict the defense will improve a good amount. I hear only good things about Berger/Maddox on the edges. Any defensive coach will tell you that an effective pass rush will help make a defensive backfield look better. The defensive tackles last year were young and I expect big improvement from that group. Justin McMahon could be an all-conference or all-district type of linebacker this fall.
I expect the offense to drop off from their record setting pace last season. I don't know how a team can keep up last year's offensive efficiency when losing a Mr. Football QB, a dynamic player like Delisa, and essentially "losing" an All-Ohio receiver in Krizancic changing positions. Hopefully returning 80% of last year's line will make up for some of that. Eddie Daugherty looks to be a full time RB and will be counted on to keep the chains moving. Overall, the ability for Krizancic to adjust (and hopefully excel) at the QB position will tell the tale as to the success of this offense.
And so...I predict an NOC Valley championship, a 9-1 regular seasons, and hosting a playoff game in Week 11.
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