Week 9 Review

Mentor's dominating 38-14 win over previously unbeaten Hudson was easily their top performance of the year.  The Explorers came to Mentor with an 8-0 record and the top spot in the Region 1 computer rankings.  The Cardinals clearly showed they are playing on another level than even the strongest of their league foes. 

NOC Dominance

Mentor is wrapping up their third season in the Northeast Ohio Conference.  During that time, they have a 13-1 record against the NOC Valley and a 19-1 overall record against NOC teams.  The lone blemish was in Week 10 in 2011 at Twinsburg.  In the 19 wins, the 24-point margin of defeat by Hudson is the closest any team got.  Hudson had an impressive year in the Valley (going 3-0 against Solon, Strongsville, and Brunswick) - but Mentor is in a league of their own.

Krizancic 

If not for the recent string of Mr. Football QB's - we in Mentor may appreciate Conner Krizancic a little more.  He is having a fantastic season.  After a slow start due to an apparent dead arm, Krizancic has come into his own and his playing his way as an All-District QB.  Who would have thought that 6 or 7 weeks ago?  After Week 3, Krizancic was 23-38 passing for 219 yards and 2 touchdowns.  Lately, he is able to do better than that in a single game.  On the season, the senior has 2,662 combined yards (passing, rushing, and receiving) to go along with 32 touchdowns.

Defense

The offense was good on Friday.  But the defense continued their strong play as well.  Hudson came into this game with a much hyped QB in Mitchell Guadagni.  He certainly showcased a strong and accurate arm.  Guadagni was able to bust a couple of big runs.  But the defense made sure it wasn't five or six big plays with his legs.  Overall, Guadagni was held in check - and that is all you can ask out of your defense.  The defensive line did their part in forcing Guadagni to make quick throws.  The secondary was led by some big pass break ups by seniors Kiyah Powell and Keith McCormick.  Senior LB Justin McMahon had another strong performance that included an interception.  The defense is continuing to improve each week.  Opponents will not be putting up big numbers on this defense in November.  

Making the most of it

Senior receiver Jake Berardinelli has had very few opportunities in the first eight games of the season.  Most of his reps came when the game was already over.  He was recovering from an injury at the beginning of the season and lost his starting spot.  Berardinelli certainly earned that spot back for the rest of the season with his stellar play on Friday.  The 6'1, 200-pound target was effective at coming up with a big play when needed most.  With opposing defenses are focused on the legs of Krizancic and RB Eddie Daugherty as well as the deep receiving threats in Fritts/Plavcan - the opportunity to shine is there.  In the past two games, Berardinelli has 7 catches for 95 yards and a touchdown.  He has rushed for 43 yards on just four carries as well.

Computer Points

Mentor now sits at No. 2 in the Region 1 computer rankings.  I project the Cards to finish no lower than that as long as they take care of business against Strongsville (5-4) this week.  That means a home game in Week 11 and (hopefully) a favorable draw.  Mentor's most likely first round opponents are Toledo Whitmer (remember them?), Massillon Jackson, and Shaker Heights.  All should be decided by Saturday.  Check www.joeeitel.com/hsfoot for the latest.

Mentor/Hudson Preview

With a game this big, it deserves its own preview.  To my knowledge, this is the first time Mentor and Hudson have played each other.  Could it get much bigger than this?  The Explorers are having one of their best seasons in school history.  They have the opportunity to take on the defending Region 1 champs and prove they belong with the top teams in Division I.

Hudson

Hudson (8-0) is the top team in Region 1 in the computer points standings.  They didn't get there by accident.  The Explorers have given Brecksville and Stow their only losses of the season.  They also own signature wins over Brunswick and Solon.  

Hudson's defense has given up no more than 17 points all season.   Stow/Brecksville (each have a 7-1 record) scored only 7 points a piece on Hudson in regulation - Brecksville ended up with 14 total in 2OT.  The Explorers are allowing just under 10 points per game.   Their defense is led by LB Ben Hart, DB John Zuccaro, DL Charles Behal, DB Matthew Rightnour, among others.  

On offense, it starts and ends with talented QB Mitchell Guadagni.  The 6'2 junior had a stellar season in 2012 and is showing the area that he will be playing on Saturdays after he graduates from Hudson.  Guadagni has an offer from Buffalo, and more are sure to come over the next several months.  Aside from his 1,459 yards and 15 TD's in the air - Guadagni is the leading rusher with 580 yards and 4 touchdowns.  It is rare that Mentor goes up against a team that has superior QB play.  This might be one of those rare occasions.  Joining Guadagni in the back field are RB's Dean Miller and Ben Hart.  WR Jared Ruffing (29 catches for 441 yards) is the No. 1 target.  

Mentor

The Cardinals (7-1) have been on a roll since the St Ignatius loss in Week 2.  Over the last six games, the defense has posted three shutouts and also held Brunswick to just a field goal.  The offense has scored 35 or more against every opponent except St Ignatius.  QB Conner Krizancic is having a strong season.  RB Eddie Daugherty is helping to balance the offense.  Overall, Mentor is proving to be pretty balanced on both sides of the ball.  

Mentor's signature wins so far are against Solon (35-0), Brunswick (45-3), and Shaker Heights (56-14).  Standouts on defense include DE Kent Berger, DT Nico Lautanen, and LB Justin McMahon.  Overall, the defensive line has been the most consistent unit of the entire team.  This is not the 2012 defense that got their teeth knocked in week after week in the playoffs.  

Matchup

Many will point to the QB battle as the key deciding factor of the game.  It may be.  I think Hudson needs to have superior QB play to win.  Mentor shouldn't be as reliant on that factor.  If Krizancic outplays Guadagni, Mentor should win.  But I think the Cardinals have a little more talent in other areas and could still win the game if Guadagni proves to be a more talented signal caller.  

I look for Mentor's strong defensive line to be a bigger key to the game than Krizancic.  The boys up front need to put pressure on Guadagni and (more importantly) come up with some big sacks or tackles near the line of scrimmage when he is on the run.  As stated, Guadagni is Hudson's leading rusher in attempts and yards.  He will be throwing or running on 80-90% of the plays.  If the defensive line can have a big game, it will go a long way.  

On offense, Mentor needs to establish their running game.  Krizancic is an effective runner that is good for at least a couple huge plays with his legs.  If RB's Daugherty/Mathews can move the chains and take some pressure off the passing game, Mentor's offense should be able to shine.  Hudson has some talent and experience in the secondary.  They will likely be focused on stopping WR Brandon Fritts.  If that happens, the Cardinals could use a big game from his counter part, Corey Plavcan.  

Prediction

Hudson has proven to be a good defensive team.  So has Mentor.  Hudson has a dynamite QB that can kill opponents with his arm and his legs.  So does Mentor.  This will be a very tough matchup.  Although we may find that Hudson has a more talented QB, I think Mentor has the better overall team.  

Mentor 28 Hudson 17

Week 8 Review

Mentor's defense was dominant from start to finish as the Cards improved to 7-1 with a 35-0 road victory over rival Solon.  The Comets dropped to 4-4.  Mentor improved their record to 11-9 in the series and they now have won 9 of the past 11 games against Solon.  The defensive line was at their very best.  Kent Berger, Nico Lautanen, Delvon Maddox, Billy Hudson, and Trevor Morrison all made their presence known.  QB Conner Krizancic didn't have his usual accuracy, but he did still manage 264 passing yards and 122 rushing yards.

Defense Shines...Again

The defense came up big again.  It wasn't just the shutout.  It was the way the shutout happened.  Mentor had three early fumbles that put the defense in tough positions.  But they answered the call and stuffed the run very well.  For the night, Solon had just 39 yards on 36 carries.  Solon had just two first downs in the entire first half.

The shutout is the third of the season.  Last year, it was an exception when the defense played well.  This year, it is an exception when they don't play well.  The 1st quarter against McDowell and the first half against Brush are the only major bumps in the road over 32 quarters of play.   It was the most impressive and dominant defensive performance I have seen from Mentor in years.  The Comets are a likely playoff team.  The last time Mentor's defense shutout a playoff team was in 2007...in Solon...against the Comets.

Tough at home

Solon has been very good at home over the years.  Since 2002, Solon is 56-8 at home.  Mentor accounts for half of those home losses.   The Comets are 2-4 against Mentor and 52-4 against everyone else.

Offense

The offense wasn't as efficient as we have seen them lately.  Even though the defense kept Solon in check all night, the Mentor offense couldn't find any consistency.  Yes, they scored 35 points.  But it was not easy.  The game was just 14-0 until a Krizancic to Plavcan touchdown strike in the 3rd quarter.   Since 2011, Mentor has scored 30+ points in 33 of 35 games.  The only team to hold them under 30 did it twice.  Can you guess who it was?


What's ahead?

Mentor (7-1) hosts undefeated Hudson (8-0) on Friday.  Both teams have clinched a playoff berth.  Both are certain to host in Week 11.  If Hudson can win, they will likely be the top overall seed in Region 1.  If Mentor can win, they will not only guarantee their third straight NOC league title, but they will garner a lot of computer points.  St Edward and St Ignatius are clearly the top two teams in Region 1.  The winner of this game will clearly put themselves in the top three in the region.  Hudson junior Mitchell Guadagni is the top QB Mentor has played all season.  The undefeated Explorers have surrendered just 79 points in eight games. This is the best defense Mentor has played since St Ignatius.  This will be a very well attended game.  This is Hudson's biggest regular season game in many years...maybe ever.   Come early.  

Week 7 Review

With Mentor scoring touchdowns on their first two possessions and gaining an early 14-0 lead, the game had blowout written all over it.  But Brunswick buckled down and held Mentor out of the end zone for several drives in a row.  The offense did eventually catch fire as the Cards exploded for a 45-3 win.  Senior QB Conner Krizancic is continuing to look better and better.  Krizancic finished with 220 yards in the air and 91 rushing yards.  Krizancic threw for three touchdowns and rushed for two more.

Defense Shines

While the offense gets plenty of attention (and deservedly so), this was a game where the defense deserves a lot of credit.  When your offense scores 45 points, one might think it doesn't matter what defense is out there.  But the game was a two score game until midway through the third quarter.  While the offense was a bit inconsistent, the defense was steady and consistent throughout the game.  Brunswick, primarily a running team, had trouble moving the chains against the talented Mentor front seven.  The secondary was able to stay on top of their toes and make big plays when needed.  Senior CB Kiyah Powell broke up multiple passes on critical plays.

Fritts/Plavcan Play Big

Whether it is admitted or not, it has to be a frustrating season for senior receiver Brandon Fritts.  After compiling All-Ohio numbers as a sophomore and junior, Fritts (a North Carolina recruit) had just one touchdown in the last five games.  With Krizancic playing QB, opposing defenses are able to focus more on Fritts.  Adjusting to a new QB can take some time too.  In the win against Brunswick, Fritts had his best game of the season with five catches for 82 yards and a couple of touchdowns.  Fellow senior wideout Corey Plavcan also had a strong game with four catches for 91 yards and a touchdown.  Mentor's offense will be at its best when Fritts/Plavcan are causing havoc for opposing defenses.

Computer Points

According to Joe Eitel (a trustworthy source on computer points), Mentor is currently No. 6 in Region 1.  Not only is Mentor safely in a playoff spot, but they are probably one win away from clinching a home game.  The last three games against Solon (4-3), Hudson (7-0), and Strongsville (5-2) provide lots of computer point opportunities to move higher.  If Mentor can continue to win each week, they should be on the top two or three seeds in Region 1.

What's ahead?

Mentor will make a trip to Solon (4-3) to take on a Comets team that is coming off a humbling 42-14 loss to Hudson.  You better believe that Solon will be in a fowl mood when Mentor comes to town on Friday.  The Comets are Mentor's top rival in my opinion.   The two have played every season since the late 90's - including four playoff games.  Mentor has a slight edge in the overall series.  If Solon brings their best, this will be a very competitive and entertaining football game.