Opponent Preview: Glenville (Week 3)

This is the third of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2017 season.  See the Week 3 preview (St Ignatius) here.

Week 3

Who: Glenville Tarblooders

What: Non-league game

Where: Jerome T. Osborne Stadium 

When: September 8th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Ted Ginn Sr. (21st season)

History: Mentor and Glenville played regularly beginning in the late 90's through 2006. In the 2000's, Mentor and Glenville played nine times (including playoff games in 2006 and 2007). Mentor holds a slight 5-4 edge during that stretch. Overall, Mentor leads the series 11-5. The last time these two teams met was in a memorable 2007 Region 1 final at Lakewood in which Mentor won, 41-40.

Looking Back...
Glenville was one of the state's most successful programs over the last 20 years, making the playoffs 15 times since 1999. The Tarblooders reached their peak in reaching the 2009 DI state championship game. When dropping down to DII, Glenville also was the state runners-up in 2013. Since that season, Glenville has taken a step or two back. The number of BCS recruits is down. The number of playoff wins (three total since 2013) is down. The class of 2017 saw 18 players sign with a program to continue their playing days. Most of them were not Division I colleges. Last season, the Tarblooders went 0-4 against teams not in the Senate League. That included a Week 11 loss (21-7) to Anthony Wayne. Among the senior standouts included RB Demerius Goodwin (Morgan State), WR Coby Bryant (Cincinnati), and All-District lineman Teeshawn Turpin (Tenn-Martin). 

Schedule...
Glenville plays in the Senate Athletic League. The Tarblooders haven't lost a league game since the 90's. The league made up of Cleveland public schools has rarely even posed a challenge to Glenville. In order to make up for the lack of harbin points in the league, Ginn has consistently scheduled some grueling non-conference games. Along with Mentor, Glenville plays St Edward and Euclid - two playoff teams in from 2016. The Tarblooders found a way to make the playoffs despite going 0-3 in non-conference play last season. With declining enrollment and competitive balance, Glenville now finds themselves in Division III for the first time. In a new division and region, they don't want to take any chances by starting 0-3 again. In order to guarantee the playoffs, Glenville will need to find a way to win one of those three games. They should easily win all seven league games, which makes them an important opponent for Mentor in terms of potential computer points. 

2017 Glenville Outlook...
Glenville had seven players receive All-District recognition in 2016. All of them were seniors. Reloading is nothing new to Ginn as he routinely has to replace most of his impact players and starters. Offensively, it always helps to bring back your QB. Senior Xander Spikes return for the Tarblooders. Speedy receiver and track star Bryan West gives Spikes a great target. WR Carlton Swopes also returns. 

Glenville's season will be defined by how they stack up in their non-conference schedule and how they perform in November. Compared to the previous times Mentor played Glenville, the Tarblooders will not be littered with future Big Ten players all over the field. But this is no easy game for Mentor. Glenville will be one of the toughest outs in DIII this year. 

Next Preview:  Strongsville (Week 4)