Pre-Season All-GCC Team

Offense

QB Jony Major, Strongsville - The dual threat QB has 1,880 passing yards and 925 rushing yards in his career
RB Brandon Wright, Euclid - The 6'3, 215-pound back is headed to Michigan State
WR Trevon Raphael, Solon - Michigan is among the teams that has offered the 6'4 senior
WR Dre'Von Lindsay, Euclid - Had over 700 reception yards each of the past two seasons
WR Luke Floriea, Mentor - Speedster was second on the team in 2017 in catches, yards, and touchdowns
WR Chris Kelly, Medina - Two way starter was one of Medina's leading playmakers last season
OL JD Duplain, Strongsville - The two-way lineman is a three-year starter headed to Michigan State
OL Ryan Jacoby, Mentor - After being offered by most major colleges, Jacoby (6'5, 240) chose Ohio State
OL Jalen Jackson, Euclid - One of four returning lineman for Euclid, Jackson (6'3, 295) was 2nd team All-District
OL Nick Samac, Mentor - The 6'4, 260-pound guard is committed to Michigan State
OL Darrius Johnson, Euclid - At 6'3 and 315-pounds, Johnson has offers from Indiana, Marshall, and Akron

Defense

DE Noah Potter, Mentor - A four-star recruit, the OSU-commit had 68 tackles and 10 sacks in 2017
DT Ashawn Berry, Euclid - Two-way lineman earned 1st team All-District honors last season
DL James Pedley, Mentor - A varsity contributor the past two seasons, Pedley is ready for a breakout 2018
DE Nate Leskovec, Solon - This 1st team All-Ohio lineman has numerous BCS offers, including
LB Sean Jackson Jr, Euclid - Senior linebacker was 2nd team All-Ohio last season
LB Michael Laubscher, Solon - Middle linebacker is the Comets' leading returning tackler from 2017
LB Nasir Rashid, Shaker Heights - One of the most talented players in the area, Rashid is committed to the Air Force
DB Sam Bubonics, Solon - The two-way standout excelled in leading the defense in interceptions
DB Joey Gillette, Strongsville - A speedy slot receiver as well, Gillette has offers from FCS schools
DB Jackson Paglio, Mentor - In 2017, Paglio was a sophomore starting all season on an improved defense
DB Job Rand, Euclid - The hard-hitting, ball-hawk safety was 1st team All-District last season

Ranking the Schedule

After spending the last few weeks researching Mentor's ten opponents, I did my best to rank the games in terms of their difficulty. Maybe I will be way off, maybe not.

The Big Ones...

1. St Ignatius (Week 2): Year in and year out, St Ignatius has been the most consistent obstacle on Mentor's schedule since the two started playing in 2005. Coach Kyle has an 8-5 record in regular season games against Mentor. This game is on the road and Mentor has had trouble winning at Byers (2-4 record) in the regular season...although the Cards are 4-0 at Byers in the playoffs against St Ignatius. Offensively, St Ignatius will build around a strong running game while acclimating a new QB. Senior Bo Floyd (1,000-yard rusher last season) and junior Jack Welsh are backs that will test Mentor's run defense. Senior lineman Grant Abbot (Bowling Green) leads a big and talented line. Defensively, the Cats have another standout linebacker in Tommy Eichenberg (Boston College). He will be one of the top playmakers in the state. The Cats are great at using their 3-3 stack defense to frustrate Mentor's passing game. The secondary (led by standout corner Jett Elad and safety Danny Scelza) is very strong. You can bet that the Ignatius defense will be creating a lot of difficult situations for Mentor and their young QB, sophomore Ian Kipp.

2. St Edward (Week 1): Mentor graduated nine offensive starters last season. It would have been nice if Week 1 was against just about anyone else, but not many teams are willing to schedule Mentor. The Eagles have had the most success in Division I this decade, which includes three state titles since 2010. These two have met in the playoffs five times since 2010, with Mentor holding on for a 3-2 edge. The Eagles bring back a few impact starters on both sides of the ball. Garrett Dzuro will get the reigns all to himself after a season of sharing QB responsibilities with Zach Kincaid. Dzuoro has a couple of very talented returning skill players in WR Quintel Kent (Michigan) and RB Jordan Castelberry. The Eagles usually have one of the biggest and most talented offensive lines in the area. Defensively, there aren't as many returning starters. Safeties Caden Kolesar and Daylen Jernigan are two returning impact players that bring back talent and experience to the secondary.

3. Euclid (Week 9): On paper, Euclid might be the most talented opponent on Mentor's schedule. So why put them below St Ignatius and St Edward? Coaching, tradition, depth, and the date of the games are all factors. Mentor's inexperienced offense will look much better by late October than they will in the first game or two. That makes a difference in the difficulty of the matchup. In terms of regular season importance, this is one that will almost certainly decide the winner of the GCC. The Panthers are extremely talented on offense. Their offensive line is not as top heavy as Mentor two tackles headed to the Big Ten. But across the board, Euclid might have the more talented group. On paper, their running situation looks very strong with Michigan State commit Brandon Wright (6'3, 215) getting the bulk of the carries. Receiver Dre'Von Lindsay was a huge matchup problem for Mentor last year. Defensively, Euclid has some indiviual talent. Last year, Mentor scored 61 points on the Panthers. Unlike St Ignatius and St Edward, I think Euclid is a defense that Mentor can really expose. One thing in Euclid's favor is the location. The Cardinals are 8-0 at home against Euclid since 2004, but only 3-3 at Euclid.

Tier 2...

4. Solon (Week 8): In a tier all by themselves, Solon is very capable of beating Mentor and even winning the league. But as we saw last year, they are also capable of having the wheels fall off and come crashing through the end of the season. Solon's offense has some talent, starting with Trevon Raphael at receiver. He scored four touchdowns against Mentor last season in a variety of ways. If Mentor can't contain Raphael, this game will be a major challenge. One of Solon's biggest offensive concerns this season will be getting the QB position figured out. Both teams may end up starting a sophomore QB in this game as Solon's Pat McQuaide (son of Coach McQuaide) looks to be the favorite after getting some varsity reps last year. Defensively, Solon looks very strong at the defensive end position with big time recruit Nate Leskovec and three-year starter, David Marbury. The Comets have been a mainstay on Mentor's schedule for 20 years and they remain one of Mentor's main rivals.

Minor Challenge...

5. Strongsville (Week 4): The Mustangs have been building toward a season like this. Their senior class is deep, talented, and experienced. Many of them got varsity experience as sophomores. Their QB, Jony Major, even started a couple games (including one against Mentor) as a freshman. Major has a chance to be the best QB in the league in 2018. He has an experienced line led by Michigan State commit JD Duplain. Returning starters at skill positions makes for a potent offense. Strongsville has a tough schedule early in the season just like Mentor. This Week 4 game might feel like a must-win for both teams. Since 2006, Mentor has only had one season (2008) where they didn't beat the Mustangs. The game is at JTO Stadium, a place where Mentor has done extremely well. Defensively, it doesn't appear that Strongsville will be able to slow Mentor down. But if their offense gets going, we could see a shootout.

6. Glenville (Week 3): The Tarblooders posed a challenge last season for Mentor. The game was tight in the first half before Mentor pulled away in the 3rd quarter. The Tarblooders are big and physical on the lines. They usually have a very good run-stopping defense. That will put more pressure on sophomore Ian Kipp to make plays at QB. Glenville doesn't have a bunch of DI college recruits like the old days, but they will have enough speed and skill on the outside to keep Mentor's defense honest. Glenville hasn't been able to get enough consistency out of their passing game in several years. Going up against a one-dimensional offense is an advantage for Mentor's big and talented defensive line. This Week 3 game has a unique challenge as it comes on the heels of opening the season against St Edward and St Igantius.

Running Clock...

7. Medina (Week 6)
8. Brunswick (Week 5)
9. Elyria (Week 10)
10. Shaker Heights (Week 7)

Mentor is 26-1 against these four teams since 2005. The lone loss was against Elyria (27-24) in 2015. Most of the games haven't been very close, and there is no reason why any of these games should be close this season either. None of these four have the talent, depth, or experience to match up with the top teams of the GCC. All of these coaches are still in the process of building the program. Medina or Brunswick might get four or five wins a piece, but don't expect any of those to be against Mentor. Elyria and Shaker are going to struggle to win more than a game or two this season.

Next Blog: Preseason All-GCC Team

Opponent Preview: Elyria (Week 10)

Week 10

Who: Elyria Pioneers (1-9 in 2017) 

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game

Where: Jerome T Osborne Stadium

When: October 27th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Sean Arno (2nd season at Elyria)

History: Mentor and Elyria were in the LEL together in the late 90's and early 2000's. After a 13 year absence of playing, the two met up as GCC members in 2015. Elyria beat Mentor at home (27-24) that season. The Cards won the past two games against the Pioneers, including a 55-6 win last season. 

Looking Back...
Nearly three years removed from one of the biggest wins in program history, Elyria has been on a down spiral ever since. After making the playoffs in three consecutive seasons from 2013-2015, Elyria has fallen on hard times. The Pioneers are just 4-17 since that Week 10 win over Mentor in 2015. Last season was Coach Arno's first, and it ended with just one win. Two-year starting QB Dontae Beckett, WR Deviian Williams, OL Johnanthony Lowery, and RB Tristan Arno are among the nine starters that graduated on offense. 

Schedule...
The Pioneers have finished tied for last in the GCC the past two seasons. Five of Elyria's six GCC losses were by at least 26 points. Finding wins in the league has been and will continue to be a challenge. The GCC is as strong as ever with Mentor/Euclid looking like Region 1 contenders and Solon/Strongsville looking like probable playoff teams. Medina returns the majority of their starters from a team that beat Elyria last season, 41-24. The non-conference slate will be difficult. Lake Erie League favorites, Lorain (8-2 in 2017) and Bedford (9-1), have some of the most talented players in the area. Both were playoff teams a season ago. Elyria opens with Avon Lake, a tradition-rich program that also had a winning season in 2017. 

2018 Elyria Outlook...
Elyria had only one playoff appearance in 40 seasons before former coach Kevin Fell guided the Pioneers to unprecedented success in his six years as coach: five straight winning seasons (2011-2015), three playoff appearances, and a 2013 league title. Elyria has to climb out of the basement of the GCC now in order to approach where the program was under Fell. It won't be easy coming off a tough season, graduating most of the offense, and taking on another tough schedule. Receiver Aaron Frost is one of the potential breakout players on offense that returns. The other returning starter on offense is lineman Nick Arno, son of the coach.

Defensively, Elyria returns seven starters. They will need that side of the ball to keep the team in games as a mostly new offense grows together.  Early games against Lorain and Bedford will be very challenging. An 0-3 start in non-conference play is expected with the kind of season Elyria had last year and the probable playoff teams that they start the season with. The game against Shaker Heights, the one team Elyria beat last season, will likely decide who will finish at the bottom of the league. This should be the kind of Week 10 game where Mentor can hopefully get off to a big lead and rest their starters in the second half in preparation for a hopeful playoff run. 

Next Blog: Ranking the Schedule

Opponent Preview: Euclid (Week 9)

Week 9

Who: Euclid Panthers

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game

Where: New Euclid Stadium 

When: October 20th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Jeff Rotsky (4th season at Euclid, 26-11 record)

History: Mentor and Euclid have been on each other's schedule for many years in conference and out of conference. The Cardinals have a 24-17 record in the overall series. Mentor won last year's game in a wild shootout at home, 61-59. 

Looking Back...
The Panthers finished 8-2 in the regular season, including 6-1 in a competitive conference. They had non-conference wins over a couple of playoff teams, Glenville and Aurora. The Panthers nearly knocked off Mentor at home for what would have been their second straight win against the Cardinals. Euclid beat Jackson (49-29) in the first round of the playoffs before falling to St Ignatius in Week 12, 45-21. One of the key seniors from last year was record setting rusher, Ronald Lee. Euclid's prestigious history of running backs include Robert Smith, Tony Fisher, and Pepe Pearson. Lee crushed Smith's single season rushing record with 2,304 yards in 2017. Two-way standout Arquon Bush is now at Cincinnati continuing his football career. Both QB's (Cee Jay Hale and Aubrey Shabazz) have graduated as well. 

Schedule...
Under Rotsky, Euclid has beefed up their non-conference schedule to go along with a tough slate of Greater Cleveland Conference games. All three non-conference opponents made the playoffs last season. They open with Glenville (7-4 in 2017), always one of the most talented teams in the area. Lorain (8-3), a former LEL foe, is back on the schedule. For the third straight season, Euclid has St Ignatius on the schedule. Euclid has taken some steps forward in the first three seasons under Rotsky. League games against Solon and Strongsville will be key to their playoff chances. 

2018 Euclid Outlook...
Before Rotsky came, Euclid hadn't won a playoff game since 1993. Here are some of the accomplishments since Rotsky took over in 2015: playoff appearances all three seasons, won the league in 2015, three playoff victories, and regular season wins over GCC top dogs Mentor and Solon. Finding a way to get a win against St Ignatius and St Edward is the next stage of progress. The Panthers, 0-4 against these two schools since 2015, will use the Week 3 game against the Wildcats as a measuring stick.

Taking the next step is in sight with the talent that Euclid is bringing back this season. Normally, it might seem impossible to think a team could replace a back that had well over 2,000 yards. Senior Brandon Wright (6'3, 215) may not break Lee's record - but he has the physical tools to be a menacing back. With limited opportunities last season, Wright averaged close to 10 yards a carry on his way to over 700 rushing yards.  Another talented offensive player returning is receiver Dre'Von Lindsay. The 6'2 receiver took over last year's game against Mentor as he had 7 catches for 196 yards and 4 touchdowns. Up front, Euclid returns four of their five starters on the offensive line. Three of them have scholarship offers. Darrius Johnson (6'4, 315) is their most highly recruited lineman with offers including Indiana, Akron, and Marshall. Ashawn Berry was a 1st team All-District as a center last season. The only question mark on offense is at QB. Expect Euclid to have another offensive explosion in 2018.

Defensively, the Panthers were a little shaky at times last season. In order to be in the mix to win the league and Region 1, they will need to get more consistency on that side of the ball. A trio of linebackers that started last season do return. Sean Jackson Jr (10.5 sacks in 2017) is part of that group. Safety Job Rand was 1st team All-District last year. If the defense can improve significantly, the Panthers can be as good as any team in Northeast Ohio. 

Next Preview: Elyria (Week 10)

Opponent Preview: Solon (Week 8)

Week 8

Who: Solon Comets

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game

Where: Jerome T Osborne Stadium

When: October 12th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Jim McQuaide (125-47 record at Solon, 211-109 overall)

History: This is one of the top big school rivalries in NEO. Mentor leads the overall series, 13-11. Solon leads the regular season series 11-9, but the Cards have won all four playoff matchups. 

Looking Back...
Mentor snapped a two game losing streak to Solon as they picked up an exciting 38-34 win last season at Stewart Field. Solon started the season strong before losing their last four games to finish 5-5. The final two losses against Medina/Shaker (two teams that finished with losing records) were especially surprising. Nine of their ten games were decided by 14 points or less. Among the key graduates are QB/S JT Caver, RB Thomas Wilks, WR/CB Taj Ward, and WR/CB Ryan McCurry, and lineman Da'Veon Parker. 

Schedule...
For the third straight season, Solon maintains a smart non-conference schedule filled with nearby teams that have had some level of football success. Twinsburg (12-38 record since 2013) is the only one of the three that is struggling to win. Aurora is a DII power that has made the playoffs in 13 straight seasons, including a state championship in 2008. Stow, a team that has beaten Solon each of the last three seasons, has seen a resurgence in the program as they have made the DI playoffs in four of the last five seasons. Solon can afford one slip in non-conference, but a 3-0 start would go a long way in taking some of the pressure off of league play. Solon was competitive with Mentor/Euclid last year, but came up short. Those are two important games to the Comets' season. From 2004-2016, Solon was 33-1 against Shaker, Strongsville, Medina, and Elyria. Last season was an anomaly as Solon struggled in October and lost to both Medina and Shaker. Expect Solon to be the favorites in the majority of their league games in 2018.

2018 Solon Outlook...
Disappointing ending aside, the team Mentor saw in Week 8 last season played like a playoff team. Mentor barely escaped with a win. The Comets had some tight losses against three DI playoff teams - losing by a combined 12 points to Mentor, Euclid, and Stow. Will Solon be able to close and win those types of games in 2018? If so, it will require some big plays from last year's Cardinal-killer, 6'4 receiver Trevon Raphael. The senior lit up the Mentor defense in last season's game for four touchdowns - two receiving, one rushing, and one 90-yard kick return. Raphael, offered by Michigan and several others, is one of the top recruited players at his position in Ohio. Quarterback as a position of contention on last year's team as the Comets tried multiple players (due to injuries and other reasons). Getting that position solidified in 2018 will be key to a bounce back season. Sophomore Pat McQuaide, son of Coach McQuaide, is the QB returning with the most varsity experience. Versatile senior Sam Bubonics, a standout receiver and defensive back last season, is another player to watch out for on offense.

Defensively, Solon has been one of the strongest programs around Northeast Ohio. In order for them to compete to win the GCC and make the playoffs, that side of the ball will need to stand out. A pair of three-year starters will command a lot of attention at the edges. Nate Leskovec and David Marbury are strong and athletic difference-makers that can wreak havoc from both defensive end positions. Leskovec (6'3, 250) is also a standout on the offensive line. He was first team All-Ohio last season and has multiple offers from the Big Ten, ACC, and Big 12. Marbury was a starter on Solon's state runner-up basketball team. 

Solon will be one of Mentor's toughest games as usual. The Comets have some returning talent, but depth will be a concern. Solon has some key games early on against Stow and an improved Strongsville team. Winning those two games would mean a lot in Solon's quest to return to the top of the league and playing football games in November.

Next Preview:  Euclid (Week 9)

Opponent Preview: Shaker Heights (Week 7)

This is the seventh of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2018 season. Here are the others:

St Edward
St Ignatius
Glenville
Strongsville
Brunswick
Medina

Week 7

Who: Shaker Heights Raiders (4-6 in 2017)

What: GCC Game

Where: Jerome T Osborne Stadium

When: October 5th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Jarvis Gibson (9th season at Shaker, 29-32 record at Shaker)

History: Mentor and Shaker have been in two leagues together over the years. The Cards lead the series 14-7 that dates back to the LEL days. Mentor has won ten 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 another tough season in the Greater Cleveland Conference. They started the season strong, winning all three of their non-conference games. But for the second time in three seasons, Shaker finished in last place in the GCC. They did have a surprising win over Solon in Week 10. The Raiders were led on offense by 1st Team All-District players, QB Jamir Dismukes and WR Micah Hills. Dismukes, a three-year starter, was often a thorn in the side of Mentor's defense. 

Schedule...
Shaw (2-8 in 2017), a team Shaker handled 41-6 in 2017, returns on the schedule as a winnable game to start the season. Shaker upgraded their other two non-conference games. John Adams and Collinwood (two Senate teams Shaker easily beat last season) are replaced by Fitch (6-4 in 2017) and football power Benedictine, a DII playoff team last season. In three years of playing in the GCC, Shaker has a total of four league victories. In 2018, the GCC looks to pretty strong once again. On paper, this is a very challenging schedule for the Raiders. 

2018 Shaker Outlook...
Three-year starter QB Jamir Dismukes had a fantastic career for Shaker. Dismukes and his top target, Micah Hills, were responsible for the majority of the scoring last season. Not many starters return for the Raiders. It will be a rebuilding season on offense for a team that upgraded their schedule. That is not a good recipe for wins. 

The Raiders usually have several players on their roster with potential college futures. Nasir Rashid (6'2, 225) committed to Air Force last month. The senior linebacker had 95 tackles, including 14 for loss, last season. After finishing in the GCC basement last season, I wouldn't expect to see Shaker math or surpass the four wins they had in 2017. 



Next Preview:  Solon (Week 8)

Opponent Preview: Medina (Week 6)

Week 6

 

Who: Medina Bees (4-6 in 2017)

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game

Where: Ken Dukes Stadium

When: September 28th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Larry Laird (3rd season at Medina, 13-9 record)

History: Mentor has played Medina five times in league play since 2011, winning all five. Last season, the Cardinals won at home 49-14. 

Looking Back...

Fresh after a 2016 season that saw Medina make the playoffs and win in Week 11, the Bees finished 4-6 in Laird's return. The Bees were a respectable 3-4 in the tough GCC. This included breaking an 11-game losing streak to Solon with a 38-28 win in Week 10. WR/QB Dylan Fultz, and 1st Team All-District linemen Patrick Ross/Will Mercurio are among the graduated starters. 

Schedule...

Four of Medina's first six opponents made the playoffs last season. After Cleveland Heights (4-6 in 2017) in Week 1, the Bees have quite a tough five game stretch against Highland (9-3), neighboring Wadsworth (11-1), Euclid (9-3), Shaker (4-6), and Mentor (13-2). Medina started last season 1-5 before finishing the season winning three of four. The schedule is very challenging early on and it will be difficult to get more than one win in August/September. Strongsville and Solon are among the GCC teams that await the Bees in October. From start to finish, Medina has one of the tougher schedules in the league. 

2018 Medina Outlook...

Medina could use a little bit of luck on their side in 2018 if they want to match or surpass the 4-6 record from a season ago. Health was not on their side in 2017 as starting QB Gavin Montgomery went down in Week 1 to injury. The Bees were forced to use several different QB's throughout the season, providing some experience for some underclassmen. Laird's return might not have matched his magical one-season stint in 2010 in which he guided the Bees to their first playoff win. But considering the challenges and number of underclassmen starting, it could have been a lot worse. 

Medina does bring back eight starters on offense and six starters on defense. Four of the five offensive lineman return as does starting RB Dylan O'Dear. Senior receiver Chris Kelly is the top returning receiver. Finding the right QB (and keeping him healthy) is key to 2018 success. Two telling games on the schedule are Week 1 against Cleveland Heights and against longtime league rival, Brunswick. Last season, the Bees lost 25-23 to Brunswick. A win there would have swung the door to a 5-5 finish and a winning record in the league. 


Next Preview: Shaker Heights (Week 7)

Opponent Preview: Brunswick (Week 5)

Week 5

Who: Brunswick Blue Devils (5-5 in 2017)

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game

Where: Brunswick Auto Mart Stadium

When: September 21st at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Mark Pinzone (2nd season at Brunswick)

History: Mentor has won eight in a row (including a playoff win in 2014) over Brunswick since the two joined the same league in 2010. One of the biggest games in the histories of both programs was a state semifinal matchup in 2007. Mentor defeated Brunswick, 39-14.  

Looking Back...

From 1995-2009, Brunswick had 12 playoff appearances that included multiple league championships and two regional titles. After finishing 2-8 in 2016, Pinzone guided the Blue Devils to a 5-5 record (3-4 GCC) in his first season as head coach. It was a step in the right direction as Brunswick hopes to regain some of the success they had under legendary coach, Rich Nowak. Brunswick especially struggled in last year's game against Mentor, getting shut out 62-0. The one that stung the most was getting shut out 41-0 in Week 10 against their rival, Strongsville. The biggest win of Brunswick's season was in knocking off a 6-4 Austintown Fitch team. There were seven Blue Devils that received All-District recognition last season. All seven were seniors. 

Schedule...

Brunswick was middle of the pack in the GCC last year. The league schedule will once again be a challenge for a program trying to rebuild. The Blue Devils have Mentor and Solon in Weeks 5 and 6. Before that time, there are some winnable games to start the season. In non-conference, Brunswick has Highland (6-5 record in 2017), Cleveland Heights (4-6), and Valley Forge (3-7). That is followed by Week 4 against Shaker Heights, a team that finished tied for last place in the GCC. If Brunswick wants to take a step forward toward possibly making a charge at a playoff spot in Region 2, they may need to start 3-1 or 4-0 considering the grind of the league schedule that will follow. Brunswick will look to at least be competitive with the top of the GCC, something they couldn't do last season. 

2018 Brunswick Outlook...

Brunswick graduates most of their starters from a season ago. QB Cole Zamiska, RB/DB Ethan Flanigan, OL Vinnie Monachino, TE Zak Zografos, and LB Kaden Harter are among the key players that will be replaced. Senior John Stacho, the starting QB last season until an injury, does return. He is going to be an important part of Brunswick's success. Stacho orchestrated Brunswick's biggest win of the season last year against Fitch. 

At best, Brunswick is projected to finish middle of the pack in the league once again. They graduated almost all of their starters and the GCC is looking very top heavy with Mentor, Euclid, Solon, and Strongsville. Expect Brunswick to have a little bit of extra pep in their step against the Cardinals this season after getting dominated in Mentor in 2017.


Next Preview: Medina (Week 6)

Opponent Preview: Strongsville (Week 4)

Week 4

Who:  Strongsville Mustangs (6-4 in 2017)

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game

Where: Jerome T Osborne Stadium

When: September 14th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Lou Cirino (2nd year at Strongsville, 52-32 overall coaching record)

History: These two have played every season since 2006. During that time, Mentor leads the series 11-2. Strongsville won both meetings in 2008 (including a playoff rematch). 

Looking Back…

Mentor defeated Strongsville last season, 42-27. For the third consecutive year, the Mustangs hung around with a talented Mentor team before losing by just a couple scores. It was the Cardinals' 9th straight win over the Mustangs. After Strongsville had a 2-8 season in 2016, Cirino saw some success in his first year as the Mustangs finished with a winning record. A team built around a lot of juniors, winning their last four games was a great way to build momentum into 2018. 

Schedule…

The Mustangs' nonleague schedule consists of Berea, Hudson, and Canton Central Catholic. The season opens with neighboring Berea, a team that Strongsville beat last year. Hudson, a team that has beaten Strongsville the past two years, is one of the top programs in NEO. That might be the game that is the difference between making the playoffs or not. Canton Central Catholic, DV state champions in 2016, struggled last season and finished 3-7. Finding a way to start 2-1 or 3-0 is critical. In the GCC, Strongsville went 4-3 last year. Mentor, Euclid, and Solon will once again be challenging opponent. Since 2009, the Mustangs have a 3-33 record against Mentor, Solon, Euclid, and longtime rival Brunswick. 

2018 Strongsville Outlook…

More than half of the starters on last year's team were part of a talented junior class. The hype surrounding that group has come to the final exam as they enter their senior years. This class is headlined by QB Jony Major, who even started as a freshman against Mentor in 2015. As Major enters his fourth year on varsity, experience is on his side. Don't be surprised if the senior is the top QB in the GCC. JD Duplain (6'5, 290), a top 10 player in Cleveland.com's "Best of the Best", is one of the most highly recruited left tackles in Ohio. WR Joey Gillette, a 2017 All-District honorable mention, is a speedster with some FCS offers. 6'4, 200-pound TE Kevin Lawler gives Major a big target to throw to. Senior RB Taylor Griffin is a returning starter and a key player on an offense looking to make some noise. Gillette and Griffin made up half of Strongsville's 4x200 relay team that advanced to the state tournament in track and field. This offense has size, experience, talent, and speed. 

Strongsville took a big step in the right direction last season. They had four playoff teams on the schedule, losing to all of them. In order to take another step forward, the Mustangs will need to find a way to beat one or two of the big names (Mentor, Euclid, Solon, and Hudson) on the schedule. If they can do that, expect to see Strongsville back in the playoffs for the first time in a decade. 

Next: Brunswick (Week 5)

Opponent Preview: Glenville (Week 3)

This is the third of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2018 season.  See the Week 2 preview (St Ignatius) here.

Week 3

Who: Glenville Tarblooders

What: Non-league game

Where: Jerome T. Osborne Stadium 

When: September 7th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Ted Ginn Sr. (22nd season)

History: Mentor and Glenville played regularly beginning in the late 90's through 2006. In the 2000's, Mentor and Glenville played ten times (including two memorable playoff games in 2006 and 2007). Mentor holds a 6-4 edge during that stretch. Overall, Mentor leads the series 11-5. The two teams renewed their regular season series last season as Mentor won 38-15.

Looking Back...
Glenville has been one of the state's most successful programs over the last 20 years, making the playoffs 16 times since 1999. When dropping down to Division II, 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 (two total over the last four seasons) is down. The last time Glenville defeated a team that wasn't in the Senate League was in 2015. The Tarblooders, now in Division III, lost their first three games in 2017 before winning out their league and returning to the playoffs. Their season ended in Week 11 at the hands of Toledo Central Catholic. Among the senior standouts included two-year starting QB Xander Spikes, WR Carlton Swopes (Eastern Michigan), WR Bryan West (Alabama State), and All-District RB Tre'Ron Fullerton. Legendary coach Ted Ginn Sr. won his 200th game late last season. 

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 fellow 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's non-conference schedule includes Euclid and Olentangy Liberty, a 2017 state semifinalist that Mentor beat last season. The Tarblooders found a way to make the playoffs despite starting 0-3 the last two seasons. Glenville will be underdogs in all three of those non-conference games. It remains to be seen if the Tarblooders can still pull off a playoff appearance while relying on only the computer points from the Senate League. It helps some that Glenville is in Division III. 

2018 Glenville Outlook...
Glenville had six players receive All-District recognition in 2017. All of them were seniors. Reloading is nothing new to Ginn as he routinely has to replace most of his impact players and starters on a yearly basis. On Cleveland.com's "80 Players to Watch," not a single Tarblooder is on the list. A decade ago, a list like that would have been littered with Glenville players. After another senior-laden team graduated, a lot of new starters will grace the fields for the Tarblooders this season. Expect the Tarblooders to have a big offensive line, a run-stopping defense, and enough speed at the skill positions to create some big play opportunities. 

Glenville's season will be defined by how they stack up in their non-conference schedule and how they perform in November. They don't necessarily need to win those games against three strong DI programs, but being competitive would be a step in the right direction. If they can manage just one non-conference victory, the playoffs are a lock. Another 0-3 start will make it a challenge to make their 17th playoff appearance. The Tarblooders should sweep through their league schedule. 

Next Preview:  Strongsville (Week 4)

Opponent Preview: St Ignatius (Week 2)

This is the second of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2018 season.  See the Week 1 preview on St Edward here.

Week 2

Who: St Ignatius Wildcats

What: Non-league game

Where: Byers Field

When: September 1st at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Chuck Kyle (36th season, 11 state titles)

History: Mentor and St Ignatius are entering their 14th consecutive game in this series that started in 2005. St Ignatius has an edge (8-5) over the Cardinals in the regular season. Since 2003, Mentor has won four of five against the Wildcats in the playoffs. Legendary coaches Trivisonno and Kyle are 9-9 against one another. The very definition of a long, even series.

Looking Back...
The Wildcats finished the season 11-2 that included a runner-up trophy in Region 1. They gave Mentor, rival St Edward, and DII state champion Hoban their only regular season losses. St Ignatius boasted six players (all seniors) on the All-District 1st Team. For almost any other program, those list of accomplishments would be considered a complete success. During Week 2 last fall, St Ignatius handed Mentor a 41-31 loss.  For the fourth time since 2011, Mentor and St Ignatius met in a playoff rematch. And just like the previous three times, the loser of the regular season game turned the tables and won the November rematch. St Ignatius, the No. 1 seed in Region 1 and heavy favorites to win a 12th state championship, were thwarted by Mentor at Bedford Bearcat Stadium. A last second field goal attempt by star kicker Matthew Trickett (Kent State) narrowly missed as Mentor closed out a 23-21 regional final win. 

Schedule...
St Ignatius will have one of the toughest schedules in Ohio. There are a few mismatches in the favor of the Cats - two against Canadian schools and one against a first year program in Columbus COF Academy. The rest of the schedule is littered with the best of the best. Locally, a who's who of programs include longtime rival (and Mentor's Week 1 opponent) St Edward, defending state champion Akron Hoban, and a growing Region 1 power in Euclid. The Cats have three-fourths of the mighty Cincinnati-based Greater Catholic League on their schedule: Moeller, Elder, and St Xavier. Even last year, a 4-6 Moeller team found a way to hand St Ignatius their only regular season loss. Needless to say, St Ignatius will be battle tested for the playoffs. 

2018 St Ignatius Outlook...
St Ignatius graduated their entire starting offensive line, both senior QB's, and several key players on defense. Coach Kyle has built a strong system that prepares the upcoming seniors to fit right in where the previous seniors left off. There are some impact players from 2017 that do return. 1,000-yard rusher Bo Floyd will be one of the top runners in the area. Floyd will be sharing carries with junior RB Jack Welsh. A group of standout lineman have graduated, but there are always big and talented underclassmen just waiting for their shot. One of those such players is Grant Abbot (6'4, 270), who recently committed to Bowling Green. Senior receiver Nigel Drummond is the leading returning receiver from 2017. The big question will be at QB, a position that Kyle and his offensive coaches have revolutionized at the high school level the past 30 years. The early favorite is senior Patrick Delahunty. 

Returning to lead St Ignatius' famed 3-3 stack defense is talented LB Tommy Eichenberg (6'3, 235). The Boston College commit is the latest in a long line of talented LB's at Ignatius. He led the defense in tackles and sacks in 2017. DE Zachary McMahan is also a returning starter in the front six. Expect DE/TE Aidan Wells (Harvard commit) to make an impact on both sides of the ball, but mainly a defensive player. Safety Danny Scelza (51 tackles, 3 INT's in 2017) and corner Jett Elad, with offers from 10+ Division I colleges, return to be lead the secondary. 

A grueling schedule for the most part, the Wildcats will have their hands full. Mentor has struggled with St Ignatius in the regular season more than any other opponent in the past 20 years. The Cats have enough talent on both sides of the ball and will likely be on the short list of serious contenders for their 12th state championship.  

Next Preview: Glenville (Week 3)

Opponent Preview: St Edward (Week 1)

Here is the first of my previews of Mentor opponents for the 2018 season. Throughout July and August, I will post some info on each opponent starting in Week 1 with St Edward.

Week 1 

Who: St Edward Eagles

What: Non-conference

Where: Jerome T Osborne Stadium

When: August 24th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Tom Lombardo (4th season at St Edward, 33-6 record)

History: Mentor and St Edward split a brief regular season series in 2009 and 2010. The two have met in the playoffs six times since 2003, also resulting in a split. The winner of that respective playoff game went on to the state final in five of those six years. 

Looking Back...

The Eagles finished the regular season 9-1 and earned the No. 2 seed in Region 1. Their season came to an unexpected end in Week 12 at the hands of Mentor (21-13). The Cardinals turned their season around late in 2017 thanks to some improved defensive play and balancing their offense with a strong running attack. Mentor's defense limited the Eagles to 262 yards on the night. St Edward scored 30+ in all ten of their wins, while averaging just 11.5 points in their two losses. The Eagles boasted nine players on the All-District teams. All but one were seniors.

Schedule...

The schedule is filled with some familiar powerhouses (St Ignatius, Elder, Moeller) along with a mix of out of state teams. Those three programs have combined for 20 big school state championships in Ohio. Erie Cathedral Prep is one of Pennsylvania's most successful programs. Cathedral Prep won their second consecutive state championship in 2017 with a 15-0 season. Cass Tech (Detroit) has won three state titles in Michigan since 2011. Returning on the schedule is Cathedral (Indianapolis), a program with ten state championships. Akron Buchtel, North St Joseph (Canada), and the brand new COF Academy in Columbus round off the Eagles' schedule. It is a schedule filled with mostly tough, but winnable games for a program like St Edward. It is reasonable to expect the Eagles to finish no worse than 7-2 in the non-Mentor portion of their schedule.

2018 St Edward Outlook...

As stated above, St Edward graduated a lot of talent from last year's team. Fourteen players signed national letters of intent to play collegiate football. Safety Michael Dowell, joining his older brothers to play at Michigan State this fall, was the most highly touted. Other notable graduates include fellow safety Darnell Shields (Cincinnati), LB Omar Fattah (Air Force), WR Devin Maddox (Toledo), RB Tylan Rice, and QB Zach Kincaid. Several impact lineman from both sides of the ball also graduated. But like most great programs in Ohio, the Eagles have the ability to reload.

The offense will have some talent and experience returning. Senior QB Zach Dzuro has gained a lot of exposure the past few years behind center. After splitting QB duties last season with Kincaid, Dzuro will have the opportunity to run the offense full-time. Leading receiver Quintel Kent gives Dzuoro a talented and familiar target. Kent has multiple scholarship offers, including Michigan. After sharing the carries with Rice last season, senior Jordan Castelberry is due for a big 2018. The 5-7 back had 856 yards and 10 TD's last season.  

The defensive side of the ball is where graduation hit hardest. Safety Caden Kolesar is one of the most highly recruited players at his position in Ohio. He is one of the few returning starters on that side of the ball. Daylen Jerigan (safety/linebacker) is also a returning impact player on defense. If the new starters on defense can meet the challenge, expect the Eagles to once again be among the short list of favorites to win Region 1.

Next Preview: St Ignatius (Week 2)