Opponent Preview: Medina (Week 5)

Week 5

Who: Medina Bees (5-5 in 2018)

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game

Where: Jerome T Osborne Stadium

When: September 27th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Larry Laird (4th season at Medina, 18-14 record)

History: Mentor has played Medina six times in league play since 2011, winning all six. Last season, the Cardinals won on the road by a score of 49-10. 

Looking Back...

Medina had one of the toughest schedules in Ohio last season. They faced only one two teams with losing records. Their three non-conference opponents were a combined 25-5. They also had to deal with a top four in the GCC that was as strong as ever. The Bees started off the season 2-1 before a five game losing streak halted their season. They won their final three, which included a big win over Solon, to climb to .500. The Bees were just a fraction of a point away from making the playoffs on the strength of their wins over Cleveland Heights (7-3 in 2018), Highland (8-2), and Solon (8-2). QB Ryan Fischer, WR Chris Kelly, and OL Ralph King are among the All-District standouts that graduated. Fischer set the single season team record for passing yards last season. 

Schedule...

According to simulation guru Drew Pasteur, Medina had the 7th toughest schedule in Division I last season. For 2019, the schedule is the same. This is the biggest obstacle to a hopeful season for the Bees. The non-conference portion features three tough opponents that all won 7+ games in 2018. Medina did beat Cleveland Heights and Highland last season, but both of those teams will be stiff challenges out of the gate. In Week 3, the Bees have Wadsworth - a team that was undefeated in the regular season in 2018. That is followed by games against Euclid and Mentor, the favorites in the GCC. The first half of Medina's schedule has teams that combined to go 42-8 last season. Finding a way to survive the first five will be the difference between Medina being in playoff contention or not. If they can start at least 2-3, the second half of the schedule is much friendlier. From start to finish, Medina has one of the tougher schedules in Ohio. 

2019 Medina Outlook...

Medina was a senior-laden team in 2018, but their football numbers are growing and their JV/freshman teams were strong last season. Laird has helped move the football program in the right direction. One of the top returning players is WR Luke Hensley, who had a standout sophomore season in 2018. Hensley will be a top target for the new QB. Joining Hensley on offense is returning reciever Kaedin Andrasik, who had a solid season in 2018. Ryan Gillespie (6'4, 225) was the backup last year as a sophomore. The 6'4 lefty looks to be in line to take over for last year's record-setting QB, Ryan Fischer. Laird transitioned last year's offense to a five-out set without a RB. It is unknown if that same offense will carry over into 2019 with some new faces at QB and WR. 

Defensively, it starts up front with DE Noah Nunn (6'4, 225). Nunn was a 1st Team All-District player last season that also could see some snaps on offense if a tight end is called for. LB's Nathan Spatny and Ethan Silvis are key returning starters that should help bring strength to the front seven. The Bees will need to improve some on defense last year after surrendering 35 points per game during their five game losing streak in 2018. 

Next Preview: Solon (Week 6)