Opponent Preview: Strongsville (Week 10)

Week 10

Who: Strongsville Mustangs (7-4 in 2018)

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game

Where: Pat Catan Stadium

When: November 1st at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Lou Cirino (3rd year at Strongsville, 59-36 overall coaching record)

History: These two have played every season since 2006. During that time, Mentor leads the series 12-2. Strongsville won both meetings in 2008 (including a playoff rematch). Mentor beat the Mustangs twice last season, including the playoffs. 

Looking Back…

Mentor defeated Strongsville 45-20 in the regular season. They followed that up by with a 38-7 win in Week 11. The playoff win was the Cardinals' 11th straight win over the Mustangs. After Strongsville had a 2-8 season in 2016, Cirino has guided the Mustangs to back-to-back winning seasons, including making the playoffs for the first time since 2008. Strongsville had four players (all seniors)make 1st/2nd team All-District in 2018, all were seniors. 

Schedule…

The Mustangs' nonleague schedule consists of Berea, Hudson, and Brecksville. After finishing 3-0 to start the season last year, the schedule sets up nicely once again. Berea (5-5 in 2018) was the only one of the three that didn't have a losing record a season ago. Hudson (2-8) and Brecksville (0-10) had unusually down seasons in 2018. Considering the grind that is the GCC schedule, it is imperative that the Mustangs win these first three if they want a shot at returning to the playoffs. In the league, Strongsville has gone 4-3 each of the past two seasons. Mentor, Euclid, and Solon will once again be challenging opponents. Since 2009, the Mustangs are 0-27 against the Big Three of the GCC. They should be favorites against Shaker, Elyria, and Brunswick. The game that could make or break their season is Medina. 

2019 Strongsville Outlook…

Last year's senior class was hyped as being one of their strongest in many years at Strongsville. It was good enough to get the Mustangs in the playoffs for the first time in a decade. The coaching staff has to find a way to maintain some level of success after graduating so many varsity contributors, including a handful of three-year starters. Offensively, it always helps to bring back a QB with experience. During the second half of the season, Tyler Wolters was inserted into the starting role behind center. Wolters helped guide Strongsville to four straight wins to close the regular season. RB Garrett Clark is given the responsibility of taking over for Taylor Griffin, the talented starting back the previous two seasons. One of the strengths of Strongsville will be up front. Their offensive line has a good combination of size, experience, and potential. Sophomore Blake Miller (6'6, 300) has a handful of offers already, including teams from the Big Ten and Big 12. A couple other starters on the line also return. 

Defensively, Andrew Keating (6'3, 215) is a talented defensive end that is coming off a strong 2018 season. Keating received honorable mention All-District last season and he will be counted on to be the primary pass rusher this season. Miller played on the defensive line last season as a freshman, so he should see some action on both sides of the ball. Garrett Clark had stood out as linebacker in 2018, but will also be counted on to play both ways. Strongsville aims to make a name for themselves in the trenches this season. If they can do that, a return to the playoffs is not out of the question. 

Next: Ranking the Schedule