Opponent Preview: Brunswick (Week 7)

Week 7

Who: Brunswick Blue Devils (6-4 in 2019)

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game

Where: Brunswick Auto Mart Stadium

When: October 9th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Mark Pinzone (4th season at Brunswick, 12-18 record)

History: Mentor has won ten 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 history of both programs was a state semifinal matchup in 2007. Mentor defeated Brunswick, 39-14, and went on to their second straight DI state championship game. 

Looking Back...

From 1995-2009, Brunswick had 12 playoff appearances under legendary coach Rich Nowak that included multiple league championships and two regional titles. The last decade was a step back with only two playoff appearances (and zero playoff wins) in the past ten seasons. However, Pinzone helped guide the Blue Devils to a surprisingly winning season in 2019. After starting the season 3-0 in non-conference, the Blue Devils went 3-4 in GCC play. Their two best wins of the season were against Lorain and Strongsville. The Blue Devils showed a competitive punch even in losses to playoff teams like Solon (33-29) and Medina. With a playoff berth on the line, Brunswick came up short 45-35 against Medina in Week 10. Lineman Eddie Sevastos and Mike Grzybowski are among the graduated seniors that helped the Blue Devils achieve their 2019 success. In last year's game at Mentor, Brunswick was shutout 45-0. 

Schedule...

In non-conference, Brunswick brings back two of their opponents from 2019 and adds two new opponents. Returning on the schedule are Lorain (6-4 in 2019) and North Royalton (4-6). Brunswick beat both of those teams last season. New to the schedule are Highland (4-6 in 2019) and Olmsted Falls, a 7-3 playoff team a season ago. At a minimum, Brunswick will need at least three non-league wins to put themselves in contention for a winning record again. The top of the league (Mentor, Solon, and Euclid) remains a daunting challenge for the Blue Devils. Since 2013, Brunswick is just 1-19 against the Big Three of the GCC. The games against Strongsville and Elyria are must-win games if they are to continue to build on 2019's winning season. The Week 10 showdown with county rival Medina could end up being another season-defining game.

2020 Brunswick Outlook...

Brunswick had three all-league players a season ago. All three are coming back to lead the 2020 charge. Twins Jake and Kyle Scherette and lineman Tomas Rimac are sure to be three of the better players in the GCC once more. Jake, a QB, is entering his third season running the offense. In his two previous years, Jake has been used as a runner even more than a passer. The Blue Devils like to run the ball, and they also bring back last year's starting RB Nick Vadini. The offensive line returns a few starters, led by Rimac. The 6'6, 280-pound senior chose West Virginia over several other college offers. With talent and experience running behind a line keyed by Rimac, the running game should be one of the strengths for the Blue Devils. 

Defensively, the Blue Devils are led by some two-way players like DE Tomas Rimac and LB Kyle Scherette. Rimac is being recruited for his offensive game, but he is a difference-maker on defense too. Scherette was 1st team All-District on defense in 2019. He is joined in the middle by returning starting LB's Kyle Haber and Quintyn McKinely. Expect linebacker to be a position of strength. Brunswick has a strong and deep senior class that should put the team in a lot of competitive and winnable games. If their experience can guide them to a strong start out of the gate, expect the Blue Devils to once again be in the mix to return to the playoffs. Unfortunately for them, the league is incredibly deep and they will need to get a win against one of the top teams in order to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2014. 


Next Preview: Berea (Week 8)