Mentor/St Ignatius - A Playoff Rivalry Renewed

This Friday, Mentor and St Ignatius will renew their playoff rivalry at Byers Field. This will be the 8th time the two programs have played in the playoffs. Mentor holds a narrow 4-3 edge in those games, having won three of the last four. St Ignatius held on for a 16-14 win over the Cardinals in their Week 2 battle at Mentor. In honor of Friday's game, let's look back at some history between these two programs. 

In 2003, Mentor and St Ignatius would end up playing in a memorable playoff game at Byers Field. In the months that followed that game, Mentor coach Steve Trivisonno pursued getting St Ignatius on the schedule more regularly. What began as a two-year series signed for the 2005 and 2006 seasons has been a long-standing agreement between two of the premier programs in the state. It is a friendly public/private rivalry that has been as important to high school football over the last 20 years as any in the state. The series has been especially beneficial to the growth of the Mentor football program. It is no coincidence that Mentor began turning a corner of success after regularly putting St Ignatius and other powerhouse programs on the schedule. 

The two first met in the playoffs back in 1992 in a regional final. St Ignatius easily defeated Mentor, 38-13, during one of their many state championship seasons during the 90's. Since then, the two have played each other in six playoff games. The latter five were played during seasons in which the two programs had played earlier during the regular season. In each of those five playoff games, the loser of the regular season game went on to flip the script in the playoff rematch. 

Here are my memories and recap of the past six playoff games between the Cardinal and the Wildcats:

 Mentor 31 St Ignatius 0 (2003): Coming into this game, St Ignatius was wrapping up a period of complete dominance. From 1988-2001, the Cats won eight state titles as they were led by the legendary Chuck Kyle. Mentor's 2003 group was the most dominant regular season team in program history. The defense completely suffocated QB Brian Hoyer (future NFL QB) on this evening, picking him off five times. The Mentor defense forced three fumbles and held St Ignatius to 10 net yards rushing. Some of the defensive standouts included LB Chad Mayse, LB Paul Burger, DB Tony Martucci, DB Scott Goodwin, and DB Angelo DiFranco. 1st Team All-Ohio players Thom Abbot and RB Matt Lieb punched in scoring chances set up by an aggressive and opportunistic defense. St Ignatius hadn't been dominated like that in a playoff game before, and it hasn't happened since. Most people who witnessed that game will never forget "31-0." This unforgettable game is as much a nod to the all-time status of the opponent as it was to the talented "class" of Cardinals. 

St Ignatius 23 Mentor 17 (2011): The two had met during the regular season at a packed house in Mentor for Week 3. Mentor, led by junior QB Mitch Trubisky and a five-wide offense, wreaked all kinds of havoc against the St Ignatius defense. Senior receiver Cameron Kavan put up record breaking numbers with 284 receiving yards. Trubisky and the talented bunch of receivers picked apart the secondary on their way to a 38-24 win. Entering Week 10, Mentor was the #1 ranked team in the AP poll. A surprising Week 10 loss at Twinsburg ended that, but the aspirations of a state championship were very much still in play. The biggest obstacle that would stand in the way of Mentor's hopes of a state title would be the Wildcats. The St Ignatius defense, a group that gave up no more than 20 points in their 13 games following Week 3, was not going to be denied in the second meeting. On a windy evening in Lakewood Stadium, the combination of an aggressive and talented Wildcat defense made life much more difficult for Trubisky. Wildcat legend Tim McVey, a junior at the time, was the bell-cow as he ran 38 times for for 160 yards. Mentor, a team that relied almost exclusively on the passing game in their five-wide offense, was unable to rely on a steady running game to balance out the offense. St Ignatius used blitzes, turnovers, and much better coverage to turn the tide in the rematch. The Wildcats would win the game, the region, and the state championship. 

Mentor 57 St Ignatius 56 3OT (2012): After an amazing and unexpected come back the week prior against St Edward, it was hard to believe that anything could top that. Just seven days later, Mentor and St Ignatius put on all-time memorable performance in a game that featured the "Moment of the Year" by the 2012 Cleveland Sports Awards. In the regular season, St Ignatius dominated the game (48-21) and gave Mentor their only loss. The Cats were 11-1 heading into this game, with their only loss being to St Eds. The Cardinals got off to a great start and were in control during the first half. Mentor had scored on their first four possessions of the game. They were about to score on their fifth before the Cats picked off Trubisky in the end zone, leaving the halftime score at 20-14. St Ignatius got control of the second half as they would score two touchdowns to take a 28-20 lead in the 4th quarter. Trubisky guided Mentor to a game-tying 80-yard touchdown drive that included a two point conversion to Fritts. After a stop by the defense, Trubisky led the Cards on a 64-yard drive that resulted in a 35-28 lead with only 48 seconds left in the game. St Ignatius QB Mike LaManna and WR Mike Siragusa took advantage of a prevent defense and connected for a touchdown to send the game into overtime. The two juggernaut offenses, that included Ignatius all-time great Tim McVey, exchanged blows back and forth in overtime sessions until Coach Triv went for two at the end of the third overtime. A Trubisky-Fritts connection in the corner of the end zone sealed the victory for Mentor. In my opinion, that St Ignatius team was the best team that Mentor has ever beaten. Anyone who watched will never forget it. If you want some goosebumps, watch this video

Mentor 26 St Ignatius 3 (2013): The previous season, Mentor pulled off the unthinkable and knocked off St Edward and St Ignatius in back-to-back weeks in the playoffs. In 2013, the Cardinals would have that chance again. Just like the year prior, St Ignatius dominated the regular season matchup with a 26-3 win in Week 2. On a windy and snowy rematch in Week 13 at Byers Field, Mentor's defense combined with the difficult elements to completely dominate the Wildcats. Both teams struggled offensively for the majority of the first half in less than ideal weather conditions. With two minutes left in the 2nd quarter, the score was 5-3 in favor of Mentor. An Eddie Daugherty halfback pass to Corey Plavcan gave Mentor a commanding two score lead just before the half. The Mentor defense, led by All-Ohio players like Kent Berger and Justin McMahon, smothered the Wildcats to a total of 126 total yards on the night. QB Connor Krizancic had trouble throwing the ball in the elements, but made plenty of plays with his feet (167 yards rushing). 

Mentor 23 St Ignatius 21 (2017): Of Mentor's four trips to state championship games, the 2017 run was probably the most unlikely. The team was 9-1 in the regular season, but had some inconsistencies (including giving up 59 points to Euclid in Week 8) that were causes for concern. Once the clock turned November, the defense (led by junior DE Noah Potter) flipped a switch. Late in the season, senior RB Eli McDougal became one of the most unexpected stars. Running behind a big and talented offensive line, McDougal completely transformed Mentor's chances at knocking off the top teams in Ohio. After upsetting St Edward the week prior, the Cardinals found themselves facing St Ignatius in yet another pivotal Region 1 playoff game. Mentor had lost to St Ignatius in the regular season game, 41-31, in a game that McDougal was unavailable for. McDougal's 41-yard TD run on the game's opening drive put Mentor ahead and gave them some early momentum that was soon snatched away by the talented Cats. McDougal finished the game with 18 carries for 151 yards and 2 TD's. St Ignatius had leads of 14-7 and 21-14 before senior QB Tadas Tatarunas found sophomore receiver Luke Floriea to pull Mentor within a PAT from tying. Unfortunately, the kick was blocked and St Ignatius had a 21-20 lead halfway through the 4th quarter. Mentor kicker Conor McIntosh hit a 27-yard field goal with 37 seconds in the game. St Ignatius All-Ohio kicker Matthew Trickett's 52-yard field goal attempt sailed just wide as time expired to earn Triv his third straight playoff win over the legendary Chuck Kyle. This would end up being the last playoff game between the two legendary coaches. 

St Ignatius 35 Mentor 32 (2021): After Mentor won their Week 2 matchup (28-26) at home, the two programs went in pretty different directions throughout the season. St Ignatius would win six of their final eight regular season games highlighted by wins over Akron Hoban and Cincinnati St Xavier. Mentor would follow up their biggest regular season win by losing five of the next six games, finishing without a winning record in the regular season for the first time since 1997. During this playoff game, St Ignatius came out incredibly strong in building a huge 35-10 lead entering the 4th quarter. It looked like a running clock was inevitable. The running backs of the Wildcats combined for 252 rushing yards. Mentor receiver Evan Harper scored early in the 4th quarter in attempts to give the Cardinals some hopes of a comeback. The lights at Byers Field went out and the game was on pause. Upon its return, Mentor picked up where Harper left off. Two more scores (including Harper's third TD of the game) brought Mentor within a field goal with just a few minutes left in the game. The Wildcats recovered an onside kick and sealed the victory. The miracle comeback came up just short. St Ignatius would go on to win one more playoff game before falling to a talented Drew Allar led Medina Bees in a regional semifinal. It was the fifth straight time the playoff rematch went to the loser of the regular season matchup. 

Mentor Moments: Quarterback Surprises

Over the weekend we saw freshman quarterback Scotty Fox put together a night to remember with 375 passing yards and five touchdowns. He is the backup to injured starter Jacob Snow. In true "Snow-like" fashion (who was a sophomore super sub in the state semifinal last year), Fox is raising some eyebrows with his play the last two weeks. Fox, starting just his second game, showed a lot for a 14 year-old thrust into a tough spot. Needless to say, the future looks bright for Mentor between Snow and Fox. Here is a list of some of the other "out of nowhere" performances from a young QB at Mentor.  

Mitch Trubisky (Week 1 regular season vs St Edward, 2010)

It is well known that Mentor legend Mitch Trubisky went on to become a success in high school (Mr. Football in 2012), in college (record setting QB at UNC), and in the NFL (#2 overall pick in the 2017 NFL Draft). His high school career took off in the 2011 and 2012 seasons, but his first shot took place as a sophomore starting Week 1 at Cleveland Browns Stadium in 2010. The opponent would be none other than St Edward, a team that would eventually go on to finish as a 15-0 state champions. At the time, Trubisky was splitting QB duties with Colton Wallace. With Mentor down 21 points early in the first half, Trubisky's emergence from backup to on the field helped Mentor mount a comeback. In the second half, Trubisky connected with Wallace on a touchdown pass and engineered another touchdown drive that brought Mentor with a chance to tie in the final minute of the game. On second and goal from the five-yard line, St Edward forced a fumble and sealed a 35-28 win. The seven-point loss was the closest any team got to beating the Eagles all season. Considering the success we saw Trubisky achieve over the next ten years, it is no surprise that his first varsity moment was a memorable one. 

Click HERE for the Cleveland.com article on the game

Matt Eiswerth (Week 1 regular season vs Erie McDowell, 2013)

The shoes to fill for replacing Trubisky in the 2013 season couldn't be bigger. While eventual starter Conner Krizancic was dealing with some challenges in adjusting to a position change, sophomore Matt Eiswerth ended up taking the majority of the snaps in August. That would include getting a lot of action in Week 1 against Erie McDowell. Mentor found themselves down 16-0 in the 1st quarter. Eiswerth had a memorable debut as he threw for a record-tying five touchdown passes - two of which were to Krizancic when he was playing wide receiver. Two other touchdown passes were to Mentor legend Brandon Fritts. All in all, Eiswerth was the engineer behind Mentor's 44-30 win over McDowell. As good as Eiswerth's debut was, Krizancic was the ultimate answer at the QB position that season. Mentor would finish 9-1 in the regular season and advanced to a state title game with Krizancic (Ohio's Offensive POY in DI in 2013) leading the way. Eiswerth ended up being more mystery than legend as we never saw his career develop on the football field. He hung up his football gear and concentrated on baseball following this 2013 football season. But it would have been interesting to see how Eiswerth could've developed as QB in Mentor's system in the 2014 and 2015 seasons. 

Click HERE for the News-Herald article on the game

Tadas Tatarunas (Week 2 regular season vs St Ignatius, 2015)

Tatarunas won the battle for starting QB as a sophomore entering the 2015 season. After a solid debut in Week 1, Tatarunas caught the attention of the entire state with a stunning Week 2 performance against St Ignatius. Mentor and St Ignatius entered the game as the #1 and #2 teams on Cleveland.com/Plain Dealer. If you like offense, you got your money's worth and then some as the two teams combined for 17 touchdowns and over 1,400 total yards of offense. Tatarunas was the winning QB thanks to his unforgettable production: 25-35 passing for 523 yards and 4 TD's. His favorite target on the evening was record-setting receiver Jason Blizzard, who was highlighted in an earlier entry for top wide receiver performances. With the game tied at 56 late in the 4th quarter, Tatarunas scrambled and hit Malik Porter in the end zone with 8 seconds to play to win the unforgettable game. Tatarunas had a super sophomore season that saw him earn All-Ohio status. He finished his career as one of the all-time great players in program history, which included guiding the 2017 team to the state final. But anyone that followed Tatarunas for those three years will peg that record-breaking performance early in his sophomore season against St Ignatius as his most memorable game. 

Click HERE for the Cleveland.com article on the game

Ian Kipp (Week 1 against St Edward, 2018)

Like his predecessor, Kipp earned the opportunity to start from the beginning of his sophomore season like Tatarunas. Right off the bat, Kipp was faced with a challenging task as Mentor began the season with games against St Edward and St Ignatius. In Week 1 against the Eagles (the eventual state champs of that season), Kipp shocked the area with a big time performance and victory. Kipp developed into quite a passer during his time at Mentor, but early in his career he was more known for his ability to run. Behind a talented and experienced offensive line featuring Ryan Jacoby (Ohio State commit) and Nick Samac (Michigan State commit), Kipp ran the ball 19 times for 175 yards and two TD's. He finished the game incredibly efficient with his arm as well, throwing for 114 yards and 14-18 passing. Over his career, Kipp would throw for over 2,000 yards in both his junior and senior seasons. As a junior, Kipp earned Ohio's Offensive Player of the Year award in Division I. In a shortened senior season, Kipp threw for 2,048 yards and 26 TD's. Kipp earned a scholarship at Kent State, won nine playoff games, and finished with a 5-2 record against St Ignatius/St Edward. Those accolades leave Kipp as one of the best players to ever put on a Mentor uniform, but it all started with a stunning debut performance and win against a championship St Edward squad. 

Click HERE for the Cleveland.com article on the game

Jacob Snow (State Semifinal against Pickerington Central, 2020)

Out of all the debuts listed, the experience that Jacob Snow had was quite different. In 2020, he was a sophomore who spent the season being the starting QB on the JV team. During the week of the state semifinal game, there was concern with some of the players (including star QB Ian Kipp) regarding COVID contact tracing. Just a day or two before the game, Snow was given notice that he would be starting in the state semifinal against a very talented Pickerington Central team. These Tigers are the same program that knocked off Mentor in big games in the 2017 state championship and the 2019 state semifinal. Their roster was littered with college talent and plenty of experience from a state championship the season before. From the start of the game, Mentor appeared to be overmatched. Pickerington Central ran for a 92-yard touchdown on the first play of the second quarter to give them a 21-0 lead. Without Mentor's All-Ohio QB, the game looked like it would be a blowout. Jacob Snow had other ideas in mind. He would eventually settle in and help engineer a comeback. Snow threw two second half touchdowns that helped bring Mentor to within one score on both occasions. Mentor would ultimately lose the game (38-31), but Snow earned major respect and attention for his play. Snow finished the game with 193 passing yards, 45 rushing yards, and two touchdowns. While Snow is currently injured, his story is still not done being written. 

Click HERE for the Cleveland.com article on the game

Mentor Moments: Running Back

Over the weekend we saw senior running back Brenden Panhorst run for a career-high 175 yards in Mentor's 20-16 loss to North Alleghney (PA). After looking at some of the top wide receiver performances earlier this month, here is my look at some of the most memorable running back performances of the past twenty seasons. In chronological order, here are my top five most memorable single game performances for a Mentor running back. 

Bill Deitmen (Region 1 Final vs Warren Harding, 2006)

There was a time when Mentor winning a regional title was an unusual event. Heading into the 2006 game against Warren Harding, Mentor was 0-5 at the regional final stage of the OHSAA playoffs in their history. That included a couple of close, painful losses in the memorable runs of the 2002 and 2003 seasons. Bill Deitmen (RIP) was a three-year starter and one of the top backs ever to put on a Cardinals uniform. He was a key part of the program's transition to a regular powerhouse in Division I. The win over WGH in the 2006 Region 1 Final was helped made possible by Deitmen outdueling an opposing running back who would eventually be a starter at Ohio State and in the NFL. Daniel "Boom" Herron finished the game with 117 yards for Harding while Deitmen had 128 yards and two critical touchdowns in Mentor's historic 34-24 win over the Raiders at Massillon's Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Mentor would go on to win Region 1 titles six more times, but this was the first that got "the monkey off their back." Deitmen follow up this regional final performance with the go-ahead score a week later in the same stadium in a state semifinal win against Canton McKinley. Deitmen played in the same backfield with future Mr. Football Bart Tanski. The two helped Mentor reach the state championship game in 2006 and set the program on a trajectory of excellence.

Click HERE for the News-Herald article on the game

Mike Korecz (Week 5 regular season vs Willoughby South, 2010)

Over the past 20+ years, Mentor has been known for their no-huddle spread passing offense that was ahead of its time at the high school level beginning in the early 2000's. Standouts at quarterback littered the roster since 2000. But some forget a little stretch from 2008-2010 where the running game was the most important part of the offense. A big reason for that brief transition was the talent of Mike Korecz. Mentor began using a two-back set in 2008 and stuck with that through Korecz' senior season. Korecz was a three-year starter that bridged the gap between Mr. Football QB's Bart Tanski and Mitch Trubisky. Playing alongside a couple other talented backs during his time (Tom Worden and Ricky Hanzlik), Korecz helped the running game hit incredible heights. Korecz was a 1,000-yard rusher for three straight seasons, a feat that to my knowledge has never been accomplished at Mentor. The biggest game of his high school career came in a pivotal Week 5 regular season game against previously unbeaten South. The Cardinals were off to a 1-3 start against a grueling schedule and in desperate need of a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Korecz finished with 263 rushing yards in helping Mentor to a 48-47 win against a talented South team led by the Rebels legendary QB Ray Russ. 

Click HERE for the Cleveland.com article on the game

Alex Mathews (Week 2 against St Ignatius, 2014)

Quite possibly the most talented and gifted runner at Mentor over the past 20 years, Mathews was an integral part of the offense during his time. He was a sophomore starter on one of the most talented offenses Mentor has ever had in 2013 that featured a trio of DI college talent - Conner Krizancic (Minnesota), Brandon Fritts (North Carolina), and Eddie Daugherty (Eastern Michigan). As a junior, Mathews still had to bide his time and as he split carries with Daugherty. Mathews still ran for over 800 yards and 18 TD's. During his senior season, he earned the News-Herald's Player of the Year award while also becoming a Second Team All-Ohio player. That season included a career night in which he ran for 252 yards and five TD's against Medina in 2015. However, his most important single game performance came during a 37-33 regular season win against St Ignatius in 2014. Mathews finished the game with 138 yards and two TD's on just 18 carries. Considering the opponent and the magnitude of the series with the Wildcats, that was as big of a performance as Mathews had in his high school career. After leaving Mentor, Mathews would go on to play college football at Colgate. Mathews was the starting back for seven playoff wins in his career, which was more than any other player at his position in program history. 

Click HERE for the News-Herald article on the game

Eli McDougal (Region 1 Final against St Ignatius, 2017)

I'm not sure I saw a player come out of nowhere quite like Eli McDougal did during the 2017 season. He took a few years off from the game, but then made an enormous impression on the state finalist team. McDougal began the season getting limited action as he worked his way back into football. By the middle of the regular season, the team really blossomed into a contender as they gave McDougal more and more carries. The team went from missing the playoffs in 2016 to going on a memorable postseason run to a state championship game during McDougal's return to the sport. Mentor entered the regional final with a big one against St Ignatius. The Wildcats handed Mentor their only loss (41-31 in Week 2) up to that point. McDougal was unavailable in that regular season game and he was determined to make a difference in the rematch. His biggest game of the season came in his final healthy one of the 2017 campaign. In a regional final at Bedford, McDougal rushed for 151 yards and two TD's in a 23-21 win for the Cardinals. Late in the game, McDougal suffered an injury that would keep him completely out of the state semifinal and leave him less than 100% in Mentor's state final loss to Pickerington Central. McDougal was the difference-maker on one of Mentor's most impressive runs. 

Click HERE for the Cleveland.com article on the game

Brian Trobel (Week 1 vs St Edward, 2018)

One of the best players ever at Mentor, Trobel broke onto the scene with an explosive Week 1 win over St Edward in his first varsity start in 2018. From that point until his final game in a state semifinal in 2019, Trobel was often the best player on the field. He had a combination of strength, speed, and vision that was second to none. It is tough to imagine that his most impressive game may have been that first one against the Eagles. Behind an incredible offensive line featuring Ryan Jacoby (Ohio State commit) and Nick Samac (Michigan State commit), Trobel ran wild for 191 yards and 24 touchdowns against a very talented St Edward team that would go onto win the state championship later that season. QB Ian Kipp also had a big night of running the football that evening as Mentor defeated the Eagles 42-39 in an exciting regular season opener. Trobel would be a two-time All-Ohio back and an important part of Mentor's 2018 and 2019 teams that are considered to be two of the best in program history. When on the field (Mentor did lose a 2018 regular season game to Solon when Trobel was injured), Trobel only lost two games. Both of those were in close playoff games to the eventual state champions (St Edward in 2018 and Pickerington Central in 2019). 

Click HERE for the Cleveland.com article on the game

Honor Roll: 

Matt Lieb (class of 2004): Lieb was part of "The Class" that brought the football program from obscurity to statewide attention. Lieb was a central part of that success. His All-Ohio season in 2003 was overlooked due to the success of the (at the time) revolutionary no-huddle spread offense led by QB Thom Abbot and the enormity of the success and talent on defense. Make no mistake, the 2003 team wouldn't have been as dominant without Lieb balancing out the offense. Lieb was a First Team All-Ohio player with over 1,500 rushing yards in 2003. As for his most memorable game, look to his last. In Mentor's heartbreaking overtime loss to St Edward in the regional final, Lieb finished with 145 rushing yards. 

Tom Worden (class of 2009): Worden became a difference-making back on the 2007 state semifinalist team. Replacing three-year starter Bill Deitmen, Worden gained 1,447 yards and 18 touchdowns during his junior season. His biggest game came in the 2007 Region 1 final win over Glenville as Worden rushed for 154 yards in helping Mentor to a 41-40 victory. As a senior, Worden shared the backfield with talented sophomores Mike Korecz and Ricky Hanzlik. Whether Worden was getting carries or running routes, he proved to be an effective part of the offense. As a senior, he scored 14 touchdowns on his way to earning Second Team All-Ohio honors. 

Mentor Moments: Wide Receiver

Inspired by the recent big game by senior Evan Harper (4 catches for 102 yards, 2 carries for 11 yards, a 98-yard kick return, and three total touchdowns), I went back in the vault to come up with a list of some legendary performances by Mentor wide receivers. While the QB's get a lot of the glory, any good signal caller will acknowledge the importance of his receivers. At Mentor, there have been many big time players at the position over the years. For the sake of this entry, I picked out some of the most memorable single game performances at wide receiver over the past 20 years. I listed the following in chronological order. 

Brandon James, 2006 
In the final game of the 2006 season, Mentor QB Bart Tanski was setting single game passing records for a Division I state championship game. His number one target that game and all season was All-Ohio receiver Brandon James, a mainstay on varsity for three seasons. James saved his best for last as he piled up 171 yards and a touchdown on 11 catches. Mentor lost the game 36-35 in double overtime, but James helped put Mentor in position to make the playoff run and nearly win the state title. 

Click HERE for News-Herald article on the game

Cameron Kavan, 2011
The 2011 Mentor offense was one that was as good of a passing game as they have ever had. Junior QB Mitch Trubisky was running the show with a five-wide offense. With some all-time Mentor sports legends playing wideout (Brandon Fritts, Conner Krizancic, and Jeff Foreman), it was an unheralded first year senior starter that stole the show in a big time performance against St Ignatius in the regular season. Cameron Kavan was a First Team All-Ohio player as a senior. One of the biggest reasons was his record-setting (at the time) day with 284 receiving yards. While Kavan didn't get in the end zone that day, his plays certainly set up enough scoring drives to help Mentor get a 38-24 victory over the Wildcats. 

Click HERE for the Cleveland.com article on the game

Brandon Fritts, 2012
The three-year starter is quite possibly the most decorated receiver in Mentor history. Fritts would go on to join his high school QB Mitch Trubisky to continue playing football at the University of North Carolina. While there were so many big games and big moments to choose from, no game better incapsulated his dominance than the 2012 regional semifinal game against St Edward. With Mentor down three touchdowns late in the 3rd quarter, the offense mounted an impressive comeback against an undefeated Eagles team that finished atop of the final AP poll. Built like a defensive end, Fritts bullied over the St Edward secondary for 14 catches, 243 yards, and all four of Trubisky's touchdown passes. The 63-56 comeback win against the Eagles was ALMOST the biggest win of Mentor's season. 

Click HERE for the Cleveland.com article on the game

Eddie Daugherty, 2013
One of the most dynamic and electric players for Mentor during his time, the undersized Eddie Daugherty always played bigger than his 5'7, 160-pound stature would allow. Daugherty put together an unforgettable All-Ohio season in 2014 that was set up by being an integral part of a dominant 2013 offense. In the 2013 state championship game, Daugherty set Division I final records with 18 catches and 164 yards. Daugherty had four total touchdowns (two receiving, one rushing, and one passing) against Moeller on that chilly afternoon in Canton. Despite his memorable day, the Moeller offense was too much in a 55-53 win by the Crusaders. Daugherty would go on to earn a football scholarship at Eastern Michigan. 

Click HERE for the Cleveland.com article on the game

Jason Blizzard, 2015
To understand the kind of impact that Jason Blizzard had on the 2015 offense, look no further than the local Dairy Queen that ran a promotion on their popular "Blizzard" treat based on how many scores the senior wide receiver had in the previous game. As talented as so many receivers that came before and after, none of them looked faster on the field than Blizzard. He showed his blazing speed all season long, but the highlight of the season came in Week 2 against St Ignatius. Blizzard zoomed down the field for wide open bombs from then sophomore QB Tadas Tatarunas. Blizzard finished the day with 14 catches for 342 yards and 2 TD's. The 342 yards is a single-game record for Mentor. It also ranks third all-time in the OHSAA record book for single-game receiving yards. Mentor won the memorable high scoring affair against the Wildcats, 63-56. The 5'9, 175-pound Blizzard would earn First Team All-Ohio for his play that season.

Click HERE for the Cleveland.com article on the game

Luke Floriea, 2019

Included in my Mentor Basketball 2000's All-Stars, Luke Floriea was just as good (or better) on the football field. Floriea was a key part of nine playoff victories over his three seasons. No game was bigger than against St Edward in the 2019 regional final. Going up against one of the top teams in the state, the dyamic trio of QB Ian Kipp, RB Brian Trobel, and Floriea helped the Mentor offense reach unforgettable heights. On this day, Floriea hauled in 7 catches for 205 yards and two TD's. On the biggest (and last) play of the game, Floriea hauled in a game-winning two point conversion in overtime to give Mentor a 36-35 victory and an eighth Region 1 title. The win was one of the biggest in program history considering the talent of the opponent and the two touchdown halftime deficit. The 5'9 senior and Kent State football recruit was a two-time All-Ohio receiver. 

Click HERE for the Cleveland.com article on the game

Honor Roll: 

Greg Godic (class of 2004): A key part of Mentor's 2002 and 2003 explosive offensive teams. Godic was a member of "The Class" and was QB Thom Abbot's top target during Mentor's unforgettable 2003 season. 

Tyler Schutz (class of 2008): Schutz was the #2 receiver on the 2006 and 2007 state finalist teams. He was a key part of the success for QB Bart Tanski over those years. Schutz earned First Team All-Disctrict as a senior.

Conner Krizancic (class of 2014): One of the best football players ever at Mentor. After two dynamic seasons at receiver, Krizancic transitioned to QB in the 2013 season. He earned the Division I Offensive Player of the Year and guided Mentor to the state title game. As a receiver in 2011 and 2012, Krizancic was a key part of record setting offenses with Trubisky and Fritts. 

Previewing Mentor's 2021 Season

I've previewed the rest, let's look at the best. Here is a preview of what to expect for the 2021 version of the Mentor Cardinals:

Looking Back...

The 2020 season was another successful one for the program. A 5-1 regular season included an undefeated GCC title. The Cards got off to a good start with a Week 1 win over Medina. Wins over Euclid and Brunswick were also key wins toward another league title. The only loss in the regular season was to St Edward. Mentor had a strong postseason, with four wins (Shaker, Stow, Brunswick, and Medina) that earned them a 9th regional title. The rematch with the Bees in the regional final was a lopsided 49-14 win for Mentor. Considering Medina was coming off back-to-back wins against St Edward and St Ignatius, it was the most impressive performance of Mentor's season. Some uncertainty surrounded the Cardinals in the week ahead of the state semifinal, mostly due to losing All-Ohio QB Ian Kipp to COVID contact tracing. Mentor put up a fight against Pickerington Central before falling, 38-31. The team had 11 seniors that earned First or Second Team All-District, highlighted by Kipp - the Northeast District Offensive Player of the Year. With a career that included nine playoff wins (a program record), two All-Ohio seasons, two Region 1 titles, an impressive 5-2 record against St Ignatius/St Edward, gaudy career stats (5,600 passing yards, 1,722 rushing yards, and 86 total touchdowns), and a commitment to Kent State - Ian Kipp cemented himself as one of the all-time greats at Mentor. 

Offense...

Over the last 20 seasons, the offense has been the bread and butter of the Mentor program. The no-huddle spread offense has given nightmares to many opposing coaches. One part of that equation that has been an important part of the success is having a talented QB. For nearly every season since the early 2000's, Mentor has had an All-Ohio level type of QB. One of the more interesting developments over the next two seasons will be the play of junior QB Jacob Snow. After being thrown into a difficult situation in the state semifinal against Pickerington Central, Snow made quite an impression. With the team down 21-0 early, Snow helped mount a comeback that saw Mentor nearly pull off the upset. Making his first career varsity start in place of three-year starter Ian Kipp, Snow threw for 193 yards and two touchdowns in Mentor's 38-31 loss. There are now some raised expectations for Snow to be next in the line of great Mentor signal callers. Snow will benefit from the return of talented receiver Evan Harper to provide the offense with a big time playmaker. As a junior, Harper was a major factor in last year's success. He finished the shortened season with 24 receptions for 512 yards and 8 touchdowns. Harper is in line for an All-Ohio type of season as he will be a focal point of the offense whether he is getting carries out of the backfield or running routes down the sideline. Along with seeing Harper get a crack at running the ball, the offense returns RB Brenden Panhorst. As a junior in 2020, he shared carries with Riley Coughlin. Panhorst finished with close to 600 rushing yards last season. In 2020, four of the top five receivers (all but Harper) were seniors. Michael Norwood, a factor in the return game last season, is going to get a lot of opportunity at receiver this season. The offensive line brings back two full-time starters from last season: Ethan Bostleman and Danny Call. This unit will be an important part to the success of the offense. In order for the team to reach the high expectations of the program, the offense will need to keep up the kind of excellence they have displayed for the last two decades. 

Defense...

While the offense gets plenty of attention, it is said often that defense wins championships. This side of the ball will have to be strong in order for Mentor to reach their goals. Mentor brings back several guys that started games in 2020. First and foremost, junior Brenan Vernon will be getting most of the attention. The 6'5, 250-pound defensive end is one of the most coveted players nationally in the 2023 class. After two strong seasons for the Cardinals, Vernon committed to Notre Dame last month ahead of schools like Ohio State and Alabama. The three-man front will also include senior tackle Benny LoDuca (6'2, 285), a talented nose guard that has been a varsity rotation player since he was a sophomore. Look for Matt Savor (6'3, 255) to play the opposite defensive end position after getting some experience last season after Vernon's injury. Linebacker Aiden Fellows is a returning starter that aims to lead the middle of the defense. He will be joined by Mike Wenzel and junior Kadyn Burkholder, rotation players on varsity last season. In the secondary, corner Mike Harrison returns after a strong 2020 season in which he led the team in interceptions. He has the potential to be one of the best at his position in the area. Senior captain Chris Finucan looks to have a big year at safety. This group has a nice mix of experience and potential. All eyes will be on Vernon, but there are several other players that will be able to benefit form those double teams certain to come. Defensively, this group will need to get on the same page in a hurry with early games against St Ignatius and St Edward. 

Prediction...

On top of being a first year head coach and replacing a legend, coach Matt Gray had to deal with all of the challenges of a COVID season. Now in his second season, Gray can continue to carry the program toward a winning culture. The most challenging games on the schedule are St Edward, St Ignatius, and Medina. Losing one or two of those games would not be too alarming considering those are three of the top teams in the state. The Cardinals should be favorites against the rest of the schedule. The offense will be transitioning to a new QB as well as dealing with the graduation of several key offensive players. Mentor had 12 players earn First or Second Team All-District in 2020. All but one (Evan Harper) graduated. There will be many new starters at key positions. But still, this Mentor program is one that can reload as well as any in the area. The team is capable of growing into one that can win the Region 1 title, which would be 10th since 2002. 

 

And so...I predict an 8-2 regular season, hosting playoff games, and another deep playoff run. 

Opponent Preview: Euclid (Week 10)

Week 10

Who: Euclid Panthers

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game

Where: Jerome T Osborne Stadium

When: October 22nd at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Ricky Lytle (1st season at Euclid)

History: Mentor and Euclid have been on each other's schedules for many years whether it was in conference or out of conference. The Cardinals have a 27-17 record in the overall series. Mentor is 12-1 against Euclid since 2008. 

Looking Back...
The Panthers finished 4-2 in the regular season, which included impressive wins over Medina (Region 1 finalist), Cleveland Heights, and Brunswick. Euclid lost to Strongsville and Mentor (27-12) during the regular season. After shutting out Elyria in the first playoff game, Euclid lost to St Ignatius in the playoffs. The Panthers had a strong run since joining the GCC, making the playoffs each season since 2015. Rotsky brought the program back into relevance with six playoff wins over the past six seasons. The continued thorn in their side would be St Ignatius and St Edward. The Panthers are 0-8 against those two since 2015, including losing all six playoff games. Key graduated starters from last season include Division I commits like WR Armond Scott (Kentucky), DB Atiba Fitz (Akron), DB Cam Smith (Eastern Michigan), and DB Michael Gravely Jr (Michigan State). 

Schedule...
Euclid's schedule has a lot of the top programs in NEO. It starts with two big non-conference games against Massillon (DII runners-up in 2020) and St Ignatius. These are easily the two biggest non-conference games on their schedule. Hudson is on the schedule a season after advancing to the regional final in DII. Aurora is one of the top programs in DIII, having missed the playoffs just once since 2005. Cleveland Heights is a team with plenty of talent and potential. The non-conference schedule is going to have no weeks off. The league schedule is always tough with teams like Mentor and Medina at the top. With those two being the favorites in the GCC, Euclid will need a win against at least one in order to compete for the league title. Since 2015, Euclid is 16-2 against the Westside schools of the GCC (Medina, Brunswick, and Strongsville). In the recent MaxPreps pre-season rankings for Ohio, four of Euclid's opponents are in the statewide Top 25 rankings. From top to bottom, this is one of the most difficult schedules in Ohio. 

2021 Euclid Outlook...
Jeff Rotsky is a polarizing figure, but it would be tough to argue against the belief that the Euclid football program was riding high during his six seasons at the helm. Before Rotsky came, Euclid hadn't won a playoff game since 1993. Since his arrival, he guided the Panthers to six playoff wins as they have made the postseason every year. The roster numbers were higher than usual. The school built one of the best football stadiums in the state. With Rotsky leaving Euclid for VASJ, the program is now in the hands of a former assistant coach, Rick Lytle. He has some big shoes to fill after Rotsky, but the foundation and culture he is inheriting is solid. Offensively, three-year starter Claishon Ivory is the biggest returning name. The senior receiver has been All-District the past two seasons. Ivory has multiple DI college offers and is going to be one of the top at his position in the area. The backfield will feature a couple of first year starting juniors: QB Deonte Rucker and RB Leroy Billips. Graduation and transfers will mean a lot of new faces on offense. Davon Morrison is one of the returning offensive lineman, but the majority of last year's starters need to be replaced. The Panthers are historically a program that is built on the run, so this team will go as far as the running game will take them.  

Defensively, the Panthers also graduate a ton of talent at all three levels. After fielding one of the most talented group of defensive backs in the state, new starters will need to step up against high powered passing offenses in the league like Medina and Mentor. There are a lot of holes to fill on the line as well. The most talented returning player on defense is junior linebacker Ryan Merrill. As a sophomore, Merrill earned First Team All-District. 

With a new coach, many new starters, and a grueling schedule - this season will be a challenge for Euclid. Finishing with a winning record in the regular season would be quite an accomplishment. 

Next Preview: Mentor

Opponent Preview: Strongsville (Week 9)

Week 9

Who: Strongsville Mustangs (2-4 in 2020)

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game

Where: Pat Catan Stadium

When: October 15th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Lou Cirino (5th year at Strongsville, 66-45 overall coaching record)

History: These two have played every season since 2006. During that time, Mentor leads the series 14-2. Strongsville won both meetings in 2008 (including a playoff rematch). Mentor beat the Mustangs last season, 41-7. 

Looking Back…

The Mustangs played five GCC games during the shortened 2020 regular season. They finished the grind with a 2-3 record. The most impressive win of their season was a 35-26 upset against Euclid. Their first playoff game was a rematch with Medina. The Mustangs season ended with a 37-7 loss at the hands of the Bees, who would eventually advance to the Region 1 final. Three of their four losses were against Mentor/Medina, the two regional finalists. Even though Strongsville could've added games onto their schedule after the playoff loss per the special circumstances of the 2020 season, the Mustangs didn't add any additional games. Among the standout seniors that graduated were Second Team All-District defenders Jack Stephenson and Kyle Patrick.  

Schedule…

The Mustangs' nonleague schedule begins the season with a couple schools from the Southwest Conference: Avon Lake and Midview. The Shoremen were one of the top teams in DII last season. Midview is a game that Strongsville should be favored in. Brecksville follows in Week 3. The Bees are coming off a strong season in which they won their first two playoff games before being knocked out by Avon, the eventual Region 6 champs. Cleveland Heights is the lone DI team on their non-conference schedule. The Tigers are pretty talented and will be a favorite to win the Lake Erie League. Dover is a fifth non-conference opponent. In the league, Strongsville has been close to a .500 team in GCC play (12-14 record) since Cirino took over. Most of those losses came at the hands of Mentor, Euclid, and Solon. Last year's win over Euclid snapped a 30-game losing streak to that trio. Since 2009, the Mustangs are 1-31 against the Big Three of the GCC. Now that Medina has become a major factor in the league and region, Strongsville's league schedule becomes even more daunting. The playoffs are assured, but the Mustangs will look to get some big wins in the GCC in order to avoid a more difficult Week 11 playoff opponent. 

2021 Strongsville Outlook…

If you see Strongsville this season, the first player that will stand out will be senior tackle Blake Miller (6'6, 300). The lineman has been a mainstay for the Mustangs since he was a freshman. Miller is a Clemson-commit after choosing the Tigers over offers from Ohio State, Michigan, Florida, and many others. The offensive line isn't just about Miller. Senior Andrew Hudak is one of the better lineman in the league. QB Maddux Beard got some starts as a sophomore before taking over full time in 2020. He returns as a three-year varsity starter, so expect his experience to be an important part of the team's success. Beard is a dual threat QB that demonstrates a lot of ability to run the football in addition to his growth in the passing game. 

Defensively, the linebacker position looks to be a strength with some key returning starters that include Michael Novak and Anthony Gentile. Novak led the defense in tackles last season as a sophomore. The team graduated the core of their secondary, so replacing this group will be key to stopping the dangerous passing games in the league. Up front, the defensive line will have some new faces too.

The strong line play and the experience of Beard should help put the team in good positions to win. Several new starters on defense will make for a difficult transition against the best teams on the schedule. Cirino has the program going in the right direction, but they are still looking for the program's first playoff win since 2008's magical run to the regional final. 

Next: Euclid (Week 10)

Opponent Preview: Solon (Week 8)

Week 8

Who: Solon Comets

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game

Where: Solon's Stewart Field

When: October 8th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Brian Wisniewski (first year as head coach)

History: Up until last season's COVID interruption, these two programs had played every season since the late 90's. Mentor narrowly leads the overall series, 14-12. Solon leads the regular season series 12-10, but the Cards have won all four playoff matchups (2002, 2006, 2007, 2011). 

Looking Back...
Mentor won the last game these two played in 2019, 41-7. It was the most lopsided game in the series since a 2006 playoff game that Mentor won, 45-0. In 2020, Solon had an extra unusual season as the school delayed fall sports longer than most. The Comets didn't play their first game until Week 4. Without a full participation in league play, Solon and Mentor did not play. After losing their first three games played in the regular season, the Comets lost 42-14 in their opening playoff game to St Ignatius. Solon was able to get a couple games in after the playoff loss, which included wins over Shaker Heights and Berea. The overall 2021 record was 2-4. Three-year varsity standouts that were pivotal to the team included QB Pat McQuaide, DE Najee Goode (Northwestern), and RB Khalil Eichelberger. A First Team All-District player, Eichelberger led the offense in rushing yards, receiving yards, and total touchdowns. 

Schedule...
Three of Solon's non-conference opponents (Twinsburg, Stow, and Hudson) play in the Suburban League. Hudson and Stow are both going to be among NEO's top teams this season. Hudson is coming off a season in which they won their first eight games before falling to eventual state champion Hoban in the regional final. Stow is a darkhorse in Region 1 as they have several talented players that have DI college offers. The Comets went out of state to add Erie Cathedral Prep, one of the top programs in Pennsylvania. Shaker Heights returns to the schedule. In the league, Solon will have some difficult games with top area teams like Medina and Mentor. Euclid, Brunswick, and Strongsville also are formidable opponents. Solon has a schedule that will pose a lot of challenges for them. While making the playoffs in the expanded field in Region 1 is a near certainty, the Comets could use a few big wins in the league in order to line up for a more reasonable path beginning in Week 11. 

2021 Solon Outlook...
The Comets enter a new era for the program after longtime coach Jim McQuaide retired from coaching. Brian Wisniewski takes over after serving as the team's defensive coordinator previously. McQuaide's son Pat was the starting quarterback since his freshman season, so the offense will be looking for a new signal-caller. Offensively, this will be a transition without McQuaide/Eichelberger in the backfield. Junior WR Joel Kpassou was second on the team (behind Eichelberger) in catches, yards, and touchdowns last season. He will be a key part of this offense. As for the all-important QB position, look for either Charlie Bubonics or Andrew Mulvaney to get the opportunity. Solon has long been a program that builds their offense on the running game. Replacing Eichelberger will not be easy. Up front, the offensive line has some size and returning experience led by junior Chase Johnson. 

Solon has been one of the most consistently good teams on the defensive side of the ball in Northeast Ohio. That shouldn't change in 2021. It starts up front with two-way starter Johnson. At the other defensive end position, senior and three-year starter Jakob Oldenburg is moving up from linebacker. Jamari Holmes is a talented junior that returns at tackle and is a big time player in the middle of the defensive line. At linebacker, Markell Green is a three-year starter. Green was one of the leading tacklers the past two seasons and he is the next in the line of great linebacking play in the program. Kpassou is a two-way starter that is an impact player in the secondary. The strength of the Comets should be on defense. 

Like most of the GCC teams, the schedule is pretty challenging. Solon has beaten the Cards three times since 2015, but they are in a bit of a rebuild with graduating key starters as well as the retirement of McQuaide. But the Comets might surprise the area as their defense could help carry them to some big wins. 

Next Preview:  Strongsville (Week 9)

Pre-Season All-GCC Team

Offense

QB Drew Allar, Medina - This Penn State recruit is the most talented player in the league. He is on the short list for Mr Football favorites after a season in which he threw for 2,857 yards and 26 TD's. 

RB Brenden Panhorst, Mentor - The most experienced returning back in the league, Panhorst split carries with Riley Coughlin to pile up nearly 600 rushing yards and 4 TD's in 2020. 

WR Connin Som, Brunswick - Som was a big playmaker at receiver for the Blue Devils last season and he's a two-way player that is also a key part of their secondary.

WR Evan Harper, Mentor - An explosive athlete with good size, Harper figures to be QB Jacob Snow's top target. He showed flashes of excellence in 2020 with 8 TD's and averaging over 20 yards per reception.

WR Claishon Ivory, Euclid - A three-year starter, Ivory followed up a huge sophomore season with another All-District year in 2020. Now a senior, Ivery has an offer from Kentucky. 

WR Drew Hensley, Medina - With his talented brother graduated, expect Drew to step up and become one of the top playmakers in a high-powered Medina offense. 

OL Blake Miller Strongsville - The 6'6, 315-pound tackle is one of the top at his position in the country. Miller chose Clemson over Ohio State, Florida, and a host of other big time schools.

OL Ethan Bostleman, Mentor - The senior tackle had an impressive 2020 that earned him all-league status. He will be the anchor for Mentor's line this season. 

OL Evan Sevatsos, Brunswick - A state qualifier in wrestling, Sevatsos earned all-league honors and All-District recognition last season. 

OL Andrew Hudak, Strongsville - A tough and bruising guard that earned all-league honors with his strong play in 2020. 

OL Jamari Holmes, Solon - An impactful two-way player for the Comets as just a sophomore in 2020. Holmes will be a force in the trenches this season. 

Defense

DL Ryan Ferrell, Medina - A key part of Medina's improved defense last season, Ferrell (6'3, 240) is a force at the defensive end position.

DL Nick Manley, Medina - After an impactful junior season that saw him earn First Team All-District, Hanley (6'4, 270) picked up an offer from Penn. 

DT Chase Johnson, Solon - The big senior lineman with college football in his future will see time on both sides of the ball.

DE Brenan Vernon, Mentor - A starter since a freshman, Vernon (6'5, 245) is one of the top recruits in the 2023 class as he committed to Notre Dame. 

LB Matt Hamula, Medina - The senior led the Bees in tackles last season and earned First Team All-District and all-league honors.

LB Ryan Merrill, Euclid - Still just a junior, Merrill had a spectacular sophomore season that saw him earn First Team All-District honors. 

LB Markell Green, Solon - A three-year starter, Green was on this list last season and is is in line for a big senior year.

DB Mike Harrison, Mentor - A season after leading the Cardinals in interceptions, expectations are high for the senior corner.

DB David Hamrick, Brunswick - With eight interceptions in 2020, Hamrick proved to be one of the most effective playmakers at his position in the area.

DB Keon Johnson, Medina - A talented part of Medina's secondary, Johnson has some DII offers that should see him play at the next level.

DB Jajuan Jackson, Medina - This three-year starter has earned All-District recognition for two seasons in a row. Jackson is also an impact player on offense with being a top target for Allar. 

Opponent Preview: Medina (Week 7)

Week 7

Who: Medina Bees (6-4 in 2020)

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game

Where: Jerome T Osborne Stadium

When: October 1st at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Larry Laird (6th season at Medina, 31-22 record)

History: Mentor has played Medina nine times in league play since 2011, winning all of them. The two met in the first game of the season in 2020 as Mentor held onto a tough victory that was closer than the final score indicated. With a rematch in the regional final, the Cardinals played their best game of 2020 with a dominant 49-14 victory at home against the red hot Bees. 

Looking Back...

Medina had their most incredible wins in program history as they compiled back-to-back wins over St Edward and St Ignatius in the playoffs. Mentor has accomplished that feat three times since 2012, so they know first hand how impressive that is. The Bees had a roller coaster regular season and finished with a 3-3 record. Losses to Euclid, Brunswick, and Mentor meant the Bees finished a surprising 4th in the GCC. However, the team chemistry and health came together for a memorable playoff run. A season after surrendering 73 points in a loss to St Edward, the Bees defense showed much improvement in a 35-31 upset win over the top seeded Eagles. The win in the regional semifinal over St Ignatius was as big of a win as any in Medina's program history. QB Drew Allar and WR Luke Hensley (now at Youngstown State) earned the majority of the praise on offense as the two were All-Ohio standouts. Departed seniors that earned First Team All-District in 2020 include Hensley (Offensive Player of the Year), LB Nathan Spatny (Ashland), OL Otto Weight (Butler) and DL/RB Dorian Boyland (Drake). 

Schedule...

The non-conference schedule is highlighted by Avon, a program that has advanced to the state semifinals in Division II for four straight seasons. County rival Wadsworth is back on the schedule and is an important game for both programs each season. Stow is a team with a handful of super talented players that will be playing major college football. Warren Harding and Lorain are two programs on the rise. Games against longtime conference foes Brunswick and Strongsville feel like must-win games. The Bees have struggled against the Big Three (Mentor, Euclid, and Solon) of the GCC. Medina is just 4-16 against those three schools since the inception of the league in 2015. In order to meet their expectations of winning the league, they will need to check off wins against all of them. The schedule has plenty of opportunity for Medina to show just how serious this team is about competing for a Region 1 title once again. A perfect season is in reach, and it would be quite impressive considering the opponents on the schedule. 

2021 Medina Outlook...

Offensively, Medina brings back super quarterback Drew Allar. The Penn State commit is one of the most coveted recruits at his position in the country. After getting a few starts late in his sophomore season, Allar took full reigns of the starting job in 2020. He capped off an All-Ohio junior season with 2,857 yards and 26 TD's. Now an experienced and talented senior, Allar is going to be a problem for every opposing defense. Expect Drew Hensley (younger brother of Luke) and junior Brennan Schramm to be among Allar's top targets at receiver. Matt Spatny (6'3, 245) is a three year starter that is a versatile player for the Bees in playing a variety of positions on both sides of the ball. Over the past few seasons, Coach Laird has utilized a lot of empty backfield looks with 5 wideouts, but the offense is at its best when it is more balanced with a running attack. Last year's back  graduated, so the Bees will need to find a good replacement to take some of the pressure off Allar and the passing game. The offensive line was pretty senior heavy in 2020. The new starters up front will play a big role in the success of the offense. With Allar running the show, expect this offense to be as good as any on Mentor's schedule. 

Defensively, Medina took some positive strides forward last season. The Bees have multiple returning starters at all three levels of the defense. The line is big and experienced with Ryan Farrell (6'3, 240), Mason Pogue (6'5, 240), and Nick Manley (6'4, 270) leading the way. At linebacker, Medina returns Spatny in addition to senior Matt Hamula, the leading tackler for the Bees last season. Hamula was First Team All-District in 2020. Talented corners JaJuan Jackson and Keon Johnson should be two of the best in the GCC. Jackson is a three-year starter, has earned All-District recognition each of the previous two seasons, and will also be a factor as a receiver on offense as well. 

Coach Larry Laird has guided Medina to five playoff wins, which accounts for all of the postseason wins in program history. Expectations have never been higher for the Bees. Behind Allar and a deep senior class, this team has what it takes to make another deep November run. 

Next Preview: Solon (Week 8)

Opponent Preview: Brunswick (Week 6)

Week 6

Who: Brunswick Blue Devils 

What: Greater Cleveland Conference game

Where: Jerome T Osborne Stadium

When: September 24th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Mark Pinzone (5th season at Brunswick, 18-21 record)

History: Mentor has won twelve in a row (including playoff wins in 2014 and 2021) over Brunswick since the two joined the same league in 2011. One of the biggest games in the history of both programs was a state semifinal matchup in 2007 that pitted two all-time greats at their respected programs: Bart Tanski and Sean Bedevelsky. Mentor defeated Brunswick, 39-14, and went on to their second straight DI state championship game. 

Looking Back...

Last season, Brunswick put up a much improved effort against Mentor in the playoff loss (37-21) after getting shutout, 38-0, in the regular season game. After a great 15-year run under legendary coach Rich Nowak that included multiple league championships and two regional titles, the Blue Devils are taking some positive steps toward building a winning program again. Pinzone has helped guide the Blue Devils to consecutive winning seasons, including a very successful 2020. Brunswick earned one of their biggest regular season wins in years against county rival (and eventual regional finalist) Medina. They had playoff wins against Jackson and Canton McKinley. The latter of which was an impressive upset (27-14) over the the Bulldogs, who were the #3 seed in Region 1. It advanced Brunswick to the regional semifinal, their first appearance in that round since 2008. The 2020 season was led by a large group of impactful seniors like lineman Tomas Rimac (West Virginia), QB Jake Scherette, and a trio of talented linebackers: Andrew Haber, Kyle Scherette, and Quintyn McKinley. 

Schedule...

One big addition to the schedule is DII power Avon, a program that has won Region 6 for four straight seasons. The game with the Eagles will be Brunswick's most challenging non-conference game. Hudson and Olmsted Falls are on the schedule. The two are among NEO's better DII programs. Brunswick also has Highland and Toledo Waite on the schedule. In the league, the GCC is down to just five league games. The Blue Devils have had their hands full against the trio of Mentor, Euclid, and Solon since the GCC formed in 2015. During the past six seasons, Brunswick is 0-18 against these three teams that have routinely finished at the top of the league. Duplicating last year's surprise win against Medina will be especially more difficult this season as the Bees are one of the frontrunners in Region 1. Longtime league rival Strongsville is Brunswick's best opportunity for a league victory. 

2021 Brunswick Outlook...

After a season-ending injury to QB Jake Scherette, Ethan Fritz was given the difficult job of trying to replace the two-year starting captain. Fritz handled the responsibility well and helped guide Brunswick to back-to-back playoff wins. During the upset victory over McKinley, completed 10 of 16 passes for 121 yards. This was a week after a three touchdown effort in a playoff win over Jackson, which was Brunswick's first postseason win since 2008. Connin Som and JD Serwatka return at receiver. Both will provide Fritz with some playmaking ability that will keep opposing defenses on their toes. The offensive line will be led by the sole returning starter, tackle Evan Sevastos. Last season, Sevastos started at right tackle and earned all-league honors. Sevastsos, a talented two way athlete, is coming off a junior season that saw him qualify for the state wrestling tournament. With some experience in big games behind him, expect the Blue Devils to rely more on their experienced QB along with the Som/Serwatka duo will give the offense a boost.

Defensively, the Blue Devils were very good last season. The vast majority of their defense were seniors, but the cupboard is not bare. In the secondary, the Blue Devils bring back David Hamrick - a First Team All-District defensive back. The Blue Devils utilize a lot of two way players. Som is another potential impact player in the secondary. He made a big impression in the win over McKinley by returning an interception for a score early in the game. The secondary should be a unit of strength as safety Luke Petrowski also is a returning starter. The Blue Devils will have some big shoes to fill at linebacker at defensive end. Even while the program is moving in the right direction, the league is incredibly tough at the top and there is no time for rebuilding. In order to have a winning season for the third consecutive season, the first year starters on defense and the offensive line will need to step up. 

Next Preview: Medina (Week 7)

Opponent Preview: Football North (Week 5)

Week 5

Who: Clarkson Football North (Canada)

What: Non-league game

Where: Jerome T. Osborne Stadium 

When: September 17 at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Larry Jusdanis

History: Mentor welcomed our neighbors from the North during 2019 in a storm-shortened game that could only get one half of play before it was called. Mentor won the game, 28-15. Due to COVID, the two were unable to play each other last season.

Looking Back...
Football North is a Canadian football academy school that aims to be a big time attraction for the best of the best in Canada, and even some players from the United States. Unable to cross the border in 2020, Football North didn't have the kind of season they were hoping. Games against US teams were all cancelled. They normally play a rugged schedule, including a bunch against some of the top teams in Ohio. Overall, their record in 2019 was 3-6. But they found a way to win a couple games against Ohio teams (St Ignatius and Lorain) while having competitive losses against Mentor and Elder. Football North spent the last 12 months focusing on practice, training, scrimmages, attending camps, etc. 

Schedule...
Due to their chase of playing high profile teams, Football North has one of the most grueling schedules in North America. In the past few years, the Ohio teams on their schedule are among the four best programs in the state: St Ignatius, St Edward, St Xavier, and Mentor are among the typical scheduled teams. For 2021, only Mentor and St Edward remain. They also play some top notch programs from other states. Due to their demanding schedule, wins are not easy to come by. 

2021 Football North Outlook...
Unlike a lot of HS football teams, the number one score card for Football North is not necessarily wins and losses. The development and promotion of players to make it to college football is their top priority. Because of that, their roster is almost entirely filled with guys that are aiming to play some level of college football (either in the states or in Canada) in their future. It starts at the all-important position of QB. Callum Wither (6'4, 210) has joined Football North this season. Wither was offered by a handful of programs in the MAC before committing to play quarterback at Ohio University. RB Omarion Martin (9 carries for 66 yards and a TD as sophomore against Mentor in 2019) is primed for a big 2021. Martin boasts an offer from Central Michigan. Fellow back Donavin Milloy is another talented player to watch out for. Milloy recently got an offer from UMass and will be a key playmaker on this offense. Football North is not short on size and speed at the receiver position. Micah Dennie is a speedster with an offer from West Virginia. Football North has plenty of size and talent on the lines. Mateo Lucero (6'5, 285) and Vincent Ramolli (6'8, 335) are a couple of starting linemen that have both been offered by Texas State. 

On defense, there is plenty of college talent on the field. It starts at the all-pivotal defensive end positions. Football North has some good ones. Ishmael Findlayter is a 6'4, 230-pound defensive end with multiple DI offers. Kumail Khilji (6'4, 245) is at the other end position and he isn't far behind with the offers. There is plenty of size up front on both sides of the ball. 

It can't be denied that there are a lot of individually talent players on this roster. They have many guys that will be playing college football. On an individual level, Mentor won't have the kind of talent that Football North has. But Mentor's advantages will include consistency, depth, and continuity. It will be a very interesting matchup. 

Next Preview: Brunswick (Week 6)