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)