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)