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.