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.
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