Opponent Preview: Solon (Week 8)

Week 8

Who:  Solon

What:  Northeast Ohio Conference (Valley Division) game

Where:  Stewart Field (Solon)

When:  October 18 at 7:00

Opposing Coach:  Jim McQuaide (89-27 at Solon, 165-89 overall)

Looking Back…

Solon had an unusually quiet season (5-5, 2-3 NOC Valley) in 2012.  For a team that finished atop the NOC the previous three seasons, their 4^th place finish last season was very shocking.  Solon went 26-1 against the NOC from 2009-11 and just 4-4 last season.  Injuries and a lack of depth contributed to a difficult season.  A victory over an 8-2 Shaker team was Solon’s signature win.  Graduated from Solon are a talented group of talented athletes that were dangerous on both sides of the ball:  DB/WR Darian Hicks (Michigan State), QB/WR Drew Barksdale (Boston College), RB/CB Khoury Crenshaw (Michigan for track/field), and LB/QB George Berry (1^st team All-District). 

 

Schedule…

The Comets will try to get back to their winning ways as they start the season with non-league games against a trio of Division II teams: Kenston, Glenville, and Willoughby South.  Kenston and South are coming off playoff seasons and Glenville is in Rivals Top 100 national rankings.  Mayfield returns to Solon’s schedule in 2013 as a NOC crossover.  Valley Forge is the their other crossover.  The NOC Valley schedule also includes Hudson, Brunswick, Twinsburg, and Strongsville.  Overall, Solon’s schedule has five returning playoff teams and three others that had winning records but fell short of making Week 11. 

 

2013 Solon Outlook…

The Comets have one of the top football traditions of any team in the Cleveland area.  The struggles of last season are an anomaly.  Solon played several QB’s last season.  Ryan Gallagher (five starts) and Matt Laubscher had opportunities as sophomores.  Now a year older, look for one/both of these QB’s to be counted on to take control of this offense.  Skill position players are an area of concern due to little experience returning.  Solon’s strength should be on both lines.  The offensive line returns four starters.  Brandon Reynolds and Ben Peterson are the anchors of the defensive line.  LB John Sensibaugh (139 tackles, 17 TFL) was 2^nd team All-District as a sophomore.  Another strength on the team will be in the defensive backfield as Brandon Byrd, Kollyn Crenshaw, and Antwain Hamilton return. Keon Hemerlein returns as the NOC’s most valuable kicker in 2012. 

Next:  Hudson (Week 9)

Opponent Preview: Brunswick (Week 7)

Week 7

Who:  Brunswick

What:  Northeast Ohio Conference (Valley Division) game

Where:  Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium

When:  October 11th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach:  Luke Beal (4th season at Brunswick, 18-12 record)

History:  Mentor has won their only two meetings as NOC members.  The teams also played in the 2007 state semifinal, in which Mentor won 39-14.  

Looking Back...

Brunswick finished 7-3 last season, which included a 39-14 home loss to Mentor.  Key wins on the season  included Hudson (2012 playoff team), Lake Catholic, and Solon.  The Blue Devils were upset at home by Twinsburg - a game that cost Brunswick a playoff spot in Region 2.  A trio of talented offensive players have graduated.  With 3,045 career rushing yards, Nick Roberts became Brunswick's all-time leader in that category.  The Yohman twins (Keith and Dan) were also key to the team's success.  Keith was a 1st team all-district player that excelled on both sides of the field.  Dan was the starting QB.  Also graduated are key lineman Austin Monyak and Garrick Koermer.  Top LB's Brad Darlington and Danny Stepp will also be missed.  

Schedule...

Brunswick has three teams (Mentor, Austintown Fitch, and Hudson) on the schedule that made the 2012 playoffs.  Rivalry games with Strongsville and Medina are always key.  The NOC Valley schedule is always a challenge.  Solon, Twinsburg, and Elyria (NOC River crossover) are three key games to watch.  If Brunswick wants to make the playoffs in the expanded Region 1, those are the kind of teams they need to beat.   Normandy and Padua round off the schedule.  

2013 Brunswick Outlook...

Coach Beal's teams have gone steadily improved to finish 5-5, 6-4, and 7-3 in his three seasons.  What will it take to take the next step of 8-2 or better?  It will be a challenge as it looks like it might be a bit of a rebuilding season with the number of key players graduated.  The replacements of Roberts and the Yohmans will be key to the season. Big junior Steven Ficyk (6'4, 180) is projected to start at QB.  Senior Chase Rieg will get a chance to be the primary ball carrier.  Returning receiver Zach Parker could be a big part of the offense.  Most of the returning experience comes on the offensive and defensive lines.  That will have to be a strength of the team as the new skill position players adapt to their new roles. 

Next:  Solon (Week 8)

Opponent Preview: Shaker Heights (Week 6)

Week 6

 

Who: Shaker Heights

What:   Northeast Ohio Conference crossover game

Where:  Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium

When:  October 4^th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Jarvis Gibson (3^rd season at Shaker, 10-10)

History:  Mentor and Shaker played annually in the Lake Erie League from 1993 to 2010.  Mentor holds a slight edge (9-7) during that time.  This will be the first meeting since the two became the most recent members of the NOC.  The Cards have won the last six meetings. 

Looking Back...

Shaker Heights is coming off a very successful inaugural season in the NOC.  The Raiders went 8-2 and nearly made the playoffs.  A 22-21 setback to Brush late in the season was all that separated Shaker from a Region 1 playoff berth and an undefeated record in the NOC Lake.  The only other defeat was to Solon (24-21).  The Raiders scored at least 34 points in all eight of their wins.  3^rd team All-District QB Jimmie Pope, now graduated, was a big part of that offense.  Other key losses include lineman Donovan Munger (Ohio State recruit), all-district DB Anthony Kinney, WR Derrick Burgess (Youngstown State), LB Jalen Stackhouse, and WR/DB Mel Leach. 

Schedule...

Shaker has moved up from the Lake to the River division in the NOC.  This elevation will provide a more challenging NOC schedule than a year ago.  Mayfield, Elyria, Medina, North Royalton, and Stow will make Shaker work for every win.  The non-league schedule has JFK, Cleveland Central Catholic, and University School.  Normandy is the other NOC crossover besides Mentor.  Starting the season 4-1 or 5-0 is essential if Shaker hopes to return to the playoffs for the first time since 2005.

2013 Shaker Heights Outlook...

Shaker made the playoffs six times between 1997-2005.  From 2006-2011, the Raiders struggled with a 14-46 record.  Under Coach Gibson, Shaker is headed in the right direction following their 8-2 season in 2012.  DE/TE Joe Henderson (6’4, 230) is one of Ohio’s top recruits and is headed to Tennessee.  He will be a factor on both sides of the ball.  Jamarez Brown (6’5, 270) is one of the most coveted lineman recruits in the country.  An athletic group of receivers Odel Spencer (Bowling Green recruit), Nolan Jackson-Daniel (offer from Buffalo), and Trey Johnson should give new QB Brian Jones some confidence.  Look for 1,000-yard rusher Ramses Owens and RB/LB Greg Claytor (JJHuddle Top 100 prospect) to get most of the carries.  The Raiders will certainly be in the mix to make the now expanded Region 1 playoffs. 

Next Preview:  Brunswick (Week 7)

Opponent Preview: Brush (Week 5)

This is the fifth of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2013 season.

Week 5

Who:  Brush

What:  NOC Crossover

Where: Korb Field (Lyndhurst)

When:  September 28th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Josh Wells (2^nd season, 7-3 record)

History:  Mentor and Brush played against each other in the old Greater Cleveland Conference.  This will be the first time the two have played in the NOC. 

Looking Back...
Last season Brush was one of the surprises in the NOC as they went undefeated in the NOC Lake (7-3 overall record) to go along with a win over Twinsburg, the No. 2 team in the Valley.  The other signature win on the season was a 22-21 nail biter over NOC Lake favorite, Shaker Heights.     Brush lost a couple non-league games to Kenston/Madison that ultimately cost them a Region 1 playoff berth.  The Arcs will have to replace standout defensive players like Patric Hannon, Harry Durrah, Ransford Bailey, Devin Person, and Tony Andrews. 

Schedule...
Brush’s non-league schedule includes Padua, Kenston, and Lakeside.  Due to their success in the Lake division, the Arcs get matched up in crossovers with Mentor and Mayfield – two of the most successful teams in the NOC.  The schedule has two extremes.  On the one hand are three returning playoff teams and the other are seven teams that combined for a 17-53 record in 2012.  Brush should be a favorite to win (possibly sweep) the NOC Lake.  Shaker Heights (8-2 in 2012) has been replaced in the division by Cuyahoga Falls.

2013 Brush Outlook...
Brush has moved down to Division II this season.  In order to take the next step from last season, look for the Arcs to count on senior Stephen Shorts to lead the offense.  Shorts is an athletic QB that will use his arm and feet for big plays.  His number one target in 2013 will likely be 6’2 WR Alfonso Onunwor.  Devari Gill is a returning RB that will provide some stability to the offense.  The line will be led by Jonah Harper (6’3, 265) and Larry McClough (6’3, 215).  The team graduated most of their top defensive players from 2012.  Rebuilding that unit will be key for the Arcs as they strive to make the playoffs for the first time since 2005. 

Next Preview:  Shaker Heights (Week 6)

Opponent Preview: Twinsburg (Week 4)

Week 4

Who: Twinsburg
What:   Northeast Ohio Conference (Valley) game
Where:  Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium
When:  September 14th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Joe Schiavone (3rd season at Twinsburg, 13-7 record)
History:  An original NOC member, Twinsburg joined the Valley division (2011) at the same time Mentor joined the conference.  Twinsburg upset a 9-0 Mentor team (No. 1 in AP poll at the time) in the 2011 regular season finale, 38-35.  Mentor shutout Twinsburg 41-0 last season.

Looking Back...

Twinsburg has played well (4-1 in both seasons) during their first two years in Valley Division play.  Despite finishing 1st (2011) and 2nd (2012) in the league, the Tigers have failed to make the playoffs in either season.  QB Jalen Washington used his arm and legs to lead the offense for the previous two seasons.  Washington will transition to Ohio State on a baseball scholarship.  Also graduated are 4/5 of the offensive line, leading receiver Connor Rea, and star RB John Barton (injured for most of the 2012 season).  Twinsburg has to replace a lot of skill and size on offense as well as key defensive players like Scott Tegowski (honorable mention all-district), Ben Bisesi, and Rob Williams.

Schedule...

Six of the Tigers’ opponents made the 2012 playoffs and those teams combined for 10 postseason wins.  Twinsburg plays one of the toughest non-league schedules in the NOC: Avon, Aurora, and Nordonia.  Throw in a NOC crossover with North Royalton and the always rugged NOC Valley schedule to give Twinsburg one of the most demanding schedules of any Division II team in the state.  Maintaining their steady pace in the Valley as well as adding another winning season will be a challenge.

2013 Twinsburg Outlook...

Twinsburg moves to Division II this season with the changes of adding a 7th division and decreasing the size of Division I.  The Tigers return some experience (especially on defense) from the 2nd place team in the NOC Valley.  Cameron Dial, a three year starter, is a standout defensive end that headlines the 3-4 defense.  Dial was the Valley Co-Defensive POY and 1st team all-district in 2012.  Jacob Turay (2nd leading tackler in 2012) and Mike Mickovic will man the middle positions at linebacker.  Safeties Kon Grewal and Darion Eiland also return.  On offense, there will be some speed and talent at the receiver positions.  Tailin Johnson, Mike Peelman, and Darius Jones are the names to look out for.  According to Schiavone, “the defense will be relied on heavily…speed and athleticism are our cornerstones of success.”

Next Preview:  Brush (Week 5)

Opponent Preview: Euclid (Week 3)

This is the third of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2013 season.

Week 3

Who:  Euclid Panthers

What:   Non-league game

Where:  Sparky Dibiaso Stadium (Euclid)

When:  September 14th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach:  Tom Gibbons (6th season, 28-24 record)

History:  Mentor and Euclid have played one another for decades, having been in the GCC and LEL together.  The Cardinals have a slight edge (20-16) in the overall series. 

Looking Back...
Mentor's 33-13 win in Week 1 in 2012 ended up being the 2nd lowest scoring game of the season.  It may have been party due to a slow start in August, but also give credit to Euclid.  Last year Euclid went 7-3 and finished 2nd in the LEL behind Warren Harding.  A narrow 28-20 loss to the Raiders in Week 7 was all that separated Euclid from winning the league and getting a playoff spot.  Euclid was a very senior-laden team in 2012.  LB Myles Alexander (1st team all-district), 360-pound OL Matt Blaha, 1,000-yard rusher Juwan Ford, and leading receiver Rakeesh Nolden are among those who graduated. 

Schedule...
The 2013 schedule includes a non-conference slate of Hudson, Cleveland Central Catholic, and Mentor.  The LEL schedule is headlined by Warren Harding (2012 playoff team) and Cleveland Heights (17-3 last two seasons).  Euclid had an impressive 6-1 record in league play last season.  It will be difficult to match or surpass that given the number of seniors (30+) that have graduated.  Key games on the schedule include the opener against Hudson and league rival Cleveland Heights. 

2013 Euclid Outlook...
The Panthers were built to have a strong 2012 with so much experience on their roster.  They couldn't be further from that in 2013.  One area of strength and experience will be in the secondary with Ryan Epps, Christian Priah, and Harrison Roberts all coming back.  Ryshawn Johnson stepped in to play QB as a sophomore last season, so expect some progression at the position.  Euclid will bring back a couple big starters on the offensive line as well.  Euclid will be inexperienced, but should be able to win some games with the help of a strong coaching staff, returning QB, a big offensive line, and an experienced secondary. 

Next Preview:  Twinsburg (Week 4)

Opponent Preview: St Ignatius (Week 2)

This is the second of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2013 season.  See the Week 1 preview here.

Week 2

Who: St Ignatius

What:   Non-league game

Where:  Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium

When:  September 7th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Chuck Kyle (31st season, 11 state titles)

History:  St Ignatius leads the regular season series (5-3) dating back to 2005.  These Region 1 juggernauts have played in the last two regional finals.  The Wildcats won in 2011 (23-17) and the Cardinals won in 2012 (57-56 3OT). 

Looking Back...
St Ignatius was 11-2 (including playoffs) in 2012. The triple overtime loss to Mentor last November in the regional final will not be soon forgotten by anybody in attendance.  The game won the 2012 "Sports Moment of the Year" by the Greater Cleveland Sports Awards.  St Ignatius dominated the regular season game (48-21) only to be upset a couple of months later on the same field.  RB Tim McVey (500+ rushing/receiving yards and seven TD's) and QB Michael LaManna (558 passing yards and 8 TD's) were simply dominant in the two games against Mentor.  Both have since graduated along with top WR Conor Hennessey and standout DE Kevin Kavalec (Boston College). 

Schedule...
The 2013 schedule includes in-state matchups with rivals St Edward and St Xavier - two teams (along with St Ignatius) ranked in Rivals top 100 nationally.  The 11-time state champions have a difficult time finding opponents willing to play them.  The other seven games on the schedule are against teams from Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Indiana, Maryland, and Canada.  Even though some of these teams are pretty talented, St Ignatius will likely be a favorite against all out of state opponents. 

2013 St Ignatius Outlook...
Chuck Kyle and his coaching staff know how to turn out successful teams year in and year out.  The graduation of key players will always have an effect, but the cupboard is not bare.  LB Kyle Berger (Ohio State) and OL Jimmy Byrne (Notre Dame) are major national recruits.  The hard hitting two-way player Dameon Willis is a talented returnee with offers from several DI college programs, including Indiana and Louisville.  The gifted 6-2 WR Michael Siragusa (offers from MAC schools) showed his worth with 170 yards and 3 TD's in the 2012 regional final.  John Hiland is another returning receiver for the Cats.  The key for St Ignatius will be quarterback play.  Senior Peter Mahoney is the top candidate to replace LaManna.

Expect the defense to be strong and the offense to be efficient - though probably not quite as potent as last year's bunch led by McVey, LaManna, and Hennessey.  Kyle will almost certainly have a team ready to be serious contenders for a 12th state championship.  Without a doubt, this will be the toughest opponent on Mentor's schedule in 2013. 

Next Preview:  Euclid (Week 3)