Opponent Preview: Euclid (Week 4)

This is the fourth of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2016 season.  Here are the other previews:

Massillon
St Ignatius
St Xavier

Week 4

Who: Euclid Panthers

What: GCC Opener

Where: Sparky DiBiasio Stadium 

When: September 15th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Jeff Rotsky (2nd season at Euclid)

History: Mentor and Euclid have been on each other's schedule for many years whether they are in the same league or not. The Cardinals have a 23-16 edge in the overall series. Mentor won last year's game at home, 37-27. 

Looking Back...
When Mentor beat Euclid in Week 4 last year, it was hard to project that the Panthers would end up being the better team come November. Mentor lost two GCC games last year, opening up the Panthers to have a share of the league title with Solon. Even though the Cards did prevail in a September regular season game, Euclid would go on to win their next eight games (including two playoff games). The Panthers were shutout 33-0 by St Edward, the eventual state champions, in Week 13. Overall, it was a very successful season under Rotsky. This was the most accomplished Euclid team since the Robert Smith days. 

Schedule...
Under Rotsky, Euclid has beefed up their non-conference schedule to go along with a tough slate of Greater Cleveland Conference games. They open with Glenville, always one of the most talented teams in Ohio. The Panthers fell to Glenville last year. Euclid's other non-conference opponents are Willoughby South and Aurora. The Rebels and Greenmen are perennial playoff teams in NEO. Along with playing Mentor, the Panthers will have their hands full in the GCC. Solon and Elyria are two teams that will definitely pose a challenge. Half of the teams on Euclid's schedule made the playoffs last season.  

2016 Euclid Outlook...
The Rotsky era got off to a great start as Euclid returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2009. But making the playoffs hasn't been the problem. Winning playoff games was the stumbling block. After years of falling short in the playoffs (hadn't won a playoff game since 1993), the Panthers put together a memorable stretch where they won two playoff games. A new coach and a group of players that bought in were a big reason for the change. Now the next challenge is to build on the memorable 2015 season and keep it going.

On offense, Noah Mitchell returns as the starting QB. Mitchell started the 2015 season until he was inured in the final regular season game. Mitchell was a key part of the Panthers winning their final six regular season games. In the backfield, De'Quan Pruitt and Edward Robinson will get a good shot at carrying the football in Euclid's run-first offense. Opportunities were hard to come by with standout RB Chris Collins being the primary back, but Pruitt and Robinson made an impact as sophomores last season. Leading the way on the offensive line is senior Terrell Lee (6'1, 260)

The Panthers graduated a lot of talent, including 9 starters on defense. Lee will play two-ways and can make an impact up front. Jaylen Nolden is a big defensive end (6'4, 200) that will be active in rushing the passer. Rotsky's defense will have to reload to compete with a tough schedule. Let's not rule out the impact of possible transfers either. Rotsky's goal in coming to the Panthers was to "Return to Glory." So far, they are on their way. 

Next Preview:  Shaker (Week 5)

Opponent Preview: St Xavier (Week 3)

This is the second of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2016 season.  See the Week 2 preview (St Ignatius) here.

Week 3

Who: St Xavier Bombers

What: Non-league game

Where: Jerome T. Osborne Stadium 

When: September 9th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Steve Specht (13th season, 2 state titles)

History: Mentor and St Xavier have played twice. The first was a 27-0 state championship win for the Bombers in 2007. Last year the Cards traveled to Cincinnati in Week 3 riding high after their win over St Ignatius. Mentor ate a big piece of humble pie as the Bombers dominated every facet of the game. The final score was 59-13. 

Looking Back...
Last year's game was long over before the dreaded 45-6 halftime deficit. The Bombers dominated in every facet of the game. The most surprising aspect was how their defense completely frustrated a Mentor offense that had scored 63 points the week before. The win over Mentor was part of a roller coaster regular season that some highs (defeating eventual state champion LaSalle) and lows (OT losses to Elder/Colerain and falling 34-20 to Jesuit rival, St Ignatius). The Bombers finished the regular season 6-4. After picking up a Week 11 playoff win against Gahanna Lincoln, St X had their season ended in a 42-12 loss to Colerain.

Schedule...
St Xavier routinely plays one of the most difficult schedules in the country, let alone the state. Their four-team league (Greater Catholic League) out of Cincinnati is a murderer's row: LaSalle (won last two state titles in DII), Moeller (nine state titles), and Elder (two state titles). Warren Central (IN), Louisville St Xavier (KY), and Indianapolis Cathedral (IN) have combined for 32 state titles. Rounding out the schedule is St Ignatius (11 state titles, Cincinnati power Colerain, and St John Bosco (CA), a team that finished No. 11 in the final USA Today national rankings last season. In other words, a road game at Mentor might be the "easy" game on St X's schedule - a very scary thought.

2016 St Xavier Outlook...
Offensively, the Bombers bring back some key starters from last year. It starts with senior QB Sean Clifford (6'3, 200). The three-year starter is committed to Penn State. Clifford had a great game against Mentor last year on his way to over 1,700 passing yards. Seniors Louis Raines and Colton Paul were two of the top receivers last season. The Bombers graduated their starting RB (Sean Prophit) from last year, but a trio of backs (Quinn Earley, Pete Rumpke and Cameron Specht) will have opportunities this season. The offensive line is big and talented, led by Clemson recruit Matt Bockhorst (6'4, 290). The potential for a well balanced and successful offense is in place.

Defense is where Specht and St Xavier have really stood out over the years. The standout LB group all graduated. There is some returning experience and talent on the defensive line. Up front, DI recruit Bobby Jefferson (6'3, 235) will look to make an impact after some strong showings during his sophomore season. Some guys with little varsity experience will have to step up and replace key contributors from last year's defense. 

With a tough schedule, it is always hard to predict St X's record. You can bet they will playoff-tested come Week 11. Regardless of how the Bombers stack up against their hefty schedule - this will be one of, if not THE biggest challenge on Mentor's schedule.

Next Preview:  Euclid (Week 4)

Opponent Preview: St Ignatius (Week 2)

This is the second of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2015 season.  See the Week 1 preview here.

Week 2

Who: St Ignatius Wildcats

What: Non-league game

Where: Byers Field (Parma)

When: September 3rd at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Chuck Kyle (34th season, 11 state titles)

History: Mentor and St Ignatius are entering their 12th game in this series. St Ignatius has a slight edge (6-5) over the Cardinals in the regular season. After winning three of four against the Wildcats in the playoffs, Triv has an 8-7 lead head-to-head against the legendary Chuck Kyle.

Looking Back...
During Week 2 last fall, Mentor and St Ignatius had one of the most unforgettable offensive performances in NEO history. Offensive records were set. Defenses were destroyed. In the end, Mentor got the final score with a 63-56 win. It was by far the biggest highlight game of sophomore QB Tadas Tataruans (523 yards and 4 TD's). St Ignatius (5-4 in 2015) missed the playoffs for only the second time in 28 seasons. 

Schedule...
The schedule worked against St Ignatius last year. The Wildcats were easily a playoff caliber team. They were probably the 2nd or 3rd best team in the region, but the harbins were not in their favor. Playing the three Parma schools again doesn't help. Parma, Valley Forge, and Normandy went a combined 5-25 last season. Walsh Jesuit, Detroit Catholic Central, and GlenOak are challenging, but winnable games. The key to the Ignatius schedule is finding a win in their final three games against Moeller, St Xavier, and St Edward. 


2016 St Ignatius Outlook...
There is no question the Wildcats were an offensive juggernaut last season. QB Dennis Grosel (Boston College), OL Liam Eichenberg (Notre Dame), WR Jack Cook (Harvard), and WR Cal Grbac were All-Ohio talent. All four have graduated. Senior RB Jimmy Andrews is one of the few experienced players returning on offense. Senior RB Dean Stowers will also get some carries. The offensive line is led by John Spellacy, a 6'1 280-pound center committed to East Carolina. Senior Patrick Ryan is the likely starting QB for the Wildcats this fall. Defensively, the Wildcats had a down season in 2015. There were some bright spots, but a couple bad weeks against Mentor and Moeller stand out to the Wildcat faithful. Many of the starters from last year's defense do return. Growth and development on that side of the ball will be key to the season. Long-time media legend and St Ignatius reporter Eddie Dwyer is high on the linebacking core - keyed by Johnny Velotta, Adam Shibley, and James Leyden. There are some question marks, but the defense has to be significantly better for the Wildcats to reach their usually high expectations.

Next Preview:  St Xavier (Week 3)

Opponent Preview: Massillon (Week 1)

Here is the first of my previews of Mentor opponents for the 2016 season.  Throughout July and August, I will post some info on each opponent starting in Week 1 with Massillon.  It will lead up to the beginning of the season.

Week 1

Who: Massillon Tigers

What: 2016 regular season opener

Where: Jerome T. Osborne Stadium

When: August 26th at 7:00pm

Opposing Coach: Nate Moore (2nd season at Massillon, 7th season overall)

History: Massillon leads the overall series 6-4. Mentor's biggest win before the 2000's was in 1968 as they upset the Tigers, 19-0. The two split a six game series from 2005-2010. 

Looking Back...
Mentor and Massillon are two of the top football programs in NEO. They had an exciting back-and-forth series for six seasons that ended in a split. After Mentor joined a new league in 2011, the series was on pause until the two had a mutual opening week. On the football field, the 2015 season is one the Tigers are ready to move on from. In their first year under Moore (a state-championship coach at Cincinnati LaSalle in 2014), Massillon could not overcome a schedule featuring nine playoff teams. The Tigers finished 4-6, their first losing season since 2004. 

Schedule...
The Tigers' schedule won't be quite as daunting as 2015, but it will be a big challenge. Seven teams on the schedule made the playoffs last season: Mentor, GlenOak, Warren Harding, Ursuline, Austintown Fitch, St. Vincent-St. Mary, and Canton McKinley. Four of those games will be at home. Massillon's three other games (Akron North, Akron Firestone, Toledo Bowsher) should be easy wins. If the Tigers can manage through the meatgrinder portion with 3 or 4 wins, they should return to the playoffs. 

2016 Massillon Outlook...
As a sophomore, Keyshawn Watson rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. Expect Watson, also dangerous catching the ball out of the backfield and in the return game, to be a primary part of Massillon's success. Another offensive player to watch out for is WR Austin Jasinski. The three-year starter was the leading receiver last season, even while sitting out the final three games due to injury. The offensive line is led by DI recruits Thayer Munford (6'6, 335-pound transfer from LaSalle), Chris Anthony (6'4, 285) and Vince McConnell (6'6, 255). The big question on offense will be at QB. Returning starter Seth Blankenship will try to build on last year's steady performance. Defensively, the Tigers had concerns last year as they surrendered 48+ points in three of their losses. The Tigers do return many starters on D from 2015. LB Jamir Thomas made an impact as a freshman for the Tigers. Thomas led the team in tackles and could also make an impact on offense as a RB. The 6'2, 220-pound standout has  received multiple college offers, including Michigan and Michigan State. Also returning on defense is DT Malcolm Robinson (6'3, 280, multiple DI offers), DB Kordell Ford, LB Jacob Risher, and DL Edwin Glick. Defensive improvement and stability at the QB position will be key in Massillon's quest to make an impact in Division II this November. 

Next Preview:  St Ignatius (Week 2)

Week 3 Preview: St Xavier

History...

These two teams have only played each other once - and it was on the grandest of stages: the 2007 Division I state championship game. Fawcett Stadium was cold and wintry that night. St Xavier made the game feel even colder as they handed Mentor a 27-0 shutout. Since the resurgence of the program (especially the offense) in the early 2000's, that was the only time Mentor had a goose egg on the score board. The St Xavier 2007 team is widely considered one of the top Ohio teams of the last 25 years. It was the last game for Mentor's Mr. Football QB Bart Tanski. Not a good memory for Mentor fans.

Last Week...

Mentor played at home and knocked off St Ignatius in a wild 63-56 game. It featured several lead changes, over 1400 yards of total offense, several broken records, and 17 offensive touchdowns. It was a night to remember for many at the JTO.

The premier public/private rivalry in NEO is Mentor/St Ignatius. The premier public/private rivalry in SWO is St Xavier/Colerain. Coincidentally, both games were in Week 2. Unlike the offensive explosion in Lake County, the boys in Cincinnati had a defensive slugfest. Colerain won the game, 13-10, in overtime. Instead of 1,400 yards of offense, it was closer to 400. Instead of 17 touchdowns, there were just a couple. Regardless of the contrast, both games lived up to the hype.

What to Expect...

Heading into the season, I expected St Xavier to stand out on offense. They had a lot of returning talent. The Bombers scored 50 points in the first half of their Week 1 game with Covington Catholic (KY). Colerain found a way to slow down the Bombers in Week 2 as St X was limited to just 46 passing yards. The Bombers were committed to the run. Senior RB Sean Prophit is the go-to back as he had 75 of the team's 155 total rushing yards. Junior QB Sean Clifford, already a Penn State commitment, was limited to just seven completions. 

St X will look to run the ball to set the tone, but don't be surprised if they open up their passing game more as Mentor comes to town. Unfortunately, Mentor didn't show much ability to stop the long ball. That should lead to the coaching staff trying to take advantage of their talented QB and skill players. Senior TE Noah Davis (Michigan State commit) will be a tough matchup for Mentor linebackers.

Mentor showcased their offense in a big way during Week 2. The trio of QB Tadas Tatarunas, WR Jason Blizzard, and RB Alex Mathews are getting some serious attention across the state. This balanced offense was clicking on all cylinders against St Ignatius. Considering the history of strong defense from St Xavier coach Steve Specht, the Cardinals will need to be on the top of their game. St X runs a similar defensive scheme as St Ignatius. The 3-3 stack defense is well suited to contain an active passing game. The ability to use 5 defensive backs who are comfortable in coverage will make it more difficult for Tatarunas to find an open receiver. 

In order to win this game, Mentor will need to establish the running game. With just a three-man defensive front, it is imperative that Mentor's offensive line wins that battle. If Mathews can get to the second level of the defense, he is tough to bring down with his combination of strength and speed. Mentor's line will be key in opening up options for the passing game. If Tatarunas has the kind of time he did against St Ignatius, you can bet that Mentor will have a successful night on offense.

This is a classic clash of great offense versus great defense. In the past, Mentor has overcome some strong and talented defensive teams (see St Ignatius and St Edward in 2012 and 2013). Both of those teams had senior All-Ohio QB's. Tatarunas has been much better than expected, but the Bombers present his biggest challenge yet.

Prediction...

Mentor got a big confidence boost with their Week 2 win over St Ignatius (their fourth win over the Cats in the last five games). St Xavier presents a different kind of challenge. Their offense isn't built like St Ignatius. After surrendering multiple quick touchdown drives last week, that is good news for Mentor. The "long ball" is not in the offensive scheme for the Bombers. That works in Mentor's favor. But don't expect St Xavier to be content with passing the ball just 14 times like they did in Week 2. They will likely open up the offense a bit and challenge a Mentor defense that has a lot to prove.

While St X should have one of the top defenses in Ohio, Mentor has a reputation of being one one of the top offenses. It works in Mentor's favor to have played an opponent like St Ignatius the last 10 years. Their 3-3 stack defense is the same scheme as St Xavier. Mentor has been able to exploit that scheme over the years. At other times, it has been a ruthless assault on the Mentor QB. How will Mentor's line react to the blitzes? We shall see. 

Because St Xavier doesn't appear to have the kind of offensive threat that St Ignatius did, I don't expect this game to be in the 50's or 60's. If 35 or so points wins this game (and I think it will), I predict Mentor gets their first and wins this game. 

Prediction: Mentor 38 St Xavier 35

Week 2 Recap

Test #1 is Passed...

Mentor got through the scrimmage season with some important things. The coaching staff identified the winner of the QB competition. The offense and defense got to see a variety of opponents and systems. The Cardinals came out of scrimmage season mostly injury-free. After a solid "dress rehearsal" scrimmage against Hoover and a successful Week 1 against Boardman, it was time for the real test. St Ignatius and St Xavier, two of the elite programs in Ohio, awaited Mentor during Weeks 2 and 3. Going into those games, many (including yours truly) felt Mentor was going to be fortunate to win one of those games. They proved some doubters wrong with a wild and satisfying 63-56 win over the Wildcats. The first test was not perfect (it can't be when you surrender 600 yards and 8 TD's), but it was definitely a passing grade. The win takes some pressure off Test #2 in Cincinnati this week. 

Record Setting...

What can you say about the offense on a night where they score 9 touchdowns and pile up record-setting numbers? QB Tadas Tatarunas, RB Alex Mathews, and WR Jason Blizzard are quite a "Big Three" for this electric offense.  Tataruans finished with 523 passing yards and 4 TD passes. The sophomore broke the single-game passing record set by 2013 Mr. Football Mitch Trubisky. Senior WR Jason Blizzard's 342 receiving yards also set a school record. 

Did that look like a typical St Ignatius defense? No. But to pile up those kind of numbers against a legendary coach like Chuck Kyle makes the records even more impressive. 

Check out this story about ridiculous stats from the game for more.

Fair to Compare?

Did Brandon Fritts was a physical freak and a matchup nightmare. Connor Krizancic was everything you want out of a slot receiver and more. Size, speed, great hands, and elusiveness. Eddie Daugherty was as electrifying of a receiver as you will find. All received DI scholarships to play the receiver position. Go back a little farther and All-Ohio receivers Brandon James and Tyler Schutz were key playmakers that helped bring Mentor to back-to-back state championship games. Blizzard is off to a ridiculous start, and he shows no signs of slowing down. He might not have the overall high school career or college opportunity that some of the above receivers had, but look out for any single-season receiving records. Blizzard is on his way to a magical and memorable season. 

Don't Forget...

Tatarunas and Blizzard set the records. But without a steady offensive line protecting the QB, those opportunities for record-setting numbers aren't there. The line also did a good job in opening holes for an active running game. With 42 carries, the running options helps balance out the strong passing game. On his first and only carry, Frank Toth exploded for a 52-yard touchdown run for the first score of the game. Alex Mathews was a workhorse with 31 carries for 235 yards and 3 TD's. Senior WR Malik Porter had a super game that was overshadowed by Blizzard. Porter had 7 catches for 137 yards and 2 TD's. He was Tatarunas' target for the go ahead score with 0:08 left. Watch that play (over and over) right here:

How about the D?

I was taught if you don't have something nice to say, don't say anything at all. 

But seriously, the defensive play of the game came when senior safety Michael Ballentine came up with a huge interception in a tie game late in the 4th quarter. It put the ball in the hands of the Mentor offense, which is exactly what they had hoped to do. 

What's Next?

Mentor travels to Cincinnati this week for a game with St Xavier. This is a rematch of the 2007 state championship game. Look for a preview later in the week. 

Week 2 Preview: St Ignatius

History...

These two teams have played each other 13 times since 2005. Coach Kyle and Coach Trivisonno are very familiar with one another. St Ignatius has the 6-4 edge in the regular season series. The two teams played each other three straight years in Week 13. Mentor won two out of three. Last season, Mentor had their highlight win of the season with a 37-33 win at Byers. 

Last Week...

Mentor played at home to a Boardman team that couldn't match up at all in 2014. But this year's Spartans are a more talented bunch. The Cardinals did put them away with a 38-7 final. See my Week 1 review for more details and thoughts.

St Ignatius had a much easier time than Mentor in Week 1. In Part 1 of their trio of games with Parma schools, the Wildcats easily defeated Normandy at Byers Field. The Cats were clearly the superior team and it showed as they raced off to early and commanding leads of 21-0 (after 1st quarter) and 49-0 (halftime). The final score (63-7) was an example of generosity by the Wildcats. The entire varsity roster got some action in Week 1. 

All in all, neither team got tested at all in their opening game.

What to Expect...

The strength of both teams is offense. Mentor has a track record of developing successful QB's, skilled receivers, productive running backs, and effective offensive lines. Their system has produced many All-Ohio players over the years. Sophomore QB Tadas Tatarunas had a great varsity debut with over 300 passing yards and four total TD's. Mentor's balanced offensive attack will help keep St Ignatius on their toes. A couple of seniors, WR Jason Blizzard and RB Alex Mathews, are two of the area's best at their respective position. These two players will have to find a way to stand out against an Ignatius defense that will be well prepared to limit their big plays. 

Mentor's offensive line is always challenged against the Wildcats' talented defenders and diverse blitzing schemes. The line will have to be on top of their game as they look to open up some holes for Mathews a little better than they did last week. Pass protection was great against Boardman. St Ignatius will be a much more difficult task for the line as well as the decision making of Tatarunas.

Heading into the season, the biggest perceived strength of St Ignatius was their passing game. The line is anchored by a rare three-year starter (Notre Dame commit Liam Eichenberg). Senior QB Dennis Grosel is expected to take a jump to the next level after a productive junior season. The top receivers (Jack Cook and Cal Grbac) returned. Historically, St Ignatius has been able to pass the ball with a good amount of success on Mentor. 

The success in throwing the ball will be predicated on the threat to run the ball. The Cats have some weapons in the backfield with the speedy James Norris as well as junior Jimmy Andrews. There are plenty of weapons to go around for Coach Kyle. Trying to exploit Mentor's inexperience on defense will be the No. 1 objective for Grosel and company. Mentor's best hopes are to see continued improvement in the secondary as well as counting on the defensive ends to get some pressure on Grosel. If he has plenty of pass protection, Grosel will surely be able to pick apart Mentor's defense with his talented receivers. 

Both teams are known for their offense right now. But it will take a good defensive game plan and effort to win this game. 

Prediction...

This is not an ideal matchup for Mentor so early in the season. The good news is the game is at home, but talent and experience are going to matter more than homefield advantage. The last time St Ignatius had an opportunity against a sophomore QB at Mentor, the results were highly in their favor. It is not easy to figure out the Ignatius' defensive scheme. Tatarunas will have his hands full with decision making in addition to execution. 

If Mentor can get a senior-level performance out of Tatarunas, they have a real shot to win. But that is asking a lot out of a 10th grader. Mentor's defense showed some spots of excellence last week against Boardman. But overall, I don't know that Mentor will be able to overcome the obstacles of this talented and experience St Igantius offense.

Prediction: St Ignatius 35 Mentor 24