First, the Mentor program has been on a decline. Is their house poor, no. But, that was not the win it was for a couple decades.
Second, I mentioned the 3 specific schools here in tandem with the remaining schedule. I should have been more clear. Taking the schedule in total, it is stupidly absurd. As was being stubborn on the Friday schedule and thus a travel team in essence.
It couldn't get much worse than the bulk of last year, before playoffs. Haddad was a large part of the turn in playoffs, no doubt. With the QB room being very vacant, and Welo calling plays, excuse me if my pessimism is currently high until I see otherwise out of Welo especially.
I can't tell any fan how to feel, especially one of a program of Iggy's success. However...
1. Mentor is in the same boat as Iggy in regards to dealing with the retirement of a successful coach. If you ask Cardinal fans, this may be the year that everything comes together for a deep run. As I mentioned earlier with Iggy's 2010 woes, sometimes those lumps are necessary in order to toughen up & move forward.
2. Other than the seasons with the Parma schools on their slate, I can't recall Iggy having too many "gimme" games anyway. Even in the Wildcats' current state, I still don't think that many programs are knocking on Iggy's door. When you're a successful program without the luxury of being in a conference, you have to take what you can get.
3. You've seen more success than most of us on here, so I'm speaking to you as a fan that's seen a major decline of a program that involves negatives much bigger than football. The true advantage that parachial schools have is one that the OHSAA can't put a multiplier on. Your ability to structure a program without the "outside stuff." Issues that prevent kids from developing & staying encouraged/focused. Not that everything is perfect on your side, but your ability to take "inner city issues," instill discipline, and focus on football will make your program's recovery quicker than most. That's why communities can celebrate accomplishments because you set the table for your kids to be succcessful. This ain't about Warren, but I promise you that "talent" isn't the issue here and the interest that colleges have already shown your Wildcats leads me to believe that your cupboard isn't bare. Iron sharpens ron, so keep getting better. If you beat Mentor twice in a down year, a more experienced group should be able to compete with Coffman, Walsh, Avon, and the rest of your schedule.