Since 2011, there have been six times that the loser of the regular season game went on to win the playoff rematch. Ignatius over Mentor in 2011, Mentor over Ignatius in 2012, 2013, 2017, St Eds over Ignatius/Mentor in 2018.
My biggest concern in a rematch with St Eds is not that Mentor won the first time. Let's say Kipp doesn't score with a couple minutes left. Mentor loses that game 28-23. Would they really be much better off by NOT winning? My bigger concern in a rematch is the improvement of the St Eds defense, the addition of their two best receivers, the seeming lack of improvement in Mentor's offense (steady, but not improved), and the fact that Mentor has faced no adversity since Week 2...and they probably won't face any adversity the next two games. Not to mention that St Eds has an edge in coaching, namely because of the defensive coaching. Obviously, Mentor's offensive coaching is solid. But even they were ill prepared offensively for the rematch a year ago. They need to have something up their sleeves for the best defense in Ohio. Because unlike in the Trubisky years, this offense is not going to just bail the team out.