Both teams got important Week 1 wins over state champions. This week is (possibly) the final matchup between Triv and Kyle...certainly the last regular season game. The two coaches have a lot of mutual respect. When a regular season series was announced 15 years ago, I'm not sure that too many expected the series to continue this long. The regular season series is 8-6 in favor of St Ignatius. Triv leads Kyle head-to-head in the playoffs, 4-1. Lots of entertaining games between the two over the years. This week should be a great final chapter.
I don't think St Ignatius is more talented on defense than St Edward, but they could come out with a more effective game plan. Mentor's offensive line gave Kipp a lot of protection in Week 1. The Cats don't have an elite pass rusher like Pietrowski, but I know they can still be a problem. Historically, St Ignatius' defense is at their best when they are confusing the line and QB with their different blitzes. I expect the blitzes to be a big part of the game plan to disrupt Kipp.
Mentor's defense had trouble with the Formani power running game in Week 1. Both lines are pretty equally big and talented, but I'm not sure Welsch is as big and strong as Formani. I'm expecting Mentor to do a little better in stopping the run this week. St Ignatius had some issues in protecting Hanna. With Mentor's three man front, I don't expect that potential weakness to be a problem for the Cats in Week 2. O'Malley had a few hurries, but never really got touched in the backfield. One clear advantage on offense that St Ignatius has compared to the team Mentor saw in Week 1 is at receiver. With St Eds best guy (Wainwright) out, Mentor will have to contend with a big time playmaker in Cmiel. He is the player I'm most concerned about.
Offensively, I think Mentor is going to be a little sharper than Week 1. Kipp has to throw the ball better and take care of the football much better, and I think he will. Trobel and Kipp combined for 300+ on the ground. I don't think Ignatius will let that happen this week, but I expect the passing game to open up more this week. I expect Ignatius to sell out on the run a little more than usual, putting the game on the arm of Kipp.
I feel good that Mentor takes the game this week.