Congrats to the team on a successful 2020. It was a wild year for everyone. The team was dealing with injuries to their top two offensive players early on (Kipp and Coughlin). The team faced a sever injury to their best defensive player (Vernon) for most of the season. They were transitioning in the first post-Triv season. All of that said, the team did as well as anyone could have expected. They still were the class of the GCC, including beating Medina/Brunswick a second time in the playoffs. The close loss to St Eds was a hard fought game they nearly held on to. The loss to PC was understandable considering Kipp was out and how talented the opposition was. They fought hard to the end. That was a tribute to Gray, the coaching staff, and the seniors.
Speaking of the seniors, hat's off to you all.
QB Ian Kipp - He is right there on the short list with Tadas Tatarunas, Thom Abbott, and Conner Krizancic in that second tier of all-time great Mentor QB's. With a full normal season and an opportunity to play all the way through - who knows how his career would've ended. He will be playing football at the next level, most likely a MAC school. Kipp has 9 playoff wins and a 5-2 record against Ignatius/Eds. He was 19-0 in the GCC. An all-time great football player at Mentor.
RB Riley Coughlin - He battled through injury early in the season, but by the end he showed what an important part of this offense he had become. His balance of power and speed was good enough to keep Mentor as one of the top offenses in the state
The four senior receivers all played an important role this season. All were steady in running routes and were very sure-handed. There wasn't one individual that stood out in the ways that some of Mentor past receivers were able to, but all did their jobs and gave Kipp four reliable options on every play. Best wishes to Baird, Depasquale, Sierputowski, and Coode
Colao, Shea, Zalewski - These three senior linemen were all returning starters from an excellent 2019 offense. They were the anchors for this offense and helped pave the way for success in a season without Floriea/Trobel, two of the best playmakers in Mentor history. These three will probably all receive some kind of All-District mention, and Colao (a three-year starter) will probably have a shot at All-State. All three will be missed.
Cardina/Predina - These two experienced defensive linemen were a major part of Mentor's 2019 success on defense. They were a big part of the reason for optimism in 2020. Both did their jobs all season, and especially stood out in the Medina game. Being a three-man front all season is a disadvantage, but these guys helped make the most of it. Having to do without the talented Vernon joining them for most of the season put a lot more pressure on their production. I thought they answered the call.
Boyd/Gladish - The two most productive players in the back seven, and the only two with real varsity experience. Boyd had a very strong season and I expect him to be the only player from the back seven to get All-District honors. Gladish had a nice season too after an injury took his entire 2019 season.
This was a solid senior class that had pieces that contributed to two Region 1 championship teams.
