cardzfan1234
Well-known member
After a subpar 2021 season that saw Mentor lose more games than it had since 1997, which was Triv's first year. They will aim for something better in 2022 behind third year head coach Matt Gray. Some talented seniors, especially on offense, have graduated and left big holes to replace. Two of the biggest names on the team do return: starting QB Jacob Snow and Notre Dame defensive end commit Brenan Vernon. The success of the team will surely rise and fall on the trio of Gray, Snow, and Vernon.
The schedule looks like this:
Week 1 vs Canton McKinley
Week 2 @ St Ignatius
Week 3 vs Riverside
Week 4 vs North Allegheny (PA)
Week 5 OPEN
Week 6 @ Brunswick
Week 7 @ Medina
Week 8 vs Solon
Week 9 vs Strongsville
Week 10 @ Euclid
The addition of Riverside (and not renewing St Edward) is the only eye popping thing about the schedule. For many reasons, I really do like the swap. As for Week 5, I would love to see a team like Walsh Jesuit. The Warriors are coached by former Mentor assistant, Nick Alexander. Massillon also appears to be open. Either one of those teams would be a great addition. Other than that, I have a feeling Mentor may have to go outside the state (or country) to fill it.
Offensively, the biggest return by far is QB Jacob Snow. He dealt with an injury and inconsistent play throughout the season. If he can raise his game up a couple steps, the offense will be fine. Current freshman Scotty Fox filled in for the injured Snow and had some strong moments - especially the Week 5 performance against Clarkson Football North (Canada) in which he threw for over 400 yards and 5 TD's. I don't expect a QB controversy, but it is good to know that Mentor has a very nice backup QB who should be a two year starter in 2023/24. RB Mitchell Waite returns after getting some starts following the season ending injury to Panhorst. Waite was a steady back that showed some flashes at times last season. At receiver, Jordan Stapleton is the one with the most returning experience. He had 12 catches for 129 yards and 1 TD through Week 9 according to the stats on the Mentor Redline page. There are some kids who primarily played JV that will step into the other starting positions that were occupied by dynamic talents Evan Harper and Michael Norwood.
Defensively, Mentor has to find a way to fix things. I don't see how that can ever happen when the coaching staff remains completely in tact, but maybe they can surprise me. Brenan Vernon needs to play like an elite national talent in order for Mentor to reach the bar set so highly by many teams before this one. Along with Vernon, the defensive line also returns Ryan Lawson at tackle. Linebacker could be a position of strength as Collion Orosz showed a lot of potential last year. He is joined by Kadyn Burkholder and Jack Geudling, who both started a bunch of games in 2021. Caleb Pohto is the only returning player in the secondary after a season in which he led the team in interceptions. On special teams, their kicker and punter (Joseph Evans and Matt Moegling) return.
Expectations? Depending on who they schedule in Week 5, I see a 7-3 record at best. The GCC will not have any team that is a certain loss like there was in 2021 with Medina. But with the way Mentor is playing, there may not be one that is a certain win either.
The schedule looks like this:
Week 1 vs Canton McKinley
Week 2 @ St Ignatius
Week 3 vs Riverside
Week 4 vs North Allegheny (PA)
Week 5 OPEN
Week 6 @ Brunswick
Week 7 @ Medina
Week 8 vs Solon
Week 9 vs Strongsville
Week 10 @ Euclid
The addition of Riverside (and not renewing St Edward) is the only eye popping thing about the schedule. For many reasons, I really do like the swap. As for Week 5, I would love to see a team like Walsh Jesuit. The Warriors are coached by former Mentor assistant, Nick Alexander. Massillon also appears to be open. Either one of those teams would be a great addition. Other than that, I have a feeling Mentor may have to go outside the state (or country) to fill it.
Offensively, the biggest return by far is QB Jacob Snow. He dealt with an injury and inconsistent play throughout the season. If he can raise his game up a couple steps, the offense will be fine. Current freshman Scotty Fox filled in for the injured Snow and had some strong moments - especially the Week 5 performance against Clarkson Football North (Canada) in which he threw for over 400 yards and 5 TD's. I don't expect a QB controversy, but it is good to know that Mentor has a very nice backup QB who should be a two year starter in 2023/24. RB Mitchell Waite returns after getting some starts following the season ending injury to Panhorst. Waite was a steady back that showed some flashes at times last season. At receiver, Jordan Stapleton is the one with the most returning experience. He had 12 catches for 129 yards and 1 TD through Week 9 according to the stats on the Mentor Redline page. There are some kids who primarily played JV that will step into the other starting positions that were occupied by dynamic talents Evan Harper and Michael Norwood.
Defensively, Mentor has to find a way to fix things. I don't see how that can ever happen when the coaching staff remains completely in tact, but maybe they can surprise me. Brenan Vernon needs to play like an elite national talent in order for Mentor to reach the bar set so highly by many teams before this one. Along with Vernon, the defensive line also returns Ryan Lawson at tackle. Linebacker could be a position of strength as Collion Orosz showed a lot of potential last year. He is joined by Kadyn Burkholder and Jack Geudling, who both started a bunch of games in 2021. Caleb Pohto is the only returning player in the secondary after a season in which he led the team in interceptions. On special teams, their kicker and punter (Joseph Evans and Matt Moegling) return.
Expectations? Depending on who they schedule in Week 5, I see a 7-3 record at best. The GCC will not have any team that is a certain loss like there was in 2021 with Medina. But with the way Mentor is playing, there may not be one that is a certain win either.
