This is the tenth and final in a series of previews of Mentor's 2013 opponents. View the main Mentor football blog page for the other nine opponent previews.
Week 10
Who: StrongsvilleWhat: Northeast Ohio Conference (Valley Division) game
Where: Pat Catan Stadium (Strongsville)
When: November 1 at 7:00
Opposing Coach: Russ Jacques (21st season at Strongsville, 139-74 record at Strongsville)
Looking Back…
Strongsville just finished a two year stretch with an overall record of 3-17. It is certainly the worst years in the Jacques era and possibly the worst in the history of the program. Needless to say, this program is looking to turn things around. The two wins last season came against Padua (3-7) and Valley Forge (3-7). The graduated seniors include RB Dustin Stout (led team in rushing), QB Mike Myers, LB Mitch Zacharyasz, RB Danny Ryan, WR Zack Bruvarny, and OL Quay Williams.
Schedule…
Strongsville's non-conference schedule has three tough games with a traditional football power (Lake Catholic), a growing football power (Cleveland Heights), and the newly combined Berea-Midpark school. Strongsville follows that up to play at Solon, which will be their third consecutive road game. The NOC Valley schedule also includes Twinsburg, Hudson, and rival Brunswick. The NOC crossovers are Medina and Parma.
2013 Strongsville Outlook…
The Mustangs have made 11 playoff appearances and have a lot of improvement if they hope to get to their 12th in this newly expanded. The Mustangs did have some young talent in 2012, including QB Bobby Cole - who got several starts as a sophomore. In less than a full season, Cole threw for over 1,200 yards. Cole and his fellow junior class went undefeated as freshman in 2011. This group got some experience last season. LB Clay Caruso (6'3, 220) is a JJHuddle top 100 senior that has several offers from MAC schools. Caruso is joined by last year's leading tackler, Ryan Frank.