Week 3 Review

QB Question is Answered

After weeks of witnessing Conner Krizancic and sophomore Matt Eiswerth receive relatively equal reps, it appears the coaches are moving in the direction of using a single QB instead of two.  Conner Krizancic (12-23 passing for 127 yards, one TD) took every meaningful snap behind center on Friday night.  He wasn't asked to do much with arm since he was effective using his legs (64 yards and a TD on 11 attempts).  It was the most comfortable I have seen Conner play the position.  While it hurts the offense to lose such a talented receiver, hopefully the senior captain will make up for it with stellar play at QB.  Mentor's history shows that success comes behind not just a good QB - but a great, All-Ohio (and sometimes Mr. Football) QB.  It is asking a lot of Krizancic, or any QB on the roster, to live up to the standards of Thom Abbot, Bart Tanski, and Mitch Trubisky.  Mentor will have to find other ways to achieve great success besides a 3,000-yard passing QB. 

Eddie, Eddie, Eddie...

Junior RB Eddie Daugherty (155 yards and 2 TD's) did a terrific job running the ball and is clearly the MVP on offense through three games.  Daugherty had a couple standout touchdown runs in the first half.  When the offensive line can provide a hole for Daugherty to get past the first level of defenders, he is a serious home run threat.  One thing that was missing in the Ignatius loss was a commitment to Daugherty and the running game.  Mentor's offensive identity (especially with Krizancic at QB) is a running team.  The small, but speedy back is a big key to the offense.

Defense

Euclid is not a stellar offensive machine by any means.  But a shutout is a shutout.  The Mentor defense did what they were supposed to do and outplayed a struggling Euclid offense.  The defensive line continued to be the standout unit.  DE Delvon Maddox had a key sack and interception.  DT Nico Lautanen spent a lot of time in the Euclid backfield pressuring/sacking QB Ryshon Johnson as well as helping to stop the run.  DE Kent Berger and DT's Trevor Morrison and Billy Hudson were also effective.  Let's not forget that the 2012 defense had two shutouts in the regular season before giving up an average of 50 ppg in the playoffs.  The defense can't settle for a shutout in Week 3. 

What's ahead?

Mentor travels to Twinsburg, the place of one of the most heartbreaking regular season losses.  In 2011 the Tigers upset the undefeated and No. 1 ranked Cardinals in Week 10.  Twinsburg (0-3) has had trouble so far with their grueling non-conference schedule.  It gets no easier with Mentor coming to town.