Mentor>>Cardinals

Just the facts

Conference: GCC

OHSAA: Division I, Region 1

Coach: Matt Gray, second year (9-2) 2020: 9-2

Twitter: @MentorRedline

Home field: Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium

Outlook

There are a ton of returning letterwinners (38), but not many returning starters — four on offense and three on defense. New QB Jacob Snow got valuable experience last season starting the D-I state semifinal game. RB Brenden Panhorst got a lot of reps last year, too. He’s small (5-7) but is elusive and packs a punch behind a line that returns three of five starters. Defensively, five-star national recruit Brenan Vernon is the headliner for sure. The experience of LB Aiden Fellows and CB Michael Harrison is big, too. The line size and team speed are strengths, but — whew — that schedule offers zero breathers.

Player to watch

Junior defensive lineman

Brenan Vernon is one of the highest-rated juniors in the nation. He’s going to get a lot of double-teams this year. Even if he isn’t in on plays, he’ll command so much attention someone else will likely be left unblocked.

Underclassman to watch: Junior QB Jacob Snow showed flashes of brilliance in last year’s D1state semifinal. With maturity he’ll get even better. Limiting turnovers will be the key for him.

Bottom line

IF: the Cardinals can avoid peaks and valleys amidst a brutally tough schedule; THEN: They will be in line for another league title and deep playoff run.

— John Kampf

Jacob Snow of Mentor got his first varsity start in a Division I state semifinal.

Schedule

Aug. 20: Mentor at Canton McKinley, 7 Aug. 27: St. Ignatius at Mentor, 7

Sept. 4: Mentor at St. Edward, 7

Sept. 10: Mentor at North Allegheny (Pa.), 7 Sept. 17: Clarkson (Canada) at Mentor, 7 Sept. 24: Brunswick at Mentor, 7

Oct. 1: Medina at Mentor, 7 (HC)

Oct. 8: Mentor at Solon, 7

Oct. 15: Mentor at Strongsville, 7

Oct. 22: Euclid at Mentor, 7

NEWS-HERALD FILE

Vernon