(1) MENTOR VS. (5) CANTON MCKINLEY

Division 1, Region 1 semifinal game Brunswick Auto Mart Stadium, 3581 Center Road, Brunswick 7 p.m., Nov. 9 Mentor 10-1, Canton McKinley 9-2 Mentor def. Strongsville, 38-7, Canton McKinley def. Solon, 28-15 Winner advances to the regional championship game on Nov. 16 to play the winner of Euclid-St. Edward

Considering the magnitude of these two programs, it is somewhat surprising their paths haven’t crossed more often than they have. Their last meeting was in 2006 in a Division I state semifinal won by Bart Tanski and the Cardinals, 18-13 . ... Mentor’s only loss this season was a 29-28 overtime loss to Solon, while McKinley lost its final two regularseason games to Massillon Perry, 31-28, and Massillon Washington, 24-17 . ... The Cardinals have outscored the opposition by an average of 39-13 this year. Mentor has run for 2,492 yards and passed for 1,451, but those statistics are skewed a bit since they played three games without starting QB Ian Kipp and RB Brian Trobel, both of whom are back from injuries. Kipp has thrown for 1,134 yards and 10 TDs. He’s also a running threat. Trobel has run for 1,280 yards and 24 TDs. The big offensive line is anchored by OSU recruit Ryan Jacoby and Michigan State recruit Nick Samac.. Mentor’s defense has been solid all year, DE Noah Potter (another OSU recruit) is a difference-maker. LBs Daniel Adams and Brady Benz get after it, too.