by “Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.” – Mother Theresa
Heading into the winter of 2023 / 2024, the Strongsville football program was in flux. Following another losing season accompanied by a theft scandal at the Hall of Fame, changes were needed. While maybe all of it didn’t make sense at the time, hindsight is always 20/20 and the move to a new culture, a new brand and a new vision, was more then warranted. The Strongsville athletic program then brought in Jason Trusnik as the new head coach. Trusnik had spent 9 seasons playing in the NFL, including a stint in Cleveland from 2009-2010. He was the right man for the job and to get the culture and confidence right where they should be.
Most “experts” expected the Mustangs to get blown out week one against Avon Lake. Instead, they hung in there with a chance to win it late. A bad turnover led to a garbage touchdown from Avon Lake to push the final score to 21-12, but anyone who was there would tell you that it was a lot closer then that.
You can read a full recap of that game here – https://keeonsports.com/avon-lake-shoremen-sail-onto-week-1-victory-over-strongsville-mustangs-21-12/
Then there was the following week versus Solon, where they had to overcome two fluke plays, and almost come all the way back to win, again, if it wasn’t for a turnover in the closing moments. That score, 14-10, saw the Comets score all their points early before the Mustang defense shut them down the rest of the game.
You can read a full recap of that game here – https://keeonsports.com/strongsville-loses-14-10-heartbreaker-to-solon/
And then, we have the monsoon that was Friday night as they hosted Berea-Midpark. The Titans beat them soundly last year and ended the season of Nolan Beard, the Mustangs preserved through bad weather, and “stormed” their way (see what I did there?) to a commanding 21-6 victory.
You can read a full recap of that game here – https://keeonsports.com/strongsville-mustangs-defeat-berea-midpark-titans-on-a-rainy-friday-evening/
One could make an argument, and I will as well, that this Mustang team is only a few plays from being 3-0 right now heading into their weekend matchup at Benedictine. It’s early, and like the weather in Northeast Ohio, it can always change, but the early signs for the Trusnik era in Strongsville have been very positive.
The willingness of this team to play to every whistle, no matter how thing start or how they are going, put them in every game. That is a clear sign that they believe in their coach, and believe that they can win. That speaks volumes!
Good luck as the season goes on!
