Mentor Prevails Over Cleveland Heights 35-27

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A well-rounded offensive scheme by the Mentor Cardinals prevails over the Cleveland Heights Tigers. The Cardinals hosted the visiting Tigers and won 35-27 in an epic offensive matchup from both sides.

The contest started off with Cleveland Heights electing to receive the ball to start the game. Star running back Marquise Davis was doing it all early for the Tigers. Davis rushed for a 60-yard rushing touchdown on just the second play of the game but it was called back due to a holding call. Davis and the Tigers marched back down the field which saw Tigers quarterback Justin Godbolt throw a 26-yard touchdown pass to Davis to start the game.

Mentors own Jackson Farley was being utilized early in the contest seeing a nice gain of 20-yards on the ground to start their drive. The cardinals were moving the chains seeing Farley have yet another nice 15-yard gain to put them on the Tigers 5-yard line. The Cardinals drive capped off with a pitch toss to Farley on the outside for a touchdown. The score was 7-7 early with 2:20 left to go in the 1st quarter.

Cleveland Heights had nothing going for them to start their second drive of the game seeing a 3rd and 10 early. However, Davis broke through the trenches to pick up an 80-yard rushing touchdown to give him his second touchdown of the game. The Cardinals blocked the Tigers extra point conversion as the Tigers saw themselves ahead with a lead of 13-7 with 34 seconds remaining in the 1st quarter.
Mentor came right back out matching Cleveland Heights’ offensive prowess by coming out firing the ball down field to star receiver Justin Hodge. The Cardinals looked to keep Farley involved by giving him the ball ultimately scoring a 60-yard rushing touchdown. However, this was brought back due to off-setting penalties to end the first quarter.

Mentor went right back to Farley to start the 2nd quarter picking up a nice gain of 20-yards on the ground. The West Virginia commit, Scotty Fox, threw a dime down the field to wide receiver Marcus Sierputowski for a touchdown making the score 14-13 and putting the Cardinals up by 1.

The Tigers came right back out running the ball hard seeing Davis pick up a 25-yard gain on the ground. Cleveland Heights continued to force the ball to Davis as he picked up yet another 40-yards. However, a strong rush attack by Davis was shut down quick by the Mentor defense and the Tigers turned it over on downs after going for it.

Star quarterback Scotty Fox was delivering the ball to everyone to start their offensive drive moving the chains significantly. However, Mentor found themselves facing a 4th and 1 rather quickly forcing them to punt the ball away.

A few nice rushing and passing plays from Mentor put the Cardinals in perfect scoring position before half. There were a few shots to the endzone and a few flags that put the Cardinals on the 5-yard line where they handed the ball off to Farley who punched it in the endzone for yet another touchdown. Farley put the Cardinals ahead 21-13 over the Tigers going into the break.

Justin Hodge came out to start the 3rd quarter doing it all. The Cardinals saw him pick up a nice 11-yard catch as well as a nice 16-yard catch to start the quarter. A strong Cardinals drive was ended short due to a fumble that saw the Tigers recovering the ball.

The Tigers went back to their star back to start their first 3rd quarter drive. Davis was running hard picking up 33-yards on the ground to start the 3rd quarter. The Tigers were having their way and moving the chains all the way down to the Cardinals 20-yard line. The Tigers gave it back to Davis to put them on the 1-yard line which set up a quarterback keeper to get Emere Atkins into the endzone for 6. The Tigers went for 2 to and converted to make the score 21-21 with 5:38 left in the 3rd quarter.

The Mentor Cardinals came out for their next offensive drive and didn’t slow down one bit. Quarterback Scotty Fox and receiver Justin Hodge hooked up for an 80-yard touchdown to put the Cardinals up 28-21.

The Tigers came out slow after the deep touchdown pass to Hodge. However, Davis picked it up for the Tigers and had a huge 51-yard carry down to the Mentor 18-yard line. The Tigers continued to give the ball to Davis where he picked up 17 more yards and yet another touchdown. Cleveland Heights attempted their extra point but a false start by the Cardinals put the Tigers closer and they decided to go for a 2-point conversion. However, Mentor’s defense stood strong and held the score to 28-27 with 1 minute left in the 3rd quarter.

The Cardinals got the ball back late in the 3rd quarter but just in time for Fox and Hodge to connect for a 19-yard gain before the quarter ended. Farley found himself being utilized again to start the 4th quarter after a quiet 3rd quarter. Mentor was moving the chains and having their way offensively finding themselves in the endzone yet again making the score 35-27 early in the 4th quarter.

Cleveland Heights got the ball back deep in their own territory looking to make a strong final drive to force overtime. The Tigers found themselves stopped on 3rd down and had to go for it on fourth down which saw Davis picking up a nice 16-yards to give them a first down. However, the Mentor defense stood strong forcing the Tigers to go for it yet again but this time failing to convert.

Mentor got the ball back and was moving the chains significantly. The Cardinals were able to make it back down to the Tigers’ 1-yard line where they were stopped repeatedly, ultimately being forced to kneel the ball and end the game.

The player of the game for the Cardinals was Scotty Fox. Fox was 16/23 through the air with 266 yards and 3 touchdowns. The runner-up for player of the game for the Cardinals was Justin Hodge with 7 receptions for 182 yards and 2 touchdowns. Fox also had 6 carries for 37 yards and a rushing touchdown bringing his tally to 4 touchdowns on the night. The player of the game for the Tigers was Marquise Davis. Davis had 32 carries for 339 total yards and 3 touchdowns.

The Mentor Cardinals will hope to improve on their 5-0 record next week at home where they take on River Rouge, whereas the Cleveland Heights Tigers hope to bounce back on the road at Strongsville.