by Medina, Ohio – Medina high school was the host of the D1 Region 1 Semi-Final on Friday night. Head Coach Matt Gray and the Mentor Cardinals came in as the home team boasting the number 1 seed. Meanwhile, the Canton McKinley Bulldogs came in as the fifth seed looking to upset the Cardinals.
The Cardinals got to the Semis with a convincing 33-0 victory over the Strongsville Mustangs to extend their perfect record on the season. Canton McKinley faced a familiar opponent in the Massillon Jackson Polar Bears last week. They came out on top 35-32 in the rematch after having fell to the Polar Bears in the regular season.
Mentor’s play was like last week as the defense led the way for the Cardinals. They forced 3 Canton Mckinley turnovers and held the Bulldogs to just 154 yards of total offense. Running back Jackson Farley also put his stamp on the game with 24 carries for 160 yards and a touchdown.
Last week, the Mentor Cardinals pitched their first shutout of the season in their 33-0 victory. Their defense came back against Canton McKinley with the same excellent play to start the game. They forced a quick punt from the Bulldogs to open the game, giving their offense a chance to strike first.
Mentor would march down the field into Canton McKinley territory with ease. However, they would be stopped on a 3rd down and forced to try a field goal. Dylan Tackett stepped up and drilled a 41-yard field goal to give the Cardinals an early 3-0 lead.
Each team would trade 3-and-outs following the Mentor field goal. At the end of the 1st quarter, Canton McKinley was finding their rhythm following a 21-yard pass to Keith Quincy. The rhythm would be stunted a few plays later. A botched Bulldogs’ snap resulted in a fumble recovered by the Cardinals.
The Bulldog defense picked up their offense and returned the favor. On the 5th play of the ensuing Mentor drive, Canton McKinley forced a fumble and recovered.
Neither team was able to convert on the turnover as Canton McKinley was forced into a quick 3-and-out.
On Mentor’s next offensive drive, they once again drove deep into Canton McKinley territory. As was the case on their first drive, they were stopped short on a 3rd down and forced to attempt a field goal. This time, the Mentor Cardinals missed a 26-yard field goal with 6 seconds left in the opening half. Heading into the break, the Cardinals were clinging to a 3-0 lead.
The 2nd half started the way most of the 1st half went. The Cardinals and Bulldogs both went 3-and-out on their first respective possessions of the 3rd quarter. On Mentor’s next drive, they were able to move the ball into Bulldogs’ territory yet again. This time, Jackson Farley was able to find the end zone on a 20-yard touchdown run. Mentor had extended their lead to 10-0 following the PAT.
“It felt amazing. We knew we had to do something to get a spark going. I felt like I needed to do that. Our run game was pounding it.” stated Farley on how it felt to get the first touchdown of the game.
After forcing another quick punt, the Mentor offense went back to work. A 44-yard pass from QB Scotty Fox to wide receiver Marcus Sierputowski got the drive going. A few plays later, Scotty Fox would find the end zone with his legs. It was a 4-yard run for the West Virginia commit to extend Mentor’s lead.
Canton McKinley was still unable to put anything together on the offensive end. They were forced into yet another 3-and-out giving Mentor the ball back. A 5-play, 50-yard drive for the Cardinals found the end zone for the 3rd consecutive possession. Scotty Fox found the end zone again with his legs. This time it was from 8 yards out.
On the 2nd play of the ensuing Bulldogs’ drive, Mentor’s defense forced their 2nd fumble of the game. They jumped on the loose ball and took over from the Bulldog 27 yard line.
On a 4th and goal from the 5, Scotty Fox found Austin Van Huss in the end zone for a touchdown. The game entered running clock territory following the PAT. This gave Mentor a 31-0 lead.
With the game all but over, Mentor was still playing hard on defense. Their defense forced another McKinley fumble that was recovered at the Bulldogs’ 20 yard line in favor of the Cardinals.
Canton McKinley would force a fumble of their own on Mentor’s ensuing drive. However, it was too little too late. As the game clock hit triple zeroes, the Mentor Cardinals came out with a 31-0 victory.
The Mentor Cardinal’s defense had allowed at least one score in every game in the regular season. Now in the postseason, they have shut out back-to-back opponents. Coach Matt Gray had this to say about the work of the defense, “It’s a belief and it’s a confidence. They’re trusting the defensive coaches and they’re playing unbelievably hard. They’re playing tough and physical football… I’m really proud of how proud they’re playing and they’re peaking at the right time.”
Next week, the Cardinals will fight for a chance at the regional title. They will take on the 7th seeded St. Edward Eagles at a location TBD.
