HS Football: Mentor Overcomes The Elements To Earn A 37-19 Win Over Medina In Season Opener

MEDINA, OHIO – 2020 has been a year we won’t soon forget. It’s been a roller coaster ride of emotions, with a new loop every step of the way.

However for 48 minutes of game time, football was back, and all seemed right with the world.

In typical 2020 fashion, the start of this Greater Cleveland Conference clash was delayed by lightning.

The game kicked off 45 minutes later than scheduled, with both teams playing through a steady rain for the entire first half and into the third quarter.

Medina was able to strike first on a short pass from Drew Allar to his favorite target Luke Hensley.

Hensley was impressive in this game, coming off of an unfortunate knee injury that cut his season short in 2019.

Week 1 Featured Game 🏈

1Q | 7:27
#4 Mentor Cardinals – 0
#10 Medina Battling Bees – 6

Medina strikes first on a short TD pass from Allar to Hensley. Extra point blocked.@medinaathletics @MentorAthletics @FOX8FNTD @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/nx98RR5wUO

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) August 28, 2020

Mentor was able to recover quickly, notching two touchdowns in the first quarter. A quarterback keeper by Ian Kipp gave the Cardinals a 7-6 lead.

Week 1 Featured Game 🏈

1Q | 4:27
#4 Mentor Cardinals – 7
#10 Medina Battling Bees – 6

Mentor strikes back to take the lead on a TD carry by quarterback Ian Kipp. @medinaathletics @MentorAthletics @FOX8FNTD @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/wsO9ggrHdB

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) August 29, 2020

Then after a botched punt attempt gave Mentor incredible starting field position, Kipp, who had 150 passing yards and three total touchdowns, found the end zone again to extend the lead to 14-6 heading into the second quarter.

Mentor takes over DEEP in Medina territory as a wet ball slips through the hands of the punter. pic.twitter.com/GuJB0G3wVP

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) August 29, 2020

Week 1 Featured Game 🏈

1Q | 2:47
#4 Mentor Cardinals – 14
#10 Medina Battling Bees – 6

Cards extend their lead on a TD pass from Kipp after starting with great field position. @medinaathletics @MentorAthletics @FOX8FNTD @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/EEBRGfFW29

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) August 29, 2020

Allar, a 3-star recruit in the class of 2022, was able to find the end zone twice to give Medina a 19-14 edge. One was on a 12-yard laser pass to Jajuan Jackson, the other on a beautiful touch pass to Hensley.

Week 1 Featured Game 🏈

2Q | 9:29
#4 Mentor Cardinals – 14
#10 Medina Battling Bees – 19

The Allar-Hensley connection strikes again, this time to give Medina the lead. @medinaathletics @MentorAthletics @FOX8FNTD @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/HjtAuXRWKB

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) August 29, 2020

A blocked extra point in the opening quarter as well as a failed 2-point conversion resulted in a pair of missing points for the Bees.

However, heavy rain and wind wasn’t enough to stop these explosive offenses, as both teams put on a scoring clinic throughout the first half.

A short touchdown pass from Kipp to Colin DePasquale put the Cardinals ahead, then an impressive 46-yard field goal by Andrew Smith extended the halftime lead to 23-19.

Week 1 Featured Game 🏈

2Q | 2:45
#4 Mentor Cardinals – 20
#10 Medina Battling Bees – 19

Kipp finds DePasquale for the touchdown, giving Mentor the lead. 2-point conversion unsuccessful.@medinaathletics @MentorAthletics @FOX8FNTD @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/9oJsMk9wyR

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) August 29, 2020

Week 1 Featured Game 🏈

*Halftime*
#4 Mentor Cardinals – 23
#10 Medina Battling Bees – 19

Mentor connects on an impressive 46-yard field goal in the rain late in the half.

Both teams fighting hard in week 1!@medinaathletics @MentorAthletics @FOX8FNTD @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/sFLu792nBO

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) August 29, 2020

Strangely enough, both offenses slowed down in the third quarter despite the rain coming to an end.

It took until the 15 second mark in the quarter for the first score. This is when Riley Coughlin carried the ball 12-yards for a score to gain their largest lead of the game at 30-19. Coughlin finished the game with 15 carries for 69 yards and two touchdowns.

Week 1 Featured Game 🏈

3Q | 0:15
#4 Mentor Cardinals – 30
#10 Medina Battling Bees – 19

Great TD run by the Cards as they take their largest lead of the game. @medinaathletics @MentorAthletics @FOX8FNTD @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/vKHYKEVZAw

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) August 29, 2020

Medina was having trouble scoring in the second half, partly due to Allar being replaced by backup quarterback Ryan Gillespie. Allar suffered an ankle injury that was enough to keep him sidelined after a strong first half. He exited the game after going 16-for-27 in the first half with three touchdowns and no turnovers.

Gillespie just wasn’t able to get it going against Ohio State recruit Brenan Vernon and a tough Cardinals defense.

After Medina failed to convert on fourth down in Mentor territory, the Cardinals marched down the field on a methodical drive that spanned nearly five minutes.

The drive ended with the second touchdown of the half for Coughlin, which put the nail in the hypothetical coffin.

Week 1 Featured Game 🏈

4Q | 3:36
#4 Mentor Cardinals – 37
#10 Medina Battling Bees – 19

Mentor may have just put the nail in the coffin, as Riley Coughlin runs 15 yards for the touchdown. @medinaathletics @MentorAthletics @FOX8FNTD @NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/oQl3GdPmTN

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) August 29, 2020

Mentor would go on to run out the clock, beating Medina by a final score of 37-19.

It was the first win for new head coach Matt Gray. Gray took the reins this season after the retirement of long-time head coach Steve Trivisonno.

Medina drops to 0-1 on the young season. They’ll travel to Brunswick next Friday to square off with Brunswick (0-1) in a classic rivalry matchup.

Mentor improves to 1-0, as they will travel to Euclid (1-0) next Friday for another huge conference matchup.

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Mentor 14 9 7 7 37

Medina 6 13 0 0 19