HS Football: St. Edward Surges Back From A Double-Digit Deficit To Stun Mentor 28-24

MENTOR, OHIO — After losing 35-0 to Archbishop Hoban a week ago, many people didn’t give St. Edward a chance against GCC powerhouse Mentor.

In fact, 72% of voters in a pregame poll predicted a Mentor victory.

Call Your Shot: Who wins tonight’s featured game? Also reply with your final score prediction!

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) September 11, 2020

Despite this, the Eagles used a wild fourth quarter comeback to hand Mentor their first regular season loss since 2018.

The game got off to an interesting start to say the least.

A tipped interception ended up in the hands of Chance Colon, setting the Cardinals up inside the St. Edward five yard line with an opportunity to strike early.

After a terrific goal line stand gave the Eagles the ball back inside their one, Christian Ramos threw another interception, this one being returned for a touchdown.

Trailing 7-0 after a rough opening quarter, Ramos bounced back in a big way.

The speedy dual-threat quarterback dashed into the end zone, then found Andrew Cook on a short touchdown pass to give St. Edward a 13-7 lead.

Week 3 Friday Featured Game 🏈

2Q | 10:23
#2 Mentor Cardinals – 7
#3 St. Edward Eagles – 6

QB Christian Ramos weaves his way through traffic for the Eagles TD. PAT blocked.@MentorAthletics @MentorRedline @sehsathletics @SEHS_FOOTBALL @NEOSportsInside @BrownsYouthFB pic.twitter.com/ASSj2ODV11

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) September 11, 2020

Week 3 Friday Featured Game 🏈

2Q | 5:26
#2 Mentor Cardinals – 7
#3 St. Edward Eagles – 13

Christian Ramos finds a wide open Andrew Cook to give Ed’s their first lead of the game.@MentorAthletics @MentorRedline @sehsathletics @SEHS_FOOTBALL @NEOSportsInside @BrownsYouthFB pic.twitter.com/rcR4Xajvgg

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) September 11, 2020

Starting with a 45-yard Andrew Smith field goal late in the first half, Mentor began to string together a run that looked like it could put the game out of reach.

Ian Kipp, who holds six Division I college offers, threw for two touchdowns in the third quarter. The first to Evan Harper, the other a 40-yard strike to Colin DePasquale.

Week 3 Friday Featured Game 🏈

3Q | 0:56
#2 Mentor Cardinals – 24
#3 St. Edward Eagles – 13

Huge quarter here for the Cardinals, as Kipp hits DePasquale for a 40-yard TD.@MentorAthletics @MentorRedline @sehsathletics @SEHS_FOOTBALL @NEOSportsInside @BrownsYouthFB pic.twitter.com/fxbZSGDWig

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) September 12, 2020

17 unanswered points had Mentor on top 24-13 heading into the fourth quarter.

Despite going cold on both sides of the ball, coach Tom Lombardo did not let his team give up on the road.

With 10:52 in regulation, St. Edward capped off an impressive drive with another Ramos touchdown run, his second of the game. Add a two point conversion, and the Eagles cut the Mentor lead to 24-21.

Week 3 Friday Featured Game 🏈

4Q | 10:52
#2 Mentor Cardinals – 24
#3 St. Edward Eagles – 21

Speedy QB Christian Ramos takes off for an Eagles touchdown! 2-pt conversion is GOOD.@MentorAthletics @MentorRedline @sehsathletics @SEHS_FOOTBALL @NEOSportsInside @BrownsYouthFB pic.twitter.com/lWavv65r05

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) September 12, 2020

After forcing a punt, the Eagles went on one of the most impressive drives of the season.

They converted on fourth down three times on this drive, taking the clock all the way down to 2:00 before Ramos ran it in for his third rushing touchdown of the night.

Week 3 Friday Featured Game 🏈

4Q | 2:00
#2 Mentor Cardinals – 24
#3 St. Edward Eagles – 28

What a comeback! Ramos picks up his third rushing TD of the night, putting the Eagles back on top!@MentorAthletics @MentorRedline @SEHS_FOOTBALL @NEOSportsInside @BrownsYouthFB pic.twitter.com/K7QsCbzBXb

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) September 12, 2020

Leading 28-24, the Eagles defense had to step up. And that’s exactly what they did.

A pair of interceptions by Jaylen and Joel Castleberry in the final two minutes thwarted any type of comeback Mentor had in the tank.

Jaylen Castleberry with the St. Edward interception! Eagles take over with 1:37 in regulation, leading 28-24. pic.twitter.com/s5CxfDpUiJ

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) September 12, 2020

A steady offensive attack and clutch defense in the fourth quarter guided St. Edward to a huge 28-24 bounce back win over Mentor.

Mentor drops to 2-1, and will travel to Brunswick (2-1) for an intriguing conference matchup next Friday.

St. Edward improves to 2-1, and will travel to First Energy Stadium next Saturday to face St. Ignatius (0-0) in the “Holy War”.

Box Score

St. Edward 0 13 0 15 28

Mentor 7 3 14 0 24