Solon vs. Mentor has playoff implications

This game will tell us a lot about both teams.

Can Mentor make a third state title run in a row? Is Solon for real? Will the Comets’ offense finally find its stride?

These are some of the questions that need to be answered tonight.

We do know that Solon has a fantastic defense. They have given up a combined 17 points this season. But the offense will need to score more tonight if the Comets want to win.

The Cardinals potent offense has given the Comets trouble in the past. Mentor scored 50 points combined last year in the two meetings the Comets had. Solon doesn’t have a high powered offense, but it will need to score enough to counter the Cardinals’ attack.

The Comets are off to another quick start this season, but they face their toughest challenge yet.

Consider:

• Mentor has won the last four meetings between these teams, including a 27-0 drubbing in their first meeting last year. The Comets badly want this one.
• Mentor is coming off a 30-27 loss to Strongsville last week. Two loses in a row to teams worth major playoff points is not what Mentor wants.
• The playoff implications tonight are huge. Both teams will probably win at least 7 games this season. That’s a lot of playoff points for the other team.
• Mentor can’t afford to lose this game, because they are staring down St. Ignatius next week. If they can’t beat the Comets, they’ll probably struggle with the Wildcats. That would be three loses in a row.
• The Comets lead the series 7-6. The series has gone in waves with one team winning several games in a row. Is the pendulum swinging back towards the Comets?

Here is what others are saying:

The PD:

Solon’s tough, veteran defense, led by linemen Sam Gaeth and Justin Woo and standout linebacker Joe Janasek, held Canton McKinley and Massillon Jackson to 17 total points. The defensive backfield matches up well against Mentor’s spread offense. Mentor’s lack of speed on defense has led to some big plays by the opposition and the Cardinals’ offense sputtered thanks to five turnovers at Strongsville last week.

PD pick: Comets’ defense prevails as Mentor’s 14-game, three-year home winning streak ends.

The News-Herald:

You know the Cardinals would love a mulligan after last week’s error-filled 30-27 loss at Strongsville. Five turnovers and Mentor still had a chance to win late in the fourth quarter is a tough pill to swallow, but Coach Steve Trivisonno and crew can rinse that taste by beating a 2-0 Solon team and going back over .500 with St. Ignatius, Cincinnati Moeller and Euclid on deck. Could be a big swing for the Cards.

The Chagrin Valley Times:

Solon takes a 2-0 season record into the game after impressive wins against Canton McKinley and Massillon Jackson. Mentor is 1-1 after suffering a heartbreaking 30-27 loss to Strongsville last week.

For McQuaide and his players, the history of Mentor and the Comets is well known. McQuaide has consistently said he welcomes a tough schedule, so that his team can play the best teams in the area.

Junior quarterback Jake Volgt said he and his team are ready for a rematch. “We’re anxious to play Mentor,” he said. “We know they ended our season the last two years. We want to get back out there and show they that we’re just as good a program as they are. We want to be competitive every time we play.”

In last Friday’s 14-7 victory over Massillon Jackson, Voigt was a key component of both touchdowns. He scored on an eight-yard rollout in the third quarter. Then, in the fourth quarter, he hooked up with wide receiver Matt Piscitello on an eight-yard TD pass. Voigt finished the game with 15 completions out of 23 attempts for 216 yards.

When: Friday, 7:30 p.m., Osborne Stadium, 6477 Center St. (Ohio 615), Mentor. Call: 440-974-5304.

Records: Solon 2-0, Mentor 1-1.