By Rob Trautman

Strongsville, OH- A Week 9 matchup that featured two teams from the Greater Cleveland Conference. The Mentor Cardinals have battled injuries but are looking to get back to their winning ways, losing 3 in a row, two of which were down to the wire. Strongsville has won their last two out of three games, which all three games were close.

In the first quarter Strongsville would score first with a nice drive that resulted in 3 points by Mustangs Kicker Will Hryszko. He was busy on this night, kicking 3 field goals. Strongsville’s starting QB Maddux Beard left early in the first quarter with an injury and Senior QB Michael Kenny replaced him the rest of the game. Mentor would answer right back with QB Jacob Snow connecting with WR Nick Farley, Mentor took a 7-3 lead heading into the second quarter.

In the second quarter Strongsville would again get close but have to settle for another Will Hryszko field goal that would cut the lead to 7-6 Cardinals lead. Mentor QB Jacob Snow would answer again connecting from 38 yards with WR Michael Norwood. Mentor extended their lead to 14-9. Mentor’s defense held Strongsville’s offense in check all night, and forced some key turnovers deep into Cardinals territory. Before half the Cardinals would get one more score with 28 seconds left from Mentor RB Mitchell Waite who ran it in from 3 yards out. At half the Cardinals led 21-6.

The second half was a stalemate, with some action but no scoring. Then, as the 4th quarter began, the rain started to downpour making conditions slick, and tough to hold onto the ball. Strongsville would get one more field goal from Will Hryszko but that would be it. Falling to the Cardinals 21-9.

Mentor improves to 4-5 on the year with a matchup with Euclid next. Strongsville falls to 5-4 with a rivalry game next against Brunswick.

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