Opponent Preview: Brunswick (Week 7)

Week 7

Who:  Brunswick
What:  Northeast Ohio Conference (Valley Division) game
Where:  Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium
When:  October 11th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach:  Luke Beal (4th season at Brunswick, 18-12 record)
History:  Mentor has won their only two meetings as NOC members.  The teams also played in the 2007 state semifinal, in which Mentor won 39-14.  

Looking Back...

Brunswick finished 7-3 last season, which included a 39-14 home loss to Mentor.  Key wins on the season  included Hudson (2012 playoff team), Lake Catholic, and Solon.  The Blue Devils were upset at home by Twinsburg - a game that cost Brunswick a playoff spot in Region 2.  A trio of talented offensive players have graduated.  With 3,045 career rushing yards, Nick Roberts became Brunswick's all-time leader in that category.  The Yohman twins (Dan and Keith) were also key to the team's success.  Dan was a 1st team all-district player that excelled on both sides of the field.  Keith was the starting QB.  Also graduated are key lineman Austin Monyak and Garrick Koermer.  Top LB's Brad Darlington and Danny Stepp will also be missed.  

Schedule...

Brunswick has three teams (Mentor, Austintown Fitch, and Hudson) on the schedule that made the 2012 playoffs.  Rivalry games with Strongsville and Medina are always key.  The NOC Valley schedule is always a challenge.  Solon, Twinsburg, and Elyria (NOC River crossover) are three key games to watch.  If Brunswick wants to make the playoffs in the expanded Region 1, those are the kind of teams they need to beat.   Normandy and Padua round off the schedule.  

2013 Brunswick Outlook...

Coach Beal's teams have gone steadily improved to finish 5-5, 6-4, and 7-3 in his three seasons.  What will it take to take the next step of 8-2 or better?  It will be a challenge as it looks like it might be a bit of a rebuilding season with the number of key players graduated.  The replacements of Roberts and the Yohmans will be key to the season. Big junior Steven Ficyk (6'4, 180) is projected to start at QB.  Senior Chase Rieg will get a chance to be the primary ball carrier.  Returning receiver Zach Parker could be a big part of the offense.  Most of the returning experience comes on the offensive and defensive lines.  That will have to be a strength of the team as the new skill position players adapt to their new roles. 

Next:  Solon (Week 8)