Mentor Cardinals Football Team Continue The Onslaught By Blowing Out Strongsville

In the first quarter of the Mentor-Strongsville football game Friday night, Cardinals quarterback Mitch Trubisky was almost perfect.

He connected on all 10 of his pass attempts -- one of which went for a touchdown -- and accrued 200 yards.

The rest of the Cardinals were pretty close to perfect, as well.

By the end of the first half, the Cardinals scored so many points it looked like they were playing basketball. The Strongsville Mustangs (2-7) scored so few it seemed as if they were playing soccer.

The score was already 45-0 at the half en route to a 54-7 rout.

This onslaught has become common place for the Cards (8-1). They have outscored their last five opponents 63-21, 45-14, 55-0, 49-21 and 56-28.

No team has come within 28 points of Mentor since they suffered their only loss of the season to St. Ignatius.

Cardinals Head Coach Steve Trivisonno complimented his team but made it clear that they needed to keep improving.

"I think we're getting there," he said. "We've got to keep developing."

The scoring started immediately when LaShaun Moore returned the opening kickoff 82 yards for a touchdown.

"That was all my blocking," Moore said of his return. "I wouldn't have gotten anywhere near the end zone without my team."

The Cardinals were relentless thereafter. They scored on a 33-yard pass from Trubisky to Corey Plavcan, a 2-yard run by Nick Delisa and an 8-yard run by Trubisky all within the first quarter.

Mentor also scored on two field goals from Mike Muzic, a 17-yard pass from Trubisky to Conner Krizancic and another pass from Kade McClure to Moore.

Wide receiver Brandon Fritts did yeoman work for the Cardinals, racking up 115 yards on five catches.

The defense was also rock steady. They didn't allow any points until the score was 54-0 and the game was well out of reach for the Mustangs.

"We work hard every day in practice because we have something to prove as a defense," said Cardinals cornerback Terrance Walton, who ran back an interception for a touchdown in the second quarter. "I feel we've been a little underrated."

The Cardinals will meet with the Twinsburg Tigers (5-3) next week. The game will decide the champion of the NEO Conference Valley Division.

Additionally, the Tigers upset Cardinals last year. They topped a Mentor team that undefeated going into the game.

The Cardinals have not forgotten.

"We owe them for last year," Walton said.