This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Sports

Keeping Turnovers Down Key for Mentor Against St. Ignatius

Cardinals face Wildcats for place in Division I state semifinals

’s explosive passing offense has been the talk of Northeast Ohio football this season with junior quarterback Mitch Trubisky squarely at its center.

The Cardinals have garnered national rankings, been ranked No. 1 in the state and first in the Plain Dealer’s Top 25 poll for good stretches of the season.

But if that high-powered offense has shown one clear weakness in its lofty scoring numbers, it’s been the interceptions at inopportune times.

Find out what's happening in Mentorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

 in the Division I, Region 1 final beginning at 7 p.m. Saturday at Lakewood Stadium with many of these concerns at the forefront.

at Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium but threw four picks including one for a return touchdown.

Find out what's happening in Mentorwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Mentor head football coach Steve Trivisonno has got his eye on the situation, especially after his quarterback’s season-high five interceptions in last week’s 42-40 regional-semifinal win over Solon.

“You always worry about it. Interceptions or turnovers are important and we need to cut down on that. I also know that when you throw as much as we do, you’re not going to go a game without it,” Trivisonno said. “We’ve just got to cut that down and if we do that, I think we’ll be OK.”

, Trubisky’s interceptions aided the Comets’ rally from a 35-7 deficit that ultimately fell short at Byers Field in Parma.

Trubisky eventually pulled out the game by finding Cameron Kavan with a 16-yard TD pass early in the fourth quarter that provided the necessary margin for the Cardinals’ win. Trubisky finished with four TD passes and two TD runs.

On the season, Trubisky has thrown 40 touchdowns with 13 rushing scores, but has given up 17 interceptions, including six in the playoffs against Cleveland JFK and Solon.

All things considered, for the 2011 Associated Press Northeast Lakes All-District football team, so Trivisonno has plenty of confidence in his quarterback.

“The kid has thrown 40-some touchdowns and for 3,600 yards and done it against good teams,” Trivisonno said. “He’s been consistent all year long and done a great job.”

Putting aside the four interceptions against St. Ignatius on Sept. 9, Trubisky piled up 553 yards of offense against the Wildcats and scored five touchdowns – two rushing and three throwing – as the Cardinals jumped out to a 14-0 lead.

The Wildcats rallied for a 21-17 lead in the second quarter on St. Ignatius quarterback Eric Williams’ 45-yard, go-ahead TD pass to Jake Mooney. But Trubisky answered with a 1-yard TD run and found Brandon Fritts for a 4-yard TD pass to put the Cardinals ahead for good.

Beating legendary coach Chuck Kyle and the 10-time state champion Wildcats won’t be easy, but Trubisky said he’s ready for the challenge after defeating Solon last Saturday.

“St. Ignatius is a great school with a great history. We’re excited for the rematch. I know just like Solon tonight they’ll come out with a vengeance. They’re going to want it real bad,” Trubisky said.

As Mentor was downing Solon last Saturday, the Wildcats rallied from two touchdowns behind and defeated archrival and 2010 state champion St. Edward, 20-17, on Tim Shenk’s 32-yard field goal as time expired at Judy Kirsch Stadium in Brunswick.

Trivisonno said spectators should keep an eye on the teams’ kicking games because this one will likely come down to the wire. Both Shenk and Mentor’s Tomislav Derezic earned first-team honors this week.

“My regional final experience has had tight, close football games. This will be our fifth one, and they’ve all been close. That’s what Division I, Region 1 is all about.”

St. Ignatius leads the overall series 8-4, and the teams are 1-1 in the playoffs. The Cardinals have won the last two against the Wildcats.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?

More from Mentor