Wednesday, March 13, 2013
Coach Steve Trivisonno, Quarterback Mitch Trubisky, Wide Receiver Brandon Fritts, Kicker Mike Muzic and graduate Adam Watson were all recognized during the dinner
The Mentor Cardinals may have played their final football game of the school year in November, but they are still receiving awards for their memorable season in which they went 12-2 and reached the state semifinal. Several Cardinals were recognized during The Cleveland Touchdown Club Charities awards banquet Saturday. Steve Trivisonno, along with Kirtland's Tiger LaVerde, received Co-Coach of the Year honors for Lake and Geauga County. Quarterback Mitch Trubisky added to his already lengthy list of awards by receiving the Lou Groza Most Valuable Scholastics Player Award. Kicker Mike Muzic received the President’s High School Special Teams Player Award, beating out special teams players from across the region. Wide Receiver Brandon Fritts …
Thursday, November 29, 2012
The Associated Press of Ohio singled out several Cardinals and Cougars for individual honors
While Mentor High quarterback Mitch Trubisky has garnered well-deserved spotlight for winning Mr. Football and offensive player of the year, he is far from the only Mentor athlete to be honored by the Associated Press of Ohio. Trubisky's teammate Brandon Fritts received first-team, all-state honors. Fritts caught 73 passes for 1,244 yards and 17 touchdowns. Fellow Cardinals receiver Conner Krizancic and defensive lineman Kent Berger received special mentions. Krizancic caught 79 passes for 1,144 and 12 touchdowns. Meanwhile, Berger led a young defensive squad through the regular season and playoffs. Two Lake Catholic Cougars were also named to the first team All Ohio. Offensive lineman Evan Grosel was named all state first team after …
Friday, October 19, 2012
The Cougars defense continues to lead the way as Lake Catholic blanked Walsh Jesuit 24-0
Twelve quarters. That is how long it's been since the Lake Catholic football team has allowed its opponent to score a single point. The Cougars climbed to 6-3 on the back of its stellar defense and third consecutive shutout. Lake Catholic blanked the Walsh Jesuit Warriors (2-6) 24-0 Friday night. "As a program, we really emphasize the importance of defense," Lake Catholic Head Coach Mike Bell said. "That's what we need to do to win." While the Cougars' defense and running game has attracted most of the attention this season, Lake Catholic quarterback Mark Baniewicz unleashed his arm against the Warriors. He connected on a 23-yard touchdown pass to a wide-open Patrick Fitzgerald in the second quarter. Then, in the third, he scrambled out of…
Friday, October 12, 2012
The Cougars don't allow any points for second consecutive week
The prevailing logic is that the football team that makes fewer mistakes usually wins. But both the prevailing logic and Padua Bruins (2-6) were overrun by the Lake Catholic (5-3) defense Friday night. The Cougars held the Bruins scoreless en route to a 26-0 win -- the second time Lake Catholic had shut out their opponent in as many weeks. "They're playing tremendous right now," Lake Catholic Head Coach Mike Bell said of his defense. "We've had several scores from this unit, as well, which is the cherry on top. Padua won the turnover battle 4 to 2 but the Bruins could not capitalize on any of their opportunities. Meanwhile, the Cougars scored after both Padua turnovers. Lake Catholic established their momentum early. Cornerback Mitch …
Sunday, October 7, 2012
The Cougars' defense, quarterback Mark Baniewicz led way in 13-0 win over the Benedictine Bengals
At the beginning of the season, the Lake Catholic football team promised smashmouth football. The players and Head Coach Mike Bell said people should be ready for the Cougars to crash the line, shove the other team back four yards and, once the ball settles, for them to do it again. It would not be beautiful but it would be football. In other words, the Benedictine Bengals can't say they weren't warned. The Cougars (4-3) didn't do anything flashy Saturday against Benedictine. Instead, they leaned on their twin pillars of defense and recently returned quarterback Mark Baniewicz. Baniewicz missed the last three games with an MCL strain and there was no easing him back. He ran the ball 41 times against the Bengals -- a school record. Those …
Friday, September 28, 2012
The Cougars' defense led the way with two touchdowns and four key turnovers
There was moment Friday night when it seemed Lake Catholic's football game against Archbishop Hoban was getting away from the Cougars. The Knights (0-6) had crawled back from a 27-7 hole at the end of the first half to 27-20 in the third quarter. Then, the Cougars (3-3) fumbled and Hoban had all the momentum and a chance to tie the score or even take the lead for the first time that night. The Knights drove down the field to Lake Catholic's 3-yard line; but then, as they had all night, the Cougars' defense stepped up. Lake Catholic nabbed a fumble -- the first of two drive-ending fumbles the Cougars would grab in the second half to ensure they held onto their lead on a way to a 27-20 win. The Cougars' defense also scored as many touchdowns…
Saturday, September 22, 2012
Lake Catholic rallies from 2 touchdowns down in second half
Standing in the middle of Jerome T. Osborne Stadium, you know it’s never a good sign when you can hear the It’s Better in Mentor Festival in the fairgrounds just beyond the goalposts. In a dreary scene, the student section and band outnumbered the home crowd, the rain began to fall as promised and Cardinal Mooney had just taken a two-touchdown lead in the third quarter over a Lake Catholic team staring into the abyss of a potential fourth straight loss. Cougars coach Mike Bell decided enough was enough and dropped his hammer, one donning a No. 7 green jersey – John Stepec. Pounding and bashing his way through the Cardinals’ defense, the senior led the Cougars on a furious rally to win, 24-21, in two overtimes and preserved the school’s …
Saturday, September 8, 2012
LC Junior Sam Cicconetti was wheeled from the field on a stretcher after a nasty head-to-head collision in the fourth quarter
The Lake Catholic Cougars suffered their second consecutive loss of the season, falling 21-7 to Youngstown Ursuline Friday. However, the scariest moment of the game had nothing to do with the score. Lake Catholic Junior Sam Cicconetti, who plays cornerback and wide receiver, was wheeled from the field on a stretcher after a nasty head-to-head collision in the closing minutes of the fourth quarter. Cicconetti was taken to a hospital. Early Saturday morning, Cicconetti's brother, Vinny Cicconetti, tweeted that Sam had undergone a CAT scan and had no neck damage. Lake Catholic Coach Mike Bell said the test results for Cicconetti from after the game were favorable and an MRI was scheduled for him later week. In the mean time, Cicconetti has …
Thursday, August 16, 2012
Lake Catholic football team knows they have a tough schedule and high expectations to deal with this season
It's a common mantra among football players: You have to take it one week at a time. However, for the Lake Catholic Cougars, it's not just a cliche; it's the truth. They have a grueling schedule and, if they get caught looking ahead, any of the teams they face could get the best of them. "Every single team on that schedule is capable of taking a victory away from us," Head Coach Mike Bell said. So how do the Cougars intend to run this gauntlet? The answer may be another cliche, but it's still true. They can't take any days off. "Each week we have to play like the team we're facing is the best team in the state of Ohio," said all-state offensive lineman Evan Grosel said. So -- while the Lake Catholic football team has the intention of …
Saturday, July 28, 2012
Stepec chose Toledo over Boston College, Cincinnati, Minnesota, Syracuse, Ball State, Bowling Green, Kent State, Miami of Ohio and Western Michigan
Lake Catholic defensive end John Stepec has verbally committed to play at University of Toledo, according to ESPN. Stepec had offers from several schools, including Boston College, Cincinnati, Minnesota, Syracuse, Ball State, Bowling Green, Kent State, Miami of Ohio and Western Michigan. He had also garnered interest from West Virginia and Wisconsin. Stepec recently said he had narrowed his list of choices to two -- Toledo and Cincinnati, according to the Bearcat Lair. The 6-3, 250 pound defensive lineman led a fierce Cougar defense last season, earning AP and all-state honors along the way. Stepec had 80 tackles, including 28 for a loss, and a team-high 12 sacks during his junior season. He also ran for eight touchdowns.
Jason Lea
9:00 am on Thursday, November 29, 2012
Paul, thank you for adding shots of John and Evan! more ›