Mentor, St. Ignatius Set for Another Chapter in Storied Series

Cardinals take 2-0 record into Friday’s matchup against battle-tested Wildcats

Mentor takes a 2-0 record into Friday’s Week 3 showdown with St. Ignatius. Preview the matchup, key players, series history and Sept. 4 notes.

Two of Northeast Ohio’s most recognizable Division I football programs meet Friday night when travels to face at John Carroll University’s Don Shula Stadium.

Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

‘s Mentor team enters Week 3 at 2-0 after opening the season with a 38-17 victory over Olmsted Falls and surviving a 31-30 thriller against Erie McDowell.

St. Ignatius is 1-1 in its first season under head coach , but the Wildcats have been only a few plays away from a perfect start. They dropped their opener to two-time defending Division II state champion Avon, 22-21, after the Eagles scored and converted a two-point conversion with 14 seconds remaining, then rebounded with a 24-21 road victory over Pickerington North.

The matchup also carries plenty of early Division I, Region 1 significance.

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Mentor is ranked No. 11 statewide by Drew Pasteur’s Fantastic 50, while St. Ignatius is No. 28. Among Region 1 teams, Mentor is the highest-ranked team on that list, ahead of No. 16 St. Edward and No. 24 Hudson.

The unofficial Harbin rankings also have Mentor near the top of the region. The Cardinals are No. 3, while St. Ignatius is tied for fifth.

Drew Pasteur’s latest posted resume rankings provide another indication of the strength of the matchup. Mentor holds the No. 3 resume in Division I and the No. 1 resume in Region 1, while St. Ignatius is No. 11 in Division I and No. 4 in Region 1.

Mentor Has Found Ways to Win

The Cardinals have already demonstrated plenty of big-play ability — and plenty of resiliency.

In the opener against Olmsted Falls, Mentor led 14-0 before the Bulldogs rallied to tie the game at 17 in the third quarter. The Cardinals responded by scoring the final 21 points.

Quarterback threw a pair of touchdown passes and ran for another. Both touchdown throws went to , covering 58 and 64 yards.

Berwald finished with 12 catches for 235 yards.

Mentor’s defense also supplied points. intercepted two passes, returning one for a touchdown.

The Cardinals needed even more resilience a week later.

McDowell led 24-17 in the third quarter before Jones connected with Berwald for an 80-yard touchdown to tie the game. Jones also threw an 80-yard touchdown pass to earlier in the half.

The decisive score came from the defense.

With 5:51 remaining, linebacker scooped up a McDowell fumble near midfield and returned it for a touchdown to give Mentor a 31-24 lead.

McDowell scored with 1:13 left to pull within 31-30, but its attempt at a game-winning two-point conversion failed.

Mentor escaped unbeaten.

The Cardinals have done it despite some self-inflicted problems. They committed four turnovers against Olmsted Falls and three more against McDowell.

That gives Mentor seven turnovers through two games — a dangerous trend against a St. Ignatius defense that has already shown an ability to create takeaways.

St. Ignatius Has Been Tested Immediately

There hasn’t been much breathing room for St. Ignatius.

The Wildcats’ first two games have been decided by a combined four points.

St. Ignatius fell behind Avon 14-0 in the opener before scoring 21 unanswered points.

The Wildcats used several running backs effectively. rushed seven times for 46 yards, while added 49 yards on eight carries.

Sophomore made an immediate impact in his varsity debut, scoring twice in the second half. His second touchdown gave St. Ignatius a 21-14 lead with 5:38 remaining.

Avon responded with a late touchdown and elected to go for the win. The Eagles converted the two-point attempt with 14 seconds remaining.

St. Ignatius also showed plenty defensively.

intercepted two passes, while and David Hughes consistently pressured the quarterback.

A week later, the Wildcats went on the road and earned Kaufman’s first victory as St. Ignatius head coach.

Quarterback delivered several crucial throws in the 24-21 win over Pickerington North.

finished with more than 150 receiving yards and surpassed 1,000 varsity receiving yards for his career. His night included an 82-yard touchdown reception and a 60-yard catch that helped set up another scoring opportunity.

caught two touchdown passes, including the game-winner.

Trailing 21-17 late in the fourth quarter, St. Ignatius forced a fumble and recovered inside the Pickerington North red zone. On fourth-and-6, Mikin found Lamirand for a 16-yard touchdown with 2:10 remaining.

The defense then closed it out, with recording a fourth-down sack to end Pickerington North’s final possession.

The Wildcats limited the Panthers to 55 rushing yards.

When Mentor Has the Ball

The explosive passing game is the obvious concern for St. Ignatius.

Mentor has produced touchdown passes of 58, 64 and 80 yards through two games, with Berwald emerging as a major downfield weapon.

But McDowell provided an early warning for defenses focused too heavily on Berwald. With attention directed toward him, Claridy slipped behind the secondary for an 80-yard touchdown on the first play of the second half.

Jones also gives Mentor another dimension with his legs. He has scored rushing touchdowns in each of the Cardinals’ first two games.

St. Ignatius’ priority will be limiting those explosive plays.

The Wildcats have played well defensively for long stretches but have also allowed several long pass plays, including touchdown receptions of 53 yards against Avon and 42, 74, and 55 yards against Pickerington North.

Conrad and Hughes will need to pressure Jones without allowing him to escape the pocket, while the St. Ignatius secondary will be challenged by Mentor’s speed.

Turnovers could be equally important.

Mentor has given the ball away seven times already. St. Ignatius has shown it can capitalize on those opportunities.

When St. Ignatius Has the Ball

The Wildcats have displayed considerably more balance than their 1-1 record might suggest.

McMillon, Cole and Hummer give St. Ignatius multiple options on the ground, and Mikin has shown an ability to attack defenses vertically.

Haddad is the big-play threat.

After surpassing 150 receiving yards against Pickerington North, he gives Mentor a difficult matchup in the secondary.

Lamirand also has emerged as a red-zone and clutch target after catching two touchdowns last week.

Mentor’s defense has made game-changing plays in each of its first two games. Cvetichan’s pick-six helped break open the Olmsted Falls game, while Russo’s fumble return provided the winning points against McDowell.

The Cardinals will need that opportunistic approach again, but they also will have to deal with a St. Ignatius offensive line that played well against Avon and a backfield capable of rotating fresh runners.

A Series Filled With Memorable Games

Friday will be the 33rd recorded meeting between the programs since 1972.

St. Ignatius holds a 17-15 advantage.

Mentor, however, has won three straight.

The Cardinals beat St. Ignatius twice in 2024 — 20-14 during the regular season and 31-7 in the first round of the playoffs — before winning 35-21 last season.

The rivalry has produced some unforgettable postseason games.

In the 2012 regional final, Mentor defeated St. Ignatius 57-56 in triple overtime.

Five years later, Mentor won another regional final, 23-21.

St. Ignatius defeated Mentor in first-round playoff games in 2021 and 2023 before the Cardinals returned the favor with their 31-7 postseason victory in 2024.

Mentor’s largest recorded victory in the series was a 31-0 win in the 2003 regional semifinal.

St. Ignatius’ largest was a 49-7 victory in 2016.

Sept. 4 Has Been Good to Mentor

The calendar provides one of the more unusual historical notes surrounding Friday’s game.

In the available football history, Mentor is 7-1 in games played on Sept. 4.

St. Ignatius is 0-2.

And the two teams have met on Sept. 4 before.

On Sept. 4, 2015, Mentor defeated St. Ignatius 63-56 in the highest-scoring recorded game in the series.

The teams combined for 119 points that night.

Mentor’s only recorded Sept. 4 loss came against St. Edward in 2021.

What to Watch

The turnover battle may be the most important number on Friday night.

Mentor has overcome seven giveaways and still reached 2-0, but repeating that formula against St. Ignatius could be difficult.

The Wildcats have already shown they can generate takeaways and turn them into momentum.

Explosive plays will be another major factor. Mentor has scored from long distance repeatedly, while St. Ignatius showed against Pickerington North that Mikin, Haddad and Lamirand can produce explosive plays of their own.

And then there is the fourth quarter.

Both teams already have plenty of experience there.

Three of their combined four games have been decided by three points or fewer. Mentor survived a one-point game against McDowell. St. Ignatius lost by one to Avon and won by three at Pickerington North.

If history — both recent and distant — is any indication, another close finish would fit right in.

Game Information

Mentor (2-0) at St. Ignatius (1-1)
Friday, Sept. 4, 2026
7 p.m.
Don Shula Stadium at John Carroll University

Recorded series: St. Ignatius leads, 17-15
Last meeting: Mentor 35, St. Ignatius 21 — Sept. 5, 2025
Current streak: Mentor, 3 wins
Fantastic 50: Mentor No. 11; St. Ignatius No. 28
Unofficial Region 1 Harbins: Mentor No. 3; St. Ignatius tied No. 5
Drew Pasteur resume rankings: Mentor No. 3 in Division I/No. 1 in Region 1; St. Ignatius No. 11 in Division I/No. 4 in Region 1

More Football Coverage From OhioVarsity.com

Mentor
Football Game CenterMentor at St. Ignatius2026-2027 season
St. Ignatius
September 4, 2026 • 7:00 PMJohn Carrol SHULA STADIUM
Mentor 9-2 • St. Ignatius 4-2
Mentor at St. Ignatius
Matchup2026-2027 season
Ohio Varsity Matchup Predictor™
Win Probability
Powered by the OV Sports Engine
High data confidence
Mentor54%
St. Ignatius46%
Program strength: MentorHome field: St. IgnatiusCurrent season: EvenAll-time series: St. Ignatius
Projected Score
Mentor
26
–
St. Ignatius
25
OV Power Rating15.5 / 17.4Mentor / St. Ignatius
Momentum MeterHot / HotLast 3: 3-0 / 3-0
Strength of Schedule49 / 59Average / Tough
Game Quality Index61/100Standard matchup
Upset AlertHIGHSt. Ignatius has 46% model probability

Why the Predictor Favors Mentor

Mentor carries a 54% modeled win probability because Program strength favors Mentor; Home field favors St. Ignatius. The model refreshes as new results are entered.

Program strengthMentor
Home fieldSt. Ignatius
Current seasonEven
All-time seriesSt. Ignatius
Recent head-to-headEven

The Ohio Varsity Matchup Predictor™ uses the previous three seasons as an early program-strength baseline, then shifts weight toward current-season record and PF/PA as results accumulate. Recent head-to-head results, strength of schedule, momentum and the longer recorded series provide additional context. An unfollowed team's missing data remains neutral instead of erasing known information about its opponent. Home field receives a small adjustment. Predicted score and win probability are editorial estimates, not betting lines.

Since 1972

Historical Notes

Automatically generated from recorded football history • See an inaccuracy? Please report it.

St. Ignatius Win

  • St. Ignatius is now 119-5 when scoring 41+ points since 1972.
  • It is St. Ignatius's first game with 51+ points since Oct. 23, 2021.
  • 44 points is St. Ignatius's largest winning margin since Oct. 6, 2018.
  • This is St. Ignatius's first game allowing 7 or fewer points since Oct. 27, 2023.

Other Statistical Notes

  • Mentor has started 2-0 26 times since 1972, including 3 consecutive seasons (2024-2026).
  • This is the 33rd recorded meeting between Mentor and St. Ignatius since 1972.
  • Series: Mentor is 15-18 against St. Ignatius since 1972; average score 23.4-29.2.
  • Mentor's largest recorded win in the series: Nov. 8, 2003 • 31-0.
  • Highest-scoring meeting: Sep. 4, 2015 • 63-56.
  • Series shutouts since 1972: Mentor 1, St. Ignatius 0.

Program Milestones

  • Mentor has recorded 98 shutouts since 1972; the most recent was Oct. 24, 2025.
  • Mentor has scored 40+ points 141 times since 1972 (most recently Nov. 7, 2025).
  • The program has reached 50+ points 42 times since 1972 (most recently Nov. 7, 2025).
  • St. Ignatius has recorded 112 shutouts since 1972; the most recent was Sep. 10, 2022.
  • St. Ignatius has scored 40+ points 135 times since 1972 (most recently Sep. 4, 2026).
  • The program has reached 50+ points 37 times since 1972 (most recently Sep. 4, 2026).

Record by Points Scored

Program record in games falling within each scoring range.

Mentor scoring history
0-1015-90-7112 games
11-2068-56124 games
21-3092-27-1120 games
31-40104-13117 games
41+138-1139 games
St. Ignatius scoring history
0-1017-87-4108 games
11-2075-54-1130 games
21-30124-26150 games
31-40118-9127 games
41+119-5124 games

Mentor Results vs. St. Ignatius

DateLocationScore
Sep. 4, 2026John Carrol SHULA STADIUMMentor L 7-51
Sep. 5, 2025—Mentor W 35-21
Nov. 1, 2024—Mentor W 31-7
Aug. 30, 2024Don Shula StadiumMentor W 20-14
Oct. 27, 2023—Mentor L 7-10
Aug. 25, 2023—Mentor L 14-16
Aug. 26, 2022FirstEnergy StadiumMentor L 20-26
Oct. 29, 2021Byers FieldMentor L 32-35
Aug. 27, 2021Jerome Osborne StadiumMentor W 28-26
Sep. 6, 2019Jerome Osborne StadiumMentor W 38-31
Sep. 1, 2018Byers FieldMentor W 28-7
Nov. 17, 2017Bearcat StadiumMentor W 23-21
Sep. 1, 2017Jerome Osborne StadiumMentor L 31-41
Sep. 3, 2016Byers FieldMentor L 7-49
Sep. 4, 2015Jerome Osborne StadiumMentor W 63-56
Sep. 6, 2014Byers FieldMentor W 37-33
Nov. 23, 2013Byers FieldMentor W 26-3
Sep. 6, 2013Jerome Osborne StadiumMentor L 6-26
Nov. 17, 2012Byers FieldMentor W 57-56
Sep. 8, 2012Byers FieldMentor L 21-48
Nov. 19, 2011Lakewood StadiumMentor L 17-23
Sep. 9, 2011Jerome Osborne StadiumMentor W 38-24
Oct. 2, 2010Byers FieldMentor W 18-7
Sep. 18, 2009Jerome Osborne StadiumMentor L 7-47
Sep. 13, 2008Byers FieldMentor L 14-28
Sep. 14, 2007Jerome Osborne StadiumMentor W 38-17
Sep. 16, 2006Byers FieldMentor L 14-27
Sep. 16, 2005—Mentor L 35-55
Nov. 8, 2003Byers FieldMentor W 31-0
Oct. 9, 1993Lakewood StadiumMentor L 7-41
Nov. 21, 1992Finnie StadiumMentor L 13-38
Aug. 25, 1990Finnie StadiumMentor L 8-37
Aug. 25, 1989—Mentor L 2-43

Historical Data: Series records shown here cover 1972 through the latest imported season. Earlier meetings may not be included.

Season Leaders

Top Performers

Mentor

Top Passer
Brogan Jones
1,121 YDS • 78-144 • 7 TD • 8 INT

St. Ignatius

No stats reported
Mentor Series Record15-1833 recorded meetings vs. St. Ignatius
Mentor Win Percentage.455recorded series vs. St. Ignatius

Mentor — Last 5 vs. St. Ignatius

Sep. 4, 2026John Carrol SHULA STADIUM
Mentor L 7-51
Sep. 5, 2025Location not recorded
Mentor W 35-21
Nov. 1, 2024Location not recorded
Mentor W 31-7
Aug. 30, 2024Don Shula Stadium
Mentor W 20-14
Oct. 27, 2023Location not recorded
Mentor L 7-10

Mentor vs. St. Ignatius Series Notes

Latest meeting: Sep. 4, 2026 • Mentor L 7-51

First recorded meeting: Aug. 25, 1989

Mentor longest winning streak: W 4

St. Ignatius longest winning streak: W 4

Largest Mentor win: Nov. 8, 2003 • 31-0

Highest-scoring game: Sep. 4, 2015 • 63-56

Closest game: Nov. 17, 2012 • 57-56

Average score: Mentor 23.4 • St. Ignatius 29.2

Season Totals

Team Stats

Stat CategoryMentorSt. Ignatius
Passing
Yards16670
Comp-Att108-2030-0
Comp %53.2%—
Yards/Att8.2—
TD / INT13 / 110 / 0
Rushing
Yards15600
Attempts2530
Yards/Carry6.2—
Touchdowns280
Receiving
Yards16610
Receptions1090
Yards/Catch15.2—
Touchdowns2700
Defense
Tackles3320
Sacks170
Interceptions20
Scoring
Points30
Season Statbooks

Player Stats

Mentor Stats (2026-2027)

Passing
# Player CMP ATT PCT YDS Y/G TD INT LONG QB RTG
13Brogan Jones7814454.2%1,121160.1788072.7
17Corbin Bissett305950.8%54668.3635395.7
Rushing
# Player ATT YDS AVG Y/G LONG TD
32Braylon Callahan736819.3113.57014
24Ryan Orsog664066.250.8245
17Corbin Bissett321605.020.0264
22Braylen Littlejohn311494.829.8233
37Liam Short9495.412.3140
13Brogan Jones24431.86.1142
8Logan Berwald23115.53.4270
9Cameron Deitrick3289.33.1160
89Paddy Coyne22010.02.9110
16Jeremiah Claridy294.51.070
31Dom Oskowski320.70.200
15John Morek1-1-1.0-0.200
18Aidan Gvora2-7-3.5-1.200
11Chase Menough3-10-3.3-3.300
Receiving
# Player REC YDS AVG Y/G LONG TD
8Logan Berwald3866117.473.4805
16Jeremiah Claridy2543417.448.2805
9Cameron Deitrick2328012.231.1452
89Paddy Coyne1216814.024.0220
4Sebastian Bartulovic47218.010.3531
32Braylon Callahan22412.04.000
82John VanHuss2147.04.770
24Ryan Orsog188.01.000
All-Purpose Yards
# Player RUSH REC KR PR IR TOTAL Y/G
32Braylon Callahan68124000705117.5
8Logan Berwald3166100069276.9
16Jeremiah Claridy943400044349.2
24Ryan Orsog406800041451.8
9Cameron Deitrick2828000030834.2
89Paddy Coyne2016800018826.9
17Corbin Bissett160000016020.0
22Braylen Littlejohn149000014929.8
4Sebastian Bartulovic0720007210.3
37Liam Short4900004912.3
13Brogan Jones430000436.1
82John VanHuss014000144.7
31Dom Oskowski2000020.2
15John Morek-10000-1-0.2
18Aidan Gvora-70000-7-1.2
11Chase Menough-100000-10-3.3
Total Yards
# Player RUSH PASS REC TOTAL Y/G
13Brogan Jones431,12101,164166.3
17Corbin Bissett160546070688.3
32Braylon Callahan681024705117.5
8Logan Berwald31066169276.9
16Jeremiah Claridy9043444349.2
24Ryan Orsog4060841451.8
9Cameron Deitrick28028030834.2
89Paddy Coyne20016818826.9
22Braylen Littlejohn1490014929.8
4Sebastian Bartulovic00727210.3
37Liam Short49004912.3
82John VanHuss0014144.7
31Dom Oskowski20020.2
15John Morek-100-1-0.2
18Aidan Gvora-700-7-1.2
11Chase Menough-1000-10-3.3
Scoring
# Player TD 2-PT PTS KICK PTS PTS PPG
19Daniel Kristo281331.0
Tackles
# Player SOLO AST TOTAL TFL SACK
7Jack Lisachenko28.014.042.07.00.0
44Charlie Grano26.014.040.06.70.0
3Jaxon Callahan24.014.038.06.33.0
97Kenny Hamilton16.018.034.05.71.0
6Cooper Russo14.012.026.04.30.0
1Phelan Harrold16.09.025.05.00.0
31Dom Oskowski16.08.024.04.00.0
15John Morek17.06.023.04.60.0
46Charlie Brunkala5.08.013.02.60.0
2Marcus Cvetichan9.04.013.02.63.0
40Adam Lohrey8.04.012.03.00.0
10Luka Rajic8.04.012.06.01.0
33Colten Pollock4.05.09.02.30.0
5Lavin Cardoza5.02.07.01.81.0
27Jacksen Schultz4.01.05.01.70.0
92Logan Land3.02.05.01.70.0
35Sam Salcius3.00.03.03.00.0
96Robert Taylor0.01.01.00.50.0
Sacks
# Player SACK YDL HUR TACK TFL
3Jaxon Callahan3.00.00.538.06.3
8Logan Berwald3.018.00.00.00.0
2Marcus Cvetichan3.00.00.013.02.6
13Brogan Jones2.012.00.00.00.0
22Braylen Littlejohn1.06.00.00.00.0
16Jeremiah Claridy1.06.00.00.00.0
97Kenny Hamilton1.00.00.234.05.7
5Lavin Cardoza1.00.00.07.01.8
28Lucas Crawley1.00.00.00.00.0
10Luka Rajic1.00.00.512.06.0
Interceptions
# Player INT YDS AVG LONG TD
2Marcus Cvetichan200.000
Kicking
# Player FGM FGA FG% LONG XPM XPA XP% PTS
19Daniel Kristo000.0%0000.0%3
2Marcus Cvetichan000.0%0000.0%2
Punting
# Player PUNTS YDS AVG Y/G IN 20 LONG
19Daniel Kristo1650131.341.010
8Logan Berwald714921.327.04104
18Aidan Gvora59418.836.000
9Cameron Deitrick25427.034.0372
89Paddy Coyne14343.06.100
29Martez Higgins12424.06.000
6Cooper Russo11818.02.000
5Lavin Cardoza11010.01.400
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