Mentor Football: One Team One Dream
For all the Mentor Football Cardinal fans who attended or listened to the Canton McKinley game, it's OK to breathe again. With 33 seconds left in the game, Bart Tanski hit Bill Deitmen with a short pass allowing Deitmen to gallop past the goal line for an 18 yard score. The packed Mentor stands erupted into a wild celebration as the score put the Cardinals ahead to stay 18-13. DEEP BREATH. The victory earned the Cards (13-1) a trip to their very first state championship game next week in Canton to face the undefeated Hilliard Davidson Wildcats (14-0). The McKinley game had the typical playoff atmosphere as the teams went scoreless in the first quarter. After McKinley scored first, Mentor answered with a 5 yard TD run by Deitmen. DEEP BREATH. The second half opened with an outstanding goal line stance by the Cardinal defense. McKinley had 1st and goal on the 8 yard line but ran smack dab into the pulverizing Cardinal defense. McKinley failed on 4th and goal from the 2 which was a critical turning point. The Cardinals scored first in the second half on a 32 yard TD reception by a wide open Tyler Schutz (from Tanski). The 4th quarter score put the Cardinals ahead for the first time 12-7. DEEP BREATH. With 8:31 left in the game, McKinley took the lead with a 3 yard TD run putting the Cards behind by a score of 13-12. Then, with 2:18 left in the game and 78 yards in front of them, the Cards offense started their game winning march down the field. The 11 play drive included a critical 3rd and 10 play in which Steve Orkis made an seemingly impossible catch. This was the play just before Deitmen's winning score but was probably the most important play of the night. Houdini would have been proud (check out the replay). DEEP BREATH. Now that you have caught your breath, re-energize yourself and join us for the state championship game next Saturday, December 2nd starting at 7:00 p.m. The game is only a short drive down to Fawcett Stadium in Canton map. You'll want to be there so you can tell your grandchildren you witnessed the amazing 2006 Mentor Cardinal football team ... along with teaching them that breathing is a good thing! GO CARDS !!!

Check out the game stats! and the Dream Team Web site.

By: Mr. Pat Leber