BEDFORD – The regional final against Mentor the #1 team in the region was Ohio-style football
at its finest. ST. Edward varsity football added a +1 to the win column in their 2024 playoff run
moving to 4-0. The game reaching a score total of 13 – 7 was marked by torrential rain and
defense.
Most of the game was focused on the run game for Eds as they had home run hitter Bradley
Eaton take two to the endzone.
On defense, it was a group effort that held them together, in order to squeak past Mentor. Key
plays from Colten Fee and the secondary forced the mentor to only 7 points, their
lowest-scoring outing of the year.
To start the game, Saint Edward began on the 19th yard line where they opted to run the ball
continuously due to the horrible weather. After reaching the opposing team’s territory the drive
sputtered out with a turnover on downs at the 31-yard line.
Mentor then drove down scoring a touchdown with ease to secure their first and only lead of the
game.
On ST. Ed’s second drive of the game, Brad Eaton saw a hole in the middle of the line, broke
through the middle, and took it to the house for an 80-yard score, tying the game up 7-7.
Archer Soltis, the big offensive lineman that paved the way for Bradley Eaton’s two touchdowns
stated, “I’m feeling cold and tired. I think that offense has to do a little tune-up this week, just
because there are a lot of opportunities we can make. Yeah, I think we’re getting ready for next
week. Big game no matter who we’re playing. Back in the final four, but I’m definitely cold.”
After a 4-yard sack by Colton Fee on third down in distance, the Eagles got the ball back on
their 34-yard line. After the first quarter, the two teams left tied, 7-7. But then just a few plays
later, Eaton struck the Cardinals down once again.
He split multiple defenders and scored for a 67-yard run. Making it 13-7 St. eds. It didn’t stop
there. Mentor, switching it up to screen passes, found itself somewhat of a groove. Colton Fee,
however, disrupted it by forcing a fumble in the backfield, which was recovered by Behlen
Waugh.
After the game, this is what Behlen had to say about the finish, “That’s all from the man above,
man. He’s blessed us so much. We’re praying throughout the game. We just really ride together
as a team, it was amazing.”
To end the half Mentor launched a 20-yard end zone shot that sailed past any receiver to end
the half. Score at halftime 13-7 Eds.
In the first half, the Eagles focused mostly on the ground game, with Bradley Eaton having 164
total yards, averaging 14.9 yards a carry.
On the defensive side, Colton Fee led the team on defense with 2 sacks. Eds won the total
yards battle in the half as well, with 234 yards to 110 yards.
After the second-half kickoff bounced out of bounds, the Cardinals started on the 35-yard line.
Before ever finding a groove, the Cardinal’s drive fizzled out leading to a 3 and out.
The Cardinals then went to punt, but thanks to a botched snap the ball sailed over the Mentor’s
punter’s head, gifting ST. Edward’s prime field position at the 23-yard line.
The Eagles, who had relied on a strong ground game in the first half, tried to continue the trend
with two early runs. However, they found themselves facing a tough third-and-long situation.
Two incomplete passes later, and the Eagles turned the ball over on downs at Mentor’s 21-yard
line.
Mentor’s subsequent drive was short-lived, thanks to a fantastic pass deflection by Nate
Gregory and a crucial fourth-down stop by the Eagles’ defense. With 3:45 left in the quarter, ST.
Edward regained possession at their own 23-yard line.
With the ball in their hands, the Eagles had an early holding penalty derail their drive, forcing
them to punt and giving Mentor a favorable field position. The Cardinals ended the half with the
ball in scoring position, and the third quarter remained scoreless, leaving the score at 13-7.
Setting the stage and opening the curtains for the 4th quarter.
The 4th quarter was nothing short of a storybook ending. An edge-of-the-seat, nailbiter was the
tone throughout the stadium. Cardinals, looking to score their second touchdown of the day,
were in the flow.
Suddenly, a big sack by junior Colin Crocker on 3rd down took the Mentor Cardinals out of the
red zone. With a field goal looking to cut the lead to 3, the kicker slips, and the PAT is no good.
Reinvigorated, the Eagles took over on the 20-yard line. Mentor, however, kept up the excellent
defense, forcing a 4th down situation at the Eagles’ 40-yard line. But here came the Lombardo
specialty.
On a crucial 4th down, the Eagles looked to be going for it, but QB Thomas Csyani dropped
back for a punt. It rolled end over end to Mentor’s 1-yard line.
Csanyi, although a QB, ended up having 125 punting yards, punting 3 times with the longest
punt of 60 yards.
Still, the game was far from over. Only a touchdown away from taking the lead, the Mentor
Cardinals faced a mounting task, starting from their 1-yard line.
Saint Edward’s defense answered with a 3 and out, forcing Mentor to punt the ball, giving St.
Edward field position at Mentor’s 44-yard line.
Again, Mentor’s defense remained tough, forcing a three and out of their own. Eagles punted to
the back of the endzone, giving Mentor the ball at the 20.
All of a sudden, the mood in the air switched. Mentor converted a 4th down and had multiple 1st
downs to reach the Eagle’s 47-yard line with 2:11 left in the game.
With 45 seconds left, Mentor had all the momentum. A touchdown was all they needed to tie
and maybe even take the lead.
Snap. Dropped back. To everyone in the stadium, a screen pass was coming. Mentor had
practiced this play and perfected it throughout the season. So why not do it again?
Colton Fee was the why not. He read the screen as if he had seen it a million times before and
with one hand, snatched it out of the air. A game-ending interception that sealed the deal for the
Eagles.
About the play, Colton Fee stated, “Coach said to focus on the screen, they’re gonna go to it. I
saw it, I went for it and it was amazing.”
The Eagles kneed it three times and ended the game.
Yon German, a mainstay on Saint Edward’s defense, had this to say about the game, “It feels
great. This team was averaging 40 points a game all season. Today, you know, we showed
them what real Ohio football is. We played our best game today and we came out on top like we
were supposed to.”
ST. Eds are now primed to face Olentangy Liberty, who won their respective game against
Pickerington North 21-9.
Colten Fee had this to say about the preparation needed to win their upcoming game, “It all
starts with Monday, you know getting ready, prep, going after it, putting all our heart into
practice. You know just trust my guys, you know we all tell each other we trust you, bro. You
know in games like this they tell me they trust me to make plays like that, I trust them you know
go down. And Thomas props to Thomas great punt on the one-yard line, you know I trust him
and all my teammates, and (they did) a tremendous job tonight.”
Olentangy Liberty is no stranger to big home run plays like the Eagles and ST. Eds will need to
continue the defense that held the top 5 offense in the state to 7 points and 283 yards.
