High school football in Northeast Ohio is basically a religion. If you grew up anywhere near Mentor, you know that Friday nights aren't just about a game; they're about identity. For the green and white, that identity has been forged through decades of grit, three state championships, and a peculiar ability to reinvent themselves just when people start writing them off.
Mentor Lake Catholic football isn't just a program. It's a legacy that has survived coaching changes, conference shifts, and the ebb and flow of talent that defines small-school private ball. Honestly, looking at the 2024 and 2025 seasons, it’s clear the Cougars have found their swagger again under Marty Gibbons. It’s a bit poetic, really. Gibbons, a 2011 alum, is leading the charge for a school that practically raised him.
The Resurrection Under Marty Gibbons
Let’s be real for a second. There was a rough patch. If you look back at the 2021 season, a 1-9 record is a tough pill to swallow for a program with three rings in the trophy case. But the turnaround has been nothing short of aggressive. By 2024, the Cougars weren't just winning; they were dominating, putting up a 12-1 record that reminded everyone why Lake Catholic used to be the team nobody wanted to see on their schedule.
Why the sudden shift? It’s a mix of culture and a very specific type of "Lake" toughness.
Gibbons has leaned into the school's roots. In 2025, the team posted a 9-3 record, navigating a brutal North Coast Conference schedule. They aren't just relying on one superstar either. You've got guys like QB Max Pisano leading the huddle and absolute units on the line like Danny Zmorowski and Pete Malchesky. It's a balanced attack that feels more like the disciplined units of the 90s than the flashy, pass-heavy schemes you see in a lot of modern high school ball.
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The Weight of Those Three Stars
You can't talk about this team without mentioning the 1991, 1992, and 2001 state titles. Those years are the benchmark.
In the early 90s, John Gibbons—Marty’s father—ran a program that was essentially a factory for tough, smart football players. They won back-to-back Division III titles in '91 and '92. Then came 2001. That season was legendary. Led by coach Tom Lombardo, the Cougars took down Columbus St. Francis DeSales in a 27-21 overtime thriller at Fawcett Stadium.
I remember people talking about that game for years. Sophomore QB Mark Petruziello set records that night, throwing for nearly 300 yards. It was the moment Lake Catholic cemented itself as a "Big Game" program. When you walk into the halls at Lake Catholic today, those three stars on the jerseys aren't just decoration. They’re a reminder of the standard.
Notable Alumni: From Mentor to the NFL
The program has produced some legitimate "Sunday" talent. Most people know Joe Jurevicius. The guy won a Super Bowl with the Bucs and was a hero for the Browns and Seahawks. But the list goes on:
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- Joe Jurevicius ('93): The gold standard for Cougar wide receivers.
- Ricky Stanzi ('06): "America, love it or leave it." Stanzi was a star at Iowa and spent time in the NFL and CFL. He’s actually been back around the program as an assistant coach recently, which is huge for the current kids.
- Ben Kelly ('97): A lockdown corner who went on to the University of Colorado and the New England Patriots.
- Cross Nimmo ('25): The newest addition to the "next level" pipeline. The massive tight end committed to Western Kentucky after a high-profile recruitment cycle, proving the school still catches the eyes of Division I scouts.
The Rivalries: It’s Personal
If you want to see what Mentor Lake Catholic football is actually about, show up for the Padua Franciscan game.
This is the longest-standing rivalry in the books for the Cougars. They’ve played over 45 times. It’s an East Side vs. West Side thing. It’s Catholic school pride. It’s... well, it’s intense. Coach Gibbons has been quoted saying, "Let’s be honest, we don’t like Padua and they don’t like us." It’s that simple.
Then there’s the NDCL (Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin) game. The Cougars have historically owned that series, leading it 28-9 as of late 2025. These games aren't just about the standings; they’re about the "Holy War" atmosphere that makes Ohio high school football so unique. The bleachers are packed, the student sections are screaming, and the "Passing of the Torch" tradition feels a lot more meaningful when you've just beaten your rival.
Moving Into a New Era
The landscape changed in 2024 when Lake Catholic moved into the North Coast Conference. Leaving the Crown Conference was a strategic move, designed to find more localized rivalries and better competition splits. So far, it’s worked.
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The Cougars are currently a Division IV powerhouse. Being in Region 13 means they often have to go through teams like Perry or West Branch to make a deep playoff run. It’s a gauntlet. But the 2025 squad proved they belong, securing a high seed and showing a defensive "swarming" style that limited top-tier running backs to season-low yardage.
What Most People Get Wrong
People think because Lake Catholic is a smaller private school, they can’t compete with the massive Division I public schools in the area. Wrong.
While they might not have the depth of a school with 2,000 students, the "Cougar Way" is about efficiency. They play a lot of guys both ways. You’ll see a star receiver like Marty Loncar also making game-changing tackles on defense. It’s iron-man football in a way, and it builds a level of conditioning that usually pays off in the fourth quarter.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Players
If you’re following the program or looking to get involved, here is how the landscape looks right now:
- Watch the Trenches: The current coaching staff has prioritized offensive line depth. If you're a scout, that's where the gems are.
- The "Stanzi Factor": Having former pros like Ricky Stanzi on the sidelines is a recruiting magnet. Expect the QB development at Lake Catholic to outpace most D-IV schools in the next three years.
- Tradition Matters: If you're a new student, get to the "Frosh Fire" and "The Rock." The football team's success is tied directly to the school's high-energy culture.
- Schedule Strength: Don't just look at the record. The North Coast Conference is a meat grinder. A 7-3 Lake Catholic team is often more dangerous in the playoffs than a 10-0 team from a weaker league.
The Cougars are back. They aren't the underdog anymore; they're the team with the target on their back again. And honestly, that's exactly how they like it.