The McDowell varsity football team opened its 2026 season with a narrow 31-30 defeat on the road at Ohio-powerhouse Mentor Friday, August 28.
In a back-and-forth game featuring multiple lead changes, the Trojans scored with just over a minute left to pull back within one, but came up short on the two-point conversion.
Quarterback Evan Kuhn threw for 241 yards and three touchdowns (19-for-30). He also paced the Trojans on the ground with 63 yards on 13 carries plus a rushing score.
Deonte Flemings had a team high 80 receiving yards with five catches. Emory Moffat, James Feronti, and Taylor Lincoln each had touchdown catches.
Defensively, McDowell had four sacks in the game. Braylon Mural had six tackles and a sack. Ben Spooner had an interception and Domenic Bonyai scooped up a fumble recovery.
McDowell returns home Friday, Sept. 4 for its home opener against Chardon.