McKinley dominates third quarter in 21-3 victory

 McKinley dominates in 21-3 victory

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

CANTON--Every dog loves a good, well-cooked steak.

For Canton McKinley, the steak has been nothing but savory for them.

Using a key third quarter coming out of the intermission, the hosts asserted themselves with two touchdowns to break open what was a competitive contest against Green and improved their record to 5-1 (2-0 Federal League) with a 21-3 dismantling of a competitive Green football team at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Since joining the Federal League back in 2015, Green has not been able to obtain a victory over their Stark County rival and counting a 34-7 playoff loss to McKinley, they are now 0-12 against them. The closest Green came to that was two years ago when they assumed a 27-7 halftime advantage amid five McKinley turnovers that left their fans booing them off the Benson Stadium field before a 21-0 second half by McKinley stifled Green's bid for that first-ever win against the Stark County school.

Eventually for Green that victory will arrive But on a night where their offense was held out of the end zone and continuous three-and-outs over the course of the evening, the wait for that first ever victory will be prolonged for another season.

After yielding 25 and 24 in their first two contests, the McKinley defense has only surrendered 33 points in their four-game winning streak as they have allowed just four touchdowns and the offense has mustered 121 points along the way. First-year McKinley head coach Renzy Parnell was ecstatic about his team's efforts, especially on the defensive side of the ball, where he doubles as the defensive coordinator, the same title he held for 10 seasons at Akron Hoban, where he was a part of five Division II state title winning teams under the tutelage of Tim Tyrrell.

"We had a good week of practice and executed the game plan and that was our expectation as we shoot for perfection. We were kind of upset there that we didn't get the shutout as they got a big play that should have been an interception and the kid misjudged it but that's OK," he said. "You know that's a good offensive team and to me they are very well coached and I have a lot of respect for that coach (Mark Geis) over there."

Coming into Friday's league contest, four of Green's first five losses were all on the final possession and had any of those games were different, their ledger easily is the reverse of their current record, which is now 1-5 with the only victory being a 42-7 conquest of Tallmadge.

Geis, a North Canton Hoover graduate and former standout wide receiver in his seventh year rued his team's missed opportunities amid the lack of producing scores.

"Credit to McKinley's defense. That's as disciplined and as good of a defense that I've seen. They really did a good job and very athletic. That's what you get when you play McKinley," he said solemnly. "I thought they did a good job of out executing us."

After a scoreless first quarter, the McKinley offense started to make it's move. Spanning eight plays with seven of those being hard-earned runs by sophomore tailback Kyelin West and senior fullback Isaac Brooks, the hosts punctured the scoreboard when quarterback Trent Hayden located Darius Hill over the middle in the end zone and Thomas Mankowski's extra-point kick put McKinley head with 5:35 before intermission.

Green showed a pulse as senior signal caller Tyson Hunka lifted a Hail Mary pass that ended up in the hands of a receiver at the seven yard line. Logan Noirot's 26-yard field goal issued the visitors brief momentum at halftime as they were down 7-3.

But any hope of obtaining a lead was squelched on their third series as the McKinley defense conjured up consecutive sacks and it took McKinley just four plays to find the end zone when Hayden connected to tight end Legacy Lee in the left corner of the end zone to make the score 14-3. West would add on a six-yard touchdown run to conclude the scoring for the evening.

West and Brooks combined to put the Bulldogs over the 100-yard rushing plateau and have only gotten better over the last three weeks.

"They are going to continue to do that. We know Isaac is a good running back and he's also our starting linebacker and we are going to give him a lot of carries and Kyelin is a sophomore. We still got Xion Culver and that punch as well and we'll keep going," Parnell said.

McKinley will now turn their sights to a pivotal road contest against North Canton Hoover, who held off GlenOak 28-21 at Bob Commings Stadium to maintain their undefeated record at 6-0. 

Sole possession of first place will be on the line in what will be a capacity crowd at North Canton Memorial Stadium. The Vikings have not defeated McKinley since the 2021 season, a 24-0 shutout at home and have not won a league title since that same season. The winner of that game will be a step closer to at least a share of, if not the outright league title, a recognition McKinley had back in 2023.

Parnell is looking forward to next Friday's tilt, which will truly be the talk of Stark County.

"They are well coached so we are going to get in and watch film and get ready for the Vikings," he said.

Every dog loves a well-cooked steak. And for the Canton McKinley Bulldogs, that steak once against was savory in the form of yet another triumph over their Summit County rivals.

KING OF THE HILL. McKinley wide receiver Darius Hill stands in the end zone after his touchdown reception in the second quarter of Friday's contest against Green. The McKinley Bulldogs captured a 21-3 win to extend their winning streak to four games. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

Warren native defines love for hometown team

 Warren native defines love for his hometown team

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

WARREN--How many more heartstoppers could a 19-year-old David Baugh take?

First, Warren Harding needed to outlast Cleveland St. Ignatius in a first-round home playoff game, a 24-17 win. Then they needed a walk-off field goal to outlast Lakewood St. Edward 18-6 in a regional semifinal after facing an outrageous first-and-75. Next, there was a 14-7 win over Mentor in a regional final.

And then came the state semifinal against a team they just turned away five weeks earlier, Massillon. With a fourth down and needing 10 yards, there was just no way the Warren G. Harding Raiders could obtain a first down to keep their undefeated season breathing. Massillon fans were anticipating a spot in the Division I state championship against Cincinnati Elder. Mike Kokal's pass to Danny Stella awarded the Raiders a fresh set of downs, leading to Treymayne Warfield's touchdown catch to force overtime where the Raiders reclaimed the lead.

And then Baugh was forced to hold his breath again and finally exhale when Tigers kicker Max Shafer's extra point kick sailed wide left on a frigid late November evening in front of 23,000 at the Akron Rubber Bowl as Warren Harding outlasted bitter rival Massillon for a second time in five weeks 21-20 to not only remain undefeated but return to Fawcett Stadium for the Division I state championship game.

Today at 41, the 2002 Warren Harding graduate known as "Worm" still has a pulse after all those close shaves in a season that saw the Raiders have nine games decided by single digits and four playoff games decided by a combined 17 points. And he still is a devout etched-in-stone supporter of Raiders athletics where he can be seen voicing his support for the athletes that don the black and gold in competition.

"Warren is a very blue collar city and like all the old steel mill towns have changed over the last couple decades but we have great leadership in place at the school and the community and I am looking forward to us bouncing back the way that Massillon has bounced back with their leadership. I have so much respect for Massillon, St. Edward and this is a great experience," Baugh said.

Since graduating from Harding and Kent State in 2006, he has served as a videographer for four head coaches during the football season, one of those being Thom McDaniels, who is widely known around Stark County for his 17 seasons at Canton McKinley, where he coached the Bulldogs to the 1997 Division I state and national championship before taking a three-year hiatus that eventually led him to Harding, where he turned the Raiders into a vaunted fire-breathing dragon that saw them go 43-7 from 2000-2003 and finish overall with a 62-21 record.

Many players thrived under McDaniels tutelage that impressed Baugh over the years. Whether it was Maurice Clarettt bulldozing his way for touchdowns, Dave Herron and small-but-tough 5'6'' fullback Stefon Alexander throwing tough blocks against bigger competitors, Sidney Glover and Prescott Burgess delivering bone-shattering tackles, Baugh was very fortunate to see not just them but also others who contributed to Raiders football as well.

A major asset to Baugh's knowledge of Harding football also comes from his classmate Joe McConnell, who was one of three historians who was a part of the launching of the website WGHFootball.com with the other being Brandon Giovannone.

Baugh spoke of how WGHFootball.com came to be and how it is thriving 24 years later.

"I met Joe in the eighth grade at Turner Middle School. A lot of people don't know this but I've always been a great writer and communicator but Joe was the one who talked me into taking a corresponding job with The Tribune and really expand myself and keep statistics. He got me into that so I'll forever love Joe for that," he said. "He has a nephew that's in the seventh grade, Matthew that I am excited about. Now Brandon, he is a year behind us, he did media work for Harding when we were back in school and it's great to see him develop his business over the years and when you have a town like that and someone like me who is passionate about the tradition, you want to link and expand. We've been able to create a platform  to put the spotlight on our young people and it's been a ride."

For McConnell, his devotion to the Harding program began as early as 35 years ago when Harding captured the Division I state title when the late Phil Annarella piloted the program for 16 seasons, seven of those at Harding when the school consolidated with Warren Western Reserve. What impressed McConnell the most was from observing a Canton McKinley football program that had a plethora of stats over many seasons and did everything in his power to ensure that fans from Warren were able to rehash past games and statistics too.

Having a person like Baugh as a stablemate helped out as well.

"I used to go to all the WGH games when I was younger. My first memory of going was during the 1990 State Title game vs Cincinnati Princeton. As I got involved in the program, I remember going to the old Warren Western Reserve weight room and they had a lot of historical pictures in there and trophies that were won. It fueled me to want to know more and the more history that was told to me, I dug deeper into it. I would find old Warren Harding and Warren Western Reserve game films from the 1970s and watch them, McConnell said. "I was inspired by a program that Canton McKinley sold at games that had historical pictures and game results and all time records. Steubenville and Massillon also had similar details available on their websites. I wondered why ours wasn't readily available given how strong our tradition was as well. So I started to compile more and more to try to help educate and inspire others and make them realize the type of program we have." 

"What stands out most of Dave doing those highlights is that they always capture the best plays that the athlete made but most importantly is that it doesn't matter how significant the player was in the overall success of the team, Dave will pour the same passion into the players video regardless of how many touchdowns they scored. If he could help the athlete get noticed and it could lead to them bettering their lives through college, that was all that he cared about."

As of right now, the Raiders are coming off an unexpected bye week in which they have had time for players to heal any injuries and get a much needed rest as they look to improve their 2-2 record. Four of their next five games are at home and if they can win four of those, maybe even all five, the chances of Harding earning a second-bye into the 12th week of the playoffs isn't farfetched.

Harding has had their fair share of adversity during the football season. But earlier this year Baugh had to endure a personal situation that required his deepest attention. In a moment of love and support, the entire Warren Harding football team rallied around him, showing just how bonded the community is. 

McConnell was the first one at the side of his classmate.

"When everyone stood tall for Dave in a low time, I thought how cool that was since he has always tried to stand tall for all of them at various moments. You can always count on Worm to be there cheering you on as the loudest in the stadium and trying to pick you up during any low moments in a game so it was really special that they could all return the support and try to lift him up in a very low point," he said.

"They support me the way I support them and we're a very tight knit community. We don't let anybody mess with us and we try to bring our youth up right and it was very heartwarming to see them step up to me and behind me in a dark hour in my life and it's great to get back the love you put out in your community," Baugh said.

The biggest misconception that people have of Warren is that is just a football town. That simply is not the case. Baugh pointed out former two-time boxing champion Frankie Randall, who held the WBC super lightweight and WBA junior welterweight belts was a resident of the city.

It was one thing for Youngstown natives Ray Mancini and Kelly Pavlik to win respective titles at lightweight and middleweight. But is simply another when Randall not only became the first opponent to inflict the first knockdown on Mexican boxing icon Julio Cesar Chavez but importantly the first to hand Chavez his first defeat after a staggering 90 professional bouts. The night Randall brought home the WBC title to Warren will always be a sight and for Baugh a reminder to others who think Warren is just a football-laden city.

"When you are raised in Warren and I know that Youngstown has a great tradition with boxers. In the 80's they had Ray Mancini, who fought at Mollenkopf Stadium. Randall's victory showed just how deeply rooted athletics is in our area," Baugh said.

Many young players have had aspirations of playing for the Raiders. Many kids emulate their favorite athletes whether it is at one of the four Pre-K to eighth grade schools Jefferson, Lincoln, McGuffey, or Willard leading up to the high school, they patiently await the day they step on that same field that bred legends Mario Manningham, Carl Diggs, Deryck Toles, Lynn Bowden and so many more. One day those young men will soon be in Mollenkopf Stadium.

And they know that Baugh will be right there cheering them on, not before he left them some advice as they progress through the Warren City Schools grade levels.

"Embrace the process. Listen to your coaches. Be great students, be great kids, be great sons and develop yourself because football doesn't last forever. How you act is more important how you play and when you act right and do what you're supposed to do, great things will happen in every aspect of your life," he said.

David Baugh endured four heartstopping playoff games 24 years ago. 24 years later he still has a pulse that beats live and well for his Warren G. Harding High School Raiders.

Keno Sultan and David "Worm" Baugh. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

Zips enter MAC competition with 51-7 knockout of Duquesne

 Zips enter MAC competition with 51-7 knockout of Duquesne

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

AKRON--It took four games but the Akron Zips are starting to fire on their cylinders and pistons.

After scoring 28 points in a competitive loss to Alabama-Birmingham, the pieces to the puzzle finally fell into their respective pieces and paced by a key 28-0 second quarter, the hosts obtained their first victory just in time before next week's Mid-American Conference opener on the road at Toledo with a 51-7 win over Duquesne to close out their non-conference slate in the confines of InfoCision Stadium.

After being scoreless in their first two contests, the Zips have now scored an impressive 82 points the last two weeks and the fact the offense is starting to generate points left fourth-year Zips head coach Joe Moorhead pleased.

"That is what it is supposed to look like. After the last two games, you know, we're all human and great leaders to me look in the mirror and not out the window and point thumbs, not fingers," he said. "Part of what you have seen in our improvement in our production the last two weeks, we've been able to get our production on first and second downs and play with tempo and be in different formations where we mix the run and the pass. The credit goes to the kids for their practice habits and execution. That is how our offense is designed to operate."

The night belonged to the offense, mainly running back Jordan Gant, whose first quarter 17-yard touchdown set the tone for the evening. He finished with 161 yards on 13 carries and added on touchdowns of nine and eight yards respectively. Quarterback Ben Finley completed 13 passes on 23 attempts and delivered scoring passes to former St. Edward receiver Kyen Mason that spanned 20 yards and a third quarter score to Tim Grear Jr. that went for 15 yards.

The defense also joined the scoring party when Malcolm DeWalt scored on a 22-yard interception return. It was the second touchdown in a 56 second span that ultimately decided the outcome of the contest.

Duquesne's only score game on a Logan Kushner one-yard touchdown run in the third quarter as the Dukes descended to 1-3 on the season as they have one more non-conference game against New Haven before commencing NEC conference play.

Akron finished with 514 total yards of offense to just 230 for the Dukes.

ZEALOUS ZIP. University of Akron defensive back Malcolm DeWalt walks the sideline after his 22-yard interception return for a touchdown during the second quarter of Saturday's contest at InfoCision Stadium. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

Massillon accomplishes historic moment in victory over Lakewood St. Edward

 Massillon accomplishes historic moment in victory over Lakewood St. Edward

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

MASSILLON--"Four score and seven years ago" were the first words from President Abraham Lincoln amid his famous Gettysburg address.

History lesson says it might as well be changed to four score and four straight years.

After spotting Lakewood St. Edward a benevolent 7-0 lead in the form of a Brandon White 66-yard touchdown scamper on the first play of Friday's contest, Massillon calmly and coolly worked their way into their contest and with the strong running and two touchdowns from junior tailback Savior Owens not to mention their vaunted durability taking form, the Tigers wore down the visiting Eagles, handing them their first setback of the season with a 21-14 victory to move ahead in the win column while issuing the Eagles their first loss of the season.

Massillon football has been in existence dating back to 1894. But in the 131 years of excellence, the Tigers have never defeated an Associated Press top-ranked team four straight seasons in a row. It is one thing to defeat an AP top-ranked team. But to execute the accomplishment four times in a row is truly unprecedented.

The Eagles are sure to lose their #1 ranking in the Division I AP poll next week. And it is a shot in the arm that may lead the Tigers to a long winning streak in the second half of the season. When asked about the accomplishment, 11th-year Tigers field boss Nate Moore put the accomplishment in perspective.

"I mean, I'm just really proud of our kids and our coaching staff. We prepare those guys hard and our kids went out there and fought and in a game like that you go out there and swing as hard as you can," he said. "The things you've been doing up to that point have to be good enough. That's not enough. You got to get out there and make some plays so there are some variables in doing something like that but I am just proud of our kids for going out there and swinging hard and coming up with a win."

END ZONE SAVIOR. Savior Owens scores on a six-yard touchdown in the first quarter of Friday's game at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Owens rushed for over 100 yards and had two touchdowns in Massillon's 21-14 win over Lakewood St. Edward. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Since the 2022 season, Massillon has outscored St. Edward 98-86 for an average of 24.8 points to the Eagles 21.5 with the only double digit victory coming last season in the form of a 31-21 win at Lakewood Stadium.

St. Edward will rue the fact that they were unable to generate any real kind of offense after White's touchdown run. It did not help their cause that their defense was on the field a long time after their early score. 

When Massillon answered the Eagles drive with their own touchdown series that spanned ten plays and truncating 4:06 off the clock via Owens six yard score on an end around hand off, it was a portent of what was to come on the evening. On Massillon's fourth possession of the first half, Owens found a laceration in the St. Edward front seven caused by the Tigers durable offensive line and his 43-yard jaunt for a score handed the Tigers their first and only lead they did not relinquish.

Massillon's durability once again showed up and it is a reason why their offensive line enjoys their time on the field, something that Moore enjoys, having been an All-Academic and All-American offensive lineman himself at the University of Dayton, especially with the fact the Tigers held the ball for an impressive 31 minutes.

"We spend a lot of time in the weight room and a lot of time on the field getting conditioning. A lack of conditioning makes cowards out of everybody, so you have to have your conditioning right and to hang in with a game like that and you have to be good in the weight room to hang in for four quarters," Moore said.

The only other touchdown St. Edward had came in the closing minutes when quarterback Jonny Evanchick threw a late touchdown pass to Ryan Mivkosky. Massillon recovered the onside kick and from there watched the clock expire for their 962nd victory.

St. Edward will head back to the drawing board to shore up their deficiencies beforea four-game homestand that will start next week with Bishop McNamara (Maryland) coming to Ohio where they will attempt to get off the canvas. Massillon will host Football North out of Clarkson, Canada as they enter their sixth straight contest at home.

Moore wants his team to relish the victory and then it is back in the laboratory to prepare for next Friday's invasion from the Canadian squad. And he likes where they are headed after the first five games of the season.

"A lot of guys are getting better as much as they can. We want to have our thumbs on every part of our team and make sure everything is taking the right steps to improve to the best of their ability every week and sometimes we get into stressful situations but that's a part of the growth process," he said. "Our growth has been across the board and it's a fun part to be a part of."

"Four score and seven years ago" were the first words from Abraham Lincoln amid his famous Gettysburg address. It might as well be changed to four score and four straight years after Massillon's history lesson once again resumed against Lakewood St. Edward.

TOP EAGLE. St. Edward football coach Tom Lombardo interacts with his team during a timeout in the third quarter of Friday's game against Massillon. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

Former Massillon standout recalls experience against top-ranked teams ahead of key battle

 Former Massillon native recalls experience against top-ranked teams ahead of key battle

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

MASSILLON--On November 7, 1998, a dejected 6'3'', 299 lb. Ellery Moore walked off the field and back to the locker room on one leg with his head lowered after an impressive and inspirational 15 tackle performance was not enough to stifle Division I champion and top-ranked Canton McKinley in a 42-20 home setback.

It was at that point before entering the locker room, Moore, a junior, pulled aside a teammate and delivered six words that he vowed to adhere to a year later.

"We're not losing to them again."

Word given, word honored.

Fast forward to the 1999 season and one day before Halloween. Moore's testimony wasn't a treacherous trick but a tasty treat as in a battle of top five teams, Massillon, who was #3 in the state turned a 7-7 tie into a 35-7 masterpiece against the #1 ranked Bulldogs that not only put a tourniquet on the bleeding in the form of a five-game losing streak to their arch rivals but also an emphatic stamp on an undefeated regular season and cemented Moore's career as a Massillon Tiger football legend.

25 1/2 years later, Moore is now an ultra successful color commentator for ESPN 990. Over the course of his Massillon career, he faced against top-ranked teams in Ohio four times, winning the 1999 confrontation with the Bulldogs after coming up short in 1997 and 1998.

Friday night at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, for the third straight year in a row, the Tigers will challenge Lakewood St. Edward, who will once again bring their Division I Associated Press poll #1 ranking to the table and a 4-0 record with it. However, the last three contests have gone to the Tigers as they have posted triumphs of 31-28, 15-13, and 31-21 along the way. The Eagles last win came back in 2021 when they also brought their top ranking into the same Paul Brown Tiger Stadium and departed with a 35-18 victory that was very much closer than the final score displayed.

With no other high school boasting wins over top-ranked teams than the Tigers and Moore having experienced that plateau himself, what is it about Massillon that brings out the best in Tigers facing a team possessing a #1 ranking?

"Massillon is always going to be Massillon and they are going to rise to that challenge. You have to have that extra confidence and play your best game against your opponent. This is not a knock on St. Edward but despite having won seven state championships, the Tigers have had their number the last three years, especially the year in 2023 when both teams won a state title," Moore recalled.

He rehashed his junior year the week before the 105th matchup with McKinley that he suffered a high ankle sprain against Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary and it was deemed a season-ending injury. But defying orders from coaches and physicians, he vowed to play that Saturday afternoon and delivered a riveting and heroic performance that is still chatted about by fans and anyone affiliated with Massillon football.

What allowed Moore to turn in the peak performance of his junior season? Simply put, he didn't want to be on the list of teams that lost to McKinley but also he didn't want the senior class to close the books on their careers with that dreaded loss to the Bulldogs, especially them being ranked #1 in Ohio the last two years.

"When I had that injury, my ankle swelled up like a ball but I had to give my all for the seniors on the team. You're talking about the Chris Turners, the Corey Balls, the Julian Millers and others. You knew they were never going to play again after that and I didn't want to be the one to let them down," he said.

EYES OF THE TIGER. Former Massillon defensive end Ellery Moore watches intently during the Tigers home opener against Cleveland Glenville earlier this year. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

On the other hand, St. Edward has erected their championship pedigree through the same blood, sweat, tears, and hard work. The Eagles won their first title in 2010 and then another in 2014 under Rick Finotti. 

After Finotti left for a stint at John Carroll and eventually the insurance profession, Tom Lombardo, the son-in-law of Northeast Ohio legend John Gibbons assumed the post after attaining success at Medina Highland and captured a state title in his first season at the school and has added on four more since, three coming in a row from 2021-2023 in which they became the first Division I school to seize three consecutive since Cleveland St. Ignatius mastered the accomplishment as the Wildcats amassed a staggering five straight from 1991-1995.

Like current Massillon coach Nate Moore, Lombardo was hired in 2015 and has been the Eagles pilot for the last 11 years, the same as Moore at Massillon, who is the Tigers all-time coaching leader in victories. 

Massillon comes into Friday's contest with a 2-2 record, a record easily 4-0 if not for bad breaks in an overtime setback to Cleveland Glenville and then to Rabun Gap Nacoochee (GA). The former standout defensive tackle for the Tigers knows the kind of team that St. Edward will bring, having opposed them in 1999 as a senior.

"They will be your typical St. Edward football team. They are well coached and they do a great job on defense. They play hard and they play the right way. Special teams will have to be special for the Tigers as two of their losses has come down to that department with the blocked field goals and then kickoff returns. They have to stand out Friday," Ellery Moore said.

St. Edward has not been able to commit any wrongdoing in their first four games. They were able to capture a 28-14 win over Glenville last week and appear to have no kind of weaknesses in their repertoire. However, losing three in a row to the Tigers and especially at home last season has left a repulsive taste in their mouths that the only way they can wash out is with a victory Friday night.

SOARING EAGLE. Lakewood St. Edward head coach Tom Lombardo is hoisted by his players as St. Edward won their third straight Division I title in 2023. The Eagles finished 15-1, their only loss coming to Massillon, who compiled a 16-0 record with a Division II state championship. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Moore knows the feeling of being agitated before a big game. Before the Tigers 106th confrontation with the top-ranked Bulldogs, he caused a conundrum around the county when he emphatically told local media late in the weeks that Massillon wasn't scared of Canton McKinley and they would "meet them anywhere, anytime, anyplace."

Moore challenged the Tigers vaunted Black Swarm defense to rally behind him and they rose to the occasion as they held McKinley scoreless in the second half, virtually shutting them out save for a Preston Chavers 25-yard interception return for a score in the second quarter. The Tigers defense allowed the slumbering offense to arise as Dave Irwin tossed three scoring passes and fullback Terrence King connected on a 36-yard flea flicker pass to Jesse Robinson to close out the top-ranked Division I and two-time state champions 35-7 inside the confines of Fawcett Stadium via a 28-0 tally.

The seeds for that monumental triumph were planted as early as the offseason after a 4-6 campaign the previous season. But as many wins as Massillon has over top-ranked teams in their illustrious tradition, could he have envisioned a 28-point win on the road of all things and in such a stunning manner?

"That all started in the offseason as we ended the 1998 season and began the 1999 season. We had a lot of confidence going into that game undefeated and no one believed in us but us. I envisioned that day as we were prepared and not going to be denied," he said. "I've played in many SEC stadiums. I've played at Mississippi, I've played at Auburn, and let me tell you something it is nothing compared to beating McKinley at Fawcett the way we did, I never saw that again."

At the halfway point of the season, a victory just may be the shot in the arm to wake up the Tigers. The 2023 win over St. Edward was the main catalyst of their undefeated state championship season and for the Tigers to possibly have another ending, it will have to start Friday night at home.

It is one thing to be a young man and receive a miniature football, the custom rite of passage into Massillon Tiger football. It is another to be amped up to compete against a team that is ranked #1 in Ohio. Moore believes the Tigers can prevail based on the incentive of his experiences of what it is like to play a #1 ranked squad and his experience going back to his heroic performance as a junior will serve as a testament of that.

"When we played McKinley in 1998, they were #1 in the state and we amped it up to another level. We knew a win over them would make our season as we had nothing outside of week 10 to play for. We wanted to go out there and have no regrets," Moore said. "My advice to all the young men playing in Friday's game against the Eagles is to remember that you're not playing just for yourself but you're playing in front of a large crowd and you're playing for Massillon."

25 1/2 years ago, Ellery Moore gave his word to a junior teammate that his team would not lose to a top-ranked team again under his watch. His word was given and honored. Now the Tigers have a chance to once again add a fourth straight victory against the same #1 ranked Lakewood St. Edward Eagles Friday in the revered house named after their iconic head coach.

PREP PRESS PIECES

*Lombardo knows Massillon: Lombardo is 3-3 against Massillon overall, 2-3 against them as St. Edward football general. Lombardo was a lock for the Tigers position after leaving Medina Highland but settled on the St. Edward job, opening the door for Nate Moore to become the 27th head football coach in Massillon history. Lombardo coached the Hornets to a 17-7 win over the Tigers in 2013, a Division II regional semifinal.

*Family Flight: Lombardo is the son-in-law of former St. Edward football coach and longtime Northeast Ohio legend John Gibbons. Gibbons coached the Eagles for nine years, leading them to the Division I state title game in 2003, where they lost to Cincinnati Elder, who became the first big school since Canton McKinley to repeat as Division I state champion with a 31-7 victory at Fawcett Stadium. Gibbons was 2-3 against Massillon with one of those losses coming in a state semifinal as the Tigers clawed their way from a 10-point fourth quarter deficit to shock the undefeated Eagles 21-17 a week after shocking undefeated Canton McKinley in a regional final. Lombardo's brother-in-law, Mike Gibbons, a former Mount Union linebacker and 2006 graduate is in his 10th season at Highland.

*More #1's: Since moving to Division II in 2013, Massillon has twice been ranked #1 in the Associated Press poll. Their first year in the top spot was in 2014 as the Tigers started the year 5-0 before a missed field goal at home cost them in a 34-33 loss to Austintown-Fitch. Jason Hall, now the athletic director at North Royalton was in his seventh and final season as Tigers patriarch.

*Federal case: Lake became the first Stark County high school since Massillon to be ranked #1 in the Associated Press poll and defended their ranking with a 31-15 win over Perry. It is the Blue Streaks first time holding the top spot in program history. Only McKinley and Massillon are the two schools to have been ranked #1 in the Associated Press poll and end the season with a state championship. Canton Central Catholic was ranked #1 in the Division V Associated Press poll in 2014 but were defeated by Coldwater in the state final 62-21 at Ohio Stadium in Columbus.

TOP BLUE STREAK. Lake High School football coach Dan DeGeorge, a graduate of Akron Hoban walks the field before his team's contest against Perry. The Blue Streaks are ranked #1 in the Division II Associated Press poll and will put their ranking on the line again Friday night against GlenOak. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

Big third quarter propels Lake to victory as newly top-ranked Division II minted team

 Big third quarter propels Lake to victory as newly top-ranked Division II minted team

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

LAKE TWP.--For the first time since the 2023 season, Stark County had a new #1 ranked team in the Associated Press state poll.

And the Lake Blue Streaks did not disappoint in their first time accomplishment as a Federal League team ranked as the top team since Canton McKinley back in the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

After spotting the visiting Perry Panthers a generous 7-0 advantage, the hosts responded with 31 consecutive points with 18 of those coming in the third quarter as Lake commenced Federal League competition with a 31-15 triumph in front of a capacity crowd at Lake Blue Streak Stadium on a night that saw several Lake individuals take their place in the athletic hall of fame, especially the 2005 Division I softball state title winning team that went a flawless 14-0 in league play.

It was one thing for the Lake offense to start firing on all pistons and cylinders. However the night belonged to the defense as they recovered two fumbles and intercepted three passes, one of them in the end zone to stifle a Perry scoring drive and made life arduous for a Panthers team that faced minimal resistance in their first three games.

The last Stark County football team to start a year as the state's top-ranked team was none other than the glamour-laden Massillon squad that set an astounding nine records on their way to a 16-0 season and a state title. Lake may not be as glamorous as that Tigers team that left everyone in awe but the tradition is still upheld under 13th-year boss Dan DeGeorge, an Akron Hoban graduate who has taken the reins of the program and only built on what his predecessor Jeff Durbin started in what became a 21-year journey as their revered patriarch.

DeGeorge was delighted at the response of his team from the second quarter on.

"We created a few turnovers and that was huge for us and offensively we started slow but we made some good adjustments at halftime and we were able to score some points in the second half," he said. "We were able to establish the run and run the ball more effectively and that's what we wanted to do is run the football, eat the clock, our kids did that and I was proud of their efforts.

One Blue Streak responsible for their uprising was senior quarterback Alex Quior. Last season he was under duress in a 17-7 setback on the road. This time around, he was a facilitator for Lake in the form of three touchdowns, two of those with his legs. None however was bigger than his fourth down completion to receiver Quinn Snyder as he got behind the Perry secondary and calmly reeled in a 22-yard scoring pass to issue the hosts a lead they did not relinquish.

If there was one play that capitulated the Perry wagon, it came as the second quarter came to a conclusion. With Perry threatening to extend their lead before the band show, quarterback Cameron Treharn threw a quick bullet to the end zone but cornerback Callen Pierce snagged the ball for an interception and a touchback that set the Panthers back immensely.

The fact that a tiring Lake defense came up with a defining stand left first-year head coach Spencer Leno, a former standout linebacker at Massillon subdued as that chance extinguished any real chance his legion of Panthers had to make the contest one that may have come down to a final possession or two.

"Anytime you turn the ball over and put the defense back on the field...we expect our defense to give our offense a shot to keep us in the game," a dejected Leno said, his voice trailing off.

Perry started out fast for the third straight game as their second possession spanned 10 plays with a sufficient combination of passing and running that ended with Connor Shephard scoring on a six-yard touchdown run. 

But it all unraveled for the Panthers on their third possession as Lake linebacker Kyle Hammer landed a punishing hit on Shephard to dislodge the ball in what became the first of two fumble recoveries leading to Lake's eventual touchdown. 

Hammer was every bit as tough his surname as he would have a second fumble recovery on the night in the form of another big hit along with an interception that set up a Blue Streaks score and eventually decided the outcome of the first league battle between the schools.

"Our defensive staff and our defensive coordinator Ron Viscounte had a great game plan and our kids executed and did what they were coached to do and we were able to create some turnovers which obviously helped us defensively," DeGeorge said.

Treharn completed 11 passes out of 24 attempted but suffered three interceptions while Quior on the other hand completed 10 out of 18 passes for 124 yards with a touchdown and interception, Lake's only turnover that came on a deep pass in the second quarter.

Davis Matson rushed for 117 of Lake's 173 yards and a touchdown in the fourth quarter to complete their scoring. Shepard rushed for 114 yards and two touchdowns.

For the first time, Perry will have to climb off the canvas and will have little time to dwell on the setback as they are now in a must-win situation against McKinley, who defeated GlenOak 38-0 at press time. A second loss will virtually eliminate the Panthers from league title contention as a second loss will create an uphill battle for them to climb back in the race.

How the Panthers respond will dictate where their season travels according to Leno.

"I want us to stick together and have a next play mentality and we talk about that all the time. Lake's a good football team, Coach DeGeorge does a good job and we're just going to keep fighting and that's going to be the message all week and we got the rest of league play and all our goals are still in front of us," he said.

For the Blue Streaks, the win is their first as the #1 top-ranked AP team in Division II but they are concentrating on the bigger picture and not looking ahead at the moment despite their statewide recognition. They will travel on the road to face a GlenOak team, who like Perry will be fighting for their league title lives and the desperation factor will be high for the Eagles.

DeGeorge and his team will celebrate the triumph and starting at 8 a.m. will turn the page via film study and prepare for the Eagles challenge.

"We just want to get better every single day no matter what is going on, that's our goal and we'll enjoy this one tonight but we'll get back to work tomorrow and get ready for a good GlenOak team coming our way," he said firmly.

For the first time since the 2023 Massillon Tigers and as a Federal League school for the first time since the 2017 and 2018 McKinley teams, Lake entered their football game against Perry as a top-ranked team in the Associated Press poll. And they left their fans something to cheer about upon departing Lake Blue Streak Stadium.

HAMMER STRENGTH. Lake High School linebacker Kyle Hammer (#47) sits with teammate Gavin Salzwimmer (#31) after his third quarter interception against Perry Friday night at Lake Blue Streak Stadium. The Blue Streaks captured a 31-15 win to win their fourth straight contest. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

Federal League battle pits undefeated teams against each other

 Federal League battle pits undefeated teams against each other

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

PERRY TWP.--Four times Keith Wakefield faced a #1 ranked team in his long tenure as Perry High School's football coach.

Aside from a 35-7 playoff loss to a Massillon team that was on their way to the Division II state finals, the Panthers rose to the occasion three times by stopping Canton McKinley in 1999, 2017 and 2018 with the other two coming late in the regular season that not only stopped the Bulldogs from seizing the league title outright and going into Massillon week undefeated, it allowed the Panthers to qualify for the playoffs when they were a loss from elimination.

Perry head coach Spencer Leno knows what is is like to be ranked #1 in Ohio as the 2009 Massillon graduate and former standout linebacker was the defensive coordinator on the 2019 and 2023 Tigers squads that only gave up seven points all season with the 2023 team adding the cherry on top in the form of a state championship and a national publication ranking them as high as #2 in the nation, their highest rank since the 1996 season when Massillon was #1 in Ohio Division I and boasted powerful running back and highly touted Ohio State recruit Christian Morgan.

Leno doesn't want Wakefield to be the only Panthers head coach to subdue a top-ranked team in Ohio. 

Friday night at Lake Blue Streak Stadium, the first-year Panthers general will get his chance. Lake arrives into the Federal League opener with an undefeated record like the Panthers are 3-0 but with one asset: for the first time in their program, the Blue Streaks are ranked #1 in the Ohio Division II AP poll, something that never happened under long tenured commander Jeff Durbin. While Lake head coach Dan DeGeorge may not acknowledge that ranking this early, it is a reflection of their work in wins over South Range, Youngstown Boardman, and Rocky River. And Leno made it a point to reference that.

"Coach DeGeorge has done a great job at Lake. His teams are well coached every year. But this team here is very athletic and got athletes that can go. We are looking forward to this game and this being the first Federal League game adds more incentive to that," Leno said. "This is a big game but every game is a big game and we have to play to the maximum every game. We want to get better each week and see what we have to do."

Perry obtained a quality victory last week as they dominated a Warren Harding team that was built on speed and power. Their first drive that nearly consumed the entire first quarter ended with a field goal and became a portent of things to arrive as they eventually led 25-0 before Harding posted two touchdowns near the expiration of the contest to make the result more feasible in a 25-15 decision.

Defensively, Perry has just yielded 29 points in their first three games. And to just allow 15 points to the Raiders definitely opened some eyebrows. It also helped their cause in getting off to a fast start, something Leno has inoculated into his horde of Panthers.

"Offensively, we wanted to get off to a fast start and we did that with a drive that consumed the clock. It was important to keep their offense off the field and hold them to three-and-outs and we were able to dominate time of possession," he said.

Last season it was the Panthers that were able to defend home turf in the form of a 17-7 victory at Wakefield Stadium. Leno believes that Lake's squad that was 7-5 is a better one than last year's team and are only just three years removed from winning a share of the league title and have title aspirations like the rest of the league. But he also pointed out as well that like the Blue Streaks, his team returns a lot from last year's 6-6 team.

Winning two on the road to open up the season has garnered momentum for Lake. This Blue Streaks team is capable of winning more than seven games and are a team that will not beat themselves with mistakes.

The winner of this game will have an early leg up in the standings meaning that the loser cannot afford another loss if they are to recognize their aspirations of a league title. Those incentives are what makes league competition saucy and something Leno relishes.

"Everybody knows each other and we know league play brings out the best of teams in Stark County," he said.

This is a game where points may become scarce in part to two hard nosed defenses. Any score Friday night will be a benefit to either squad. It will come down to who doesn't allow the big play and can avoid the dreaded turnovers and not suffer critical penalties. Leno knows there are times where things will not go the way of his team but how they adjust over the course of the 48-minute affair will determine who is sitting at a fourth win after the evening is over.

And with two undefeated schools facing off this early, it just may be a preview of a potential playoff contest assuming both are part of the 12 teams in the Region 5 bracket after the 10th week of the season, which is only six weeks away.

"We have to roll with the punches and start fast. We cannot have a slow start. We also must eliminate the big plays and win the line of scrimmage. Special teams will also be a factor and avoiding turnovers will be critical for us in order to be successful," Leno said.

Keith Wakefield defeated three #1 ranked teams in his long tenure as Perry head coach. Spencer Leno wants to add his name to that list in the Perry football family as well.

GRIZZLED VETERAN. Perry's Keith Wakefield walks the field before last year's game against Lake. Wakefield amassed a 3-1 record against #1 ranked AP teams in his long tenure as Perry coach, defeating McKinley three times along the way. Perry coach Spencer Leno will look to obtain his first win over an AP #1 ranked team Friday night when Perry travels to Lake. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

PREP PRESS PIECES

*Elder statesman: Dave Weber, who was a part of Massillon's 1982 Division I state finalist team who coached Leno in high school is one of two former Tigers assistants on the Perry staff with the other being Austin Kutscher, a former Tigers wide receiver and Ohio State receiver as well. "Dave is the jack of all trades in part to his experience when he was at Massillon. He also coaches our defensive line and is the special teams coordinator," Leno said. "With the coaches we have, I don't have to micromanage because everyone knows how to do their jobs."

*All in the family: As GlenOak prepares for their league opener against Canton McKinley, they are a team with family ties. DeMarlo Rozier Jr., the son of former McKinley running back and safety DeMarlo Sr. scored four touchdowns last week, three in a span of 3:07 as the Eagles obtained their first win of the season with a 50-6 win over Cleveland East Tech. Eagles wide receiver and cornerback R.J. Hairston recorded an interception in the victory. R.J.'s father, Rick, was the head track coach of the McKinley team that won the 1997 state championship and served also as the head basketball coach at McKinley for three years and before that was the longtime Timken floor general. The elder Hairston, a Mount Union College graduate and two-sport standout is the current Eagles basketball coach.

*Throwing around #1's: Lake is the first Federal League team since Canton McKinley to be ranked #1 in the Associated Press poll and are the first Division II school in Stark County since Massillon to hold the top ranking. Since going to Division II in 2013, the Tigers have started off ranked #1 three times, advancing to the state finals in 2019 and 2023.

*Speaking of #1's: Lakewood St. Edward, Massillon's opponent next week is currently ranked #1 in the Ohio Division I AP Poll. In 2022 and 2023, the Eagles were ranked #1 but fell on the road to Massillon. Eagles head coach Tom Lombardo appeared to be a lock for the Tigers opening when Jason Hall resigned before taking the St. Edward job after a successful stint at Medina Highland, which cleared the path for Nate Moore to arrive at Massillon. No high school in Ohio has wins over AP #1 ranked teams more than the Tigers.

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.