Tornadoes steel themselves for second affair with Steubenville

Tornadoes steel themselves for second affair with Steubenville 

By Keno Sultan 

Stark County Prep Press writer 

DOVER--Jake Adkins is not a prophet.

But his prediction of who would win the Ohio Cardinal Conference was not only accurate but biblically prophetic.

It is only fitting when his Louisville Leopards departed Crater Stadium with a 15-14 walk-off victory over the host Dover Tornadoes that it came from the leg of reliable kicker Parker Daum.

The Tornadoes were 1-2 and at a crossroads when an unforeseen situation rippled through the community and the season might have understandably spiraled downhill. Adkins unflinchingly said they would win the conference outright after his Leopards improved at the time to 2-1 and never wavered on his prediction.

With a nine-game winning streak not to mention winning the conference outright in their first season, Tornadoes coach Matt Rees might want to invite Adkins over for a root beer.

That invitation is currently on hold as the Tornadoes are one of 16 teams remaining in the Division III playoffs and have a chance to take the next step to a regional final next week. But for that to happen, they will have to make a second trip to Harding Stadium to oppose a loaded Steubenville squad who inflicted a 43-13 setback on Dover 11 weeks ago in the same site of Friday's regional semifinal.

In that game, Dover quashed two running clocks after facing 30-point deficits, one in the first half. That is something Rees took from his team's competitiveness and feels that may be advantageous to his legion of Tornadoes.

"I saw fight in the kids that they were going to play four quarters and you saw that also in games against West Holmes and New Philadelphia and that they are going to fight for the man next to them and each other," Rees commented.

Under 46th year head coach and 77-year-old veteran Reno Saccoccia, Steubenville has been the measuring mark of success in winning four state playoff titles and making deep and consistent runs on a yearly basis and making Harding Stadium a nightmare for opposing teams.

Jackson (Jackson County) found out the hard way as the Big Red showed no rust off a bye week in a 47-17 melting of the Ironmen in their second-round contest. Steubenville currently is holding a five-game winning streak.

Rees got a first glance of how Big Red football is played in a 63-34 home loss as that contest became a boat race that parlayed right into the open hands of Steubenville. It was then that the 2004 Dover graduate and longtime defensive coordinator knew what made Big Red the force they are in competition.

"They are well coached and they execute very well and they do it with precision. They are a great program and they are very established," Rees said.

Dover isn't bad themselves. In their last two tournament games, they have outscored Columbus South and Athens by a score of 82-7, routing Athens by an impressive score of 41-0 on the road at Joe Burrow Stadium.

Much of why the Tornadoes have momentum going into this semifinal has a lot to do with their gnashing defense. With only West Holmes, Wooster, and New Philadelphia being the outliers, no other team has scored more than 21 points on them. Rees says a lot of that has to do with his battalion of Tornadoes flying to the ball and getting hats on players.

"Our team concept on defense is to play hard every game. Our defense is able to execute and make plays," he said.

A key result to Friday's game will be to minimize the possessions of Big Red and control the clock. If Dover can generate drives of ten plays or more and conclude them with touchdowns, an upset may be brewing in the kettle. At the same time, the Tornadoes cannot suffer any turnovers, something they have distanced themselves from the last two weeks as they survived two of them against New Philadelphia three weeks ago.

Playoff situations also can bring out the best of teams or the worst of them in terms of adversity. Overcoming adversity is nothing new to a Dover team whose season nearly became undone in the face of an unimaginable situation, two of them to be exact with the other occurring during the rivalry week with the Quakers. And had Dover lost their rivalry contest at Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium and split the OCC title with West Holmes if not for an incredible comeback in the final three minutes of regulation, everyone outside of Dover would have understood.

But the strength of Dover is the community bond and a strong district with strong educators and administrators. The football team took the eight count on the canvas, got back up swinging and were rewarded with a nine-game winning streak.

The play of quarterback Dieter Weber along with tough and bruising backs in Cohen Murray and Carson McGarry (who goes both ways) along with the kicking power of Jacob Noretto and the flashy Dante Clark, they have and the rest of their teammates have shown that Dover is a team that if they have to will take the eight count to recover. But taking the full 10 count is not an option in Dover or the Dover City Schools according to Rees.

"The message we send to our players is that you're going to face adversity. How do you respond to it? You can either run into it or your can run away from it. We focus on the next play and what happened the previous play, you have to let it go and move forward," he noted.

The winner of Friday's game will play for a regional title next week against the winner of Newark Licking Valley and Columbus East.

The deepest run Dover had was back in 2013 when they advanced to a Division III state semifinal before succumbing to eventual back-to-back state champion Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary. This Dover team has the look of that squad right now. 

And Rees likes where they are at late in the season.

"I love these players. They are very coachable and you've seen that, Columbus South for one. We were able to execute our sets with precision and that is what we have to do this week against Steubenville," he said. "These moments you don't take for granted."

Rees also made sure to tip a glass to Adkins and his flawless prediction.

"I have a lot of respect for Jake as a head coach. He is great for the Louisville program and they are in great hands. Our players embraced those expectations, not parted from them," he said.

Jake Adkins may not be a prophet. But his prediction of the Tornadoes winning the OCC and playing deep into the season was biblically prophetic to the point where a greater success might await them Friday night in Harding Stadium.

TORNADO LEADER. Dover head coach Matt Rees chats with an Ashland assistant coach before their contest at Crater Stadium. Rees leads the 10-2 Tornadoes into a regional semifinal against 9-2 Steubenville Friday night at Harding Stadium. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

---PREP PRESS PIECES--- 

*Rivals remain: Canton McKinley (9-3) and Massillon (10-) are still playing deep into their regional semifinals against familiar opponents. McKinley will oppose Mentor (9-2) for a sixth time in nine seasons Friday night at Jerome T. Osborne Stadium in Division I while Massillon travels to challenge Sunbury Big Walnut (11-0) for the fifth time in six seasons. Both regional semifinals kick off at 7 p.m.

*Path stalled: Louisville's season ended last week with a 37-7 setback to Big Walnut. After scoring an opening touchdown, the Golden Eagles responded with 37 straight points. The Leopards finished the year 9-3 in Adkins's first year at his alma mater.

*Respect your elders: Saccoccia and Newark Licking Valley head coach Randy Baughman, 73,  are a combined 150 years of age and have a combined 92 years at their respective high schools. Both have been at their respective alma maters for 46 years as head coaches.

*Former McKinley coach on Big Red staff: Todd Filtz, who coached Maple Heights to a Division II state title in 2010 spent two seasons as head football coach at Canton McKinley, where he was 17-3 with his only losses coming to Massillon. Filtz is a 2001 graduate of Steubenville.

*Cold purple winter: for the first time in three decades, Mount Union will not be competing in the NCAA Division III football tournament as their streak ended with a 27-21 loss to Baldwin-Wallace, who won their first OAC football title outright in 35 years. It also marks the first time since 2016 that the Purple Raiders did not win the OAC title as John Carroll was the last team to knock off the Purple Raiders, who got at at-large bid to the playoffs that year. Anthony Moeglin (St. Thomas Aquinas) was the Blue Streaks starting quarterback on that team 10 years ago.

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

Yellow Jackets hand Purple Raiders a stinging defeat

 Yellow Jackets hand Purple Raiders a stinging defeat

By Keno Sultan 

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

ALLIANCE--For the first time since 2017, there is a new ruler of the Ohio Athletic Conference.

The Baldwin-Wallace Yellow Jackets used three touchdown passes from quarterback Charlie Bubonics and an attacking defense that forced three turnovers as the Yellow Jackets swung the pendulum of power in the OAC with a 27-21 win over Mount Union in front of a large crowd at Kehres Stadium.

The win secured the outright OAC title and will ensure them of a bid to the Division III playoffs and for the first time, barring an unexpected turn of events, Mount Union may not be in the Division III playoffs, something that will be highly unidentifiable to the Mount Union football fans and team.

Both offenses played to a 0-0 stalemate that saw both defenses dictate the opening 15 minutes of action.

The first mistake was made when the Purple Raiders muffed a punt that was recovered by the Yellow Jackets and two plays after the gaffe, the visitors scores when Charlie Bubonics connected on a short three-yard pass to Connor Awad and Baldwin-Wallace cracked the scoreboard first with a 7-0 lead early into the second quarter.

It became more disastrous for Mount Union when they fumbled the kickoff and again the Yellow Jackets recovered. But the damage wasn't as bad as the Yellow Jackets could not capitalize on it.

Then the Yellow Jackets had a first down off a Bubonics completion to Awad but Awad unexpectedly lost the ball, leading to a turnover and a Mount possession.

After a Purple Raiders three-and-out, Bubonics added to the Purple Raiders troubles when Bubonics connected deep to Xavier Balson for a 50-yard strike deep to the Purple Raiders 25-yard line. Three plays later, Owen Warrick extended the Yellow Jackets advantage to two scores with a field goal spanning 42 yards and they had a stunning 10-0 lead at the half.

Mount Union came out firing to start the second half. Quarterback Mikey Maloney led a drive and capped it with a 30-yard scamper for a much needed touchdown and the Purple Raiders cracked the scoreboard as they truncated the Yellow Jackets deficit to 10-7 with 10:50 left in the third quarter.

The Purple Raiders momentum was gone almost immediately when Bubonics showed great poise and answered with a 51-yard scoring pass to Seandelle Gardner to extend their lead back to 10 points at 17-7 with much of the game left to be played.

All heck broke loose on one play when Maloney took advantage of a broken assignment in the Baldwin-Wallace secondary and located a wide open Brayden Harris for a 57-yard score and just like that, Mount Union found themselves having the momentum again as they trailed 17-14.

Just as easily, Baldwin-Wallace answered as Bubonics threw his third touchdown of the game, a 22-yarder to Colin Quinlan and once again the Yellow Jackets advantage swelled again back to 10 points to conclude the quarter.

The Purple Raiders suffered their third turnover of the game when Maloney had the ball jarred loose and that would prove costly for the hosts.

But they were not done yet. After a Yellow Jackets field goal, the Raiders answered quickly when Maloney connected to Bryan Ashby and now the title was hanging in the balance as the Yellow Jackets lead was now whittled to just 27-21 with 5:12 left

That would be as close as Mount Union would get as Baldwin-Wallace would hold them off the rest of the way. Aside from losing the turnover battle, Mount was also dominated upfront as the Yellow Jackets held the ball for a staggering 40 minutes compared to 19 for the hosts.

10th year Yellow Jackets head coach Jim Hilvert, a two-time state title winning football coach at Cincinnati LaSalle High School took pride in the Yellow Jackets first conference title in 32 years.

"We showed that Baldwin-Wallace grit is all about and we had the fans and alumni come out and support us tonight and we all bleed brown and gold and we want to continue that," he said. 

When asked if tonight's game was reminiscent of his second state title win at LaSalle, Hilvert nearly concurred.

"Wow, that's a (darn) good question," he said with ta laugh. "Two different games but tonight is up there with that one. We had not beaten them in 32 year but to do that tonight is awesome."

For the first time since 2017, the OAC has a new ruler. And the Baldwin-Wallace Yellow Jackets left a very stinging reminder of that tonight with an OAC title and automatic Division III birth in their arsenal.

YELLOW JACKET SWARM. Baldwin-Wallace players celebrate their OAC football title in a post-game huddle after their 27-21 win over Mount Union at Kehres 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.

Tigers lasso Stallions in emphatic showing

 Tigers lasso Stallions in emphatic showing 

By Keno Sultan 

Stark County Prep Press writer 

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

MASSILLON--There has never been a rodeo event in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Until now.

After Massillon and Columbus St. Francis DeSales traded punts, Massillon took over early and often as they scored on their next five possessions and held the Stallions without a first down as the Tigers lassoed the visitors 48-0 to advance to next week's regional semifinal against Sunbury Big Walnut at Big Walnut High School in what will be the fifth meeting between the last two regional champions.

Not even ultra successful country singer Alan Jackson could save the Stallions on this night. If it was "Gone Country", it was "Gone Massillon."

Savior Owens struck like lightning on Massillon's second possession as he traversed through a gaping hole and outpaced a horde of Stallions for a quick 7-0 lead for the hosts.

The Stallions were quickly rattled as they obtained four straight penalties, three of those false starts and one personal foul leading to a second consecutive but much quicker three-and-out.

Massillon took advantage of a short field after a DeSales short punt. All they needed was six plays and another jackpot in the form of Owens' second touchdown run, this one going for 10 yards and the Tigers now had a commanding 14-0 lead.

Massillon head coach Nate Moore was impressed with the tone-setting start from the future Michigan State athlete.

"He is a tremendous young man and a great player. He ran very well and the offensive line had a nice game tonight," he said.

The assault continued as after a 38-yard pass reception from Gio Jackson Jr. and two tough runs from tailback Gary Yeager, Owens tallied his third touchdown on a one-yard run and the Tigers extended their lead to 21-0 against an emaciated DeSales defense, whose players trudged off the field breathing heavily, showing understandable fatigue.

Stallions coach Ryan Wiggins, a 1997 graduate of DeSales rued his team dismal series.

"It was tough. We were going to have to be really flawless tonight. That defense is so good we could not really protect our quarterback, we couldn't run the ball and we couldn't get any rhythm tonight," Wiggins said solemnly. "I give Massillon credit, their defense is outstanding and the way they run the football, one of our keys was to keep their offense off the field and we weren't able to do that and we had bad field position. Massillon is just better than we are."

Massillon went for the carotid artery after a 42-yard pass from Rasmus Haines to Deontay Malone that had them deep in Stallions territory once again. And then Haines connected over the middle to junior tight end DaShun Williams for a 12-yard touchdown pass and the rout was on as Massillon scored on their fourth straight possession and a commanding 28-0 advantage.

The lead swelled to 35-0 when Haines completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Malone and by virtue of a 21-point quarter, Massillon flew to a 35-0 lead, actuating the state mandated running clock.

Yeager added on a 53-yard touchdown run for the Tigers, who also tacked on a late touchdown pass to conclude the carnage.

Massillon pushed their record to 10-1 while DeSales concludes their season at 8-4. For the Tigers, it is their second straight shutout dating back to the tenth week of the season and in two games against the Stallions, they have outscored them 96-14 for a whopping 82 point differential.

The Tigers will love nothing more to rid themselves of a negative history against the Golden Eagles with consecutive losses coming in regional finals by a combined seven points. They have a chance to squash the Golden Eagles undefeated season as was the case back in 2021, the first meeting between the two schools. 

Both schools were expected to get back to the regional final. But now only one will take that next step as they will meet again for the fifth time in six years.

"We have played them the last two years and they got us the last two years and we are excited to have another shot at them," Moore said. "We are excited to keep this thing going on to week 13 and take on a good program in Big Walnut."

There has never been a rodeo event in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium until tonight. It wasn't "Gone Country", it was "Gone Massillon." And the Tigers used their lassoes early and often against the St. Francis DeSales Stallions.

SAVIOR OF GLORY. Massillon running back Savior Owens is lifted in the air as he celebrates the second of his three touchdown runs in the Tigers - win over Columbus St. Francis DeSales at Paul Brown Tiger 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.

Alluring all-county matchup awaits but Leopards and Tigers must first handle assignments

 Alluring all-county matchup awaits but Leopards and Tigers must handle assignments 

By Keno Sultan 

Stark County Prep Press writer 

MASSILLON--If you are a fan of Stark County football, you know the next matchup will be attractive to the county.

But if you are general football fan, you want to see the same regional finalists meet again for a third consecutive season and fifth time overall, albeit one round sooner than expected amid early season expectations

For the Louisville Leopards and Massillon Tigers both are one win away from a potential playoff meeting that will have electricity arcing around Stark County.

For that to occur next week, both the Leopards and Tigers will have to prevail in their respective second round contests against defending two-time regional champion Sunbury Big Walnut and Columbus St. Francis DeSales with the Leopards traveling on the road to face the Eagles and the Tigers hosting the Stallions.

I had a chance to chat with Leopards head coach and Tigers head coach Nate Moore as they provided insights on their respective opponents for Friday's battles.

LEOPARDS LOOK TO KNOCK OFF POWERFUL CHAMPION 

For first-year Leopard head coach, Jake Adkins, a 2010 graduate of Louisville, he knows all about the names of Leopards football.

Whether it is Elsass, Beatty, Farkas, Aljancic, Tournoux, etc, the 35-year-old father of four children grew up watching those same names compete at Louisville Stadium and saw fearlessness in them that made them the players they became and are still chatted about today.

They were not intimidated of any challenge. That also includes Adkins, who was a running back and linebacker on the 2007 team that faced Cincinnati Anderson and their towering 6'9", 235 lb. receiver Nick Truesdell in the Division II state championship 19 years ago at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon.

And don't expect the Leopards to be intimidated of a Big Walnut team that were sophomore-laden when they won the 2024 regional title and repeated the accomplishment a years later against the same Massillon team.

Louisville respects the Eagles but do not fear them, a trait of Leopards football.

"Louisville football prides itself on toughess, togetherness and tenacity. We play for each other and we embody that. We know that Big Walnut is solid around in all areas and they are very flexible," Adkins said. "We will have to play smart and minimize their possessions and win the field position battle and keep them in front of us and behind the chains."

The Leopards defense held North Canton Hoover to a single touchdown last week in their first-round playoff game as they captured a 21-7 victory led by three touchdown runs from running back Lucas Neff.

If Neff isn't doing the damage, quarterback Cody Zahler is making life miserable for defenses with his ability to take care of the football and obtain yards by passing or running. This is also helped by an offensive line that features 6'8", 315 lb. UConn commit Aden Norris.

Big Walnut are led by senior quarterback Eli Stumpf, a three-year starter along with Mr. Football candidate Nolan Buirley. The Golden Eagles have advanced to the state semifinals twice but have not been able to vault past the same Anderson team that deprived Louisville of a title.

All but three of the Golden Eagles wins have been via running clock. A key for the Leopards will be to get the game into the second half with a chance to emerge victorious.

"We play better when we start off fast and get out to an early lead. We have to win the first down and second down battles and get them into some third and long situations and that is going to be the key," Adkins said.

Louisville has won six in a row dating back to the sixth week of the season. But they really found their identity in a 15-14 win at eventual OCC conference champion Dover as they came back from a 14-0 deficit to stun the Tornadoes on a walk-off 26-yard field goal from Parker Daum.

If you are a fan of the Leopards, you hope to get one more week of football and a short drive within county limits. But first, Louisville must find a way to eliminate a Big Walnut team who wants more than just a regional championship as their team is laced with a plethora of seniors who do not want to be derailed on the road to Canton and a potential state title.

"The one thing we don't want to do is become one-dimensional against a team like them. We have to be able to have a balance between running and throwing the ball," Adkins said.

PACK OF LEOPARDS. Louisville coach Jake Adkins (second from left) observes the action from last week's playoff win against North Canton Hoover. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

TIGERS TO FACE STALLIONS AT HOME

Last season, Massillon was poised to host Ashland in a regional semifinal at home.

However, Columbus St. Francis DeSales literally had an euphoric end to their...er...Day.

Stallions quarterback RJ Day located tight end Jordan Karhoff on the final play of regulation and Karhoff ripped away a potential game-ending interception for a walk-off touchdown that allowed the Stallions to remain at home.

Massillon wasn't too thrilled about going on the road and pinned a loud 48-14 thrashing of DeSales in last season's regional semifinal.

A year later, the Tigers are now hosting the Stallions in a second-round playoff game. Moore recalled last year's contest in which Massillon had everything go their way.

"We were able to get some pressure on him last year and that worked out well for us," he recalled.

DeSales turned away Pataskala Watkins Memorial 56-14 in their first round assignment to get their long awaited rematch with the Tigers, who had their second bye week this season.

Massillon's last game was a 31-0 conquest of Canton McKinley in a game that saw the Tigers take out their frustrations on the Bulldogs in a resounding manner after an adversarial regular season.

Massillon's biggest strength comes from their offensive line who has generated a fearsome running game. It is one thing to have Savior Owens and Gary Yeager in the backfield. But if push comes to shove, Brayton Feister can also produce power in his 6'3", 245 lb. engine.

"Brayton is a great player and a great linebacker. He is very tremendous and talented," Moore noted.

Massillon looks to utilize their strong home crowd to their advantage. Two weeks ago, the Bulldogs were victimized by a horde of false start and delay of game penalties, with two of their offensive drives that were deep inside the Tiger five-yard line stalled that ended with turnovers.

That added along with a ferocious defense will be paramount to the Tigers bid for success as they look to take a step closer to achieving a feat that was three years ago.

For that to happen, Massillon's defense will have to answer the bell once again like they did last year.

"We were able to play with a lead last year and that was good for us as it allowed us to dictate the game and throw balls more," Moore noted. "If we can play aggressive, good things will happen."

THE SAVIOR WHO RUNS. Massillon tailback Savior Owens runs while tight end DaShun Williams (#84) blocks during the third quarter of Massillon's 31-0 win against McKinley. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

---PREP PRESS PIECES--- 

*Big Ten Power: Five players from the region have all committed to Big Ten Schools. Owens and Deontay Malone have committed to Michigan State and Ohio State respectively while Stumpf will join Owens at MSU. Buirley and Day will continue at Northwestern. "The Big Ten has become the premier conference in college football. Although it took a hit with the first CFP rankings, it makes sense to say they are the premier conference in the new era of NIL" Moore said.

*Potential return to Massillon: If Louisville and Massillon both win their playoff games, Massillon will host a regional semifinal next Friday. The last time the Leopards were in Massillon, they suffered a 24-0 loss back in 2019. Massillon is 2-0 all time again Louisville.

*New loan on life: Canton Central Catholic is back in the state playoffs in Division V, Region 17. Youngstown Liberty was forced to forfeit their win via the use of an ineligible athlete, allowing the Crusaders to advance to a second-round game against Lake County Perry at Lake County Perry at 7 pm.

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

Leopards leap, Neff soars in playoff victory

 Leopards leap, Neff soars in playoff victory 

By Keno Sultan 

Stark County Prep Press writer 

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

LOUISVILLE--Louisville Leopards football is about leaping to glory.

And running back Lucas Neff took that to heart.

Paced by his three touchdown runs spanning five yards twice and a 20-yard jaunt, the Leopards reversed a 27-18 regular season setback to North Canton and rode Neff's three touchdown runs to a 21-7 victory in the 105th battle between the two teams in front of a sold-out crowd at Louisville Stadium.

The 9-2 Leopards move to a second round contest next week at undefeated Sunbury Big Walnut (10-0), the defending two-time regional champion.

Louisville coach Jake Adkins spoke of Neff's toughness, which is the brand of Leopards football.

"I am super proud of our offense, especially Lucas. He's had a phenomenal off-season and has carried that into this season. Our offensive line has done a phenomenal job this season and they continuously look for ways to get better," Adkins said.

After a Hoover fumble on their first possession, the second possession was a rewarding one for the hosts. Using a diet of runs from Lucas Neff and the efficiency of quarterback Cody Zahler, the Leopards drove to the Hoover eight-yard line where two plays after, Neff scored on a five-yard touchdown run to hand Louisville a tone-setting 7-0 lead.

It took the Vikings a while to finally get going in the second quarter. They cracked paydirt when quarterback Nolan Bonner scored from a yard away and the game was now tied at 7-7 before the break.

Louisville answered with a key drive that was aided by two personal fouls on the Vikings defense and two plays after, Neff scored his second rushing touchdown to hand the hosts a 14-7 lead going into halftime.

Starting the third quarter, North Canton drove deep to the Louisville five-yard line but as Bonner was moving forward, UConn commit Aden Norris came up with a thunderous tackle that lodged the ball loose, and Norris recovered the fumble, stifling a potential Vikings scoring drive.

At the start of the fourth quarter, the Neff show continued. After a holding penalty negated a Zahler touchdown run, Neff made sure not to leave it to chance as his 20-yard scamper resulted in his third touchdown and had the Vikings down in a 21-7 ditch, which proved to be too much to overcome for the Vikings, who conclude their season at 5-6.

"We can't fumble the ball like that inside the 10 yard line and it came down to turnovers and penalties and you can't lose the turnover battle," a subdued North Canton Hoover head coach Brian Baum Sr. said. "We won week five by two scores because we won the turnover battle. They won the turnover battle and won by two scores so it's not rocket science. We gave them extra possessions and that is what happened tonight."

The Leopards continue their path and welcome the challenge of facing the Eagles.

"It's going to be a big test for us obviously. Anytime you make it to week 12, you're going to play a really good opponent and we have to shore some things up and have a really good week of practice," Adkins said.

Louisville Leopard football is about leaping to glory. And they took a gigantic leap with the prowess of Lucas Neff leading the way.

HAPPY LEOPARDS. Louisville High School football players celebrate their 21-7 playoff victory over North Canton Hoover Friday night at Louisville 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.

THE ROAD TO CANTON: 105th meeting is a winner-take-all between Leopards and Vikings

 THE ROAD TO CANTON: 105th meeting is a winner-take-all between Leopards and Vikings

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

LOUISVILLE--There are two of the worst words that any video game player wants to see unless they are triumphant.

GAME OVER.

And for the Louisville Leopards and the North Canton Hoover Vikings, only one of those two schools will be moving on to the next stage of their season while the other will see those two dreaded words Friday night as the two schools will confront each other for the 105th time in their storied rivalry in a Division II, Region 7 first-round playoff assignment at Louisville Stadium with a kickoff time of 7 p.m.

This will be a rematch of a regular season affair six weeks ago as the Vikings were able to use a strong second half to close the door on the Leopards challenge with a 27-18 victory. Only now the stakes are even greater as only one will venture on to a second-round game against defending two-time regional champion Sunbury Big Walnut (10-0) at Big Walnut High School.

Region 7 is a very wicked region and one that features two teams who were expected to get back to the regional final for a third straight year that may potentially see each other one round sooner, one two-time state champion who moved up a division after cleaning out the bracket two straight seasons in a row, and another team whose father is a well-known college football coach and a national champion in the Buckeye state.

That is insanely crazy. But it adds to the spice and flavor of competition that playoff football is conceived from. And add in a rivalry matchup, that is the closest to a fan holding a Super Bowl party.

Hoover 12th year general Brian Baum Sr. is anticipating the challenge in front of his Vikings, who were a second-round participant last season.

"This rivalry is the second oldest in Stark County only behind Massillon and Canton McKinley and there are great relationships between the two communities," Baum said of Hoover and Louisville. "When I got here, this was the game you set your sights for as North Canton head coach."

For Louisville, they nearly started off their 2026 season without an identity. After a 6-5 season in 2025, head coach Chris Kappas returned to the University of Mount Union for a second stint as a defensive coordinator. Matt Furino was hired to be the new Leopards head coach only to resign a week into his tenure due to an unexpected situation.

Who could the Leopards turn to in a short amount of time? 

The answer was in front of them. Jake Adkins, a running back and linebacker who was a part of the 2007 Leopards Division II state title competing squad and an assistant was promoted to head coach.

After a home win to commence the season against New Philadelphia, Louisville found themselves at a crossroads following a 43-10 loss to Youngstown Ursuline and they were potentially headed for a lost season as they trailed Dover 14-0 and all game until Parker Daum's 26-yard field goal on the final play of regulation sealed a 15-14 comeback victory in front of a stunned Crater Stadium crowd.

That game marked a turning point for the Leopards. They trailed for 47:59 but it was that ONE second which made all the difference. And no, there wasn't a clock reset needed.

When asked if that game was the catalyst for their infusion to an 8-2 record, Adkins concurred as such.

"That's a very great question. Our boys just persevered and continued to stay the course and believed they could pull through and gave us the confidence to believe that we can win close games," he said.

Aside from the loss to Hoover, the Leopards have won five in a row, two of them in close affairs against Canfield and GlenOak and a major factor as to why they are 8-2 and hosting a playoff game against the same Vikings team they will see for a second time in five weeks.

For Hoover, it has been a challenging 10 weeks for them. They have twice held two-game winning and losing streaks. Last week, they gave Jackson everything they could handle for three quarters before succumbing to the Polar Bears in the final minute in the form of a 14-7 defeat at Robert Fife Stadium that handed the Federal League title outright to Jackson.

A bright spot for the Vikings was an earlier victory over the Leopards which stopped the first two-game losing streak. It took them the second half to finally operate but sometimes it's better late than never. Such cannot be the case Friday night.

"It was a tale of two halves, they controlled the first half and we controlled the first half. We imposed our will in the second half to get the victory," Baum said. "We know Louisville will be up for this game and it will be a challenge."

FIELD GENERALS. Louisville head coach Jake Adkins (left) and Dover head coach Matt Rees chat before their regular season contest at Crater Stadium. Adkins'  Leopards scored a 15-14 walk-off victory that propelled them to an 8-2 record and a matchup with North Canton Hoover Friday night. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Louisville knows that they were in command but just didn't drive the stake in the ground hard enough. It was a case of the Vikings continuing to hang around until they finally wrestled the game away from the hosts.

 

Having been raised in the Louisville City School district, Adkins was taught the importance of finishing what you started from his family and educators. It is something he has stressed to his legion of Leopards as they have aspirations of prolonging their season for another 48 minutes.

"We had controlled the first half of that game and we were up 14-0. But then they got a fake punt and a lot of momentum back and they scored right before the half. We just didn't play a full four quarters and we have to do that when you play a team like North Canton Hoover," Adkins said.

A key component that might determine the contest will be whoever can run the football. The Leopards may have an advantage on the offensive line with 6'8'', 315 lb. senior Aden Norris, who has committed to UConn. Norris play on the offensive line along with the execution of the rest of his teammates was a reason why quarterback Cody Zahler and their assortment of backs, led by Lucas Neff were able to obtain their season-turning win against Dover seven weeks ago.

North Canton isn't bad either in the running department with quarterback Nolan Bonner and running back Michael Lammlein who can do damage when their lines are blocking and sustaining blocks up front. 

Both teams defensively are very physical and are just one big tackle, hit, or forced turnover away from turning the tide of a game. And at this time in the playoffs, the defense just may have that one hero waiting for them in the clutch.

Both coaches are looking forward to the challenge that awaits them. However, only one will be headed to Big Walnut and the other will be heading into the offseason waiting to compete again in 10 months. It's safe to say that the road to Canton has commenced and the Vikings and Leopards are proud to be a part of it along with their communities.

"I have been on the staff for many years and before he left, Chris Kappas did a great job building a culture here. I have been on the staff for 13 years and raised my family here. We are thankful for the support and I just tell my players to be thankful and to do their jobs. Do all you can do this week 11," Adkins said.

"The atmosphere is going to be huge and the effort is going to be there. We had that same effort against Jackson and the heart is always going to be there. I will never question our kids effort or heart," Baum said. "We just have to give that same effort Friday night against Louisville."

FINAL CHECK. North Canton Hoover head coach Brian Baum Sr. goes through a final check with referees before his team's contest against Canton McKinley. The Vikings oppose Louisville with a 7 p.m. kickoff at Louisville Stadium Friday night. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

The two worst words that any player of a video game wants to see are 'game over'. For North Canton Hoover and Louisville, only one will keep their console going for another week while the other will see those dreaded words no video game player wants to see on their screen.

---PREP PRESS PIECES---

*The Excellent Eight: Eight Stark County high schools qualified for the 2026 OHSAA state football playoffs. North Canton Hoover, Canton McKinley, Louisville, Northwest, East Canton, Jackson, Central Catholic, and Massillon are this year's county representatives.

*Regional terror: When the season started, Big Walnut and Massillon were both picked to return to the regional final for a third straight season. A fifth matchup will potentially occur one round sooner if it materializes. Massillon had a bye week and will host next week the winner of Columbus St. Francis or Watkins Memorial in a second-round game. St. Francis quarterback RJ Day is the son of Ohio State football head coach Ryan Day and a Northwestern commit. Columbus Bishop Watterson, who won the last two Division III titles, ascended to Division II and are the top seed in Region 7.

*Speaking of Northwestern: Former Cincinnati LaSalle two-time state title winning tailback Cam Porter is a running back in the CFL for the Toronto Argonauts. Porter is widely remembered for his three touchdowns that led the Lancers to a 34-17 win against top-ranked and undefeated Massillon in the 2019 Division II state championship. Porter shared a brief moment with Tigers record-setting quarterback Aidan Longwell outside the press room, commending him for his career with the Tigers. Longwell is now a first baseman with the Hartford Yard Goats, a Double A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies.

*Dover domination: In their first season of Ohio Cardinal Conference competition, the Tornadoes won the OCC title outright with a last-second comeback against rival New Philadelphia. The Tornadoes (8-2) host Columbus South (8-2) in a Division III first round playoff game Friday night at Crater Stadium at 7 pm. 

*Coaches in control: Massillon's 31-0 win over Canton McKinley was their 11th straight over the Bulldogs dating back to 2016. Tigers general Nate Moore, who won his first of two state championships at Cincinnati LaSalle is a glamorous 11-1 against the Bulldogs. Dover head football coach Matt Rees is 12-8 in two seasons as Tornadoes coach but is a vivacious 6-0 against New Philadelphia (4-0 as a player, 2-0 as head coach)

MASSILLON WAGON. Massillon players band together to celebrate their 31-0 victory over Canton McKinley in last week's 137th meeting between the two schools. The Tigers open up the playoffs next week at home while McKinley opposes Brunswick in a first-round game in Division I. (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.

COMMENTARY: Dover bonds together as champions not only on the field but also in life

 COMMENTARY: Dover bonds together as champions not on field but in life

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

NEW PHILADELPHIA--As I was on the field prior to the 123rd meeting between rivals Dover and New Philadelphia, a Dover woman held me in a tight, long hug and said nine words with all heart and soul attached to them.

"I love you Keno. I love you very much."

I felt those words. I felt the heart and soul. I felt the pain, hurt, life and love in that hug. I found myself wiping away tears while bravely fighting them back. I told her that I loved her too while holding back my emotions per my journalistic etiquette.

This year, the entire Dover community went into the New Philadelphia rivalry game and it was unlike any other. For the second time in five weeks, a tragic situation once again engulfed that proud community. It left me putting life in perspective even more.

Sometimes we as human beings wonder why tragic situations occur. We don't know why. It's not our job to inquire why this happened a second time. That is not for a debate, discussion, or negotiation. It is our duty to show love, care, and compassion to the affected.

What hurt me this week also were some things on Facebook that were said about Dover High School educators, administrators, students and residents. It's bad enough to disagree with things and that's human nature. However, when I saw a post from a Dover resident who labeled those same high school educators, administrators and student-community-athletes as "racists", I thought to myself, how do you think their spouses feel seeing that? How do you think their sons and daughters feel seeing that? How do you think their nieces and nephews feel seeing that? How do you think any educator and administrator in the Dover City Schools feel seeing that from their three elementary schools all the way to the middle school and the high school? And mind you, most of them are alumni who received that same education in the school system they are proudly a part of.

Dover went into Friday's game against the Quakers with a chance to win the Ohio Cardinal Conference title outright albeit with a heavy heart in part to the tragedy that occur. Again, what happened is not for a debate, discussion, or negotiation.

Adversity hit the Tornadoes family like a peak Mike Tyson throwing punches with force powerful enough to make opponents cave in and quit. That adversity was felt twice when New Philadelphia concocted leads of 21-10 and more importantly a 28-18 lead with three minutes to go. A lead like that in Woody Hayes Quaker Stadium is like hot Quaker oatmeal ready for consumption to begin an average school day.

It will have been understandable if the Tornadoes had abdicated. No one would have said a word. But quit never resides in that city. I think about a sign of a picture of Dover Avenue Elementary School that says three words that sum up the Tornadoes football season: "Never, ever quit."

In three minutes and down 28-18, Dover scored two unlikely touchdowns from quarterback Dieter Weber. But it was the second one to Dante Clark in the closing seconds of regulation that was poignant. Clark pointed to me before celebrating with his teammates and that point let me know something: Dover will always be here.

In the heaviness of what was an emotional week, everything spilled out on Quaker Stadium. Students hugged players. Players hugged parents. Coaches hugged their wives and children. Strangers hugged each other. And you know what? It wasn't just one race. It was both races of black and white individuals from that same Dover. I saw people united for the right to be outright and undefeated Ohio Cardinal  Conference champions.

Now mind you, I am not a Dover native. I have friends from Mount Union who are Dover natives and it is safe to say their tradition has rubbed on to me. I see for myself what makes Dover the non-failing community that it is even in the face of adversarial situations.

We all go through grief, sorrow, and a hard time in life. No one is immune to it whether you are Christian, Jewish, Muslim, or whoever you worship. To the people who are putting down the Dover High School family and residents like an open cavity, I want you to think about this:

Think about when you were a kid. Think about the time you attended Dover Avenue, Dover East or Dover South elementary schools. Then think about how you attended the middle school. And then think about your four years at the high school. Are you going to disparage those same friends you had in school, those same friends who are educators and administrators in the school district? Are you going to disparage your former educators and administrators too? Are you going to disparage your coaches and classmates too?

Friday night, I saw happiness to end what has been a trying week for the Dover community. It was last year football coach Matt Rees talked to me about never leaving the side of anyone in adversity. Last year, Dover finished 4-6 but not one player quit the team. The football team was at a crossroads following a loss to Louisville, a loss that threatened to be ruinous. But they responded in a way that former coach Dan Ifft would be elated: they ended the regular season on a six-game winning streak. 

As the high school playoffs approach, please be reminded there are 27 weeks of school left. Seniors have 27 weeks before they embark on the next phase of their life, whether it be enrolling at a college or university, enlisting in the military or settling into the workforce. Teachers and educators have only 27 weeks remaining with those students, who they may or may not ever see again after that time. Some of those seniors just may return to Dover as teachers in one of the five schools and may even coach a sport.

To the Facebook poster who acrimoniously labeled Dover High School educators and administrators as "racists" and to others who slandered those in the district, I urge you to arrange a private and respectful meeting with them. Speak of your concerns to them. Speak of how you can assist them. Involve yourself with a PTG group. Get to know other parents and share ideas with them. Be involved with the Dover community. Assist other children and implement ideas with them. They would love to hear from you. They are already going through a hard time in their lives. Don't make it any more cumbersome for them with further unwarranted slander.

Friday night, the true heart and soul of the Dover family came out. And it is a reason why they are the king of OCC football in their very first season. Dover not only bonds together as champions on the field but most importantly in life.

To the Dover High School family, Head coach Matt Rees and family, coaches, team and everyone involved with DHS and the Dover City Schools and residents of the city of Dover, you are champions not on the field but in life. That was on display last night. And as Super Bowl XXIX MVP Steve Young said, "No one can ever take it away!"

OCC KINGS. Dover High School football players huddle around Matt Rees before their contest against New Philadelphia. Dover captured their first OCC title with a 32-28 victory and finished 7-0 in conference play. (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.