A STEP FORWARD: Canton McKinley bounces back with 37-13 corralling of Strongsville

 A STEP FORWARD: Canton McKinley bounces back with 37-13 corralling of Strongsville

By Keno Sultan

C-Town Radio announcer and statistician

CANTON--After last week's 35-0 loss to Massillon, many outsiders were quick to assume that the death of Canton McKinley's 2023 season was coming fast and they were a psychologically damaged team for their Region 1 first round playoff game.

The Bulldogs said otherwise.

After a dismal two weeks that saw them fail to score a touchdown in eight quarters, any thoughts of McKinley's season being terminated after the 11th week were very premature as the Bulldogs showed much needed life as they overcame an early 7-6 deficit to score the next 31 points and capture a 37-13 win over a Strongsville team that shared the same troubles as the Bulldogs. The only difference, McKinley ended their two-game losing streak and the Mustangs ended their season with a six-game losing streak amid a 3-8 record.

No one was happier about than McKinley head coach Antonio Hall, who wanted to see how his battalion of Bulldogs would respond after a humiliating running clock setback to a Massillon Tigers team that has championship aspirations in Division II.

"I'm very pleased with our effort and pleased with our execution. I still think we left too many points on the field but that's something we have to keep working through," he said. "Strongsville came out and gave us their best shot and I respect their coach (Lou Cirino), their team. But our guys just found a way to keep plugging away."

After both teams traded early touchdowns, that is when McKinley took control of the game. Keaton Rode's 20 yard field goal allowed McKinley to regain a lead they did not relinquish in the second quarter after Mustangs quarterback Harsh Patel connected to tight end Jerome Williams on a five-yard scoring pass on their opening possession after Rode commenced the scoring with a 12 yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Dante McClellan.

McKinley committed serious damage in the decisive quarter when Rode found junior receiver Keith Quincy, who took a pass, eluded a defender and raced for a 68-yard touchdown to extend the Bulldogs advantage to 15-7.

However, the play of the game arrived in the third quarter when Patel threw a pass that was easily intercepted by Quincy, who returned the theft for a 60-yard touchdown that for all intents and purposes took the air out of Strongsville's wind. McKinley's defense also recorded a safety as well.

"Quincy did what he was supposed to do in that coverage. We mixed up between the one high and two high look. Keith pushed to the side he was supposed to push to. He saw it clear as day, everyone saw it from the sidelines setting up, did what he was supposed to do and taking it to the house," Hall said.

Junior running back Nino Hill scored two touchdowns on the evening, a two-yard scoring run 30 seconds before halftime and a 50-yard scamper that acutated the running clock that ceased late in the fourth quarter when Patel threw a five-yard touchdown pass to running back Xavier Belvin to conclude the scoring.

Despite the setback, Cirino was very proud of his defense and team for continuing to fight despite the adversity of six straight setbacks.

"Our kids just care so much and it is what it is. When you put so much into the game week after week and year after year, you see the seniors fighting out there in the last game of their life and I'm proud of them," he said. "It was a two score game at halftime and things didn't go our way in the second half. But I'm proud of the way our kids battled. They never quit. They never backed down. They never fell apart and I love them."

For McKinley, they will welcome back the Cleveland St. Ignatius Wildcats to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium for a second round contest in Region 1 as the Wildcats stunned Mentor at press time 10-7. These two teams scrimmaged 11 weeks ago and it was the Wildcats prevailing in game like conditions via a last second touchdown pass for a 20-19 win. Only this time, the stakes are higher with a 7 p.m. kickoff at Benson Stadium with the winner advancing to the regional semifinals.

It will be the first playoff meeting between the two high schools in 10 years. In 2013, St. Ignatius turned back McKinley 37-14 in a first round playoff game at then Fawcett Stadium. Chuck Kyle was the Ignatius field general while Todd Filtz was in his second and final season as McKinley's head coach.

St. Ignatius is 3-8 but don't expect Hall and his team to be fooled by the Wildcats record after Mentor fell a second time to them.

McKinley is 2-3 against St. Ignatius all time in the Division I playoffs with four of the five meetings occurring in the state semifinals in 1994, 1996, 1997 and 1998.

"We have a familiarity with St. Ignatius as we have scrimmaged them for many years. We have to score when we get into the red zone. We can't leave points on the board moving forward," he said.

Many outsiders exaggerated that the death of McKinley's season was coming after last week's shut out loss to Massillon. Turns out for one night, the Bulldogs were just fine.

Canton McKinley junior wide receiver Keith Quincy outraces Strongsville defenders on his way to a 68 yard touchdown reception in the second quarter of McKinley's 37-13 win over the Mustangs in a Division I, Region 1 first round contest. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

Keno Sultan can be reached at 330-455-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

COMMENTARY: Post-game scuffle has no place in rivalry

 COMMENTARY: Post-game scuffle has no place in rivalry

By Keno Sultan

C-Town Radio statistician and announcer

CANTON--It was a horrifying scene. 

It was bad enough that pushing and shoving happened at midfield. But it was even worse when it escalated to the other end of the stadium.

The rivalry between Canton McKinley and Massillon has had it's share of big plays, touchdowns, hard hits and everything else that comes with it. There are coaching stratagems and full intensity. But regardless of the contest, there was always respect between the two schools and the players who played in the game.

Saturday afternoon however, what transpired at the end had no place in the annals of this rivalry. Massillon head coach Nate Moore said it best about his feelings about what ensued after his team's 35-0 win over McKinley.

"It was really sad what went down. It was a melee seemingly out of nowhere and where it started from, it got out of hand real fast," he lamented.

What happened to the meaning of student-community-athlete in all of that? Players from Canton McKinley and Massillon are students first, members of the community, and then athletes. When players put that jersey on that reads 'MCKINLEY' or 'MASSILLON', they are playing for those who played before them and those who will play after them. You have to think about the kids in the stands watching the melee that ensued. Although the competing players are also high school athletes, there are elementary and middle school students who were watching as well. The lack of sportsmanship in all of that was painful and had no place in this rivalry.

Players also have to keep in mind that they not only represent their school and community, they also put their family surname on the line when they are in competition. Flagrant transgressions like what occurred today are a step closer to critics potentially bringing even more shame on the family name of those who were involved in that situation.

Let's face it. Massillon at this point is obviously better than Canton McKinley. Even though I am a graduate of the school without the Victory Bell now spanning eight years, Massillon is just a well-tooled football team. And until McKinley can find the right formula to defeat the Tigers, losses like the one that occurred today will continue to happen year after year after year. And it hurts to say that but the truth is the truth.

But the flagrant fighting at the end? Totally unacceptable. Don't be surprised if any parties involved end up with suspensions ranging from being out of school (worst case) or being suspended for a playoff game that may have significant ramifications behind them. 

How many times have you seen players shake hands starting with pee wee and maturing all the way to junior high, then high school, along with college and up to professional status? It is a custom taught as early at the pee wee level. Think about it. What if those players today who scuffled ended up facing each other in college? What if they ended up as teammates at the college level?

Both teams will advance to their respective playoff brackets, Massillon in Division II and McKinley in Division I. I do wish both schools nothing but the best of success in the playoffs. But however, what ensued was a very horrifying scene that isn't indicative of what this rivalry is all about.

Hopefully the 135th meeting will be nothing like what happened today. Let's not have something like this happen ever again.

Keno Sultan can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

SHUT DOWN, SHUT OUT: Massillon flies up, down, over and all around Canton McKinley in rout

SHUT DOWN, SHUT OUT: Massillon flies up, down, over, and all around Canton McKinley in rout

DOWN AND OUT. Canton McKinley defensive lineman Devante Everett sits dejectedly as the final seconds of Saturday's 134th McKinley-Massillon game ticks away. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

CANTON--The Canton McKinley Bulldogs can identify the pain that Michael Jordan felt playing against the Detroit Pistons from 1988-1991.

During that span, the Bulls lost 13 straight agonizing contests to their hated rival Pistons at The Palace of Auburn Hills that included three stinging playoff losses before they finally solved the labyrinth of their rival that triggered a 24-game winning streak including never losing at Detroit the rest of Jordan's Bulls career.

The Massillon Tigers are Stark County's football version of the Pistons with their domination of McKinley not to mention their physicality and durability up front and once again their mastery was on display.

Massillon needed just one play, a DaOne Owens 36-yard touchdown pass to Braylyn Toles to set the tone for the afternoon and it pretty much was all the visiting Tigers needed as they obtained their eighth straight triumph and an emphatic one in the form of a 35-0 running clock decision over the host Bulldogs to complete a third 10-0 season in nine years in front of a solid crowd at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

However, a serous post-game scuffle at the end between the competing rivals will likely be the loquacious chatter around the county. But not to be lost in all of that is the fact that Massillon obtained the first shutout in the rivalry since the 2008 season, a 17-0 victory at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium when Jason Hall was in his first year atop the Massillon post.

The game was a carbon copy of Massillon's 28-7 win over St. John's (D.C.) but the only difference is that McKinley did not mount a serious threat on the afternoon after Owens first strike.

"I'm really proud of our guys, they played really well. They played hard and were very physical. I'm proud of our guys," Massillon boss Nate Moore said. "It was a great call by Jarrett Troxler our quarterbacks coach and offensive coordinator. The kids executed it and that set the tone for the game."

McKinley was never able to get anything going and a lot of that had to do with the ferocity of the Tigers defense with Cody Fair and Mike Wright Jr. making a living in the Bulldogs backfield. 

The Tigers special teams also made a cameo appearance. As McKinley awaited the kickoff for their fourth possession and down 14-0 on the strength of an 18-yard touchdown run by Dorian Pringle, Massillon kicker Vinny Keller executed a well-timed onside kick that was immediately recovered by the visitors and were rewarded six plays later when Wright Jr. scored on a five-yard touchdown run and the Tigers had the Bulldog faithful in funereal silence down 21-0 with most of the quarter left to be played.

"We thought it was there on film and confirmed it earlier in the game and part of that situation, we had some momentum, it was a great call by Jason Jarvis our special teams coordinator and the kids executed," Moore said.

RUNNING RODE. Canton McKinley quarterback Keaton Rode eludes Massillon defenders Mike Wright Jr., Maverick Clark (above) and Chase Bond (far right) in the third quarter of the 134th meeting between the Bulldogs and Tigers. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

Massillon added to McKinley's troubles when Owens connected on a 30-yard touchdown pass to a wide open Emy Louis Jr. over the middle midway to create their 28-0 halftime margin. Massillon came out the locker room after the intermission and used a 14 play drive that ended with a Pringle four-yard touchdown run as he was aided by Massillon's vaunted offensive line to create the final margin and the running clock. A 22-0 second quarter by the Tigers was the eventual catalyst of the game.

For the Bulldogs who had received the late news that they were outright Federal League champions with Lake's 28-0 loss to Green, it was a brutally painful end to their day with the clock running down continuously on their regular season as they absorbed a second straight loss to close their regular season at 7-3 after a 7-1 start.

McKinley advances to the Division I playoffs as a team now with more question marks than answers unlike Massillon, who has every intention of making a second trip back to Benson Stadium in six weeks amid a fourth Division II state championship appearance in six years.

Bulldogs head coach Antonio Hall lamented the early tone setting touchdown before voicing his displeasure about the post-game scuffle that terminated the handshakes that caused police officers from Canton and Massillon to respectively usher both teams to the locker room.

"It was more of self inflicted mistakes and not being coached what we are to do moreso that anything," he said of Massillon's first score. "We were undisciplined (postgame) and that was an embarrassment. We got some suspensions coming and we got what we deserved."

For Massillon, their winning streak against McKinley now has stretched to eight games and they are now 4-0 at Benson Stadium and Moore now has triumphed over three different Bulldog head coaches in nine years. Massillon has the feral look of a team that may potentially win a state championship to a city that is long overdue for a crown and this may be the team to finally wear the crown as a champion.

And Moore likes the direction his team is headed. Especially now he has two senior classes who are proud to say that the Victory Bell never left Massillon let alone never lost to Canton McKinley.

"I am proud of our guys and proud of our first season and our second season that is week 10 and there will be a time to sit around and think about that. But now we have to move on to week 11," he said.

EYE OF THE STORM. Massillon head coach Nate Moore looks on during the action of Saturday's contest against the Bulldogs at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

Keno Sultan can be reached at 330-455-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com. 

134th battle of heavyweights shapes up to be another slugfest

 134th battle of heavyweights shapes up to be another slugfest

By Keno Sultan

C-Town Radio statistician and announcer

CANTON--The aches, chills, and pains have been palpable for Canton McKinley the last 84 months.

Since a 21-19 loss that saw Massillon repossess the Victory Bell in 2016, the prized possession has remained in the Tigers domain comfortably.

In three of the seven meetings, the Bulldogs have held a lead at some point but Massillon found a way to overtake them in the end and prolong their miserable illness that has infected the McKinley kingdom in the form of multiple defeats.

Saturday afternoon, McKinley and Massillon will slug it out once again at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium with a kickoff time of 2 p.m. as the Bulldogs will attempt to put the brakes on the Tigers bid for a third undefeated season in the last six years while Massillon, the #1 ranked team in Division II is intent on once again extending their grasp on the Victory Bell for another 12 months and huge momentum going into the OHSAA Division II state playoffs.

For third-year McKinley commander Antonio Hall, he feels the pain of the program. As a senior, he was a two-way lineman on the Division I top-ranked 1999 team that suffered a devastating 35-7 loss to Division I third-ranked Massillon that saw them complete a 10-0 regular season. Playing in the rivalry contest is one thing. Being a head coach in it is another. Hall already saw one undefeated season by the Tigers 24 years ago and he doesn't want to be on the wrong end of the same nightmare again.

Canton McKinley head coach Antonio Hall intently watches his team prepare against Jackson earlier in the year. His Bulldogs will take on the undefeated Massillon Tigers this Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m. at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

"As a player, you don't understand why all the pageantry is happening and you don't understand what the week is all about. You just take it in. As a head coach you understand why it is a big deal and you just have to stay focused through it all. That is our key focus is to stay focused on the game through all of it," he said.

A major quagmire for the Bulldogs inability to defeat the Tigers have loomed largely through the dominant and durable corps of the deep Massillon offensive line. In five of the seven losses, Massillon has maintained possession of the ball for over 30 minutes, last year holding the ball for 32 minutes in a 23-13 win that really wasn't as close as the final indicated largely in part to the Tigers rocketing out to a 21-0 lead in the first 26 minutes of the 133rd meeting at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Massillon has competed in five games at Benson Stadium and three of their five wins have come against McKinley. In that span, the Tigers have outscored the Bulldogs 75-42, an average of 25-14 in those games.

Ninth-year Massillon commander-in-chief Nate Moore prides himself on having durable line play. And with the depth of his offensive line, it is a reason why the Tigers have a chance to record an eighth straight triumph against their rival especially if it gets down to the fourth quarter and the game is on the line.

Massillon Tigers head coach Nate Moore watches intently during the sideline of the 2018 contest, a 24-17 win over McKinley that completed the first of two 10-0 regular seasons in his tenure. (Keno Sultan)

"Jon Mazur (offensive line coach) came on with me in 2015 and he has done a phenomenal job in the nine years I've been here," Moore said of his ultra successful offensive line.

Moore is a pristine 7-1 against McKinley with the only setback arriving back in 2015, a 30-28 loss that left his battalion of Tigers livid as two kickoff return touchdowns and an interception return for a score wasn't enough to deflate the Bulldogs as Dominique Robinson scored on a one-yard plunge to create the final margin. Since that game, Massillon has outscored McKinley 188-98 for an average of 26.8-14 in that span.

The last four meetings however have been double digit Tiger victories dating back to 2019 and the margin have been significant as Massillon has outscored McKinley 117-47 during that run, a four-game average of 29.5-11.7.

Laser focus has been a reason for this success according to Moore.

"In a rivalry game like the one we have, it is important to stay focused and one foot ahead of the other and our mindset has been strong. It's very important to block out all other things," he said.

A key for the Bulldogs Saturday afternoon will be finding a way to stifle talented quarterback DaOne Owens. Facing GlenOak's Adrion Burt was one thing but Owens is a different breed.

Owens etched himself into the Massillon family with his scintillating three touchdown performance as the Tigers overcame a 14-0 deficit to upend Valdosta (GA) 28-17 in their season opener and Massillon has been flying high since. Aside from one game missed due to a private matter, he has taken the reins of the Tigers offense and they are a team that is capable of scoring everytime the ball is in his hands.

McKinley failed to stifle Burt last week that cost them an outright Federal League title. It will be much worse if Owens gets untracked and into their secondary early and often.

"We must contain him when he has the ball. Whoever is in the vicinity has to make sure that they tackle him and they have two or three guys there at all times," Hall cautioned. "Most of his big plays have come in part to missed tackles."

"Owens is a great player and a great quarterback and he has become very comfortable with our offense," Moore said.

Defense in this game means that the possibility of points may be scarce. That is where Massillon may have an advantage with having the top-ranked defense not just in Ohio Division II but also in Stark County. They are only surrendering just 9.1 points defensively and only allowed four teams to score double digits.

Key assets to the carnivorous Tiger attack are N.C. State bound linebacker Cody Fair and Bowling Green bound linebacker Dorian Pringle. Both are keys to a fearsome 11 that have feral and accurate instincts for the ball not to mention they also can cause turnovers at any time.

Pringle's play is reminiscent of former Massillon defensive lineman C.J. Harris, who caused a key fumble three years ago that averted McKinley from an early touchdown and swung the pendulum of that contest as Massillon went from nearly being down 7-0 to going up 7-0 on their way to a convincing 35-7 triumph. When asked if Pringle reminded him of Harris and is the current defense more devastating than the 2019 Tigers, Moore opened up his assessment of the comparisons.

"That's a tough comparison. C.J. was a defensive lineman. Dorian is a great player with good size and great speed and intangibles. He plays the game the right way and reads his keys well and is a great player at linebacker. I'm really proud of him," Moore commented. "I don't get into comparisons but the 2023 Tigers defense is one that rises to the occasion and they have done well against good teams. They play team defense and everyone does their job."

Ball security will be vital for the Bulldogs, something they have been adept at for most of the season. In six games they have not turned the ball over, going 4-2 in that run. That is an encouraging statistic for McKinley that offers them a hope they can put a tourniquet on the bleeding of their seven-year laceration that Massillon has opened up on them during their winless drought over their archrivals.

"Ball security is very important. We have to protect the ball absolutely," Hall said.

Regardless of what happens, both teams have wrapped up first round playoff contests but don't get the perception that there is more pressure on one side to win more than the other. McKinley can capture the top seed in their region with a victory but the only thought on their agenda is quashing their 84 month losing streak to Massillon, something easier said than done.

Hall lost his final game in Fawcett Stadium to Massillon and he doesn't want his battalion of current Bulldogs to see another 10-0 Massillon season in their stadium and will do whatever means necessary to prevent that from happening. Despite the challenge, the rivalry is still the same to him as head coach.

"The experience of being in this game is valuable. Both teams are tradition rich. Massillon is doing a good job with their community and we have to do everything we can to get a win and get the program back to where it was," he said.

The aches, chills, and pains have been felt for Canton McKinley the last 84 months against Massillon. A win over the Tigers is the one and only prescription that will cure them of their malady.

Massillon players gleefully ring the Victory Bell following last season's 23-13 victory over Canton McKinley at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

PLAYMAKERS PLEASE

For McKinley to have a shot at victory, it will be imperative they find a way to get the ball into the hands of backs Stephon Thomas, Nino Hill and receivers Keith Quincy and Dante McClellan. They are all capable of scoring when the ball is in their hands. "We have to get the ball in their hands and we must have good blocking up front. We can't have bad snaps and no matter the offensive line, we have to be able to block," Hall said.

EMOTIONS UNDER CONTROL

Personal fouls are common in a game of this magnitude. Last season, both teams had a single player ejected after a kickoff in the fourth quarter in part to a scuffle that caused the disqualifed players to sit out the first half of their respective playoff games. For the most part, personal fouls have never been a problem for the Tigers under Moore's watch. "We train our guys to contain their emotions. That's how we operate all the time 356 days a year," Moore said.

SECOND HOME FROM PAUL BROWN TIGER STADIUM

Since Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium opened in 2017, Massillon has played in five games and have a record of 3-2 with all three of their wins coming against McKinley. Massillon hopes to have a second return to Benson Stadium after the 10th week, which would be their fourth state title game as a Division II school in six weeks provided they ascend to the state final, which would make it their fourth state title game appearance in six years.

STATS

McKinley as an offense has scored 236 points on the season while yielding 153. They have outscored their opposition 26.2-17 through nine game. Massillon is scoring 316 as an offense and have only yielded 82 points and are outscoring their opponents 35.1 to 9.1

Keno Sultan can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

OUTRIGHT DENIED: GlenOak scores on final play to shock McKinley

OUTRIGHT DENIED: GlenOak scores on final play to shock McKinley

By Keno Sultan

C-Town Radio announcer and statistician

CANTON--One stop. 

That is all what stood between the Canton McKinley Bulldogs and an outright Federal League title.

It's only fitting that on a Friday night on the 13th of this month would a game between two Canton high schools come down to one play on fourth down and three yards.

For GlenOak, it was not a terrible trick but a terrific treat. For McKinley, it was a horrific haunting.

Quarterback Adrion Burt engineered GlenOak's third and final possession of the second half and ended it with a jumpball pass for tight end Austin Morrison on the final play of regulation to propel GlenOak to a stunning 7-3 victory over the Bulldogs and in the process, not only denying them an outright league title but worse, sending them into the 134th contest against Massillon on the heels of a 7-2 record. For a second straight year the Bulldogs will share the title with Lake.

At press time, Massillon defeated Warren Harding 48-14 and for the third time in Nate Moore's nine years atop the Massillon progam will arrive into next Saturday's affair with a 9-0 record at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium staring hard at a third undefeated regular season and a chance to prolong McKinley's aches, chills and pains against a Tigers team that have left the Bulldogs emaciated and sickened the last seven years, especially a 3-0 mark in Benson Stadium.

For GlenOak, this is a signature win for head coach Scott Garcia, who returned to the Eagles sideline after a two-year break.

"We never die easy! Our kids just grind all year. We had some ups and downs through the season but our kids fought through it and eventually ran out the clock. I'm proud of them, they played great defense and got after them on both sides of the ball and it was an old school win," Garcia, a protege of former GlenOak and Massillon general Bob Commings said. "On the score, that was a play we had run earlier in the game. We had a situation we had to run it. To win it like that is phenomenal."

McKinley's only score came in the second quarter on a Keaton Rode 23-yard field goal. A penalty stopped them from scoring a touchdown and eventually changed the trajectory of the contest in what became a defensive slugfest between the two behemoths.

Gone was McKinley's six game winning streak along with their six game winning streak over the Eagles. It was pretty clear that these were not the same Eagles who were humiliated a combined 80-24 in two meetings last year.

The problems that have plagued the Bulldogs finally caught up to them much to the chagrin of head coach Antonio Hall. And it will not get any easier with Massillon arriving next Saturday and unarguably playing their best football to date.

And that left him frustrated.

"If it's 10, it would be 20," he said of the level he felt after the game. "We've been playing this kind of football the last two weeks and it caught up to us today. When you're on the field a long time most of the game, you wear down."

Canton McKinley head coach Antonio Hall looks on during the fourth quarter of Friday's contest against GlenOak at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

Keno Sultan can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

With outright league title at stake, GlenOak is McKinley's only focus

 With outright league title at stake, GlenOak is McKinley's only focus

By Keno Sultan

C-Town Radio announcer and statistician

CANTON--Two years ago, the McKinley football program was in total disarray amid a scandal that led to the upheaval of the entire previous coaching staff and nearly two dozen players transferring elsewhere to continue their prep careers. Many outsiders assumed the program, known for it's three big school state playoff championships was unlikely to get off the canvas anytime soon.

Two years later, led by 25 seniors that maintained their allegiance to the program in that arduous moment in program history along with other key contributing players, McKinley is on the cusp of a storybook ending to their Federal League careers.

Friday night against GlenOak, it will be senior night for the Bulldogs as 25 senior players will walk across the field with family members one final time in league competition. They will attempt to complete an undefeated league season and an outright Federal League championship Friday night against an Eagles team who will love nothing more to tarnish McKinley's opportunity for a coronation amid a flawless finish.

Antonio Hall, who was hired as Bulldogs head coach in 2021 has witnessed his team make strides in his three-year run. During that run, they have claimed a share of the league title. To seize it outright is a wholly different matter. 

"Well, two years ago, we wanted to get McKinley back to where it was as a program and show what we are about and the seniors have put us in a favorable position," Hall said.

Evidence of that arrived last week against Jackson when the Bulldogs after trailing 7-6 outscored the Polar Bears 21-0 the rest of the way for a sixth straight win on the season. The McKinley defense recorded a staggering 10 sacks of quarterback Lucas Ecrement and never allowed their offense to really get into scoring position after their first and only drive that saw them assume an early lead.

Defensively, McKinley is yielding only 18 points in league competition and making life awful for opposing offenses and that is something Hall takes pride in.

"We are a lot better defensively and we're able to create some things on the back end. We are mixing up our coverages, reads and we are doing a good job of getting to the quarterback," he said.

GlenOak struggled early on to commence the season. After a 41-12 triumph over Cincinnati Western Hills, the Eagles were mired in a three-game losing slide but have rebounded nicely with three wins in their last four contests, most recently a 42-7 lashing of Louisville that evened their record to 4-4 on the year.

Scott Garcia is in his 15th year overall as Eagles head coach as he was rehired after a two-year hiatus when he replaced Beau Balderson. Garcia is a protege of former GlenOak and Massillon field general Bob Commings, who prided himself on running the ball, controlling the clock and playing tough nosed defense. His Eagles team defined that in his first tenure and have vastly improved over the season and have a chance to surpass their win total from last season with a victory Friday night.

For McKinley, it is pretty lucid that they cannot have the same snap issues or penalties they had last week. 

"GlenOak is a team with a lot of speed. Scott Garcia coached teams are also very physical offensively and defensively and they are coming off the ball better now," Hall said. "We can't have the same snaps, penalties, and drops that we have had all year. We have to play better offensively."

Aside from turnovers, McKinley has been a pretty smart team. In six games, they have not turned the ball over aside from a nighmarish contest against Green. That is a trend which has to continue for the Bulldogs to be the sole possessors of the league. That is a reason why they are 7-1 on the season.

And with an improving GlenOak team on the horizon, the Bulldogs are singularly focused on them and that is something Hall also likes to see out of his team.

"We have been very focal with our discipline. Everyone on both teams know each other and this game is going to be personal for many reasons. We just have to stay focused on this game and do our jobs," he said.

Two years ago, the McKinley football program was in disarray amid a scandal that threatened to keep the program down for the count. But 25 seniors and other contributors made sure the program regained it's ferocity and are now a win away from an outright league championship.

Canton McKinley quarterback Keaton Rode celebrates a touchdown last week against Jackson with teammates Mekhi Mack (#58) and D.J. Britt (#19). (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

CAN'T MISS WITH JA'DISS

Ja'Diss Jackson is a senior but as a first year starter, the McKinley senior linebacker made his presence felt living in Jackson's offensive backfield and making life miserable for the Polar Bears backs. Hall was very complimentary of the play of his senior linebacker. "That was his best game. He's only a senior but a first-year starter and hopefully he keeps it going," he said.

A LONG TIME FOR EAGLES

It is bad enough that Jackson hasn't beaten McKinley in over 16 years. Green has not recorded a win against McKinley in nine contests, Lake has not beaten McKinley in nine years and GlenOak's losing streak to McKinley is currently at seven games, with their last win dating back to 2016, a 19-2 decision at Bob Commings Stadium.

HARDING HARD TIMES

With the 134th showdown looming next week against McKinley, Massillon has kept a laser focus on Warren Harding. Since a 41-27 loss to the Raiders in 2016, Massillon has won six straight against Harding. Since 2016, Harding has only averaged 8.2 points against Massillon inside Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, which includes losses of 55-0 in a 2019 first round playoff game and a 24-0 loss in the 2020 regular season. Harding opened the season with a 33-14 loss to McKinley and at one point lost three in a row but have resuscitated life back into their season with a three-game winning streak, which will be put to the test against a carnivorous Tigers team only yielding a frightening 8.5 points per game, similar to the 2019 state finalist team.

Keno Sultan can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

Federal League clasped by Canton McKinley in 27-7 freezing of Polar Bears

 Federal League clasped by Canton McKinley in 27-7 freezing of Polar Bears

By Keno Sultan

C-Town Radio announcer and statistician

JACKSON TWP.--Canton McKinley has a share of the Federal League title. Next week they just might be stingy enough to keep it for themselves.

The Bulldogs may not have claimed it outright thanks in part to Lake's 21-7 win against North Canton Hoover but they are in a prime position to do just that next week after their 27-7 victory over the Jackson Polar Bears in front of a near capacity crowd at Robert Fife Stadium.

After both squads traded touchdowns in the first quarter, McKinley was just too much to handle for Jackson as they ran their winning streak to a season-best six while the Polar Bears left an angry team in the form of a three-game losing streak and also now, a 17-game losing streak to McKinley, who hasn't lost to Jackson since the 2007 season when Thom McDaniels was 10 years removed from leading the Bulldogs to the 1997 Ohio Division I state and national championship and coached Warren Harding for seven seasons before taking the Jackson reins for two seasons.

McKinley quarterback Keaton Rode accounted for all four Bulldog scores in the form of two touchdown passes, which both came when respective snaps went over his head and he picked up the football to find his receivers that were wide open and two more on the ground. Jackson's lone score came in the first quarter on a short three-yard touchdown run.

Jackson had the momentum after taking a 7-6 lead only to be outscored 18-0 the rest of the way, something that bothered second-year field general Jay Rohr.

"I have to take a look at the film to see what transpired to that point. Our kids fought hard but it was critical mistakes after that first drive and we held them again and we snapped the ball on a fourth down over the head of our punter and they get the ball at the 25 yard line going in," he said dejectedly. "Our defense held them to a field goal but you cannot make critical mistakes like that against a football team like McKinley and they will make you pay."

McKinley is riding with a wave of momentum right now and with the 134th meeting against Massillon on the horizon (who defeated Austintown-Fitch 42-7 to push their record to 8-0), the Bulldogs have a chance to lock up the league outright with a win next week against GlenOak, who at press time downed Louisville 42-7.

But it will not happen according to Bulldog mentor Antonio Hall if the bad snaps and penalties continue. But he was quick to point out that claiming a share of the crown is a step in the right direction of where he wants his team to traverse.

"It's great but we are not done yet. It's an honor to put ourselves in this position to win out. We have to cut down the mistakes and fix those. Hopefully we can do that next week," he said.

Canton McKinley has a share of the league title. Next week the whole title just might fall into their waiting paws.

Canton McKinley players celebrate a touchdown during Friday's Federal League contest against Jackson. McKinley claimed a share of the league title with a 27-7 victory at Robert Fife Stadium. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

Jackson head coach Jay Rohr looks on in the final seconds of his team's 27-7 loss to Canton McKinley Friday night. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

Keno Sultan can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

With title on their sights, McKinley braces for Jackson challenge

 With title on their sights, McKinley braces for Jackson challenge

By Keno Sultan

C-Town Radio announcer and statistician

CANTON--Canton McKinley is not the only team that partisan Bulldogs fans will be rooting for Friday night at Robert Fife Stadium.

For one night, they will also be fans of the North Canton Hoover Vikings as well.

With a win over host Jackson, McKinley will seize a portion their 10th Federal League crown since joining as a member 19 years ago. McKinley will take sole ownership of the title with a win and a Vikings victory over Lake. 

Jackson however will love nothing more to toss an iceberg into McKinley's ship. A Polar Bears win will create a shade of fog in the league race and the possibility of a shared crown if Lake wins their last two games. Lake potentially will win the league outright if McKinley loses to Jackson and then to GlenOak next Friday. Jackson may create a conundrum in the form of a three-way split for the title if McKinley loses twice, Lake loses one of their final two league games and Jackson wins out in which those three teams will all have identical 4-2 league records and it will be the first league crown for the Polar Bears since 2001.

McKinley patriarch Antonio Hall wants his team to avoid such an issue. When asked if his team's 28-27 comeback win against Green was a portent of what was to come for his charges, he didn't see it so as much.

"I haven't thought about that, I just want us to go 1-0 every week. We have to keep our heads down and focus on what is in front of us and if we do that, the Federal League crown will take care of itself if we do what we are supposed to do," he said.

For Jackson, they are mired in a 16-game losing streak to the Bulldogs. The last Jackson head coach to defeat the Bulldogs was none other than the patriarch of their 1997 Division I state and national championship winning squad, Thom McDaniels, who piloted the Polar Bears for two seasons in 2007 and 2008.

Since then, the last two head coaches, Beau Balderson and Tim Budd have failed to break the streak. And now the onus falls on the shoulders of second-year head coach Jay Rohr, the only player to ever have his jersey retired and the lead masterpiece of the team's lone league title that came in 2001 when Jackson upset undefeated North Canton Hoover 20-10 for the outright crown.

That seems like ancient history fossilized in immortality. But Hall knows the Polar Bears are a team that will fight to the finish. He will count on his defense to put pressure on Polar Bears sophomore quarterback Lucas Ecrement and make him put the game in his hands.

"Our job will be to put pressure on him and make him uncomfortable. We have been a pressure team all year. We know Jackson has very good team speed," Hall said. "Defensively, their linebackers are all over the field and so we have to make sure we get a hat-on-hat and know where they are at all times."

Jackson has a secondary that is capable of game-changing plays. No one defines that more than Polar Bears junior Anthony Fuline, who is the son of former Jackson state title winning basketball and current University of Mount Union basketball head coach Mike Fuline. Anthony Fuline has four interceptions, three of those he has returned for touchdowns. McKinley's offense will have to have a vista of where he is along with the rest of their secondary.

If McKinley has any kind of turnovers, it will truly ignite the Polar Bears crowd. Since a six turnover nightmare against Green, McKinley has only turned the ball over once. Keeping possession of the ball will be vital for the Bulldogs if they are to accomplish their goal of being league champions.

Surviving a sold-out crowd at North Canton Memorial Stadium was one thing. Robert Fife Stadium is another. It will benefit the Bulldogs that their sound running game will be a factor and keep Jackson's offense off the field via the services of running backs Stephon Thomas and Nino Hill, to which Hall praised the work of his offensive line, not before he rehashed a crucial contest from the 2021 season, a 29-28 victory.

"It doesn't seem like a long time ago that two years ago that Jackson was undefeated and we were able to drive down the field and win on our last possession. That definitely was a battle in hostile territory," Hall said. "Our offensive line has continued to get better each week. They hold each other accountable and they have a strong relationship with each other as teammates."

Wrapping up a league title is the hardest for any team. The fact that Jackson (4-3 overall) has a faint pulse in the league race at 2-2 along with Green and Hoover will ensure they will come out fighting to keep their hopes afloat.

When asked if he feels that based on the Polar Bears current two-game losing streak and his team on a five-game winning streak will his team have to put Jackson away early to leave nothing to chance, Hall cautioned against trying to do such knowing that their title aspirations may come down to the fourth quarter where McKinley will have to display their mettle when it counts.

"Put them away early? Necessarily not but it will be nice if we did. I do want us to start out fast and if not, then we keep it close and give us a chance to win it in the fourth quarter," he said. "Anytime something is on the line like a league, you hope your players understand the importance of it and prepare for it."

Canton McKinley fans just won't be rooting for the Bulldogs Friday night. For a single evening, they will also be fans of North Canton Hoover as they hope the Vikings plunder Lake from the league race and leave the outright title solely for the Bulldogs.

The Federal League banner hangs on the wall at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. McKinley can add a 10th crown with a win at Jackson Friday night at Robert Fife Stadium. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

TWO FORMER HEAD COACHES ON JACKSON STAFF

Familiarity is rampant on Jay Rohr's staff. Balderson and Rohr's former head coach Phil Mauro are assistant coaches. Balderson coached Jackson from 2009-2015 while Mauro coached the Bears from 1996-2006. Balderson coached two seasons at GlenOak before returning to Jackson and Mauro returned to Jackson after stints at Carrollton and Marlington as head coach. Mauro was the head coach of the 2001 Polar Bears that won the Federal League and finished that season 11-2.

STRUGGLING STATE POWER

Cleveland St. Ignatius has struggled immensely under the tutelage of first-year head coach Ryan Franzinger. A long time state power under revered general Chuck Kyle, the Wildcats are an abysmal 1-6 on the season and have been outscored a painful 176-34 the last three games as part of their five-game losing streak. The team last week lost their seventh rivalry meeting in a row to Lakewood St. Edward, 42-7, whose only loss came to Massillon by a 15-13 tally.

SPEAKING OF RIVALS

Like St. Edward, Massillon, who comes to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in two weeks also has a seven-game winning streak over McKinley. Since winning the 2015 contest in the last game played at Fawcett Stadium, Massillon has captured seven in a row while posting two undefeated regular seasons during that run in 2018 and 2019. The Tigers have outscored the Bulldogs 75-42 in the three games at Benson Stadium and have won the last four by double-digits with the 2019 game, a 24-14 win when Aidan Longwell launched a 79-yard rocket to Jayden Ballard for an insurance touchdown on third-and-six with 1:18 left to stifle any hope McKinley had of getting the ball back with a chance to tie or win the game. Massillon's most convincing win over McKinley under Nate Moore was back in the 2020 season, a 35-7 victory at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

POLL POWER

Canton McKinley remained seventh in the Associated Press Division I poll while Massillon solidified their position as the top-ranked team in Ohio Division II and Canton South maintained their position as the #3 team in Ohio Division IV.

Keno Sultan can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.