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.