COMMENTARY: Malone and Walsh athletes provide hope for young women

 COMMENTARY: Malone and Walsh athletes provide hope for young women

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

NORTH CANTON--Coaches always refer to any athlete in high school or college as a student-athlete. That is infused into any athlete as early as when they are in junior high or middle school.

Let me take it another step. 

Athletes are not to me student-athletes. You may be wondering why I just said that. Let me spread my reasoning like a bird opening up its wings. To me, any athlete is a student-community-athlete. Noticeably, they are a student first. Then they are a member of the community they represent. And finally, they are an athlete. Student first, member of the community second, and finally an athlete. Now you see why it makes sense.

No one knows that better than the women who competed in Saturday's battle of Route 43. It's always a battle whenever Malone University and Walsh University face off in any sport. Inside the Timken Physical Education center on the campus of Walsh University, it was the Cavaliers obtaining a clean sweep of their rivals in the form of a straight set triumph by scores of 25-14, 25-16, 25-20.

Eight women from Stark County suited up for their programs, five from Malone and three from Walsh. Malone's Kassidy Gorsuch and Macy McCauley (both from North Canton Hoover), Jayne Barber (Lake Center Christian), Annabelle Kegley (Fairless) and Emma Weirich (Perry) represented the Pioneers while Walsh was represented by Addie Burick (Louisville), Olivia Hayes (Jackson) and Elizabeth Bauer (Lake). They know the meaning of what it means to be a student-community-athlete dating back to being leaders of their high school teams.

They are all a reason why Malone's Rafael Gonzalez and Walsh's Brett Holt were able to land these commits. And it only reinforces the meaning of the student-community-athlete.

"This is the area why I took this job a year ago. This is a great area in Northeast Ohio and there are a lot of good volleyball players and we love the whole family atmosphere here and that is what we preach about the culture and it's nice to have these kids and their families in the stands," Holt, the winning head coach said.

FUTURE ATHLETES. Canton City middle school volleyball athletes receive autographs from the Walsh University volleyball team after the Cavaliers straight set win over Malone Saturday night at the Timken Physical Education Center. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Canton City middle school volleyball players had a chance to partake in today's contest. Most of them are either in the seventh or eighth grade with aspirations of playing volleyball at the collegiate level after their high school days have concluded. 

I remember what late Walsh basketball coach Steve Loy said when I was a young camper at the McLeod basketball camp 29 years ago: "Work for the highest grade point average possible."

Young girls in the Canton City School district have a high hope for the future. Malone and Walsh presented that to them in collegiate competition. They too will understand what it means to be a student-community-athlete. They have parents who have instilled that into them as early as the day they came into this world and will be reinforced by educators and administrators till the day their playing careers cease. Some of them may even become coaches and pass on what was taught to them to other young girls with hopes of competing in collegiate athletics.

For Gonzalez, it has been a trying year for Malone volleyball based by their 3-9 record. But what Gonzalez cares about most is not the wins and losses but what Malone stands for. The motto for Malone is "Christ's Kingdom First." Academics and faith are also integral to the success of a future Pioneer, something Gonzalez looks for in a recruit.

"Academically, our team is awesome. Everyone has a 4.0 average. Everyone gets good grades. Academics is the first thing we look for in an athlete when they come to Malone and volleyball is second," he said. "We want them to be successful professionals when they leave Malone."

Not just me but when anyone was going to school, there were always assemblies where high school athletes would talk to students whether it was elementary or middle school about getting good grades and making the right decisions. The girls who took part in today's contest also got a feel for what college volleyball will be like when they compete at that level.

It all starts in the classroom. You can't be a successful athlete and not be an adequate student or member of the community. You can't be a successful person in the community and not be an adequate student or athlete. Everything must be in sync. If you are a successful student, a successful member of the community, you will be a successful athlete thus my reasoning of the student-community-athlete.

TOP PIONEER. Malone head coach Rafael Gonzalez observes the action during Saturday's contest at Walsh. The Pioneers dropped a straight set decision to the host Cavaliers. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

There is hope for young women and it just doesn't evolve around Canton. There is hope for women everywhere and a reason why most are getting into sports today. The women who they see in competition are those who inspire them and who they want to emulate. Malone and Walsh provided that today and showed that if a person works hard at their craft in both the athletic realm and the academic realm, they will have a career waiting for them.

To see the sight of young women attending this game pleased me. Many times I always hear the words "girls can't." Let me make this clear: girls can. Girls can achieve. Girls can succeed. Girls can accomplish what they want to do regardless of whoever attempts to put that barrier in their way.

The Canton City middle school girls team learned a valuable lesson today. And eight Stark County natives represented the county gracefully with their respective programs they competed for. 

Here's to the classes of 2029 and 2030 and the girls in attendance. You can do it. You can be that excellent student-community-athlete. You have my full support and one day, I hope to see you competing whether it be a Pioneer, a Cavalier, or a Purple Raider (my collegiate alma mater) or wherever your path takes you. Just remember: student first, member of the community second, and athlete third.

It's not student-athlete. It's student-community-athlete. Remember that.

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

Canton McKinley barks loudest, bites hardest in 26-17 triumph

Canton McKinley barks loudest, bites hardest in 26-17 triumph

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

GREEN--Canton McKinley threatened to score an early technical knockout of Green.

Like a boxer on the ropes being told to punch back, Green fought back and was able to extend their contest much longer than everyone expected.

In the end however, it was McKinley able to claim the knockout that happened three quarters later than it should have in the form of a 26-17 victory inside the confines of a rain drenched Green Memorial Stadium. The fact that Green was able to withstand McKinley's early assault was a testament to them in the form they did not abdicate after falling behind quickly by two touchdowns. But in the end, Green's courageous effort just was not enough against a McKinley team that now has sole possession of first place in the Federal League by virtue of the victory with three league games remaining.

McKinley is now 11-0 all time against Green. Green eventually will have that day when they triumph over McKinley. But for now, that wait has been extended another year.

Green had momentum late in the fourth quarter after a Tyson Hunka 42-yard touchdown pass to Antonio Martin pulled them within two to close the third quarter and in the fourth quarter were in range for a potential go-ahead/game winning field goal. But the McKinley defense conjured up two consecutive sacks, forcing Green to punt. 

McKinley slammed the door on Green's rally when senior tailback Nino Hill scored on a three-yard touchdown run with 1:56 remaining. McKinley mentor Antonio Hall lauded his team's ability to put away a game when it counted but rued his team's miscues at times, something they didn't have to worry about the last two weeks against GlenOak and Perry respectively.

"I'm proud of our grit. I am proud that we got it done when we needed to. However I am disappointed with the penalties and the hole we dug ourselves. But ultimately, we found a way to win," he said.

The game started out in seraphic form for the visiting McKinley squad. Senior wide receiver Keith Quincy returned a Green punt for a spectacular 74-yard touchdown to open the scoring for McKinley. It was the Bulldogs first punt return for a touchdown since Maurice Hill returned two punts for scores against Perry two years ago in a 38-28 loss.

"Keith is magic. Anytime he touches the field in all three phases of the game, he can affect it. Whether it is offense, defense, or special teams, everytime he is on the field, he is going to make a play," Hall said. "And if he's not making a big play, he's downfield throwing a block. He is just magic on the field."

McKinley finally got to start an offensive possession midway through the opening quarter when Hill traversed through a gaping hole opened by his offensive line and eluded the Green secondary for McKinley's second touchdown of the quarter. Both extra point kicks were blocked and McKinley had to settle for a 12-0 lead.

Green was finally able to muster up some urgently needed offense. A roughing the kicker penalty on McKinley proved to be the inoculation that the hosts needed. From there, Hunka did the majority of the damage with his arm and leg, ending an 11-play drive with a five-yard touchdown run that truncated their deficit to five. After a Bulldogs turnover on downs, Green constructed another scoring possession with the key play being a Hunka 26-yard completion to Martin. The drive stalled at the McKinley 10 yard line and Logan Noirot's 26-yard field goal shrank the McKinley lead to 12-10 at the intermission.

Green sixth year head coach Mark Geis, a former North Canton Hoover football standout under the tutelage of Don Hertler Jr. admired the resiliency of his team to stay relevant in the contest after their slow start.

The first half was a tale of momentum swings.

"That happens in Federal League football games. There are a lot of guys who are good players and you have a lot of good coaches and you know they are going to play hard. There are times when teams will have momentum and we had momentum ourselves there," Geis said of his team's second quarter.

Both teams traded touchdowns in the third quarter with Hill scoring on a one-yard touchdown run to open up the third quarter after Green attempted an onside kick that was recovered by McKinley. McKinley had a chance to extended their lead to double digits at 22-10 but a missed field goal kept Green in striking distance and it was significantly amplified when Hunka launched a high arcing pass for his ace receiver Martin, who took advantage of a miscommunication in the McKinley secondary for a touchdown that pulled Green within two points at 19-17.

For the second straight year, Green flirted with the program's first-ever win against McKinley. But that wait has been extended to another year.

"We play 48 minutes and that is our standard. We got after it after being down early but came up short. We're going to continue to get better," Geis noted.

McKinley has finally found their offensive rhythm. With Hill going over the 100-yard plateau with 178 yards rushing and three touchdowns, the Bulldogs are threatening to make the league race a runaway as they return home next week for a showdown against North Canton Hoover, who like McKinley is sporting a 4-2 record (1-1 Federal League) with a 21-7 win over winless GlenOak.

McKinley has not tasted defeat against the Vikings since the 2021 season, a 24-0 loss at North Canton Memorial Stadium. Counting his playing career, Hall is 4-1 against North Canton. Hall knows the mistakes his team were able to overcome will not be as easy against a Brian Baum coached team. For now, he wants his players to enjoy the win and then get back to work on eliminating penalties and various miscues.

But the fact his team showed the instinct to salt away the clock and eventual victory tells Hall that his team is finally arriving at the midpoint of the season.

"We challenged our guys to go out, play dominant football and end the game. And it was a great job by our offensive line and our running backs for accepting that challenge," Hall said.

For Green, who is now 4-2 (2-1 Federal League) they will have some therapy coming to them in the form of a winless GlenOak team they will challenge on the road next Friday. For Green to continue to have a shot at the league title, they will have to win their remaining games and hope that either North Canton, Lake, or Jackson can throw a wrench in McKinley's bid for a flawless league slate.

Geis acknowledged that his team cannot change what happened but he knows his horde of Bulldogs will be ready to get back to work and keep fighting for a league title. Mindful that his team denied Lake a share of the league title last season, Geis attested that his team will continue to forge ahead and hope for some help from McKinley's remaining opponents.

"We just have to worry about our next game against GlenOak. We have to get better in all three phases and we really can't worry about the other ones," Geis said of shifting his focus to the Eagles.

Canton McKinley threatened to score an early technical knockout of Green. The technical knockout came later than expected but for the Stark County version of the Bulldogs, that's just fine with them.

EYES OF THE BULLDOG. McKinley head coach Antonio Hall walks the sideline prior to his team's contest against Green Friday night at Green Memorial Stadium. McKinley won their third in a row to push their record to 4-2 on the season. (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.

A Bulldog brawl awaits Canton McKinley and Green

 A Bulldog brawl awaits Canton McKinley and Green

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

GREEN--20 years ago, Canton McKinley faced off against Green in an OHSAA Division I first round playoff contest at Green Memorial Stadium.

Canton McKinley left the Green Bulldogs stewing tomato red in a brutal 34-7 victory on their way to their third Division I state title game in eight years.

20 years later and nine other Federal League games played, the McKinley Bulldogs still have a flawless ledger against their fellow mascot from Summit County in the form of a 10-0 overall record. And it is something that Green isn't too fond of.

Friday night in what is expected to be a sold-out crowd at Green, McKinley and Green will once again trade barks and bites with the bone being at stake will be in the form of sole possession of first place in the league with three games remaining for both squads after this week. Both teams are coming in finding their respective identities with McKinley scoring 73 points in the last two games and Green's defense becoming highly obstructive after yielding 28 in a season commencing setback to Dover. 

Fourth-year McKinley commander Antonio Hall is well aware of the challenge Green will bring. Last season, quarterback Keaton Rode was uncharacteristically intercepted five times in the first half, his fifth ending on one returned for a touchdown by Green linebacker A.J. Fortunato as the Summit County visitors were 24 minutes from the school's first ever triumph over McKinley with a 27-7 halftime lead. McKinley stormed back after the flagrant mishaps and outscored Green 21-0 for an unlikely 28-27 victory that proved to be a catalyst for them confiscating the league title outright.

Hall knows his team got away with one last year and attests the same Green team awaiting his McKinley corps will be a much tougher one than last season.

"They are a good team that likes to spread people around and they are well coached. Offensively and defensively they have a lot of athletes around the board. They have good quarterback play and good wide receivers and we can't let them get behind us or have blown coverages, otherwise they will make us pay," Hall noted. "Defensively, they like to move around and do a lot of blitzing."

All of Green's contests have been decided by a single possession. Aside from the loss to Dover, Green's last four games have been decided by scores of 17-10, 14-6, 21-19 and 21-17. That experience under the direction of sixth-year head coach Mark Geis, a former North Canton Hoover football standout under Don Hertler Jr.'s guidance, may loom large in case the game heads down to the closing seconds.

No other team has ascended to the 20-point plateau since Green's loss to Dover. For the McKinley offense it will be a challenge. It is one thing to score 35 and 38 points against GlenOak and Perry respectively. To accomplish that against Green is a different trajectory, especially in Memorial Stadium, where Green has been a normally tough team under longtime coach Elden McVicker, then Tom Stacy (who coached Massillon for three seasons and led them to the Division I state title game in 2005), Jon Wallace, and now Geis.

Has McKinley truly found their offensive prowess? Green's defense will provide the answer for that question. And has McKinley's defense actually reached top form? Green's offensive will unearth the answer to that question as well.

"What we did as a staff was simplify things that allowed our players to play fast, physical and trust the schemes that have allowed us to play as well as we have," Hall said.

FOCUSED BULLDOG. McKinley head coach Antonio Hall watches action from the sidelines during a 2023 regular season contest. Hall will lead McKinley into a pivotal Federal League tilt against Green Friday night at 7 pm. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

The winner of this contest will be in the driver's seat in the league standings with three games remaining. The last two weeks, Hall has been very elated with his team's approach to the game during practices that has carried over to the actual contest and has every reason to believe that he expects to see that same fire and intensity from his team come Friday night.

This much is very lucid. McKinley isn't the team that struggled to move the ball two weeks earlier in a disjointed 20-3 loss to Detroit (MI) Cass Tech. What Hall has seen is effort that has reverberated around the practice scene that has transpired down to actual competition. He touched base on a life lesson that he inherited from his former head coach, Thom McDaniels.

"We preach effort around here a lot and we are seeing that the last two weeks," Hall said. "The way you practice is how you will play. And we have had two great weeks of practices that has transpired to the games."

One thing the Bulldogs have going for them as they embark on the short voyage to Summit County is the fact that they have not lost a Federal League road game in three years with the last loss coming to North Canton Hoover, a 24-0 setback in 2021. Since then, McKinley has been warriors on the road by virtue of an eight-game road winning streak in league competition and for that number to reach nine, Hall expects them to be singularly focused the moment they get on the bus.

Two years ago, McKinley landed a humiliating 51-19 loss on Green. Hall hasn't mentioned that to his charges other than it was a win that allowed them to escape an 0-4 start to the season. He wants his team locked in sharp as the tip of a sword against a Green team that feels this will be their year to finally conquer the Stark County version of the Bulldogs.

"We have to travel well. We have to be sound on our assignments and play complete football. We have to take it one week at a time and not look ahead to weeks seven, eight, nine and past that," Hall said. "We have to stay locked in the week that we are in and be ready to go."

20 years ago, Canton McKinley left their paw prints on a stunned and sold-out crowd at Green Memorial Stadium in the first meeting between the two schools in a playoff game. 20 years later, McKinley finds themselves having to answer the bell again against a Green Bulldogs team who will finally find out if they can obtain their first win over McKinley or will they see red again for a 10th straight time.

---PREP PRESS PIECES---

*Nationally recognized Tigers: Massillon's contest against DeMatha Catholic (Maryland) was voted as the national high school game of the week. Massillon is coming off a spirited 31-21 win over defending three-time Division I state champion Lakewood St. Edward on the road. The Tigers also have an opponent for the eighth week of the season, Legacy Sports Science, located in Spring, Texas. Massillon will host Canton McKinley in the 135th of their rivalry at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium three weeks from Saturday, a 2 p.m. kickoff. Massillon held McKinley to 65 yards of total offense and doubled up the Bulldogs in time of possession in a 35-0 win, the first shutout by the Tigers of McKinley since the 2008 season. Massillon has won six straight against McKinley at home. This year will also mark the 30th anniversary of the 100th regular season contest, a wild 42-41 Tigers victory in overtime, in which quarterback Willie Spencer Jr. shared a long hug with a dejected and tearful Adrian Brown of McKinley and walked him to the postgame handshake line amid words of respect and dignity. The 101th game also 30 years ago was also a classic that ended with McKinley prevailing 27-20 in a regional final as Brown went over the century mark in rushing yardage totalling 139 yards, 70 of those coming on a long touchdown run to lead McKinley to the Division I state semifinals.

*Happy Lions: Last week, Minerva ended a long string of losses with a 16-7 victory over St. Thomas Aquinas. It was the first victory for head coach Tim Speakman, a Minerva graduate. The Lions will look to make it two in a row Friday night against a formidable West Branch team.

*Wright Is Never Wrong: Massillon two-way stalwart Mike Wright Jr. has been a nightmare for opposing offensive lines. The Youngstown State University recruit has spent most of his junior and senior seasons terrorizing quarterbacks and opposing running backs. His play has conjured up memories of his cousin, Eric Wright, who was a three-year starter at lineback and went on to play at Kentucky. Current Massillon assistant AD Brian Pachis lined up with Wright at linebacker as the Tigers 1991 season peaked with a state semifinal appearance in what was Lee Owens final year atop the Massillon post before embarking on a collegiate career that took him to Ohio State as an assistant before a run as the head football coach of Akron and most recently, Ashland.

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

Hornets shipwrecked in 41-8 pillaging by Pirates in battle of undefeated squads

 Hornets shipwrecked in 41-8 pillaging by Pirates in battle of undefeated squads

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

SUGARCREEK TWP.--When two undefeated high schools clash in front of a standing room only crowd, only one school will leave undefeated.

For the Malvern Hornets, this was their chance to prove that they belonged in the upper echelon of Division VII. Garaway, a Division V state semifinalist the previous season had other ideas.

A big third quarter left Malvern seething as the Pirates immediately smelled blood in the water, highlighted by a Micah Yoder 33 yard interception return for a touchdown as Garaway, after trailing 8-6 when the first 12 minutes of competition ceased, reeled off 35 consecutive points and captured their 28th straight home victory and 35th straight regular season victory with a 41-8 pillaging of the Hornets Friday night at Garaway High School Stadium.

For the Pirates, winning has become a positive infection for them. Under the direction of Jason Wallick, a 1994 Dover High School graduate, he has his mark on the program and the Hornets found out why in resounding fashion.

It was last year the Pirates had an undefeated season up to the state semifinals before they fell short to eventual state champion and small school power Kirtland. Barring seeing the Hornets again, Garaway looks poised to ascend to the next step and Wallick attest this team despite having different players can do it again.

"That's our goal. You're never satisfied. We have some really big challenges ahead of us and I feel that we continue to grow and get better each week and the goal is that we are fighting for a state championship, that's our goal and we'll continue to get better. We have a long way to go but a lot of these young guys stepped up and played really well for us tonight," Wallick said.

One key player that stood out for Garaway was senior tailback Dillon Soehnlen. The damage he committed against Malvern's defense was palpable as he rushed for 148 yards and three touchdowns to spark the Garaway offense. Junior tailback Jaylen Jimenez also chipped in with 78 yards rushing and a touchdown run spanning three yards to actuate the state mandated running clock with 5:48 remaining.

The game started off with both teams committing unlikely turnovers. Garaway quarterback Brady Gibel lost the ball on a strip sack and fumble and Malvern was poised to take the first lead of the game when quarterback Jared Witherow's pass was intercepted in the end zone by Bronson Speedy for a touchback.

ON THE RUN. Malvern quarterback Jared Witherow looks downfield in the first quarter of Friday's contest against Garaway. The Hornets absorbed their first setback of the season in a 41-8 loss. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Early in the second quarter, both teams traded touchdowns. Soehnlen scored his first of three rushing scores to crack the scoreboard early for the hosts as they led 6-0 after the extra point was blocked. Malvern answered one play after recovering a muffed punt from the Pirates when Witherow delivered a well-timed 39 yard scoring pass to Rodney Smith, who got behind two Pirates defenders in the process. Witherow completed a pass for the two point conversion and the visitors had their only lead at 8-6.

After a second Soehnlen touchdown run in the second quarter that put the hosts back in front to stay at 13-8, Garaway smelled blood in the water and went for the jugular. Gibel's pass was intercepted in the end zone by Smith to end the quarter.

Up to that point, Malvern boss Matt Chiurco felt good about where he team was at the intermission before the wheels became unhinged in the decisive third quarter.

"They (Garaway) came out and they were ready and really took it to us in the second half and we didn't respond well. Not at all and that's disappointing," Chiurco said.

Witherow finished with 178 yards through the air with a touchdown and two interceptions to lead the Malvern offense. His counterpart, Gibel passed for 118 yards and a touchdown as the Pirates moved to 5-0 on the season.

For Malvern, it is a loss that can only benefit them down the stretch after facing an experienced team like the Pirates. It will start for them early Saturday morning with film study and hoping to pick up the pieces and get back to winning form.

"We got to get better. That is what it comes down to and for us, we now get into league play and for us these next five games are what matter to us the most and we really have to get after it this week and our goal is to win next week and go 1-0 in league play and take care of business and move on from this," Chiurco said.

On the other hand, Garaway now moves on to a matchup with a winless Claymont team. The approach for Wallick and his legion of Pirates will be simple: enjoy the win for 24 hours and then get back to Pirates football: playing with a killer instinct and playing to win.

"It's gratifying to see our guys come out and see them do what they are able to do," Wallick said.

When two undefeated schools meet, only one will keep their zero for another week. And the Garaway Pirates kept theirs in emphatic fashion.

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

Panthers rely on defense to down Blue Streaks

 Panthers rely on defense to down Blue Streaks

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

PERRY TWP.--Last season, the Perry Panthers were feeling blue two times in three weeks, the second time resulted in the end of their season.

Friday night at Wakefield Stadium, the sun shone down on the Panthers.

Relying on a feral and stout defense that resulted in three takeaways in the form of interceptions, Perry was able to put behind them a stinging last-second loss to Warren Harding and made life miserable for the visiting Lake Blue Streaks in the Federal League opener for both schools and came away with a 17-7 victory in front of a capacity crowd.

After last week's loss to Harding, Perry fourth-year head coach and former standout Zach Slates wanted to see his legion of Panthers return to the Perry football he grew up watching that became ingrained in him as a Perry Township resident. He got his wish in a stellar way.

"This feels good. It's good that our kids fought it out and played for four quarters and toughed out the win," he said.

Nothing went wrong for the Panthers as they were bolstered by a tone-setting 45 yard touchdown run in the second quarter from running back Kyson Walker, who totaled 118 yards on the ground for his efforts and was also aided by Connor Shephard and his 71 yards rushing and an insurance touchdown in the form of an eight-yard run with 1:50 left to conclude the scoring.

Perry High School kicker Brock Huggins brought the Perry sideline and crowd to their feet in the second quarter as he successfully kicked a school-record 50-yard field goal to boost the Panthers lead to 10 before the intermission.

On the other hand, Lake's offense was mired in futility for three quarters. Quarterback Alex Quior was harried into three interceptions on the evening that put the brakes on several Blue Streak drives. It was pretty lucid according to head coach Dan DeGeorge that Lake was not the team that commenced the season 3-0 and not so much the Panthers defense but the ineptitude of Lake's offense had a lot to do with that.

"We made too many mistakes tonight. Perry was much cleaner than we were and they hit some big plays offensively and we didn't. So there were two good defenses tonight but we made too many mistakes tonight and they deserved to win," a subdued DeGeorge said.

Lake's only touchdown came in the fourth quarter on a 10-yard scamper from Ty DeGeorge with 7:03 left in regulation. Lake had the momentum on their side and a potential chance to mount a drive for a tying field goal or a game-winning touchdown.

However, the Panthers showed their grit when they embarked on a drive that took over six minutes off the clock and multiple third down conversions that allowed them to salt away the life of the contest and Lake in general, a drive that will have made former Perry coach and Slates's defensive coordinator, Keith Wakfield proud.

Perry takes a step toward a 20th league title with an early 1-0 record but will be immensely tested by Canton McKinley, who downed GlenOak 35-6 to open up league play. Last season, the Bulldogs had everything go their way in a 43-6 caging of Perry and when asked if he wants to see an angry Perry team next week on the road, Slates didn't buy the notion of his team being angry about last year's result other than to play the football he grew up in under the tutelage of Wakefield.

"We have to play every day the same way and get better every day and every play," Slates said.

For Lake, the margin of error is none. It is hard for a two-loss team to win the Federal League outright let alone share the title. If they are going to stay relevant in the chase for the crown, they will have to rectify the mistakes that caused their setback and have a much better showing at home against an 0-4 GlenOak team.

"Sometimes the ball doesn't bounce your way. We have to be more consistent and not turn the ball over," DeGeorge said. "We have to learn from it, fix our mistakes and the goal this week will be to go 1-0."

Last season, Lake had Perry feeling blue two times in three weeks. Friday night at Wakefield Stadium though, the sun rose for the Panthers.

TOP PANTHER. Perry Panthers head coach Zach Slates confers with a player during a break in the action Friday night at Wakefield Stadium. Perry handed Lake their first loss with a 17-7 victory to improve to 3-1 on the season. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

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

Jackson stands tall in four-set triumph over gritty rival

 Jackson stands tall in four-set triumph over gritty rival

By Keno Sultan

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

NORTH CANTON--Whenever the Jackson Polar Bears and North Canton Hoover Vikings compete in any sport, the competitive zeal is much intensified.

Tuesday night in front of an excited crowd at Hoover High School, their Federal League contest lived up to it's billing.

In a contest that featured a horde of scoring runs by both squads, it was in the fourth set that the visitors displayed their repertoire that has allowed them to be the elder patriarch of league volleyball as they rallied from an 11-4 deficit and captured the set to post a 25-16, 20-25, 25-15, 26-24 victory as their record ascended to 9-0 on the season, 4-0 in Federal League competition.

After the first set that was won by Jackson, it seemed that a straight set triumph was the recipe for the Polar Bears as they powered their way to a 17-9 lead only to have it erased by eight consecutive points by the Vikings as North Canton outscored Jackson 16-3 out of a timeout to even their match at one set apiece. From there on, it was all Jackson the rest of the way.

North Canton Hoover's volleyball team breaks their huddle after a timeout during their Federal Leageu contest Tuesday night at Hoover High School. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press). 

Fourth-year Jackson head coach Mary Kate Agona admired the toughness that was shown by their archrival and their first-year boss Tiffany O'Dell. North Canton did not wilt away and it was lucid by their spunk that they were determined to impale the defending league champions. But Agona's charges found a way to persevere through and register a hard-fought victory.

"There was some big momentum shifts throughout the game and many lead changes. Both teams had big leads and let them go and we kept telling our girls just to play with confidence," Agona said. "Hoover came out and executed well. You could see when the team got tight, they would start to lose a couple points, so we was trying to tell our girls to continue playing with confidence, keep playing aggressively and sometimes we did and that's when we went on our runs."

The third set was the Polar Bears best set as they found their range through their strong frontline through the strong play of Leigh James, Taylor Brownsword, and Abbey Debevec. Those three were instrumental throughout the contest with their length and height at the net. Jackson raced out to a 12-5 lead and that proved to be huge.

North Canton Hoover is better that what their 3-6 record indicates (1-2 Federal League). If there is any consolation, there is a second meeting later on in the season at Jackson. The Vikings can draw on the fact that their rival didn't speed away with a rousing margin of victory.

But the fourth set and losing a seven-point lead with a chance to fource a fifth set tiebreaker will gnaw at them at least till the second confrontation.

"I think that was big for us (overcoming that 11-4 deficit). I think mentally we still have a lot of growth to do in that area an executing physically. We are pretty athletic but mentally there are some areas that we can improve at and I think we took a big step forward today," Agona said. "We gave ourselves a chance to win at the end and we continued to play and execute."

Jackson's hitting ability and their stout frontline will be huge for them as league play progresses. Agona hopes to see her legion of Polar Bears continue their stronghold at the net through their deep frontline and better shot selection in terms of kills.

"We have some really athletic kids and we need to utilize them better and be a little more smarter with their shot selection as well," she said. "But we have some really dynamic hitters and our defense is solid and we have fantastic setters."

Jackson head volleyball coach Mary Kate Agona chats with her coaching staff during the fourth set of Tuesday's volleyball match, won by the Polar Bears in four sets. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Whenever the Jackson Polar Bears and North Canton Hoover Vikings meet in competition, the zeal is highly intensified. Jackson had just enough to shine in the spotlight against their archrival who brought out the best in them.

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: A few thoughts in my kingdom

 COMMENTARY: A few thoughts in my kingdom

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press commentary

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

NORTH CANTON--I can't help but to think back to the summer of 2017. 

I was asked by a McKinley High School graduate, Mike Elliott to be a keynote speaker for the 2005 and 2006 Canton McKinley Division I back-to-back boys Division I state basketball championship teams and the girls 2010 Division I girls state title teams. I couldn't help but to think about when I covered Jackson's 2010 Division I state basketball championship rally in front of a standing room only crowd in the Jackson gym and I wondered to myself 'I can't imagine being up there in front of a large crowd like that.'"

Fast forward seven years later. In front of a standing-room only crowd at Tozzi's, as I spoke in front of a large crowd that also included my first grade teacher, Theresa Barbato, who I reconnected with after a long 28 years (she's still in the profession I must happily add), I mentioned how coaches always refer to athletes as student-athletes. Only I said in front of the crowd that also featured Bulldogs title winning head coach Dave Hoover in attendance: "You are not a student-athlete. You are a student-community-athlete. You are a student first, a member of the community second, and then you are an athlete."

I witnessed this on display Saturday night inside the confines of Larry Staudt Field on the campus of Walsh University as the Cavaliers opened up their home campaign against Wheeling University. There are 10 Stark County athletes who were football standouts that define what being a student-community-athlete is about. They are students first, members of their hometowns and now college community second, and athletes third. 

Walsh head coach John Fankhauser surely has players who fit the bill. When you commit to being a Walsh Cavalier, or any other institution, you better have a concept of what it means to be that student-community-athlete or the college lifespan will be heavily truncated.

"First, I really stress academics for us, it's a first for us. Our #1 goal is to graduate over winning and we have to win too but it is big for us to recruit kids who want to come here and graduate," he said.

Walsh University linebacker Nate Watkins receives tutelage from an assistant coach in the first quarter of Saturday's contest against Wheeling University. Watkins, a former Massillon wide receiver and linebacker, the son of former Tigers defensive lineman Markees Watkins had a quarterback pressure in the Cavaliers 14-10 loss to the Cardinals. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

You can also say the same of the other coach that opposed Fankhauser's Cavaliers, Wheeling's Zac Bruney. A 2004 Mount Union graduate, Bruney is in his sixth season as Wheeling's head coach and a protege of revered coach Larry Kehres. The Cardinals claimed a hard-fought victory in a game where defenses dictated the night largely in part to missed opportunities by both defenses. Bruney was gracious in victory as he rehashed his team's first win of the season as both teams are now 1-1.

"We were a hair off with our execution but I am really proud of our team to finish the game off the way we did and hat's off to Walsh, they played a really good game. They are an improved team and Coach Fankhauser did a great job with his guys," he said.

Bruney is one of many players who went on to achieve academic and athletic success as a Purple Raiders quarterback. Committing to Mount Union, Walsh, or whichever school of choice requires a healthy academic performance, a healthy demeanor in the community and a healthy appetite for athletic success.

Walsh is represented by 10 Stark County football standouts. Robbie and Ryan Page along with Nate Watkins including John Kouth are from Massillon, Connor Satterfield coming from Northwest, William Butler and Ty Miller from Lake, Kameron Gill from Perry, Alvonte Ivory from Canton McKinley and D.J. Reed from nearby North Canton Hoover. They all have competed against each other but now they are bonded as Cavaliers looking to not just have successful careers but obtain their diplomas and one day be contributors to not just their hometowns but also the university and beyond going forward.

And speaking of Cavaliers, this season marks the 20th anniversary of their 2005 NAIA national championship basketball squad coached by Jeff Young. Former McKinley forward Randall Sistrunk was a starting forward on that Cavaliers team that finished 27-8. As a Mount Union graduate of the class of 2006, I am grateful that the Purple Raiders didn't have to face Walsh on the hardwood, it will have been ghastly awkward to be cheering against a gentleman who is loved by all and me too. He knows the respect I have for him in the sense I wouldn't have tried to taunt or ice him like other opposing students may have. Bottom line, I know where the line is drawn. But yes, happy early 20th anniversary to the Cavaliers and their patriarch Jeff Young. Somewhere the late Steve Loy, who was the face of Walsh basketball before his transition from this earthly life is proud.

Shout-out to Elliott for tabbing me to be a speaker seven years ago and to Barbato, who still is radiant after all these years in the education field.

* LOVE FOR DOVER*

Two weeks ago I ventured into Crater Stadium for the first time ever, home of the Dover Tornadoes. Immediately there was a sense of magic that enveloped my body. Dover has always been a traditional power under the deft skill of 30th-year commander Dan Ifft and that was on display in their 31-3 decimation of Canton South as they broke open a 10-3 contest with a huge second half to capture the win.

What impresses me the most about the city is the bondage of the residents of the area. Spanning three elementary schools, one middle school and then the high school, kids growing up have aspirations of being Tornadoes in athletic competition. That really glued to me the moment I walked into Crater Stadium and the support is zealously admirable. Look for me to come back there very often hopefully for a long time. 

A poignant moment from 17 years ago is one deep to my heart. During a basketball game I was covering between the Tornadoes and the Massillon Tigers, a lady called out to me. I was thinking at first she was another Massillon supporter as my respect grew for them having been an assistant writer for the 2005 Division I state finalist team as a Mount Union senior. If someone were to tell me the woman that recognized my presence was none other than the very respected Renee Sattler, I may not have believed it. Imagine being just seven months removed from graduating college and being recognized by the face of Dover Avenue Elementary school in her 35 years as building principal. My heart still melts to this day, a tenet of the Dover brilliance. I may have had my New York Yankees three-piece suit on (shhh, don't let Boston Red Sox fans see that, I'm a lifelong Atlanta Braves fan but the suit was passed down to me in our family) but Mrs. Sattler recognizing me the very first time she saw me at halftime of that contest at Washington High School was the epitome of a deep and powerful Aaron Judge home run.

I love all of Dover and Mrs. Sattler as well. I can see how she touched so many elementary kids in her 35 years as Dover Avenue principal and ended up with my heart in her hands They were blessed to have her. I was blessed to cross paths with her. 

Dover, you won your way into my heart. And you are there forever.

Dover High School football assistant coach Matt Rees walks the field before the Tornadoes home contest against Canton South, won by the host Tornadoes 31-3 in the second week of the season. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

*STREAK ENDS BUT DON'T COUNT OUT THE TIGERS*

It was just last season the Massillon Tigers embarked on a 16-game tear that saw them impose their wrath on the entire state of Ohio as they terrorized all challengers on their way to an undefeated season, a state championship and a national ranking not to mention the national prep coach of the year.

Friday night at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, Massillon's 18-game winning streak concluded with a 35-21 loss to Bergen Catholic (NJ) in a battle of state champions with national recognition. Massillon was a moment or two from taking the game over when Tra'Yon Williams scored on an 35-yard interception return to tie their contest at 21-21. From 2018 on, most teams folded up the tent and failed once Massillon obtained the momentum and if it wasn't by a big play or a running clock, it was the durability of their deep offensive line.

Bergen Catholic rebounded and were able to obtain their first win of the season. But don't be quick to discard of the Tigers. One loss sure doesn't make a season. Nate Moore coached teams always have a knack of bouncing back from defeat. It was three years ago as I voiced my disappointment after a third straight Tigers loss in the 2020 state final to Hoban (second in three years) as I referred to their setback as devastating let alone unfair that Massillon was subjected to three straight losses in the title game and deserved better endings before last season, leave it to Ellery Moore to call me out and directly tell me to "stop with the whys" and to love on those Tigers and have faith they would be state champions because it was coming.

I didn't acknowledge it at the time but I needed that. I needed to hear that. I needed to be called out. I needed someone whose love was deep for Massillon to remind me that day was coming where Massillon would raise that trophy as state champions. Ellery, a former Tiger and part of the 1999 team that finished a 10-0 regular season was the one to do that. And you know what? He was right.

Massillon's 18-game winning streak may have stopped. But there is a lot of football left. Expect to see a motivated Tigers team Friday against Buffalo Canisius. Massillon has not lost consecutive home games since 2004 and it just is not happening. I'll gladly bet anyone a small pizza from Pizza Hut on it.

Massillon players take the field for pregame warmups before their home opener against Bergen Catholic (NJ) at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

*RISING RAIDERS*

Warren Harding High School has had two trips to Stark County and came away with a split but just as easily may be 3-0 save for a 26-19 loss to Canton McKinley. Matt Richardson, who was a running backs coach under Thom McDaniels has the Raiders back to their punishing ways on offense and their traditional predatory defense along with lethal special teams. 

Their 15-9 win over Perry on their last possession just may have signaled their return to relevance. Don't be surprised if the Raiders go on a deep winning streak, a streak that if it carries into a ninth week showdown against Massillon will be augmented by the fact that Rick Shepas, who coached Massillon for seven seasons is now the Warren Harding athletic director.

In the past, Harding may have gotten away from that and in some instances melted down at the first hint of adversity that encompassed them. Never again. Not under Richardson. What I have seen from the Richardson-led Raiders is that they are going to impose their will on teams. They are going to make other teams submit. They are going to make teams who oppose them crack and leave them respecting the revival of Warren Harding football. The Warren Harding football that terrorized teams from 2000-2003.

The black and gold definitely will have seats filled again in Mollenkopf Stadium. It's a fun time right now to be a resident of Warren. And Richardson has my full support.

Warren Harding head coach Matt Richardson watches the action against Canton McKinley earlier this season, a contest won by the Bulldogs 26-19. Harding has won two straight since their setback to McKinley. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

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

Massillon comes up short in valiant effort against Crusaders

 Massillon comes up short in valiant effort against Crusaders

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

MASSILLON--When two teams laced with heavy tradition meet on the football field, fireworks are expected to be in the air.

Friday night, there were a lot of fireworks on the field between the tradition steeped Massillon Tigers and Bergen Catholic (NJ) Crusaders.

In the end, it was the defending three-time New Jersey large school state champions using a huge 16-play drive spanning the end of the third quarter that ended with offensive lineman Mikey McMahon recovering a fumble in the end zone for a touchdown that extended their lead to two touchdowns early in the fourth quarter and from there they captured a 35-21 victory that concluded the 18-game winning streak for the Ohio Division II state champion Tigers and in the process halting their regular season winning streak at 12 games.

Bergen Catholic is the first out-of-state team since 2016 to depart Paul Brown Tiger Stadium with a victory and the last team to accomplish that task is a familiar team that opposes the Tigers next week, another set of Crusaders in Buffalo Canisius, out of New York.

Sixth-year Bergen Catholic general Vito Campanile praised Massillon for their class and dignity while basking in the achievement of his team's first victory of the season as they rebounded from a 27-14 loss to IMG Academy dating back to last week.

"I said this week that we wanted to play this game in a phone booth. Just being able to play downhill style football. I told the team at halftime that you woke up at five in the morning lifting 72 times and lifting weights every day for a reason and it showed," Campanile said.

Massillon will rue the two turnovers in the contest that were the main catalysts as to why they finally experienced defeat for the first time since the 15th week of the 2022 season. A bright spot for the Tigers came on defense when cornerback Tra'Yon Williams intercepted a pass from quarterback Dominic Campanile and returned the theft for a 35-yard touchdown that tied the game at 21-21 midway through the second quarter.

However as the Tigers were attempting to utlitize their advantage in the third quarter, Crusaders linebacker Ethan Cohall stepped in front of a Jalen Slaughter pass and returned it 30 yards to the Massillon 20-yard line and all Bergen Catholic needed was three plays, ending with Najee Calhoun scoring a three-yard touchdown run that resulted in the second and final lead change of the contest in the form of a 28-21 lead that eventually led to the Crusaders next possession, a 16-play drive that eventually spelled the end of Massillon's undefeated start to the season after two wins. The key play of that drive was Dominic Campanile completing a fourth down pass to Porter that went for 13 yards, keeping the Crusaders offense on the field leading to the eventual decisive fumble recovery in the end zone for the final tally.

Despite the setback, Massillon head coach Nate Moore, a two-time state championship winning head coach in Division II remained upbeat about his biome of Tigers.

"There's a lot of great things that happened on the field. We were tied at halftime with one of the top teams in the country and obviously we wish we would have gotten some things going offensively at halftime," he said. "But we got a lot to learn from and we're looking forward to next week's practice."

Massillon's opening drive seemed to send a message that this contest between two nationally ranked behemoths was going to be played on their terms when Ja'Meir Gamble turned the corner on a hand off from Slaughter and raced into the end zone for a 32-yard touchdown run and the hosts had an early 7-0 lead.

Bergen Catholic was zealous enough to oblige when Dominic Campanile heaved a 56-yard spiral down the left sideline to future Ohio State wide receiver Quincy Porter, a Randy Moss type receiver at 6'4'', 200 lbs. and fought off a tackle attempt for a touchdown that presented the first of three ties in the contest. 

The first quarter was a frenzied quarter for the defenses with both offenses providing answers as Slaughter responded to the Crusaders score with a 26-yard strike to wide receiver DJ Zimmerman that spanned 26 yards as he eluded a defender for the score only to have the Crusaders hit back with a Dante Kain four yard touchdown run to conclude the first quarter with the recipe for that being a humongous 75 yard kickoff return all the way to the Massillon 20-yard line.

From there it became a matter of which team would have the final answers. And Bergen Catholic just had a few more of those in a battle of defending state playoff champions that are also nationally ranked.

"I said to Coach Moore before the game that it's everything that I thought it was. This environment is everything is what high school football is supposed to be about," Vito said. "We make these games to give our kids culture and learn about other places in the country. Massillon is an unbelievable environment and Massillon is everything about what football is and I have a lot of respect for that program."

For the Tigers, they now find themselves looking to rebound from a loss. They now have the task of starting another winning streak again and it will start against Buffalo Canisius, the second set of Crusaders who will invade Paul Brown Tiger Stadium next Friday. 

Massillon has one thing going for them. In Moore's 10 seasons, the Tigers have not lost consecutive home contests. Whenever the Tigers have experienced failure at home, they have responded positively and that will be paramount to them looking to learn from early adversity and attempting to be 3-1 next week.

"We'll get to the film and get back to work essentially and get things corrected. We are on a 16 week journey and that hasn't changed," Moore said. "Nobody wants to lose but if you're focused on the outcome, you're focused on the wrong thing."

Massillon wide receiver Deangelo Zimmerman scores in the first quarter Friday night against Bergen Catholic (NJ) at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Massillon battled valiantly before coming up short in a 35-21 loss to the Crusaders. (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 home opener to create national waves against New Jersey giant

 Tigers home opener to create national waves against New Jersey giant

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

MASSILLON--With a combined 45 state championships overall, the Massillon Tigers and Bergen Catholic (NJ) are in an euphoric class of their own.

Massillon is the Ohio giant when it comes to prep football as they have captured 25 Ohio state championships, 24 of them arriving before the commencement of the state playoff era. Bergen Catholic is the New Jersey giant as they have seized 20 New Jersey state playoff championships, 17 of them in the playoff era.

Friday night in front of what will be a near-capacity crowd inside 18,000-seat Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, the two heavyweights will traverse each other for the first time and both are arriving as state champions, with the Tigers as the defending rulers of Ohio Division II and the Crusaders entering as the defending three-time New Jersey big school state champions.

For 10th year Massillon commander Nate Moore, this will be his biggest season opener dating back to his first season, however because of the national accolades this game is attaining, it makes the opener a galvanizing affair, especially with the Tigers being defending state champions for the first time in 52 years. It also helped that the Tigers were able to put away GlenOak early on the road in the form of a 45-0 victory that allowed the starters to only play just the first half.

"We wanted to go out and play well. If we had a chance to get some guys off the field, so be it. Really, we just wanted to go out and play well and execute and have some really positive momentum going into week 3," Moore said.

Through just two games, the Massillon offense has not lost any rhythm with senior quarterback Jalen Slaughter at the controls of the ship. Through two games he has been the catalyst of their attack as they have scored 80 points through two contests.

It was three years ago he became the starter as a freshman midway through the 2021 season when he took the reins from the incumbent quarterback, Darrius McElroy, who was a senior. Slaughter then took a backseat to DaOne Owens, who masterfully piloted the Tigers to their first state playoff title and now Slaughter has the feral look of determination that he will be the one to make sure Massillon is playing into early December.

Moore couldn't help but to be impressed by Slaughter's efficiency during the Tigers wins over NFL Academy (United Kingdom) and GlenOak.

"Well, I think Slaughter has played really well. He did a great job of distributing the football, making good decisions and keeping plays alive in the pocket with his eyes downfield and that has been a big factor and you have to give credit to our offensive coordinator Alex Wood, who is back with the program this year and is a 1973 graduate, so he's done a good job organizing the offense and also the playcaller," he said.

Bergen Catholic is coming off a 27-14 loss to IMG Academy in their season opener. However they are not a squad to be dismissed because of one setback. They have a possession of deadly weaponry across the board with a fearsome set of players capable of causing serious adversity and would love nothing more to be the ones to terminate Massillon's overall 18-game winning streak (12-game regular season winning streak).

The last nationally ranked team from out of state to depart Massillon with a regular season victory was Buffalo (NY) Canisius (who comes to Paul Brown Tiger Stadium next week) back in the 2016 season as the Crusaders overcame a 21-7 halftime deficit and stopped the host Tigers 49-35 by outscoring them 42-14 after the intermission.

Keeping sharp keys on the Bergen Catholic skill players will be paramount to the Tigers in their bid to attain success Friday night.

"The biggest thing with a team like that is that they really don't have any weaknesses. They (Bergen Catholic) are really good on all three levels on both sides of the ball," Moore said. "They are very good up front on the offensive and defensive lines. They are very good at the skill positions. There's no place you can look at and say 'well, you know, they're not as good here'. Teams like that are good everywhere."

Massillon head coach Nate Moore looks at the scoreboard in the final seconds of his team's 35-0 conquest of Canton McKinley to complete a 10-0 regular season. The Tigers kick off their home opener Friday night against Bergen Catholic (NJ). (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

It may not seem like it to some but Massillon has been a national power the last six years under Moore going back to the 2018 season, a 46-40 decision over East St. Louis (IL), a game where the Tigers trailed the nationally sixth-ranked Flyers 20-10 at halftime before a 36-20 second half powered them along with the depth of their durable offensive line to the comeback victory that garnered them recognition around America and a final ranking in a national poll that season.

Massillon has been ranked nationally in multiple publications around the nation with one having them ranked as high as second, the highest national ranking for them since 1996 when Jack Rose was the Tigers field general and boasted powerful tailback Christian Morgan, who was an Eddie George type tailback at 6'4'', 225 lbs.

During his 10 seasons, Moore has always kept a laser focus and he isn't the one to get caught in the specter of pressure or national rankings for that matter. He was voted last season as the national prep coach of the year but despite the accolades has remained level, not quick to boast about accomplishments but to keep the focus on and only the team. When asked how does he divert himself away from such recognition, Moore put it in perspective.

"It's one of the few gifts I have is my ability to ignore the things that don't matter and when it comes down to it, where anybody puts us in a ranking, whether it's a Stark County ranking, a state ranking or a national ranking, it really has no bearing on anything we're doing. So those kind of things don't matter to us, we don't pay attention to those and we really try to focus in on the things that matter," he said.

Friday night will mark another home opener in Massillon and it will be one that will attract a large crowd, not to mention according to Moore multiple media requests and college coaches from around the nation. If the Tigers have one thing going for them, it is that their crowd has an uncanny ability to be liable for visiting teams false starts and delay of game penalties, something that may prove large if Massillon can obtain a commanding lead at any point in the contest.

Moore knows the crowd will be electric and this will be a home opener more unique than others.

"It's really exciting. We've played a few football games in a row now not at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. And that doesn't happen a lot throuughout our history. So the opportunity to be back home in front of our home crowd, I'm sure the crowd will be bonkers for this game not just because it's our home opener but the level of the matchup and this game," he said. "There is a lot of national interest and so it's going to be exciting in a lot of ways."

With a combined 45 overall championships overall between Massillon and Bergen Catholic, both teams are in a class of their own, a class that will be on shimmering display at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

---PREP PIECES---

*Motor City Mayhem: After a 21-14 loss to Avon, Canton McKinley looks to rebound as they will oppose Detroit Cass Tech Friday night at home. 10 seasons ago, the Technicians were poised to play Massillon before that matchup dissolved as the Tigers settled on Perry to open up the season. Cass Tech is the alma mater of former Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick. Former head coach Thomas Wilcher is a University of Michigan classmate of national champion winning head coach Jim Harbaugh.

*Spread The Peace: When Perry and Warren Harding play at Wakefield Stadium, it will be a reunion for current Harding athletic director Rick Shepas and Perry defensive coordinator Keith Wakefield. Shepas and Wakefield coached against each other four times, Shepas at Massillon and Wakefield at Perry with both teams splitting two games and both obtaining playoff wins against each other. It will be the first matchup between the two schools, with Zach Slates as Perry's boss and Matt Richardson as Harding's commander.

*Wildcat Worries: Canton South is a stunning 0-2 to begin their season having been outscored 74-3 in their first two games, both on the road against Cleveland Benedictine and Dover. The Wildcats have their home opener Saturday against Columbus Eastmoor in what is undoubtedly a must-win situation for a Wildcat team who has now lost three in a row dating back to a grueling 42-21 Division IV state semifinal loss to eventual back-to-back state champion Cleveland Glenville.

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

Trojans rise above Tigers after rain delay in 23-7 win

 Trojans rise above Tigers after rain delay in 23-7 win

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

CANTON--An hour long rain delay may have quashed whatever momentum the Virginia State football team had.

The Trojans didn't mind the rest and relaxation.

After spotting Benedict College an early 7-0 advantage by virtue of a blocked field goal that was recovered for a touchdown by Jesse Bradberry IV in the first quarter, the Trojans defense buckled down the rest of the contest and paced by two touchdowns by running back Jimmyll Williams, Virginia State departed Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium with a 23-7 victory in the sixth annual Black College Hall of Fame Game to formulate a winning start to their 2024 campaign.

What pleased VSU head coach Henry Frazier III was the fact that his defense kept the Benedict offense out of the end zone in virtually pitching a shutout and his team's response after trailing early to begin the contest.

"You're playing against a formidable opponent in Benedict College who went 11-1 back-to-back. I told the team at halftime that they are going to have the heart of a champion so we're going to have to break their will if you want to win this ball game," Frazier said. "I thought they fought down the stretch as it went back and forth. In the end, our defense held and we said if they didn't score again, they would not beat us."

The play of the game unarguably belonged to Williams, the sophomore tailback from Durham, N.C. Taking a hand off, Williams found a gaping crater created by his offensive line and sprinted through the fissure into the open field untouched for an 82-yard touchdown in the second quarter that extended the Trojans lead to 16-7, pretty much salting away the contest at that point. Williams added a nine yard scoring jaunt in the third quarter and finished as the offensive player of the game with 158 yards rushing on 23 carries. 

VSU signal caller Romelo Williams completed 13 passes out of 21 attempted without a turnover, his longest completion was a 51-yard touchdown pass to Richmond native Kevin Gayles, who concluded the contest with two catches for 75 yards on the evening.

The Trojans defense were also liable for constructing three turnovers as they twice harried Benedict quarterback Tre Simmons into two interceptions and recovered a fumble in the process. Sophomore defensive tackle Cameron Davis, who had a strip sack and fumble recovery was the defensive player of the game.

Simmons passed for only 68 yards on 11 24 attempts. Jalen Leary was the leading rusher for Benedict with 111 yards on 14 carries, his longest run spanning 47 yards.

The Tigers will have a fecund amount of work ahead of them under the tutelage of first-year head coach Ron Dickerson Jr. if they are going to have another double-digit winning season. Although they are off this upcoming week, the Tigers mentor wants to use the week as a learning tool as his charges look to rise from the canvas of defeat and erect what they hope will be the foundation of another winning season.

An adept way of that will be truncating penalties that short ciruited his team throughout the contest.

"The turning point of the game was that we just hit ourselves in the mouth and we kept getting holding penalties back-to-back and we were starting off so far behind the chains," Dickerson said. "When you have a new team you have so many transfers and freshmen and you have to have understanding how to work through a situation and we never really had to do that. Today was our first day ever with a brand new team and we hurt ourselves. We have to learn from that. When we had those penalties today it hurt us."

An hour long delay may have quashed whatever momentum the Virginia State football team had. They didn't mind the rest and relaxation along with the victory to start the engine on their 2024 season.

Virginia State University defensive tackle Cameron Davis poses with the Black College Hall of Fame trophy after the Trojans 23-7 win over Benedict College. (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.