Knights and Irish fall short, diverting McKinley Bulldog connections from state championships

 Knights and Irish fall short, diverting McKinley Bulldog connections from state championships

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press special report

AKRON--Four times since the 2017 season, the Avon Eagles were the team always having to shake Akron Hoban's hand and wish them well in the state championship.

Tonight, it was Akron Hoban's turn to shake hands with Avon and wish them well.

The undefeated Eagles after having multiple seasons short circuited by the Knights finally obtained their first ever win over the five-time state champions as Avon needed one possession to set the tone in the form of an 11-play drive ending with a Tyler Kauffman one-yard touchdown run and it was a possession that set the Knights back on their heels the rest of the evening as the Eagles posted a commanding 35-10 victory over Hoban to advance to next Thursday's Division II state championship game against undefeated Cincinnati Anderson, a 28-24 victor over Sunbury Big Walnut in the other semifinal. Both teams will enter with identical 15-0 records for the 7 p.m. kickoff at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Former Canton McKinley running back and 1996 graduate Adrian Brown was hoping to be part of a state championship with the Knights.His son, defensive end Ace Brown finished with two tackles, both for loss in a losing cause for the 12-3 Knights.

This will be Avon's first state championship game since the 2011 season, a 42-28 loss to Trotwood-Madison at Massillon's Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

18th-year Avon head coach Mike Elder likes the direction where his team is headed going into Thursday's tilt against the Raptors.

"Those guys really stepped up tonight in a big-time game in a big-time moment. Our offensive line dominated up front and won the line of scrimmage and our running backs ran hard and protected the football and that was huge for us, we had a great game tonight," Elder said. "We're going to enjoy the bus ride home and get ready for Cincinnati Anderson."

When asked if Avon's tone-setting drive was a costly portent of things to come, veteran Hoban general Tim Tyrrell, a former head coach at St. Thomas Aquinas didn't see it that way.

"I don't think it was as much on the first series as much as it was playing to our youth a little bit. We were at the point where we did some panicking on both sides of the ball. And that is not us but it's a part of high school football. We just have to give our honor and respect to our seniors and when the time comes to get back to work," Tyrrell said. "I am going to watch Avon next week, be an Avon fan and I have always had a ton of respect for Coach Elder. I hope they go and win the state championship next week."

Division III state semifinal: Toledo Central Catholic 7, Youngstown Ursuline 6

ELYRIA--A missed 44-yard field goal on the final play of regulation in a battle of 13-1 teams spelled the end of Youngstown Ursuline's season.

After being bogged down for three quarters, Toledo Central Catholic was able to mount a winning drive and capped it off with a touchdown with 33 seconds remaining for the lone touchdown.

Former McKinley head coach Dan Reardon was attempting to return to the state championship for a second time since returning to Ursuline after a four-year run as Bulldogs head football coach.

Toledo Central Catholic will defend their state title in a rematch of last year's contest against Columbus Bishop Watterson, a 27-7 Irish victory. Toledo Central Catholic will look to win their third straight title against the Eagles, a kickoff time slated for 3 p.m. at Benson Stadium in Canton.

EYES ON THE TARGET. Akron Hoban junior defensive end Ace Brown observes the action during a pre-snap during the first quarter of Friday's Division II state semifinal. Brown is the son of former McKinley High School running back, Adrian Brown, who is the running backs coach for the Knights. Hoban's season concluded with a 35-10 loss to Avon. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

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

Former McKinley standout tailback poised for first ring with state power Knights

 Former McKinley standout tailback poised for first high school ring with state power Knights

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

AKRON--30 years ago, Adrian Brown was a game away from realizing his dream of becoming a state champion with the Canton McKinley Bulldogs.

All that stood between them and a second return to Massillon's Paul Brown Tiger Stadium were the defending three-time Division I state champion Cleveland St. Ignatius Wildcats.

After a close first half, the Wildcats massive offensive line eventually wore down McKinley and concluded the Bulldogs season with a 41-19 triumph in a Division I state semifinal. Like his teammates, Brown exited the cold confines of the Akron Rubber Bowl in tears after a second loss to Ignatius, who went on to capture a fourth consecutive title in the same stadium Brown yearned to win a title in.

30 years later, that dream is alive again and burning with a Division II state power. 

In his third year as running backs coach with Akron Hoban, Brown is close to realizing his dream of being a state champion. And under the tutelage of current Knights head coach and former Youngstown State teammate Tim Tyrrell (who Brown also coached with at St. Thomas Aquinas), Brown is also poised to make sure Hoban's three-year slide in state championship games come to an end. But to do that and take that final step, the Knights will have to once again oppose Avon in a Division II state semifinal at InfoCision Stadium with a kickoff time of 7 p.m.

Winning was expected for Brown, a 1996 McKinley graduate when he competed under the tutelage of longtime field general Thom McDaniels. It was even more when he competed under Jim Tressel at YSU, where he was a starting running back on their 1997 national championship team. And it has continued at Hoban where they are thirsting to add a sixth championship to their trophy case. Brown knows about that expectation having been immersed in it at McKinley, where he was 25-7 in his Bulldogs career.

"Being at Hoban is similar to McKinley where you are accustomed to success and is a well-rounded organization of high school success. You strive for greatness and winning is expected where I came from and where I am now, you have to go out and do your part," he said.

Currently, Hoban is 12-2 on the season and they are the same Knights from past teams with a high-scoring offense and a punishing defense that makes opponents regret the day they faced them. Offensively, Hoban is averaging 33.8 points out of a total of 474 scored and defensively, they are yielding 11. on defense out of 155 points allowed.

Brown rejoined Tyrrell two years ago. Hoban was on the doorstep of obtaining a sixth title after a 21-13 loss to Cincinnati Winton Woods in the 2021 state final. Brown felt the pain of the other two losses, a 28-21 loss to Toledo Central Catholic and most recently, a 7-2 setback to a mammoth Massillon team that set numerous Division II records last season. 

Dorian Pringle's knockdown of a game-winning pass to Jackson Callaway in the end zone extended that wait further. Brown admitted it didn't take long for the Knights to board the team bus leaving Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium and get back into the weight room to try again.

"They have put in a lot of hard work in the offseason and they know what it takes to be a part of something special and that shows as well as we have a great locker room," Brown said.

Speaking of Massillon, last season's setback to the Tigers opened up a laceration dating back to November 5, 1994. It was the 100th game and senior kicker Nick Pribich converted an extra-point attempt that netted the host Tigers a 42-41 victory over the Bulldogs in front of a crowd spanning 19,000 at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Brown and Kinta Mitchell accounted for the Bulldogs scores in what was a monumental classic between the rivals.

Brown cried tears of sadness. Willie Spencer Jr., Massillon's revered signal-caller shared a long hug with him and walked him to the post-game handshake line amid words of respect and dignity. At that point, Brown swore to himself that McKinley would obtain revenge and two weeks later, he put McKinley on his back and rushed for 139 yards and a touchdown as the Bulldogs claimed a 27-20 win in a regional final. A year later, Brown rushed for three touchdowns as a senior and ended his Fawcett Stadium career with a 24-21 win over the Tigers.

What drove Brown to dominate Massillon and end his prep career 3-1 against them with five touchdowns? Leave it up to the 1994 loss and he makes sure every Hoban player takes his approach. Especially from that day forward, every practice at McKinley was like the 10th week afterward. Players had to be on board with Brown, or they were excluded without a debate, discussion, or negotiation.

"1994 was a heartbreaking loss. Man, it was tough to lose a game like that. We all wanted revenge in the playoffs," he said. "I had a willingness that we were not going to be denied. Everyone had to be on board with that. I had that mindset and everyone else had to have that mindset going forward."

Avon is a team that is no stranger to success under Warren JFK graduate and former Mount Union alum Mike Elder. Save for the 2022 season, the Eagles have been to the state semifinals six of the last seven seasons. A nagging chore for the Eagles has been trying to defeat the Knights. Four times, Hoban has been that roadblock that has spelled the end of Avon's season a game before the coveted state final, three of those have terminated undefeated seasons and like the 2017, 2020 and 2023 squads, this year's Eagles team is undefeated and they believe they finally have the team to stop Hoban's path.

With the Eagles averaging 36.7 points on offense out of 515 scored on the season while only yielding 13.5 out of 189 allowed, this looks like it may be a breakthrough for them.

Being a running back himself, Brown relished the fact when there was a tired defense in front of him, he knew he would obtain the ball. Keeping the ball away from Avon's offense will have a lot to do with that in order for the Knights to advance to what will be their ninth state final in 10 years.

"We will have to protect the ball and have no turnovers and whoever makes the least mistakes will be the one that wins Friday night," he said.

The approaches that Tyrrell and McDaniels have had on Brown are a major reason why he is able to relate to players. Whereas McDaniels according to Brown is laid back, Tyrrell is fiercely intense as both demand flawlessness. Also benefitting from that is Ace Brown, Hoban's 6'4'', 225 lb. defensive end who takes the same approach as his father.

One thing is for sure. Adrian would love nothing more to add two more state title rings to the Brown kingdom. Beating Avon will make them one step closer to that goal, in which not only will Ace have a ring too, Adrian will get to share a potential high school state championship ring at the table with his younger brother, Shaun, who was a part of the 1997 and 1998 McKinley Division I title winning teams as a defensive back.

That would make four rings, five overall if you count Adrian's YSU national championship ring. But to realize that, they must once again traverse past Avon and then look to end a three-year losing streak in state championship games. And Adrian will do everything in his power to make sure that happens.

"I have lost the last two title games and we know that Tim will have us prepared and ready to go.  It is not going to be easy but we are going to play hard and play every play like it's our last," he said.

30 years ago, Adrian Brown was a game away from realizing his dream of being a high school state football champion. 30 years later, he is once again on the doorstep and hopes that quest will not only end with success in the state semifinal against Avon but also the next week in his hometown of Canton.

GOOD KNIGHTS. Akron Hoban players celebrate a fourth-straight Division I state title back in 2018 as they ended a four-year run that saw them win 57 out of 60 games. Hoban hopes to take a step closer toward a sixth title against Avon in a Division II state semifinal with a kickoff time of 7 p.m. at InfoCision Stadium at the University of Akron. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

---PREP PIECES---

*Irish Bulldog: Former Canton McKinley head coach Dan Reardon, who coached McKinley from 2015-2018 has Youngstown Ursuline in a Division III state semifinal Friday night against defending two-time state champion Toledo Central Catholic in Elyria with a kickoff time of 7 p.m. Reardon hopes to return to Benson Stadium, where he also coached in a state title game, a 29-28 loss to Clinton-Massie, in a game where Ursuline led at one point, 28-7 back in 2021. Reardon, who has three state titles from his first tenure at Ursuline was 30-15 as McKinley head coach, 1-3 against Massillon with the lone win coming in 2015, the last game at Fawcett Stadium. Massillon would win the other three contests, stopping McKinley from an undefeated home season in 2017, a 16-15 classic.

*Welcome Big Walnut: For the second straight year, Hoban, Avon and Cincinnati Anderson are all in the Division II state semifinals. Sunbury Big Walnut is the newcomer to the round after their 14-7 victory over defending state champion Massillon in a regional final. Sophomore running back Nolan Buirley, whose 96-yard kickoff return touchdown ended up creating the finality of the score is boasting a lot of Division I Power Five offers. Big Walnut also defeated Perry in a regional second round game also this year.

*Now hold on: Aside from Hoban's 4-0 record against Avon, all coming in the state semifinals, the only time that Hoban didn't face Avon in that round came in the 2019 and 2022 seasons. Hoban's four-year reign as state champions ended in a 17-14 loss to Massillon as Alex Bauer's field goal to conclude the first half handed the Tigers a first-half lead at intermission that remained the duration of the contest. In a 2022 state semifinal, Hoban zoomed out to a 14-0 lead against Massillon after two plays, both trick plays on their first two possessions in the first quarter that were successful for touchdowns and were pivotal in their 41-20 victory. The score was an actual misnomer of just how much closer the game was without the Knights successful trick plays, a 27-20 difference.

*Next up: The winner of the Akron Hoban-Avon contest will oppose the Cincinnati Anderson-Big Walnut game for the Division II state title, a kickoff time of 7 p.m., next Thursday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

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 season ends with 14-7 loss to Sunbury Big Walnut

 Tigers season ends with 14-7 loss to Sunbury Big Walnut

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

MANSFIELD--Sometimes you have to fail first before you succeed.

The Massillon Tigers for 52 years had to scale the mountain of failure before finally reaching the summit of success in obtaining their first state playoff championship.

Sunbury Big Walnut twice scaled the mountain of failure in 2021 and 2022 in part to not having the big game experience that Massillon possessed and ended those seasons in playoff defeats of 38-0 and 42-21 respectively.

Failure is a wonderful educator. And the shortcomings were lessons that benefited the Golden Eagles obtaining a passing grade this time.

In what was an otherwise defensive struggle, it was sophomore running back Nolan Buirley returning the opening third quarter kickoff for a 96-yard touchdown that proved to be the difference as Big Walnut not only claimed their first-ever victory over Massillon but with it also the Region 7 title as they ended Massillon's two-year reign as regional champions with a 14-7 victory at Arlin Field.

With the victory, Big Walnut will be the official newcomer to the Division II state semifinals as they will oppose a previous state semifinalist, Cincinnati Anderson, who downed Cincinnati LaSalle 28-21 at press time to win the Region 8 title. On the other end of the bracket, it will be Akron Hoban and Avon who will renew their growing rivalry again in the other state semifinal with the winners facing off December 5th for the state title at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Second-year Golden Eagles head coach Curtis Crager was very ecstatic of the victory while also praising Massillon for going out with class and dignity.

"Massillon is a fabulous football team with a storied program and you know it's a wonderful feeling. All the credit goes to our coaches and we were fortunate tonight to come out on top," he said. "That kickoff return touchdown to start the third quarter was huge and ended up being the difference in the game. Massillon is a first-class program and they congratulated our kids and wished us well."

It was two weeks ago that Big Walnut defeated Perry in a second-round contest. Now they have added Massillon to their list of victories. 

It became pretty lucid that these were not the same Eagles that lacked the experience leading to their defeats against the Tigers. Big Walnut capped off a 10-play drive that went early into the second quarter ending with sophomore quarterback Eli Stumpf delivering a five-yard touchdown to Brody Hatcher to issue the first of two leads for the Golden Eagles.

Showing their championship mettle, Massillon swiftly retaliated with one lightning quick play when Jalen Slaughter found Braylyn Toles down the sideline for a 75-yard touchdown and just like that, the game was tied at 7-7.

Massillon ventured deep into Big Walnut territory inside the red zone and poised to take their first lead of the game when they were sabotaged by four straight false start penalties that would eventually become an agonizing problem for them over the last two quarters. Multiple stunting and shifting by the Golden Eagles threw everything into limbo for a Tigers team that hadn't seen any other team stunt and shift as Big Walnut had all season.

"You have to keep them honest. We're not the biggest team but we found something that worked and we kept doing it," Creger said of the multiple false start penalties they were able to pressure Massillon into from the second quarter on.

Massillon was unable to generate any kind of consistent offense throughout the evening and not having a lead eventually caught up to them as their season ended with a ledger of 11-3. Tigers head coach Nate Moore put the evening in perspective as his team went through a lot this year in their attempt to try and win consecutive titles.

"I love our senior class. We've been through so much together, they are great kids, great athletes, great football players. I am proud of them and their careeer. It's sad that it came to an end today, I don't think anyone of us expected that. You have to tip your hat to Big Walnut, they played a great game and they were the better team on the field today," Moore said.

TIGER HUG. Massillon defensive lineman Chris Fair gets a hug from an assistant coach after Massillon's season concluded with a 14-7 loss to Sunbury Big Walnut in a Region 7 championship game Friday night in Mansfield. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Massillon will say goodbye to 24 seniors that were winners of 50 games along with a state championship to their credit not to mention an undefeated record against archrival Canton McKinley and one undefeated home season. 

This was an uphill season for the Tigers who had to battle the heavy expectations of defending a state title while competing against a largely national schedule and at one point being ranked #2 in the nation. Through it all, no one was prouder of them than Moore, as his team continued to thrive in the face of adversity and although they came up three games short of their goal, their setback does not diminish what was accomplished over the course of four years.

"I love all those guys. I wish them nothing but the best as they will always have a home here. I hope they all go on to do great things," he said.

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 faces familiar opponent with gained experience, ready for challenge

 Massillon faces familiar opponent with gained experience, ready for challenge

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

MASSILLON--36 months is a long time.

That is how long it was when Sunbury Big Walnut was undefeated and rampaging through the regular season onto the Region 7 playoffs.

However, their lack of experience in big games hit a road barrier in the form of a construction zone known as the Massillon Tigers. The Golden Eagles saw their season take a season-ending detour in the form of a 38-0 crashing defeat which sent Massillon to their fifth straight regional final and leaving Big Walnut to clean up the wreckage of that setback.

36 months later, the defending Division II state champion Tigers and Golden Eagles return to Masnfield's Arlin Field, the scene of Massillon's running clock shutout of Big Walnut. Since that humiliating setback, Massillon has compiled a 28-2 record while Big Walnut is 18-7. Massillon in regional competition is a staggering 27-1 since 2017, a phenomenal stat that constitutes to a near perfect 96 percent that also includes a 42-21 victory in a 2022 regional semifinal as well.

Massillon veteran head coach Nate Moore respectfully is not the one to get caught up in the numbers labyrinth. However, he is aware that Big Walnut has made strides to attain their big game experience which the Tigers will test Friday night at 7 p.m. with the winner advancing to the state semifinals to challenge the Cincinnati Anderson-Cincinnati LaSalle winner.

"Big Walnut is a Division II program that is well coached and they have had several runs in the playoffs and they are a good program," Moore said.

Big Walnut is coming off a dominating 28-10 victory over an undefeated Ashland team in a regional semfinal last week. Before that, they were able to stifle Perry in a 35-24 victory in a second round contest. The key to the Golden Eagles success has lied within the depths of their running game through standout running back Nolan Buirley, who has been a human joystick on the football field in the form of a sensational 26 touchdowns and 1,932 yards.

The Golden Eagles, like Massillon are a team that wants to decimate the clock with a heavy offensive line corps. It is one thing to be able to commit to that approach but it is wholly another when you can take over a game not just on the offensive end but special teams as well.

Massillon provided a factual vista of that testimony last week in a 48-14 evisceration of Teays Valley as their special teams was the highlight of the evening when sensational senior return specialist and future Toledo Rocket athlete Tyler Hackenbracht literally hacked through the Vikings widely porous special teams department in the form of two punt return touchdowns and a kickoff return touchdown ala former Chicago Bears return specialist and NFL Hall of Fame enshrinee Devin Hester, that provided 21 of the Tigers 48 points.

"We were able to get some breaks and get some long returns and when you are well coached and sound, big plays will happen," Moore said of his team's deluge that drowned the Vikings.

Both teams statistically are nearly even in the offensive department as the Tigers are averaging 35.3 points on offense with the Golden Eagles not far behind at 33.6 and in the defensive department, the Tigers are surrendering just 12 points compared to 16.1 by the Golden Eagles.

The Division II bracket is a very wicked one that feature teams with a combined 12 state playoff championships. Joining the Tigers as state champions in the remaining field is Akron Hoban with five, Cincinnati LaSalle with four, and Walsh Jesuit along with Cincinnati Anderson with one each. The experience of the remaining squads that also include Avon and Medina Highland is valuable come this time of year.

After this week, only four will be remaining and a step closer to competing in the hallowed confines of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. When asked about the wickedness of the bracket, Moore wasn't quick to refer to the bracket as such but acknowledged the accomplishments of the remaining high schools.

"There are a lot of good teams remaining in Division II. But this Friday, our focus is about Big Walnut," he said.

Under the tutelage of a longtime coach, Curtis Crager, Big Walnut has ascended from a 6-6 season to a 12-1 record in just two years. He succeeded previous head coach Rob Page, who stepped down after three seasons to devote time to his family.

Big Walnut returns the majority of the two teams who suffered playoff losses to the Tigers. Massillon has become a well-oiled machine spanning back to a 46-40 triumph over an East St. Louis (IL) team that was ranked as high as sixth in the nation. Massillon started off this season ranked highly in multiple publications nationally with one having them as second in the nation, their highest national ranking since the 1996 season under Jack Rose.

Moore lauded the experience of his squad as it prepares for it's eighth straight regional title game, a round in which they are 7-1 in that area, to which Moore is a phenomenal 8-1 overall in regional title games as a head coach spanning three high schools.

"Experience in big games is huge. We have played in games against national teams and we just have to go out, play well and execute on offense, defense, and special teams," he said.

One player who has been vital to the success of the Tigers has been the unselfishness of senior quarterback Jalen Slaughter. It was just three years ago that he became the eventual starter and developed a closeness to the incumbent starter at the time, Darrius McElroy. Last season, he split time with DaOne Owens and still remained a factor to the team. Now as a full fledged senior, he is intent on finishing his prep career with another state title.

Whereas Mike Wright Jr. has become the ferocious leader of the vaunted Massillon defense, Slaughter is the fearless leader of the Massillon offense armed with a sterling running back and a very deep offensive line led by future Wisconsin athlete Nolan Davenport. 

His play over the last several weeks is a reason why the Tigers are one of eight remaining teams on the road to Canton. His ability to throw the ball, run when needed to and also stay clear of turnovers is a major catalyst to why Massillon has been successful and if the trend stays that way Friday night, the Tigers will be two wins away from becoming the first Stark County high school since Canton McKinley to record two consecutive state championships. But for low, the laser sharp focus is on Big Walnut.

"Jalen certainly has gotten better over the course of the season and the last five or six games. He is a first-team all-Stark County athlete and he is having a great senior year," said Moore.

36 months is a long time from when Massillon opposed an inexperienced Big Walnut team and ended their undefeated season. Now they meet for a third time where only one can forge ahead a step closer to Canton.

HAPPY TIGERS. Massillon head coach Nate Moore celebrates with strength and conditioning coach Dan Studer after Massillon's 7-2 state championship win over Akron Hoban last season. Massillon will put their 27-1 regional record on the line in a regional final against Big Walnut Friday night in Mansfield. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

---PREP PIECES---

*Lancer loyalty: In seven seasons at Cincinnati LaSalle, Pat McLaughlin has the Lancers with a look of a team that could put up a fifth title in their trophy case. In 2019, LaSalle won the school's fourth state title with a 34-17 win over undefeated Massillon. McLaughlin, like Moore was in his second season when he won the state title. Massillon avenged that loss with a 14-10 victory in the 2020 state semifinals. Wins by the Tigers and Lancers will constitute a fourth meeting between the schools overall and third in six years. Massillon leads the overall series 2-1.

*Highland riding high: Medina Highland, like Avon is undefeated under the tutelage of head coach Mike Gibbons in their regional final. Highland defeated Massillon 17-14 in a 2013 Division II regional semifinal. Current Lakewood St. Edward head coach Tom Lombardo (Gibbons father-in-law) was the Hornets head coach at the time. Gibbons is a 2006 graduate of the University of Mount Union, where he was part of two national championship teams under Larry Kehres. Gibbons is the son of John Gibbons, who won two titles at Mentor Lake Catholic and coached St. Edward to the 2003 Division I state final.

*Tall order: It has been 17 years since Cincinnati Anderson won a state title by defeating Louisville 31-25. Before they changed their name to Raptors, they were the Redskins. Anderson possessed 6'9" wide receiver Nick Truesdell, who caught two touchdown passes as they won their only title to this date under Jeff Giesting, who was the head coach.

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

28 point second half by Cardinals closes book on Canton McKinley's season

 28 point second half by Cardinals closes book on Canton McKinley's season

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

MEDINA--Cardinal sins are a great way to end any team's season.

For the Canton McKinley Bulldogs, their longtime playoff nemesis, the Mentor Cardinals were more than happy to provide the season ending sins.

After staying close to the Cardinals for a half and only trailing 3-0, McKinley was in position to pull off a stunning upset palpable around the state of Ohio. However, Mentor senior quarterback and West Virginia commit Scotty Fox engineered three touchdowns, two on the ground and one through the air and McKinley's defense was unable to hold off Mentor any longer and their bid for a major upset and season concluded with a 31-0 loss in a Division I, Region 1 semifinal in front of a meager crowd at Ken Dukes Stadium.

Mentor keeps their postseason train rolling ahead into next week's Region 1 championship against defending three-time state champion Lakewood St. Edward, who at press time downed Perrysburg 40-24 in the other semifinal. McKinley finishes their season at 8-5 with a Federal League championship to their credit.

It was four years ago that Matt Gray was handpicked by retiring Cardinals head coach Steve Trivisonno to lead the program. Based on the depth that Mentor has attained over the last two decades, it proved to be fortuitous for the Cardinals and evidence of that arrived in their pivotal second half.

"We felt we were moving the ball well in the first half and we had some costly mistakes with a fumble. But our kids locked in and stayed focused and they came out and performed really well in the second half," Gray said of his team's outburst.

Mentor's first possession took 11 plays and although they didn't score a touchdown, the trusted leg of kicker Dylan Tackett provided the lone points of the first half in the form of a 41-yard field goal.

McKinley head coach Antonio Hall initially liked where his team was at that point in the contest. However the depth of the Cardinals finally took it's toll on his legion of Bulldogs and they were unable to overcome the Cardinal deluge that ensued.

"Our defense was on the field too much, they wore us down and our defense sputtered. Again it was a breakdown here, a breakdown there, getting behind the chains," he said. "But hat's off to Mentor. They are a great team and they kept battling and they had us on the ropes and landed a knockout blow."

The quagmire commenced for McKinley early in the second half. After trading punts, Mentor showed why they were the #1 ranked team in Division I as they constructed a nine play drive that featured a mixed diet of passes and runs that ended with running back Jackson Farley going to his right side and sprinting untouched for a 20-yard touchdown run that put the Cardinals up in double digits at 10-0 with 6:20 remaining.

Mentor's third, fourth, and fifth possessions were more of the same formula. Bolstered by a critical holding call on McKinley that netted the Cardinals a new set of downs, two plays after the penalty, Fox scored standing up on a four-yard touchdown run and the Cardinals were off and running near the end of the third quarter as their lead ballooned to 17.

Fox would add on two more touchdowns with an eight-yard run and then a five-yard touchdown pass to Austin Van Huss, acuating the state mandated running clock.

All that was left for McKinley players to do was embrace each other and say goodbye to 25 seniors, who were freshmen when Hall took over. They leave with three Federal League championships to their credit and a final record overall of 31-20.

"There were ups and downs this season but we fought and did a lot of good. I think we grew as the season wore on. I thought we battled back from adversity a lot and we always found a way to bounce back after tough situations," Hall said.

For Mentor, they continue on their path for that elusive state title and will receive a formidable test against the Eagles, who shut out the Cardinals 27-0 in a regional final two years ago. Mentor returns the bulk of that team that came up short in that final.

Gray will once again count on the depth of the Cardinals as they brace for unarguably to date will be their most imperative assignment yet. Gray was gracious when asked about Trivisonno's presence as to why Mentor has been deep over the last two years.

"Trivisonno is a confidant and a great friend and a mentor to me. One of the things that always stuck with me is what when he took over back in 1997 and they made the change in 1999 going to spread and two-platoon, one of the biggest strengths we have at Mentor High School is the population," he said. "We have a lot of kids that play this game of football and we two-platoon it and we want to be able to have our guys play one side of the football because it allows us to be a little more to step up and take ownership of their position and that is one of huge assets to utilize our bodies. They play extremely hard and that gives us a chance."

FOX FOR SIX. Mentor quarterback Scotty Fox (#15) scores on a four-yard touchdown run in the third quarter of Friday's regional semifinal against Canton McKinley. McKinley's season concluded with a 31-0 loss to the four-time state finalist Cardinals. (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.

Mentor provides major test for Bulldogs in regional semifinal

 Mentor provides major test for Bulldogs in regional semifinal

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

CANTON--Antonio Hall's first game as Canton McKinley football coach was one that threatened to reduce a Bulldogs program to ashes in a hot kiln in the form of a 49-7 home defeat.

The Bulldogs were enduring a scandal that saw nearly an entire upheaval of their entire staff and threatened to forever tarnish a program known for it's three big school state playoff titles, two of them when Hall was a standout two-way lineman before embarking on a four-year collegiate voyage at Kentucky. 

Three years after that horrifying scandal, Hall has his Bulldogs on the right track to something special within their grasp. But to continue on that track, they will have to once again oppose the top-ranked and undefeated Mentor Cardinals in a Division I, Region 1 regional semifinal Friday evening at 7 p.m. at Medina's Ken Dukes Stadium at Medina High School.

This is the same Mentor team that made life miserable for McKinley in Hall's first game as head coach that saw partisan Bulldogs fans empty the seats near halftime of that rout. Fast forward to the present, Hall is 0-3 against the Cardinals but the last two contests were very competitive in the form of a 34-21 regular season loss on the road and then an excruciating 19-14 second round loss in which then-sophomore quarterback (and now West Virginia signee) Scotty Fox escaped three game-concluding sack attempts from Bulldog linemen and found receiver Nick Jares in the back corner of the end zone ala Santonio Holmes for a walk-off touchdown, leaving McKinley players stunned amid a tearful end to their 6-6 season.

Hall has seen Mentor ascend from a team that was humiliated 49-0 when he was a starter in 1997 to where they are now as a program.

"Mentor football has become a powerhouse. They have been a power now for two decades and they have constructed that through a great youth and a great feeder system. They have consistency in their community amid that expectation and plus they are a large city and from top to bottom, left to right, they are very good," Hall said.

It was just four years ago that Mentor alumus Steve Trivisonno retired as Cardinals boss after 23 years as their head coach when he replaced Mike Pavlansky, who took the Canfield job and led them for 22 seasons, winning a state title two years ago. Upon his retirement, Trivisonno selected Matt Gray to be his successor.

All Gray has done in those four years is maintain the success that has defined Cardinals football. That is not a suprise based on what they have accomplished, especially with last week's 33-0 elimination of Strongsville. Mentor, while averaging over 40 points a game has recorded six running clock victories and while surrendering just 13 points a game, have only allowed a single team to reach the 20 point barrier.

It makes the challenge an ardous one for a McKinley program that has not competed for a regional title since 2009, a 10-7 loss to Massillon, who was a Division I, Region 2 school with the Bulldogs at the time before settling in at Division II four years later. For McKinley to send waves around the state and topple the Cardinals, they will have to play nearly just about a flawless game.

"We must have a good week of preparation and we have to have a good week of execution and we have done that since the 10th week of the season," Hall noted.

In two playoff games, McKinley has scored 76 points on offense. Last week, after trailing Jackson 14-7 at the intermission, the Bulldogs erupted like an uncontrollable volcano when they inflicted 28 points on the Polar Bears that swung their regional quarterfinal contest in their favor and an eventual 35-32 victory at Robert Fife Stadium.

Bulldogs quarterback Kam Montgomery has played turnover free football the last two weeks dating back to a late interception by Massillon QB Daylan Pringle that stifled their last comeback bid in a 16-7 road loss to the Tigers. He accounted for three touchdowns, two in the air and one using his legs to power past the Polar Bears. Hall is counting on that again this week.

"Kam is making his reads better and the game has slowed down for him more and the receivers are communicating more," Hall said.

Aside from a hiccup in the form of a 5-6 season in 2021, Mentor is 37-10. They have always been a perennial contender for years with four appearances in the Division I state championship game in 2006, 2007, 2013 and recently 2017.

The Cardinals are always lethal on offense and are a team that will not defeat themselves. They possess that same lethality on defense and special teams too. They nearly have no weaknesses and they are a team that will pounce on momentum quick if a team turns the ball over or if they score first and Mentor answers with one of their own.

Mentor is no stranger to facing a Stark County team. 13 weeks ago, the Cardinals opened up their season with a 36-13 home victory against Jackson. They have been off and running since. From that game, Hall observed what he saw in the Cardinals from that victory.

"Mentor was very balanced in that game. They have a big line on both ends of the ball. They have a lot of long and athletic players and they produce good size," he said. "Defensively, we are going to have to execute and not give up big plays, that is what it will come down to. Offensively, we will have to communicate well and we can't have penalties on both ends."

The last time McKinley was a regional champion was back in the 2006 season when they advanced to the state semifinals, where their season stalled in an 18-12 setback to Mentor at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium as the Cardinals defense stifled the Bulldogs on two separate goal line stands that proved to be the difference in stopping McKinley from playing for a state title for the second time in three years.

The winner of the McKinley-Mentor contest will face the Lakewood St. Edward-Perrysburg winner at a site to be dermined for the regional title. For McKinley to take that step, they will have to play unarguably the game of their lives and Hall believes his team has that in them.

"We will have to travel well, we can't have turnovers or penalties because Mentor will not beat themselves," he cautioned.

Antonio Hall's first game as McKinley coach was one that threatened to reduce his alma mater's program to ashes amid a 49-7 defeat. Three years later, the Bulldogs have a chance to do something that 10 teams have failed to do against the Mentor Cardinals.

ENCOURAGING HALL. Canton McKinley fourth-year head coach Antonio Hall encourages his charges against Massillon in their week 10 contest. Hall and the Bulldogs have a chance to knock off the top-ranked Mentor Cardinals Friday night at Ken Dukes Stadium in Medina. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

---PREP PIECES---

*Cross voyage: Former Canton McKinley grid boss and Warren native Brian Cross is still coaching at 72. Cross leads his Teays Valley Vikings into a regional semifinal in Division II against the defending state champion Massillon Tigers, a 7 p.m. kickoff at Zanesville High School. Cross was 3-3 against Massillon as McKinley boss but was 1-3 against Massillon general Tom Stacy. Cross was the last head coach at McKinley to lead the Bulldogs to a state title game, a 50-10 loss to Cincinnati Colerain.

*Jacket stinging: Perrysburg is a Division I school after being in Division II. It was 10 years ago that the Yellow Jackets turned away Massillon 56-7 in a Division II first round playoff game. Jason Hall (now the athletic director at North Royalton) resigned shortly after, clearing the way for Nate Moore to succeed Hall at Massillon, where he is the all-time leader in wins.

*Forceful like father: In just two seasons at Manchester, Kevin Stacy has the Panthers back to prominence after a 1-9 season. The Panthers, whose only loss was to CVCA are in a regional semifinal in Division V, Region 17 against Poland Seminary, a 7 p.m. kickoff at Louisville Leopard Stadium. Stacy is the son of former Massillon and Green general Tom Stacy, who is best known for leading the Tigers to a then-school record 13 wins in his first season as Tigers head coach back in 2005.

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

2024 Stark County boys basketball preview

 2024 Stark County boys basketball preview

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

CANTON--19 of Stark County's basketball minds came together Tuesday night for camaraderie, jokes, and good will before they put each other to the test in what will be an action-packed regular season at St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox Church.

Last season it was GlenOak and Jackson winning district titles and advancing to the regionals. Louisville is a team expected to get back to the district title game and Central Catholic is looking to keep their successful run going into the season. 

And with the 20 year anniversary of the 2005 Division I Canton McKinley state title winning team coming up, Bulldog alum and head coach Sean Weatherspoon, who was part of their 2005 title winning squad as a senior has his charges poised for new heights as he looks to bring back the bark and bite that made McKinley the top-ranked team in the state two straight seasons in a row.

Here are the capsules for each team in the county:

LEADER OF THE BREED. Canton McKinley third-year admiral Sean Weatherspoon addresses the crowd at St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox church Tuesday night. Weatherspoon, a 2005 graduate of McKinley High School was part of the Bulldogs Division I state title winning team as a senior. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

ALLIANCE AVIATORS

Head coach: Chet Harper.

Years at school: 2nd.

Last season's record: 9-15 (6-4 EBC).

Returning starters: N/A.

Season outlook: "We have two lettermen returning. J.R. Jackson averaged 17 points per game for us last year. We are very young with one senior and multiple sophomores and juniors. We will see what we can do and go from there."

CENTRAL CATHOLIC CRUSADERS

Head coach: Matt Creamer.

Years at school: 11th.

Last season's record: 18-8 (Division III district champions).

Returning starters: N/A.

Season outlook: "We are looking forward to having a great season. Kids will have an opportunity to see some good teams. We are excited and we are going to work hard."

CANTON SOUTH WILDCATS

Head coach: Luke Conley.

Years at school: 7th.

Last season's record: 10-15 (6-8 PAC-7).

Returning starters: N/A.

Season outlook: "We graduated 7 seniors and that is 53 points of our 61 overall that is gone. We had a good JV team that went 18-4. We are hungry and want to get better. We have three seniors. By the middle of the season we want to hit our stride and finish strong."

EAST CANTON HORNETS

Head coach: Ryan McGonagle.

Years at school: 3rd.

Last season's record: 17-7.

Returning starters: N/A.

Season outlook: "The best programs don't rebuild, they reload. We expect to be competitive and we have four players back, three of them are three year lettermen. We are excited about the potential this team has."

FAIRLESS FALCONS

Head coach: Joe Moriarty.

Years at school: 1st.

Last season's record: 3-20 (2-12 PAC-7).

Returning starters: N/A.

Season outlook: "We have three seniors, four freshmen and multiple sophomores. We are young with no varsity experience. They are excited for change and have good work ethic. This is a process as we want  our players to play hard and put together a product that Fairless can be proud of."

GLENOAK GOLDEN EAGLES

Head coach: Rick Hairston.

Years at school: 3rd.

Last season's record: 20-7 (8-4 Federal League), Division I district champions.

Returning starters: N/A

Season outlook: "We have a few guys coming back. We have five lettermen back. We have a loaded schedule and the Federal League is tough. You have to come ready to play every night or you will get beat. We are looking forward to having a good year."

NORTH CANTON HOOVER VIKINGS

Head coach: Mike Bluey.

Years at school: 7th.

Last season's record: 17-8 (6-6 Federal League).

Returning starters: N/A.

Season outlook: "We have a good group of kids returning. We have a lot of work to do but we got the pieces to work with this year. We have enough experience to achieve success."

JACKSON POLAR BEARS

Head coach: Tim Debevec.

Years at school: 14th.

Last season's record: 22-5 (9-3 Federal League), Division I district champions.

Returning starters: N/A.

Season outlook: "I love this group. We have a lot of guys back with seven seniors and five sophomores. We had a good offseason. The Federal League will be tough and we have to be ready to go.  We will challenge our kids with a tough non-conference schedule. We are looking forward to a great year."

LAKE BLUE STREAKS

Head coach: Tom McBride.

Years at school: 26th.

Last season's record: 6-18 (1-11 Federal League).

Returning starters: N/A.

Season outlook: "We have a lot of experience back. It has been a tough two years for Lake basketball. We have good hard-working kids and everyone is enjoying each other."

LAKE CENTER CHRISTIAN TIGERS

Head coach: Greg Bryte.

Years at school: 5th.

Last season's record: 17-8 (6-4 Portage Trail Conference).

Returning starters: N/A.

Season outlook: "We have five lettermen back but we lost our two top scorers. We have eight seniors and a lot of experience coming back. We want to get better each day. We have a process and they have brought into it."

LOUISVILLE LEOPARDS

Head coach: Tom Siegfried.

Years at school: 14th. 

Last season's record: 23-3 (Division I district finalist).

Returning starters: N/A.

Season outlook: "We play a really tough schedule and with the new aligment, we are now in Division III. We will play 11 games at home, eight at a neutral site and three road games. We want to battle adversity and we have a goal to get to Dayton. We have eight seniors and seven letterwinners."

MASSILLON TIGERS

Head coach: Josh Hose.

Years at school: 7th.

Last season's record: 15-9.

Returning starters: N/A.

Season outlook: "We have a great team coming up. Chris Knight is our senior leader as he averages 19 points a game. We had some good wins last year and some tough losses. We are excited to get started on December 13th against Green."

MCKINLEY BULLDOGS

Head coach: Sean Weatherspoon.

Years at school: 3rd.

Last season's record: 15-9 (8-4 Federal League).

Returning starters: N/A.

Season outlook: "We have a tough schedule that will prepare us for the tournament. I am happy to be back home."

MINERVA LIONS

Head coach: Rich Hart.

Years at school: 17th.

Last season's record: 15-10 (4-6 EBC).

Returning starters: 2.

Season outlook: "These are throwback young men who are a throwback to 20 years ago when they would work hard. We have seven returning lettermen."

NORTHWEST INDIANS

Head coach: Mike Lower.

Years at school: 18th.

Last season's record: 15-9 (10-4 PAC-7).

Returning starters: N/A.

Season outlook: "The expectations are high as we return seven lettermen. We have eight seniors who want to take ownership and lead the way for us. We have to get tough and hard on the glass. We have a lot of depth and we will see how we respond."

PERRY PANTHERS

Head coach: Matt Voll.

Years at school: 2nd.

Last season's record: 5-18 (1-11 Federal League).

Returning starters: N/A.

Season outlook: "We have a lot of energy going on right now. We have six seniors coming back for us.

SANDY VALLEY CARDINALS

Head coach: Nate Provance.

Years at school: 1st.

Last season's record: 16-7 (9-5 IVC).

Returning starters: 4.

Season outlook: "I am excited to take over and lead our program. We have four lettermen to replace. We have six seniors this year."

TUSLAW MUSTANGS

Head coach: Ryan Brotherton.

Years at school: 2nd.

Last season's record: 0-23 (0-14 PAC).

Season outlook:"We are excited what we have coming up. We have four newcomers and it will be interesting to see how they fit in. Everyone is working hard to compete and they have gotten better since last year."

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

Huge third quarter sparks McKinley past Jackson in regional quarterfinal victory

 Huge third quarter sparks McKinley past Jackson in regional quarterfinal victory

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

JACKSON TWP.--98 yards on one play can be one of aesthetic wizardry.

It was one that the Canton McKinley Bulldogs needed desperately.

With Jackson having momentum and threatening to become just the second Stark County high school to defeat McKinley twice in the same season, running back Jamar Johnson provided a striking jolt to the Bulldogs as he followed several key blocks and raced down the sideline past his head coach Antonio Hall and into the clear for a gigantic 98-yard kickoff return touchdown that not only tied up their Division I, Region 2 quarterfinal but it also ignited just the fireworks McKinley needed as they outscored host Jackson 28-7 in the third quarter and held on for a 35-32 victory in front of a capacity crowd at Robert Fife Stadium in the third playoff meeting between the two schools.

This contest was a far different affair from the previous meeting, a 20-7 Jackson victory that averted McKinley from capturing the Federal League outright. Although Polar Bears running back Kristian Satterfield set the tone with a spectacular 63-yard touchdown to set the tone for the scoring on the game's first play, McKinley made sure not to fall behind two scores as was the case three weeks ago.

Hall gushed over Johnson's touchdown that finally woke up the visting Bulldogs from a first-half slumber.

"Huge. What Jamar has done the past two weeks, he's been patient all season. I know he hasn't gotten involved as much as he has liked to but I just told him just stay patient because your time is coming and now he's reaping the benefits of that, I'm so proud of him," Hall said.

In their previous meeting, Jackson ratcheted up six sacks of quarterback Kam Montgomery with relentless pressure and kept tailbacks Nino Hill and Johnson from taking over the game in part to constructing a two-touchdown advantage. Only this time, the Bulldogs offensive line did a good job of neutralizing the Polar Bears ferocious pass rush, not making them a factor as was the case three weeks earlier.

Montgomery also to his benefit did not turn the ball over. He accounted for three touchdowns on the evening, two in the air to D.J. Britt and Keith Quincy and a one-yard quarterback sneak. Montgomery showed the flashes that made him the incumbent starter and displayed that prowess through his sturdy 6'4'', 210 lb. frame.

"Ultimately, we found a way to bounce back. The focus was doing our job and doing that between the lines," Hall said of his team's success in protecting the football.

For the Polar Bears, four McKinley touchdowns in a span of 11:57 is the reason why their season arrived at a tearful end. It was just two weeks ago that Jackson celebrated a share of the Federal League title with a come-from-behind 23-20 triumph over rival North Canton Hoover.

Life can be cruel sometimes and it's even more cruel when the season ends. That was the reality which hit the Polar Bears arduously as head coach Jay Rohr addressed his tearful players as their season concluded at 8-4.

"Overall it was a great game, a back-and-forth game. Again I told you since day one that Coach Hall and his guys are a well-coached team and they do a good job. They made more plays and I said we had to eliminate explosive plays and they hit some big ones," Rohr said. "I think there was one killer play but our guys don't quit. They will fight but we can't have the opening second half on a kickoff for a touchdown, that changed the momentum in the second half."

That fight was on display in the third quarter. Down 28-14, McKinley was one Jackson mishap from putting away the hosts for good. Quarterback Lucas Ecrement attempted a screen pass and it had the look of a potential interception and a three-touchdown Bulldog advantage but receiver Max Cowles made the reception over the middle and eluded several McKinley defenders and woke up the Jackson crowd with an 86-yard touchdown that ensured the Bulldogs would have to grind out the rest of the contest.

McKinley responded near the end of the third quarter. After a pass interference penalty moved the ball to the 41 yard line, Montgomery hoisted a bullet down the right sideline that saw Quincy outjump a Jackson defensive back at the five-yard line and scampered the final yardage for the touchdown that put McKinley back up 35-21 to commence the fourth quarter.

It proved to be a challege Jackson despite a late field goal from Cooper Mizeur spanning 36 yards and a one-yard touchdown from Satterfield just was not able to overcome despite a fortuitous effort.

"They (McKinley) did a much better job protecting and bringing in an extra tackle. They limited the way we can blitz at times and again from the first game we got pressure on quarterbacks," Rohr said. "He (Montgomery) got the ball out of his hands a lot faster and they went to more of a quick game style and they were able to make some plays and again, that third quarter set them apart a little bit."

Despite the season coming to a conclusion no one was anticipating, Rohr knows that the future is bright for Jackson football and it will only ascend skyward as the sun will rise once again for offseason conditioning December 10th for the 2025 season.

"All the credit goes to our coaching staff and seniors. These guys have believed in each other since day one and we brought back a lot of guys that knows what it takes to win and through the ups and downs and their leadership showed," he said.

For McKinley they will once again advance to a regional semifinal where a familiar opponent in the undefeated Mentor Cardinals will await them once again as they were winners over Strongsville 33-0 at press time. The last meeting between the two high schools was a classic in a second round contest at Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium as Mentor scored on the final play of their contest, a late touchdown pass as the clock expired to escape with a 19-14 victory.

Since taking over for longtime Cardinals head coach and alumnus Steve Trivisonno, who retired after the 2019 season, Matt Gray, who was handpicked to take the reins of the Cardinals football program has kept Mentor relevant throughout his reign. The Cardinals own a 36-13 win over Jackson in what was their season opener.

Hall made it pretty clear that his team will have to play a near-flawless game to stop a Mentor program that has been a thorn in the side for McKinley for quite some time.

"We have to have a great week of practice. We have to have a good week of preparation and Mentor is who they are. They are a phenomenal team and we cannot come out and have the same dumb stuff that we've done and set ourselves back. We can't give them opportunities or it will be a different outcome," he said. 

98 yards on one play can be of aesthetic wizardry. It was one that Canton McKinley needed desperately and a reason why Jamar Johnson's kickoff return score in the pivotal third quarter is why their season lived on for another 48 minutes.

BULLDOG CELEBRATION. McKinley running back Nino Hill celebrates his four-yard touchdown run in the third quarter with teammate D.J. Britt assisting him. McKinley defeated Jackson 35-32 in a Division I, Region 2 second round contest Friday night to advance to the regional semifinals against Mentor next week. (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.

Blue Streaks avenge regular season loss in resounding fashion

 Blue Streaks avenge regular season loss in resounding fashion

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

LAKE TWP.--Holy Christopher!

It was one thing to see Matt Christopher dominate the football gridiron and lead Lake to the 1991 Division II state championship game amid a 13-0 record.

It is another to see a Christopher on the football field dominating once again.

Lake fans cannot get enough of hearing the Christopher name and once again the aesthetic magic and meaning of the name again was on fervent display at Lake Blue Streak stadium. Only this time, the bravado was provided by senior running back and linebacker Charlie Christopher.

Following in his father's footsteps, the senior standout rushed for 84 yards with three jarring touchdowns and recorded an interception as the host Blue Streaks had everything traverse from offense all the way to their defense up to their special teams in a 28-0 zapping of visiting North Canton Hoover in a Division II, Region 5 first round playoff assignment.

It was a big swing from two weeks ago despite not yielding an offensive touchdown, Lake was on the losing end of an 18-17 decision at North Canton Memorial Stadium. Only this time, Lake finished the job as evidenced by not yielding an offensive touchdown in the two meetings with the Vikings.

12th year Lake boss Dan DeGeorge ecstatically praised his team in a celebratory postgame huddle.

DRINKING FOR SUCCESS. Lake High School running back/linebacker Charlie Christopher, a future Ohio University recruit drinks from a bottle after his third touchdown during the third quarer of Friday's Division II, Region 5 contest against North Canton Hoover. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

"They just kept fighting and never gave up and they just found a way to beat two very good football teams the past two weeks. I am just happy for them and they deserve it. We're just glad we're not turning in the equipment tomorrow and we are excited for the opportunity to keep playing," DeGeorge said.

Lake made life severely miserable for the Vikings. It did not help the cause when junior quarterback John Collins was harried into four interceptions by a ruthless Blue Streaks defense that was every bit as carnivorous as they willed themselves to be. Hoover had two chances at potential scores in Lake territory but were sabotaged by interceptions that were injurious to their chances.

North Canton field general Brian Baum Sr. addressed his tearful charges as they concluded their season at 6-5 and at the same time rued the turnovers that spelled the end of the 2024 voyage for the Vikings.

"It's the finality of the playoffs. That (Lake) is a good team and we know that we can't turn the ball over against a good team. We tried to do some things but we turned the ball over and gave them good field position and they are too good of a team to do that against. They racked up some points on us quickly," he said.

The tone of the contest was set as early as Hoover's second possession. Throwing a deep pass for the end zone, Collins was intecepted by Lake's Ethan Hunt who returned the theft 34 yards all the way to their 36 yard line, a return negated by a late 15-yard personal foul that shelved them back to the four-yard line. Hoover's third possession lasted only just eight seconds of the second quarter when a throwback pass was deftly sniffed out and led to a second interception.

The Blue Streaks trekked on an 11 play drive that consumed 6:14 off the clock with junior tailback Davis Matson scoring on a 38-yard touchdown as he ventured his way into the Hoover secondary and handed the hosts a 7-0 lead that eventually parlayed into a fruitful evening of football for the 7-4 Blue Streaks.

Hoover had three straight possessions all end with interceptions in the decisive second quarter with Kyle Hammer etching his name into the book with one that he returned to the 21-yard line and three plays after the pick, Christopher scored the first of his three touchdown runs and a 14-0 lead with over three minutes remaining before the band show.

Lake's first possession of the third quarter was the knockout punch. Running the ball on eight of their nine plays, Christopher bulled his way over multiple Hoover defenders ala his father Matt and found the end zone for his second of three touchdowns that made the result academic at that point, leaving the Vikings languished after a seven-minute drive coming out of the intermission.

"He (Charlie) is an outstanding kid and a football guy. He's a Division I recruit for a reason and we are happy to have him. He's a (heck) of a football player," DeGeorge said.

For the Blue Streaks, they will now direct their sights to a second round contest against five-time state champion and current three-time Division II state finalist Akron Hoban, the alma mater of DeGeorge, who also starred at Malone University. At press time, Hoban was on their way to a first round victory over Akron Firestone.

Hoban has lost three consecutive state finals, to Cincinnati Winton Woods, Toledo Central Catholic, and most recently, Massillon, who at press time opened defense of their state title with a 41-6 clawing of Pataskala Licking Valley and will host Canal Winchester next week. The Warriors, Irish, and Tigers all lost state title games to the Knights but avenged those, extending their title drought to three years.

Lake is a clear underdog but for now, DeGeorge wants his team to relish their victory before turning their sights to the Knights.

"We are going to enjoy this win tonight and then get ready for the next one. Hoban is very good," DeGeorge cautioned.

For the Vikings, they end their season with two straight losses and a few bad breaks from a potential Federal League title but Baum Sr. admired the fight of his team in overcoming adversity and epitomizing what North Canton Hoover football is about.

"We start getting after it again next month and the young guys have to realize that there are a lot of good seniors who just left this program. There are big shoes to fill and our guys have to work hard just like those kids did, eat right, take care of their bodies, compete in other sports and lift every chance they get because it's a step up to varsity," he said. "We are losing 23 to 24 seniors that we have to replace."

The Lake Blue Streaks are moving onto the next round on a night where their fans had a lot to cheer for their team and a football name that left them saying 'Holy Christopher'!

UNDER PRESSURE. North Canton Hoover quarterback John Collins attempts to throw a pass under pressure from a Lake defender in the third quarter of Friday's playoff contest. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

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