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.
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