Virginia Union dominates Miles in 42 point ravaging

 Virginia Union dominates Miles in 42 point thrashing

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

CANTON--Ben Wallace isn't the only Virginia Union Panther known for his harassing defense that led to him being an NBA champion with the Detroit Pistons.

The 2025 Panthers can generate defense too.

After spotting the Miles Golden Bears a generous field goal in the second quarter that cut their lead to 10-3 the Panthers defense barred the door shut the rest of the way as their defense concocted a staggering five turnovers and scored 14 points in the second, third and fourth quarters on their way to a 45-3 thrashing in the sixth annual Black College Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

For the Panthers, it was the second appearance in three years. In 2023, they scored a 45-13 victory over Morehouse in which Jada Byers was the lead catalyst for Virginia Union. Only this time, the keys were turned over to Curtis Allen, a 6'2'', 215 lb. senior from Petersburg and he did not disappoint.

Allen's 53-yard touchdown run in the second quarter was the first of two scores he had on the afternoon and finished with a game-high 185 yards rushing. Overall as a team, the Panthers rushed for an impressive 375 yards with quarterback R.J. Rosales running for 73 yards while completing nine passes for 120 yards and a touchdown pass to receiver Ricky Key, Jr., a 35-yard strike that was part of their 35-0 scoring run.

Eighth-year Virginia Union head coach Alvin Parker lauded his team's defense and how they were able to hold Miles to a single field goal while keeping them out of the end zone on the afternoon, making the Golden Bears the first team in the six years of this game to not score a touchdown.

"Our defense played lights out and picked up where they left off last year. The defensive coaching staff did an awesome job and we have a lot of talented guys over there that make it happen and it was encouraging to watch that because defense wins championships," Parker said. "Offense makes people excited but defense wins championships and I was happy to see that today."

Miles looked nothing like a team that had won 10 games last season. A bright spot for the Golden Bears was freshman quarterback Kamden Ivory. Despite two interceptions, he passed for 174 yards with Tifton Dobbs being his leading receiver with four catches for 46 yards.

Under first-year head coach Chris Goode, a former University of Alabama linebacker who was hired as the program's head coach after Sam Shade departed for Alabama A&M as their head coach, the Golden Bears will have their work cut out for them if they are to make a return to the NCAA Division II playoffs later on this season.

One game doesn't define a season but they will have to rectify their turnover issues immediately in order to be a relevant team this season.

The Panthers will have a bye week and then will play one more non-conference game against Edward Waters and then will commence CIAA play against Johnson C. Smith. But for now, Parker wants his team to enjoy the win for 12 hours before getting to work on the Tigers, who they will play two weeks from now.

"We have a bye next week so we have to look at some things we need to correct. I feel like we did a lot of things right that it translated over to the game. Our itinerary says that we have a meeting tomorrow so we are right back to work," he said. "I give my guys 12 hours to celebrate a victory and then it's back to work."

Ben Wallace isn't the only Virginia Union Panther that was known for his defense with the Detroit Pistons. For at least today, the Panthers showed they can play defense too.

PANTHER POWER. Virginia Union tailback Curtis Allen (#5) is congratulated by Larry Hackey (#11), Lyvarius Gilbert (#17) and Jerome Jones (#6) after his 53 yard touchdown scamper during the second quarter of Sunday's Black College Hall of Fame Game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Panthers defeated Miles College 45-3. (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.

Tornadoes battle bravely but fall short of victory

 Tornadoes battle bravely but fall short of victory

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

DOVER--Matt Rees and Shaq Washington brought their respective teams into Crater Stadium for a Friday evening showcase.

The fans got every bit of their money's worth.

In a contest that featured three lead changes with neither team leading by more than eight points, it was a crucial turnover that ended up being the difference as Maple Heights obtained the only Dover turnover of the game in the form of an interception and Marlon Brown's four-yard touchdown on a reverse broke a tie late in regulation and the Mustangs defense held firm, quashing the Tornadoes final rally on their way to a 28-22 victory.

On a night that featured the Tornadoes softball team being praised for their Division III state softball title, not to mention the Tornadoes cheerleading squad winning the Division III state title as well, Dover under first-year coach Rees were hoping to obtain another quality victory, which would have been the first home win for him as their newly minted football coach having succeeded longtime general Dan Ifft.

That will have to wait till next week when Millersburg West Holmes invades Crater Stadium.

Maple Heights didn't have the vaunted scoring barrage they displayed in the second half of last week's 42-16 road win over Lorain in which they did not punt the entire second half as they had just four second half possessions, all of them ending in touchdowns but had just enough in their repertoire to escape, much to the zealotry of their eighth-year head coach, a 2011 graduate of Maple Heights and former wide receiver at Cincinnati.

"It's great whenever you can come out on the road, come together and as a team compete and it's awesome. But we kind of look forward to those challenges," Washington said while being gracious in his compliments of Dover.

Leading the charge for the Mustangs offense was senior quarterback Mike Banks. Showing a prowess that mirrored the play of his head coach, Banks was methodical in throwing and passing while also mixing in hard runs by running back Andrew Cummings-Byrd. Banks got the visitors on the scoreboard with a 19-yard touchdown pass to Marlon Brown, who ripped away a potential interception in the end zone from a Dover defender and their two-point conversion was good.

But the Tornadoes were not deterred by the early deficit. After a Maple Heights personal foul moved the ball to the three, Dover found real estate in the form of a Jack Judkins three-yard touchdown run and they tied the score at 8-8.

Dover maintained the momentum when they came up with a bounced ball for an interception and in just one play, Judkins tossed a 43-yard scoring strike to Hughes. However the extra-point kick hit the crossbar and although the Tornadoes led 14-8, that missed point eventually became an asset for the Mustangs and a torturous detriment for Dover.

"We knew their offense was dangerous and they have athletes and so offensively and defensively along with the special teams game, we need to do our best to minimize their ability to make athletic plays and they did," Rees said. "There were times we had them in third down and fourth down and we just couldn't get the stop and they are athletes. They were more athletic than we were."

Dover appeared to deliver a knockout punch in the third quarter as Hughes scored on a one-yard touchdown run and the Tornadoes had a 22-16 lead. But the Mustangs leaned on their resiliency and it paid dividends when Banks, who was as slippery as a fish wriggled out of multiple tackle attempts and scored a 42-yard touchdown run that equalized the score at 22-22.

That set up the fourth quarter in which the Mustangs were able to truncate the final five minutes of regulation after obtaining possession of the ball via interception, ending with Brown's second touchdown with 49 seconds remaining to capture their second road victory of the season.

The performance of Banks based on his play and skill took Washington back to his prep days when he was the signal caller under Todd Filtz.

"He is a special talent and he is a super competitive player. He battled through adversity early and he came back level headed and he made some huge plays for us," he said. "We just now have to take it one game at a time. We never look too far ahead and I am proud of the guys that they competed for four quarters. We will enjoy this one for 24 hours and then we will get back at it again."

A missed extra point and a two-point conversion amounted to three points left on the field by the hosts. Despite the setback, Dover players left the field to cheers from their partisan crowd, a portent of things to come for the Tornadoes.

They did not obtain the victory that they aspired for but Rees witnessed his team display the toughness that defined Dover football and knows that it is only upward for his legion of Tornadoes.

"You can't look at a loss as a loss of momentum. You have to look at it from a higher view in the form of 'did we fight', 'did we do some of the things we preached in practice'. I told the team that I saw some fighters tonight and it could have been very easy to cash in, so when we look at the film, I have to see the film before I make a true assessment," he said. "When I turn on the film, I am going to see some kids that fought for the duration of the game. And that's the key. We are going to continue to fight and continue to grow."

Matt Rees and Shaq Washington brought their respective teams into Crater Stadium for a Friday evening showcase. While the Mustangs prevailed and the Tornadoes were six points short, the fans got their money's worth all the way to the end.

AND JUSTICE FOR ALL. Dover running back Justice Hughes is mobbed by his teammates after a second quarter touchdown against Maple Heights. Dover came up short in a 28-22 loss at Crater Stadium Friday night. (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.

COMMENTARY: It's Tuscarawas County but appreciative of Dover

 COMMENTARY: It's Tuscarawas County but appreciative of Dover

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

DOVER--18 1/2 years ago as I was walking down the sideline of the Massillon Washington basketball floor getting ready to cover the Tigers contest against Dover, I heard a voice calling me. You have to turn back the clock to December 5, 2006 for this one. 

Kind of surprised I turned around to see who it was. At first, I thought it was another lady who strangely knew who I was.

Turns out the lady, who graduated from Mount Union two years before me identified me and my college classmate, Stacy Gordon, who like me graduated from Mount in 2006 and from Dover in 2002.

It was one thing for Courtney Rees and Gordon to know who I was. That same night as I was walking down and chatting with Massillon fans at halftime, a lady had called me from the seats. I thought to myself, it's another Massillon mom and a smile came across my face as I approached her for a long hug. Turns out this lady wasn't a Massillon lady but I would eventually see what made her the face of Dover Avenue Elementary School. 

Leave it to Renee Sattler, Courtney's mother to get in on the parade too. And how did they know who I was? Leave it to Sattler to point me out to someone sitting by her that I recall despite our paths not crossing to that point: "That's Keno in that New York Yankees three-piece suit, I know that's him!" She identified me and my suit quicker than the unfailing speed of the Roadrunner escaping the ne'er-do-well Coyote, not to mention Rees and Gordon memorized the suit too considering it was my first time wearing it! That's almost the epitome of Yankees announcer Michael Kay and his famous "track, wall, see ya" phrase when they hit a home run but the three women knew that suit easily, that's makes it Kay's "there it goooooooooooooooes, see ya" when it's a no doubt home run, which this moment was.

About almost an hour later after the Tigers victory over the Tornadoes, I went to seek out then longtime Dover basketball boss Bob VonKaenel and as I approached him outside, I was met with this: "Hi Keno, I know who you are."

At this point, I was thinking how did Mrs. Sattler and coach VonKaenel know who I was the first time they saw me. I was just seven months removed from graduating from Mount Union and two of them had not seen me let alone knew who I was. I guess when you wear a suit that embodies a baseball franchise that has won a staggering 27 World Series championships, not to mention 21 American League East Division titles and a whopping 41 American League crowns as well, people will not so much put a name to the face but to the suit as well.

I have always worn suits from the first day I got involved into the sports journalism realm. Many have praised me for it. But there are others who have criticized me for that and I'm OK with that too. But let me say this much: although it is Tuscarawas County, I am very appreciative of the city of Dover.

There is a lot to be appreciative for in this wonderful city and the residents who reside from the area. I always had praise for Massillon and how their residents and fans treated me with respect that led to my positivity for that city spanning now 20 years. Dover is also on my list as well.

Last year was my first time going into Crater Stadium and immediately I was overcome with awe as I stood at the 30 yard line basking in the sight. As I wrapped up my preview, I still continued to bask in the aesthetic sight when an unlikely voice came out: "I know that man. That is the one and only Keno Sultan!"

I thought Mrs. Sattler and her daughter Courtney along with Gordon were the only ones that knew my attire. I was mistaken. Then defensive coordinator now varsity football coach Matt Rees knew who I was the first time he saw me and noticed my suit, a British suit. Someone should have sent me a memo to bring tea and donuts to Crater Stadium and Yankees cookies too. All this before the Tornadoes pinned down Canton South 31-3 in what was Dan Ifft's 30th and final season atop the Tornadoes post.

Fast forward now to January 14th of this year. As I was executing color commentary for ESPN 990 at halftime of Massillon's basketball game against Dover, I was approached by a young man and an entourage of middle school students. Rocco Rees, Matt and Courtney's son (get this) knew who I was and identified my newest suit: my black and gold Pittsburgh Steelers suit. Rees, now an eighth grader at Dover Middle School mentioned he knew who I was the first time he saw me because of my suit. 

An interesting fact here. Earlier this year, a man from Dover had told me to "run on back to Massillon" where I came from in a not-so-nice message. I knew the person who did that and won't mention his name out of my respect for him and that's me being serenely nice. I smiled and laughed upon seeing it. But Rocco did something that no one could imagine. He was sad that the high school team had lost a 71-68 decision to the Tigers but as I was leaving the floor, he sought me out for a handshake and embrace in what was a poignant moment of sportsmanship, offsetting the message I got. That same night, Mrs. Sattler's husband, Rob also was in on the party, knowing who I was and my suit and successfully identified my cream colored suit. Even better: he told me he couldn't let me leave Alliance Middle School last night without a special person wanting to see me, that being his wife Mrs. Sattler. That moment reminded me of how former Massillon Tigers quarterback Willie Spencer Sr. when he was at a restaurant stopped a waiter and assigned him to take the order of his wife first before he ordered his food.

And it didn't end there. A Dover elementary PTA mother recognized me by name as well. I was kind of shocked by this but I wasn't complaining as she knew my suit and hat. I was in plain clothes at Walmart and yet identified me so greatly. That's even greater respect for Dover which just grew and grew like the beanstalk and that's one you can't cut down.

I know it may seem like I am being a motormouth here, which isn't my intention. I'm not a motormouth like the loquacious Morton Koopa Jr. from the Super Mario Bros. video games as he just goes on and on and on almost without any end.

But I can't forget about current Dover boys basketball head coach Matt VonKaenel and his son Cohen. It's one thing for me to execute dunk workouts at SkyZone. In a truly touching moment, the son of the coach knew who I was not to mention the son of the Dover head coaching legend who revealed my dunking moniker, the "Black Dragon". Coach VonKaenel's wife, Lia, also as well knew who I was even with sweat dripping down my face after a fierce dunk workout while perfecting my inner Dominique Wilkins.

My appreciation for Dover is astronomical. From the kids at Dover South, Dover East and Dover Avenue elementary schools up to the middle school and ending at the high school, I have an enormous respect for the people that know who I am and to know me without never seeing me before is just something I personally take sensational pride in. And I hope to have more appearances in that city for the years to come as long as I am here on this earth.

It's Tuscarawas County but Dover has a large sized scarlet and gray presence (sorry, not you Ohio State, Michigan fan here) that will always be etched in me forever.

Me and Dover Middle School's Rocco Rees sharing a long hug after the Massillon-Dover basketball game, won by the Tigers 71-68 in overtime. (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.

Veteran Mustangs coach respects opponent, anticipates iconic matchup

 Veteran Mustangs coach respects opponent, anticipates iconic matchup

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

MAPLE HEIGHTS--Maple Heights veteran football head coach Shaq Washington is Mustang born and bred. Dover football head coach Matt Rees is Tornado born and bred.

Both gentlemen know the meaning of undefeated seasons. Rees experienced an undefeated regular season in his senior season at Dover before embarking on a successful career at the University of Mount Union. Washington on the other hand, had an extra five games as a senior quarterback that ended with the Mustangs hoisting a Division II state championship with a flawless season in the form of a 45-33 thriller over Trotwood-Madison in Massillon's Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

It was a more conducive ending for the Mustangs than the previous season in which they were humbled in a 42-12 setback to Cincinnati Winton Woods in the same state final.

15 years later, Washington, who was the quarterback of those two Mustang squads now has the keys to the car in his eighth season at his alma mater as their head coach and still going strong at 33 years young after ending his career as a wide receiver at Cincinnati and being hired as a head varsity football coach at the young age of 24.

Last week the Mustangs galloped their way to a 42-16 pasting of Lorain as the visitors subjugated the Titans with a 28-3 second half by scoring on their only four possessions of the second half, a sight that pleased Washington, not before he mentioned the catalyst of their outburst.

"Our defense really sprung us in the second half and we were able to put a couple of scoring drives together and they were consistent in getting stops," he said.

For Maple Heights, it will be the second of three straight road venues to open the season. Having subdued the Titans, a rugged Dover team awaits them and after spotting host GlenOak a generous 7-0 advantage, the Tornadoes responded with 18 straight points and caused a path of stormy destruction that the Eagles were on the brutally wrong end of.

For 30 seasons, Dan Ifft was the mountainous face of the program that saw them capture multiple conference titles and make deep playoff runs not to mention never having a single losing season. It will be a different atmosphere inside the confines of tradition rich Crater Stadium with Rees being promoted from defensive coordinator to head coach.

Tornadoes athletes always bring their lunch pail and hard hats to work and that is a reason why they attained immense success in Ifft's 30 season's. Now with the program being passed down to Rees, Washington couldn't help but to commend the school district for their hire of Rees, who also doubles as a business teacher at his alma mater.

"They are a very well coached team who play a specific brand of football that I can respect. I definitely look forward to it being a four quarter game," Washington said.

Dover will have their assignment in front of them as they will be tasked with the responsibility of neutralizing the speed of the speedy Mustangs. If the Mustangs are not beating teams running the football, they are beating them throwing as well. Lorain found that out in their agonizing second half. But don't get the perception that Washington will be just one-dimensional as that will not be the case.

When asked if the Mustangs have a set ratio of how they intend to execute in terms of running and passing, Washington said his team will do whatever it takes based on what is going well for them at that point.

"Whatever it takes for us to win the ball game is what we will do, the flow of the game will ultimately dictate our approach," he commented.

Winning the first game is imperative as it erects character and a willingness to believe anything is attainable. A potential second victory may lead to something special but a loss doesn't necessarily diminish anything as the 2025 season is still in it's infancy.

Washington recalled the closeness of the 2010 Mustangs his senior season and likened that to the team that he is coaching. The bondage of his state title winning team was a reason why they were able to rid themselves of the acrid taste of defeat in the state championship his junior year and turn that taste into a frugal gourmet in the form of a state title by coming back from two double-digit craters to hoist the state championship trophy aside from the runner-up trophy.

"We were a very connected group of individuals who were on a mission and we all believed we could accomplish it together and that's exactly what motivated us each and every day," he said of that 2010 team. "Right now we have a pretty experienced team in certain areas who have been through a lot of highs and lows so they understand what it takes to have sustained success and will remain focused on the task at hand."

When alumni are piloting their programs, it makes the young men playing understand the expectations for them. Rees and Washington both grew up in their hometowns idolizing the players who played before them and also had aspirations of piloting their programs as well.

Friday night, both gentlemen will cross paths for the first time and Washington is brimming with fervent excitement for the Mustangs second road task as they will ride into Crater Stadium. Washington was also complimentary of Rees as well.

"It's always special when programs are led by alumni but it's always about the players and their journey. I'm just honored we get to be a part of it."

PREP PRESS PIECES

*Stark County connections: Todd Filtz and Sean Weatherspoon are both intertwined in the Canton McKinley family. Filtz became the youngest head coach at McKinley back in 2012 and compiled a record of 17-5 in two seasons while Weatherspoon, a McKinley graduate was a part of the Bulldogs 2005 Division I state title winning basketball team. Weatherspoon coached Maple Heights for multiple seasons while Filtz was the football coach. Washington credited Filtz for molding him into the head coach he is today. "Filtz had a huge impact on me growing up and as a player throughout my career I believe I took a bit from all my coaches and molded it into my own style in which I feel is best useful for my players," he said.

*Tornado tracks: Rees is no stranger to success not just from an academic end but also from a family standpoint. His wife, Courtney, also a Mount Union alum and Dover graduate coached the cheerleading team to the Division III state championship last year and is the current cheerleading coach. Rees's in-laws are well respected educators as his father-in-law, Rob Sattler was the longtime Tuslaw High School principal for many years before retiring in 2009. Rob's wife, Renee, was the longtime Dover Avenue Elementary School principal for 35 years before going off into the sunset in 2021, wrapping up a 46-year career in education.

*Hail to the Tornadoes: The Dover softball team will be honored at halftime of the varsity football game. Under the direction of manager Hannah Duff, the Tornadoes started the year ranked #1 and finished wire-to-wire as the state's top ranked team in Division III with  a 30-3 record and the state championship last season. Dover decimated New Holland Springfield 10-0 to bring home the crown.

*Mount Union connections: J.R. Jackson, Alliance senior quarterback is a dynamic quarterback who has taken the Aviators position and has transfused life into a team that has the looks of being better than last year. Louisville football coach Chris Kappas, like his college classmate and teammate Rees, will have his hands full in stopping the dual-threat QB. J.R's father, Richard Sr. was a four-year starter on the Purple Raiders basketball team and is a 2002 graduate and previously served as the assistant dean of the college.

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

Dover native and son of head coach aspires to excel as a Tornado

 Dover native and son of head coach aspires to excel as a Tornado

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

ALLIANCE--Growing up in tradition rich Dover, Rocco Rees viewed many players carve out their dreams of being inside the confines of Crater Stadium on Friday nights. He witnessed many conference championships, rivalry wins over rival New Philadelphia, and many playoff runs along the path.

Now he is a year away from eventually stepping out on the field as a high school Tornado and causing a storm.

Nine months ago after three decades atop the mountain as Dover High School football head coach, Dan Ifft ventured off into the sunset via retirement that featured a track of success that will be arguably debatable to duplicate. It didn't take long for Dover to find their replacement within the Tornadoes kingdom.

A 2004 graduate of Dover and a part of an undefeated season and capturing two national championships as a linebacker at Mount Union having graduated in 2008, Matt Rees was tabbed as the successor to Ifft and last week, Rees captured his first victory in the form of an 18-7 road victory over GlenOak. Friday night will be Rees' iconic home opener as the Tornadoes will host a Maple Heights squad that is a week removed from a 42-16 pasting of Lorain and celebrating their 15-year anniversary of their undefeated Division II state title winning team.

Someday, Rocco will be competing for his dad. But at the same time, he knows that he will be treated the same as the rest of his eventual teammates. However, he expressed fervent happiness upon learning of his dad's hire as head coach.

"I was obviously happy that he got the job. However the only thing that is going to be different is that he's always working but I'm happy for him," Rocco said. "I'm happy that he's doing what he's doing and what he wants."

It is no surprise to anyone that he conducts himself the way he is supposed to as a student at Dover Middle School, then a member of the community and finally an athlete. Coming from a family of educators and administrators, being humble and level is the expectation in the Rees household. 

Both of his parents have injected that into him and with both not only graduates of Dover High School but also the University of Mount Union, that also is an immense factor. Whereas his father is the head football coach, his mother, Courtney is a 2000 Dover graduate and 2004 Mount Union graduate and current cheerleading coach of the Division III state champion Tornadoes. Rocco also receives immense support from his grandparents, Rob and Renee Sattler, who both also convey life lessons to him along the way.

Rob was the dominant face of Tuslaw High School as their longtime building principal and Renee had an illustriously zealous 35-year career as elementary school principal at Dover Avenue Elementary School.

That support has been advantageous to Rocco throughout his life, something that he acknowledged.

"It has always been academics first. Get your homework done before practice and after school and right after practice. Always take academics seriously first," he said.

Rees took a step closer to being a high school Tornado in a road contest at Alliance. The Tornadoes scored three touchdowns in the first quarter on their first three plays on their way to a 40-6 victory. Rees forced a fumble that he recovered and also had a solo tackle in the victory. Dover is now 2-0 on the season and they look primed to keep the momentum going, all the way to their eventual showdown with the Quakers, better known to Dover residents as the team up the river.

Rees witnessed many players travel the path he is traveling. And now he is living it. It did not seem like a long time ago Rees was cheering on the players who took the field at Crater Stadium or on the road. And now he is getting a major taste of that responsibility and it is something he grasps.

And based on his performance, that is an accurate assessment also amplified by his acknowledgement of Ifft.

"Coach Ifft was always great for the players and always giving good advice and his players always respected him, that was the big thing," Rees attested. "Respect, attitude and effort is what I grew up knowing and that is what I always hope to do and to follow that my entire life."

The major tenet of Dover football is to attack for four quarters and not take any plays off period. Kids as early at the elementary level have that ingrained into them and it stays with them all the way up to high school. The eighth grade middle school team swarmed early and often as a running clock was actuated in the second half as Alliance aside from one touchdown was never able to generate any kind of offense. Even when the clock was continuous, the Tornadoes continued to bring the ferocity that will serve dividends three or four years down the road.

Rees is a part of the eventual class of 2030. Who knows were his path will take him beyond that, he may even end up traversing the footsteps of his parents and forge a legacy at Mount Union, where at that point he would be a part of the class of 2034 and join his parents as graduates.

But for now, his goal is to conclude his final year of middle school undefeated and matriculate at the high school. Soon he will be under the lights of Crater Stadium, the same as those before him were.

"We just want to play hard every single game. Finish. We always want to finish the game and play hard every single game and the scoreboard will take care of itself. We just want to play hard every single game," Rees said.

Growing up in Dover, Rocco Rees saw many players before him carve out their dreams as Dover Tornadoes inside Crater Stadium. In about a year or two, he'll be causing the same storm as those before him did and with his father at his side as head coach, the storm brewing is palpable.

CALM STORM. Dover Middle School linebacker Rocco Rees watches from his position during a middle school contest at Alliance. Rees is the son of newly minted Dover football head coach Matt Rees. (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 and Glenville punch out clock late but Tarblooders prevail in overtime sensation

 Massillon and Glenville punch out clock late but Tarblooders prevail in overtime sensation

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

MASSILLON--It was time for Massillon and Glenville to clock out for the evening at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

The Tigers and Tarblooders preferred to work overtime for extra pay.

After both team traded missed field goals with Glenville's Arvell Nelson blocking a Massillon attempt and then Glenville's game-winning attempt sailed wide, both teams ventured into overtime. After the Tarblooders blocked a second Massillon field goal, it was Nelson in just five plays delivering a nine-yard bullet to receiver Joseph Saffold for the lone and decisive touchdown and the Tarblooders departed with a huge 33-27 overtime victory that had multiple momentum changes throughout the evening.

Massillon found themselves in jeopardy after the first half that saw them commit two turnovers which the visitors parlayed into a 19-7 halftime advantage. However, once the hosts found their rhythm, it made for an entertaining affair that showed why both schools entered the game with championship credentials, with the Tarblooders two seasons removed from back-to-back Division IV championships and Massillon a year removed from the 2023 Division II title.

For 29th-year Glenville veteran head coach Ted Ginn Sr., a devout and faithful gentleman, he was very ecstatic to depart with a momentum building victory, not before he honored his devout faith.

"All praises go to God. If God is not in it, you can't win it. This was an act of God, we had faith and we came out on top," Ginn Sr. said in his traditional low tone voice.

Under 11th-year Massillon general Nate Moore, Massillon has always been the team to impose their durability on teams if they were not actuating a running clock by the second half. On the Tarblooders first possession, they were more than gleeful to pilfer a page from Massillon's book.

Using a 16-play drive that consumed eight minutes off the clock with several of those being carries by sturdy tailback Romell Phillips, the Tarblooders ended the drive with a four-yard touchdown run by tailback Chris Newell leading to a 7-0 lead as the visitors conjured up five first downs on the lengthy drive.

It took Massillon only five plays to provide an equalizer to the Tarblooders drive when junior quarterback Mandwel Patterson connected on a 12 yard touchdown strike to 6'5'' junior receiver Gio Jackson Jr., whose frame is reminiscent of former 6'4'', 190 lb. Tigers receiver Rameir Martin, who was a top target that lined up with acrobatic and stylish receiver Desmond Carpenter 36 years ago.

The real adversity struck for Massillon as early in the second quarter when Nelson lofted a deep aerial to speedy receiver Pauly Sadler who got ahead of the Tigers secondary for a 55-yard touchdown catch that handed Glenville a 13-7 lead. A play later, Massillon fumbled leading to the first of their two turnovers and Nelson located London Hearn over the middle for a second touchdown and a 19-7 advantage.

Having faced a deficit like this before was nothing new to Moore who has witnessed his battalion of Tigers respond multiple times amid two touchdown deficits.

"We fought our way back in and I was really proud of our football team. We have a ton of football left to play. I'm proud of our guys, proud of our effort, and we gave ourselves a chance to win," he said.

Massillon's first possession provided a glance of hope as Patterson delivered a 48-yard completion and six plays later, found junior receiver Deontay Malone for a 25-yard touchdown in the left corner of the end zone truncating the Tarblooders lead to five. At the start of the fourth quarter, junior Savior Owens lived up to his name as he scored on an 11-yard jaunt up the middle issuing Massillon their first lead of the game at 20-19.

But just one play after the score, backup quarterback Chase Youngblood conjured up a play that will have elicited a smile on the face of former Glenville signal caller and national championship winning quarterback Cardale Jones and his former teammate Shane Wynn Jr.

Picking up a hard Massillon blitz, Youngblood lofted a safe pass to Chris Newell, who turned on the afterburners and was off to the races for an 81 yard touchdown catch and go, reminiscent of the play executed by Jones and Winn from the Tarblooders 2009 Division I state semifinal victory over Massillon.

Patterson of Massillon responded with a second touchdown pass to Malone that paved the way for the frenetic overtime session, the first overtime at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium since 2011, when Massillon needed three overtimes to topple GlenOak, who at press time lost to Dover and their first-year head coach Matt Rees, 18-7.

When asked was his team's return to Massillon merrier than their last appearance in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, a 20-17 Division I state semifinal loss to Canton McKinley back in 2004, Ginn Sr. mentioned he had not paid attention to that.

"You know I'm always happy anytime we can win. I don't keep up with those stats and all that stuff so I don't remember that," he said. "Right now, I'm just thankful to God that he gave us a chance to win."

Glenville was led by the arm of Nelson, who threw for three touchdowns.

For Massillon, they will rue the two turnovers and blocked field goals that saw them lose a home opener for the fourth time in six years. But Moore came away feeling motivated from what he saw with a team boasting two new coordinators and several new faces.

With Patterson throwing for three touchdowns and Owens running for a touchdown, there is a bright future for the Tigers. One thing they have going for them is that they have not lost two consecutive home contests under Moore's tutelage and they will look to once again lean on that asset against a GlenOak team that will look to get into the win column under 17th-year head coach Scott Garcia, a GlenOak graduate and a former protege of Bob Commings, who coached at GlenOak for 12 seasons after a stint as Massillon head coach.

Moore opted to view the big picture and not the stat.

"We don't really look at it that way. We just want to have one foot in front of the other and it's week 2 and whether we are coming off of a loss or win, we have to be the same team no matter what and we have to have a great week of practice and we have an improved GlenOak team coming in next week," he said.

OH SO CLOSE. Massillon wide receiver Jadyce Thigpen has a pass go through his hands in the end zone of Friday's contest against Cleveland Glenville. Massillon battled with valiant effort but came up short in a 33-27 overtime loss. (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.

 

Coaches break bread & commiserate before the start of a new season

Coaches break bread & commiserate before the start of a new season

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

CANTON--19 of the sharpest Stark County football coaching minds faced each other at the St. Haralambos Greek Orthodox church inside the Alex Krassas event center.

In two weeks, each of them will be attempting to prove their teams are better than the other on the football field in competition.

Wednesday night, those same 19 coaches came together to break bread and commiserate with each other before the commencing of another prep football season. With two new head coaches joining the fraternity and three schools obtaining new head coaches, along with 10 playoff qualifiers from last season, it will make for another interesting season as the road to Canton's Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium has officially arrived.

Here are a list of the 19 teams and their respective outlook on the upcoming 2025 season.

ALLIANCE AVIATORS

Head coach: Tim Goodman.

Years at school: 5.

Last season's record: 4-6.

Returning lettermen: N/A.

Coach's outlook: "We have 81 kids in grades 9-12 and they are on the rise. We had a young team last year and they learned a lesson on how to play tough football. We have a tough schedule this year and it will be a fun year."

Alliance head coach Tim Goodman. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

CANTON SOUTH WILDCATS

Head coach: Matt Dennison.

Years at school: 5.

Last season's record: 4-7 (Division IV first round playoff).

Returning lettermen: 21.

Coach's outlook: "I love coaching the game because it teaches us grit. We had a great offseason and we will have a good balance between speed and physicality. We return eight defensive starters and nine offensive starters."

Canton South head coach Matt Dennison. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

CENTRAL CATHOLIC CRUSADERS

Head coach: Jeff Lindesmith.

Years at school: 12.

Last season's record: 5-6 (Division V first round).

Returning lettermen: N/A.

Coach's outlook: "We graduated 20 seniors. We currently have 51 players in the program with six seniors. We are a young team and that's not a bad thing. We have a lot of sophomores and juniors and they will have to learn the game quick. They are coachable and will practice hard and play hard."

Central Catholic head coach Jeff Lindesmith. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

EAST CANTON HORNETS

Head coach: John "Spider" Miller.

Years at school: 10.

Last season's record: 3-7.

Returning lettermen: 16.

Coach's outlook: "We return nine offensive starters and eight defensive starters and our kids have been working hard in the weight room. We have experience that is great and the kids are working hard."

East Canton head coach John "Spider" Miller. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

FAIRLESS FALCONS

Head coach: A.J. Sarbaugh.

Years at school: 8.

Last season's record: 4-7 (Division V first round).

Returning lettermen: N/A.

Coach's outlook: "We have 50 kids in the program and most of their dads, brothers, and cousins have played Fairless football so they want to represent the program well. We open up with Sandy Valley and then we have five straight road games. Our last three games are against Stark County schools, Canton South, Northwest, and Tuslaw."

Fairless head coach A.J. Sarbaugh. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

GLENOAK EAGLES

Head coach: Scott Garcia.

Years at school: 17.

Last season's record: 1-9.

Returning lettermen: 28.

Coach's outlook: "We played a lot of young players that took their lumps last season. Our offseason went well in the weight room. We return nine offensive starters and nine defensive starters."

GlenOak head coach Scott Garcia. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

NORTH CANTON HOOVER VIKINGS

Head coach: Brian Baum Sr.

Years at school: 11.

Last season's record: 6-5 (Division II first round).

Returning lettermen: 16.

Coach's outlook: "We had a great offseason. We had guys competing to get into the weight room and currently have 76 guys on the roster. We return five defensive starters and six offensive starters."

North Canton Hoover head coach Brian Baum Sr. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

JACKSON POLAR BEARS

Head coach: Jay Rohr.

Years at school: 4.

Last season's record: 8-4 (Division I second round, Co-Federal League champions).

Returning lettermen: 18.

Coach's outlook: "The offseason went wonderful. I am blessed to be here at Jackson High School. We graduated 41 seniors last year and as coaches we have to find the right guys and get them ready to play. We have 183 kids through grades 9-12. The Federal League will be tough again."

Jackson head coach Jay Rohr. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

LAKE BLUE STREAKS

Head coach: Dan DeGeorge.

Years at school: 13.

Last season's record: 7-5 (Division II second round).

Returning lettermen: 19.

Coach's outlook: "We have five offensive starters returning and five defensive starters returning. We are going to be more athletic than what we were in the past. We had a great offseason and are proud of how the kids have brought into that."

Lake head coach Dan DeGeorge. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

LOUISVILLE LEOPARDS

Head coach: Chris Kappas.

Years at school: 3.

Last season's record: 4-6.

Returning lettermen: 13.

Coach's outlook: "We have really good continuity with our staff. We have a tough schedule that will test us. We have taken positive steps in the right direction. We are going to be pretty balanced with our depth. Our biggest class will be our sophomore class. This is the most fun I have had with this team in the three years here.

Louisville head coach Chris Kappas. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

MARLINGTON DUKES

Head coach: Joe Cardinal.

Years at school: 3.

Last season's record: 2-8.

Returning lettermen: N/A.

Coach's outlook: "We have a lot of guys returning and our defense is stacked and will be for the next five to six years."

Marlington head coach Joe Cardinal. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

MASSILLON TIGERS

Head coach: Nate Moore.

Years at school: 11.

Last season's record: 11-3 (Division II regional finalist).

Returning lettermen: 24.

Coach's outlook: "We play a very aggressive schedule with nine home games and open up against Cleveland Glenville in week 1 and they have two Ohio State commits and as a team they have speed to burn each year. We have eight starters returning and three offensive starters back. We are a very young team that is young and hungry and they have a lot to prove."

Massillon head coach Nate Moore. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

CANTON MCKINLEY BULLDOGS

Head coach: Renzy Parnell.

Years at school: 1.

Last season's record: 8-5 (Division I regional semifinalist, Co-Federal League champions).

Returning lettermen: 19.

Coach's outlook: "I am super excited as the kids are buying into what we have built. They are well behaved. We will open up against Warren G. Harding, St. Augustine Prep (NJ) and Cleveland Heights. Then we go into league play and conclude with week 10."

Canton McKinley head coach Renzy Parnell. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

MINERVA LIONS

Head coach: Zach Slates.

Years at school: 1.

Last season's record: 1-9.

Returning lettermen: 17.

Coach's outlook: "We have 14 seniors and players who will bust their butt in the weight room."

Minerva head coach Zach Slates. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

NORTHWEST INDIANS

Head coach: John DeMarco.

Years at school: 6.

Last season's record: 9-3 (Division IV second round)

Returning lettermen: N/A.

Coach's outlook: "We have 21 seniors in a large class. We have a lot of returning letterwinners and a lot of shoes to fill."

Northwest head coach John DeMarco. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

PERRY PANTHERS

Head coach: Spencer Leno.

Years at school: 1.

Last season's record: 6-6 (Division II second round).

Returning lettermen: 13.

Coach's outlook: "We have 90 kids from freshman to senior and good numbers. They are a very focused group with a blue collar mentality. They come in and punch the clock every day and get after it. Players know to do their jobs whether it is offense, defense, or special teams."

Perry head coach Spencer Leno. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

ST. THOMAS AQUINAS KNIGHTS

Head coach: Kevin Henderson.

Years at school: 3.

Last season's record: 1-9.

Returning lettermen: 24.

Coach's outlook: "Our goals remain the same. One, beat our rival. Two, qualify for the playoffs. And finally, win a state championship."

St. Thomas Aquinas head coach Kevin Henderson. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

SANDY VALLEY CARDINALS

Head coach: Brian Gamble.

Years at school: 9.

Last season's record: 5-5.

Returning lettermen: 12.

Coach's outlook: "We return six offensive starters and five defensive starters. Overall we have 40 guys on the roster. We had a strong offseason where guys put in a lot of good work."

Sandy Valley head coach Brian Gamble. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

TUSLAW MUSTANGS

Head coach: Broc Dial.

Years at school: 2.

Last season's record: 2-8.

Returning lettermen: N/A.

Coach's outlook: "We have 17 seniors and players who love Tuslaw that want to represent Tuslaw well."

Tuslaw head coach Broc Dial. (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.