The Road to Canton produces 14 of Ohio's best aiming for state championships

 The Road to Canton produces 14 of Ohio's best aiming for state championships

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

CANTON--336 teams from the state of Ohio fueled up for the Road to Canton.

It was a six-week journey that saw many 332 fall short on the path in what became a competitive race to Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. In racing terminology, the checkered flag is out and 14 teams have made it to the final lap and will compete for a state title. However, only seven of the 14 will cross the finish line with that same checkered flag waving in the air that will complete their road to Canton as state champions.

This year, the Road to Canton will feature two rematches from last season. Seven teams who were state finalists are back again with two of them being defending state champions. In addition to that, four newcomers will make their first ever appearance in the state finals. And there is an AP #1 vs #2 in the finals also.

It will add up to a three-day, 28 quarter, 336 minute bonanza of high school football in the city where football was conceived. Here are the teams that will be competing for state championships and you can catch the coverage of those here on www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com.

Here are the matchups for all seven state title contests that will be played December 4-6 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton:

Thursday, December 4, 2025: Division II state championship, 7 p.m.

Avon (13-1) vs. Cincinnati. Anderson (14-0): This will be a rematch of last season's state final captured by the Eagles by a 20-13 decision in which both teams were undefeated. Avon's only setback this year came to Spruce Creek (FL), 25-22 but other than that the reigning state champions seem to have no weaknesses and haven't lost a beat from last year as they will try to capture consecutive titles against a Raptors team that was largely untested this year with the exception of close wins over Cincinnati Winton Woods (37-30) and playoff wins over Cincinnati LaSalle (35-28) and last week's 29-22 state semifinal victory over Sunbury Big Walnut. Avon is coached by longtime general Mike Elder, a Warren native and graduate of John F. Kennedy High School and University of Mount Union and Anderson is piloted by Evan Dreyer, who is in his ninth season at Anderson.

Friday, December 5, 2025: Division IV state championship, 10:30 a.m.

Cleveland Glenville (11-3) vs. Shelby (14-0): The Tarblooders are looking to establish themselves as a dynasty with a third state championship in four years. They started off the season in Stark County with a 33-27 overtime victory against Massillon at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium and are looking to end their season in the same county with a crown. They needed to survive a very stern challenge from defending state king Indian Valley to capture a 26-21 victory that concluded the Braves' 28 game winning streak and catapulted the Tarblooders into Friday morning's affair against the undefeated Whippets, who are one of four AP #1 ranked teams playing for a state title. Shelby is only surrendering a staggering 21 points in four playoff games not to mention the lowest points they have scored all season is 37 points twice and the highest is 56. Glenville is head coached by 29th year commander Ted Ginn Sr. while Shelby is led by head coach Rob Mahaney, who is in his seventh year at the post. An interesting nugget: three-time state basketball champion Dave Hoover is a Shelby High School graduate. Hoover coached Westerville North to the 1994 Division I state title but is widely recognized for his 11 years atop the Canton McKinley helm that saw the Bulldogs win eight district titles, five regional titles and consecutive state titles in 2005 and 2006 before retiring.

Friday, December 5, 2025: Division III state championship, 3 p.m.

Toledo Central Catholic (11-4) vs. Columbus Bishop Watterson (13-0): This will be the third installment between the two high schools that has become a rivalry. Two years earlier, it was the Irish wearing down the Eagles on their way to a 27-7 conquest only to have the Eagles rebound with a late touchdown drive that cemented an undefeated season for the Eagles. Earlier this year, Central Catholic started out of the gate with an 0-3 record but have responded with an 11-1 record and it is a reason why they are a win away from regaining their title. They will have to traverse through a Watterson team that aside from a 14-13 win over Middletown (DE), no one has come remotely close to derailing the Eagles, who are only surrendering 6.3 points defensively. Greg Dempsey is in his 26th year at his alma mater (TCC) while Brian Kennedy is in his 9th season at his alma mater (Watterson). Bishop Watterson will look to add a second title to it's trophy showcase in less than a month, having won the Division III boys soccer state title with a 3-0 win over Aurora.

Friday, December 5, 2025: Division I state championship, 7:30 p.m.

Cincinnati St. Xavier (11-2) vs. Lewis Center Olentangy Orange (14-0): St. Xavier is back in the state title game for the first time in five years, when they downed Pickerington Central to seize their fourth title in their illustrious history. The Bombers are riding a seven-game winning streak into their final with the Olentangy Orange Pioneers, who are looking to become the second consecutive school in the Olentangy area to win a state title, joining last year's state champion Olentangy Liberty. The Pioneers reached their peak with a 28-0 state semifinal victory over Lakewood St. Edward, who had a run of three straight state championships from 2021-2023. St. Xavier is head coached by Steve Specht, who is in his 23rd year as the Bombers head coach and a graduate who played under legendary boss Steve Rasso. Olentangy Orange is paced by Wes Schroeder, who is in his second season as the Pioneers head coach. This year also marks the 20th anniversary of the 2005 Bombers team that won the school's first state championship with a 15-0 record as they defeated Massillon 24-17 at then Fawcett Stadium after having come up short in three other bids for a title, losing to St. Ignatius (1992 and 2001) and Canton McKinley (1998). The Bombers finished the 2005 season ranked #1 in Ohio and ninth in the nation.

Saturday, December 6, 2025: Division V state championship, 7:30 p.m.

Wheelersburg (14-0) vs. Liberty Center (14-0): This is the only AP #1 vs #2 state championship game on the ledger. Liberty Center has come up short twice, losing in the state final two years in a row to Lake County Perry and last year against Ironton. The Tigers hope that the third time will be the charm but it will have to come against a Wheelersburg team that is looking for a state title themselves and fresh off a 24-10 state semifinal win over Youngstown Cardinal Mooney. Both the Pirates and Tigers boast stingy defenses and it will be a matter of whose defense will hold up when the game is on the line. Rob Woodward is in his 18th season at Wheelersburg while Casey Mohler is in his 9th season at Liberty Center.

Saturday, December 6, 2025: Division IV state championship, 3 p.m. 

Kirtland (14-0) vs Bascom Hopewell-Loudon (13-1): Last season, Kirtland didn't get off like they wanted to and the end result was a sickening 31-7 loss to Coldwater in the state title game. The Hornets swore they would return and have done so in resounding fashion. They will oppose Bascom Hopewell-Loudon, a first-time participant in the state football championships. The Hornets will look to rely on their experience to capture another state championship under long tenured boss Tiger LaVerde. Bascom Hopewell-Loudon is led by head coach Brian Colatruglio, in his 9th season as Chieftains boss.

Saturday, December 6, 2025: Division VII state championship, 10:30 a.m.

St. Henry (13-1) vs. Jeromesville Hillsdale (13-1): For the first time in 76 games, there will not be an appearance made by Maria Stein Marion Local. You can thank St. Henry for the accomplishment in ending the Flyers long standing winning streak. Hillsdale last season was on the brutally wrong end of history as they fell behind 33-0 in the first quarter and never threatened at all in a 74-0 defeat. St. Henry is widely remembered for their stunning 61-58 triple overtime loss to Mogadore 29 years ago at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon, a game which the Redskins led 35-3 before their stunning and unlikely collapse. Only one of these two will earn the right to be a champion Saturday. The Redskins are paced by head coach Josh Werling while the Falcons are coached by Trevor Cline.

DYNASTY FORMING. The Cleveland Glenville Tarblooders take the field for their season opening contest against Massillon earlier this season. Glenville is one of 14 teams aiming for a state title as they look to win a third Division IV state title in four years Friday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

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

Tigers bid to regain title disappears in the hands of Golden Eagles

 Tigers bid to regain title disappears in the hands of Golden Eagles

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

ZANESVILLE--From 2017 to 2013, Region 7 was dominated by the Massillon Tigers as they captured six regional titles in seven years.

There is now a new ruler of the region. Well, technically they are still the champions of the region.

Sunbury Big Walnut proved that last year's upset victory over Massillon was not a fluke by any means as a tired Golden Eagles defense found a way to overcome fatigue and turn away a final gallant stand by the Tigers in front of 6,000 at Sulsberger Stadium in a rematch of last year's regional title game by a score of 27-21.

In 2021 and 2022, Big Walnut lacked the experience of being in a big game and saw both of their seasons reduced to ashes by the Tigers. Two years later, the Golden Eagles obtained their first victory in a regional final and once again proved a worthy regional champion as for the second straight year they will advance to the Division II final four on the strength of a 12-game winning streak while Massillon's season concludes with a 9-4 record.

Golden Eagles quarterback Eli Stumpf accounted for three of Big Walnut's scores by virtue of a four-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter to Brody Hatfield and added on scores of four and one yard respectively in the second and third quarters. Owen Pyles added on field goals of 28 and 25 yards in the second and third quarter.

Massillon offensively was led by junior running back Savior Owens, who romped for three touchdowns that spanned 29, 44 and 58 yards on the evening. Massillon held a 14-7 in the second quarter but was unable to ward off the cool and composed Golden Eagles who calmly worked their way into the contest and eventually coming away with the victory.

Big Walnut advances next week to oppose defending state finalist Cincinnati Anderson, who downed Trotwood-Madison 38-7 in the Region 8 title match. Defending state champion Avon turned away Medina Highland and will meet Walsh Jesuit, who overpowered Akron Hoban 35-7 in the Region 5 title match.

Big Walnut coach Curtis Crager was relieved that his team was able to pull out a victory with their late stand.

"Our kids believed and they love each other and I could tell that our guys have a bond that you can't break when it matters most. They found a way and made a play tonight and that's what matters," he said. "Hat's off to Massillon. This is a tribute to them and they are a (heck) of a team. We just capitalized on a few mistakes and had two fourth down stops to seal the win. We have the utmost respect for Massillon and their program. I love our kids. They fight and they believe."

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 braces for rematch with last season's playoff tormentor

 Massillon braces for rematch with last season's playoff tormentor

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

MASSILLON--The Nutcracker doesn't have any showings till December. 

Massillon is not in a Christmas mood at all.

Last season, the Tigers reign as Division II state champions came to a gut-wrenching conclusion in their Region 7 title match as Sunbury Big Walnut's high-powered offensive motor, running back Nolan Buirley returned a third quarter kickoff for a 96-yard touchdown and it was the Golden Eagles second and final lead of the game which stood up as they departed Mansfield's Arlin Field with a 14-7 victory that anointed them as the newcomer to the Division II Final Four party that featured returning teams Akron Hoban, Avon, and Cincinnati Anderson.

Four years before that moment, The Golden Eagles were an undefeated football team relishing their accolades but a lack of experience in a big game setting led to their tearful unraveling in a brutal 38-0 regional semifinal defeat to Massillon. A year later they played better but were languished in the second half and absorbed a 42-21 defeat in a regional final.

Fast forward to the present. This will be the fourth confrontation in five years between the two schools and the third in a regional championship with Massillon having a 2-1 edge overall. Only this time, the Golden Eagles want to prove that last year's victory wasn't just a flash in the pan while Massillon wants to regain what was taken away from them and push toward what they eventually hope will be a second state championship in three years as they will kick off Friday night inside Zanesville's Sulsberger Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m.

Massillon head coach Nate Moore recalled last season's setback to the Golden Eagles. It didn't help that his horde of Tigers were victimized by an uncharacteristic 19 penalties in the contest and a lot of those had to do with Golden Eagles players stunting at the last second which led to multiple false start penalties on the Tigers, something that Big Walnut coach Curtis Crager by his admission last season attested his team installed into their game plan that week.

According to Moore, there is one way his team will have to combat that and not have a repeat of last season's disastrous contest.

"We have to be locked in and we have to be laser focused and disciplined," he said.

One thing Massillon has going for them is that they enter their their regional final rematch with the defending regional champions sporting a fantastic 5-0 in playoff rematches against teams that have ended their season, having defeated Cincinnati Winton Woods (2018), Cincinnati LaSalle (2020), Green (2023) and Akron Hoban (2019, 2023).

That will be tested by a Golden Eagles team that is on an 11-game winning streak after losing their season opener to Columbus Bishop Watterson, not to mention they have only allowed just three teams to score in double-digits and have shut out their last three opponents, especially last week's 35-0 thumping of Canal Winchester in a regional semifinal as Buirley, a Power Five recruit and a prospective candidate for Mr. Football accounted for all five touchdowns. As a defense, Big Walnut has only yielded 53 points during their run and have scored no fewer than 35 points.

Massillon is coming off of a 48-14 corralling of Columbus St. Francis DeSales on the road as running backs Savior Owens and Anthony McMullen gashed the Stallions porous run defense and the Tigers defense harassed R.J. Day into a subpar contest in the form of 125 yards passing.

The Stallions were an emaciated football team by the second quarter and once again the ever-so-vaunted durable strength of Massillon's heavy and skilled offensive line was the catalyst of it all as they dominated not just the game but filed away the clock as well. Junior quarterback Manny Patterson was effective in distributing the ball and making adept decisions that have successfully defined his prowess.

"Our offensive line played well and our guys came off the ball well and were able to sustain their blocks and blocked well," Moore said. "Manny has steadily improved every week and he has done a good job for us."

One key for Massillon will be finding a way to contain Buirley, who has rushed for 2,000 yards for the second straight season. Quarterback Eli Stumpf has matured as well and is a successful game facilitator. Big Walnut's offensive and defensive lines are also legitimately adept.

Tigers defensive coordinator Jeff Kent is in his first year in the position he obtained when Spencer Leno left to become Perry's head coach. After a 34-2 loss to Clarkson North (Canada) in a game that was just a mere aberration, the Tigers have responded during their six-game winning streak by just surrendering an average of 13.1 points per game. And if the Tigers are going to win their seventh regional crown in the Moore tenure, the defense will have to harass Big Walnut into turnovers.

Moore was highly effusive of Kent's repertoire as a defensive genius.

"Jeff has done a good job with the defense and the kids are continuing to look to get better," he said.

Massillon and Big Walnut are two of 56 teams remaining in the hunt for a state title. The winner of Friday's game will advance to the state semifinals where they will oppose the Region 8 winner between top-ranked and undefeated Cincinnati Anderson and Trotwood-Madison at a site to be determined.

For the Tigers, another opportunity is within them. Their goal is to be having Thanksgiving practice the next week. That means not only regaining the regional title but adding another 48 minutes to their 9-3 season.

Big Walnut isn't the team that was reduced to tears four years ago via the lack of big game experience that cost them their undefeated season. And Moore was quick to speak of his respect for what Crager has done in just three seasons atop the Golden Eagles position.

"I have a lot of respect for Crager and his team as they play the right and and we are looking forward to taking the field with them Friday night," he said.

The Nutcracker doesn't have any showings till December. Massillon is not in a Christmas mood and will have a chance to repossess what they lost the previous season.

COACH AND REFEREE CONFERENCE. Massillon head coach Nate Moore confers with a referee during last year's regional final, won by Sunbury Big Walnut 14-7. The two schools meet again Friday night in Zanesville at Sulsberger Memorial Stadium at 7 p.m. (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.

Marvelous Massillon pillages North Canton in savage performance

 Marvelous Massillon pillages North Canton in savage performance

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

MASSILLON--The motto of late legendary undisputed middleweight boxing champion Marvelous Marvin Hagler was "destruction and destroy."

For North Canton Hoover, they were feeling like Alan Minter after the night was over.

After an early John Collins 73-yard touchdown strike to Jack Andes 51 seconds into their Division II, Region 7 quarterfinal to issue the visitors a lightning quick 7-0 lead, the Tigers delivered an assault eerily reminiscent of Hagler's bloody third round TKO of Minter 40 years ago that lifted the title from Minter's grasp and the end result was a 62-7 shipwrecking of the Vikings in the confines of Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Any hopes North Canton had of advancing were immediately squelched in just three plays as junior running back Savior Owens dashed for a 53-yard touchdown to tie the contest and then a possession later, Owens scored on a four-yard touchdown to hand the hosts a lead that went unchallenged the rest of the evening, eventually leading to a running clock in the second half, compliments of a 28-point second quarter that parlayed into a 49-7 halftime advantage.

Massillon will travel next week to Columbus to oppose St. Francis DeSales in what will be the first meeting between the two high schools in a regional semifinal. The Stallions downed Ashland on the final play of their second round contest 33-29 when quarterback R.J. Day threw a touchdown that was caught by the tight end, who snatched away what nearly was a game-ending interception for the Arrows. Had the Arrows held on, Massillon will have been at home for another week.

North Canton Hoover concluded their season at 9-3 while Massillon improved to 8-3. Dating back to 2016, Massillon is now 26-1 against Federal League football teams.

Massillon head coach Nate Moore was highly unfamiliar of Hagler's dominance in the middleweight division in which all but one of his 12 defenses all ended via knockout. When asked about the Hagler mentality of his team in how they let their durability and determination be the judges, Moore put that in perspective.

"When your opponent starts to wobble a little bit, that is where you have to end the fight and we certainly did that tonight and that's something we have to do a better job of but I think over the course of the season we put it all together tonight," he said.

Quarterback Manny Patterson threw four touchdown passes two of them going to Jadyce Thigpen with Deontay Malone and Giorgio Jackson Jr. catching the others. Anthony McMullen had a 42-yard touchdown run. The defense also got into the scoring column as Noah Jenkins returned an interception 30 yards for a touchdown that was a part of the Tigers 21 point first quarter. Massillon also scored 28 points off of turnovers and picked off Collins three times on the evening. 

The scoring for Massillon concluded when senior quarterback Eli Moore, the son of Massillon's 11th year field general scored on an 11-yard keeper much to the delight of Tigers fans. Speaking as a father, the elder Moore couldn't help but to gush at the poignant life moment.

"I was super proud of him. He has put in a lot of work to be a team captain and you know it's hard enough to be a team captain when you're not a starter on offense or defense. But he earned that honor and I'm really proud of him," he said. "His leadership hasn't wavered all season and it didn't waver when he lost the quarterback battle, it didn't waver at all this season and as a dad, it was really nice to take the headset off there and watch my son score for the Massillon Tigers. I can't imagine anything better than that."

The motto of Marvelous Marvin Hagler was "destruction and destroy". Massillon's dominance lived up to that billing and it's one that Hagler will have been proud of.

TAKING THE SNAP. Massillon's offense prepares to run a play against North Canton Hoover in their playoff game, won by the Tigers 62-7. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

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

Tigers and Vikings face off for sixth time in playoff affair

 Tigers and Vikings face off for sixth time in playoff affair

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

MASSILLON--Paul Brown Tiger Stadium has been a federal lockup for Federal League teams who have opposed the Tigers.

Since 2015 with the exception of GlenOak, no other Federal team has been able to walk out of that stadium with the scales of justice tipped in their favor.

North Canton Hoover would love nothing more to be the ones to walk out of that stadium against a program that has served as prosecutor, jury, judge and warden based on the authority of their 25-1 overall record against league teams (including playoffs) that spans 10 years.

Ok, Massillon doesn't have successful prosecutor Marcia Clark on their side. But one thing is for sure: Massillon is at their most authoritative against Federal League teams as evidenced by their record and it is one that long-tenured Tigers commander Nate Moore relishes heavily. The last three weeks have been very challenging for the Tigers dating back to the eighth week of the season with a nationally contentious contest against Cardinal Ritter (MO) and then following up with longtime stalwart opponents in Warren G. Harding and Canton McKinley, Massillon was way past overdue for a long week of rest and one earned at that.

No one couldn't have been more relieved about it than Moore himself.

"It was great to have that break and we used the week to focus on us and get back to fundamentals to get ready and prepare for a great game against North Canton Hoover," he said.

This will be the sixth meeting between the Tigers and Vikings that spans back to the 2001 season, a 27-7 victory in a Division I regional final. Massillon is 5-1 overall against North Canton during that time with Rick Shepas obtaining two of the five wins with Tom Stacy and Jason Hall having the others. 

Moore captured the most recent one in the form of a 48-23 decision in a regional quarterfinal that paved the Tigers path to a third straight state championship appearance. Five years has passed since that game in what was a coming out party for Willtrell Hartson (who now competes at Ashland University) but Moore still knows that the Vikings are a tradition-laden team who are just as competitive under Brian Baum, the same as they were under Don Hertler Jr.

The last time Hoover won a game in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium was in 2008, a 14-0 victory over GlenOak in a Division I regional final. That year, the Vikings returned to the same venue where their season concluded in a 34-7 setback to eventual state champion Cleveland St. Ignatius. Seven years later, both Moore and Baum became head coaches at their respective schools. And Moore hasn't lost sight of what Baum has accomplished in 11 years.

"This will be our second time competing against those guys back in 2020. They are well coached, disciplined and do things very well and that's why they're in the playoffs," he said.

North Canton started out the season winners of their first six games before competitive losses to eventual outright league champion Canton McKinley and Lake eliminated any chance of them obtaining a first-round bye. But they were able to rest their starters in the second half of last week's 50-6 plundering of Columbus Northland to earn the opportunity against the Tigers, whose hearts are burning to take back the regional championship.

A 29-point second quarter was vital for North Canton last week. Massillon is a different identity. But that is fine with Baum, who certainly has no qualms of facing the Tigers a second time.

"You have two great teams with great tradition and we are looking forward to the challenge. Massillon will have home field advantage but we embrace that and are ready to compete," he said.

Vikings quarterback John Collins has been the quintessential field commander. He knows how to distribute the ball where it is needed and also has several running backs behind him who can spring a big run the moment a hole is opened up.

Special teams may very well be an X-factor in deciding who advances after 9:30 p.m. Whereas Massillon has lethally dangerous punt returner Deontay Malone, a three-year varsity specialist whose 50-yard punt return touchdown sealed a 10th straight win over McKinley, Hoover will counter with Jack Andes.

Andes's prowess is reminiscent of former Hoover return specialists and receivers David Forrest and Mason Ashby. A scary stat: they all have recorded kickoff return touchdowns that spanned 98 yards against Massillon's ancient rival. When asked if Andes is a hybrid between Forrest and Ashby, Baum couldn't help but to concur with the assessment.

"You know, that's a pretty good question. Andes is not as tall as Forrest but also doesn't play both ways much. He also is like Ashby, like Forrest with good hands and will make plays when needed," he said.

During this time of year, teams who are surviving and playing another week are doing so in part to having a durable offensive line. It is one thing to have an adept defense and fundamentally sound special teams. But as the season wears on, the play of the offensive line is very imperative to the success of a team. That is where Massillon has established itself over the last eight years.

Massillon will look to rely on junior tailback Savior Owens, who is a smaller version of former record setting tailback Jamir Thomas. Like Thomas, Owens can also run behind an offensive line that just gets stronger as a game wears on without showing any signs of let up and if Massillon is pounding out drives lasting 10 plays or longer including taking up more than five minutes or longer off the clock, it may put Hoover at a disadvantage, especially if the contest comes down to the fourth quarter.

Owens with the aid of his line subtracted the clock and wore McKinley down in the second half just enough to set up Malone's decisive touchdown in a game that was reminiscent of Massillon's 16-15 win at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in 2017 as they were the first visiting team to capture a win in that stadium.

"Savior Owens is a great running back just like Jamir Thomas. Both are backs that could deliver a blow as much as over the course of a game and don't wear down," Moore said.

The winner of this game will move into a regional semifinal against the Columbus St. Francis-Ashland winner. For Massillon, it may be a chance to obtain one more home contest dependent on the game between the Stallions and Arrows while for North Canton, they could potentially get one more game in North Canton Memorial Stadium also dependent on the result.

One thing is for sure: both teams will be ready to compete and edge one step closer to being one of two Division II schools playing December 4th for a state title.

"There are 12 good teams in our region but now we are down to eight and for us, our focus is on North Canton. That is who we drew and we have to be ready to play." Moore said.

"Massillon is going to come out hot and heavy because it is their first playoff game and it's going to be exciting," Baum said. "We have instituted some things to help us prepare for the crowd noise that will be in the stadium Friday night."

Paul Brown Tiger Stadium has been a federal lockup for Federal League teams who have opposed the Tigers. North Canton Hoover will try to tip the scales of justice on their side while the Tigers will love nothing more to make another convincing testimony against another Federal school.

PREP PRESS PIECES

*Jackson Fashion: One Tiger who may have a say in Friday's game is 6'5" 190 lb. receiver Giorgio Jackson Jr. The son of former Massillon receiver Giorgio Sr., the physical specimen may be a key to Massillon's playoff run with his frame and vertical leap, reminiscent of former towers Rameir Martin and Devin Jordan respectively. When asked of how much he may be utilized, Moore put it in perspective. "He can provide a true matchup problem and defenses have bracketed him which exposes other guys," he said of Jackson and the other receivers who will get opportunities.

*Battering Lamm: Michael Lammlein has become a key factor for the Hoover running game as of late and is one who can hit a hole for a long run if he gets into the secondary. Massillon will have to be wary of him and keep him contained. "Lammlein runs real great and also blocks well in the passing game," Baum said.

*Federal tracks: Canton McKinley, Lake, Jackson and Green are the other league schools remaining. McKinley takes on Medina in a second round contest and Jackson is on the road to battle Mentor, both contests in Division I, Region 1. If both the Bulldogs and Polar Bears win, McKinley will host a regional semifinal the following week in what would be a rematch of a McKinley 41-9 romp that secured the outright league title for the Bulldogs. Lake hosts Hudson in a Division II, Region 5 contest while Green is on the road to oppose Austintown-Fitch. Former McKinley head football coach John "Spider" Miller has East Canton on the road in a Division VII, Region 25 second round game against Fairport Harding (10-0).

THE EYES OF MASSILLON JUSTICE. Massillon head coach Nate Moore walks the sidelines near the end of Massillon's 21-14 win over Canton McKinley at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

AUTHORITATIVE VIKING. North Canton Hoover boss Brian Baum in action before the Vikings contest against Canton McKinley. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

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