Canton McKinley 39 - Hoover 10
October 22, 2005
The yards add up quickly once Morgan Williams gets going
NORTH CANTON – They added up so fast Friday night that his final total surprised even Williams. The junior tied a school record with 335 yards rushing, leading the McKinley High School football team to a 39-10 win at North Canton.
The win completes McKinley’s 7-0 run through the Federal League.
It also allows the Bulldogs to take a 9-0 record into next Saturday’s showdown with Massillon, also 9-0. It will be the first time in 41 years both enter the Week 10 matchup 9-0.
“It’s real big to win like this as we get ready for what’s next,” McKinley head coach Brian Cross said.
All nine wins have come by at least 21 points for McKinley, ranked No. 4 in the state in Division I.
“Their linemen are good and their back’s good,” North Canton head coach Don Hertler Jr. said. “We couldn’t do anything more to take it away from them. Their X’s are just better than our O’s. We got a little better tonight, but we’re still not where we need to be. ”
Cross rested Williams the entire fourth quarter. And midway through the quarter the offensive line joined him. Tackles Zach Slagle and Jarrid Haywood, guards Tyrell McDonald and Anthony Robinson and center Drew McIntyre left en masse to an ovation.
“It was a salute to our to the offensive line,” Cross said. “I’ve been on them all year, on them hard. But they’ve worked hard and so have their coaches (Lynn Wafler and Gary Shier).”
The first half was more of a struggle. The Bulldogs, with Massillon on the horizon, lacked focus at times. They had special teams breakdowns and some foolish penalties and the Vikings came to play. Junior LB Jordan Bucar led Hoover defenders with fourteen tackles and a sack.
“I knew coming in we would have a tough time,” Cross said. “… They’re so well-coached, and they did some things that made it difficult.”
North Canton’s Kyle Feinberg returned the opening kick 54 yards to set up Alex Bojko’s 32-yard field goal.
McKinley went into quick-strike mode to answer. Williams ran through a huge hole to his left on his way to a 67-yard TD. Zack Campbell’s PAT made the score 7-3 with 7:36 left in the first quarter.
A Mark Jackson interception a minute later led to a 31-yard field goal by Campbell.
The Vikings tied the game at 10 when Scott Gnau scored on a 20-yard pass from Josh Nettleton late in the half.
Again, the Bulldogs answered in a hurry. On their second play of the ensuing possession, Williams dashed 65 yards for a score through the right side on a counter. The Bulldogs missed the PAT, leaving their lead at 16-10.
Campbell’s 39-yard field goal early in the third quarter increased the lead to 19-10 before Williams took over and McKinley pulled away.
Source: fridaynightohio.com