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Yappi.com writer CANTON—As the final seconds ticked down at the Pro Football Hall of Fame Field at Fawcett Stadium, the chant from Canton McKinley fans, cheerleaders, band members, and football players began in unison. “BEAT MASSILLON.” They will get their chance next Saturday when they make their trek down Lincoln Way East to the confines of Paul Brown Tiger Stadium after wrapping up their second straight Federal League championship with a 41-10 ransacking of the Jackson Polar Bears Friday night. Dating back to the 2004 season, Canton McKinley now has won 24 straight regular season games and have a chance for a second straight 10-0 season. Once again, the rushing game of the Bulldogs was led by Morgan Williams, who rushed for 172 yards and two touchdowns in leading the Bulldogs to victory. Will Sheeler and Alaun Morrow both added rushing scores and quarterback Dan Grimsley threw two touchdowns to lead the hosts. With the Bulldogs having wrapped up the Federal League title for a second straight season, fourth-year Canton McKinley leader Brian Cross immediately shifted his sights toward the state finalist Tigers, who at press time were slated to face Cincinnati Western Hills. “They are a very good team offensively and defensively and they also have a great kicking game,” Cross said of the defending Division I state finalists. “They have played a tough schedule and they will be a dangerous test next week.” Canton McKinley has played in hostile territories in the confines of Lake and Boardman. But coming down Lincoln Way East might have a challenge for the Bulldogs: the noisiest crowd and the noisiest stadium in Stark County. Cross knows the meaning of this game in two forms. Last season the Bulldogs hit their peak on the season with a 38-8 thrashing of the Tigers but three weeks later, Massillon mentor Tom Stacy and the Tigers hit their peak on the season by taking away the Bulldogs regional championship in a 21-3 win. Is this game strictly about revenge and dealing with the Massillon crowd? Don’t sell that to Cross. “We have to play our game and take it one play at a time. In this game there are going to be ups and downs. It’s Massillon,” Cross said. “It’s not about dealing with the crowd noise.” “We will have to play at a high level next week.” Canton McKinley fans, cheerleaders, band members and players chanted “Beat Massillon.” They will get their chance next Saturday. |
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