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Yappi.com writer CANTON—A hard-hitting defense mixed in with a close bond between each other and the only team to record a shut-out in the Division I state title game. No other team had the distinction of accomplishing these feats set by the 1981 Canton McKinley Senior High School Football team. Using nine shut-outs, the Bulldogs captured the first of what would be three state titles in the program’s era when they dumped Division I powerhouse Cincinnati Moeller 13-0 inside the Akron Rubber Bowl. Massillon native Dave Gable, who was an assistant on Terry Forbes’ staff on the 1981 team spoke highly about the energy level the team had, which was evident in practices and on game nights. Gable was also part of championships on the staffs of Thom McDaniels and Kerry Hodakievic in 1997 and 1998 but he thought the 1981 team was a special bond. “The 1981 team was physical, athletic, and they did what they had to do. No one could score on them and that was in part of the defense,” Gable said. Even though he is a native of Massillon, Gable’s heart is with the men of the Hall of Fame City based largely on that one year. “I graduated from Massillon but at the heart I am a Bulldog,” Gable said. “I graduated from Massillon but I am a Canton McKinley Bulldog.” Another person widely known to the Canton McKinley regime was Garland Rivers. He went on to have a productive four-year career at the University of Michigan under revered coach Bo Schembechler and also played in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears. Rivers felt that the championship was won in practices and on game nights for the 1981 team. And after 13 weeks, the goal of a championship was accomplished. “We were very close to each other on and off the field. We practiced hard every day and we played hard every game,” Rivers said. “Our goal was to be state champions and we did it!!” Indeed the 1981 Canton McKinley Senior Football team was a team that was the best in Ohio, unparalleled to none. |
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