The yards add up quickly once Morgan Williams gets going

Saturday, October 22, 2005

Canton Repository

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.

“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.

Box Score

McKinley 39, Hoover 10

at North Canton Memorial Stadium

McKinley 10 6 17 6 — 39

North Canton 3 7 0 0 — 10

NC—FG Bojko 32

McK—M.Williams 67 run (Campbell kick)

McK—FG Campbell 32

NC—S.Gnau 20 pass from Nettleton (Bojko kick)

McK—M.Williams 65 run (kick failed)

McK—FG Campbell 39

McK—M.Williams 10 run (Campbell kick)

McK—M.Williams 30 run (Campbell kick)

McK—Sheeler 20 run (kick failed)

Game Stats

Rushing: McKinley 39-406, N.Canton 34-122

Passing: McKinley 4-13-0-41, N.Canton 11-24-3-60

First downs: McKinley 19, N.Canton 11

Fumbles-lost: McKinley 2-1, N.Canton 2-0

NETWORK

Hoover High School senior Kyle Feinberg (11) is on the move.

Canton McKinley Game Review

Hoover Vikings Football

Hoover High School junior LB Jordan Bucar (13) lays a big hit on Canton McKinley's RB Morgan Williams in the 2nd quarter with assistance from junior DT Ken Staudinger (63).