McKinley Bulldogs preview

Monday, August 24, 2009

Chris Beaven, Canton Repository

SHOES TO FILL  The Bulldogs graduated their go-to guy on offense in Monterae Williams,

who rushed for 1,118 yards and 14 TDs last season.

DIFFERENCE MAKERS  McKinley’s defense features two of the state’s best at their positions

— ILB Jewone Snow and DE Steve Miller. Snow made a team-high 128 total hits, while Miller

made 116 hits, had 10 tackles for loss and six sacks. Offensively, RB Bryce Wilder has the

speed to make things happen. He gained 322 yards and scored four TDs on 57 carries last

season. Coach Ron Johnson thinks an offensive strength will be the number of playmakers to

choose from, including RB Elijah Farrakhan and WR Angelo Powell.

TOP NEWCOMERS  While QB Kyle Ohradzansky returns after throwing for 1,019 yards, don’t

count out sophomore QB Tyler Foster. Johnson said Ohradzansky “is playing extremely well

this fall camp,” but the 6-foot-1 Foster is a talent. He led the freshman team to an unbeaten

record. “Both are more than competent, and there will be a huge role for both of them,”

Johnson said. Sophomore RB Sa’Veon Holloway could be a factor in the backfield.

FINAL ANALYSIS  The Bulldogs took a step forward in getting back to the playoffs last season

after going 3-7 the previous year. It took some time, but the Bulldogs gradually grasped the

new offense and figure to be much better in it this season. But their real strength will be on the

other side of the ball. With a potentially dominant defense, they could take a huge step forward

in Johnson’s second year. Snow and Miller will grab the headlines, but the defense is

experienced and talented from top to bottom with all-league performers such as twins Jamaal

and Jamon McClain, Brice Everett, Ronald Gillom also returning.

McKinley football has big hopes for fall

July 18, 2009

Todd Porter, Canton Repository

When the high school football season begins next month, there will be five or six Federal

League teams with a legitimate goal to win the league.

Hoover has lost one league game in two years and returns Mr. Football, Erik Howard, at

running back.

GlenOak returns a strong nucleus of talent infused by Alliance transfer Brionte Dunn.

Perry has added size, and running back Caleb Laps is back after rushing for 1,053 yards on

just 184 carries.

Fitch and Boardman have prospects and should be improved.

What about McKinley?

The Bulldogs went through growing pains a year ago, installing the spread offense

under Ron Johnson. They were 6-5, but their only league loss was to Hoover.

McKinley beat GlenOak, 24-19, in the regular season, then lost to the Eagles,

14-7, in the playoffs.

McKinley may have the most Division I college talent in Stark County, and Johnson

is in his second year. Usually, a new coach sees the biggest improvement in his

program from Year 1 to Year 2.

“Our defense is looking outstanding with so many guys back and 10 senior starters and one junior, who’s pretty good,” Johnson said. “That makes it formidable, I hope.”

That junior is defensive end Steve Miller, who is 6-foot-4, 235 pounds after adding 35 pounds in the offseason. The top recruiting Web sites — Rivals.com and Scout.com — have not come out with their 2011 rankings yet. It is expected that Miller will be Ohio’s top recruit and possibly the highest rated defensive end in the country.

“I think it’s standard-issue growth spurt with him,” Johnson said. “He’s a young man, and I hope there’s another growth spurt or two in there.”

Miller will have his pick when it’s time to choose a college. He could go to Ohio State, Southern Cal or anywhere else he wants.

Linebacker Jewone Snow has offers from Michigan State and Illinois, but he’s taking a strong look at West Virginia, where he would fit perfectly into its defense.

“He’s still in the deciding phase,” Johnson said. “I can’t speak for him. I know he’s high on a couple of Big Ten schools, and he’s high on a Big East school. He’s in Columbus taking part in a young scholar program this whole month, and he’s spending a lot of time thinking down there.”

Ohio State has not offered a scholarship to Snow. Nor has Michigan, where Snow’s father, Garland Rivers, played. The Buckeyes are down on the number of 2010 scholarships and are being judicious with their offers.

“Jewone is gonna have options, because he’s done a great job all along of putting himself in position academically and socially,” Johnson said. “And he’s got a great support system in place.”

Snow’s uncles — Percy and Eric — were All-Americans in football and basketball, respectively, at Michigan State.

“He’ll make a great choice,” Johnson said. “He’ll be able to choose a school that’s the best fit for him academically and athletically.”

OTHER PROSPECTS

Snow and Miller aren’t the Bulldogs’ only college prospects.

Running back Bryce Wilder has been offered by Syracuse, Johnson said. Wilder ran a 4.6 40-yard time at a combine in Pittsburgh that’s opened some eyes around the Big East and some of the Big Ten schools.

Brice Everett is one of the best cornerbacks in the county. Defensive lineman Fred Johnson and offensive lineman William Patrick have gotten some interest, too.

“Some of them are taking a wait-and-see approach to their senior seasons,” Johnson said.

Increased emphasis on academics with the implementation of study tables and tutors is one reason why McKinley players are garnering interest. College coaches want to know first whether a player is going to make it through the NCAA clearinghouse.

“Above and beyond everything, they’re making themselves marketable because they’ve got their books in order,” Johnson said. “There are some situations when a college recruiter comes in and they take one look at the grades and it’s like, ‘No thanks.’ Our guys have given themselves opportunities.”

Johnson has a board with every college coach’s business card posted on it who has come through McKinley High School. The title of the board is, “Look who’s watching.”

QB COMPETITION

Kyle Ohradzansky came to McKinley as a high school quarterback, but his first love was hockey. With a lack of hockey in the area, Ohradzansky dedicated himself in the offseason and is bigger and stronger than he was a year ago. Also, having spent another season in the spread offense, he understands the concept more.

“He’s changed his body drastically,” Johnson said. “He’s 6-foot-1, 205 pounds, and he ran a 4.76 (40-yard time). He’s benching 350 pounds and squatting over 450. Our whole team, really, has been impressive in the weight room. Kyle is a guy who understands what it takes to make it through a 15-game schedule, and you’ve got to have your body in order.”

That doesn’t mean that Ohradzansky will inherit the starting quarterback job. Johnson said every position is up for grabs every week.

“Tyler Foster is doing a fantastic job, and he’s excited about the opportunity to compete and contribute any way he can,” Johnson said. “He’s still a sophomore, too.”

Pressed on whether positions are really up for grabs week to week, Johnson didn’t hesitate.

“That’s why we film every practice and evaluate every practice film,” Johnson said.

NO CHANGE ON OFFENSE

There were times when McKinley’s offense looked very good last season, and Johnson said there are no plans to change the system.

“You have to stay the course,” he said. “Everyone was a freshman last year running a new offense. Our freshman team ran it and they did great with it. Our upperclassmen had years of experience running multiple different offenses, and to pick this one up is difficult.”

Hoover Vikings Football

Hoover Vikings Football

NETWORK

2009 Canton McKinley Bulldogs

CantonRep.com / Scott Heckel

McKInley High School head football coach Ron Johnson directs his team during a recent passing camp at Fawcett Stadium. Behind him is quarterback Tyler Foster.