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| McKinley senior running back Xion Culver just crosses the goal line on a score for the Bulldogs. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
CANTON, Ohio - The Renzy Parnell era has commenced as he and the Bulldogs triumph over Cleveland Heights in a matchup of division one foes.
McKinley utilized a full game performance to overcome Cleveland Heights in a Division I clash held at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium during the Pro Football Hall of Fame High School Classic.
"Yeah, we try to be balanced, take what the defense is giving us, I thought we did a good job of that, the kids responded well," said Parnell.
During the initial quarter of the game, Cleveland Heights had first possession due to a deferred coin toss by McKinley. However, both teams needed time to develop some offense. The Bulldogs eventually scored with 7:32 left on the clock, executing a 44-yard catch and run from Trent Hayden to Elijah Finn, to go up 7-0.
As the second quarter started, McKinley showed it's strength of its offense by scoring 21 points during the period. Putting together an 8-play drive resulting in a 21-yard rushing touchdown by Kyelin West at 3:33. The only score for Cleveland Heights was made by quarterback LaMarcus Greenwood, who completed an 8-yard run, bringing the score to 6-14 following a failed extra point attempt.
McKinley would get two more scores for the quarter by Xion Culver and DeeJay Britt, first an 8-yard rush and a 30-yard receiving touchdown to run the score up with 0:09 left, taking a 28-6 lead into halftime.
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| Canton McKinley's DeeJay Britt (3) high points a pass thrown by Trent Hayden during the 2nd half of the game, being defended by Cleveland Heights' Darius Coleman. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
The third quarter remained scoreless for both teams as several penalties started to dominate the period. The McKinley defense continued to stifle the Heights' offense, achieving three sacks throughout the game and numerous rushes that disrupted plays, led by defensive backs Shad Davis and Damere McCellan.
Despite this, McKinley would maintain its dominance, concluding the game with a two-score final quarter. Kicker Tommie Mankowsk, a highly sought-after golfer, kicked two field goals, one from 22 yards and another from 22 yards, securing the victory for the Bulldogs, who now advance to a 2-1 record for the season as they prepare for their Federal League schedule against Canton Glenoak.
"We knew what we wanted, we came out here, we executed, but at the end of the day, we left a lot on the board," said Hayden. "I feel like this is a team that can come out here and put 60 on the board in any given game."
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| Canton McKinley quarterback Trent Hayden (7) surveys and calls out plays during a victory over Cleveland Heights. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
Quarterback Trent Hayden, a transfer from Akron Hoban, completed the game with 11 completions out of 25 attempts, totaling 186 yards and 2 touchdowns. Meanwhile, running back Kyelin West rushed for 135 yards on 20 carries, scoring one touchdown. Senior wide receiver DeeJay Britt performed well, making 4 receptions for 101 yards and one touchdown.
Heights will rebound, now falling to 0-3 on the season, to face Strongsville.
Glenoak recorded their first win of the season, defeating Cleveland East Tech 50-6 in an earlier game on this Saturday Classic.
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