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| Canton McKinley gets set for a play during a Federal League game against North Canton. (Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
NORTH CANTON, Ohio - This Federal League contest was as excellent as one could hope for in a conference game at the midpoint of the season, as McKinley and North Canton fought until the very end, resulting in a thrilling finish for the Bulldogs, taking home a 21-20 victory.
"We played with a ton of grit," said Parnell.
McKinley would receive the initial possession of the game; however, they would relinquish it on downs after six plays, leading to a punt. On the following possession, North Canton would advance down the field in five plays, covering 94 yards, and score the first touchdown of the game with a wide-open Jack Andres catching a 71-yard pass from quarterback John Collins.
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| Hoover's Jack Anders outruns McKinley defender Damere McClellan en route to a 71-yard touchdown reception. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
Following a series of defensive exchanges, McKinley ultimately scored with 33 seconds remaining in the quarter, Trent Hayden would pass a 7-yard strike for a touchdown to DeeJay Brit, evening the score at seven apiece at quarter's end.
In the second quarter, McKinley once more delivered a defensive master class, effectively stopping the run and forcing more punts. The Vikings managed to find some success defensively, restricting the Bulldogs to yet another punt, until the 3:00 minute mark when Darius Hill returned a punt for 67 yards to the endzone, giving the Bulldogs their first lead of the game at 14-7 following a successful PAT by kicker Tommie Mankowski. That would be how the half would end.
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| Darius Hill (19) returns a punt 67 yards for an early game score. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
Entering the third quarter, McKinley held Hoover to -4 yards rushing in the first half; they would continue to keep them from gaining any yards on the ground. With the defense doing its job, the offense would use a balanced attack in the air and on the ground. Sophomore Kyelin West would be the workhorse at running back, with Elijah Finn and DeeJay Britt being effective in the air.
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| McKinley's Kyelin West (14) and DeeJay Britt (3) celebrate a touchdown as Legacy Lee (45) looks on. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
McKinley, without starting offensive lineman Logan Hayes in the lineup, still managed to muster a touchdown with 4:49 left in the quarter on an 8-yard run, as McKinley assumed the lead, 21-7.
Hoover would answer with a score on ten plays and 51 yards, and Carson Dungan would punch it in from the 1-yard line, closing the score 14-21.
That would motivate Hoover as they would gain momentum in the fourth quarter with two crucial turnovers by the Dogs, first a fumble at 2:59 after a Britt catch into the hands of Hoover that led to a score by Leo Paxos on an 11-yard pass from John Collins closed the gap 20-21 as they would miss a PAT sailing wide left by kicker David Wadley, then an interception thrown by Trent Hayden to Hoover linebacker Chase Lukens with 1:49 left.
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| Hoover's David Wadley failed to convert a point after touchdown, sending the kick wide left; this attempt would have tied the score in the closing moments of the game. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
This created pressure on McKinley, as losing this game would result in a loss of momentum in the Federal League race.
Hoover was unable to convert, throwing four incomplete passes that returned possession to McKinley, who then entered victory formation to run out the clock and secure a crucial victory as they prepared to face another league opponent, the Lake Blue Streaks, in week eight, who were defeated by Massillon Jackson and sit at 6-1.
Hoover falls to 6-1 overall and 3-1 in Federal League play and will host Perry (4-3) in week eight action.
Sophomore Kyelin West finished the night with 114 yards on 25 carries and one touchdown.
"I trust my line, trust the work that I put in, and I got to get better each week to focus on our goals," said West to Q92 Sports.
Trent Hayden went 16 for 20, 149 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.
Hoover's John Collins completed 13 out of 31 passes, for 201 yards and two touchdowns, serving as a notable highlight for the Vikings.
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