by Canton, OH: On a cool, crisp Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, the Canton McKinley Bulldogs (2-1) turned the temperature up on defense in a 34-12 win over Cleveland Heights (0-3). In addition to keeping Heights quarterback LaMarques Greenwood off balance, the Bulldog defense forced two turnovers (fumble, interception. Sophomore running back Kyelin West turned in a big performance offensively with 20 carries for 134 yards and a score.
First Half
Cleveland Heights received the opening kickoff and was able to cross midfield, but was forced to punt inside McKinley territory. A big first-down run from West picked up 27 for the Bulldogs, setting them up at the 50. Facing a fourth down and four, quarterback Trent Hayden hooked up with Elijah Finn for a 44-yard touchdown, giving McKinley an early 7-0 lead.
Early in the second quarter West had another big carry, this one for 21 yards right up the middle to extend the Bulldog lead to 14-0. On the ensuing possession, the Tigers’ offense finally broke through. After a big completion from Greenwood to Henry Perrymond set them up inside the ten, Greenwood called his own number for an eight-yard touchdown. The extra point attempt was blocked by McKinley, keeping the score 14-6 midway through the second.
McKinley would respond with a long drive of their own, featuring six carries from Xion Culver. On third and goal, Culver took the handoff and rumbled eight yards into the endzone, extending the Bulldogs’ lead to 21-6.
With under a minute to go in the half, McKinley forced a fumble, giving their offense the ball on the Heights’ 30 with 36 seconds remaining. On the second play, Hayden found one of his favorite targets Deejay Britt for a 30-yard touchdown. When the first half whistle sounded, McKinley held a 28-6 lead.
Second Half
Neither team found much success in the third quarter as both teams punted and had turnovers on downs. Early in the fourth, McKinley got a big return from Shad Davis that gave the offense the ball at the Tigers’ 13. Cleveland Heights was able to stop them on the first three downs, but a 31-yard field goal from Thomas Mankowski extended the Bulldog lead to 31-6.
The Tigers picked up a first down on their next drive, but an interception by Damere McClellan gave the ball back to McKinley. Starting on their 28, the Bulldogs moved the ball down the field in 12 plays and extended their lead again, this time a 21-yard field goal by Mankowski to make it 34-6.
Unfortunately for Heights, Greenwood took a nasty hit and had to leave the game. Up stepped Asher Wilson who completed a 23-yard pass to Perrymond to get the Tigers back on the board. The two-point attempt failed and McKinley kneeled out the remaining clock, sealing a 34-12 victory.
Keys to the Game
It takes all three phases-offense, defense, and special teams- to win consistently and McKinley got just that performance tonight. Trent Hayden threw for over 200 yards and two touchdowns, including a five-catch, 116 yard performance from Deejay Britt. The defense forced two turnovers and Mankowski was perfect on extra points and field goal attempts.
From an unbiased, non-Stark County point of view, this is a different McKinley squad than previous seasons. When they perform like they did in this one, they will be tough for any teams remaining on their schedule.
Next Week
Cleveland Heights opens Greater Cleveland Conference play next Friday when they travel to Strongsville to take on the Mustangs (2-1). The Mustangs fell in heartbreaking fashion on an overtime field goal to Olmsted Falls.
McKinley will be at home again next week when they host Federal League foe Glenoak (1-2). The Eagles picked up their first victory of the season with a 50-6 win over East Tech.
Top Performers
Cleveland Heights Tigers
LaMarques Greenwood: 8-17 74 yards INT 12 carries 48 yards TD
Canton McKinley Bulldogs
Trent Hayden: 11-23 203 yards 2 TD INT
Kyelin West: 20 carries 134 yards TD
Deejay Britt: 5 catches 116 yards TD
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
McKinley 7:32- Trent Hayden to Elijah Finn, 44 yards (kick good)
2nd Quarter
McKinley 8:04- Kyelin West, 21-yard run (kick good)
Cleveland Heights 5:27- LaMarques Greenwood, 8-yard run (kick blocked)
McKinley 2:56- Xion Culver, 8-yard run (kick good)
McKinley 0:27- Trent Hayden to Deejay Britt, 30 yards (kick good)
4th Quarter
McKinley 9:24- Thomas Mankowski 31-yard field goal
McKinley 2:46- Thomas Mankowski 21-yard field goal
Cleveland Heights 0:59- Asher Wilson to Henry Perrymond, 23 yards (2pt. no good)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
| Cleveland Heights | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 12 |
| McKinley | 7 | 21 | 0 | 6 | 34 |
