by BEREA, Ohio — The St. Edward Eagles defeated the Canton McKinley Bulldogs 22-8 on Friday, Aug. 28, overcoming an early defensive touchdown by the Bulldogs and turning the game around with a combination of timely offense, a punishing ground attack, and a defense that refused to surrender a single point.
Under the lights at Baldwin Wallace University on a warm Friday night, the St. Edward Eagles found themselves in a battle with Canton McKinley that was every bit as physical and hard-fought as expected.
When it was over, St. Edward had done what it had done in each of the last four meetings with the Bulldogs: found a way to win.
St. Edward entered the night ranked No. 5 in Ohio by MaxPreps after opening the season with a 15-12 victory over Olentangy Liberty. McKinley, ranked No. 22, came in after a dominant 33-0 win over Warren Harding.
The matchup lived up to the billing, but the Eagles ultimately made the bigger plays when they mattered most.
Defensive battle opens the night
Neither team could find the end zone in a scoreless first quarter.
St. Edward threatened early, driving into McKinley’s territory, but the Eagles came up empty when they failed to convert a fourth-and-5 from the Bulldogs’ 15-yard line.
The Bulldogs then delivered the game’s first major blow midway through the second quarter.
With 4:33 remaining in the half, McKinley linebacker #8 Amare Mitchell stepped in front of a St. Edward screen pass by #13 Joseph D’Ambrosia on third-and-11 and raced 46 yards to the endzone for a pick-six.
The Bulldogs’ extra-point attempt was blocked, leaving McKinley with a 6-0 advantage.
Just 47 seconds later, McKinley added two more points without running an offensive play. A bad snap sailed over the head of the punter and rolled out of the back of the end zone for a safety, pushing the lead to 8-0 McKinley.
St. Edward’s defense immediately answered.
With 3:30 remaining in the half, Eagles defensive back #5 Landon Lehmer made a diving interception over the middle, giving St. Edward possession at its own 44-yard line.
The Eagles took advantage.
With 1:58 left before halftime, #21 Ronnie Neal powered his way into the end zone on a 2-yard touchdown run. Quarterback #10 Langston Lucas then kept the ball himself on the two-point conversion, running straight up the middle to tie the game at 8-8.
Suddenly, momentum belonged to St. Edward.
Eagles seize control in the second half
The third quarter belonged to the St. Edward defense.
On a crucial fourth-and-11, the Bulldogs’ offense was stopped cold when #32 BP Paulozzi recorded a 16-yard sack, giving St. Edward possession at the McKinley 42-yard line.
The Eagles turned that field position into their first lead of the night.
With 1:40 remaining in the third quarter, Lucas connected with tight end Joe Moore for a 12-yard touchdown pass over the middle on third down. The extra point was good, giving St. Edward a 15-8 lead.
Lucas, who was steady throughout the whole night, repeatedly made plays with both his arm and his legs.
The senior signal caller finished with 7 completions on 13 attempts for 83 yards and a touchdown through the air, while adding 106 rushing yards on 16 carries.
Neal delivers the knockout punch
McKinley had opportunities to get back into the game, but St. Edward’s defense continued to close the door.
Early in the fourth quarter, the Eagles faced fourth-and-2 at the 43-yard line with 8:30 remaining; Langston Lucas used his hard count that drew McKinley offsides and moved the chains.
That drive eventually became the defining possession of the game.
St. Edward marched 71 yards on 13 plays, repeatedly leaning on its running game and offensive line. With 5:04 left, Neal finished the drive by powering through the middle for a 1-yard touchdown, his second rushing touchdown of the night.
The extra point pushed the Eagles’ lead to 22-8 and put the game out of reach.
McKinley tried to mount a late comeback, but St. Edward’s pass rush would not allow it.
McKinley went for it on fourth down from its own 33-yard line, but the Eagles’ defense came up with a sack as #42 Joshua Webber took Braylon Crook down to end the possession and turn them over on downs.
With 1:27 remaining, McKinley faced fourth-and-10 from its own 30-yard line. The Bulldogs’ final pass fell incomplete, allowing St. Edward to close out the victory.
A statement from the Eagles’ defense
McKinley entered the night coming off a 33-point performance and featured an explosive group of skill players, but St. Edward didn’t let the Bulldogs offense record a single point.
McKinley’s offense never reached the end zone.
Quarterback Braylon Crook completed 13 of 25 passes for 152 yards and one interception, while St. Edward’s defensive pressure repeatedly disrupted the Bulldogs’ running game and forced crucial fourth-down failures.
The Eagles’ offense wasn’t spectacular, but it was efficient when it mattered. St. Edward ran the ball effectively and avoided allowing McKinley to turn the game into the shootout the Bulldogs might have wanted.
The result was a 22-8 victory and a 2-0 start to the season.
St. Edward Player of the Game: Langston Lucas
Lucas was the engine behind the Eagles’ comeback and eventual separation. After St. Edward fell behind 8-0, he helped spark the comeback with the two-point conversion and later connected with Moore for the go-ahead touchdown.
Langston Lucas — QB #10
- Passing: 7-for-13, 83 yards, 1 TD
-
- Rushing: 16 carries, 106 yards
- Total offense: 189 yards
- Total touchdowns: 1 TD
Lucas’ ability to make plays with his legs was especially important as St. Edward leaned on the ground game throughout the second half.
Canton McKinley Player of the Game: Darius Hill
Despite the Bulldogs’ offensive struggles, Hill provided one of the biggest threats in the McKinley passing attack. He repeatedly gave the Bulldogs chances to create explosive plays and finished as Crook’s leading receiver.
Darius Hill — WR #19
- Receiving: 5 catches, 82 yards
- Long reception: 43 yards
- Receiving TDs: 0
Hill accounted for more than half of Crook’s passing yardage and was the Bulldogs’ most productive offensive weapon on a night when St. Edward’s defense kept McKinley out of the end zone.
Final: St. Edward 22, Canton McKinley 8
The Eagles didn’t simply win the matchup — they controlled the game’s most important moments.
After McKinley grabbed an 8-0 lead on a pick-six and a safety, St. Edward answered with 22 unanswered points, including two touchdown runs from Neal and a touchdown pass from Lucas to Moore.
For the Eagles, it was another victory over a longtime rival, a 2-0 start to the 2026 season and a performance that showcased just how difficult this St. Edward defense may be to beat.
And on a night when every possession mattered, the Eagles made sure the biggest plays belonged to them.
