OHIO — While 224 schools are still trying to navigate the road to Canton, where the Ohio High School Athletic Association football championship games are played, the school that calls Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium home hits the road this week as part of its journey.
Canton McKinley will travel the 6.3 miles to Massillon Jackson in a second match-up with the Polar Bears this season, a fellow Federal League member, as part of the OHSAA Game of the Week on Spectrum News 1.
The Bulldogs saw their 17-game winning streak against Jackson come to an end just three weeks ago, falling 20-7, the first time that had happened since 2007.
The Polar Bears (8-3) finished fourth in Region 1 thanks to wins in eight of their last nine games, following an 0-2 start. Jackson is built on defense, allowing 21 points or less over that span.
Canton McKinley’s four losses (7-4) are to teams with a combined 36-7 record, coming short against Avon, Detroit Cass Tech, Massillon Jackson and Massillon. One trend to watch for with the Bulldogs is points scored. In its seven wins, McKinley (5th in Region 1) has had at least 26 points, while being held to 14 or less in the four defeats.
All-time, the Bulldogs lead the series 23-4, which includes postseason triumphs in 2021 and 1998 (the latter on the way to a second straight state championship).
For the third time in four years, and fifth over the last nine, Pickerington North meets crosstown rival Pickerington Central in a playoff game that can be found on the Central Ohio schedule.
The host Tigers (9-2, second seed in Region 3) are 5-1 all-time in the postseason against the Panthers (17-6 overall), but it was Pick North (9-2, seventh in Region 3) that won in new Tiger Stadium in week three of the regular season (38-27).
Pickerington North lost its opener to three-time defending Division I state champion St. Edward, but has won nine of ten since then, only falling to Gahanna. While the Panthers have put up 28 or more points in all nine victories, they were held to six total points in the pair of losses.
Pickerington Central brings an eight-game winning streak into Friday night, dropping its opener to Harvest Prep, in addition to the contest with Pickerington North. The Tigers boast an offense averaging over 44 points a game.
Both schools are used to November football, as the Panthers have made six straight playoff appearances, and Pickerington Central 19 in a row, including state championships in 2017 and 2019.
Recent state titles can be found on the resumes of St. Xavier and Winton Woods, who meet in Region 4 for viewers in Southwest Ohio.
The Bombers most recent of four state championships came in 2020, when they defeated Pickerington Central. The Warriors had titles in 2009 and 2021, both coming in Division II.
The schools' most recent encounter came in another of St. X’s state championship seasons. The Bombers were a 35-7 winner in the regular season back in 2007. The only other meeting between these two was in the 1998 playoffs, won 35-14 by St. Xavier.
The only loss for Winton Woods (10-1, seeded third) was to undefeated Anderson three weeks ago. The Warriors are staunch defenders, allowing seven or fewer points in eight games.
The Bombers (8-3, seeded sixth) are also tough to score on, shutting out three of their last four opponents, all wins for St. Xavier. Its three defeats were to Lakota West, Moeller and Louisville Trinity, Kentucky.
Additionally, Spectrum News 1 will provide these games on www.SpectrumNews1.com, with the following matchups:
Hilliard Bradley vs. Hilliard Davidson
Upper Arlington vs. Olentangy Orange
Massillon Perry vs. Big Walnut
Canal Winchester vs. Massillon
Previous games from the season are also available on demand through our website.
Stay with Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App throughout the playoffs for live games, culminating in the state championships Dec. 5 through Dec. 7 in Canton.
