Bulldog belief: McKinley maintains confidence with Massillon looming

CANTON  The interruptions were frequent as McKinley head coach Marcus Wattley tried to talk to a reporter in his office this week.

One of his players stopped in to snag a Diet Pepsi. An assistant coach grabbed a box of Muscle Milk to distribute. Numerous players looked to raid a big box of Skittles stashed under Wattley's desk.

“Am I Sam’s Club?” Wattley wondered aloud. “Did I literally turn into Sam’s Club?”

The Bulldogs tasted the rainbow that day.

On Saturday, they try to taste something they haven’t experienced since 2015.

McKinley travels to Massillon for the 131st meeting between the two rivals. Kickoff is 2 p.m. inside Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

The Tigers have won four straight in the series, although the outcome was in doubt in the fourth quarter of each game.

It’s a weird feeling this year, with this game happening in Week 6 and only 1,700 fans permitted to attend because of COVID-19 restrictions.

As for how this affects the players, McKinley senior cornerback Jonah Lytle said, “We don’t care. We just want to win.”

Much of the hoopla leading up to the game has fallen victim to the coronavirus pandemic. But the game itself lives on, and it still matters.

“You come home from the (GlenOak) game on Friday and the “Beat Massillon” sign is already up (on the high school),” Wattley said.

McKinley doesn’t enter the game on a wave of positive momentum.

Three weeks ago, the Bulldogs survived an incredibly sloppy performance at Lake after trailing in the fourth quarter. Two weeks ago, they lost 35-23 to Perry in a game that will cost them the Federal League title unless GlenOak shocks the Panthers this week.

Last week, they won at GlenOak 26-0 despite missing seven starters to injury — five of them with either commitments to or offers from Division I colleges. (Wattley reiterated Monday that the seven starters are questionable for the Massillon game.)

But the Bulldogs believe. McKinley (4-1), ranked ninth in the Associated Press Division I state poll, has impact players on both sides of the ball.

“A lot of people had a lot of things to say after we lost to Perry,” Wattley said. “I’ll say this: Our confidence hasn’t wavered. Maybe our comfort level got rocked a little bit. But I think our kids believe they can do some special things this year. You can still accomplish the goals you set for yourselves. But how ready are you for the moment? I think they feel good about themselves. I think they feel good about their chances on Saturday.”

Massillon (4-1), ranked seventh in Division II, is led by a defense allowing only 9.6 points and 147.2 yards per game. The Tigers have yielded one rushing TD all season. Linebacker Jaidan Wise and defensive lineman Mike Miller (a Buchtel transfer) have combined for 15.5 tackles for loss. Defensive back Isaiah Clark has three interceptions.

Their offense includes Ohio State recruit Jayden Ballard at one receiver and West Virginia recruit Andrew Wilson-Lamp at the other. Martavien Johnson, a Buchtel transfer with offers from Kentucky, Maryland and Louisville among others, is in the slot for QB Zach Catrone.

“Any time they walk on the field they have three of the top players on the field,” Wattley said.

But the Tigers really are about running the ball. Raekwon Venson, a 5-foot-9, 220-pound senior, has ground out 110 carries at 3.7 yards per for eight touchdowns.

“They want to run the ball and they have the guys up front to be effective at it,” Wattley said. “They have the guys in the backfield to be effective at it. And, you know, they’re confident. This is a team that’s done pretty much everything they could do except win a state championship.”

McKinley is led by quarterback Elijah Wesley, a Toledo recruit who was one of the players out with an injury last week. Wesley has accounted for 1,261 yards and 12 touchdowns running and throwing. Seniors Xavier Black and Latrell Snow have combined for 34 catches for 576 yards and six touchdowns. Black also missed last week.

Junior linebacker Mani Powell leads the McKinley defense with 60 tackles, 12 for loss, three sacks and two forced fumbles.

Wattley hasn’t seen his team’s best this season.

Saturday would be a great time for it.

“Not to leave plays on the field — that’s the one thing we keep talking about,” Wattley said. “That’s the one thing we haven’t done a good job of this year. We’ve left too many opportunities out there on offense, defense and special teams. We just haven’t made the plays and we know this week we’ve got to make them because of the quality of opponent we’re playing.”

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