This is the first of my previews of Mentor's opponents for the 2021 season. I will be adding new opponent previews throughout the summer.
Week 1Who: Canton McKinley
What: Non-league game
Where: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium
When: August 20th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Antonio Hall (first year as head coach)
History: Mentor has some playoff history with McKinley, headlined by a program-defining state semifinal win (18-13) in 2006. More recently, the Cardinals had playoff wins against the Bulldogs in 2018 (36-6) and 2019 (34-13). The two haven't met in the regular season since McKinley's 1997 state championship season, a year in which Mentor was shutout 49-0. Those Pups earned USA Today's #1 ranking in their final national poll for that season.
Looking Back...
In the shortened season, McKinley went 4-2. They had wins against Federal League foes GlenOak, Jackson, Hoover, and Lake. Their success and reputation earned them the #3 seed in the expanded Region 1 playoff field. During the first week of the playoffs, McKinley cruised to a 54-32 win over Berea-Midpark. It looked like a foregone conclusion that Mentor and McKinley would meet for a third straight time in the playoffs. However, the Bulldogs were upset by Brunswick (27-14) during the second round. Among the graduates from their 2020 team is talented QB Elijah Wesley, a recruit for the University of Toledo. Other departed seniors from last year's team include RB's Rob Jones and Brandon Foster along with a trio of All-District defenders from the secondary: Jonah Lytle (Toledo recruit), Nehemiah Stovall, and Brian Pinkey. Receiver Xavier Black was a third member of McKinley's 2021 class that will be continuing football as a scholarship player at Toledo.
Schedule...
As a part of the Federal League, McKinley will play six of their ten games in conference. The Bulldogs are 20-3 against the Federal League since 2017. They haven't lost to Jackson, Hoover, Lake, or Green since 2014. GlenOak has won just two games over the past three seasons. The Bulldogs should be favorites in those five games. McKinley's biggest obstacle to an undefeated league championship is Massillon Perry, a team they are just 1-6 against since 2014. The non-conference schedule is highlighted by the annual Week 10 showdown with Massillon. McKinley has dropped five straight games in this historic rivalry. The other two teams on the schedule are Fitch and Wayne. Fitch is coming off a 7-1 season. Wayne is a very successful program from the Dayton area with four DI state runners-up. McKinley's schedule has a good balance of local rivals, traditional playoff programs, and some very winnable games. The schedule will leave them battle tested for the playoffs.
2021 Canton McKinley Outlook...
Few big school programs in Ohio have the kind of cache that Canton McKinley has. With one of the nation's highest win totals (851 and counting) along with 38 playoff wins, nine regional titles, and three state championships - the Bulldogs have earned the respect they have been given. As for this season, it would be difficult to talk about the 2021 Bulldogs without first pointing out the challenges faced by the program. In the aftermath of a controversial situation that led to the dismissal of the coaching staff, Athletic Director Antonio Hall stepped in to become the interim head coach. Adding to that upheaval is the replacement of key members on offense such as Wesley and other starters at receiver and running back. The offensive line is also needing to replace most of their starters, but Third Team All-Ohio tackle Stefan Monahan (6'8, 295) does return. This will be a season of starting over in multiple ways on offense with a change in coaching and the need to reload at nearly every position.
Defensively, it starts with three star linebacker Mani Powell (6'3, 225). As a junior, Powell earned a Co-Defensive POY award for the Northeast Inland District. He currently has around a dozen college offers that include Michigan, Kentucky, Indiana, Arkansas, and Boston College. He will be one of the players to watch for the Bulldogs this season. Safety Harold Fannin Jr. is another returning impact player on defense. McKinley did graduate a lot of starters on defense, so this side of the ball will also have to reload.
Next Preview: St Ignatius (Week 2)
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