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11/1/05

Bulldogs driven to top spot


Hard-working McKinley goes 10-0, claims BJ Poll

By Tom Gaffney

Beacon Journal sports writer


Talent took Canton McKinley so far. Work ethic did the rest.

That combination helped propel the Bulldogs to an undefeated season, a first seed in the state playoffs and a No. 1 ranking in the final Beacon Journal poll announced today.

``We don't accept anything except the best from them (the players),'' McKinley coach Brian Cross told reporters Saturday after his club's 38-8 victory over archrival Massillon.

``There are times when we are extra hard on them and I am sure they don't like it. Today (Saturday), they can see why we do it.''

The 2005 Bulldogs lost superstar tailback Ryan Brinson, the leading rusher in school history, to graduation, from a team that lost to Cincinnati Colerain in the state title game last season.

But junior tailback Morgan Williams took over for Brinson and rushed for 1,935 yards and scored 24 touchdowns. Meanwhile, a defense that had seven returning starters allowed more than one touchdown in only one game.

The result was a perfect regular season in which the 10 victories came by an average score of 41-9.

McKinley will be attempting to avoid an emotional letdown Saturday in its first-round playoff game at home against Brunswick, which finished fifth in the final Beacon Journal poll.

``The 11th week of the season is always very difficult for us because our kids always get jacked up for Massillon,'' Cross said.