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11/5/05

McKinley set for state playoff

Saturday, November 5, 2005


By Chris Beaven REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER



CANTON - They saved the best for when it mattered the most a year ago.
Tonight, the McKinley Bulldogs see if they can duplicate that feat when they meet Brunswick in the first round of the state high school football playoffs. The Division I regional quarterfinal begins at 7:30 at Fawcett Stadium.
McKinley is 10-0, ranked No. 2 in the state, and full of confidence after beating previously undefeated Massillon, 38-8, last week. The Bulldogs, the state runner-up last year, are eager for another playoff run.
“They know what it’s like to get in the playoffs and play those types of games,” McKinley head coach Brian Cross said. “They’ve been in this type of atmosphere. ... It’s their goal to get back to the championship game.
“They have to take it one week at a time. They also know it’s final each week. If you lose, you’re done. There’s no next Saturday.”
The Bulldogs’ ability to handle that pressure keyed their playoff run last fall.
“When you’re playing during the season, there’s always next week,” Cross said. “You won’t have the next week unless they get this week. I believe last year they got better each game.”
The Bulldogs have shown improvement the last few weeks in beating their three strongest opponents — Jackson, North Canton and Massillon. They have been relatively loose all season. But in getting ready for Massillon, they buckled down for a strong week of practice. Cross does not expect that to change.
“Knowing the finality of it all will help them get ready,” Cross said.
McKinley played some of its finest football last week. Offensively, the Bulldogs put together long scoring dives and made big plays.
“It was gratifying because we hadn’t done that against a team with the defense of Massillon,” Cross said. “.... They executed the game plan.”
It began up front, with the offensive line playing “extremely well,” Cross said. That enabled tailback Morgan Williams to rush for 234 yards. McKinley also got its short passing game going, as quarterback Dan Grimsley was patient and accurate.
Defensively, McKinley allowed no offensive touchdowns and made Massillon’s offense play nearly the entire game on its half of the field.
Cross, however, is not totally satisfied with his team.
The offense needs to be more consistent and continue to work at using all of its weapons. Defensively, Cross wants to see better tackling.
“We’re going for the big hit too much,” Cross said. “I think our guys are watching too much TV. They might as well have their arms taped to their side because all they’re using is their shoulders.”
Cross planned to “teach the art of tackling” all over again this week because “good backs and receivers are going to bounce off those type of hits.”
If the Bulldogs stay focused, Cross knows his team is capable of winning big games. And the Bulldogs already have proven to their coach that they can achieve their goals.
“I remember taking with our captains before the season, and they truly believed they had a chance to go undefeated,” Cross said. “That was a goal ... They accomplished that.”
The Bulldogs go after their next goal starting tonight.
Reach Repository sports writer Chris Beaven at (330) 580-8345 or e-mail: chris.beaven@cantonrep.com