It's perhaps high school football's best rivalry in the nation. It stretches across three centuries and draws interest from well beyond the borders of Stark County. When it kicked off this afternoon, it was the 133rd time the McKinley and Massillon programs met in a high school football game.
A strong first half enabled the Massillon Tigers to walk away with a 23-13 win over the McKinley Bulldogs. With both teams securely in the playoffs, Saturday's game was purely about bragging rights between the two teams, which Massillon owns for another year. Here's the box score and beneath that, a photo gallery from the game and how the game unfolded Saturday afternoon through our updates:
Massillon vs. McKinley 2022 box score
McKinley - 0 - 7 - 0 - 6 — 13
Massillon - 6 - 15 - 2 - 0 — 23
- Mas—Banks 40 pass from Slaughter (kick failed)
- Mas—Hartson 1 run (Do.Pringle run)
- Mas—Hartson 4 run (Keller kick)
- McK—Vazquez 40 pass from Rode (Hernandez kick)
- Mas—Safety, punt snap out of end zone
- McK—Quincy 5 pass from Rode (pass failed)
TEAM STATS
McK — MAS
- First downs — 10 — 19
- Rushes-Yards — 18-26 — 53-190
- Comp-Att-Int — 11-24-0 — 10-15-1
- Passing Yards — 173 — 157
- Fumbles-Lost — 0-0 — 1-0
- Penalties-Yards — 9-43 — 8-70
- Total yards — 199 — 347
- Records — 5-5 — 8-1
- Attendance — 14,474
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OHSAA Football State Playoffs:Complete statewide first-round schedule - See who plays who in the Ohio high school football playoffs
Massillon football wins vs. Canton McKinley
The Tigers wrapped up the regular season with a 23-13 win over McKinley. Massillon increases its lead in the all-time series to 75-53-5, as its won seven straight vs. McKinley and 10 of the last 11. Attendance for the game was 14,474.
Massillon (8-1) heads into the playoffs on an eight-game winning streak. McKinley (5-5) has its five-game winning streak snapped ahead of the playoffs. Both teams will host first-round games next week.
Ohio High School Football Playoffs:Stark County high school football OHSAA playoff qualifiers, area first-round schedule for 2022
McKinley scores late as it tries to rally
McKinley QB Keaton Rode threw a 5-yard TD pass to Keith Quincy to pull the Bulldogs to within 23-13 with 2:41 left in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs' two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving Massillon with a two-score lead.
McKinley unable to do anything with its first possession of fourth quarter
Massillon turned it over on downs at the McKinley 11 with 9:38 left in the fourth quarter. The Bulldogs, though, had to punt the ball away 91 seconds later. Massillon's lead remains 23-7 with 8:07 left in the fourth quarter.
Massillon leads by 16 entering fourth quarter
The Tigers lead 23-7 at the end of three quarters. The fourth quarter begins with Massillon facing a fourth-and-1 from the McKinley 29.
Massillon gets a safety to increase lead
A McKinley special teams mishap resulted in Massillon scoring on a safety. A McKinley punt snap sailed out of the end zone for the safety with 1:44 left in the third quarter. Massillon leads 23-7.
McKinley's opening drive of third stalls out in Massillon territory
The Bulldogs opened the second half with the ball. They drove to the Massillon 43, but stalled out there. The Tigers now have the ball at their own 18, leading 21-7 with 9:43 left in the third quarter.
McKinley’s Nino Hill playing, Cynceir McNeal out of action so far forBulldogs
As the second half gets set to start, McKinley looks like it will need some big plays from some different sources to get back in the game. The Bulldogs rely heavily on the playmaking abilities of RB Nino Hill and WR/DB Cynceir McNeal, who have made almost no impact today. Hill, after missing nearly all of last week’s game with an injury, didn’t see action on McKinley’s first series but has played since. He’s rushed for just 16 yards on six carries. McNeal appears to be dealing with an injury and has not played for the Bulldogs.He was hobbling during halftime warmups and seems unlikely to play.
Massillon-McKinley halftime stats
In addition to its 21-7 lead, Massillon outgained McKinley 234-83 in the first half. The Tigers had 35 offensive plays, using 15:27 of the clock. The Bulldogs ran off 23 first-half plays and had the ball for 8:33. Massillon also has 11 first downs, 104 rushing yards (on 26 carries) and 130 passing yards (on 6-of-9). The Tigers committed the lone turnover. McKinley has five first downs, just 5 net yards rushing (on 9 carries) and 78 passing yards (on 5-of-14).
Massillon is 3-for-6 third down conversions and 2-for-2 on fourth downs. McKinley is 1-for-1 on fourth down, but went 0-for-5 converting third downs.
Individually, Jalen Slaughter owns all of the Massillon passing stats. Ardell Banks is the top receiver with two catches for 46 yards and a score. Willtrell Hartson ran the ball 19 times for 64 yards and two TDs. Keaton Rode has all of McKinley’s passing stats. Nino Hill has been limited to 6 carries for 16 yards. Alex Vazquez is the top receiver with two catches for 44 yards and a TD.
Massillon leads at halftime, McKinley with some momentum
The Tigers lead 21-7 at the half. The Bulldogs, though, scored in the final seconds of the half to take a bit of momentum into the locker room. They also open the second half receiving the ball.
McKinley scores its first touchdown
Bulldogs QB Keaton Rode hit Alex Vazquez up the seam for a 40-yard TD pass with five seconds left in the first half. Hernandez added the PAT kick. McKinley cut Massillon's lead to 21-7.
McKinley creates first turnover of the game
With Massillon threatening to go up by four touchdowns, McKinley's DJ Lewis intercepted a long Jalen Slaughter pass in the end zone. The ensuing Bulldogs drive netted one first down before a punt. Massillon still leads 21-0 with 2:52 left in the first half.
McKinley gets its first first downs ... but no points
Trailing 21-0, the Bulldogs moved the ball a bit, picking up three first downs (two on penalties). But the drive ended in no points. Massillon forces punt after Dorian Pringle and Maverick Clark combined on a sack to stall the drive.
Massillon keeps rolling with another Willtrell Hartson TD
A 4-yard Willtrell Hartson TD run followed by a successful PAT kick as the Tigers leading 21-0 with 9:03 left in the second quarter. A 31-yard pass play from Jalen Slaughter to Hartson set up the score.
Massillon dominating game so far
In addition to leading 14-0 in the early stages of the second quarter, Massillon is dominating the time of possession. After another three-and-out for McKinley on its second possession, the Tigers have run 23 plays to just six for the Bulldogs.
The time of possession: Massillon 11:43, McKinley 2:34
The Tigers begin their third possession on the McKinley 38 after a short Bulldogs punt.
Willtrell Hartson scores for Massillon
The Tigers have increased their lead to 14-0 with 11:17 left in the second quarter. Willtrell Hartson scored on 1-yard TD run. Dorian Pringle then scored on a two-point conversion run.
First quarter ends with Massillon leading
The Tigers enter the second quarter ahead 6-0.
McKinley's first possession ends in a punt
The Bulldogs went three-and-out on their first offensive series Saturday, as they were unable to answer a Massillon score to open the game. There was no Nino Hill on the possession for McKinley. The star running back saw only limited action last week because of an injury. The Tigers lead 6-0.
The Game is underway, Massillon scores right away
Massillon opened with the ball and wasted no time scoring.
Sophom*ore QB Jalen Slaughter threw a 40-yard TD pass to senior Ardell Banks. The Tigers lead 6-0.
McKinley vs. Massillon pregame info
Both teams enter the matchup on a hot streak. The Tigers have won seven straight since a season-opening loss to Cincinnati Moeller. The Bulldogs have shaken off an 0-4 start to win five in a row and secure a share of the Federal League title.
Here's what else you need to know about the game.
Massillon, Canton McKinley OHSAA football stateplayoff scenarios
The Tigers, thanks to their seven-game winning streak, already have secured the No. 1 seed for the playoffs in Division II, Region 7. So today’s result will have no bearing on that. Massillon will host a first-round game and a second-round game if it advances.
For the Bulldogs, today’s game will alter their seeding in Division I, Region 1. With a win, they are the No. 2 seed and have the chance to host two playoff games. If McKinley loses, it drops to the No. 6 seed and would hit the road for the second round if it advances.
Players to watch: McKinley’s Nino Hill, Massillon’s Willtrell Hartson
Don’t be surprised if each team’s star running back plays a big role in this game.
McKinley’s Nino Hill has been a breakout star of 2022.
Massillon’s Willtrell Hartson was a breakout star of 2020, and continues to be among the state’s elite backs.
Look back at Friday's football scores:Week 10 Stark County high school football scores, box scores, standings — see who won Friday
Canton McKinley football stat leaders
Rushing—Nino Hill 120 carries for973 yards (8.1 avg), 16 TDs.Passing—Keaton Rode 76-of-152 for 1,142 yards, 12 TDs, 4INTs. Receiving—Cynceir McNeal 571 yards on 31 catches (18.4 avg), 8TDs. Scoring—Nino Hill 98points. Tackles for loss—Kylier Jenkins 10. Sacks—Kylier Jenkins 8.Interceptions—Dante McClellan 4. Punting—Kaden Billman 28.9 average on 26 punts for 751 yards.
Massillon football stat leaders
Rushing—Willtrell Hartson 177 carries for 1,197 yards (6.8 avg), 18 TDs.Passing—Jalen Slaughter 83-of-158 for 1,295 yards, 16 TDs, 3 INTs.Receiving—Ardell Banks 510 yards on 23 catches (22.2 avg), 7 TDs. Scoring—Willtrell Hartson 122points. Tackles for loss—Dorian Pringle 13.Sacks—Brandon Carman 5.5. Interceptions—Maverick Clark1, Adonis Vaughan 1.Punting—Nolan Hendricks, Massillon - 19 - 577 - 30.4
What time is the Massillon-McKinley high school football game?
The Tigers and Bulldogs kick off at 2 p.m., at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon.
Who won the Massillon-McKinley game in 2021
The Tigers used a big second half to roll to a 35-13 win over the Bulldogs a year ago at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Massillon-McKinley 2021:Player of 'The Game': Darrius McElroy comes in at QB, helps lead Massillon football by McKinley
Who leads the Massillon-McKinley football series
Massillon currently holds a 74-53-5 lead in the series, having won nine of the last 10 matchups. McKinley's only win in that stretch came in 2015, the final game at Fawcett Stadium.
More Massillon football:Winning 'The Game': 10 best Massillon Tigers football regular-season wins over Canton McKinley
How many consecutive wins does Massillon have over McKinley
The Tigers have won six straight in the series. It is the longest win streak by either team in the series since Massillon won nine in a row from 1957-65. It makes it the fourth-longest win streak in the series.
Stark County High School Football:2022 week-by-week scores for Greater Canton-area football teams
Will the Massillon-McKinley football game be on TV
The game will be telecast on WIVM, which is channel 989 on Spectrum Cable in Stark County and channels 21 and 128 on Massillon Cable.
What radio stations are broadcasting the McKinley-Massillon football game
The game can be heard on ESPN-AM 990, WHBC-AM 1480, WDJQ-FM 92.5 and WRQK-FM 106.9.
Looking back on Weeks 1-10 of high school football
Miss any of our earlier coverage this season, here it is:
Ohio High School Football:Stark County high school football scoreboard, box scores, standings — see what happened in Week 10
Ohio High School Football:Stark County high school football scoreboard, box scores, standings — see what happened in Week 9
Ohio High School Football:Stark County high school football scoreboard, box scores, standings — see what happened in Week 8
Ohio High School Football:Stark County high school football scoreboard, box scores, standings — see what happened in Week 7
Ohio High School Football:Stark County high school football scoreboard, box scores, standings — see what happened in Week 6
Ohio High School Football:Stark County high school football scoreboard, box scores, standings — see what happened in Week 5
Ohio High School Football:Stark County high school football scoreboard, box scores — see what happened in Week 4
Ohio High School Football:Stark County high school football scoreboard, box scores — see what happened in Week 3
Ohio High School Football:Stark County high school football scoreboard, box scores — see what happened in Week 2
Ohio High School Football:High school football scoreboard, box scores, story links — see what happened in Week 1
Stark County Football Season Preview:What you need to know for the 2022 high school football season
