Mike's Prediction:
This week's game features undefeated Canton McKinley taking on the 5-4 Massillon Tigers in the 115th meeting between these two rivals. Despite the difference in records, don't expect McKinley to come out overconfident, last year the Bulldogs fell to Massillon in the playoffs after crushing Massillon in the regular season. With this loss fresh on the minds of McKinley, I'm looking for the Bulldogs to come out firing from the first quarter on.
Leading the charge for McKinley will be D-1 bound running back Morgan Williams. Williams will be a valuable asset for the Bulldogs as the weather will not be favorable for an aerial assault by either team. Once again I believe this battle will be decided in the trenches. Look for McKinley's O-line to open up holes for Williams and for Williams to make them on his own when they are not there. On the flip side of the ball, Massillon will need a balanced attack to move the ball against the McKinley's rock solid D. In the end I believe McKinley is not only the more physical team, but they are also led by a poised group of seniors who are looking to complete an undefeated regular season for the second year in a row. When the fourth quarter ends, McKinley will win the battle for the famous Victory Bell and keep it on their campus for another year.
Chris' Prediction:
I am going to keep this short and sweet. If Massillon does not turnover the ball like they have been doing throughout the regular season, and they stop Morgan Williams, which hasn't been done all season, then Massillon Washington High School will come out with a victory in this 115th installment of the Massillon versus McKinley rivalry. This is possible, and will happen today because it needs to happen for the Massillon Tigers to make it to the playoffs. Massillon's schedule has been brutal, making this team battle tested, and ready for this game. The weather will slow down the run game of McKinley, the fans will pump up their Tigers, and Massillon will win 17-10.