As we prepare for the start of the 2024 Ohio high school football season , we've been breaking down the top 10 Stark County-area players by position — including quarterbacks , running backs , receivers/tight ends , offensive linemen , linebackers , defensive backs , specialists and two-way players . The top 10 defensive linemen will be published this week.
Today, we take a break from that to rank the top 10 can't miss games of 2024, starting with the 135th edition of the McKinley-Massillon rivalry game.
1, McKinley at Massillon
Saturday, Oct. 26, 2 p.m.
What to know: This list would not be complete if “The Game” was kicking it off. This will be the 135th meeting between the programs. Massillon holds a 76-53-5 advantage in the series and has dominated in recent history. The Tigers have won 12 of the last 13 meetings and are on an eight-game winning streak against the Bulldogs.
2, Jackson at Hoover
Friday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.
What to know: Outside of the McKinley-Massillon game, this may be the most intense Week 10 regular-season rivalry in the area. It's never a surprise when this game has a big impact on one or both teams postseason or Federal League title hopes.
3, Massillon at St. Edward
Friday, Sept. 20, 7 p.m.
A matchup between two reigning state champions is hard to ignore. St. Edward took home the Division I state title for a third straight year in 2023 while Massillon claimed the Division II state championship. This has become a regular series and the Tigers have won the last two meetings. You can expect St. Edward to be motivated to change that.
4, Central Catholic at Perry
Thursday, Aug. 22, 7 p.m.
What to know: “The Battle of 13th Street” has become a tradition in Stark County and always draws plenty of eyes with it now regularly opening the season on the first Thursday of the regular season. It’s often a physical battle featuring an early-season test for two teams that are often competing for playoff spots by the end of the year. Expect that to be no different this season.
5, Louisville at Hoover
Friday, Sept. 20, 7 p.m.
What to know: One of the oldest and most intense football rivalries in Stark County is always worth paying attention to. This will be the 112th meeting between the two teams with Louisville holding a 56-40-5 record in the series. Hoover has dominated in recent history. The Vikings have won four straight against the Leopards and seven of the last eight meetings overall.
Ohio high school football: 2024 USA Today Network Preseason All-Ohio Football Team
6, McKinley at GlenOak
Friday, Sept. 13, 7 p.m.
What to know: You can almost guarantee McKinley has had this game circled on the calendar. The Bulldogs only Federal League loss of the 2023 season came at home against GlenOak, a 7-3 Golden Eagles' win in Week 9. That win helped propel GlenOak to a first-round home playoff game, which the Eagles won to cap their best season in a decade. Both teams have plenty of athleticism and plenty of talent on the defensive side of the ball back. This could be another low-scoring struggle.
7, Green at Lake
Friday, Oct. 25, 7 p.m.
What to know: Green shut out Lake in Week 10 last season and prevented the Blue Streaks from earning a share of the Federal League title. Lake is sure to remember that in what could be another game with at least a piece of the league title at stake for at least one of the teams. This is a burgeoning rivalry featuring two programs that have made lengthy playoff runs in recent years.
8, Jackson at Perry
Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m.
What to know: It’s a Federal League game featuring not only neighboring communities, but also a clash of styles. Perry uses the old-school, run-heavy wing-T offense, while Jackson uses more of a wide open spread offense. Regardless of approach, expect the more physical team to emerge with a big win to kick off the second half of the regular season.
9, Alliance at Central Catholic
Friday, Sept. 20, 7 p.m.
What to know: This is a regular-season rematch from 2023 between two perennial area playoff contenders. The Crusaders earned a narrow 48-46 win last year in Alliance after the Aviators won at Central the previous year. This will be a great midseason test for both programs.
High school football rankings: 2024 Greater Canton, Massillon preseason power poll
10, McKinley at Lake
Friday, Oct. 11, 7 p.m.
What to know: A big reason McKinley won at least a share of the last two Federal League championships was defeating Lake each of the last two years. Both plan to be in league title contention again this year and both are capable of extended postseason runs. Each team also boasts physical and athletic defenses. If you are looking for hard-hitting action, you need look no further than this game late in the regular season.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio high school football 2024 | Top 10 Canton-area can't miss games of 2024
Most Popular
Comments / 0