As we prepare for the start of the 2024 Ohio high school football season, we’ve broken down the top 10 players from the Stark County area 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 released this week.
Today we’re taking a break and ranking the ten games you can’t miss in 2024, starting with the 135th edition of the McKinley-Massillon rivalry game.
1, McKinley near Massillon
Saturday, October 26, 2 p.m.
What you should know: This list would not be complete without The Game kicking things off. This is the 135th meeting between the two teams. Massillon holds a 76-53-5 lead in the series and has been dominant in recent memory. The Tigers have won 12 of their last 13 meetings and are on an eight-game winning streak against the Bulldogs.
2, Jackson at Hoover
Friday, October 25, 7 p.m.
What you should know: Aside from the McKinley-Massillon game, this may be the most intense Week 10 regular season rivalry in the region, and it’s never a surprise when this game has a major impact on the postseason or Federal League title hopes of one or both teams.
3, Massillon near St. Edward
Friday, 20 September, 7 p.m.
A meeting between two defending state champions is hard to ignore. St. Edward won its third consecutive Division I state title in 2023, while Massillon won the Division II state championship. This has become a regular series, and the Tigers have won the last two meetings. It’s safe to assume St. Edward is motivated to change that.
4, Central Catholic in Perry
Thursday, August 22, 7 p.m.
What you should know: “The Battle of 13th Street” has become a Stark County tradition and always draws plenty of attention. It now regularly opens the season on the first Thursday of the regular season. It’s often a physical battle and an early-season test for two teams that often end up battling for playoff spots at the end of the year. Expect it to be no different this season.
5, Louisville near Hoover
Friday, 20 September, 7 p.m.
What you should know: One of the oldest and most intense football rivalries in Stark County is always worth checking out. This will be the 112th meeting between the two teams, with Louisville holding a record of 56-40-5 in the series. Hoover has dominated in recent memory. The Vikings have won four straight against the Leopards and seven of the last eight meetings overall.
High school football in Ohio: 2024 USA Today Network Preseason All-Ohio Football Team
6, McKinley at GlenOak
Friday, September 13, 7 p.m.
What you should know: You can almost be sure McKinley has this game marked on the calendar. The Bulldogs’ only loss of the 2023 Bundesliga season came at home against GlenOak, a 7-3 win by the Golden Eagles in Week 9. That win gave GlenOak a home game in the first round of the playoffs, which the Eagles won, capping their best season in a decade. Both teams are very athletic and have a lot of talent on defense. This could be another low-scoring battle.
7, Green by the Lake
Friday, October 25, 7 p.m.
What you should know: Green shut down Lake in Week 10 of last season, preventing the Blue Streaks from claiming a share of the Federal League title. Lake will surely remember that as it becomes another game where at least one of the teams has at least a share of the league title on the line. This is a growing rivalry between two teams that have made long playoff runs in recent years.
8, Jackson at Perry
Friday, September 27, 7 p.m.
What you should know: It’s a Federal League game that not only pits neighboring communities against each other, but also pits styles against each other. Perry uses the classic, run-heavy Wing-T offense, while Jackson uses more of a wide-open spread offense. Regardless of the approach, the physically stronger team is expected to enter the second half of the regular season with a big win.
9, Alliance at Central Catholic
Friday, 20 September, 7 p.m.
What you should know: This is a 2023 regular season rematch between two long-time regional playoff contenders. The Crusaders earned a close 48-46 win in Alliance last year after the Aviators won in Central the year before. This will be a great midseason test for both programs.
High school football team rankings: Greater Canton and Massillon Pre-2024 Season Performance Survey
10, McKinley on the Lake
Friday, October 11, 7 p.m.
What you should know: A big reason McKinley won at least a share of the last two Federal League championships was beating Lake the last two years. Both will look to challenge for the league title again this year, and both are capable of reaching extended postseasons. Both teams also boast physical and athletic defenses. If you’re looking for tough action, look no further than this game late in the regular season.
