Ohio’s 2025 high school football season is off and running.
Let’s take a look back at the key developments and big stars from Week 1 in Greater Canton, and how the local teams stack up power-poll style. We’ll also peek ahead at what awaits in Week 2.
Let’s start with the headlines from the opening week.
Winning debuts for Perry’s Spencer Leno and McKinley’s Renzy Parnell
They weren’t perfect performances. But Perry and Canton McKinley ended up impressing in the debuts of their respective coaches, the Panthers’ Spencer Leno and the Bulldogs’ Renzy Parnell. Both teams produced numerous big plays and showcased defenses that aren’t shy about getting physical as Perry beat Central Catholic 41-14 and McKinley beat Warren Harding 43-25. The Panthers gained 400 yards of offense, including 182 through the air. McKinley’s defense was rugged and provided the added bonus of scoring twice on a 92-yard interception return by Chris Crook and a 38-yard fumble return by Amare Mitchell.
Thriller in Tigertown: Massillon vs. Glenville
It was billed as one of the best Week 1 matchups in the state, and it lived up to the hype. A Tigers team working in a number of new players in key positions rallied in the second half but ended up falling short 33-27 in overtime to loaded Glenville. Massillon isn’t the kind of program looking for moral victories, but it feels like this could be an experience it takes a lot of positives from going forward. Indiana recruit Ja’Dyn Williams made 17 tackles at linebacker. Savior Owens rushed for 131 yards and a score. Mandwell Patterson threw for three touchdowns in his first start at quarterback.
Good first step for Louisville vs. New Philadelphia
They take football seriously in Louisville. For a program that was just 12-37 the previous five years, Friday’s season opener was a good sign it could be returning to its winning ways. The Leopards’ 24-0 road win against a quality Quakers team marked their first season-opening victory since 2016 and just their second shutout since the beginning of the 2017 season. Gabe Stoffer was 10-of-11 passing for 136 yards, a touchdown and no interceptions. He added a rushing TD. Luke Seaman returned an interception 55 yards for a Leopards’ score.
Stars of Week 1: Stark County area’s top performers
Ty DeGeorge, Lake
DeGeorge’s impact was felt in a lot of ways on Lake’s 49-13 win at South Range. The junior accounted for five touchdowns, including three rushing. He gained 118 yards on only six carries, with two of his TD runs going for 65 and 46 yards. He threw a 16-yard TD pass to Quinn Snyder and returned a punt 67 yards for another score. He added two receptions for 37 yards.
Cameron Evanich, Marlington
Evanich could prove to be one of the top playmakers in the area, and he got his season started in the right way. He gained 116 yards of offense and scored three touchdowns in the Dukes’ 18-7 win against Warrensville Heights. The 6-foot-3 Evanich caught five passes for 68 yards and two TDs while adding two carries for 48 yards and one TD.
Carter Muhleman, Jackson
There are multiple Polar Bears who could be mentioned here, including running back Chase Maurer and receivers Corey Jacobs and Max Cowles. We’ll go with quarterback Carter Muhleman, who stepped in for injured starter Lucas Ecrement on short notice and was excellent in Jackson’s 35-13 win vs. Chardon. Muhleman was 9-of-13 passing for 309 yard, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He added 25 yards on three carries.
Tyler Pappas, Manchester
Welcome to the Panthers, Tyler Pappas. All the Northwest transfer did in his first start with Manchester was set a single-game school record with seven touchdown passes in a 62-0 win vs. Coventry. Pappas completed 16 of 24 passes for 318 yards and no picks, hitting four different receivers for scores.
Kyelin West, Canton McKinley
The electrifying sophomore provided a much-needed jolt for McKinley’s offense in a 43-25 road win vs. Warren Harding. West ran for 185 yards on 19 carries, highlighted by his 83-yard touchdown run that allowed the Bulldogs to start to seperate from the Raiders. He ripped off a 46-yard run midway through the first quarter that sparked a McKinley offense that was stuck in neutral at the time.
Greater Canton Power Poll entering Week 2
A snapshot look at how teams stack up in the Stark County area after one week:
Big Schools (Divisions I and II)
1, Massillon (0-1)
2, Canton McKinley (1-0)
3, Lake (1-0)
4, Jackson (1-0)
5, Hoover (1-0)
Small Schools (Divisions III, IV, V, VI and VII)
1, Manchester (1-0)
2, West Branch (0-1)
3, Northwest (0-0)
4, Canton South (1-0)
5, Alliance (1-0)
Looking ahead at Greater Canton Week 2 high school football schedule
All games at 7 p.m. unless noted.
Reach Josh at josh.weir@cantonrep.com
On X: @jweirREP
This article originally appeared on The Repository: OHSAA Football 2025 Week 1 Rewind | Headlines, top players and rankings for Greater Canton
Reporting by Josh Weir, Canton Repository / The Repository
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