In the lead-up to the 2026 Ohio high school football season, we’re previewing all the Stark County-area teams.
Today we’ll look at the McKinley Bulldogs, who are looking to extend their run of Federal League titles while also trying to make a deeper playoff run and end their losing streak to archrival Massillon.
Here are head coach Renzy Parnell’s returning lettermen, impact players, top newcomers, schedule and other tidbits for the 2026 season.
Canton McKinley Bulldogs
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Canton McKinley football’s returning lettermen (15)
Canton McKinley football’s impact players
RB Kyelin West is bigger and stronger than his sophomore year when he ran for a Federal League-high 1,504 yards, earning Northeast Inland District Division I Offensive Player of the Year and first-team All-Ohio. “I’m super excited about what he brings to the table,” head coach Renzy Parnell said. “He’s been able to maintain his speed.” West has three MAC offers and one from Marshall. … Darius Hill is an electric receiver with sure hands. He caught 49 passes for 586 yards and six TDs last season. Hill also ran for one TD and returned a punt for a score. … Antonio Stevenson is a hammer at middle linebacker and a third-year starter who led the Bulldogs in tackles last season with 105. He had 14 TFLs as he gained third-team All-Ohio. “He’s the guy,” Parnell said. “He’s making the calls. He’s smarter. He’s playing faster because he’s not thinking. He’s faster because he leaned out a little bit. It’s going to be fun to see how he takes off for his senior year.” … Parnell loves the smarts and playmaking that safeties Dwoyne Robinson and Shad Davis bring to the back of McKinley’s defense. The two finished third and fourth on the team in tackles last year, respectively. Robinson is affectionally known as “Coach ‘Woyne” by his teammates for his leadership. Davis, who added four rushing TDs in limited time on offense, is a second-team All-Ohioan who holds offers from three MAC schools along with Youngstown State. … LB Amare Mitchell, a Ball State commit, totaled 12 TFLs and 4.5 sacks last year to go with a team-high 16 QB hits. “He’s a freak,” Parnell said. “Long. Athletic. It’s going to be fun to see him play.” … Tackle Treyshawn Quincy is back on an offensive line that paved the way for McKinley to rush for 2,108 yards and pass for 1,710 yards last year.
What’s new with Canton McKinley football in 2026
Junior Braylon Crook (5-10, 175) takes over at quarterback for the graduated Trent Hayden. Crook, the brother of 2026 grad Chris Crook, quarterbacked the McKinley JV team last year. Asked about what he likes in Crook, Parnell said, “Poise in the pocket. Very athletic. Can really run. Throws a great deep ball. And very mature.” … The Bulldogs have some serious depth in the backfield along with West. Juniors Derrick Gordon and DeMarlo Rozier Jr. (5-6, 195) are weapons McKinley wants to utilize. “We have a three-headed monster back there,” Parnell said. Gordon, who averaged 12.2 yards a carry in limited time last year, is a threat to score every time he touches the ball. He can be used all over the offense. Rozier, the son of McKinley football royalty, transfers in from GlenOak. He also could be a major contributor at linebacker. “He’s a flat-out football player,” Parnell said. … Senior DaRicko Jordan Jr. is another GlenOak transfer expected to make an impact. Jordan will play in the interior of McKinley’s defensive line. … West’s younger brother, sophomore DeMarco “Dos” Richardson Jr. (6-0, 190), is expected to make an impact at wide receiver. DL Kaden Dawkins, LB Julius Jerels (5-11, 200) and S Desmond Parnell are other intriguing 10th graders. Parnell is the son of the head coach. … Renzy Parnell is very excited about junior Chase Ivory at corner. Ivory is a transfer from Glenville.
Canton McKinley Bulldogs football’s outlook
Parnell described the difference for him from Year 1 to Year 2 like this: “The expectations are set. The bar has been set. So kids understand what the expectation is coming in. Quite honestly, we can coach football a little bit more at this point than we could last year.” … Tight ends aren’t thrown to much in the high school game because they’re usually out there for their blocking. McKinley hopes to change that with junior Legacy Lee, whom they feel is equal parts blocker and pass catcher. “He’ll be a huge part of what we do offensively,” Parnell said. … Offensive line coach Chris Davis is being promoted to co-offensive coordinator with Daryl Moore. … Parnell believes his defensive line can be a force. That includes senior Javier Moore, an explosive edge rusher. … The Bulldogs have won at least a share of four straight Federal League championships, during which they are 21-3 in league play. They’ve lost 10 straight meetings with rival Massillon.
Canton McKinley football schedule for 2026
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canton McKinley High School football schedule, lettermen, 2026 preview
Reporting by Josh Weir, Canton Repository / The Repository
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By Josh Weir, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
