As we prepare for the start of the 2026 Ohio high school football season, we’re breaking down the top players by position. Throughout the preseason, we’re ranking Greater Canton’s top 10 quarterbacks, running backs, receivers/tight ends, offensive linemen, defensive linemen, linebackers, defensive backs, specialists and two-way players.
Today, we look at the top 10 specialists, starting with Massillon’s Deontay Malone and McKinley’s Darius Hill.
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Deontay Malone
Massillon, PR, Class of 2027
What to know: Malone’s 51-yard punt return for a touchdown with just over five minutes left helped the Tigers beat rival McKinley for the 10th straight time. In addition to playing receiver and cornerback, one of Stark County’s fastest sprinters will return punts again this season.
Darius Hill
McKinley, KR-PR, Class of 2027
What to know: A sure-handed receiver, Hill is also an impact player in McKinley’s return game. He returned a punt for a touchdown and averaged 25.1 yards a return in 2025. He also averaged 19.2 yards a kick return.
Mateo Herrera
Massillon, K, Class of 2027
What to know: Herrera will end his career as one of Massillon’s most successful kickers. He ranks fourth all-time in extra points with 133 and in kick percentage at 97.1%. Last year he missed just one extra point on 57 attempts.
Logan Noirot
Green, K, Class of 2027
What to know: A second-team All-Federal League selection, Noirot made 33 of 34 extra points and 8 of 9 field goals last season. He has a career accuracy of 97%.
Jakob Garber
Northwest, P, Class of 2027
What to know: A Division I recruit at linebacker, Garber also makes a big impact as a specialist. He led the area in punting with an average of 40.3 yards a year ago.
Ty DeGeorge
Lake, KR-PR, Class of 2027
What to know: The Blue Streaks receiver and defensive back took two of the three punts he returned last year for touchdowns before getting injured. He also will be a factor on kick returns.
Lachlan Baker
Lake, P, Class of 2028
What to know: Baker averaged 36.9 yards a punt to earn second-team All-Federal League honors as a sophomore. He is also expected to see action at running back and strong safety this season.
Axel Estrada
Central Catholic, P, Class of 2028
What to know: Estrada is a 6-foot, 285-pound lineman who also handles kicking duties. He averaged just over 35 yards a punt last season.
Peter Snavely
Fairless, P, Class of 2027
What to know: A Kent State commit as a defensive end, Snavely is also one of the area’s top punters. He averaged 34.8 yards a punt last year.
Seth Green
Perry, P, Class of 2027
What to know: Green was a second-team All-Federal League selection in 2025. He averaged almost 30 yards a punt.
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio high school football’s Top 10 Canton-area specialists to watch
Reporting by Mike Popovich, Canton Repository / The Repository
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By Mike Popovich, Canton Repository | USA TODAY Network
