The History Press

Join author Tim Raab as he presents the champions, contenders, heartbreaks and heroics of this thrilling era of Ohio pigskin history.

Few things seem as important to Americans as sports, particularly football. By the middle of the twentieth century, Ohio high school football ranked among the mightiest in the nation. Dynastic programs Massillon and Canton McKinley dominated the 1950s. Not to be outdone, Barberton, Portsmouth, Cleveland Cathedral Latin and Jackson staked their claims to greatness, and championship squads from Benedictine to Marion Harding and Alliance fought their way to the top of the rankings though ever-steady Massillon continued their winning ways in the '60s. Along the way, determined newcomers like Niles McKinley, Toledo Central Catholic, Wyoming, Sandusky, Bishop Watterson and Marion Catholic snatched their share of gridiron glory. At the decade's close, the fierce Golden Bears of Upper Arlington forged their own dynasty. These are the stories of hundreds of young men who pushed themselves to their limits, and the coaches who pushed them to victory.

p> Taking you behind the scenes of the big games, Vince McKee unfolds play-by-play recaps and memorable moments that will leave you wanting more until the last snap!

Northeast Ohio high school football has always been known for its drama, intensity and rivalries. For more than a century, McKinley and Massillon have met on the gridiron every fall in one of the state's most evenly matched contests. Since 1971, the St. Ignatius Wildcats yearly clash with the St. Edwards Eagles in the Cleveland Holy War. More recently, Avon and Avon Lake have kicked off a border war for bragging rights and hardware in the Silver Rail Rivalry, and Olmsted Falls and Berea-Midpark face each other in the heated Battle of Bagley Road.

Join author and founder of McKee on Sports Vince McKee for a thrilling look under the Friday night lights in the Buckeye State.

Every year, Troy and Piqua line up on the gridiron to determine supremacy within Miami County. Stretching back well over a century, it is one of the most-respected rivalries in the state and nation. Even after 130 meetings between the two schools, neither team has been able to gain a decisive edge in the series: the rivalry is tied at 62-62-6. The two teams have battled for league championships, for playoff titles and--most importantly--for bragging rights and pride. This is a story of the most prolific rivalry in the rich history of Ohio high school football, from its nerve-wracking moments to its beloved coaches and players.

It was 1908, and Dover had just upset a far superior New Phila football team. A group of DHS students set forth on a streetcar to gloat in the Phila square. They were met with eggs, and the football rivalry, which had been simmering, began in full. Through the lens of this rivalry's greatest games, traditions emerge and passions mount as The Game becomes Game Week and community pride hinges on the outcome. Whip through the first snake dances, paint the rock and revisit the early clashes in the fairgrounds through the 100th game and beyond. Whether you remember Paul Miskimen's field goal in 1946 to beat the Tornadoes, Don Watsons ninety-four-yard fumble return for Dover in 1989 or Richard Sindiland's dominating performances in 2004 and 2005, this book commemorates triumphs for all fans of this classic Ohio rivalry.

On November 2, 1895, the newly formed football team at Fremont High School journeyed to Sandusky to play its first game against Sandusky High School. It was the beginning of the second-oldest high school football rivalry in Ohio. Since then, the teams have met 106 times in the regular season and once in the playoffs. The players have included an Olympian, a top NFL draft pick, a Heisman Trophy winner and scores of athletes and coaches who went on to notoriety and success. Take the field with author and sports journalist Vince Guerrieri as he recounts the amazing legacy of a truly historic rivalry.