2022 EBC

ShootNation

Well-known member
ShootNation, were you at the Carrollton vs WB game? If so, WTH was Carrollton doing?
I think it's just more of the same problem everyone has brought up over the past two years with Carrollton's approach to football. How do you win games once you get behind? Defense was forced to gamble and play aggressive to get stops and it didn't work out, offense got behind and doesn't have the ability to chase points. It's not like a loss was unexpected but the margin was pretty disappointing
 

NBC 1988

Well-known member
I think it's just more of the same problem everyone has brought up over the past two years with Carrollton's approach to football. How do you win games once you get behind? Defense was forced to gamble and play aggressive to get stops and it didn't work out, offense got behind and doesn't have the ability to chase points. It's not like a loss was unexpected but the margin was pretty disappointing
tsilimos has done a great job there but will always be 3rd with the 3 yards and a cloud of dust approach. But if he hires an innovative OC and opens things up - look out!!! They have the toughness part of the game down.
 

305NoTomato

Well-known member
A great QB matchup to end the season. Will the moment be too big for first year coach Tim Cooper. They have had an incredible season, they are the league champs. Will any of that matter if they lose this game? This rivalry game is that big. I expect a classic like last season.
Considering he called a run with the clock running last week against alliance with 22 seconds.

considering he was the OC when they went to the regional final the last two years

Considering he went toe to toe with Canfield week one and went for broke

No, the moment will not be too big for Tim
Cooper. If anything, it’s Ron Johnson who can’t call the right play in crunch time. Cooper is 10x the coach Johnson is.
 

305NoTomato

Well-known member
Comparing Johnson and Cooper is such a cherry-picked comparison. 11 years rebuilding a program and 1 year with a Regional Runner Up team? Doesn't seem right to compare. I am just an outsider looking in of the West Branch program, you are allowed to disagree.
Tim Cooper was a position coach on a team that lost to Minerva. Then promoted…..

Tim Cooper was the OC on two regional finals teams that changed the O, but kept the same defense.

Tim Cooper listened to Kenny Harris. Those two are the reason WB is back. West Branch should triple their salaries.

Don’t ever compare Cooper to Ron. Cooper all day every day. Don’t disrespect Tim that way. West Branch wins 90+ games in the next 10 years if he stays.
 

HefferWarriors62

Active member
Considering he called a run with the clock running last week against alliance with 22 seconds.

considering he was the OC when they went to the regional final the last two years

Considering he went toe to toe with Canfield week one and went for broke

No, the moment will not be too big for Tim
Cooper. If anything, it’s Ron Johnson who can’t call the right play in crunch time. Cooper is 10x the coach Johnson is.
Hey Tim / Tim’s family member, welcome to the thread. No one is denying Tim is an outstanding Coach. He’s going to be around for a very long time. Ronald Johnson has rebuilt several programs including Canton McKinley which has been Massilon’s whipping boy since he left. Ronald’s best years are behind him. He turned a basketball school into a football school. He went from just over 30 kids to 80 kids. Their last losing season was 2014. Has Salem ever went 8 years without a losing season in the history of the program? Have they ever went 4? Being the OC is a lot different that being THE GUY. He’s been incredible. If, and a big if they lose, to a Salem team this entire thread thinks they should beat by 3 scores. Or even worse, if they lose to them twice. It’s fair to say the pressure is on Tim Cooper. Ron Johnson will have this job along with just about any job that opens if he so chooses. My eyes will be on young Timothy on Friday. This is the biggest game of his life so far. My only question is if they lose, will his band of misfit coaching staff try to fight the other coaches like they did earlier this year. Hell, maybe that’s what this rivalry needs.
 

NBC 1988

Well-known member
Hey Tim / Tim’s family member, welcome to the thread. No one is denying Tim is an outstanding Coach. He’s going to be around for a very long time. Ronald Johnson has rebuilt several programs including Canton McKinley which has been Massilon’s whipping boy since he left. Ronald’s best years are behind him. He turned a basketball school into a football school. He went from just over 30 kids to 80 kids. Their last losing season was 2014. Has Salem ever went 8 years without a losing season in the history of the program? Have they ever went 4? Being the OC is a lot different that being THE GUY. He’s been incredible. If, and a big if they lose, to a Salem team this entire thread thinks they should beat by 3 scores. Or even worse, if they lose to them twice. It’s fair to say the pressure is on Tim Cooper. Ron Johnson will have this job along with just about any job that opens if he so chooses. My eyes will be on young Timothy on Friday. This is the biggest game of his life so far. My only question is if they lose, will his band of misfit coaching staff try to fight the other coaches like they did earlier this year. Hell, maybe that’s what this rivalry needs.
Fighting other coaches? What happened and with who
 

NBC 1988

Well-known member
Hand shake line scuffle. You don’t comment on a West Branch person’s sister/lover who are often the same person. All I know is my buddy from Revere said they were complete holes of A. I wasn’t sure if something happened to them or to someone they played. The herd of cattle were rough and rowdy while the bells rang in Victory.
Ok- we have been playing against west branch since before the NBC and I don't recall any issues, but coaches have turned over multiple times throughout the years. But the games are always clean hard fought games is every sport. In fact, overall the entire league is pretty good in that way.
 

305NoTomato

Well-known member
Hey Tim / Tim’s family member, welcome to the thread. No one is denying Tim is an outstanding Coach. He’s going to be around for a very long time. Ronald Johnson has rebuilt several programs including Canton McKinley which has been Massilon’s whipping boy since he left. Ronald’s best years are behind him. He turned a basketball school into a football school. He went from just over 30 kids to 80 kids. Their last losing season was 2014. Has Salem ever went 8 years without a losing season in the history of the program? Have they ever went 4? Being the OC is a lot different that being THE GUY. He’s been incredible. If, and a big if they lose, to a Salem team this entire thread thinks they should beat by 3 scores. Or even worse, if they lose to them twice. It’s fair to say the pressure is on Tim Cooper. Ron Johnson will have this job along with just about any job that opens if he so chooses. My eyes will be on young Timothy on Friday. This is the biggest game of his life so far. My only question is if they lose, will his band of misfit coaching staff try to fight the other coaches like they did earlier this year. Hell, maybe that’s what this rivalry needs.
Look at my post history. Just a Mahoning valley fan. No relation to Tim Cooper. I just know Ron John isn’t in his league. But I’m not going to wait 8 years to declare it. Thanks though.
 

WbFan01

New member
Hey guys long time wb fan here… This region seems super open. I really wish we had it the last three years lol wb probably would be 3x region champs. I believe the 20 and 21 teams would both beat this 22 team but all have been amazing. What are your thoughts?
 

305NoTomato

Well-known member
Hey guys long time wb fan here… This region seems super open. I really wish we had it the last three years lol wb probably would be 3x region champs. I believe the 20 and 21 teams would both beat this 22 team but all have been amazing. What are your thoughts?
I agree. Hard to compete with those Ursuline teams. They were fantastic.
 

ShootNation

Well-known member
Hey guys long time wb fan here… This region seems super open. I really wish we had it the last three years lol wb probably would be 3x region champs. I believe the 20 and 21 teams would both beat this 22 team but all have been amazing. What are your thoughts?
I don't think they beat Glenville last year or Lake Catholic in 2020
 

NBC 1988

Well-known member
Hey guys long time wb fan here… This region seems super open. I really wish we had it the last three years lol wb probably would be 3x region champs. I believe the 20 and 21 teams would both beat this 22 team but all have been amazing. What are your thoughts?
My thoughts are wb's overall team speed may be better this year than the last 2 years, especially at running back. The last 2 years they had tough kids at RB but more like tight ends. Mullinex is quick, Perry and Jackson(?) can run and all are sophomores I believe. They are young but may be better equipped to make a playoff run - overall have faster receivers and a faster defense. The key is DeShields heath- as they go deeper in the playoffs he must be a big part of the run game too. But this team seams to have more weapons and more speed???? I am not discrediting what the teams did the last 2 years. They were outstanding. I just think this team is better equipped to beat teams later in the playoffs. Should be a great game Saturday night!
Of course you know a lot better than me but those are just my thoughts, may have to play Salem twice this year..
 

WbFan01

New member
My thoughts are wb's overall team speed may be better this year than the last 2 years, especially at running back. The last 2 years they had tough kids at RB but more like tight ends. Mullinex is quick, Perry and Jackson(?) can run and all are sophomores I believe. They are young but may be better equipped to make a playoff run - overall have faster receivers and a faster defense. The key is DeShields heath- as they go deeper in the playoffs he must be a big part of the run game too. But this team seams to have more weapons and more speed???? I am not discrediting what the teams did the last 2 years. They were outstanding. I just think this team is better equipped to beat teams later in the playoffs. Should be a great game Saturday night!
Of course you know a lot better than me but those are just my thoughts, may have to play Salem twice this year..
Mulinex is a much different type of back than Wilson and Marra were. However he goes down pretty easily while Marra last year was a guaranteed 5 yards. As for receivers I believe both Wilson and Hendershott would be better than any of the ones on this years team. Deshields being a year older is always going to make them better since we’ve seen how he can take over games. Cant wait for Saturday! I’ll never forget last years game lol
 

NBC 1988

Well-known member
Mulinex is a much different type of back than Wilson and Marra were. However he goes down pretty easily while Marra last year was a guaranteed 5 yards. As for receivers I believe both Wilson and Hendershott would be better than any of the ones on this years team. Deshields being a year older is always going to make them better since we’ve seen how he can take over games. Cant wait for Saturday! I’ll never forget last years game lol
All were very good high school backs. Keep in mind that I have a very small sample size, to me Wilson and Marra didn't have the burst that great high school backs have and neither could score from anywhere on the field. Mullinex is young but he is a good one and looks different than those 2. I saw Joey Jackson against Canfield and he made a play in that game that was very explosive. I don't think this years team is better or worse, I just think they have the type of kids than can make big plays later in the playoff. It has to be nice to have a debate about your previous teams and which one is less great!!
 

NBC 1988

Well-known member
Vasj was really good last year too. They beat Ursuline in the regular season
WB has a good shot to get out of region 13, but beating the region 14 champ will be a tall task- and I think it will be West Holmes who lost in week 15 against Chardon in D3 last year. That's like an entire season away if they get that far!!!
 

Buckeye Elite

Well-known member
WB has a good shot to get out of region 13, but beating the region 14 champ will be a tall task- and I think it will be West Holmes who lost in week 15 against Chardon in D3 last year. That's like an entire season away if they get that far!!!
I was talking about last year. But yeah I agree they are the favorite in R13 this year
 

Spread All Day

Well-known member
WB has a good shot to get out of region 13, but beating the region 14 champ will be a tall task- and I think it will be West Holmes who lost in week 15 against Chardon in D3 last year. That's like an entire season away if they get that far!!!
Here’s the thing about West branch, one injury and they cease to exist. God forbid it happens but still.
 

Spread All Day

Well-known member
Across the four seasons prior to their hiring the schools were:

Salem:
2011: 4-5
2010: 8-3
2009: 9-3
2008: 0-10
Overall: 21-21

West Branch:
2021: 13-1
2020: 8-2
2019: 2-8
2018: 6-4
Overall: 29-15

If we go back and add in two more seasons you'll see:

Salem:
2007: 2-8
2006: 1-9
New Total: 24-38 (38%)

West Branch:
2017: 3-7
2016: 4-5
New Total: 36-27 (57%)

Now while these numbers already indicate that the West Branch situation was better to step into the thing they don't account for is the level of competition both teams played against in those years. Salem played inferior competition prior to Johnson's hire and struggled to get consistent wins. West Branch played in one of the most competitive conferences in the area and came away with wins. I don't think the two are truly comparable
Salem was in the Mac and the AAC before Johnson. The Mac consisted of a very good Canfield Poland and Howland. My wildcats stunk camel stunk and East Liverpool stunk. But the top three of the conference alone would stand up to anybody in West branch was playing in conference and probably beat them by a good margin. When Salem moved to the AAC for a few years they were in the same tier as Hubbard Lakeview Liberty and Struthers. People forget liberty was very good around this time going to the playoffs several times and producing several Division I athletes, Hubbard has been good for 20 years, and Lakeview was a perennial playoff team as well. I don’t know where you get off by saying Salem played inferior competition at least not in conference.

Edit. Forgot about niles in the Mac, they were good back then as well. And also forgot about Girard in the AAC. Who I don’t believe had a bad season for several years. I believe Salem left the conference after the 2010 season to join what they are currently in today.
 
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RatherDan

Member
Across the four seasons prior to their hiring the schools were:

Salem:
2011: 4-5
2010: 8-3
2009: 9-3
2008: 0-10
Overall: 21-21

Now while these numbers already indicate that the West Branch situation was better to step into the thing they don't account for is the level of competition both teams played against in those years. Salem played inferior competition prior to Johnson's hire and struggled to get
Is that sarcasm, or do you actually believe that Salem’s EBC/NBC league/regular season schedule under Johnson is “more competitive” than the AAC schedules Salem was playing previously?

2008-2010 AAC schedule:
-11 of Salem’s 30 regular season opponents made the playoffs.
-6 out of the 30 regular season opponents advanced to the regional semifinals.


From 2012-2019 schedule:
-2 of Salem’s 80 regular season opponents won a playoff game. (2012 Liberty and 2015 Louisville. )

Despite the OHSAA watering down the playoff fields by creating 7 divisions in 2013, the entire EBC/NBC combined for 2 playoff wins over an 8 year span.

By comparison, in 2009 and 2010 alone (Salem’s last two seasons in the AAC) Salem’s league opponents won 4 playoff games.
 

wghfan

Well-known member
WB has a good shot to get out of region 13, but beating the region 14 champ will be a tall task- and I think it will be West Holmes who lost in week 15 against Chardon in D3 last year. That's like an entire season away if they get that far!!!
Are you counting on West Holmes to beat Glenville?
 

RatherDan

Member
. Ronald Johnson has rebuilt several programs including Canton McKinley .
Canton McKinley football results by year

2004 Division 1 state runner up
2005 Division 1 regional runner up
2006 Division 1 Final 4
2007 3-7
2008 6-5
2009 8-5 regional runner up
2010 8-3
2011 9-3

2012 8-3
2013 9-2
2014 3-7
2015 7-4
2016 6-5
2017 8-3
2018 9-3
2019 9-3
2020 5-3
2021 8-5

Coaches by year
2003-2007
Brian Cross 41-21 (66%)
1 state runner up
1 regional championship
1 regional runner-up
2008-2011
Ron Johnson 31-16 (65%)
1 regional runner up
2012-2013
Todd Fritz 17-5 (77%)
2014
Thom Mcdaniels 3-7 (30%)
2015-2018
Dan Reardon 30-15 (66%)
2019-2020
Marcus Whattley 14-6 (70%)
2021-current
Antonio Hall 13-9 (59%)



Please help me understand how a coach whose predecessor and successor both have higher winning percentages is credited with “turning the program around”.
 

HefferWarriors62

Active member
All were very good high school backs. Keep in mind that I have a very small sample size, to me Wilson and Marra didn't have the burst that great high school backs have and neither could score from anywhere on the field. Mullinex is young but he is a good one and looks different than those 2. I saw Joey Jackson against Canfield and he made a play in that game that was very explosive. I don't think this years team is better or worse, I just think they have the type of kids than can make big plays later in the playoff. It has to be nice to have a debate about your previous teams and which one is less great!!
Marra made everything go last year, he was outstanding
 

HefferWarriors62

Active member
Canton McKinley football results by year

2004 Division 1 state runner up
2005 Division 1 regional runner up
2006 Division 1 Final 4
2007 3-7
2008 6-5
2009 8-5 regional runner up
2010 8-3
2011 9-3

2012 8-3
2013 9-2
2014 3-7
2015 7-4
2016 6-5
2017 8-3
2018 9-3
2019 9-3
2020 5-3
2021 8-5

Coaches by year
2003-2007
Brian Cross 41-21 (66%)
1 state runner up
1 regional championship
1 regional runner-up
2008-2011
Ron Johnson 31-16 (65%)
1 regional runner up
2012-2013
Todd Fritz 17-5 (77%)
2014
Thom Mcdaniels 3-7 (30%)
2015-2018
Dan Reardon 30-15 (66%)
2019-2020
Marcus Whattley 14-6 (70%)
2021-current
Antonio Hall 13-9 (59%)



Please help me understand how a coach whose predecessor and successor both have higher winning percentages is credited with “turning the program around”.
Did Ron Johnson not play you when you were younger? As stated before, anyone can use statistics to make their point. Salem has not had a losing season in 8 years. No coach in the history of Salem can say that. I believe Coach Johnson beat Massillon 3 out of 4 years there. I’m not a stats guy, but I think McKinley has won once since he left. He is 5-5 vs West Branch which most decades would take in a heart beat here in Salem. In the 8 years where they have not had a losing season. They won 4 out of 5 heading into the Covid year. Last years game was arguably the best ever. Their were two instances before everyone made the playoffs where the Salem and West Branch game came down to winner got in, loser was out. Ron Johnson won both of those. Again, Salem has 70-80 players on their football team 9-12. No coach in the history of this program can say that. Is he an A-Hole? Yes, but he is our A-Hole.
 

NBC 1988

Well-known member
Marra made everything go last year, he was outstanding
I am not saying he wasn't outstanding- he was and so was Wilson 2 years ago. I just think the back they have now has more big play ability which may help them for if they continue in the playoffs., but yea, I thought both Wilson and Marra were good hard running backs. Mullinex is a sophomore and has a lot growing to do and will get better, you have to feel good if you are a WB fan- lots of good years coming at WB.
 
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NBC 1988

Well-known member
Canton McKinley football results by year

2004 Division 1 state runner up
2005 Division 1 regional runner up
2006 Division 1 Final 4
2007 3-7
2008 6-5
2009 8-5 regional runner up
2010 8-3
2011 9-3

2012 8-3
2013 9-2
2014 3-7
2015 7-4
2016 6-5
2017 8-3
2018 9-3
2019 9-3
2020 5-3
2021 8-5

Coaches by year
2003-2007
Brian Cross 41-21 (66%)
1 state runner up
1 regional championship
1 regional runner-up
2008-2011
Ron Johnson 31-16 (65%)
1 regional runner up
2012-2013
Todd Fritz 17-5 (77%)
2014
Thom Mcdaniels 3-7 (30%)
2015-2018
Dan Reardon 30-15 (66%)
2019-2020
Marcus Whattley 14-6 (70%)
2021-current
Antonio Hall 13-9 (59%)

.

Please help me understand how a coach whose predecessor and successor both have higher winning percentages is credited with “turning the program around”.
Ron Johnson is a very good coach for Salem. They are typically in the conversation as potential EBC champion in preseason conversations. He did a nice job getting that program consistently good and is fine where he is at. Salem is a nice district to raise his kids and really and he does a good job there. I am not sure that he would have lasted at Canton McKinley losing 3-4 games per year, they have much different expectations than Salem. I expect Antonio Hall to do some good things at McKinley (they have played really good football the 2nd half of this season).

If for some reason he leaves Salem i don't think it would be for a bigger school but I see him finishing his coaching career there unless he wears out his welcome and they run him out of town. His youngest is a Senior and a damn good player so who knows what will happed once he is gone.
 

Warriors1999

Active member
I think it's just more of the same problem everyone has brought up over the past two years with Carrollton's approach to football. How do you win games once you get behind? Defense was forced to gamble and play aggressive to get stops and it didn't work out, offense got behind and doesn't have the ability to chase points. It's not like a loss was unexpected but the margin was pretty disappointing
I was more thinking early in the game why you guys got out of the stack i, or even the lack of being in it.
 
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