Green Aims for Federal League Dominance Against McKinley: McKinley vs. Green Game Preview
Green aims to stay undefeated in the Federal League as McKinley’s high-powered offense rolls into town. Here's everything you need to know.
As the McKinley Bulldogs roll into ‘G-town’ with a staggering 1,051 total yards of offense against Federal League opponents, the Green football team find themselves at a pivotal moment in the season.
After dominating their early matchups, McKinley is riding high on momentum from recent blowouts against Perry and GlenOak.
But this Friday, the stakes are personal: a victory for Green head coach Mark Geis’s Bulldogs would not only mark their best start in years but also solidify their status as the team to beat in the Federal League, making school history by going undefeated through the first three weeks of conference play.
Here’s everything you need to know before tomorrow’s game.
McKinley's Power on Both Sides
The McKinley Bulldogs currently have 1,051 total yards of offense against their Federal League opponents; their games against Perry and GlenOak were both runaways.
Defeating GlenOak 35-6, McKinley senior quarterback Kam Montgomery had 17 completions on 20 passing attempts. He has 839 total passing yards this year. Montgomery is 6’5”.
Darius Hill, a sophomore for McKinley, has nine catches this season with four touchdowns. Hill is a surefire explosive play if given the right opportunity.
What distinguishes McKinley’s offense, aside from their height advantage at quarterback, is their running back duo positioned behind that strength. Nino Hill, a senior Buffalo recruit, has 422 rushing yards for 5.5 yards per carry. His counterpart, senior GlenOak transfer Jamar Johnson, has 305 rushing yards; Johnson has 5.9 yards per carry.
“[Johnson is] a very physical runner; he’s definitely a downhill type of guy. Hill has a little more side-to-side stuff; they are like two different types of running backs, but just as impactful in the game,” Coach Geis said.
It’s an offense that has more than a few layers, to say the least.
“Honestly they have so many playmakers on the offensive side of the ball. You really can’t say, ‘Hey we’re gonna’ take this away or that away’,” Geis says.
If Green focuses on one area more than another they’ll find themselves leaving home plate wide open.
“You have to play pretty balanced and take everything away, cause if you take one thing away and you just put everybody in the box to stop the run, you’re gonna’ have plenty of guys to throw it to on the outside. Say you’re going to take it with a pass, and they’re going to try and run it.” Geis said.
McKinley's defense is built around a fast, aggressive front seven that excels in gap control and creating negative plays. Leading the charge is linebacker Dante McClellan, a senior Missouri recruit with sideline-to-sideline speed and versatility. McClellan’s ability to read offensive keys and attack gaps quickly makes him a constant threat, with five tackles for loss and two interceptions on the season. McClellan saw offensive playing time last year, where he was one of the better two-way players in Northeast Ohio. He has been focusing primarily on defense this year.
“He basically took the game over in the second half on defense.” Geis said in regards to McClellan’s performance against Green in 2023.
Fellow linebacker Antonio Stevens adds to this strength, leading the team in tackles and excelling in run support by maintaining gap discipline and limiting yards after contact. Stevens is a sophomore.
Up front, senior K'Vuone McNeal plays as a disruptive three-technique defensive tackle, using his explosiveness to penetrate the backfield, tallying eight tackles for loss and consistently forcing double teams. Senior defensive end Dior Garner provides strong edge-setting against the run and is effective in collapsing the pocket with six tackles for loss, while senior Robert Brown’s power at nose tackle allows him to control the A-gap and push the pocket on passing downs.
Five Weeks of Injuries? Green Bulldogs Aren’t Bothered
Green’s first half of the season was remarkable considering the adversity they had faced early on.
They started the year without senior all-Ohioans Mike Schaal and Antonio Martin. While the Bulldogs won’t see Schaal this season, Martin returned in week four’s Federal League opener against Hoover. Martin played strictly offense with the exception of some DB work in the fourth quarter. In week five against Jackson, he was playing practically the whole game.
All-league senior linebacker AJ Fortunato was injured in week two against Painesville Riverside, leaving him out of action for two weeks. Another senior linebacker, Aiden Clark, was hurt in week three against Tallmadge, leaving him out against Hoover.
Despite all those injuries, Green persevered through the first half of their season.
Green now has four straight wins after a loss to Dover in week one and is coming off of a comeback win against Jackson.
This week, they’re preparing for the most physical game on their schedule.
“Hopefully the momentum of us playing pretty well over the past four weeks—we’ve improved in some phases—keeps improving.” Geis said.
If Green were to win, it would be the first time they’re undefeated in the Federal League through three weeks.
But how will they contest against a large, physical, and explosive McKinley roster?
Green’s defense has been their strength throughout the first half of the season. The secondary is anchored by junior safety Anthony McMichael III, who led the team in tackles against Jackson with eight. Senior Anthony Fortunato is a lockdown at cornerback, forcing a fumble against the Polar Bears in week five; Fortunato also got a pick against Hoover. Fortunato had a pick six against McKinley; it seems like he has a knack for explosive plays ending in touchdowns.
Another key for Green will be Anthony’s identical twin brother, AJ Fortunato. The 2023 all-league linebacker elevates Green’s defense, coached by Monte Board. Senior safety Brock Kuznik made his presence known against Jackson, containing standout Polar Bear receiver Noah Colando to only two receptions for 14 yards.
Senior Antonio Martin earned All-Ohio honors for his 2023 season. He had the game-sealing interception against Jackson.
“He’s, in my opinion, one of the better two-way players in the area. Again, he’s a little rusty two games in. You know [Martin was] not moving a whole lot in the offseason. But he worked his tail off to rehab. I really honestly can’t put his presence into words for our football team.” Geis said.
Green junior lineman Dario Lombardi is tied for the most sacks in the Federal League with four in five weeks, competing with Hoover's Mitchell Braucher for the top spot.
An additional staple for Green’s secondary is junior Evan Georgiou. He’s nabbed two interceptions on the season, one of which was ripped out of his receiver’s hands against Jackson.
In terms of Green’s offensive strengths, they have plenty.
“Offensively we’ve been able to move the ball a little better every week. Hopefully we take care of the football a little better.” Geis said.
Junior starting quarterback Tyson Hunka has completed 62 of his 105 pass attempts for 876 yards, eight touchdowns, and three interceptions so far this season, positioning him among the top passers in the area.
Evan Reed, a junior, rushed for 259 yards and a touchdown in the first half of the season. He currently has four touchdown receptions as well, and the balance he provides to his team has been exceptional.
Antonio Martin returned to the starting lineup after his ACL injury and has had 108 receiving yards in two weeks.
Senior Kaden Gregory and the previously mentioned Evan Georgiou have combined for 176 receiving yards in Federal League play, and Anthony Fortunato is always an option as well.
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