Semifinal Playoff Preview: Canton South Versus Glenville

When you get to this stage of the playoffs it's very rare for younger less experienced teams to still be standing. The Tarblooders and Wildcats represent two very senior lead teams. Both are also teams that had strong 2022 seasons. South's strong play took them to week three of the playoffs where they lost 49-35 to Jefferson Area high school. Glenville's season ended in Canton's Tom Benson Hall of Fame stadium with their first state championship in school history. Here's a breakdown of some of the key players in tonight's game.   Canton South   2024 QB [player_tooltip player_id='161108' first='Poochie' last='Snyder'] 6'1 175- Snyder is a dynamic and exciting quarterback who can make defensive coordinator's lives miserable. Snyder has a great grasp and ability to execute South's offensive scheme. He can throw to all levels of the field. What makes him so dangerous is his ability to improvise and make plays out of nothing. He also has the ability to tuck it and run for big yards. Glenville's pass rush is going to need to be disciplined in its rush or Snyder will continue his big-time play making ways! Snyder is committed to Sacred Heart University in Connecticut.   2024 WR Tyler Pugh 6'1 185- Pugh is a two-way player for Wildcats who plays both slot and defensive end. Pugh has a really good feel for finding pockets in and beating zone coverage. Though undersized for the defensive end position he uses his hands and quickness well to avoid opposing blockers. He will need to play a stout style of defense to counter a big and athletic offensive line and team that will look to run the ball.   2024 WR Tavon Castle 6'0 175-Castle is another Wildcat receiver who does a good job of finding space and getting open. He does a good job when the Snyder extends plays of coming back to the ball and making himself an open target.   2024 DB Ma'Taeaun Frazier 5'10 180- Frazier plays both free safety and wide receiver for Canton South. He has good eyes and does a good job of anticipating where the ball is going. He's a willing tackler in run support.   2024 OL [player_tooltip player_id='1095269' first='Max' last='Cochran'] 6'4 280- Conchran is a versatile offensive lineman who can play pretty much anywhere along the offensive line. He has the athleticism and quickness to pull and get out in space or get to the second level. He plays with a good anchor and can finish against bigger stronger players. Conchran will face a tough test with a very good Glenville defensive front,   2024 RB Jerome Cox 5'11 220- Cox is a stout and powerful running back. Jerome also has a nice burst and vision for finding creases and running lanes. His physical style of running many times requires more than one tackler to bring him down.   Glenville   2024 TE [player_tooltip player_id='284618' first='Damarion' last='Witten'] 6'4 215- Witten is a tight end who has the skill set of a smaller receiver yet he's 6'4 215 pounds. He has legit 4.4 speed and the length, with the length and ball skills to make big time high point contested catches. He's a player they love to go to when taking their deep shots. He's also used in the screen game. Damarion is committed to The Ohio State University.,   2024 CB [player_tooltip player_id='284542' first='Bryce' last='West'] 5'11 180- Like Witten, West, is also committed to the Buckeyes. He's a physical cornerback with the athleticism to be a big-time playmaker. He's great in press man coverage where he has the strength and technique to jam wide receivers and knock them out of their route.   2024 RB [player_tooltip player_id='414701' first='Dshawntae' last='Jones'] 6'0 220- Jones is a big and explosive running back. He's a physical runner with great leg drives that makes him a tough tackle in the open field. Despite his size he has the open field speed to turn average runs into big runs. He was the offensive mvp of last year's state title game. He has multiple G5 offers.   2024 OL [player_tooltip player_id='535949' first='Freddie' last='Johnson'] 6'5 290- Johnson is a road grader in the run game. He's a great blend of athleticism and power. In the pass game he anchors well and has the athleticism to mirror. Johnson is committed to Louisville.   2025 DL [player_tooltip player_id='871096' first='Jameil' last='Hamm'] 6'4 230- Hamm is a very physically gifted defensive lineman. He projects to a defensive end or a rush tackle at the college level. Hamm is explosive off the snap and can win with either athleticism or a strong bull rush. He transitions from power to speed and has the bend and length to finish. He's getting Power 5 attention and has many G5 offers.   2026 LB [player_tooltip player_id='402319' first='Cincere' last='Johnson'] 6'4 225- You don't often find sophomores with the combination of size and athleticism that Johnson possesses, Johnson is twitchy and explosive and plays downhill. He's a fluid runner who can chase down smaller faster players from behind. I think Cincere projects to an outside linebacker or defensive end at the college level as he continues to fill out and get stronger.

When you get to this stage of the playoffs it's very rare for younger less experienced teams to still be standing. The Tarblooders and Wildcats represent two very senior lead teams. Both are also teams that had strong 2022 seasons. South's strong play took them to week three of the playoffs where they lost 49-35 to Jefferson Area high school. Glenville's season ended in Canton's Tom Benson Hall of Fame stadium with their first state championship in school history. Here's a breakdown of some of the key players in tonight's game.