PREP FOOTBALL Warren coach brings success

Thom McDaniels can become the first coach to lead two Division I schools to the state title.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
If you've never met Warren Harding coach Thom McDaniels, here's all you need to know.
A little over three weeks ago, in Harding's Division I regional quarterfinal game against Cleveland St. Ignatius, the Raiders held a 24-17 lead with 10 seconds remaining, needing only to take a knee to run out the clock.
Harding was seconds away from gaining revenge on the Wildcats, who had ended the Raiders' season in last year's regional final.
Rather than basking in the moment, McDaniels -- still wearing his headset -- was wildly gesturing to his players on the sideline, yelling, "Stay off the field!"
They did, but it was a telling moment for McDaniels -- an admitted pessimist -- who is known for his intensity, his understated sense of humor and his success.
And after just three years at Harding, he's on the verge of making history.
Big-school leader
No coach has ever led two Division I teams to a state title. After beating Massillon Washington 21-20 in overtime in the state semifinal last Saturday, McDaniels will have the chance.
The Raiders will play Cincinnati Elder in Saturday's state final at 8 p.m. at Fawcett Stadium in Canton.
"I love this football team," McDaniels said. "We've got kids who are taking coaching and who are taking direction. We've come a long way in three years."
Former Warren Harding coach Ed Glass came closest to winning two Division I titles. Glass won a championship in 1974 when the Raiders routed Upper Arlington, 41-8. Ten years later, Glass led North Canton Hoover to the title game, but lost to Toledo St. Francis, 18-14.
McDaniels led Canton McKinley to the state title in 1997, beating Cincinnati Moeller, 31-16. He lost to Moeller in 1985 in his only other state final appearance.
McDaniels -- the winningest coach in Canton McKinley history (134-42) -- stepped down after the 1997 season to become an administrator for Canton City Schools. His successor, Kerry Hodakievic, led the Bulldogs to the 1998 state title.
A new home
McDaniels was hired at Harding in 2000 and has led the Raiders to their first back-to-back playoff appearances in school history.
Harding last won a state title in 1990 under Phil Annarella -- who was in the press box during the Raiders' win over Massillon, working the game as a radio analyst for WKBN.
The Raiders were expected to win the state title last year, easily winning their first eight games behind the stellar running of Maurice Clarett. But Harding lost at Elder in Week 9 -- its only regular season loss -- before ultimately losing to Ignatius.
Elder (13-1) beat Findlay 34-31 Saturday night to advance to the state final. The Tigers, who have before never made it to the state final, have not lost to an Ohio team this season. Louisville (Ky.) Trinity beat them 44-20 in Week 2.
Harding (14-0), meanwhile, is one step away from finishing what has been an amazing run. The Raiders have not won any of their playoff games by more than a touchdown and needed a missed extra point in overtime to beat Massillon.
It was the second time this season Harding has won an overtime game on a missed extra point -- the Raiders' Dimitrios Makridis blocked an extra point in double overtime to beat Boardman in Week 7.
Getting the job done
Harding has seemingly won in every way imaginable -- a last second field goal (Lakewood St. Edward), a 71-point rout (Toledo Whitmer), a last second-touchdown (the first Massillon game) -- and some think the Raiders are a team of destiny.
But one huge challenge remains.
"None of this means anything if we don't finish the job against Elder," McDaniels said.
scalzo@vindy.com