One of the biggest things that separates high school football programs is turnover.

No, not turnovers — although one could argue that is also true — but rather personnel turnover.

For instance, last year’s game between Massillon and Austintown Fitch featured two players now in the Big Ten, another in the Pac-12, and others at FCS schools. For most programs, losing that type of talent would call for a rebuilding year — especially since that list included each program’s starting quarterback.

Then again, Massillon isn’t most programs — and Fitch is beginning to build an impressive one themselves.

Last year the Tigers were led by quarterback Kyle Kempt, who wound up at Oregon State after initially committing to Cincinnati. While at Massillon, Kempt had the privilege of throwing to the top-ranked player in the state last year, Gareon Conley.

Meanwhile, Fitch had a certified defensive line-mover in 6-foot-4, 300-pound Billy Price, who is now wearing scarlet and gray with Conley at Ohio State. Price’s quarterback, Matt Futkos, has continued his playing career at Clarion University.

That’s some serious talent.

Falcons head coach Phil Annarella felt the surroundings at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon may have contributed to his team’s 34-14 loss there last year.

“You don’t see that kind of atmosphere often and it opened their eyes up to a community that’s got a lot of passion,” Annarella said. “They were called a lot of different things by their fans up there, but I think they’ve got an idea of what’s coming this week.”

With the senior classes both schools lost, one would think a drop in talent from last year’s contest would be likely when Massillon comes to Austintown tonight. However these two programs — especially the one with the most wins all-time in the state of Ohio — seem to defy logic when it comes to turnover.

“Our program is built from our middle school level up,” Annarella said. “All of our middle school coaches, freshman coaches and junior varsity coaches do a great job. It’s no secret how we’re able to be successful.”

For Fitch (6-0), losing a gap plug the size of Price was something Annarella and his staff were worried about. However there doesn’t appear to be a drop-off in production as the undersized, yet physical Falcons have been relentless on defense all season.

“I think our kids have been playing with an attitude,” Annarella said. “They’re upbeat, physical — now they’re not very big — but they get after it pretty good.”

I’d say so. Fitch’s defense hasn’t given up a point in an astonishing 131 minutes, which dates back to a second quarter-touchdown in Week 4.

Massillon (6-0) is led by freshman quarterback Danny Clark, who has quickly made a name for himself after just five career starts. He’s 50 of 80 for 730 yards and nine touchdowns. What might be more impressive is he’s thrown just five interceptions and is completing 62.5 percent of his passes.

From a Division I recruit to a freshman sensation is quite the transition, even for Massillon.

Fitch doesn’t have the 839 all-time victories Massillon does, but preventing the Tigers from reaching 840 tonight would put the Falcons on the right track.

“I think the biggest thing is a confidence booster,” Annarella said of what a victory would mean. “I would think that it would certainly give our young men a lot of confidence and show we’re no fluke.”

One could argue the last two years have already shown that, but a win tonight would almost certainly provide a transition into a bright future.

Kevin Connelly is a sports writer at The Vindicator. Email him at kconnelly@vindy.com and follow him on Twitter, @Connelly_Vindy.