The Old Shoe Game moves from Week 10 to season opener and features two of the NTL’s top teams. Canton (9-3 last year) and Troy (10-2) have split the last two games in this series with the Warriors reaching two straight District 4 Class A championships and Troy reaching last year’s District 4 Class AA semifinals.

Canton is hoping to welcome back two-time all-state selection and cancer survivor Timmy Ward, but his status is in question after he suffered a knee injury last Saturday. If Ward can play, the offense could be especially potent with two-time all-state tight end Ben Knapp back. Quarterback Cooper Kitchen could emerge as a versatile weapon and both Hayden Ward and Riley Parker are sophomores who could be game-changers.

Knapp and Ethan Landis form a strong defensive end combination and Kitchen intercepted six passes last season. If Timmy Ward plays, Canton will have two safeties who have 17 interceptions in their last two seasons playing together.

Troy returns a strong core from last year’s team which won 10 straight games before losing to Mount Carmel in the district semifinals. The Trojans are outstanding up front and return junior workhorse running back Damien Landon who topped 2,000 yards last season. Troy’s only other loss a year ago was to District 6 Class AAA champion Bald Eagle Area.