2023 Massillon Football Schedule Released

Another great schedule awaits Massillon as they prepare face nine teams that last year qualified for the playoffs.  While most Ohio teams continue to shy away from scheduling the Tigers, four out-of-state teams are up to the challenge.  That includes Valdosta, Georgia, which will open the season as part of a 4-game Northeast Ohio classic to be held at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.  Lakewood St. Edward also returns to the slate.

The Massillon-Valdosta game presents an intriguing matchup of two schools highly recognized for their football prowess and is sure to grab national attention.  There was a time when Massillon had accumulated more football victories than any other team in the country.  At present, they occupy the fourth position.  Meanwhile, Valdosta has enjoyed long-term success and has now replaced the Tigers in the No. 1 spot. Three other games will also be held that weekend at PBTS, involving St. Edward, Akron Hoban and Cleveland Glenville.

Other out-of-state opponents include Elkhart, Indiana (Week 4), Middletown, Delaware (Week 6), which returns from last year’s schedule, and St. John’s Collegiate, D.C. (Week 7).

Lakewood St. Edward travels to Massillon for a fourth consecutive year, this time seeking revenge for last season’s 31-28 loss.  It was their only setback enroute to a repeat of the Division 1 state championship.  The Eagle offense revolves around stellar All-Ohio quarterback Casey Bullock, who is extremely adept at running the read-option offense, especially on the “keep.”

Massillon returns 17 starters plus several oft-used backups from last year’s 12-2 team that finished as champion of Division 2, Region 7.  With several of the returnees occupying key positions, the Tigers are expected to be particularly strong at quarterback, offensive line, defensive line and linebacker.  Coach Moore, Massillon’s winningest coach, will enter his 9th season and currently owns an 83-22 mark, which includes three trips to the state finals.  He also captured the D2 title at Cincinnati LaSalle prior to coming to Massillon.

Here is the full schedule along with some key data:

1. Valdosta, GA – H

• League: n.a.
• Playoff Division: 7A (highest division)
• 2022 Overall Record: 8-3
• 2022 Playoff Results: Lost to Westlake, GA, 28-13 in Round 1
• 2022 Calpreps.com: Ranked No. 23 in GA, Rated 49.3
• 5-Year Record: 33-26 (.559)
• 5-Year Playoff History: 4 appearances; lost in 6A state semifinals in 2020
• Last Time vs. Massillon: Did not play
• Historical Series Massillon vs. Valdosta: 0-0
• Bonus: Returns defensive lineman Eric Brantley (co-Region 7A-1 Defensive Player of the Year), offensive lineman Demauree Bennet (1^st Team All-Region), offensive lineman Jalen Burgess (1^st Team All-Region), inside linebacker Aman Tomblin (1^st Team All-Region) and outside linebacker Jaylen Bentley*** (1^st Team All-Region).  All-time wins leader in the United States, with a record of 944-262-34.  Will play the previous all-time wins leader Massillon, which has a record of 932-290-36.  Featured on an ESPN special named, “Titletown USA.”  Moody Air Force Base is nearby.

2. Canton GlenOak – H

• League: Federal League
• Playoff Division: 1
• 2022 Overall Record: 4-7
• 2022 Playoff Results: Lost 40-22 to Canton McKinley in Round 1
• 2022 Calpreps.com: Ranked No. 49 in D1; Rated 20.4
• 5-Year Record: 9-40 (.184)
• 5-Year Playoff History: 3 appearances; lost in Round 1 both times
• Last Time vs. Massillon: Lost 35-7 to Massillon in 2022
• Historical Series Massillon vs. Canton GlenOak: 14-4
• Bonus: Has continued to struggle in the win-loss column.  Offense improved when quarterback Adrion Burt (returnee) was moved to wide receiver and replaced by sophomore Cole Anderson.  Returns 7 starters on offense and 7 on defense, including running back Avantae Burt (3^rd Team All-Ohio) and offensive lineman Romeo Magueyal (Honorable Mention All-Ohio).

3. Mansfield Senior – H

• League: Cardinal Conference
• Playoff Division: 3
• 2022 Overall Record: 10-3
• 2022 Playoff Results: Lost 17-16 to Cleveland Holy Name in Round 3
• 2022 Calpreps.com: Ranked No. 13 in D3; Rated 27.3
• 5-Year Record: 38-19 (.667)
• 5-Year Playoff History: 4 appearances; lost 14-7 in overtime to Trotwood Madison in 2019 state finals
• Last Time vs. Massillon: Lost 33-0 in 2022
• Historical Series Massillon vs. Mansfield: 44-4-5
• Bonus: 19-6 record over the past two years, including a 13-2 league record.  Returns 10 starters on offense and 6 on defense, including defensive back Amarr Davis (1^st Team All-Ohio) and quarterback Duke Reese (Honorable Mention All-Ohio).

4. Elkhart, IN – H

• League: Northern Indiana
• Playoff Division: 6A (largest)
• 2022 Overall Record: 7-3
• 2022 Playoff Results: Lost to Warsaw 14-9 in Round 1
• 2022 Calpreps.com: Ranked No. 70 in IN; Rated 15.0
• 5-Year Record: 36-18 (.667)
• 5-Year Playoff History: 5 appearances; 6-5 record; advanced to the playoff regional finals in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
• Last Time vs. Massillon: did not play
• Historical Series Massillon vs. Elkhart, IN: 0-0
• Bonus: Finished 9-1 in 2020.

5. Lakewood St. Edward – H

• League: None
• Playoff Division: 1
• 2022 Overall Record: 15-1
• 2022 Playoff Results: Defeated Springfield 28-14 to capture the state championship
• 2022 Calpreps.com: Ranked No. 1 in D1; Rated 72.9
• 5-Year Record: 58-9 (.866)
• 5-Year Playoff History: 5 appearances; 20-2 record); state titles in 2018, 2021 and 2022
• Last Time vs. Massillon: Lost to Massillon 31-28 in 2022
• Historical Series Massillon vs. St. Edward: 4-4
• Bonus: 2-time defending Division 1 state champs.  Finished No. 37 nationally in 2022.  Returns 7 starters on offense and 4 on defense, including offensive lineman Ben Roebuck*** (1^st Team All-Ohio), quarterback Casey Bullock (3^rd Team All-Ohio), wide receiver Kyan Mason (3^rd Team All-Ohio), offensive lineman Devontae Armstrong*** (3^rd Team All-Ohio), Deonte Armstrong*** (3^rd Team All-Ohio) and linebacker Nate Gregory (3^rd Team All-Ohio). 

6. Middletown, DE – H

• League: Blue Hen
• Playoff Division: 3 – largest
• 2022 Overall Record: 7-5
• 2022 Playoff Results: Lost to Smyrna 48-0 in Round 2
• 2022 Calpreps.com: Ranked No. 3 in DE; Rated 35.3
• 5-Year Record: 42-12 (.778)
• 5-Year Playoff History: 5 appearances; 6-4 record; 1 state championship, 2 state runners-up
• Last Time vs. Massillon: Lost to Massillon 42-24 in 2022
• Historical Series Massillon vs. Middletown, DE: 1-0
• Bonus: Returns 9 starters on offense and 5 on defense, including quarterback Austin Troyer (1^st Team All-State), who was 20 of 35 for 274 yards and 3 touchdowns against Massillon last year, and defensive lineman Tristen Graham (2^nd Team All-State), who recorded 10.0 tackle points against the Tigers.  Last year, beat state champion Smyrna 21-14 in the regular season, but lost to them 48-0 in the playoffs.  Lost to IMG Academy, 58-0.

7. St. John’s College HS, D.C. – H

• League: Washington Catholic Athletic Conference
• Playoff Division: Washington Catholic, Capital Division
• 2022 Overall Record: 8-4
• 2022 Playoff Results: Defeated DeMatha 7-3 in Round 2 (championship round)
• 2022 Calpreps.com: Ranked No. 1 in D.C.; Rated 58.3
• 5-Year Record: 40-10 (.800)
• 5-Year Playoff History: 4 appearances (no playoffs during 2020, Covid); 5-2 record; 2 division championships
• Last Time vs. Massillon: did not play
• Historical Series Massillon vs. St. John’s, D.C.: 0-0
• Bonus: Returns quarterback Isaiah French (76-117-827, 5 TDs), running back Da’Juan Riggs (118-962, 15 TDs), wide receiver Jason Woods (17-165, 2 TDs) and linebacker Jordan Seaton****.  Finished 11-0 in 2021 and 9-1 in 2018.  3 times in the last 5 years ranked in the calpreps.com National Top-50.  Last year defeated Middletown, DE (42-0) and Chaminade, FL (28-25).  In 2019 defeated Miami Southridge, FL (48-0) and lost to Philadelphia St. Joseph Prep, PA (34-30), Duncanville, TX (14-35), Mater Dei, CA (53-24) and IMG Academy, FL (21-35); in 2018 defeated Hoover, AL (42-14), Miami Central, FL (37-34) and Christian Bros., MO (59-49).

8. Austintown Fitch – A

• League: All-American Conference
• Playoff Division: 2
• 2022 Overall Record: 10-2
• 2022 Playoff Results: Lost 21-14 to Akron St. Vincent in Round 2
• 2022 Calpreps.com: Ranked No. 9 in D2; Rated 44.0
• 5-Year Record: 37-15 (.712)
• 5-Year Playoff History: 4 appearances; 3-4 record
• Last Time vs. Massillon: Lost 49-28 to Massillon in 2022
• Historical Series Massillon vs. Fitch: 20-8
• Bonus: Returns 7 starters on offense and 7 on defense, including defensive back Davion Pritchard (2^nd Team All-Ohio) and quarterback DeShawn Vaughn (3^rd Team All-Ohio).

9. Warren Harding – H

• League: All-American Conference
• Playoff Division: 2
• 2022 Overall Record: 2-8
• 2022 Playoff Results: Did not qualify
• 2022 Calpreps.com: Ranked No. 34 in D2; Rated 21.1
• 5-Year Record: 28-25 (.528)
• 5-Year Playoff History: 4 appearances; lost in regional finals in 2020
• Last Time vs. Massillon: Lost 41-12 to Massillon in 2022
• Historical Series Massillon vs. Warren: 59-25-3 (second-longest series)
• Bonus: Returns 6 starters on offense and 7 on defense, including running back Ryan Powell***.  Game was moved from Week 3.  New contract in effect, with Massillon hosting the first game.

10. Canton McKinley – A

• League: Federal League
• Playoff Division: 1
• 2022 Overall Record: 6-6
• 2022 Playoff Results: Lost 19-14 to Mentor in Round 2
• 2022 Calpreps.com: Ranked No. 22 in D1; Rated 36.5
• 5-Year Record: 37-20 (.649)
• 5-Year Playoff History: 5 appearances; 6-5 playoff record
• Last Time Massillon vs. Massillon: Lost 23-13 to Massillon in 2022
• Historical Series vs. McKinley: 75-53-5; Massillon has won 11 of the last 12
• Bonus: Returns 4 starters on offense and 3 on defense. Lost first four games last year and rebounded to win six of the last eight, including a 36-26 victory over Lake, to tie for the Federal League championship.  Lost to Mentor in the playoffs in the final minute of the game.

The book on Massillon:

• League: Independent
• Playoff Division: 2
• 2022 Overall Record: 12-2
• 2022 Playoff Results: Lost 41-20 to Akron Hoban in the state semi-finals
• 2022 Calpreps.com: Ranked No. 3 in D2; Rated 53.4
• 5-Year Record: 61-9 (.871)
• 5-Year Playoff History: 5 appearances; advanced to the state finals in 2018, 2019 and 2020; regional champion in 2022
• Bonus: Returns 8 starters on offense and 9 on defense, including linebacker Dorian Pringle (1^st Team All-Ohio), offensive lineman Evan Sirgo (Honorable Mention All-Ohio) and linebacker Cody Fair (Honorable Mention All-Ohio).  Last year, pulled a 31-28 upset over Lakewood St. Edward, the state’s Division 1 state champion.  Defeated Federal League co-champion Lake 24-6 to claim the regional championship. Won 12 consecutive games.

* – 247sports.com rating