Massillon Makes Short Work of Canton GlenOak
Game Statistics
Every car owner knows that periodically they must check under the hood to see if everything is running okay. A football team can apply that same reasoning, as they search for inherent defects in their play schemes. That was the case on Friday for Massillon in the game against local rival Canton GlenOak. And if the 56-7 shellacking of the Golden Eagles is any indication, the Tiger engine is purring along just fine.
For GlenOak, however, it was a different story. But not necessarily a bad one. Surely, they were playing a team that was a good bit above their level. But it was an opportunity to have their weaknesses exposed as they prepare for a slate that is more suitable to their liking, one against their Federal League brethren.
As was the case in last week’s game against Valdosta, Massillon went immediately to the air the first time they touched the ball. It might have been that the Tigers are breaking in some running backs that have limited varsity experience and they wanted the ball more in the hands of their two very talented quarterbacks along with their speedy receiving corps. Or it might have been that mismatches were evident in the Eagle secondary and the coaches deemed that was the area to exploit. Regardless of the reasoning, positive results were found immediately.
On the first play from scrimmage quarterback Da’one Owens completed a 23-yard pass to fullback (yes, fullback!!!) Deangelo Zimmerman, giving the Tigers a first down at the GlenOak 33. Then Owens completed the drive with a perfectly thrown pass to Jacques Carter for the touchdown. It was the first of five first-quarter TDs enroute to a 49-0 halftime lead.
With the Tigers quarterbacks alternating possessions throughout the first unit’s time on the field, it was now Jalen Slaughter’s turn to enter the fray. A 40-yard pass to Carter on his first play advanced the ball to the Eagle 4 yard line, from where Micheal Wright Jr. powered it in for the score.
After that, the points continued to rain down. A 30-yard pass from Owens to Kyler Wiggins, who continues to make spectacular catches in coverage. A 3-yard run by Dorian Pringle. A 30-yard pass from Owens to Wiggins. A 71-yard pass from Slaughter to Carter. And a 36-yard pass from Slaughter to Zimmerman to end the half. As is the norm, the first unit saw one possession in the second half, with Mylen Lenix carrying the ball in from the 15.
Meanwhile, the Tigers punted just once, while GlenOak managed just four first downs. The Massillon defense controlled the action and was stifling against both the run and the pass, except for on one Eagle drive that ended near the goal line when they fumbled the ball into the end zone for a touchback.
The two quarterbacks ended up a combined 9 of 15 passing for 278 yards and 5 touchdowns. On the ground the Tigers gained 183 yards, led by Peytton Mitchel, who carried 12 times for 127 yards. In spite of averaging 7.6 yards per carry, the running game was sluggish at times on account of GlenOak blitzing on nearly every down after falling behind in an attempt to halt the passing barrage. The blitz also clogged up the running lanes. But it had minimal effect on the passing game, as no sacks were recorded and the quarterbacks easily eluded the rush to complete passes. Overall, Massillon gained 467 yards (11.7 ave.), their second straight 400+ yard game.
GlenOak got on the board on the second to last play in the game when Avante Burt scored from the one on fourth down against the Massillon backups. The Eagle rushing attack was stymied for most of the night until Adrion Burt moved to the quarterback position. He ended up rushing for 54 yards, while teammate Jamar Johnson had 81. But the two quarterbacks completed only 5 of 18 passes for 77 yards.
Massillon will host Mansfield (1-1) next week, while GlenOak is home to Austintown Fitch, a future Tiger opponent. The game will surely give fans a chance to compare scores.
Go Tigers!
