The 2024 High School Football Season is Fast Approaching
Eight months ago the Massillon Tigers defeated Akron Hoban 7-2 in the Division II state playoffs to claim their first state championship in 53 years. Now, for the first time in 53 years, Massillon will have an opportunity to defend a state title, starting with an opening game in Oregon against NFL Academy-London. In preparation for that event, pre-season practice is in full swing, as the coaching staff installs their offensive and defensive schemes and tests the players to determine which ones will be in the starting lineup once the curtain lifts. It’s also a busy time right now for the next few weeks in Tigertown as shown in the schedule below.
Tuesday, August 6 – Media Day at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Group photographs of the varsity and freshmen teams and individual photos of all players will be taken by the website staff, the local media and commercial firms. Freshmen at 5:00 pm and varsity at 6:00 pm. Open to the public. Photos will appear in this website shortly thereafter.
Saturday, August 10 – First scrimmage, vs. Avon, at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Game time is 11:30 am. Avon participates in the playoffs in Division II and has dominated Region 6, winning six regional championships in the past seven years. Only, the six subsequent games in the state semifinals resulted in five losses to Hoban and a 2019 loss to Massillon. They are led by long-time coach Mike Elder.
Thursday, August 15 – Second scrimmage, at Cincinnati Moeller. Game time is 2:00 pm. The Crusaders have won Region 4 in each of the past three seasons. But they also each time came up short in the semifinals, losing to Springfield, which then lost to Lakewood St. Edward in the finals. They are led by second-year coach Bert Bathiany
Saturday, August 17 – Football Booster Club Golf Outing at the Massillon Elms Country Club. The 18-hole, shotgun start begins at 1:00 pm. Dinner will follow golf.
Sunday, August 18 – First Sideliners meal at the Knights of Columbus. Player pickup at the stadium at 5:00 pm. The Sideliners is a group of Massillon supporters that act as “Big Brothers” for the varsity players. The members interact with the players on a weekly basis throughout the season and are also accessible to the players for help anytime in helping to resolve any personal problems that they might have.
Monday, August 19 – Season Kickoff Rally at Duncan Plaza. The Tiger growl is scheduled for 5:30 pm and event begins at 6:00 pm. Greet the team. Enjoy entertainment provided by the Tiger Swing Band and cheerleaders, followed by ice cream in the Massillon Museum.
Thursday, August 22 – Varsity football opener vs. NFL Academy-London at Nike Headquarters in Eugene, Oregon. Kickoff is scheduled for 3:30 pm pacific time. The game will be aired live on the NFL YouTube channel and on delay broadcast on the NFL Network on Saturday, August 31.
Thursday, August 22 – Freshmen football opener vs. Akron St. Vincent at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:00 pm.
Monday, August 26 – First Booster Club meeting, at Washington High School’s auditorium on the first floor, starting at 7:00 pm. Open to all Booster Club members (minimum membership is $10.00, which can be purchased within this website or at the door). Listen to Coach Nate Moore review the past game along with game film and preview the next opponent.
Tuesday, August 27 – First Touchdown Club meeting of the season. The event is held weekly at Eagles 190 at 11:30 am. The meetings are a lunchtime affair and members receive from the Head Coach reviews of past games and scouting reports of upcoming opponents. Team captains also provide nsight. Occasionally, the meetings are enhanced with guest speakers. At the end of the season the Club honors one player with the Hardnose Award. Memberships can be obtained within this website or at the door.
