Scrimmage Report: Massillon vs. Avon

August 10, 2024August 12, 2024
by Don Engelhardt

Scrimmage Report: Massillon vs. Avon

The first scrimmage of the 2024 season is in the books and neither Massillon nor Avon looked anywhere near like the teams that captured their respective regional championships a year ago. But that’s no surprise at this early stage. There was a lot of sloppy execution, limited play calling and ongoing substitution. But, two weeks from now it will be for real as the Tigers travel to Oregon to face NFL Academy-London and the Eagles visit Cleveland St. Ignatius. And they have just that limited amount of time to become some semblance of competitive teams.

One bright spot for Avon was 6’-2”, 205 lb. senior quarterback Nolan Good. He played just in the first series, but was simply outstanding and may just be one of the best quarterbacks in the state this year. He has a big arm and is extremely accurate. Meanwhile, Massillon starter Jalen Slaughter showed a lot of pocket poise, quickness in rollouts and throwing accuracy, as long as he had time to throw. Protection needs a bit of work, but this happens every year. And it will get much better with time. Nevertheless, it’s no secret that success this year will hinge on the play of the quarterback.

In the first part of the scrimmage, each team had two 10-play possessions, starting at its own 35, with down-and-distance. Avon had the ball first and Good took his team right down the field, converting a 44-yard touchdown pass on a crossing pattern midway through the series. With a few plays left, the Eagles then drove to the Massillon 14 and scored again, this time on Play No. 10, with a 31-yard field goal. The Tigers are breaking in eight new starters on defense and although they have good athletic talent and tackled well, it will take some time for the secondary to jell. Of course, neither team really game-planned for the other’s offense.

Massillon advanced to its own 47 and punted and then to their own 45 and punted again. It’s going to take some time for the Tigers to break in their new offense, which features one and two-back formations, and a 50:50 combination of outside zone runs (in lieu of the power run game seen in past seasons) and short passes. In this scrimmage, the outside running game just never kicked in. And the quarterback was under pressure in the pocket half time, with Avon blitzing on every play. Slaughter could have escaped multiple times, but the rules of the event prohibited this.

With Avon playing their backup quarterbacks the rest of the scrimmage, their offense lacked the explosiveness necessary to move the ball. They picked up six yards on their first possession and zero yards on their second. The third did a bit better but ran out of plays at the Tiger 35.

Massillon got on the board during their second possession when Slaughter connected in the end zone with a wide-open sophomore Deontay Malone for a 35-yard score. It capped a 5-play, 65-yard drive.

In the second part of the scrimmage the teams started at the opponent’s 25 and were permitted three plays, followed by a field goal try. Avon failed to move on its first try and missed a 44-yard field goal attempt. On the second try they gained five yards and converted a 37-yard field goal.

Massillon lost five yards on account of a blitz and then missed a long field goal. On the second try they gained ten yards and then converted a 32-yard field goal.

The varsity wrapped up the session with field goal practice.

The JV units got in four 10-play series each, starting at the opponent’s 35-yard line. Massillon scored on its second series when running back Nehemiah Stone broke a couple tackles and ripped off a 60-yard run. The Tigers then came right back and were in position to score again after quarterback Eli Moore completed a long pass at the two yard line. But the subsequent walk-in touchdown run by Avery Blake was called back on account of holding by a wide receiver away from the play. Avon never threatened.

The Tigers will be on the road next Thursday against Cincinnati Moeller at 3:00 pm for the second and final scrimmage.

Photos by Rob Engelhardt