Massillon is All Business in Downing Canton GlenOak

August 31, 2024
by Don Engelhardt

Massillon is All Business in Downing Canton GlenOak

Game Statistics

Former Massillon head coach Bob Commings, while in the midst of his 1970 state title run, once said that he wished that he could WALK his team onto the field, throttle the opponent, and then just nonchalantly WALK off, with a business-like approach to the whole evening. Fast forward some 54 years and that’s exactly what current coach Nate Moore did with his charges in easily handling Canton GlenOak, 45-0. The players walked in, took care of business and walked off. With the win, the defending Division II champion Tigers have now run their season record to 2-0.

It was all Massillon in the first half as they scored on five of six possessions, while outgaining the Golden Eagles in yards, 264 to 84, and in first downs, 18-4. Going to the air early, quarterback Jalen Slaughter in that half completed 12 of 18 passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns. The combination of Ja’Meir Gamble and Peytton Mitchell also added another 85 yards on the ground in just eleven carries. Meanwhile, GlenOak never threatened.

With machine-like precision, the Tigers literally took its opponent apart. Here are the five first half scores:

Touchdown – 8-play, 44-yard drive. Gamble scores from the two. Slaughter passes short on the first five plays and completes each one against GlenOak’s cover-4 secondary.
Field goal – 8-play, 37-yard drive. Mateo Herrera kicks a 20-yard field goal. The Golden Eagles stiffen against the run.
3-and-out, punt. Those last two drive stops were the only bright spots for Golden Eagles for the night.
Touchdown – 6-play,69-yard drive. Gamble scores from 18 yards out. Slaughter passes 27 yards to Vito McConnell to set up the score.
Touchdown – 4-play, 53-yard drive. Slaughter completes a 39-yard TD pass to Jacques Carter, who had beaten the defender down the left side. Slaughter completes a 16-yard pass to Braylyn Toles during the drive.
Touchdown – 3-play, 50-yard drive. Slaughter drops a 30-yard pass in the end zone over two defenders to Ricardo Wells as time expires. The drive started with 14 seconds remaining in the half.

Massillon tallied again, on its first possession of the second half when, following a 40-yard kickoff return by Tyler Hackenbracht, they drove 40 yard in just three running plays. Gamble picked up 33 yards in two carries and Mitchell carried it in from the one. After that, Moore called off the dogs and inserted the backups. The final score came in the fourth quarter when a GlenOak pass was blocked high into the air by Lucas Shertzer and retrieved by Bishop Cupp, who ran 13 yards for the touchdown.

Slaughter finished the game with 12 completions in 20 attempts for 174 yards and two touchdowns. Braylyn Toles caught 4 passes for 37 yards, while Carter and Wells each caught a TD pass. Gamble led all rushers with 11 carries for 120 yards (10.9/att.) and 2 touchdowns. Defensively, the tackles were spread quite well among the players. McConnell and Logan Allman each recorded a pass interception.

For GlenOak, the swift quarterback Adrion Burt had 9 carries for 47 yards, but completed just 4 of 17 passes for 47 yards. In addition, the Golden Eagles were hampered just a bit when starting 225 lb. running back Jerome Cox went down with an injury on the first series of the game. Nevertheless, backup Javi’ion McClendon did a commendable job as a replacement, rushing 9 times for 23 yards.

As a team, Massillon outgained GlenOak, 330-103, while holding the Eagles on the ground to just 56 yards (2.8/att.). They also led in first downs, 20-9.

The only negative for the Tigers was numerous 15-yard penalties, which was a carryover from the previous week. In all, they were flagged 14 times for 125 yards. But on the positive side, the offense is finally getting a handle on the outside zone running plays. Plus, the defense is showing the same levels of skill and intensity as last year’s team. They are tackling well, defending the pass well and putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback, even when rushing just three players. Finally, the kicking game is in good hands, with Nolan Hendricks placing his kickoffs consistently in the corner of the field, Hackenbracht booming punts high and long and sophomore Herrera having now converted 28 straight PATs, a streak carrying over from last year.

Next week Massillon (2-0) holds the home opener against Bergen Catholic, NJ (0-1). Bergen lost this weekend to IMG Academy in a well-played game. GlenOak (0-2) travels to Austintown Fitch (2-0).

The following photos are by Rob Engelhardt