2024 Booster Club Report – Week 2 – Post-Canton GlenOak; Preview of the Bergen Catholic Game

Massillon (2-0) defeated Canton GlenOak (0-2), 45-0, for their 18th win in a row.  The Tigers lead the overall series against the Golden Eagles with a record of 16-4.  It was also Massillon’s 950th all-time win.  This week is the season home opener as the Tigers host Bergen Catholic (0-1) from New Jersey.

Link to the Canton GlenOak Game Story

Link to the Canton GlenOak Game Statistics

Other scores:

• 7th Grade (2-0): Defeated Canton GlenOak, 22-6.  Plays home (PBTS) vs. Youngstown Catholic on Wednesday, September 4, at 6:00 pm.
• 8th Grade (2-0): Defeated Canton GlenOak, 40-12.  Plays home (MJHS) vs. Maple Heights Milkovich on Wednesday, September 4, at 6:00 pm.
• Freshmen (2-0): Defeated Canton GlenOak, 38-6.  Plays at Lakewood St. Edward on Wednesday, September 4, at 6:00 pm.
• Junior Varsity (2-0): Defeated Canton GlenOak, 24-8.  Plays at Lakewood St. Edward on Saturday, September 7, at 9:00 am.

Review of the GlenOak game

“I’m proud of our guys,” said head coach Nate Moore.  “Our kids played with great effort.  We took a big step forward from Week 1 to Week 2.  We’re pleased with a lot of things.  But there are things to work on.”

The guest players were co-captains quarterback Jalen Slaughter and linebacker Tyler Hachenbracht.  Slaughter said that the offense played OK.  The offensive line stepped it up and the receivers had a really great game.  Hackenbracht added that the defense did a pretty good job, with the whole front seven playing well.

Bergen Catholic Scouting Report

In a matchup of national powers, Bergen comes into the game this Friday rated No. 1 in New Jersey and No. 17 in the country per Calpreps.com.  Massillon is rated No. 2 in Ohio behind Lakewood St. Edward and No. 26 in the country.  Moore believes that Bergen may be one of the best teams to ever to come into Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.  “Teams like this are good everywhere,” he said.  “We couldn’t ask for a better home opener.”

Bergen opened the season last week with a hard-fought 27-14 loss to IMG Academy, the nations No. 5 ranked team.  Last year they finished 11-1 and won the New Jersey Non-Public A state championship.  They also have a 5-year record of 54-7, with state championships in 2021, 2022 and 2023 (there were no playoffs in 2020).  While most of their opponents are rated average to below average, they do on occasion go outside of New Jersey to play a challenging opponent or two.  This year it is IMG and Massillon.  Last year it was Chaminade from Florida, a game that they lost, 61-21.  In 2021 they defeated Akron Hoban, 42-7.  Local competition is limited to Don Bosco.

Bergen returns seven starters on offense, including No. 1 quarterback senior Dominic Campanile (6′-1, 195), No. 2 running back junior Dante Kain (5′-11, 215), No. 1 wide receiver senior Quincy Porter (6′-4″, 200) and No. 2 wide receiver junior Bryan Porter (6′-1″, 205).  Then, add in starting running back junior Najee Calhoun (5′-11, 190).   All of these skill players have great speed.  Campanile last year completed 131 of 221 passes (60%) for 2,208 yards and 30 touchdowns.  He has an offer from Toledo.  Quincy Porter (jersey No. 0) is perhaps the best of the lot and is of course the most-targeted receiver, while certainly a deep threat.  Committed to Ohio State, last year he caught 41 passes for 969 yards and 16 TDs.  Brian Porter has an offer from Michigan and last year caught 35 passes for 334 yards and 3 TDs).  Kain is more of a power runner, while Calhoun is the speed back.  Last year Kain rushed 69 times for times for 398 yards (5.8) and 16 touchdowns.

The offensive line is massive (think Lakewood St. Edward), averaging 6′-3″, 283 lbs.  The best players in this group are their tackles.  Senior Chris Vigna (6′-6″, 295) is committed to Rutgers.  He is physical player and will force pass rushers upfield and away from the quarterback.  Junior Rocco Costello (6′-3″, 265) is also a physical player.

The offense operates out of the spread with the quarterback in the shotgun and the receivers in 10, 11 or 12 personnel.  The preferred plays are the buck sweep and multiple screens.  But they are a run first team.  “We need to get the receivers out of the game and make them run the ball,” said Hachenbracht, from his perspective as a defensive back.  “We will be physical.”

The defense returns seven starters from last year, including senior linebacker Ethan Cohall Jr. (5′-11″, 190).  Last year he was the third leading tackler, with 27 solos and 34 assists.  He also recorded 5.5 quarterback sacks.  The defensive line is the strength of the team and all four linemen are stout, while averaging 6′-1″, 245 lbs.  The best player is senior nose tackle Delaney Fludd, who holds an offer from West Virginia.  He is explosive off the ball, has good hands and is good against the double team.  But they will also bring a fast, hard rush from both edges.  Depth on the front line is not an issue in that one backup has an offer from Ohio State and another an offer from Michigan.  Cohall, the leader of the 3-man linebacker corps, is committed to Pennsylvania.  In all, they will rotate eleven guys in their front seven.

Both cornerbacks are very good.  Senior Naiim Parrish (5′-11, 175) is committed to Minnesota and junior Jorcan Thomas (6′-1″, 185) holds an offer from Ohio State.  Also helping the back end is junior safety Xavier Jackson (6′-1″, 185).  He is considering an offer from West Virginia.

The front seven aligns in a 4-3, while the back end utilizes cover-3 and some cover-1.  Typically, the fourth defensive back moves up, over top of the slot receiver.  Slaughter remarked that the defense has really good skill players. “We need to slow them down,” he said.  “If we play  Massillon football, we can beat them.”

“We have a very good opponent coming up,” said Moore in closing.  “We need to have a great week of  practice.  And we have so far.  It will take heart, effort and physicality to pull off a win.  And we will need to the crowd.  It’s going to be a great atmosphere.”

Go Tigers!