2024 Booster Club Report – Week 4 – Post-Canisius; Preview of the Lakewood St. Edward Game

Massillon (3-1) defeated Canisius, NY (1-1), 41-7.  Massillon now leads the series 3-1.  It was also historical win No. 951.  This week Massillon travels to Lakewood to face the St. Edward Eagles.

Link to the Canisius Game Story

Link to the Canisius Game Statistics

Other scores:

• 7th Grade (2-2): Lost to Madison, 12-8.  Plays at Warren on Thursday, September 19, at 5:30 pm.
• 8th Grade (4-0): Defeated Madison, 22-8.  Plays home (MJHS) vs. Warren on Wednesday, September 18, at 6:00 pm.
• Freshmen (2-2): Lost to Cleveland Glenville, 56-14.  Plays home vs. Lakewood St. Edward on Thursday, September 19, at 6:00 pm.
• Junior Varsity (3-0-1): Tied Cleveland Glenville, 20-20.  Plays home vs. Lakewood St. Edward on Saturday, September 21, at 10:00 am.

Review of the Canisius game

The Tigers opened a 35-0 lead by halftime and cruised to their third win in four starts, 41-7.  In fact, the entire second half was played under running-clock conditions.  The scores were multiple and came in the form of three offensive touchdowns, two via the run and one via the pass, a pass interception return, a fumble return and a punt return.  Quarterback Jalen Slaughter completed 10 of 12 passes for 150 yards and one touchdown.  Jacques Carter caught four of the passes for 91 yards and one TD.  Meanwhile, the first team defense held the Crusaders under 40 yards of total offense throughout the three quarters they were on the field.

“It was a great team win,” said Massillon head coach Nate Moore.  “Anytime we score in all three phases, we’re pretty happy.  Canisius was a good team.  Our style of play was the difference in the game; physicality and effort.  I’m  proud of our guys.”

The guest players were linebacker Ja’Dyn Williams and running Ja’Meir Gamble.  Williams thought that the defense played really, while Gamble believed the same of the offense.  In regards to St.  Edwards, the focus for the defense will be on the run, per Williams.  Gamble said that the Tigers should have an edge in the passing game.  Not that the Eagle secondary isn’t good, but the Massillon receivers have an edge in speed.

Lakewood St. Edward Scouting Report

St. Edward is the 3-time defending Ohio Division I state champion.  Last season they compiled a record of 15-1, defeating Springfield 31-21 in the state finals.  That was the third consecutive year that they faced Springfield in this venue.  Their lone loss came at the hand of Massillon by the score of 15-13.  The Tigers also defeated the Eagles the previous year, 31-28.  St. Ed owns a 61-7 record over the past five years, with a 21-2 mark in playoff games.  Massillon leads the overall series, 5-4.

This year the Eagles have a record of 3-1, with victories over Pickerington North (3-0), 28-0, St. Joseph Prep, PA (1-1), 35-21, and Cincinnati Elder (3-1), 24-17.  Their loss came two weeks ago at home against Doyle County, KY (4-0) by the score of 38-21.  Doyle is a 7-time Kentucky state champion.  St. Edward is currently ranked 44th in the country by Calpreps.com.  Massillon is ranked 47th.

The Eagles return 3 starters on offense and 5 on defense, plus backup quarterback senior Casey Csanyi (6’-2”, 190).  Against Massillon last year as the starter Csanyi completed 14 of 29 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns.  An Ashland commit, he has a good arm and can hit receivers with great accuracy in tight windows.  He also runs of the read option when the play calls for it, which is very often.  His favorite receiver is junior Zach Hackleman (6′-1″, 170), who likes to run come-back routes on the hash.  But all of the receivers are good.

The starting running back appeared to be 2-star recruit, junior Brandon White.  But he is believed out with a knee injury that he suffered in the St. Joe game.  In his place is junior Tyrese Buchanan (5′-10, 175), also a strong runner, with a quick burst through the hole.

The offense utilizes the spread, but wants to run the football, especially with the quarterback.  The line is the strength of the team and averages 6′-2″, 284 lbs., nearly as large as last year.  The best players are the two tackles.  Senior Sawyer Prementine (6′-3″, 290) has an offer from Ashland.  He is really good at pass protection and has good footwork.  Junior 2-star recruit Mason Wilhelm has an offer from Toledo.

The defense aligns in a 4-3 even front, but will game plan when the opponent calls for it, like they did against the Tigers last year.  The secondary is in mostly cover-3, with some cover-1 and press coverage of the wide receivers.  They also like to blitz from and edge, particularly on long yardage plays.  The line averages 6′-0″, 246 lbs.  The best players line up in the middle and include senior Jaden Woods (6′-0″, 275) and junior Diondre Taylor (6′-1″, 265).  Woods is  the most physical of the line group and has a high motor.  Taylor is considered by Moore as the best player.

The linebacker corps is led by 3-star recruit, senior Nate Gregory (6′-0″, 230), who is  committed to Coastal Carolina.  Gregory is a 3-year starter and has received 15 offers to Division 1 schools.  He reads keys well and makes plays.  Moore said that as a linebacker “he is as good as it gets.”  At outside linebacker is 1-star recruit, senior Bradley Eaton (5′-9″, 170), who has an offer from Bowling Green.  He is also a 3-year starter.  The best player in the secondary is junior cornerback Makhi Boone (6′-0, 165).

This is a very good team across the board.  Very well coached.  “This is a great matchup,” said Moore. “They play the game the  right way.  They have a great team again this year.  The offensive line is the most outstanding part.  They are still big, still physical, and come off the ball well.  The best team is going to win.”

Massillon’s Season to Date

Passing

• Jalen Slaughter – 69 of 108 passing (64%) for 859 yards (12.5 ave.) and 7 touchdowns, with one interception.

Receiving

•  Braylyn Toles – 18 receptions for 109 yards (10.7 ave.) and 1 TD.
• Jacques Carter – 12 receptions for 232 yards (19.3 ave.) and 4 TDs.
• Ricardo Wells – 11 receptions for 183 yards (16.6 ave.) and 1 TD.
• Ja’Meir Gamble – 11 receptions for 94 yards (8.5 ave.) and 0 TDs.

Rushing

• Ja’Meir Gamble – 44 carries for 339 yards (7.7 ave.) and 6 TDs.
• Peytton Mitchell – 12 carries for 25 yards (2.1 ave.) and 1 TD.
• Mylen Lenix – 5 carries for 43 yards (8.0 ave.) and 1 TD.

Scoring

• Ja’Meir – 36 points
• Jacques Carter – 24 points
• Mateo Herrera – 21 points

Defense

• Jadyn Williams – 16 solos, 16 assists – 32 tackles, 2.5 TFLs
• Mylen Lenix – 13 solos, 10 assists – 23 tackles, 3.5 TFLs, 1.5 sacks
• Tra’Yon  Williams – 14 solos, 6 assists – 20 tackles, 1 pass interception
• Tyler Hackenbracht – 10 solos, 10 assists – 20 tackles
• Logan Allman – 6 solos, 13 assists – 19 tackles
• Lennox Lemon – 2 pass interceptions
• Vito McConnell – 1 pass interception

Go Tigers!