2024 Booster Club Report – Week 5 – Post-St. Edward; Preview of the DeMatha Catholic Game

Massillon (4-1) defeated Lakewood St. Edward (3-2), 31-21.  Massillon now leads the series 6-4.  It was also historical win No. 952.  This week Massillon hosts DeMatha Catholic (2-1).

Link to the St. Edward Game Story

Link to the St. Edward Game Statistics

Other scores:

• 7th Grade (2-2): Awaiting the score from the Madison game.  Plays at Brunswick on Wednesday, September 25, at 6:00 pm.
• 8th Grade (4-1): Lost to Warren, 36-14.  Plays home to Memorial (Euclid) Wednesday, September 25, at 6:00 pm.
• Freshmen (2-3): Lost to St. Edward, 28-6.  Plays at Gilmour Academy on Saturday, September 28, at 6:00 pm.
• Junior Varsity (3-1-1): Lost to Lakewood St. Edward, 21-10.  Plays home vs. Uniontown Lake on Saturday, September 28, at 9:00 am.

Review of the St. Edward game

In one of best matchups of the season, the top two teams in the state of Ohio (per national rating service Calpreps.com) battled it out for 48 minutes at Lakewood’s First Federal Stadium, with Massillon coming out on top, 31-21. It was the third straight victory by the Tigers over the Eagles, with the wins coming in consecutive years.  The Massillon offensive and defensive lines held the advantage throughout, rushing for 236 yards against 51 yards for St. St. Edward.  Running back Ja’Meir Gamble had his best outing of the season, carrying the ball 22 times for 144 yards and scoring two touchdowns.  On defense, Ja’Dyn Williams recorded 16 tackles.

“We’re happy for the victory,” said Massillon head coach Nate Moore.  “The Tigers played well.  In places were were undersized.”  Moore was also appreciative of the support the several thousand Tiger followers brought to the event.  “Our fans were amazing,” he said.  “At the critical moments you guys showed up.  It was a huge side of the victory.  You guys are the 12th man!”

The guest players were running back Ja’Meir Gamble, linebacker Ja’Dyn Williams and safety Tyler Hackenbracht.  Collectively, they felt that the Tigers dominated in all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams.  On offense, Massillon finally got the running game going, rolling up 236 yards on the ground at 6.6 yards per tote.  On defense, they held the Eagles to little yardage on the ground, including three stops on fourth down.  And on special teams, they blocked a punt, negated a field goal attempt and kicked a crucial field goal.  But this week, against DeMatha, the players said that they are facing some big lines and a good quarterback.  But nothing they haven’t seen before.

DeMatha Catholic Scouting Report

DeMatha is the No. 3 team in Maryland per Calpreps.com, behind Archbishop Spalding (28-14 win over Hoban) and St. Francis Academy.  They hold wins over Zion Prep, MD (0-3), 48-0, and Roman Catholic, PA (4-1), 49-12, with a loss to Spalding (5-0), 26-10.  The “Stag” plays in the Washington Catholic Athletic Conference along with 2023 Massillon opponent St. John’s College,  DC.  Last year DeMatha finished 9-2, with victories over Ohio Division I runner-up Springfield, OH, 35-7, and St. John’s, 21-14 in the regular season and 21-3 in the playoffs.  The Stag has a 5-year record of 35-13, along with two league playoff runners-up.

“Out of the frying pan and into the fire,” remarked Moore.  ”  DeMatha is one of the best teams in the country.  Their offensive line is really big.  The running back is going to Maryland.  It’s the best quarterback we’ve seen.  He can throw and run.  And they have a wide receiver going to Penn State.  Great players everywhere.”

According to the scouting report DeMatha is a team with a great collection of  talent.  What the coaches need to see is if that great talent can play as a team to the level needed to win against good competition.

The offense operates out of the spread.  This is the the fastest and most athletic offense to have faced the Tigers this year, particularly at quarterback and running back.  Their offensive line is massive, averaging 6′-3″, 295 lbs., about the size of line on last year’s Lakewood St. Edward’s team.  Their top personnel are as follows:

• Senior quarterback Denzel Gardner (6′-0″, 185), 3-star, Marshall commit; best offensive player; designed runs; good arm
• Junior wide receiver Lavar Keys (5′-11″, 170), 3-star, Penn State commit; favorite target; good route runner
• Senior running back Bud Coombs (5′-10″, 195), 4-star, Maryland commit; downhill runner with good speed; can get to the outside
• Senior fullback Michael Boxley (6′-0″, 220); solid; finishes blocks; physical
• Junior tackle Zion Smith (6′-5″, 300), 2-star, Syracuse offer
• Senior tackle Anthony Chuman (6′-1, 300), Syracuse offer

The defense is a 4-front with three linebackers, but plays like a 4-2-5, with one linebacker having defensive back skills.  The line on this side of the ball also has good size, averaging 6′-3″, 266 lbs.  The strength of the group is the linebacker corps.  Their top personnel are as follows:

• Senior nose tackle Anthony Chuman (6′-1″, 310), 2-star, Syracuse offer; strong and holds ground well
• Sophomore end James Pace (6′-4″, 225), 4-star, Florida offer
• Senior middle linebacker Jermaine Minnis (6′-1″, 215), 3-star, Ohio U commit; very athletic and moves well
• Senior outside linebacker Noah Chambers (6′-2″, 210), 4-star,  Virginia Tech commit; very good tackler; makes a lot of plays
• Senior outside linebacker Terry Dorsey (6′-1″, 195), 2-star, Akron offer
• Senior cornerback Jacob Wallace (6′-2″, 175), 2-star, Marshall offer; explosive out of his breaks
• Junior safety Darrell Carey (6′-2″, 175), 2-star, West Virginia offer; fast and physical; covers a lot of ground

“In games like this, the best TEAM is going to win,” said Moore.  “We have plenty of good players, too!”  In other words, DeMatha has some great personnel based on the number of college offers.  But how well they play as a team will determine the outcome the game.