Week 1 – Cleveland Glenville – In a much anticipated game throughout the state, Massillon hosted Cleveland Glenville in the season opener. The Tarblooders jumped out to a first half lead of 19-7, before Massillon regrouped and mounted an energetic comeback, tying the score at 27. Subsequently, a game-winning field goal attempt by the Tigers at the end of regulation was blocked. In overtime, Massillon failed to score when a second field goal attempt was blocked. Glenville then hooked up on a slant pass for the win. Savior Owens led all rushers with 25 carries for 131 yards. Quarterback Manny Patterson completed 8 of 11 passes for 130 yards and 3 touchdowns. Ja’Dyn Williams recorded 17 total tackles.
Week 2 – Canton GlenOak – Massillon scored early and often in routing Canton GlenOak, 44-10. So dominant were the Tigers that all of their points were scored in the first half over a span of a just quarter and a half. Defensively, the Golden Eagles appeared to focus their scheme on stopping the run, specifically Massillon running back Savior Owens, who performed exceptionally well in last week’s overtime loss to Cleveland Glenville. That left the secondary in a cover-4 alignment, with little linebacker support against the pass. So, with the running attack hampered most of the night, the Tigers took full advantage of the pass game. So, by halftime, quarterback Manny Patterson managed to complete 16 of 21 passes for 200 yards and four touchdowns. Deontay Malone caught seven passes for 102 yards and a touchdown and Giorgio Jackson Jr. caught seven passes for 72 yards and two TDs. And all of these players sat out the second half. On defense, Ja’Dyn Williams had another big outing, with 12 total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
Week 3 – Rabun Gap, GA – Massillon played national power Rabun Gap and lost 50-35 in an offensive shootout. Rabun Gap is a boarding school located in northern Georgia that is stocked high-profile athletes from seven different countries, including Canada and some in Europe. At least eight players have offers from Division I colleges. The game was tied at halftime with 21 points apiece and the Eagles held a 35-28 lead entering the fourth quarter. But a Tiger fumble led to a Rabun Gap touchdown and the 2-score deficit was just too much to overcome. The difference in the game was Rabun Gap’s massive offensive line, which contains three players with Power-5 offers (1 @ Auburn, 2 @ TBD), and its ability to pass block for their very accurate quarterback (Menphis). In addition, the Eagles returned two kickoffs for long distances, one for a touchdown and another that set up a short TD run. For Massillon, quarterback Manny Patterson completed 11 of 17 passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. The scoring receptions went to Jadyce Thigpen and Deontay Malone. Running back Savior Owens carried the ball 21 times for 182 yards and three TDs, including a 42-yarder near the end of the game during which he broke numerous tackles. Defensively, Ja’Dyn Williams had 15 total tackles. Christian Culler had 8 total tackles, 1.5 tackles-for-loss and caused a fumble.
Week 4 – Bennett, Buffalo, NY –