Massillon’s Record-Setting Defenders
The MassillonTigers.com website maintains all of Massillon’s football records, which can be found at this link. Below are the record setters for the defense category. But first a couple of key items.
- Individual player defensive data was not recorded in detail until 1982. Therefore, the individual player records maintained by the football program are derived only from official game statistics gleaned from that date forward, unless discovered by some other means.
- Two different methods have been derived over time to calculate a player’s number of tackles. The first is total tackles, which is the sum of both solo tackles and assisted tackles. The second is tackle points, which is the sum of solo tackles and one half of assisted tackles. Both methods are prevalent throughout the sports world, so both are recognized in the official Massillon records.
Chris Spielman (1981-83): 5 records
Single season solo tackles, total tackles and tackle points – In 1982 Spielman in 13 games recorded 113 solo tackles and 43 assists, totaling 156 total tackles and 5 tackle points. He also had four pass interceptions and recovered two fumbles. Following the season he was named 1st Team All-Ohio at linebacker. The Tigers finished the year with a 12-1 record and advanced in the playoffs to the Division I state finals. Although Spielman wasn’t the fastest player on the field, his ability to read the play prior to the snap based on the opponent’s formation and also anticipate of the flow of the play when it began was perhaps unmatched by any previous Massillon player.- Career unassisted tackles and tackle points – Spielman was a starter at inside linebacker for three years. Unfortunately, defensive statistics were recorded only during his second and third seasons, so his full career stats are not available. Nevertheless, he was still able to set two records, including 190 solo tackles and 220.0 tackle points. In 1983 Spielman was again named 1st team All-Ohio, but also All-American. From there, he started four years at Ohio State and enjoyed a long career with the Detroit Lions.
Michael Wright Jr. (2021-24): 3 records
Michael Wright Jr Single season quarterback sacks – Wright was a 4-year starter on the defensive line and set a record with 10.5 quarterback sacks during his 2023 junior season. It was a year in which the Tigers captured the Division II state championship at the end of an unbeaten16-week campaign. In a 35-7 victory over Canton McKinley, he recorded 3.0 quarterback sacks, setting a game record for that series.
- Career quarterback sacks and tackles for loss – Wright finished his career with 23.0 quarterback sacks, 9.5 sacks ahead of the second place Dorian Pringle (2022-23). He also had 49 tackles for loss, eclipsing Pringle’s mark by 3 TFLs. What is remarkable is that Wright played at 5’-10”, 280 lbs. But he had tremendous strength and an uncanny quickness off the snap to enable this success.
Billy Relford (2001-03): 2 records
Single season pass interceptions – In 2002 Relford intercepted 12 passes to set the single-season record. Four of the picks came against North Canton Hoover during a 31-0 playoff game victory. Included in that was returned 50-yard return for a score. He also ran back an interception 80 yards for TD against Cleveland St. Ignatius. The Tigers finished 12-3 that year and advanced in the playoffs to the Division I state semifinals.- Career pass interceptions – During his 3-year career Relford intercepted 16 passes. Three were returned for touchdowns.
Spencer Leno (2007-09): 2 records
Career assisted tackles and total tackles – During his 3-year career Leno, playing at linebacker, recorded 123 solo tackles and 173 assisted tackles, for a total of 296 tackles. He also had 21 tackles for loss. His most productive games came in 2009 against Steubenville (11 solos, 4 assists) and Cleveland St. Ignatius (6 solos, 7 assists). Following the 2009 10-4 season Leno was named Special Mention All-Ohio.
Chuck Vliet (1948-50): 1 record
Single game total tackles – In 1950 in a game against Warren Harding, Vliet recorded an unbelievable 42 tackles. Vliet’s asset was that he was incredibly adept at finding the ball carrier during the play, whether it was a running back or a receiver. So for this game, Head Coach Chuck Mather told Vliet that he wanted him to make all of the tackles. Meanwhile, the remaining ten players were instructed to prevent the Harding players from blocking Vliet. The ploy worked and the Tigers went on to win 23-6.
Paris McCall (2003-05): 1 record
Single game quarterback sacks – In the 2005 season opener against Dover, McCall set a single-game record with 5 quarterback sacks. He also had 8 solo tackles and one assist, with 2.0 tackles for loss. Massillon won the game, 34-0. By season’s end, McCall led the team in total tackles, tackles for loss and quarterback sacks. He was also named 2nd Team All-Ohio. As a team, the Tigers finished 13-2 and advanced in the playoffs to the Division I state finals.
Troy Ellis (2003-05): 1 record
Single game pass interceptions – In Game 2 of the 2005 season Massillon traveled south to face Cincinnati Elder in Paul Brown Stadium. Defensive back Troy Ellis had a career day against the Panthers by intercepting 5 passes. He also returned a fumble 25 yards for a score. Massillon led 35-7 at the end of the third quarter, but managed to hold on to win, 35-31.
Ben Krichbaum (2016-18): 1 record
Single season assisted tackles – In 2018 Krichbaum recorded 78 assisted tackles in a 15-game season. He also led the team that year with 119 total tackles and 80.0 tackle points, with 10.5 tackles for loss. As a team Massillon was perfect in the win-loss column until the Division II state finals.
Dorian Pringle (2022-23): 1 record
Single season tackles for loss – In 2023 Pringle recorded 24.5 tackles for loss, while also finishing second in total tackles and quarterback sacks. His 2023 record erased the previous mark of 21.5, which he also set in 2022. His fortes were the abilities to find the ball in a crowd to make the tackle and also exhibit a ferocious pass blitz. Simply put, he was a “player,” along the lines of a Chris Spielman.
