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

Massillon (1-1) defeated Canton GlenOak (0-2), 44-10.  This week Massillon hosts Rabun Gap, GA (0-2).

Link to the GlenOak Game Story

Link to the GlenOak Game Statistics

Other scores:

• 7th Grade (1-0): Defeated Canton GlenOak, 26-0.  Plays at home (MJHS) against Wadsworth on Thursday, September 4, at 6:00 pm.
• 8th Grade (1-1): Lost to Canton GlenOak, 14-19.  Plays at home against North Royalton (PBTS) on Wednesday, September 3, at 6:00 pm.
• Freshmen (1-1): Defeated Canton GlenOak, 29-20.  Plays at home against Lakewood St. Edward on Thursday, September 4, at 6:00 pm.
• Junior Varsity (0-1-1): Tied Canton GlenOak, 26-26  Plays home against Lakewood St. Edward on Saturday, August 30, at 10:00 am.

Review of the Cleveland Glenville Game

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.

“I felt great walking off the field,” said Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore at the weekly Booster Club meeting.  “We have a great football team.  The energy; the passion.  I’m so proud of our football team.”  It was a good performance, but still had some issues.  Moore noted that the offensive line struggled early to open holes, which of course led to changing focus to the pass.  He mentioned that the offensive line had trouble picking up the movement of the GlenOak defensive linemen and that’s what affected the run game.  “I expected more from the line,” he added.  “But we’re a young team and we’re growing up together.”

The guest players were Tra’Yon Williams, Braylon Gamble and Christian Culler.

• Williams – We played to their (GlenOak’s) level.  We can’t play like that this week.  We need to play our game.
• Gamble – We need to set the tone and play with a lot of heart.
• Culler – We need to play all four quarters.

Rabun Gap Scouting Report

Rabun Gap Nacoochee was founded in 1903 as a way to educate children in Appalachia Mountains of northern Georgia.  Since then, it has evolved into a private boarding school with 680 students from over fifty different countries, including Canada and countries of Europe.  The primary focus is college prep with students that are distributed from  pre-kindergarten through the 12th grade.  Although the school is located in the northern reaches of Georgia, they compete mostly in North Carolina.

The Eagles play in the NCISAA Western League.  Last year they finished with a 12-1 record and finished with a 42-39 victory over Providence Day to win the state championship in their division.  Over the past five years they have a record of 48-11 with four qualifications for the playoffs.

• League: NCISAA Western
• Playoff Division: NCISAA IU
• 2024 Overall Record: 12-1
• 2024 Playoff Results: 3-1; state champion in North Carolina; defeated Providence Day, NC, 42-39
• 2024 Calpreps.com: Ranked No. 17 in Georgia; ranked No. 4 in North Carolina; rated 52.0
• 5-Year Record: 48-11
• 5-Year Playoff History: 4 qualifications; 7-3
• Last Time vs. Massillon: n.a.
• Historical Series Massillon vs: Rabun Gap: 0-0
• Bonus: Returns senior quarterback Gavin Owens (6’-4”, 198) (198-289-2,815, 35 TDs), senior wide receiver Walker Bryson (5’-11”, 170) (47-593, 7 TDs), senior wide receiver Joshua Buckhalter (5’-8”,165) (40-652, 9 TDs), senior defensive end Ryan Hassett (6’-3”, 230) (37 tackles, 7.0 TFLs, 13 QB sacks) and senior safety Zeke Marshall (6’-5”,180) (6 interceptions).

“They are a very good football team,” said Moore.  “One of the better teams to come into Paul Brown  Tiger Stadium.  Good at all three levels: offense, defense and special teams.  They have some very good players.  Good size at several areas.”

With an offensive line that averages 6′-5″, 286 lbs., they like to run power when they run.  But prefer to pass first, particularly to senior wide receiver Walker Bryson (5′-11″, 180), a 3-star recruit who has committed to Indiana University.  Last year he caught 47 passes for 593 yards (12.6 ave.) and seven touchdowns.  The quarterback is senior Gavin Owens (6′-4″, 210).  He has good pocket presence within their spread offense formations and he see the whole field when selecting a receiver.  A returning starter, Owens last year completed 198 of 289 passes (69%) for 2,815 yards (14.2 ave.) and 35 touchdowns.  He is a 3-star recruit who has committed to Memphis.  Aside from basic pass patterns, the Eagles will also throw in some tag screens if they are available.

The defense aligns in a 3-3 odd-stack, with the weak side outside linebacker walked up to the line.  The 3-man front averages 6′-2″, 265 lbs.

Per Moore, every Rabun Gap player is good.  But some are very good.  There are no average players.  Here are some of the other college recruits:

• Senior offensive lineman Wilson Zierer (6′-6″, 275), 3-star recruit, committed to Auburn.
• Junior offensive lineman  Jacob Burns (6′-7″, 290), 3-star recruit, D1 offers.
• Junior offensive lineman Elijah Hutchenson (6′-6″, 270), 4-star recruit, D1 offers.
• Senior wider receiver Isaac Obrokta (6′-0″, 185), 3-star recruit, committed to Georgia Tech.
• Senior defensive lineman Ryan Hassett (6′-3″, 255), 3-star recruit, committed to Northern Illinois.
• Senior safety Zeke Marshall (6′-5″, 185), 3-star recruit, D1 offers.

Go Tigers!