2025 Booster Club Report – Week 3 – Post-Rabun Gap; Preview of the Bennett Game

Massillon (1-2) lost to Rabun Gap, GA (1-2), 50-35.  This week Massillon hosts Buffalo Bennett, NY (1-0).

Link to the Raybun Gap Game Story

Link to the Raybun Gap Game Statistics

Other scores:

• 7th Grade (1-0): The game with Wadsworth was canceled.  Plays at Maple Heights on Wednesday, September 10, at 6:00 pm.
• 8th Grade (1-2): Lost to North Royalton, 36-30.  Plays at home against South Range (MJHS) on Wednesday, September 10, at 6:00 pm.
• Freshmen (1-2): Lost to Lakewood St. Edward, 42-0.  Plays at Cincinnati Moeller on Saturday, September 13, at 11:00 am.
• Junior Varsity (0-2-1): Lost to Lakewood St. Edward, 42-7.  Plays at Cincinnati Moeller on Saturday, September 13, at 1:00 pm.

Review of the Rabun Gap Game

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.

“They were an excellent team,” said Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore at the weekly Booster Club meeting.  “I was really proud in a lot of ways.  We did a lot of good things.  But we came up short.  We scored 35 points and still thought we left some points on the field.  Defensively, we made them drive the field.  They were high-powered and explosive.”  Moore cited the two long kickoff returns and said that really hurt. “We need to get better this week and move forward,” said Moore.  “Rabun Gap was not the last really good team we’re going to play this year”.

The guest players were Eli Moore and Isaac Maxheimer.

• Moore – Said that the team needs to toe the line to win these big games.  But he assured that the team will be there for 48 minutes.
• Maxheimer – Remarked that the team needs to finish four quarters, even when tired (note that Rabun Gap ran 76 offensive plays).

Bennett Scouting Report

Bennett High School, located in Buffalo, New York, has been in existence for exactly fifty years.  In 2018 the school introduced a new curriculum and is now referred to as, “Lewis J. Bennett High School of Innovative Technology.”  It also boasts of several dozen notable alumni, including NBA basketball great Bob Lanier.

The Tigers compete mostly against other Buffalo schools and in New York Playoff Division AA.  They are considered the Number 1 team in Buffalo.  For Ohio computer ranking purposes they are classified as Division IV.  Last year they finished with a record of 7-2 and have a 5-year record of 40-14, with five playoff qualifications.  This is the first time that they have faced Massillon.

Bennett played their first game of the season last week and defeated Niagara, NY, 18-13.  They are currently ranked No. 11 in Division AA (A is the highest in New York).  While they have several very good players in their starting lineup, according to Moore what they are lacking in is the level of execution.  Moore said that they are a step below that of Massillon in that category, particularly since the orange and black has already played three games.  Special teams also have issues in execution.

Offensively, they want to run the ball first, using a heavy set with an I-formation.  They will run iso, power and counter off of that.  They will also switch to the spread with they need to throw the ball.  The offensive line has good size, averaging 6′-2″, 270 lbs.  Both running backs are very good, according to Moore.  The starter is senior Jimmy Valentine (5′-10″, 185), wihle the backup is junior Dontre Hampton (6′-2″, 170).  At times both will be in the backfield.  Valentine last year rushed 51 times for 508 yards (10.0 ave.) and five touchdowns.  He also plays on defense.  The quarterback is just a sophomore in Jacob Dowell (6′-0″, 155).  Another player to watch is senior wide receiver Jack Eskridge IV (5′-6″, 150), who last year caught 26 passes for 281 yards (10.8 ave.) and 8 TDs.

The defense aligns in a 4-front with cover-1 and some cover-3.  Occasionally, they will switch to a bear defense.  The like to pressure the quarterback at times with a blitz.  The best players are in the linebacking corps.  Valentine is at outside linebacker, where last year he recorded 49 tackles and four tackles-for-loss.  In the inside are senior Nyree Feaster (5′-9″, 215) and junior Dontre Hampton (6′-2″, 170).  The best player on the back end is junior Donte Parker (6′-2″, 185).  The defensive line averages 5′-11″, 245 lbs.  Five players on this side of the ball also start on offense.

Go Tigers!