Statistics

If you are in the business of predicting the scores of high school football games then it’s time to open your mouth and insert your foot. Because you’ve proven once again that your algorithm is flawed without a true “strength of schedule” component in your equation. For, Massillon entered the contest against Ohio’s No. 1 Lakewood St. Edward as much as a 34-point underdog owing to a couple of losses. But those losses were in overtime to a very good Cleveland Glenville team and by two scores to nationally ranked Rabun Gap from Georgia. Only, the Tigers proceeded to take the Eagles apart piece-by-piece in a 21-14 victory. Who’s the best team in Ohio now? The Massillon coaches knew how special this squad was going to be. But obviously the prognisticators are working with flawed tools and can’t see that.

St. Edward scored its two touchdowns via a long run on its play of the game and against a prevent defense at the end. In between those two scores, Massillon put up 21 straight points and racked up 386 yards of offense to the Eagles’ 141. The Tigers did it first with a crushing running attack, featuring junior back Savior Owens, who carried the ball 32 times for 162 yards (5.1 ave.) and two TDs. Then there was junior quarterback Mandwell Patterson, who completed 17 of 25 passes for 157 yards and a score, with most of the work coming in the first half, while helping his team build a 21-7 halftime lead. He spread his passes around to seven different receivers. Finally, the youthful defense is now showing maturity and thus executed the game plan well.

And let’s not forget the rocking crowd of thousands at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium that generated a playoff game atmosphere throughout the contest. Their support of this team is unmatched by any other school in the country.

The victory marks Massillon’s fourth consecutive win over St. Edward covering the past four years. And in two of those years the Eagles went on to capture the Division I state championship. And, in all four wins the Tigers were able to successfully run the ball. In this particular game they often went to a tight formation with Owens in the wildcat position, who aimed for the center of the line. It was there that Massillon owned a 40-pound per man advantage. When a pass was called for, Patterson took over and once again demonstrated uncanny accuracy with his arm and sack avoidance with his feet. As a result, the Tigers were able to convert 7 of 14 third down conversions and 2 of 2 fourth down tries.

On defense, Massillon used just three linemen, with minimal blitzing, while committing the remaining players to rush containment and pass defense. Ed’s stellar running back Brandon White carried 19 times for 157 yards and a touchdown. But aside from his 66-yard run on the game’s first play, he was 18 totes for 91 yards (5.1 ave.). In the passing game, however, quarterback Jonny Evanchick completed just 8 of 18 for 107 yards and one TD, with one interception. But the telling stat was third down conversions, where the Eagles were successful on just 2 of 9.

St. Edward received the opening kickoff and returned it to the 34. From there White took a handoff and quickly sped through the left side of the Tiger line. Once to the sideline he would not be caught.

Massillon responded with a 10-play, 73-yard drive, ending when Owens carried the ball in from the five. The Tigers quickly had another chance for a score when the Eagles fumbled the ensuing kickoff but were stopped on downs.

In the second quarter, after St. Ed’s was halted at the Massillon 34, the Tigers were on the march again, this time driving 66 yards in six plays. The score came when Owens broke through the line and raced 45 yards to paydirt, making the score 14-7.

It might have remained that way at halftime when the Eagles dropped a punt at the Tiger eight with 3:55 left. But the home squad was not one to waste an opportunity. A second down pass to Gio Jackson Jr. gave Massillon life at their own 21. Then there was an 18-yard screen pass to Owens that advanced the ball to Eds 48. Next was a pretty 24-yard strike to Deontay Malone from a rolling right Patterson that put the ball at the Eagle six with 40 seconds left in the half. The punctuation came when Patterson hit a wide-open tight end Logan Allman in the end zone. Mateo Herrera completed the scoring with his third PAT kick.

The second half was focused on Massillon milking the clock with their run game and St. Edward trying to find any kind of offense that worked. Nevertheless, each team had an opportunity. In the third quarter, the Tigers were at the Eagle 21 with 2nd and 8, but threw an interception in the end zone. In the fourth, the Eagles advanced to the Massillon 38, but Ja’Dyn Williams (9 tackles, 0.5 TFLs, 1 fumble recovery, 1 interception) stepped in front of the receiver and picked off the pass. Eds eventually got untracked with two and a half minutes left in the game when they marched 69 yards in six plays. The score came when Evanchick completed a 43-yard pass to Johah Koopman with 1:30 left to play. The subsequent onside kick was then dribbled to Massillon’s Jadyce Thigpen, followed by the Tigers taking a couple of knees to end the game.

With the win and potentially the next five Massillon would likely be in position take first or second place in the computer rankings and receive a bye in the first round. For the Eagles, they are expected to once again learn from this loss and continue on toward a successful season.

Next week the Tigers (3-2) will host Football North from Ontario (1-3). St. Edward will host Bishop McNamara from Maryland (2-2).