It was the 136th renewal of the rivalry game with Canton McKinley, held at Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.  The first half was played fairly evenly, with the two teams tied at 14-apiece at the break.  In the first quarter Massillon scored on its second possession when running back Savior Owens went over the goal line from four yards out.  The TD was set up when the Bulldog receiver was stripped of the ball by Braylon Gamble and Tra’Yon Williams dove over the pile to retrieve it at the four.  On the Tigers’ next possession they marched 68 yards in 8 plays, with Owens scoring his second touchdown, this one from the 14 yard line.  During the drive Manny Patterson completed a 22-yard pass to Jadyce Thigpen and Owens followed with a 12-yard run to advance the ball into four-down territory.  The Bulldogs regrouped in the second quarter when Massillon changed its defense in order to defend the the expected passes to follow.  Only, McKinley now found success with the ground game and tallied twice to tie the score.  After the break the Tigers returned to their original defense and a back-and-forth quarter and half of defensive football ensued.  That, until Deontay Malone returned the punt 50 yards for the winning points and a 21-14 victory.  The play goes in the  record book in that it was the first time in 136 games that a Massillon player had returned a punt for a touchdown against McKinley.  Throughout the half the defense was a major factor in maintaining field position as it held McKinley without a first down until after the punt return.  With the win, the Tigers’ 966th all-time, they they have now won ten consecutive times over the Bulldogs.  In addition, they now lead the overall series, 78-53-5.

Comments by Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore

Here is a snapshot of Moore’s remarks to the Booster Club members at the weekly meeting:

• The team had great coverage on kickoffs.
• In a game like that, with all the penalties, he immediately checked the field for a flag following the punt return.
• Braylon Gamble played great, lining up at both safety and outside linebacker.
• On McKinley’s second possession they lofted a long bomb was right on target.  Only, Deontay Malone had great coverage and knocked the ball away just at it reached the receivers hands.
• Chayce White had a pass interception and he is developing well.
• Gio Jackson Jr. made the best catch of a long pass that Moore has ever seen.  That, in spite of being initially shielded from the ball and then interfered with by being completely wrapped up, with one arm pinned to his side.
• Anthony McMullen Jr. played his best game of the season.  He runs really hard.
• Quarterback Manny Patterson did a good job running through his progressions on pass plays.
• Savior Owens had some nice runs.  He made a lot of people miss.
• Moore did not see a hold when McMullen scored the touchdown in the fourth quarter.  He also didn’t see a hold when the Tigers picked up a first down with 4th down pass on their first drive.  On account of the penalty they were then forced to punt.
• The coach is very grateful to have the bye week.  It’s good for both the players and the coaches.  The plan this week is to get well rested and dive back into the fundamentals.  Monday was an off day.  The players will have meetings on Tuesday, followed light practices on Wednesday and Thursday.  The coaches will then travel to North Canton on Friday to scout the Hoover vs. Columbus Northland game, aware that the Tigers will play the victor next week.

The guest players were senior defensive back Noah Jenkins and junior tight end Will Hymes.

• Jenkins – “I’m just so grateful to play McKinley.  Such an honor.  It was a great win.  The defense stepped up big time.”
• Hymes – “Growing up, it was all I ever dreamed about.  I can’t explain it.”