Massillon Releases 2026 Football Schedule

Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore has released the schedule for 2026 Tigers.  The slate includes seven home games, including the rivalry match against Canton McKinley, plus three road games (Canton GlenOak, Lakewood St. Edward and Warren Harding). Several familiar names dot the slate, with just one team that is a first-time opponent.  That one is Farrell, Pennsylvania, from just across the Ohio border.

Aside from Farrell, Massillon will entertain four other non-Ohio teams, two of which are from different countries.  The first, scheduled for Week 3, is NFL Academy-London.  The Academy is a boarding school comprised of European and African-based football players, who are tutored year-round by coaches selected through the NFL.  The Tigers previously faced the Academy in 2024 as part of the 3^rd Annual Nike Football Kickoff Classic, winning 35-20.  Played in Beaverton, Oregon, the match was billed as an NFL showcase to promote interest in professional games played in Europe.  While Nike hosted the first game at their headquarters’ practice grounds, the Academy now has the opportunity to face Massillon in a real football arena; i.e., Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.  The other non-U.S. team on the schedule is Football North, from Mississauga, Ontario.

The two other U.S. teams beyond the Ohio border are Canisius, from Buffalo, New York, and Cornerstone Christian, from San Antonio, Texas.  The Lone Star team had such a great time during last year’s trip to Massillon that it requested a return visit.

The most difficult assignments this year are perhaps Ohio teams Cleveland Glenville, Lakewood St. Edward and of course McKinley.  All three had significant playoff success last year, with Glenville capturing the Division IV state championship and St. Eds advancing to the Division I state semifinals.

The ten opponents compiled a 2025 overall mark of 69-42.  Here is the complete 2026 schedule:

1. Cleveland Glenville – H
2. Canton GlenOak – A
3. NFL Academy-London – H
4. Canisius, NY – H
5. Lakewood St. Edward – A
6. Football North (Clarkson), ONT – H
7. Farrell, PA – H
8. Cornerstone Christian, TX – H
9. Warren Harding – A
10. Canton McKinley – H

Moore will begin his 12^th year as head coach of Massillon, where he has compiled an overall record of 119 wins and just 29 losses.  He also holds the mark as being the winningest coach in Tiger history, ahead of Paul Brown’s 80 wins, from 1932 to 1940.  Moore’s significant numbers are as follows:

• Regular season: 86-20
• Playoffs: 34-9
• Playoff regional finals: 6-3
• Playoff state finals: 1-3
• Ohio public schools: 86-24
• Ohio private schools: 16-9
• Out of state: 17-5
• Canton McKinley: 10-1

Last year Massillon finished with a record of 9-4, while losing 27-21 to Big Walnut in the playoff Division II regional finals.  The other three setbacks were to Glenville, Football North and Rabun Gap, Georgia.  The season was highlighted by a fourth consecutive win over Lakewood St. Edward (11-3) and a tenth consecutive win over Canton McKinley (9-3).  In 2023 the Tigers captured the state championship with a 7-2 victory over Akron Hoban.  It was Massillon’s 25^th state title overall.

For the 2026 season Massillon returns a wealth of talent, particularly at the skill positions, and is expected to make a deep run in the playoffs.  The offense will benefit from the return of eight full-time starters, including quarterback, running back, fullback, two wide receivers and three linemen.  Seven starters return on defense, including one lineman, three linebackers and three defensive backs, plus several part-time starters.  In addition, the Tigers welcome back their punter and a 4th-year place kicker.

Enjoy the following opponent breakdowns, plus an early preview of Massillon:

Week 1 – Cleveland Glenville – H

• League: Cleveland Senate Athletic League
• Playoff Division: DIV
• 2025 Overall Record: 12-3
• 2025 Playoff Results: 5-0; defeated Shelby 45-7 to win the state title
• 2025 hsratings.com: Ranked No. 1 in Division IV; rated 54.1
• 5-Year Record: 61-13
• 5-Year Playoff History: 5 qualifications; 24-2 record; DIV state champions in 2022, 2023 and 2025
• Last Time vs. Massillon: In 2025 Glenville defeated Massillon 33-27 in overtime
• Historical Series Massillon leads 3-2
• Bonus: Returns 5 starters on offense and 3 on defense, including defensive back Jaylen Edward (HM All-Ohio)

Week 2 – Canton GlenOak – H

• League: Federal League
• Playoff Division: DI
• 2025 Overall Record: 2-8
• 2025 Playoff Results: Did not qualify
• 2025 hsratings.com: Ranked No. 59 in D1; rated -2.2
• 5-Year Record: 17-35
• 5-Year Playoff History: 2 qualifications; 1-2 record
• Last Time vs. Massillon: In 2025 Massillon defeated GlenOak 44-10
• Historical Series Massillon leads 17-4
• Bonus: Returns 6 starters on offense and 3 on defense, including wide receiver Caydren Saunders, who caught 5 passes 49 yards and a TD in last year’s game.  GlenOak has hired Matt Dennison (191-83) to be its new head coach, replacing Scott Garcia, who may remain as athletic director.

Week 3 – NFL Academy – London – H

• League: n.a.

• Playoff Division: n.a. (game does not count in Harbin System)

• 2025 Overall Record: 3-3
• 2025 Playoff Results: n.a.
• 2025 hsratingss.com: n.a.
• 5-Year Record: unknown
• 5-Year Playoff History: n.a.
• Last Time vs. Massillon: Lost 35-21 in 2024
• Historical Series: Massillon leads 1-0
• Bonus: The 2024 game was played in Beaverton, Oregon, at the Nike Complex

 Week 4 – Canisus, NY – H

• League: Monsignor Martin Athletic Association
• Playoff Division: Ohio equivalent 2
• 2025 Overall Record: 6-5
• 2025 Playoff Results: Lost in the first round 41-34 to St. Francis, Hamburg, NY
• 2025 hsratings.com: Ranked No. 15 in New York; rated 15.9
• 5-Year Record: 31-24
• 5-Year Playoff History: 1-5
• Last Time vs. Massillon: Lost to Massillon 41-7 in 2024
• Historical Series Massillon leads 3-1
• Bonus: In 2025 Canisius lost 38-0 to Walsh Jesuit, 55-21 to Ironton and 35-34 to Steubenville.  Returns running back Elijah Kimble (3-star)

Week 5 – Lakewood St. Edward – A

• League: None
• Playoff Division: DI
• 2025 Overall Record: 11-3
• 2025 Playoff Results: 3-1; lost 28-0 to Olentangy Orange in the state semifinals
• 2025 hsratings.com: Ranked No. 3 in D1; rated 53.9
• 5-Year Record: 62-13
• 5-Year Playoff History: 5 appearances; 24-3 record; state titles in 2021, 2022 and 2023
• Last Time vs. Massillon: In 2025 Massillon defeated St. Edward 21-14
• Historical Series Massillon leads 7-4
• Bonus: Returns 4 starters on offense (3 lineman) and 4 on defense, including offensive lineman Jack Marquard (1^st Team All-Ohio), defensive back Landon Lehmer (2^nd Team All-Ohio) and offensive Landon Walkem (HM All-Ohio).  In last year’s game defensive back Landon Lehmer made 11 tackles and defensive lineman BP Paulozzi made six tackles.

Week 6 – Football North, Clarkson Secondary School, Mississauga, Ontario – H

• League: East Coast Power Prep League (plays exclusively teams from the USA)
• Playoff Division: 4
• 2025 Overall Record: 5-4
• 2025 Playoff Results: n/a
• 2025 hsratings.com: Ranked No. 668 nationally; rated 34.3
• 5-Year Record: 22-28
• 5-Year Playoff History: n/a
• Last Time vs. Massillon: In 2025 North defeated Massillon 34-2
• Historical Series Tied 1-1
• Bonus: Returns 8 starters on offense (quarterback, 4 lineman, 2 wide receivers) and 6 on defense (2 linemen, 3 defensive backs).  In last year’s game Andre Meltzer caught 2 passes for 49 yards and Teavaun Palmer recorded 9 tackles and 2 tackles-for-loss.

Week 7 – Farrell, PA – H

• League: District 10 Region 1
• Playoff Division: Pennsylvania AA (A is highest)
• 2025 Overall Record: 12-3
• 2025 Playoff Results: 2-1, lost 43-22 to Southern Columbia in state finals
• 2025 hsratingss.com: Ranked No. 2 in state AA; rated 20.8
• 5-Year Record: 52-14
• 5-Year Playoff History: 6-5; state runner-up in 2025
• Last Time vs. Massillon: n.a.
• Historical Series: n.a.
• Bonus: Returns quarterback Aaron Peques, 146-247-2,128 (14.6 ave.) (68%), 1 int., 23 TDs

Week 8 – Corner Christian, San Antonio, TX – H

• League: None
• Playoff Division: None
• 2025 Overall Record: 6-4
• 2025 Playoff Results: n.a.
• 2025 hsratings.com: Ranked No. 282 in Texas; rated 17.5
• 5-Year Record: 25-25
• 5-Year Playoff History: n.a.
• Last Time vs. Massillon: In 2025 Massillon defeated Cornerstone Christian 45-20
• Historical Series Massillon leads 1-0
• Bonus: Returns 11 starters on offense and 6 on defense.  In last year’s game Mateo Rodriguez completed 13 of 17 passes for 86 yards and a TD, Jaylen McKane rushed 13 times for 48 yards and a TD and caught 6 passes for 61 yards, Luke Smith caught 9 passes for 45 yards and a TD and Elijah Fayall recorded 11 tackles.

Week 9 – Warren Harding – A

• League: All-American Conference
• Playoff Division: DII
• 2025 Overall Record: 3-6
• 2025 Playoff Results: Did not qualify
• 2025 hsratings.com: Ranked No. 41 in DII; rated 12.5
• 5-Year Record: 28-29
• 5-Year Playoff History: 4 appearances; 3-4 record
• Last Time vs. Massillon: In 2025 Massillon defeated Harding 42-10
• Historical Series Massillon leads 62-25-3 (second-longest series)
• Bonus: Returns 8 starters on offense and 6 on defense, including defensive back Matt Richardson (3^rd Team All-Ohio) and offensive lineman Zayvion Smsith (HM All-Ohio.  In last year’s game Makhai Brogden rushed 8 times 27 yards and Richardson caught 2 passes for 36 yards.

Week 10 – Canton McKinley – H

• League: Federal League
• Playoff Division: DI
• 2025 Overall Record: 9-3
• 2025 Playoff Results: 1-1; lost 25-24 to Mentor in Round 2
• 2025 hsratings.com: Ranked No. 17 in DI; rated 31.7
• 5-Year Record: 40-23
• 5-Year Playoff History: 5 appearances; 8-5 record
• Last Time vs. Massillon: In 2025 Massillon defeated McKinley 21-14
• Historical Series vs. McKinley: Massillon leads 75-53-5 (longest series); Massillon has won 13 of the last 14 games and the last 10
• Bonus: Returns several starters on each side of the line, including running back Kyelin West (1^st Team All-Ohio), defensive back Shad Davis (2^nd Team All-Ohio) and linebacker Antonio Stevens (3^rd Team All-Ohio).  In last year’s game West rushed 19 times for 113 yards and a TD and also caught 4 passes for 4 yards.

The Book on Massillon

• League: Independent
• Playoff Division: DII
• 2025 Overall Record: 9-4
• 2025 Playoff Results: Lost in the regional finals to Big Walnut, 27-21
• 2025 hsratings.com: Ranked No. 8 in DII; rated 44.9
• 5-Year Record: 59-11
• 5-Year Playoff History: 5 appearances; 21-4 record; advanced to the state finals in 2023; won state championship in 2023; won regional championship in 2022
• Bonus: Returns 8 starters on offense and 7 on defense (plus 4 part-time starters on defense), including running back Savior Owens (1^st Team All-Ohio, 3-star, Michigan State) and wide receiver/defensive back Deontay Malone (2^nd Team All-Ohio).
  • Senior quarterback Mandwel Patterson (5’-11”, 245)
  • Senior running back Savior Owens (5’-11”, 210)
  • Senior wide receiver Gio Jackson Jr. (6’-4”, 185)
  • Senior wide receiver Deontay Malone (6’-0”, 175)
  • Senior fullback William Hymes (5’-10”, 220)
  • Senior offensive guard Marcus Garner (6’-3”, 285)
  • Senior offensive center Dayvionne Floyd (6’-2”, 290)
  • Senior offensive guard Kevin Elliott Jr. (6’-0”, 270
  • Senior defensive lineman Joe Karder (6’-4”, 240)
  • Junior inside linebacker De’vaughn Williams (5’-8”, 190)
  • Senior inside linebacker Ke’Aun Fowler (5’-10”, 200)
  • Junior inside linebacker Andrew Holland (6’-0”, 205)
  • Senior outside linebacker Isaac Maxheimer (6’-0”, 205)
  • Senior outside linebacker Christian Culler (5’-8”, 185)
  • Senior outside linebacker R’Celle Hill (6’-0”, 200)
  • Senior outside linebacker Sebastian Harper (5’-10”, 195)
  • Senior safety Braylon Gamble (6’-2”, 190)
  • Senior cornerback Deontay Malone (6’-0”, 170)
  • Senior cornerback Chayce White (6’02”, 185)
  • Senior place kicker Mateo Herrera (5’-9”, 145)
  • Junior punter Rasmus Haines (6’-4”, 170)