Massillon Handles Avon in Opening Scrimmage

Massillon and Avon have met annually in the first scrimmage of the season for several years now.  And, aside from the initial few meetings, which were more one-sided in the Tigers’ favor, the matches have been relatively close.  But that was not the case this year, as Massillon was clearly the better team, while winning 28-7 over an Eagle team that captured the past two Division II state titles.  The biggest difference was a Massillon defense that was, simply put, smothering everything thrown at them.  Meanwhile, the offense found its way to some big plays, while showcasing a bevy of athletic talent at the skill positions.  Just ask Ohio State-bound Deontay Malone, who caught three touchdown passes.

The first part of the scrimmage involved each team running two series of ten plays each, with drives beginning at their own 35.  If stopped on downs at any point, the team re-started at the 35.  In six tries, Avon was able to gain just 27 yards in twenty plays, while never crossing midfield.  Meanwhile, Massillon ripped off 154 yards of offense and scored two touchdowns.  Here’s how it went.

• Avon – Advanced to the Avon 46, aided by a 5-yard penalty, and punted.
• Avon – Advanced to the Avon 38, but lost the ball on a fumble.
• Avon – No gain and punted.
• Massillon – Advanced to the Avon 44 and punted. Rasmus Haines at quarterback.  Drive stalled on an errant pass.
• Massillon – On the first play, Savior Owens sped around left and end and outraced the Avon secondary to the end zone. Mateo Herrera ‘s PAT was good.  Score, 7-0.
• Massillon – Advanced to the Massillon 46 and ran out of plays.
• Avon – Advanced to the Avon 47 and punted.
• Avon – Advanced to the Avon 41 and punted.
• Avon – No gain. Ran out of plays.
• Massillon – Connected with Giorgio Jackson on a crossing route from the Avon 42. Jackson broke two tackles and willed his way into the end zone.  However, a holding penalty brought the ball back to the Avon 29.  On the next play, Haines connected with a leaping Deontay Malone in the corner of the end zone for the touchdown.  Score, 14-0.
• Massillon – Advanced to the Massillon 36 and ran out of downs.

In the second part each team started at the opponent’s 25 and had five plays available.

• Avon – On the first play, the receiver got ahead of Massillon defender on a post pattern and caught an uncontested pass for a touchdown. Score, 14-7.
• Avon – Lost yardage on the remaining four plays.
• Massillon – Malone caught a 12-yard TD pass from Haines in the center of the end zone, diving at the goal line to secure the ball. Score, 21-7.
• Massillon – On the next play, Malone caught a 25-yard pass from Haines for a touchdown, Malone’s third of the day. Score, 28-7.
• Massillon – Just a touch long on a potential TD pass to Jackson in the end zone.

The teams also practiced kickoffs and field goals.

Offensively, the Tigers showed good balance between the run and the pass.  The best success in the run game came on designed runs around end.  It appeared that Avon’s inside blitz game finally got the better of them.  Owens was on the field sporadically, with other running backs also inserted.  Brayton Feister did not run the ball, playing only defense.  Haines was under center throughout.  He showed good command of the pocket and avoidance of the rush, while the line provided adequate protection.  Offensive line starters included Marcus Garner and Micah Walker at tackle, Landan Barnhart and James Gatsios at guard, and Dayvionne Floyd at center.  The tight end was Da’shun Williams.

The defense played a 3-front (Joe Karder, Noah Garner and Brydon Fiester), but nearly always blitzed one or two of their four linebackers (Feister, Sabastian Harper, Christian Culler, Isaac Maxheimer).  Meanwhile, the secondary (Malone, Chayce White, Braylon Gamble and Giovanni Vinson) brought extremely tight coverage.  As a group, they put tremendous pressure on the Avon offense, particularly in taking the quarterback out of his game.  Meanwhile, it was nearly impossible to run on this group.

The JV teams had three series of ten plays each and tied 1-1.  The freshmen won their scrimmage, 3-1.

Massillon will travel to Cincinnati next Thursday to face Moeller in a final tuneup.  Avon will play Toledo Whitmer.