Massillon Shuts Down Canton McKinley, Wins 11th Straight in the Series
The 137th renewal of America’s greatest high school football rivalry went the way of the Tigers with a one-side 31-0 victory. The event was held at Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in front of a sold-out, partisan crowd, on a bright and sunny fall day. In fact, with a running clock in effect for most of the second half, it simply devolved into a celebration of Massillon football for the Tiger Nation. With the win, the series record now stands as 79-53-5 in Massillon’s favor.
Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore, who with this victory has now won eleven of twelve meetings, constantly preaches that the keys to winning the big games are to run the ball and stop the run. And the Tigers did just that. On offense, 233 of 262 total yards were on the ground, with stellar running back Savior Owens (Michigan State) accounting for the bulk of the yards. On defense, the front-7 held the Bulldogs to negative 21 yards, with the longest run from scrimmage being less than ten.
But looking back, it was a tsunami in the making for several reasons. (1) There was a clear discrepancy in talent between the two teams, with Massillon having multiple players holding Division 1 offers; (2) they were better prepared having played a national schedule, as opposed to a steady dose of traditionally fairly good Federal League opponents; and (3), their physical, aggressive nature of play allowed them to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Of course, it should be mentioned that McKinley was missing Kyelin West, their No. 1 running back. Compounding the situation was that the Tigers made less mistakes on the field during the game and were able to capitalize on those made by their counterpart. And finally, although the first half was marred by numerous 15-yard penalties, the Massillon side appeared to get better management of that throughout the second half.
McKinley watched Mateo Herrera’s opening kickoff sail deep into the end zone and thus began play at their own 20. Three plays later, faced with a 4th and 4, they lined up like they were going to run a play. The Tiger defense aligned accordingly. Only, Bulldog quarterback Braylon Cook stepped back prior to the snap and got off a quick kick. Braylon Gamble, seeing that, quickly retreated to field the punt. Only, with the sun in his face, he muffed the catch and McKinley recovered at the Massillon 26.
On 4th and 11 from the 27, Cook lofted a pass to the goal line. The ball was tipped into the air and eventually grabbed by a McKinley receiver at the two yardline. That’s when the tone was set for the remainder of game. Four times the Bulldogs tried to move the Tiger line. And four times they failed. It was a classic goal line stand reminscient of earlier years.
With the ball resting just shy of the goal line, Massillon went to work, grinding out yardage on the ground, while throwing in a single, 12-yard pass from quarterback Rasmus Haines to Gio Jackson Jr. (Miami of Ohio). The remaining yardage came from Owens. The 99-yard plus drive ended when Haines snuck the ball across the goal line from the one yardline. Herrera added the PAT and the Tigers had a lead they would never surrender.
Following a McKinley punt from the end zone, Massillon took over at the nine yardline. Failing to move the ball, Herrera was true on a 36-yard field goal attempt, making the score 10-0.
Aware that their run game was completely nullified, the Bulldogs now went to the air, finding success with deep passes. On this drive, while equally benefitting from several pass interference penalties on the Tigers, they advanced to the Massillon 6. But that’s when the Tiger defense righted itself. On second down, Noah Garner sped through the line untouched and bearhugged both the quarterback and the running back as they were attempting a handoff for an immediate loss. Then on third down, Brayton Feister (Oregon) ran down Cook as he was rolling to his left for another loss, this one of ten yards. Finally, Cook, in desperation, lofted a 4th down pass to the end zone, which was picked off by Gamble (Boston College) as he cut in front of the receiver, thereby ending the threat.
Although Owens immediately broke loose with a 43-yard run to the McKinley 47, Haines was called for intentional grounding on the next play when his sideline throw-away pass failed to clear the line of scrimmage. However, Haines did get off a 60-yard punt to flip the field.
McKinley was held once again, including a sack at the 2 yardline by Brydon Feister, forcing yet another punt from the endzone. Deontay Malone (Ohio State) fielded the punt at the 33 and returned it to the 14 yardline, with just ten seconds remaining in the half.
Time for one last play. Haines dropped back to pass and saw that all of the action was occurring on the left side of the field and the receivers were covered. So, he took off with the ball to his right. A defender was hot in pursuit and they both met at the goal line. But the 6’-4” Haines is not a small guy and his momentum carried him into the endzone, securing a 17-0 lead halftime lead for the Tigers.
At the break, Massillon led in total yardage, 163-88, while the Bulldogs had negative 22 yards rushing.
Massillon received the second half kickoff and went right to work. Owens broke loose from his own 29 and headed down the left sideline to the McKinley 35. With a hit out of bounds, 15 more yards were tacked on. The drive ended when Owens broke through the line for a 7-yard TD. Score 24-0.
The final nail in the coffin was credited to Cook when he mishandled the snap from center. The onrushing Brydon Feister beat Cook to the ball, picked it up, and raced 56 yards to the endzone for a touchdown. With the score now 31-0, “running clock” was in effect. And it took just one possession by each team for the game to be over.
Massillon finished with 262 yards to McKinley’s 173. They also led in rushing yards, 233 to negative 21. The Bulldogs led in passing yards, 152-29. Haines was named the game’s MVP by the Great American Rivalry Series.
Massillon (9-1) will have a bye in the first round of the playoffs and then host the winner of the game between Columbus DeSales (7-3) and Watkins Memorial (6-4). McKinley (7-3), however, must play next week, with a home game against Brunswick (6-4).
Photos by Marlene Kanipe
Gary Yeager (20). Pursued by Javier Moore (11) and Derrick Gordon (25).
Savior Owens (1) with the touchdown. Javier Moore (11).
Braylon Gamble (5) with the interception. Legacy Lee (5).
Savior Owens (1) takes the handoff from Rasmus Haines (13). Davionnne Floyd (52), James Gatsios (61). Julius Jarels (20).
Brayton Feister drops Derrick Gordon (0) for a loss.
Rasmus Haines (13) dives into the endzone on the last play of the first half. Dwoyne Robin (7).
Rasmus Haines (13) is celebrated by his teammates.
Savior Owens (1) scores his second touchdown. Davionne Floyd (52), James Gatsios (61). DeMarlo Rozier (10), Javier Moore (11).
Brydon Feister (8) scores following his fumble return. Gio Jackson Jr. (21). Quarterback Braylon Cook (1).
End zone celebration. Sabastian Harper (3), Brydon Feister (8), Christian Culler (2).
Brayton Feister (18) gets his chance to carry the ball. George Rivera (12). Darius Hill (19).
The Tigers are the winner of the Great American Rivalry trophy.
The Victory Bell stays in Massillon for the 11th straight time.
