2026 Booster Club Report – Week PO3 – Review of the Columbus DeSales Game / Preview of the Big Walnut Game

Massillon (10-1) defeated Columbus DeSales (8-4), 48-0.  This week Massillon travels to Sundbury Big Walnut (11-0) for a Round 3 playoff game.

Review of the DeSales Game

In front of a better than average sized playoff crowd at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, Massillon simply overwhelmed the Stallions by the score of 48-0.  That, coming on the heels of a 31-0 victory over Canton McKinley.  In both of those contests, the Tigers held their foes to zero points and negative yards rushing.  The defense was smothering throughout, with DeSales producing negative three yards and failing to gain a first down in the opening half of play.  Offensively, the Tigers once again leaned on the run, with Savior Owens carrying the bulk of the load.  He responded with another fine outing, rushing for close to 200 yards and scoring three touchdowns.  Meanwhile quarterback Rasmus Haines was a factor when a pass was called for, aided by great pocket protection from the offensive line.  Haines finished with around 120 yards passing and two touchdowns.  The Tigers compiled 392  yards (243 rushing and 149 passing), against DeSales total of just six yards and two first downs.  It was one of the most dominant defensive performances in Massillon history.

“We had a pretty good day at the office on Friday,” said Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore.  “All three phases.  The defense played lights out.  Brayton Feister had his best game at linebacker by far.  He is so physical.”

The guest players were Feister and offensive lineman Landon Barnhart.  Moore beamed that both did a lot of great things in the DeSales game.

Feister – We came out very physical.  I think the practices leading up to the game were the best all year.  I thought we played really well.  We need to handle business this week.  There’s no next week if we don’t win this week.  We need to continue to fix the little things.  Great practices lead to great games.

Barnhart – Our game went really well.  We dominated up front.

The first quarter grading period just ended and Moore was pleased to inform the Club that the football team achieved a 3.45 grade point average.  “I’m really proud of that,” he said.  “The guys worked really hard.”  Moore noted that a achieving a high-level GPA has become the standard for several years.  If you’re good in the classroom, you’re good in  football.

Big Walnut Preview

Scores to date:

• Hilliard Bradley (6-5): 32-7 W
• Dublin Coffman (2-8): 39-7 W
• Reynoldsburg (7-5): 44-7 W
• Delaware Hayes (3-7): 46-0 W
• Westerville South (3-7): 45-14 W
• Ironton (10-1): 47-40 O.T. W
• Worthington Kilbourne (9-2): 35-28 W
• Westerville North (5-5): 31-0 W
• Dublin Scioto (1-9): 54-0 W
• Columbus Westland (8-4): 67-12 W
• Louisville (9-3): 37-7 W

Big Walnut competes in the Capital Division of the Ohio Capital Conference.  Over the last five years the Golden Eagles have compiled a record of 53-14, including a 12-5 mark in the post-season.  Here are their records along with notable games during the playoffs:

• 2021 – 12-1 record; lost 38-0 to Massillon in the 3rd round.
• 2022 – 10-3 record; lost 42-21 to Massillon in the 3rd round.
• 2023 – 6-5 record; lost 21-20 in overtime to Uniontown Lake in the 2nd round.
• 2024 – 13-2 record; won 14-7 over Massillon in the regional finals; lost 28-24 to Cincinnati Anderson in the state semifinals.
• 2025 – 12-2 record; won 27-21 over Massillon in the regional finals; lost 28-24 to Cincinnati Anderson in the state semifinals.

“Big Walnut is very well coached,” said Moore.  “A very good football team.  Lots of issues to contend with.”

The offense is senior dominated, although it returns just five starters.  However, both quarterback Eli Stumpf and running back Nolan Buirley are back for a third year of varsity ball and are the primary keys to success on that side of the ball.  It operates out of the spread and aligns mostly with 11 and 12-personnel.  Buirley at times will line up in the backfield and then drift out for a screen pass.  At other times he will line up at wide receiver and then motion back toward the backfield for a handoff.  Moore said that the group is very productive and the offensive skill is really good, better than Lakewood St. Edward.  They tend to pass 54% of the time.

• Quarterback – Senior Eli  Stumpf (6′-4″, 195).  To date he has completed 148 of 196 passes (76%) for 2,036 yards and 26 touchdowns.  He is also a very productive runner, with 77 carries for 410 yards (5.3 ave.).  Last year he was named 2nd Team All-District and Honorable Mention All-Ohio.  Against Massillon he was 8 of 19 for 96 yards and one touchdown.   Stumpf has committed to Michigan State University.  An injury that occurred in last week’s game may keep him on the sidelines this week.  If that happens, look, for senior tight end Jackson Bowers (6′-3″, 210) to assume the duties and run the ball from the wildcat position.
• Running back – Senior Nolan Buirley (6′-2″, 205).  Buirley has recorded 190 carries for 1,783 yards (9.4 ave.) and 29 touchdowns.  He has also caught 30 passes for 325 yards and 8 TDs.  He is fast and has good vision.  Last season he was named both 1st Team All-Ohio and Division II Offensive Player of the Year.  Against Massillon he gained 104 yards in 22 attempts and did not score.  Buirley is committed to Northwestern University.
• Wide receivers – All new starters this year.  But all are good players.  Senior Gavin Harrington (6′-3″, 190) leads the group with 29 receptions for 403 yards and 6 touchdowns.  Next is Braydon Geisler, with 22 catches for 324 yards and 3 TDs.  Finally, Senior Brady Simon (5′-11″, 170) has 21 receptions for 225 yards and 2 TDs.
• Tight ends – Both ends are good, with the aforementioned Bowers manning one of the positions.
• Offensive line – The line has size at both tackle positions (both are returning starters) and at center, but is considerably smaller at both guard spots.  Overall,  it averages 6′-1″, 251 lbs.  But according to Moore,the group plays really hard and finishes blocks.  Zone blocking is preferred.

The defense aligns in a 3-4, with the secondary exclusively in zone.  They run to the ball well.  Not a big blitz team.  But look for lots of twitchy shifting prior to the snap to try and disrupt the Massillon offensive line.  Moore said his team is working hard on managing this nuisance.

• Defensive line – The three players average 6′-2″, 263 lbs.  The best is junior returning starter T.J. Minor (6′-4″, 280).  To date, he has 19 tackles and 3 tackles for a loss.  Minor gave the Tigers a lot of issues last year, recording 9 solo tackles and one assist, 4 tackles for loss and 2 quarterback sacks.  A 3-star recruit, he has an offer from Ohio State.
• Linebackers – Both outside linebackers return from last year.  But the best linebacker plays inside.  That is senior Jackson Bowers.  He runs well and is a good tackler.  Of course, playing both ways might be a problem if he also needs to take over at quarterback.
• Secondary – Has good size.

5,000 tickets will be sold.  3,500 for Big Walnut and 1,500 for  Massillon.

Go Tigers!