Al Rogers

The 1981 Massillon Tiger football team posted a 7-3-0 record. Their losses were to Cincinnati Moeller 24-6, Barberton 26-24, and Canton McKinley 9-6. The McKinley loss was a real bitter pill to swallow. After leading 6-0, a 81 yard touchdown pass and a 44 yard field goal iced the victory for the Bulldogs. Once again, the Tigers gained a lot of yards but they could only score 6 points. 22,828 fans witnessed this classic battle at Fawcett Stadium. The Tigers ended 7th in their region of the computer rankings while McKinley finished in first place. McKinley was successful in their playoff run and they ended up winning the state championship by defeating Cincinnati Moeller in the finals played at the Akron Rubber Bowl.

The Booster Club under president Rogers had a full and active year. The annual McKinley parade and bon fire drew a large crowd. The annual WHS football banquet again ended the season’s activities. President Rogers turned the leadership of the Booster Club over to the new president, Gary Wilson, at the banquet.