A Look Back at Past Massillon Teams – Part 2 – The 1991 Season
This is the second of a 10-part series looking back at all of the Massillon teams of the 1990s.
Head Coach: Lee Owens (4th Year)
Overall Record: 10-3
Regular Season Record: 8-2
Playoff Results: Division I, Region 2; advanced to the state semifinals; lost to Cleveland St. Ignatius, 14-13
Key Players: Nick Mossides (QB), Travis McGuire (RB), Falando Ashcraft (RB), Jason Stafford (WR), Eric Wright (LB), Brandon Turley (LB), Troy Burick (DB), Jason Woullard (LB), Steve Miller (OL)
All-Ohio: Travis McGuire (1st), Eric Wright (1st), Jason Woullard (2nd), Steve Miller (HM), Falando Ashcraft (HM)
The backfield tandem of Travis McGuire (Ohio State) and Falando Ashcraft (US Army) led the Tigers in the playoffs to the Division I state semifinals. There, they lost to eventual champion Cleveland St. Ignatius, 14-13, with a missed extra point spelling the difference. McGuire rushed for 1,976 yards that year, setting a new Massillon single-season record. He also scored 20 touchdowns. Ashcraft added 1,353 yards rushing and 21 TDs. Eric Wright and Brandon Turley recorded 103 and 98 total tackles, respectively.
KEY GAMES
Canton McKinley – The Tigers handed the Bulldogs their worst rivalry loss in 31 years, winning 42-13. It was back in 1960 that Massillon defeated McKinley, 42-0. It was also the second highest number of points ever scored against the Bulldogs in this rivalry game, ranking just behind the 48 points tallied in 1953. Massillon was ahead just 21-13 at the half, but pulled away in the final two quarters with three McGuire touchdown runs, of 6, 1 and 79 yards, for a total of five rushing TDs for the day. He also set a new Tiger record with 303 yards rushing (8.4 yards per att.). With Ashcraft sitting out most of the game on account of an injury, McGuire told Coach Owens that he would carry the load. And that he did. “Just give me the ball,” he said. What made the win even more special is that the Tigers had not defeated a quality team up to that point, with losses to Cincinnati Moeller and Akron St. Vincent.
Toledo St. John’s – The Titans opened up a 21-7 lead one play into the third quarter and it appeared that the Tigers were in trouble in this regional finals playoff game. But they were able to right the ship after that and outscored St. John’s 35-0 the rest of the way behind a crushing ground attack. Massillon ended up gaining 438 yards (7.7 yards per att.) on the ground, with McGuire putting up 229 and Ashcraft contributing 165. Each scored three touchdowns. The defense once again played superbly against the rush, holding St. John’s to just 59 yards in the 42-21 victory.
Cleveland St. Ignatius – It was a defensive battle throughout as these two state powers went toe-to-toe for all of four quarters. Massillon led 7-0 at the half, with quarterback Nick Mossides hooking up with Marc Stafford on a 53-yard touchdown pass. In the third quarter the Wildcats tied the score, setting up a dynamic fourth quarter finish. With under two minutes remaining, Mossides again went long again, this time to Jason Woullard, for a 42-yard score. But the extra point was missed just wide of the college-width narrower goal post. Subsequently, a mis-hit on the ensuing kickoff gave Ignatius good field position. The Wildcats were then able to consume the remainder of time on the clock for one final drive that culminated in a 2-yard touchdown run. The PAT was good, thereby giving Ignatius a 14-13 win. The Wildcats would defeat Centerville the following week to win the state titlte. For the Tigers, however, the road to the finals had suddenly come to an end. Massillon led in total yards, 293-182, with McGuire rushing for 118 yards. But for the first time that season, neither McGuire nor Ashcraft were able to find the end zone.
