Tigers Get Their Revenge with Win Over Cleveland Glenville

Statistics

Massillon head coach Nate Moore prefers to schedule a high-level opponent for the first game of the season in order to find weaknesses early and make corrections.  Unfortunately, that strategy carries the risk in that the team could begin with a loss.  In fact, over the past six seasons that has happened to the Tigers four times, including in last year’s 27-33 overtime game with Cleveland Glenville.  This year’s opening opponent once again was Glenville, the 3-time Division IV state champion.  But this Tiger team would have none of that losing stuff, and came out on the right end of the score in a hard-fought 31-18 victory.

GAME NOTES

• The atmosphere was electric: Paul Brown Tiger Stadium at near capacity and rocking; the massive new scoreboard with enhanced graphics; a new announcer geared toward getting the fans more involved in the game; and dozens of photographers lining the sidelines.
• The game lasted well over three hours on account of the numerous stoppages to treat players that went down with cramps. However, it appeared that both teams were in great physical shape and exerted maximum effort right until the finish.
• By game’s end Massillon had displayed a balanced attack, with 183 yards rushing and 186 yards passing. Most of the passing yards came in the first half, while the run was more effective after the break, in response to Glenville’s ever-changing defensive scheme.  Quarterback Rasmus Haines was supurb, until Glenville eventually adjusted to take away the pass by inserting additional defensive backs.  But early on he threaded the Glenville secondary with around 180 first-half yards. Only, that opened up the run, with Glenville particularly vulnerable around the edges due to fewer linebackers in the game.  Haines finished with 186 yards passing, with 149 going to Deontay Malone on five receptions and a touchdown.  The longest completion was an 82-yard score.  Giorgio Jackson also caught a touchdown pass.  Savior Owens got the bulk of the carries and finished with 180 yards at 6.9 yards per attempt and two touchdowns.
• Glenville is perhaps the fastest team the Tigers will face this year and that attribute was on display throughout the game. They were led by quarterback LaMarques Greenwood, who accounted for most of their offense.  He rushed for 65 yards and passed for 42 (6 of 20), gaining 107 of their 124 total yards.
• The score may not show how dominant the Tigers were, since a few errors led to opportunities on the other side. Glenville’s first touchdown was off a 44-yard drive, initiated following a pair of 15-yard penalties.  Take away a third penalty and the Tarblooders earned just 20 yards.  The second score was a 68 kickoff return.  And the third was an 18-yard drive following a muffed punt, with a run off a broken play on fourth down.
• The Tigers responded to every threat posed by the Tarblooders. After Glenville scored following Massillon’s initial touchdowns, the Tigers came right back to take a 14-6 lead.  After the Tarblooders ran back the kickoff, Massillon put the next points on the board to go up 24-12.  And following the final Glenville TD, the Tigers sealed it on their next drive with a 40-yard Owens TD run.
• Massillon’s defense had a few issues, but was simply overwhelming for most of the night. Led by the tackling of Brydon Feister (8 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss) and Brayton Feister (6 tackles and 2.0 TFLs), the Glenville rushing attack was held to just 71 yards (2.5 ave.), including 53 lost yards.
• The 2026 hall of fame inductees were recognized at halftime. The Wall of Champions honoree is David Reese (first MAC commissioner).  The Tiger Football Hall of Fame inductees are former players Fred Heyman, R.C. Arrington B.J. Payne and Charles Calhoun.  Sadly, after driving up from North Carolina and speaking to the team on Thursday evening, Calhoun passed away in his hotel room that night.  A moment of silence was observed in his passing.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Massillon received the opening kickoff and proceeded to drive 74 yards in ten plays for a touchdown.  The big play was a 31-yard pass over the top from Haines to a leaping Malone, who secured the ball at the Glenville nine.  Three plays later Haines hit Jackson for a 4-yard TD.

Following the extra point by Mateo Herrera, the Tigers were assessed a 15-yard penalty.  Then on the return, another 15-yarder, giving Glenville great starting position at the Massillon 30.  It took seven plays for the Tarblooders to cover the distance, aided by yet another penalty, of ten yards.  On third and one, Valonte McCord powered in from the one.  Just twenty yards were gained by the offense.  Following a missed PAT, the score was 7-6.

But the Tigers came right back when Haines went long to Malone, who gathered in the ball and finished off an 82-yard touchdown pass.  Score: 14-6 in the first quarter.

Following a Glenville punt, the Tigers were on the march again.  This time they covered 64 yards in 16 plays, only to lose the ball on a bumble at the Glenville seven.  Sideline observers said that the runner’s knee touched the ground first, but of course the referee has the final say.

Following a Tarblooders punt, Massillon managed to drive 58 yards for a field goal and a 2-posession advantage at the half.  Score 17-6.  At that point the Tigers owned a 255-30 yardage edge.

Only, Glenville got back into the game when Eniere Lemon returned a pooch kickoff 68 yards for a touchdown.  That’s when the Glenville speed really showed itself.  Again, they missed the PAT.  Score: 17-12.

Following an exchange of punts, Massillon took over at the Tarblooder 47 yard line.  From there, it took just one play to stretch the margin back out when the shifty Owens raced around end and worked his way through the opponent secondary and to the end zone.  Score: 24-12.

But, Glenville did not quit, closing the margin after a muffed punt return with a 4th-down run from the Massillon 18.  Score 24-18.

Making it a habit, the Tigers came right back, driving 50 in four plays, with Owens scoring from the 40.  It was the final points of the night and a 31-18 victory.

Photos by Marlene Kanipe