Massillon Crushes Columbus DeSales in Opening Playoff Action
Based on the results of Friday’s game against Columbus St. Francis Desales, it would appear that the Tigers are on the verge of peaking, at least on defense. And it couldn’t come at a better time, with the post-season playoffs in full swing. 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 both zero points and negative yards rushing.
The defense was smothering throughout, with DeSales failing to gain a first down throughout the opening half of play. Five possessions, five 3-and-outs, five punts. One pass completion for eight yards by quarterback RJ Day, who is headed for Northwestern University. And negative eleven yards rushing. It’s no secret that nearly every team the Tigers have faced this year has struggled in the ground game. But when Day tried to pass, the hard-rushing, oft blitzing Tigers never let him get set up in the pocket and pursued him relentlessly on the few times he managed to escape. He finished the night with two completions, one in each half.
Offensively, Massillon once again leaned on the run, with Savior Owens carrying the bulk of the load. He responded with another fine outing, while rushing for close to 200 yards. Meanwhile quarterback Rasmus Haines was a factor when a pass was called for, aided by great pocket protection by the offensive line. Haines finished with 126 yards and two touchdowns.
Put it all together, and the Tigers were able to build a 35-0 halftime lead, behind 138 yards rushing and 119 yards passing, for a total of 257 yards. Although limited by a running clock during the entire second half, Massillon finished with 392 yards of offense (243 rushing and 149 passing). Meanwhile, the Stallions managed just six total yards (-12 rushing and 18 passing). Massillon also led in first downs, 15-2.
The Tigers received the opening kickoff and began play at their own 35. Surprisingly, they failed to move the ball, which turned out to be the only drive in which they did not score a touchdown. But Haines reversed the field with a monster 48-yard punt to pin DeSales back at their own 18.
Following the Stallion punt, Massillon took over at the opponent 41. And it took just one play for Owens to find the end zone. He took a handoff to the left, found a seam in the line and outraced the defense for the score. Matero Herrera then added the first of six successful PAT kicks.
It should also be noted that Herrera placed nearly every kickoff at the two yard line, enabling the Tigers to keep DeSales bottled up at their own end of the field throughout the first half.
Massillon’s next possession began at the opponent 32. It ended on a 10-yard TD run by Owens, with line sealing the left edge with their zone blocking technique.
DeSales punted now for the third time. But behind that they continued to have issues with technical penalties. It appeared that the young Stallion line, which had two freshmen and a sophomore, were twitchy in anticipation of the strong rush they faced from the more experienced Tiger defenders.
So, the home team started once again, this time from their own 42, as play entered the second quarter. Haines went immediately to the air and connected with Gio Jackson Jr. on a 38-yard pass. He followed that with a 9-yard pass to Deontay Malone, two short runs by Gary Yeager, and a 1-yard plunge by Owens for the score, upping the margin to 21-0.
On Massillon’s next drive, Haines tossed a long bomb to Malone, an Ohio State commit, who caught it right in front of OSU Head Coach Ryan Day, who attended the game to watch his son play quarterback. Day had to be impressed with his future Buckeye player. Haines finished with a 12-yard pass to a wide-open DaShun Williams for the score.
The final Massillon TD of the half came on a 14-yard, throw-back pass from Haines to Malone, making the score 35-0.
DeSales received the second half kickoff and did manage to get their initial first down on a pass by Day. Only, all of the positive yardage was lost when linebacker Brayton Feister ran down Day and sacked him for a 15-yard loss, much to the delight of the Tiger crowd.
Following the Stallion punt, Yeager swept right on the first play and broke free when he made the turn, for a 47-yard touchdown romp. That ended the night for the first unit.
Near the end of the game, backup quarterback Donnie McMullen threw deep to the corner of the end zone, where a falling Van Hawkins secured the ball for the final score. McMullen then took a knee on the PAT.
Next week No. 3 seed Massillon (10-1) travels to No. 2 seed Big Walnut (11-0) for a Round 3 playoff game. No. 6 seed DeSales closes the season with a fine 7-4 record.
Photos by Marlene Kanipe
Savior Owens (1) gets the celebration lift following his score; Landon Hose (22)
Savior Owens (1), heading for the end zone.
Johnny Adams (29).
Brayton Feister (18).
Savior Owens (1)
Rasmus Haines (13) looking for the receiver.
Mateo Herrera (7) kicks the PAT. Mikah Walker (78), George Rivera (12), Marcus Garner (60), Davionne Floyd (52), Landon Barnart (72), Landon Hose (22). Holding is Savior Owens (1).
Adrian Pascley (27) off on a long run.
Adrian Pascley (27), Donnie McMullen (15).
