Tigers Beat Warren 12-0 For 8th Victory
Lawrence’s 2 TDs Pace Massillon Win
By STEVE HAPANOWICZ
Two possession-type offenses clashed at Mollenkopf stadium in Warren Friday and when the trick or treats were over Massillon out-crunched the Warren Panthers 12-0 before an estimated 13,000 for their 8th straight victory.
Fullback Jim Lawrence’s 2 touchdowns accounted for the Massillon scoring as the senior, 5’10”, 170-pounder proved to be the Tigers most consistent ground gainer and the back the big, stubborn Panther defense couldn’t contain often enough. Lawrence gained 97 yards in 19 attempts, much of it on his own effort.
Massillon’s defense was also tough, especially on running plays, allowing Warren 76 yards rushing. Warren completed 4 of 8 passes for 25 yards via the air and a total of 101 altogether.
The Tigers made 195 yards on the ground and 15 passing on one completion in 4 attempts for a total of 210 net yards.
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WARREN BLEW a big opportunity early in the first quarter when on the second play from scrimmage the Tigers fumbled and Warren recovered on the Tiger 33. Three smashes into the Massillon line yielded the Panther’s 5 yards and on 4th down quarterback Bruce Brewster passed to halfback James Hill at the 24, but the Panthers were short of a first down.
The Tigers threatened once in the first period when with 4th and 11 on the Warren 33 quarterback Steve Kanner hit halfback Brock Herring in the end zone with a pass, but Herring couldn’t hang on with an over-the-shoulder grab.
Each team had the ball one more time before Massillon took over on its own 34 with 7:25 left to be played in the second quarter. The Tigers moved the 66-yards in 9 plays with Lawrence scoring from 11 yards out. Key play’s in the drive were a 13-yard run by Herring, a 12-yarder by Lawrence and a 15-yard pass from Kanner to Rick Paige that put the ball on the 11 and set the stage for Lawrence’s touchdown on the very next play.
The third quarter Warren had the ball for 7 plays, moving from its 31 to the Tiger 44 before punting to the Tiger 35. Massillon moved from the 35 to the Warren 20, but with 4th and 3 Kanner was thrown for a loss to the 25. Warren kicked after getting only to its 31. Massillon drove down to the Warren 28 in 9 plays covering the end of the 3rd and the start of the 4th period, but couldn’t connect on a 4th and 11 pass.
Warren took over on its own 28. Brewster was thrown for a loss of 11 yards back to the 17, a run netted no gain and on 3rd down Brewster was thrown for a 5-yard loss by Goodnough, Larsuel and Muhlbach. Larsuel was especially effective harrying the Warren passing game. Al Anderson kicked to the Warren 36, the ball rolling out of bounds.
FROM THE 36 it took the Tigers 8 plays to score. Kanner picked up 5 and Hewitt 9 for the first down at the Warren 23. Herring got 3 and Lawrence 9 for another first down at the 11. Lawrence made 4 through the line and then picked up 3 more to put the ball on the 4. Hewitt took it to the 2. With 4th and 1 needed for a first down Lawrence leaped over the Warren right side for the score. The extra point try failed.
Bill Stredney substituted for Brewster and moved the Panthers from their own 25 to the Massillon 20 for the deepest penetration the Panthers made on their own, mainly on a
20-yard run by fullback Dave Binko. Two incomplete passes and two runs gave Massillon the ball on its own 20. The drive started with 4:15 seconds left to play and ended with Massillon getting the ball with 44 seconds showing on the clock.
Warren Coach Ben Wilson felt the difference in the game was Massillon’s speed. He termed his team’s inability to capitalize on the Massillon fumble at its own 33 in the opening minutes of the game as the turning point in the contest.
Asked to compare Massillon and McKinley, which beat Warren 34-8 in the second game of the season, Wilson said, “McKinley is stronger physically than Massillon. Massillon is quicker than McKinley. They’re (Massillon) very aggressive.”
Coach Earle Bruce credited Warren with its effort. “Warren played one of its finest games of the year. They did a great job defensing our offense. They played big and tough.” Bruce was unhappy with the Tiger offense saying, “Our halfback’s weren’t running very well.” Defensive work pleased the Tiger mentor.
MASSILLON—12
Ends – Garcia, Franklin, Gilmore, Paige, Goodnough.
Tackles – Binge, Morgan, Rambaud, Hartley.
Guards – Larsuel, T. Whitfield, D. Whitfield.
Center – Muhlbach.
Backs – Sheegog, Frieg, Kanner, Manson, Lawrence, Conti,
Hewitt, Herring, Marks, Schenkenberger.
WARREN – 0
Ends – Totterdale, Ochtyun, Turner, Franklin.
Tackles – Capers, Clark, Hrenko, Shively, Kujals.
Guards – Montagna, Kermode, Argeras, E. Johnson, Schumacher.
Centers – Toda, Benson.
Backs – Brewster, Stredney, Krataas, Butler, Dishong, Hill, Binko.
Massillon………. 0 6 0 6 – 12
Touchdowns – Lawrence 2 (runs of 11 and 2 yards).
Officials:
Referee – Jim Langhurst (Williard).
Umpire – Paul Tobin (Akron).
Head Linesman – Phil Dienoff (Akron).
Field Judge – Bernard Wilhelm (Akron).
