Each week, the staff of massillontigers.com will provide input of their choice related to the current season or Massillon football in general.

Friday’s Tiger victory over Austintown Fitch was a total Tiger victory.  Our Tigers defeated Fitch 38 to 28.  The trip to Austintown was very satisfying as the Tiger Nation showed their best against a very good Austintown Fitch team.  Our players played with a world of heart and used all aspects of the game to bring home a victory.  The offense scored 38 points and used both a dominant running game and key pass completions to score and keep drives going.  The defense registered key stops to get the ball back for our offense.  Special teams played a key role in the game’s outcome, which was highlighted by a 39-yard Klay Moll field goal that provided the final margin of victory.  Our coaching staff deserves a lot of credit for the win.  They gave our Tigers a solid game plan and were instrumental in getting a large number of players on the field.  This showed as the Tigers dominated the fourth quarter.  Good job coaches. — GV

The Tiger Swing Band was the obvious superior band on the field that night.  Jason Neel’s group out performed their Austintown counterparts and provided great support to our team.  Good job Band. — GV

The Tigers will take a 5-1 record into Friday’s game against Canisius, a parochial school from Buffalo, New York.  The Crusaders, currently at 4-1, have a record of 50-7 over the past five years and were Catholic school champs in New York last year.  This year’s offense features quarterback Jayce Johnson, who stands 6′-5″, 205 lbs.  He doesn’t run much, but he has a big arm and a favorite target in Paul Woods, who has committed to Rutgers.  Running back duties fall to Kenyatta Huston, a 5’10’, 170 lb. speedsters, who has been clocked at 4.35 seconds in the 40-yard dash.  Woods will run behind a massive line that averages 6′-2″, 284 lbs.  The attack is balanced, although not flashy, preferring to beat teams with their edge in talent.  Defensively, the Crusaders also have good size on the line, averaging 6′-2″, 251 lbs.  They will line up mostly in an odd-front, but will occasionally switch to an even front.  The kicker normally places the ball deep in the end zone.  Classified as a Division 2 team using Ohio standards, Canisius has five players going both ways, something that could work in the Tigers’ favor.  “I feel really good about our matchups,” said Massillon coach Nate Moore.  “I have a lot of confidence in our kids,”  — DE

The weakness of Region 7 is really showing through, with just five of 27 teams sporting winning records.  Here is a rundown of where the contenders stand after six weeks:

• Massillon — Currently in the No. 2 spot, the Tigers are a lock to make the playoffs.
• Boardman — The Spartans have Warren, Ursuline, Fitch and Ashtabula Lakeside remaining on their schedule.  They need to win three of these games.
• North Canton — The Vikings need to beat either Bishop Hartley (6-0) or Jackson (5-1), along with Lake and Green.
• New Albany, Canal Winchester, Franklin Heights — New Albany and Winchester both have upcoming games against Franklin Heights.  All three should win their remaining games.  To qualify, New Albany needs to beat Franklin Heights.  Winchester also needs to beat Franklin Heights.  Franklin Heights needs to beat both New Albany and Winchester.
• Ashland — The arrows need to beat a good Mansfield (5-1) team this week and then Wooster (3-3) in Week 10.
• Westerville South — Needs to beat either Olentangy Liberty (4-2) or Olentangy Orange (6-0).
• Worthington Kilbourne — Needs to beat Hilliard Darby (3-3) and Dublin Jerome (4-2).
• Licking Heights — After the next two easy wins, Licking Heights needs to beat either Johnstown-Monroe (4-2) or Licking Valley (6-0).
• Columbus Walnut Ridge — They are a lock.
• Columbus Mifflin — Almost certain to make it in.
• Click here for the computer rankings.
• — DE