OHSAA Region 7 Playoff Preview

OHSAA Region 7 Playoff Preview

No. 1 – Columbus Watterson (10-0)

• Scoring average: 39-4
• Conference record and place: Central Catholic League, 3-0, 1st
• Hsratings rating and ranking: 63.8, 1^st
• Hsratings strength of schedule and ranking: 26.3, 2^nd
• Drew Pasture ranking: 1st
• All-time playoff record: 60-25
• Signature wins: Pickerington Central (7-3), Cleveland Glenville (8-2), Columbus DeSales (7-3), Walsh Jesuit (7-2), Youngstown Ursuline (6-4)
• Losses: None

No. 8 – Columbus Whitehall-Yearling (8-2)

• • Scoring average: 25-9
  • Conference record and place: Central Buckeye League, 7-0, 1st
  • Hsratings rating and ranking: 10.7, 10th
  • Hsratings strength of schedule: -5.4, 12th
  • Drew Pasture ranking: 9th
  • All-time playoff record: 5-9
  • Signature wins: Columbus Academy (7-3)
  • Losses: Hamilton Township (7-3), Columbus East (9-1)

 No. 9 – Hamilton Township (7-3)

• • Scoring average: 24-10
  • Conference record and place: Mid-State League – Buckeye Division, 6-0, 1st
  • Hsratings rating and ranking: 11.7, 9th
  • Hsratings strength of schedule: -0.7, 11th
  • Drew Pasture ranking: 10th
  • All-time playoff record: 5-9
  • Signature wins: Columbus Whitehall (8-2)
  • Losses: Columbus St. Charles (8-2), Chillicothe (8-2), Fairfield Union (8-2)

No. 4 – New Albany (8-2)

• Scoring average: 29-17
• Conference record and place: Ohio Capital Conference, Ohio Division, 4-1, 2nd
• Hsratings rating and ranking: 39.5, 4th
• Hsratings strength of schedule: 23.8, 3rd
• Drew Pasture ranking: 3rd
• All-time playoff record: 23-14
• Signature wins: Upper Arlington (8-2), Pickerington North (7-3)
• Losses: Canal Winchester (7-3), Gahanna Lincoln (10-0)

No. 5 – Canal Winchester (8-3)

• • Scoring average: 33-24
  • Conference record and place: Ohio Capital Conference, Buckeye Division, 6-1, 2nd
  • Hsratings rating and ranking: 24.0, 6th
  • Hsratings strength of schedule: 1, 7th
  • Drew Pasture ranking: 6th
  • All-time playoff record: 9-15
  • Signature wins: New Albany (8-2)
  • Losses: Grove City (5-5), Kilbourne (9-1), Pickerington Central (7-3)

No. 12 – Ashland (6-4)

• • Scoring average: 24-21
  • Conference record and place: Ohio Cardinal Conference, 3-4, 6^th (tie)
  • Hsratings rating and ranking: 4.1, 12th
  • Hsratings strength of schedule: 0.0, 10th
  • Drew Pasture ranking: 11th
  • All-time playoff record: 15-16
  • Signature wins: None
  • Losses: New Philadelphia (4-6), Dover (8-2), Mansfield Madison (5-5), West Holmes (8-2)

No. 2 – Big Walnut (10-0)

• Scoring average: 44-12
• Conference record and place: Ohio Capital Conference, Capital Division, 6-0, 1st
• Hsratings rating and ranking: 50.6, 3rd
• Hsratings strength of schedule: 18.2, 4th
• Drew Pasture ranking: 3rd
• All-time playoff record: 28-13
• Signature wins: Ironton (9-1), Kilbourne (9-1)
• Losses: None

No. 7 – Louisville (8-2)

• • Scoring average: 25-17
  • Conference record and place: None
  • Hsratings rating and ranking: 22.0, 7th
  • Hsratings strength of schedule: 11.3, 8th
  • Drew Pasture ranking: 7th
  • All-time playoff record: 14-18
  • Signature wins: Dover (8-2)
  • Losses: Youngstown Ursuline (6-4), North Canton (5-5)

No. 10 – North Canton Hoover (5-5)

• • Scoring average: 18-20
  • Conference record and place: Federal League, 2-4, 5th
  • Hsratings rating and ranking: 15.5, 8th
  • Hsratings strength of schedule: 16.9, 6th
  • Drew Pasture ranking: 8th
  • All-time playoff record: 19-24
  • Signature wins: Louisville (8-2)
  • Losses: Garfield Heights (8-2), Green (4-6), Canton McKinley (7-3), Perry (5-5), Jackson (8-2)

No. 3 – Massillon (9-1)

• Scoring average: 31-12
• Conference record and place: n.a.
• Hsratings rating and ranking: 58.2, 2nd
• Hsratings strength of schedule: 28.5, 1st
• Drew Pasture ranking: 2nd
• All-time playoff record: 62-31
• Signature wins: Cleveland Glenville (8-2), NFL Academy Europe, UK (7-2), Lakewood St. Edward (9-1), Canton McKinley (7-3)
• Losses: Cornerstone Christian, TX (6-3)

No. 6 – Columbus DeSales (7-3)

• • Scoring average: 27-15
  • Conference record and place: Conference record and place: Central Catholic League, 2-1, 2nd
  • Hsratings rating and ranking: 29.8, 5th
  • Hsratings strength of schedule: 18.2, 5th
  • Drew Pasture ranking: 5th
  • All-time playoff record: 63-29
  • Signature wins: Youngstown Ursuline (6-4), Columbus St. Charles (8-2)
  • Losses: Cleveland St. Joseph (8-2), Columbus Watterson (9-0), Steubenville (8-2)

No. 11 – Watkins Memorial (6-4)

• • Scoring average: 22-26
  • Conference record and place: Licking County League, Buckeye Division, 2-3, 3^rd (tie)
  • Hsratings rating and ranking: 8.9, 11th
  • Hsratings strength of schedule: 7.7, 9th
  • Drew Pasture ranking: 12th
  • All-time playoff record: 4-6
  • Signature wins: Heath (7-3)
  • Losses: Kilbourne (9-1), Sheridan (8-2), Licking Valley (10-0), Granville (7-3)

Head-to-Head Matchups

• Columbus Watterson defeated Columbus DeSales, 32-0
• New Albany defeated Canal Winchester, 35-28
• North Canton defeated Louisville, 27-18
• Hamilton Township defeated Columbus Whitehall, 14-13

Games Against Common Opponents

Cleveland Glenville

• Columbus Watterson won, 35-13
• Massillon won, 31-18

Youngstown Ursuline

• Columbus Watterson won, 41-10
• Columbus DeSales won 31-7
• Louisville lost, 43-10

Pickerington Central

• Columbus Watterson won 28-0
• Canal Winchester lost, 24-21

Worthington Kilbourne

• Big Walnut won, 35-28
• Canal Winchester lost, 56-35
• Watkins Memorial lost, 49-7

 

Massillon Shuts Down Canton McKinley, Wins 11th Straight in…

Massillon Shuts Down Canton McKinley, Wins 11^th Straight in the Series

The 137^th renewal of America’s greatest high school football rivalry went the way of the Tigers with a one-side 31-0 victory.  The event was held at Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in front of a sold-out, partisan crowd, on a bright and sunny fall day.  In fact, with a running clock in effect for most of the second half, it simply devolved into a celebration of Massillon football for the Tiger Nation.  With the win, the series record now stands as 79-53-5 in Massillon’s favor.

Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore, who with this victory has now won eleven of twelve meetings, constantly preaches that the keys to winning the big games are to run the ball and stop the run.  And the Tigers did just that.  On offense, 233 of 262 total yards were on the ground, with stellar running back Savior Owens (Michigan State) accounting for the bulk of the yards.  On defense, the front-7 held the Bulldogs to negative 21 yards, with the longest run from scrimmage being less than ten.

But looking back, it was a tsunami in the making for several reasons.  (1) There was a clear discrepancy in talent between the two teams, with Massillon having multiple players holding Division 1 offers; (2) they were better prepared having played a national schedule, as opposed to a steady dose of traditionally fairly good Federal League opponents; and (3), their physical, aggressive nature of play allowed them to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball.  Of course, it should be mentioned that McKinley was missing Kyelin West, their No. 1 running back.  Compounding the situation was that the Tigers made less mistakes on the field during the game and were able to capitalize on those made by their counterpart.  And finally, although the first half was marred by numerous 15-yard penalties, the Massillon side appeared to get better management of that throughout the second half.

McKinley watched Mateo Herrera’s opening kickoff sail deep into the end zone and thus began play at their own 20.  Three plays later, faced with a 4^th and 4, they lined up like they were going to run a play.  The Tiger defense aligned accordingly.  Only, Bulldog quarterback Braylon Cook stepped back prior to the snap and got off a quick kick.  Braylon Gamble, seeing that, quickly retreated to field the punt.  Only, with the sun in his face, he muffed the catch and McKinley recovered at the Massillon 26.

On 4^th and 11 from the 27, Cook lofted a pass to the goal line.  The ball was tipped into the air and eventually grabbed by a McKinley receiver at the two yardline.  That’s when the tone was set for the remainder of game.  Four times the Bulldogs tried to move the Tiger line.  And four times they failed.  It was a classic goal line stand reminscient of earlier years.

With the ball resting just shy of the goal line, Massillon went to work, grinding out yardage on the ground, while throwing in a single, 12-yard pass from quarterback Rasmus Haines to Gio Jackson Jr. (Miami of Ohio).  The remaining yardage came from Owens.  The 99-yard plus drive ended when Haines snuck the ball across the goal line from the one yardline.  Herrera added the PAT and the Tigers had a lead they would never surrender.

Following a McKinley punt from the end zone, Massillon took over at the nine yardline.  Failing to move the ball, Herrera was true on a 36-yard field goal attempt, making the score 10-0.

Aware that their run game was completely nullified, the Bulldogs now went to the air, finding success with deep passes.  On this drive, while equally  benefitting from several pass interference penalties on the Tigers, they  advanced to the Massillon 6.  But that’s when the Tiger defense righted itself.   On second down, Noah Garner sped through the line untouched and bearhugged both the quarterback and the running back as they were attempting a handoff for an  immediate loss.  Then on third down, Brayton Feister (Oregon) ran down Cook as he was rolling to his left for another loss, this one of ten yards.  Finally, Cook, in desperation, lofted a 4^th down pass to the end zone, which was picked off by Gamble (Boston College) as he cut in front of the receiver, thereby ending the threat.

Although Owens immediately broke loose with a 43-yard run to the McKinley 47, Haines was called for intentional grounding on the next play when his sideline throw-away pass failed to clear the line of scrimmage.  However, Haines did get off a 60-yard punt to flip the field.

McKinley was held once again, including a sack at the 2 yardline by Brydon Feister, forcing yet another punt from the endzone.  Deontay Malone (Ohio State) fielded the punt at the 33 and returned it to the 14 yardline, with just ten seconds remaining in the half.

Time for one last play.  Haines dropped back to pass and saw that all of the action was occurring on the left side of the field and the receivers were covered.  So, he took off with the ball to his right.  A defender was hot in pursuit and they both met at the goal line.  But the 6’-4” Haines is not a small guy and his momentum carried him into the endzone, securing a 17-0 lead halftime lead for the Tigers.

At the break, Massillon led in total yardage, 163-88, while the Bulldogs had negative 22 yards rushing.

Massillon received the second half kickoff and went right to work.  Owens broke loose from his own 29 and headed down the left sideline to the McKinley 35.  With a hit out of bounds, 15 more yards were tacked on.  The drive ended when Owens broke through the line for a 7-yard TD.  Score 24-0.

The final nail in the coffin was credited to Cook when he mishandled the snap from center.  The onrushing Brydon Feister beat Cook to the ball, picked it up, and raced 56 yards to the endzone for a touchdown.  With the score now 31-0, “running clock” was in effect.  And it took just one possession by each team for the game to be over.

Massillon finished with 262 yards to McKinley’s 173.  They also led in rushing yards, 233 to negative 21.  The Bulldogs led in passing yards, 152-29.  Haines was named the game’s MVP by the Great American Rivalry Series.

Massillon (9-1) will have a bye in the first round of the playoffs and then host the winner of the game between Columbus DeSales (7-3) and Watkins Memorial (6-4).  McKinley (7-3), however, must play next week, with a home game against Brunswick (6-4).

Photos by Marlene Kanipe

Gary Yeager (20).  Pursued by Javier Moore (11) and Derrick Gordon (25).

Savior Owens (1) with the touchdown.  Javier Moore (11).

Braylon Gamble (5) with the interception.  Legacy Lee (5).

Savior Owens (1) takes the handoff from Rasmus Haines (13).  Davionnne Floyd (52), James Gatsios (61).  Julius Jarels (20).

Brayton Feister drops Derrick Gordon (0) for a loss.

Rasmus Haines (13) dives into the endzone on the last play of the first half.  Dwoyne Robin (7).

Rasmus Haines (13) is celebrated by his teammates.

Savior Owens (1) scores his second touchdown.  Davionne Floyd (52), James Gatsios (61).  DeMarlo Rozier (10), Javier Moore (11).

Brydon Feister (8) scores following his fumble return.  Gio Jackson Jr. (21).  Quarterback Braylon Cook (1).

End zone celebration.  Sabastian Harper (3), Brydon Feister (8), Christian Culler (2).

Brayton Feister (18) gets his chance to carry the ball.  George Rivera (12).  Darius Hill (19).

The Tigers are the winner of the Great American Rivalry trophy.

The Victory Bell stays in Massillon for the 11th straight time.

 

Top Games for Week 10

Top Games for Week 10

Canton McKinley (7-2) at Massillon (8-1) – It’s rivalry week.  And it doesn’t come any better than Massillon versus McKinley, which are meeting for the 137th time.  Massillon currently holds the edge in the series, 78-53-5.  The Tigers will enter the game with a single loss, to Texas power Cornerstone Christian.  The Bulldogs, however, took a step backward last week with a 30-14 loss to Jackson.  Expect a sold-out crowd.  And perhaps a low scoring game, in that both teams will try to run the ball.

Canada Football North (3-3) at Cleveland St. Ignatius (4-5) – North lost to Lakewood St.  Edward (8-1) in a high-scoring affair, 63-46.  That game followed a 31-14 St. Ed victory over Ignatius.  This one should be a close game.

Walsh Jesuit (6-2) at Trotwood Madison (7-1) – Walsh had no answer for Columbus Watterson (8-0) in a 21-0 loss.  This week might be a bit easier, at least on paper.  That’s because Walsh defeated Toledo Central Catholic (7-2), 38-25, whereas Madison lost to Central, 27-9.  But, just how good is Walsh?

Medina Highland (8-1) at Hudson (7-2) – With a win, Highland can wrap up first place in the Suburban League, having bested both Nordonia and Wadsworth.  Both of them beat Hudson this year.  But to do that, Highland will need to succeed on the road.

Nordonia (8-1) at Wadsworth (8-1) – If Suburban League No. 1 Highland (8-1) defeats No. 4 Hudson (7-2) this week, this game will be for second place.  Otherwise, the winner will tie for first.  Nordonia lost to Highland 23-21, while Wadsworth lost to Highland 29-28.  A true pick-em game.

Salem (8-1) at West Branch (8-1) – West Branch is 5-0 in the Eastern Buckeye Conference, while Salem has a loss to Warren Howland, which lost 34-0 to West Branch.  A top team battle record-wise, but the smart money is on West Branch.

Toledo Whitmer (8-1) at Perrysburg (9-0) – This one is for the TRAC league trophy.  Whitmer beat common opponents by an average of 41-12 and Perrysburg did it was 44-9.  It should be a real shootout.

Gahanna Lincoln (9-0) at Pickerington North (7-2) – Gahanna is 4-0 in their OCC division, while North was defeated last week by New Albany, 5-3.  A North win would create a 3-way tie, whereas a loss gives Lincoln the outright title.

Columbus Westland (8-1) at Big Walnut (9-0) – Big Walnut can cap off an unbeaten season with a win, whereas Westland can gain a tie.  Westland lost earlier to Kilbourne, 49-20, where Big Walnut won that game, 35-28.

Columbus St. Charles (8-1) at Columbus Watterson (9-0) – Both records look good, but Watterson is a clear favorite in this one.

Detroit Martin Luther King, MI (6-2) at Cincinnati Moeller (6-3) – Interestingly, both of King’s losses were against Detroit Cass Tech, by scores of 20-7 and 21-20.  King also has a 27-7 victory over Toledo Whitmer (8-1), so they are no slouch.  Moeller is coming off a 28-17 setback last week to Lakewood St. Edward (8-1) and they are into the fire once again.

Indian Valley (8-0) at Claymont at (9-0) – It’s a battle of two Division IV teams that compete in the Inter-Valley Conference.  Indian Valley has had another good year, with non-league victories over Division II Green (4-5) and Division III Steubenville.  Claymont’s best non-conference win was against Fairless (5-4).  Nevertheless, both teams have close victories over No. 3 Ridgewood.  Should be a good one.

2026 Booster Club Report – Week 10 – Post…

2026 Booster Club Report – Week 10 – Post Warren Harding; Preview of the Canton McKinley Game

Massillon (8-1) defeated Warren Harding (4-5), 49-16.  This week Massillon hosts Canton McKinley (7-2) in the 137th meeting al-time.  Masssillon holds the series edge, 78-53-5.

Other scores:

• 7th Grade (8-0): Defeated Canton, 38-20.  Season complete.
• 8th Grade (5-1): Defeated Canton, 34-6.
• Freshmen (1-7): Lost to Warren Harding 40-24.  Play at Canton McKinley on Wednesday, October 21, at 6:00 pm.
• Junior Varsity (3-5): Defeated Warren Harding, 34-6.  Season complete.

It was the “Beat McKinley” rally at the Booster Club meeting.  Players.  Fans.  Band.  Majorettes.  Cheerleaders.  Victory Bell.  The whole works.  A rousing start to rivalry week.

“We play a really good team on Saturday,” said Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore.  “They have a good quarterback.  Big up front.  A great running back.  A good linebacker.  A good backside safety.  Two of the best defensive linemen we’ve seen all year.  We will see a lot.  We need to be ready.  We have our work cut out for us on Saturday.”

Then the coach talked about the senior players.  “A lot of great leadership, in spite of some bumps along the road.  They’ve done a good job all year.  I’m really proud of them.  Great leaders.  Great kids.  Great football players.”  Each of the seniors then had an opportunity to address the crowd by recalling his favorite memory of a Massillon-McKinley game.

Review of the Warren Harding Game

Massillon got back on the win track by defeating the Raiders 49-16, in a game that was literally over after one quarter. Leading the way was running back Savior Owens, who put up monster night running the ball. Coming off last week’s loss to Cornerstone Christian, the No. 22 team in Texas, the Tigers came out firing on all cylinders. Not only was the offense putting up 42 points in the first half, the defense was holding the Raiders to negative yards rushing. That, in spite of several Massillon starters being held out of the game for various reasons. Owens recorded a season-high 232 yards rushing and four touchdowns on just 19 carries (12.2 ave.). He was nearly unstoppable throughout, adding several long runs to go along with his scoring totes. And it all happened in just over one half of football. Plus, it came against a Warren team that is trying to win its way into the Division II playoffs. Also showing in the run category is Brayton Feister who, after not seeing the offensive side of the ball for a while, took off on his first carry for a 63-yard touchdown run. Later, he added a second score.

Preview of the Canton McKinley Game

McKinley scores to date:

• Warren Harding (4-5): 33-0 W
• Lakewood St. Edward (8-1): 8-22 L
• Sandusky (1-8): 53-7 W
• Canton GlenOak (1-8): 48-14 W
• Massillon Perry (4-5): 32-0 W
• Green (4-5): 35-0 W
• North Canton (5-4): 35-7 W
• Uniontown Lake (4-5): 34-7 W
• Massillon Jackson (7-2): 14-30 L

McKinley competes in the Federal League and is a Division I team for playoff purposes.  Last year the Bulldogs posted a record of 9-3, while losing 21-15 to Massillon in the regular season finale and 25-24 to Mentor in Round 2 of the playoffs.  Their 5-year record is 40-23, including an 8-5 mark in post-season play.  Historically, Massillon leads the series 78-53-5.

The Bulldogs come into the game with a 7-2 record, on the heels of a 30-14 setback to last Friday to Jackson.  Although they have handled the teams as expected against which they were a big favorite, they have yet to beat a team that has a winning record; i.e., Lakewood St.Edward and Jackson.  This week they face another team with a winning record and would like to find something positive to help propel them into the playoffs.  But it will be big challenge, given that they have lost the last ten times they played the Tigers.

The McKinley offense utilizes multiple formations.  Most employ a tight end with 11 and 21-personnel.  They also spread at times with 20 personnel.  Most of the passes are to the flats, while they occasionally throw the ball deep and trust the receiver’s ability to track it down.  The quarterback is junior Braylon Crook (5′-11″, 175).  He has great accuracy and is not afraid to tuck the ball and run.  To date he has completed 99 of 149 passes (66%) for 1,588 yards (15.7 ave.) and 13 touchdowns.  By far, his favorite target is senior Darius Hill (5′-9″, 175), who has caught 42 passes for 835 yards (19.9 ave.) and 7 TDs.  But the focus of the offense is senior running back Keyelin West (5′-11, 185), who was named 1st Team All-Ohio last year.  The speedster has carried the ball 77 times for 811 yards (10.5 ave.) and 16 touchdowns.  Last year against Massillon he rushed 19 times for 113 yards and a TD and also caught 4 passes for 4 yards.  However, he is currently fighting through a hamstring injury and is spelled at times by DeMario Rozier (5′-11, 190).  Rozier has 85 carries for 427 yards (5.0 ave.) and 3 scores.

The defense aligns in a 3-4, similar to Massillon.  They are quick and they play aggressively.  Senior defensive end Javier Moore (6′-0″, 220) has 10 TFLs.  linebackers Amare Mitchell (6′-3″, 205) has 11 tackles-for-loss and 3.5 quarterback sacks.  Linebacker Chase Ivory has 3 pass interceptions.  Senior linebacker Antonio Stevens (6′-0″, 218) was 3rd Team All-Ohio).  And senior safety Shad Davis (5′-11″, 185) was 2nd Team All-Ohio last year.  Stevens and Davis each had 7 tackles against Massillon in 2025.

Crook is also the punter and he is a good one, averaging 35.0 yards per kick.

Massillon will counter with an offense that averages nearly seven yards per play.   Several players on this side of the ball own Division 1 scholarships, including 225 lb. running back Savior Owens (1st Team All-Ohio, Michigan State), wide receiver Deontay Malone (2nd Team All-Ohio, Ohio State), Gio Jackson Jr. (All-District, Miami of Ohio) and Braylon Gamble (All-District, Boston College).  In addition, several offensive lineman have collegiate offers on the table, including Davionne Floyd (All-District), Marcus Garner (All-District), junior Mikah Walker and junior tight end Da’Shun Williams.  Junior 6′-4″ quarterback Rasmus Haines, has grown tremendously over the course of the season.  He manages the offense well, can escape from the pocket while still looking down field and has a big arm.  In games against Canada’s Football North and Texas’ Cornerstone Christian, he threw for a combined 477 yards.  These are great assets in the Tigers’ run-first offense, which is bolstered by sophomore running back Gary Yeager, who put up a 232-yard performance in the victory over Lakewood St. Edward, and occasionally by Brayton Feister, who is nearly unstoppable once in the secondary.  Finally, Owens last week rushed for 232 yards against Warren Harding.

The defense is focused around senior All-American, 240 lb. linebacker Brayton Feister, who averages 9.6 tackles per game and has 11.5 tackles-for-loss.  Junior defensive end Brydon Feister (1st Team All-Ohio) leads the team with 14.5 tackles-for-loss.  Senior outside linebacker Issaac Maxheimer was All-District last year.  Senior lineman Joe Karder holds offers.  This unit is extremely difficult to run against and surrenders just 3.1 yards per attempt, that against a schedule that includes some of the best teams in the nation.  It is also stingy on third down, with a 24.7% success ratio.

In special teams, Mateo Herrera has converted 32 of 34 extra point attempts and 6 of 8 field goal attempts, with several kickoffs landing in the end zone.  Haines, the punter, has averaged 33.4 yards on 17 punts.

Keys to the game.  For Massillon on offense, control the line of scrimmage sufficiently to move the chains.  On defense, force the McKinley offense to drive the length of the field, while limiting big plays.  For McKinley on offense, find a way to move the ball on the ground.  On defense, control the potent Massillon ground attack, which could enable the pass rush to pressure the quarterback.

“Do the things we do really well,” Moore closed with while addressing his players. “Emotions will be high.  The team that handles the moments has the best chance to win the game.”

Go Tigers!

Massillon Downs Warren Harding with Overwhelming Rushing Attack

Massillon Downs Warren Harding with Overwhelming Rushing Attack

Nothing cures a loss like a win.  On a cool and rainy night at Warren’s Mollenkopf Stadium, Massillon got back on the win track by defeating the Raiders, 49-16 in a game that was literally over after one quarter.  Leading the way was running back Savior Owens, who put up monster night running the ball.

Coming off last week’s loss to Cornerstone Christian, the No. 22 team in Texas, the Tigers came out firing on all cylinders.  Not only was the offense putting up 42 points in the first half, the defense was holding the Raiders to negative yards rushing.  That, in spite of several Massillon starters being held out of the game for various reasons.

Owens recorded a season-high 232 yards rushing and four touchdowns on just 19 carries (12.2 ave.).  He was nearly unstoppable throughout, adding several long runs to go along with his scoring totes.  And it all happened in just over one half of football.  Plus, it came against a Warren team that is trying to win its way into the Division II playoffs.  Also showing in the run category is Brayton Feister who, after not seeing the offensive side of the ball for a while, took off on his first carry for a 63-yard touchdown run.  Later, he added a second score.

With the win, Massillon maintains its position in the computer standings for a potential first-round bye in the post-season playoffs.  In addition, the series record with the Raiders improves to 63-25-3.

Warren, after returning the opening kickoff to midfield, found the end zone on the back of three consecutive pass completions from quarterback James Jones to No.  1 receiver Matt Richardson.  For a moment it appeared that this one might be a game.  Only, the Raiders didn’t see the end zone again until the Tigers had piled on 49 points.  Simply a brief moment of joy for the few Raider fans that braved the weather.

It took Massillon just four plays to respond, by covering 80 yards of turf and grabbing a 7-6 lead, with Owens scoring from the eight yard line.  The TD was set up by a perfectly thrown deep ball from quarterback Rasmus Haines to Gio Jackson Jr.  Mateo Herrera then converted the first of six successful PATs.

Following a short Warren punt to their own 38, Owens ran for 12 yards, then 16 yards and finally for 10 yards to the end zone for the score.

Then disaster struck for the Raiders.  A snap over the head of the punter left the ball lying in the end zone.  Following a scramble, Massillon’s Isaac Maxheimer came out on top and the Tigers now led 21-6.

Warren, on their next possession, passed their way to the opposite end of the field, but were stopped at the 18 and settled for a 35-yard field goal by Jeron Edmonds.

Two plays later it was Feister that found his way into the end zone on a 63-yard run.  The first-quarter score was now 28-9.

Disaster came again for Warren when they failed to cleanly field the ball on the subsequent Massillon kickoff.  Now into the second quarter, Owens scored his third touchdown of the night, this time from the 14 yard line.

The final score of the half came from Feister on a seven yard run.

The Tigers received the second half kickoff under a running clock situation and made the most of it with a seven yard touchdown by Owens, his fourth of the night.  And that was it for the senior running back.  The PAT was kicked by Greg Corsale.

Warren got their second TD when Elijah Phillips carried it in from the eight, making the final score 49-16.  Massillon then ran out the clock, which didn’t seem to stop one time throughout the entire half (Massillon had the ball twice and Warren once).

Next week Massillon (8-1) entertains Canton McKinley (7-2) in the annual rivalry game.  Meanwhile, Warren (4-5) will have one more chance to qualify for the playoffs when they travel to Austintown Fitch (7-1).

 

2026 Booster Club Report – Week 9 – Post…

2026 Booster Club Report – Week 9 – Post Cornerstone Christian; Preview of the Warren Harding Game

Massillon (7-1) lost to Cornerstone Christian, TX (5-2), 35-28.  This week Massillon travels to Warren Harding (4-4).  Last season the Tigers topped the Raiders, 42-10.

Other scores:

• 7th Grade (8-0): Defeated Canton, 38-20.  Season complete.
• 8th Grade (6-1): Defeated Canton, 34-6.
• Freshmen (1-6): Lost to Akron Buchtel, 16-6.  Plays at home against Warren Harding on Thursday, October 15, at 6:00.
• Junior Varsity (2-5): Lost to Avon, 14-6.  Plays at home against Warren Harding on Saturday, October 17, at 10:00 am.

Review of the Cornerstone Christian Game

Massillon’s 7-game winning streak was erased by Cornerstone Christian, the No.  24 team in Texas, by the score of 35-21.  The major difference in the game was Warriors’  speed advantage that resulted in more big-gain plays than the Tigers.  The score was tied at 14 apiece entering the fourth quarter and 21 apiece with just over five minutes remaining, but Massillon could not answer Cornerstone’s next score on account of penalties and a dropped pass.  The Tigers running game was stifled throughout, but quarterback Rasmus Haines contributed with a season-high 250 yards passing and two touchdowns: 24 yards Gio Jackson Jr. and 73 yards to Deontay Malone.  Running back Savior Owens also scored a TD from 12 yards out.  Massillon’s defense seemed out of sync, while being hampered with several starters unavailable for the game and the previous week’s cancellation of the match with Farrell, PA.

Ironically, in the past few weeks Cornerstone beat Massillon, who beat Lakewood St. Edward, who beat St. John’s College, DC, who beat Cornerstone.  All of these teams are high in the national rankings.

“We took a loss last week,” said Massillon Head Coach Nate at the weekly Booster Club meeting.  “I’m really proud of how hard the guys played.  It (Cornerstone) was a really good team.  They have really good players.  We have really good players.  We had a chance to win in spite of the mistakes.  A lot to build off of.  A loss is the greatest teacher.  We have a lot to learn from that game.  Overall, the effort was there.  We didn’t out-physical them.  But we had a chance to win.  Give Cornerstone credit.  They were the better team last Friday.

Moore also praised the punt team, saying that they provided good protection for the punter.  He also thought that the Tigers handled the size mismatch on the lines well.

The guest speakers were offensive lineman Davionne Floyd and defensive back Chayce White.

Floyd – A sloppy night.  Shot ourselves in the foot.  But we need to move on.  Warren’s defensive line has some size.  As long as we do our jobs, we’ll be OK.

White – We had a lack of focus during the game.  All of us weren’t there.  Just not enough.

Preview of the Warren Harding Game

Warren scores to date:

• Canton McKinley (7-1): 0-33 L
• Youngstown (2-5): 20-12 W
• Massillon Perry (3-5): 34-7 W
• Massillon Jackson (6-2): 37-44 L
• Youngstown Ursuline (5-3): 7-40 L
• Toledo Scott (1-7): 52-0 W
• Boardman (1-7): 33-14 W
• Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (5-3): 3-24 L

Harding is a Division II program that competes in the All-American Conference.  Over the past five years they have compiled a record of 28-29, including 3-6 last year.  Four times during that period they qualified for the playoffs, where they have a 3-4 record.  Massillon has played Warren more than any other opponent, with the exception of Canton McKinley, and lead in the series 62-25-3.   The Raiders return 8 starters on offense and 6 on defense, including defensive back Matt Richardson (3^rd Team All-Ohio) and offensive lineman Zayvion Smith (HM All-Ohio.  In last year’s game Makhai Brogden rushed 8 times 27 yards and Richardson caught 2 passes for 36 yards.

“They have a lot of good players,” said Moore.

Offense – Good sized line, averaging 6′-2″, 297 lbs.  All are either 6′-2″ and 6′-3″, with the lightest weighing 270 lbs.  The best lineman is senior right tackle and returning starter Michael Wade (6′-3″, 310).  The quarterback is senior James Jones (6′-3″, 215).  Jones was a backup last season.  His numbers are 68 of 127 (54%) for 937 yards (13.8 ave.) and 9 touchdowns.  The best player on offense is junior running back Makhi Brogdon (5′-10″, 195).  To date he has rushed 93 times for 536 yards (5.8 ave.) and 5 touchdowns.  The leading receiver is senor Matt Richardson (5′-10″, 175), a 2-year returning starter, who has caught more passes than the rest of the receiving corps combined, with 38 receptions for 607 yards and 5 TDs.  A spread offense team, the warriors employ a lot of different formations.  They will line up in a lot of heavy set, 13-personal, formations and then add in some empty sets and 10-personal alignments.

Defense – The odd-front line also has good size averaging 6′-1″, 250 lbs.  The best lineman is senior Zayvion Smith (6′-5″, 275), a 2-year returning starter.  He has four tackles for loss.  Three of four linebackers return from last year, led by junior outside linebacker Asa Burch (6′-5″, 235), who is a potential Power-4 recruit.  Through eight games Burch has recorded a team-high 65 tackles and 10.0 tackles for loss.  The best player in the secondary is Richardson, a 2-way player.

On special teams, senior Jeron Edmonds excels in kicking and punting.  Twenty-five of his 31 kickoffs have gone into the end zone.  He averages 35.2 yards per punt.  And he was good on a 47-yard field goal.

Go Tigers!

Massillon’s Unbeaten Streak Halted by Texas Team

Massillon’s Unbeaten Streak Halted by Texas Team

STATS

Massillon’s 7-game winning streak came to an abrupt halt when visiting Cornerstone Christian, from San Antonio, Texas, left town with a 35-21 victory.  Although the Warriors finished with a slim edge in total yards, they used their speed advantage to simply make more big plays than the Tigers.

Massillon running backs Savior Owens and Gary Yeager were stifled throughout most of the game.  That put quarterback Rasmus Haines in the spotlight.  In spite of facing a fierce rush on nearly every attempt, he managed to throw for 250 yards and two touchdowns.  But it was the penalties that were the real culprit.  Time and again, good gains were brought back on account of holding.

On the other side of the ball, the Tiger defense seemed out of sync.  Perhaps it was not playing a game the week before on account of the Farrell, PA, forfeit.  Or it might have been that several key starters were not available, resulting in some backups in the game and some regulars playing out of position.  Regardless, most evident was that the tackling was certainly not up to par.  But much credit must also go to speedy Cornerstone running back Jaylen McKane.  He accounted for most of his team’s 208 rushing yards, in addition to scoring three touchdowns, two of the breakaway, long-run variety.

Massillon must now regroup and get comfortable with personnel changes, while they prepare for the home stretch against Warren Harding and Canton McKinley.

The Tigers received the opening kickoff and drove to the Warrior 16.  But they were stopped on downs and missed on a 33-yard field goal attempt.

On Cornerstone’s first try they went right to the air, throwing a 15-yard pass from quarterback Seth Schuler to Isaiah Regge to the right sideline.  Only, the Massillon cornerback missed on the tackle, allowing the receiver to take the ball to the endzone on a 72-yard score.  The PAT was kicked by Christopher Valasquez.

On the Tigers’ third possession they drove 53 yards for a score, when Owens, who was doing most of the work up to that point, raced 12 yards around the left side of the line for a touchdown.  Mateo Herrera’s PAT tied the score at seven apiece.  That’s the way the first half ended, but not before the Warriors had driven to the Massillon 12, only to be thwarted by multiple penalties.

Massillon received the second half kickoff, but disaster struck when Haines’ attempt at a center screen went awry and was intercepted.  The end result was a 14-yard TD run by McKane.

Not to be outdone, the Tigers came right back. It began when Deontay Malone returned the kickoff to the Massillon 49.  Owens did score from the 24 yardline several plays later, but the TD was called back due to a holding penalty.  However, on fourth down from the 24, Haines lofted a perfect rainbow into the endzone to a double-covered Gio Jackson Jr. for a touchdown, tying the score once again.

In the fourth quarter McKane first got off a long run to the Massillon 11 and then scored his second TD on a fourth down run from the three.

Only, the Tigers once again came back.  Haines, after being flushed from the pocket at his own 27, scrambled to his right and found Malone slightly open near the middle of the field.  Haines then fired a desperation pass to a leaping Malone.   Malone then shed two potential tacklers before racing to the endzone to finish off a 73-yard touchdown pass for the tying points.

But not to be outdone, Cornerstone threw another sideline pass to Regge, this time from quarterback Rogan Parson, the cornerback whiffed once again and the Warriors had a 50-yard TD to go up 28-21 with just over five minutes remaining in the game.

The Tigers did manage to move to the Cornerstone 47, but multiple holding penalties killed the drive.

The Warriors then finished it off with a meaningless touchdown when McKane scored his third TD on a 53-yard run.

 

Statistics (Mass-Corn)
First Downs: 17-14
Rushing: 108-209
Passng: 250-191
Total: 358-400

Photos by Marlene Kanipe

Senior Night.  Brayton Feister (18) and Brydon Feister (8)

National Anthem.

 

Rasmus Haines (13) hands the ball to Savior Owens (1)

Worth Hirning (62), Savior Owens (1), Marcus Garner (60)

Savior (1) Owens scores.

Deontay Malone (6), Aamir Jones (81)

Micah Walker (78), Landon Barnhart (72), Davionne Floyd (52), Rasmus Haines (13)

James Gatsios (61), Savior Owens (1), Marcus Garner (60)

Deontay Malone (1) catching a pass and then scoring.

Braylon Gamble (5), Da’Shun Williams (84), Anthony Hoover (25), Geovonni Vinson (24)

Anthony Hoover (25) making the tackle.  Joe Karder (94), De’vaughn Williams (23), Braylon Gamble (5)

 

2026 Booster Club Report – Week 8 – Cornerstone…

2026 Booster Club Report – Week 8 – Cornerstone Christian Preview

Massillon (7-0) defeated Farrell, PA (4-2), 1-0. Farrell decided to forfeit the game a few weeks ago rather than play, citing “injuries.”  In the Harbin system, the Tigers will be awarded points for each Farrell win.  This week Massillon hosts Cornerstone Christian, TX (4-2).  Last season the Tigers came out on top, 45-20.

Other scores:

• 7th Grade (7-0): Defeated Akron Buchtel, 32-0.  Plays at home against Canton on Tuesday, October 6, at 5:00, at PBTS.
• 8th Grade (5-1): Defeated Akron Garfield, 28-8.  Plays at home against Canton on Wednesday, October 7, at 6:00 pm, at PBTS.
• Freshmen (1-5): Did not play.  Plays at home against Akron Buchtel on Thursday, October 8, at 6:00.
• Junior Varsity (2-4): Did not play.  Plays at home against Avon on Saturday, October 10, at 10:00 am.

The guest players were senior safety Braylon Gamble, senior defensive lineman Joe Karder and senior offensive lineman Landon Barnhart.

• Gamble – We all know what happened last year (against Football North following an open date).  They matched up well against St. John’s College last week (St. Edward defeated St. John’s by one point).  They are not the same team we played last  year.  This is a good team and we need to be ready.
• Karder – Monday practice was good.  They are bigger, but we are faster.  We’re not afraid.
• Barnhart – We need a good week of practice.

Preview of the Cornerstone Christian Game

Cornerstone scores to date:

• Autonoma de Neuvo Leon, Monterrey, Mexico: 62-21 W
• IMG Academy, FL (National No. 1) (6-0): 10-59 L
• Center, TX (Texas No. 709) (0-5): 51-14 W
• Parish Episcopal, Dallas, TX (Texas No. 108) (5-2): 42-16 W
• Lake Travis, Austin, TX (Texas No. 40) (2-1-1): 48-35 W
• St. John’s College, DC (D.C. No. 1) (5-1): 28-35 L

Cornerstone continues to build their program, apparently with goal of achieving the status of a national power.  Last year they finished 6-4, while their 5-year record is 25-25.  The Warriors return six lettermen on offense and five on defense.  Included in that group is running back Jaylen McKane, who rushed 13 times for 48 yards and a TD against Massillon last year.  He also caught six passes for 61 yards.  Also back is safety Elijah Fayall, who recorded eleven tackles and has committed to Arizona.

“This is a great matchup for this week,” said Massillon head coach Nate Moore.  “They return some good players from last year.  A really good team.  Well coached.  The style is a little different.  Wide open on offense.  Lots of spread.  We had a good Monday.  We need to keep that moving.”  In the state of Texas the Warriors are ranked No. 24 by maxpreps.com and No. 26 by hsratings.com (computerized ranking system).

The offense aligns mostly in spread, some with tight end, some empty.  They play two quarterbacks: senior Seth Shuler (6′-3″, 205), who is primarly a passer, and senior Rogan Parson (6′-1″, 200), who likes to run the ball.  The running back, junior Jaylen McKane (5′-9″, 190), is perhaps the best player on offense.  He is extremely fast, can break tackles and is someone Moore calls, “twitchy.”  He is a threat every time he touches the ball.  According to Moore, the entire receiving corps is athletic and fast.  The Tigers have faced some really big lines this year, but this one is simply monstrous, averaging 6′-5″, 321 lbs.  Included in that are a couple of tall bookend tackles in junior 4-star recruit Jaistrorm Knight (6′-9″, 340) and senior Joseph Games (6′-10″, 385).  “It will be a great challenge for our defense,” said Moore.

The Cornerstone defense shows four linemen and three linebackers, but the preferred alignment is 4-2-5.  The strength of the unit is the line, featuring senior Ahzan Bacote (6′-3″, 270).   Moore said he is a good as anyone the Tigers have faced this year.  Across the line, it averages 6′-3″, 255 lbs.  Behind are a couple of really good linebackers in senior Dominique Moore (6′-1″, 215) and senior Malcolm Carter (6′-0″, 200).  Both play downhill.  But they don’t seem to blitz a lot.  The Warriors return both starters from last year at safety.  The secondary uses a lot of man-to-man coverage, with some cover-3.

The kicker is good and they have a good return team.

Go Tigers!