2022: Massillon 42, Big Walnut 21

November 12, 2022November 13, 2022
by Don Engelhardt

Tigers Gut It Out Against Big Walnut, Move to Regional Finals

In typical playoff game action, both Massillon and Big Walnut competed like it was their last game of the season. Thus, it was certainly one of the most physical games these teams have been in the entire year. It also had big-play moments, both on the ground and in the air. And the scoring pace was typical of two good teams going at it in this late stage. But in the end, Massillon just had too many weapons.

The biggest weapon of all was Willtrell Hartson, who rushed 29 times for 211 yards and scored three touchdowns. It was the 12th consecutive game in which he put up at least 100 yards. With a season total of 1,801 yards, he now needs just 175 to break Travis McGuire’s 1991 season mark of 1,976 yards.

There have been a few games this year when the Tigers started slowly and then finished strong. This one can be added to that list. That’s because Nate Severs, the Golden Eagles stellar running back, returned the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown. When Massillon got the ball back, they went immediately to the air with a deep pass to Ardell Banks, who had characteristically beaten his defender well down the field. Quarterback Jalen Slaughter also had the wind to his back. But his foot slipped on the throw causing the ball to fall short and into the hands of Big Walnut’s Teddy Dancer. The Eagles then drove to the Massillon four yard line, where they were stopped, but settled for a 20-yard field goal. At this point, the Tigers were down 9-0 and all one could think of was last year’s Green game.

It was time to settle down and play football. And that they did, proving that this is not last year’s team. After an exchange of punts, the Tigers scored four unanswered touchdowns on their next five possessions to take a commanding 28-9 lead eight minutes into the third quarter. During that run, Big Walnut received a steady dose of Hartson, who ended up rushing for over 100 yards in each half. And when Massillon was faced with short yardage, in came 220 lb. Dorian Pringle, who plowed up the middle for several physical, successful runs. The Eagles even went to five down linemen win a single linebacker to stop the pounding, but it still wasn’t enough to contain the devastating ground attack.

Score No. 1: 6-play, 55-yard drive; 1-yard TD run by Hartson. The drive was entirely on the ground.

Score No. 2: 5-play, 50-yard drive; 39-yard pass from Slaughter to Braylyn Toles. On 1st and 10 from the Big Walnut 39, Slaughter dropped back to pass, stepped up into the pocket and delivered a strike to a wide open Toles, who gathered the ball at the 20 and raced untouched into the end zone. It came off a classic receiver crossing pattern, during which the safety covered the wrong receiver. Slaughter recognized the miscue and pounced immediately. Such is the growth of this sophomore quarterback. Head Coach Nate Moore remarked earlier this year that the Tigers have scored a lot of touchdowns during his time at Massillon using this play.

Score No. 3: 16-play, 99-yard drive; 4-yard TD run by Hartson. With a 4th and 15 from the Massillon 35, Big Walnut elected to punt and dropped a beauty at the one yard line . That set up the longest touchdown drive in Tiger history: 99 yards. It took four minutes and 18 seconds and culminated in Hartson’s run to the left on an outside zone play. It came on a 4th and 2 situation, with 17 seconds left in the half. During the drive, Hartson carried the ball ten times for 54 yards and Pringle added three carries for 22 yards. In addition, Slaughter hit both of his passes: 11 yards to Toles and 6 yards to Banks.

Score No. 4: 1-play, 74-yard drive; 74-yard TD run by Hartson. Sooner or later that 5-man defensive front was going to cost Big Walnut. And it did this time in a big way. Hartson simply sliipped a tackle on the left side of the line and he was off the the races, his speed to end zone being too much for the Eagle secondary.

The rest of the night was a matter of keeping Big Walnut at bay with aggressive defensive line play. The Eagles just couldn’t get any rythym going and each time they tried one of their classic screen passes a defender was right there to stop the receiver for little or no gain. Other than Severs getting his one rushing touchdown, that was pretty much it, except for their final TD at the end of the game against the backups. Meanwhile, Massillon did not hold back offensively and Slaughter tossed a neat looking pass to Banks in the corner of the end zone for a 17-yard score midway through the fourth. Another went to Toles a couple minutes later for a 40-yard score on a play similar to his first TD.

The Tigers finished the night with 254 yards rushing (6.2 yards per att.) and 130 yards passing (8 of 14) for a total of 384 yards. Big Walnut made a good account of themselves with 263 total yards, 131 on the ground (4.4 per att.) and 132 in the air (17 of 31). Severs finished with 19 carries for 85 yards (4.5 per att.), including his 40-yard touchdown run. But penalties were an issue for both teams. Massillon was hit 14 times for 132 yards and the Eagles, 9 times for 77. The penalties were mostly the result of effort, while one pass interference call on the Tigers in the end zone saved a touchdown when Big Walnut was running a trick play (double lateral, kick back to the quarterback and long pass).

With the win, Massillon (11-1) advances to next week’s regional finals game against 12-1 Uniontown Lake, a 16-7 winner over Westerville South. Big Walnut bows out at 10-3.

Massillion Tigers football pulls away to beat Big Walnut in physical OHSAA playoff game

Peter Holland Jr., The Repository

MANSFIELD — Slow starts aren’t typical of the Massillon football team’s dominant run through its last 11 games.

But a tough start is no cause for panic for these Tigers.

After digging themselves an early nine-point hole, the Massillon Tigers regrouped and rolled on Friday night. The Tigers defeated Big Walnut 42-21 at Arlin Field to advance to a regional final for the sixth consecutive season. Awaiting them in the Division II, Region 7 final is a fellow Stark County team, Lake.

Massillon takes an 11-game winning streak into the regional championship. In most of those 11 wins, the Tigers took charge from the outset.

Friday, Big Walnut punched Massillon in the mouth at the start. Nick Severs returned the opening kickoff 92 yards for a touchdown for the Eagles. Following a Massillon interception, the Eagles added three more points to lead 9-0.

The last time the Tigers faced a two-score deficit right away was when they rallied to knock off No. 1-ranked St. Edward back in Week 5. Trailing 9-0 to Big Walnut was a wake-up call they needed and resulted in 28 unanswered points by the Tigers.

“When something like this happens, you have to tell everyone to take a deep breath … forget about it and move on, and just go back to work,” senior long snapper-linebacker Angelo Salvino said.

Once Big Walnut (10-3) played physically, so did the Tigers (11-1).

The Tigers hit back with a heavy dose of Willtrell Hartson and Dorian Pringle running the ball. Hartson, who rushed for 100-plus yards in each half, led the Tigers with 214 yards and three touchdowns on 29 carries. One of his TD runs was a 79-yarder after Maverick Clark made an interception. It was Hartson’s 12th straight game this season with more than 100 yards rushing.

Massillon head coach Nate Moore credited his offensive line for getting it done against the Eagles, who “played their tails off.”

“They were physical as well, giving us a loaded box, but our offensive line grinded,” Moore said. “They did a great job, and our backs ran hard.”

It wasn’t all Massillon’s running game, though. Sophomore quarterback Jalen Slaughter shook off the early interception and threw three touchdowns passes. Two TD passes were to sophomore receiver Braylyn Toles, while senior Ardell Banks caught the other. Slaughter finished 8-of-14 for 130 yards.

What hindered the Tigers were unnecessary penalties. It started with some encroachment penalties by the defensive front in the first quarter and went from there. The Tigers were flagged 14 times for 132 yards.

Trailing 28-9, Severs tried to spark the Eagles, getting loose for a 40-yard touchdown run. Severs later caught a TD pass, as he led Big Walnut with 92 yards rushing and 38 yards receiving, in addition to his kickoff return touchdown.

But the Eagles could not take advantage of other opportunities in the red zone, as Massillon came up with enough big plays on defense.

“Kudos to them. They were really a solid team,” Massillon senior defensive lineman Marcus Moore said. “But we didn’t execute to our level of football.”

Marcus Moore mentioned the assorted penalties. With 12-1 Lake next, he knows the Tigers need to clean that up.

“It’s just those little things like that we’ve got to correct on Monday and just get better,” he said. “Coach has been preaching this since January, ‘If you play Massillon football, you do what you have to do, everything will fall in your hands.’ “

News

Eight Tigers Named All-Stark County

November 9, 2022February 25, 2023
by Don Engelhardt

Eight Tigers Named All-Stark County

WHBC recently announced its all-county team and eight Tigers received honors. The group was selected by vote of the area coaches.

Ardell Banks – Senior wide receiver (6-4, 185). 2-year starter. 35 receptions for 759 yards (21.7 ave.) and 11 touchdowns. Against Lakewood St. Edward, caught five passes for 164 yards and 2 touchdowns. Also caught six passes for 132 yards and 2 touchdowns against Warren Harding. Due to his exceptional talent and speed, spent most of the season fighting through double and triple-teaming. Has several Division 1 offers, including Kentucky, Pittsburgh and Cincinnati. Last year, caught 44 passes for 733 yards (16.7 ave.) and 8 touchdowns.
Nolan Davenport – Sophomore tight end (6-6, 230). 1st year starter. Brings an imposing frame to the game. Used primarily as a blocker. Helped his team rush for 2,331 yards (212 per game). Caught a 34-yard touchdown pass against Warren Harding. Holds an offer from Pittsburgh.
Willtrell Hartson – Senior running back (5-10, 200). 3rd year starter. 246 attempts (5th all-time) for 1,590 yards (4th all-time). 144.5 yards per game (2nd all-time), 6.5 yards per attempt and 26 touchdowns (3rd all-time). Eleven consecutive games of 100+ yards (1st all-time). Leading scorer with 170 points (2nd all-time). In a 49-28 win over Austintown Fitch, rushed 40 times for 274 yards and scored 4 touchdowns in handing the Falcons their only loss of the regular season. Rushed 28 times for 198 yards and 3 touchdowns against Middletown, the No. 1 team in Delaware, in a 42-24 victory. Explosive runner who is skilled at following his blockers through the line. This season, is a more physical runner and blocker and better adept at running to the outside. Was injured for most of his junior year, when he rushed 141 times for 831 yards and 9 touchdowns, while playing in only 6 games. As a sophomore, rushed 138 times for 1,111 yards (8.1 ave.) and 13 touchdowns, including 188 yards against Canton McKinley. On track to become one of Massillon’s best runners ever. Holds offers from Kentucky, Pittsburgh and Cinicinnati.
Marcus Moore – Senior defensive lineman (6-2, 305). 2nd year starter. One of the top players in what may be one of Massillon’s best-ever defensive front-sevens. Regularly double-teamed by opponents. Recorded 20.0 tackle points (9-22), including 4 tackles-for-loss and 2 quarterback sacks. The defense as a group held opposing rushing attacks to 83 yards per game (2.6 ave.). Committed to the University of Akron.
De’Airre Pringle – Senior defensive back (5-9, 195). 1st year starter. 45.5 tackle points (35-21), 4.5 tackles-for-loss, 3 pass breakups. Quick to the edge to stop sweeps. A strong player who won his weight class in last spring’s Lift-a-thon.
Dorian Pringle – Junior inside linebacker (5-11, 220). 1st year starter. 52.5 tackle points (38-29), 15.5 tackles-for-loss, 5.5 quarterback sacks. Extremely active in his position. Considered a game-breaker. As a runner, rushed 32 times for 209 yards (6.5 ave.) and 4 touchdowns. Mostly used on short yardage situations in 2-back sets. Physical runner and blocker.
Jalen Slaughter – Sophomore quarterback (5-11, 160). 2nd year starter. Named the team’s Most Valuable Player. Completed 105 of 191 pass (55%) for 1,661 yards and 19 touchdowns. In a 31-28 upset of the state’s No. 1 Lakewood St. Edward, completed 18 of 32 passes for 295 yards and 3 touchdowns, including a 24-yard game-winner with 11 seconds remaining. Also completed 14 of 19 passes for 248 yards and 4 touchdowns against Warren Harding. Became a starter in Week 6 of 2021 and led his team that year to the regional finals. Listed in the records Top 10 that year for pass completion percentage. Has excellent pocket presence, quick feet, good field vision, game management skills and a long arm for a sophomore.
Evan Sirgo – Junior offensive lineman (6-3, 225). 1st year starter. Replaced Marcus Moore as a starter early in the season, allowing Moore to focus solely on defense. Helped his team rush for 2,331 yards (212 per game). Praised by the Head Coach Nate Moore for his blocking skill. Plays bigger than his size.

Note: All statistics shown above are current as of the second playoff game.

Congratulations to these Massillon Tigers.

The Tigers have won their last ten games and currently sport a 10-1 record. They faces Big Walnut this week in the third round of the state playoffs.

News

2022 Booster Club Report – Week 12 – Post-Canal…

November 8, 2022February 25, 2023
by Don Engelhardt

2022 Booster Club Report – Week 12 – Post-Canal Winchester

Massillon (10-1) defeated Canal Winchester (7-5), 34-0 to advance in the playoffs. The Tigers will play next against Big Walnut (10-2) in the third round of the playoffs, this Friday at 7:00 pm in Mansfield.

GAME STORY

PLAYOFF BRACKET

Canal Winchester

Defense ruled in this one as the Tigers held the Indians to a just four first downs and 62 total yards, with 59 on the ground (1.8 yard per att.) and 3 in the air. They also recorded six tackles-for-loss. Field position played a major role, with Canal Woinchester starting their nine possessions on average at their own 22 and advancing just 9 yards to their own 31, with the deepest penetration of the night to their own 43 yard line. It was clearly Massillon’s best defensive performance of the season.

Offensively, after a slow start, the Tigers scored touchdowns on five of the their next six possessions in rolling up 378 yards of total offense at 6.9 yards per play. The attack was mainly on the ground as Massillon rushed 44 times and passed just 11 times, passing only when needed. Willtrell Hartson, with his 141 yards rushing, set a new Tiger record for consecutive 100+ yard games, surpassing Jamir Thomas’ mark of ten.

It was also a big night for Nate Moore, who with his 81st win overtook the great Paul Brown in total victories as a Massillon head coach. A grand celebration took place on the field following the game.

“We picked up win No. 930,” said Moore. “It was the last game at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. We played ten games at home. Our kids loved it. Our fans bring the energy there.

“It was great to come out with a good game and beat a good team. Our defense really dominated. Once our offense got going, we really rolled. I’m really proud of our kids. They really played hard. And we’re really getting good on the outside zone (which allows Willtrell Hartson to hit the edge).”

The guest players were:

Marcus Moore – “They were a pretty respectable team. It starts with the line and we played really well.”
De’Airre Pringle – “Our offense played really well and got me off the field in the third quarter.”

Stats Leaders

Rushing – Willtrell Hartson: 20 carries for 142 yards and 3 touchdowns
Rushing – Mylen Lenix: 10 carries for 51 yards
Rushing – Peytton Mitchell: 4 carries for 51 yards and 1 touchdown
Passing – Jalen Slaughter: 5 of 9 for 75 yards and 1 touchdown
Receiving – Ardell Banks: 2 receptions for 31 yards and 1 touchdown
Receiving – Braylyn Toles: 2 receptions for 22 yards
Kickoffs – Nolan Hendricks: 6 for 337 yards (56.2) and 3 touchbacks
Defense – Marcus Moore Jr.: 6.5 tackle points (5-3), 1.5 tackles-for-loss, 1 QB sack
Defense – Cody Fair: 6.0 tackle points (4-4)
Defense – Dorian Pringle: 4.5 tackle points (4-1) and 2.0 tackles-for-loss

Big Walnut

The only previous meeting between Massillon and Big Walnut occurred last year in a 38-0 Tiger playoff win. This season the Region 7, No. 5 Golden Eagles sport a record of 10-2, with losses to 11-1 Westerville South (24-31) and 7-5 Canal Winchester (14-21). Their signature wins came in Week 4 against 7-4 Delaware Hayes (34-14) and last week against 9-3 Watkins Memorial (35-21). Their remaining wins were against teams that had losing records. They average 37 points per game and give up 16.

BW returns six starters from last year’s 12-1 team, including quarterback, running back, three offensive linemen and a wide receiver. They use a lot of unbalanced formations and pre-snap shifts. Moore calls them a “formation nightmare.” For example, they will often use five interior linemen with three side receivers to one side and a fullback in the backfield. It makes the far side tackle pass eligible, while doing the opposite for one of the wide receivers (in order to keep seven on the line). The objective is to draw interior players away from the run game. They will also line up in an empty set. A balanced offense, they run the ball 56% of the time. The best players are:

Junior quarterback Jake Nier (6-2, 200). Returning starter. Good high school player. Will run some. A good thrower. Uses a lot of run-pass option (RPO). Last year against Massillon he completed 7 of 11 passes for 73 yards; ran 11 times for 13.
Junior running back Nate Severs (5-11, 210). Best player on offense. Good size. Has some speed. Last year against Massillon he ran 21 times for 100 yards.
Senior wide receiver Nicky Pentello (5-11, 195). The “go-to” receiver. Also their best deep threat.
Senior offensive lineman Grant Conklin (6-4, 295). Returning starter. Big and strong.

The defense returns three starters from 2021, including a lineman and two inside linebackers. They align in a 4-3 with cover-4 and use a lot of 2-high coverage. They will occasionally use 1-high and at times will bring up the safeties. They will blitz some. The best players are:

Senior defensive lineman Wes Skinner (6-4, 230). Strong, athletic and plays with a good base.
Senior defensive lineman Tyon Fountain (6-1, 210). Good athlete. Good speed.
Junior defensive lineman Kohen Lyles (5-11,265). Athletic and very active.
Middle linebacker Garrett Stover (6-2, 210). Played safety last year. Athletic with good speed. Cousin of Ohio State’s Matt Stover.
Outside linebacker Ethan Clawson (6-4, 220). Played defensive end last year. Good blitzer. Not a natural size for a high school linebacker.
Senior cornerback Teddy Dancer (6-1, 185). Athletic and has good speed. Will press cover when there is safety help over the top.

Massillon

Some team information:

Tigers are averaging 37 points per game and giving up 16.
They have outgained their opponents on average 366-238 (6.6-4.6 ave.).
On the ground they have the edge, 212-83 (5.6-2.6 ave.).
The third down conversion rate is 50% versus 30% for the opponents.
Five of their seven Ohio opponents have qualified for the playoffs; three are still alive.
They are currently ranked No. 67 in the nation by calpreps.com and No. 1 in Ohio Division II.

Some seasons stats for the Tiger players:

Sophomore quarterback Jalen Slaughter: Comploted 105 of 191 pass (55%) for 1,661 yards and 19 touchdowns.
Senior wide receiver Ardell Banks: 35 receptions for 759 yards (21.7) and 11 touchdowns.
Sophomore Braylyn Toles: 26 receptions for 330 yards (12.7) and 3 touchdowns.
Junior Kyler Wiggins: 22 receptions for 285 yards (13.0) and 2 touchdowns.
Senior running back Willtrell Hartson: 246 attempts (5th all-time) for 1,590 yards (6.5) (4th all-time) and 26 touchdowns (3rd all-time). 144.5 yards per game (2nd all-time). Eleven consecutive games of 100+ yards (1st all-time). Leading scorer with 170 points (2nd all-time).
Junior inside linebacker Dorian Pringle: 52.5 tackle points (38-29), 15.5 tackles-for-loss, 5.5 quarterback sacks.
Junior inside linebacker Cody Fair: 49.0 tackle points (31-36), 9.5 tackles-for-loss, 1.0 quarterback sack.
Junior safety Ryan Page: 47.5 tackle points (34-27), 2.5 tackles-for-loss, 6 pass breakups.
Senior safety De’Airre Pringle: 45.5 tackle points (35-21), 4.5 tackles-for-loss, 3 pass breakups.
Senior outside linebacker Brandon Carman: 5.5 sacks.
Sophomore kicker Nolan Hendricks: 67 kickoffs, 52.1 yards per kick, 11 touchbacks, 3 of 4 field goals
Junior kicker Vinney Keller: 33 of 39 PAT kicks.
Junior Zach Liebler: 9 punt returns, 6.4 yards per return. 6 kickoff returns, 26.7 yards per return.

Miscellaneous

The Football Booster Club is sponsoring a bus to Mansfield for the Big Walnut game, open to the general public. The cost is $30.00 and includes a foot long sub, chips and water. Game ticket is NOT included. The bus will depart the high school parking lot at 4:30 pm. If interested, contact Bill Brown at (330) 704-2548 or visit him at O’Reilly’s Auto Parts between 8:00 am and 4:00 pm.

This week’s game ball was donated by Dumont’s Sporting Goods in Massillon.

Seven Tiger players were named All-Stark County. Feature story to come later this week.

News

Big Walnut Game – Bus Details

November 7, 2022February 25, 2023
by Don Engelhardt

Big Walnut Game – Bus Details

News

2022: Massillon 34, Canal Winchester 0

November 5, 2022November 26, 2022
by Don Engelhardt

Massillon Cruises Past Canal Winchester, Advances In Playoffs

STATS

BRACKET

It was a night for the running backs as both teams kept their offenses focused mostly on the ground game. Massillon chugged right along, throwing a heavy dose of Willtrell Hartson at the opponent. Canal Winchester, however, just couldn’t get out of first gear in a 34-0 rout, with a running clock in effect for most of second half. It was also a night of records. Hartson rushed for over 100 yards for the 11th consecutive time, surpassing the previous mark set by Jamir Thomas in 2018. With his 141 yards, he also remains on pace to break the all-time season rushing record set by Travis McGuire (his current running backs coach) back in 1991.

But larger than that is the one set by Nate Moore, who eclipsed an achievement set over eighty years ago. That’s when Paul Brown departed Massillon in 1940 having compiled a record 80 wins. Moore has now won 81 games as a Tiger head coach. It took that long to find one that met two criteria: first, he needed to be ultimately successful year-to-year to keep being invited back; and second, he needed to fall in love with this town to point where he was willing to embrace it and become a career coach here. He has managed to do both and Massillon is fortunate to have him.

Prior to the game it was no secret that Canal Winchester was going to run the ball, while at the same time being very poor in the passing game. They were also going to load the box with their 4-4, cover-3 defense. On the other side, Massillon wanted to establish the run game and pass when needed. And Massillon, as the No.1 team in Region 7, was considered by national rating services to be a heavy favorite with their balanced offense and devastating run defense.

The game played out as expected. Massillon was able to overcome the loaded box and roll up 378 yards of offense, with 299 on the ground. Meanwhile, the Indians managed just 62 yards, all but three coming on the ground at 1.8 yards per carry. They also never crossed midfield. The only offense they could muster was the quarterback running out of the pocket after realizing that all of his passing targets were covered. It was also the second consecutive game that the Tiger first unit pitched a shutout. It should also be noted that Massillon played the defense straight up and didn’t load box.

After stalling on their first two drives, the Tigers got it going and scored touchdowns on five of their next six possessions. Canal Winchester put up a good fight early on and forced a couple of punts, but then seemed to tire a bit as they just couldn’t get off the field after that. And Hartson, behind some exceptional line play, was just a bit too much.

The first score came on 32-yard rainbow from Jalen Slaughter to Ardell Banks, who had solidly beaten the defensive back. After that score, the Indians regularly double-teamed him, which of course took a player out of the box; advantage Massillon.

With Canal Winchester limited on offense, the Tigers nearly always started in good field position following punts and took full advantage. The next score came at the end of a 53-yard drive when Hartson bulled in from the six. The third score of the first half was set up by a blocked punt by Dorian Pringle, with Malachi Card recovering at the 30. Hartson then finished off the drive with a 2-yard run.

Hartson scored his third TD midway through the third quarter when he broke free on a 34-yard run. The play was outside zone to the right. The offensive line perfectly sealed the edge and kicked out the outside linebacker, creating a nice seam for Hartson to speed through. It happened so quickly that the secondary just couldn’t recover in time.

With Hartson done for the night, the final score was tallied by sophomore Peytton Mitchell on a 1-yard run, capping an 80-drive. He finished the evening with 51 yards, as did running mate sophomore Mylen Lenix.

Slaughter ended up completing five of nine passes for 75 yards and a touchdown.

The defense was led by Marcus Moore, who recorded 6.5 tackle points (5-3) and a quarterback sack. Cody Fair added 6.0 tackle points (4-4).

All-in-all, both teams played to their potential and competed very cleanly throughout the game. What a difference a week makes. Congratulations to Canal Winchester on a fine season.

Next week Massillon will play at a neutral site (TBD) against No. 5 Big Walnut (9-2), a 35-21 winner over No. 4 Watkins Memorial, for a chance to advance to the regional finals. Last year, the Tigers downed unbeaten Big W, 38-0.

‘Paul Brown could have stayed here 30 years and won 300 games’ Record humbles Massillon’s Nate Moore

by Steve Doerschuk, The Repository

MASSILLON — Massillon’s 34-0 rout of Canal Winchester Friday night drew the OHSAA football playoffs into strangers-in-the-night phase.

Massillon and Canal Winchester have been connected since 1831 − by the Ohio Erie Canal − but Friday’s game was Canal Winchester’s first against Massillon or any other Stark County team.

As the Tigers and their crowd celebrated the team’s latest deep advance, the mood shifted to the familiar.

Just about the coolest image in the history of football appeared on the giant video board on the south side of Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. It was Paul Brown himself, in a stylish jacket, hands in pockets, walking out of a mist.

On the field, the latest of the successors to the office of Massillon head coach was beaming. Nate Moore had just won his 81st game in Tigertown, surpassing Brown’s school record of 80.

A while later, in the locker room, Moore, whose eight-year record improved to 81-21, turned the spotlight on “PB,” whose record in Tigertown from 1932-40 was 80-8-2.

“He’s arguably the greatest coach of all time,” Moore said, “especially when you’re talking about innovation. Those things started here. He was an innovator at Massillon, and at Ohio State, and with the Browns, and beyond.

“It’s already an honor to be here, and be the head coach here at Massillon, in many ways because of Paul Brown. Paul Brown could have stayed here for 30 years and won 300 games. So, you know, it’s nice, I appreciate all the sentiment from everybody, but tomorrow, we’re going to be working on whoever we play Week 13.

“This is shared with all the kids here who played for us, and the coaches. Those people … I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Six-foot-2, 305-pound senior Marcus Moore, who was a defensive ringleader in the shutout that got Moore to No. 81, was born years after Brown died in 1991.

“But I hear about him 24-7, living in Massillon,” Moore said. “He’s such a big part of the history. It means a lot to be part of this with Coach Moore. Now we’ve got to get back to work and keep building on those wins for him.”

Under a plump moon meandering through an odd tapestry of clouds, the Tigers powered to a 21-0 halftime lead and won their 10th straight game. They advanced to the third round of the Division II tournament, where they will face Big Walnut (10-2), which beat Watkins Memorial 35-21 Friday.

The game will be at a neutral site to be announced. Massillon crushed Big Walnut 38-0 in the third round of last year’s playoffs. In a 2022 regular-season finale, Canal Winchester beat Big Walnut, a 21-14.

A playoff encounter against Massillon struck an eerie note for Canal Winchester head coach Jake Kuhner, who was a Pickerington senior playing against the Tigers 20 years ago. A 14-0 loss was the final game of his high school career.

“It was a real good game in the third round of the playoffs,” Kuhner recalled. “It was in Mansfield on a night that was so cold the puddles were ice. (Shawn) Crable was a defensive end. They had an outstanding receiver (Devin Jordan).

“We know Massillon has some great history, past and right now.”

The 2002 Tigers, after beating Pickerington, fell in overtime to Warren Harding in the Division I state semifinals. The 2022 Tigers must win three more games to reach the Division II finals, but they seem an obvious threat to do so.

In scouting Massillon, Kuhner said it was burned in his head that “No. 18 is a burner and a playmaker, and the quarterback throws him a nice ball almost every time he’s down the field deep.”

Massillon’s second play was a deep throw from QB Jalen Slaughter to No. 18, Ardell Banks. It was a nice-looking ball, but out of Banks’ reach, leading to a punt that encouraged the Canal Winchester camp. It also discouraged against over-stacking the box to deal with running back Wiltrell Hartson.

Slaughter again went deep on the second series. Incomplete again. Another punt, in keeping with a proud Canal Winchester defense which, in its last three games, against teams with a 23-9 record, allowed a combined 30 points.

Ohio high school football:OHSAA football calendar set as 2022 season gets set to begin; two divisional changes

The Tigers kept pounding Hartson and going deep to Banks, who got wide open on his third try, on the third series, and glided under a 32-yard TD pass from Slaughter. Yes, it was a nice ball.

It was 6-0 with 3:30 left in the first quarter. A Canal Winchester offense averaging below 20 points punted for a third straight time after linebacker Dorian Pringle stuffed a keep by QB Maxton Brunner on third-and-long.

How long could that defense keep Canal Winchester afloat? Not long.

Hartson, Pringle and Mylen Lenix took turns in an all-run series capped by Hartson’s 4-yard TD run. A second missed point-after kick kept it at 12-0 with 7:10 left in the half.

Pringle finished off a big first half with a blocked punt setting up Hartson’s 2-yard TD run, followed by Pringle’s two-point conversion run, for a 20-0 lead just before halftime.

By then, Hartson had rushed 16 times for 87 yards. Those three deep casts to Banks were Slaughter’s only throws of the first half.

Hartson broke free on the right side for a 32-yard TD providing a 27-0 lead midway through the third quarter.Massillon’s defense mastered a foe that was afraid to pass against it.

‘Paul Brown could have stayed here 30 years and won 300 games’ Record humbles Massillon’s Nate Moore

Steve Doerschuk

The Repository