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The pads were cracking at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium on Saturday morning as the Massillon football players got their first taste of contact, formally initiating the 2018 season. This came following ten summer camp workouts and a week-long instructional camp. The practice was extremely organized, with every activity timed to the minute. And coaches were quick to transform into classroom teaching mode when the needs arose. Although there is a lot of work to accomplish before the season opener against Akron St. Vincent, it was evident on this day that the Tigers were raring to get it started. Enjoy the photos.
Ben Bradley Was a Giant of a Man On and Off the Field
Research material provided by Mike Riordan.
He seemed larger than life when he trotted onto the field prior to the Ohio High School North-South All-Star Game. He was 6’-2”, 282 lbs., dwarfing future NFL Hall-of-Fame teammate Alan Page. And at the time he was the largest player to ever don a Massillon Tiger Jersey. But he was also a gentle giant, devoting his later years to making Massillon a better place.
Ben Bradley at WHS
“Big Ben” Bradley was born in Anderson, Alabama, to parents Oscar and Blanche, on November 26, 1944. Early in life the family moved to Massillon and as a high schooler Ben took up the sports of football, wrestling and track. He also sang in the choir. But it was football where Ben made his mark. At a time when high school lineman weighed in from 175 to 200 lbs., Ben played his sophomore season at 6’-0, 220 lbs. and grew to 6’-2”, 265 lbs. by the time his senior season rolled around.
Playing under the very successful Coach Leo Strang, his teams finished 10-1 in 1960 (state champs), 11-0 in 1961 (2nd in the state A.P. poll, 1st in the state UPI poll), and 6-5 in 1962. Along the way, he had two opportunities to play in the annual Massillon-McKinley fracas and his team was victorious both times.
Ben’s normal position was center, but he occasionally filled in at offensive tackle when needed. In recognition of his outstanding play, he was named All-Stark County in 1961 and 1962, and 1st Team A.P. All-Ohio in 1962, while being named that year as a Massillon Co-Captain and subsequently its most valuable player. The awards didn’t stop there as they moved to the national scene, where was named 1st Team Pre-Season All-American by “Complete Sports” magazine and 1st Team All-American by “Scholastic Coach” magazine.
High School football success brought Ben to the University of Dayton, where he continued his football career and was named Outstanding Freshman Football Player. He eventually transferred to Northwood Institute College in Michigan to complete his studies. At Northwood, he continued to excel on the gridiron and was named 1st Team NAIA Conference at Offensive Tackle. Ben was eventually drafted in 1967 by both the NFL Kansas City Chiefs and the Montreal Allouettes of the Canadian Football League.
Post-football, Ben spent his entire career with General Motors and retired in 1993 as General Supervisor of Inland GM, Lake St. Louis, Missouri. He remained active in Massillon, but died too young on June 8, 2008 at the age of 63.
In 2008, Bradley was inducted into the Massillon Wall of Champions and 2019 he was inducted into the Tiger Football hall of Fame.
“Big Ben” was a true community role model. In fact, his accomplishments on the football field are rather insignificant when compared to his community involvement. But never one to stay away from football, Ben also took a turn in 2006 as President of the Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club. In addition, he also held these positions, when he wasn’t selling tickets for the freshmen and JV games:
Athletic Advisory Council, President
Second and first vice president of the Massillon Tiger Booster Club (2005, 2006)
Incumbent 2008 President of the Massillon Tiger Touchdown Club
Away from sports, Ben was heavily engaged in community organizations, including:
Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Stark County Community Action Agency Committee
Member of the Massillon Parks and Recreation Board
City Planning Commissiondon n
African American Men’s Association
Member of the Mayor’s Drug Task Force
Trustee at Friendship Baptist Church
Board Member of the Lion’s Lincoln Theater (1st African-American)
Board of Directors, Lighthouse Visions, Inc., President 2004 and 2008
Chairman of the Board of the Civil Service Commission, 2008
Esther Bryan, founder of Lighthouse Visions, honored Ben with the creation of the Benjamin T. Bradley scholarship. This is awarded annually to a worthy Massillon-area college student. Also, Ben was so beloved in the community that they named Bradley Place senior apartments after him in 2010.
“Big Ben” certainly accomplished his goal of leaving Massillon a better place than he found it.
Each spring a group of dedicated Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club members spends several evenings at the old Massillon High School making signs to support the Tiger program. Throughout the season, these signs are displayed in the windows of the various Massillon merchants.
Tiger sign making assembly lIne
Henry Ford would be proud of the assembly line precision on display during the production of several thousand signs. On a given evening, two lines are in operation. Each is crewed by 4-5 workers who are constantly in motion to complete the silk-screening of over 600 signs. One worker feeds the silk-screening frame, a second does the actual silk-screening, a third removes the completed signs and others stack the signs in racks for drying.
Some signs are devoted to specific games (i.e., “Beat Akron St. Vincent”), while others are general (i.e., “Go Tigers Go”). While most have single color lettering, some have two colors and are run through the assembly line twice, once for each color.
Chairman Paul Ream and his crew do a remarkable job completing around 5,000 signs by end of the spring. “I’ve been doing this as a committee chair about six years,” Paul said. “We have probably about twelve guys each day. We go through one night a week and do two signs a week.” The best part of doing this according to Paul: “Just getting together with guys from the Booster Club. For all the Tiger fans. For the kids. Something we can take pride in.”
Each week during the season over 400 businesses receive signs honoring the Massillon football program. Be sure to support them.
The Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club (MTFBC) is actively seeking funds to support the Massillon Tigers. Here are the ways you can help:
Click the Donate link above and make a donation via PAYPAL
Purchase a discount card to be used at various local merchants. See Schedule of Events for dates.
Purchase a Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club membership.
MEMBERSHIP LEVELS
General ($10.00) Bronze ($25.00) Silver ($50) Gold ($100) Corporate ($200 or more) (president@massillontigers.com)
Memberships can be purchased during the door-to-door drive (See Schedule of Events for dates), at any MTFBC event or via mail-in form. Print and send form with check to:
MTFBC P.O. Box 19 Massillon, OH 44648
For a membership purchased at Bronze level or above, your name (corporation) will be printed weekly in the Massillon game program.
Each member will receive a hand-painted Obie Tiger lapel pin, a tradition started in 1952.
A copy of the Ohio High School Athletic Association By-Laws on recruiting shall be made available to all members. As a condition of membership, all members must agree to abide by such By-Laws and rules.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association has released its regional assignments for the 2018 football playoffs. With the incorporated changes, Massillon’s Region 7 just got a little tougher with the addition of Massillon Perry plus several Division 2 powers from just west of Cleveland.
Gone is Dublin Scioto, which defeated the Tigers in the first round of the 2015 playoffs. They are now in Region 8. Also transferring to other regions within Division 2 are Boardman, Westerville North, Franklin Heights, Youngstown East, Big Walnut and Columbus Briggs.
The newcomers via transfer have significantly improved Region 7. They include Barberton, Medina Highland, Wadsworth and Green. Also coming in are Perry from Division 1 and Dover from Division 3. Tri-Valley returns to Division 2 after a 1-year stay in D3.
Region 5 remains largely intact, with Akron Hoban the dominant power, competing with the likes of Cleveland Benedictine, Walsh Jesuit and Hudson. Barberton has been moved to Region 7.
Region 6 is also much the same, aside from the significant addition of Toledo Central Catholic. With a base enrollment matched for Division 4, competitive balance numbers have pushed them up the ladder to Division 2. Central has qualified for the playoffs in each of the last 5 years, all in Division 3. Four times they were regional champs and once they were regional runner-up. In 2014 they captured the state title. Central will compete with Avon, Grafton Midview, Toledo St. John’s and Toledo St. Francis. Highland and Wadsworth have been moved to Region 7.
Region 7, as noted above, is significantly stronger owing to the addition of Perry and transfers from within the division. Here is a short rundown:
Massillon – 2018 Region 7 champion. Qualified in 4 of the last 5 years.
Perry – 2016 and 2017 state runner-up. Qualified in 4 of the last 5 years, including last year in Division 1.
Medina Highland – 2013 Region 6 champion. Qualified in 4 of the last 5 years.
New Albany – Qualified in 3 of the last 5 years.
Tri-Valley – Qualified in 4 of the last 5 years, albeit 3 times in Division 3.
Worthington Kilbourne – Qualified 3 times in the last five years, none since 2015.
Barberton – 2017 Region 5 runner-up to Akron Hoban. Only appearance in the last 5 years.
Lake – Qualified twice in the last 5 years.
Dover – Qualified 3 times in the last 5 years, all in Division 3.
Challenging in Region 8 will be Cincinnati LaSalle and Cincinnati Winton Woods. However, Dublin Scioto has been moved from Region 7 to add some strength.
Former Massillon Tiger quarterback Robert Partridge was recently involved in a serious auto accident and unfortunately suffered a severe spinal cord injury. A gofundme page has been set up to enable financial support to help cover the cost of rehab.
Robert was a 2-year starting quarterback for the Tigers. In 2008 he passed for 471 yards and four touchdowns. He followed that up with a stellar 2009 year in which he passed for 2,631 yards and 22 touchdowns, leading his team to the state playoff semifinals against Cleveland Glenville. Robert is 6th all-time in career yards passing and 3rd for total yards passing in a single season. Following Massillon, he accepted a scholarship to play football at Miami of Ohio and later transferred to Hiram College, where he set a new single-season passing record, including 410 yards against Kenyon.
7th Grade football is no longer a youth sport. It is now run through MJHS just as 8th Grade football is. To sign your child up for football you need to register on final forms. This will include everything on one site that you just update throughout the years for other sports. No more paper forms. https://massillon-oh.finalforms.com
Sports physicals this year will not be offered through the Boys & Girls Club. With the hospital closing they lost the volunteers that offered that for our kids. You are responsible to get your child a physical and a physical form filled out and turned in. A copy of that of that physical form can be found at massillontigersathletics.org
Summer workouts will start June 5th. Workouts will be held at MJHS on Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:00 – 7:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 – 11:00 am. These workouts are not mandatory, but are encouraged for children not playing a sport through the summer. If your child is playing a summer sport, they made a commitment to that team and that comes first.
I need any child that is coming to the workout to have the final forms registration completed before they arrive. This will include contact information that I need in case of an emergency.
Please share this information with any parent that has a child going into 7th Grade. With the changeover from youth to junior high this season, I expected to have some confusion. Any questions that you might have, please contact me. I have included my email below. Looking forward to a fun season. Go Tigers!!!
It was difficult for the coaches to curb their enthusiasm at the Spring Kickoff when talking about this year’s Massillon football team. That’s because they are blessed with a wealth of talent and experience returning from the 2017 team, which finished 10-4 and captured the Region 7 title. In addition, the entire coaching staff returns.
Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore
Coach Moore and several key assistants spoke at the Kickoff and provided these highlights:
J.P. Simon – Defensive Line and Off-Season Conditioning
“This off-season has been great. Our guys really attacked the weight room and agility. We came back with something to prove.”
“All of the linemen were on the wrestling team. They really worked hard.”
“The (strength and conditioning) program is a throwback to the days of Steve Studer.”
“We’re very excited about this season. We have a lot coming back.”
“We want to be competitive every day.”
Not much will change defensively. The base alignment will be 3-4 with cover 4. But they will have the ability to change to a 4-man front and cover 3.
Goals: Win 1st down 70% of the time; get off the field on 3rd down; dominate the red zone.
“Dean Clark will be the leader of the defense. I wish I had eleven of him.”
John Mazur – Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line
“We’re way ahead of last year; lots of experience. We had four extra weeks of practice last year (e.g., playoff weeks).”
“We (offensive line) will be strong. A lot of 6’-1”, 280 lb. guys that can move. They will have the best feet (he’s seen since he’s been here).”
Three starters return on the offensive line.
Fifteen players have been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.7 seconds or faster.
The offense will throw the ball a little more this year, in addition to running the power.
Jarrett Troxler – Quarterbacks
Skill guys are hard workers.
Quarterbacks and receivers have been working together over the winter early in the morning. Also working with film.
Lots of depth at the skill positions. A high level of competition is expected this summer.
The offense will be multiple with lots of formations. A lot of guys to get the ball to. No huddle set. Will throw the ball more than last year.
“We need to manage the expectations for next year.”
Nate Moore – Head Coach
“What a different feeling it is this year to know how far ahead we are from a year ago. We have an unbelievable staff.”
Pro Days went very well according to Moore. There were several colleges in attendance, including Ohio State, Northwestern, Illinois, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Miami, Toledo, Bowling Green, Kent State and Eastern Michigan, plus several lower division schools.
Four players have received scholarship offers to play Division 1 college football, including Jamir Thomas (Michigan State, Pitt and Kentucky), Tre’von Morgan (Akron, Toledo and Eastern Kentucky), Dean Clark (Yale, Toledo, U.S. Air Force and Army), and Jayden Ballard (Akron, Bowling Green and Eastern Kentucky). Three other players have received offers from lower division schools.
The Booster Club has been instrumental in helping to fund several summer camps, including Notre Dame of Cleveland, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Pitt.
The coach is really excited about the schedule, citing eight home games. “There is nothing better than playing at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.” The schedule also features three out of state teams and a first time visit to Louisville
“Talent-wise we’re in a really good place. The quality of our young men is outstanding. We have great kids and great coaches.”
“Last year’s team loved playing for Massillon. That has to continue.”
Keys for this year: summer development utilizing position units; leadership (much difference place than a year ago) and continue to win with toughness.
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Post-football, Ben spent his entire career with General Motors and retired in 1993 as General Supervisor of Inland GM, Lake St. Louis, Missouri. He remained active in Massillon, but died too young on June 8, 2008 at the age of 63.
Each member will receive a hand-painted Obie Tiger lapel pin, a tradition started in 1952.
Robert was a 2-year starting quarterback for the Tigers. In 2008 he passed for 471 yards and four touchdowns. He followed that up with a stellar 2009 year in which he passed for 2,631 yards and 22 touchdowns, leading his team to the state playoff semifinals against Cleveland Glenville. Robert is 6th all-time in career yards passing and 3rd for total yards passing in a single season. Following Massillon, he accepted a scholarship to play football at Miami of Ohio and later transferred to Hiram College, where he set a new single-season passing record, including 410 yards against Kenyon.
