History 1907: Massillon 15 Massillon Ex-Highs 0
This newspaper article for this game has not been converted to digital form.
History History History 1907: Massillon 15 Navarre 0
HOW CRUEL OF THEM TO DO IT.
Just Like Embezzling Confectionary from Infants.
NAVARRE HIGH DIED FIGHTING.
MASSILLON 15 NAVARRE 0
Massillon High School Won
Against Children and Cripples
Muddy Field Kept Down the Score
It almost seemed like a shame to take the money. Had it not been for the present financial stringency they probably wouldn’t have taken it. When the Massillon high school football team took one good look at the Navarre bunch, that claimed to be a football team, it went over behind the goal posts and had a good laugh, collectively and individually. It was such a horrible cinch. To say that Navarre was outweighed would be expressing it mildly. It was over whelmed. Strangest of all, the center, Hodgson, had a wooden leg which did not seem to affect his playing qualities in the least, except that he could not be counted on for any long end runs. When he planted his wooden stump in the mud of the gridiron it was no easy matter for the Massillon line to smash through his position.
Not-with-standing the fact that Navarre was greatly outweighed the team played a fast, plucky game against many odds. Of course the score was rather low 15 to 0, but then the condition of the field must be held accountable for this, as the Massillon players were unable to work off any of their fast trick plays and on account of the slippery condition of the gridiron numerous fumbles were made on each side.
Considering the threatening aspect of the heavens, a remarkably large crowd witnessed the game. Navarre was there in force and it was reported that business was practically suspended in the hamlet to the south in order to witness this history changing contest. As soon as they beheld the giants of the Massillon high school team, a look of despair crept into the face of the fair Navarre rooteresses but they kept on cheering until the whistle blew. This being the last high school game in the city, crowds of high school students turned out and a large number of Massillon’s business men were in evidence. Excellent police protection was afforded and the crowd was kept behind the side lines at all times.
A ludicrous sight occurred during the second half. Navarre had attempted to punt but had fumbled the ball and Wells dashing through, fell on the ball. While he was sprawled out at full length, the ball was knocked from his hands and another man crawling from his back, attempted to capture the elusive pigskin. This made two men, one after the other stretched at full length. And still the pigskin rolled until there were four men sprawled at full length one after the other, forming a human path down the field. The ball was finally captured by Massillon.
Grinnell, seeming rather ashamed to do it, kicked off to Navarre at 3:35 o’clock and the runner was downed in his tracks. An attempt at a forward pass by Navarre was caught by Wagner who carried the ball nearly to the goal line. Massillon plugged the line steadily until Captain Grinnell was forced over for the first touchdown. He also kicked an easy goal. Score, 6 to 0.
Again Grinnell sent the ball far down the field into Navarre territory and again was the runner downed without gaining a yard. Things seemed to go Navarre’s way for a time and they advanced the ball about 20 yards. Then Massillon took charge of the ball and sent Wagner around the left end for 30 yards while Navarre stared in amaze and the score was 11 to 0. Grinnell tried for goal but the ball bounced back from the cross bars. The half was now ended.
On the kick off in the second half, Captain Grinnell carried the ball back to the 55-yard line, stepping cautiously among the Navarre children as though he was afraid of tramping one of them under foot. Both teams failed to work the forward pass with any degree of success, mainly on account of the muddy condition of the grounds. Many fumbles were made also. Near the end of the second half, Captain Grinnell scored the last four points by kicking a difficult goal from the field from the 20-yard line. Navarre narrowly prevented Massillon from scoring again near the end of the half. Massillon was then playing rather listlessly and fumbled the ball when it was on Navarre’s three yard line. Dropping behind the goal line, Navarre’s full back punted the ball out of danger to the center of the field. The half soon ended.
The teams lined up as follows:
Massillon – 15 Pos. Navarre – 0
Hammersmith le Allander
Herzog lt Fisher
Carr lg Cincinnat
Blantz c Hodgson
Erb rg Fedrisse
Baer rt Zintsmaster
Wells re Weidman (capt.)
K. Miller qb Roderick
Wagner lh M. Miller
Grinnell (capt.) rh Define
W. Miller fb D. Miller
Touchdowns: Massillon – Wagner; Grinnell.
Goal kicked: Massillon – Grinnell.
Field goal: Massillon – Grinnell.
Time of halves: 15 minutes.
Umpire and referee, alternating – Miller and Weiner.
Timer – Hall.
Head Linesman – Graze.
Linesmen – Sonnhalter and Holston.
Attendance: 200
History 1907: Massillon 6 Wooster 5
WAGNER AND GRINNELL DID IT
Won Game
Against Wooster High by One Point
Massillon 6 Wooster 5
THEY WON AGAINST GREAT ODDS
Local School Was Greatly Out-weighed and Weakened
Wooster Gained Well on Forward Passes
Reception at Captain’s Home
Wooster Astonished
Massillon High School, 6; Wooster High, 5. Thus in half a dozen short words is told the story of the victory of science over beef, of indomitable pluck over cock-sureness, and principally of nerve over avoirdupois. By means of a touchdown by Wagner and a goal kicked by Captain Grinnell, the Massillon High School football team won by one point in one of the most closely contested games in the city this season. It was played on the high school grounds Friday afternoon.
Wooster high was not so much chagrined as surprised. The fact that a team which was not supposed to be as strong as the eleven which it defeated at home, several weeks ago, by the score of 22 to 0, should snatch a victory out of the very jaws of defeat was a proposition so amazing that the Wooster enthusiasts were still endeavoring to figure it out, when they departed for home in a bewildered manner, Friday evening.
The Massillon team entered the game really as a matter of honor. Several of the strongest players had been compelled to leave the team on account of a low scholastic standing and a cancellation of the game was seriously considered on this account. Wooster high objected, however, and Massillon high felt honor bound to play the game and die fighting if necessary. As is seen by the result it was the other fellow who needed the obituary.
When Wooster’s giants of bone and brawn weighing nearly in the neighborhood of 175 pounds, stepped majestically on the field the hearts of the carriers of the orange and black pennants became exceedingly heavy and they consoled themselves with the thought that possibly Massillon would score once anyhow. When the game commenced and the guns began to shoot it was seen that Wooster’s men were not there with the expected speed and Massillon’s stock soon rose many points in the popular estimation.
Massillon high won the game near the end of the second half when all seemed lost. Wooster high had scored a touchdown near the beginning of the game and with the score 5 to 0 in Wooster’s favor Massillon was hoping against hope for something to happen – and happen it did. Darkness was making final preparations for falling on the face of the earth and the sun had just set beyond the brewery to the west – this is the way all good stories begin, dear reader. Wooster’s dusty football heroes had just punted the ball to Massillon’s team and the latter had commenced a series of nerve racking line bucks. One which was worked very frequently was a double pass from Captain Grinnell to Wagner. It was on this play that the touchdown was made. Wagner had just received the ball from Grinnell and had half started around the right end. In the dusk, the figures of the players seemed like silhouettes. Suddenly Wagner saw a large hole directly where left tackle should have been and dashed into it. Down the field he went warding off tackler after tackler and scored the touchdown between the goal posts after a thirty yard run.
After the Massillon fans had sufficiently recovered from their astonishment they realized that the game was practically won. Pandemonium broke loose. The air was filled with orange and black pennants, hats, canes, handkerchiefs and various other sundry articles of wearing apparel. Half back Wagner was raised on the shoulders of half crazed students and carried around the grounds. When the police had succeeded in once more clearing the field, Wagner held the oval while Captain Grinnell sent it sailing six inches above the bar, clinching the victory. And then they all howled again.
THE GAME IN DETAIL
The game, the best of the season in many respects, was opened at 3:40 o’clock, when Captain Grinnell kicked off to Captain McSweeney. Hammersmith downed him before he had gained many yards. Firestone attempted to punt but Hammersmith again came into the lime light by breaking through and blocking the punt. A second trial at a punt was successful and was received by K. Miller. Grinnell and Wagner commenced a series of line bucks which carried the ball back into Wooster’s territory. Wooster received the ball and Firestone, Wooster’s 185-pound fullback, promised to make a touchdown, but was downed by the diminutive Keeley Miller. Firestone and Captain McSweeney gained many yards on line bucks but soon Wooster was penalized for hurdling. The ball was again carried down into Massillon’s territory and, after a long, skirting end run, Wyant carried the ball across the line for a touchdown. The ball being far to the side, Firestone missed goal. Prospects were looking exceedingly poor for Massillon. Wooster fans talked confidently of a score worse than the 22 to 0 defeat administered at Wooster. Score 5 to 0.
Fireston kicked off to Hollinger, who gained twenty yards. Grinnell made a series of his famous gains through tackle. Grinnell punted to Firestone, who never moved before Wells was on him like a flash. Firestone dropped the ball but Wyant picked it up and gained forty yards through some loose tackling by the Massillon players. Frailey failed badly on an attempt at a field goal and Captain Grinnell kicked out from the 25-yard line. Massillon now gained steadily. Hammersmith sent Massillon fans into the first spasm of ecstasy when he carried the ball across the goal line on a forward pass from Grinnell. It turned out though that the ball had touched the ground and Massillon was penalized the usual fifteen yards.
Wooster was again penalized for hurdling but made large and consistent gains by the use of the forward pass. Wells’ work in getting down the field on punts and forward passes at this stage of the game was remarkable. Several times he seemed to drop out of space and crush the man with the ball to earth before he had advanced a step. Frailey attempted another field goal, which went far wide. When Grinnell punted back, McSweeney carried the ball a good distance on a double pass and the half ended with the ball on Massillon’s 25-yard line.
In the second half Firestone kicked to K. Miller. Each side had its second wind and held hard. The ball was kept in the middle of the field for some time, Massillon gaining on punts, but being surpassed in forward passes. Grinnell and Wagner made smashing gains through tackle and guard, while Hollinger hit the line well. After the touchdown that won the game, it was so dark that the different teams could be distinguished with difficulty. The game soon ended with the ball in Wooster’s territory.
The teams lined up as follows:
Massillon Pos. Wooster
Hammersmith le R. Smith
W. Miller lt Frederick and Markley
Carr lg Greenwald
Herzog c Walters
Erb rg C. Smith
Baer rt Reddick
Wells re Barnhart
K. Miller qb Frailey
Wagner lhb Wyant
Grinnell (capt.) rhb McSweeney
Hollinger fb Firestone
Touchdowns:
Massillon – Wagner.
Wooster – Wyant.
Goals kicked: Massillon – Grinnell.
Time of halves: 25 and 20 minutes.
Referee and umpire, alternating – Merwin of Massillon
Cameron of Wooster
Timer – Hall of Massillon.
Head Linesman – Richeimer of Massillon
Attendance – 300.
FROM THE SIDELINES
Firestone, Wooster’s giant fullback, affectionately termed “Sloppy” by his teammates held a parade all by himself up and down the field before the game. Luckily he did not hear all the remarks that were made.
Frailey, Wooster’s quarterback, played a clean, snappy game. He was knocked out for several minutes in the second half.
Captain Grinnell improves in line bucking with every game played. His skill in this line is commencing to rank with his punting.
Coach Hall was as pleased as everybody else when Wagner made the touchdown. His hat went into the air in regular college style.
It was not Hammersmith’s fault that the score was not 12 to 5. He carried the ball across the line but the score was ruled out on a technicality.
The high school girls conducted a little game of piracy with their tickets. They said the team “needed the money.”
RECEPTION AT CAPTAIN’S HOME
Of course the exuberance of the team after the game was too good to keep. When the curtain had dropped on the last act, a break was made for the high school bell and the glad news that Massillon high had conquered over its opponents was rung out over the city. In the evening the members of the team planned a surprise which was held at the home of Captain Grinnell in Front Street.
History 1907: Massillon 6 Salem 0
THEY TURNED THE TRICK.
Salem High School Went Home
Without a Score
Massillon 6 Salem 0
M.H.S. SCORED FOR FIRST TIME
Rain Prevented All-Massillon-Panhandle Game Sunday – Other Games Which Were Scheduled Were Postponed – Business College Wins at Canal Fulton.
The Massillon High School football team has redeemed itself, as was confidently expected; although the score was made on a mistake by the Salem High School team. It was only made possible by the excellent spirit shown by every one of the Massillon players and the do-or-die determination with which they entered the game. Not a trace of the loose work which was evidenced in the Canton game was to be seen, every man made clean tackles and made them hard, bringing the Salem runner to the sod with a sickening thud. It hardly seemed like the same team that was defeated by Canton High last Saturday by that discouraging score. Massillon seemed to be especially strong in the very department of the game where formerly it had been weak. On several occasions, long, flying tackles by Massillon’s ends and backs sent cheer after cheer rolling from one end of the field to the other.
Hammersmith’s touchdown in the first part of the second half will be remembered long after the football togs are laid away in the garret for next year. It was near the first part of the second half and things were looking rather gloomy for the Massillon students. Salem High had punted and the ball was on Massillon’s five yard line, so, of course, Captain Grinnell returned the punt immediately. It went to Rogers, but he fumbled it and as it dropped to the ground Hammersmith was down on him like a flash, had gathered up the oval, tucked it under his wing and was off down the field all in one movement. Exultation burst forth from Massillon’s frenzied rooters for John has quite a reputation in the sprinting line. Backed up by Grinnell, Wagner and Dow, who warded off presumptuous tacklers, he increased the lead between him and his pursuers and pandemonium reigned among the Massillon students. As Hammersmith crossed the line between the bars for the first touchdown for Massillon High this season, hats, pennants and canes were in the air, girls embraced each other and men slapped each other on the back and howled. John was given “three times three and a Tiger” until the crowd was hoarse. Captain Grinnell then did his duty by stretching out his lengthy leg and lifted the ball between the bars, making the score 6 to 0.
The games was attended by but a small crowd of Massillon enthusiasts but now that the team has started on its winning way, they may feel assured that there will be no coolness in the enthusiasm of the rooters. As is usually the case, the fair contingent were on hand with their rooting caps on and the songs and cheers made the Salem players nervous and the Salem rooters envious.
The game was called at 3:15, and Captain Grinnell kicked to Whitnnery, who, by clever dodging, passed all of Massillon’s players but Keeley Miller, who downed him on the fifty yard line. Salem attempted at forward pass, but Hammersmith got the ball. Salem got the ball on downs and punted to Grinnell, who lost it when tackled, and Salem recovered the ball. Wagner downed the man behind the line. Massillon receiving the ball, Sonnhalter made several good line bucks. Willaman got Wagner behind the line and also received the ball on a punt by Grinnell. Sonnhalter made a flying tackle in the open field. Massillon received the ball on a forward pass and Grinnell punted to Whinnerly. Willaman gained twenty yards on an end run. Massillon’s ball on downs. Grinnell punted thirty yards to Willaman, who was downed in his tracks by Dow. Whinnerly again passed all but Keeley Miller, who made a good tackle.
Massillon High played a punting game, for as soon as he received it, Captain Grinnell punted to Rogers. Wagner downed him in his tracks. Whinnerly gained well on an end run, but Hammersmith received the ball on a forward pass. Again Grinnell punted to Montgomery. Massillon receiving the ball, K. Miller makes good end run with interference, and the half ends without a score.
Willaman kicked off to Wagner, who gains ten yards. Grinnell hit the line well for short gains. Salem received the ball and punted to Sonnhalter, who received the ball on Massillon’s five yard line. The touchdown, the story of which has already been told, now took place.
After the goal was kicked, Grinnell kicked to Montgomery, who carried the ball fifteen yards. Whinnerly for a third time got away from all but Massillon’s quarter back. The ball was far down in Massillon’s territory when Grinnell received the ball on Salem’s attempt at a forward pass. The ball was now passed back and forth, Massillon High punting and Salem high losing it on failures of forward passes. Grinnell receiving the ball on a punt, commenced a series of line bucks, which gained from five to twenty yards. He attempted a field goal but the ball was blocked and lost. Dow and Wells got their men behind the line. Whinnerly punted to Sonnhalter and the game ended with the ball in the middle of the field.
The line ups were as follows:
Massillon Pos. Salem
Dow le Willaman
W. Miller lt O’Connor
Baer lg Augustine
Blantz c Tollerton
Carr rg Picker
Wells-Hammersmith rt Price
Hammersmith-Wells re Turner
K. Miller qb Moff (capt.)
Wagner lhb Rogers
Grinnell (capt.) rhb Whinnerly
Sonnhalter fb Montgomery
Touchdown: Massillon – Hammersmith.
Goal kicked: Massillon – Grinnell.
Referee – Merwin.
Timer – Hall.
Head Linesman – Garrett.
Time of halves – Twenty minutes.
Attendance – 150.
History 1907: Massillon 0 Canton Central 44
SCORE 44 TO 0
AND CANTON WON
Sad Blow to Supporters Of the M.H.S. Team.
IT WAS A CRUSHING DEFEAT.
Lack of Enthusiastic Support Cannot be Charged as Cause of the Trouble – One Hundred Massillon Students Saw Game – Other Sporting News.
Lamentably loose and inaccurate tackling combined with Canton High’s successful use of the forward pass, are the only explanations which Massillon High is able to offer for her crushing defeat at the Stark county fair grounds Wednesday afternoon. The score of 44 to 0 in favor of the team from the county seat was a sad blow to Massillon High’s supporters, as a victory was confidently expected. In the first game of the season, Massillon High played Canton High a 0 to 0 game, which is the best showing made so far this year by the local team.
Lack of enthusiastic support was certainly not the cause of Massillon’s defeat, whatever else might have caused it. Over one hundred high school students, principally girls, accompanied the team and kept up a running chorus of screams, squeals, derisive songs and sadly jumbled yells during the entire game. The feminine contingent evidenced the proper spirit as they did not cease their joyful noises when touchdown after touchdown was scored by those rude Canton boys. The joy of the Canton girls got somewhat beyond bounds as they attempted to lord it over Massillon High’s fair representatives in quite a pugilistic manner, but the threatened riot was quelled without bloodshed. However, the Massillon girls had some biting comments to make on Canton’s hospitality and courtesy to visiting rooters.
The game was played at the Stark county fair grounds, where an excellent gridiron has been laid out. Canton High was not supported nearly as strongly as was expected. Although Canton High played the same team as in the beginning of the season, it showed a vast improvement in every branch of the game, especially in the forward pass. Canton was able to gain her yards on neither end runs or line bucks and was excelled in punting. Practically every gain was made on the forward pass and the double pass, but these gains were usually immense as a result of Massillon High’s deplorably loose tackling. Several of her touchdowns were made on runs of half the length of the field. Massillon High played fairly well on the offensive, Grinnell and Sonnhalter making some excellent tackle and cross bucks, while Dow and Wagner were used in running the ends with but less success. Dow and Captain Grinnell tackled hard and accurately but the rest went after their men with but little confidence. In the second half the tackling improved wonderfully, Wells, Richeimer and Wagner landing some men very neatly.
Grinnell kicked off to McGregor at 3:15 and the ball was brought to the middle of the field. K. Miller received the ball on a punt but made no gain. Grinnell made excellent gains on a series of tackle bucks, but Canton gained the ball on downs. McGregor gained well on line bucks. A forward pass fails and Wagner gets the ball. Stephanson received the ball on a punt but was brought to the earth by a good tackle by Wagner. By means of a double pass, Stephanson now eluded or shook off all the Massillon players and made the first touchdown after a twenty-five yard run. McGregor kicked goal. Score 6 to 0.
Grinnell kicked to Stephanson, who although tackled by half a dozen Massillon players, gained half of the field before he was downed. Canton High failed to gain and was also penalized fifteen yards. Massillon received the ball on downs but Captain Grinnell’s punt was blocked. Canton returned the punt to Sonnhalter, who failed to gain. Massillon was penalized and had twenty-five yards to gain, and Grinnell punted. A forward pass to Stephanson worked beautifully and he eluded everyone but “Yank,” who brought him to earth. McGregor went fifteen yards for the second touchdown. He missed goal.
Score 11 to 0.
Toward the end of the half Massillon High visibly weakened, particularly in tackling, and the half ended with the ball on Massillon’s twenty-five yard line.
No changes were made in the line-ups at the beginning of the second half. McGregor kicked to Wagner. Canton gets ball on downs and Brookes and Stephanson work double pass for long gains. In several minutes McGregor shot through the line like a catapult for a touchdown, but Wells blocked the goal kick. Score 16 to 0.
Massillon High’s tackling now improved. Dow and Wagner bringing their men down hard. Weeks made a forward pass to McCoy for a long gain and Canton gained steadily. McGregor went the last fifteen yards for the touchdown. McGregor missed goal.
Score 21 to 0.
Grinnell kicked to Brooks, Richeimer bringing him down in his tracks. After several plays Stephanson broke away and ran half the length of the field for a score. He was tackled at the goal line by Richeimer. McGregor kicked goal. Score 27 to 0.
Grinnell kicked to McCoy, who ran half the field before being downed. Sonnhalter advanced the ball a little on a punt and Grinnell returned it. McGregor ran thirty yards for a touchdown. McCoy kicked goal. Score 33 to 0.
Hope was now dying fast in the breasts of Massillon High’s supporters and the corners of the mouths were down instead of up. Guy Wells raised a little enthusiasm by a brilliant tackle, but this soon subsided when Stephanson, closely followed by Dow, ran half the field for a touchdown. Dow downed him just behind the line. McCoy kicked goal.
Score 38 to 0.
McGregor carried the ball back forty yards. Punts were exchanged, Grinnell far excelling. Brookes carried it back a short distance and then Weeks made the best run of the game, seventy yards for a touchdown. McGregor missed goal. Score 44 to 0. The half ended before the ball was well in play again.
The teams lined up as follows:
Massillon High Pos. Canton High
Dow le Blythe
Baer lt Eynon
W. Miller lg Wise
Erb c Waterhouse
Hollinger rg White
Richeimer rt Harris
Wells re Stephanson
K. Miller qb Brookes
Wagner lhb McCoy
Grinnell rhb Weeks
Sonnhalter fb McGregor
Touchdowns: Canton – McGregor 5; Stephanson 3.
Goals kicked by: Canton – McGregor 2; McCoy 2.
Referee and umpire, alternating – Merwin of Massillon.
Hazlett of Canton.
Timer: Cronebaugh of Massillon.
Head Linesman – Hall of Massillon.
Linesman – Atwater of Massillon
Krammer of Canton.
Attendance – 300.
Time of halves – Twenty-five and Twenty minutes
History 1907: Massillon 0 Wooster 22
HIGH SCHOOL AT WOOSTER…
MASSILLON – 0 WOOSTER – 22
Massillon High engaged in a nice, friendly battle with the Wooster High School football team at Wooster Saturday afternoon and the Wooster hospital corps was kept on the jump carrying Massillon players off the field who fought, bled and died for the honor of their alms mater.
Three of Massillon’s players were disabled in the course of the afternoon’s pastime, although not all were compelled to leave the game. Not-with-standing the heroic efforts with which the Massillon lads fractured bones, bruised themselves and hit their opponents on the arm with their eyes, the final result was 22 points in the bad for M.H.S.
Warner Bloomberg, Massillon High’s right end, was injured in a scrimmage during the latter part of the first half and had to be removed to the home of relatives in Wooster. It was found that a small bone above the elbow had been broken and the arm was dislocated. He was brought to Massillon this morning and will be out of the game for the rest of the season. Horace Wagner received a painful injury to his side, where he had been previously hurt, but insisted on remaining in the game. John Snavely made a beautiful tackle in which his eye played the most important part and as a result is half blind today.
Wooster, with its great weight, won the game on line bucks; end runs gained but little and were soon abandoned, but Massillon’s speed was useless in stopping the massive tackle and guard plays of its opponents. Massillon gains, on the contrary, were made on end runs. The backs all acquitted themselves well in this line and Captain Grinnell won himself several more laurels by his punting and drop kicking. A beautiful attempt for a field goal from the fifty yard line missed the bar by about a foot and won the length captain a hearty cheer.
Massillon High was well supported by the student body, quite a number of the fair student lassies carrying along the orange and black. Over a dozen girls accompanied the team and together with the players enjoyed a reception which was given to the vanquished by the victors at the home of Captain McSweeney in the evening. All rivalry was forgotten and fond reminiscences of games long past were joyfully discussed around the festal board.
Massillon received the ball from Wooster at 3:30 o’clock and after several punts were exchanged, Captain Grinnell out punting his opponent, Wooster began an invincible series of line bucks by its heavy backs and Weygandt scored the touchdown in several minutes. No goal was kicked.
Wooster received on the kick off and without losing the ball carried it forward steadily on line bucks and Firestone took it over the line. He also kicked goal. Score 11 to 0. The half now ended.
In the second half, nothing unusual occurred, Wooster gaining steadily on line bucks with Massillon fighting desperately for every inch of ground. Two more touchdowns were made and one goal was kicked by the Wooster players and the game ended with the score 22 to 0. The refereeing of Cameron of Wooster, was the cleanest and fairest that Massillon High has been favored with for many a game.
History 1907: Massillon 6 Alliance 10
MASSILLON-ALLIANCE GAME…
Massillon – 6 Alliance – 10
If the game had only ended at the end of the first half, Massillon high school would have been the victor in its game with Alliance at Alliance Saturday, by a score of 6 to 4. But, according to the rules of football, as well as mathematics, it requires two halves to make a whole game, so the local aggregation of players were compelled to pass under the yoke. They have a legitimate excuse for their defeat. Some of the best players were laid up and the substitutes were used. Considering this, the team played a very creditable game and did not allow a walkway.
The big gains for the local team were made by Grinnell and Dow, with their line bucks. Occasionally Dow would go tearing up the field on an end run, while, when things got slack, Grinnell would help out with a punt. Silvers and Moore were the stars of the Alliance aggregation, which had a habit of playing very low, with good effect.
Massillon kicked off to Alliance. Alliance failed to make first down and was forced to punt from about the middle of the field. Massillon lost the ball on downs. Working up the field a short distance, Lewis, the Alliance right end, drop kicked goal and the score stood 4 to 0. Massillon again kicked off to Alliance and the ball was kept near the center of the field for some time. Only once did Massillon get within kicking distance of the goal. Finally, after Massillon had worked down the field, Dow broke loose and made the touchdown. Grinnell kicked goal and the score stood 6 to 4.
In the second half Massillon kicked to Alliance. Tandem bucks worked by Alliance did the business and they went over for a touchdown. Goal was kicked and the score stood 10 to 6 in favor of the home team.
The lineup was as follows:
Massillon Pos. Alliance
Snavely le Whitaker
Baer lt Ault, Rickard
Carr lg Owens
Sonnhalter c Pritchard
Hammersmith rg Wingert
Wells rt Howell
Dudley re Lewis
Holston lhb Richards
Dow rhb Silvers
Grinnell fb Moore
Muller qb Tice
Touchdowns:
Massillon – Dow.
Alliance – Tice.
History 1907: Massillon 0 Massillon Actual Business College
This newspaper article for this game has not been converted to digital form.
History 1907: Massillon 4 New Philadelphia 17
HIGH SCHOOL DEFEATED
NEW PHILADELPHIA – 17;
MASSILLON – 4
Well, who’d have thought it? With megaphones working overtime and with pennants gaily flung to the breeze, the Massillon High school football team, with a large, confident crowd of supporters, took all manner of vehicles to New Philadelphia Saturday afternoon. When this same crowd came back to Massillon in the evening, the pennants were at half mast, the silenced megaphones had found a last lowly resting place in the ditch, and the entire crowd discussed the weather, the crops, anything but football.
New Philadelphia High won the game on end runs. Practically every gain that was made during the game by the winning eleven was on long, dashing end runs. The average weight practically the same, but Massillon allowed their opponents to gain hardly a yard through the line. The pluck was not lacking, but the local eleven was out generaled. The principal gains were on fake line bucks, which drew the ends in and left a free field for a long skirting end run. Also, with several exceptions, Massillon High’s tackling was not up to the usual standard. New Philadelphia was greatly out-classed in punting, Captain Grinnell always punting at least ten yards farther than Olmstead or O’Connell.
At 3 o’clock Grinnell kicked to O’Connell. Immediately O’Connell and Olmstead gained large hunks of territory by long end runs. In about four minutes Empfield made the first touchdown after an end run. Olmstead kicked a beautiful goal. Score 6 to 0.
A second time Grinnell kicked to O’Connell. Dow recovered the ball on a fumble and Massillon scored its four lone points on a clever drop kick from field by Captain Grinnell from the thirty-five yard line.
Grinnell kicked to Empfield and a long series of end runs by New Philadelphia followed. Snavely and Wagner did some clever tackling behind the line. Massillon received the ball on a fumble and punts were exchanged. The half ended without more scoring.
No radical change in the lineups occurred in the second half and O’Connell kicked off to Grinnell. Punts were exchanged. Several attempts at forward passes from Grinnell to Wells failed. Olmstead failed at an attempt for field goal and Massillon punted out. After several plays Olmstead got away from the crowd and made a touchdown after an end run. Olmstead kicked goal. Score 12 to 4.
Grinnell kicked to Olmstead and with the New Philadelphia rooters throwing fit after fit of pure unadulterated joy, Empfield ran three-fourths the length of the gridiron for the third and last touchdown. The goal kick went wide. Score 17 to 4. The game was called in several minutes.
The lineups were as follows:
Massillon Pos. New Philadelphia
Wells le Empfield
Baer lt Reed
Carr lg Gilgan-Miller
Sonnhalter c Galbraith
Snavely rg Battershull and R. Wilkin
Richeimer rt J. Wilkin (capt.)
Atwater-Dudley re Doerchuck
K. Miller qb O’Connell
Dow rhb Olmstead
Wagner lhb Bowers
Grinnell (capt.) fb Gints
Touchdowns: New Philadelphia – Empfield 2; Olmstead 2.
Field goals: Massillon – Grinnell.
Time of halves – Thirty minutes.
Referee and umpire; alternating – Townsend of New Philadelphia.
Reed of Massillon
Timekeepers – McIlvaine of New Philadelphia.
Hall of Massillon
Head Linesman – Faro of New Philadelphia.
History 1907: Massillon 0 Canton Central 0
CANTON KEPT
FROM SCORING
Two High School Teams Play
a 0 to 0 Game
WAS A GREAT GRIDIRON BATTLE.
Supporters of the Massillon Team
Were Delighted With its Work –
Grounds Were in Excellent Shape
and a Big Crowd Witnessed the Game.
For the first time in many years the Massillon High School football team kept the Canton High School team from scoring Saturday afternoon. While Massillon High has won an occasional victory from Canton High on the baseball diamond, the fates have for the past three or four years been dead against them on the grid. This year’s team delighted its supporters Saturday afternoon by playing a 0 to 0 game with its usually victorious opponents. It was one of thE neatest gridiron battles seen in this football city for many a day.
The grounds were in excellent shape. Wire had been strung entirely around the field, obviating the annoyance caused by spectators getting in the way, goal posts had been erected and when the two teams dashed onto the field to hold a short limbering up practice before the game, they were cheered by a throng of hundreds of people. The field was dotted with pennants, the orange and black of Massillon and the red and black of Canton High, and about every third rooter was attacked to a large red megaphone. Rome’s reputation in the howling line was entirely cast in the shade.
The game commenced on the second at 3 o’clock. Cheered on by cries of “Rifferty-rafferty, riff-raff, chifferty-chafferty, chiff-chaff,” etc., which is the first chapter of Canton High’s sensible, intelligent yell, the Canton players lined up at the west end of the field and received the kickoff from Massillon. Brooks caught the kick, but advanced it only a short distance. On a fumble Massillon soon gained the ball, but in its own territory. After several ineffectual attempts to circle the ends, Grinnell tried a forward pass to Wells, which failed, and Canton got the ball. Unheeding Massillon’s failure in the same line, the Canton High immediately tried a forward which also failed, Grinnell capturing the ball. Dow was then hurled and thrust against the line for eight yards, Grinnell and Wagner also steadily pounded the line and Massillon gained its yards for several downs. Canton got the ball far down in its own territory and immediately attempted to punt, but Snavely crashed through the line and blocked it on Canton’s ten-yard line.
Massillon High now went wild with delight. Nothing seemed surer than that Canton High should be scored upon. As a last resort Canton again tried the forward pass. This time it succeeded and about twenty yards were gained. A delayed quarter back run netted about fifteen yards more for Canton, and they were out of danger for the time being. The forward pass was by far the most popular play. Canton tried it again and Snavely downed the runner in his tracks, and when the same play was tried again Wagner got the ball but was knocked out. In about five minutes he insisted on re-entering the game. Punting was now resorted to. Captain Grinnell out punted his opponent by many yards on every punt. The ball going out of bounds, both teams hurdled the wire, crashed through the crowd and in an instant a mass of humanity was rolling over and over in the road. When the mass was resolved into its elements, Keeley Miller was found snugly wrapped around the ball. The first ended with the ball in Massillon’s possession near the middle of the field. Neither side had scored.
Although Wagner was badly injured, he insisted on entering the game when the teams lined up after a ten minute respite. In the second half he played the game of his life. Many a time he was the first man down the field on a punt, would down his man, and then lay stretched out on his back thoroughly done up. The injury which he received in the first half only seemed to make him play the harder. Canton High kicked off to Massillon when the second half began, Grinnell getting the ball. Punting soon became more the custom than ever. Grinnell’s trusty leg always sending the ball forty yards or more. Canton now made a good end run which looked good for a touchdown, but the runner was downed by the indomitable Wagner far down in Massillon’s territory. Things looked…
REST OF COPY NOT AVAILABLE
Oct. 10, 1907
PRACTICE GAME
High School Team Defeated
by Adversaries’ Superior Weight
Although the Massillon High School football beam enjoyed a good practice game against the Business College eleven on the high school grounds Wednesday afternoon, the enjoyment ended there, for the final score was not at all to its liking. Much to the High School team’s surprise and indignation, the Business College team trimmed it by the score of 6 to 0. The victory was due to the terrific line hitting of the Business College and Thompson’s end runs. Although the business College had not played before this season, excellent signal work was done and the runner was always given excellent interference. The High school was greatly out-weighed, and this was the reason for their defeat, as they could not withstand the onslaught of the Business College’s much heavier back field.
Both captains seemed desirous of kicking field goals. Whenever either team got within striking distance, and sometimes when they were not, a try would be made by Grinnell or Schnierle for goal from the field. Every attempt failed. Massillon High played a much better game on the ends than was the case of New Philadelphia last Saturday. Thompson was the only Business College back that made any gains on the end. Punting honors were about even between Grinnell and Thompson, each kicking well.
The High School team has no reason to chide the girls for non-support. A large crowd of high school maidens were in evidence and in spite of the fact that theirs was the losing side, sent cheer after cheer echoing across the field.