Eric Smith, Author at MassillonTigers.com

1973: Massillon 0, Canton McKinley 21

November 10, 1973August 15, 2017
by Eric Smith

It’s one of Tigers’ bluest Mondays

By Chuck Hess, Independent Sports Editor

This is one of the bluest Mondays in Tiger gridiron history.

Item: Cardinal Mooney High School, from Tiger head coach Bob Commings’ home town of Youngstown, will be in the state playoff at Cincinnati Friday instead of Washington High School.

Item: Last Saturday, Canton McKinley’s Bulldogs, under the direction of John Brideweser—with Bill Michaels as an assistant coach—handed Commings the worst shellacking of his four-year career here manhandling the Tigers 21-0 before 20,148 chilled fans at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium. Both Brideweser and Michaels are former Commings aides.

Item: It was the first time McKinley had shut out the Tigers since a 14-0 affair at Fawcett Stadium in 1947.

Item: The Tiger loss forced the first triple tie for a championship in the 10-year history of the All-American Conference (AAC). Massillon, McKinley and Warren Harding are the kingpins, each with 4-1 records.

Brideweser came to the aid of his former boss.

“I’ve gone through this three times in a row,” Bridey said. “You have one tremendous coach and group of boys over there. Tell those clowns to say off his back.”

HE WAS reminding the Tiger faithful that Commings had guided the Orange and Black to an 8-1-1 record after a miserable start and an unbelievable series of injuries. He was reminding Massillonians that Tiger teams have a habit of picking up the pieces and coming back to greatness.

Statistics tell the story. The Bulldogs rolled up 280 yards to the Tigers’ 79 and 18 first downs to the Tigers’ five, capitalizing on nine third-down and two fourth-down situations. The Bulldog defense, which both coaches said was changed very little for this game, held the Orange and Black to no rushing yards in the first half.

McKinley junior tailback Jonathon Moore, the AAC’s overall rushing leader, netted 78 yards in 24 arrives on the outside. McKinley Senior fullback John Thompson netted 72 in 14 attempts on the inside.

Line blocking by the Pups was superb, especially from center McKinley Smith and guards Herb Greene and Charles Cochran who opened gaping holes.

The Bulldogs had the ball for 69 plays to the Tigers’ 40 with elapsed time being 31:13 to 15:47. The Orange and Black never had a chance to get its offense into high gear.

McKinley was stopped at the Massillon seven in the first quarter when one Tiger end, Rusty Venables, jarred the ball loose from quarterback Garland Burns and another end, Vince DiLoreto recovered. Playing with a broken wrist, DiLoreto grabbed the pigskin, but couldn’t right himself, stumbled to the 27 and fell with a wide-open field ahead of him.

The Tiger defense dug into stop the Pups at the Massillon 34, 33 and 22-yard lines in the third-quarter. The clock ran out in the fourth quarter with the Bulldogs on the Tiger two.

THE BONE rattling Bulldog defense, led by its powerfully charging line of Lee Geiselman, Jerry Debos, Gordon Cook and company, allowed the Tigers out of their own territory only in the second stanza. But on that occasion Geiselman tossed quarterback Greg Wood for a 12-yard loss to the McKinley 45, forcing a punt.

In the third quarter, Cornerback Tim Cook threw Tiger wingback Mark Streeter for a safety with 6:88 remaining, after halfback Fred George had downed a Burns’ punt on the Massillon one.

“They were some football team,” Commings said of McKinley. “Their physical strength, our poor field position and their good field position were the stories. We could never call the game we wanted to call. That’s what football is all about. Make the other guy do something they don’t want to do. They did it to us and we couldn’t do it to them.”

After the Bulldogs had been turned back on the game’s first series, they forced the Tigers to kick and marched 70 yards in 14 plays with Thompson skirting left end of fourth down from one yard out for the score. An 18-yard pass from Rock Hontas to Gordon Cook startled the drive, which ended with 11:58 remaining in the second quarter.

The conversion came on Ken Bush’s kick.

THE BULLDOGS came back 52 yards in nine plays, after forcing a Tiger punt at the end of the next series, and scored with 4:04 left. Thompson ploughed through the center on third down from the two. Dave Pfeiffer knocked down a pass to end Reuben Floyd on the conversion attempt.

The final TD came on a 51-yard, 11-play fourth quarter drive. Halfback Jap Jeter took a pitchout and charged over left tackle on third down with 6:14 reminding in the fourth quarter. Linebacker Tim Gutshall and cornerback Terry Henderson kept Jeter from crossing the goal line for two more points.

“I don’t know what happened,” Brideweser said, when reflecting further on his victory. “All I know it was a total team effort. The kids played as well as they could. I knew they were up and wanted to play. We thought if we could control the ball we could control the game.”

The Bulldogs came back from last week’s 19-7 loss at Warren to make it an 8-2 season.

M McK
First downs rush

First downs pass

First downs penal

Tot. first downs

Yds gained rush

251

Yds lost rushing

Net yds gained rush.

215

Net yds gained pass.

Tot yds gained

280

Passes completed

5-12

3-6

Passes inter by

Yd on passes inter

Kickoff ave (yds)

1-51.0

4-50.2

Kickoff returns (yds)

Punt ave (yds)

6-27.0

2-31.5

Punt returns (yds)

Had punts blocked

Fumbles lost

1-1

Yards penalized

3-31

3-15

TDS rushing

Misc

Tot no of plays

Elapsed Time

15:47

31:13

Massillon—0

Ends—Huffman, T. Gutshall, Matie DiLoreto, Venables.

Tackles—Csonka, Lee. Rich, Chapman

Guards—Schumacher, Fenton, Graber, A. Lemon, White

Center—Studer, Nagle.

Quarterback—Wood, Bickford.

Halfbacks—Danzy, Streeter, Henderson, Herring, D. Gutshall, Mayor, Pifer, Lentz, Dailey, Pfeiffer, T. Lemon.

Fullbacks—Harmon, Waldrop.

Punter—Keller.

McKinley—21

Ends—Bush, Floyd, Hill, G. Cook, Pringle.

Tackles—Dubose, Geiselman, Obrovac, Jenkins.

Guards—Cochran, Greene.

Centers—Smith, Weber, Terrell

Quarterbacks—Burns, Hontas.

Halfbacks—Moore, Jeter, Lewis Bernardo, Taylor, T. Cook, George, Weatherspoon.

McKinley 0 13 2 6 21

McK—John Thompson 1 run (Ken Bush kick); McK Thompson 4 run (pass failed); Mck—Tom Cook tackled Mark Streeter for safety: McK—Jeter 5 run (run failed).

Referee—Chuck Lorenz; Umpire—Bobbie Brown; Head linesman—Herb Nissbaum; Field Judge—Nick Costello; Back judge—Steve Nagy Jr.

History

1973: Massillon 54, Alliance 0

November 2, 1973August 4, 2017
by Eric Smith

Tigers Gain Sole AAC lead

By CHUCK HESS JR., Independent Sports Editor

The Tigers didn’t forget about a letdown the last time they played a team with a non-impressive record, took charge form the start and rolled over a hapless Alliance Aviator squad 54-0 on a windy, rainy Friday night at Tiger Stadium.

The score was the largest of the season the 32-0 halftime bulge and 9,905 fans—the season’s smallest crowd—witnessed the Orange and Black move into undisputed possession of first place in the All American Conference and put the Aviators in the cellar all alone.

THE WASHINGTON High squad upped its league record to 4-0 and its overall mark to 8-0-1. Alliance is 0-4 in league play and 2-7 overall.

The Tigers increased their league win streak to 11 and their regular season unbeaten mark to 21 and now must face arch-rival Canton McKinley, which lost 19-7 to homestanding Warren Harding Friday night, next Saturday afternoon in the season finale at Fawcett Stadium in Canton for the right to advance to the Class AAA state playoffs for a second consecutive year.

The Bulldogs’ loss gave the Tigers some vitally needed third-level points in their race to overtake leader Youngstown Cardinal Mooney and runnerup Akron Garfield in computer Region 3.

So devastating was the Tigers’ win that they amassed 475 total yards while holding Alliance to 38, throwing the Aviators for 52 yards in ground losses, allowing a net four yards rushing. The Carnation City team got out of its own territory only twice.

Three of the Tiger touchdowns were of the big-play variety which had hurt Alliance all season. Tailback Charles Danzy took a pitch and went 27 yards around right end off fullback Bill Harmon’s block in the first quarter. He rolled 62 yards around right end in the second quarter and wingback Mark Streeter took a pitch around the right side for 53 yards in the third period.

DANZY TOTALED 127 yards in nine carries, losing none. Quarterback Greg Wood started the scoring off in the first quarter, sneaking two yards through the middle, after he had passed 30 yards to split end Jeff Huffman to set up the tally.

Harmon went one yard through the middle after the Tigers had taken over on a bad punt snap which Keith Herring recovered on the Alliance eight-yard line. Later in the period Wood throwing from the three, hit his favorite target, Huffman again, in the right corner of the end zone, for their seventh TD effort in four games.

Fullback J. J. McGuire bulled his way over from the two in the third period and tailback Ted Dailey raced over right tackle from the five in the last stanza.

Only once did the Tigers start behind their 40-yard line in driving for scores and only twice did they fail to get one.

Punter Todd Keller was used for the first time in the last three games. Wood, wingback Johnny Mayor and McGuire ran conversions. Wood also passed to Huffman for one. Allan Binks kicked a PAT but also missed one, breaking his string of 11 straight.

“I’M VERY pleased that our kids understood what they had to do and did it,” Tiger head coach Bob Commings said. “We’re thrilled that we got a chance to play everybody.”

“There are better things to come,” Graham said. “We got beat by the little mistakes that have plagued us all year.”

1 st downs—rushing

1 st downs—passing

1 st downs—penal

Total 1 st downs

Yds. Gained rush

407

Yds. Lost rushing

Net yds gained rush

399

Net yds. Gained pass.

Tot. yds. Gained

475

Passes completed

5-8

3-11

Passes inter. by

Yd. on passes inter.

Kickoff ave. (yds)

9-42.1

1-50

Kickoff returns (yds)

Punt ave. (yds)

1.33

7-26.7

Punt returns (yds)

Had punts blocked

Fumbles lost

0-1

1-1

Yards penal.

10-90

4-33

Tds rushing

Tds passing

Tot.no.plays.

Elapsed Time

26:32

21:28

History

1973: Massillon 34, Warren Harding 18

October 26, 1973August 4, 2017
by Eric Smith

Tigers win offensive battle 34-18 over Warren

Could be key computer victory

By CHUCK HESS JR. Independent Sports Editor

If the Tigers get into the state football playoffs next month for the second consecutive year, it may be because they had the upper hand in one of the greatest two-fisted offense football shows ever seen at Tiger Stadium

Before 13,659 Friday night the Orange and Black combined three offensive elements to spell 34-18 victory. The devastating combination running attack of senior tailback Charles Danzy and sophomore fullback Bill Harmon and the passing and receiving wizardry of junior quarterback Greg Wood and senior split end Jeff Huffman helping Washington High School up its regular season unbeaten streak to 20.

JUNIOR MARK Streeter’s spot offense running effort and his long kick runback also played an important part.

Neither Danzy, running off tackle, nor Harmon, always carrying live men with him through the middle or over guard, lost yardage. Danzy carried 17 times for 142 yards and Harmon 19 times for 138.

Harding’s junior fullback Kelton Dansler also didn’t lose any yardage, building off tackle and through the middle, picking 138 yards in 13 carries.

“They had a good offense. We had a great one!” tiger Head Coach Bob Commings said. “Our passing was great, the running was unreal, and we were firing off the ball well. I don’t think any place we attacked that we didn’t get good results.

“We didn’t play as good a defense in the first half as we like to. The second half we though we played a pretty good defense with the exception of a couple of plays. When the kids had to go play defense, they hung in there. The defense concept apparently was good but the execution wasn’t.”

THE TIGERS-after Streeter’s 25-yard runback-took the opening kickoff and went 68 yards in seven plays. The drive included a key eight-yard, third-down pass from Wood to Huffman and a 45-yard touchdown pass by the same combo with Huffman carrying the last 22 yards. Senior Allan Binks kicked the first of his four conversions.

Harding came right back after Ron Collins’ 24-yard runback-to go 64 yards in six plays, including Jimmy Richburg’s 43-yard aerial to split end Jackie Hudson. Both are juniors

Dansler went off right tackle from the three for the score. Kevin Henderson and Vince DiLoreto hauled down Richburg on a boot run on the conversion try.

The Tigers marched 59 yards in nine plays after the ensuing kickoff, with Streeter sprinting over right tackle from the five to complete the nine-play drive. Danzy and Harmon did the bulk of the running with Danzy springing 15-yard run through the center on second and 17 from the Tigers’ 34.

Richburg intercepted a Wood aerial in the second quarter, tackled in the second quarter, tackled on an 11-yard run and the Black Panthers went on a 57-yard, four-play scoring soiree. Dansler scampered 22 and 24 yards and capping things by scoring through the center from the nine

JUNIOR TAILBACK John Ziegler was stopped by Diloreto on a left side run over tackle trying for the conversion.

Intercepted passes by brothers Tim and Denny Gutshall on the Tigers’ 30 and six-yard lines halted other second period Warren scoring thrusts.

Charlie Swann intercepted a Richburg aerial in the third period and the Tigers went on a 60-yard, eight-play scoring romp. Wood passing nine yards to Huffman on third down. Harmon Sherman-tanked down his 22-yards to the one and dove over center on the next play for the score.

Following a punt, the Tigers drove 69 yard in seven-play. Included was better running by Danzy and Harmon and a 30-yard Wood to Huffman aerial with a jumping catch by Huffman. Harmon went over right guard from the three early in the fourth quarter for six points.

Cullins ran the succeeding kickoff back 16 yards to start a 70-yard, 11-paly scoring drive. Richburg went back to pass from the five on third down and got away to score.

Dansler’s 27-yard run through the center, after bouncing off the pack, and two Richburg to Dansler passes one a 17-yarder to the tree, helped set up the six-pointer.

STREETER’S 36-YARD runback of the ensuing kickoff staring a 61-yard, 10-play scoring march. Harmon’s 18-yard charge through the middle and Danzy’s 16-yard run, also through the middle, but on a counter trap, were the key efforts.

Danzy raced over right tackle from the five for the final score. Brad Limbach was wide right with the conversion try.

“I haven’t seen an offensive show like this in awhile,” rookie Harding Coach Ed Glass said, “but you just can’t beat a team when they have two backs over 100 yards. Their size and inexperience compared to our lack of size and inexperience was probably the key factor.”

The Tigers (7-0-1 and 3-0) knocked Harding (4-4, 2-1) out of a three-way tie for the All American Conference lead and share the top spot with archrival Canton McKinley.

First Downs rushing

First downs passing

First down penalties

Total first downs

Yards gained rushing

321

209

Yards lost rushing

Net yards rushing

314

187

Net yards gained passing

Total yards gained

404

261

Passes completed

4-6

4-9

Passes intercepted by

Yardage on passes inter.

Kickoff average

5-44

4-46.5

Kickoff returns

Punt average

2-36.5

Punt returns

Had punts blocked

Fumbles lost

1-4

1-1

Yards penalized

2-20

3-30

Touchdowns rushing

Touchdowns passing

Total number of plays

Elapsed time

26:26

21:34

Warren-18

Ends-Shunkwiler, Hall, Hudson.

Tackles-Angelo, Ahladis.

Guards-Rubesich, Butler, Zambelli, Yarvorsky.

Center-Day.

QuarterbackRichburg.

Halfbacks-Ziegler, Cullins, Hall, Hicks, Sassudakis.

Fullbacks-Dansler, Valentine.

Massillon-34

Ends-Diloreto, Venables, Huffman, T. Gutshall, T. Lemon, Robinson, Rollard, Venables.

Tackles-Rich, Chapman, Csonka, Lee, Bunting, George, Goff.

Guards-Schumacher, Fenton, Lightfoot, A. Lemon, Graber, Waldrop.

Center-Studer

Quarterback-Wood

Halfbacks-Danzy, Streeter, Swann, Mayor, Pifer, D. Gutshall, Lentz, Daily, herring, Henderson.

Fullbacks-Harmon

Placekickers-Binks, Lambach.

Holder-Bickford

Warren 6 6 0 6-18

Massillon 14 0 7 13-34

M-Jeff Huffman 45 pass-run from Greg Woods (Binks kick); W-Kelton Dansler 3 run (run failed); M-Mark Streeter 5 run (Binks kick); W-Dansler 9 run (run failed); M-Bill Harmon 2 run (Binks kick); W-Jimmy Richburg 5 run (pass failed).

Officials: Referee-Hugh Davis; Umpire-Art Cirelli; Head linesman-Laverne Haidet; Field judge-Warren Jones; Back judge-Dr. Henley Freeman.

History

1973: Massillon 52, Columbus Marion Franklin 19

October 19, 1973August 4, 2017
by Eric Smith

Tigers roar back for 42-19 victory

By CHUCK HESS JR. Independent Sports Editor

A strange monster isn’t the only thing throwing scares into Massillon these days. The Red Devils got in their bid Friday night at Tiger Stadium.

But the Tiger sloughed off the 13-7 Columbus Marion-Franklin first quarter lead and came back to hand the red Devils a 42-19 defeat before 10,741—the seasons smallest crowd here.

“I NEVER lost confidence in our kids or our ability to win the football game,” Tiger head coach Bob Commings said. “I was a little bit upset that Marion-Franklin got the go-ahead touchdown the way they did.”

Commings added, “Charles Danzy took the initiative in the second half as a captain should and led us on to victory.” The senior tailback scored a touchdown after the intermission and racked up 145 yards in 19 carries — losing none —during the game.

Marion-Franklin skipper Jim Harper thought the turning point came in the second quarter after Devil Wayne Hagwood’s diving try at an end zone pass interception was ruled no possession by head linesman Henry Mastriann. Back judge Warren Jones had ruled an interception but Mastriann’s decision stood because he was closer to the scene of the action.

The Tiger’s go-ahead TD followed.

“I didn’t think a team rated as Massillon is and which has the powerhouse they have would have to have homer officials,” Harper said.

“On the first fumble they didn’t have an official on the ball. I’m not taking anything away from Massillon because they can move the football.”

TIGER FULLBACK Bill Harmon fumbled and recovered on the Marion-Franklin 22 and the Tigers went on to their first TD.

“Massillon has 505 wins and we never beat anybody,” said Commings. “People come up with a once in a lifetime performance that they’re going to have, but the only way we ever beat them is by the officials, bad breaks or bad field position and I’m sick and tired of that.”

The latest win saw Harmon scoring twice, split end Jeff Huffman and quarterback Greg Wood combining for two more TDs and wingback Mark Streeter running for one to add to Danzy’s effort. Allan Binks kicked five conversions and Brad Limbach one.

Streeter got the Tigers started with a 34-yard punt runback and six plays later went over left tackle from the 11 with 6:53 left in the first quarter.

Marion-Franklin marched 52 yards in seven plays after Mickey Horn’s 15-yard kick runback and a facemask penalty. A Tiger offside infraction and quarterback Rocky Roddy’s 14-yard end run to the one were also thrown in.

RODDY SCORED from the one through the center with 3:02 left. Virgil Carreker booted the conversion.

Horn pounced on Harmon’s fumble on the Tiger 38 one play after the ensuing kickoff. On third down Roddy tossed to halfback Kevin Woods for 38 yards to the one and Roddy went through the center after a half-yard offside penalty with the clock showing 53 seconds. Carreker’s kick was wide right.

The Orange and Black rolled 49 yards after a punt for their next six-pointer. An 8-yard blast through the center by Harmon and a 20-yard power-pitch sweep around left end by Danzy made it first down on the seven.

Three plays later – after a half-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty by Harper for being on the field to argue about clock operation – Harmon bulled through the middle for six points with 2:52 left in the second stanza.

End Vince DiLoreto recovered Hagwood’s fumble on the Marion-Franklin 27. Danzy’s nine-yard pitch-sweep run to the left and Woods boot keeper to the right for 11 yards to the three set up a Wood to Huffman three-yard touchdown pass with 45 seconds left.

A 61-YARD, five-play drive after the second half kickoff started by John Mayor’s 13-yard runback and finished by Danzy’s 27-yard power pitch right end sweep with 10:13 left accounted for the next score. Danzy added nine and eight-yarder.

Harmon had the misfortune of having the ball bounce into the air from his hands on the 50 and end Robert Keyes scored a Devil TD, nullifying a DiLoreto fumble recovery. Time left after Roddy’s unsuccessful conversion pass to Woods was 4:31.

Streeter’s eight-yard kick runback, a face mask step off and another Danzy sweep – this one 15 yards to the six were included in the next scoring sequence. The drive covered 64 yards with 12 plays. Harmon carried through the middle again – from two yards out – to put on the clincher. Time left was 11:57 of the fourth quarter.

Danzy recovered Woods’ fumble on the Devil 26 one play after the ensuing kickoff. Wood threw a 26-yarder to
Huffman to complete the scoring with 11:04 left.

The Tigers are 6-0-1 and the Devils 3-4.

MASSILLON—42
Ends-DiLoreto, Huffman, T. Gutshall, McCauley, Rolland, Venables.
Tackles-Lee, George, Csonka, Rich, Chapman, Goff.
Guards-Schumacher, Bricker, A. Lemon, Fenton,Graber.
Center-Studer.
Quarterbacks-Wood, D. Gutshall.
Halfbacks-Swann, Streeter, Danzy, Pifer, Mayor, Dailey, Henderson, Herring, T. Lemon.
Fullbacks-Harmon, McGuire, Waldrop.
PlaceKickers-Binks, Limbach.
Holder-Bickford.
Punter-Keller

MARION-FRANKLIN-19
Ends-Brown, Mosley, Keyes, Walters, Mathis.
Tackles-Hunter, Goode, Jones, Engleman, Blount, Oates, Flemmings.
Guards-Douridas, Scior, Lanier, Brams, Jordan.
Center-Robers, Washburn, Johnson.
Quarterbacks-Roddy, Carse.
Halfback-Byrd, Hagwood, Woods, carter, McCoy, Billingslea.
Fullback-Williams, Miller, Horn.
Placekicker-Carreker.

Marion-Franklin 13 0 6 0-19
Massillon 7 14 7 14-42
M-Mark Streeter 11 run (Allan Binks kick); MF-Rocky Roddy 1 run (Carreker Kick); MF-Roddy 1 run (kick failed); M-Harmon 1 run (Binks kick); Huffman 3 pass from Greg Wood (Binks kick); M-Charles Danzy 27 run (Binks kick); MF-Robert Keyes 50 fumble recovery (pass failed); M-Harmon 2 run (Binks kick); M-Huffman 26 pass form Wood (Brad Limbach kick).

Officials: Referee James Keffer; umpire-Ted Deutsch; head linesman-Henry Mastriann; field judge-Fred Vicarel; back judge-Warren Jones.

M
MF
First downs rush
15
6
First downs pass
1
2
First downs penalties
1
0
Total first downs
17
8
Yards gained rushing
268
138
Yards lost rushing
4
10
Net yds. Gained rush
264
128
Net yards gained pass
37
46
Total yards gained
301
174
Passes Completed
3-13
2-4
Passes interception by
0
0
Kickoff average
7-46.6
4-29.7
Kickoff returns (yds.)
28
72
Punt average
1-46
2-33
Punt returns (yds.)
34
0
Had punts blocked
0
0
Fumbles lost
3-4
4-4
Yards penalized
5-45
3-20
Touchdowns rushing
4
2
Touchdowns passing
2
0
Miscellaneous
0
1
Total number of plays
57
51
Elapsed time
23:29
24:31

History

1973: Massillon 51, Steubenville 0

October 12, 1973August 4, 2017
by Eric Smith

Tigers get it together for 51-0 win.

By Chuck Hess Jr., Independent Sports Editor

The Tiger faithful must be as happy as near-sighted man who has found his spectacles.

The Orange and Black offense came out of hibernation Friday night, rolled up seven touchdowns, 550 yards, 22 first downs and literally clawed the Steubenville Big Red apart before 7,900 at Harding Stadium in the River City. Final score was 51-0 as the Tigers scored all but two times in which they had the ball.

The All American Conference’s defending champions continued to hold onto first place, along with archrival Canton McKinley and Warren Harding, stretching their regular season unbeaten streak to 16, their loop win skein to nine, their wins over Steubenville to 11 straight, their 1973 record to 5-0-1 and their league record to 2-0. In breaking their previous AAC victory streak of eight, the Tigers also set a league scoring record.

The previous record was 40 points set by Massillon against Steubenville in 1967, and a like total by the Steubers against Warren Harding in 1967. Friday’s score was the fifth highest Tiger point production in the Big Red series which stands 32-3-2 in the Orange and Black’s favor, including 13 shutouts (five straight).

The Big Red, which had won its first three games under rookie coach Tom Gardner, has now lost three in a row and dropped into the AAC cellar with Alliance and Niles, also 0-2.

AAC STANDINGS
Massillon 2-0, Canton McKinley2-0, Warren Harding 2-0, Niles McKinley 0-2, Alliance 0-2, Steubenville 0-2.

Tiger senior split end Jeff Huffman and junior and quarterback Greg Wood, who had previously had trouble making connections, go together for TD pass plays of 5, 40 and 26 yards. Wood ran 73 yards for another TD after being seemingly trapped on a pass play.

Senior wingback Johnny Mayor scored on a nine-yard off-tackle effort, senior tailback Charles Danzy on a 23 yard end run and sophomore quarterback Todd Keller on a half-yard sneak. Pifer had an aerial TD called back by a penalty as did sophomore right end Mark Matie.

SENIOR ALLEN Blinks kicked two conversions, senior Brad Limbach one. Junior wingback Mark Pifer, junior wingback Mark Streeter and senior tailback Terry Henderson ran two-pointers. Keller was corralled by Joe Brancazio when trying for the final points after.

“We’ve been saying for a long time we were going to put it together,” Tiger head coach Bob Commings said. “We had a great game against Niles now I want to see us go the rest of the season this way. Then we’ll know if we’ve got a great football team.”

Commings was extremely happy with the passing game.

“The protection was great,” he said. “We always knew we had the passer and receivers. It was a question of getting good protection and confidence and I think we accomplished that. Steubenville got behind and it was a son of a gun. We hit those bug plays on them. If we had been without out passing game, it would have been a dogfight.

“The passing game and Bill Harmon (fullback) will bring back out tailback game which is still the core of out offense.”

With the passing game going, the Big Red could not play its backers and secondary up tight, allowing the running game to function properly. Receivers ran such good patterns that they were as alone as a man who had done battle with a skunk and lost.

HARMON NETTED 73 yards on the ground in 10 tries and Danzy 55 in 11, losing only two before both left in the third quarter when Commings started to clear the bench.

The defense put in another great night, allowing only 68 yards rushing.

“We got behind and Bob got his offense going,” Gardiner said. “Your backs did a great job, broke tackles and that’s the story of the game. We knew you could throw, but we didn’t cover and you caught us with out pants down.”

M
S
First Downs- rush
16
3
First Downs- pass
6
1
First Downs-penal
0
1
Total first downs
22
5
Yds gained rush
388
96
Yds lost rush
5
28
Net yds gained rush
383
68
Net yds gained pass
167
54
Total yds gained
550
122
Passes com
9-12
6-12
Passes inerc by
2
0
Yd on passes interc
28
0
Kickoff ave (yds)
8-37.0
1-39.0
Kickoff ret (yds)
16
79
Punt ave (yds)
1-40.0
6-32.3
Punt ret (yds)
4
0
Lost fumbled ball
0
0-1
Yds Penalized
13-115
5-43
Touchd rush
4
0
Touchd pass
3
0
Total num of plays

Elapsed Time
61

28:24
44

19:36

MASSILLON—51

Ends — Huffman, T. Gutshall, Bell, Matie, Nestor, Robinson, Venables, DiLoreto.

Tackles — Csonka, Lee, Gresham, George, Nicewander, Rich, Chapman, Goff.

Guards — Graber, Fenton, Schumacher, A. Lemon, Lightfoot, Bricker, Moore.

Centers — Studer, Brand, Nagle.

Quarterbacks — Wood, Keller.

Halfbacks — Streeter, Danzy, Pifer, Dailey, Mayor, T. Lemon, Swann, Pfeiffer, Grizzard, Herring, Henderson.

Fullbacks – Harmon, McGuire, Waldrop, Snell.

Placekickers – Binks, Limbach.

Holder – Bickford.

Punter – Keller

STEUBENVILLE – 0

Ends – Williams, Jones, Price, Mavromatis, Medley, Jarvis.

Tackles – Shell, Quattrone, Brancazio, Cramblett.

Guards – Ossio, Moncilovich, Carney, Rohrey, Snyder.

Center – Sarap.

Quarterbacks – Repella, Bryan.

Halfbacks – Fletcher, Thuchowski, Edgar, Kunkle, Robinson.

Fullbacks – DeFrances, Christian, Runkel.

Placekicker – Medich,

Massillon 7 23 15 6 51

M – Jeff Huffman 5 pass fdrom Greg Wood ( Binks kick); W—Wood 73 run (Mark Streeter run); M – Huffman 40 pass from wood (Mark Pifer run); Mayor 9 run (Binks kick); Huffman 26 pass from Wood (Limbach Kick); Danzy 23 run (Henderson run); Todd Keller one-half, run (run failed0.

Officials: Referee – Charles Hinkle; Umpire – Wilson Murray; Head linesman—John Curenton; Field judge – Bill Paolisso

History

1973: Massillon 0, Cleveland Benedictine 0

October 5, 1973August 4, 2017
by Eric Smith

Tigers, Bennies in scoreless contest

By Chuck Hess Jr., Independent Sports Editor

They weren’t emotionally ready and is cost the Tigers Friday night as 11,972 saw the first 0-0 game at Tiger Stadium since Canton Lincoln turned the trick in 1945. the tie against Cleveland Benedictine axed a Massillon 16-game regular season win streak.

This was only the second scoreless deadlock in the history of the “House of Champions” and the 12th in Massillon gridiron annals. The first 0-0 affair occurred against the local Ex-Highs in 1904. The last came against skipper Bob Commings in 1969 at Steubenville.

“All of us from top to bottom were not ready for the Bennies,” Commings said. “Apparently we must have believed their past record (2-2).”

Washington High fans were thinking about what the tie would do to their team in the computer ratings which select the state playoff combatants.

“I don’t think this (4-0-1 mark) wrecks our chances,” Comings said. “We have to lick our wounds and comeback and win. We can sill get to Cincinnati, (Nippert Stadium) but it’s going to be a rough row to hoe.”

Alan Binks, almost pulled out a victory with less than a minute left but was wide left and short on field goal attempts from the 29 and 24-yard lines on fourth down, the second try came after an offside penalty.

A bright spot may have appeared in the problem-plagued passing game. Quarterback Greg Wood completed five attempts in nine tries, but more passing yardage is needed to help the running game. Split end Jeff Huffman let a 38-yarder to the end zone drop from his hands in the fourth quarter. However, he and Larry McCauley, another split end, did make key catches to keep last canto drives alive.

Huffman’s effort was a 25-yarder which put the ball on the Benedictine eight-yard line, but the Bennies’ defense stiffened and brought on the twin field goal attempts. McCauley’s pass coupled with fullback Bill Harmon’s 16-yard run, ignited a drive which burned out on the Benedictine 14 because of an offensive pass interference penalty.

Key sacks of Wood by middle linebacker Greg Rufus, and ends Lloyd Derricoatte and Bill Davis also hampered the fourth quarter drives. Tackle John Glowik’s pressure during the night also caused Wood to run for his life.

“I thought everything we tried to do with the passing game was good except for the protection,” Commings said. “We just didn’t block. We also made some silly mistakes like offensive pass interference.”

The lack of blocking also hurt the running game because of the Bennies’ terrific pursuit. Harmon got nowhere inside.

The Tigers were stopped at the Benedictine 50 and 29 on downs in the first quarter, were short by an inch at the Bennies’ 46 in the second quarter and gave up the ball at Benedictine nine in the third period.

Cornerback Mark Streeter intercepted a Benedictine pass on the Tiger 20 to stop a second period drive which the Bennies had started when Rufus recovered Streeter’s punt fumble on the Massillon 30. Substituted defensive end Rusty Venables continued his great play by throwing Benedictine quarterback Alfred Keller from the Tiger two to the five to stop another second canto effort.

Safety Mike Jackson picked off another Streeter punt fumble at the Massillon 42 in the third quarter. This started the Bennies on a drive which was stopped at the 28 with the aid of a clipping penalty.

Tom Seres tried a field goal from the 35 but was short. The try occurred one play after they had dropped a TD pass near the end zone.

“Our defensive effort was a real good one,” Benedictine head coach Augie Bossu said. “We didn’t change our plans, but we tried to mix up what we were doing and I think it paid off. I hope tying Massillon will get us going.”

The Massillon-Benedictine series stands 16-2-1 in the Tigers; favor with Bossu the culprit all three times. The last Massillon loss was 26-14 in 1962.

M B
First downs-rush 5 4
First down-pass 4 0
First downs-pen 1 0
Total fist downs 13 6
Yards gained rush 142 153
Yards lost rush 41 16
Net yards gained rush 101 137
Total yards gained 173 137
Passes com 5-9 0-2
Passes int by 1 0
Yardage on passes int 9 0
M B
Kickoff ave (yds) 1-59.0 1-43.0
Kickoff net (yds) 19 2
Punt ave. (yds) 4-39.3 6-35.1
Punt ret. (yds) 2 11
Fumbles lost 24 0
Yards penalized 4.37 8.70
Total num of plays 54 65
Elapsed time 21:37 26:23

History

1973: Massillon 23, Niles McKinley 7

September 28, 1973August 4, 2017
by Eric Smith

Danzy, Harmon pace Tigers’ 23-7 win

By CHUCK HESS JR. Independent Sports Editor

“ This could be the start of something big” was the way a popular record of several years back put it.

After three weeks of frustration the Tigers shifted their ground game into high gear Friday night at Tiger Stadium and trounced Niles McKinley’s Red Dragons 23-7 before 15,118 the season’s largest turnout—in one of the fastest games ever played here.

WITH SENIOR tailback Charles Danzy and sophomore full back Bill Harmon both back after nursing ankle injuries, the fans saw on of the best inside- outside show: seen in quite awhile at the “House of Champions.” The Washington High School team gained 222 yards to Niles’ 88 and ate up 32.18 to the Dragon’ 15:42 on the clock.

Danzy, dancing the perimeter, gained 126 yards—losing none in 21 attempts—and ran for two conversions. On his second PAT he dove at junior safety Dirk Abernathy and caromed off him into the end zone.

Harmon, pulverizing the middle, netting 55 yards—losing only three in 16 carries—keeping the Niles defense honest. The Danzy-Harmon panzer attack accounted for 181 yards of the Tigers’ beautiful acreage.

Credit senior center Joe Studer, senior right guard Mark Fenton and senior right tackle Bruce Chapman with opening the holes.

Senior tailback Terry Henderson spelled Danzy beautifully when he was given some relief from his tailback-linebacker duties. Henderson also threw a 17-yard halfback pass to senior wingback Charlie Swann to complete the scoring after junior quarterback Greg Wood had sneaked in from the one for 8-7 and 16-7 leads in the second and fourth quarters respectively.

Henderson’s halfback pass was the same play on which the Tigers had scored TD on the Dragons last year, according to head coach Bob Commings. He has used this play twice in two years

THE TIGERS might have had three other scores ad not broken plays stopped them at the Niles 27-yard line in the second and third quarters and the clock run out with the ball on the Dragons’ 22 after free safety Swann’s 19-yard interception runback in the fourth quarter.

The Tigers might not have run out of plays on the second quarter drive had not Mark Pifer’s 62-yard punt return to the Niles 21 been ruined by a clipping penalty which set the Orange and Black back to the Dragons’ 49.

The Massillon faithful got a jolt in the first quarter when Abernathy recovered Danzy’s fumble on the Tigers’ 43. Nine plays later senior Jeff Monos boot legged to the left on a counter keeper and scored from the five with 3:51 left. Senior Chris Mackey soccer kicked the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

A scare came when linebacker Clark West picked off Wood’s pass to Jeff Huffman at the Niles 45 and ran 43 yards to the Tiger’s 12. Two plays later Monos tried to pass from the 18, got hit by end Vince DiLoreto, fumbled and Bill Csonka recovered on the Niles’33.

“That was the turning point of the game,” a bitterly disappointed Niles coach Tony Napolet said. “We were in a jet out pass maneuver. I called the wrong play. We were in field goal position and I have every faith Mackey could have kicked one and put us ahead 10-8.”

DILORETO PUT the Orange and Black in position for their final TD when he jarred Mackey on an option pitch from the Niles 24 and DiLoreto and strong safety Denny Gutshall leaped on the ball. Three plays later Henderson passed to Swann, followed by Senior Alan Bilks, conversion kick with 32 seconds left.

“We got close to playing a complete football game,” Commings said. “We’ve gone two consecutive weeks with great emotional effort. I think maybe we became a football team tonight.”

The Tigers’ regular season winning streak is at 16 with four this season. Niles is 2-2 after the All- American Conference opener which was also the defending champions Massillonians’ debut.

NILES -7

Ends- Shirley, Williams, Lokash, Montivideo, Paris.

Tackles- Hojnik, Hensley, R. Giancola.

Guards- Chrestay, Jeff Klenvic, Profoto

Center- Bokan, Jim Klenovic.

Quarterback- Monos.

Halfbacks- West, Mackey, DeChristofaro, Malone.

Fullback- Mowery.

Defensive halfback- Cicero, Abernathey, Malone.

Punter- M. Palante.

Massillon 23

Ends- Huffman, T. Gitshall, T. Lemons

Tackles- Lee, Csonka, Chapman, Rich

Guards- Fenton, Schumacher, Graber.

Center- Studer

Quarterback- Wood.

Halfbacks- Danzy, Swann, Henderson.

Fullbacks- Harmon, Waldrop, McGuire.

Defensive ends- DiLoreto, Venables.

Middle Guard- A. Lemon

Defensive halfback- Mayor, Swann, D. Gutshall, Pifer, Dailey, Snell, Herring.

Placekickers- Binks, Limbach.

Holder- Bickford.

Punter- Keller.

Niles 7 0 0 0 7

Massillon 0 8 0 15 23

N- Jeff Monos 5 run (Chris Mackey kick): M- Greg Wood 1 run, (Charles Danzy); M- Wood 1 run (Danzy run); m- Charlie Swann 17 pass from Terry Henderson (Binks kick).

Referee- James Keffer; umpire- Ed Steinkerchner; headlinesman- Milo Lukity; Field judge- Hugh Davis; back judge- Frank Wahl.

First dwns-rush

First dwns-pass

Total first downs

Yds gnds rush

232

Yds lost rush

Net yds gnd rush

205

Net yds gnd pass

Total yds gnd

222

Pass completed

1-6

Pass intercepted

Ydg on pass inter

Kickoff ave (yds)

4-47

5-34

Kickoff ret (yds)

Punt ave (yds)

2-40

5-34

Punt ret (yds)

Fumbles lost

1-2

3-4

Yds penalized

3-25

2-10

To num of plays

Elapsed time

32:18

15:42

History

1973: Massillon 13, Upper Arlington 7

September 21, 1973August 4, 2017
by Eric Smith

Tigers stand firm against tough Bears

By CHUCK HESS JR. Independent Sports Editor

Medical textbooks will tell you a man is made of some metal, some minerals and a few other odds and ends, but some gallant gridders from Washington and Upper Arlington Highs penned a different version Friday night at Tiger Stadium.

Their formula was courage, desire and stamina and the Tigers added one other element—tradition—that intangible that says the enemy shall not pass the Orange and Black goal line come hades, high water and a dozen or so assorted injuries.

The result was a 13-7 victory before the season’s largest crowd, 14,324, after 24 minutes of bone crushing football. By winning their third straight game and their 15 th consecutive regular season contest, the Tigers sent Arlington down to its second defeat in three games.

The Golden Bears’ bus trip home was not happy, but they did have the knowledge that they outplayed the Tigers offensively. Arlington rolled up 234 yards to the Tigers’ 146 and 13 first downs to the Orange and Black’s eight.

Already banged up before entering the game, the Tigers suffered more injuries. Second liners such as defensive end Rusty Venables, guard Dennis Bricker and tackle Bruce Chapman answered the call.

It wasn’t the Tiger defense which faltered, allowing Arlington its only touchdown with 2:08 left in the first quarter. Joe Studer’s snap over punter Todd Keller’s head from the Massillon rolled to the 18 where Joe Foley pounced on it. The Golden Bears drove to the two—with the help of some neat ball carrying by fullback Bill Cornwell—and lost the ball on downs.

Terry Henderson fumbled on the Tigers’ first carry. George Lewis recovered on the four and on the third play Cornwell drove over from the one with 2:08 left in the first quarter. Dave Goldthwaite, a soccer style kicker, booted the conversion.

Mark Streeter grabbed a deflected pass at the Massillon 12 in the second stanza to stop an Arlington drive after Tim Gutshall had whaled into Arlington receiver. The Tiger defense stiffened at the Massillon 37 and 39 in the third quarter. Terrific punts by Arlington’s Ken Hoag on the two fourth downs put the Tigers into deep holes when the ball was grounded on the four and on the six. A holding penalty and Charles Danzy’s fumble set the Tigers back to the two in both cases.

Keller, who also did some fine punting, was forced to kick from the end zone. Tom Kaparos ran back from the Tiger 47 to the 37 where he was about torn apart by Tim Graber.

Arlington moved to the seven in six plays. Tiger middle guard Allen Lemon whacked Bear quarterback Gary Ginther and the Tigers took over early in the fourth quarter.

Ends Vince DiLoreto and Venables stopped an Arlington drive on the Massillon 34. DiLoreto wrenched the ball lose from Ginther and Venables dove on it.

Denny Gutshall went to his knees to intercept an Arlington pass on the Massillon 18 and DiLoreto and Tim Gutshall stopped the Bears at the Tiger 25 when they hauled Ginther down shortly before the game ended.

The Tigers scored in the first quarter after John Mayor had run the opening kickoff back from the 15 to the 34. An interference penalty put the ball on Arlington’s 49 and Gary Waldrop, the offensive hero of last week’s game, took off on a trap over for the score with 10:50 remaining.

Alan Binks used his soccer kick for the conversion.

Mayor got things going again near the end of the first quarter with a 33-yard punt return to the Arlington 47. In seven plays Massillon scored again with Henderson going over right tackle from five yards way. There was 11:23 left.

The conversion snap by Studer was high and Binks had no chance to kick.

Streeter’s 29-yard punt return to the Tiger 41 started another drive late in the second period, but Jon Tenuta intercepted Greg Wood’s aerial intended for Mayor at the Bears’ 25 and the Orange and Black didn’t get out of its territory the remainder of the night.

“This was one of the best victories I’ve had as a Massillon coach because we had kids playing out there who played on nothing but pure, u n a d u l t e r a t e d g u t s,” Commings said. “Most of the guys who were hurting were on the offense. I think the kids hung in and did a heck of a job.

“Nobody knows the inside and all of the bugaboos which have hit this team in the past three weeks. I was very apprehensive because we had to play a lot of different kids in a lot of different places, but they responded.

“We hit like there was no tomorrow. We hit a little too hard for an Arlington team which played its heart out and that’ what won the game.”

Pete Corey, Arlington coach, was quite proud of his team and said “The Tigers had to play a whale of a game. We had them on the ropes but couldn’t find the knockout punch. Our offensive line executed as a team.

“Andy Schmidt played his heart out and I think Dale Keitz did too. They all did.

“I think it was a case of who would out execute the other. We made a couple of mistakes on some of Bob’s favorite plays up the middle and that was it. What a hard hitting game!”

MASSILLON

Ends – Huffman, T. Lemon, Matie, T. Gutshall.

Tackles – Lee, Csonka, Rich, Nicewander, Chapman.

Guards – Fenton, Schumacher, Bricker, Graber, Parrish.

Center – Studer.

Quarterbacks – Wood, Bickford.

Halfbacks – Danzy, Henderson, Streeter.

Fullbacks – Waldrop, McGuire.

Defensive ends – Rolland, Venables.

Middle guard — A. Lemon.

Defensive halfbacks – D. Gutshall, Mayor, Pifer, Swann, Dailey, Herring, Lentz.

Punter – Todd Keller.

Placekickers – Alan Binks, Brad Limbach.

ARLINGTON

Ends – Southworth, McKee, Woods, Keitz, Parfenchuk, Tenuta, Webb, Sinelmann.

Tackles – Brown, Olsen.

Guards – Kuehn, Glandon, Lewis, Corna.

Center – Gerlach.

Quarterback – Ginter, Mercer, Kaparos.

Halfbacks – Cross, McPherson, Foley, Staker, Hoag, McCarty.

Fullbacks – Cornell, Schmidt.

Placekicker – Goldthwaite.

OFFICIALS

Referee – Dr. Phil Davidson; umpire – Richard Bowers: head linesman – Jack Werkowitz; field judge – Robert Stewart; back judge – Dr. Henley Freeman.

Arlington 7 0 0 0 — 7

Massillon 7 6 0 0 — 13

SCORING

M – Gary Waldrop 49 run (Alan Binks kick): A – Bill

Cornell 1 run (Dave Goldthwaite kick); M – Terry Henderson 5 run (bad snap on kick).

THE GRID STICK

F dns – rush

F downs – pass

F downs – penalties

Total f downs

Yds gnd rush

190

169

Yrs lost rush

Net yds gnd rush

146

155

Nt yds gnd pass

Total yds gnd

146

234

Pass complet

0-6

5-20

Pass inter

Yd on Pass int

Kickoff ave (yd)

3-39

2-41.5

Kickoff re (yd)

Pt ave (yds)

6-34

3-25.3

Pt re (yds)

Lst fumb ball

1-2

1-4

Yds paenal

4-37

3-35

Total num plays

Elap time

22:01

25:59

History

1973: Massillon 6, Youngstown Ursuline 2

September 14, 1973August 4, 2017
by Eric Smith

ANOTHER STERLING TIGER DEFENSIVE JOB

WHS bests strong Ursuline team 6-2 amid TD-touchback controversy

By Chuck Hess Jr., Independent Sports Editor

You’ll never convince Youngstown Ursuline fans, coaches and players that the Massillon Tigers beat the Fighting Irish 6-2 before 11,723 Friday night at Tiger Stadium. But don’t try to tell Tigertowners that, because their charges played terrific defensive football for the second consecutive week to offset another siege of offensive problems and an equally outstanding defensive job by Ursuline to win the non-league tilt which was married by a lulu of a rhubard with two minutes left.

Tiger Middle guard Allen Lemon had tossed Ursuline substitute quarterback Mike Fagert for a 10-yard loss to the Massillon 47. Mike Tamburino punted, Mark Streeter touched the ball at the 10 and it appeared Ursuline’s Joe Gaetano recovered near the five and advanced to the one where Tim Gutshall hit him and the ball bounced loose, rolled into the end zone where several players fell on it and Massillon’s Charles Danzy was ruled in possession for a touchback.

However, the ruling from Massillon’s Clyde Shankle, the back judge, and Youngstown’s Dr. Larry Glass, the field judge, was that nobody had gained possession of the muffled punt which ended up in the end zone.

“The impetus that put the ball into the end zone was from the kick,” said referee Jim Keefer of Youngstown. “The fact that the Massillon boy muffed the ball on the field of play had no bearing on the play. The ball continued on into the end zone and as soon as it touched the ground or anything else in the end zone the ball was automatically dead and it was a touchback.”

Ursuline coach Jim Maughan complained, “Our boy had possession of the ball. It’s a live ball. If they recover it, it’s a touchback, if we recover it, it’s a touchdown – which we did.” Tiger coach Bob Cummings commented, “If I were in coach Maughan’s shoes, I’d be upset. There’s no other way to play football but with the officials. We’ve had them go that way against us. That’s football. I couldn’t see the ball, I have to agree with the officials called.”

But Commings agreed that his defense had “risen to the occasion in each and every case. I think that Gary Waldrop came up with the offensive play of the season. It was just an old fashioned trap.” Waldrop broke through the left side of the line on the last play of the third quarter and raced 64 yards to the Ursuline one where he was hit and the ball bounced from his hands and over the sideline. Two plays later quarterback Greg Wood sneaked in from the one with 11:53 left in the fourth quarter.

Alan Binks’ conversion attempt was blocked by Glen Herchik who played one tough game as a fullback and linebacker. He picked up 97 net yards in 24 carries losing only four, and enabled Ursuline to lead to first downs 10-8. Danzy collected 91 yards without a loss in 23 tries.

“Herchik is a very courageous kid,” Commings said. “Their whole football team is. It’s the second week in a row we’ve had a team come in and fight us to the wire. We’re not pleased with our showing. But we have to be objective enough to give the opposing coaches and their kids a lot of credit.” The Tigers had two other opportunities to score. They lost the ball on downs at the Ursuline four early in the second quarter. Later in the stanza Binks’ field goal try from the 19 was wide right.

The Irish got out of their territory once in the first quarter. Strong safety Denny Gutshall intercepted a pass on the Massillon 30 in the second period to stop another attempted invasion. Ursuline got to the Tiger 18 in the fourth stanza with Herchik doing the bulk of the ball carrying, but end Leon Rolland brushed off two blockers and dropped tailback Dave Hodge for a two-yard loss to the 20 where the Orange and Black took over.

Cornerback John Mayor intercepted a pass at the Massillon 16 on the final play. Ursuline scored its safety with 5:50 left in the fourth quarter when punter Todd Keller was forced to fall on a bad snap at the foot of the goal post. The Tigers had had fourth down on their 14.

The Irish used a 6-3 defense which Commings said confused his team. So did an unbalanced Ursuline offensive line.

Ursuline – 2

Ends — Williott, Deiter, Darby, O’Neill.

Tackles — Tamburino, Tomko, David, Donlea, Rice, Alexander.

Guards – Murtha, Hunsberger, Lowery.

Center – Porter.

Quarterback – Fagert.

Halfbacks – Hernan, Hodge, Rebraca, Gaetano, Fontanarosa.

Fullback – Herchik

Defensive halfbacks – Dastoli, Flanagan, Vario.

Massillon – 6

Ends – Huffman, Gutshall, T. Lemon.

Tackles – Lee, Csonka, Chapman, Rich, Nicewander.

Guards – Schumacher, Fenton, Schumacher.

Quarterback – Wood.

Halfbacks – Danzy, Streeter, Henderson

Fullbacks – McGuire, Waldrop’

Defensive Ends–Roland, DiLoreto.

Middle Guards – A. Lemon.

Linebackers – T. Gutshall, Graber, Venables.

Defensive halfbacks – Mayor, Pifer, D. Gutshall, Herring, Dailey.

Punter – Keller.

Placekicker – Binks.

Scoring

M–Greg Wood 1 run (kick blocked); U Safety, ball snapped out of end zone.

Officials

Referee Jim Keefer; Umpire Ted Deutsch; Head Linesman Henry Mastriann; Field Judge Dr.Larry Glass; Back Judge Clyde Shankle.

Stats M U

First downs, rush. 8 8

First downs, pass. 0 1

First downs, pen. 0 1

Total first downs 8 10

Yards gained rush. 212 152

Yards lost rush. 36 18

Net yds. gained rush. 176 134

Net yds. gained pass. 4 29

Total yds. gained 180 163

Passes completed 1- 4 3-7

Passes intercepted by 2 0

Yrds on passes int. 10 0

Kickoff average 2-54 1-55

Kickoff returns 32 17

Punt Average 6-36.7 6-31.6

Punt returns yd. 19 17

Fumbles lost 3 (1) 5 (2)

Yards penalized 5-46 4-31

Total no. plays 54 55

History

1973: Massillon 22, Cleveland Cathedral Latin 0

September 7, 1973August 4, 2017
by Eric Smith

TIGERS WIN 500TH BUT NEED SOME HELP

By Chuck Hess JR., Independent Sports Editor

Their 500th victory since 1894–something no other high school team can boast of–was dimmed somewhat by a lackluster offensive performance, but Head Coach Bob Commings is confident his Massillon Tigers can correct the situation.

“I don’t think we have any problems we can’t cure,” Commings said after his charges had beaten Cleveland Cathedral Latin 22-0 in a super defensive battle before an opening night crowd of 11,786 Friday at Tiger Stadium. “I think our kids blocked pretty well but we missed some holes.”

However, one thing Commings is concerned with is injuries to junior quarterback Greg Wood and sophomore fullback Bill Harmon who were already nursing hurts. Wood reinjured an ankle in the pre-game workouts and irritated it during the game.

Harmon sustained his fourth injury–this one a sprained right ankle when hit from behind while out of bounds after a second period run–and left the dressing room on crutches.

“Greg’s injury kind of threw his passing off and without Harmon we lost a big chunk of power,” Commings said. “If we can get Harmon (a devastating runner) and Greg healthy–which we haven’t had for quite a while– we’ll be alright. However, Erlo Lee (junior tackle recovering from knee surgery) was back and did a great job!”

On the other hand, the Washington High defense was just dandy, coming up with their 21st whitewash job in Commings’ five seasons here. So great was the team effort that Latin failed to get a fist down, got only 28 yards and did not get out of its own territory.

The defense set up one touchdown and scored two others to help ease the dismay of having the ball nine times in enemy territory and scoring only once.

Senior tailback Charles Danzy scored on fourth down from the 10 on a right end run after the defense had held Latin on its first series and punter Ken Mueller erred in attempting to kick stocking footed. Referee Octavio Sirgo ordered the shoe replaced, to comply with the rules, Mueller didn’t lace the brogan up, lost it on the punt and the ball trickled back five yards, giving the Tigers a first down on the Latin 36.

The score came five plays later with 8:43 left in the first quarter.

New Zealand soccer style kicker Allen Binks who kicks stockingless since he can’t do it barefooted, booted a 30-yarder with 7:39 left in the second stanza. It was the first one since Jerry Krisher’s in 1950 and the only other one kicked at Tiger Stadium.

Senior Mark Pifer returned a kickoff 54 yards with 49 seconds left for a TD with 49 seconds left in the third quarter. Senior halfback Denny Gutshall sprung Pifer into the end zone with a timely block.

A bad snap found Binks playing like Garo Yoepremian in last January’s Super Bowl game and the conversion try failed.

Senior end Vince DiLoreto pilfered a pass in the fourth quarter and returned 23 yards for the score with 7:09 left. Brad Limbach’s kick was wide right.

Binks tried a 50-yard field goal on the game’s final play.

The Tigers thought they had another TD when Wood raced 36 yards down the sideline and back into the center in the first quarter, but after he stepped out on the 25. After that effort and Harmon’s injury, the offense turned sour.

“But we’ve got to give Latin some credit,” Commings said. “They came to play.”

Commings explained that because of the Lion’s extremely heavy team, he used a lot of players to keep his team from getting tired.

“Tim Gutshall, Bill Csonka and Charles Danzy logged a lot of playing time,” Commings said.

Jack Zebkar, Latin coach pointed to mistakes as costing the Lions the game.

“We made five major mistakes and it cost us three touchdowns,” he said. “I told our people in Cleveland the difference in the score is going to be the difference of a couple points. Massillon scored on a field goal, but I don’t want to take anything away from Massillon’s team, well coached and I hope they go all they way.”

He pointed to the Tigers’ quickness as the difference.

Massillon leads the series 8-3-1 and has won six of seven openers here with Latin.

THE GRID STICK

F downs-rush

F downs-pass

F Downs-penalties

Total first downs

Yds gnd rush

219

Yds lost rush

Nt yds gnd rush

174

Nt yds gnd pass

Total yds gnd

202

Passes compltd

2-15

2-9

Passes intercepted

Yds pass intercepted

Kickoff ave yds

49-5

46-1

Kickoff ret yds

Punt ave yds

26.9

Punt ret yds

Fumbles

5-0

1-1

Yards penalized

25-3

10-2

TDs rush

TDs by intercep

Miscellaneous

Total num of play

Elap time

27:41

20:19

LATIN-0

Ends–Gordon, Bambrick, Muller.

Tackles–Gaul, Bourassa, Horansky, Palumbo.

Guards–Armstrong, Byrne, Finucan.

Center–Marino.

Quarterback–Greve.

Halfbacks–Lynch, Lanigan, Sweeney, Zippert.

Fullback–Schnupp.

Punter–Dennis Mahne.

Massillon-22

Ends–Huffman, T. Gutshall, T. Lemon, Haslar.

Tackles–Csonka, George, Lee, Rich, Champan.

Guards–Schumacher, Fenton, Lightfoot, Graber, Moore.

Centers–Studer, Venables.

Quarterbacks–Wood, Brickford.

Halfbacks–Danzy, Streeter, Henderson.

Fullbacks–Harmon, McGuire.

Middle guards–A. Lemon, Waldrop.

Defensive ends–DiLoreto, Rolland.

Defensive halfbacks–Swann, D. Gutshall, Pifer, Mayor, Herring.

Punter–Keller.

Place kickers–Binks, Limbach.

SCORING

M–Charles Danzy 10 run (Allen Binks kick): M–Binks (20 yard field goal): M–Mark Pifer 54 punt runback (kick failed): M–Vince Diloreto 23 interception return (kick failed).

OFFICIALS

Referee–Octavio Sirgo: Umpire–Art Circelli: Head Linesman–Dr. Henley Freeamn: Field judge–Ron Giacomo: Back Judge–Robert Walker.

Author: <span>Eric Smith</span>