Harry Haines
The 2022 season was filled with much excitement, led by an epic come-from-behind, last minute victory versus nationally ranked Lakewood St. Edward. This victory would set the stage for many seasons to come while sending a roaring message that the Tigers are coming. Following an eye-opening home opener loss to Division 1 State Semi-Finalist Cincinnati Moeller, the Tigers quickly turned the corner and gained momentum that would set the tone for a 12-game winning streak. A foundational off-season program prepared our Tigers for victories over Canton McKinley (7th consecutive), Lakewood St. Edward (nationally ranked), Austintown Fitch, Warren Harding, Massillon Perry and Uniontown Lake. The team’s enduring motto, “Team Above Self”, shone through week in and week out.
The 2022 Tigers roared through the season, while continuing the push towards our program’s goals. Our season was filled with monumental achievements. The Team excelled in the classroom collecting a 3.55 Team GPA. On the field we defeated our archrival Canton McKinley for the seventh consecutive year, recorded our sixth consecutive 10+ win season, sixth consecutive appearance in the OHSAA Playoffs Regional Finals, and OHSAA Playoffs Regional Champion for the fifth time in six Years. Our Tigers as a team set the following single season records:
- Tackles for loss (109)
- Tackles for loss yards (476)
- Quarterback sacks (29) (tie)
- Quarterback sack yards (205)
Several players set individual single season records, including:
- Total yards rushing (2,042) – Willtrell Hartson
- Total points (208) – Willtrell Hartson
- Total touchdowns (tie) (34) – Willtrell Hartson
- Tackles for loss (21.5) – Dorian Pringle
- Tackles for loss yards (114) – Dorian Pringle
- Quarterback sack yards (57) – Brandon Carmon
Willtrell Hartson also set a new mark for career yards per game (132.8). Additionally, five different players recorded at least ten tackles for loss, more players than on any other team since defensive statistics have been recorded. Six players were named All-Ohio and Head Coach Nate Moore passed Paul Brown in total victories with a win vs. Canal Winchester in the playoffs. By the end of the 2022 Season Nate Moore had 83 victories as the Head Coach.
The Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club had a great year with the establishment of the Massillon Tiger Football Endowment Fund. This fund is geared towards the idea of forever giving support to the longevity and excellence of the Massillon Tiger football program. It is a foundational piece of our program that will hopefully carry the Massillon Tigers forward for another 100+ years. The second annual Monte Carlo Night was a great success. The Studer Lift-A-Thon, Discount Card Sales, Booster Club Membership, Tiger Mom’s Car Wash, second annual Obie Run and the annual MTFBC Golf Outing were all great fundraising successes for the 2022 season. Additionally, the MTFBC assisted with a revitalization project that completely resurfaced all of the seating within Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, updating of control panels for the scoreboard and sound systems, and an upgraded sound system that shook the foundation of the hallowed grounds and could be heard across the city.
I was selected as the 89th Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club President after serving as a Junior Board Member, Chairing Multiple Committees, and serving two years as Vice President. Every time I walk into Paul Brown Tiger Stadium I am overcome with a flood of emotions and found memories: remembering the first time I entered the stadium walking hand in hand with my Father Larry S. Haines (Class of 1960), playing for the Tigers (1990-1991), and watching my sons (Magnus Haines, Class of 2021 and Rasmus Haines, Class 2028) play within the program I hold so dear. I have been a Tiger all my life and expressing the gratitude of being afforded the opportunity to serve in this position is beyond words. Working with the coaching staff, players, administrators, and families throughout the year was as similar to being a player as was anticipated.
The 2022 season would not have been as successful as it was if it weren’t for the assistance and cooperation of my wife Danielle Haines, Head Coach Nate Moore, MTFBC Officers, active Junior/Senior Board members of the MTFBC, Tiger Moms, Massillon Board of Education, Massillon City Schools Administration, City of Massillon Administration and the coaching staff of the 2022 Massillon Tigers. It was a year from start to finish that showed just how unique and special our community is and one that will be remembered for many years.