The Playoffs for Massillon Begins on Friday

The Playoffs for Massillon Begins on Friday

The OHSAA playoff format for this season has been reduced from sixteen teams in each region to twelve, effective in each of the seven divisions.  The impact is that a third of the participating schools now earn byes for Round 1.  The change came about following a request made by Ohio’s high school coaches.

In 2020 the OHSAA intended to increase the number of regional qualifiers from eight to twelve, but the plan was not implemented due to the high number of game cancellations on account of Covid.  Anticipating related problems with the Harbin rankings, the OHSAA thus invited all schools to participate.  The following year, the OHSAA increased the number of regional qualifiers from eight to sixteen, citing the enjoyment of participation.  However, many believed the change was simply a “money grab” when the OHSAA at the same time assumed control of ticket sales and retained all the revenue.  But now it is believed that the 12-team format will remain for awhile.  And it’s probably the right number to assure that the best eight teams qualify, given the inherent flaws within the Harbin system.

With Round 1 now in the books, it’s time for the heavyweights to finally join the fray.  For Massillon, the bye was much needed following an emotional 21-14 victory over Canton McKinley.  A time to rest and heal up, a time to revisit the fundamentals and a time to get re-energized.  Friday night the Tigers (7-3) will host the Vikings (9-2) of North Canton Hoover, which advanced following last week’s victory over Columbus Northland.

Aside from statistical and strength-of-schedule comparisons between the two teams for this specific game, there is a lot of successful history for the Tigers under current Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore when it comes to playing suburban schools.

Moore was hired in 2015 and, although his squad did not qualify that first year owing to a 4-6 record, the Tigers have been to the playoffs in each and every year since that inaugural season, which is an achievement that few coaches around the state can match.  His overall record in nine years of playoff participation is a remarkable 32-8, which includes a state championship in 2023, six regional titles and four state finals appearances.  Compare that to the nine previous Massillon coaches, who combined for a mark of just 28-22.  However, it should be noted that most of those games were against Division I competition.

Nevertheless, there is little difference in performance capability between Division I and Division II suburban schools.  Moore’s record there is  a very fine 23-3, with all of the losses occurring during regional play, including:

• 2016 – Dublin Scioto (7-3), Round 1, 21-31
• 2021 – Uniontown Green (8-2), Regional finals, 25-26
• 2024 – Big Walnut (10-0), Regional finals, 7-14

The average score in all 26 games is 31-13 in favor of the Tigers.  Eleven times Massillon played a suburban team at home, winning ten of them.  The average score in those is 40-15.  On neutral fields, Moore’s record is 12-2, with an average score of 33-11, while the lone game on the opponent’s field resulted in a 43-13 pounding of No. 2 seeded Perry.

Records of the opponents don’t seem to matter much either.  Against undefeated teams Moore has won four of five, with an average score of 34-15.  Against 9-1 and 8-2 teams he is a combined 8-0.

The most common opponents played were Perry, with a 3-0 record, Westerville South, with a 3-0 record, and Big Walnut, with a 2-1 record. The Tigers faced Canal Winchester, Uniontown Lake and Green twice each, winning five of six.  Moore is also 1-0 against Hoover, with a 48-23 victory in 2020.

Just for completeness, Moore is 6-1 against city-type schools and 3-4 against parochial schools Akron Hoban (2-3) and Cincinnati LaSalle (1-1).

In regular season games against suburban schools Moore has a record of 30-3, with the three losses coming during his first three years.  When added to the playoff mark the combined record is a whopping 53-6.

Below is a list of past games played against North Canton:

• 2020, Playoffs Round 2, Massillon, 48-23
• 2009, Playoffs Round 1, Massillon, 17-10
• 2008, Playoffs Round 1, North Canton, 14-7
• 2003, Playoffs Round 1, Massillon, 45-14
• 2002, Playoffs Round 1, Massillon 31-0
• 2001, Playoffs Round 3, Massillon, 27-7

The numbers in the story above show that history is not necessarily on the side of the Vikings.  No. 1, Massillon has simply dominated suburban schools with Moore at the helm, even in the playoffs when facing the better teams.  No. 2, they are playing at home, where they have won 11 of 12 playoff matches.  No. 3, most scores have not been close, with the Tigers winning three-quarters of the games by at least three touchdowns.  And No. 4, the Tigers have won the last 27 games against Stark County opponents.  Nevertheless, the two teams still need to play on Friday.  Does Hoover have the tools it needs to pull the upset?  We will see come Friday.

A Look Back at Past Massillon Teams – Part…

A Look Back at Past Massillon Teams – Part 10 – The 1999 Season

This is the tenth of a 10-part series looking back at all of the Massillon teams of the 1990s.

Head Coach: Rick Shepas (2nd Year)
Overall Record: 10-1
Regular Season Record: 10-0
Playoff Results: Division I, Region 3, 1st; lost to Perry in the first round
Key Players: Quarterback Dave Irwin, running back Jesse Scott, wide receiver Rocky Price, wide receiver Joe Price, wide receiver Rocky Dorsey, linebacker Dan Studer
All-Ohio: Ellery Moore (1st), Rocky Dorsey (SM), Jesse Scott (SM)

A new head coach in Massillon is always given a “free pass” by the fans during the his first year at the helm, thereby providing time to establish his program.  But in the second year he is then expected to produce.  For Coach Rick Shepas it couldn’t have gone any better, at least during the regular season.  Not only did the team win every game, it also handily defeated Perry, Lakewood St. Edward and Canton McKinley along the way.  All was well in Tigertown.  Only, in the playoffs it came crashing down, as the region’s No. 1 seeded Tigers stumbled right out of the gate, losing at home to Perry in the first round, 23-6.  But the year was not without a second drama incident, this one occurring prior to the season.  The focus was on 1998 Perry running back Jesse Scott, who had transferred to Massillon right after the season had ended.  That did not sit well with Panther Head Coach Keith Wakefield, who promptly filed a complaint with the OHSAA.  Only, the transfer was ruled to be legal, setting the stage for the two Massillon-Perry games to come, with Scott as the Tigers’ starting running back.

PIVOTAL GAMES

Massillon Perry (regular season) –  It had been fourteen years since Massillon  and Perry had hooked up for a football game.  What made this one happen was an unusual home-and-home contract whereby the first game (1999) would be played at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium and the second at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium, which served in this game as the home field for Perry.  In the home encounter it was all Massillon, as they ran away with a 35-14 victory in front of a large crowd of 14,185.  Each team scored in the first half, with Jesse Scott crossing the goal line from the one.  But the Tigers turned it on in the second half with fourteen points in each quarter.  In the third Scott scored on a 5-yard run and Rocky Dorsey tallied on a 22-yard pass from Dave Irwin.  After Perry closed the margin to 21-14, Massillon put the game away in the fourth on a 43-yard pass to Dorsey and a 9-yard pass to Joe Price.  The Panthers were strong against the run, holding the Tigers to just 94 yards.  But they simply couldn’t defend the pass owing to the Tigers’ speedy receivers and the accurate arm of Irwin, who ended up completing 18 of 25 passes for 273 yards and 3 touchdowns.  Price caught 6 of the passes for 61 yards and a score.  And Dorsey had his 2 TD receptions.

Lakewood St. Edward – St. Edward was not the formidable team in 1999 that they are today, entering the contest with a 3-5 record.  But the big story was the loss of quarterback Dave Irwin to a thumb injury that occurred in shop class on the day of the game.  That quickly put backup QB Brett Marshall in the spotlight.  And he didn’t disappoint, completing 8 of 13 passes for 183 yards and 3 touchdowns.  What a marvelous performance.  The Tigers led 17-7 at the half on two TD passes from Marshall and a Marshall 29-yard field goal.  The passes went to John Stanke (14 yards) and Jesse Scott (71 yards).  In the third quarter Irwin toughed it out with his thumb heavily bandaged.  He did well, completing 7 of 12 passes for 113 yards and a TD 30 yards to Jesse Scott.  But Marshall eventually relieved him and finished game off with a 60-yard toss to Dave Bumgarner, making the final tally 31-14.  Massillon rolled up 425 yards of total offense, including 125 on the ground and 300 in the air.  Anthony Battle led the receiver corps with five receptions for 75 yards.

Canton McKinley – It was unbeaten Massillon against 7-2 McKinley at Fawcett Stadium.  In an unusual start the Tigers scored in the first quarter on a 31-yard pass interception return by Steve Eyerman and then the Bulldogs countered in the second with an interception return of their own.  That made the score 7-7 at the half.  In the second half Massillon took over and completely overwhelmed the opponent by scoring 28 unanswered points and winning 35-7.  All four scores came on pass plays from Dave Irwin: Jon Stanke (12 yards), Jeremiah Drobney (10 yards), Rocky Dorsey (39-yard catch and run on a crossing pattern) and Jesse Robinson (35-yard bomb).  Irwin ended up completing 12 of 21 passes for 130 yards and 3 TDs.  Jesse Scott added 93 yards rushing, while Dorsey had five receptions and Price had four.  In the playoffs, the Bulldogs would defeat Hoover 7-6 in the first round and then lose 7-0 to Perry the following week.

Massillon Perry (playoffs) – In a surprising turnaround from the regular season game, Perry upset Region 3’s top-seeded Massillon in the first round of the playoffs, 23-6.  The big change for the Panthers was incorporating a delay blitz package that put constant pressure on Tiger quarterback Dave Irwin, who made all the difference in the first match with three touchdown passes.  The blitz was effective enough that Irwin was able to complete just 9 of 24 passes for 137 yards and zero touchdowns.  On offense, Perry this time around was also able to finish drives with a more consistent ground game.  Massillon’s lone touchdown came in the first quarter when Jesse Scott scored from the four.  Perry led in total yards, 282-213, including a 261-76 advantage on the ground.  With the win, it would appear that Perry Coach Keith Wakefield got the last laugh.  The Panthers would go on to beat McKinley 7-0 the following week, before losing 16-14 to Pickerington in the regional finals.  In the state semifinals, Pickerington would lose to eventual state champion Cleveland St. Ignatius, 48-8.

A Look Back at Past Massillon Teams – Part…

A Look Back at Past Massillon Teams – Part 9 – The 1998 Season

This is the ninth of a 10-part series looking back at all of the Massillon teams of the 1990s.

Head Coach: Rick Shepas (1st Year)
Overall Record: 4-6
Regular Season Record: 4-6
Playoff Results: Division I, Region 3, 16th; did not qualify
Key Players: Quarterback Dave Irwin, quarterback Steve Eyerman, quarterback Thomas Fichter, running back Marc Cleveland, running back Julian Miller, wide receiver Rocky Dorsey, defensive lineman Ellery Moore, defensive back Jason Jarvis, linebacker Dan Studer and punter Luke Shilling
All-Ohio: Luke Shilling (1st), Ellery Moore (SM)

Newly hired Coach Rick Shepas is credited with ushering the modern-day offense into the the Massillon football program.  Gone were the days of the wing-T and power-I; in came the spread, with multiple receivers and the quarterback in the shotgun.  But the change was not without some  growing pains as the youthful Tigers finished the season with a 4-6 record, their first losing campaign in 32 years and the second since the time of Paul Brown.  Massillon opened with national power Clovis West from Fresno, California, losing respectfully, 21-6.  In the middle of the season Glen Mills, which is a prison team of older players, overwhelmed the Tigers 19-0.  And it wrapped up with a 42-20 loss to eventual Division I state champion Canton McKinley.  But there was a big win over Akron St. Vincent.

PIVOTAL GAMES

Mansfield – In spite of the expected loss to Clovis West, Massillon entered the game with a 2-1 record, owing to victories over Lima Senior and Akron Garfield.  But a 21-0 road loss to the Tygers was a preview of the difficult times come.  Mansfield scored in each of the first three quarters, while outgaining the Tigers 359-191.  Meanwhile, the spread offense, which is designed to throw the ball around 40% of the time, managed just 42 yards in the air on a 5 of 14 effort.  The only bright spot was Marc Cleveland rushing 20 times for 121 yards.

Akron St. Vincent – It was Week 9 and Massillon was sitting on a 3-5 record, with three consecutive losses to Glen Mills, Division III state runner-up Walsh Jesuit (13-1) and Cincinnati Moeller (7-3).  Yet another challenge awaited the Tigers with the 6-2 Irish coming to town.  This appeared to be only chance to salvage some kind of success, with No. 1 Canton McKinley looming the following week.  Fortunately, Massillon turned in its best performance of the year, winning the game, 36-7.  By that time junior quarterback Dave Irwin had become the starter and he had a great day, completing 12 of 17 passes for 93 yards and three touchdowns.  And Marc Cleveland added to that production, rushing 16 times for 126 yards and two scores.  The Tigers opened the game with 23 consecutive points, with touchdowns coming from Marcus Simpson (9-yard pass), Cleveland (1-yard run), Joe Price (6-yard pass) and Brett Marshall (19-yard field goal).  In the fourth quarter Massillon put the game away with scores coming from Price (10-yard pass) and Cleveland (40-yard run).  Luke Shilling punted six times, averaging nearly 40 yards per attempt.

Canton McKinley – The Tigers trailed the Bulldogs (8-1) just 19-17 at the half, but just couldn’t keep up in the second, eventually falling 42-20.  Quarterback Dave Irwin scored in the first quarter on a 2-yard run, giving his team a brief 7-6 lead.  In the second, after Brett Marshall converted a 23-yard field goal, Julian Miller (photo) followed with a 2-yard touchdown run.  In the third quarter Marshall kicked another field goal, this one from 20 yards, and Massillon again had the lead, at 20-19.  But McKinley owned the rest with 23 consecutive points, including the return of a blocked punt.  Marc Cleveland rushed 22 times for 122 yards, Irwin completed 15 of 23 passes for 133 yards and Ron Lynn caught seven balls for 66 yards.  The Bulldogs would go on in the playoffs to revenge a regular season loss to Cleveland St. Ignatius and then capture their second consecutive Division I state title with a 33-10 victory over Cincinnati St. Xavier.

A Look Back at Past Massillon Teams – Part…

A Look Back at Past Massillon Teams – Part 8 – The 1997 Season

This is the eighth of a 10-part series looking back at all of the Massillon teams of the 1990s.

Head Coach: Jack Rose (6th Year)
Overall Record: 7-3
Regular Season Record: 7-3
Playoff Results: Division I, Region 2, 12th; did not qualify
Key Players: Quarterback Tip Danzy. running back Christian Morgan, running back Dave Hodgson, linebacker Jared Stafenko, linebacker Seth Venables, defensive back Josh Krieder, punter Luke Shilling,
All-Ohio: Josh Krieder (1st), Christian Morgan (SM), Josh Hill (SM)

Massillon was led by two outstanding running backs: Christian Morgan, who rushed 181 times for 1,061 yards (5.9 ave.) and 11 TDs, and Dave Hodgson, who rushed 115 times for 810 yards (7.0 ave.) and 7 TDs.  Hodgson was also the team’s leading receiver with 12 catches for 188 yards (15.7 ave.) and 2 TDs.  The Tigers finished the season unbeaten at home, but lost all three road games to outstanding teams, including to Lima Senior, Cincinnati Moeller and Canton McKinley.  Lima qualified for the playoffs, while Moeller and McKinley faced each other in the playoff state finals.  Also, in the Moeller game the Tigers led 24-7 early in the fourth quarter, but then surrendered three TDs to lose by four.  Luke Shilling had a great year punting, placing 5th in the Massillon record book with a 39.9 yard average.

PIVOTAL GAMES

Lima Senior – In 1996 Massillon gave state champion Lima Senior its only loss of the season.  In the return game the Spartans got revenge in a big way, winning 25-7.  Lima scored two touchdowns in the second quarter on a short run and a return of an intercepted pass to take a 12-0 lead into the locker room.  They increased the lead to 18-0 on another short run, before the Tigers finally got on the board.  It came on a 59-yard punt return by Josh Kreider, as Massillon’s offense failed to score a point in this one.  The Spartans added one final TD in the fourth on a 17-yard pass.  In a game of complete dominance, Lima led in total yards, 209-38.  Lima would finish the season 8-2, but lose to unbeaten Upper Arlington in the first round of the playoffs.

Walsh Jesuit – Walsh was the only significant opponent that the Tigers beat, by the score of 27-14.  Two Massillon TDs came in each of the first two quarters, with Dave Hodgson scoring on two short runs, Christian Morgan scoring on a 41-yard jaunt and Josh Hill returning a fumble 25 yards to the end zone.  With the Tigers on top 27-0, the Warriors finally found the end zone on a 72-yard pass, giving Massillon a 27-7 lead at the half.  There was only one score in the second half, that by Walsh on a fumble recovery at the end of a drive.  Morgan rushed 23 times for 146 yards, while Hodgson added 96 yards on 15 carries.  The Warriors would finish the season with a 10-3 record.  In the Division III playoffs they advanced to the regional finals, only to lose 13-7 to state runner-up Youngstown Chaney.

Cincinnati Moeller – This is the one that got away.  It’s hard enough to defeat a team like Moeller, which was ranked No. 3 in the state entering this the game.  But, giving away a 17-point advantage with one quarter left and losing 28-24 put a dagger into the heart of all Tigers.  The Crusaders opened the scoring in the second quarter on a 21-yard pass, but Massillon tallied the next 24 points to take a presumed comfortable lead.  Christian Morgan’s 3-yard run and Josh Hose’s PAT gave the Tigers a 7-6 lead at the half.  In the third quarter Morgan hit paydirt again, this time from 80 yards out.  That was followed by a 28-yard pass from Tip Danzy to Tyrie Clifford and a 36-yard fourth-quarter field goal by Hose.  There might have been additional points, but dropped passes were an omen of the doom to come.  It came when the Crusaders changed offensive tactics by going to a 3-receiver spread formation.  First was a 77-yard touchdown pass.  Then came a 2-yard run.  Finally, the go-ahead was a 5-yard TD run with three minutes left in the game.  Moeller led in total yards, 430-341, including 12 of 17 passing for 292 yards.  Both Morgan and Hodgson eclipsed the 100-yard mark rushing.  But the passing game was effective only 8 times in 23 attempts.

Canton McKinley – The season ended on a down note with a 27-14 road loss to Canton McKinley, in spite of a gallant effort by the over-matched Tigers.  Massillon fell behind 21-0 in the first half on three Bulldog TD runs.  Massillon finally converted a first down and eventually found the end zone on a 14-yard run by Tip Danzy.  But McKinley answered right back on a 17-yard return of a blocked punt to take a 24-7 lead into the locker room.  That score remained until the fourth quarter, when Danzy connected with Neil Buckosh on an 8-yard pass.  Dave Hodgson rushed 18 times for 109 yards.  Danzy completed 15 of 31 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown.  Ironically, McKinley led just slightly in total yards, 317-297.  And the 27 points was their lowest-scoring output of the season.  But in the end, the Tigers couldn’t overcome three turnovers.  For the undefeated Bulldogs, they would go on capture a well-earned Division I state title, which included during the run a second victory over Cleveland St. Ignatius (35-32, 20-19) and a state finals win over Cincinnati Moeller (31-16).  For the 7-3 Tigers, this would be the final  game for head coach Jack Rose.

A Look Back at Past Massillon Teams – Part…

A Look Back at Past Massillon Teams – Part 7 – The 1996 Season

This is the seventh of a 10-part series looking back at all of the Massillon teams of the 1990s.

Head Coach: Jack Rose (5th Year)
Overall Record: 9-2
Regular Season Record: 9-1
Playoff Results: Division I, Region 2, 1st; lost in first round
Key Players: Ben Hymes (QB), Christian Morgan (RB), Devin Williams (WR), Ben Mast (OL), Milo McGuire (DL), Eric Lightfoot (DB)
All-Ohio: Ben Mast (1st), Milo McGuire (1st), Eric Lightfoot (SM)

The season was highlighted by an weeks-long No.1 ranking in the state A.P. Poll, plus victories over Cincinnati Moeller and eventual Division I  state champion Lima Senior.  Nevertheless, what started out as a promising season ended with a whimper, owing to a Week-10 loss to a dominant Canton McKinley team and a first round upset by Brunswick in a snow-covered Rubber Bowl.  Christian Morgan led the offense, rushing 202 times for 1,044 yards (5. ave.) and scoring 102 points.  Devin Williams caught 21 passes for 211 yards and 2 TDs.  Eric Lightfoot contributed with three pass interceptions, a fumble recovery and exceptional punting.  Josh Kreider had six takeaways: four picks and two loose balls.

PIVOTAL GAMES

Lima Senior – This was an early showdown of the season’s state powers and it was a classic, at least for Massillon.  For, they came away with 28-14 victory over Lima Senior, a team that went on to win the Division I playoff state championship.  It was also Lima’s only loss of the season.  The Tigers scored first on a 77-yard run by 6′-4″ Christian Morgan.  In in the second quarter the Spartans responded with a short run, but then Morgan followed with his second TD of the game, from two yards out, to put the Tigers out in front again.  Following the halftime break the momentum fully swung in Massillon’s favor when Eric Lightfoot intercepted a pass and returned it 37 yards for a score.  In the final period Morgan got his third touchdown of the game on a short run, making the score 28-7, although Lima did push one in late in the game to make the final margin respectable.  Morgan ended with 22 carries for 156 yards.

Walsh Jesuit – Walsh entered the game with a 4-1 record and a close loss to Lake Catholic, but was summarily pummeled by a surging Tiger team, 34-10.  Morgan again led the way with three rushing touchdowns, of 2, 21 and 2 yards, while Dusty Limbaugh returned a blocked punt for a TD and Elijah Blake scored on a 1-yard run.  It turned out to be the Warrior’s only regular season loss, although they failed to make the Division III playoffs.

Naperville Central, IL – Naperville Central, owning a 6-1 record, played a competitive game with the host Tigers.  In fact, they led Massillon 13-0 at halftime.  But the second half was a complete reversal and the Tigers left the field with a 21-13 victory.  In the third quarter Jared Sefanako scored on an 8-yard run.  Then in the fourth, Ben Hymes tallied from one yard out, with Josh Hose adding the PAT, to give Massillon a 14-13 lead.  The  clinching points were scored by Morgan on a 1-yard run.  The overall stats were fairly even, while the Tigers held a sizeable edge in the rushing game.  Naperville finished the season with a 7-2 record.

Cincinnati Moeller – Massillon defeated the Crusaders for a second straight time, by the score of 20-15.  Massillon was ahead 14-13 at the break off a 10-yard pass interception return by Josh Kreider and 25-yard run by Elijah Blake.  Moeller had a short run and kicked field goals of 32 and 45 yards.  Neither team found the end zone in the third quarter, but in the fourth Dave Hodgson got loose on a 74-yard TD run to put the Tigers ahead 20-12.  Meanwhile, the Crusaders could not dent the end zone and were forced to settle for a 46-yard field goal, which simply closed the gap.  Hodgson ended with 8 carries for 134 yards.  Moeller finished the regular season with an 8-2 record, the other loss coming at the hands of Cincinnati Elder.  In the second round of the playoffs the Crusaders again lost to Elder.

Canton McKinley – The two titans faced off in yet another classic.  Massillon came in unbeaten, while  McKinley had one loss, 47-19, to eventual state finalist Cleveland St. Ignatius.  As good as the Tigers were throughout the season, it all came crashing down in this one with a 21-0 defeat.  The Bulldogs scored twice in the second quarter and once in the third, while the Tigers gained just 110 yards for the game and were forced to punt six times.  They also turned the ball over twice on pass interceptions.  In the playoffs the Bulldogs, after defeating Brunswick, lost 31-24 in the state semifinals to St. Ignatius,

Brunswick – A driving snow storm at the University of Akron’s Rubber made playing conditions nearly impossible, with up to six inches of the wet stuff blanketing the field.  The snow came down so hard that attempts to plow it proved fruitless.  In a game that should have been postponed, the Tigers lost 7-6.  The difference?  Massillon attempted their PAT immediately following their touchdown, with the kicker lining up from within a bed of snow, while Brunswick called time out to first shovel the snow suitable enough for the kicker to have some footing during his ultimately successful kick.  After a scoreless first half, Christian Morgan sped through the line and plodded 89 yards for a touchdown.  The Blue Devils, employing a 2-tight end set, scored their TD late in the fourth quarter on a short run, capping a drive that covered just over half of the field.  Massillon’s size and speed advantage was negated by the poor field conditions and they managed just over 100 yards of offense, aside from Morgan’s long run.  Also, they couldn’t take advantage of four Brunswick fumbles.  Of course, the Blue Devil’s couldn’t cash in on the Tiger’s four turnovers.  The following week Brunswick would lose in the playoffs 36-15 to McKinley, on a dry field.

A Look Back at Past Massillon Teams – Part…

A Look Back at Past Massillon Teams – Part 6 – The 1995 Season

This is the sixth of a 10-part series looking back at all of the Massillon teams of the 1990s.

Head Coach: Jack Rose (4th Year)
Overall Record: 7-3
Regular Season Record: 7-3
Playoff Results: Did not qualify
Key Players: George Whitfield (QB), Vinnie Turner (RB), Devin Williams (WR), Brett Wiles (WR), Ben Mast (OL/DL), Paul Salvino (OL/DL), Elijah Blake (DB), Eric Lightfoot DB)
All-Ohio: Vinnie Turner (SM)

Senior quarterback George Whitfield was under center leading a predominantly underclass team.  After college, George founded a professional quarterback training business.  Massillon defeated Cincinnati Moeller for the first time in eight tries by the score of 21-18.  The Tigers hosted one of the best teams from Florida in Miami Southridge (8-1), losing 21-7, with the visitors breaking a 7-7 tie in the fourth quarter.  The Tigers nearly overcame a 17-7 halftime deficit against Canton McKinley with a courageous second half comeback.  For the season, running back Vinnie Turner carried the ball 204 times for 1,227 yards (6.0 ave.) and led the team in scoring with 108 points.  Whitfield of completed half of his passes for 929 yards and six touchdowns.

PIVOTAL GAMES

Cincinnati Moeller – Massillon led the entire way in defeating Moeller for the first time in eight tries, by the score of 21-18.  The two teams combined for seven fumbles, three by the Tigers and four by the Crusaders.  Massillon took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter when Turner sped for 38 yards.  Turner scored again on a 1-yard run in the second to up the margin to 14-0.  Moeller then responded with a 27-yard field goal before halftime.  In the third quarter the Crusaders closed the margin to 14-11, before Turner scored his third TD of the night on a 13-yard run.  Josh Hose then added his third PAT kick.  Moeller tallied their final points with three minutes left in the fourth on a short run, but the Tigers held on  for the win.  Team statistics were slightly in favor of the Crusaders, but Turner had perhaps his best night of the season, rushing 25 times for 196 yards (7.8 ave.) and three touchdowns.

Miami Southrange, FL – Massillon took a foray into the national scene with a home game against Southrange and put up a good fight in a 20-7 loss.  The Tigers opened the scoring in the second quarter when Turner caught a 6-yard pass from Whitfield in the end zone and took that lead into the locker room at halftime.  Southrange tied the score in the third on a 1-yard run and then tallied again in the fourth from 12-yards out to complete a 15-play drive.  Their final points came on a 12-yard pick-six.  Turner gained 129 of Massillon’s total 180 yards.  But the speed of Southrange really made the difference in this game.  That and a pair of turnovers.

Canton McKinley – The Bulldogs led 17-7 at the half and then needed to stave off a hard-charging Tiger team, eventually winning 24-21.  But not before Massillon fumbled at the McKinley five yard line with under a minute left to play.  That, and four turnovers cost Massillon dearly in this one in an evenly played game yardage-wise.  Adrian Brown (Youngstown State) scored all three of McKinley’s touchdowns, on long runs of 72, 72 and 24 yards.  Massillon’s scores came from Lavell Everett/Weaver (1-yard run), Brett Wiles (17-yard pass from Whitfield) and Vinnie Turner (12-yard pass from Whitfield).  In his final Tiger game, Whitfield completed 18 of 30 passes for 210 yards and two touchdowns.

A Look Back at Past Massillon Teams – Part…

A Look Back at Past Massillon Teams – Part 5 – The 1994 Season

This is the fifth of a 10-part series looking back at all of the Massillon teams of the 1990s.

Head Coach: Jack Rose (3rd Year)
Overall Record: 10-2
Regular Season Record: 9-1
Playoff Results: Division I, Region 2; Regional finals
Key Players: Willie Spencer (QB), Leon Ashcraft (RB), Ryan Shanor (WR), Devon Williams (WR), Courtney Herring (LB), Mark Wells (OL/DL), Kevin Bouder (OL)
All-Ohio: Kevin Bouder (1st), Willie Spencer (1st), Courtney Herring (SM), Mark Wells (SM)

Massillon was led by dual-purpose quarterback Willie Spencer (Akron/Tiffin).  The highlight of the season was Massillon’s 42-41 overtime victory over Canton McKinley in the 100th game of this long rivalry .  Ironically, it was Jack Rose’s only win over the Bulldogs in the seven times he served as the head coach in this game.  Aside from that, the Tigers did fashion a 9-1 regular season mark and won a first-round playoff game.  But, McKinley would enact revenge the following week in the regional finals with a 27-21 turnaround.  But they too would falter in their next game against eventual state champion Cleveland St. Ignatius.  Prior to the second McKinley game, Massillon would play a spirited affair with Fremont Ross, led by future pro Charles Woodson, winning 35-28.  The lone regular season loss was against 9-1 Akron Garfield, 21-6.

PIVOTAL GAMES

Akron Garfield – The Golden Rams were a formidable opponent in that time period and these two teams hooked up for some classics.  This one went the wrong way in a 21-6 Garfield win, which turned out to be Massillon’s only regular season loss.  After a scoreless first half, the Rams scored twice to take a 14-0 lead before the Tigers got on the board in the 4th on a 4-yard run by Spencer.  But Garfield answered with a short scoring run, salting the game away.  The team stats were fairly even.  Individually, Leon Ashcraft led the Tiger rushing attack with 19 carries for 142 yards.  Garfield ended the season at 9-1, while giving up just eight touchdowns throughout.  Their lone loss was at the hands of McKinley, 15-12 in the season opener, the impact of which placed them 5th in Region 2 computer rankings, one place shy of qualifying for the tournament.

Austintown Fitch – Massillon traveled to Fitch in Week 5, which has always proven to be a tough place to win.  As expected, it was defensive game throughout, but the Tigers found a way and prevailed, 10-7.  The undefeated Falcons scored first, in the second quarter, on a 43-yard pass, and held that 7-0 lead going into the fourth quarter.  That’s when Spencer ripped off an 83-yard run to tie the score.  Nick Pribich then tacked on a 40-yard field goal with three minutes remaining to secure the victory, snapping Massillon 4-game losing streak at that facility.  Fitch was well-ahead in the statistics, but they couldn’t finish the drives when needed.  Spencer rushed 15 times for 122 yards and a TD.  Ashcraft added 18 carries for 90 yards.  The Falcons finished the season 7-3, with close losses to Youngstown teams Ursuline and Mooney.

Canton McKinley – Attendance: A sellout crowd of 19,125 at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium witnessed a 42-41 overtime Massillon victory in the 100th game of this great rivalry.  After a scoreless first quarter the offenses took over in the second and the two teams combined to score four touchdowns, two by each team.  For the Tigers, Spencer ran one in from the three and Ashcraft went over from the two.  McKinley’s second score came with 18 seconds left in the half, sending the teams to the locker room tied at 14.  The points continued into the third with Massillon scoring twice. The first was a 62-yard pass to Victor Redrick from Spencer, who had handed off the ball to the running back and immediately received it back for the throw.  On McKinley’s next possession, Adrian Brown (Youngstown State) scored on a short run and then the Tigers responded with another Spencer TD pass, this one going six yards to Vaughn Mohler.  That gave Massillon a 28-21 lead going into the fourth. But the onslaught continued, with McKinley’s Kinta Mitchell scoring his third touchdown of the day to re-tie the game and Ashcraft putting Massillon back ahead on a 20-yard run.  Not to be outdone, the Bulldogs then drove 68 yards in seven plays to tie the game at 35 and send it into overtime.  It was fitting indeed that this classic continue on.  Mitchell scored his fourth touchdown on McKinley’s initial overtime possession, but McDaniels, who was also the kicker, missed the extra point, leaving the door open for the Tigers.  On second down from the 20, Spencer initially kept the ball on a run off-tackle, but then lateraled to Victor Redrick, who grabbed the pigskin at the 16 and sped untouched to the end zone to tie the score.  Nick Pribich’s kick was true and it was all pandemonium on the home side. The two teams had combined for over 700 yards of offense, with Leon Ashcraft rushing for 109 yards and two touchdowns and Spencer rushing for 94 and a score, while passing for another 103 yards and two scores.  McDaniels was 14 of 20 for 148 yards. But for Massillon fans, they partied well into the night.  McKinley would finished the season 8-2 and be the top seeded team in playoff Region 2.

Fremont Ross – The Little Giants entered the first round playoff game with an 8-2 record, while averaging 39 points per game.  And their special weapon?  Future Heisman Trophy winner and Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Charles Woodson (U. Michigan/Oakland Raiders/Green Bay Packers) at running back.  And what show a he put on.  He had 28 carries for 231 yards and four touchdowns.  Nearly unstoppable.  But Massillon found a way.  Each team scored three times in the first half, with the score tied at 21 at the break.  For the Tigers, Spencer had two short runs and he connected with Devon Williams on a 51-yard touchdown pass for the third.  For the Giants it was all Woodson, with TD runs of 3, 44 and 3 yards.  Ashcraft tallied in the third on a short run, but Woodson found the end zone in the fourth on a 13-yard run to tie the game again.  But Massillon had the last say with three minutes left in the game, on a 7-yard pass from Spencer to Vaughn Moeller, to finish off an 83-yard drive.  Only, Fremont Ross did threaten one last time when they drove the ball to the Tiger two yard line.  But a pass interception in the end zone by Matt Robinson ended the threat, giving the Tigers a well-earned 35-28 victory.  Ashcraft had a fine night, rushing 25 times for 136 yards and a touchdown.  Spencer was 7 of 11 passing for 132 yards and two TDs.  Williams caught three passes for 89 yards and a score.

Canton McKinley (P.O.) – The Bulldogs proved to be the better team that night on the scoreboard with a 27-20 victory in Akron’s Rubber Bowl, although the final stats were even.  Unfortunately, the Tigers were forced to finish the game without their star quarterback Spencer due to an injury.  Massillon held a 14-13 lead at the half behind two Spencer touchdown runs and they led 20-19 entering the fourth on yet another Spencer short run.  But, McKinley then retook the lead early in the period on a 46-yard pass.   Only, the Tigers were unable to respond owing to the loss of Spencer.  Ashcraft had 20 carries for 128 yards.  Spencer completed 7 of 11 passes for 93 yards, four going to Victor Redrick.  McKinley would lose in the next playoff round to Cleveland St. Ignatius, 32-11.

A Look Back at Past Massillon Teams – Part…

A Look Back at Past Massillon Teams – Part 4 – The 1993 Season

This is the fourth of a 10-part series looking back at all of the Massillon teams of the 1990s.

Head Coach: Jack Rose (2nd Year)
Overall Record: 10-2
Regular Season Record: 9-1
Playoff Results: Division I, Region 2; Regional finals
Key Players: Mike Danzy (QB), Leon Ashcraft (RB), Ali Dixon (RB), Alonzo Simpson (WR), Jerry May (WR), B.J. Payne (OL), Mark Fair (OL), Trevor Paisley (DL), Chad Buckland (DB), Willie Spencer, Jr. (DB)
All-Ohio: B.J. Payne (1st Team), Trevor Paisley (2nd Team), Alonzo Simpson (SM)

Massillon won its first nine games, before dropping a 21-13 decision to Canton McKinley.  In the the first round of the playoffs the Tigers defeated  Mansfield (9-1), 46-6.  It was the second time these two faced each other that year, with Massillon winning the regular season encounter, 53-22.  But, the Tigers lost in the second round to unbeaten Walsh Jesuit, 30-20.  Ironically, Walsh had defeated Canton McKinley 19-0 in their first round game.  Quarterback Mike Danzy was a true dual-purpose quarterback, passing for 948 yards (17.2 ave.) and rushing for a team-high 702 yards (7.5 ave.).  Ashcraft and Dixon combined for 1,358 yards (6.4 ave.).  The team’s total rushing average of 6.56 yards per attempt ranks 5th in the Massillon record book, while their 3,223 rushing yards ranks 7th and their 47 rushing touchdowns ranks 10th.  Their 42 points per game ranks 9th.

PIVOTAL GAMES

Akron Garfield – The Golden Rams entered the contest with a 7-0 loss to McKinley and a 28-7 win over Akron St. Vincent.  Garfield scored first on a 23-yard pass, but Massillon then reeled off the next 28 points to win convincingly, 28-7.  The Tigers were ahead just 14-7 at the start of the second half, but Payne came up big on defense with three successive stops, forcing the Rams to punt.  The Tigers then drove 53 yards in eight plays to score and take a commanding 21-7 lead.  For the game, Danzy completed 7 of 11 passes for 119 yards and two touchdowns, including one to Dixon, who also scored a rushing touchdown.  The Rams would win the rest of their games that year and finish 8-2.

Austintown Fitch – Both the Tigers and the Falcons entered the game undefeated at 4-0.  In front of nearly 15,000 fans, Massillon scored first on a 2-yard Ashcraft run.  But Fitch, with their misdirection attack, would score the next 15 points on two touchdowns and a safety to lead 15-7 at halftme.  Only, the second half belonged to the Tigers as they tallied four times to win 34-15.  Two of the scores were off of interception returns by Tim Menches (67 yards) and Spencer (54 yards).  For the game, Danzy rushed 11 times for 136 yards and threw a touchdown pass.  Fitch would finish the season at 7-3, including a 1-point overtime loss to McKinley and 1-point loss to Youngstown Ursuline, with wins over Youngstown Cardinal Mooney, Warren Harding and Boardman.

Canton McKinley – On a muddy Fawcett Stadium turf Massillon’s potent offense, which was averaging 47 points per game coming into the game, was ground to a halt in a 21-13 defeat by the Bulldogs.  It was also the Tigers’ first loss of the season.  Massillon’s vaunted rushing game managed just 108 yards in the quagmire, while Danzy’s passing was not enough to overcome the deficit.  McKinley, which had a much larger team, managed the conditions better and led 14-7 at the half.  The two teams split touchdowns in the fourth quarter.  The Bulldogs finished the season with a 9-2 record, including a first round loss to Walsh Jesuit, 19-0.

Walsh Jesuit – The Warriors jumped out to a 16-0 lead by halftime and maintained a lead throughout the rest of the game in a 30-20 win.  Walsh had a pair of brothers at quarterback and wide receiver and that combo proved deadly throughout the game.  Nevertheless, the Tiger did cut the deficit to 23-20 in the fourth quarter when Danzy connected to Simpson on a 55-yard pass.  But, Walsh had the last say with a final TD on a 48-yard scoring drive following a 39-yard kickoff return.  The total yards in the game were relatively even and Massillon’s rushing average was a fine 7.4 yards per carry.  But three turnovers contributed to the loss.  Danzy finished with 120 yards rushing off of 10 carries, but managed to complete just 3 of 13 passes for 108 yards and one TD.