Here are the Top Massillon Linebackers of All Time

Here are the Top Massillon Linebackers of All Time

There are two prevailing axioms in the game of football.  The first is that a consistently winning team is one that both runs the ball and stops the run.  The second is that defense wins championships.  Sounds good on paper.  But, to achieve this ultimate degree of success, a team still needs skilled players that can control the action and make the necessary tackles.  And that begins with the linebackers.

A good linebacker is cut from a different cloth.  For starters, he has a Type A personality.  As such, he doesn’t connect the pain of contact with the joy of success.  He is aggressive and tough.  He is strong and has good speed.  He possesses outstanding linebacker skills and football instincts.  He can shed blocks, pursue ball carriers and tackle fundamentally.  And he has a above average leadership aptitude.  If he brings all that to the table, success will surely follow.

Massillon is fortunate to have had many exceptional linebackers in its long history.  The best may have been Chris Spielman (All-American, Ohio State, NFL), who owns three of the top five spots in the records book for tackle points per game.  A couple of other great ones were Steve Luke (Ohio State, NFL) and Dorian Pringle (All-American, Bowling Green).

This story presents what is perceived to be Massillon’s best linebackers of all time, disbursed by decade.  The selections are based primarily on post-season awards (All-Ohio status and Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame) and secondarily on statistics (note that detailed player statistics were recorded only during 1981-88, 1990-91 and 2003-present), football life after Massillon and team defensive performance.  The story does not, however, attempt to rank the players from top to bottom.   That is left up to the reader.

1930s

Don Snavely (1935-36) – Snavely was a 2-year starter for the Tigers under head coach Paul Brown.  In 1935 the team finished with a 10-0 record, while outscoring the opposition by an average of 48-1, and was rewarded with state and national championships.  After the season Snavely was named 1^st Team All-Ohio.  The following year the Tigers again posted a 10-0 mark, with a scoring advantage of 44-1, with Snavely named 1^st Team All-Ohio.  Then he was off to Columbia for more football.  Snavely is a member of the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame.

1940s

None

1950s

Chuck Vliet (1949-50) – Vliet is credited with setting a record for the most tackles in a single game.  It was against Warren Harding that head coach Chuck Mather advised Vliet just prior to the game that he was to make every tackle, while advising the rest of the players to keep him free of any potential blockers.  The strategy worked and behind Vliet’s 42 tackles Massillon won the game 23-6.  The Tigers finished the year with a 10-0 record, with an average scoring advantage of 41-4.  They also captured state and national championships.

Gary Bednar (1957-59) – Bednar was a key player in the 1959 team that finished 10-0 and was awarded with state and national championships.  The Tigers that year outscored their opponents by an average of 43-5.  Following the season Bednar was named 1^st Team All-Ohio.

1960s

Paul Marks (1963-65) – Marks had a stellar year in 1965 leading his team to a 10-0 mark and a state championship, the second consecutive crown for head coach Earl Bruce.  Marks was named 1^st Team All-Ohio after the season and later played for Memphis University.  He is a member of the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame.

Ron Ertle (1966-67) – A 7-6 loss to eventual state champion Upper Arlington was the only blemish on a 1967 team that finished as state runner-up.  Ertle was a force on defense and was named 1^st Team All-Ohio.  After Massillon he played for the University of Cincinnati.  He is a member of the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame.

Pat Midgley (1968-69) – Midgley was the primary focus on defense for head coach Bob Commings, who finished 7-2-1 in his inaugural season at Massillon.  Midgley was named 2^nd Team All-Ohio and later played for Ohio University.

1970s

Steve Luke (1969-70) – In 1970 Luke led his team to a perfect 10-0 record, along with a state championship and runner-up finish in the national poll.  The Tigers were tremendous on defense and outscored their opponents by a 41-3 margin, including a 28-0 defeat of Canton McKinley, the state’s No. 3 team.  For his effort, Luke was named 3^rd Team All-Ohio.  He later played defensive back for Ohio State University and then enjoyed a long career with the Green Bay Packers.  Luke is a member of both the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame and the Massillon Wall of Champions.

Tim Gutshall (1972-74) – Gutshall was a 2-year starter at inside linebacker.  As a junior, under head coach Bob Commings, the team finished 8-1-1.  A season-ending loss to McKinley prevented the Tigers from achieving a second consecutive playoff qualification (one team qualified per region).  The following year Massillon finished 6-4, with new coach Chuck Shuff at the helm.  Gutshall later played for the University of Iowa.

1980s

Chris Spielman (1981-83) – Spielman may be the best linebacker to have ever played for Massillon.  A 3-year starter, he holds career records for unassisted tackles (246), total tackles (352) and tackle points (299).  Spielman was so adept at the position that he was earmarked even as a sophomore to call the defensive alignment prior to each play.  During that first year he recorded 7.8 tackle points per game, which is ranked 5^th all-time.  The team finished 7-3.  Although the Tigers lost to eventual state champion McKinley 9-6, they managed to hold the Bulldogs to a mere 55 yards rushing in 31 attempts.  The following year Massillon posted a 12-1 record, while besting the opposition on average 28-4, and advanced in the playoffs to the Division I state title game.  Spielman set four single-season records for unassisted tackles (113), total tackles (156), tackle points (134.5) and tackle points per game (10.4).  He was also named 1^st Team All-Ohio.  In 1983 the Tigers were a game away from qualifying for the state playoffs, finishing with a 9-1 record and outscoring the opponents on average 28-6.  Spielman recorded 9.5 tackle points per game (2^nd all-time) and was again named 1^st Team All-Ohio, along with All-American.  He holds twelve records book top tens.  Later, he played for Ohio State University, Detroit Lions (NFC Defensive Rookie of the Year), Buffalo Bills and Cleveland Browns.  He is a member of both the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame and the Wall of Champions.

Pete Johnson (1983-84) – Johnson was a starter at inside linebacker for the 1984 season,   leading the team in tackles with 82 solos and 21 assists on a team that finished 6-4.  He also produced 9.3 tackle points per game, which is ranked 3^rd all-time.  Johnson owns three records book top tens.

Pat Spicer (1983-84) – Spicer also had a good year as a starter in 1984 with 77 solo tackles to go along with 30 assists.  His 9.2 tackle points per game ranks 4^th all-time.  Spicer holds three records book top tens.

1990s

Eric Wright (1990-91) – Wright was a 2-year starter at middle linebacker.  In his junior year he led the team with 102 total tackles.  During his senior year, Wright again led the team in total tackles, this time with 103.  The team finished 10-3, while outscoring the opposition by an average of 36-14 and was regional champion in the playoffs.  Following the season, Wright was named 1^st Team All-Ohio.  He is also a member of the Massillon Tiger Football of Fame.

Jason Woullard (1990-91) – Wollard also a 2-year starter at outside linebacker.  In his junior year he recorded 86 total tackles, second best on the team.  In his senior year he was named 2^nd Team All-Ohio.  Woullard owns two records book top tens.  Later, he played for Bowling Green.

 2000s

Shawn Crable (2000-02) – Crable was a 2-year starter at outside linebacker, using his size (6’-5”) and speed to brandish a dominating pass rush.  In his junior year the team finished 12-2 and advanced to the state semifinals.  Crable was awarded Special Mention All-Ohio.  In his senior year, Massillon recorded an 11-3 season and again advanced to the state semifinal game, where the Tigers lost in overtime to Warren Harding.  For his exceptional play, Crable was named 2^nd Team All-Ohio.  Later, he played for the University of Michigan, the New England Patriots and the New York Jets, plus the Hamilton Lions and Hamilton Tiger Cats of the CFL.  He is a member of the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame.

Paris McCall (2003-05) – McCall started at middle linebacker in 2005 and recorded 6.4 tackle points per game.  He also set a record with 4.5 for quarterback sacks in the game against Dover, to go along with 14 records book top tens.  The team finished 13-2 and was playoff state runner-up.  Following the season, McCall was named 2^nd Team All-Ohio.

Andrew Dailey (2004-06) – Dailey started two years at outside linebacker.  In his junior year he set a single-season record for forced fumbles (4) and was named 1^st Team All-Ohio.  The Tigers finished 13-2 and outscored their opponents on average 33-14.  They were also state runner-up.  In his senior year Daily repeated as 1^st Team All-Ohio.  He owns the career record for forced fumbles (5) and also holds four records book top tens.  He later played for Penn State University.  Dailey is a member of the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame.

Spencer Leno (2007-09) – Leno was a 3-year starter at linebacker.  His best year was in 2009 when he recorded 6.1 tackle points per game on a 10-4 team that advanced to the state semifinal game.  He was also named Honorable Mention All-Ohio.  Leno holds career records for assisted tackles (173), plus four records book top tens.  He later coached at Massillon, first as an inside linebackers assistant and then as offensive coordinator.  Leno is currently the head coach at Massillon Perry.

2010s

 

JD Crabtree (2012) – Crabtree was a starter on the 2012 team that finished 11-2 and advanced to the regional finals game.  During the season he averaged 5.1 tackle points per game and was a force in the playoff contest against Canton McKinley, participating in 13 tackles.  He also holds nine records book top tens.

Danny Robinson (2012-14) – Robinson saw significant playing time as a sophomore and then became a starter for the following two years.  In 2013, the Tigers finished 9-3 and advanced to the regional semifinals.  Robinson that year averaged 5.3 tackle points per game, with 14 tackles in the game against Medina Highland.  The following year the team finished 7-4, with Robinson averaging 6.1 tackle points per game, including 15 tackles vs. Akron St. Vincent.  In both years he was named Special Team All-Ohio.  He also owns four records book top tens.

Ben Krichbaum (2017-19) – Krichbaum played in all but two games during a 3-year varsity career, with the Tigers winning 38 of 44 games.  In 2018 he set a single season record for assisted tackles with 78, while averaging 5.4 tackle points per game.  His high was 11 tackles against Akron Hoban.  The following year he averaged 5.1 tackle points per game, with 13 tackles vs. Avon.  He is also credited with a key quarterback sack in the regional finals game against Akron Hoben to preserve the victory.  He has eight records book top tens.

Caiden Woullard (2018-20) – Woullard comprises a father-son duo of All-Ohio players.  He started as a junior on the 2019 Massillon state runner-up team that finished 14-1 and held opponents to just 12 points per game.  During the year he recorded 18.0 tackles for loss and 6.0 quarterback sacks.  For his play he was named 2nd Team All-Ohio.  The following year the team recorded a 10-2 season, with Woullard contributing 10.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks.  This time he was named 1^st Team All-Ohio.  He also owns five records book top tens.  Later, Woullard played for Miami of Ohio and Oklahoma.  He is currently involved in TFL tryouts.

2020s

Jaiden Wise (2020) – Wise started at outside linebacker on the 2020 team that finished 10-2 that advanced in the playoffs to the state championship game.   Wise recorded an average of 4.5 tackle points per game on a defense that surrendered just 14 points per outing against a very formidable schedule.  Fourteen of his tackles came against Cleveland Benedictine.  Following the season Wise was named 1^st Team All-Ohio.

Cody Fair (2021-23) – Fair was a starting inside linebacker on the 2023 state championship team that held opponents to just seven points per game.  For the season he averaged 5.4 tackle points per outing, with ten tackles each against Valdosta, GA, and Akron Hoban (state finals).  He was named 3^rd Team All-Ohio.  The previous year, Fair averaged 4.5 tackle points per game and achieved Honorable Mention All-Ohio recognition on a team that finished 12-2 and advanced to the state semifinal game.  He holds six records book top tens and currently plays for the U.S. Naval Academy.

Dorian Pringle (2022-23) – Pringle was a 2-year starter at inside linebacker and was an impact player on both sides of the ball, while having his best games against the top competition.  In his junior year, on a team that finished 12-2, he recorded 5.4 tackle points per game, with 16 total tackles against Lakewood St. Edward and 14 vs. Akron Hoban.  He was also named 1^st Team All-Ohio.  In his senior year he had 4.7 tackle points per game for the state champion Tigers, which held opponents to just seven points per game.  His top performances were 14 tackles against Akron Hoban and 10 vs. St. Edward.  His most memorable play came at the end of the game against Hoban when he broke up a fourth down pass at the goal line to preserve a 7-2 Massillon victory and a state championship.  Following the season, he was again named 1^st Team All-Ohio, along with achieving All-American honors.  Pringle holds single season records for tackles for loss (24.5) and tackles for loss yards (126).  He also owns fifteen records book top tens.  Pringle currently plays for Bowling Green.

Mylen Lenix (2022-24) – After playing exclusively offense in 2023, Lenix became the starting outside linebacker the following year.  And he had a successful season, recording 5.3 tackle points per game, three records book top tens and 2^nd Team All-Ohio honors.  The team that year finished 11-3, while surrendering just 12 points per game, and advanced in the playoffs to the regional finals.

Ja’Dyn Williams (2023-25) – Williams was a 2-year starter for the Tigers after serving as a primary backup during his sophomore year.  In 2024 he recorded 6.1 tackle points per game on a team that finished 11-3 and advanced to the regional finals game.  As a senior, he led the team with 6.4 tackle points per game and accumulated 5.5 quarterback sacks.  He also recovered five fumbles.  And he had 17 total tackles against Division IV state champion Cleveland Glenville.  For his performance he was named 1^st Team All-Ohio.  He currently plays for defending national champion Indiana University.

Here are the Top Massillon Linemen of All Time

Here are the Top Massillon Linemen of All Time

Quarterbacks, running backs and wide receivers have a wealth of performance statistics available that can be used to determine post-season honors.  But the same does not hold true for linemen.  In that area, it is normally left up to the coaches to campaign for their players.  And it doesn’t hurt when a player’s team also has a successful season.  For Massillon, that is during most years, and the Tigers throughout their long history have had around 275 linemen achieve the highest award, that is All-Ohio.

The most prudent way then for this writer in selecting the best linemen is to use the All-Ohio teams.  But it is a daunting task to choose from among so many players who achieved either 1st Team, 2nd Team, Honorable Mention or Special Mention recognition.  Therefore, it is limited to those that have achieved 1st Team.  If the reader wants to see all of Massillon’s All-Ohio players, just click on this Link.

The players below are grouped into three distinct categories.  The first is the “Early Years.”  Prior to 1951 the Ohio High School Athletic Association did not differentiate between offense and defense when selecting the All-Ohio teams.  Most likely it was because most players at that time started on both of sides of the ball and were perhaps equally effective at each position.  The second group covers a time period from 1951 to present and is dedicated to the “Offensive Players,” while the third goes to the “Defensive Players,” again from 1951.

Note that prior to the implementation of the spread offense in the late 1990s the position of “end” was not too different from that of an interior lineman; i.e., having a primary responsibility to block for the running back.  So these players are included with the linemen.

 

 

Michael Wright Jr. – Set single-season records for quarterback sacks (10.5) and quarterback sack lost yards (76).  Set career records for tackles-for-loss (49), tackles-for-loss lost yards (258), quarterback sacks (23) and quarterback sack lost yards (101).   Owns 19 records book top tens.

Antonio James– Owns seven records book top tens.

Caiden Woullard – Owns six records book top tens.

Jared Vance – Owns one records book top ten.

Note: The Massillon statisticians did not begin recording defensive statistics until 1982.  Therefore, the records book regarding defense is valid only from that year and going forward.

Here are the Top Massillon Wide Receivers of All…

Here are the Top Massillon Wide Receivers of All Time

Massillon is very fortunate to have had several outstanding wide receivers in their long history.  All of them were athletically talented, possessed great speed, had good hands, ran routes well and made the difficult catches, regardless of whether they were of the short variety or well down the field.

What is believed to be the best are listed here and most, while having put up some great statistics and achieved All-Ohio honors, have gone on to play at the collegiate level, and some even professionally.  The players are grouped in two categories: pre-spread offense and spread offense, since those of the latter benefited from schemes that simply involved more passes, providing receivers better chances to exhibit their skills.

PRE-SPREAD OFFENSE

Wendell Lohr (1933-34) – Lohr was a starter on Paul Brown’s 1934 team that finished as the state runner-up with a 9-1 record.  During the season he tallied 11 touchdown receptions, including five against Barberton to set a single game Massillon record.  The TDs went for 16, 44, 10, 29 and 20 yards.  He also scored on a 50-yard punt return in the 54-0 win.  Following the season, Lohr was named 1^st Team All-Ohio.

Horace Gillom (1938-40) – Gillom was a starter on three state championship teams under Brown, two of which were named national champion.  He had 19 touchdown receptions during his career, along with several rushing TDs.  Against Canton McKinley in the 1940 game, he tallied two passing touchdowns in a 34-6 victory.  He also had three against Steubenville in a 66-0 win.  Gillom was twice named 1^st Team All-Ohio and holds one record book top ten.  Following Massillon, he suited up for the University of Nevada and then for the Cleveland Browns.

Jim Wood (1958-59) – Wood played two years for Head Coach Leo Strang, including on the 1959 state and national championship team.  During his senior season, he set a single game record by averaging 31.1 yards per reception.  He also rushed for 488 yards.  His high mark came in Week 2 when he scored three receiving touchdowns, of 15, 64 and 26 yards, against Canton Lincoln in a 65-0 win.

Curt Strawder (1978) – Strawder benefitted from the accurate passing of Brent Offenbecher within Coach Mike Currence’s “run-and-shoot” offense.  In 1977 he caught 26 passes for 518 yards and four touchdowns.  The following year he snagged 42 passes for 553 yards and 4 TDs.  Two of the scores came in the fourth quarter of the game against McKinley, which erased a 10-0 deficit, enroute to a 14-10 victory and a 9-01 season finish.  Strawder that year was named 2^nd Team All Ohio.  He holds one records book top ten.

Marty Guzetta (1978-79) – Guzetta was a 2-year starter for the Tigers, in 1978 and 1979.  It was during his second year, on a team that finished 10-1, that he set a single-season record with 50 pass receptions (that record was later broken), along with 706 yards.  His top game was against Niles McKinley, when he caught seven passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns.  Following the season Guzetta was named 2^nd Team All-Ohio.  He also holds three records book top tens.

Bruce Spicer (1983-84) – In Spicer’s second year of varsity ball he recorded 56 receptions for 583 yards, including seven catches against Warren Harding plus a TD in an 18-6 victory, nine against Akron Central-Hower in a 20-18 win, eight against Stow plus a TD in a 38-31 win and seven vs. Perry in a 10-0 win.  His high mark came against Canton McKinley when he caught eleven passes for 104 yards.  The Honorable Mention All-Ohioan has three records book top tens.

Rameir Martin (1988-89) – Martin started during his senior year and finished with 59 receptions for 883 yards and seven touchdowns, for a team that posted a 10-3 record and advanced to the state semifinals, under head coach Lee Owens.  Against McKinley, he caught nine passes for 110 yards and one TD in a 24-7 victory.  Martin was named 1^st Team All-Ohio and later played for Bowling Green University.  He holds four records book top tens.

SPREAD OFFENSE

Devin Jordan (2001-02) – Jordan was the “go-to” guy during his junior and senior seasons, under head coach Rick Shepas.  In 2001 he recorded 98 receptions for 1,492 yards and 18 touchdowns, while averaging 7.0 receptions per game.  All three marks are Massillon Number 1 records.  Jordan was the recipient of many throws from quarterback Justin Zwick, while operating within Coach Rick Shepas’ spread offense.  Jordan had eleven receptions against Mansfield, ten against Canton McKinley and nine against Akron Garfield on a 12-2 team that advanced to the state semifinals game.  The following year the team finished 11-3 and again advanced to the state semifinals game.  Jordan recorded 45 receptions for 893 yards and 12 TDs, this time from quarterback Matt Martin.  His most memorable catch came against Perry in the regional finals when he caught a back shoulder pass that set up a game winning field goal as time expired.  Jordan was named 1^st Team All-Ohio in both years and then left for Ohio State University.  But not before recording his name in the records book sixteen times.

Zack Vanryzin (2004-05) – Vanryzin was a steady performer throughout the 2005 season, while playing for Tom Stacy, catching balls from quarterback Bobby Huth.  His high game came in the season opener when he caught six passes for 97 yards and a touchdown against Dover in a 31-0 win.  But his big catch came against Lakewood St.  Edward during the state semifinals.  In the first quarter Vanryzin broke loose from the Eagle secondary and hauled in a 67-yard touchdown pass to give the Tigers an initial lead in the game.  He finished with three receptions for 87 yards in the 21-17 victory.  Massillon lost in the state finals, but did post a 13-2 record.  Vanryzin owns two records book top tens.

Devin Smith (2009-10) – Smith was a 2-year starter and 2-year 1^st Team All-Ohioan.  In 2009 he caught 50 passes from Robert Partridge for 989 yards and 15 touchdowns on a team that finished 10-4 and advanced to the state semifinals game.  Against Mentor he caught four passes for 144 yards and three TDs, including the game-winner of 67 yards midway through the fourth quarter.  In all, he had three outings of 135 yards or more receiving.  As a senior, Smith caught 60 passes from quarterback Kyle Kempt and Brody Tonn for 1,130 yards and nine TDs.  In eight of the eleven  games the team played that year he eclipsed the 100-yard mark in receiving, including Akron Buchtel (144), GlenOak (116), Mentor (127), Steubenville (121), Warren Harding (144), Avon Grove, PA, (109), McKinley (135) and Toledo Whitmer (100), while averaging a whopping 17.9 yards per catch.  Smith holds 14 records book top tens.  Later, he played for Ohio State University, New York Jets, Dallas Cowboys.

 Justin Olack (2009-10) – Olack was a starter for two years.  In 2009 the team finished with a 10-4 record and concluded the season in the state semifinals.  During the year Olack caught 49 passes for 763 yards, including five receptions against Akron Garfield, five against Cleveland St. Ignatius and seven vs. McKinley in a 10-7 playoff victory.  The following year he caught 37 passes for 661 yards and nine TDs.  His high mark was eight receptions for 150 yards and a touchdown in a thrilling 28-27 victory over Canton GlenOak.  Following the season, he was named 3^rd Team All-Ohio, while owning four records book top tens.  Olack later played football for the University of Toledo.

Garion Conley (2010-12) – Conley’s forte was on the defensive side of the ball as a cornerback.  But he adequately filled the needed role of wide receiver as a senior in 2012.  On a team that finished 11-2 and advanced to the regional finals, he caught 50 passes from Kempt for 1,096 yards and 16 touchdowns.  Six times he eclipsed the 100-yard mark, including games against GlenOak (117), Perry (103), Akron Firestone (176), Austintown Fitch (108), McKinley (106) and Mentor (222).  Following the season, he was named 1^st Team All-Ohio at wide receiver.  He also holds seven records book top tens.  Later, Conley played cornerback for Ohio State University, Oakland Raiders and Houston Texans.  He is currently with the D.C. Defenders of the UFL.

Austin Jasinski (2014-16) – Jasinski was a 2-year starter, receiving passes from quarterback Seth Blankenship in both years.  In 2015, under head coach Nate Moore, he caught 27 passes for 458 yards, including five for 80 yards and two TDs against Warren Harding.  The following year, he caught 50 passes for 1,269 yards and 17 touchdowns on a team that finished 8-3.  It was against Toledo Bowsher that he set a record for average yards per catch (46.7), hauling in 3 passes for 140 yards and 3 TDs.  He also in that game ran a punt back 80 yards for a score.  Plus, he had big games against Youngstown Ursuline (6-146-2), Akron Firestone (7-163-1) and Dublin Scioto (4-168-2).  Jasinski was named 1^st Team All-Ohio following the season.  He holds 17 records book top tens.

Austin Kutscher (2016-17) – Kutscher started for two years and was a “go-to“ receiver for quarterback Aidan Longwell during his senior year, with 93 receptions for 1,349 yards and 15 touchdowns.  Against Canisius, NY, he caught 17 passes for 208 yards, while setting a single game record for receptions.  He also caught 13 passes against New Albany in the playoffs for 149 yards and a TD in a 24-6 victory and eight passes against Cincinnati Winton Woods for 144 yards and two touchdowns.  Kutscher owns 13 records book top tens and later played for Ohio State University.

Tre’Von Morgan (2017-18) – The 6’-6” Morgan as an inviting target for quarterback Aidan Longwell during the two years he was a starter.  In 2017 the team finished 10-4 and advanced to the state semifinals game.  Morgan contributed with 36 catches for 489 yards and two TDs, including four receptions for 77 yards and the winning touchdown against McKinley in the 16-15 victory.  The following year the Tigers finished 14-1, while concluding the season in the state finals game.  Against national power East St. Louis, MO, Morgan caught eight passes for 155 yards and two touchdowns in a 46-40 win.  He was awarded 3^rd Team All-Ohio and also holds 3 records book top tens.  He later played for Michigan State University and the University of Kentucky.

Jayden Ballard (2017-20) – Ballard immediately became an impact player as a deep ball threat in 2018 as a sophomore starter, owing to his size and speed.  He finished the year with 36 receptions from Longwell for 851 yards and 12 touchdowns, while helping his team to a 14-1 record and state runner-up finish.  He also set a record with a 95-yard TD catch against Gateway, PA.   In the Austintown Fitch game, Ballard caught eight passes for 157 yards and three TDs in a 42-14 win.  The following year his team again reached the state finals with a 14-1 record.  His high marks were nine receptions for 114 yards and two TDs against McKinley in a 24-14 win and ten catches for 186 yards and two touchdowns, of 57 and 82 yards, vs. Perry in a 35-7 victory in the playoffs.  During his senior year Ballard caught 36 passes from quarterback Zach Catrone for 573 yards and 7 touchdowns, including seven receptions for 150 yards and three TDs against Perry in a 43-13 victory.  He concluded his time as a Tiger with records for career receiving yards (2,737) and career receiving touchdowns (39).  He also owns 15 records book top tens.  Later, he played for Ohio State University and the University of Wisconsin.  He is currently trying out for professional teams.

Andrew Wilson-Lamp (2018-20) – Wilson-Lamp was a 2-time starter on teams that finished as state runners-up, with records of 14-1 and 10-2, respectively.  In 2017 he caught 55 passes for 1,049 yards and 11 touchdowns.  Against Akron St. Vincent, he caught 11 passes for 232 yards, setting a single-game record for single-game yards.  He also had eight receptions for 142 yards and three TDs vs. Perry in a 35-7 playoff victory.  Following the season, he was named Special Mention All-Ohio.  As a senior Lamp was primarily a cornerback, but played receiver enough to catch 11 passes for 319 yards.  This time he was named Honorable Mention All-Ohio.  He owns 8 records book top tens.  Later, he played for West Virginia University, Eastern Carolina University and the University of Toledo as a corner.

Ardell Banks (2020-22) – Banks became a starter in 2021 and a featured receiver the following year.  In 2021 he caught 44 passes from quarterback Jalen Slaughter for 733 yards and eight touchdowns on a team that finished 11-3 and advanced to the regional finals.  The following year he pulled in 38 passes for 791 yards and 12 touchdowns.  His top games that year were six catches for 132 yards and two TDs vs. Warren Harding, 5 catches for 164 yards and 2 TDs, of 70 and 32 yards, vs. Lakewood St. Edward in a 31-28 win and 6 catches for 150 yards and 2 TDs vs. Perry.  The 1^st Team All-Ohio Banks left with five records book top tens and later played for the University of Kentucky and Kent State University.

Jacques Carter (2023-24) – Carter was a 2-year starter.  In 2023 he caught 41 passes from quarterbacks Da’One Owens and Jalen Slaughter for 796 yards and seven touchdowns on a team that finished 16-0 and captured the Division II state title.  A deep ball threat, he caught three passes for 144 yards and two TDs vs. GlenOak, eight passes for 142 yards and 1 TD vs. Middletown, DE, and five passes for 130 yards and 2 scores against Warren Harding.  He was also named Honorable Mention All-Ohio.  During his senior year his team finished 11-3, while advancing to the regional finals game.  His high marks came against Canisius, NY, with four receptions for 91 yards and against Canal Winchester in the playoffs with three receptions for 97 yards and a score.  Carter posted two records books top tens and currently plays for Southern Illinois University.

Braylyn Toles (2022-24) – The elusive Toles was the leading receiver for each of three Massillon teams that had a combined record of 39-4.  As a sophomore he caught 43 passes from quarterback Jalen Slaughter for 566 yards and five touchdowns, including ten receptions for 125 yards against Akron Hoban in the state semifinal game.  As a junior playing on the 16-0 state championship team he caught 47 passes from quarterbacks Owens and Slaughter for 622 yards and eight TDs.  His high mark was against Grove City Central Crossing the playoffs when he snagged eight passes for 125 yards and two touchdowns.  His senior season started out with a bang when he caught nine passes from Slaughter for 114 yards and a TD against NFL Academy-London.  He also scored the first touchdown against Canton McKinley in a 16-7 victory.  Toles left his name seven times in the records book top tens.

Here are the Top Massillon Running Backs of All…

Here are the Top Massillon Running Backs of All Time

Football on the offensive side of the line has changed drastically throughout its long history, from the Bunch and Single-Wing formations of the early days, to the Full House-T, Wing-T, Power-I, Veer and Wishbone sets of the middle ages, and onto the modern day Spread Offense.  But one aspect has remained constant throughout all that time; i.e., the need to run the ball to be successful.  And that has been ever so true at Massillon, which has been fortunate enough to have had many outstanding running backs come through the program.

Some of the backs showcased their abilities with great averages per carry.  Others were the workhorses of their teams, with high levels of carries that resulted in a lot of yards and touchdowns.  And then there were those that excelled in both categories.  But nearly all have found their way into the current Tiger records book.

This story presents what is perceived to be Massillon’s best running backs of all time, disbursed by decade.  The selections are based on game statistics, post-season awards (All-Ohio and Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame), and football after Massillon (college and pro).  The story does not, however, attempt to rank the players from across the board due to a number of influential factors, including:

• Detailed player statistics were not available until 1959.
• Offensive formations were constantly changing, with each presenting a different style of play and related run/pass ratio.
• The state playoff system was introduced in 1972, resulting in additional games, with the ever-increasing number of participating teams over time.

Therefore, it is left to the reader to decide which player was the best.

 

Here are the Top Massillon Quarterbacks of All Time

Here are the Top Massillon Quarterbacks of All Time

With the success that the Massillon Tigers have achieved on the football field in their long history, it comes as no surprise that a good number of outstanding quarterbacks have come through the program.  This story presents what is believed to be the top few of many good ones.

To be selected for recognition in this story a player must have produced great performance numbers or achieved All-Ohio honors.  Also, he must have led his team to high-level finishes, either in the early sportswriters’ polls or in the more recent post-season playoffs.

Four time periods have been categorized, since it is not considered fair to compare quarterbacks from one era to next.  The first is during use of the “Single Wing” formation, from the early days of football until the late 1940s.  The second is when Coach Chuck Mather brought the Full House-T to Massillon.  That kicked off the “Power Run” formations and covers a time period from 1948 through 1998.  The third is when Coach Rick Shepas introduced the “Spread Offense.”  That period runs from 1999 to present day.  The fourth is reserved for “Dual-Purpose” quarterbacks, regardless of time period.  For, their prowess in running the ball cannot be ignored, in spite of having average passing numbers.

Finally, many of these quarterbacks have been inducted into the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame, while several others who are surely deserving have been overlooked.  Let’s hope that this gets remedied in the future.

SINGLE WING HALFBACKS

 In 1907 a rule was added requiring that all players in the backfield be positioned off the line, meaning that the quarterback could not be directly under center.  It was implemented to eliminate the “bunch” or modern day “tush-push” formation, which led to many severe injuries, and even death.  In response to this change, Glen Pop Warner created the Single-Wing formation, which placed one of the backs, referred to as the “wing,” just outside the edge of the line.  The quarterback was moved from under center to a position immediately behind one of the outside linemen.  Meanwhile, the two halfbacks were aligned using a dual shotgun formation.  In essence, either of these two would receive the snap, with the options of running, passing or handing off.  Looking back, these players could have been considered as the first dual-purpose quarterbacks.

Mike Byelene (1934-36) – During his career Byelene was fortunate enough to be involved in three very successful campaigns, each of which captured state and national championships, while winning 29 of 30 games.  From his halfback position, Byelene recorded 56 touchdowns, 34 in the air and 22 on the ground.  He also played defense and was credited with returning a pass interception 45 yards for a touchdown vs. Canton McKinley in a 21-0 victory.  Following his time at Massillon he suited up for Purdue University.

George Slusser (1937-39) – Slusser picked up where Byelene left off.  During his three years he passed for 19 touchdowns and rushed for another 25.  His undefeated 1938 team won the state championship and the unbeaten 1939 team took home both the state and national championships.  After being awarded 1^st Team All-Ohio, he continued his career at Ohio State University.  Later he was inducted into both the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame and the Massillon Wall of Champions.

Tom James (1940) – James made his mark as the designated passer in Coach Paul Brown’s offense in 1940, following a good season rushing the ball the prior year.  He finished the campaign with 11 passing touchdowns and 13 rushing TDs.  With his team finishing as both state and national champions, James received 1^st Team All-Ohio Honors.  Later, he played for Ohio State University and the Cleveland Browns, with Brown as his head coach at both stops.  James is a member of the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame and the Massillon Wall of Champions.

Romeo Pelligrini (1942-43) – During his two years as a starter Pelligrini recorded 14 passing and 11 rushing touchdowns, while winning 19 of 20 games.  The ’43 team finished 10-0 and was named state champion, with Pelligrini being selected Honorable Mention All-Ohio.

POWER RUN GAME QUARTERBACKS

 In the late 1940s, newly-hired head coach Chuck Mather brought the Full House-T formation to Massillon after the aforementioned rule change was lifted, kickstarting thte power run game era.  And that approach remained in effect until the introduction of the Spread Offense in the late 1990s.  Throughout that time, teams traditionally threw the ball around 20% of the time.  So, it was difficult for quarterbacks to put up big passing numbers as compared to the modern spread offenses, which throw the ball around 40% of the time.  Nevertheless, there were some very good quarterbacks at that time.

Rich Crescenze (1953-54) – Crescenze was under center for the 1953 state and national championship team and the 1954 state championship team.  During his two years he passed for 19 touchdowns and was also named team captain.  After Massillon Crescenze played for Kansas University.

 

Joe Sparma (1957-59) – Sparma was a force at quarterback for three years and is credited with 26 touchdown passes overall.  His 1959 team was unbeaten and won both the state and national championships, while passing that year for 660 yards and 14 touchdowns.  Overall, his teams finished with a combined record of 26-2-1.  Then, it was off to Ohio State University for both football and baseball.  Sparma capped it off with a long career in baseball with the Detroit Tigers and Montreal Expos.  Later, he was inducted into the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame and the Massillon Wall of Champions.

Ron Swartz (1962-63) – Swartz was the starting quarterback for two years, including the 1963 season, when the team captured the All-American Conference championship during the league’s first year of operation.  He finished his career with 1,708 passing yards and 19 touchdowns.  Later, he played for Kent State University.  Six times Swartz is named in the Massillon records book Top Tens.

Brent Offenbecher (1977-78) – Offenbecher, who started for two years, holds 12 records book Top-Tens in the Massillon records book.  His 1977 team finished with an 8-2 record, but did upset the No. 1 team in the region, Canton McKinley, 21-0.  The following year, the Tigers trailed the Bulldogs 10-0 after three quarters.  But Offenbecher found the endzone twice in the fourth to engineer a 13-10 victory.  In that game he completed 17 of 20 passes for 176 yards and two touchdowns.  For his career, he passed for 2,718 yards and 22 TDs, while scoring 60 points himself.  Later, he played for both Wake Forest and Ohio State.

Dave Eberhart (1980) – Eberhart made the most of his only year as a starter, leading his team to the Division I state finals game.  Along the way he was team captain and also earned 1^st Team All-Ohio honors.  During the regular season Massillon was unbeaten entering the game against McKinley, but dropped a 16-7 decision.  As fate would have it, the two teams were matched against each other in the playoffs the following week.  This time it went the Tigers’ way in a 14-6 victory, with Eberhart completing a 12-yard TD pass for the clinching points.  He finished his career with 1,536 yards passing and 17 TDs.

Brian Dewitz (1982-83) – Dewitz started for two years and was under center in the state finals game at the end of his first season.  That loss to Cincinnati Moeller spoiled an undefeated campaign.  The following year the Tigers finished 9-1, but failed to qualify for the playoffs.  For his career, the team captain passed for 2,516 yards and found the endzone 25 times.  He also holds the Massillon record for single game yards per completion (33.2), which came in a game against Canton GlenOak.  Later, Dewitz played for Indiana University.

SPREAD OFFENSE QUARTERBACKS

Offenses changed drastically with the introduction of the Spread Offense, which employs multiple split ends and a quarterback aligned in a shotgun position.  Suddenly, teams were throwing the ball around 40% of the time, with quarterbacks putting up some big numbers.  It also didn’t hurt when the OHSAA expanded the playoffs, providing opportunities for teams to play additional games.

Justin Zwick (2000-01) – Zwick transferred to Massillon fresh off a state championship at Orrville.  And he continued right where he left off: throwing the ball all over the field and winning games.  By the time he left, Zwick owned seven different Massillon passing records, including a career average of 229.4 yards passing per game.  He also has 38 records book Top-Tens.  He ended his career with a 20-5 record, 437 completions, 5,736 yards and 63 touchdowns.  He also scored six TDs while rushing the ball.  In 2001 his 12-2 team advanced to the playoff state semifinals game, defeating McKinley twice along way.  Following each of his seasons he was named 1^st Team All-Ohio and he parlayed that into a 4-year career at Ohio State University.  Zwick is a member of the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame.

Matt Martin (2002) – Rick Shepas referred to Martin as his “coach on the field” and so trusting was he of Martin that he permitted him to call the plays in several games.  During his lone year as a starter Massillon recorded an 11-3 record and advanced in the playoffs to state semifinals game.  But it wasn’t easy getting there.  In an earlier game against Perry, Martin needed to complete 21 of 29 passes for 293 yards, including one that set up the winning field goal as time expired.  Career-wise, he threw for 2,115 yards and 27 touchdowns.  He also owns nine records book Top-Tens.

Bobby Huth (2005-06) – Huth is remembered for 230 yards passing and two TDs, while converting a 3^rd and 30 situation for a first down on the winning drive, enroute to a 21-17 victory over Ohio’s No. 1 Lakewood St. Edward in the state semifinals.  That 2005 team finished with a 13-2 record and as Division I state runner-up, with Huth throwing for 2,107 yards and 21 touchdowns.  The following year he eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark and passed for 21 TDs.  A team captain and 2^nd Team All-Ohioan, he owns 14 records book Top Tens.  Huth is a member of the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame.

Robert Partridge (2007-09) – Partridge became a starter in the sixth game of his junior year and was thrown right into the fire against Cleveland St. Ignatius.  And he stayed in that position for the rest of the season, and the next.  As a senior, he surpassed 200 yards passing in seven different games, with high marks of 265 yards  (21 of 26, 1 TD) against St. Ignatius and 260 yards (17 of 27, 5 TDs) against Warren Harding.  In the second quarter of that Warren game, Partridge complete 6 of 7 passes for 94 yards and 3 touchdowns, tilting the game in the Tigers’ favor.  He also completed 14 of 18 passes for 167 yards and 4 TDs  in the opener versus Akron Buchtel in a 42-20 victory.  His final career stats are 218 of 426 for 3,129 yards and 26 TDs.  Partridge owns 19 records book Top Tens.

Kyle Kempt (2010-2012) – Kempt started for most of three years and finished with 6,034 yards passing and 62 touchdowns.  In his senior year as a team captain he was named 2nd Team All-Ohio, with the team advancing to the playoff regional finals.  In his two wins over McKinley, he completed 27 of 49 passes for 462 yards and five touchdowns.  Kempt holds two Massillon records: single season completion percentage (66.4%) and single season average yards per game (235.1).  He also has 24 records book Top Tens.  Later, he played for Oregon State and Iowa State.  And he is currently an offensive assistant coach for the NFL Denver Broncos.  Kempt is a member of the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame.

Aidan Longwell (2017-19) – Longwell was a 3-year starter and compiled a team record of 38-6.  Both his 2018 and 2019 teams produced undefeated regular seasons and finished in the playoffs as state runners-up.  Longwell was named team captain in 2018.  In 2019 he was again team captain, but also earned 1^st Team All-Ohio honors in addition to being named the state’s Co-Offensive Player of the Year.  He recorded four wins over Canton McKinley and tossed the winning TD pass in a 16-15 victory as a sophomore.  Longwell owns 46 records book Top Tens, with five Massillon No. 1s, including career yards (7,707) and career touchdowns (84).  Later, he played baseball for Kent State University.  He currently plays baseball in the Colorado Rockies system.

Jalen Slaughter (2021-22, 24) – Slaughter holds the single season record for quarterback efficiency rating (188.7), which he achieved owing to significant playing time as a backup on the 2023 team that captured the Division II state championship.  As a 3-year starter he passed for 6,475 yards and 66 touchdowns, with a 3-year team record of 34-6.  In 2022 he quarterbacked the team to the playoff state semifinals.  Slaughter owns three wins over McKinley, in which he completed 28 of 41 passes (68%) with three TDs.  He also owns 29 records book Top Tens.

DUAL PURPOSE QUARTERBACKS

Dual-purpose quarterbacks are those that are adept at both passing and running, in essence giving teams another running threat in the backfield.  As a rule, they are not necessarily coached that way, but they are better defined as more gifted athletes.  Massillon is fortunate enough to have had several.

Dave Sheegog (1965) – Sheegog was the hero of the 1964 Massillon-McKinley game.  With his team down 14-0 at the start the fourth quarter, he took over at quarterback and engineered three scoring drives that propelled the team to a 20-14 victory, while also giving the Tigers an undefeated season and state championship.  In fact, he scored the winning TD on a 14-yard scramble with under a minute left in the game.  As a starter the following year, he led his team to a second undefeated season and state championship, passing for 427 yards and scoring a team-high 59 points.  Sheegog is a member of the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame.

Dennis Franklin (1969-70) – Franklin gained experience as a part-time starter in 1969 and turned that into a state championship the following year.  For his career, he passed for 1,079 yards and 11 touchdowns, while scoring 84 points rushing.  He holds six records book Top Tens and was named in 1970 as 2^nd Team All-Ohio.  After Massillon, Franklin was the starter at quarterback for three years at the University of Michigan.  Per his coach, it would have been four if freshmen had been permitted to play at that time.  Following college, he played briefly for the Detroit Lions. Franklin is a member of the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame and the Massillon Wall of Champions.

Lee Hurst (1988-89) – Hurst started for two years, posting a win-loss mark of 17-6.  In 1989 the team finished 10-3 and ended the year in the playoff state semifinals game.  During that season, Hurst completed 226 of 423 passes for 2,000 yards and 15 touchdowns.  He also rushed for 243 yards and scored 47 points.  For his performance, the team captain was named Honorable Mention All-Ohio.  Career wise, he passed for 2,845 yards and 22 TDs, while rushing for 471 yards and scoring 101 points.  Hurst holds ten Massillon records book Top Tens.  After high school he played for Kent State University.  As an aside, during his freshman year he kicked a 23-yard field goal in overtime against Canton McKinley for a 10-7 victory.

Mike Danzy (1992-93) – Danzy was perhaps the most underrated quarterback to ever play for the Tigers.  His name doesn’t jump out when talking about the great ones, but he put up some pretty good numbers as a 2-year starter in a 3-year career, owing to some great speed and athletic ability.  Included was 1,897 yards passing with 23 touchdowns, along with 1,181 yards rushing, while scoring 98 points.  In his senior year, the team posted a 10-2 record and advanced in the playoffs to the regional finals.  He owns 5 records book Top Tens.

Willie Spencer, Jr. (1994) – After playing defense as a junior Spencer was moved to the starting quarterback position as a senior.  There, he was simply the man on the field, leading the team in both rushing and passing.  And he was surely the most athletic quarterback to ever wear the orange and black.  But Spencer was also way ahead of his time in operating as a dual-purpose QB, something that wasn’t in vogue collegiately until many years later.  During the season he passed for 941 yards and 5 touchdowns, while also rushing for 775 yards and scoring 108 points.  Included in that was a superb performance against Canton McKinley in the 100^th rivalry game when he accounted for 197 yards of total offense and three touchdowns in a 42-41 overtime victory.  A 1^st Team All-Ohioan, he later played quarterback for the University of Akron.  Spencer is a member of the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame.

Da’One Owens (2023) – Owens was Massillon’s best example of a dual-purpose quarterback, one having outstanding ability to both pass and the run the ball.  Throughout a championship run, during which the Tigers finished 16-0 and captured the Division II state title, Owens passed for 1,566 yards and 18 touchdowns.  He also ran for 1,302 yards, while scoring 92 points.  Meanwhile, his team played perhaps the toughest schedule that the Tigers had ever faced, which included an opening game against Valdosta, Georgia, the nation’s winningest team.  That’s when Owens saw his first action, as a sub!  Down 14-0 early, he immediately ripped off a 65-yard run to the five yard line and then later tied the score with a 69-yard sprint to the end zone.  Then he capped it in the fourth quarter with a 66-yard TD run for the winning points.  A team captain, Owens was named 1^st Team Al-Ohio following the season.  Later, he played for Slippery Rock.

Mike Currence Was Hired by Massillon Fifty Years Ago

Mike Currence Was Hired by Massillon Fifty Years Ago

How time flies.  It doesn’t seem like fifty years.  But that’s how long it’s been since Mike Currence was hired by Massillon Washington High School to become its next head football coach.  Currence stayed in that position for nine years throughout one of the more entertaining periods of Tiger football and he left with an outstanding record.

The 36-year old Currence was the top candidate to replace Coach Chuck Shuff, who in his two years at the helm had compiled a less than stellar 12-7-1 record.  His previous stop involved a 2-year stint at Lakewood St. Edward, where his 1974 team went 9-1 and his 1975 team finished with an 11-1 record, while losing 14-12 to Cincinnati Moeller in the state finals.  Following that season, he was voted the Associated Press “Coach of the Year.”  Prior to coaching Currence attended Fairmont State College, WV, graduating in 1961.  There, he lettered four years in football and two years in basketball.  He also received a master’s degree in 1971 from Wesleyan University, CT.

Following many years of power-run football the game in Massillon was about to change.  For Currence brought a completely different approach to the offense with his “run-and-shoot” scheme and its emphasis on the passing game, along with two-platoon football.  He said football was going to be fun again, while providing opportunities for smaller players.  In fact, Currence was able to bolster the roster with around 90 juniors and seniors each year.

The base offensive formation involved five interior linemen with a split end on either side.  The quarterback was under center with a fullback behind in a 3-point stance.  Finally, a wingback was positioned at the edge of each tackle.  The play was initiated by one of the wingbacks going in motion.  Running plays resembled that of the Wing-T, while passing plays were more like a pre-cursor to the spread offense with, owing to the motion man, effectively three receivers on one side of the ball at the snap.  On pass plays, after the motioning wingback cleared the interior line, the QB would roll to the direction of the motion, protected by the blocking of the fullback, and seeking one of three potential targets on that side of the field: the wide receiver and both wingbacks.  Of course, there was also the option for the QB to tuck the ball and run.  It was an extremely effective scheme for advancing the ball down the field.

But in that inaugural 1976 season there were certainly some growing pains, particularly with the passing attack.  Currence just didn’t have a quarterback in camp with the necessary skill set and experience to make it effective.  As a result, the Tigers dropped their first two games, to Middletown (7-2) and Gahanna Lincoln (10-1), while completing just 7 of 30 passes.

Against Middletown throughout a constant rain Massillon gained just 74 yards in a 6-0 loss.  And it wasn’t much better the next week against Gahanna on yet another wet night in a 10-0 setback.  But at least in this one, the rushing attack showed promise with 219 yards, including 110 by Richard Cleveland.  But the Tigers had yet to crack the end zone.  That, in spite of outgaining Gahanna, 267-134.

Fortunately, persistence paid off and Massillon rebounded to win their next eight games to close the season with an 8-2 record.  The Tigers didn’t score a lot of points, but the defense was superb, surrendering just four touchdowns and two field goals during that span.

Given the lack of points, most of the games were competitive.  For example, in a road game at Warren Harding, the two teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 15 points apiece.  But, with 9:50 left in the game, Anthony Grizzard returned a punt 38 yards to the end zone to propel the Tigers to a 22-15 victory, keeping the win streak alive.

Two weeks later Massillon closed the season against Canton McKinley.  The Bulldogs managed a 27-yard field goal in the first quarter and that margin held up until the final frame when Mike Grove went in from the three to cap a 4-play, 15-yard drive.  That, following a McKinley fumble.  With the defense holding the Bulldogs at the 30 on their final drive, Massillon secured a 7-3 victory.

Following that tenuous first year, Currence’s teams went on to win 71 of their next 87 games, bolstered by some great passing by the likes of Brent Offenbecher, Bill Scott, Dave Eberhart, Rick Spielman, Brian Dewitz and Mike Scott.  Included were two undefeated regular seasons (1979 and 1982) and two appearances in  the Division I state championship game (1980 and 1982).  Currence also holds a 7-3 record against McKinley and a 13-1-1 record in the All-American Conference play.  And he had the opportunity to coach 27 All-Ohio selections, including first-teamers Offenbecher, Eberhart and future pro Chris Spielman (twice).

Ironically, Currence was released by the Board of Education following the 6-4 record 1984 season for undisclosed reasons, with two years remaining on his contract.  A lawsuit filed later was ruled in his favor and he was compensated for the lost years.  Nevertheless, he finished with a record of 79-16-2 and currently ranks third in all-time Massillon wins, behind current head coach Nate Moore (119-29) and former head coach Paul Brown (80-8-2).

 

Tiger Football Schedules Have Stretched Far and Wide

Tiger Football Schedules Have Stretched Far and Wide

 In 1932 legendary Massillon Head Coach Dave Stewart loaded his team onto a train and traveled over 300 miles to the center of Pennsylvania to face Harrisburg in a high school football game.  It was the first time that the Tigers had ever played a team that was not from the state of Ohio.  And it would not be the last.

Since that first match and over a span of some 93 years Massillon has played 51 different non-Ohio teams.  But it wasn’t necessarily by choice.  Throughout most of the Tigers’ 130-year history they have been classified as an independent team; i.e., not a member of an organized league.  That poses an immediate problem in terms of the ability to schedule Ohio teams.

With nearly the rest of the teams in the state residing in a various conferences, most are committed to playing league games in Weeks 4 through 9.  That leaves just the first three weeks of the season as the only slots available to schedule Ohio opponents, except for the annual Week 10 match against rival Canton McKinley.

The second issue is that for the past ten years Massillon has developed into a formidable program that most potential foes, particularly public schools, would much rather avoid.  Except of course for the inner-city teams that are more than willing to come in for a pay day.

One of the few respites was from 1963 through 1979 when the Tigers were members of the legacy All-American Conference.  During that time they faced just one out-of-state opponent, Altoona, Pennsylvania, in a 5-game series.

Regardless, Massillon has always scheduled non-Ohio teams from time to time.  In fact, including that initial match in 1932, Massillon has played 60 non-Ohio teams.  From 1936 through 1942, covering the latter years of legendary Coach Paul Brown and for a couple years thereafter, the Tigers played 16 of these foreign entities.  But mostly, it’s been just one game in a given year.

But that all changed in 2015 when Nate Moore became the head coach.  With his program firmly in place following three years of growing pains, it was time to take the next step.  It started with a game against nationally-ranked East St. Louis.  In one of the more exciting contests ever played at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, Massillon outlasted the Missouri team by the score of 46-40.  The win kick-started the Tiger program into national prominence, leading to back-to-back undefeated regular seasons and three consecutive trips to the playoff state finals.  Then in 2023, they captured the title to cap off yet another unbeaten season, while enjoying multiple Top-25 national rankings.

But, throughout that time scheduling has become an even more dire issue, as the only teams in Ohio willing to schedule have been a few long-time rivals and the major parochial schools.  So, Coach Moore has annually been forced to search the entire country to fill the slate.  In fact, his teams over the past eight years have played 22 games against non-Ohio teams.  Fortunately, they have also enjoyed success against them with a 17-5 mark.  While some have been moderately good, several others own national rankings, including the following:

• East St. Louis, MO
• Valdosta, GA
• Bergen Catholic, NJ
• DeMatha Catholic, MD
• Rabun Gap-Nacoochee, GA
• Football North, ONT

For the record the Tigers have historically played 82 non-Ohio games against 51 different teams from 20 different states, plus Canada and the United Kingdom, while producing a win-loss mark of 69-13.  The most common state is Pennsylvania, involving 22 games with 12 teams, with a record of 19-3.  Within that state, the most common opponent was Altoona.  The two teams matched up for five games in a series that began in 1964 and then another 2-game series in 1987 and ’88.

Massillon fans have seen four different teams from Indiana, highlighted by North Central, from Indianapolis.  The two faced off in five consecutive games, with Central winning the one played in the Hoosier Dome.

On the lighter side was the game against NFL Academy-London, which was played in Oregon, and the ten games against five different teams from Ontario, Canada.  But not so light was sports academy Football North, with which the two teams split a pair of matches.

Below is a map depicting the different states involved in these games.

The Massillon “Coaches House”

The Massillon “Coaches House”

by Carter E. Strang

From 1954 – 1964, a trio of consecutive Massillon head football coaches — Tom Harp, Lee Tressel, and my father, Leo Strang — and their families lived at 818 17th St., earning it the nickname the “Coaches House.”

If its walls could speak, they would recount tales of Massillon Tiger football triumphs, perseverance, achievements, tradition, and rich history.

The Massillon Coaches House

 

Massillon has Experienced Several College/Pro Venues

Massillon has Experienced Several College/Pro Venues

In 1940 Coach Paul Brown’s formidable Massillon squad (state and national champions) was scheduled to play a football game in Alliance.  However, the match was enormous, with the Aviators coming off of a 7-1-1 record from the prior year and with their sole loss coming at the hands of the Tigers.  In addition, with thousands of fans from both cities expected to attend, Alliance’s Mount Union Stadium was deemed simply too small to host such a game.  So, it was moved to the Akron Rubber Bowl.  It was a sound decision as the stadium that night was filled to capacity with over 33,000 patrons in attendance.  It was also first high school football game that Massillon had ever played in a major college stadium.  Incidentally, Massillon won that night, 40-0.

Over the next 85 years Massillon would visit several other college facilities.  Some were for regular season games, while others were for playoff matchups, with the large stadiums used in order to accommodate the many Tiger fans that travel to road games.  And then there were a few classics.

The most frequently visited stadium is the now demolished Akron Rubber Bowl, where the Tigers played 29 games.  Their record in those is 17-12, including 9-4 during the regular season and 8-8 in the playoffs.  Included in these were many memorable ones that were witnessed by some very large crowds.  Here are those that stand out:

• Niles McKinley (1964) – The Red Dragons took a 48-game winning streak into the Week 2 contest to face first-year Massillon head coach Earl Bruce. In front of 30,128 fans, the Tigers overcame an early 8-0 deficit and took a 14-8 lead into halftime.  And that score held up.  Bruce remarked after the game that, “it was the night I became Tiger.”  Massillon would go on to finish 10-0 and capture their 22nd state championship.
• Cincinnati Moeller (1981) – Traditionally strong Massillon was scheduled to face upstart Moeller in game that would presumably establish Ohio’s modern-day dominant team. However, some of the luster was removed as these two teams matched up earlier than expected, in the prior year’s playoff state championship game.  The Crusaders ended up winning 24-6 at the Rubber Bowl in front of nearly 24,000 fans.
• Cleveland St. Ignatius (1991) – It was in the state semifinals that Massillon and Ignatius battled it out, with 20,156 patrons in attendance. With the score tied 7-7 entering the fourth quarter, the Tigers connected on a long pass to Jason Stafford for the go-ahead score.  But the extra point attempt was just wide on account of the narrower-width college goal post.  Subsequent to that, the Wildcats tallied in the final seconds and went away with a 14-13 victory.  Iggy would capture the state title the following week.
• Canton McKinley (1994) – In Week 10 host Massillon defeated McKinley 42-41 in overtime to capture the 100^th game in that long rivalry. Only, they would meet again two weeks later in a Rubber Bowl playoff matchup.  This time, it was the Bulldogs that prevailed, in front of 29,110 fans, by the score of 27-20.
• Brunswick (1996) – 6,500 fans braved the six inches of snow that fell throughout the contest in an event that resembled anything but football. Massillon found the end zone in third quarter in an 89-yard run by Christian Morgan.  But the PAT failed when the kicker slipped during the try.  Unbeaten Brunswick responded late in the fourth and subsequently converted its PAT for the win.  But first Brunswick called time out in order to remove enough snow for the kicker to have decent footing.
• Warren Harding (2002) – It was a state semifinal game against two evenly-matched teams in front of a crowd of 22,000. Fittingly, it went into overtime.  But just like the St. Ignatius game described above, the Tigers missed the extra point and lost the game.
• Canton McKinley (2005) – The Tigers entered the Week-10 rivalry game unbeaten, but were defeated soundly by the Bulldogs, 38-8. Three weeks later they play again, in the Rubber Bowl.  This time, it was Massillon that controlled the action and routed McKinley, 21-3.
• Lakewood St. Edward (2005) – One couldn’t ask for a colder Saturday afternoon for this Division 1 state semifinal matchup, with temperatures in the low teens and a brisk wind blowing in from the open end of the Bowl. The unbeaten Eagles were posed to advance, owing to a 17-7 lead late in the fourth quarter.  But the gritty Tigers, led by All-Ohio player Brian Gamble, found a way to score twice, helped by successful conversion of a 3^rd and 30 situation, and won a classic game, 21-17.

University of Akron’s InfoCision Stadium – The Akron Rubber Bowl is gone now, only to be replaced by InfoCision.  There, the Tigers own a 3-3 record.  The best game occurred in in 2017 when Massillon defeated Akron Hoban 17-14 in the playoffs to advance to the state finals, including survival of a final Hoban TD push near the goal line.

University of Cincinnati’s Nipper Stadium – In 1980 Massillon traveled to Cincinnati to face Moeller in the playoff state championship game in an event that drew 22,751 fans.  It was the second largest crowd ever to attend an Ohio single high school football game.  The Crusaders enjoyed a 30-7 victory in coach Jerry Faust’s last forray as head coach before departing for Notre Dame.

Kent State University’s Dix Stadium  – The 2012 Round 2 playoff game showcased a rematch of Massillon and Canton McKinley.  This one was all Tigers, behind Ryne Moore’s 227 rushing yards, in a 28-18 victory

Ohio State Stadium – The OHSAA’s very first playoff games were held in 1972 at Ohio State.  Owing to a 10-0 record Massillon qualified (only one team per region at that time) and played in the first of two state semifinal games.  In spite of leading 14-3 at the half, the Tigers fell to Cincinnati Princeton, 17-14.  With Chris Spielman in the lineup, Massillon would return to Ohio State ten years later to face Moeller in the state finals, but came up short, 35-14.  The crowd of 31,409 was the largest ever to attend an Ohio high school football event (two games held).

Youngstown University’s Stambaugh Stadium – Two games were played in Younggstown against host Ursuline.  Unfortunately, the Tigers did not fair well in either, losing 23-13 and 23-14.

Massillon has also played in four different professional stadiums, involving seven different games.

Cleveland Municipal Stadium – In 1945 The Tigers tied Cathedral Latin 6-6 and in 1947 they lost to Latin 16-12.  In 1961, Massillon defeated Parma 21-20 and would go to finish the year 11-0 and capture both the state and national championships.

Cincinnati Bengals’ Riverfront Stadium – In 1990 the Tigers participated in the Buddy LaRosa Classic.  There, they defeated Kentucky’s Covington Catholic, 39-14.  Falando Ashcrarft and Travis McGuire combined for 242 yards rushing to spearhead the attack.

Cincinnati Bengals’ Paul Brown Stadium – The Tigers play two games in classics at this stadium.  The first occurred in 2005 when Massillon bounced Cincinnati Elder, 35-31.  The Tigers’ Brian Gamble had huge game that day, rushing for 173 yards on just 15 carries (11.5 ave.) and scoring a pair of touchdowns.  Massillon finished as Division I state runner-up that year.  The second was in 2006, with Moeller coming out on top, 48-14.

Indianapolis Colts’ Hoosier Dome – In the late 1980s and early 1990s Massillon and Indianapolis North Central went at it with a 5-game series.  Four games were played in Massillon, with the Tigers winning in all four.  The lone game in Indianapolis was played at the Hoosier Dome.  But with Massillon struggling that year, they fell 35-20 to the host team.

Then there were the two oddballs in this story.

Columbus Historic Crew Stadium – In 2023 Massillon faced Cincinnati Anderson in the Division II state semifinals.  The venue was a professional soccer arena.  Although it was a fine facility for the fans, the team needed to be spread among two different locker rooms.  But it didn’t affect the outcome, as the Tigers prevailed in big way, winning 55-7.  The following week Massillon would capture its first ever playoff state championship.

Nike Headquarters – The other oddball occurred the following year in the season opener when the Tigers traveled to Beaverton, Oregon, to face NFL Academy London.  The game was held at the Nike Complex on a field that was nearly devoid of appropriate seating.  Nevertheless, Massillon took care of business and came away with a 35-20 victory.  Quarterback Jalen Slaughter led the way by completing 29 (2^nd in the record book) of 44 passes (5^th) for 403 yards (2^nd) and 3 touchdowns.  Nine passes went to Braylyn Toles and 7 were caught by Ricardo Wells.

Overall, the Tigers have been fortunate enough to have played in twelve different non-high school venues.  Given that most of these games were played against top competition, one wouldn’t expect domination in the win-loss column.  But Massillon has held its own, producing an overall record of 26-23-1.  And the players had great experiences playing in front of some very large crowds.