Five Tigers Named All-Ohio for 2021
Five football players from Massillon’s 11-3 team have been named by the Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association to the Division II All-Star Team. They include:
- Jaiden Woods – Senior offensive lineman – 1st Team All-Ohio,
- Austin Brawley – Senior defensive back – 1st Team All-Ohio,
- Marcus Moore – Junior defensive lineman – 2nd Team All-Ohio
- Riley Campbell – Senior defensive lineman – 2nd Team All-Ohio
- Nathan Depuy – Senior linebacker – 2nd Team All-Ohio
All five were previously named 1st Team Northeast Inland All-District. And all except Depuy were earlier named All-Stark County.
The Co-Offensive Player of the Year is Green wide receiver Trey Martin. The Co-Coach of the Year is Rob Page of Big Walnut.
All-Ohio players from Tiger opponents:
Pickerington Central – D1
- CJ Doggette – defensive lineman – 1st Team
- Tyler Gillison – defensive lineman – 1st Team
- Alex “Sonny” Styles – defensive back – 2nd Team
- Kyle Imboden – offensive lineman – Honorable Mention
Canton GlenOak – D1
- None
Reynoldsburg – D1
- Markez Gillam – wide receiver – 1st Team
- Dijon Jennings – quarterback – 2nd Team
Warren Harding – D2
- Dom Foster – wide receiver – Honorable Mention
- Kinkade Tyson – defensive lineman – Honorable Mention
Lakewood St. Edward – D1
- Christian Ramos – quarterback – 1st Team
- Joe Lavelle – offensive lineman – 1st Team
- Michael Kilbane – defensive lineman – 1st Team
- Zyion Freer-Brown – linebacker – 1st Team
- Danny Enovitch – running back – 3rd Team
- Giovanni Kennedy – offensive lineman – 3rd Team
- Wyatt Gedeon – defensive lineman – 3rd Team
- Joel Castleberry – defensive back – 3rd Team
- Ben Lavelle – punter – Honorable Mention
Austintown Fitch – D2
- Devin Sherwood – quarterback – 1st Team
- Josh Fitzgerald – offensive lineman – Honorable Mention
- DeShawn Vaughn – defensive back Honorable Mention
Euclid – D1
- Claishon Ivory – wide receiver – Honorable Mention
- Aiden Turos – kicker – Honorable Mention
- Chase Smith – defensive lineman – Honorable Mention
- Ryan Merrill – linebacker – Honorable Mention
Wooster – D2
- Micah McKee – wide receiver – 2nd Team
- Drew Rader – kicker – 3rd Team
Canton McKinley – D1
- Harold Fannin – defensive back – 1st Team
- Stefan Monahan – offensive lineman – 2nd Team
- Nehemiah Saipaia – defensive lineman – 3rd Team
- Khris Williams – running back – Honorable Mention
Columbus Independence – D2
- Jalin Sample – Columbus Independence linebacker – Honorable Mention
Westerville South – D2
- Kaden Saunders – wide receiver – 1st Team
- Tyler O’Riley – offensive lineman – 2nd Team
- Brandon Armstrong – defensive back – Honorable Mention
Big Walnut – D2
- Nate Severs – running back – 1st Team
- Garrett Stover – defensive back – 1st Team
- Aiden Hernandez – offensive lineman – 1st Team
- Nicky Pentello – wide receiver – 2nd Team
Green – D2
- Trey Martin – wide receiver – 1st Team
- Trevor Van Horn – quarterback – 2nd Team
- CJ Dawson – offensive lineman – 2nd Team
Typical of most college players, Grier worked his way through a talented roster striving for playing time. As a sophomore he rushed 13 times for 198 yards. But his coach was not sold on his defense at a time when players were required to play both ways. Then in 1955, under Coach John Michelosen, Grier started the first game. But he shared time the rest of the season.
Back in Pittsburgh, the players voted to stay home if Grier was not permitted to play. “It made me feel great that the team, the university and everybody was behind me,” said Grier.
Although Pittsburgh lost the game 7-0, Grier led all rushers with 51 yards. In an ironic twist, Grier was called for pass interference late in the game and the ball was placed at the one yard line, setting up the lone touchdown. Bobby was beside himself later in the locker room. And many thought it was Southern home cooking, noting that Grier was ahead of the receiver on the play and had been pushed to the ground prior to the ball sailing over both of their heads. But later it was determined that the referee who made the call was from Pittsburgh. After the game, following a review of the game film, the referee admitted that he simply made a mistake.
No other northern team was invited to the Sugar Bowl until nine years later when Syracuse made the trip. Times were changing and the Orange featured two black players (future NFL stars Floyd Little and Jim Nance) with little fanfare.