Category: <span>History</span>

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1918: Massillon 0, New Philadelphia 1

LOCAL HIGH GETS RAW DEAL IN NEW PHILADELPHIA GAME
Refuses to Accept Biased Decision and Quits Field, Forfeiting Game, All But Tied.

Rather than play against a team allowing questionable tactics, Massillon high took her men off the gridiron at New Philadelphia, Saturday, forfeiting the game to New Philadelphia by a 7 to 6 score.

Fighting with every ounce of energy, using clean tactics and good head work, Massillon had scored a touchdown in the second quarter to count against the seven points won by New Philadelphia at the start of the game. Coach Snavely ordered his players off the field in the final period of play, claiming the umpire, a New Philadelphia man, had made a biased ruling.

At that time New Philadelphia attempted a forward pass.

Wittmann, Massillon’s left end, is alleged to have tackled the player before New Philadelphia threw the ball, which resulted in a gain. Under such conditions the ball would properly have been declared dead, but New Philadelphia maintained it to be legal. Unable to reverse the decision Massillon left the field.

Archbold kicked off for Massillon at the start of the game. Within the first three minutes of play New Philadelphia scored a touchdown and goal kick, gaining by superior weight.

New Philadelphia kicked off to Massillon and the latter began a pretty attack which resulted in their steady but slow gain.

New Philadelphia kicked off to Massillon beginning of the second quarter, Philadelphia gaining the ball on the 20 yard line. Graybill recovered the ball in a short time, running 15 yards on a punt. Greenfelder covered Massillon’s bad fumble which occurred here.

Thomas, star half back, running 35 yards. Massillon gained the upper hand. However, Philadelphia soon regained her pep and the play became hotly contested, both teams at times being forced to defend their own goal with the ball in the shadows of the post. Wittmann and Howells, linemen, made several brilliant tackles in this period of play. Massillon placekicked on the 37 yard line, here, but was blocked.

It was in this quarter that Harrison stopped a dangerous punt around the left end, carried the pigskin to the opponent’s five yard line, where Greenfelder crossed the goal line, scoring Massillon’s six points.

Massillon being forced to kick from a wide angle, lost the goal kick, which would have tied the score.

During this quarter both Graybill and Thomas accomplished some fine runs in a broken field.

In the third quarter the dash which had marked New Philadelphia’s game seemed to have disappeared.

Early in the fourth quarter the dispute arose over the legality of Philadelphia’s forward pass and Coach Snavely sent his men off the gridiron.

The game was marked by hard, aggressive football. There were examples of fine tackling but in other cases poor judgment was used.

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1918: Massillon 82, Uhrichsville 0

SCHOOL TEAM IN FINE FORM LEAD SCHOOL TEAM – SPORTS – C

Eighty-two to nothing was the score Massillon high’s foot ball team registered against Uhrichsville high Saturday afternoon at the Blues’ field in Clay street here in the first game of the season. The young Tigers had their visitors so badly outclassed that they did not even waste time trying to kick goals in the majority of cases. The home team kicked one goal in the first quarter and three in the third.

Massillon high gained the kick-off in the first quarter, and succeeded in keeping the ball throughout the greater part of the game. Archbold scored the first touchdown during the first three minutes of play, running 20 yards through the stiff interference of the opponents.

The close of the first quarter gave Massillon a score of 25 to 0, with a touchdown to the credit of Thomas and Greenfelder, both back fielders. Archbold crossed the defenders’ line twice in this quarter.

Stuhldreher, substituting for Greenfelder during the second and third quarters, had three touchdowns to his credit, two in the second quarter. Harrison also scored once in this period of play. Here again Archbold carried the ball to a touchdown.

With 49 points against them at the opening of the second half, the Uhrichsville defenders made a desperate effort to hold the victors in check. Massillon crossed their rival’s line three times during this quarter, kicking goal after each touchdown. Hess, freshman substitute backfielder, in the third quarter, showed exceptional skill for so green a player, running 30 yards on an intercepted pass for a touchdown.

Thomas, veteran half back, made the two scores registered in the last few minutes of the game, besides in the third quarter.

Critics and fans alike were impressed with the fast, smooth team work of the local high team. The young Tigers have an exceptionally well balanced team, playing nine letter men. Saturday’s victory was due, in a great part, to this characteristic. Although no lighter than the local grid warriors, Uhrichsville players were outclassed in the matter of team work and balanced play.

Massillon – 82. Pos. Uhrichsville – 0.

Herman le Horn

Oberlin lt Herrick

Tilton lg Anthony

Ertle c Nuddon

Kemp rg Heshleman

Harrison rt Neighbor

Howells re Bazell

Graybill qb Myers

Greenfelder lhb Repler

Thomas rhb Williams

Archbold fb D. Heshleman
Touchdowns: – Stuhldreher 3, Thomas 4, Archbold 3, Harrison 1, Hess 1, Greenfelder 1.

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1917: Massillon 7, Canton Central 6

COACH SNAVELY’S LADS, IN GAME BATTLE, BEST SUPERIOR ENEMY, 7-6

Thirteen fighting orange and black clad gridiron warriors of Massillon high school covered themselves with the large gobs of glory, slush and mud Saturday afternoon on the M. B. A. C. field. These 13 youthful gladiators accomplished a feat which all of Canton and half of Massillon considered impossible. They defeated the crack red and black eleven of Central high, Canton, 7 to 6, in the annual grid tilt between the two old rivals and grabbed off the scholastic championship of Stark county for the second straight time. It was the last game of the season.

Going into the struggle in which Canton high was a decided favorite, because of its top notch playing all season, Coach Snavely’s boys fought with all the fury and vigor of a tiger at bay and their titantic efforts were rewarded with victory. The largest crowd that has witnessed a scholastic battle this season was on hand to see the big struggle although the atmosphere was decidedly chilly for spectators.

It was a break of the game that gave Massillon its chance to win which also was responsible for Canton’s score. But break or no break, it does not detract one whit from the glory that should go to the orange and black for it justly deserves all that it won. It was a tense struggle with Canton having the edge on the offensive play, but while the visiting eleven made eight first downs to six for Coach Snavely’s youthful Tigers, Massillon always tightened and the red and black only penetrated the local eleven’s 20 yard zone once, that was in the second quarter.

Touted as the best scholastic eleven turned out at the Canton institution in many years, the red and black journeyed to Tiger town Saturday confident of winning by at least three touchdowns. Why should it not have confidence? Did it not defeat Alliance 67 to 0 while Massillon only won 27 to 7; didn’t it not hold New Philadelphia scoreless while the Tuscarawas county lads walloped the orange and black 27 to 0, and did it not defeat Rayon of Youngstown 27 to 0 while the best Massillon could do was to win 15 to 0?

It had every reason to be confident of winning and it possessed an admirable backfield in Boldt, Mitchell and Rate, three athletes fleet of foot and powerful line plungers. Besides this it outweighed Massillon several pounds to the man.

But it did not take very long to show that Massillon’s “green” team would give the veteran Canton eleven a hard battle and that there wouldn’t be any victor until the struggle was over. Coach Snavely’s line, composed mostly of men playing their first year of varsity football time after time rolled back the rushes of Canton’s heavier and veteran front line of defense and brought the great Boldt and Rate to earth with very, very few of the big gains they were expected to make in dashing through the orange and black line or sweeping around the ends.

Give the orange and black all the credit in the world for it came up from behind and won a battle very few expected it to win and give to Coach John Snavely a share of this credit for developing a team that will fight to the last ditch no matter what the odds are against it. Sheer pluck and a determination to win at all costs turned the trick.

The first quarter was nearly over when Canton scored. Canton had received to start the battle but Mitchell fumbled on the second play and Converse covered on Canton’s 27. Thomas, aided by gains by Converse and Archbold, ripped up the Canton line for two first downs and placed the ball on Canton’s four yard line when a five yard penalty for being offside shoved the orange and black back to the nine yard line. Massillon was held then and when a forward pass failed on the fourth down, Canton gained the ball on its nine yard line. The red and black immediately punted, the kick getting past Thomas and going to Massillon’s 45 before being recovered by “Swig.” The local eleven was held and Archbold punted, a strong wind carrying the ball to Massillon’s 45-yard line where Mitchell grabbed it and carried it to the 30 yard line before being downed. A Rate-Lautenheiser pass covered half the distance to the goal and three plunges with Rate carrying the ball carried the pigskin to Massillon’s 3 yard line from where Boldt carried it over on a cross buck. On the kick out Canton missed the ball and lost a try for goal.

From then on until early in the third quarter the play was confined mostly to the middle of the gridiron. With the ball on the 30 yard line, Roderick made a bad pass which went over Rate’s head, and the ball bounded toward Canton’s goal line with the orange and black hot in pursuit. Fulton tried to pick up the leather but it slipped out of his fingers and kept bounding on until it bounded over Canton’s goal line and at least five orange and black warriors pounced upon it while Canton made a desperate effort to recover. When the mass of players had been pried apart plucky little Fulton, Massillon star right end was under the heap tightly hugging the leather which meant six points for his team and a possible victory. Thomas kicked goal and Massillon was one point to the good, a lead it kept through the balance of the struggle although Canton tried with all its might to score again.

Near the end of the quarter Massillon brought the ball back to Canton’s 30 yard line but held and on the fourth down Thomas tried a kick from placement from the 39 yard line which struck the cross bar. Another inch higher and Massillon would have had three points more.

In the fourth quarter Canton carried the ball 30 yards to Massillon’s 31 yard line but lost it when Oberlin intercepted a Canton pass on his 35 yard line.

Every one of the orange and black warriors who participated in the struggle deserves oceans of credit but the playing of “Swig” Thomas, Massillon’s youthful halfback, was the bright spot in the orange and black’s attack. Paid especial attention by Canton because of his offensive ability, “Swig” plowed through the red and black line for many big gains and played an important role in the big victory. Archbold also ripped the Canton line to pieces on several occasions.

On defense, Massillon’s playing was par excellence. Outweighed considerably, the line was shoved back on several occasions but rallied gamely and throughout the greater part of the game outplayed its red and black foes. Cheyney, Fulton, Oberlin, Converse and Archbold played prominent roles on the defense.

A REAL VICTORY

Massillon – 7. Pos. Canton – 6.

Wittmann le Guest

Cheyney lt Lautenheiser

Taylor lg Steele

Ertle c Roderick

Harrison rg McCarel

Oberlin rt Cameron

Fulton re Wiseman

Graybill qb Snyder

Thomas lhb Boldt

Converse rhb Mitchell

Archbold fb Rate
Substitutions – Massillon: Edwards for Taylor, Taylor for Edwards, Kemp for Taylor.

Touchdowns – Boldt, Fulton.

Goal from touchdown – Thomas.

Referee – Snyder, of Harvard.
Umpire – Bletzer, of Mount Union.
Headlinesman – Miller of Massillon.

Time of quarters – 12 minutes.

Score by quarters—
Canton 6 0 0 0 6
Massillon 0 0 7 0 7

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1917: Massillon 20, Wooster 0

ORANGE AND BLACK DEFEATS WOOSTER IN EASY FASHION

Orange and black clad gridiron warriors of Massillon high school annexed their sixth victory of the season Saturday when they trounced Wooster high 20 to 0 in the Wayne county capital.

It was a Wooster fumble on the first kick off that put Coach Snavely’s gridders in position to score. Then it was a Massillon fumble which gave Archbold a chance to scoop up the ball and carry it across Wooster’s goal line. Massillon had carried the ball to within Wooster’s 20 yard zone when the fumble occurred.

Wooster received but was held for downs, punting to Thomas who was thrown in his tracks. The orange and black commenced another march toward Wooster’s goal, Thomas and Archbold ripping off two first downs in succession. Fulton missed a pass but, on the next play Thomas swung around right end for 20 yards placing the ball on Wooster’s 10 yard line from where Archbold carried it over for his second set of counters.

It was a forward pass in the third quarter that gave Massillon its third touchdown. A 10-yard heave, from Thomas to Fulton, who sprinted 50 yards after receiving the pass brought the third set of points.

Wooster was never dangerous, not once penetrating the orange and black’s 20 yard zone. Play during the greater part of the game was in Wooster territory. After running up 20 points Coach Snavely’s tossers played largely upon the defensive. Only straight football was used by the local crew, as the presence of Canton scouts on the sidelines made it necessary for the orange and black to cover up its pet plays which will be sprung on Canton in the big battle next Saturday.

Following is the lineup and summary.

Massillon High – 20. Pos. Wooster high – 0.

Wittmann le Silver

Cheyney lt Dudley

Taylor lg Himes

Ertle c Whitemyer

Harrison lg Spangler

Oberlin rt Long

Fulton re Green

Graybill qb Patdorf

Thomas lhb Morrison

Converse rhb Stutz

Archbold fb Miller
Touchdown – Archbold 2. Fulton.

Referee – Maurer.
Umpire – Jones.
Headlinesman – Smith.

Goals after touchdown: Thomas 2.

Time of quarters – 12, 10, 12 and 10.

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1917: Massillon 15, Youngstown Rayen 0

HIGH GRIDDERS TAKE 15 TO 0 FALL OUT OF RAYEN ON SATURDAY

The orange and black of Massillon high and the orange and black of Rayen high, of Youngstown, tested strength in a gridiron duel on the M. B. A. C. field, Clay street, Saturday afternoon, the local eleven downing its Mahoning county foe, 15 to 0, in a contest in which both good and bad football were mixed.

“Swig” Thomas, Massillon’s brilliant halfback, scored all of Massillon’s points, driving through the line twice for touchdowns, kicking one goal and throwing Quarterback Myers of Rayen, behind his own goal line in the second quarter for a safety.

It was Rayen’s fumble on receiving a Massillon punt that gave Coach Snavely’s boys their chance to score the first touchdown. Massillon received but was held, Archbold punting to Quarterback Myers of Rayen, who dropped the ball, Fulton covering for the orange and black on Rayen’s 18 yard line. Thomas, Graybill and Archbold carried the ball to the two-yard line on shift plays from where “Swig” bucked through left tackle for the set of counters. He failed at goal.

Rayen received and Smith, fullback for the visitors, ripped through the center of Massillon’s line for 25 yards but the local line tightened and Massillon gained the ball on its 40-yard line. Archbold made 15 off tackle, and Thomas skirted left end for 45 carrying the ball to the seven-yard line. With four downs in which to make the distance to Rayen’s goal line, Coach Snavely’s boys failed as the visitors put up a stout defense and stopped Thomas on the one-yard line on the fourth down.

Early in the second quarter with Rayen in possession of the ball on its 10-yard line, Thomas dashed in and threw Mardacci over the line for a 11-yard loss and a safety. Rayen gained the ball on its 20-yard line and was held, punting to Thomas on Rayen’s 40. The orange and black commenced a steady march to the goal line which ended when Thomas carried the ball over from the one-yard line. He kicked goal.

Rayen was never dangerous, and did not get within Massillon’s 20-yard line at any time during the contest. In the second half Massillon’s play seemed to lag, although Thomas gained almost every time he carried the ball. Archbold and E. Graybill also made nice gains. Graybill was injured near the middle of the fourth quarter and Fulton was sent to quarter and Miller to right end. Converse did not get into the game, injuries sustained in the Akron West contest keeping him on the sidelines.

Massillon had all the better of the duel with the Rayenites, making 15 first downs to five for the invaders. Both teams punted five times. Massillon did not complete any forward pass until the fourth quarter when Thomas and Fulton negotiated two successful heaves. Rayen failed to gain an inch by the serial route, failing to complete a pass out of five attempts.

Thomas was Massillon’s big star on offense. He was almost unstoppable and rarely failed to gain. On the defense the line played a strong game but Taylor who supplanted C. Graybill at left guard early in the game put up a bear of a game on defense and exhibited about the hardest tackling of any member on the team.

Following is the line-up and summary:

Massillon – 15. Rayen – 0.

Edwards le Rubenson

Cheyney (c) lt Parker

C. Graybill lg McMillan

Ertle c Carney

Harrison rg Halls

Oberlin rt McBride (c)

Fulton re O’Neil

E. Graybill qb Myers

Thomas lhb Mardacci

Wittmann rhb Hough

Archbold fb Smith
Substitutions: Massillon – Taylor for C. Graybill, Fulton for E. Graybill, Miller for Fulton; Rayen – Bromley for McMillan, McMillan for Bromley.

Touchdowns – Thomas 2.
Safety – Massillon, 1.
Goals after touchdown – Thomas 1.

Referee – Maurer, of Wooster.
Umpire – Miller of Massillon.

Time of quarters – 12 and 10.

Score by quarters:
Massillon 6 9 0 0 – 15

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1917: Massillon 25, Akron West 0

M. H. S. Back in Winning Column, Defeats Akron West, Saturday, 25 To 0

When Akron West lined up against Massillon high school’s gridiron warriors Saturday afternoon on the Stadium grounds, Akron, the teams looked evenly matched but, as the game progressed the superiority of the orange and black was demonstrated. The 25 to 0 defeat which the orange and black inflicted was a come back from the overwhelming defeat received the week before from Youngstown South.

Playing the same brand of football it did Saturday, the high gridders should win the remaining three games of their schedule. The line was a stone wall on defense, only three first downs being made by the Akron squad. Only once did they appear weak. At the beginning of the second half, after Archbold kicked to Harter, Harter bucked through left tackle for a twelve yard gain, but the line bucked up and after four unsuccessful attempts to pierce the orange and black wall of defense, the West gridders lost the ball on downs.

With the line opening holes for the backfield men, the Massillon backs were able to make twelve first downs and three touchdowns by going through the Akron line, one touchdown resulting from a forward pass, F. Graybill to Fulton, from the fifteen yard line.

“Swig” Thomas, the orange and black’s brilliant halfback, was up to his old tactics of skirting the ends and ripping the line for gains from five to thirty yards. “Swig” scored the first points of the game nine minutes after play began in the first quarter, going through Akron’s left tackle eight yards for a touchdown.

The second touchdown was made when “Swig” skirted around Akron’s right end from Akron’s 15 yard line for the second counter, one minute and ten seconds after resuming play in the second quarter. Fulton, after the ball had been advanced about 45 yards in the third quarter to Akron’s fifteen yard line received a forward from Graybill over the line, bringing the score up to 19 points. The final points came in the fourth quarter when Archbold carried the pigskin over from the four yard line on a line buck.

With Fulton and Wittman on ends, Coach Snavely has finally developed a pair of wing men capable of breaking up interference and also of receiving forwards. Both ends Saturday were in the game up to their necks, smashing Akron’s interference and getting down the field on punts. Time after time Harter and Noals, receivers of the punts for Akron, were nailed in their tracks.

The Massillon line with Chaney and Oberlin on tackles, Harrison and Graybill on guards, and Ertle at center, was impregnable. On several occasions the linemen broke through and nailed Harter who hurled forward passes for Akron, before he had time to pass.

Graybill at quarter, who has been sub-quarter, ran the team in great shape and played a good offensive game, making several long runs. Converse, always a bear on defense, nailed Akron runners time after time, until injuries sustained in the second quarter, when he and Oberlin came together in making a tackle, forced him from the game. He may probably not be able to enter the Rayen contest next Saturday.

Massillon – 25. Pos. Akron West – 0.

Wittman le Holcomb

Chaney lt Madison

C. Graybill lg Enderline

Ertle c E. Harter

Harrison rg Beldon

Oberlin rt Vaughn

Fulton re Disson

E. Graybill qb Noals

Thomas lhb Schutt

Converse rhb A. Harter

Archbold fb Blum
Summaries:

Substitutes: Massillon, Edwards for Wittman, Miller for Edwards, Edwards for C. Graybill, Kemp for Harrison, Weirich for Oberlin, Wittman for Converse. Akron, Captain for Enderline, Smith for Vaughn, Vaughn for Beldon.

Touchdowns – Thomas 2, Archbold, Fulton.
Goal from touchdown, Thomas.

Referee – Palmer, Akron.
Umpire – Crisp, Akron.
Timekeepers – Black and Harrison.

Time of quarters – 12-10-12-10.

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1917: Massillon 0, Youngstown South 19

High School Defeated By Youngstown South In Muddy Battle, 19-0

Playing on a field covered with several inches of mud and water, with rain falling throughout the entire game, Massillon high’s orange and black football team was defeated 19 to 0, Saturday afternoon, at Youngstown by the crack eleven of Youngstown South, one of the best scholastic elevens in the state this season.

Although outweighing Massillon several pounds to the man, South did not rely on a bucking game for its gains after it found that the Massillon linemen were putting up a strong defense. The Mahoning county gridders depended largely upon end runs and forward passes and their ability to shoot passes over the heads of Coach Snavely’s gridders was responsible for all their touchdowns.

South scored twice in the first half on forward passes. In the second half Massillon being unable to dent the opposing line or skirt the ends because of the muddy field, played largely on the defensive and held South to one touchdown, resulting from a long forward pass which took the ball to Massillon’s five yard line from which South bucked it over.

Considering the condition of the field and the strength of the Youngstown South team, Massillon, although defeated, made a very creditable showing. On a dry field the orange and black would have had more of a chance with the steel town warriors who week before defeated Canton 7 to 0.

Massillon did not come near scoring, never working the ball within Youngstown’s 30-yard line. The local team lined up as follows: Edwards, left end; Cheyney, left tackle; Taylor and Kemp, left guard; Ertle, center; Harrison, right; Oberlin, right tackle; Wittman and Myers, right end; Fulton and Graybill, quarterback; Thomas, left halfback; Converse, right halfback and Archbold, fullback.

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1917: Massillon 6, Akron Central 0

TOUCHDOWN BY THOMAS GIVES MASSILLON A 6-0 VICTORY OVER AKRON

A dash around right end for 15 yards by “Swig” Thomas, star halfback netting a touchdown, gave Massillon high its only points in a stiff encounter Saturday afternoon with Akron Central on the M. B. A. C. field, Clay street. The score was 6 to 0, Thomas placing the ball behind Akron’s goal line late in the third quarter.

The Akronites presented a stiff defense but did not threaten to score, until near the end of the game when a forward pass from G. Zimmerman to Daum gave the Akron captain a chance to dash away for a 40 yard gain, before being downed by Oberlin on Massillon’s 13 yard line. This was the only time that the rubber city tossers penetrated within Massillon’s 20 yard zone.

The visitors had only an opportunity to make one play before the game ended. It was a nip and tuck battle for the most part with both teams being evenly matched. Captain Daum, sorrel topped leader of the Akron eleven, was the biggest ground gainer for the rubber city lads while “Swig” Thomas, the orange and black’s clever halfback, was the big factor for Massillon on offense.

On defense Converse was the shining light for Coach Snavely’s crew. The stocky halfback backed up the right side of the line in splendid shape, making a number of spectacular tackles.

Although Massillon did not carry the ball within Akron’s 20 yard line until the third quarter when Thomas scored the only touchdown, the orange and black lost two chances to score by fumbling. The youthful Tigers carried the ball to Akron’s 22 yard line in the second quarter but a bad pass, causing a fumble, which was covered by Akron robbed Coach Snavely’s boys of a chance to score. Again in the third quarter with the ball on Akron’s 24 yard line, Fulton fumbled the pigskin when tackled and Daum covered for the rubber city eleven.

It was on the next play after this fumble that Archbold intercepted an Akron pass on Akron’s 34 yard line and Massillon then marched across the visitor’s goal, Thomas making the distance in three plays.

“Swig” proved a very consistent ground gainer Saturday and very seldom failed to make a few yards when called upon to carry the ball.

The orange and black line played a hard game and although outweighed by the Central’s linemen, stopped most of the visitors attempts to gain ground through the line.

Lineup and summary:

Massillon – 6. Pos. Akron – 0.

Miller le Slater

Cheyney lt Porosky

C. Graybill lg C. Zimmerman

Ertle c Bertle

Harrison rg Ellis

Oberlin rt Tisdale

Meyers re Evans

Fulton qb G. Zimmerman

Thomas lhb Daum

Converse rhb Bevington

Archbold fb Spessard
Touchdowns – Thomas.

Referee – Maurer, Wooster
Umpire – Miller, Massillon
Timers – Copenhaver, Britton.
Time of quarters – 10 and 12 min.

Substitutions – Kemp for C. Graybill, E. Graybill for Conv

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1917: Massillon 26, Alliance 7

Spirited Attack In Last Quarter Gives Massillon 26 To 7 Victory Over Foe

Coming from behind and fighting an uphill battle in the fourth quarter, Massillon high’s orange and black eleven, which a week ago bumped into a 27 to 0 defeat at the hands of New Philadelphia, came back with a vengeance Saturday and walloped Alliance high, 26 to 7, at Alliance.

Scoring three touchdowns in the fourth quarter, after Alliance had taken a one point lead in the third period, by scoring a touchdown and kicking goal, Coach Snavely’s warriors retained their hold on the Stark county championship by defeating their first county foe of the 1917 campaign.

The orange and black was altogether a different team Saturday from what it was a week ago. It was chock full of fight and rushed the husky Alliance eleven right off its feet at the very offset when it carried the ball 60 yards on line bucks after the kickoff for a touchdown.

There was no nervousness in the local team’s attack Saturday. It went right after Alliance from the start, with a grim determination to win, and when Alliance forged to the front with a one point lead in the third quarter, it only served to make the orange and black fight harder.

The play that turned the tide of battle in Massillon’s favor occurred early in the fourth quarter. With the ball in its possession, Alliance tried a forward pass. Fulton, Massillon’s speedy quarterback, intercepted the ball on the 20 yard line, and dodging and squirming through the entire Alliance team raced 80 yards for touchdown.

Not profiting by this lesson, Alliance tried another forward a few minutes later, and Fullback Archbold pulled it out of the air and ran 40 yards for Massillon’s third touchdown. But this was not enough for Coach Snavely’s boys. With three minutes to play, the orange and black started a series of line plunges that carried the ball from the 40 yard line to another touchdown, Converse bucking it over just before the game ended.

The work of “Swig” Thomas, Massillon’s brilliant halfback, stood out prominently, Saturday. “Swig” ripped the Alliance line to pieces time after time by his fierce plunging and scored the team’s first touchdown. He also ran the ends in fine shape, gaining frequently.

Alliance, with practically a veteran team on the field, was given better than an even chance of trimming Massillon’s inexperienced eleven, but fight as they would the east end gridders were not able to stop Massillon’s aggressive attack. Kelly scored for Alliance on a forward from Marsh.

With the showing Saturday, the orange and black should finish with a long string of victories, although it has some tough battles coming with Rayen and South, of Youngstown and Canton.

MAKING GOOD NOW

Massillon – 26. Pos. Alliance – 7.

Miller le Johnson

Cheyney (c) lt McGranahan

Graybill lg Akins

Ertle c Segal

Harrison rg Whitman

Oberlin rt Cady

Howells re Hawkins (c)

Fulton qb Marsh

Thomas lhb Hubbard

Converse rhb Kelly

Archbold fb Finke
Score by quarters:
Massillon 6 0 0 20 —26
Alliance 0 0 7 0 —7

Touchdowns – Thomas, Fulton, Archbold 2, Kelly.
Goals – Marsh, Thomas 2.

Referee – Miller, Mt. Union.
Umpire – Beck, Mt. Union.
Head Linesman – Packer, Alliance.

Substitutions – Massillon: Taylor for Cheyney, Edwards for Graybill, Myers for Miller, E. Graybill for Howells, Wittmann for Miller, Kemp for Edwards, Weirich for Taylor.
Alliance: Morrison for Segal.

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1917: Massillon 0, New Philadelphia 28

Poor Passing and Fumbling Gives New Philadelphia a Chance to Register Victory

Red and black clad gridiron warriors of New Philadelphia high school won revenge Saturday afternoon over the orange and black of Massillon high school. The Tuscarawas county lads defeated the local aggregation 27 to 0 in a stiff battle on the M. B. A. C. lot.

Poor passing, causing numerous fumbles, gave New Philadelphia its opportunity to score all but one of its four touchdowns. The orange and black, although outweighed by the down staters, who put on the field the heaviest team that has represented New Philadelphia for many seasons, was far superior to the red and black as long as it played together and played football.

But Coach Snavely’s green team which was stacking up against its first real opponent, probably was a little excited and unable to hold together its machine-like play, for it only showed its ability in streaks and then New Philadelphia was hard put to stop it.

Besides erratic passing the orange and black showed a decided tendency to tackle high and furnished little opposition for the men who attempted to advance the ball. “Swig” Thomas, one of the veterans of the team, ran New Philadelphia’s ends several times for substantial gains, but “Swig” was compelled to skirt the red and black wingmen with practically no interference.

New Philadelphia’s first touchdown came after six minutes of play. New Philadelphia received but was forced to punt. Thomas reeled off a first down for Massillon around left end, but then came a bad pass and a fumble, and the locals lost 15 yards. Archbold dropped back for a punt but the pass from center went over his head and New Philadelphia covered on the 18 yard line. Smashes at the line carried the ball to the one yard line from which Warner bucked it over for the first score. Gross kicked goal.

Toward the end of the first quarter a bad pass to Thomas, causing him to drop the ball, which was covered by New Philadelphia on Massillon’s 25 yard line, put the down staters in position to score. Harris and Gross negotiated a first down on a forward pass and the red and black plowed up the line for another 10 yards putting the ball on the five yard line as the quarter ended. Massillon tried hard to hold its opponents but the visitors, with their heavy line and backfield resorted to the old game of line plunging and on the second play in the second quarter, Harris went through center for New Philadelphia’s second touchdown. Gross kicked goal.

During the balance of the second and the third quarters and for the great part of the fourth, Massillon battled its foe on even terms, at times opening up and playing brilliantly. Had the orange and black depended upon open formations for its gains instead of line plays it probably would have fared better. Coach Snavely’s boys worked a number of long forwards and gained many yards around the red and black ends.

New Philadelphia’s last 13 points came in the last three minutes of play. The red and black covered a Massillon fumble and several line smashes brought the ball within striking distance and Warner carried it over, Gross kicking another goal. Massillon received and attempted a forward pass which was intercepted by Gross who ran 20 yards for the fourth touchdown. He missed goal. Massillon made a desperate effort to score in the last few seconds of play and worked the ball to the 15-yard line but the whistle ended the contest.

A BITTER PILL

Massillon – 0. Pos. New Phila. – 27.

Myers le Gross

Cheney lt Stoller

Edwards lg Limbach

C. Graybill c Mathias

Harrison rg Burris

Ertle rt Freeman

Howells re Horger

Fulton q Harris

Thomas lh Hartman

Converse rh Moore

Archbold f Warner

Touchdowns – Warner 2, Harris, Gross.
Goals from touchdown – Gross 3.

Referee – Maurer of Wooster.
Umpire – Miller of Massillon.
Timer – Copenhaver.

Time of quarters – 12 ½ and 15.

Substitutions – Massillon: Miller for Meyers, Ertle for C. Graybill, C. Graybill for Ertle, Taylor for Ertle, Kemp for Taylor, Archbold for Howells, E. Grabill for Fulton, Wittmann for Archbold, Greenfelder for Converse. New Philadelphia: Hansen for Moore.