Category: <span>History</span>

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1909: Massillon 0 Akron 0

AKRON HIGH HELD MASSILLON HIGH
A Battle Royal at the High School Saturday. 0 – 0 IN FAVOR OF MASSILLON

The Local Team Carried the Ball to the One-Yard Line, but Was held by Opponent Erb Saved the Day A Large Crowd Present

In perhaps the greatest game of high school football Massillon ever saw, the local unconquered aggregation rushed the strong Akron team to the limit of its skill and endurance to save itself from defeat on the high school grounds Saturday afternoon.  After forty-five minutes of terrific contest the game ended with the ball near the middle of the field and with a tally for neither team. Although the final score as it stood was immensely satisfying to the Massillon camp, the fact that the ball was not shoved over the goal from the one yard line is a disappointment no less bitter because it was so near.

It was in the second half that Massillon in five straight line bucks had torn the Akron line to shreds and advanced the ball to the one-yard line.  It was third down and the goal to go.  A hurried consultation was called and a silent signal decided upon.  Without a word the ball was passed to Sonnhalter who waded headlong into Massillon’s right side.  Akron’s defense was massed in a tangled heap behind the play and Massillon was held for downs.  In two downs Akron carried the ball through Massillon’s disorganized defense to the center of the field.  On the third play Massillon, enraged at the turn of affairs, was again on the job with its stonewall defense and smothered the play behind the line before it had started.  At this time Massillon again returned to form, and began to shove Akron back again but nothing was accomplished before the half ended.

Perhaps the most spectacular play of the game was Erb’s fling tackle from the rear, which brought Ross to the ground and saved the game and Massillon’s inviolable goal line.  Ross had broken through Massillon’s line, cleared the backfield and was off like a shot for the goal, fifty yards away, through a clear field.  Massillon’s heart dropped, until Erb gave chase.  The big tackle gained all but ten feet on the Akron back and then left his feet, covering the remaining distance with a long dive, which landed on Ross at the knees.  Aside from this Massillon’s goal was threatened but once and then only at a distance of fifteen yards.

Akron, evidently judging from last year’s score, expected something on the order of a
walk-away.  Mass received on the kickoff and it took about six seconds of smashing, crashing football to disabuse the visitors of this idea.  When Massillon started in on its heavy interference formations and tricks, Akron realized that they were up against it for fair, and acted accordingly.  From this time on it was nip and tuck from start to finish.  Massillon played a slow but terrific offense, which tore through Akron’s line time and again for consistent gains.

Akron played a whirlwind offense, which would have carried a less experienced team off its feet, but Massillon was Johnny on the spot and ready to deliver the goods at all hours of the day and night.  At times Akron gained through Massillon’s line, and once in a great while broke around end, but all in all, Massillon’s defense was invulnerable.  Akron played a wide open defense with ends back, calculated to catch all forward passes, and open playing.  For this reason Massillon was able to hammer the line in great shape.  Aside from straight football Akron had especially two plays which were foolers until Massillon got wise.  One was a backward pass on an end run, and the other a forward to the right half.  The first worked several times and the latter but once.  Massillon soon got next to the first, and followed the second close, but not in time to stop it, the only time it worked successfully.  Although Massillon was outweighed considerably it played by far the heavier game.  Akron played a fast game but were not as quick individually as the Massillon team.

Heyman did Massillon’s punting until he was removed at the end of the first half on account of injuries received two weeks ago.  Blackburn booted the leather thereafter and covered Heyman’s distance but without Fritz’s elusive spiral.  The Akron punter had a good spiral but was out-punted by both of Massillon’s kickers.  Much of Blackburn’s kicking was blocked on account of advancing too near the line before kicking.

Massillon’s team played individually like an aggregation of all stars and collectively like a clock.  Blackburn played everywhere all the time. He punted, carried back punts and tore large gaps in Akron’s line as big as a barn through which he played for gains.  Once after a punt of forty yards he went down the field and dropped the runner in his tracks.  Sonnhalter played his usual plunging game at full and was in for the obituary on all of Akron’s attempted forwards.  The backfield played well together.  Atwater mixed up  the signals well and kept Akron guessing on most of  the plays, beside playing a general all round game otherwise.

Massillon’s line was alive and kicking from the word go.  The three guards, Heyman, McConnell and Zintsmaster, played hard and aggressive ball without a relapse.  Wagner and Erb, at tackles, were towers of strength on either side of the line and at times carried the ball for considerable gains.  Miller, at left end, put up a fast and speedy game at all times, and Ellis, at right end, played a crashing defensive game that was death to interference.

Leahy, at center, backed up the line in great shape and managed to land in the center of every play that was made, often breaking through and blocking one behind the lines.

The line-up and summary:

Massillon —  0                 Pos.               Akron – 0
Miller                                le                 Williams, Sisler
Erb                                    lt                 Baer
Zintsmaster, Heyman         lg                 Saalfield
Leahy                                c                 Walsmith
McConnell                        rg                 Foltz, Doyle
Wagner                             rt                 Crisp
Ellis                                   re                 Zook
Atwater                            qb                Weeks
Wells                                lh                 Zollinger (capt.)
Blackburn                         rh                 Ross
Sonnhalter                         fb                 Criss

Time of halves:  25 and 30 minutes.

Referee and umpire, alternating – Merwin and Ambel.
Head Linesman – Bast.
Timeskeeper – Vogt.

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1909: Massillon 27 Alliance 0

MASSILLON WON FROM ALLIANCE
Took Fourth Victory at High School Saturday.
MASSILLON,  27;            ALLIANCE,  0.

The Local School Played a Hard and Fast Game and Won With Ease Massillon Scored Once in the First Half Alliance Died Game.

The Massillon high school football team took its fourth consecutive victory from the Alliance team on the high school grounds Saturday afternoon, by the score of 27 to 0.  Massillon outweighed and outplayed the opponents in every department of the game.  In many ways Massillon showed up to better advantage than at any time this season.  The team work, which has been perfected during the past week, worked to good effect.  Massillon was able usually to carry the ball down the field on straight football, but in the second half piled up the score on several trick plays which were unusually successful against the eastern aggregation.  At no time was Massillon’s goal in serious danger.  At one time Alliance carried the ball to Massillon’s twenty-five yard line but Massillon held here and regained the ball, easily carrying it out of danger.

Four of Massillon’s touchdowns were bucked over the line on straight football by its backfield.  The fifth was made by Atwater, after picking up a fumble punt and running fifty yards to the goal.  Sonnhalter made two touchdowns and Wells and Blackburn each one.  Blackburn, who did Massillon’s goal kicking, was in hard luck against Alliance.  Out of the five tries from touchdown but two went over the bar.  In drops the same hoodoo was on the job.  Both tries from the field failed.

The game was played in torrid mid-summer heat, which fatigued the players almost to exhaustion in the more strenuous parts of the game.  The dust of the field was at times choking, and the water boy was in constant demand.  The attendance at the game rivaled that which saw Canton defeated last week.  The field was banked on four sides before the end of the game.  Two policemen were on the job to see that the crowd kept behind the wires and did not intrude upon the field.

Massillon’s team work may be said to have won the game and her varied assortment of tricks piled up the score.  The score at the end of the first half consisted of but one touchdown and it looked as if Massillon would have to hump some to keep from being scored upon.  The first touchdown was made by bucking the ball over on straight football, which was used exclusively in the first half.  Massillon, as usual, woke up in the second half, and played a faster and more aggressive game.  A varied repertoire of tricks fooled the visitors time after time and in most cases carried the ball within striking distance of the goal.  Fumbles in the backfield and in carrying the punts back was Massillon’s worst fault and as the visitors excelled the locals in falling on the ball, much was lost in this way.

Massillon’s line, with few exceptions, held the Alliance backfield without gain.  Alliance hammered Newschutz through left guard time and again and although short gains were made in the first half the hole was pretty well plugged in the second.  Alliance was able to gain little around the Massillon ends, Miller and Ellis.  Both played a first class defensive game.  Wagner and McConnell at the tackles, played a faultless game, holding the tackle against any gain whatever.  Heyman at left guard, played his usual steady game on the line and did Massillon’s punting in his usual form.  Smith held down right guard in the first half.  He was replaced by Zintsmaster in the second half, who succeeded in plugging up the position in a very effective manner.  Moody went in the last few minutes and played a good game, breaking through once and regaining a fumble.  Leahy, at center, played a good game throughout, breaking through the line often.

Aside from straight football which availed nothing against Massillon’s line, Alliance had but one play, a forward pass.  Although the pass failed each time it was tried, the manner in which it worked was very creditable to the visitors.  Alliance, although clearly defeated after the first touchdown, never gave up hope.  They stuck doggedly to their places and contested every inch throughout the second half, when the score was going higher and higher and when Alliance men were being taken from the game every few downs.  Alliance played as clean a game as any team which the local school has met thus far and when hope was gone they died game.

Following is the summary:

Massillon – 27           Pos.                     Alliance – 0
Miller                          le                       Allott
McConnell                   lt                       Johnson
Heyman                      lg                       Tanner
Leahy                          c                       Jones
Smith, Zintsmaster,
and Moody                 rg                       Shen
Wagner                       rt                       Wingert
Ellis                             re                       McClure
Atwater                      qb                      Davis
Wells                          lh                       Kallenbaugh
Blackburn                   rh                       Mummert
Sonnhalter                   fb                       Neushantz

Touchdowns:
Massillon – Sonnhalter  2; Atwater; Blackburn; Wells.

Goals:
Massillon – Blackburn   2.

Referee and umpire, alternating:
Wittmann, Massillon.
Morrison, Alliance.

Head Linesman – Bloomberg.
Timekeeper – Bast.

Time of halves – 20 minutes each.

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1909: Massillon 6 Canton Central 2

CANTON HIGH WAS DEFEATED
Orange and Black Victorious Saturday.
SCORE:   MASSILLON  6,  CANTON  2

Hard Fought Battle on the High School Grounds
Blackburn Picked Up Punt
and Ran Forty Yards for the Only Touchdown
Canton Scored a Safety.

After forty-five minutes of strenuous play on the high school grounds Saturday afternoon, between the Canton and Massillon high school football teams, for the second time in the memory of living man, the orange and black landed on top with the long end of a 6 to 2 score.  Although the game was at times ragged and loose on the part of both teams, at no time was there slowness or listlessness.  During the entire game both teams played to the limit of their strength and endurance, if not to the possibilities of their skill.  The battle was fast and furious from start to finish and all points scored either by Massillon or the east side suburb, were due to individual and not to team work.

All of Massillon’s six points are credited to Blackburn, who played right half for the local institution.  The only touchdown was made by him after a forty yard run through a clear field.  One of Heyman’s punts was blocked by Canton, and fell a short distance from where it was put in play.  The ball touched the ground first and bounded with several men of each team in pursuit.  Blackburn was the first on the ground and after fumbling once scooped the ball up and ran unhindered to the goal.  By kicking a perfect goal another point was added.

Canton’s points were made on a safety near the southeast corner of the field when Heyman, attempting a punt, was downed behind the line after missing a bad pass.  These were the only points scored against Massillon out of the first three games.

An unprecedented crowd of 1,500 banked the high school gridiron on four sides.  The large delegation from Canton displayed the red and black profusely, held forth on the south side of the field, while the north side was a band of orange and black, where Massillon’s rooting club, led by Raymond Bowers, made Rome howl with yells and songs from the referee’s whistle to the timekeeper’s whistle.

The final score is perhaps a good comparison of the two teams as they showed up in the game, but hardly of their real strength.  Massillon’s team did not come anywhere near the form displayed in the two former games.  The line which has here-to-fore held against anything was punctured time and again, both on offense and defense.  The team work in the back field was ragged and the interference loose.  Massillon was able but twice and for short spaces to gain consistently through the line, but worked two tricks time and again for large gains.  These were a fake punt and a double pass to end.

Canton, with a team of new men, was not particularly strong in any department, but played a plucky game from start to finish.  The lines of the two teams played the game about equally, but Canton was playing to the limit while Massillon was loafing on the job.  The same may be said of the backfield with the exception of McCay, at quarter, who was Canton’s particular star.  His speed in circling the ends was his great asset.  Aside from straight football Canton had but two plays.  One was a tandem play in which the fullback hit the opposite side of the line, and the other a forward pass.  Neither was successful at any time.

In the first half Massillon kept the ball in Canton’s territory, and once carried it within a few yards of the goal, only to lose it on a fumble.  In the second half, however, Canton braced up and Massillon’s goal was threatened several times.  Massillon’s line in turn braced up and held for downs, always punting out of danger.  It was near the goal that Canton tried her forward passes but they failed to materialize.  When Canton’s safety was made Massillon had regained the ball on downs on the five-yard line and was attempting to punt out.  After the safety the ball was kicked out from the twenty-five yard line and the game ended soon after with the ball in Massillon’s possession in the center of the field.

Following is the line-up:

Canton – 2                      Pos.               Massillon – 6
Lash                                  c                 Leahy
Howell, Repputh               lg                 Heyman
Austin, Bonner                  rg                 Zintsmaster
Lothamer                           rt                 Erb
Seftovitz                            rt                 Clay
Gauchot                            re                 Ellis
Kahler                               le                 Miller
McCoy                            qb                Atwater
Steiner                              lh                 Wells
Price                                 rh                 Blackburn
Blanchard                         fb                 Sonnhalter

Time of halves:  25 and 20 minutes.

Score at the end of first half – 0 – 0.

Touchdown:
Massillon – Blackburn.

Goal:
Massillon – Blackburn.

Safety:
Canton – Price downed Heyman.

Referee and umpire, alternating:
Wittmann, Massillon
Smith, Canton.

Head Linesman – Bast.

Timekeeper:
Merwin, Massillon.
Zazlett, Canton.

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1909: Massillon 18 Mansfield 0

HIGH SCHOOL TOOK THE SECOND GAME
Yellow and Black Were Winners Saturday.
MASSILLON,  18;         MANSFIELD,  0.

Blackburn Booted the Pigskin for Eight Points
Two Field Goals and Two From Touchdowns
by Sonnhalter and Miller
Canton Here Next

Twelve doughty pigskin chasers wearing the yellow and black of the Massillon high school covered themselves with mud and glory Saturday by defeating the strong Mansfield team by the score of 18 to 0.  Massillon outweighed their opponents to a slight degree and outplayed them the rest of the way.  The difference in weight of the two teams could hardly have been estimated at more than five pounds to the man.  That Massillon had it over their opponents was evident from the first of the game, although Mansfield held the visitors to but one goal from field in the first half and yielded the remainder of the points with slowly weakening play.  Massillon showed class from beginning to end and hung together through thick and thin while their opponents, disheartened by frequent reverses, slowly released their hold and allowed Massillon to gain with greater ease.  Mansfield was playing the first game while Massillon has been in the field for two weeks.

But for the perfect goal booting on the part of Blackburn Massillon might have come home with a far different tale.  Out of two tries from the field the trusty right guard booted the spheroid between the bars twice, once from the thirty-five yard line and once from the twenty yard line.  Both goals from touchdown were perfect.  Throughout the first half and part of the second it looked as though the game would have to be won by Blackburn’s kicking; up to the last ten minutes of play two goals from the field constituted the entire scoring.  At about this point Atwater found a hole in right tackle and pounded Sonnhalter up the field for the first touchdown.  Blackburn kicked goal.  A few minutes later Keeley Miller, on Massillon’s left end, broke away on a double pass and ran forty yards through a broken left end, broke away on a double pass and ran forty yards through a broken field for a second touchdown.  This was the end of the scoring; shortly after the game ended with the ball near the center of the field.

Mansfield played a loose game both on offense and defense for the most part, probably on account of the game being their first.  Their plays which looked to be good if worked right, were either nailed by the fast Massillon defense or bungled by the Mansfield team themselves.  Some ferocious looking line shifts and tandem plays were forthcoming time and again, but in only a few instances were they worked for gains.  Massillon’s goal was threatened but once.  In this instance the ball was carried by a series of line shifts to within twenty yards of the opponent’s goal.  Here Massillon held desperately and Mansfield called some sort of a fake kick formation.  The ball was fumbled by the fullback and Massillon landed on the play, gaining the ball on downs.  Heyman punted far out of danger.  In punting Heyman rivaled Blackburn’s drop kicking.  The last punt of the game was from Massillon’s fifty yard line to Mansfield’s fifteen, a distance of forty-five yards.  The kick, a perfect spiral, rose fully as high in the air as it went forward.

Massillon, although able to gain consistently through the line, relied mostly upon tricks for substantial gains.  A fake punt to the half backs and a double pass to the ends, gained steadily.  The forward pass was not tried once throughout the game by Massillon, although they are tolerably strong in this department of the game.  Mansfield attempted this play several times but lost each time.  Suoer at fullback; and Pollock at quarter, played the star game for the Mansfield team.

Outside of Blackburn’s kicking and Miller’s run the game was principally one of team work.  Massillon played well together, especially on the defense.  In the first part of the game Massillon played altogether a defensive game.  The line played low and with the exception of short gains or two through center, held like adamant.  In the second half Massillon woke up and played a decidedly offensive game.  Tricks were used for long distance gains and whenever a few yards were needed Sonnhalter’s line plunges seldom failed to respond.  Zintsmaster and Ellis held the two tackles down in fast and aggressive manner.  Clay replaced Ellis in the second half and waded into the game with both feet, doing considerable damage in both camps.  Wagner’s presence at right half strengthened the back line greatly.  Atwater playing back, made several tackles after Mansfield had broken over the ends and gained considerably.  Leahy played a good game at center.

The team was accompanied by Manager Gorrell; R. Fugate, official; A. Sonnhalter, timekeeper; McConnell and Moody, substitutes; and one Shorty Feller, official rooter.

Lineup an summary:

Mansfield – 0                  Pos.               Massillon  — 18
Au Schweir                       le                 Miller
McCready                         lt                 Zintsmaster
Hughes                              le                 Heyman
Judson                               c                 Leahy
Remy                                rg                 Blackburn
Schad                                rt                 Ellis, Clay
Longdorf                           re                 Dalsky
Pollock, Tappan               qb                Atwater
Scott                                 lh                 Wells
Stoodt                              rh                 Wagner
Suoer                                fb                 Sonnhalter

Time of halves:  20 minutes.

Score at end of first half:
Massillon          3;
Mansfield         0.

Touchdowns:
Massillon – Sonnhalter, Miller.

Goals from touchdown:
Massillon – Blackburn  2.

Goals from field:
Massillon – Blackburn  2.

Referee and umpire alternating – Marting and Fugate.
Head Linesman – Gorrell.
Timekeeper – A. Sonnhalter
.

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1909: Massillon 20 Ravenna 0

MASSILLON HIGH NABBED FIRST ONE
Fowl of Victory Captured at Ravenna.
MASSILLON,  20;         RAVENNA,  0

Locals Outplayed Opponents and Won with Ease Ravenna Played a Plucky but Futile Defense and a Clean Game
Massillon’s Forward Pass

With the orange and black flying high the Massillon high school football team returned Saturday evening from Ravenna with the first victory of the season.  The score of 20 to 0 tells the tale.  Although Ravenna was not a formidable opponent either in weight or in playing the game, the smoothness with which  the Massillon team worked and the style of play exhibited was a credit to the team from any standpoint, especially considering the fact that the team has been together little more than a week.  Massillon’s open work was especially effective against its opponents.  The forward pass, which was tried several times, was good for one touchdown and at least thirty clear yards.

Although the open work piled up the score, the game was won by the more substantial line plunging principally on the part of Sonnhalter, the Massillon fullback.  “When in doubt buck,” was the principal of the game.  The basketball stunt was a foxy limelight scene after the game was won, but in the first half when Ravenna was playing close and fighting desperately, it was Sonny’s steamroller that did the business.

Massillon outweighed Ravenna, but not by much.  The game was won on the whole by more experience and better team work.  Ravenna has had the benefit of a Reserve coach thus far this season, but the material has not been of the best.  Although part of the line is experienced, the backfield is entirely new and in this lay a greater part of the difficulty.

Ravenna’s backfield was light also and found in Massillon’s heavy line an insurmountable obstacle, interference on the end runs was also for the most part lacking, giving Massillon’s ends and halves plenty of chance to lay those plays out for loss.  Tricks or forward passes of any kind failed to make themselves evident in Ravenna’s line of plays.

Ravenna’s defensive work was without doubt plucky to the last, but not very substantial.  Massillon made its down often but was forced to contest every inch of the way.  But for Sonnhalter, who the entire Ravenna eleven seemed unable to stop; Massillon would have had to punt much oftener.  Massillon worked Sonnhalter hard, the usual play being through left tackle.  The line was a small proposition here, but the backfield was usually on hand to dispute further passage.  Beside line bucking, Massillon had some other good ground gainers.  A double pass from Myers to Miller netted twenty yards once when Ravenna was asleep at the switch.  Erb’s left tackle back play plowed up the opponents for a good gain in one instance.

Massillon worked the forward pass to perfection.  On Ravenna’s eight yard line, with the goal to gain, Dalasky secured a forward and carried it over for a touchdown.  Miller on the other end, secured two good passes and ran for substantial gains through a broken field.  Atwater, at quarter, got all the forward passes off in good shape, with the exception of one uncompleted pass over the line.  Blackburn kicked three perfect goals from touchdown, while Heyman with a good twisting spiral, outpunted the Ravenna kicker almost double.  Two of Massillon’s points were made on a safety by Stevens, of Ravenna, who secured the ball after trying to punt out from behind the goal through one of his own players.  He was downed by Zintsmaster.  Stevens, Ravenna’s captain, played a good game from left end.  In the second half, after Massillon had secured fourteen points Ellis replaced Zintsmaster at right tackle and Leahy replaced Smith at center.  The team, including McConnell and Moody, subs, was accompanied by Mr. Snavely as faculty manager, Manager Gorrell being unable to accompany the team.

Massillon was not without weak points, which will be rendered by hard practice before the game at Bishop next Saturday.

Following is the way it went:

M.H.S.                           Pos.               R.H.S.
Miller                                le                 Stevens
Erb                                    lt                 Brockett
Heyman                            lg                 Hubbell
Smith, Leahy                      c                 Parker
Blackburn                         rg                 Heisler
Zintsmaster, Ellis                rt                 Baldwin
Dalsky                              re                 Parhan
Atwater                            qb                Nicola
Wells                                lh                 Smith, Carter
Myers                               rh                 Dietrich
Sonnhalter                         fb                 Boettner

Time of halves:  15 and 20 minutes.

Touchdowns:
Massillon – Sonnhalter  2; Dalsky.

Goals from touchdowns:
Massillon – Blackburn  3.

Safety:
Massillon – Zintsmaster downed Carter for a safety.

Referee – Hart.
Umpire – Byers.
Head Linesman – Loomis.
Linesman – Carpenter, Leahy and Smith.
Timekeepers – Alcorn and Snavely.
Substitutes:  Massillon – Moody and McConnell.

1908: Massillon 0 Salem 18

QUAKERS
ARE TOO MUCH FOR M.H.S.
Massillon Lost to the Salem Team, Saturday.

SCORE:  SALEM  18,     MASSILLON   0
Loose Playing on the Part of the Local Team Allowed Its Opponents Three Touchdowns
Salem Played Well Together and With Spirit.

While holding its own a good share of the time and occasionally making progress forward, the Massillon high school team, by steaks of loose playing, allowed Salem high to pile up 18 points on them, on the high school grounds, Saturday afternoon.  In spite of the score the game was not altogether one-sided.  The two teams were about evenly matched.  Salem outweighed Massillon several pounds to the man but that is not what won the game.  The Salem men got together on the kickoff and stayed together throughout the game.  They played a fast game on defense.  Once in a while Massillon could get through and break up a play before it started, but on the whole the Salemites were too fast and smashed the line before Massillon had a chance to brace.  On defense Salem’s heavy line played low and all attempts at the forward pass or other tricks were watched carefully.

On the other hand Massillon’s playing was erratic. The great form which the team is capable of was not in evidence throughout the game.  Had it been, the two teams would probably have played each other to a standstill.  As it was Massillon was unable to get together. Except, at times the team work and forward pass failed to pan out in the proper proportions.  Once the forward pass was worked successfully but was called back as players were in motion on a line shift when the ball was put in play.  During the latter part of the first half and parts of the second, Massillon held her own.  Once a grand rally was made which almost carried the ball over for a score.

Working Sonnhalter on off tackle bucks continually the ball was carried straight up the field toward the goal, Massillon making her yards time and again.  When but four yards from the goal, Salem took a mighty brace and held for downs.  A punt by Salem got the ball out of danger.  Once again Massillon came within a few yards of scoring on an onside kick from the center of the field.  The ball was kicked by Heyman and went bounding along on the right side of the field.  It was missed by the Salem back and bounded backward.  Two Massillon players made attempts to secure it but Salem players at last fell on it five yards from the goal.  A delayed pass carried the ball out of danger.

Salem in general played a good game, but one player stood out of the team work and distinguished himself by his individual playing.  This was Heis, at right half back, who carried the ball for substantial gains time and again, without any interference by his clever dodging in a broken field.  He ran back punts in the same manner.  Whinnery, Salem’s fullback, although he played a good game and bucked the line in good shape, did not equal Sonnhalter in the general game.  But for Sonnhalter, who blocked up the line in the rear the game might have gone much more to the bad than it did.  Moody, who began the game at right tackle, played hard and blocked his position in good shape.  Clay, arriving in time for the second half, took Moody’s place.  As individuals little can be said against the Massillon team.  In a game like that played Saturday it is team work which counts.  Sonnhalter’s heavy line bucks were responsible for most of Massillon’s gains.  Snavely played a good game and carried back punts well.  Heyman and Erb held the left side well on defensive, while Blackburn, although he had his hands full, handled the 220 pound Lynn in good shape.  Kelly played hard at end.

A crowd numbering five hundred, including the two hundred high school students, turned out to the game and supported the home team to the last gasp.  Songs and yells stirred on the laggard spirits but it was of no avail.  Salem scored two touchdowns in the first half and one in the second.  Goals were kicked each time.

Following is the line-up:

Massillon – 0                  Pos.     Salem – 18
Kelley            le            Rogers
Erb                 lt      McConner
Heyman         lg               Lynn
Davis              c         Tollerton
Blackburn      rg           Shelton
Moody, Clay  rt              Cook
Wells             re             Karey
Atwater        qb                Nuff
Hammersmith lh         Williman
Snavely         rh                Heis
Sonnhalter     fb        Whinnery

Time of halves – 25 minutes.

Touchdowns:  Salem – Heis; Williman; Whinnery.

Goals from touchdowns:  Salem – Muff  3.

Referee – Wittmann.
Linesman – Bloomberg.
Timekeepers – Hall and Coleman.

1908: Massillon 64 Alliance 0

ALLIANCE MET ITS WATERLOO
Massillon High Evened Up
With a Crushing Defeat.

MASSILLON – 64;  ALLIANCE – 0
Coach Hall’s Relentless Scoring Machine Showed Great Form
A Thick and Blinding Snow Storm Added a Most Spectacular Feature to the game.

The Massillon high school, playing with almost perfect team work, aided by flashes of individual work, piled up 64 points with little trouble on the Alliance team, fighting bitterly but without spirit, Saturday afternoon on the high school grounds.  When Massillon had pushed over the last touchdown and Heyman’s great boot had brought the score to its final figure, the snow was settling over the field in blankets and feather beds.  The air was thick with enormous flakes.  Objects could not be distinguished forty yards away.  The sidelines with people wee two long grey blotches on the chaos of white.  The players were gray figures lining up and breaking in the white gloom, and on the last punt the ball could not be seen by the players who were to receive it.  As soon as Massillon again had the ball in its possession Acting Captain Snavely called the game a few minutes before the twenty minute half was up.

The arrival of the beautiful was not so aesthetically appreciated by the players, however.  The field which had been in excellent condition became slimy with a coating of wet snow.  The players who wore tennis shoes through the game could get no foothold whatever. After a few minutes these were discarded, given a healthy fling in some direction or other ,and for the rest of the game the strenuous and elusive pigskin was chased in stocking feet.  Even cleats did not hold any too well and a flying tackle which had any steam at all behind it was likely to come to a halt some twenty feet from where the players hit the dumps.  The intervening space resembled the initial attempt of a fifty cent fountain pen on a sheet of white paper.  Veritable drifts collected on the heads and shoulders of the players who could not run fast enough to get from under.  Eyes and ears were filled with miniature drifts and at least one fumble was caused by the coating of ice with which the ball was richly garnished.

As to the game itself, without any kidding, it was worth the money, especially to the liberal smattering of deadheads commonly known as chair weights.  It was worth while if for no other reason in the world than to get a few points on how the game is played.  When the two teams lined up there w as little doubt but what they were in for a hard and grueling match.  It took but twenty seconds of play to see on which side of the fence the fowl of victory would descend.  Massillon kicked off like a whirlwind, and not only downed the bewildered runner on his own twenty yard line, but held the ball there on downs. Alliance punted and Massillon carried the ball back to within striking distance of the goal.  The first two touchdowns were made in the first minute of play.  From this time on Massillon’s relentless scoring machine walked up the field and over the line at will.

Only once was Alliance within any danger of making a point.  This was one of the numerous kickoffs, when the ball, after bounding on the right side of the field was secured by Alliance, on Massillon’s twenty-five yard line.  In a moment of weakness the Alliance full back pierced Massillon’s right side for five yards.  Hope sprang sky high beneath the red and white jerseys, but each presumption was immediately sat upon.  The next play was dumped behind the line, and Massillon secured the ball on the next.  Throughout the game Alliance became more and more dumpy, and held less and less as the game progressed.  The full back and right end, however, played good games and stuck to the firing line until the last dog was hung.

Massillon’s playing was aggressive to the degree of monotony.  Every play was tried and almost every member on the team was indulgently awarded the honor of making a touchdown.  Alliance could not see through the playing for smoke,.  Bang! Bang! Bang! Massillon would hit the line with glee.  Bang!  The whole Alliance team would pile desperately under the play; but no, somehow or other, someone or other had surreptitiously sneaked around the back way, and was beating it down the field for anywhere from ten yards to half the length of the field.  In the second half Captain Hammersmith left the game with a new Charley horse, this time in his right leg. Reese went in at right end.  Blackburn, whose trusty boot turned the trick in the Canton game, was in hard luck Saturday.  A yellow streak in his right toe prevented several spectacular goals.

The teams lined up as follows:

Alliance     Pos.        Massillon
Jones             le              Kelly
Godddard       lt                 Erb
Kallenbaugh   lg          Heyman
Tanner            c              Davis
Iden              rg       Blackburn
Sorn               rt               Clay
Mummert      re   Wells, Reese
Davis            qb          Atwater
Iger                lh  Hammersmith and Wells
Aloot             rh           Snavely
Newshutz      fb      Sonnhalter

Time of halves:  20 minutes.

Touchdowns:
Massillon – Sonnhalter 4; Hammersmith 3; Wells  2;  Clay 1; Erb 1; Snavely  1.

Goals from touchdown:
Massillon – Blackburn  1; Heyman  3.

Referee – Merwin,
Linesman – Bloomberg.
Timekeepers – Hall and Coleman.

1908: Massillon 12 Canton Central 6

MASSILLON HIGH
WON THE DAY
A Tigerish Game Was
Won in Whirlwind Fashion.
SCORE:  MASSILLON  12,  CANTON   6

The Black and Gold Trimmed a Tough Proposition in the Last Five Minutes of Play

The Enthusiasm was Unbounded

In the hardest and fastest gridiron battle ever waged in the history of the local school, Massillon high for the first time in twelve years sent its old time rival, Canton high, down to defeat Saturday afternoon by the score of 12 to 6.  After thirty-eight minutes of play in wihich the two teams, fighting like tigers, see-sawed back and forth across the field, both teams broke loose in a fit of desperation and three touchdowns were raced over the line in whirlwind fashion.  With but eight minutes left to play, L. Wise secured the ball on what appeared to be a fumble and chased behind the two posts for Canton’s first and only touchdown.  In the last five minutes of play Massillon came to its own.  After a fumble by Canton the ball, chased by half a dozen players of both sides, bounded behind the goal posts where Davis, of Massillon, fell on it.

It was Massillon’s turn now and the enthusiasm was unbounded.  Blackburn kicked a faultless goal but the game was not yet won.  A few minutes later another of Heyman’s long spiral punts was fumbled on the ten yard line.  Blackburn secured the ball and trotted over for the second and decisive touchdown.  If enthusiasm was wild before it was frantic now.  Massillon’s small but loyal bunch of rooters jumped and fell and rolled from the grandstand onto the field in an ecstasy of joy.  Every voice was shouted hoarse.  The players embraced one another and wept upon Blackburn’s neck.  A perfect goal gave a new lease of life to the unquenchable outburst.

There was yet one minute and thirteen seconds to play and the desperate wearers of the black and red determined to make this count for at least a tie.  But it could not be.  Massillon considered the game over and won, and by frantic efforts Canton carried the ball on crashing line bucks to within twenty-three inches of Massillon’s goal.

Here Massillon held like a stone wall and on the third down and goal to gain, with five more seconds to play, Canton took time out to regain its wind. Behind the goal posts was a howling mob; Massillon rooters yelling like mad to hold, hold, hold and Canton supporters crying frantically for a touchdown.  Things happened fast in the next few seconds.  The ball was put into play, and the giant McGregor, wheeling into action, bore down upon Massillon’s left side.  The compact was crushing, but Erb and Heyman held.  The next moment Massillon’s backfield crashed into the breach, and as the whistle blew for time the pigskin settled back two feet from Massillon’s inviolate goal.  The trick was turned and Massillon had come to her own.

Canton lays its defeat to a weakened line-up, but although Massillon was strengthened by the addition of Sonnhalter and Heyman, recently of the second team, they were weakened as much or more than Canton by the lack of a left end.  Kelly, who was relied upon, had his toe injured in practice, and Richards failed to show up at the last minute.  Moody held the position down well, considering the fact that he had been playing guard all season.  The real cause, however, lies deeper. Both teams played hard, both desperately at times, but in Massillon’s defensive playing was a Carlysle daring recklessness which knew no fear and nailed the man at any cost.  On offensive was displayed careful plugging tactics, and a readiness to profit by the least incident which was Johnny on the spot from start to finish. It was this which gave Massillon the ball on the fumbles and which put over the touchdowns before any one could impede.  Behind it all lay Heyman’s great punting.  Fifty yards was often covered through his great booting, and the speed of Massillon’s line in getting down the field and nailing the man held the ball most of the time in Canton’s territory.  More than this a difficult spiral curve made it almost impossible to catch one of the punts. Invariable fumbling on the part of Canton’s backfield gave Massillon its two decisive touchdowns.

Every one of Massillon’s players covered himself with glory.  There was not a waver, not a moment of indecision.  There could not have been, and still have allowed the score to remain as it did.  Every player was in the game heart and soul, to do or die, from start to finish.  Both guards, Heyman and Blackburn, played their positions well, but eclipsed their record here by their perfect kicking and other exploits.  Davis, at center, held his man, beside making one of the two touchdowns.  Clay and Erb, the two massive tackles, were towers of strength on each wing and allowed no gain except such as could be shoved over their prostrate bodies.  Atwater, at quarter, not only ran the team to victory, but defended the goal perfectly and ran back punts in first class shape.  Hammersmith and Snavely played their usual hard and fast game at the halves, blocking the line and nailing end runs.  Sonnhalter, at full, was the backbone of the team not only gaining often on offensive, but blocking a thousand holes in the line through which the ball might otherwise have been shoved for decided gains.  Coach Hall was jubilant over the result of the game and feels that Massillon’s real form has at last arrived.

The teams lined up as follows:

Canton – 6                      Pos.               Massillon – 12.
Blythe                               le                              Moody
Gauchat, L. Wise               lt                                    Erb
Blanchard                          lg                            Heyman
Wise, Lash                        c                                 Davis
Carper                              rg                         Blackburn
Lothamer                           rt                                  Clay
Zeiter                                re                                Wells
Kahler                              qb                            Atwater
Steiner, Smalley                 lh                    Hammersmith
Harris                               rh                             Snavely
McGregor                         fb                         Sonnhalter

Score end of first half:
Canton – 0
Massillon – 0.

Touchdowns:
Canton – L. Wise.
Massillon – Davis; Blackburn.

Goals from touchdowns:
Canton – Blythe  1.
Massillon – Blackburn  2.

Failed goal from field:
Canton – McGregor  2; Blythe.

Referee and Umpire – Hazlett of Canton.

1908: Massillon 0 Canton Central 17

MASSILLON HIGH DIED GAME
Put Up a First Class Contest Against Canton
CANTON,  17;       MASSILLON, 0.

McGregor, Disabled,
Went Into the Game and Turned the Tide of Battle
Massillon Carried the Ball to Canton’s Ten-Yard Line
but Couldn’t Put it Over.

Although defeated in the end by the score of 17 to 0, the Massillon high school football team managed to give Canton’s aggregation the worst scare it has received in many a long day when the two teams met for the first time this season on the high school grounds, Saturday afternoon.  Expecting a one-sided score which could be reckoned by tens, it ran into a snag in the very first scrimmage, which promised to be its undoing.  The day was only saved by rushing the disabled McGregor, Canton’s massive and invincible fullback, into a suit, and trotting him out to hunt for the weak spots in Massillon’s stone wall defense.  With few exceptions he was the only man who could make a dent in Massillon’s light but scrappy line.  When he did not carry the ball he made the hole for the other fellow.  The advent of the heavy full back was not noticed at once but in the long run he proved the deciding weight in the scales of victory.

Massillon was more than an even match for the original team with which Canton started the game.  Receiving on the first kickoff it made its yards repeatedly against the dazed Canton team, which had not anticipated such things.  Massillon’s greatest playing was done in the first ten minutes of the second half.  The same can be said of Canton, for in this time the two teams held against each other like two walls of adamant, the ball changing hands several times without moving more than a yard or two either way.  Massillon received the ball on the kickoff in the second half and carried it without losing it, to Canton’s ten yard line.  One touchdown and a goal meant victory for Massillon.  With victory ten short yards off, Massillon played like a demon, but Canton, goaded by fear of defeat, held in desperation.  Every hole in the red and black line was plugged by Canton backs.  Massillon’s every trick was tried but Canton’s ends were wise and refused to be drawn in.  Erb dropped back for a try at goal but the kick was blocked.  Massillon recovered the ball and the battle royal began again.  Twice the ball was lost and gained by Massillon on fumbles, but with twelve downs in succession the ball was not advanced an inch.  Twice Massillon had but one man between the runner and the goal, but twice this man nailed the play.  Atwater and Snavely carried the ball in these cases and carried it back for thirty yards, being downed by the last man between himself and the goal.

Canton soon came to its own.  Receiving the ball on a punt it took a mighty brace and bore slowly through Massillon’s line, carrying the ball down the field on plunging line bucks.  After losing the ball several times it at last forced it over for the second touchdown.  The third touchdown was secured by the same tactics, although Massillon’s line never said die, and fought for all that was in it until the whistle blew.  In the latter part of the second half Massillon punted every time it received the ball.  It had not given up the hope of scoring but considered this the only manner in which it could again get within striking distance of the goal.  Massillon’s good work in downing the runner where the ball dropped made this possible.

Massillon’s playing exceeded the hopes of the most sanguine.  The line played low, the backs ran low, and the tackling was not only low but hard.  There was no dragging.  When a man was hit he knew it, and he faded without delay.  Behind the playing on both sides was a Carlisle desperation, which brooked no trifling.  Canton had thought Massillon would be easy and was desperate with the fear of defeat.  Massillon knew that if ever under the sun, now was a chance to defeat Canton, and it was determined to do it.  Every player was in the game to do or to die.  Canton turned the trick, and Massillon died game.  The score may after all be a fair estimate of the strength of the two teams for Canton easily outweighed Massillon ten or fifteen pounds to the man.  This counted for little until the final test in the second half, when it won the game.  A practical demonstration of Massillon’s ginger was Dave Reese, its 120 pound center who played the game against three different opponents of massive proportions and who stuck them all out.

An unprecedented crowd of over a thousand people boxed the field on all sides, and with the exception of a few Canton adherents, gave Massillon its undivided loyalty.  If anything under the sun aided Massillon in the accomplishment of such great things it was the heroic loyalty of two hundred high school students, principally girls who took their stand at the north side of the field and yelled and shouted and sang themselves hoarse for the yellow and black in defeat and victory.

Following is the line-up:
Canton – 17                    Pos.                  Massillon – 0
Blythe (c)                          le                            Richards
L. Wise                             lt                                    Erb
Howells                             lg                                  Carr
C. Wise                             c                                Reese
Karper                              rg                         Blackburn
Lathamer                           rt                                  Clay
Cover                               re                                Wells
Brooks                             qb                            Atwater
Harris                               rh                             Snavely
Steiner                              lh               Hammersmith (c)
Lawson, McGregor           fb                                Davis

Time of halves:  20 minutes.

Touchdowns:  Canton – McGregor  2; Blythe.

Goals from touchdown:  Canton – Brooks  2.

Referee – Bast.
Timekeeper – Hall.
Linesman – Bloomberg.