2021 Football Season is Fast Approaching

It seems like summer just got here and already we are nearing the start of the 2021 high school football season.  With the post-season playoffs being expanded this year, the date of the first regular season game has been pushed back yet another week, now at its earliest date in OHSAA history.  So what’s going on this year?  Here’s a quick look.

Massillon finished the regular season last year with a 5-1 record in a schedule that was shortened on account of the Covid-19 pandemic.  With all of Ohio’s teams invited to the playoffs, the Tigers marched through their slated games, defeating 2019 state champ Cincinnati LaSalle in the state semifinals, before losing to Akron Hoban in the finals.  It was Massillon’s third consecutive trip to the Division 2 state championship game.  During that 3-year span, the Tigers compiled a record of 34-4.  They also currently own a 31-game winning streak against their peers, the public schools.

Head Coach Nate Moore begins his 7^th year at Massillon, following a brief stint at Cincinnati LaSalle, where he captured the Division 2 state championship.  His overall record in Tigertown is 60-17 (.779), which includes five trips to the playoffs and a post-season mark of 16-5.  His win total ranks third all-time behind Paul Brown (80) and Mike Currence (79).  After a 4-6 start in 2015 as he was installing a new program, his record since has been 54-11 (.831).

Per the OHSAA, the official mandatory start of practice is August 1, although every team has been working out in some form since school let out in May.  The OHSAA now sanctions team practices throughout the summer, replacing the previous 10-session limit.

A 5-day acclimatization period must be completed prior to contact, which consists of helmets only for two days, followed by helmets and shoulder pads for two days and finally all gear.  The first two days may be completed in July.  For Massillon, they have the week of July 26 off then begin in earnest on August 2 with shoulder pads on Monday and Tuesday, full gear on Wednesday and contact on Thursday.  Friday is shoulder pads only as they prepare for their first scrimmage the next day.

Scrimmages are used to prepare a team for the season, giving coaches a chance to select their starters and fine tune their offenses and defenses.  This year, teams are limited to two 3-hour scrimmages following the first day of full contact practice.  As the number of official practice days and scrimmages has been reduced, it seems like teams have less and less time to prepare for the opener.  That’s why a solid off-season program is so important now.

Coach Nate Moore’s charges will match up with a pair of top-notch programs that will give the Tigers excellent chances to expose their weaknesses and focus on correcting them before the season gets underway.  The goal, of course, is maintaining a constant road of improvement throughout the regular season and then navigating successfully through the playoffs for another opportunity to compete for a state championship.

Massillon will travel to Avon on August 7 for an 11:30 am varsity scrimmage.  The freshmen will compete against Avon at 9:00 am.  Avon has won the Division 2, Region 6 title in each of the last four years and Coach Mike Elder’s group always provides excellent competition in this venue.  On Thursday, August 12, the Tigers will be at Cincinnati St. Xavier.  The freshmen and JV will face off at noon and varsity action will get underway at 2:00 pm.  Last year the Bombers defeated Pickerington Central 44-3 in the Division 1 state finals and are expected to return a wealth of talent this year.

The regular season schedule is one of the better ones that Massillon has assembled, starting out with a bang against Pickerington Central, which is perhaps currently the best public school in Division 1.  Also called the Tigers, they captured the D1 state title in both 2017 and 2019 and lost in the finals last year.  Central currently owns a 21-game winning streak against public schools.  Other top games this year include:

• Lakewood St. Edward – Edged Massillon the season opener last year, 24-23.
• Canisius, NY – Returns to the schedule after having defeated the Tigers in 2017.
• Canton McKinley – The annual rivalry; lost to Massillon last year 35-7.

Aside from Pickerington Central, first time opponents this year are:

• Reynoldsburg – Plays in Pickerington’s division of the Ohio Capital Conference; lost head-to-head last year, 38-13.
• Euclid – Competes in Mentor’s conference; expected to challenge this year for the conference title; always a formidable Division 1 playoff foe.
• Wooster – Not really a first-timer, but it’s been about a hundred years since the last game; this begins a 2-year home-and-home series.

The playoffs will begin on October 29 and will be the first of six weeks of additional games, culminating in the state finals on December 2-4.  Sixteen teams in each region will qualify, meaning that nearly every team in Division 1 and two-thirds of the teams in the other divisions will participate.  Although football will last that much longer with the extended playoffs, the format does provide schools with opportunities to challenge themselves during the regular season with top-level opponents without jeopardizing playoff spots.  For the 2021 season, Massillon will remain in Division 2, Region 7, along with the Columbus-area schools and a few local ones.  In fact, there will be no regional assignment changes across the state this year as the OHSAA rebounds from last year’s Covid issues.

Expect to see many new faces in the Massillon lineup in 2021, as the Tigers graduated nearly every starter from last year’s team.  Although this group is expected to be somewhat lacking across the board on varsity experience, it may still be senior-dominated while very talented.  Look for more of a re-loading year than a re-building year as Moore’s charges become “program players.”  The key to success then is the development of these new starters over the course of the season with goal of peaking when the playoffs commence.  Below is a list of the more recognizable returnees and a couple new ones:

• Austin Brawley (5′-10″, 170) – senior – safety  (36-23-47.5) / wide receiver (5-125, 1 TD) / return specialist – 2^nd in total tackles – 4^th leading receiver; started last year at safety
• Toddrick Lee (6′-1″, 250) – senior – offensive lineman – returning starter
• Jaiden Woods ( 6′-0″, 259) – senior – offensive lineman –  returning starter
• Reece Turpin (6′-2″, 340) – senior – offensive lineman -backup
• Te’Jamere Nash (6′-4″, 290) – senior – offensive lineman – backup
• Michael Mercurio (6′-1″, 245) – junior – offensive lineman – backup
• Willtrell Hartson (5′-10, 200) – junior – running back – leading rusher (138-1125, 13 TDs) – Honorable Mention All–Ohio in Division 2; became the starter in last year’s game against Canton McKinley follow an injury to Raekwon Venson – single game rushing leader (324 yards vs. Westerville South)
• Camden Beasley ( 6′-2″, 205) – senior – running back (44-251, 2 TDs) / linebacker – 3^rd leading rusher; last year’s No. 2 running back
• Nathan DePuy (5′-11″, 205) – senior – inside linebacker – backup
• Freddie Lenix (5′-10″, 180) – junior – defensive back – backup
• Dominic Salvino (6′-175) – senior – long snapper – starter
• Marcus Moore (6′-2″, 300) – junior – defensive lineman – transfer from Beachwood – 3^rd Team All-Ohio at defensive lineman in Division 5 – relative of former Massillon All-Ohio defensive lineman Ellery Moore
• Riley Campbell (6′-4, 205) – senior – wide receiver / linebacker – transfer from Canton Central – leading receiver last year – 2^nd Team All-Ohio at linebacker in Division 6
• Several other players with varsity experience, many starting on special teams

Look for the Tigers to attack much the same as the last few years.  That is, with a run-heavy offense, utilizing a massive line that features both zone and power blocking, opening interior holes for Hartson and Beasley.  Quarterback duties will be most likely be in the hands of senior Darrius McElroy, who has really developed in the off-season with both size and arm strength.  He spent most of his time last year on the defensive side of the ball and on special teams.  McElroy will be backed up by freshman Jalen Slaughter, who last year led his dominant 8^th grade team to perfect 8-0 mark.  The wide receiver group will be speedy, with Brawley leading the way.

Defensively, Massillon returns just Brawley.  However, the coaches will not have any problem finding talented players to fill the open spots.  Marcus Moore will fit quite nicely on the line as will Nathan DePuy at linebacker.  Brawley will return to his safety position.  Also, watch for backup junior Freddie Lenix to fill in well at corner.  Kicking duties will fall to senior Shane Rue.

During the 2020 Covid-19 season, severe attendance restrictions were placed on the students and fans.  For Massillon, they were limited to just 1500 and most fans were forced to watch the games from home on internet broadcasts.  However, there will be no limit on spectators this year.  So come on out and support your Tigers.  It should be a great season and an exciting playoff run.

Mark these dates on your calendar:

• August 3 – Media Day (check out the team photos as they go up on the website)
• August 5 – Sideliners Reverse Raffle
• August 7 – Scrimmage at Avon, starting at 11:30 am
• August 8 – Sideliners Picnic
• August 12 – Scrimmage at Cincinnati St. Xavier, starting at 2:00 pm
• August 14 – Alumni  Association Golf Scramble (tee times still available)
• August 17 – First Touchdown Club Luncheon at 11:30 am
• August 18 – Downtown  Kickoff Rally at 6:30 pm
• August 20 – Season opener vs. Pickerington Central, starting at 7:30 pm

Note to season ticket holders: Season ticket passes will not be mailed this year.  They can be picked up at the Ticket Office starting August 3 or at the first game.  No information is available at this time regarding tickets for away games.

Massillon Gearing Up For Another Successful Playoff Run

Massillon’s student enrollment of late has placed the football team into Division 2 for the past eight years and they have settled in quite nicely as one of the best among a group of 107 teams.  Only Akron Hoban and Cincinnati LaSalle have provided staunch competition.  And this year is expected to be no different, although there are always a few other teams that could make some noise.  Here is a detailed look at the recent history in this division.

Region 5

Akron Hoban – Since the Knights entered D2 in 2017 on account of the competitive advantage formula they have become the annual clear favorite to win Region 5, if not the state.  In those four years they have captured three state championships and had one other regional finals appearance.  Their only playoff loss during that time span was to Massillon in the 2019 regional finals.

Hudson – Regional finalist in 2020, losing to Hoban.

Maple Heights – Regional finalist in 2018, losing to Hoban.

Watch List – Walsh Jesuit, Austintown Fitch, Mayfield and Cleveland Benedictine.

Region 6

Avon – All the Eagles do is win.  Regular season and playoffs.  Except when they play Massillon or Akron Hoban.  They have captured the regional title in each of the past four years, then lost the following week in the state semifinals, three times to Hoban and once to Massillon.

Toledo Central – Another product of competitive advantage, the Irish lost to Avon in the 2018 regional finals and lost to Cincinnati LaSalle in the 2019 state semifinals.

Avon Lake – Advanced to the regional finals in each of the last two years, losing both times to Avon.

Watch List – Wadsworth, Barberton and Olmsted Falls.

Region 7

Massillon – It’s no secret that with the Tigers in this region, everyone else is playing for second place.  Massillon started slowly when Division 2 was reorganized in 2013, but they have come on strong in the past four years, winning the regional title each year.  In 2017 they lost in the state semifinals to Cincinnati Winton Woods.  But they broke the door down in 2018 by avenging the loss to Winton Woods and advancing to the state finals, losing to Akron Hoban.  In 2019 they turned the tables on Akron Hoban in the regionals and didn’t lose until the state finals, to Cincinnati LaSalle.  Year 2020 saw the revenge factor again with a win over LaSalle in the state semifinals, but another loss to Akron Hoban.  The only other teams in Division 2 with this much consistent playoff success are of course Hoban and LaSalle.

Perry – Regional finalist in 2020, losing to Massillon.

Olentangy – Regional finalist in 2019, losing to Toledo Central.

Watch List – Westerville South, Dublin Scioto, Worthington Kilbourne and North Canton.

Region 8

Cincinnati LaSalle – Four state titles in the past eight years (2014, 2015, 2016 and 2019).  Enough said.  Lost to Winton Woods in the regional finals in 2017.  Failed to make the playoffs in 2018.  Defeated Massillon in the 2019 state finals.  And lost to Massillon in the 2020 state semifinals.

Cincinnati Winton Woods – Chief competition for LaSalle.  Lost to Hoban in the 2017 state finals.  Lost to Massillon in the 2018 state semifinals.  Lost to LaSalle in the 2020 regional finals.

Watch List – Kings, Piqua, Cincinnati Turpin, Cincinnati Anderson and Troy.

Tiger Footballers Are Excelling in Track & Field

High school football coaches will tell you that, unlike at the collegiate level, they prefer speed to size because speed “kills” at that level.  For the Massillon Tigers, speed is one asset they’ve had in abundance over the past few years and is one of the major reasons why they have achieved so much success in the playoffs at the state level.  But it also demonstrates the untiring work these young athletes have put in to excel in life.

The past year’s team is no exception and their talents were amply demonstrated at the recent District track meet, as they came away with four first places in the sprint events.

• 100 meter dash – Sophomore Freddie Lenix clocked in at 11.01 seconds to place first, following by junior Austin Brawley, who placed third.
• 200 meter dash – Again it was Lenix in first with a time of 21.94 seconds.  Freshman Ta’Shaun Smith came in third.
• 4 x 100 meter relay – Placed first with a time of 42.83 seconds.  Runners included Lenix, Brawley, sophomore Ardell Banks and junior Javontez Bradford.
• 4 x 200 meter relay – Placed first with a time of 1:28.51.  Runners included Lenix, Brawley, Banks and Smith.

All will advance to the Austintown regional meet.  Overall, Massillon placed 7th in the meet standings.  Interestingly, all of the Massillon winners are underclassmen and will return next year.

The 8th grade group, on the heels of an outstanding 8-0 football season, recently captured the junior high state track title.  The final rankings were as follows: (1) Massillon – 27 pts; (2 tie) Bellbrook, Pickerington Ridgeview and Ironton – 20 pts; (5) Canal Winchester – 18; (6) Pickerington Lakeview – 17 pts.  Here are the results:

• 100 meter dash – JaMeir Gamble placed second with a time of 11.55.  The winner had 11.49.
• 200 meter dash – Mylen Lenix took fourth with a time of 23.75.  The winner clocked 23.57.
• 4 x 100 meter relay – Massillon took second with a time of 45.37.  Runners included Braylyn Toles, Lenix, Gamble and Jalen Slaughter.  Pickerington Lakeview won with a time of 45.12.
• 4 x 200 meter relay – Massillon took ninth with a time of 1:38.64.  Runners included Slaughter, Tyler Hackenbracht, Lenix and Gamble.  The winner had 1:36.13.
• Shot put – Michael Wright placed third with a toss of 47 feet, 10 inches (about two feet short of his season best).  Andrew Brumfield placed 23rd.  The winner posted a toss of 48 feet, 5.5 inches.

Junior High State Champs: Front row (L-R) Braylyn Toles and Jalen Slaughter; second row (L-R) Coach Greg Corsale, Coach Becca Moore, Mylan Lenix, Tyler Hackenbracht, Jameir Gamble and Coach Bridget Parkins.  Not pictured: Andrew Brumfield and Mike Wright.  (Photo by Massillon City Schools)

In Case You Were Wondering

Football playoffs in Ohio began in 1972 and since then have undergone numerous changes, the latest being the addition this year of eight more teams per region.   In the first eight years of the playoffs only the regional computer poll champions qualified, so each of the three divisions proceeded immediately into the state semifinals.  Now, in Divisions 2 through 7, up to 60% of all participants will advance, while in Division 1 it is nearly every team on account of fewer teams in the regions.  In addition, the top eight teams in each region will play Round 1 games at home, as well the higher seeded winners in Round 2.

Below is the evolution of the playoffs:

• 1972 – 1979: 3 divisions; 1 team per region; 12 qualifiers
  Massillon: 6 years; 1 appearance; 1 regional title
• 1980 – 1984: 5 divisions; 2 teams per region; 40 qualifiers
  Massillon: 7 years; 3 appearances; 3 regional titles; 2 state finals appearances
• 1985 – 1993: 5 divisions; 4 teams per region; 80 qualifiers
  Massillon: 9 years; 4 appearances; 2 regional titles
• 1994 – 1998: 6 divisions; 4 teams per region; 96 qualifiers
  Massillon: 5 years; 2 appearances
• 1999 – 2012: 6 divisions; 8 teams per region; 192 qualifiers
  Massillon: 14 years; 10 appearances; 4 regional titles; 1 state finals appearance
• 2013 – 2019: 7 divisions, 8 teams per region; 224 qualifiers
  Massillon: 7 years; 6 appearances; 3 regional titles; 2 state finals appearances
• 2010 (Covid-19 alteration): 7 divisions, all team qualify
  Massillon: 1 year, 1 appearance, 1 regional title, 1 state finals appearance

In total, Massillon has qualified 27 times throughout the 49 years of playoffs.  But the question surely on the minds of many Tiger fans is: How many times would Massillon have qualified if the current 16-team format had been in existence from the start?

The answer is 47, based on the makeups of the regions at the times.  Only in 1974 and 2004 would the Tigers fail to qualify.

The 1974 team had a record of 6-4 and finished in 22nd place.  However, one must consider that there were only three divisions at that time and there were 54 teams in the region, unlike today where there are just half that many teams.  So Massillon would likely have qualified with a 7-division format.  But the Tigers did defeat No. 1 Canton McKinley in the regular season finale that year, 20-15.

The 2004 team finished 4-6, having overscheduled with the likes of Cleveland Benedictine, Cleveland St. Ignatius and Lakewood St.  Edward.  They finished in 17th place in the Division 1 region, one place shy of qualifying.  There were six divisions in 2004.  But seven teams ahead of them were moved to Division 2 when the seventh division was added later.  So, most likely they would have qualified in that year also.

So, considering that there are currently seven divisions in the playoffs, it appears that Massillon would have qualified in each of the 49 years of playoffs, had there also been seven divisions from the start.

In terms of home games, the Tigers would have hosted the Round 1 game 76% of the time and potentially hosted a Round 2 game 51% of the time.  In Division 2, it was 7 home games out of 8 in Round 1 and five potential Round 2 home games.

Some of the more interesting Round 1 opponents include:

• 1978 – at Louisville.  Massillon finished 9-0-1 that year and failed to make the playoffs due to most of the regular season opponents having substandard years.  The Leopards were 9-1 with wins over Jackson, GlenOak, North Canton and Perry.
• 1986 – at Jackson.  Massillon was 7-3 , coming off a 23-6 loss to McKinley.  The Polar Bears finished 8-2, with no big wins but losses to Wooster and North Canton.
• 1987 – at Lancaster.  Massillon at 6-4 vs. the Gales at 7-3.
• 1990 – home to Perry.  Massillon was 7-3 and Perry was 6-4, including a 23-7 loss to Steubenville.
• 1994 – home to Perry again.  This time the Tigers were 9-1, while the Panthers were 7-3.  The common opponent was Alliance, with Massillon winning 20-0 and Perry winning 9-7.
• 1998 – at Canton McKinley.  With the Tigers finishing 4-6, they grabbed the No. 16 spot, but had to face the Bulldogs in back-to-back games.  McKinley eventually won the playoff state championship.
• 2010 – home to Perrysburg.  Massillon would have had an earlier look at Perrysburg prior to that fateful 2014 game.
• 2011 – at Canton McKinley.  The Tigers were 7-3 and the Bulldogs were 8-2.  In the previous week, McKinley scored on the last play of the game to win 23-20.

I hope this gives you your trivia fill for the day.

Go  Tigers!

Rivalry Fans Were Passionate in Their Support Even in…

I was doing some research a few days ago on former Tiger player and coach Elwood Kammer and ran across a rather interesting news story from the local paper describing some shenanigans following the Massillon-McKinley Game.  What was most surprising is that the story was written in 1925, nearly a hundred hears ago.  A decade before Massillon’s Paul Brown and Canton’s Jimmy Aiken really put the big game on the map.  Anyway, the triviality of the story and the intricate details presented make for a great read.  Please enjoy this look into the past.

Egg Throwing Episode After Football Game Lands Two Canton Boys in Court
November 23, 1925

An aftermath of the Massillon-Canton football game last Saturday at Canton was presented in municipal court this morning when Edgar Robinson, 18, a Canton McKinley high school student, and his companion, Milton Rutherford, 17, of Canton, were arraigned before Judge Kaley on charge of disorderly conduct growing out of an egg throwing episode Saturday evening about 5:30 o’clock when Robinson and Rutherford came to Massillon celebrating Canton’s victory.

Robinson is alleged to have tossed a rather ripe article of hen’s fruit through the window of a street car filled with Massillon rooters, said egg striking a coat worn by Miss Dortha Crowell, of Navarre,  and almost ruining the garment.  With Miss Crowell were the Misses Thelma and Velma Hostetler, of 1216 Wood Street.

Then Robinson is alleged to have driven his automobile into the rear of a car belonging to J.F. McMillen of 118 Wood Street, damaging a bumper.

Both Robinson and Rutherford denied they had thrown any eggs but declared that they had been made a target for a lot of Massillon sharp-shooters on the curb in East Main Street who hurled numerous eggs at them as they drove down East Main Street.

Police reported that the street car on which the girls were riding stopped at Lincoln Avenue.  Robinson and Rutherford were traveling west in Main Street in Robinson’s roadster.  When their car stopped at Lincoln Avenue it is alleged they started throwing eggs, one going through the window and striking Miss Crowell.

When the boys continued on their way and later collided with McMillon’s car when it is alleged the brakes on Robinson’s car were defective.

Robinson was arraigned before Judge Kaley on charges of disorderly conduct and operating a car with defective brakes.  He pleaded not guilty to both charges and after a trial was found guilty of the disorderly conduct charge.  Sentence was deferred for three days in order to give the boy a chance to file a motion for a new trial.  He will be tried on the defective brake charge this afternoon.

Rutherford, because of his age, was turned over to Probation Officer Allen who released him, subject to call.

The egg-throwing episode which resulted in the boys’ arrest was not the only one to be staged here Saturday night as victory mad groups of Canton rooters invaded the city.  More than one egg battle was fought out along Main Street and about 9 o’clock Saturday night grocers were reporting a shortage of hen fruit.  Over-ripe tomatoes also made their appearance.

One group of Canton rooters, it is said, came to Massillon on a truck, bringing with them a goat.  On the side of the truck was banner bearing the words “We got Massillon’s goat.”  As they headed east to Main Street to return to Canton they were made the target for a heavy bombardment of eggs.  Then when the egg supply ran out the Massillonians, whoever they were, chased the truck to near the city limits, overhauled it and captured the goat.  Mr. Goat was said to have been seen trotting around Massillon streets Sunday morning about 1 o’clock.