2022 Booster Club Report – Week 9 – Pre-Canton…

2022 Booster Club Report – Week 9 – Pre-Canton McKinley

Massillon (7-1) had an open date last week.  This week the Tigers will host Canton McKinley (5-4).

• 7th Grade (3-5):  Their season is finished.
• 8th Grade (7-0-1): Their season is finished.
• 9th Grade (5-3): Defeated Avon, 24-12.  Plays Lakewood St. Edward at home on Thursday, October 20, at 6:00 pm.
• Junior Varsity (7-1): Defeated RICC Canada Varsity, 35-8.  Their season is finished.

The Booster Club Meeting turned into a rousing kickoff to “Beat McKinley Week”, with a large crowd in the WHS auditorium.  It started off with recognition of the success achieved by the 8th grade team, which was on hand for the accolades.  This year they finished with a record of 7-0-1.  Combined with their undefeated mark of last year as 7th Graders, this group has been unbeaten over the last two years and will be intact as a group for next season’s freshman campaign.

Next up was the 9th Grade team, whose only losses came against Cincinnati Moeller (14-19), Lakewood St. Edward (6-14) and Austintown Fitch (12-14).  They were scheduled to play Canton McKinley this week, but the Bulldogs canceled the game.  Head Coach Nate Moore mused that perhaps they didn’t want a repeat of what happened earlier this year in the JV game (a 50-6 beat down).  In actuality, McKinley is short several players due to suspensions related to an incident in the previous week’s game against Canton GlenOak.  Nevertheless, it turns out that Lakewood St. Edward’s freshman game this week against Akron Hoban was also canceled.  So the Tigers and Eagles will rematch on Thursday at PBTS.

Finally, the varsity seniors were introduced.  Each was asked to recall his best moment from his playing career with the Tigers.

Then Moore previewed the game against McKinley.

The evening wrapped up with musical entertainment provided by the Tiger Swing Band and cheerleaders.

Canton McKinley

The season:

• Mentor (5-3): 21-34 L
• Austintown Fitch (8-1): 14-38 L
• Dublin Coffman (6-3): 26-28 L
• Perry (4-5): 28-38 L
• Green (4-5): 51-19 W
• North Canton (6-3): 42-9 W
• Lake (8-1): 36-26 W
• Jackson (5-4): 40-23 W
• GlenOak (3-6): 40-7 W

Both Massillon and McKinley have faced Fitch and GlenOak.  The Tigers beat Fitch 49-28 and beat GlenOak 35-7.  McKinley lost to Fitch 14-38, but then beat GlenOak last week 40-7.

The Bulldog offense is similar to Massillon in scheme.  They are heavy into the run gap and utilize the run-pass option.  They will occasionally take shots over the top.  The biggest threat is senior wide receiver Cynceir McNeal (6′-4″, 200).  This year he has caught 31 passes for 572 yards and 8 touchdowns.  At quarterback is junior Keaton Rode (6′-0″, 175).  He has completed 76 of 152 passes (50%) for 1,143 yards and 12 touchdowns, with four interceptions.  He will also run from the scramble off of designed sets.  The featured running back is sophomore Nino Hill (6′-0″, 200 lbs.).  Hill has carried the ball 119 times for 971 yards (8.2/attempt) and scored 16 touchdowns.  He is also the leading scorer with 98 points.

Defensively, they have switched from a 4-3 front to a 3-4.  But there may be some growing pains with this as opposing teams have shown a run-pass ratio of 75%, much greater than the 60-65% normally seen with today’s spread offenses.  The strength of the defense is the line, with a pair of seniors leading the way: Al’Vonte Ivory (6′-3″, 280) and Garrett McCole (6′-3, 250).  The remainder of the defense is considered good, but not exceptional.

McKinley is a senior-dominated team with nine on offense and six on defense.  The offensive line averages 6′-2″, 264.  The wide receivers are a tall group, averaging 6′-3″, 190.  The defensive front goes 6′-3″, 248.

“Our biggest concern is ourselves,” said Moore.  “The most disciplined team will win this game.  We will enjoy the festivities this week, but our focus is on Saturday.  Our job is to win the game.  I expect (the Tigers) to start fast and take care of business.”

Go Tigers!

2022: Massillon 35, Canton GlenOak 7

GAME STATS

2022 Massillon vs. Canton GlenOak Game Statistics

MASSILLON WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL

Massillon vs Canton GlenOak (Aug 26, 2022)

Scoring Summary (Final)
Massillon Washington High School
Massillon vs Canton GlenOak (Aug 26, 2022 at Canton, OH) Massillon (1-1) vs. Canton GlenOak (1-1)

Date: Aug 26, 2022 • Site: Canton, OH  • Stadium: Bob Cummings Field  •  Attendance:

Team Statistics (Final)
Massillon Washington High School
Massillon vs Canton GlenOak (Aug 26, 2022 at Canton, OH)

Individual Statistics (Final)
Massillon Washington High School
Massillon vs Canton GlenOak (Aug 26, 2022 at Canton, OH)

Drive Chart (Final)
Massillon Washington High School
Massillon vs Canton GlenOak (Aug 26, 2022 at Canton, OH)

Drive Chart (By Quarter)

Defensive Statistics (Final)
Massillon Washington High School
Massillon vs Canton GlenOak (Aug 26, 2022 at Canton, OH)

2013 GlenOak Game Needed Three Overtimes to Decide the…

2013 GlenOak Game Needed Three Overtimes to Decide the Winner

Massillon and GlenOak have been playing each other since 1982 and continuously since 2009.  Although the Tigers currently hold an edge in the series at 13 wins against four losses, nearly half of the games have been decided by three points or less.  So the competition is certainly there, compounded by the fact that games are usually played in the second week of the season, before the teams have hit their strides.  This was particularly the case in 2013 when it took three overtime periods to decide the outcome.

GlenOak came into Paul Brown Tiger Stadium having won the two previous encounters by scores of 22-21 and 26-24.  At quarterback for the Massillon was Danny Clark, a freshman who was starting his first-ever varsity game.  But he had two good passing targets in senior Marcus Whitfield and junior Reggie Rogers, plus a couple of steady running backs in senior Lyron Wilson and junior J.D. Crabtree.  GlenOak was led by junior running back Jason Simon and senior QB Austin White.

Massillon struck first on the scoreboard when Clark hit Rogers on an 18-yard touchdown pass, but the PAT attempt was blocked.  Following a Tiger turnover at their own 22 yard line, GlenOak countered with 1-yard touchdown run by Simon, making the halftime score 7-6 in favor of the Eagles.

In the third quarter, following another Massillon turnover, this time at their own 21, GlenOak converted a 28-yard field goal, which increased the lead to 10-6.

Now in the fourth quarter, the Tigers drove 81 yards in 11 plays and scored when Clark connected with Rogers for a 10-yard TD.  Andrew David’s successful PAT gave the locals a 13-10 lead with 4:46 left in the game.  But yet another Massillon turnover, this time at their own 23, set up the Eagles for a game tying field goal, which came from 31 yards out.  And that was it for regulation with the score tied at 13 apiece.  So it was overtime, with each team gaining possessions at the opponent’s 20 yard line.

On Massillon’s initial try they converted a first down at the six yard line, bit then on the ensuing play Clark was sacked for a loss of 12 yards.  Failing to advance any further, the Tigers settled for a 33-yard field goal try, but missed it wide right.  GlenOak failed to move the ball at all and their 37-yard field goal attempt fell short.  So it was off to a second overtime period.

This time GlenOak received the ball first.  They ran four straight rushing plays and scored a touchdown when Simon went over the goal line from six yards out.  The PAT gave the Eagles a 20-13 lead.  Now it was Massillon’s turn and they didn’t wait long to score.  On second and 11 from the GlenOak 21, Clark connected with Rogers for the touchdown and David’s PAT tied the score at 21.  On to a third overtime period.

This time Massillon began the action.  Clark immediately hit Whitfield for a first down at the nine, but the Tigers could only advance to the three on the next three plays.  So they settled for a 20-yard field goal.  For the Eagles, it was all rushing, and all Simon.  Five plays later GlenOak was sitting at the Tiger one yard line with a fourth and goal situation.  They decided to go for the win.  And who else to carry the ball but Jason Simon.  But this time Massillon’s Mike Smith came up big, stopping Simon in his tracks to give the Tigers the win, 23-20.

Massillon led in first downs (18-8) and total offense (288-152), although they lost the turnover battle (5-1).  Clark completed 14 of 24 passes for three touchdowns, with 3 interceptions.  Five of the receptions went to Rogers for 99 yards and two touchdowns.  Whitfield also caught five passes for 52 yards and a touchdown.  In the ground game, Wilson had 13 carries for 75 yards and J.D. Crabtree contributed 15 carries for 75 yards.  GlenOak’s Simon rushed 26 times for 96 yards and two touchdowns.  But White was held to three completions in ten attempts for just six yards.

Massillon would finish 9-3 that year, losing to Medina Highland 17-14 in the second round of the playoffs.  GlenOak clocked in at 5-5.

The Tigers would win again the following year and then the Eagles the next.  But the following five games have gone the Tigers’ way, three by blowouts.  However, with Scott Garcia back as the GlenOak head coach, these games may get a lot closer again.

Charlie Brown – Wall of Champions

Charlie Brown – Wall of Champions

Story written by Bill Porrini

Whether it be in sports, business or life, some people are just champions.  Charlie Brown is one of those champions and more!  Charlie is not only a member of the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame, he is also a member of the Wall of Champions.  In addition, Charlie was named one of Massillon’s Distinguished Citizens in 2012.  A natural born leader who has excelled in every phase of his life, he made his mark on the gridiron in high school, college, the NFL and the Canadian Football League. But even greater marks off the field in life and in his communities.

Brown’s road to success began here in Massillon where he played on teams that went 31-1 during his 3-year high school career, winning three state championships and two national titles.  He was a co-captain and earned recognition in 1961 as All-Stark County and BOTH 1^st Team All-Ohio running back and 2nd Team All-Ohio defensive back!  He was also named a high school All-American.

He then went off to play college football at Syracuse University where he achieved the following honors:

• All-Eastern Conference defensive back in 1964 and ’65.
• Sporting News All-American.
• Milrose Champion in track, running the 440-yard relay team.
• Outstanding Student Athlete in 1965.
• Player in The 1965 East-West Shrine Game.

After college Charlie was off to the pros.  He was drafted by both the NFL Chicago Bears (5th) and the AFL San Diego Chargers (4th) and chose “Da Bears.”  In an exhibition game, he played in The Hall of Fame game at Fawcett Stadium.  Later, he joined the Buffalo Bills of the AFL.  And then it was off to Hamilton Tiger Cats of The Canadian Football League.  That’s where he had a 115-yard interception return for a TD for a team record.  It was similar to a 100-yard interception return he had against Warren Harding for a TD in high school for the Tigers!

After football it was time to make his mark on the world.  Charlie has served on the NFL Alumni Association of Chicago as President.  He has served as Executive Director of Robert Taylor Boys and Girls Clubs in Chicago and is President of Bound for Glory.  Charlie is also a member of the Canton Old-Timers Hall of Fame.

Back home in Massillon he was co-founder of One Tiger, Inc., a nonprofit organization supporting Massillon’s youth.  One Tiger is dedicated to early childhood literacy.  Charlie along with his friends Joe Snively and Bob Clendenin wanted to capture “The Tiger Spirit” to prepare and create a passion in children for reading.  Their goal is to create well-educated kids that will go onto college and become teachers, innovators and entrepreneurs who come back and invest in their community.

Thus, “Massillon Ready to Read” was born.  He said, “You can’t get that Massillon feeling out of your system no matter what you do or where you play!”

Charlie Brown, a Champion from The City of Champions!  Thank you!!

Jim Letcavits – Wall of Champions

Jim Letcavits – Wall of Champions

Jim Letcavits, like most Wall of Champions inductees, distinguished himself as both an outstanding player and as a coach of young men.  But what sets him apart from other inductees is that he always maintained his roots in Massillon and returned to his hometown right after wrapping up his professional playing career.  There he became an assistant coach for the Tigers, a position he held for 27 years.  In 1998, he was inducted into the Massillon Wall of Champions.

Letcavits was born in Massillon on December 1, 1935, and joined the Massillon Tiger football team as a sophomore in 1951.  There he played offensive end, defensive end and punter under Head Coach Chuck Mather.  He also shared in the successes of those years, with his teams compiling a record of 29-1 and capturing three state and two national championships.

As a senior, Letcavits caught four touchdown passes from his split end position, including a 44-yarder against Canton McKinley in a 48-7 rout.  Although he didn’t carry a large frame for football, he excelled, nonetheless.  “He only weighed 160 pounds, but he was a very competitive player,” said Dave Putts, Letcavits’ position coach at Massillon.  “He used his speed and was a very good receiver.” (1)

As an award for his outstanding performance, he was named 1^st Team All-Ohio offensive end.  The 3-sport letter-winner was also the Most Valuable Player in the Ohio North-South All-Star Football Game, which was played the following summer.

After high school Letcavits accepted a football scholarship to play for the University of Kansas, under new Head Coach Chuck Mather, who had departed Massillon following the 1953 season.  There he played tight end, while completing a Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education.  “Jim was such a great player for me all through high school and college,” Mather said.  “He seldom made mistakes.  He was a football coach’s dream.” (1) As such, he was named All-Big Eight in 1956 and 1957.

1957 University of Kansas Football Team

The next stop was professional football.  But he needed to choose between the NFL and the Canadian Football League, ultimately selecting the Edmonton Eskimos, where he played five seasons as a tight end and punter.  “I thought I had a better chance to play if I went to Canada.” Letcavits said.  “I really wasn’t that big.  It was something new, and I made some great friends up there.” (1)  Four times his team won second place.

With his playing career coming to an end, Letcavits returned to the local area in 1964 and was hired by Jackson as an assistant coach.  But in 1969 he was lured away by new Massillon Head Coach Bob Commings.  “When he came home during the offseason, he always was a substitute teacher,” Nancy (Jim’s wife) said.  “When Bob Commings came here, he interviewed, and Bob Commings hired him on the spot.” (1) And the following year he became part of Massillon’s last state championship team.

Commings left after five seasons, but Letcavits stayed on and ended up coaching in Tigertown for 27 years, until 1995, while serving under six different head coaches.  During that time, the Tigers compiled a record of 221-64-5, including nine playoff appearances during a time of limited team qualifications.  In 1980 and 1982 Massillon reached the state championship game.

Letcavits was also the head track and field coach during that span.  His best years came in 1983, when his team placed third in the state, and 1984, when they placed fifth.

• 1983: Jim Bushe 2^nd in the 300 low hurdles and 3^rdin the 110 high hurdles, Craig Johnson 5^th in the 100 dash and Charles Calhoun 1^st in the shot put.
• 1984: Craig Johnson 1^st in 100- and 200-yard dashes and Chris Spielman 4^th in the shot put.

He also served as Athletic Director in 1985 during the transition from Mike Currence to John Moronto.  Meanwhile, his primary high school assignment was Coordinator for the Occupational Work Experience Lab.

Outside of Massillon he was president of the Stark County Coaches Association for two years and was later inducted into the Stark County High School Football Hall of Fame.

Letcavits was married to Nancy, and they were the parents of four children.  Unfortunately, he was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in 2004 and died in Massillon on February 3, 2015, at the age of 77.  Today, his memory is honored by “Team Tiger,” a group of Massillon residents that participate in the annual Alzheimer’s Memory Walk.

• (Mike Popovich, Canton Repository)