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1980: Massillon 7, Canton McKinley 16

November 1, 1980August 10, 2017
by Eric Smith

Meet McKinley in playoffs
Tigers will get another Chance Friday

By ROLLIE DREUSSI
Independent Sports Editor

The Massillon Tigers won’t have to wait a whole year to gain revenge for the 16‑7 loss the McKinley Bulldogs inflicted on them Saturday afternoon in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

The Tigers will be going to the playoffs for the second straight year, but not on the basis of their performance on Saturday.

The Bulldogs simply outplayed the Tigers both offensively and defensively to raise their record to 9‑1 and grab first place in the Division I, Region 3 computer rankings.

The Tigers’ 8‑1‑1 record still produced enough points to net them second place, thanks to Lakewood St. Edward ‘s loss to Cleveland St. Joseph Saturday night.

So now, we’ll do it all over again when the Tigers travel to Canton’s Fawcett Stadium for the Region 3 championship game Friday at 7:30 p.m.

That may be the end of the road for the Tigers, however, unless they dramatically improve upon the kind of performance they turned in Saturday before the 21,754 fans who packed Tiger Stadium to see the 85th meeting between the two schools,

The Bulldogs unleashed a bevy of fast, hard‑running backs who totaled 221 yards rushing against the Tiger defense. That running attack was complemented by the eight of 12 passing of quarterback Rick Worstell, which accounted for another 92 yards.

This balanced attack proved too much for the Tiger defense. The Bulldogs controlled the ball and kept the Tiger offense off the field. McKinley had the ball for 32:46 compared to just 15:14 for the Tigers.

And when Massillon did get the ball, they did little with it. The Tigers netted only 96 yards ‑ 42 rushing and 54 passing ‑‑ and lost the ball twice on interceptions and once on a fumble.

Whether the Tiger’s simply had a bad day, or were just plain outmanned, will be determined Friday.

“You have to hand it all to our kids.” a happy Terry Forbes said about his team’s victory in his first game against Massillon as the McKinley coach.

“They wanted the game so much. We were able to concentrate and do the things we wanted to do. One thing stood out: our character and togetherness, and our ability to come from behind.”

Currence, in the quiet atmosphere of the Tiger lockerroom, also touched on togetherness ‑ or the lack of it ‑ his team displayed.

“We didn’t play well today. We didn’t hit good and we didn’t have any togetherness or unity. We knew we would have to come up with the big play, but they got them. You can’t make mistakes and beat them.

“I’ve already cried, and now I’m ready to go on. We have a great football program here, and if things work, we’ll get another shot at them Friday. I’d like to go back after them.”

While much ado was made of the speed of the McKinley backs, Currence indicated his team lost the game in the trenches, where the Bulldog lines were bigger and more physical than the Tigers.

“We’ve played quick teams before and won,” Currence said. “They have great quickness and we knew their speed was going to hurt us. We knew they’d score because they have a great offensive team. But they controlled the ball on us.

“We can take their fast backs, but (wide receiver Todd) Fisher is the guy we didn’t do the job on. They got their passing attack going, and when that happens you’ve got to give up ground to the running attack. They have better balance than they’ve had in the past.”

Despite the Pups’ offensive performance, Currence said the turning point of the game was an unusual conversion pass by the Bulldogs, and a safety against the Tigers.

The Bulldogs took a 14‑7 lead in the third quarter when Paul Giavasis rolled right after a fake kick attempt and passed into the end zone. The ball was batted away by Tiger defensive back Dwayne Boss in the back of the end zone, but fell into the unsuspecting hands of Fisher, who just happened to be in the right place at the right time.

The safety then gave the Bulldogs a 16‑7 lead and meant the Tigers would have to score twice to win the game.

“Psychologically, the safety hurt us,” Currence explained, “because we were down by two scores. Take those two plays away and we’re back in the ball game.”

The Tigers started off in trouble on the opening kickoff, when it was fumbled ‑ but recovered ‑ by Rick Boerner at his own 14 yard line.

The Tigers punted, and the Bulldogs took over in good position at the Massillon 47. Their drive stalled at the 28, however, and the Tigers took over.

With the help of a pass interference call and an 11 yard run by halfback Robert Oliver, the Tigers eventually moved to the McKinley 47. On second‑and‑eight, McKinley’s Mike Freeman intercepted a tipped pass and the Pups took over at their own 46.

A clipping penalty on the first play pushed them back to the 29, but on third‑and‑21 Worstell hit Fisher with a 22‑yard pass and a first‑down at the Tiger 43.

Six plays later Sidney Lewis swept 11 yards around left end for the score. The kick failed, and McKinley led 6‑0 with 1:32 left in the quarter.

The Tigers couldn’t move the ball, but a tremendous 65‑yard punt by Dave Eberhart ‑ which spiraled over the Bulldog returners’ heads ‑ settled on the McKinley one yard line and the Tigers had the Pups in the whole

From the nine, Ed Grimsley shanked a 22‑yard punt and Massillon had the ball at the Bulldog 31. Seven plays later, Eberhart sneaked over from the one, and booted the extra point to put the Tigers out front 7‑6 with 6:05 to go in the half.

The Bulldogs received the kickoff to open the second half, and promptly marched 80 yards in 15 plays with Lewis taking it in from four yards out. The drive was highlighted by three Worstell completions ‑ two to Fisher ‑ all for first downs.

The Bulldogs then faked the kick and Giavasis’ batted pass was caught by Fisher for a 14‑7 Bulldog lead with 5:06 to go in the quarter.

Massillon immediately turned the ball back over to the Bulldogs when Eberhart dropped back to pass, was hit and literally had the ball taken out of his hands by McKinley’s Scott Dixon.

Dixon had clear sailing the final 30 yards to the end zone, but he tumbled the ball. Bob Harsh alertly recovered for McKinley.

The bulldogs then drove to the Massillon six, but on third‑and‑goal Mike Spicer intercepted Worstell’s pass in the back of the end zone. He mistakenly tried to run the ball out, however, and was tackled at the three.

On the first play, halfback Mike Jones was nailed in the end zone for a safety, and the momentum suddenly shifted back to the Bulldogs. The safety gave the Pups, a 16‑7 lead with 26 seconds left in the third quarter.

That third quarter was the Tigers’ undoing, as McKinley scored 10 points while the Tigers had the ball for only two offensive plays ‑ a fumble and a safety.

McKinley mounted another drive following the kickoff after the safety, but Spicer again intercepted Worstell, this time at his own eight.

The Tigers then drove to the McKinley 14, but that drive was killed when Harsh intercepted Eberhart’s pass at the nine, ending the Tigers’ comeback hopes.

So Saturday was one day the Tigers will have to forget, And nothing would erase the bad memory of a loss to McKinley more than a victory one week later.

Thanks to the expanded playoff system, the Tigers will get that chance.

TIGER GRIDSTICK
MASS OPP
First downs rushing 3 12
First downs passing 2 5
First downs by penalty 2 0
Total first downs 7 17
Yards gained rushing 66 225
Yards lost rushing 24 4
Net yards gained rushing 42 221
Net yards gained passing 54 92
Total yards gained 96 313
Passes attempted 17 12
Passes completed 5 8
Passes intercepted by 2 1
Yardage on passes intercepted 3 3
Times kicked off 3 3
Kickoff average 59.0 47.0
Kickoff return yardage 38 18
Punts 4 3
Punting average 43.0 23.7
Punt return yardage 3 1
Punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 1 1
Fumbles lost 1 0
Penalties 3 7
Yards penalized 15 73
Touchdowns rushing 1 2
Touchdowns passing 0 0
Touchdowns by interception 0 0
Miscellaneous touchdowns 0 0
Total number of plays 38 61
Total time of possession 15:14 32:46
Attendance 21,754

McKinley 6 0 10 0 ‑ 16
MASSILLON 0 7 0 0 ‑ 7

McK ‑ Sidney Lewis 11‑yard run (kick failed)
MASS ‑ Dave Eberhart 1‑yard run (Eberhart kick)
McK ‑ Lewis 4‑yard run (Todd Fisher pass from Paul Giavasis)
McK – safety

McKinley’s backs
end Stark Debate
Bulldogs end
Massillon’s unbeaten streak
By Milan Zban
Beacon Journal staff writer

Nobody bothered to ask Amy Carter about Canton McKinley’s proliferation of running backs.

But Stark County’s version of the great debate is over. McKinley settled the issue on the football field on a chilly but sun‑splashed Saturday at Massillon’s Paul Brown Stadium.

Amy would have agreed with 21,754 that it was the running of four Bulldog backs who applied so much pressure on Massillon’s defense that it cracked, tottered and finally fell, 16‑7. And with it went Massillon’s unbeaten, but once tied, streak through nine games.

Terry Forbes, McKinley’s first year coach, also ended Massillon’s four‑year domination of the 85‑yeard‑old classic on his first try.

He sent Dwayne Randle, Sid Lewis, Mike Simms and Mike Lynch pounding off the tackles and sweeping the ends for 221 yards on the ground.

And when they were temporarily stalled, the call went to quarterback Rick Worstell, who will be around for another classic next year. Worstell threw a dozen times, completing eight for 92 additional yards.

THE VICTORY pushed McKinley atop the Division I, Region 3 state computer ratings, giving it a shot at the state playoff quarterfinals, next week.

Massillon, the pre‑game leader over McKinley, 147.75‑to‑133.37 in computer points, may still win a berth in the playoffs as third‑place Lakewood St. Edward lost a 21‑6 decision to Cleveland St. Joseph Saturday night.

Massillon probably will wind up second and behind McKinley. If that happens, the teams will be rematched Friday night at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium.

While the McKinley offense was doing it’s job, rolling up 313 yards, the Bulldogs’ defense also was quite effective. It almost completely shut down dangerous Dave Eberhart, Massillon’s gifted quarterback who has passed for 1000 yards.
McKinley breaks Massillon streak
Eberhart was only five‑for‑17 for 54 yards with two interceptions.

“IT WASN’T so much McKinley’s secondary that took away our passing game, but Mckinley’s rush,” Eberhart said. “They came at me in that slanting defense which we couldn’t pick up and I didn’t get much of a chance to set up and throw.

“Maybe we’ll play them again next week,” he said hopefully, “but I’d rather had beaten them this week.

“Their defense did a great job. They only gave us the ball inside the 50 one time and we took that in for a score.”

Eberhart got Massillon’s only points, sneaking 1 yard for a touchdown, then booting the extra point for a 7‑6 Massillon lead in the second quarter.

It was Eberhart’s booming 65‑yard punt to the McKinley 1‑yard line which set up the score. In the exchange of punts, McKinley’s Ed Grimsley shanked the hall and it traveled only 23 yards to the McKinley 32. Seven plays later with 6:05 left in the half, the Tigers had taken the lead.

McKinley’s Lewis, who hadn’t scored a touchdown all season, got his first of two Saturday when he raced 11 yards to culminate a 72‑yard drive ignited by Mike Freeman’s interception of an Eberhart pass at his 29.

Lewis was almost caught at the 3‑yard line but stiffarmed Massillon defender Dwayne Boss and darted into the end zone.

With 1:32 left in the opening quarter, and following a Mckinley offside penalty, Nick Faulkner’s conversion kick was wide left.

Faulkner’s miss left the door ajar for Massillon to lead at the hall.

McKinley wasted little time in the second half. It dominated the third quarter, allowing the Tigers only two possessions and each of those lasted only one play.

The Bulldogs marched 80 yards to regain the lead on a 4‑yard sprint by Lewis and an amazing two‑point conversion catch by Todd Fisher on a batted pass from Paul Giavasis at the 5:06 mark.

ON MASSILLON’S first possession of the second half, Eberhart’s arm was hit as he attempted to pass and end Scott Dixon scooped up the loose ball at the Massillon 37. After running to the 23, he fumbled, but teammate Bob Harsh was there to fall on the ball.

However, the Bulldogs’ opportunity was thwarted by an end zone interception by Massillon’s Mike Spicer who unwisely attempted to run out of the end zone and was nailed at the 3‑yard line.

On the ensuing play, Massillon running back Mike Jones was smothered in the end zone by the left side of McKinley’s line for a safety which boosted McKinley into a 16‑7 lead with only 26 seconds left in the quarter.

McKinley threatened again early in the fourth quarter, reaching the Massillon 19, but, with 8:40 remaining, Spicer again intercepted Worstell at the 7.

Massillon, with the help of a pass interference call on McKinley’s Rob Dine, reached the Bulldog 14 with 2:24 remaining but Harsh picked off an Eberhart pass to turn back the Tigers once more.

“THE GUY who killed us was Fisher,” said Massillon coach Mike Currence. “I thought we did all right against McKinley’s ground game, but Fisher came up with the big catch time and again.”

Fisher, who had four catches for 52 yards, grabbed a 20-yarder on third and two, caught one for eight yards on third and six and had another eight‑yard pickup on second and six.

Randle was the game’s leading rusher with 110 yards in 18 tries. Sims had 56 in 11 carries, Lewis 37 in seven attempts and Lynch 30 yards in 10 tries.

1980: Massillon 14, Parma Padua 6

October 24, 1980August 9, 2017
by Eric Smith

Eberhart, Tiger ‘D’ turn back Bruins

By ROLLIE DREUSSI
Independent Sports Editor

“You like it to come down to the last game and have it mean something.”

With that statement, Massillon Coach Mike Currence officially kicked off the Tigers’ “second season,” and what a one‑week season it’s going to be.

Quarterback Dave Eberhart passed for 218 yards and two touchdowns and the defense allowed just two field goals ‑ despite five Tiger turnovers ‑ as Massillon turned back a determined Parma Padua Franciscan team 14‑6 Friday night in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

The win raised the Tigers’ record to 8‑0‑1, and stretched their regular‑season unbeaten streak to 31 games. Canton McKinley Senior, who makes up the Tigers “second season” opponent, plays Toledo Scott in Canton tonight and takes a 7‑1 mark into that game.

Should the Bulldogs win ‑ and they are heavy favorites ‑ it looks like they will be unable to hold their lead in the Division I, Region 3 computer rankings. The Bulldogs should fall to second place while the Tigers regain the lead.

It doesn’t really matter, since that will all be decided next Saturday starting at 2 p.m. in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium when the two arch rivals square off for the 85th time.

And just like the old days when the Associated Press state crown was sometimes on the line, the winner of this game will earn a berth in the Division I computer playoffs while the loser will likely be done for the year (even though the top two teams in each region qualify for the playoffs this season).

“I think we either win or we’re out of it,” Currence said of speculation that the teams could finish one‑two no matter who wins.

“It’s good coming down to the last ball game, and all the marbles are riding on it,” he added.

Most of the marbles Friday night were riding on the Tigers’ passing attack, as the Bruins stopped the Tigers cold inside.

“Padua’s defense in the middle is as good as any we’ve seen all year. Rick Miller, Tony Czack and John Pavia gave us trouble all night,” Currence said of the Bruins’ two linebackers and middle guard.

“And you go to the outside so often and everybody’s out there shaking hands with you. We finally had to change our attack and come out throwing to get them off our backs.

“And you have to give our defense credit. They could have scored (a touchdown or two) on us, but the defense didn’t let them,” he added.

“We shut off their trap and sweep,” Padua coach Tom Kohuth said. “It would have been interesting if it would have poured down rain like it was supposed to. We just weren’t as disciplined in the secondary as we’re capable of.”

Kohuth said quarterback Paul Lucchese, who started despite a strained knee, was only “about 80 percent,” and had to wear a knee brace. which cut down on his mobility.

“It cuts down on our offense a little bit because he can’t run the option,” Kohuth said.

Kohuth said the Bruins also went more conservative in their attack to cut down on turnovers that have plagued them in recent games.

“We had been throwing quite a bit, but we decided to keep it on the ground tonight. But when you get behind, you have to throw some.”

And it was an errant throw by Lucchese with just over five minutes left in the game ‑ and Massillon leading 14‑6 ‑ that did in the Bruins.

The Bruins had taken a Tiger punt at their own 31, and had a second‑and‑19 at their 41 when Lucchese went long down the left sideline. His receiver fell down, however, and Paul Turner picked off the pass at the 37 and returned it 32 yards to the Bruin 31.

An insurance touchdown pass from Eberhart to Mike Reese was called back because of a penalty, and the Tigers then merely ran out the clock.

That TD pass, which covered 28 yards, would have given Eberhart the single‑game record for most yards passing. He finished with 218, which was just short of Brent Offenbecher’s 1977 record of 232 yards against Gahanna Lincoln.

Eberhart did complete 15 of 26 passes, which is the second‑most completions in one game (Offenbecher had 17 once and 15 three times). His two TD passes that did count ‑ one went to Jeff Elliott and the other to Mike Jones ‑ gave him 12 on the year, one more than Offenbecher tallied as a senior. It also gives him a shot at the modern day record of 14 in one season (1958) by Joe Sparma.

Eberhart reached another milestone by going over the 1,000‑yard mark for the season. He has now passed for 1,067 yards.

He did throw three interceptions against the Bruins, however (he had only two going into the game), and two of those led to field goals by Padua’s Shaun Rafferty.

After a scoreless first quarter, Eberhart was intercepted by Padua’s Scott Chura at the Bruin 35. The Tiger defense appeared to have the Bruins stopped, but on third‑and‑nine from the 36 Lucchese hit Paul Houdek with a pass at the Tiger 45 and he broke through a pair of defenders and rambled to the 16, where Turner made the touchdown‑saving tackle.

Dennis Dunn and Miller each gained four yards, but Miller was stacked up for no gain on third‑and‑two from the seven. Rafferty was then summoned onto the field and he connected from 24 yards out to put the Bruins on top 3‑0 with 9:02 left in the half.

The Tigers took the ensuing kickoff and drove to the Bruin 18, but Eberhart fumbled the ball and Padua’s Ray DePaul recovered at the 23.

The Bruins had to punt, but Matt Burton’s boot took a Padua bounce and he ended up with a 60‑yard kick and the Tigers were in the hole at their own 17.

Eberhart hit Mike Feller with a 12‑yard pass, and then on third‑and‑seven the Tigers got a boost when the Bruins were called for pass interference. That gave the Tigers a first down at their own 46.

Eberhart hit Elliott with a seven‑yard slant‑in, was almost intercepted by Chura again on second down, then hit Feller with a perfect strike for 25 yards and a first down at the Bruin 22.

On the next play, Everhart went deep for Elliott and made a perfect pass while Elliott made a great over-the‑shoulder catch in the back of the end zone for a touchdown. Eberhart booted the extra point and the Tigers’ finally had a 7‑3 lead with just 57 seconds left in the half.

The Tigers had one more play, following a Bruin punt, but Eberhart’s desperation pass was intercepted by Chura. Everhart made up for it, though, with a hard, high tackle as Chura tried to return the interception.

The Tigers received the kickoff to start the second half. After an 18‑yard pass from Eberhart to Feller for a first down, Miller picked off an Everhart offering at his own 45 and returned it 10 yards.

The Bruins surprised the Tigers with a halfback pass on first down that netted 29 yards to the Tiger 16. The drive bogged down, however, as William Askew batted down a pass at the line on second down and Turner covered Lucchese’s intended receiver on third down so well that the Bruin QB had to throw the ball away out of bound,

Rafferty then came on again and booted a 29‑yard field goal with 9:10 to go in the third quarter, cutting the Tigers’ lead to 7‑6.

The Tigers started at their own 27 following the kickoff, and got another break on third‑and‑nine when the Bruins were again called for pass interference. The Tigers then got some semblance of a running game going, and with the help of a 19‑yard pass from Everhart to Jones, moved to a first down at the Bruin seven.

On third‑and‑goal from the 15, Everhart threw into the end zone for Jones, who made a tremendous diving catch for the touchdown, Eberhart converted the kick, for a 14‑6 Tiger lead with 2:47 to go in the game.

There was no more scoring, though the Tigers had a few close calls. One was when a Bruin punt bounced off a Tiger player and was alertly recovered by Elliott. The other was when the Bruins started driving but were thwarted by Turner’s interception.

Individually, the Tigers’ Don Fulton led the team with 45 yards rushing, and now has 305 on the season. Jones picked up 44 and now has 522.

Elliott and Feller each caught five passes and Jones hauled in four.

Tiger fans are reminded that the Booster Club meeting will be held Monday at 8 p.m. in the Washington High School auditorium. The meeting is open to the public, and helps officially kick off “Massillon‑McKinley Week.”

TIGER GRIDSTICK

First downs rushing 7 2
First downs passing 9 3
First downs by penalty 2 0
Total first downs 18 5
Yards gained rushing 120 74
Yards lost rushing 28 19
Net yards gained rushing 92 55
Net yards gained passing 218 97
Total yards gained 310 152
Passes attempted 27 14
Passes completed 15 5
Passes intercepted by 1 3
Yardage on passes intercepted 33 23
Times kicked off 3 3
Kickoff average 53.0 50.7
Kickoff return yardage 62 46
Punts 4 8
Punting average 38.8 31.3
Punt return yardage 0 14
Punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 4 2
Fumbles lost 2 0
Penalties 5 5
Yards penalized 45 54
Touchdowns rushing 0 0
Touchdowns passing 2 0
Touchdowns by interception 0 0
Miscellaneous touchdowns 0 0
Total number of plays 63 45
Total time of possession 25:49 22:11
Attendance 10 ,745

PADUA 0 3 3 0 6
MASSILLON 0 7 7 0 14

PADUA ‑ Shaun Rafferty 24 FG
MASS ‑ Jeff Elliott ‑22 pass from Dave Eberhart (Eberhart kick)
PADUA ‑ Rafferty 29 FG
MASS – Mike Jones 15 pass from Eberhart (Eberhart kick)

1980: Massillon 56, Niles McKinley 8

October 18, 1980August 9, 2017
by Eric Smith

Tigers wallop injury-Plagued Dragons 56-8
Currence concerned about overconfidence

By DENNY HIGHBEN
Independent Sports Writer

“We’ve got to come back to earth and get ready for a tough week with Padua,” Tiger head coach Mike Currence said Saturday night.

He was standing in the vistors’ lockerroom at Niles McKinley High School. Massillon had just slayed the Red Dragon with remarkable ease, scoring eight touchdowns and amassing almost 500 yards of total offense. But Currence wanted to be sure the non‑contest was put into perspective.

“I don’t want us to get overconfident. Niles had about eight sophomores starting. That’s an awful lot of young kids to start against us.”

The Red Dragons have been watching talented teammates fall to injuries faster than twigs in a tornado before the season started.. Almost half of the first team that did play went up against the Tigers as walking wounded. And the one player Currence was worried about before the game ‑ place kicker and linebacker John Giangardella, didn’t play.

He suffered a broken arm last week. The team’s leading tackler a guard on offense and an excellent field goal kicker, Giangardella was dressed and ready to kick Saturday, even with his arm in a cast.

“The loss of Giangardella was the straw that broke the camel’s back for Frank,” Currence said, referring to Nile’s coach Frank Thomas.

“They just don’t have the depth,” Currence added.

“I’m not saying we didn’t play well, I thought we did,” he added. “But I don’t want us to feel like we have peaked. We’d score like that on our sophomores, too.”

The Tigers had possession of the ball twice in the first quarter and didn’t score. The first time they drove downfield but a 36‑yard field goal attempt by sophomore Jim Bushe was off target. The second time they couldn’t pick up a first down and had to punt.

That was the only time the Tigers punted and after the next Niles punt, “the roof fell in,” as Thomas put it.

Massillon wide receiver Mike Reese caught Fred Cleary’s punt at the Tiger 39, got behind a wall of blockers on the left side of the field and streaked to the Niles’ 15. Cleary made the touchdown‑saving tackle, but it did little good. On the first play halfback Dave Huth took a pitch on a short‑side sweep, built up a full head of steam by the time be turned the comer and rambled in for the score. Quarterback Dave Eberhart kicked the extra point and the buzz saw was turned on for good with 18 seconds left in the quarter.

After the next Niles punt ‑ there were 10 of them – the Tigers started at their own 45. Mike Jones picked up two yards on first down, then Eberhart fired a 15‑yard pass to Reese and an 18‑yarder to Mike Feller. That put the ball at the 19 and Don Fulton charged through the middle of the line on the next play. He was challenged at the two but flattened the defender and dove in for ‑the score. Eberhart added the PAT and it was 14‑0 with 9:29 to go in the half.

After the next Niles punt, the Tigers started on their own 29 and used one play to score. Mike Jones threw a halfback pass to Jeff Elliott. The pass cleared the defensive backs’ raised arms, settled into Elloitt’s hands about the Niles’ 40 and he ran all the way in. Eberhart kicked again and made it 21‑0 with 6:42 left in the quarter.

The next Tiger drive penetrated deep into Dragon territory but was pushed back by a clipping penalty and after Niles held, Eberhart missed a 35‑yard field goal attempt. Niles took over at the 20, but two plays later defensive back Mike Spicer intercepted a Floyd, Davis pass. He stole the ball around the 35 and ran it to the 15, but a clipping penalty put Massillon back on the 30.

Eberhart immediately passed to Jones to put the ball on the six, Huth gained a yard, then Eberhart hit Jones again for the score with 18 seconds to play. Eberhart added the PAT for a 28-0 halftime lead.

Junior Rick Spielman started at quarterback in the second half, and guided the Tigers downfield until one of his passes was intercepted near the goal line by Mike Hudzik. After a sack by defensive end Paul Spinden, a short run and an incomplete pass, Niles had to punt again.

The Tigers started on their 46 after the punt and Jones took off on first down for a 17‑yard gain. Huth picked up nine yards on the next play and the lights went out – literally. The power to the press box and scoreboard died. The Tigers scored again while the clock was out, after a roughing‑the‑passer penalty turned a third‑down incompletion into a first‑and‑goal at the 10. Speilman threw to Feller, who pulled the ball down with one hand; Greg Radtka kicked to conversion for a 35-4 lead.

Massillon’s second string defense came in on the next series and Niles inserted a different quarterback, junior Ed Kurowski. That combination helped the Dragons, and the clock started working in time for the fans to see Niles get its initial first down of the game with 3:46 to play in the third. Kurowski completed five-of‑six passes to move the Dragons to the Tiger three, and fullback Mark Knepper scored from there. Knepper also scored the two‑point conversion to make it 35-8.

The hometown fans went wild and thought the Dragons would make it a little closer when Niles successfully pulled off an onside kick following the score.

But the Massillon first team defense returned to action for the next series and put an end to that notion. On third‑and‑ten defensive back Dwayne Boss cut in front, of an intended receiver, picked off a pass and rambled 54 yards for a touchdown. Eberhart went in for the conversion, made it and the score was 42‑8.

After another Niles punt, the Tigers started from their 49. On third down, Spielman passed to junior Dan Ricker for a 26‑yard gain. Junior Larry Newman bolted to the four on the next play, then scored with 9:08 left. Radtka’s kick made it 49‑8.

Niles got a first down on the next series courtesy of a penalty, then had to punt to the Massillon 27. Junior Michael Moore ran through the middle and gained 28 yards. Three more running plays put the ball at Niles’ 16, and Moore took the ball in from there, breaking a tackle at the line and lunging across the goal line after being hit near the two. Radkta kicked the PAT to end the scoring with 3:56 left.

“It was nice to get our young kids in the game for experience,” Currence, said afterwards. “Because we might need them in the future.”

As for Niles’ young kids, Dragon coach Frank ‑Thomas said, “It’s tough to take sophomores and throw them in against a team ranked so high in the polls.

“We knew they were a great team coming in and knew we’d have our hands full,” Thomas said. “We had ’em for a while, but they’ve got the ability to make the big play. After that punt return, the roof fell in.”

Thomas, who was a Tiger assistant coach before taking the Niles job last season. said the 1980 Tigers are every bit as good as previous teams.

“One thing they have this year that makes them, a little better is the kicking game. It is excellent in every aspect, including the return teams,” he said.

Thomas’ banged‑up squad is now 3-4‑1, and must play at Warren Harding next week. Massillon, now 7‑0‑1 with a 30‑game regular season unbeaten streak, will take on Parma Padua Friday. Padua, stuggling at 4‑4, is the last team to beat the Tigers. That loss came in the playoffs is last year.

TIGER GRIDSTICK

First downs rushing 13 2
First downs passing 7 2
First downs by penalty 2 1
Total first downs 22 5
Yards gained rushing 283 77
Yards lost rushing 5 21
Net yards gained rushing 278 56
Net yards gained passing 193 40
Total yards gained 471 96
Passes attempted 15 17
Passes completed 9 5
Passes intercepted by 2 1
Yardage on passes intercepted 57 17
Times kicked off 9 2
Kickoff average 49.3 29.0
Kickoff return yardage 45 111
Punts 1 10
Punting average 41.0 35.2
Punt return yardage 78 8
Punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 2 2
Fumbles lost 1 0
Penalties 7 4
Yards penalized 85 45
Touchdowns rushing 5 1
Touchdowns passing 2 0
Touchdown 1 0
Miscellaneous touchdowns 0 0
Total number of plays 54 51
Total time of possession 21:27 26:33
Attendance 8,500

NILES 0 0 8 0 – 8
MASSILLON 7 21 14 14 – 56

MASS ‑ Dave Huth 15‑yard run (Dave Eberhart kick)
MASS ‑ Don Fulton 19‑yard run (Eberhart kick)
MASS ‑ Jeff Elliott 71‑yard pass from Mike Jones (Eberhart kick)
MASS ‑ Jams 5‑yard pass from W Eberhart (Eberhart kick)
MASS ‑ Mike Feller 10‑yard pass from Rick Spielman (Greg Radtka kick)
NILES ‑ Mark Knepper 3‑yard run (Knepper run)
MASS ‑ Duane Boss 55-yard interception return (Eberhart kick)
MASS ‑ Larry Newman 4‑yard run (Radtka kick)
MASS ‑ Michael Moore 16‑yard run (Radtka kick)

1980: Massillon 37, Barberton 14

October 10, 1980August 9, 2017
by Eric Smith

Interceptions help Massillon roll 37‑14
Tigers’ defense keys win over Magics!

By ROLLIE DREUSSI
Independent Sports Editor

Massillon Tigers did a little tinkering with their defense Friday night, and it paid off with a 37‑14 win over Barberton in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Switching to what Tiger coach Mike Currence called a “4-stack” or “over-shifted 5” defense. Massillon didn’t allow Barberton a first down through first half, then came up with the big play at the right time in the second half to thwart a Magic rally.

“Massillon made some major adjustments defensively that helped them.” Magic coach Rudy Sharkey said, “They were in a “4‑4” most of the time, and we weren’t really prepared for that.”

Whatever kind of defense it was, Sharkey said his team made it look good because of numerous offensive mistakes.

“We continue to give away the ball every time we’re on the football field Sharkey said, “Of course, you have to give credit to Massillon, they’re tough. But I’ve never seen a team that gives so many games away.” he explained.

“In the first half, we had receivers open all over the field, but they either missed the ball or the quarterback Brian Breitenstein) overthrew them

“I just get so damn frustrated with us giving the ball away and not executing.” Sharkey said.

“I think our defense played a great first halt,” Currence said. “I really felt we upset their tempo and kept them off balance.

“We intercepted them three times and that was a factor.” Currence pointed out. “It was a great morale booster for us.”

Mike Spicer had the first interception, and it set up the Tigers’ first score. Paul Turner, intercepted a pass in the second quarter which Massillon failed to capitalize on, but the Tigers allowed Barberton only 23 total first‑half yards en route to a 21-0 lead.

Barberton rallied, cutting tile lead to 24-14 and appeared ready to get back in the game when Joe Peto recovered a Mike Jones fumble at the Tiger 18 yard line with just over eight minutes to play in the game.

Two plays later, however, junior linebacker Tim Manion picked off a Breitenstein pass at the nine yard line and almost returned it all the way, getting caught from behind at the 33. Six plays later the Tigers added a touchdown to quell the Magic threat.

“Tim Manion has a nose for the ball,” Currence said.

Massillon opened the scoring by capitalizing on Spicer’s interception. They drove 27 yards in six plays with quarterback Dave Eberhart going over from the one with 8:13 showing on the first-quarter clock. Eberhart added the point after for a 7‑0 lead.

The Tigers then drove 56 yards in 12 plays with halfback Mike Jones making a nice catch on a five yard scoring pass from Eberhart. Eberhart booted the point after for a 14‑0 lead with :42 left in the first quarter.

Eberhart missed a 35‑yard field goal try in the second period, but scored on another one yard sneak with 1:25 left in the half. He added the PAT kick for a 21-0 lead.

The TD was set up by a 14-yard point return by Jeff Spicer to the Barberton 38. The Tigers took 10 plays to score with Eberhart hitting halfback Robert Oliver with 17-yard pass on third-and-15 to the Magic 21. Jones also had a fine 10-yard run to the one to set up Eberhart’s scoring run.

When the Tiger offensive attack bogged down in the third quarter. Barberton responded with a 21-yard TD run by fullback John Jones. Massillon was penalized on the ensuing conversion kick, and Barberton elected to go for two from a yard and a half out. But Mike Loretto nailed Jones short of the goal line, and Massillon led 21-6 with 3:31 left in the third quarter.

The Tigers finally got a drive going, and moved from their own 36 to the Magic 25, where a third-down incompletion brought up a fourth-and-seven.

Sophomore Jun Bushe come on to try a 41‑yard field goal, and his line-drive kick was good, making it 24-6 with 11:19 to play. The kick seemed to bring the Tiger bench to life as players ran out on the field to congratulate Bushe, who was making his first appearance in a varsity game.

Barberton hung tough, however, and drove 55 yards in nine plays with Marty Potter hauling in a seven-yard TD toss from Breitenstein with 8:31 to play. Breitenstein then passed to tight end John Trew for the conversion and the Magics trailed 24-14.

The ensuing kickoff sailed into the end zone, and the Tigers took over on the 20. Jones was hit hard and fumbled, with Peto recovering at the 18.

Manion and middle guard Jeff Grove nailed Jones for a two-yard loss, and then Manion picked off Breitenstein’s throw on the next play.

“We had a man wide open and he threw an interception,” Sharkey lamented. “That’s was the big giveaway there.”

Manion returned the hall to the Barberton 33 and the Tigers scored six plays later when halfback Dave Huth ran three yards to paydirt. Eberhart’s kick was good and the Tigers had a safe 31‑14 lead with 3:12 to play.

Barberton took the ensuing kickoff and got a first down on a Breitenstein pass, but then gave up the ball on four straight incompletions from the Tiger 47.

Four plays later, George Roknich dashed 37 yards for the Tigers’ final TD with only :46 left in the game.

The win brings Massillon’s record to 6‑0‑1 and extends the Tigers’ regular‑season unbeaten string to 29 games Barberton falls to 3‑3‑1.

“Massillon has a fine football team, Sharkey said. “You can’t take anything away from them. They can score on anybody. and their defensive adjustments helped them tonight. But I don’t know if it will be enough to help them go all the way or not.”

Currence isn’t worrying about that right now. The game he’s concerned about is next Saturday’s visit to Niles, which has a surprising 3-2‑1 record under former Tiger assistant coach Frank Thomas. The Red Dragons will host Warren Howland tonight.

TIGER GRIDSTICK

MASS OPP

First downs rushing 14 4
First down passing 3 3
First downs by penalty 1 1
Total first downs 18 8
Yards gained rushing 263 80
Yards lost rushing 11 13
Net yards gained rushing 252 67
Net yards gained passing 57 96
Total yards gained 309 163
Passes attempted 15 27
Passes completed 4 8
Passes intercepted by 3 0
Yardage on passes intercepted 78 0
Times kicked off 7 3
Kickoff average 46.4 52.7
Kickoff return yardage 29 81
Punts 4 6
Punting average 36.3 37.2
Punt return yardage 10 23
Punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 3 0
Fumbles lost 1 1
Penalties 7 6
Yards penalized 64 41
Touchdowns rushing 4 1
Touchdowns passing 1 1
Touchdowns by interception 0 0
Miscellaneous touchdowns 0 0
Total number of plays 73 54
Total time of possession 28:06 18:54
Attendance 10,706

BARBERTON 0 0 6 8 – 14
MASSILLON 14 7 0 16 – 37

MASS – Dave Eberhart 1-yard run (Eberhart kick)
MASS – Mike Jones 5-yard pass from Eberhart (Eberhart kick)
MASS – Eberhart 1-yard run (Eberhart kick)
BARB – John Jones 21-yard run (run failed)
MASS – Jim Bushe 41-yard FG
BARB – Marty Potter 7-yard pass from Brian Breitenstein John Trew pass from Breitenstein)
MASS – Dave Huth 3-yard run (Eberhart kick)
MASS – George Roknich 37-yard run (kick failed)

1980: Massillon 36, Youngstown South 25

October 3, 1980August 10, 2017
by Eric Smith

Tigers’ 4th‑quarter rally downs South
22‑point period nets 36‑25 victory

By ROLLIE DREUSSI
Independent Sports Editor

“We don’t play them next year, do we coach?”

“Heck no, let somebody else play ‘em.” Massillon coach Mike Currence said.

And good luck to whoever does.

For the second time in three weeks the Massillon Tigers came from behind to pull out a hard‑fought victory as they downed Youngstown South 36‑25 Friday night in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

The Warriors’ now 4‑2, have a young team ‑ with four sophomores and only nine seniors starting ‑ but they gave the Tigers all they could handle.

They took a 19‑14 lead early in the fourth quarter, and it took a 22‑point final period by the Tigers to finally subdue them.

South’s 25 points was the most scored by an opposing team in Tiger Stadium since 1969 when Niles beat the Tigers 33‑20. It was the most points scored against the Tigers, period, since 1974 when the Tigers lost 31‑14 at Upper Arlington and 35‑10 at Warren Harding.

The Tigers and Warriors piled up a total of 661 yards ‑ 352 of those by South, all on the ground.

“Those are the finest two backs I’ve seen here in five years,” Currence said of seniors Scott Ivy and Arthur Beck. “And (Kevin) Burkley, he’s a super quarterback for a sophomore.”

Those three Warrior backs did all the running for South, with Ivy gaining 166 yards in 19 carries, Beck picking up 98 in 22 rushed and Burkley finishing with 94 in 19 tries.

But it was a clutch fourth‑quarter effort by the Tiger offense which helped Massillon raise its unbeaten record to 5‑0‑1.

Quarterback Dave Eberhart’s second touchdown of the game gave Massillon a 22‑19 lead, and a pair of TD runs by fullback Don Fulton clinched the game for the Tigers.

Fulton, who had been the starting halfback in preseason before being switched to end to shore up the defense, had an outstanding game.

“He did a great job,” Currence said of the 6‑0, 200‑pound senior. Fulton rushed for 160 yards in 16 carries

Eberhart only gained two yards, but they were big ones ‑ each being a one‑yard sneak for a touchdown. He also hit eight of 10 passes for 70 yards.

He was three‑for‑three for 44 yards in the fourth quarter, with all three passes going for first downs in the Tigers 66‑yard, 13‑play drive that put them ahead to stay.

Eberhart climaxed that drive with a one‑yard TD sneak to put the Tigers ahead 20‑19, then did a great job of scrambling as he ran in the extra points for a threepoint cushion that the Tigers never lost.

The Warriors never gave up, however, and might have pulled out the game had it not been for a crucial fourth‑quarter mistake by Burkley.

with his team trailing 22‑19, Burkley took off on one of his option runs (which had given the Tiger defense fits all night). He gained 10 yards up to the South 44 and had a first down ‑ when he lateralled the ball forward to a teammate. That resulted in a five‑yard penalty from the point of the foul and also incurred a loss of down.

That put South back at its own 39 with a second‑and‑six, and defensive tackle Ed Newman then sacked

Burkley for a seven‑yard loss. Burkley threw an incomplete pass, and then completed a pass for minus-three yards on a fake punt play an fourth down.

Massillon took over at the South 30, And senior Dave Huth had a touchdown run on first down called back by a clipping penalty. He still got credit for a nine‑yard gain on the play, and following an illegal procedure penalty against Massillon, be scampered another 13 to the South 13.

Fulton then carried for four yards, and followed a Todd Kasunick block for nine more yards and a TD on the following play with 3:35 left.

Massillon’s 29‑19 lead shrank 1:09 later when Beck bolted 25 yards for a touchdown on a draw play. Beck was stopped however, on his conversion run attempt and the Tigers led 29‑25.

The Tigers had a close call when South almost pulled off an onside kick, but Massillon managed to come up with the ball at the South 49.

Fulton burst through the line for 47 yards, with Ivy (who also played In the secondary) barely catching him from behind. Fulton carried it in from the two with 1:39 left to seal the victory.

Massillon had opened the scoring in the first quarter by driving 53 yards in eight plays with Eberhart going in from a yard out.

The Tigers stopped South on its ensuing possession, but Mike Spicer fumbled a punt and the Warriors recovered at the Tiger 24. Three plays later they were at the Tiger 14. Ivy broke through the line to the three where he fumbled the ball. It rolled into the end zone and receiver John Collins recovered it for the TD.

The Tigers drove 75 in eight plays in the second quarter with Robert Oliver carrying three yards for the score.

The Tigers appeared to have a 14‑7 halftime lead locked up, but Ivy sped 62 yards for a touchdown on a draw play with just 15 seconds on the clock. Mike Spicer blocked the extra point kick, however, to keep the Tigers in the lead.

South appeared to gain the momentum in the third quarter as they controlled the ball for almost 10 minutes, and then scored early in the final period to take the lead.

But the Tigers had the grit to come back and take control of the game.

“We’ve got great kids,” South coach Bob Stoops said, afterwards. “The pitch forward was the‑key play,” he acknowledged. He refused to fault Burkley, though. “What a great performance the kid had.

“I don’ t know what else to say. We have the greatest kids in the country. We could have won the game and we didn’t.”

South played a fine game, and the Warriors received a good hand from the Tiger fans as they marched off the field.

South controlled the hall to 29:40 with their awesome running attack, while the Tigers had the ball for only 18:20. But, as is always the case, statistics can’t change the numbers on the scoreboard.

One noteworthy statistic for the Tigers is Fulton’s 160 yards. That is the most yards any running back has gained since Currence installed the run‑and‑shoot offense when he came here in 1976.

It is the most yards rushing for a Tiger back since 1975 when Billy Harmon gained 224 in the sixth game of the season against Steubenville.

Nobody wants to remember when the lost time an opposing team rushed for 352 yards against a Tiger defense. And that’s one of the reasons everybody is glad Youngstown South won’t be back next year.

TIGER GRIDSTICK

MASS OPP
First down rushing 11 15
First downs passing 6 0
First downs by penalty 0 2
Total first downs 17 17
Yards gained rushing 256 360
Yards lost rushing 17 8
Net yards gained rushing 239 352
Net yards gained passing 70 0
Total yards gained 309 352
Passes attempted 10 6
Passes completed 8 2
Passes intercepted by 1 1
Yardage on passes intercepted 46 0
Times kicked off 6 5
Kickoff average 47.8 34.0
Kickoff return yardage 75 67
Punts 1 3
Punting average 44.0 36.3
Punt return yardage 8 67
Punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 2 4
Fumbles lost 1 0
Penalties 4 6
Yards penalized 50 40
Touchdowns rushing 5 3
Touchdowns passing 0 1
Touchdowns by interception 0 0
Miscellaneous touchdowns 0 0
Total number of plays 54 64
Total time of possession 18:20 29:40
Attendance 8,617

SOUTH 7 6 0 12 25
MASSILLON 7 7 0 22 36

MASS – Dave Eberhart 1 run (Eberhart kick)
SOUTH – John Collins fumble recovery in end zone (Julius Poole kick)
MASS – Robert Oliver 3 run (Eberhart kick)
SOUTH – Scott Ivy 62 run (kick blocked)
SOUTH – Collins 3 pass from Kevin Burkley (pass fail)
MASS – Eberhart 1 run (Eberhart kick)
MASS – Don Fulton 9 run (Eberhart kick)
SOUTH – Arthur Beck 25 run (run fail)
MASS – Fulton 2 run (Eberhart kick)

1980: Massillon 7, Warren Harding 7

September 26, 1980August 9, 2017
by Eric Smith

Panthers delighted with 7‑7 deadlock
Harding ties Tigers on last‑second TD

By DENNY HIGHBEN
Independent Sports Writer

Football fans and teams aren’t usually happy with a tie, but a lot of people left Warren Harding’s Mollenkopf Stadium Friday night downright happy.

In fact, the Warren coaching staff was deliriously happy with the 7‑7 tie the Panthers came up with against the Tigers.

So were most of the Warren fans.

With just 14 seconds showing on the clock, Panther split end Gary Hughley crossed the goal line, The football was still chilled from streaking 33 yards through the frosty air of a late September night,

What happened next gave Massillon fans reason to heave a sigh of relief, if not smile with Joy.

Panther quarterback Stan O’Day, who had just connected with Hughley for the TD after passing his team out of a hole, lined up to kick the extra point. Warren was going for the tie instead of the win.

But Massillon jumped offsides, and the ball was moved half the distance ‑ just one‑and‑a‑half yards away from victory.

It seemed like everyone in the galaxy took a deep breath at that moment

Would they try for two”

“I promised myself five years ago that if I was ever in that situation I would kick,” a sweating, smiling Bob Wolfe said after it was all over.

“But when Massillon got that penalty, I almost changed my mind.”

Wolfe, Warren’s first‑year coach, didn’t change his mind and O’Day’s kick sailed through the uprights to knot the score.

“I was surprised he didn’t go for it,” Tiger coach Mike Currence said afterwards.

Currence was relieved, like every other Massillonian, that Wolfe didn’t. But his frustration over the course of the game was obvious as he talked in the lockerroom.

We lost so many scoring opportunities I couldn’t believe it,” he said.

In the Warren lockerroom, which was as noisy as Massillon’s was quiet, Wolfe agreed.

“They did a job on us, they outplayed us offensively.

Our defense bent a lot but it didn’t break.

“Against a team with offensive stats like Massillon has, a tie is just like a win,” lie said.

Especially when you tie the score with just 14 seconds left.

As for scoring opportunities, Massillon had ’em but couldn’t use ’em.

The only time the Tigers capitalized on good field position was in the third period, when they started at Warren’s 43. That drive almost stalled too, but quarterback Dave Eberhart hit a key pass to Mike Reese and then avoided an awesome Panther rush to scramble for a first down at the 18. An incompletion and penalty later, however, Massillon faced a third‑and‑17 situation at the 25.

Eberhart made a beautiful play‑action fake, rolled to his right and tossed a bulls‑eye strike to Jeff Elliot who crossed the goal line with 2:48 left in the third quarter, Eberhart kicked the extra point and made it 7‑0.

The game started like the Tiger offense would roll, but that quickly changed.

On the third play after receiving the kickoff, Eberhart flipped a textbook screen pass to Bob James. James, a defensive tackle who was returned to his old position of fullback to add some beef to the backfield, rumbled downfield to turn the play into a 54‑yard gain before he was dragged down at Warren’s five.

Before the Tigers could run a play, they were penalized five yards for delay of game. But in two running plays, halfback Mike Jones had the ball on Warren’s one. The proud Panther defense, which had not given up a touchdown in four games, stiffened and tackled James for a yard loss on third down and held Jones for no gain on fourth down.

The Tiger defense, minus two starters, stopped Warren on the Panthers first possession ‑ and every possession afterwards with that frustrating single exception, Junior William Askew started at tackle in place of James and junior Bob Yoder started at linebacker in place of Tim Manion, who missed practice all week because of illness.

Massillon’s defense and Warren’s offense gave the Tigers the ball inside the Panther 40 five times in the first half. but Massillon couldn’t score.

“We still have too many breakdowns,” Currence said. “it wouldn’t be so bad if we hadn’t got past midfield most of the night, but we did. We should have won ”

The Tigers recovered four fumbles and intercepted a pass, all but one of the turnovers coming in the first half. One of the fumbles came on a muffed pitch out by fullback Wait Campbell, and the others were courtesy of the hard‑hitting Tiger D. Linebacker John Mayles and Askew were on the spot to get the ball on the first fumble, then Mayles recovered the second one after Campbell was gang‑tackled going through the middle.

The interception came in the second quarter when middle guard Jeff Grove hit O’Day as he tried to pass and Askew picked off the ball. Near the end of the half Massillon halfback Dave Huth fumbled at Warren’s 23 and the Panthers got the ball, but two plays later Campbell fumbled again and Yoder recovered. The Tigers drove downfield as time ticked away, but at the Warren five a mishandled snap resulted in a pile up that wasn’t cleared away until a scant few seconds remained.

Eberhart managed to get a snap as the last second disappeared but his scrambling pass near the goal line fell incomplete.

The Panther defense kept the pressure on Eberhart all night and he finished the night hitting on just 11of 28 of passes, for 178 yards and a TD.

“They were quick,” Currence noted. “They stayed with their basic defense but it wouldn’t have mattered what they did because they are good up front. They are quick and their reaction to the ball is good.”

The Tigers got the ball four times in the second half before Warren scored, and maintained possession for huge hunks of time and yardage ‑ but could still only score once. The Panthers had just 15 offensive plays in the second half ‑ until the dramatic march with 2:48 left that started at their own 16.

The Tigers stalled at Warren’s 10 on their first possession of the second half, scored on the next possession, and then drove out of trouble from their 13 and 15 on the next two.

O’Day proved he could throw under pressure in that final drive, hitting seven of 14 attempts, including two fourth‑down passes that were caught by junior end Darnell Robertson. The Tiger defense sacked O’Day once during the drive and came close several other times, but the Warren line kept the Tigers off his back when necessary.

After the score, George Roknich took the kickoff at his 17 and ran it out to the 37. With nine seconds left, Eberhart managed to get two passes off but both were incomplete.

“It’s ironic,” Wolfe said after the game. “I thought a lot about a situation like that all week.

“I was in that situation in previous coaching jobs, and five times I went for the win instead of the tie, I was zero‑for‑five. Now I’m one‑for‑six.

“At our Touchdown Club this week, some of the fans asked if, in this kind of situation, I would go for two or kick. When I said I would kick, about half of them booed,” Wolfe concluded with a grin.

Those fans weren’t booing Friday night.

TIGER GRIDSTICK
MASS OPP
First downs rushing 5 5
First downs passing 8 4
First downs by penalty 2 1
Total first downs 20 10
Yards gained rushing 119 174
Yards lost rushing 25 29
Net yards gained rushing 94 145
Net yards gained passing 204 57
Total yards gained 298 202
Passes attempted 31 17
Passes completed 12 7
Passes intercepted by 1 0
Yardage on passes intercepted 0 0
Times kicked off 2 2
Kickoff average 46.5 34.5
Kickoff return yardage 44 37
Punts 5 6
Punting average 27.6 27.8
Punt return yardage 19 17
Punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 2 5
Fumbles lost 1 4
Penalties 7 4
Yards penalized 52 40
Touchdowns rushing 0 0
Touchdowns passing 1 1
Touchdowns by interception 0 0
Miscellaneous touchdowns 0 0
Total number of plays 67 51
Total time of possession 26 14 21:46
Attendance

MASSILLON 0 0 7 0 ‑ 7
HARDING 0 0 0 7 ‑ 7

MASS ‑ Jeff Elliott 25‑yard pass from Dave Eberhart (Eberhart kick)
WH – Gary Hughley 33 pass from Stan O’Day (O’Day kick)

1980: Massillon 22, Akron Garfield 21

September 19, 1980August 9, 2017
by Eric Smith

Eberhart’s field goal beats Rams 22‑21
As Tigers spoil dramatc Garfield comeback

By ROLLIE DREUSSI
“Independent Sports Editor

Bill McGee’s disappointment couldn’t hide his smile.

His Garfield Golden Rams had just stormed back from a 19‑0 halftime deficit to have the Massillon Tigers on the ropes at 21‑19 in the fourth quarter.

But, as it so often seems to happen in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, Massillon pulled out the victory ‑ 22‑21 on a 25‑yard field goal by Dave Eberhart with 3:39 to go in the game.

It was a wild Friday night in Tiger Stadium, and while McGee will spend a great deal of time thinking about what might have been, he and his Rams can hold their heads high.

The Rams turned in such a fine effort ‑ they dominated most of the statistics ‑ that they received a standing ovation from the 10,739 fans as they headed for their dressing room.

“You don’t hear that too much in Massillon,” McGee said.

The fans did a lot of whooping and hollering for the home team, too. Especially after the Rams took a 21‑19 lead with 10:27 to go in the game on a 33‑yard pass from Rick Carpenter to Willie Davis.

That touchdown climaxed a dramatic Garfield comeback which saw them drive for touchdowns the first three times they got the ball in the second half,

Things were looking dim for the Tigers when they were forced to punt the ball away with 7:54 to go in the game.

The Rams had unleashed a devastating ground game in the second half and were looking to ram home another score to clinch the game.

That’s when the Tiger defense ‑ which had set up two of the team’s three first‑half touchdowns on interceptions ‑ turned out the lights.

Paul Spinden recovered a Ram fumble at the Garfield 24, and eight plays later Eberhart lofted a high, spinning field goal that barely cleared the crossbar. The Tiger defense came back and held again and that was the ball game.

“That was a hell of a ball team,” a relieved Tiger coach Mike Currence said of the Rams afterwards. “It was a big win. I think they were really better than us up front. They handled us physically.

“But Dave Eberhart is a winner. When everybody else was flat and down, he was the one kid on the field who thought we could go down the field and win it. Dave and Jeff Elliott (who had several clutch pass receptions in crucial situations).

“We didn’t deserve to win the game. It was not a team effort. We deserved to win it because of three or four guys, and that was it,” Currence said.

McGee, meanwhile, had mixed emotions.

“The reason I’m upset is we made a lot of mistakes on the field, but I made the crucial one by not going for the two points.”

McGee was speaking of the Rams extra point kick after their third touchdown. Bryan Sparks converted his third straight extra point to give Garfield a 21‑19 lead. However, had the Rams attempted to go for the two points, they would have had either a 22‑19 lead (if successful), or a 20‑19 lead (if unsuccessful).

“I didn’t want to take a timeout at that point, but we should have taken it and gone for two. We may not have made it and lost anyway, but we should have tried.

“I feet bad,” McGee said, “because our players gave 100 percent. They came down and played a great game against a great team in what I think is the greatest football town around, and I kind of feel like I let them down.”

Currence wasn’t so critical of the decision. He said that if the. Rams’ had a three‑point lead, he would have opted to go for the touchdown when the Tigers faced a fourth‑and‑two at the Garfield three yard line just before the field goal attempt.

Currence also noted that McGee pulled a fast one at the start of the second half. He said the Rams played a stack defense throughout the first half, and the Tiger offense made blocking adjustments at halftime to come out and attack that defense. McGee, however, switched defenses, the Tigers missed their blocks and the momentum shifted back to Garfield.

Besides Eberhart’s gritty performance ‑ he was 12 of 19 for 125 yards and two touchdowns and also scored the other Tiger TD ‑ Currence said the play of the defense made the difference.

“You have to give our defense a lot of credit in the first half for coming up with the big play. How do you think St. Vincent beat them (two weeks ago in Garfield’s season opener)? They beat them with the big play,” he said.

It looked at first like Garfield was going to be the big play team, as Greg Wimley took the opening kickoff and raced 95 yards to the end zone. An illegal block back at the Ram 22 yard line nullified the play, however, and Garfield started from its own 11.

They drove out to the 31, and on third‑and‑six, Carpenter’s pass over the middle was picked off by junior linebacker Tim Manion at the 37 and returned to the 16.

Five plays later Eberhart found Elliott open over the middle for a touchdown with 7:22 to go in the quarter. Elliott had come into the game following the preceding play, in which the Tigers’ leading receiver . Mike Feller ‑ was injured. He dove for a halfback pass from Mike Jones, but the pass was a little long and he was racked up into the fence behind the end zone. He walked off the field, but only returned to the game to hold, placements for Eberhart, who added the point after to make it 7‑0.

The Rams took the ensuing kickoff and drove to a first down at their own 35 yard line. Carpenter threw deep for Kevin Talley, who Was open down the right sideline, but just missed connections.

On the next play, a pass to Talley glanced off the senior receiver’s fingertips and into the waiting arms of Tiger safety Mike Spicer at the 47. He returned it to the 19, and six plays later Eberhart hit Mike Reese with a six–yard scoring pass that caromed off the fingers of Jones. Eberhart’s kick was blocked and the Tigers led 13-0 with 1:59 to go in the first quarter.

Manion’s kickoff sailed into the end zone and Garfield started from its own 20. The Rams drove to a pair of first downs and reached the Massillon 28. Tackle Ed Newman sacked Carpenter for a six‑yard loss on second down, and following an incomplete pass Joe Cook punted the ball into the end zone.

The Tigers then marched 80 yards in 17 plays, with Eberhart going the final yard on sneak over right guard. But it was a costly mistake by the Rams that led to the Tigers’ 19‑0 lead.

After taking over at the 20, Eberhart’s third‑down pass to Jones was incomplete. Eberhart punted from his own 24, but before his punt came down, a yellow officials flag hit the turf.

Garfield was guilty of an illegal substitution, and the Tigers had new life and a first down at their own 39.

The 8:02 drive almost stalled again several times, On third‑and‑six from his own 43, Eberhart completed a 14‑yard pass to Elliott, who had slipped to the turf but got up and leaped high in the air to pull down the ball at the Ram 43.

Three plays later it was third‑and‑16, and Eberhart rolled left and fired over the middle where junior halfback Robert Oliver made a leaping grab for a first down at the Ram 32.

Four plays later, it was fourth‑and‑two at the Garfield 24. Eberhart hit a quick look‑in to Reese who was cutting across from the left. The play netted seven yards and first down at the 17.

Eberhart went right back over the middle, to Oliver, for 14 yards and a first‑and‑goal at the three. Three plays later Eberhart scored with 1:55 left in the half.

Garfield drove into Tiger territory, but Jeff Spicer intercepted a pass as the half ended.

Garfield then came out and forced the Tigers to punt three straight times, and each time drove the ball to the end zone. Drives of 47, 37 and 72 yards gave the Rams a 21‑19 lead and roused the Tiger faithful from their state of shock.

Garfield’s first score came when Gills ran three yards with 7:17 to go in the third quarter.

The Rams then got the ball at their own 37, and Cosey roared through a big hole for 36 yards to the Tiger 27. On fourth‑and‑one from the 18, Carpenter faked to Gills up the middle and handed to the speedy Wimley going off left tackle. The play faked out the Tigers and Wimley sped 18 yards to paydirt as the Tiger lead shrank to 19‑14.

Garfield took over at its own 28 and picked up a couple of first downs rushing. A face mask penalty against, Massillon at midfield gave the Rams a first down at the Tiger 33. Carpenter went to the air and found Davis wide open for the go‑ahead TD with 10:27 to go in the game. Sparks kicked the extra point ‑when most of the fans were expecting a try for the two points ‑ and Garfield was leading 21‑19.

The Tigers took over at their own 27, picked up a first down, then got bogged down at their own 40. Eberhart punted and Garfield took over at its own 23 with 7:54 left.

The Rams had the momentum, but linebacker John Mayles blitzed through on first down to nail Cosey for a five‑yard loss. Gills picked up six on second down, but on third‑and‑11 Gills was nailed at the line of scrimmage and Spinden recovered his fumble for the Tigers at the 24 with 6:31 remaining in the game.

Jones gained a yard, and the crowd gasped as Oliver fumbled the ball, but quickly covered it at the 25 on second down, Eberhart found Reese but the senior couldn’t hang onto the ball.

On fourth‑and‑11 and defeat staring the Tigers straight in the eye, Eberhart coolly fired a 14‑yard pass to Elliott, who came up with the ball at the 11 despite being surrounded by Ram defenders.

Vic Pirnik batted down Eberhart’s pass on first down, and the Tiger QB lost a yard when he was forced to scramble on second down.

On third‑and‑16, he found Elliott at the three, and the senior came up with another clutch catch.

The Tigers faced fourth‑and-two. Currence decided to go for the three points, but the Tigers intentionally took a delay of game penalty to get a better angle on the field goal try since the ball rested on the right hash mark.

With Feller holding at the 15, every heart in Tiger Stadium stopped as Eberhart got a little under the kick and it floated toward the goal posts. The high blooper had just enough “legs” to clear the crossbar and give the Tigers the lead with 3:39 to play.

Garfield refused to quit, however, and drove to a first down at their own 48. Following an incomplete pass, Winley almost broke away, but a fine open‑field tackle by defensive back Mike Loretto held him to a five‑yard gain.

Newman and Bob James then teamed up to sack Carpenter for a nine yard loss, and on fourth‑and‑14 from the Ram 44 Newman flushed Carpenter from the pocket and he and Loretto stopped him after a two yard gain.

‘The Tigers ran out the clock as Eberhart picked up a first down on a roll‑out.

Eberhart proved to be a pain to the Rams all night, and McGee was duly impressed with his performance.

“We’ve got a lot of good quarterbacks around Akron, but I’ve never seen anybody throw the ball better than Eberhart. He was right on the money. And their receivers made some fantastic catches. We had people there, but their guys just made great catches. ”

McGee shook his head, but he still couldn’t shake his smile. And he couldn’t hide his pride as fan after fan filed past to tell‑him his team played a great game.

TIGER GRIDSTICK

MASS OPP
First downs rushing 4 9
First downs passing 6 4
First downs by penalty 1 2
Total first downs 11 15
Yards gained rushing 87 194
Yards lost rushing 24 22
Net yards gained rushing 63 172
Net yards gained passing 125 95
Total yards gained 188 267
Passes attempted 20 18
Passes completed 12 9
Passes intercepted by 3 0
Yardage on passes intercepted 52 0
Times kicked off 5 4
Kickoff average 55.2 51.0
Kickoff return yardage 75 30
Punts 4 1
Punting average 30.6 34.0
Punt return yardage 37 3
Punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 2 3
Fumbles lost 0 1
Penalties 10 2
Yards penalized 80 26
Touchdowns rushing 1 2
Touchdowns passing 2 1
Touchdowns by interception 0 0
Miscellaneous touchdowns 0 0
Total number of plays 58 55
Total time of possession 27:22 20:38
Attendance 10,739

GARFIELD 0 0 14 7 ‑ 21
MASSILLON 13 6 0 3 ‑ 22

MASS ‑ Jeff Elliott 10 pass from Dave Eberhart (Eberhart kick)
MASS ‑ Mike Reese 6 pass from Eberhart (kick failed)
MASS ‑ Eberhart 1 run (pass failed)
GAR ‑ Larry Gills 3 run (Bryan Sparks kick)
GAR ‑ Greg Wimley 18 run (Sparks kick)
GAR ‑ Willie Davis 33 pass from Rick Carpenter (Sparks kick)
MASS ‑ FG 25 Eberhart

Late boot
saves Tigers from upset

MASSILLON ‑ Quarterback Dave Eberhart had a big night passing, but it was the senior’s foot that kept the Massillon Tigers from a stunning upset at Paul Brown Stadium Friday night.

The Tigers were trailing the Akron Garfield Rams 21‑19 until Eberhart kicked a 25‑yard field goal with 3:39 left in the game after the Rams had overcome a 19‑0 Massillon lead at the intermission.

Eberhart’s boot gave Massillon a thrilling 22‑21 triumph, the fourth victory in a row for the unbeaten, untied Tigers, who entered the game ranked second in the Ohio Associated Press Class AAA poll. The 1‑2 Rams were unranked.

Ram Coach Bill McGee said he made a crucial mistake by not going for two points after the last touchdown.

Massillon Coach Bill Currence praised the visitors and called it a “big win.”

Massillon scored two touchdowns in the first quarter after pass interceptions.

After a theft by Tim Manion, Eberhart passed 10 yards to Jeff Elliott for the six points, and Eberhart converted successfully. After another theft by Mike Spicer, Eberhart passed six yards to Mike Reese for a score.

An 80-yard, 17‑play drive in the second quarter was climaxed by Eberhart himself with a I‑yard scoring dash.

Garfield came back with vengeance in the second half, scoring on its first three possessions. Larry Gillis, who had 88 yards rushing in 19 carries, scored on a three‑yard run, Greg Wimley on an 18‑yard run and Willie Davis on a 33‑yard pass from Rick Carpenter.

Massillon’s winning field goal came after the Tigers’ Paul Spinden covered a Garfield fumble on the Rams’ 24.

Eberhart completed 12 of 19 passes for 125 yards.

The Tigers led in possession time 27:22 ‑ 20:38, but Garfield was ahead in first downs 15‑11.

The Rams led in rushing yardage 172‑63 because of an122‑yard second half. Massillon gained 78 yards through the air in the first half and led in yards via the pass 125‑95.

The Tigers completed 12 of 20 passes, covered their two fumbles and were penalized 10 times for 80 yards. Garfield connected on 9 of 18 passes with three intercepted, the Rams lost one of three fumbles and they drew two penalties for 26 yards.

1980: Massillon 30, Mentor 14

September 12, 1980August 9, 2017
by Eric Smith

But fullback Grimsley injures knee
James’ return keys Tigers’ 30-14 win

By Rollie Dreussi
Independent Sports Editor

“You can label this one the return of James Boys,” Massillon coach Mike Currence said after the Tigers defeated Mentor Friday night before 10,534 fans in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

“The defense did the job tonight. The Tigers became hungry forthefirsttime this year,” he added.

Currence was speaking of the effect the return of tackle Bob James had on his defensive unit, which allowed the Cardinals only two first downs through the first three quarters as the Tigers rolled to a 30‑0 lead before sending in the subs.

A week ago, James was in the hospital with a viral infection . He returned to practice early in the week and was still a questionable starter as of Thursday.

But he was in the trenches when the game started, and the Massillon defense responded to his return with its most impressive showing of the season.

The offense, meanwhile, showcased a devastating running game which was complemented by some big plays by quarterback Dave Eberhart.

The senior signal caller hit one of his first two passes, then whipped his next three tosses for touchdowns the first for 18 yards to Mike Reese, the second for 40 yards to Mike Feller and the third for seven yards to Mike Jones.

That gave the Tigers a 20‑0 first‑quarter lead, and Jone‑ scored on a four‑yard run in the second quarter to give Massillon a 27‑0 halftime lead. Eberhart added a 28‑yard field goal in the third quarter to complete the scoring.

He finished with six completions in 11 attempts for 112 yards and three touchdowns, and a couple of his passes were dropped. Jones led the rushing attack with 68 yards on 13 carries.

But the Tiger offense suffered a severe blow in the second quarter when fullback Greg Grimsley limped off the field after a three‑yard run. Currence said he suffered possible torn ligaments in his left knee, and may be lost for the season.

His knee was to be checked today to determine how serious the injury is.

“We lost a big gun tonight,” Currence admitted. “He makes the offense go.”

Mentor coach Tom Frazier, when informed of Grmnsley’s injury, said: “That’s a shame. One of things which I thought made them better this year was having the big, strong fullback. He’s an exceptional

Frazier, whose team lost to the Tigers 28‑0 last season, said he thought this year’s team is better than 1979’s state playoff squad.

“They are a much more physical team defensively this year than they were last season,” he said. “Maybe it was a combination of them playing exceptionally well on defense and us playing poorly on the offensive line.

“I’m really disappointed. We knew we would have

trouble with their speed, but I’m real disappointed with the way their offensive line blew us out.”

Of his own team, which had seven starters returning oil defense and several more on offense, Frazier said: “Right now, I don’t know where we stand as a football team. we have problems in some areas, and we’re going to have to make improvements to be successful.”

The Cardinals take on Greater Cleveland Conference foe Euclid next weekend, and may have to do so without starting quarterback Shawn Palmer, who injured his back. Palmer was sacked several times by the Tiger defense, and had to throw most of his passes from the “horizontal parade rest” position. The fierce Tiger pass rush got to him even when he was able to get the pass off.

“Both our tackles did a good job tonight,” Tiger defensive coordinator Jim Letcavits said of James and Ed Newman, who sacked Palmer and recovered at the Mentor seven yard line to set up Massillon’s third score.

‑We had the good rush on the passer which we didn’t have before,” Letcavits added.

Currence said: “The name of the game for us is defense. If it can get the ball for us, we’re going to put points on the board. They did it and we’re proud of them. ”

Currence said he also liked the job his offensive line did, and noted that he felt the Tigers controlled the line of scrimmage both defensively and offensively.

With Grimsley possibly lost for the season, the possibility of switching James back to fullback was brought up. James played that position until late last season, when he was switched to the defensive line.

6’The question is, can we afford to move Bob James to fullback. We’ll have to answer that this week. He means an awful lot to out, defense. ” Currence said.

The regular backup fullback, junior Michael Moore, is out with a bruised thigh and probably won’t be ready for action by next Friday, when the Tigers will host Akroyi Garfield.

Currence said junior George Roknich, who filled in for Grimsley last night, will probably get the call there. Also, senior Dave Huth got the starting nod at halfback against Mentor because of an illness to junior Robert Oliver, who started the first two games. Oliver is expected to be ready next weekend.

With the Tiger defense stifling Mentor’s offense, Massillon had little trouble getting on the board early.

Following a punt by the Cardinals on their first possession, the Tigers drove 59 yards in nine plays for their first score. Eberhart found Reese open in the left corner of the end zone from 18 vards out with 6 31 to play in the first quarter. Eberhart’s conversion kick made it 7‑0.

Mentor punted again, and Newman recovered a fumble by Tiger kick returner Paul Turner at the Massillon 27 yard line. A clipping penalty pushed the Tigers back to their own 13.

Seven running plays moved the ball to the Mentor 40. On second‑and‑four, Eberhart used a play‑action fake to freeze the Cardinal defense, and hit the wide‑open Feller down the right sideline for a touchdown, Eberhart’s PAT kick made it 14‑0 with 1:21 to play in the quarter.

On the Cardinals’ first play from their own 18 yard 1 me. Palmer dropped back to pass. He was rushed hard by Newman and defensive end Don Fulton. It appeared that Newman batted down Palmer’s pass, but the officials ruled it a fumble, and Newman came up with it at the Cardinals’ seven yard line.

One Eberhart to Jones pass later it was 20‑0 with seven seconds still showing on the clock. Eberhart’s point‑after kick missed.

Mentor took the ensuing kickoff, and Palmer finally completed a 13‑yard pass to Mark Gartland for the Cardinals initial first down.

Middle guard Jeff Grove sacked Palmer on the next third‑down play, however, and1he Cards punted again.

The Tigers looked like they were going to get another long touchdown when Eberhart ‑ from the Mentor 42 ‑ threw long to Jones. The ball bounced off Jones’ shoulder pad, though, and fell incomplete. Two plays later the Tigers punted, and Palmer was then intercepted by junior linebacker Tim Manion at the Mentor 30 yard line.

Grimsley ran seven yards, then took a pitchout to the right and came close to a first down. He came up limping and hobbled off the field.

Eberhart threw an incomplete pass on third‑and-inches, then ran four yards for a first down. Three plays later Jones took it in from the four. Eberhart’s kick made it 27‑0 with 3:39 left in the half.

Following an exchange of punts at the beginning of the third quarter, the Tigers put together a drive that carried from their own 28 to the Mentor five yard line.

On fourth‑and‑five, the Tigers were penalized for delay of game, and Eberhart booted a 28‑yard field goal with 1:13 left in the quarter.

With the Tiger subs in the game, the Cardinals finally got their offense going. On first‑and‑10 from their own 44 yard line, Palmer found Lenny Weber open down the middle with a 56‑yard touchdown pass. The extra point kick was blocked, and the Tigers led 30‑6 with 7:20 to go in the game.

The Tigers recovered the Cardinals’ ensuing onside kick when George Nikitenko came up with the ball at his own 47. Steve Trivisonno stopped the Tigers’ drive, however, when he intercepted a Rick Spielman pass at his own 31 yard line.

With Trivisonno taking over at quarterback, Mentor drove into Tiger territory. On fourth‑and‑24 from the Massillon 34, Trivisonno hit Weber with a 34‑yard touchdown pass with 1:42 to go in the game. On a fake kick attempt, Palmer passed to Scott Ockington for the extra points.

Mentor’s Mike Caldwell recovered an onside kick at the Tiger 49, but four straight incompletions squelched the Cardinals’ final threat.

Massillon is now 3‑0 on the season while Mentor falls to 1‑2.

Statistically, Eberhart was the offensive key for the Tigers, rushing for 60 yards in eight carries in addition to his 112 yards passing. Reese was the top Tiger receiver, catching three passes for 60 yards. Grimsley finished with 30 yards in six carries and Roknich had 18 yards in four carries.

FINAL STATISTICS
MASS. OPP.
First downs‑rushing 11 3
First downs-passing 5 4
First downs‑penalties 1 0
Total first downs 17 7
Yards gained rushing 221 88
Yards lost rushing 0 56
Net Yds. gained rushing 221 32
Net yds. gained passing 132 132
Total yards gained 353 164
Passes attempted 19 15
Passes completed 7 4
Passes intercepted by 1 0
Ydg. on passes intercepted 0 0
Times kicked off 6 3
Kickoff average (ydg.) 48.5 24.0
Kickoff returns (yds.) 21 63
Times punted 3 6
Punt average (yds.) 37.3 37.5
Punt returns (yds.) 26 0
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 5 1
Lost fumbled ball 2 1
Penalties 10 5
Yards penalized 89 41
Touchdowns rushing 1 0
Touchdowns passing 3 2
Touchdowns by interception 0 0
Miscellaneous touchdowns 0 0
Total number of plays 62 46
Total time
of possession 27:06 20:54

MENTOR 0 0 0 14 ‑ 14
MASSILLON 20 7 3 0 ‑ 30

MASS ‑ Mike Reese 18 pass from Dave Eberhart (Eberhart kick)
MASS ‑ Mike Feller 40 pass from Eberhart (Eberhart kick)
MASS – Mike Jones 7 pass from Eberhart (Eberhart kick)
MASS ‑ Jones 4 run (Eberhart kick)
MASS ‑ FG 28 Eberhart
MENT ‑ Lenny Weber 56 pass from Shawn Palmer (kick fail)
MENT – Weber 34 pass from Steve Trivisonno (Scott Ockington pass from Palmer)

Attendance 10,534

1980: Massillon 54, Cleveland JFK 0

September 5, 1980August 9, 2017
by Eric Smith

Outmanned Kennedy 54-0 victim
Eberhart, Jones spark Tiger stampede

By ROLLIE DREUSSI
Independent Sports Editor

Quarterback Dave Eberhart and halfback Mike ones turned in sparkling individual performances to counter some sloppy team play as the Massillon Tigers team rolled Cleveland John F. Kennedy 54‑0 Friday night.

The two seniors accounted for four of the Tigers’ first five touchdowns as 10,250 fans in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium watched the outmanned Eagles fall apart under the onslaught.

Eberhart completed 8‑of‑12 passes for 162 yards and two scores. One of those TD tosses was to Jones, who also added two touchdowns rushing, He finished with 56 yards rushing on six carries and caught three passes for, 93 yards.

The Tigers scored two touchdowns in each quarter, and were aided by three Eagle turnovers, each of which led to a Massillon score.

Despite the lopsided score, Tiger head coach Mike Currence was a little disappointed.

“I thought we were going to be sharp, but we weren’t sharp,” he said. “We worked to be sharp, but we weren’t sharp.

The Tigers had a number of illegal procedure penalties for the second straight week, and finished the game with eight penalties for 69 yards.

“It’s just complacency on our part,” he explained. “It’s a lack of concentration. We were thinking more about ourselves than executing as a team. We had some great individual efforts that pulled us out of some bad mistakes. That’s the way it went all night.

“As long as I’ve been in this business, when you play someone sloppy you play sloppy yourself,” he added.

The Tigers started off sloppy by receiving the opening kickoff and promptly fumbling on the first play from scrimmage on a run by Greg Grimsley.

The Tiger defense stopped the Eagles on downs at the Massillon 29, and on third‑and‑13 Eberhart threw deep down the left sideline to Jones, who took the ball at the Kennedy 35 and raced into the end zone to complete a 74‑yard pass play. Eberhart’s extra point kick made it 7‑0 with 8:45 to play in the quarter,

The Tigers found themselves right back on often‑when Doug Bachus recovered a Kennedy fumble on the kickoff at the Eagle 20. Following a three‑yard run by Grimsley and an illegal procedure penalty, Eberhart threw 22 yards to Mike Feller for a score. Eberhart’s PAT boot made it 14‑0 with 7:36 left in the first quarter.

Following a clipping penalty on a punt return. the Tigers took over the ball later in the quarter at their own nine yard line.

Jones six-yard run capped a 91‑yard, 14‑play drive just 32 seconds into the second quarter, and Eberhart’s kick made it 21‑0. Eberhart hit three of five passes in the drive – including a 14‑yard pass to Jones for a first down on a fourth-down play ‑ and also ran 11 yards for a first down on another fourth-down play, Jones also had a 27‑yard run in which he used a couple of good moves to break open, but was dragged down from behind by Dave Nelson, and Eagle speedster who played a fine game.

Paul Turner intercepted a pass from Eagle quarterback Jason Stevens and returned it 50 yards to the Kennedy 18.

Eberhart hit Feller with a 16‑yard pass and Grimsley hulled over from the two to make it 27‑0 with 1: 34 left in the half.

The Tigers forced the Eagles to punt at the start of the third quarter, then marched 51 yards in six plays for a score. Jones showed great balance in breaking through the Eagle defense on a 12‑yard run, and got a key block from wide receiver Grady Robinson. Eberhart’s kick made it 34‑0. Junior halfback Robert Oliver caught a 16‑yard pass from Eberhart and also had a seven‑yard run in the drive.

Greg Radtka then kicked off and ended up recovering an Eagle fumble at the Kennedy 43 yard line. Eight plays later George Roknich (who switched from jersey number 24 to 30 when his regular number was ripped from his back on a tackle) took it in from the one. Massillon led 40‑0 with 3:04 left in the third quarter.

Following a Kennedy punt, junior Rick Spielman scrambled from the pocket on second‑and‑13 at his own 30 and lofted a perfectly thrown pass to speedy senior Dave Huth, who took the ball on the Eagle 40 and was finally dragged down three yards short of the end zone. Two plays later he scored from the one yard line, Radtka’s kick made it 47‑0 with 6:33 to play.

For the third time in the game, the Tigers recovered a fumble on the kickoff when Archie Campbell came up with the ball at the Eagle 36.

Four plays later, Spielman ran a keeper around right end and sped down the sideline for a touchdown. Radtka’s PAT boot finished the scoring at 54‑0, with 4:00 minutes to play.

“It was a fun night for the players,” Currence said. “But we won’t have too many more nights like that ‑ where we can make mistakes and still score.”

Eagle coach Roye Kidd was very disappointed in his team’s performance, noting that some defensive mistakes and the four turnovers were fatal.

“Our kids didn’t quit, though,” he said. “I was pleased with the effort of the kids, They didn’t give up, even though they made some critical mistakes.”

Kennedy, which a couple of years ago was known for having one of the better football programs among the Cleveland public schools, has been greatly hampered by the school system’s busing program.

Most of the Eagles players were transferred to John Marshall. Kidd said of 52 players on last season’s junior varsity team, only 13 remained at Kennedy. Also, only 23 of 42 varsity players returned this fall. Classes at the school won’t start until the end of this month, or later, because of preparations necessary to implement the desegregation program.

Kidd had only two starters back ‑ number 75 Wayne Grant and number 77 Andre Smith ‑ and those two players, along with number 80 Nelson, played fine games.

Some of the Tigers’ opponents didn’t play too fine, as three teams lost and three won in action Friday night.

Akron Garfield lost to St. Vincent 20‑17, Perry lost 10‑7 to Louisville and Barberton lost 3‑0 to Cuyahoga’ Falls. Padua blanked Parma Senior 28‑0, Harding blasted Toledo Scott 40‑0 and Youngstown South ripped Erie (Pa) Tech 28‑0.

FINAL STATISTICS
MASS OPP
First downs-rushing 12 3
First downs-passing 8 0
First downs-penalties 0 1
Total first downs 20 4
Yards gained rushing 213 106
Yards lost rushing 15 24
Net yds. gained rushing 198 82
Net yds. gained passing 261 2
Total yards gained 459 84
Passes attempted 20 9
Passes completed 13 1
Passes intercepted by 1 0
Ydg. on passes intercepted 50 0
Times kicked off 9 1
Kickoff average (ydg.) 44.6 48.0
Kickoff returns (yds.) 11 100
Times punted 1 3
Punt average (yds.) 33.0 42.0
Punt returns (yds.) 2 44
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 2 3
Lost fumbled ball 1 2
Penalties 8 5
Yards penalize 69 29
Touchdowns rushing 6 0
Touchdowns passing 2 0
Touchdowns by interception 0 0
Miscellaneous touchdowns 0 0
Total number of plays 61 34
Total time of possession 28:31 19:29
Attendance 10,250

KENNEDY 0 0 0 0 – 0
MASSILLON 14 13 13 14 – 54

MASS ‑ Mike Jones 74‑yard pass from Dave Eberhart (Eberhart kick);
MASS ‑ Mike Feller 22‑yard pass from Eberhart (Eberhart kick);
MASS ‑ Jones 6 yard run (Eberhart kick);
MASS ‑ Greg Grimsley 2‑yard run (kick fail);
MASS ‑ Jones 12‑yard run (Eberhart kick);
MASS ‑ George Roknich 1‑yard run (kick fail);
MASS ‑ Dave Huth 1‑yard run (Greg Radtka kick);
MASS ‑ Rick Spielman 24‑yard run (Radtka kick).

1980: Massillon 30, Massillon Perry 13

August 29, 1980August 9, 2017
by Eric Smith

Two quick TDs pave way to 30-13 win
Tigers strike early to defeat Panthers

BY ROLLIE DREUSSI
Independent Sports Editor

By the time Greg Grimsley knew what hit him, Mike Jones was beading for the end zone.

And by the time Mike Loretto knew what he had in his hands, the Massillon Tigers were off to the races.

It was another one of those season opening games for the Perry Panthers as the Tigers took advantage of the breaks to score a 30‑13 win before 16,333 fans on a hot and humid night in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Not that the game wasn’t close, mind you, but its pretty hard to battle back when you spot the opposing learn two touchdowns in the first three minutes of the game.

The Panthers – who always come into Tiger Stadium hitting everybody in sight ‑ battled their way back into the game, but the Tigers always came up with the plays they needed to stay ahead.

The Tigers took the opening kickoff, and on the first play faked the hall to Grimsley. The big senior fullback is a transfer from Perry and his former teammates racked him up hard at the line.

But the bail went to Jones on a trap, and one block and a move later he was scampering 64 yards for the first of his two touchdowns. Dave Eberhart’s extra point kick gave Massillon a 7‑0 lead before all the fans were in their seats.

The Panthers kept their cool, however, and started driving from their own 35 after the ensuing kickoff. They churned out a first down before the drive bogged down and they faced a third‑and‑eight on the Massillon 48.

Quarterback Dave Fach lobbed a screen pass into the right flat, but threw it too high, and another Perry transfer ‑ Loretto raced in from his defensive back position, jumped up and tipped the hall away from a crowd of Perry players and found it in his arms when he came down. He raced 48 yards untouched for a touchdown with 9:05 left in the first quarter and the Tigers led 13‑0.

“We worked on that play,” Tiger coach Mike Currence said of Jones’ TD scamper, “We knew they’d be keying on Grimsley, so we faked it to him and went to Jonesy.”

Perry coach Joe Demaree had another explanation.

“We expected them to do exactly what they did. But they knocked down our monster back and our safety fell down (as Jones cut back to the inside after bursting through the line).”

Neither coach could explain Loretto’s interception.

“Those crazy bounces and tips are going in happen, but you don’t expect them back to back,” was all Demaree could say.

While those two plays determined the course of the game, the Panthers took advantage of a Massillon let down in the second quarter to put themselves back in striking distance.

Following a 31‑yard field goal by Eberhart just before the end of the first quarter, the Panthers got their act together.

They opened the second period with a 64‑yard, 11-play drive climaxed by a three‑yard touchdown run by Monty Wise with 6:51 left to go in the half. Ed Bartholomew’s kick made it 16‑7, and it took a third‑down sack by the Tigers on Perry’s next possession to allow the Tigers to hold that lead until halftime.

“We got the two big plays and of course at that point we started falling apart and making mistakes,” Currence said.

“Perry’s come of age,” he said. “They just came down the field and controlled the ball on us in the second quarter. Anybody who play them this year is going have to outscore them,” he added.

Currence was pleased with the win, of course, but be was not too happy with all the mistakes the Tigers made.

Demaree, of course was disappointed, but was proud of the way his charges battled back out of the hole.

“We stayed with our game plan,” he said, noting the Panthers didn’t panic after the two quick scores.

“We were in that game. They have a good football team and so do we. The key is we did not get one break. But don’t take anything away from Massillon. It was just a remarkable game. Both teams were really hitting.

“I felt when we took the ball down the field and scored, we knew what they were doing and did our job.”

Asked if he thought it would have been a different game if his team could have mustered a score in the third period. Demaree said: “There’s no doubt in my mind.”

Neither team scored in the third period as the Tiger defense stopped the Panthers twice, before the offense started a 64-yard, 14‑play drive that carried into the fourth quarter and ended when Jones scampered the last 11 yards for a touchdown ‑ leaping over a Perry player at the seven yard line on his way to the end zone. Eberhart’s kick gave the Tigers a 23‑6 lead.

Perry bounced back by going 70 yards in seven plays and Doug Wagner’s two‑yard run made it 23‑13 with 5:31 to go in the game. A run for the extra points failed, and Demaree saw that as the final turning point.

“Even if we could have got the two points on the extra points run, it would have been a different ball game, because we would have only been a touchdown behind (eight points).”

But linebacker John Mayles stopped McKinley Lancaster with a hard hit, and with 45 seconds left in the game substitute quarterback Rick Spielman hit Jeff Elliott with a 14-yard touchdown pass on fourth down to seal the verdict.

Despite the Tigers’ mistakes ‑ they were penalized nine times for 85 yards ‑ Currence liked what he saw of the team’s running game.

“I thought we could control it on them by running the ball.” he said, and that’s what the tigers did in the second half, They finished with 217 yards on the ground, with Jones leading all rushers with 111 yards on 14 carries. Grimsley added 58 yards on eight carries and junior Robert Oliver had 36 yards on five carries.

Eberhart hit some key passes for the Tigers, and finished with 8 of 10 for 78 yards and one interception.

Perry’s Fach had a rough night, completing 4 of 16 for 34 yards. On the ground, Wagner picked up 42 yards on nine carries, Lancaster had 31 yards on six carries and Wise had 35 yards on seven carries.

Wise had to go both ways (playing halfback on offense and defense) because returning starter Dan Douglas injured his foot at practice Thursday. Wise also had to leave the game with leg cramps.

The Tigers will host Cleveland John F. Kennedy Friday while Perry opens its Federal League campaign the same night in Louisville.

MASS. OPP.
First downs‑rushing 12 7
First downs passing 6 1
First downs penalties 2 2
Total first downs. 20 12
Yards gained rushing 246 133
Yards lost rushing 29 9
Net Yds. gained rushing 217 124
Net yds. gained passing 99 34
Total yards gained 316 158
Passes attempted, 13 16
Passes completed 8 4
Passes intercepted by 1 1
Ydg. on passes intercepted 48 5
Times kicked off 6 3
Kickoff average(ydg.) 43.7 42.3

FINAL STATISTICS
Attendance
Kickoff returns (yds.) 55 83
Times punted 2 5
Punt average (yds.) 41.0 36.2
Punt returns (yds.) 0 2.9
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 2 2
Lost fumbled Fall 1 0
Penalties 9 4
Yards penalized 85 60
Touchdowns rushing 2 2
Touchdowns passing 1 0
Touchdowns by interception 1 0
Miscellaneous touchdowns 0 0
Total number of Plays 54 46
Total time
of possession 26:01 21:59

PERRY 0 7 0 6 ‑ 13
MASSILLON 16 0 0 14 – 30
(kick fail);
MASS ‑ Eberhart 31 FG hot;
PERRY ‑ Monty Wise 3 run (Ed Bartholomew kick);
MASS ‑ Jones 11 run Everhart kick);
PERRY ‑ Doug Wagner 2 run (run fail);
MASS ‑ Jeff Elliott 14 pass from Rick Spielman (Greg Radtka kick).

ATTENDANCE 16,333

Massillon’s Tigers
Devour Panthers by 30-13

MASSILLON ‑ Perry Coach Joe Demaree knew all along that his squad would have to be the ones making the big breaks if the Panthers were to upset Massillon in the annual season opener for both teams Friday night at Paul Brown‑Tiger Stadium.

The only break the Panthers made, however, was in their own backbone as they handed Massillon two long touchdowns in the first three minutes of the game to key a 30‑13 win by the Tigers before a crowd of 16,333.

The Tigers opened the game by exploiting fullback Greg Grimsley, one of two Tiger starters that recently transferred from Perry. Massillon Coach Mike Currence sent Grimsley up the middle on the very first play from scrimmage and the 215‑pounder was rudely met by an angry group of former teammates.

The only problem, for Perry that is, was that senior halfback Mike Jones was the one with the ball. Jones, who gained 257 yards in limited duty last year, hit the outside hole and faked his way past safety Danny Lloyd en route to a 64‑yard touchdown run.

Perry, to its credit, appeared unshaken by its sudden misfortune and quickly drove to midfield after taking the ensuing kickoff.

This time it was another former Perry starter, Mike Loretto, who did the dirty deed on his former mates.

Perry had set up a screen to the weak side with quarterback Dave Fach rolling to his right. When Fach wheeled to throw across field to intended receiver Monty Wise the diminutive passer (5-foot-7, 150 pounds) was fronted by one of the Tigers’ massive linemen.

Fach was forced to float the ball 25 yards and Loretto timed it perfectly as the defensive back stepped in front of Wise and took the interception 48 yards untouched to give Massillon a 13‑0 lead with only 2:55 gone.

“Those two plays really made the game.” commented Currence, whose team returned only one starter (center Doug Eberhart from last year’s 10‑1 squad that qualified for the state playoffs.

“On the first play we knew that Perry was going to be keying on Greg like hell so I called a play that used him as a decoy. Sure enough, they were all over him and Mike Jones was able to break a great run.

“Overall, though, I wasn’t pleased with our performance, especially the numerous mental mistakes we made that were very costly. Heck if you take away the long run and the interception ‑you’ve got a helluva ball game.”

Even with the two big plays going against them, the Panthers were able in threaten Massillon as the Perry defense stiffened and limited the Tigers to 80 yards for the remainder of the first half.

Immediately after a 31-yard field goal by Dave Eberhart with 25 seconds left in the first quarter, Fach led the Panthers on a 64-yard drive that was culminated by a two‑yard run by Wise to cut the margin to 16‑7.

It remained a nine‑point advantage until the Tigers’ all‑senior backfield decided to lock things up in the fourth quarter.

While Grimsley and Jones were hurting the Panthers inside and outside, respectively, on the ground. Dave Eberhart was picking apart an injury riddled secondary to pieces in the air.

Jones, who rushed for a game high 111 yards on 14 attempts, capped a 75- yard drive with an 11‑yard run on counter play with 8:10 left and after the Panthers scored with 5:31 left, Eberhart led a march that clinched the game.

The 6‑foot, 190‑pounder, who hit all seven of his second‑half attempts, completed four straight aerials to key a 59‑yard drive that gave the Tigers a 17-point edge and killed any further comeback hopes entertained by Perry.

“We knew when we came here that we would have to make the big breaks and if you take away those two quick touchdowns you’ve got an entirely difference game,” said a disappointed Demaree, whose Panthers’ seven game winning streak was halted.

“Although they might have felt we would be keying on Grimsley, we weren’t. They have such a well-balanced club to key on any one player would be foolish. We knew that Jones was an awesome runner and that their quarterback was very good.

“Still, I was very pleased with our team in the respect that we didn’t give up. Most teams would have folded after spotting a team like Massillon a two‑touchdown lead.”

Although Massillon was held to 18 total yards in the second quarter, the Tigers outgained Perry 211-120 on the ground and 101‑.34 in the air for the game. Eberhart was the key to the Tigers’ aerial attack as he hit on nine of 11 for 87 yards before being relieved by junior Chuck Spielman on the final two plays of their last drive.

Category: <span>History</span>