The Tigers gained their first shutout of the season by defeating the Columbus Eastmoor Warriors 30-0 before a homecoming crowd of 9,130.
“They have a good ball club,” Tiger coach Mike Currence said following the game. “Some people don’t believe that a team is good when we win like this, but it took a total team effort. Our defense did a great job containing their running backs, our kicking game was great and our offense did a good job.”
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THE DEFENSE allowed Eastmoor only 44 net yards rushing in the first half and only 27 in the second half. Eastmoor’s quarterbacks were sacked three times and completed one of three pass attempts for nine yards.
Keith Griffin, the backbone of Eastmoor’s rushing attack, injured a knee in practice Thursday and didn’t play until the second half. He gained 39 yards on nine carries and both Currence and Warrior coach Bob Stuart commented the sophomore speedster.
“We hit him hard and still couldn’t get him down,” Currence said.
I think he did quite well, considering he was running on one good leg,” Stuart said. He said his team’s morale fell Thursday when Griffin was injured and his limited running hurt the Warrior’s offensive game.
Griffin was hit at or near the line of scrimmage on almost every one of his carries but showed the twisting, darting style of running that gained his brother, Archie, a pair of Heisman awards. His longest run was for 13 yards and he had a 14-yarder nullified by a holding penalty.
EASTMOOR’S defense put a lot of pressure on Tiger quarterback Brent Offenbecher in the first half and he connected on only four of 13 attempts and he was forced to run the ball several times. In the second half he was sacked twice.
“We got a little shook up in tile first half,” Currence said.
The Eastmoor defense was only part of the problem. The phone system between the sidelines and the coaches spotting from the roof failed, leaving the Tiger coaches on the field “blind.”
The Tiger, scored the second time they had the ball, on an 83-yard drive that took only five play.
Gerg Carpenter ran from Massillon’s 17 for nine yards on the first play, then Mike Grove charged through the right side of the line, broke two tackles and got to the Tiger 49 before being pulled down. Offenbecher passed to Grove on the next play for yards yards and Carpenter ran the ball 19 yards, to the Eastmoor 23.
FULLBACK Richard Cleveland got the handoff on the fifth play of the drive, side-stepped a mass of humanity at the line of scrimmage and rambled all 23 yards for the score. Mark Westover kicked the extra point and the Tigers led 7-0 with 5:41 left in the period.
The teams exchanged the ball for the rest of the first quarter and the Tigers got possession for the first time in the second period at their 20 after Warrior kicker Beros Kosovski punted into the end zone. Westover had to punt when the drive died on the Massillon 48, but the Eastmoor receiver fumbled the ball around the five yard line.
Several Tigers went for it as it bounded into the end, where center Dick Lutz recovered it for a touchdown. Westover was on target again and it was 14-0 with 4:36 left in the second period.
Ron Wright replaced Offenbecher at quarterback later in the second quarter and marched the team from the Tiger 35 to the Eastmoor 23 before the drive ran out of steam. Westover then kicked the ball from the 30 and it sailed through the uprights for a 40-yard field goal, making it 17-0.
Eastmoor started the second half on its own 11 and gained only four yards before punting. Massillon got the ball at the Warrior 45 after the punt and marched to the 11 yard line in seven plays.
OFFENBECHER found end Curtis Strawder open in the end zone on the next play and passed to him for score.
On the conversion attempt the snap from center was high and holder Jeff David was tackled trying to run for the extra points, so with 6:30 in the third period the Tigers had a comfortable 23-0 lead.
It looked like Eastmoor might get moving on the next series but Griffin’s 14-yard run was nullified by the holding penalty and on the next play defensive end Gene Miller sacked Warrior quarterback Scott Shaw for an eight yard loss.
On third and 34, Shaw got Eastmoor’s only completion but defensive halfback Mike Hickey tackled receiver Scott Williams as soon as he caught the ball and the gain was well short of the needed yardage.
The teams exchanged punts until midway through the fourth period, when the Tigers drove from their 25 to the Eastmoor six, only to be stopped short. Westover tried a 25-yard field goal but the attempt was wide.
WRIGHT CAME in on Massillon’s next possession, at the Eastmoor 41, threw an incomplete pass, then connected with Strawder for 11 yards and Eric Clendenning for seven yards.
Wingback Jeff Beitel ran to the seven yard line two plays later and Wright passed to Beitel on the next play for the final touchdown. Westover came through on the conversion to wrap up the scoring.
Eastmoor’s Coach said after the game, “We’re a little disappointed it wasn’t closer. We came up here thinking we could win and our kids hit and played good defense.”
The Eastmoor linebackers and secondary were exceptional on defense making a number of solo tackles in the open field to thwart plays that would have worked for long yardage.
It was the second defeat for the Warriors and the first time this season they’ve been shut out. Only once did they penetrate Massillon’s 40 yard line. They were on the Tiger 39 when Griffin made the 14 yard run that wiped out by the penalty.
Eastmoor is now 5-2 while the Tiger are 6-1. Massillon will host All-America Conference rival Warren Harding next Friday right.
M E First downs rushing 10 4 First downs passing 8 0 First downs penalties 1 1 Total first downs 19 5 Yards gained rushing 220 109 Yard, lost rushing 32 38 Net yards gained rushing 188 71 Net yard called passing 150 9 Total yards gained 338 80 Passes attempted 25 3 Passes completed 12 1 Passes intercepted by 1 0 Yardage on passes intercepted 0 0 Times kicked off 6 1 Kickoff average (yards) 49.5 52.0 Kickoff returns (yards) 18 60 Times punted 3 7 Punt average (yards) 43.3 30.2 Punt returns (yards) 2 3 Had punts blocked 0 0 Fumbles 0 1 Lost fumbled ball 0 0 Penalties 4 3 Yards penalized 40 32 Touchdowns rushing 1 0 Touchdowns passing 2 0 Touchdowns by interception 0 0 Miscellaneous touchdowns 1 0 Total number of plays 64 45 Total time of possession 24:59 23:01
Massillon 7 10 6 7 30 Eastmoor 0 0 0 0 0
M – Richard Cleveland, 23 run (Mark Westover kick); M – Dick Lutz, recovered fumble in endzone (Westover kick); M – Westover, 40 yard field goal; M – Curtis Strawder, 11 pass from Brent Offenbecher (kick foiled); M – Jeff Beitel, pass from Ron Wright (Westover kick).
Tigers crush Steubenville 41-22 Big Red scores on two blocked punts
By DENNY J. HIGHBEN The Tigers blasted Steubenville out of its own stadium Friday, 41-22, in a game that wasn’t as close as the score indicates.
The Massillon air commandoes combined for 237 yards on 12 completions and two touchdowns and the ground attack accounted for 162 yards. Steubenville had a scant 15 net yards rushing and 99 passing – 64 of which came on a fourth-quarter touchdown pass that gave the Big Red its only offensive points of the game.
STEUBENVILLE’S two other touchdown came in the fourth period on runbacks of blocked punts.
Tiger coach Mike Currence was so pleased with the team’s performance even the blocked punts didn’t bother him to any noticeable degree. Only one thing got to Currence – a third-quarter brawl that eventually contributed to the blocked punts.
We did everything well except we didn’t hold our tempers well. That ruined my whole night,” he said, and added that he didn’t feel the fight was the fault of the Tigers but it still shouldn’t have occurred.
The brawl took place on the Tigers’ second possession of the third quarter. On the first play, from Massillon’s 27 yard line, quarterback Ron Wright threw an incomplete pass to end Mark Pringle and Pringle was roughed up out of bounds. The Big Red was tagged for a personal foul and on the next play, from the 32, halfback Mike Grove took a reverse ran to the left and a battle erupted on the right. Steubenville ‘s middle guard, Jerome Holmes, started some “unsportsmanlike conduct” with Tiger center Dick Lutz: Lutz retaliated and for a few moments many of the players and several officials were knotted up around Massillon’s 40 yard line.
The end result was that both Lutz and Holmes were ejected from the game and each team was called for a personal foul.
“HAVING LUTZ ejected definitely hurt us, and I thick Steubenville was offsides on both of the blocked punts,” Currence said.
The Big Red defenders were extremely fast in getting to the punter and the snaps from junior center Scott Kasunick were not as accurate as Lutz’s, slowing up the punter. The first punt, by Wright, was blocked with 9:18 left in the final period and Steubenville defensive back Buzz Bell scooped up the ball at Massillon’s 22 and ran it in. Quarterback Greg Taylor pitched to Chris Mills and he scored the two-point conversion, making the score 35-8.
Steve Michalak, Big Red’s kicker, put the ball in the end zone on the ensuing kickoff and the Tigers were stalled on their 29 after a penalty and two incomplete passes. Mark Westover attempted to punt but it was blocked and linebacker Selmond Johnson picked the ball up as it bounced backwards and trotted five yards for the TD. Taylor tried to run in for the conversion but was stopped short and the score was 35-14 with 7:04 left.
Grove then took the kickoff at Massillon’s nine and ran past the 25. As he was being tackled an enthusiastic teammate grabbed him and dragged him to the 32, and the Tiger were flagged for illegally advancing a runner.
Wingback Greg Carpenter and fullback Richard Cleveland ran the ball from the 17 to the 28 yard line. Wright passed to end Curtis Strawder for 13 yards but the play was wiped out by a procedure penalty.
WRIGHT THREW a pass over the middle on the next play to Grove. The pass was a bit too high but Grove made a fantastic one-handed catch to give the Tigers a first down on their 42 yard line.
Two plays later Wright found Carpenter open in the same area and connected on a pass that Carpenter carried down to Steubenville’s 19. Wright followed that up with a touchdown pass to Strawder in the deep left corner of the end zone. Wright’s pass for the conversion was no good and the Tigers were on top 41-14 with 3:14 left.
Big Red ended the scoring when Taylor, on third-and-four at the Steubenville 36, couldn’t find anyone open downfield and passed to running back Terry McKinney at the line of scrimmage. McKinney weaved his way through Tiger tacklers and went the distance. Bernard Stevenson ran a sweep to score two points, making it 41-22.
Steubenville coach Bill Bohren said of the blocked punts. “We go after them all the time and we do it as good as anyone in the league. We’ve blocked four so far this year and had 13 last season.” He added that his charges were penalized six times for roughing the kicker in one game while trying to block punts. Assessing the entire game, he said, “it gave us a lift.”
The Tigers built a 35-0 lead before the fourth quarter fireworks. They got on the board before some Tiger fans had found parking spots around the stadium.
THE FIRST score came on a 60-yard drive that was highlighted by a 27-yard pass from Brent Offenbecher to Strawder and a 20-yard pass from Offenbecher to Grove. Five plays later Cleveland punched in from the three. Westover kicked the conversion and the Tigers were on top 7-0 with 8:27 left in the first period.
Stevenson ran the kick-off back to his 40 and the Big Red marched to the Tiger 27. On first down Stevenson was tackled for a two-yard loss, and Big Red was called for clipping. That put the ball on the 44 and Stevenson and Taylor were thrown for losses on the next two plays, which killed the only semblance of a drive Steubenville had all night.
The Tigers started from their 20 on the next series and after four plays and two penalties, were staring at a second-and-23 at their 12 yard line. Cleveland took the ball on a draw and rambled 29 yards and Offenbecher followed up with a 13-yard pass to Mark Pringle. Two plays later the junior quarterback hit Grove for a 43-yard scoring strike and Cleveland ran in the two- point conversion with 11:18 left in the second quarter.
Fifty-four seconds later, the Steubenville quarterback was hit as he pitched wide and defender Mike Hickey grabbed the ball and ran 22 yards for a touchdown. Westover’s kick made it 21-0.
The Tigers started their last scoring drive of the half on their own 32. They moved to the Big Red two yard line in seven plays, with Offenbecher hitting Pringle with two passes, Strawder with one, and Grove charging 26 yards on a double reverse. Carpenter took the ball in from the one with 2:23 left and Westover’s kick made it 28-0. The 28 points equaled the amount Steubenville’s defense had surrendered in the first live games of the season combined.
THE TIGER faithful got a scare on Massillon’s first possession of the first period when Offenbecher pitched to Cleveland and was flattened. He lay motionless for a few moments, then peeled himself off the turf and walked to the sidelines. Wright went in and handed off to Carpenter over right tackle and he went 26 yards for the score. Westover added the kick and with 7:11 left in the third and the score at 35-0, the stage was set for the wild fourth period.
Currence said Offenbecher appeared to be alright after a few moments but the coach decided to keep him out and Wright did a great job for the rest of the game. Offenbecher finished the night with eight completions on 12 attempts, 153 yards and a touchdown. Wright completed four of eight for 84 yards and a touchdown. Pringle and Grove each caught four passes, Strawder pulled in three and Carpenter caught one.
Currence also applauded the defense for an out standing job. “Our defense stopped them on that first drive and that gave us a psychological boost.”
And after that first drive, there were none. The Tiger defenders nailed Big Red runners for 50 yards in losses, Dan Venables intercepted a pass, Hickey returned a wayward pitch for a score and he also intercepted a pass, but the play was wiped out by a penalty.
Coach Brunei was impressed by the Tiger defense but he was overwhelmed by the offense. “That’s a super offense. If you don’t get to Offenbecher you’re done because he is a very skilled athlete and he has great receivers. I’d say Massillon has the best offensive football team in the state.”
MASSILLON, now sporting a 5-1 record, Bonds powerful Columbus Eastmoor next Friday night for the WHS homecoming. Steubenville 2-4 hosts city rival Steubenville Central next Saturday.
Friday’s contest was the second All-American Conference game for both teams. Massillon is 2-0 in the league and the Big Red is 0-2.
GRIDSTICK M S First downs rushing 10 3 First downs passing 10 1 First downs penalties 1 2 Total first downs 21 6 Yards gained rushing 178 65 Net yards gained rushing 162 15 Net yards gained passing 237 99 Total yards gained 399 114 Passes attempted 20 8 Passes completed 12 3 Passes intercepted by 1 0 Yardage on passes inter. 0 0 Times kicked off 7 4 Kickoff average (yards) 48.3 49.5 Kickoff returns (yards) 45 122
lineups
TIGERS Offense Quarterback: 14 – Brent Offenbecher (Jr., 6 0, 167); fullback: 28 – Richard Cleveland (Jr., 5 11, 185); halfbacks: 44 – Mike Grove (Sr., 5 9, 175), 33 – Greg Carpenter (Sr., 6 0, 208), 45 – Jeff Beitel (Jr., 5 7, 150); ends: 20 – Mark Pringle (Sr., 6 1, 182), 80 – Curtis Strawder (Jr., 5 10, 147), 86 – Bobby Grizzard (Sr., 5 5. 150), 87 – Eric Clendening (Sr., 5 10, 174); tackles: 75 – Tim Daniels (Sr., 6 8, 260), 78 – Mark Namany (Sr., 6 4, 210 ), 73 – Bob Kovacsiss (Sr., 5 11, 246); guards: 65 – Bob Berquist (Sr., 5 10, 195), 61 – Toby Leonard (Sr., 5 8, 183), 66 – Ken Nagle (Sr., 5 10, 191); center: 50 – Dick Lutz (Sr., 6 1, 212).
Defense Ends: 85 – David Engler (Sr., 5 9, 190), 51 Frank Sweterlitsch (Sr., 6 1, 193); tackles: 68 – Tony Matie (Sr., 6 1, 218), 39 – Jerry Shafrath (Sr., 6 1, 214); middle guard: 59 – Carl Dorsey (Sr., 5 10, 192); linebackers: 62 – Kurt Walterhouse (Sr., 5 11, 187), 47 – Steve Dottavio (Sr., 5 9, 212); monster back: 27 – John Letcavits (Sr., 6 1, 173); safety: 21 – Marc Longshore (Sr., 6 1, 182); halfback: 22 – Mike Hickey (Sr., 5 10, 171), 11 – Darren Longshore (Jr., 6 0, 165). Kicker: 75 – Mark Westover (Sr., 6 1, 218).
BIG RED Offense Quarterback: 9 – Greg Taylor (Sr., 5 11,185); fullback 25 – Lennoe Brown (Jr., 6 0, 180); halfbacks: 31 ‑ Bob Rush (Sr., 5 11, 190), 32 – Bernard Stevenson (Jr., 5 11, 170); ends: 80 – Dan Constanitine (Sr., 5 11, 150), 81 – Mike Lockett (Sr., 6 3, 210); tackles: 76 ‑ Mark Vulekic (Sr., 6 1, 230), 78 ‑ Bob Hays (Sr., 6 1, 253); guards: 51 ‑ Rusty Lewis (Sr., 5 10, 180), 62 Sam Petrides (Sr., 5 11, 190); center: 50 ‑ Frank Prolago (Sr., 6 0, 165).
Defense Ends: 81 ‑ Lockett, 54 – Ken Wilson (Jr., 5 11, 185); tackles: 78 – Hays, 75 – Bruce Biggio (Sr., 6 0, 220); middle guard: Jerome Holmes (Jr., 5 11, 170); linebackers: 60 – Anthony Baldin (Sr., 5 10, 175), 40 – Selmond Johnson (Jr., 6 0, 185); safeties : 35 – Jimmy DeFrank (Sr., 5 10, 165), 14 – Brian Bell (J r., 5 9, 145); halfback: 22 ‑ Terry Creech (Sr., 5 10, 160), 12 – John Maltese (Sr., 5 10,150)
“Massillon does every everything well,” said Steubenville Football Coach Bill Bohren Thursday. “I don’t think there is a team in the state which could do as well as the Tigers.”
Bohren was asked to evaluate tonight’s All‑American Conference opponent at Harding Stadium. Massillon comes to Steubenville with a 4‑1 log while Big Red is 2‑3. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m.
“We’ve had a good chance to look at some films,” added Bohren, “and they don’t really have any weaknesses.”
Big Red has, as usual, been working hard all weak for tonight’s invasion by the Tigers, the rivals meeting for the 41st time with Massillon holding a commanding 35‑3‑2 edge in the series.
“I just look at the difference in that series and it really surprises me,” continued Bohren. “It shouldn’t be like that…but it is.”
The players are apparently looking at this game the same as they did any other this year. “In the past, the week of the game, the boys are usually jabbering away like crazy about the Tigers, but this week it seems to be a low‑key approach. Maybe that’s the way it should be. There’s no reason we can’t beat this team.”
There will be a few lineup changes for Big Red tonight, Dave LaRue, a 180‑pound junior, moves in as fullback for Lennie Brown while junior Terry Mckinney starts at one of the halfback slots opposite Chris Mills.
Asked if he planned anything different for tonight’s game , Bohren said no, “but, we would like to get a little more balance in our offense. We’ve got to make their defense respect us.”
As for Big Red’s defense, Bohren voiced pleasure with that group’s effort. “Our defense has been playing as well as we expected it to play,” continued Bohren. “They haven’t given up that many points. We’ll have to be alert tonight, though, to stop Massillon’s big play offense.”
“Our offense was expected to do great things this year,” said the Big Red mentor, “but it just hasn’t materialized. We need better performances from our line so that we can shake our backs loose.”
The usual large crowd is expected for tonight’s game. The only tickets available are general admission in the end zone for $3.
Pigskin Predictions
One only has to spend a few minutes answering my phone here on Tuesdays to find out things are getting fairly difficult in making these selections.
Just when it’s felt we’ve got everything figured out, there’s a few surprises along the way. However, we’re strugging now at a .723 percentage with 94 correct and 29 wrong. There’s been a few ties thrown in.
Just hoping to keep above the dreaded .700 level, here we go again.
GAMES TONIGHT
MASSILLON AT BIG RED ‑ Look for a hard‑hitting defensive battle between these rivals. I’d like nothing better than to see Big Red turn the trick here, but everything points to the Tigers. MASSILLON 14, Big Red 6.
Probable Lineups
Big Red No. Wgt. POS. 80 Dan Costantini 145 SE 76 Mark Vukelic 230 LT 61 Kevin King 240 LG 50 Frank Prolago 165 C 62 Sam Ferrules 190 RG 78 Bob Hay 250 RT 81 Mike Lockett 210 TE 9 Gret Taylor 190 QB 21 Chris Mills 165 LH 10 Terry McKinney 170 RH 33 Dave LaRue 180 FB
DEFENSE E –Luckett, 81, Wilson 54. T ‑ Hays, 78, Pearce 74. NG – Holmes, 66, LB ‑ Johnson, 41, Baldwin, 60. DB ‑ Bell, 14, Maltese, 12, DeFrank, 35, Creech, 22.
Massillon Wgt. No. 150 Curt Strawder 80 210 Mark Namanny 78 180 Toby Leonard 61 212 Dick Lutz 51 195 Bob Berquist 65 260 Tim Daniels 75 196 Mark Pringle 20 170 B. Offenbecher 14 208 Greg Carpenter 33 176 Mike Grove 44 185 D. Cleveland 28
DEFENSE E ‑ Sweterlitsch, 52, Engler, 85. T ‑ Shofroth, 39, Matie 68. NG – Dorsey, 59. LB ‑ Dottavio, 47, Walterhouse, 62. DB ‑ Letcavits, 27, Longshore, 11. M.- Longshore, 21, Hickey, 22.
The Massillon Tigers limited the Cleveland Benedictine Bengals to 18 yards in the first half and coasted to a 24-7 victory Friday night before a Dad’s sight crowd of 9,356 at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.
“Massillon controlled the football and the line of scrimmage and that was the ball game,” Bengal head coach August Bossu saidafter the game.
“THEY’RE VERY good. They were what we expected them to be,” Bossu said.
The Tigers shut down the Bengals in the first half and rand up 17 points, picking up 122 yards rushing.
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“We worked hard all week on the running game and we had planned to do more running tonight,” Tiger head coach Mike Currence said.
The Tigers drove inside the Benedictine 10-yard line twice in the first quarter, losing the ball on downs both then times.
“When you’re driving down the field you have to take what they give you.” Currence said, explaining why the Tigers stuck to the ground. “Then we’d get down there in a short yardage situation and we couldn’t get it. You ought to be able to make it. We weren’t pleased at all with those situation plays down inside their 10.”
THE TIGER defense came to the rescue, however, as it recorded its third safety in three games.
After Massillon gave up the ball at the Benedictine seven on downs, the Bengals took over and were promptly assessed a motion penalty that put the ball at the three. On the second down, halfback Bill St. John was hit and downed in the end zone by David Engler, Tony Matie and John Letcavits.
The Tigers got the ball with 1:58 left in the first quarter following a Bengal punt and drove 59 yards in nine plays, with Greg Carpenter running it in from four yards out with 11:07 left in the half. Mark Westover booted the extra point for a 9-0 Tiger lead.
Then, following another Bengal punt, Massillon took over at the Benedictine 39 after an 18 yard return by Darren Longshore.
The Tigers didn’t waste any time as junior quarterback Brent Offenbecher hit wide receiver Curtis Strawder down the left sideline for a touchdown. Dick Cleveland ran in the extra points and the Tigers took a 17-0 lead into the lockerroom at the half.
IN THE second half, the Bengals came out and made a game of it, but it was a little too late.
Their only score against the tough Tiger defense came when James Few recovered a Massillon fumble at the Tiger 44 yard line in the third quarter.
Bengal quarterback Jamie Georgeson kept the drive alive with two key passes for first downs. The first was to Terry Modzelewski for 18 yards and the second to Pete Germano for 13 yards.
Bengal fullback Few punched over far the TD from the one and Frank Szoks added the conversion kick.
Early in the fourth quarter, Massillon drove to the Bengal two only to lose the ball on downs.
HOWEVER, the Bengal punted from their own four and the Tigers’ Mike Hickey caught the ball at the Bennie 32 and scampered untouched down the left sideline for a touchdown. Westover capped the scoring for the night with his extra point and the Tigers went home with a 24 7 win and a 4-1 record.
“They turned out to be a little strong, defensively.” Currence said. “They changed up on us some. They switched Few from inside linebacker to defensive end.
“They had some pretty good people and I think they’ll win a few games for us this year,” he said, referring to the state computer poll.
BOSSU SAID he was disappointed his team didn’t come up with a better first half.
“Our defense was better the second half and I thought we played better offensively as well as defensively the second half. Our only mistake was on the punt coverage.
“We would have liked to pass more,” Bossu explained, “but we didn’t have good enough protection for our quarterback and we had poor field position.”
Benedictine is 3-2 on the season.
The Tigers will play at Steubenville Friday night in their second All-American Conference game of the season.
Offenbecher hit 5 of 10 passes for 98 yards and one TD while Mike Grove gained 93 yards rushing in just seven carries.
GRIDSTICK M B First downs rushing 10 3 First downs passing 5 2 First downs penalties 2 0 Total first downs 17 5 Yards gained rushing 219 82 Yards lost rushing 24 18 Net yards gained rushing 195 64 Net yards gained passing 108 31 Total yards gained 303 95 Passes attempted 14 6 Passes completed 6 2 Passes intercepted by 1 1 Yardage on passes intercepted 0 0 Times kicked off 4 3 Kickoff average (yards) 52.3 49.3 Kickoff returns (yards) 59 81 Times punted 2 7 Punt average (yards) 40.0 30.8 Punt returns (average) 58 4 H ad punts blocked 0 0 Fumbles 1 1 Lost fumbled ball 1 0 Penalties 3 3 Yards penalized 25 24 Touchdowns rushing 1 1 Touchdowns passing 1 0 Touchdowns by interception 0 0 Miscellaneous touchdowns 1 0 Total number of plays 57 45 Total time of possession 27:33 20:27
Benedictine 0 0 7 0 7 Massillon 2 15 0 7 24
M – safety; M – Greg Carpenter 4 run (Mark Westover kick); M – Curtis Strawder 39 pass from Brent Offenbecher (Richard Cleveland run); B – James Few 1 run (Frank Szoks kick); M – Mike Hickey 32 punt return (Westover kick) Attendance: 9,356
lineups TIGERS Offense Quarterback: 14 Brent Offenbecher (Jr., 6 0, 167); fullback: 28 Richard Cleveland (Jr., 5 11, 185); halfbacks: 44 Mike Grove (Sr., 5 9,, 175), 33 Greg Carpenter (Sr., 6 0, 208); 45 Jeff Beitel (Jr., 5 7, 150) end: 20 Mark Pringle (Sr., 6 1, 182), 86 Bob Grizzard (Sr., 5 5, 150), 80 Curtis Strawder (Jr., 5 10, 147), 87 Eric Clendening (Sr., 5 10, 174); tackles: 75 Tim Daniels (Sr., 6 8, 260), 78 Mark Namany (Sr., 6 4, 210), 73 Bob Kovacsiss (Sr., 5 11, 246); guards: 65 Bob Berquist (Sr., 5 10, 195), 61 Toby Leonard (Sr., 5 8, 183); center: 66 Ken Nagle (Sr., 5 10, 191), 50 Dick Lutz (Sr., 6 1, 212).
Defense Ends: 85 David Engler (Sr., 5 9, 190), 52 Frank Sweterlitsch (Sr., 6 1, 193); tackles: 68 Tony Matie (Sr., 6 1, 218), 39 Jerry Shafrath (Sr., 6 1, 214); middle guard: 59 Carl Dorsey (Sr., 5 10, 192); linebackers: 62 Kurt Walterhouse (Sr., 5 11, 187), 47 Steve Dottavio (Sr., 5 9, 212); monster back: 27 John Letcavits (Sr., 6 1, 172); safety: 21 Marc Longshore (Sr., 6 1, 182); defensive halfbacks: 22 Mike Hickey (Sr., 5 10, 171), 11 Darren Longshore (Jr., 6 0, 165) Kicker; 15 Mark Westover (Sr., 6 1, 218).
BENGALS Offense Quarterback: 10 Jamie Georgeson (Sr., 5 7, 155); fullback: 32 James Few (Sr., 6 1, 209); halfbacks: 22 Bill St. John )Sr., 5 10, 176), 81 Terry Modzelewski (Sr., 5 9, 161); ends; 99 Pete Germano (Sr., 6 3, 183), 85 Dave Marshall (Jr., 6 3, 185); tackles: 60 Art Eulinberg (Sr., 6 1, 203), 74 Spencer Stokes (Sr., 5 11, 234); guards: 55 Nick Baucco (Sr., 5 10, 175), 63 Andy Smith (Sr., 6 1, 187); center: 73 Sidney Peterson (Sr., 5 11, 228)
Tony Napolet couldn’t find the right words in English to describe his team’s 34-7 loss to Massillon Friday night at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.
“Buona Serra momentum, buona serra ball game.” Napolet said as he threw up his hands in the visitor’s lockeroom following the game.
Translation: good night momentum, good night ball game.
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The Niles McKinley head coach couldn’t have picked a better phrase to describe a game that was closer than the score indicated – or rather COULD have been closer than the score indicated.
Tiger head coach Mike Currence put it this way:
“Neither team beat the other up, it was just a matter of breaks. And we got most of them.”
It was also a matter of junior quarterback Brent Offenbecher riddling the Niles’ defense for 12 completions in 18 attempts for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
The 12 completions is a new post 1958 record, and his four game total of 40 out of 67 for 654 yards already ranks him third on the all-time (post-1958).
Getting back to Napolet, he referred to Niles’ pass interception by Dan Giangardella that was run back for a touchdown, but nullified by a clipping penalty, as the turning point in the ball game.
“We had the momentum when we scored the second touchdown (on the interception.” Napolet said. “We had in the momentum and they have to take it away.”
The play occurred with 5:34 to go in the third quarter with Massillon holding a comfortable 21-7 lead. Offenbecher dropped back to pass and was rushed hard.
He tried to loft the ball over the Niles’ defenders but Giangardella grabbed the ball at the Tigers 48 and rambled un untouched to the end zone. A clipping penalty against the Red Dragons called the play back, however, and Niles took over on the Massillon 45.
Two plays latter, Massillon’s Tony Matie recovered a Red Dragon fumble at his own 48, killing the Niles’ threat.
“With a couple more breaks, it could have gone the other way.” Currence said. “A couple more bad breaks. I think the penalties were there, they’ll see them on the films,” he added.
While Niles committed the most costly penalty of the game, the Tigers were whistled for a lot of infractions themselves. Fourteen for 77 yards to he exact.
“I couldn’t believe we were those mistakes,” Currence said. “I thought it was going to be like the Gahanna game, when they came back. They throw well and the way we were making mistakes the they could have got two (touchdowns) real quick.”
Currence noted that the Tigers defensive line – led by tackle Jerry Shafrath and nose guard Carl Dorsey – put good pressure on Niles’ quarterback Joe Soda all night.
“We were gambling against them,” Currence said. “We set our defense against their strength and they did the same to us.”
Napolet admitted his Red Dragons had a lot of breakdowns.
“We didn’t block well up front. Their nose man, Dorsey, is a good football player,” he said.
“We have a fine quarterback, but how can he throw the ball when he is running for his life?”
“Massillon has a good foot ball team, they’re tough to defense.” Napolet said.
And Offenbecher is fine quarterback. But I still say the turning point in this football game was when that touchdown was called back. God bless Currence, God bless Massillon, God bless everybody, but that was the turning point.”
The Tigers scored the first three touchdowns of the game, and added a safety, all in the second quarter.
With 1:29 to go in the first quarter, Tiger linebacker Steve Dottavio caught a fumble by Niles’ halfback Mike Sylvester in mid-air at the Red Dragon eight yard line and returned it to the five.
On the first play of the second quarter, Greg Carpenter crashed over from a yard out on a fourth and one play for the score. Mark Westover’s extra point kick was wide and Massillon led 6-0.
Niles took the ball and drove to a first down at their own 39 and on second and eight John Letcavits intercepted a Joe Soda pass at the Massillon 47.
Mike Grove gained three yards and Richard Cleveland rushed for a first down on a 14-yard trap play up the middle to the Niles 35.
Offenbecher then threw a beautiful pass down the right sideline to Mark Pringle who caught the ball as he stepped over the goal line. Pringle had his man beaten by two or three steps. Westover split the uprights this time and Massillon was out front 13-0.
Following a Soda punt, Offenbecher took the Tigers to the Niles’ five, hitting four straight passes Grove fumbled, however, and Niles recovered at the three.
However, Marc Longshore intercepted a Soda pass at the Niles’ 38 and ran it back to the three yard line with :26 left before the band show.
Offenbecher found Pringle open in the right corner of the end zone on the next play. Offenbecher was tackled attempting to pass for the extra points and the Tigers had a 19-0 lead.
Niles got the ball at their own 24 with 15 seconds left following the kickoff. Soda dropped back to pass and was chased all the way to his own end zone where here a host of Tigers led by Dorsey and Frank Sweterlitsch tackled him for a safety with three seconds left in the half. The Tigers took a 21 0 lead into the lockeroom at halftime.
Following the second-half kickoff. Soda punted on fourth down but Marc Longshore fumbled at his own 23 and it was recovered by Niles’ Jack Durig.
Five plays (one a penalty) later Soda hit Shawn Boyle in the end zone for the Red Dragons’ only score of the night – that counted. Carmen Butto booted the point after and Niles trailed 21-7.
Then came Giangardella’s interception and the ensuing clip which was followed shortly by Matie’s fumble recovery.
The Tigers then marched 52 yards with Offenbecher going the last one on a keeper for the touchdown. The big play in the drive was an Offenbecher pass to Curtis Strawder for 38 yards and a first down at the Niles 14. It was a big third and 11 play, and was also important because it was Offenbecher’s first pass after the interception He rolled left and hesitated slightly, but his throw was on the money.
The Tigers attempted to kick the point after, but the snap from center was high and Westover tried to pass to Letcavits but was unsuccessful.
Shafrath sacked Soda for a 16-yard loss on a third down play and Marc Longshore returned Soda’s fourth-down punt from his own 48 to the Niles 39.
The Tigers then took 13 plays, including six penalties, to march in for the final score.
Offenbecher went the last two yards himself for the score and Westover’s kick made it 34-7.
Included in the drive was a 42-yard touchdown pass from Grove to Strawder that was called back because Grove stepped across the line of scrimmage before he released the ball. It was a good pass nonetheless.
The Tigers also benefited from a roughing the kicker penalty, a 15-yard run Grove and a 14-yard pass from Offenbecher to Grove for a first down at the Niles’ four.
The Tigers intercepted four passes; with Marc Longshore getting his third of the season and Letcavits, Bill Dodd and Rod Caldwell (who wore number 36) each getting their first.
Pringle caught four passes for 55 yards and a pair of TDs (giving him three for the year), Strawder caught two for. 47 (and had a third catch nullified when the Tigers opted to take a penalty on the play), Carpenter caught two for 25 and Grove hauled in a pair for 25 yards.
Cleveland led all rushers with 46 yards in 10 carries. Grove added 25 in five rushes and Carpenter had 25 in 10 carries.
The Tigers will entertain Cleveland Benedictine Friday night at 8 p.m. at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Tickets are now on sale at the WHS ticket office, all Demmer Hardware stores and Hal’s Sport Shop.
The win was the Tigers third in a now. They are now 3-1 overall and 1-0 in the All-American Conference (it was the AAC opener for both teams). Niles is now 2-2 (0-1).
GRIDSTICK M N First downs rushing 9 4 First downs passing 6 2 First downs penalties 1 1 Total first downs 16 7 Yards gained rushing 156 77 Yards lost rushing 16 86 Net yards gained rushing 140 9 Net yards gained passing 166 72 Total yards gained 306 63 Passes attempted 19 24 Passes completed 12 8 Passes intercepted by 4 2 Yardage on passes intercepted 36 0 Times kicked off 6 3 Kickoff average (yards) 50.7 50.0 Kickoff returns (yards) 80 106 Times punted 3 5 Punt average (yards) 38.0 47.0 Punt returns (yards) 45 0 Had punts blocked 0 0 Fumbles 2 5 Lost fumbled ball 2 2 Penalties 14 6 Yards penalized 77 67 Touchdowns rushing 3 0 Touchdowns passing 2 1 Touchdowns by interception 0 0 Miscellaneous touchdowns 0 0 Total number of plays 56 52 Total time of possession 26:46 21:14
Niles 0 0 7 0 7 Massillon 0 21 6 7 34
M – Greg Carpenter 1 run (Rick fall); M – Mark Pringle 35 pass from Brent Offenbecher (Mark Westover kick); M – Pringle 3 pasa from Offenbecher (run fail); M – safety; N – Shawn Boyle 9 pass from Joe Soda (Carmen Butto kick); M – Offenbecher 1 run (pass fail); M – Offenbecher 2 run (Westover kick)
Attendance: 10,965.
Offenbecher makes up for interception
By ROLAND A. DREUSSI Independent Sports Editor
“At first I thought ‘on, no,’ then I saw the flag and felt relief.”
That was how Tiger junior quarterback Brent Offenbecher said he felt after he saw his wobbly pass intercepted and run back for a touchdown by Niles’ Dan Giangardella in the third quarter.
FORTUNATELY for the Tigers, a clipping penalty brought the play back and Tony Matie recovered a Red Dragon fumble two plays later.
“It was just a bad pass,” Offenbecher said. “I got a lot of pressure and tried to throw it over their heads and it didn’t make it. We got a lucky break,” he added, referring to the clip.
“I knew when I went to the sidelines my dad (quarterback and receiver coach Bill Offenbecher) would yell at me.”
As it turned out, Brent more than made up for his mistake as he set a Tiger record of 12 completions in one game, hitting 12 of 18 passes for 166 yards and two touchdowns.
That broke the mark of 11 completions he set two weeks ago against Gahanna Lincoln.
IT ALSO moves him into fourth place on the all-time completions list for a season, with six games left to play.
How does be take his record‑breaking success?
“My dad told me about it first, but I didn’t know whether to believe him or not. Then I read it in the paper,” Brent explained.
“Massillon has just never been known for its passing. Then coach Currence brought it in,” is how he passed off his records.
“I also have super receivers (Mark Pringle, Curtis Strawder, Bobby Grizzard, Mike Grove and Eric Clendening).”
Brent said he missed having Pringle to throw to in the first two games. “We missed him a lot, He’s a big, fast target – he’s just super.”
The Massillon Tigers held Cleveland Glenville to a net total of 12 yards in the first half and coasted to an easy 31-6 victory over the outmanned and confused Tarblooders.
“When you can’t move the ball you’re beat,” Tiger head coach Mike Currence said simply, referring to Glenville’s first-half offensive ineptitude.
THE TIGERS, meanwhile, rang up 24 points in the first half, added seven more on their first possession of the third quarter and then sat back as the subs finished out the game.
The Tigers scoring was evenly spread as Richard Cleveland, Brent Offenbecher, Mark Pringle and Mike Grove all scored touchdowns.
“I thought our game plan held up,” Currence said in the Tiger lockerroom after the game. “We stopped them defensively. Their wide splits (offensive formations) bothered us a little, but I thought we gave them problems most of the game. If they could have the offensively it would have been a different game,” he added.
“We moved people to their strength defensively. We were taking some chances, especially in the secondary, but they were confused. I don’t think they were looking for us to move things around,” Currence explained.
“Our defense worked hard this week and they deserve credit.”
GLENVILLE’S only scare came against the Tiger reserves in the fourth quarter on a 22-yard delayed keeper up the middle by Tarblooder quarterback David Wynne.
Massillon scored the first time it had the ball after taking over at its own 29 following a Glenville punt.
Greg Carpenter and Mike Grove each carried for two yards and Offenbecher hit Grove in the right flat with a seven-yard pass for a first down.
Following an illegal procedure penalty against the Tarblooders, Offenbecher hit Curtis Strawder with a 10-yard pass on the left side for a first down at Glenville’s 45 yard line.
Grove gained four yards off left tackle and Offenbecher came back to him the next play with a 14-yard pass and a first down at Glenville’s 27.
CLEVELAND gained seven yards up the middle with a good second effort and Carpenter gained five yards on a double reverse. A personal foul against Glenville after the play moved the ball to the eight yard line.
Cleveland then ran it into the end zone on a trap play up the middle with 6:16 to go in the quarter. He ran in the extra points off left tackle.
Glenville took the kickoff and on third and 10 Darron Longshore intercepted a Wynne pass at the Glanville 48. Wynne hurled the hall in desperation because of a strong pass rush by the Tigers.
Massillon drove to the five yard line – with the big play being a 21 yard run by Cleveland – where a fourth down pass from Offenbecher to Grove was ruled incomplete in the end zone after Grove tried to make a diving catch.
On third and 13 from the two, Glenville’s Wynne tried to roll right but Massillon’s Carl Dorsey tackled him in the end zpne for a safety and a 10-0 Massillon lead.
Massillon took the ensuing punt at its own 39 and marched 61 yards in six plays with Offenbecher bootlegging it 11 yards around the left end on the first play of the second quarter for the TD. Mark Westover’s conversion kick split the uprights and the Tigers led 17-0.
Later in the quarter, Mark Longshore intercepted a Glenville pass at his own 39 yard line and returned it to the 43.
The Tigers then drove 67 yards in four plays with Offenbecher hitting Mark Pringle in the right corner of the end zone with an 11-yard pass.
The touchdown was set up when Cleveland took a screen pass on a 3rd and 20 play and ran 56 yards down the left sideline to the Glenville 11.
Westover kicked the point after and Massillon took a 24-0 lead into the lockerroom at halftime.
THE TIGERS received the second-half kickoff and drove 63 yards in five plays for their final score of the evening.
After a five-yard penalty against the Tarblooders on first down, Cleveland ran for 15 yards, Carpenter made a good grab of an Offenbecher pass for a six-yard gain and Cleveland ran four yards for the first down to the Glenville 31.
Grove then ran through a big hole up the middle on a trap play, made a nice cut to the left at the 10 yard line and crossed the goal line with 10:20 left in the third quarter.
Westover’s kick was good again and Massillon led 31-0.
The Tigers’s Mark Longshore stopped the next Glenville drive with his second interception of the night, this one in the end zone.
THE TIGERS gave the ball on downs a couple of times before Glenville drove 48 yards in nine plays with Wynne taking it the last 22 yards himself.
The Tigers fumbled the ensuing kickoff, but Terry Whitlock intercepted Wynne’s first pass to kill the Tarblooders’ final threat.
“I thought Cleveland ran well tonight,” Currence said of the junior fullback’s efforts. He gained 77 yards in seven carries.
Grove gained 44 yards in five carries and reserve fullback John Wilkerson had 31 yards in five carries.
Currence was happy to see Mark Pringle in at the wide receive, position. Pringle missed the Tigers’ first two games because of a shoulder bruise. He caught two passes for 18 yards, including the 11-yard TD loss from Offenbecher.
“HE STOOD the test,” Currence commented.
Grove caught two passes for 21 yards and Strawder had one reception for 10 yards. Cleveland had one catch for 56 yards.
Currence had praise for both of his quarterbacks.
“Brent had a real good percentage,” he said Offenbecher connected on seven of 10 aerials (70 percent) for 114 yards.
“And I thought Ronnie (Wright) did real well. He didn’t have the blocking, though, and I thought we dropped a couple of his passes.” Currence pointed out.
“WE HAVE two excellent quarterbacks and in our offense we’ve got to have two good ones.”
Wright finished the night hitting three of eight posses for 25 yards.
“Westover also had a good kicking night, even though we never punted,” Currence said. Westover was three for three on conversion kicks and boomed some long kickoffs (49.8 average).
The Tigers will open the defense of their All-American Conference crown Friday night when Niles McKinley invades Paul Brown Tiger Stadium for an 8 p.m. an. game. Glenville plays Cleveland East.
GRIDSTICK M G First downs rushing 10 5 First downs passing 5 1 First downs penalties 2 1 Total first downs 17 7 Yards gained rushing 198 88 Yards lost rushing 32 30 Net yards gained rushing 166 44 Net yards gained passing 139 37 Total yards gained 305 81 Passes attempted 18 16 Passes completed 10 5 Passes intercepted by 4 0 Yardage on passes intercepted 4 0 Times kicked off 5 3 Kickoff average (yards) 49.8 42.0 Kickoff returns (yards) 58 60 Times punted 1 4 Punt average (yards) 32.0 33.5 Punt returns (yards) 7 0 Had punts blocked 0 0 Fumbles 3 0 Lost fumbled ball 2 0 Penalties 6 10 Yards penalized 50 87 Touchdowns rushing 3 1 Touchdowns passing 1 0 Touchdowns by interception 0 0 Miscellaneous touchdowns 0 0 Total number of plays 51 50 Total time of possession 22:24 25:36
Glenville 0 0 0 6 6 Massillon 10 14 7 0 31
M – Richard Cleveland 8 run (Cleveland run); M – safety, Carl Dorsey tackled quarterback David Wynne in end zone; M – Brent Offenbecher 11 run (Mark Westover kick); M – Mark Pringle 11 pass from Offenbecher (Westover kick); M – Mike Grove 31 run (Westover kick); G – David Wynn 22 run (run failed)
In one of the most exciting finishes in Massillon football history, the Tigers pulled out a 28-22 come-from-behind victory in the waning seconds of their home opener against Gahanna Lincoln Friday night.
The passing combination of Brant Offenbecher to Curtis Strawder and a two-yard touchdown by Greg Carpenter with 35 seconds left in the game snatched a sure victory from the Lions’ jaws.
“THAT’S THAT old Tiger spirit,” happy head coach Mike Currence said after the game.
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The Tigers seemed doomed after the Lions drove 63 yards in 16 plays to score a touchdown and the go-ahead two-point conversion, making it 22-21 with 2:11 left in the game.
The situation seemed dimmer still when the Tigers faced an impossible fourth down and 19 on their own 30 yard line with 1:11 showing on the clock.
But Offenbecher, a junior went deep and Strawder, also a junior, made a terrific, diving, over-the-shoulder catch at the Gahanna 29 yard line. Three plays later Carpenter crashed off right guard for the winning score.
“They’re tough,” Currence said of the Lions after the game. “I don’t know who is going to beat them.”
THE LIONS had used the power-running of tailback Tim O’Cain and some timely passes by quarterback Fred Henley for their three scores. O’Cain gained 82 yards in 29 carries.
The Tigers filled the air with passes, as Offenbecher completed 11 of 23 for 232 yards and one touchdown. Strawder hauled in six passes for 169 yards and one touchdown.
The Tigers had gone ahead 21-14 on a three-yard touchdown run by Carpenter with 9:51 left in the fourth quarter.
The Lions then took the ball and went on a sustained march, using 19 plays and 7:40 on the clock to march 63 yards for their score.
O’Cain gained 31 of those yards (on nine carries), including two yards on a fourth and two situation to the Massillon 46 yard line with 6:18 left to play.
THE LION drive was aided by two penalties, one an interference call on 3rd and 16 at their own 29 that gave them a first down at the 44, and an unsportsmanslike conduct call against the Tigers for having 12 men on the field that gave Gahanna a first and one at the Massillon nine.
Henley then took the ball on a sneak for four yards and it was first and goal Gahanna from the five with 3:20 to go.
Senior fullback Mark Carter carried to the three, O’Cain picked up another yard around left end and Carter carried to the one-yard line.
On fourth and goal from the one, Carter got the call again and he nudged the ball over the goal line.
Gahanna had the ball placed at the left hash mark for the extra point attempt and Henley rolled far to his right, forcing Tiger defenders to commit themselves, then found senior halfback Ted Hall open in the back of the end zone for a 22-21 Lion lead.
STRAWDER TOOK the ensuing kickoff at the Massillon 27 and returned it to the 39. Offenbecher picked up six yards running when he couldn’t find anyone open.
Offenbecher then found Strawder at the 45 on a sideline pattern but the junior receiver bobbled the ball when he turned to run up field and dropped it. It wouldn’t have mattered because the Tigers were assessed 15 yards for an unsportsmanlike conduct call.
Following an incompleted pass it was fourth and 19 at the Massillon 30 with 1:11 to play. Offenbecher then threw the long pass to Strawder at the Gahanna 29.
An interference call against Gahanna (defensive back Willie Carpenter grabbed Strawder’s shirt and held him at the 16) along with an unsportsmanlike conduct call on the same play gave the Tigers a first down at the eight.
Offenbecher rolled to the left and gained six yards and the clock stopped with 43 seconds when Gahanna’s Carpenter was injured. Massillon’s Carpenter then scored over right guard – the same play he had scored the Tigers’ third TD on.
SECONDS LATER, Tiger defensive back Darron Longshore intercepted a Lion aerial at the Massillon 43 and the Tiger offense ran out the clock.
Gahanna bead coach Neal Billman, who had turned somersaults on the field after the Lion took the lead, was dejected as be talked about the game afterwards in the visitor’s dressing room.
“What can you say?” he asked.
“Our kids had great desire and I’m very, very proud of them. Last week Massillon lost to a great team (9-7 to Barberton) and tonight we lost to a great team.
“But that’s football. That’s why we play the game, because it’s not easy,” Billman said.
“IT WAS A great game to watch, I supposes, if you weren’t in the middle of it,” he said.
“We had a 16-year-old kid a make a mistake (their safety didn’t play back far enough on Strawder’s catch) and they had a 16-year old kid put the ball right over the helmet of another kid. If the ball would have been anywhere else it would have been incomplete.”
Tiger head coach Mike Currence was all smiles in the Massillon lockerroom.
“Our game plan was to throw,” he said. “With Pringle in there we would have had a better night on the right side.”
Tiger senior receiver Mark Pringle has missed both of the opening games with a shoulder injury. Currence said his height (6-1) would have helped counteract Gahanna’s Ted Hall (6-3) at the right defensive halfback slot.
“OUR KIDS came back, Currence noted, “It’s been a real rough week. We were expecting a great year and we’ve just been through agony the last week,” he explained.
Asked how be felt after the Lions went ahead late in the game, Currence said: “I thought the guy upstairs didn’t like me anymore.
“You really have to tax yourself going down the field like that,” he said of the Tigers last-ditch drive.
Strawder, the soft-spoken 5-10, 147-pount wide receiver, said of his catch: “We had to win, you know. I just kept my eye on the ball and it came to me. I felt real good after I caught it.”
Strawder’s ‘miracle catch’ is key
THE GAME, started out with the Lions taking the opening kickoff and marching 80 yards in 13 plays for a TD.
Wide receiver Lawrence Dempsey made a diving catch in the right corner of the end zone on a five yard pass from Henley and John Orkis booted the point after for a 7-0 lead.
The Lions picked up six first downs in that drive, including one on a 15-yard penalty for a personal foul.
The Tigers didn’t wait long to retaliate as Offenbecher found Shrewder wide open down the middle for a 62-yard TD pass on their first play from scrimmage. Offenbecher set up the play with a good fake to Carpenter. Mark Westover’s extra point kick tied the score.
Following a Gahanna punt, the Tigers drove to the Lions’ 19 yard line but an Offenbecher pass was intercepted in the end one by Orkis.
AFTER ANOTHER Gahanna punt a cliping penalty against the Tigers on the return, Massillon took over on its own 15.
The Tigers then drove 85 yards in 14 plays with Jeff Beitel sweeping the right side for the final five yards and the TD. Westover’s PAT kick made it 14-7 and that score stood up until the half.
The Tigers took the second-half kickoff and drove from their own 37 to the Gahanna 12 but the drive died following a pair of incomplete passes on third and fourth downs.
Gahanna couldn’t move the ball and had to punt again, but the Tigers’ Marc Longshore fumbled the punt and the Lions’ Bryan Hicks recovered at the Tiger 25 yard line.
O’Cain carried the ball four straight times for 13 yards. He gained seven yards on the next play and a face mask penalty against Massillon put the ball at the Tiger three.
CARTER THEN carried three yards to paydirt and Orkis’s conversion kick knotted the score at 14.
The Tigers then took the kickoff and went 73 yards to score with 9:51 left in the game.
Carpenter scored on a three-yard run and Westover added the point after kick for a 21-14 lead. Key plays in the drive were passes of 33, 10, 11 and 9 yards from Offenbecher to Strawder.
Gahanna then went on its go-ahead drive add the Tigers pulled out a miracle to even each team’s record at 1-1.
The Tigers will entertain Cleveland Glenville Friday night at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Tickets are on sale for the 8 p.m. contest at the Washington High School ticket office. Demmer Hardware stores and Hal’s Sport Shop.
GRIDSTICK M G First downs rushing 7 10 First downs passing 9 4 First downs penalties 1 2 Total first downs 17 16 Yards gained rushing 106 153 Yards lost rushing 15 28 Net yards gained rushing 91 135 Net yards gained passing 232 68 Total yards gained 323 193 Passes attempted 23 10 Passes completed 11 6 Passes intercepted by 1 1 Yardage gained on passes intercepted 0 0 Times kicked off 5 4 Kickoff average (yards) 46.6 41.2 Kickoff returns (yards) 65 78 Times punted 1 4 Punt average (yards) 40.0 36.0 Punt returns (yards) 0 0 Had punts blocked 0 0 Fumbles 1 1 Lost tumbled ball 1 0 Penalties 7 7 Yards penalized 87 70 Touchdowns rushing 3 2 Touchdowns passing 1 1 Touchdowns by interception 0 0 Miscellaneous touchdowns 0 0 Total number of plays 58 42 Total time of possession 20:36 27:24
Massillon 7 7 0 14 28 Gahanna 7 0 7 8 22
G – Lawrence Dempsey 5 pass from Fred Henley (John Orkis kick); M – Curtis Strawder 62 pass from Brent Offenbecher (Mark Westover kick); M – Jeff Beitel 5 run (Westover kick); G – Mark Carter 3 run (Orkis kick); M – Greg Carpenter 3 run (Westover kick); G – Carter 1 run (Ted Hall pass from Henley); M – Carpenter 2 run (Westover kick).
‘Breaks, ‘Magics’ ball control stop Tigers Barberton wins opener 9-7
By ROLAND A. DREUSSI Independent Sports Editor “I think we have as good a ball club as they do, but I just don’t think we got the breaks.”
That statement by Massillon Tiger head coach Mike Currence pretty well summed up his team’s 9‑7 loss to the Barberton Magics in the Akron Rubber Bowl Saturday night before an estimated crowd of 18,000.
THE MAGICS used a ball control offense and a stiff defense to avenge a 21-0 defeat to the Tigers last season.
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The Tigers suffered a couple of letdowns in their kicking game and fumbled the ball away, though one fumble was a very questionable call on the officials’ part that stopped the Tigers’ deepest drive of the second half.
Currence said he thought it was a bad call because the pass, to Curtis Strawder at Barberton’s 25 yard line, “touched his hands twice,” meaning he didn’t have possession.
Strawder was hit and the ball bounced away, with Barberton’s Stinker Webb recovering at the Magics’ 28 yard line.
“That was our best penetration of the second half,” Currence said. The play occurred with just over five ‘minutes left in the game.
“THE BREAKS weren’t with us tonight,” Currence said after the game. “We had the chances. We missed a field goal, we fumbled when we weren’t supposed to.You’ve got to give Barberton credit though, they hit us and hit us and hit us again. I didn’t think they could control the ball on us but they did. I was surprised,” Currence said.
The Magics had the ball for 18 of 24 minutes in the first half when they took a 9-7 lead. Final times of possession were 29:58 for Barberton and 18:02 for Massillon.
“We don’t think plays win football games, players do,” Barberton head coach Rudy Sharkey said when asked about the Magics’ offensive performance.
Referring to the Magics’ ball control offense, Sharkey said that hadn’t been his game plan.
“We have a slogan in our lockeroom that says ‘Whatever It Take,’ We were prepared to do what we had to, pass or run. But that defense of Massillon’s was tough,” Sharkey said.
“I FELT very good tonight about our running and passing balance,” he added. The Magics gained 146 yards rushing – 94 by Larry Ricks – and 65 yards passing. Most of the Magics’ passing yards came in key situations, and Barberton’s only score of the night came on a pass to wingback Terry Cameron.
The Tigers scored first in the game, getting the ball for the first time at Barberton’s 38 yard line after a 21-yard punt.
Following an incomplete pass, Richard Cleveland gained nine yards through a big hole up the middle Mike Grove swept left end for 24 yards and a first down at Barberton’s five yard line.
Cleveland carried over left guard to the three and Greg Carpenter went up the middle to the one yard line. Quarterback Brent Offenbecher then scored on a sneak.
Mark Westover booted the extra point and Massillon led 7-0 with 7:35 to go in the first quarter. The six‑play drive took only 1:50.
“I THINK we got a false sense of security,” Currence said, referring to the drive. “We scored so easily, the kids might have thought it was going to be an easy night. It wasn’t.”
Following an exchange of punts, Barberton took over at its 20 yard line with 2:55 to go in the first quarter.
They then drove 80 yards in 16 plays, using up 8:26 on the clock, as Cameron took a pass from quarterback Jeff Finley that was good for 16 yards and the score. Dennis Sellers was wide with the extra point and Massillon led 7-6 with 6:29 to go in the half.
During the drive, the Magics converted first downs three times on third down and once on fourth down.
Following a touchdown on the kickoff, Massillon. took over on their own 20. Offenbecher lost five yards attempting to pass and Cleveland lost a yard.
ON THIRD down and 16. Cleveland gained two yards on a draw but the Magics were called for a late hit and were assessed a 15‑yard penalty.
However, despite the fact that it was a dead ball foul and the Tigers’ did not get the down over, the officials stepped off the penalty from the line of scrimmage and did not count the two yards gained by Cleveland.
This proved crucial because it because it put the ball on the Massillon 29 and made it fourth and one. Had the Tigers been given credit for the two‑yard gain, it would have been a first down.
The Tigers elected to punt, and Westover kicked the ball off the side of his foot out of bounds for a net three‑yard punt.
Barberton took over at Massillon’s 32 and drove to the 23. On a fourth and one play, the Magics were called for offsides and they faced a fourth and six from the Massillon 28.
FINLEY THEN bit Dave Peters with a 12‑yard sideline pass to give the Magics a first down at the Massillon 16. Three plays later. Barberton called time out with 50 seconds left in the half. They faced a fourth and three situation at the nine yard line.
Sellers entered the game and split the uprights with a field goal from 27 yards out to give Barberton a 9 7 lead with :46 showing on the clock.
Following an 18-yard kickoff return by Tom Gehring the Tigers took over on their own 40.
Offenbecher hit Strawder with a 14-yard pass on second down to give Massillon a first down at Barberton’s 46 with :28 left. After a pair of incomplete passes, Offenbecher found Bob Grizzard at the Barberton five yard line and the Tigers called time out with three seconds to go in the half.
Westover attempted a field goal from the 12 yard line, but the kick was blocked.
BARBERTON’S ball-control offense and hard hitting defense made the 9-7 lead stand for thr rest of the game.
The Tigers did play the game without the services of Mark Pringle, their top receiver.
BREAKS…
“But we should be able to have depth enough to fill in,” Currence said.
“It was just a damn good ball club we played, You can’t expect to run over a team like Barberton.” he added.
Statistically. Barberton only outgained the Tigers 211-202 in total yardage and the Tigers had 12 first downs to 11 for the Magics.
HOWEVER, Barberton controlled the ball and made no turnovers, while Massillon lost two fumble, and one interception.
Ricks carried the ball 22 times for the Magics for a net total of 94 yards to take game rushing honors. That was 34 yards more than the entire Massillon team gained.
The Tigers will open their home season Friday night against Gahanna Lincoln at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.
M B First downs rushing 5 8 First downs passing 7 3 First downs penalties 0 0 Total first downs 12 11 Yard, gained rushing 96 155 Yards lost rusting 38 9 Net yards gained rushing 60 146 Net Yards gained passing 142 65 Total yards gained 202 211 Passes attempted 16 9 Passes completed 10 5 Passes intercepted by 1 0 Yardage on passes intercepted 0 0 Times kicked off 2 3 Kickoff average (yards) 45.5 42.3 Kickoff returns (yards) 26 0 Times punted 4 4 Punt average (yards) 36.5 25.8 Punt return (yards) 0 0 Had punts blocked 0 0 Fumbles 5 2 Lost fumbled ball 2 0 Penalties 4 9 Yards penalized 38 73 Touchdowns rushing 1 0 Touchdowns passing 0 1 Touchdowns by interception 0 0 Miscellaneous touchdowns 0 0 Total number of plays 42 55 Total time of possession 18:02 29:58
Bengals stumble 9-7
By FRED GERLICH Repository Sports Writer AKRON – “We got a slogan up in our locker room,” Barberton head football coach Rudy Sharkey said Saturday night.
“It just says, ‘Whatever it takes.’”
All it took against Massillon was a ball-control drive and a 27 yard field goal as the Magics pulled a 9-7 win out of their hats before 20,000 Rubber Bowl onlookers.
Asked what his team had in its arsenal to offensively combat Massillon’s “run and shoot” attack, Sharkey said, “We don’t think plays win games, players do and the players won tonight.”
Barberton controlled the ball for 29:56 of the contest, including 18 minutes in the first half when all 16 tallies were put on the scoreboard.
The Magics did it with a little bit of everything, outgaining the heralded .Tigers 146-60 and adding 65 more yards passing for a 211-202 total offense advantage.
Tailback Larry Ricks led all ground gainers with 94 yards in 22 carries, while Massillon’s Mike Grove gained 47 yards in six trips.
“I didn’t think Barberton could control the ball on us, I really didn’t,” Massillon Coach Mike Currence said.
“I was surprised.”
“We did so well in our scrimmages that it probably hurt us,” Currence added. “We got a false sense of security in our abilities.”
Poor punting accentuated first half play. Barberton received the opening kickoff and was stopped on downs by the Tigers. The Magics Ken Bates then lofted a 21-yard punt which Massillon’s John Letcavits caught at the Barberton 38.
After an uncompleted pass, Richard Cleveland bolted for nine yards and Mike Grove raced 24 yards to the Barberton five. Three plays later Brent Offenbecher vaulted in from one yard out for the initial score. Mark Westovers’ conversion kick made it 7-0.
The Magics showed great ball control in a 16 play, 80-yard drive that consumed 8:26 with qua, rterback Jeff Finley passing to Terry Cameron 16 yards to cut the margin to 7-6 as Dennis Sellers’ point after try was wide to the left.
Bengals
Sellers redeemed himself only after Westover shanked a three-yard punt off the side of his foot, landing out of bound on the Massillon 32. Seven plays later, Sellers booted a 27-yarder through the uprights for a 9-7 lead with 46 seconds left in the half.
But Offenbecher, who completed only one of 11 passes in part time duty as a sophomore last season, bettered his 1976 totals with a pair of passes for 55 yards that took the Tigers to the Barberton five with three seconds remaining.
But Westover’s 22-yard three point attempt was blocked and things remained as status quo.
In the second half, the Tigers advanced as far as the Barberton 38-yard line with 5:10 left when Offenbecher hit Curtis Strawder with a 10-yard pass reception. Hit hard, Strawder caughed up the football and it was covered by Booker Webb at the 38.
Massillon got a final opportunity with 2:35 remaining starting at its own 14.
Three completions by Offenbecher moved the ball to the Tigers’ 47. But on the third completion Grove fumbled and Karl Niehaus fell on the pigskin to douse the Tigers’ hopes of avoiding a second straight season-opening loss.
“The breaks weren’t with us tonight,” Currence remarked. “We had a call go against us on the pass to Strawder.
“It touched big hands twice, but the officials called it a fumble.”
Currence noted that the failure of the Tigers’ kicking game and pointed out the pregame loss of Mark Pringle affected the Tigers, “Although we should have had enough depth to fill in.”
“You have to give Barberton credit-they hit us and hit us again.” Currence stated. “We just got the jitters out there.”
Did the Tigers sustain any other injuries that would affect next week’s home game against Granaha Lincoln?
“Yes, our feelings are hurt,” Currence said solemnly. “We’ll have trouble trouble coming back next week,”
Tigers, Magics lineups
TIGERS Offense Quarterback: 14 Brent Offenbecher (Jr, 6 0, 167); fullback: 28 Richard Cleveland (Jr., 5 11, 185); halfbacks: 44 Mike Grove (Sr., 5 9, 175), 33 Greg Carpenter (Sr., 6 0, 208), 45 Jeff Beitel (Jr., 5 7, 150); ends: 20 Mark Pringle (Sr., 6 1, 182 ), 86 Bob Grizzard (Sr., 5 5, 150), 80 Curtis Strawder (Jr., 5 10, 147), 87 Eric Clendening (Sr., 5 10, 174); tackles: 75 Tim Daniels (Sr., 6 8, 260), 78 Mark Namany (Sr., 6 4, 210), 73 Bob Kovacsiss (Sr., 5 11, 246); guards: 65 Bob Berquist (Sr., 5 10, 195), 61 Toby Leonard (Sr., 5 8, 183); center 50 Dick Lutz (Sr., 6 1, 212).
Defense Ends: 85 David Engler (Sr., 5 9, 190), 52 Frank Sweterlitsch (Sr., 6 1, 193); Tackles: 68 Tony Matie (Sr., 6 1, 218), 39 Jerry Shafrath (Sr., 6 1, 214); Middle guard: 59 Carl Dorsey (Sr., 5 10, 192); Linebackers: 62 Kurt Walterhouse (Sr., 5 11, 187), 47 Steve Dottavio (Sr., 5 9, 212); monster back: 27 John Letcavits (Sr., 6 1, 172); safety: 21 Marc Longshore (Sr., 6 1, 182); halfbacks: 22 Mike Hickey (Sr., 5 10, 171), 11 Darren Longshore (Jr., 6 0, 165) Kicker; 15 Mark Westover (Sr., 6 1, 218).
MAGICS Offense Quarterbacks: 7 Jeff Finley (Jr., 5 10, 168); fullback: 42 Ron Gable (Jr., 5 10, 198); Wingback: 48 Terry Cameron (Sr., 6 2, 167); Tailback: 47 Larry Ricks (Jr., 5 10, 190); Ends: 25 Dave Peters (Jr., 5 11, 158), 1 Booker Webb (Jr., 5 8, 144), 84 Brian Sutton (Jr., 6 0, 178); tackles: 51 Tim Phillips (Sr., 6 2, 210), 74 Chuck Rowland (Sr., 6 6, 260); guards: 69 Gary Bradford (Jr., 5 10, 172), 68 Joel Campbell (Sr., 6 1, 178), 67 Mark Friedman (Jr., 5 10, 185); center: 50 Dan Ozbolt (Jr., 5 11, 182).
Defense Ends: 44 Dave Wood (Sr., 5 11, 174), 80 Bob Genet (Jr., 5 11, 174); tackles: 72 Mike Jones (Jr., 6 0, 205), 71 Bob Hill (Sr., 6 2, 197); middle guard: 96 Robert Delaney (Sr., 5 8, 156); linebackers: 61 Dan Baker (Jr., 5 11, 174) 43 Karl Niehaus (Sr., 6 2, 195); free safety: 1 Webb; strong safety: 48 Cameron; defensive halfbacks: 37 Marcus McKinnie (Sr., 6 2, 182), 22 Tim Scott (Sr., 5 10, 158). Kickers: 88 Dennis Sellers (Sr., 6 2, 195), 47 Ricks, 89 Ken Bates (Sr., 6 2, 182).
Series 33rd meeting, Massillon holds series edge with 26-5-1 record.
“McKinley has five starters back from its defensive team of last year,” Mike Currence said. “The Bulldogs beat the Tigers 21-15.”
So Currence isn’t taking the Bulldogs lightly despite their 4-5 record compared to the Orange and Black’s 7-2 and seven straight wins. The two Stark County teams will clash in the 81st renewal rivalry Saturday at 2 p.m. at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.
Program Cover
CURRENCE discussed the upcoming game Monday at noon at the Tiger Touchdown Club’s weekly luncheon which was held at the Massillon Club. During the session TD club members named Jay Harper Hardnose of the Week for his play in last Friday’s contest at Warren.
“McKinley shut out Warren, a good offensive club 6-0 last Friday,” Currence said. “They scored 15 points against us.”
The five McKinley defensive returnees are middle guard Gerald Jackson, monster back Cliff Frazier, halfbacks Melvin Weatherspoon and Ray Ellis and linebacker Mike Beadle.
An injury will probably prevent Beadle from playing, however. Jackson is a two-way player, having replaced the injured Ken Hall at fullback.
Currence will have to deal with two McKinley quarterbacks who will give the Bulldogs different looks, depending on who is playing.
“MIKE BROWN is a real scrambler,” Currence said. “Kent McClellend started at Lehman last year. Brown seems to have taken over.”
Currence said Hall could cause trouble and that McKinley head Coach John Brideweser likes to get the ball to Weatherspoon or Ellis offensively, even designing an end around play where Weatherspoon passes to Ellis.
“These guys are the type who could play four quarter and come back and play in another game,” Currence said.
Currence thinks the outcome of the game will be decided on breaks and if the Tigers get the right one, they’ll win.
“We have to get a hold mentally,” Currence said. “That’s something we didn’t do last week.”
CLUB PRESIDENT Gene Boerner presented Currence with a “Beat McKinley” tie from his sophomore players. Marilyn Wright painted the design.
“The people of Massillon are glad we have Mike Currence as our head coach,” Boerner said. “We will see you next week when we’re 8-0 (eight wins after losses in the opening games).”
Boerner introduced the 1977 club president, John Muhlbach, Jr., saying, “He did a fantastic job. He’s been one of the best we’ve had.”
John introduced Dennis Gibson, the booster’s vice-president and next year’s boss.
The club will present its Hardnose Award for the season at its luncheon next Monday noon.
CURRENCE CONCLUDED by saying he had picked up a $5 bill from the ground outside the stadium after the defeat to Gahanna Lincoln. “I told my coaches then we’re going all the way.”
Booster club rally gets spirit rolling
Game action vs. Canton McKinley (credit: Bowersox)
“Beat the Bulldogs” mania got under way Monday night in the Washington High School auditorium as the Tiger Booster Club had its weekly session three days early.
Not only was the booster session ahead of time this week but the combined rally and meeting got under way 10 minutes early. One reporter had to jump onto a table and sit there to keep from being trampled by the Tiger Swing Pep Band charging down the school’s front corridor and into the auditorium.
THE BAND, led by head majorette Paula Bender and four fellow majorettes, mounted the stage to “Tiger Rag” and “Carry on” and serenaded the estimated 250 people present with several numbers. The majorettes twirled and danced.
Then came the Tiger cheerleaders, led by Captain Christy Frederick and Co-Captain Kathy Walterhouse, some drills to the band music and some cheers. But the real fun didn’t start until Captain Currence appeared on the scene and led the fans in some split cheers such as “Orange and Black” and “Tig-ers.”
(Currence was “Pokey” Converse, dressed in orange hat, black mask, Captain Currence Fan Club T-Shirt and orange cape. Booster officials are afraid he may meet his match in Friday’s “Beat McKinley” rally slated for 2 p.m. in the high school auditorium when he meets “The Fonze.”)
Tiger Booster Club President John Muhlbach, Jr., introduced Tiger skipper Mike Currence and the fans came from their seats as if shot from catapult to cheer him.
“The pep band and cheerleaders did a nice job,” Currence said. “I hope we can carry this on through the week. We’ve been waiting all season for this.”
THEN THE TIGER crew of Wilbur Arnold, Dave James and Don McFarren brought in Obie VII, the live mascot and Currence asked Obie what he plans to do with the Bulldog come Saturday afternoon. There was a slight growl and then the band struck up the fight songs again and marched out of the auditorium.
Currence showed films of last week’s 14-0 win over Alliance, hurrying over the first half films as quickly as possible. All the scoring came in the third quarter.
He reported fullback Jerry Shafrath practiced today (Monday) for the first time after being stricken last week with a kidney infection. Randy Laase is also expected to be ready for fulltime duty, coming back from a pancreas bruise.
Currence reported All-American Conference Commissioned Gaylord ‘Hap” Lillick, former Tiger grid aide, has ruled the Obiemen must wear white uniforms this week. They have worn black togs since starting their seven-game win streak.
Conference rules stipulate the home team must wear white unless the visiting team agrees otherwise.
Captain Currence wasn’t the only one Monday night wearing one of his fan club’s T-shirts. Muhlbach had one on and his two daughters wore special Tiger skin outfits made by their mother Bobbie.
The Booster Club has made arrangements with ex-president Junir Studer to put Beat McKinley letters on white or orange T-shirts for fans. The shirts should be taken to his sign shop at 323 3rd Street N.W. tonight. A small fee will be charged.
CHUCK ‘n’ SPORTS McKinley game can be different this time
By CHUCK HESS, JR. Independent Sports Editor
A dejected figure slumped against the brick wall leading to the visitor’s dressing room at Canton Fawcett Stadium.
“Scoop,” Mike Ramsey said quietly to this reporter who was hurrying to a post-game interview with Chuck Shuff, “It’s going to be different next year.”
THE TIGERS had just lost to Canton McKinley 21-15 in 1975 and Ramsey, now a Washington High School senior grid co-captain, along with many others, was not in a happy mood.
The season had ended 6-3-1 after most folks had figured the Tigers would be better than that because they had a host of returnees. I’ve know Mike since his Little League days when he was a pitcher and I was an umpire. He’s not the effervescent type of player but the quiet, determined type. When Mike sets his mind to something, it gets done.
This year Mike and his fellow co-captains – Anthony Grizzard, John Hauser and Mike Lauber – have guided their team to seven straight wins after two opening losses. Thus far is has been difference under Mike Currence than it was in 1975.
Saturday is the time the Tigers can cap everything with a victory over Canton McKinley. But they must not take the Bulldogs lightly. They have had problems putting things together in this year of consolidation, but their offense has been tough, allowing 87 points (fifth best in the All-American Conference). The Tigers have given up 48 points (second to Steubenville’s 38).
WHAT THE Obiemen have to fear is that the McKinley offense will come together Saturday. The Bulldogs have rolled for 136 points, (third best in the league), while the Tigers have collected 114 (fifth best). The WHS team must get on the board early – something it has not done often this year.
Would you believe that if the Tigers win they’ll make the Canton Repository’s preseason prediction almost perfect? Bob Stewart’s staff called the Tigers an 8-2 team. They were figuring one of those losses to Canton McKinley, whose record was 10-0.
Massillon still has an outside chance to win the Class AAA Region 3 computer poll and make the playoffs. To do this the Tigers must win and hope certain other teams win and other teams lose. A Jackson Memorial victory over North Canton Hoover would help.
If the Tigers win the 81st renewal Saturday at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, it will be No. 44 in the series. McKinley has won 32 times. Five games have ended in ties. The Tigers have scored 1,016 points and the Bulldogs 849.
There have been other times when the Tigers have come into the McKinley game, riding a win streak – but not an unblemished record – and have won. The list is as fellows: 7-6 win in 1917 to complete four-game streak for 7-2 record; 21-0 win in 1919 to complete four-game streak for 8-1 record; 9-0 win 1923 to complete six-game streak for 8-2 record; 6-0 win in 1924 to complete six-game streak for 8-1 record; 19-6 win in 1937 to complete three-game streak for 8-1-1 record; 32-0 win in 1941 to complete four-game streak for 9-0-1 record; 21-12 win in 1948 to complete five-game streak for 9-1 record; 40-0 win in 1951 to complete three-game streak for 9-1 record; 26-6 win 1954 to complete seven-game streak for 9-1 record; 25-7 win in 1957 to complete four-game streak for 8-1 record; 38-16 win in 1958 to complete three-game streak for 8-1-1 record; 22-6 win in 1963 to complete eight-game streak for 9-1 record; 20-13 win in 1967 to complete three-game streak for 9-1 record.
Weather, Defense Desire are keys
By CHUCK HESS, JR. Independent Sports Editor
Weather, defense and desire will be deciding factors in Saturday’s 81st renewal of the Massillon-Canton football series, according to Massillon head Coach Mike Currence.
The Tigers and Canton McKinley Bulldogs will lock horns Saturday at 2 p.m. at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. The Orange and Black have won the All-American Conference title with a 4-0 mark and one to go. McKinley needs to up its 1-3 mark and hope for a Warren Harding (1-3) loss Friday night at Warren against Niles McKinley (2-1) in order to get out of the cellar.
ALLIANCE (1-3) will be at Steubenville (2-1) Friday night. The Big Red needs a victory and a Niles loss to claim second place.
“Weather and defense always concerns us,” Currence said. “The weather can affect the offensive play. We hope it’s nice and dry so we can utilize our quickness. They’re quick too but when you get on a bad field, both teams will probably equalize their speed.”
Massillon uses the run and shoot offense, while McKinley utilized the wing-T. Both teams use angle-5 defenses which have been extremely stingy.
“I don’t’ think it will be that wet,” Currence said. “We might get a little snow and that shouldn’t hinder our offense too much. If we have to tighten down a little bit, we can do it and probably run as good as they have out of the “T”.
The Tigers have run the “robust T” successfully and won last week’s game at Alliance 14-0 with it, utilizing the running of left halfback Jay Harper.
“WE DROVE down the field twice and scored and McKinley was unable to do that,” Currence said.
One of the concerns for the Tiger skipper this week has been the condition of fullback Jerry Shafrath. He missed last Friday’s game with a kidney infection but has practiced this week and will be used when needed in the straight-T.
“He has looked good and has really been enthused,” Currence said.
Currence said all the Tigers should be in good shape physically and mentally.
“We have had the best practices we have had this season,” Currence, who, together with the Tiger Booster Club, has reminded the Obiemen about their 21-15 loss to the Pups at Fawcett Stadium in Canton in 1975.
“THE KIDS told me we didn’t have real good practices after losing to Alliance last year,” Currence reported. “We have cut down practices this week because the weather was cold early in the week and we have wanted them to get the boys off the field by dark (5:30 p.m.).” Currence said that the Tiger and Bulldog defenses are about equal on personnel.
“McKinley probably has one of the best secondary’s in the league,” Currence stated. “We’ll outweigh them on the line. Both teams are quick in the secondary, but with Ray Ellis and Mel Weatherspoon back there they are bigger in that department.”
The Tiger boss thinks the Bulldog secondary has been the key to their success.
“If you look at the team, it’s the guys in the secondary who come up and stick you,” Currence said. “They don’t blitz but they react so well that the secondary is on a ball carrier if he breaks through the line.”
CURRENCE also thinks the McKinley “force unit” (down linemen and linebackers) are very agile.
Talking about the Bulldog offense, Currence said, “They like to use the power pitch inside and outside end. They will probably try to get us to split out so they can open up the middle.”
Because the Bulldogs have had some injuries this season, Currence is not sure who will be the starting fullback. Ken Hall was sidelined for the season, Mike Beadle came on and was hurt and then head Coach John Brideweser used Mark Stevenson and the Bulldogs shifted more to a passing game.
Gerald Jackson is sure to hit the middle because he is a strong runner. Ellis and Stevenson will have the outside assignments.
“Their end-around play is a good one but they also like the screens, draws, delays and boot passes,” Currence explained. “They like to lead with their guards.”
CURRENCE figures Mike Brown will be the starting quarterback rather than Kent McClelland. Both are juniors and Brown has come on strong of late.
“McClelland made an excellent run against Steubenville on which his best two or three guys and Steubenville has a good secondary,” Currence said. “Weatherspoon started at quarterback but is now the Bulldogs’ split end and runs the end-around play. McClelland would be in there if Bridey decides on a passing series.”
How big a part will spirit and desire play in the game? “That will be the whole game,” Currence said. “It’s our turn to win. Bridey’s not supposed to win in even years.
20,000 expected at game today
By CHUCK HESS, JR. Independent Sports Editor
Spirit was at a height not seen here for several years as the Tigers met the Bulldogs this afternoon in the 81st renewal of the high school grid classic.
Some 20,000 were expected at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.
AN AFTERNOON rally at Washington High School Friday, the annual parade through downtown Massillon and the bonfire rally at Agathon Field helped to rev up the spirit.
Onlookers said the spirit among fans and team members reminded them of that before the 1970 game, also played here, which the Tigers won 28-0 at the stadium.
With Jackson Memorial’s 20-16 win Friday night over previously unbeaten North Canton Hoover, ranked No. 1 in the Ohio High School Class AAA computer ratings, to undergrid their optimism, the Tiger faithful were expected to cheer ever louder at today’s 2 p.m. kickoff.
If the Tigers get their eighth straight victory it is still possible for them to win a place in the playoffs which will start next Friday in Dayton against defending champion Cincinnati Moeller. But for that to happen, Youngstown Chaney has to beat or tie unbeaten Youngstown Cardinal Mooney in a game this afternoon in Youngstown.
Friday’s festivities started with the rally in the Washington High School gymnasium. There was no organized cheering, but that was the beauty of the thing. The cheering came spontaneously.
THE TIGER Swing Band was there and the cheerleaders and the Tiger Booster Club put on a skit in which Captain Currence (“Pokey Converse”) met “The Fonze” (Mike Mauger).
Confetti and bathroom tissue rained down on the gymnasium floor. There was so much confetti flying that Tiger football players standing along the gym’s brick wall looked as if they were prematurely gray.
Pep signs urging the Tigers to victory were everywhere.
Those at the rally received the words to a Tiger Booster Club parody of “Happy Days Are Here Again” and sang the song, making the rally sound like the 1932 Democratic National Convention.
Aerial bombs, ordinarily set off on the morning of the Massillon-McKinley game, began to shatter the silence Friday afternoon.
THE TIGER Sideliners hosted the team Friday for dinner at the Massillon Holiday Inn. That meal is ordinarily the final one of the season but, should the team make the playoffs, there will be two more. The parade Friday night featured about 100 motorized units, including floats, decorated cars, trucks and dune buggies. A color guard from VFW Post 3124 and American Legion Post 221 headed the entourage.
Then came the Tiger Swing Band followed by cars containing Mayor Mark Ross, Safety-Service Director Blasé Sparma, Washington High School Homecoming Queen Chris Zurcher and her court, Tiger cheerleaders, reserve cheerleaders, coaches, players, trainers and managers.
A special entrant was the Tiger Kazoo Band led by Drum Major Phil Bucci and “majorettes” Dick and Terry Snyder, Richard Reichel, Steve Studer, Joe Matie, Mauger and LeRoy Schumacher.
The parade proceeded to Agathon Field with plenty of fans trailing along behind. There the band and cheerleaders held forth and the team and coaches were placed on a flatbed trailer for all to see.
HEAD COACH Mike Currence said, “I can see now the agony you have been in since losing to McKinley last year. I think Saturday will be our time to win.”
Co-Captains Mike Ramsey, Anthony Grizzard, Mark Lauber and John Hauser assured fans of the same thing.
Second half difference in Tigers’ 7-3 win
By CHUCK HESS, JR. Independent Sports Editor
Second half . . .
. . . A pair of words which will remain forever entrenched in the memories of the Tiger faithful who followed the 1976 Washington High School football team.
FIVE TIMES during the season, which was completed last Saturday afternoon, the Massillon gridders came from behind or from a tie at halftime to win. Three of those times came in the final games of the season as the Orange and Black kept alive a win streak which ran to eight games.
The Obiemen’s latest turn-around palpitator came last Saturday before 19,528 fans at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium and brought the Tigers a 7-3 All-American Conference victory over arch-rival Canton McKinley.
In a twist of irony, the Bulldogs’ defeat was aided by a misfire on a play which had garnered them a lot of yardage during the afternoon. Tiger tackle Tony Matie recovered a fumble off a pitchout intended to start a sweep. The Orange and Black took control on the McKinley 15 and scored four plays later.
On second down from the three, Mike Grove took a pitchout from quarterback Bret Traylor and raced into the end zone unmolested as fullback Jerry Shafrath faked through the middle. The play had been sent to head Coach Mike Currence by the men in the rooftop scout box.
While the Tigers had the ball they survived a delay penalty and picked up a pass interference call on McKinley safety Melvin Weatherspoon on the two when he banged into end Bob Grizzard. The call so infuriated Bulldog head Coach John Brideweser and an assistant that both were flagged for unsportsmanlike conduct and the ball ended on the four from where Jerry Shafrath took it to the three to set up the score.
THE BULLDOGS came right back on the kickoff and drove to the Massillon 30 where the Tiger defense held McKinley three yards short on a fourth down run. The Obiemen were penalized for a personal four after the ball had been blown dead. Then Traylor fell on the ball on the next two plays.
Traylor brought to an end a contest which saw a quicker, stronger Bulldog team control all the statistics but kickoff averages, kickoff returns and punt averages. The Pups kept the Tigers bottled up in their own territory all afternoon.
Only in the third period did the Tigers move the ball onto McKinley grounds. On that occasion halfback Jay Harper fumbled at the McKinley 37 and linebacker Ken Bailey recovered.
Also in that period Weatherspoon intercepted a Tiger aerial at the Bulldog 20 and halfback Ray Ellis picked off another at the 25. A 15-yard holding penalty also helped to stall Massillon.
But defense had been the Tigers’ suit all season. They had shutouts in three of their previous four games. They had allowed two touchdowns only against Warren and last Saturday they bared their Tiger claw again.
FOUR TIMES in the first half the Bulldogs knocked on the door. Three times they were repulsed. The only other drive came after the Tigers’ fourth period touchdown.
McKinley’s second drive began after a bad fourth down snap. Tiger guard John Hauser picked up the ball and ran to the 25 where he was tackled and the Bulldogs got the ball.
What might have been a late second period drive into Massillon territory was stalled on fourth and one at the Bulldogs’ 46 when the Pups were called for delay and had to punt instead of being able to call timeout and set up strategy to get a first down. Brideweser stormed onto the field at this point, too.
On two of the first half drives the Obiemen got some temporary help from holding penalties but tackle Jesse Toles and linebacker Kurt Walterhouse stopped one invasion at the Massillon four, Walterhouse and tackle Bob Dennison put the brakes to another at the 38 and halfback Bill Henderson intercepted a pass at the 20 to stop the final drive.
The Tigers thought they had stopped earlier the drive on which Henderson intercepted the pass but Walterhouse’s fumble recovery was nullified because the ball had been blown dead.
THE BULLDOGS’ lone score came on a 27-yard field goal by Kelly Darnley with 9:44 left in the first quarter. The tally came off a 21-yard runback of the opening kickoff by Mark Stevenson and a 52-yard run on a pitchout by Ellis off an unbalanced line and the wingback set to the right, which completely surprised the WHSers.
Tiger linebacker Anthony Grizzard knocked Ellis out of bounds at the Massillon 17 to save a touchdown. On McKinley’s next drive Mike Brown ran the kickoff back 50 yards before Van Jones brought him down at the Massillon 25.
“There’s no doubt they outplayed us but they were sitting on three points and hoping it would last,” Tiger head Coach Mike Currence said, “but I knew it wouldn’t.”
Currence paid tribute to the McKinley secondary of Ellis, Weatherspoon and Cliff Frazier as the best he’s seen.
“We didn’t win it impressively, but I don’t really care,” said Currence. “The only thing I do care about is that these seniors proved they were a bunch of winners when everybody said they were a bunch of losers.”
CURRENCE PAID tribute to punter Mark Westover who got off a key 59-yard kick which was downed at the McKinley 10 in the fourth period. The skipper also lauded the work of his coaching staff.
He thought the Tigers’ emotions were too high.
“They were making mistakes where McKinley wasn’t,” Currence said. “McKinley came to play. Our kids came to win.”
Bulldog Coach John Brideweser was bitterly disappointed.
“With no disrespect to the Massillon football team or to Mike Currence, that’s one victory you don’t deserve,” Brideweser said. “I’ve been coaching for 20 years and I’ve never complained. We did get handled. That’s the first time I’ve said that and I’m ashamed. We got handled in more ways than one.”
MASSILLON FINISHED the season undefeated in the All-American Conference at 5-0 with the league title and 8-2 overall. McKinley ended 1-4 in the league and 4-6 overall.
Niles McKinley and Steubenville ended tied for second with 3-1-1 records. Alliance, Warren Harding and Canton McKinley followed with 1-4 records.
SCORING SUMMARY McK – Kelly Darnley, 27 field goal; M – Mike Grove, 3 run (Hardwick kick).
OFFICIALS Referee – Chuck Lorenz. Umpire – Brenton Kirk. Linesman – Jack Prettyman. Field Judge – Nick Costello. Back Judge – Wilson Murray.
ATTENDANCE – 19,528.
GRIDSTICK Mass. McK. First downs rushing 4 8 First downs passing 0 2 First downs penalties 1 0 Total first downs 5 10 Yards gained rushing 102 212 Yards lost rushing 21 16 Net yards gained rushing 81 196 Net yards gained passing 23 34 Total yards gained 104 230 Passes completed 3-9 5-12 Passes intercepted by 1 2 Yardage on passes intercepted 0 3 Kickoff average (yards) 2-52 2-51 Kickoff returns (yards) 61 39 Punt average (yards) 5-37 5-30 Punt returns (yards) 2 67 Had punts blocked 0 0 Lost fumbled ball 1-1 2-3 Yards penalized 5-55 7-66 Touchdowns rushing 1 0 Total number of plays 45 62 Total time of possession 20:23 27:37
INDIVIDUAL SUMMARYS McKinley Ellis 4 58 0 58
Massillon Cleveland 11 42 0 42
Tonight is last Booster session
The final session of the Tiger Booster Club for this season will be held tonight at 8 in the Washington High School auditorium. Films of last Saturday’s 7-3 win over Canton McKinley will be shown.
Tonight will be the final chance for fans to take pictures of Obie VII, the live Tiger cub, for the mascot will depart for other quarters Tuesday, according to Booster President John Muhlbach, Jr. Pictures may be taken on the auditorium stage either before or after the meeting.
“The Jaybird” flew, the “Tiger Claw Defense” growled and Washington High School got its seventh straight victory and clinched the All-American Conference title Friday night at Mt. Union Stadium in Alliance.
But the Tigers 14-0 win was like all the other ones this year for head Coach Mike Currence – as hard to come by as a Republican winner in Massachusetts.
AN ESTIMATED 10,500 fans, largest turnout this year at Alliance, viewed the game.
Program Cover
The Orange and Black broke a scoreless deadlock in the third period via two touchdowns by halfback Jay Harper, running out of the “robust T”, and a pair of conversions by Mike Hardwick.
Harper gained 104 yards in that period on seven carries, losing only four yards. His other attempt was a two-yarder in the first quarter.
The Aviators didn’t help the situation, throwing a very stingy defense at the Tigers. Andre Royster receiver a lower leg injury early in the second quarter. This not only deprived Alliance head Coach Julius Tonges of an excellent linebacker but also of a flanker – a key factor.
Alliance had a 63-46 edge in number of plays run and almost had the ball seven minutes longer than Massillon, but the “Tiger Claw Defense” was equal to the task. The furthest penetration by the Aviators was to the Massillon five-yard line on a 29-yard drive in the first quarter after Don Johnson had recovered Mike Grove’s fumble on the Massillon 34. Alliance lost the ball on downs when a pass was overthrown out of the end zone.
THE AVIATORS penetrated Massillon territory four times in the first half and two times after the intermission. Randy Lash intercepted an Alliance pass on the Massillon 15 in the second period to abort Aviator scoring plans.
The Aviators kept throwing halfback Rich Scott (23 carries, 72 yards, 9 lost) at the Tigers via dive plays. That gets mighty hard to halt. If a team keeps banging away long enough, it’s going to find a hole in the seam.
Massillon got into Alliance territory one time in the first half and three times in the second half.
An illegal receiver downfield cost the Tigers 15 yards from the Alliance 29 in the second period. The Orange and Black moved from the Aviators’ 45 in the goodbye canto, after halting an Alliance drive on fourth down, to the Aviators’ four but time ran out.
Reserve fullback Ken Nagle, filling in for the ailing Jerry Shafrath, in the “robust T”, got off runs of 10 and 21 yards on the drive. But other than on those occasions Massillon got nowhere because defensive ends Steve Clunk and Phil Grove crashed in so well the Aviators shut off the Tigers’ run and shoot offense and forced Currence to make the switch to the “robust T’ in the third quarter.
THE TIGERS had gotten only four first downs – the same as Alliance – 42 yards rushing and nine passing in the first half. The Aviators chalked up 51 rushing and none passing.
Besides Harper, one other Tiger ate up a lot of real estate. Fullback Rich Cleveland carried seven times, picking up 54 yards with no losses.
But it was Harper who did it all defensively. The Tigers got the ball following a third period Alliance punt at the Aviators’ 44. On second down “The Jaybird” took a pitch from quarterback Bret Traylor and raced 30 yards before being knocked out of bounds on the 14.
Grove picked up two yards on third down for a first down and Harper went the remaining four yards over guard with 2:30 left.
Alliance had one series, punted and Harper went off tackle for 61 yards for the second Tiger touchdown with 33 seconds remaining.
HARPER CAUSED some concern at one point when he got leg cramps and had to leave the game.
“We played another great second half,” Currence said. “The defense did it again. The offense made the mistakes again. We have to get ourselves together for that big one against Canton McKinley next week. I’ve waited nine games for that one.”
Currrence was more than impressed with the Alliance defense.
“I didn’t think they would just shove us right back into the end zone,” said Currence. “If the fans weren’t back there, we would have gone through the stands. I went in during a timeout and said, ‘Fellows there’s a fence here. They can’t shove us any further.’”
Currence also took a timeout in the second quarter on fourth down when Mark Westover, who missed practice all week due to flu, was forced to punt from the end zone.
“ALLIANCE HAS blocked four punts for touchdowns this year,” Currence said. “I went in and told them (Massillon), ‘this is the most crucial play of the game. If you don’t get this punt off it could mean the ball game.’”
Tonges explained that Royster, a flanker, was missed offensively and also when adjustments were made to try to stop the Tigers (when Massillon switched offenses in the third quarter). But “Juice” was happy that his defense took away the “bread and butter stuff from a fine team.”
Alliance was forced to go to its passing game when it got behind 14-0 and Tonges agreed that’s not the Aviator’s strong suit.
“I’m not ashamed of our kids, we battled and I think they hit as hard as any football team around,” Tonges said.
Massillon advanced to 7-2 and Alliance dropped to 5-4.
GRIDSTICK M A First downs rushing 8 4 First downs passing 1 3 First downs penalties 2 1 Total first downs 11 8 Yards gained rushing 247 100 Yards lost rushing 67 11 Net yards gained rushing 180 89 Net yards gained passing 9 50 Total yards gained 189 139 Passes completed 1-8 14-19 Passes intercepted by 1 0 Yardage on passes intercepted 18 0 Kickoff average (yards) 3-48.7 1-39.0 Kickoff returns (yards) 18 40 Punt average (yards) 7-28.7 8-23.3 Punt returns (yards) 35 21 Had punts blocked 0 0 Fumbles 2-1 0 Yards penalized 5-50 7-75 Touchdowns rushing 2 0 Total number of plays 46 63 Total time of possession 20:49 27:11
Tom Ross, Warren Harding head coach and the Tigers’ boss, Mike Currence, both feel quickness will play a large part in tonight’s All-American Conference football game to be played at Mollenkopf Stadium in Warren.
Kickoff will be at 8 o’clock, with the Tigers (5-2, 2-0) and the Black Panthers (5-2, 1-1) probably slated to play before a sellout crowd. Massillon hopes to keep its five-game win streak alive as does Harding its two-game skein. The Tigers lead the AAC.
OTHER LEAGUE games scheduled for tonight are Niles (5-2, 1-1) at Alliance (5-2, 1-1) and Steubenville (4-3, 1-1) at Canton McKinley (3-4, 0-2).
“Our scouts feel Warren is the quickest team they’ve seen this season offensively and defensively,” Currence said. “We’ll find out tonight whether the Panthers or the Tigers are quickest. I’d rate it a tossup.”
In order to best a will-of-the-wisp team like Warren, Currence commented that naturally you don’t do things the same as you would against a slow team.
“You don’t attack at the perimeter as much as you would other teams,” he said. “When you get a quick team in there, pursuit is so great you almost have to run at them a little bit.”
The Tigers will also have to alter their defensive strategy.
“HARDING RUNS from an unbalanced line,” Currence said. “We saw it a little bit in the preseason scrimmage against Warren Western Reserve. An unbalanced line poses a problem of being out flanked. Harding brings an end over, puts its wingback on the same side and if you keep the nose guard on the center, like you’re supposed to, they’ve got you out flanked.”
Currence has another worry in playing a team such as Harding – the physical condition of his linebacking crew. Juniors Steven Dottavio and Kurt Walterhouse are slated to start. Dottavio jammed a hand while replacing senior Gary Border (broken arm) last week.
Junior Scott Wilson was lost for the season due to an arm injury sustained earlier this fall. The remaining linebacker is junior Tim Horton.
Walterhouse calls the signals and if he should get hurt, the Orange and Black would be hurting. Signal calling against a quick team like Warren, with its varied formations, is not an easy task. “Warren likes to run off tackle and outside and control the ball with its power offense,” Currence said. “Strength wise I thin our defensive ends juniors Dave Engler and Frank Sweterlitsch will get their biggest test of the season. I’m anxious to see how good our pursuit is.”
BECAUSE THE TIGERS have senior co-captain Anthony Grizzard at monster back, another key defensive spot against a quick team like Warren’s, Currence thinks this a plus for the Tigers. “They’re going to run at one of the best monster backs they’ve ever seen,” Currence stated. “If they come outside very much, they’re going to have some problems. We put him out there because we knew we had to have him there to plays teams like Warren and Canton McKinley.”
Another plus is that the Tigers will have the weight advantage – offense to defense.
Currence expects the fact that Warren switches from a 5-2 to a 4-4 defense from down to down could be troublesome. The Panthers also try to take the pass away, he said.
“They drop back and cover the zone extremely well,” Currence said. “They have not blitzed much. Ross wants things covered well.”
If the Tigers can beat the Panthers, they’ll get over a hurdle bigger than Mt. Everest.
Tiger, Warren lineups
TIGERS Offense ENDS – Mark Pringle (6-0, 150, Jr.); Rich Chovan (5-11, 171, Sr.). TACKLES – Tim Tournay (6-2, 270, Sr.); Tim Daniels (6-7, 230, Jr.). GUARDS – John Hauser (5-11, 211, Sr.); Mark Lauber (6-1, 212, Sr.). CENTER – Mike Ramsey (5-8, 180, Sr.). QUARTERBACK – Bret Traylor (5-10, 159, Sr.). HALFBACKS – Jay Harper (5-5, 160, Sr.); Mike Grove (5-8, 175, Jr.). FULLBACK – Rich Cleveland (6-1, 180, Soph.). Defense ENDS – Frank Sweterlitsch (6-1, 180, Jr.); Dave Engler (5-9, 180, Jr). TACKLES – Tony Matie (6-0, 210, Jr.); Jesse Toles (6-0, 190, Sr.). MIDDLE GUARD – Carl Dorsey (5-9, 185, Jr.). LINEBACKERS – Kurt Walterhouse (6-0, 170, Jr.); Steve Dottavio (5-8, 216, Jr.). SECONDARY – Anthony Grizzard (5-9, 168, Sr.); Randy Lash (5-8, 165, Sr); Bill Henderson ((5-9, 160, Sr.); Van Jones (5-11, 155, Sr.).
WARREN Offense ENDS – Rod Maines (6-2, 180, Sr.); Steve Golden (5-8, 140, Jr.). TACKLES – Mike Dixon (5-11, 193, Sr.); Dave Allen (6-2, 205, Sr.). GUARDS – John Epitropoulos (6-2, 208); Ernie Epitropoulos (6-1, 208). CENTER – Rick Core (5-10, 170, Sr.). QUARTERBACK – Maurice Hall (5-7, 160). HALFBACKS – Ivan Battee (6-1, 170, Sr.); Ralph Goliday (6-0, 195, Sr.). FULLBACK – John Hill (6-0, 205, Sr.). Defense ENDS – Allen and Maines. TACKLES – Nick Ambeliotis (5-10, 192, Jr.); Tom Megalis (5-10, 192, Sr.). MIDDLE GUARD – Eric Lewis (5-10, 176, Sr.). LINEBACKERS – John and Ernie Epitropoulos. SECONDARY – Lynn Robinson (5-7, 155, Sr.); Rob White (5-10, 160, Sr.); Chris Gray (5-10, 165, Sr.) Eric Johnson (5-10, 150, Sr.).
Great second half effort gives Tigers 22-15 victory
By CHUCK HESS, JR. Independent Sports Editor
Motivation was the key Friday night at Mollenkopf Stadium in Warren.
The Tiger offense took the opening kickoff of the third quarter and carried the swinehide 66 yards for the tying touchdowns.
SPURRED ON by their mates’ example the “Tiger Claw Defense,” which had been like a sieve in the first half, became like Ed “Strangler” Lewis during the final 24 minutes, threw in the winning touchdown to boot and Washington High School had a 22-15 win before 14,000 fans.
It didn’t come easy for the Orange and Black. Warren Harding’s Black Panthers were a snarling bunch of gridders who had hoped to scissor the Tigers’ five-game win streak as the Obiemen had cut Warren’s seven-game string here in 1975.
Hampered by some key injuries sustained in the first half and by another injury sustained in practice Thursday, the Panthers played in the best tradition of Harding football teams. They took a 15-7 halftime lead.
But the Tigers clawed more furiously after t he intermission and came away with their sixth win against two defeats. Harding dropped to 5-3.
Massillon (3-0) continued to lead the All-American Conference. Warren (1-2) dropped into third place with Alliance. Steubenville (2-1) and Niles McKinley tied for second. Canton McKinley (0-3) remained in the cellar.
THE STAGE is set for a Massillon-Alliance rematch next Friday at Mt. Union Stadium in Alliance. The Tigers also had a great game against Warren last year but were upset by Alliance the next week.
Massillon fans were shocked in the first half Friday when the Harding offensive line opened huge holes in the Orange and Black defense and tailbacks Don Henderson and Ivan Battee sped through them. Harding also completed four of five pass attempts as the Tigers tried to stop Warren’s running game and left receivers wide open.
Warren raced up nine first downs to the Tigers’ three, 83 yards rushing to the Tigers’ seven and 51 yards passing (three for four), to the Tigers’ 32 for a 134-39 advantage.
Harding converted five of eight third down attempts to the Tigers’ two of four.
After the bands had entertained, the Orange and Black rolled up five first downs to the Panthers’ one, 98 yards rushing to the Panthers’ eight, 37 yards passing (three for four) to the Panther’s none for a 135-8 advantage.
The Panthers converted no third down attempts in two tries to Massillon’s two in four tries.
WARREN GOT the “Thriller from Mollenkopf” under way with a 66-yard, eight-play drive after a 24-yard runback of the opening kickoff by Ralph Goliday. It was one of several good ones by Panther runners.
Three passes were keys in the drive. Flanker Goliday had a seven-yarder and David Allen (shifted from tackle to tight end), a 20-yarder and a 13-yard touchdown catch at 8:34. Maruce Hall booted the conversion.
Lineacker Kurt Walterhouse recovered an errant Harding pitchout on the panther’s five to set up a touchdown for Rich Cleveland, working out of left halfback in Woody Hayes’ “robust-T” when the Tigers were inside the 10-yard line. Jerry Shafrath handled fullback and Ken Nagle right halfback.
Cleveland powered off tackle for the TD two plays after the fumble recovered at 2:31. Mike Hardwick kicked the conversion.
Halfback Jay Harper got hit a terrific jolt after catching a pass on the Tigers’ 27 right after the start of the second quarter. Harding cornerback Chris Gray hopped on Harper’s fumble just before it went out of bounds and Warren started on its way for its second touchdown.
SEVEN PLAYS and three penalties later fullback Don Henderson went off right tackle for the TD with 6:55 left. Hall faked a kick and ran the conversion.
The Tigers thought they had stopped the drive when safety Van Jones intercepted a pass on his five but middle guard Carl Dorsey got called for roughing the passer, putting the ball on the 12.
The Warren TD came four plays later, following a sterling 11-yard third down run by Hill to the one.
Cleveland ran the third period kickoff back 10 yards and the Tigers took off on an eight-play, 66-yard scoring romp. The big play was a 46-yard run by Cleveland off left guard to the Warren eight. Four plays later Rich took a pitch off right tackle for the score with 8:22 left.
Grove made a great diving catch of a Bret Traylor pass for the tying tally.
LATER IN the period the Tigers took a Warren punt on the Panthers’ 43 after the “Tiger Claw Defense” had forced Tom Clouser to kick from the end zone. In five plays the Orange and Black had the ball on the one.
Harper and Grove contributed 18 and 15-yard catches off Traylor but Grove later fumbled on the one, trying to go over left tackle for the score. Panther linebacker Joe DiLella recovered on the one but the Tigers held again.
Clouser kicked from his end zone. Massillon end Dave Engler narrowly missed roughing him, monsterback Anthony Grizzard grabbed the punt on the 38 and raced down the sideline for the score with 9:50 left in the last quarter.
Hardwick kicked the final conversion.
Gray intercepted a Tiger pass on Massillon’s 40 later in the period and ran it back to the 34, but the “Tiger Claw Defense” – in the person of Anthony Grizzard – threw Henderson for a four-yard loss to the 33 on fourth down.
“WE HAD A long half time and we made adjustments,” Currence said. “They ran us off the field in the first half. They were the best team we faced this year explosive-wise. I got scared watching their tailbacks running the first half. We couldn’t tackle them. We never faced anyone this year we couldn’t come up and stick.”
“We had a couple of key fumbles – on a punt and on a pitchout,” said Warren head Coach Tom Ross. “We thought we had the corner turned on a key fourth down play but didn’t get up there for a first down. Massillon has a fine football team.”
The punt fumble Ross mentioned came late in the fourth quarter when Bob White, who had done a masterful runback job all night, miscued and Tiger Van Jones hopped on the ball at the Warren 23. But an illegal shift penalty and a holding penalty kayoed the Tigers’ chances.
Ross lost Allen when he got his bell rung in the first half, defensive tackle Nick Ambleotis suffered a knee injury in practice Thursday but it wasn’t determined until 6 p.m. Friday that he couldn’t go. John Antebucci replaced him and received a knee injury in the first half.
GUARD ERNIE Epitropoulos received a foot injury in the fourth quarter.
Ross moved inside tackle Mike Dixon to Allen’s outside tackle slot when Allen was shifted to tight end, but didn’t get the blocking from him that Ross got from Allen, a pre-season All-American pick.
“We couldn’t throw in the second half because of poor field position,” Ross said.
WARREN – 15 Ends – Allen, Golden, Maines, E. Shaker, Blazek, Thomas. Tackles – Dixon, Megalis, Antenucci, J. Shaker. Guards – E. and J. Epitropoulos, Cassakais. Center – Core, Grodesky, Bokone. Quarterback – Hall. Halfbacks – Battee, Henderson, Goliday, Robinson. Fullback – Hill. Middle guards – E. Lewis, Di Lella. Defensive halfbacks – Gary, White, Robinson, Johnson. Punter – Clouser.
Massillon 7 0 8 7 22 Warren 7 8 0 0 15
SCORING SUMMARY W – David Allen, 13 pass from Maurice Hall (Hall kick); M – Rich Cleveland, 2 run (Mike Hardwick kick); W – Don Henderson, 1 run (Hall run); M – Cleveland, 2 run (Mike Grove pass from Bret Traylor); M – Anthony Grizzard, 38 punt runback (Hardwick kick).
OFFICIALS Referee – Frank Buhas. Umpire – Al Collier. Head Linesman – Hugh Davis. Field Judge – Dave Landis. Back Judge – Tim Murray.
ATTENDANCE – 14,000.
GRIDSTICK M W First downs rushing 4 6 First downs passing 4 2 First downs penalties 0 1 Total first downs 8 9 Yards gained rushing 140 139 Yards lost rushing 35 45 Net yards gained rushing 105 91 Net yards gained passing 69 51 Total yards gained 174 142 Passes completed 6-8 4-5 Passes intercepted by 0 1 Yardage on passes intercepted 0 0 Kickoff average (yards) 4-52 3-42 Kickoff returns (yards) 42 107 Punt average (yards) 4-36 5-33 Punt returns (yards) 36 9 Had punts blocked 0 0 Fumbles 3-2 2-2 Yards penalized 4-40 4-30 Touchdowns rushing 2 1 Touchdowns passing 0 1 Miscellaneous touchdowns 1 0 Total number of plays 42 51 Total time of possession 21:48 26:12
INDIVIDUAL RUSHING Massillon Player A G L N Cleveland 15 81 6 75
