Category: <span>History</span>

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1961: Massillon 26, Alliance 0

Tigers Roll Over Alliance High 26-0
Tight Bengal Defense Limits Aviators To 44 Net Yards Rushing

By CHUCK HESS, JR.

Massillon’s terrific Tigers had the “Keys to the Kingdom” Friday night at Tiger stadium. And they unlocked another door in the path to a third straight state high school football championship for Leo Strang’s charges.

The Benglas shut out previously undefeated Alliance 26-0 before the largest crowd of the season. Some 91,319 fans sat in on the slaughter of the hapless Aviators, who have never won a game at Tiger stadium.

“We must have read a 100 keys out there,” said a jubilant Strang. He was referring to the method by which defenders can diagnose the direction and type of play coming at them. They watch certain key players for the tipoff.

Program Cover

* * *
BY DOING THIS expertly and wheeling and pealing, blitzing from and eight-man defensive line and pursuing plays doggedly the Tigers held the Aviators to a mere 44 net yards rushing. The Bengals completely smothered Alliance’s heretofore explosive attack. They were thus the first to stop the deadly Alliance sweep play. The vaunted “Pony Backs” – Marion Young, Glenn Hill and Larry Grimes, never had a chance. Quarterback Jim LaFountain got few passes away. The ones he connected on netted Alliance only 10 yards. When he did pass, the Tiger secondary covered receivers like a glove, allowing Mel Knowlton’s boys to complete only one of nine aerials.

“This was the best defensive effort I’ve ever gotten from a team playing an opponent the caliber of Alliance,” Strang said. He meant not only at Massillon but in his entire coaching career.

An effort like the one the Bengals made Friday night has to be a tribute to a great coaching staff. A fine job of scouting plus utilization of the reports to the utmost resulted in the Tigers’ fourth straight and most impressive win of the season.

“We, the coaches, put in long sessions this week, staying up to midnight and 1 a.m. studying the Alliance offense and how to defense it correctly,” Strang said. “I’m dead. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep in a week,” he added

* * *
A DEJECTED KNOWLTON said, “I have no alibis. We were lousy in all departments. But don’t get me wrong,” he added, “I’m not taking anything away from Massillon. That’s a great team.”

The contest was marred by a free-for-all at the contest’s conclusion. Massillon’s Bob Baker and Alliance’s Marion Young had a difference of opinion in the middle of the field during the last play. Then both benches emptied. Fists were swinging and helmets flying. But most of the uproar was a lot of pushing.

Both Strang and Knowlton, right in the middle of the melee, said, “We tried to break the thing up. But as quickly as one fight was stopped, more got started. This is an awful thing to have happen.” Actually, there weren’t as many boys fighting as it seemed, but it was enough to ruin an otherwise fine night of football. The altercation was stopped after about five minutes.

It would be unfair to single out any Bengal for fine play offensively or defensively because all did such a tremendous job. But it must be mentioned that Fullback Ken Dean scored three of the Tigers’ four touchdowns.

It appears that Dean, who reported about 40 pounds overweight last month and is now down to a trim, for him, 218, is back on the beam. His old speed and power, which brought him All-American honors in 1960, appear to have been recovered.

* * *
“IT SURE FELT great out there,” the big guy said, “but please give the whole gang credit. They gave me the opportunities.”

One of the guys who was instrumental in Dean’s TD romps was Ron Schenkenberger. He caught two key passes that set up two six-pointers. The little wingback also set up another score by Fullback Fred Philpott.

Passing was all important to the Strangmen. They opened up the middle by throwing to unstack the Aviators’ five-four and four-five defenses which jammed up the Tigers’ ground game down the middle.

It looks like Philpott and Dean will be the big yardage boys from now on. Philpott did the open field running and Dean got the short yardage in tight.

“That’s the way I’ll use them the rest of the season,” Strang said.

The Tigers won the toss for the first time this season. But it didn’t do them any good. On their first play from scrimmage, the Bengals fumbled on their own 42. Jim Fraraccio recovered for Alliance.

The Aviators drove to the Massillon 24, their deepest penetration of the night. On a first down play, Alliance fumbled, and Steve Garland hopped on the errant pigskin.

* * *
IT COULD BE that this fumble broke the spirit of the Aviators for they never got going again. Had they gotten an early score, the game might have been tighter.

This could also have been what the doctor ordered for Massillon. The Bengals were certainly keyed up for the entire 48 minutes.

The Tigers got only four yards during their first series. But that was the only time they didn’t get more than one first down when they had the ball in their hands.

The Airmen, on the other hand, got only one other drive going the entire night, and they lost the ball on downs on the Massillon 26 on that one, which occurred in the last period.

Quarterback Jim LaFountain punted on fourth and two on the Massillon 42 in the second Alliance series. Schenkenberger, attempting the runback, gave the hometown fans a fright when he fumbled on his 12. He recovered, however.

* * *
THE TIGERS then took off on an 88-yard touchdown romp, covering 15 plays and picking up five first downs along the route. Strang’s charges alternated between sweeps and plays up through the center on the drive.

Schenkenberger had two fine pass catches to help set up Massillon’s first score. The first was a 17-yarder on the down-and-out pattern from mid field to the Alliance 33. Quarterback Jim Alexander completed another from the 17 to the two with Schenk running the diagonal pattern.

Dean then came into the game and ran two straight wedge plays up the center, scoring from the one on the second run as the first period ended. Brown tried to go between the long side guard and inside tackle for the conversion but missed.

Another Alliance series followed. And LaFountain was forced to punt again. Schenkenberger fumbled and recovered again, this time at the Airmen’s 47. Had he not lost time on the bobble he might have scored for his path was wide open.

Cornerbacker, Floyd Pierce made a brilliant over-the-shoulder interception on the Aviators’ 29, to set the stage again.

Schenkenberger grabbed a button-hook pass on the next play and raced to the two from where Dean went over on the wedge a second time at 5:54. Alexander’s pass to Larry Ehmer misfired on the conversion attempt.

* * *
LINEBACKER Charlie Whitfield put the Tigers back into business near the end of the period by recovering an Alliance fumble on the Aviators’ 41, but the Bengals failed to capitalize on the situation this time.

Massillon’s last effort of the half ended when a pass to Schenkenberger down the middle was knocked down by safety Tony King around the Aviator 10. He batted down two other potential TD aerials.

Both Strang and Knowlton heaped praise on King saying, “He did a tremendous job on defense.”

In the third period Massillon got its only TD coupled with a conversion. Again it was Dean, this time on what started with the big fullback cutting in between the tackles and then out to the sideline on the right side. He carried two players with him and finally fell on the goal flag for the score at 1:37. The run came from the five. Brown’s sweep of right end netted the conversion.

Massillon had taken over after an Aviator punt on the Tiger 49. Covering 51 yards ,the scoring march was completed in eight plays.

One of the really funny incidents of the night occurred in the third period. On another Aviator punt Schenkenberger and Baker each thought the other was going to catch the ball and it hit the former on the top of his head. Luckily the Tigers recovered.

* * *
MASSILLON SCORED its last TD in the dying minutes of the game, showing once again that the Tigers know how to utilize the clock. The Tigers recovered a fumble on the Alliance 29 to set this one up.

In three plays it was 26-0 at 0:38. Schenkenberger caught a pass on the first play using the “banana” pattern, out and then looping in and down the center. The play carried to the 11. Brown swept right end to the one, and Philpott scored on the wedge. With Alexander holding, Co-Captain Ken Ivan attempted to kick a conversion for the first time this season. However, the ball hit one of the uprights and caromed back into the field, just missing going through by inches.

The Bengals’ now leave Tiger stadium until Oct. 20, playing at Steubenville next week and Cincinnati Roger Bacon, Oct. 12.

Strang set the tone for coming games with the statement, “I don’t know whether we can stay keyed up for the next five or six weeks or not.”

A Big Victory

ALLIANCE
Ends – King, Leaf, Crowder, Green.
Tackles – Admonius, Dunn, Woods.
Guards – Frearaccio, Long and Mallory.
Center – Stoops.
Backs – LaFountain, Grimes, and Young.

MASSILLON
Ends – Ivan, L. Ehmer, Garland, Pierce.
Tackles – Strobel, Spees, Paisley, Mercer.
Guards – Clendenin, Whitfield, Poole, Migge, and Radel.
Center – Bradley.
Backs – Alexander, Schenkenberger, Brown, Philpott, Baker,
Dean, Snively, Davis and Williams.

Massillon – 6 6 8 6 – 26

Scoring
Touchdowns – Dean 3 (one, two, five-yard runs);
Philpott (one-yard run).
Conversions – Brown (sweep).

OFFICIALS
Referee – Bud Shopbell.
Umpire – Jim Lymper.
Head Linesman – (unreadable)
Field Judge – (unreadable)

STATISTICS
Mass. All.
First downs – rushing 11 2
First downs – passing 4 1
First downs – penalties 0 2
Total first downs 15 5
Yards gained rushing 206 84
Yards lost rushing 9 40
Net yards gained rushing 197 44
Yards gained passing 103 10
Total yards gained 300 54
Passes attempted 14 9
Passes completed 6 2
Passes intercepted by 1 1
Times kicked off 5 1
Kickoff average (yards) 45.8 45
Kickoff returns (yards) 20 61
Times punted 4 4
Punt average (yards) 38.2 33.5
Punt return (yards) 17 14
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 2 4
Lost fumbled ball 1 3
Penalties 3 2
Yards penalized 35 10

Charlie Brown
Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1961: Massillon 20, Cleveland Benedictine 6

Tigers Defeat Stubborn Benedictine 20-6
Bengals’ Unexpected Strength Surprises Massillon Gridders

By CHUCK HESS, JR.

Someone once said, “The football bounces in strange ways.” Whoever it was had something there.

How do you explain Cleveland Benedictine losing, 40-0, last week and playing vastly better Friday night?

Massillon Coach Leo Strang had one answer after his charges had defeated the fired-up Benedictine eleven 20-6 Friday night at Tiger Stadium. “Benedictine was probably looking toward us last week. We were looking ahead to next week and Alliance. You can take 20 points off a team’s total when this happens.”

Benedictine veteran mentor, Auggie Bossu, had his explanation, “We were fighting for our life in there. We had to be up for the game and were. This is the first time in a long time that we’ve been in a contest right up to the end. I’m proud of our boys showing.”

* * *
THERE’S ALSO a third possibility. There’s a jinx that seems to dog the Tigers. Whenever Massillon has been written up in national magazines or filmed for national presentations, they’ve had a tough time in the next game.

A television film crew from the National Broadcasting Company’s “Today” show was on hand Friday night. The films will be shown on the program Monday morning from 8 to 8:30. The crew plans to return for the traditional game with McKinley in November.

Whatever the reason was, the Tigers got their third straight win of the season and Strang and his lieutenants breathed a lot easier after the final whistle had sounded.

There were several factors in Benedictine’s fine showing. One was the play of its defensive line. Another was Quarterback Ron Boruszkowski’s running of the option play. A third was the fine pass defense thrown up by the Bengals.

Bengal defensive linemen were charging hard and low with good results so its secondary was able to play deep and had Tiger receivers well covered. Boruszkowski, playing with a stoved thumb and after having missed several days of practice in the last two weeks, ran his team well. He gained a lot of yardage around end.

The Tigers also defended well, both up front and in the deep positions, although they gave up the most yardage of their three games this season last night.

* * *
MASSILLON gobbled up a lot of ground yardage around the middle of the line once again, but it was their lowest total to date. The Tigers led the Bengals 265-104. Washington high also was on top in the air 42-31.

Massillon Quarterback Jim Alexander completed two of four passes. Boruszkowski connected on two of seven.

It was a battle of unbalanced wing-T’s, Massillon stuck to offense to the right. Benedictine varied its attack with its offense swung both ways.

Fullback Fred Philpott was a multiple scorer again. He tallied two times. Left Half Ken Dean got his first score of the season. Quarterback Jim Alexander scored a conversion.

Benedictine’s lone score tally was by halfback Jim Kucera.

It took the Tigers nearly the whole first period to engineer their initial score. The Tigers lost the toss for the third straight week and kicked from the north goal for the third time.

Benedictine drove to the Massillon 34 on its first chance with the pigskin. Taking over on their own 39-yard line, the Bengals covered 27 yards in the next six plays and two first downs before Bob Baker intercepted a pass on the Tiger 28 to stop the drive.

* * *
MASSILLON came back with a 72-yard trek for the first score of the game. The drive took 12 plays. The Tigers garnered four first downs in the process.

The Tigers ground out the yardage via short gains, the longest being a 16-yard effort by Ron Schenkenberger from his own 42 to the Bengal 42.

The play that brought the Tigers to pay dirt was a sweep of left end on first down from the 16 by Philpott. Alexander went down the middle for two more on the keeper. The score came with 2:37 left in the period.

The two teams battled on even terms until midway in the second stanza. The Bengals took over after a Massillon punt on the hosts 47 and went all the way for the score.

It took Benedictine seven plays. Kucera and Boruszkowski took turns running the ball around the ends or off the left side of the line. Tom Kucera took it over at 7:31, sweeping the left side. Boruszkowski failed in his effort to get two more points, and the score stood
8-6.

* * *
BOTH TEAMS had one more chance in the second period. Benedictine got stalled on the Massillon 42. The Tigers were on the verge of scoring when time ran out.

They had been put back in a big hole by a long punt by Boruszkowsi to the three. In nine plays and three first downs the Tigers had moved to the Benedictine 45. With third and 10, Alexander passed to Schenkenberger down the middle. The play carried to the Benedictine 15 but the first half had ended en route.

Massillon scored the first time it got its hands on the ball in the third period. Taking over on its own 33 after the kickoff, the Tigers moved 67 yards in nine plays with three first downs.

A big play was Brown’s sweep of right end for 19 yards from his 43 to Benedictine’s 38.

The scoring play was a 22-yard blast down the middle on second and seven with 7:05 remaining. Schenkenberger tried to sweep right end for the score but missed.

* * *
BENEDICTINE had one more scoring opportunity at the end of the third period and beginning of the fourth. After a Massillon punt, the Bengals got rolling from their own 46. They got as far as the Massillon 34 in the next seven plays but were forced to punt after a holding penalty had set them back.

Massillon scored its final TD late in the fourth period. The Tigers forced Benedictine to punt and got the ball at mid field.

Strang’s charges reeled off nine plays in three first downs and tallied at 1:21. Dean shot through the middle from the two on second down. Philpott’s sweep was short for the conversion.

Brown had two big gainers of 10 and 13 yards during the drive, the last setting up the score.

Next week the real meat of the schedule starts. The Alliance Aviators come in for a battle of the undefeated. It’ll be a lot of hard work from now on, as the Tigers try for their third straight state championship.

Victory No. 3

Cleveland Benedictine
Ends – Marcoguiseppe and Klaff.
Tackles – Porowski and Piazza.
Guards – Zummo, Gad and White.
Center – Bilek.
Backs – Boruszkowski, Chorba, Kucera and Zelina.

Massillon
Ends – L. Ehmer, Ivan and Pierce.
Tackles – Strobel, Spees, Maglischo, Pierce and Mercer.
Guards – Clendenin, Whitfield, Poole, Migge, Radel, Relford, and J. Ehmer.
Center – Bradley.
Backs – Snively, Alexander, Philpott, Brown, Dean, Davis and Baker.

Score by quarters
Benedictine 0 6 0 0 6
Massillon 8 0 6 6 20

Scoring
Benedictine
Touchdowns – Kucera (17-yard run).
Conversions – none.

Massillon
Touchdowns – Philpott (16 and 22-yard runs).
Dean (two-yard plunge).
Conversions – Alexander.

OFFICIALS
Referee – Steve Bernardic.
Umpire – Harold Rolph.
Head Linesman – Octavio Sirgo.
Field Judge – Pete Lanagan.

STATISTICS
Tigers Bengals
First downs – rushing 15 7
First downs – passing 2 1
First downs – penalties 0 0
Total first downs 17 8
Yards gained rushing 278 131
Yards lost rushing 13 27
Net yards gained rushing 265 104
Yards gained passing 42 31
Total yards gained 307 135
Passes attempted 4 7
Passes completed 2 2
Passes intercepted by 1 0
Times kicked off 4 2
Kickoff average (yards) 26.2 35.0
Kickoff returns (yards) 49 26.0
Times punted 3 5
Punt average (yards) 27.3 39.2
Punt return (yards) 11 3
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 0 1
Lost fumbled ball 0 0
Penalties 4 6
Yards penalized 40 70

Charlie Brown
Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1961: Massillon 32, Akron Garfield 6

Tigers Defeat Garfield 32-6
Stout Defense Plays Prominent Role In Bengals’ Second Win

By CHUCK HESS, JR.

There’s an old adage, “The best offense is a good defense.” That statement was never proved more convincingly than at Tiger stadium Friday night before a crowd of 12,904 fans.

The Washington high Tigers sprung a blitzing defense on Akron Garfield that had the
two-time defending Akron city champions completely befuddled and demoralized. The hard-charging defense, outweighed by Garfield, wore the fleece of the Golden Ram down to fuzz. Its horns were dulled to a nubbin.

The result was a 32-6 victory for Massillon, the second win of the season, and the ninth straight triumph over Garfield.

It was an outstanding Garfield team that invaded the stadium, hoping to upset the Tigers and go on to a state championship. But the Bengals out after a third title in a row were not to be denied.

“Garfield has a fine team,” said Tiger Coach Leo Strang amid the happy post-game scene in the Bengals’ dressing room. “We just caught them by surprise with out changing defenses and never let up.”

Program Cover

* * *
IT WASN’T only the line and line backers’, that did an outstanding job, the secondary’s coverage of pass-receivers kept the Rams on the ground. Quarterback Denny Boothe was unable to throw with the result he was tossed for losses several times by Tiger defenders. Unable to loosen up the defense by occasional passes, the Rams’ ground game suffered.

Leading the hard-charging Tigers were Willie Poole and Charlie Whitfield. Joe Snively, Bob Baker and Charlie Brown did the covering of the pass-receivers.

Strang gave his coaches who did the spotting from the press box and scoreboard a big pat on the back for their fine work. They had Garfield pegged to a T both offensively and defensively. Nick Vrotsos, Nick Coso and Jack Robb were in the press box. Frank Domokos was in the scoreboard.

The Tiger offense had Garfield guessing all night. The Presidents played a wide 6-2-2-1 most of the time. This left the middle open and it was here that the Bengals made the most of their yardage.

However, when the Rams closed up the center, Strang had his backs sweeping the ends. Garfield just couldn’t adjust to the changes.

“You just can’t make mistakes against a team the caliber of Massillon.” Garfield Coach Dan Flossie said. “We did and it cost us.” Flossie added. “The Tigers are a great team and they play good, clean, hard football.”

* * *
WHEREAS the Tigers threw a lot last week, this time they stuck to the ground, gobbling up 313 yards to Garfield’s 48. Garfield out passed the Bengals 73-39. Total offense was 382 to 121.

The Tigers gained 15 first downs to Garfield’s two on the ground each had three in the air. Totals were 18 and five.

Freddie Philpott for the second straight week, showed real stuff from his fullback spot. He scored two touchdowns and gained 154 yards in 13 tries for an 11.8 average.

Charlie Brown scored one TD. Ron Schenkenberger one and short side Guard Bob Clendenin one on a fumble-recovery.

The Tigers had trouble scoring conversions again. Ron Davis scored the lone two-pointer, after the second TD.

* * *
FOR THE SECOND straight week the Tigers lost the toss and were forced to kick. Garfield ran two plays, after Dave Mosely had run the kick back 11 yards from his 30. Then Boothe fired down the middle to End Mike Yovanovich, who grabbed the ball on the Massillon 25 and raced 14 before being tackled.

Here the Rams lost a fine opportunity to score. A fumble on the first play of the second series was recovered by the Tigers.

The Bengals then moved to their 49 in 11 plays, picking up two first downs in the process. They took a daring gamble with fourth and one on their 23. Ken Dean, playing his first game, went through the middle for six yards and the first down.

Two plays later Brown picked up six yards on a third-and-three situation from the 36 with a sweep to the right to keep the Tigers in possession. But the Bengals weren’t destined to score during their first series. They ran out of gas on the 49 and Jim Alexander punted to the Garfield 13.

The Rams went into a T spread on the first play. Boothe fumbled, Ed Radel, also in his first game, came charging through from his linebacker’s spot and recovered on the 11.

It looked like a sure score for the Bengals coming up. However, they lost the ball on downs on the five.

* * *
GARFIELD had one series, punted and Massillon took over on the President’s 40. Philpott burst through the middle on the first play and with the aid of a fine block by Clendenin, scored with 26 seconds remaining. Dean tried the middle for two more points but missed.

Then came Garfield’s lone TD. Tony Besesi grabbed Charlie Williams’ kickoff on the Rams’ 22 and ran it back to the Massillon 47. On the next play Ray Matthews, the Presidents all-everything back, swept left end for 32 yards to the Tiger 15 as the first quarter ended.

On the first play of the second period, Jim Sims blasted off right guard for the score with only five seconds gone in the quarter. A pass to End Dick Byerly on the try for the conversion failed.

Massillon came back after the kickoff, following Brown’s 21-yard return to the Tiger 43, for its second marker. In nine plays covering 57 yards and three first downs, the Bengals led 12-6,

The Tigers almost missed this score. Philpott blasted through the middle from the seven on second and three, was hit on the two and fumbled. The ball squirted into the end zone. Clendenin jumped on it for the score at 7:34. Davis swept right end for the 13th and 14th points.

* * *
MASSILLON’S next TD came near the end of the half. The Tigers stopped Garfield on the Bengal 28 after Byerly had recovered a Massillon fumble three plays earlier on the 36.

In a 72-yard drive covering six plays and three first downs, the Bengals had scored again. The TD was set up on a 38-yard pass play, Alexander to Wingback Ron Schenkenberger on a ride action with a hook pattern to Schenkenberger.

On the next play Brown swept around right end for the score with 31 seconds remaining. A repeat effort failed to score the conversion.

The Tigers’ fourth score came on the first series following the half time intermission. Schenkenberger took Matthews’ kick on the 17 and returned to the 40. Six plays, 60 yards and two first downs later the Bengals hit play dirt again.

Once more it was Philpott lugging the pigskin. He went through the middle from the 28 on third and nine with 9:17 showing on the clock. Brown missed the conversion, trying to go over right tackle.

* * *
THE TIGERS missed another opportunity in the third canto. They took over on the Garfield 33 when the Rams gambled on fourth and one and lost. However, the Bengals were unable to go further than the 30 in four plays.

The Rams got a long drive going at the end of the third period and beginning of the fourth to dent Massillon territory for the only time during the second half. The feat was accomplished only four times during the night. Garfield was in control for 12 plays covering 57 yards to the Tiger 15. The drive included four first downs. An incomplete pass on fourth down put an end to the Rams’ efforts for the night.

Massillon’s last score came right after the turnover. The Bengals rolled 85 yards, utilizing 14 plays and getting four first downs in the process.

Alexander passed to Schenkenberger down the middle on an out-and-in pattern from the 17 on fourth and 10. Alex tried to hit Larry Ehmer for the conversion but couldn’t connect.

The Tigers got over their first big hurdle Friday night, but there are nine more facing them before another state championship is theirs.

Good Defense

AKRON GARFIELD
Ends – Price, Yovanovich and D. Byerly.
Tackles – Postiach, Dyser, Kovacevich, Zeh and Bodash.
Guards – Breitenbach, Buchanan and Gaines.
Centers – Kiggans and Romacae.
Backs – Matthews, Sims, Boothe, Butash and Mosely.

MASSILLON
Ends – Ivan, Ehmer, Garland, McDew and Pierce.
Tackles – Spees, Strobel, Brenneman, Mercer, C. Bradley, Dekan and Profant.
Guards – Clendenin, Whitfield, Relford, Radel, Poole and Migge.
Centers – B. Bradley, Heine and Heckathorn.
Backs – Alexander, Philpott, Schenkenberger, Davis, Brown, Snively, Baker
Getz, Jarvis, Lash, Dean, Kanney and Franklin.

Garfield Scoring
Touchdowns – Sims, 13-yard run.

Massillon Scoring
Touchdowns – Philpott, 40 and 28-yard runs;
Clendenin, fumble recovery;
Brown, five-yard run;
Schenkenberger, 17-yard pass from Alexander.

Conversions – Davis

OFFICIALS
Referee – Andy Moran.
Umpire – Frank Westfall.
Head Linesman – Tom Bender.
Field Judge – George Donges.

STATISTICS
Mass. Opp.
First downs – rushing 15 2
First downs – passing 3 3
First downs – penalties 0 0
Total first downs 18 5
Yards gained rushing 324 66
Yards lost rushing 11 18
Net yards gained rushing 313 48
Yards gained passing 69 73
Total yards gained 382 121
Passes attempted 7 6
Passes completed 3 2
Passes intercepted by 0 1
Times kicked off 4 2
Kickoff average (yards) 38.5 36.0
Kickoff returns (yards) 35 126
Times punted 2 2
Punt average (yards) 36.0 37.0
Punt return (yards) 4 0
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 4 5
Lost fumbled ball 1 2
Penalties 9 2
Yards penalized 55 10

Charlie Brown
Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1961: Massillon 50, Newark 6

Tigers Beat Newark 50-6 Before 10,387
Three Passes, Long Runs Feature Bengals’ Opening Night Victory

By CHUCK HESS JR.

They said it would be a breather. And the experts called it right.

The Tiger roared to the tune of 50-6 at Tiger stadium Friday night in its first outing in quest of a third straight state championship.

Washington high school’s first victims of the 1961 season were the Newark Wildcats.

There were a few hitches here and there during the evening but nothing that can’t be ironed out with more hard work on the practice field.

Coach Leo Strang commented, “Our rushing game was a little sluggish and when we had our reserves in during the second half, our defense ran into a little difficulty.”

Program Cover

* * *
STRANG explained that the first team backs were missing assignments early in the game.

The Tiger machine ran smoothly after a few adjustments until the reserve backs had trouble in the second half.

“Our backs are still green,” Strang said, “but they’ll come around. “Dean (Ken) was out due to the death of his father, and Brown (Co-Captain Charlie) had sore feet and we couldn’t use him too much. When we’re able to use them fully, it’ll make a difference.”

While on the subject of his backfield, Strang commented on the work of left Half Ron Davis, a junior, and senior Fullback Fred Philpott. “I was really pleased with the performance of both of these boys,” Strang said.

Philpott scored one touchdown and one conversion. Davis two six-pointers and a two-pointer.

Strang singled out Tackle Ben Bradley, a junior, and seniors Willie Poole and Charlie Whitfield for their work on defense. Poole was in the line. Whitfield was linebacker. All three did yeoman service.

The quarterbacking of senior Jim Alexander and sophomore Terry Getz looked good. Both handled the ball well. Alexander passed for three touchdowns. Getz was a little off. But being a southpaw the Tiger offense is naturally a bit awkward for him. Strang was pleased with their work.

* * *
THE BENGALS scored in each quarter before a good opening night crowd of 10,387. Massillon’s best effort came in the first period when the Tigers tallied 16 points.

The Tigers made good use of scoring opportunities, tallying seven of 11 times that they had the ball. They came up with four TD’s the first half and three the last.

The Bengals rolled up 445 total yards to 104 for Newark. Massillon did not lose any yards rushing. The Tigers gained 279. Neward garnered 117 and lost 24. Passing yardage was 166 to 11 in favor of the Bengals. First downs were 18 to 6 on the Massillon side of the ledger.

Newark Coach Jim Allen in his first year, had high praise for the Wildcats. “We hustled all the way,” he said. “I think we can improve on last year’s record (1-8-1).”

The Tigers had the scoring all to themselves until the final period. When Newark scored with 1:41 left to play.

Massillon started thing off midway through the first period. The Tigers took over after a Newark punt on their own 30-yard line. On the second play of the series Alexander and long side End Larry Ehmer got together on a 61-yard TD pass, the aerial coming on a second-and-one situation after Brown had blasted nine yards through the middle to the 39. The score came with 4:13 remaining. Brown then cracked off the right side for the conversion and an 8-0 tally.

* * *
MINUTES LATER the Tigers again forced Newark to kick. Howard Ridella punted from his 38. Safety Bob Baker grabbed the ball on his 30 and raced down the sideline for the
70-yard tally. Fred Philpott carried off the right side for the conversion. The score was
16-0 with 1:48 remaining.

One play before the first period ended Ridella punted to Baker, who was nailed on his own 34. Five plays and two first down later came the third score. Philpott ran two successive plays, gaining 10 yards and a first down. Brown picked up 22 yards on the next two plays, taking the ball to the Newark 34 for a first and 10 situation. Alexander then passed to Wingback Ron Schenkenberger down the right side. Schenk grabbed it on the 10 and went into the end zone with 9:16 remaining. Davis went between the tackles for the extra points.

Alexander got into the scoring act again late in the quarter. The Tigers forced Ridella to kick, this time from his own 36 to Massillon’s 26, where the ball rolled dead. In eight plays and four first downs the Bengals had their fourth tally.

With Davis, Alexander and Schenkenberger taking turns running the ball, Massillon brought the ball to the Newark 26, first and 10. The big gains in the drive were eight and 10 yards by Schenkenberger and 15 by Alexander. Schenkenberger picked up two first downs, so did Alexander.

The touchdown play was Alexander’s pass to End and Co-captain Ken Ivan with 3:59 remaining. Ivan hauled the ball in one the 10. Alexander was short on the conversion try.

* * *
SENIOR Fullback Jack Lash set up the fifth tally with a fumble recovery on the “Cats” 25. With Getz engineering the attack, the Bengals scored in two plays.

Davis swept right end from the 18 after Brown had picked up nine yards through the center. The tally came on a second-and-one play with 7:42 left in the third stanza.

A delay penalty cost the Tigers a chance to make the conversion. Ivan tried to kick from the eight and missed.

Massillon took over the ball just before the third period ended on its own 43 and on the first play of the fourth canto, with 10 seconds gone, Philpott shot between the long side guard and inside tackle for 57 yards and the score. Lash missed on the conversion.

The Tigers had one more scoring opportunity. It came on a 67-yard drive from Massillon’s 33 after Newark’s lone TD. During the drive the Bengals garnered four first downs, all of them coming on consecutive plays. One was on a 13-yard run by John Kanney, junior halfback; one on a 13-yard pass Alexander to Ivan, and the last on a 16-yard run by Davis.

* * *
DAVIS WENT OVER on first-and-seven on a sweep around the right side with 20 seconds remaining in the game. Kanney tallied the conversion.

Newark Halfback Jim Tims stopped two other Massillon scoring opportunities himself on pass interceptions. He grabbed an Alexander to Schenkenberger aerial in the end zone for a touchback on the Tigers’ first series of the game.

Just before the end of the first half. He picked off a pass of senior Quarterback Bob Baker’s on the Newark five.

The ‘Cats’ lone tally came on a 64-yard drive, starting on their own 36 when many of the Tiger reserves were in. The big gainers were by senior Quarterback Gordon Johnson, another southpaw, and junior Halfback Jim Cocanour. During the drive Newark picked up five first downs.

Johnson threw to junior Halfback Jeff Wortman at the one, and Wortman went over, the score coming with 1:41 remaining. Junior Guard Don Kennin tried to kick the conversion, but missed

A Good Start

NEWARK
Ends – Pyle, Klein, Hunt and Bartlett.
Tackles – Myers, Walters, Hazelett, Cashdollar, and Miller.
Guards – Gordon, Kennon and Holten.
Centers – Lowery and Bibart.
Backs – Johnson, Wortman, Tims, Ridella, Arnold, Cartner, Cluggish, and Cocanour.

MASSILLON
Ends – Ivan, L. Ehmer, McDew, Pierce, Dewald and Garland.
Tackles – Strobel, Spees, Brenneman, Mercer, C. Bradley, Dekan, Profant, Magiiacho and Clendening.
Guards – Clendenin, Miggee, J. Ehmer, Matecheck, Relford, Whitfield, Poole, Mickley and Caldwell.
Centers—B. Bradley, Heckathorn and Heine.
Backs – Alexander, Schenkenberger, Brown, Philpott, Baker, getz, Jarvis, Lash, Williams, Snively, Franklin, Sullivan, Davis and Kanney.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Newark 0 0 0 6 6
Massillon 16 14 6 14 50

STATISTICS
Massillon Newark
First downs – rushing 13 6
First downs – passing 5 0
First downs – penalties 0 0
Total first downs 18 6
Yards gained rushing 279 117
Yards lost rushing 0 24
Net yards gained rushing 279 93
Yards gained passing 166 11
Total yards gained 445 104
Passes attempted 10 3
Passes completed 5 4
Passes intercepted by 1 2
Times kicked off 8 2
Kickoff average (yards) 38.2 35.0
Kickoff returns (yards) 16 121
Times punted 2 6
Punt average (yards) 41.5 30.0
Punt return (yards) 73 0
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 0 3
Lost fumbled ball 0 1
Penalties 4 0
Yards penalized 40 9

Charlie Brown
Massillon vs. McK - Throwback (Large)

1960: Massillon 42, Canton McKinley 0

Tigers Wait For Poll After Crushing Win
65th Game Is History As Locals Maul Pups, 42-0, Before 19,036

By JIM QUILTY

The ‘City of Champions’ has been assured of another championship.

Combining an awesome display of offensive power, a virtually immovable defense and an unquenchable fighting spirit which led them back from the 19-18 loss to Warren to three irreputable victories, the No. 1 ranked Washington high school Tigers ‘trapped’ Canton McKinley into its worst defeat of the 65-game football series, 42-0, before 19,096 impressed fans Saturday afternoon.

It was a sunshine filled football finale for 24 Washington high seniors who were given individual thunderous applause when Coach Leo Strang removed them from the lineup one by one, for the last time in their high school grid careers.

Program Cover

With the realization an impressive victory was necessary to cement the top ranking they have maintained during the entire 1960 season, the Massillon gridders performed their task with precision workmanship.

* * *
STARTING with the first time the Tigers took possession minutes after the start of the game, their unmistakable superiority was grossly evident. In the first six plays it had the ball, Washington high moved 76 yards, Ken Dean rolling the final 32 for the touchdown.

* * *
HEROES WERE MANY. But Art Hastings, the sure-fire all-Ohio fullback who scored four times with a scintillating display of broken field running, and Lawson White, who generaled the defensive wall, were exceptionally out-standing.

For Hastings, the afternoon was reminiscent of many evenings throughout the past two years. He concluded his final two years of varsity competition with 220 points, over 2,400 yards rushing and innumerable other marks which may withstand the assaults of future years.

* * *
THE TURNING point of the game was when Massillon kicked off.

McKinley’s top scorer Jim Patterson covered Dean’s kickoff on the 12. Three plays, then a five-yard penalty netted the Bulldogs a first down, their only one in the first half.

Marty Gugov (75)

Sirgo punted with Bob Baker fumbling it back to the 18. He then picked it up and returned to his own 24. Quarterback Dave Null picked up 25 yards, Dean seven and Hastings 12 to the Pup 32. Dean then went in behind Center George Demis and short side guard Gary Wells, broke to the west stand sideline and sprinted 32 yards into the north end zone for a 6-0 lead. Ken added the conversion but an illegal motion penalty ruled it out. Null’s pass was then incomplete for a 6-0 lead at the 5:48 mark.

Receiving the kick, McKinley failed to move. Sirgo booted out of bounds on Massillon’s 43.

The Tigers moved to the Canton 38 before a fumble with McKinley’s George Smith recovering. Again the losers failed to move. Sirgo booted again, this time to the Massillon 24.

Martin Gugov, still hobbled by the bad knee, started the TD drive with a 23-yard burst. Dean, Null and Hastings quickly complemented that run by moving to the McKinley 15 early in the second period.

* * *
HASTINGS then eluded tacklers three different times while streaking into the end zone for his first of our scores on another trap, this time through Demis and Jay B. Willey, long side guard. Hastings’ PAT attempt failed keeping the lead at 12-0.

With the Cantonians again stalling, Sirgo booted with Baker returning the ball to the 34. A clip on the 43 gave the locals first and 16 on their 28.

In six plays the Tigers had racked up TD No. 3 with Hastings barreling in from 29 yards out. Dean has chipped in 35 yards and Hastings 22 in the drive, which was slowed by a
15-yard holding call against the hosts.

A final first half scoring bid was thwarted by a holding call which set the locals back to the 24 after Null had combined with Hastings, then Charlie Brown, to the Pup nine. Hastings was tossed down on the 31 as the half came to a close. Massillon led, 18-0.

The Tigers met a similar fate at the start of the second half as they moved from their own 32 to the McKinley 18 where a fourth and eight pass from Null went astray.

A defensive holding penalty and a 14-yarder by Roland DiMickele brought the ball to the mid-field stripe, for Canton. Sirgo then had to punt with Baker ripping up the sideline while bringing the ball back to his own 49.

On the next play Hastings went through the same hole Dean used in his first period score for 51 yards and a touchdown. Charlie Brown added the two-point conversion for a 26-0 lead seven minutes into the final half.

* * *
DEAN’S next kickoff went to Patterson who fumbled with Dave Smith pouncing upon the ball on the McKinley 33. In three plays, including a 15-yard toss from Null to Larry Ehmer, the Tigers had moved to the enemy five. Hastings then bolted off his inside tackle for the score. Quarterback John Larson added the conversion on a keeper for a 34-0 advantage after three periods.

McKinley took Dean’s next kickoff and moved to the hosts’ 41 before losing the ball on downs.

Hastings picked up 24, nearly breaking away for his fifth tally. But then the Tigers faltered. Deans’ punt on a fourth down situation was blocked with Tom Wucinich recovering on the Tiger 37.

Three plays, including a completed pass, lost nine yards, Sirgo booted and Baker returned it to his 36.

Joe Heflin, playing his final game, streaked for 11 and a first down on the Bengal 47. On the next play, he ripped through the line and out-raced the defending Bulldogs for a
53-yard touchdown. Dave Smith went behind his outside tackle for the final two points of the productive 348 point season.

With Strang letting each of the seniors take his bow, the final drive by Massillon carried to the Pup six. There an incomplete pass gave Canton possession.

They picked up 21 yards in our carries as the season came to an abrupt halt.

* * *
THE TREMENDOUS pressure placed on McKinley Quarterback Tom Sirgo by White, Gary Wells, Wally Brugh, Duane Garman, Ken Herndon, Jim Houston and Ken Ivan, permitted the usually sure-fire passer only two completions, both in the flat, for a net gain of no yards. His first one picked up four but the second connection lost them all back.

* * *
IT WAS also an extremely pleasing performance for Coach Leo Strang, who with the victory, tied Chuck Mather for the most victories gained by a Washington high team in the first three years as Tiger coach. The win was No. 28 against only two defeats and a tie.

In three years against the Bulldogs and losing McKinley Coach Jim Robinson, the Tigers have turned in three straight victories. The Saturday invaders haven’t scored in their last 10 quarters after the 16-16 first half tie in Strang’s initial year at the helm, 1958.

But after 11 regular season games and two weeks with the victorious North All-Stars beginning in August, Strang was indeed ready to call it a coaching year.

“I’m glad it’s all over,” Leo disclosed with a beaming victory smile outside the Tiger dressing room. “It’s been a long one.”

Not once during the entire afternoon did the Bulldogs, owners of 320 points in 10 previous games, put together what even resembled an offensive threat. Early in the fourth period a 15-yard gain by Matt Brown, a 15-yard holding penalty against the Tigers, and several short gainers moved the Bulldogs to the Massillon 41.

That’s the most the visitors could do.

* * *
THE CLIMAXING game of the 1960 season gave the Orange and Black an impressive 10-1 slate marred only by the one-point loss to Warren. The win also kept Strang’s perfect home string in tact. In three years under Strang, the Tigers have yet to bow at Tiger stadium.

With the squad in as close to perfect health during the last three games as anytime during the season, the Tigers chewed up over a mile rushing and passing.

The 1,657 yards came on 517 yards in the Toledo Waite game, 544 against Springfield South and the 596 against ancient rival Canton McKinley.

Houston, Brugh, Wells, Garman, Gugov, Bob Herring, Joe Smith, Null, Larson , Demis, Willey, Richard Crenshaw, Ron Herbst, Virgil Bukuts, Herndon, Pete Anzalone, Don Kurzen, Theopolis Bodiford, Jim Fuchs and Chuck Royer along with Dave Smith, Hastings, White and Heflin closed out their high school football careers.

It was a pleasant finale that the boys won’t soon forget.

A Fine Finale

WASHINGTON HIGH SCHOOL
Ends – Bodiford, Royer, Ivan, Anzalone, Ehmer, Fuchs, Houston.
Tackles – Crenshaw, Bukuts, Brugh, Garmon, Herndon, Herbst.
Guards – White, Willey, Wells, Radel, Whitfield.
Centers – Demis, Bradley.
Backs – Null, Larson, Baker, Alexander, Hastings, J. Smith, Dean,
Snively, Schenkenberger, Kurzen, Herring, Gugov,
Heflin, D. Smith, Brown, Lash.

CANTON McKINLEY
Ends – Beane, Singleterry, Luchitz.
Tackles – Dragomer, Agnes, Day.
Guards – turpin, Seymour, Wucinich, Thomas, Ghezzi.
Centers – Hudak, Carr.
Backs – Sirgo, Pettersoh, DiMickele, Smith, Wood, Cobb.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Massillon 6 12 16 8 42

SCORING
Massillon – Dean (32, run); Hastings 4 (15, run; 29, run;
51, run; 5, run); Heflin (53, run).

CONVERSIONS
Massillon – Larson (run); Brown (run); D. Smith (run).

STATISTICS
Tigers Bulldogs
First downs – rushing 22 3
First downs – passing 2 0
First downs – penalties 0 3
Total first downs 24 6
Yards gained rushing 573 90
Yards lost rushing 22 17
Net yards gained rushing 551 73
Yards gained passing 45 0
Total yards gained 596 73
Passes attempted 6 12
Passes completed 3 2
Passes intercepted by 0 0
Times kicked off 7 1
Kickoff average (yards) 41.0 48.0
Kickoff returns (yards) 20 73
Times punted 1 8
Punt average (yards) 0 37.6
Punt return (yards) 73 0
Had punts blocked 1 0
Fumbles 2 1
Lost fumbled ball 1 1
Penalties 4 2
Yards penalized 60 30

Art Hastings
Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1960: Massillon 62, Springfield South 32

Springfield No Match For Tigers
Hastings Scores Four As Defending Champs Crush Rival, 62-32

By JIM QUILTY

Hail the state champs! But hold back the superlatives for seven more days until Washington high school’s Tigers clash with arch rival Canton McKinley in the season’s finale.

After Friday night’s massive 62-32 win over Ohio’s fifth ranked Springfield South Wildcats before 13,704 fans at Tiger stadium, the Tigers aren’t about to see their second successive state championship whisked from beneath them next Saturday afternoon.

As for Springfield, the Bengals, after the defensive unit thwarted a Wildcat drive on the two with Wally Brugh recovering a fumble, completely dominated play. Following the recovery Art Hastings ripped through a gapping hole in the short right side of his line moments later and raced 93 yards for a touchdown. That made it 18-0.

Only the aerial bombs tossed by Wildcat Quarterback Phil Westfall prevented a more complete rout. Westfall connected five times for touchdowns picking up 213 yards via the airways.

Dave Null and John Larson, the locals’ throwers, nearly equaled that yardage. Six completions in 12 tries netted 189 yards.

* * *

HOWEVER, it was the crushing ground attack led by Art Hastings, whose four touchdowns and four conversion points raised his season point total past the century mark, and Ken Dean, who added a pair of six-pointers, that subdued Springfield.

Together, this duo hung up most of the 355 yards net rushing.

The point output was the greatest of the year for the Tigers and the combined point total tied a 38-yard-old record of 94 points. That was set in 1922 when Massillon beat Akron North, 94-0.

On the debit side of the shining picture is the 32 points scored by the Wildcats. Their total is the largest ever scored against a victorious Tiger team. In 1951 Alliance, and in 1948, Steubenville, managed the previous high of 21. The Tigers had 34 in both those games. Again in 1952, Alliance had 21. This time the locals had 27.

More important than records to the Tigers, other than the win itself, were key losses by the Nos. 2 and 3 teams in the state.

Eight ranked Niles turned the trick at Alliance, 16-14. Marion Harding blanked third rated Sandusky, 6-0.

* * *
THE GAME STARTED slowly enough. Springfield kicked off and stopped the Tigers without a first down. Dean booted his only time in the game to the “Cats’ 37.”

In quick succession, Westfall fumbled and Ken Ivan recovered for the locals, then Ron Schenkenberger fumbled and Roger Bartley recovered for the southern 11 on his own 37.

After Springfield picked up a first down moving into Tiger territory, the defense held and Westfall punted. Baker grabbed the ball on the four. He was finally tripped up on his 25.

Dean bulled to the 28. Then the action picked up-tempo as Dave Null faked twice to Gugov and Hastings pulling the entire Springfield defense in. He then lofted a bulls eye to Chuck Royer, who raced the final 45 yards of the 72 yard touchdown play. The conversion was stopped, giving the locals a 6-0 lead seven minutes into the game.

The second score by the locals came early in the second period when Hastings rammed in from a few feet out after he and Dean led an assault, which carried 79 yards. A 20-yard pass from Null to Hastings and a 15-yard penalty aided the cause. Again the extra point run was stopped.

Springfield took Dean’s kick-off and with two quick end sweeps by Halfbacks Tom Fugate and Dave Daniel had moved to Massillon’s seven. Joe Snively pulled Fugate down while Charlie Brown caught Daniel from behind to prevent his scoring.

* * *
THREE WILDCAT PLAYS netted only five yards to the two. On fourth down Westfall handed off to Cobb but the locals’ forward wall led by Lawson White, Ivan and Wally Brugh met him squarely. He fumbled and Brugh pounced on it.

A holding penalty moved Massillon back to its own one-foot line. Null swept to the seven. Then after again pulling the defense in with a fake to his right, Null handed to Hastings who went untouched 93 yards for six points. Again the PAT attempt failed making it 18-0.

With three minutes left in the first half, Null connected with Larry Ehmer for a 33-yard touchdown heave. This time Hastings converted for a 26-0 lead.

Westfall brought the Wildcats back for their first touchdown with only 30 seconds showing on the clock when he followed a 15-yarder to Daniel and a 24-yarder to Tucker with a payoff pitch to Dave Rush from seven yards out. The conversion was stopped making the half time score, 26-6.

* * *
HALFTIME failed to douse the Tiger fire. Dean kicked off but Cobb fumbled and Pete Anzalone sped down field to recover the loose ball on the Springfield 18.
A five-yard penalty moved the ball to the 13. Dean then took it the rest of the way on four attempts finally going over from inches short of the goal. Null rolled out and out raced the Wildcat secondary for the two-point conversion and a 34-6 lead.

Fugate returned Dean’s next punt to Springfield’s 41. Five yards for delay of game set the visitors back to the 36. Then Westfall faded back to pass, slipped and fell. While falling he lost the ball and White, who spent most of the night red-dogging Westfall, picked the ball up and ran for what he thought was a touchdown.

But the ball was ruled dead on the 17 as it had hit the ground. However, the Tigers had possession.

A carry by Hastings, two by Dean and a second by Hastings from six yards gave the locals their sixth touchdown and a 40-6 lead as the extra point proved unsuccessful.

Westfall then went to the airways leading his team from their own 33 to the Massillon 29. He let loose to Fugate in the end zone for the second Wildcat score with two minutes left in the period. His extra point pass was incomplete making the score 40-12.

THEN came the sensational 42-point final period when both clubs struck for three touchdowns.

Hastings reeled off a 33-yard run as Massillon moved 68 yards in 10 plays to Springfield’s seven. Dean busted through for a score at the 10:26 marker. Hastings added the conversion.

Westfall brought his mates their third touchdown when he let loose with an aerial which carried 55 yards in the air with Fugate at the other end. He took one step and was in for the score. Again Westfall’s extra point pass was incomplete.

* * *

THE TIGERS took the kickoff with Hastings returning it to the 38, and marched 62 yards for an eighth touchdown. Hastings scored this one from eight yards out and Null flipped to Royer for the conversion. That made the count, 56-18.

Again Westfall came back hitting Fugate first for 21 yards to Massillon’s 36, then Tucker, after a five-yard penalty, for a 41-yard touchdown. The try for point was unsuccessful.

Springfield kicked off and the Tigers fumbled several plays later with the Wildcats’ Joe Brown gaining possession on the Tiger 14.

In three plays, Westfall again found Fugate for a nine-yard touchdown. Dale Pritchet’s conversion run cut the lead to 56-32.

The game wasn’t over yet. The Tigers’ Charlie Brown returned the kickoff to his 30. Hastings picked up 25 to Springfield territory. Then John Larson, replacing Null, fired to Ivan who raced the final 25 yards of the 45-yard scoring play making the margin 62-32.

A Big Victory

MASSILLON
Ends – Ivan, Bodiford, Royer, Ehmer, Anzalone, Fuchs.
Tackles – Brugh, Garman, Crenshaw, Herndon, Bukuts, Spees.
Guards – Herbst, Whitfield, Houston, Willey, Wells, Radel.
Centers – Demis, Bradley.
Backs – Baker, Hastings, Snively, Brown Gugov, Dean, Null,
Schenkenberger, Kurzen, Herring, Smith, Larson,
Williams, D. Smith.

SPRINGFIELD
Ends – Rush, Karvin, Currey, Tucker, Garrison.
Tackles – Gilbert, Henry, M. Daniels, Thompson, Miller.
Guards – Gaier, Bacon, Brown, Glanton.
Centers – Stephens, Bartley.
Backs – Westfall, Fugate, Cobb, D. Daniels, Wilson, B. Henry,
Browning, Pritchet, Taylor.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Massillon 6 20 14 22 – 62
Springfield 0 6 6 20 – 32

SCORING
Massillon – Royer (72, pass from Null); Hastings 4 (1, run; 93, run;
6, run; 8, run); Ehmer (33, pass from Null);
Dean 2 (1, run; 7, run); Ivan (45, pass from Larson).

Springfield – Rush (7, pass from Westfall); Fugate 3 (29, pass from
Westfall; 45, pass from Westfall; 9, pass from Westfall);
Tucker (41, pass from Westfall).

CONVERSIONS
Massillon – Hastings 2 (runs); Null (run); Royer (pass from Null).

Springfield – Pritchet (run)

STATISTICS
Tigers Wildcats
First downs – rushing 14 3
First downs – passing 3 6
First downs – penalties 0 0
Total first downs 17 11
Yards gained rushing 368 143
Yards lost rushing 13 34
Net yards gained rushing 355 109
Yards gained passing 189 213
Total yards gained 544 322
Passes attempted 12 21
Passes completed 6 12
Passes intercepted by 0 0
Times kicked off 10 6
Kickoff average (yards) 43.5 50
Kickoff returns (yards) 115 156
Times punted 1 4
Punt average (yards) 34.0 38
Punt return (yards) 17 12
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 3 4
Lost fumbled ball 2 4
Penalties 2 5
Yards penalized 16 35

Art Hastings
Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1960: Massillon 56, Toledo Waite 14

Tigers Maul Toledo Waite, 56-14
Hastings Scores Trio, Gugov Adds Pair As Locals Post 8th Win

By JIM QUILTY

Washington high’s Tigers delighted ‘Dad’ with their biggest football victory of the season 56-14, over Toledo Waite Friday night.

But the only real news at Tiger stadium poured from the public address system announcing Springfield South’s 22-21 win over second ranked Lima Senior and Steubenville’s
near-upset of the third rated Alliance.

Add fifth ranked Marion Harding’s 40-14 loss to Fremont Ross and fourth ranked Sandusky’s final period come-from-behind win over Findlay and the Tigers’ path to a second straight Ohio scholastic grid championship is considerably cleared.

For a little more interest, toss in sixth ranked Warren’s 44-14 defeat at the hands of Sharon (Pa.) and eighth ranked undefeated Salem’s 8-6 loss to East Liverpool.

* * *
ART HASTINGS, at his familiar best, and then some, tallied three times, passed for a fourth and added a conversion as the Bengals hung up their eighth win in nine while bouncing back from the 19-18 loss to Warren. It was Coach Leo Strang’s 26th win against two defeats, both to Warren, and a tie since coming to Massillon in 1958.

There was some sadness on the part of the Tigers despite the overwhelming victory and finest offensive show of the year. Martin Gugov, whose two touchdowns aided the 28-0 half time lead, was helped from the field in the third period when he re-injured his right knee. It isn’t expected to be serious.

Early in the second period Quarterback John Larson re-injured the ankle he first hurt in the Mansfield game. He was helped from the field. The extent of the injury was not known immediately after the game but it may prove serious.

Larson’s mishap proved Dave Null’s good fortune as the defensive ace took over, hit on six passes, one a 23-yarder to Ron Schenkenberger for the final TD of the first half, ran the ball well and engineered all but the first two touchdown drives.

For Strang it was a sweet win. “We finally got everybody out to practice all week,” Leo stated, “and it really showed.”

As for the next week and Springfield, Strang said he’ll “just wait until we see the scouting reports.”

* * *
TOLEDO’S COACH, Pete Fanning, summarized the Tigers “as a great football team.” Of his own kids, he added, “they never quit trying.”

The two touchdowns garnered by the invaders in the final period bears out his statement although they were scored after Strang had emptied the bench.

All told, 42 Tigers poured into the contest and rolled up 517 yards in the process.

* * *
GUGOV STARTED the Tigers rolling when he broke off tackle and streaked 56 yards from his 31 to the Toledo 13 before Ralph Kimbers pulled him down from behind. After Larson picked up five to the eight, Marty with Vigil Bukuts, Jay B. Willey and Bob Herring opening the path, swept into the end zone for the score. His PAT attempt was stopped as the locals led 6-0 halfway through the opening periods.

After Waite picked up a first down, Charlie Whitfield grabbed a Bill Nopper aerial on the Toledo 48 and the Tigers were on their way.

Hastings streaked 31 yards on a pitchout around his short side end, then Larson raced the final 17 yards, after a fake handoff for the tally. Art plunged for the extra points with 3:22 left in the opening stanza.

The defense again thwarted the Indians and Nopper quick kicked on third down to the Massillon 41.

A clipping penalty shoved the Bengals to their own 31. From there it took Hastings and Gugov only 12 plays, behind some ferocious blocking, to move the distance. Gugov went in from three yards out but missed the conversion making it 20-0 halfway through the second period.

Still again the defense permitted only a single first down and forced Nopper to punt. The ball went out on the locals’ 21.

* * *
HASTINGS reeled off 45 yards in three carries and Gugov 11 in one moving the Tigers to Toledo’s 23. Then null and Schenkenberger combined for the TD, Ron sneaking into the right corner of the south end zone. Hastings ran for the PAT and a 28-0 lead.

The locals nearly scored again in the closing seconds of the period when Null pounced upon a Waite fumble on the visitors’ 43.

Dave whipped an aerial to Larry Ehmer, in the open but Ehmer couldn’t hang on to it.

Bob Herring, displaying his old form chipped in with a 17-yard gain to the 23. Null then flipped to Herring for 20 yards to the three as the half ended.

Hastings crashed in for his first of three touchdowns after Massillon grabbed the second half kickoff and marched 63 yards in seven plays. Art’s 28-yard pickup set the six-pointer up. Null passed to Ehmer for the two-point conversion and a 36-0 lead four minutes into the half.

Two big gainers, a 17-yard reverse by Herring and a 22-yard Null to Charlie Brown pass set up Hastings’ second tally. It came from five yards out for a 42-0 lead as Ivan’s placement was wide.

* * *
LAWSON WHITE picked up a Waite fumble on the latter’s 32 late in the third period. Null hit Ehmer on a jump pass for 12, then Hastings, Jack Lash and Joe Heflin paraded to the one as the period ended.

Hastings scored on the first play of the final period and Heflin ran the conversion.

Waite finally showed its passing offense with Nopper connecting to Paul Reed for 44 yards to the Tigers’ 23 after the ensuing kickoff. Four plays later, the Waite eleven had its first tally with Kimbers slashing in from the three. Nopper’s conversion pass to Reed made it 50-8.

The locals’ offense was finally stymied moments later when Null’s pass was intercepted by Sam Pettaway at midfield.

Two Nopper passes, the first to Larry Bass 17-yards, the second to Reed from 26, after a personal foul had cost them 15 yards, moved the ball to the Washington high 26. They rammed it home in six plays with Fullback Grover Cummings getting the TD from a yard out with 2:25 remaining. The extra point attempt failed.

An onside kick went out of bounds on the Tiger 41 and they were rolling once more.

* * *
BROWN paced off 15. Null hit Herring for seven and Brown picked up seven more to the 30. Hastings then turned passer connecting with Ehmer, who pulled it down from between a pair of defenders and dragged them into the end zone. Heflin was stopped on the conversion attempt with only 30 seconds remaining.

Only 8,328 fans, the smallest crowd of the season, sat in perfect football weather marred slightly by showers toward the end of the third quarter.

The locals amassed 27 first downs, 22 rushing to nine for the visitors. On the ground, they had 422 yards to 104 for the Indians.

Passing was nearly even with Toledo gaining 93. Massillon 95.

The Bengals weren’t forced to punt a single time. They failed to score only twice after they gained possession. The first time was at the end of the first half. The second was when Toledo pulled down Null’s pass.

Hastings himself accounted for 176 of the yards on 19 carries. Gugov was next with 130 yards on 10 attempts. Herring had 38 yards on four carries. That’s 344 yards, half of which has been missing from the lineup more than half the year.

* * *
ONE OF the brightest spots in the lineup was Bukuts whose blocks sprung the backs loose on many occasions. It was his first complete game of the year.

Jim Houston hobbled by an injured ankle, failed to see any action Friday night. He’s expected to be back in action for the bout with Springfield next Friday at Tiger stadium.

The Right Way
MASSILLON
Ends – Royer, Bodiford, Ivan, Ehmer, Fuchs, Anzalone, Dewald, Clendinin.
Tackles – Spees, Crenshaw, Bukuts, Herbst, Brugh, Garman, Herndon
Brenneman.
Guards – Willey, Wells, White, Poole, Migge, Whitfield, Radel.
Centers – Demis, Strobel, Garland.
Backs – Baker, Larson, Null, Alexander, Hastings, Gugov, Herring, Lash,
Snively, Schenkenberger, J. Smith, D. Smith, Brown, Kurzen, Dena, Heflin.

WAITE
Ends – Vorraber, Reed, Heider.
Tackles – Duran, Gersak, Leestman.
Guards – Adams, Lengel, Warner, White, Hornbeak.
Center – Miller.
Backs – Nopper, Cummings, Pettaway, Logan, Kimbers, Woodward,
Tucker, Coughlin, Bass.

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Massillon 14 14 14 14 56
Waite 0 0 0 14 14

SCORING
Massillon – Hastings 3, (2, run; 5, run; 4, run); Gugov 2 (8, run; 3, run);
Larson (17, run); Schenkenberger (23, pass from Null);
Ehmer (30, pass from Hastings).

Waite – Kimbers (3, run); Cummings (1, run).

OFFICIALS
Referee – Bud Shopbell.
Head Linesman – Bill Holswarth.
Umpire – George Donges.
Field Judge – Clarence Rich.

STATISTICS
Tigers Waite
First downs – rushing 22 6
First downs – passing 5 3
First downs – penalties 0 0
Total first downs 27 9
Yards gained rushing 425 122
Yards lost rushing 3 16
Net yards gained rushing 422 106
Yards gained passing 95 96
Total yards gained 517 204
Passes attempted 12 10
Passes completed 6 5
Passes intercepted by 1 1
Times kicked off 9 3
Kickoff average (yards) 41.7 37.3
Kickoff returns (yards) 42 115
Times punted 0 3
Punt average (yards) 0 29.0
Punt return (yards) 13 50
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 1 4
Lost fumbled ball 0 2
Penalties 2 2
Yards penalized 25 20

Art Hastings
Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1960: Massillon 18, Warren Harding 19

Warren Snaps Tiger Victory Streak
Panthers Come From Behind Three Times To Edge Bengals 19-18

By LUTHER EMERY

A team that won’t be beat can’t be beat and Warren’s Panthers was that team Friday night.

By the slim margin of one point the Panthers edged Washington high school’s first place Tigers 19-18 before a roaring crowd of 13,000 at Warren and great was the thunder thereof.

It will reverberate in next week’s state scholastic ranking and where the Tigers will land in the standings nobody knows. Perhaps not too far down, because the margin of defeat was as small as it could possibly be.

Program Cover

* * *
KEYED UP to play by far its best game of the season, Warren had what it took last night. The Panthers beat the Tigers in statistics right down the line except in fumbles and penalties. Here Massillon had the edge, losing more yards in penalties and fumbling more.

But with smarter football Warren might have had one more touchdown and the Tigers one less, so there’s no denying the Panthers their hour of glory.

Yet, Massillon could have won the game, save for a fourth period penalty that kept Warren in possession of the ball which it otherwise would have turned over to the Tigers.

Everybody, the Warren press included, called this the key play of the game.

It happened after the Tigers had rammed over their third touchdown to break a 12-12 tie and go into an 18-12 lead with seven minutes and 10 seconds remaining to be played.

Warren took the following kickoff and the Tigers, bristling to defend their lead, stopped the Panthers who were forced to punt on fourth down…but here a Massillon player in his anxiety to block the punt, and he only missed by inches, brushed the Warren kicker. The officials immediately called roughing the kicker, and the Warren punter took a dive but apparently was not hurt. The 15-yard penalty for roughing the kicker gave the Panthers a first down, so instead of Massillon having the ball on its 35, Warren was given the ball on the Tiger 45.

* * *
SAY THIS FOR the Panthers, they knew what to do from there. They slashed and banged their way to two first downs and with only a minute and 34 seconds left to play and the ball on the Tiger 18, Quarterback Bart Wilson, tossed a lateral to halfback Fred Harris who beat a path around his left end to go into the end zone for six points that tied the score at 18-18.

That set the stage for the dramatic finish.

Fred Caldwell, who had twice missed attempts to placekick the extra point, booted this one high and between the uprights for the deciding point of the game. It was the first placekick for an extra point we have seen since the option of running or passing for extra points was written into the rule-book two years ago – but this time victory rode on the booted ball.

The Tigers tried and tried hard in the last minute and 34 seconds to score again. Warren attempted an onside kickoff but the ball didn’t go the necessary distance to become a free ball and the Tigers took over on the Panther 48. The Tigers, in three plays got a first down on the Panthers 29 but on the next play Quarterback John Larson’s pass was intercepted by End Walter Brooks of Warren and that all but wrapped it up for the Panthers who stalled it out while the Warren student body counted the seconds as they were ticked off to zero.

Pandemonium broke loose.

* * *
WHILE THE TIGERS walked dejectedly off the field, having their first loss after 20 consecutive victories, the Warren fans emptied the stands and turned the turf into a swirling mass of humanity, that engulfed the Panthers players. And while all this was going on the rocket man emptied his arsenal of bombs that must have told all Trumbull County that the Panthers had upset the first-place Tigers.

And long after the game was over, the fine Warren band was still giving out with music while fans and students leaped about and screamed in delight.

The Massillon dressing room was a sad place. The Tigers had been beaten, state championship hopes crushed – at least for the time being – and the victory skein broken.

Players and some of the coaches sobbed while fans attempted to offer some consolation.

Head Coach Leo Strang had little to say. “What can you say,” he asked, “Warren was fired up. The roughing the kicker call was the key play. We probably could have held them off were it not for that.”

The Warren dressing room was a scene of rejoicing and even some tear-shedding – the hysterical kind that comes with the accomplishment of a great effort.

* * *
COACH BEN WILSON, who was an applicant for the Massillon coaching job when Leo Strang got it, was quite happy. He gave all credit to the players. “We came from nothing,” he said. “They won’t be beaten, they won’t quit. They want to play football.”

It was the Panther’s fourth win after a dismal start in which they did not chalk up a victory until their fourth game of the season. They lost to Collinwood 8-6, to Canton McKinley
14-0 and tied Steubenville 12-12.

But Wilson’s ears must have burned from the criticism leveled at him from the stands for decisions he made in the first and fourth periods, both of which led to Massillon touchdowns.

His dramatic victory shows how quickly a fickle crowd can change in its attitude toward the coach.

In the first quarter the Panthers hammered to the Tigers’ two-yard line with third down coming up. They were gaining every time they carried the ball. But on third down the Panthers elected a pass into the flat that Charlie Brown, Massillon defender, picked out of the air and raced the distance of the field for the first score of the game.

Wilson was called everything that isn’t intellectual for that play. Joe Heflin, trying to run over the extra point, fumbled and the Tigers missed the bonus.

A fumble by Art Hastings that Wilson recovered on the Tiger 30 paved the way for Warren’s first touchdown with three minutes and 23 seconds left of the second period.

Fullback Dave Jackson, the workhorse for the Panthers, lugged the ball four straight times for nine, 12, eight yards and then the final yard to pay dirt. Caldwell’s kick went wide and the score was tied 6-6.

* * *
BUT IN THOSE last three minutes the Tigers took the ball from where they were downed on their 36 with the kickoff and marched to the Warren 26. There Larson scooted out and hit End Larry Ehmer in the end zone for a touchdown. Ehmer had just come into the game as a substitute for Charles Royer, who was injured. Art Hastings just barely missed running in for the bonus points but the Tigers led 12-6 with only 30 seconds of the half remaining.

The Tigers started strong in the second half, reeled off a first down but were set back on the next series by a five-yard penalty which was followed by a fumble that Warren recovered on its 39.

There the Panthers ground out yardage by twos and threes. Three times they faced fourth down and one situations. They made their scanty yards by inches the first two times and the third, time with the ball on the Tiger 30 and the Massillon forward wall drawn in, they sent Caldwell scooting to his right and around end for a touchdown that knotted the score at 12-12. Ken Dean and Ed Radel broke though to block Caldwell’s attempted kick for the extra points, and four minutes and 41 seconds remained of the period.

Warren stopped the Tigers’ next march and as the game went into the fourth quarter Warren had the ball on its own 48 with another of those fourth and one situations. Here again, Coach Wilson was the object of criticism from many fans as he sought to try for the first down and failed when Royer broke through and tossed Halfback Wilson for a loss.

The Tigers took over on the Panthers’ 46 and launched a march that took them into the Promised Land. Key plays in the drive were a keeper by Larson good for 22 yards, a
nine-yard pass, Larson to Hastings, and a savage wedge play with Hastings carrying the ball. He scored from four yards out on a wedge.

* * *
AGAIN THE TIGERS failed for the third time to collect their bonus points when Larson was tackled as he attempted to run for the goal line.

You know what happened after that. The locals kicked off and Warren roared back, aided by the roughing the kicker penalty to tie the score and then kick the extra point that won the game.

The Tigers ran into a lot of other hard luck in the game. They played over three-quarters without their No.1 defensive lineman, Lawson White, who was tossed out by the officials late in the first period for unsportsmanlike conduct. They claimed he kicked at a Warren player. (Coach Strang is going to reserve judgment until he sees the films.) Then the outstanding wingman, Jim Houston, was forced out early in the second half with injuries.

Other injured Tigers saw very limited service, Bob Herring. Martin Gugov and Virgil Bukuts, the latter getting in for a few plays in the third touchdown march for the first time this season. Bob Baker, first string defensive man, didn’t play at all.

If you look over the statistics you will see where Warren gained 225 yards rushing to Massillon’s 176 and had 221 net yards gained to Massillon’s 190. First downs were 12-11 in Warren’s favor.

MASSILLON
ENDS – Bodiford, Royer, Anzalone, Ehmer, Ivan.
TACKLES – Spees, Garman, White, Crenshaw, Herbst,
Brugh, Herndon.
GUARDS – Houston, Willey, Radel, Wells, Whitfield, Poole.
CENTER – Demis.
QUARTERBACKS – Larson, Null.
HALFBACKS – Herring, Brown, Dean, Snively, Schenkenberger,
Kurzen, Gugov, Heflin.
FULLBACK – Hastings.

WARREN
ENDS – Keifer, Brooks, Marlotti, Franklin, Plevyak, Shannon, Auble.
TACKLES – Smith, Angelo, Chicernee, Jamison, Zamaria.
GUARDS – Peterson, Rogers, Elkins.
CENTERS – Sanfrey, Baker.
QUARTERBACK – Wilson.
HALFBACKS – Harris, Caldwell, Pannucci, Simoni, Getsay.
FULLBACKS – Jackson, Mink.

SCORE BY PERIODS
Massillon 6 6 0 6 18
Warren 0 6 6 7 19

Touchdowns:
Massillon – Brown (intercepted pass 100 yards), Ehmer (pass 26 yards),
Hastings (plunge four yards).

Warren – Jackson (plunge 2 feet); Caldwell (30 yards end run),
Harris (18 yards, lateral from Wilson).

Point after touchdown – Caldwell (placekick).

OFFICIALS
George Ellis.
Andrew Lindsay.
Clyde Moore.
Paul Tobin.

STATISTICS
Mass. War.
First downs – rushing 9 10
First downs – passing 2 0
First downs – penalties 0 2
Total first downs 11 12
Yards gained rushing 176 225
Yards lost rushing 21 4
Net yards gained rushing 155 221
Yards gained passing 35 0
Total yards gained 190 221
Passes attempted 6 2
Passes completed 2 0
Passes intercepted by 2 1
Times kicked off 4 2
Kickoff average (yards) 35.7 33.2
Kickoff returns (yards) 51 54
Times punted 2 3
Punt average (yards) 29.5 41.2
Punt return (yards) 2 0
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 4 2
Lost fumbled ball 2 2
Penalties 4 2
Yards penalized 40 5

Art Hastings
Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1960: Massillon 16, Mansfield 6

Tigers Nip Mansfield 2nd Half Surge, 16-6
Baker, Hastings Tally In 20th Straight Win

By JIM QUILTY

Call it luck if you like, but Washington high school’s injury riddled Tigers are still undefeated and well on their way toward a second successive Ohio scholastic football championship.

The Tigers proved once again Friday night, before over 12,000 fans at Arlin stadium, Mansfield, why they remain No. 1 week after week as they turned in a 16-6 victory over Mansfield’s Tygers, the 20th win in a row over a three-year period and seventh straight.

It took 48 minutes to decide the issue, but two key plays, one early in the first period, the second late in the third stanza, are what the fans recall most.

The first was Tiger Bob Baker’s 77-yard punt return for a touchdown, after he had fumbled the ball and picked it up, at the 9:30 mark of the opening quarter.

The second was Joe Snively’s recovery of Tyger Henry Weaver’s fumble on the locals’ four, moments before the end of the third period.

Had Baker not gone the distance and had Weaver not fumbled, Washington high would have had to rally to pull the decision out. It was hard enough as it was.

Coach Leo Strang summed up the Tigers’ situation precisely with a, “I don’t know who to play.”

Strang’s problems became compounded early last night when Linebacker, kickoff man and punter Ken Dean was injured on the kickoff following Baker’s scoring run. Dean didn’t play the rest of the first half.

Then Martin Gugov, after clicking for 26 yards on two carries in the second Tiger touchdown drive, re-injured his right knee. He didn’t play the rest of the way.

Trainer Walt Keller upon examining the knee after the game, said it didn’t appear to be too bad.

In the Mansfield dressing room, Bill Doolittle, in his first year at the Tyger helm, sized up his team’s performance as one in which “we learned a lesson.”

“We played one good half of football,” Doolittle said. “Against a team like Massillon, you have to play the whole game.”

“A few new wrinkles in our offense helped. Our second half defense was great,” Doolittle added.

What did he think of Washington high’s team?

“Massillon has a good club,” he replied. “That Hastings is a terrific player.”

That Hastings, to whom the Mansfield mentor referred, is Art, the big gun in the Tigers’ lagging offensive punch last night.

Playing possibly his best game of the year, the speedy fullback lugged the ball 25 times, picking up 133 yards. An eight-yard shot around his short side end on the opening play of the second period and his successful conversion gave the Tigers a 16-0 cushion with nearly the whole three quarters remaining.

Mansfield’s touchdown was only the fourth scored against the locals’ defense in seven games. It came on one of the weirdest plays of the season.

After Mansfield had drive to the Tigers’ 15 mid way through the third period on the running of Halfbacks John Brooks and Weaver and a 15-yard personal foul call, Dean busted through from his linebacker slot and dropped Quarterback Art Rainey on the 19. A sweep by Weaver around the left end netted a single yard for a third and 13.

* * *
RAINEY THEN, after a fake to Weaver up the middle, handed off to Fullback Harold Phillips. Phillips, however, was trapped by Jim Houston behind the line. While under tackle he attempted a lateral to Brooks, following the play. The ball hit the ground, then bounced a couple of times right into Brooks’ hands. The scatback then continued around the right side and swept home for the touchdown. Over seven minutes still remained in the third period.

The conversion attempt by Weaver on a sweep to his left was broken up by Ken Ivan.

After Hastings returned Lee Beer’s kickoff to his own 41, the Tiger offense failed to move. Dean then booted to Mansfield’s 21 where Halfback Don Cole scooped the ball in and scooted to his 38.

Aided by a 35-yard pass play from Rainey to End Bob Norris, the hosts moved to the Massillon 15. A sweep to the right by Brooks moved the Tygers to the three with a first down.

* * *
HERE THE TIGERS rose up, with the middle of the line smacking Weaver as he churned through. He fumbled and Snively dived over his teammates, recovering the loose ball on the Tiger four.

It marked the second time in the last two games in which the Orange has recovered an opponent fumble inside the five-yard line to curtail a scoring threat.

Mansfield netted only four yards on three tries after taking Dean’s kick on their own 45 to open the battle. Elroy Allen then booted to Baker.

Baker, who later bobbled three others, losing one, played with the ball from the 20 to 23 before finding the handle. Then, behind a perfect wall of blockers, the speedy Tiger safety stepped untouched 77 yards down his right sideline for the score.

Gugov went in behind his outside tackle for the two-point conversion and an 8-0 lead.

Mansfield, which didn’t gain a first down until late in the second period, failed to move again after Dean’s boot. Allen punted, again to Baker. This time Bob dropped it, then picked it up but was stormed by a host of Tyger tacklers and fumbled again. He then recovered on his own 26.

* * *
WITH THE DEFT ball handling of John Larson and the running of Hastings spearheading the attack, the defending state champions marched 74 yards in 15 plays for the touchdown. The big yardage play was a 17-yarder by Gugov. Marty was then injured three plays later when he added the nine-yarder to Mansfield’s 41.

Hastings touchdown was his seventh of the year. He has now tallied 46 points. He finished with 86 last year.

After the next kickoff by Richard Crenshaw and punt by Allen when the Tygers failed to move, Baker fumbled again. This time Center Kay Hartman made the recovery for Mansfield on the locals’ 40.

Two plays later, however, Lawson White pounced on Brooks fumble to stop that abbreviated drive on Massillon’s 35.
* * *

AFTER HASTINGS returned Beer’s second half kickoff to Mansfield’s 46 from his own 23, three successive five-yard illegal motion penalties were marched off against the locals setting them back to their own 39. Larson brought it back to the Mansfield 49 before Dean punted out of bounds on the losers’ 22.

The hosts then moved for their lone touchdown of the game. Covering 83 yards, after a five-yard penalty, in seven plays.

It was Mansfield’s third loss against two wins and a tie on the season. In the series with Washington high, the Ashland county eleven has managed only two wins and four ties in 24 attempts.

The game was a pleasant change for Mansfield from the 70-0 route suffered during the fruitless 1959 season. The 16-6 final was the closest the Tygers have come to upending the Orange since 1956 when the won, 14-6.

In first downs the clubs were even with 11 apiece. Massillon managed 195 yards rushing and 29 passing for 224 while the hosts combined 114 on the ground and 63 through the air for 177 total yards.
* * *

THE TIGERS went into the game with seven players out of uniform. Theo Bodiford came up with a fever during the afternoon and didn’t dress. Bob Herring indicated he was ready to go but Strang wasn’t taking any chances. Charlie Whitfield didn’t see any action.

Joining these were Virgil Bukuts, still out with the knee injury suffered before the start of the campaign. Sophomores Ben Bradley and Ron Davis, and Junior Quarterback Jim Alexander.

Strang hopes most of the injuries will be healed by next Friday when the Tigers journey to Warren for the final road game of the season against the up and coming Panthers. Two years ago, the Panthers ruined Massillon’s bid for the state championship with a 6-0 victory. Last year Washington high atoned for the loss with a 38-8 slashing of Paul Warfield and company.

Last night Warren posted its third straight victory, ripping New Castle (Pa.), 40-7.

Four More To Go

MASSILLON
Ends – Royer, Ivan, Anzalone.
Tackles – Garman, Brugh, Wells, Crenshaw, Herbst, Spees.
Guards – White, Houston, Willey, Radel.
Center – Demis.
Backs – Larson, Hastings, Gugov, Schenkenberger, Null, Baker, Snively,
Kurzen, D. Smith, Dean.

MANSFIELD
Ends – Norris ,Nagle, Davison, Shrot, Kehr.
Tackles – Shasky, Welker, F. Beckwith, Minard.
Guards – Atwater, Beer, Reedy, B. Beckwith.
Centers – Hartman, Keplinger.
Backs – Rainey, Ott, Brooks, Cole, Allen, Phillips, weaver

SCORE BY QUARTERS
Massillon 8 8 0 0 16
Mansfield 0 0 6 0 6

SCORING
Massillon – Baker (77, punt return); Hastings (8, run).

Conversions – Gugov (run); Hastings (run).

Mansfield – Brooks (18, run).

STATISTICS
Tigers Tygers
First downs – rushing 10 8
First downs – passing 1 3
First downs – penalties 0 1
Total first downs 11 11
Yards gained rushing 215 142
Yards lost rushing 20 26
Net yards gained rushing 195 114
Yards gained passing 29 63
Total yards gained 224 177
Passes attempted 5 4
Passes completed 2 2
Passes intercepted by 0 0
Times kicked off 3 2
Kickoff average (yards) 39.3 38.2
Kickoff returns (yards) 47 53
Times punted 4 5
Punt average (yards) 33.3 35.6
Punt return (yards) 96 17
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 3 3
Lost fumbled ball 1 2
Penalties 5 3
Yards penalized 35 15

Art Hastings
Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

1960: Massillon 8, Cincinnati Roger Bacon 0

Tigers Make It 19, Nip Bacon, 8-0
Hastings’ 3rd Quarter Score Breaks Rugged Defensive Grid Battle

By JIM QUILTY

Washington high school’s Tigers did it again.

The opportunist band of scholastic football precisionists converted an early second half recovered fumble into the lone touchdown of the game, then forced invading Cinncinnati Roger Bacon to fumble on the Tigers’ three, again pouncing upon it, for a scrambling 8-0 victory at Tiger stadium Friday night.

The largest crowd of the season 12,797 (paid), cheered wildly as Art Hastings slithered home for the decisive touchdown of the defensive struggled from a yard out, then circled his short side end for the two-point conversion midway through the third period.

Bacon’s Coach Bron Bacevich, envisioning a possible state title for his club saw the illusion whisked away early in the fourth period.

After rugged 6-2, 200-pound Tackle Bob Steltenpohl furnished the Spartans with their “break” by busting past the Tiger defense to block Ken Dean’s punt, the Bacon Quarterback Jim Swagart fumbled on the second play following with Bengal Linebacker Ed Radel gathering it on his three.

* * *
THE SOUTHERN Ohio power never threatened seriously again.

The triumph, Coach Leo Strang’s 19th in succession and 24th in 26 starts since taking over in 1958, was indeed sweet. But his praise of the Bacon team and Bacevich was high.

Summing it up, Leo started slowly and precisely: “They have a real good ball club.”

The sweetness of the victory stemmed from the issue at stake. Stark county’s reputation as the focal point of high school football was maintained. However, and Strang will be the first to agree, it was the narrowest of margins.

A proud, though understandably disappointed Bacevich was “very pleased” with his team’s performance.

“I talked to Leo before the game,” Bacevich said, “and we both knew we were in for a real battle. It was a tough one for either team to lose.”
“We thought we should have had a tie. But the difference was they took advantage of their break and we didn’t. The fumbles also hurt us.”

Hundreds of an estimated 1,500 Bacon rooters, who made the trip by bus, car or any other available transportation means, heaped congratulatory wishes upon Bacevich and his squad while filing past the visitor’s dressing room.

With the Bacon game now history, the Tigers open their only extended road trip of the season in Mansfield next Friday. The Friday after that, the state’s No. 1 ranked football power battles always dangerous Warren.

* * *
IT DIDN’T take long for the opposing grid giants to establish the setting for the entire Friday night encounter.

After the Bengals grabbed the opening kickoff, they failed to move and punted.

Bacon could manage only one first and ten of its own before booting back to the locals 24.

With Hastings and Martin Gugov combining, the Tigers managed their first, first down. The drive bogged down quickly on the 43 with Dean kicking out of trouble to the Spartans 35.

Scatback Jim Mahon scooted to mid field but Safety Bob Baker rapped him from behind forcing a fumble, recovered by Hastings on the Washington high 49.

Charlies Brown, then Gugov, Ron Schenkenberger and Hastings picked up a pair of first downs to the Bacon 24. Gugov chopped for three more, Hastings was stopped without a gain and Brown moved to the 19. Then on a fourth and five, Quarterback John Larson overshot Hastings as the Spartans took possession on downs.

The invaders then reeled off four successive first downs with bruising fullback Mel Anthony and Mahon dividing the ball carrying chores.

The drive chewed up nearly seven minutes of the second period but finally fizzled when Swagart was tossed down by Radel, Joe Snively, and Baker on the Tigers’ 31.

* * *
AFTER Charlie Williams’ second half kickoff was returned by John Voss to Bacon’s 40. Swagart and Center Tom Kearns had another mix-up, which gave a huge profit to the Tigers. Linebacker Dean and Middle Guard Lawson White were there as the ball squirted from Swagart’s fingertips. One of them pounced on the loose ball at the 41.

After Hastings was stopped on the first play, Schenkenberger swept his short side end after a reverse handoff from Larson to the Spartans’ 28.

Gugov, Hastings, then Dean ripped through small holes at the outside tackle, inside tackle and short side guard slots to the Bacon one on nine more plays.

Hastings then rammed home for the score with 5:32 showing in the third quarter. The conversion was on a sweep around the short side left) end.
Bacon wasn’t fried yet. Anthony returned Dean’s kickoff to his 35. Then he, Mahon and John Schroder combined for a pair of first downs to the Tigers’ 35.

With a fourth and eight, the Spartans’ Swagart punted out of bounds on the Tiger 15-yard line moments before the conclusion of the period.

After two running plays and an incompleted pass had netted only three yards, Dean stepped back to punt. But Steltenphol, who had been just missing all night, rushed through on Dean’s kicking foot and caught the ball flush on his chest. The loose ball rolled crazily to the seven when Steltenpohl and a host of teammates scooped it in.

* * *
SWAGART called on Anthony who, after a fumble and recovery, ended u on the two. Swagart then fumbled. This time Radel was there.

Again the tenacious Bacon defense thwarted the Bengal running game. With Dean in punt formation again, spectators and coaches alike were sensing the worst. This time Ken booted the ball high and far to his own 42. Coupled with a 15-yard clip against Bacon, the boot covered 43 yards from the 10 to the Bacon 47.

The never-say-die Cincy eleven stormed right back to the Washington high 34 before Charlie Whitfield broke up a fourth down toss by Swagart.

Swagart had two long near bulls-eyes as the game closed with the locals taking over on downs on Roger Bacon’s 48.

The entire defensive squad of both clubs fashioned the pattern of the contest. Bacon’s line limited the Tigers to six first downs and 133 yards rushing with the longest gain of the night being the 13-yarder by Schenkenberger.

Most of the night, the invaders were in an 8-3 defense with the safeties less than five yards back. It proved successful as Quarterback Larson attempted only four passes, each going astray.

Led by White and Tackles Wally Brugh and Gary Wells, and Radel, the Tiger middle was nearly impregnable most of the night.

Anthony, the strongest runner Washington high has met this year, clicked off 15 yards on one play late in the game and 14 yards earlier.

The one statistic, which counted, other than the final outcome, was fumbles. The Tigers didn’t fumble. Bacon dropped the ball five times, managed a recovery only twice.

19th In A Row

MASSILLON
Ends – Ivan, Royer, Anzalone.
Tackles – Wells, Crenshaw, Spees, Herbst, Herndon.
Guards – Houston, Willey, Whitfield, Radel, White.
Center – Demis.
Backs – Larson, Hastings, Gugov, Brown, Baker, Snively,
Null, Schenkenberger, Williams, Kurzen.

ROGER BACON
Ends – Kaiser, Teed, Voss, LeVasseur, Ginn.
Tackles – Steltenpohl, Fein, Ruberg, Pendrix.
Guards – Workman, Norton, Frey.
Center – Kearns.
Backs – Swagart, Anthony, Mahon, Schroeder, Crowe, Wolf.

SCORING
Massillon 0 0 8 0 8
Touchdown – Hastings (1, run).
Conversion – Hastings (run).

STATISTICS
Massillon Bacon
First downs – rushing 6 6
First downs – passing 0 3
First downs – penalties 0 0
Total first downs 6 9
Yards gained rushing 137 134
Yards lost rushing 4 13
Net yards gained rushing 133 121
Yards gained passing 0 27
Total yards gained 133 148
Passes attempted 4 11
Passes completed 0 5
Passes intercepted by 0 0
Times kicked off 2 1
Kickoff average (yards) 33.1 26
Kickoff returns (yards) 5 26
Times punted 5 2
Punt average (yards) 29.8 26.5
Punt return (yards) 0 10
Had punts blocked 1 0
Fumbles 0 5
Lost fumbled ball 0 3
Penalties 1 2
Yards penalized 5 20

Art Hastings