2025 Massillon Tigers Football Awards Ceremony Scheduled for December…

2025 Massillon Tigers Football Awards Ceremony Scheduled for December 16

2025 Booster Club Report – Week PO4 – Preview…

2025 Booster Club Report – Week PO4 – Preview of the Big Walnut Game

Link to the Columbus DeSales Game Story

Link to the Columbus DeSales Game Statistics

Link to the Division II Playoff Bracket

No. 3 seeded Massillon (9-3) defeated No. 2 seeded Columbus DeSales (9-3) in Round 3 of the playoffs, 48-14.  Next week, the Tigers travel to Zanesville to face No. 1 seeded Big Walnut (11-1), which defeated Canal Winchester last week, 35-0.

This is the fourth meeting between these two schools.  The Tigers won 38-0 in 2021.  Freddie Lenix Jr., rushed for 140 yards, helping his team put over 400 yards of offense.  Massillon won again in 2022, 42-21, after falling behind 10-0 early in the game. In that one, Willtrell Hartson rushed for 211 yards and scored three touchdowns.  The Golden Eagles took a 14-7 decision in last year’s regional finals, in spite of the Tigers holding the edge in total offense, 378-170.

Review of the Columbus DeSales Game

Massillon used a devastating ground attack against Columbus St. Francis DeSales to overwhelm the host team 48-14 in Round 3 of the state playoffs. With the win, the Tigers advance to the regional championship game.  Running backs Savior Owens and Anthony McMullen Jr. combined for 303 yards and five touchdowns on 32 carries, with an average of 9.5 yards per attempt.  On defense, the Tigers held the Stallions to just 54 yards in 21 tries.  In addition, highly-touted quarterback RJ Day was limited to 125 yards passing, intercepted twice, sacked once and completed his only TD pass while a running clock was in effect.  Deontay Malone’s 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown is ranked as Massillon’s third all-time longest.  The Tigers led in total yardage, 343-179.  The second half was played mostly under a running clock situation.

Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore addressed the gathering at the weekly Booster Club meeting, remarking that they are very happy with the win.  But there are a lot of areas that need to improve.

The Golden Eagles play in the Capital Division of the Ohio Capital Conference and are currently 11-1, with a 6-0 record in league play.  The loss came against unbeaten Columbus Watterson in the season opener.  The Golden Eagles average 38 points per game and give up just 6.  Only three teams have scored more than a touchdown against them.  Last year they were 13-1, with a 14-7 win over Massillon in the regional finals, followed by a 28-24 loss to Cincinnati Anderson in the state semis.  Over the last five years Big Walnut has compiled a record of 51-13 in the regular season and 9-5 in playoff competition.

Below are their scores:

• Columbus Watterson (11-0): 15-37 L
• Dayton Dunbar (3-7): 47-0
• Groveport  Madison (6-6): 36-10
• Delaware Hayes (2-8): 45-7
• Westerville South (9-3): 28-7
• Parma Padua (1-9): 42-0
• Worthington Kilbourne (7-4): 35-20
• Westerville North (3-7): 37-3
• Dublin Scioto (5-5): 35-6
• Galloway Westland (5-6): 56-0
• Columbus Walnut Ridge (8-4): 43-0
• Canal Winchester (10-2): 35-0

Big Walnut utilizes the spread offense, with a gap-scheme rushing attack, similar to the Tigers.  They want to use power and run downhill between the tackles.  At quarterback is junior Eli Stumpf (6′-4″, 195).  In the playoff game against Massillon last year he completed 11 of 16 passes for 67 yards and one touchdown.  Moore says that he is really good.  He runs the offense well and is also a pretty good runner himself.  The running back is junior Nolan Buirley (6′-2″, 210).  He is big, he is strong and he is fast.  Moore considers him to be their best offensive player.  In the game last year he carried the ball 24 times for 92 yards.  He also returned the second half kickoff 96 yards for what turned out to be the winning points.  In the passing game the “go-to” wide receiver is senior Brody Hatfield (5′-10″, 170).  He caught three balls last year for 17 yards and a touchdown.  But, all of the receivers are considered to be good football players.  Including senior tight end Owen Pollock (6′-4″, 235), who caught four passes for 32 yards.  The offensive line has good size, averaging 6′-3″, 263 lbs.

The defense uses a 3-4 scheme, although one of the linebackers is normally positioned standing up on the line.  The three down linemen average 6′-1″, 237 lbs.  The best linebacker is senior Eli Helton (5′-11″, 215).  Last year against the Tigers he recorded 11 tackles, 1 sack and 2.5 tackles-for-loss.  Senior Will Clawson (5′-10″, 195) is also an excellent linebacker.  He had 10 tackles in the 2024 game.  The secondary will interchange cover-3 and cover-4, while playing exclusively zone coverage.

“We will stick to taking care of our business,” said Moore in closing.  “But there is a little bit of revenge factor.   We had a great practice today.  We need to play disciplined in spite of what the defense may do to draw our offensive linemen offsides (referring to last year’s debacle).”

Go Tigers!

2025 Booster Club Report – Week PO3 – Preview…

The Stallions play in the Columbus Central Catholic Conference, which is comprised of four teams, including Watterson, Hartley and St. Charles.  In league play they finished 2-1, with a loss to Watterson.  In the second round of the playoffs they defeated Ashland 33-29, revenging a 24-14 loss in the 2024 playoffs.  DeSales averages 33 points per game and gives up 15.  The Stallions have a long playoff history in Division II and III with 31 qualifications, Division III state titles in 1975, 1997 and 1998, 12 regional titles and a 63-28 playoff record.

Below are their scores:

• Olentangy Berlin (6-6): 14-13
• Columbus Northland (7-4): 34-0
• Columbus Africentric (7-4): 35-18
• Hamilton Badin (10-1): 21-38 L
• George Rogers Clkark, KY (5-5): 35-21
• Columbus Watterson (10-0): 7-42 L
• Cabell Midland, WV (1-9): 40-7
• Columbus St. Charles (3-7): 42-14
• Harrison (9-3): 23-21
• Columbus Hartley (5-5): 23-21
• Ashland (10-2): 33-29

On offense DeSales uses mostly 11-personnel (1 running back, 1 tight end), but will employ some empty.  They have thrown the ball around 60% of the time.  Leading the group is junior, 3-year starting quarterback RJ Day (6′-1″, 205), the son of current Ohio State coach Ryan Day.  He has set multiple passing records for DeSales this year, including last week’s 482 yards against Ashland and a career mark of over 4,000 yards.  He currently holds offers from Purdue, Akron, Boston College, Bowling Green, Miami of Ohio and Syracuse.  Massillon head coach Nate Moore says that Day is a good quarterback, one who can also move out of the pocket and run well.

Day’s top targets are junior tight end/wide receiver Jordan Karhoff (6′-4″, 220) and senior wide receiver Blake Donnelly (6′-1″, 190).  Karhoff also plays on the defensive line and has received multiple Division I offers, including Michigan State, Arizona State and Auburn.  The running back is senior Jonathan Brown (6′-1″, 205), who has shown good speed once he breaks free of the line.  He has committed to the University of Michigan.  The middle three players on the offensive line have good size, averaging 6′-0″, 278 lbs.  However, the bookend tackles are both much smaller, at 230 lbs.

The defense aligns mostly in a 3-4, with a linebacker pushed up to the line.  The line is on the lighter side, averaging 6′-3″, 218 lbs.  The secondary uses a cover-3.

“I’m not  ready for it to be done,” said Moore.  “The kids aren’t ready to be done.  So, let’s go down to Columbus and beat DeSales!”

Go Tigers

Massillon Opens Tournament Play with Rousing Victory

Massillon Opens Tournament Play with Rousing Victory

Statistics

Bracket

Statistics provided by Matt Hersher

Rodney Dangerfield’s classic stage line was “I don’t get no respect.” And that was the feeling in Massillon throughout the season, with area fans mocking the 7-3 record and a pair of losses to perceived mediocre out-of-state teams. It’s that they just didn’t realize how good these out-of-state teams are and just how good this Tiger team is. Well, North Canton Hoover got a taste of that after being blown away 62-7 in a second-round playoff match. It didn’t help the Vikings that the Tigers had ample time to prepare owing to a well-earned bye week.

Massillon was the favorite in this one, but not by much. That’s because the Vikings entered the fray as one of the top teams in the Federal League, with just two losses: one by a touchdown to Lake and another by a single point to Canton McKinley, a team that the Tigers defeated by just seven points. Plus, according to Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore, they had the best player in the county in the speedy and shifty Jack Andes, who excelled as both a runner and a pass receiver.

At the start it looked like the Tigers were in for a dog fight when Andes caught a pass uncovered at midfield while running a post pattern and outraced the Massillon secondary to the end zone. But that turned out to be North Canton’s only highlight of the night. For the rest of the game, it was all Massillon.

Following that touchdown, the Tigers made some tweaks in the secondary to the both the defensive alignment and the player matchups. That basically put a stop to any significant passing danger. By game’s end, aside from that one big play, Hoover ended up running the ball 29 times for 67 yards (2.3 ave.) and quarterback John Collins completed 8 of 15 passes for just 99 yards. He also ran the ball 16 times for 26 yards, but most of those attempts were made to avoid coverage sacks. Also, three of his passes were intercepted: two by Noah Jenkins and one by Isaac Maxheimer. Andes, aside from his TD, ran 7 times for 31 yards and caught 2 passes for 44 yards. Best player in the county? Perhaps Tiger fans have another opinion.

Massillon also welcomed first-time starter Zay-Shawn Murray, who regained eligibility for this game. The 295-pound nose tackle had an immediate and disruptive impact on the interior of the Viking line. For the night he recorded 7 total tackles and a sack, just behind Maxheimer, who had 9 tackles, a sack and an interception, and Christian Culler, who recorded 9 tackles.  Noah Jenkins had two pass interceptions.

For Massillon on offense, quarterback Manny Patterson had a performance that landed him in the Tiger record book once again by completing 12 of 13 passes for 226 yards and four touchdowns. The 92% completion mark now ranks 3rd and the 340 efficiency rating ranks 2nd.

It was obvious that the Hoover defenders respected the abilities of the Massillon receivers, who were quicker and more athletic, as they were giving ample cushions on the edges in their alignments. And they did not blitz. So, they basically set the table and Patterson took full advantage. While he never went deep against the Vikings’ cover-4 group, most of the tosses were to the sidelines, with the receivers using their talents to avoid tackles on a few of them for long gains. Particularly involved was Giorgio Jackson Jr., who caught 7 passes for 109 and a touchdown. Adding to that was Jadyce Thigpen, who caught two for 37 yards and two TDs, and Deontay Malone, who grabbed a pair for 76 yards and a score.

As good as the passing attack was, the running attack was superb as well, in spite of Hoover at times adding players to bolster their front-4. The offensive line simply overpowered the Viking defenders, helping Savior Owens and Anthony McMullen Jr. to combine for 14 carries and 169 yards (12.1 ave.), with 3 touchdowns.

Behind by a touchdown early, the Tigers went right to work. First was an out-pass to Malone for a first down, followed by a second out-pass to Jackson for another first down. On the third play Owens broke through the right side of the line and he wouldn’t be caught, speeding 51 yards to tie the score.

Hoover went to ground on their second possession, with Collins picking up most of the yards while vacating the pocket. Only, the drive stalled when Maxheimer intercepted a fourth down pass at the Massillon 18. From there it took the Tigers just four plays to grab the lead, with Owens taking the ball around the left side of the line and scoring from eight yards out. The TD was set up by a 42-yard catch and run by Jackson.

On the third Viking possession they were hampered by penalties and faced a 3rd and 20 from their own ten. It didn’t go any farther when an errant pass was intercepted by a leaping Jenkins, who was subsequently escorted to the end zone, upping the score to 21-7. There was a sense then among fans that this game wasn’t going to be close. And, indeed it wasn’t. Massillon from that point on just poured on the points.

Four touchdowns were tallied in the second quarter: a 46-yard run by McMullen, a 21-yard pass to Thigpen, a 66-yard catch-and-run pass to Malone and a 20-yard pass to Jackson in the corner of the end zone. That made the halftime score 42-7, with 350 yards of offense in the books.

The first team had one final series to start the second half, which ended in a 16-yard pass to a wide-open Thigpen. The backups then quickly finished it off under a running clock. Even this group scored.  At the end of a 9-play, 45-yard drive, quarterback Eli Moore vacated the pocket when he couldn’t find an open receiver and outraced the defense to the left edge of the goal line. It was the final touchdown of the ten games played at home this year, fittingly scored by the coach’s son.

Hoover closes out the season with a fine 9-3 record. Meanwhile, Massillon (8-3) will travel to Columbus next week to face No. 2 seeded St. Francis DeSales (9-2), which defeated Ashland 33-29 in the final seconds to remain alive. Had Ashland won that game, the Tigers would have been at home once again. Special thanks to Dave Wagner for displaying the end of the Ashland game on the big screen to the several hundred fans that stuck around, watching in anticipation.

Photos by Marlene Kanipe

Savior Owens (1) on his way to the end zone.

Isaac Maxheimer (20)

Deontay Malone (6)

Noah Jenkins (16) with the interception return for a touchdown, Isaac Maxheimer (20)

Manny Patterson (10)

Anthony McMullen Jr. breaks free

Anthony McMullen Jr. (24) scores

Deontay Malone  (6); Braylon Gamble (5)

Deontay Malone (6)

Eli Moore (8) hands to the ball to Sebastian Harper, Worth Hirning (62)

Noah Garner (66)

2025 Booster Club Report – Week PO2 – Preview…

The Vikings play in the Federal League, which is comprised of teams located either in or near Stark County.  Last year they finished with a 6-5 record, including a 28-0 loss to Uniontown Lake in the first round of the playoffs.  Their record over the previous five years is 35-21, including a 19-11 mark in Federal League play and 5-5 in the playoffs.  Their best season over that time span occurred in 2021 when they captured the Federal League title with a 6-0 record,while finishing 9-3 overall, including a 14-10 loss to Green in the second round of the playoffs.  In the previous year they finished 6-3, losing 48-23 to Masssillon in the second round of the playoffs.

This year’s regular season record was 8-2, with a 4-2 mark in the Federal League.  The losses were to Lake by a touchdown and Canton McKinley by a single point.  Last week, in the first round of the playoffs, the Vikings defeated inner-city team Columbus Northland, 50-6.  Below are their scores.

• Akron Buchtel (4-6): 30-0
• Medina (4-7): 42-17
• Akron North (1-9): 64-0
• Green (6-5): 27-21
• Louisville (6-5): 31-13
• Canton GlenOak (2-8): 28-21
• Canton McKinley (8-2): 20-21 L
• Massillon Perry (5-5): 35-21
• Uniontown Lake (7-3): 14-20 L
• Massillon Jackson (6-5): 35-14
• Columbus Northland (7-4): 50-6

With a bye last week as the playoffs got underway for most qualifying teams the Tigers had a chance to heal any wounds emanating from their 21-14 victory over Canton McKinley and regroup in preparation for a second-round match against visiting North Canton Hoover.  “It’s playoff  time,” said Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore.  “It’s win or go home!”

The guest players were junior linebacker Isaac Maxheimer and junior offensive/defensive lineman Marcus Garner.

• Maxheimer – Last week was a really good week to get our technique right.  But now we need to play five championship games.
• Garner – We got back to the fundamentals, the basics.  Hoover has a good defense.

North Canton uses a spread offense, aligning mostly in an empty set.  Occasionally, they will include a running back in the mix.  The “go-to” guy is Jack Andes, who plays both running back and wide receiver.  Expect him to be involved in the majority of their play, either running the ball or catching it.  Moore said that he might be the best player in the county this year.  The quarterback, John Collins, manages the offense well.  He is very accurate and is a good scrambler.  His No. 2 target is Brycen Beyer.  Expect to see the ball to be in the air 60-65% of the time, more if the Vikings are unable to establish a running attack.  Then again, with rain and high winds in the forecast, it may be just the opposite.

The offensive line has good size, averaging 6′-3″, 270 lbs.  It is led by 3-star recruit Jack Ziarko.  He is an excellent football player.

The top players on offense are (regular season statistics shown):

• Senior quarterback John Collins  (6′-2″, 190): 79 of 164 passing (59%) for 1,434 yards (14.8 ave.), with 4 interceptions and 14 touchdowns.
• Senior running back/wide receiver Jack Andes (5′-11″, 175): 79 carries for 553 yards (7.0 ave.) and 7 touchdowns, 46 receptions for 744 yards (16.2 ave.) and 11 touchdowns.
• Senior wide receiver Brycen Beyer (6′-0″, 175).
• Senior offensive lineman Jack Ziarko (6′-4″, 295): Committed to Miami of Ohio.

The defense aligns almost exclusively in a 4-3, cover-3 zone.  However, they have shown some 3-man fronts.  They will blitz on a rare occasion.  Although it’s very basic, Moore said that Hoover is good at what they do.  The line averages 6′-2″, 243 lbs. and is led by Ziarko, a 2-way player.  Ziarko is really good on this side of the ball and gets off quickly.  The best linebacker is Carter Lukens, who leads the county in tackles.  Moore considers him to be a “really good player.”  The best corner is Teayn Ledwell, while Brycen Beyer, another 2-way player, can be found at safety.

The top players on defense are:

• Senior defensive lineman David Tully (6′-2″, 255): 20.0 TFLs, 7.0 sacks.
• Junior defensive lineman Owens Williams (6′-0″, 210): 12.0 TFLs, 7.0 sacks.
• Junior defensive lineman Aaron Brubaker (6′-3″, 210): 11.0 TFLs, 7.0 sacks.
• Senior linebacker Carter Lukens (5′-10″, 200): 146 total tackles 20.0 TFLs, 3 interceptions.
• Senior cornerback Carson Morris (6′-0″, 170): 5 interceptions.
• Junior cornerback Teayn Ledwell (6′-0″, 160).

Hoover is good in all areas of special teams.

In summary, the Vikings have some size, are athletic and run well.  They are well coached and display sound fundamentals.

Go Tiger!

Tigers Enjoy Bye Week in Round 1 of the…

Tigers Enjoy Bye Week in Round 1 of the Playoffs

 The Massillon Tigers have the week off following the big 21-14 victory over Canton McKinley, a record 10^th consecutive win in that long series.  Head Coach Nate Moore admits that it takes a lot of energy to come away with a positive outcome in that game.  In last Monday’s Booster Club meeting he said that the bye is good for both the players and the coaches.  The plan this week is to get well rested and dive back into the fundamentals.  Then, resume the following week with a schedule of normal game prep.

Next week Massillon will entertain the winner of this Friday’s contest between North Canton Hoover and Columbus Northland.  The host Vikings are currently 8-2, with a 1-point home loss to the Bulldogs, while Northland comes in at 7-3.

Division II Bracket

Here’s a brief look at all the teams in DivisIon II, Region 7.

No. 1 – Sunbury Big Walnut

• Record (season / league): 9-1 / 7-0
• Average Points Scored: 37-9
• Drew Pasteur Rank: 2
• Hsratings.com Rank: 1
• Hsratings.com Strength of Schedule Rank: 4
• Notable Victories: Westerville South (8-2) 28-7, Worthington Kilbourne (7-3) 35-20
• Losses: Columbus Watterson (9-0) 15-37
• Key Players: Tight end Owen Pollock, quarterback Eli Stumpf, running back Nolan Buirley, linebacker Eli Helton, defensive back Brody Hatfield, offensive lineman Jake Wecker
• Playoff History: 12 qualifications, state title in 2007, 3 regional titles; in 2024 lost 28-24 to Cincinnati Anderson in state semifinals

 Big Walnut has a bye week in Round 1.  Next week they will host the winner of No. 8 Columbus Walnut Ridge and No. 9 Worthington Kilbourne.

 No. 8 – Columbus Walnut Ridge

• Record (season / league): 7-3 / 7-0
• Average Points Scored: 32-8
• Drew Pasteur Rank: 10
• Hsratings.Hsratings.com Rank: 10
• com Strength of Schedule Rank: 11
• Notable Victories: Africentric Early College (7-3) 26-6
• Losses: Cleveland St. Joseph (8-1) 16-27, Canfield (9-1) 20-35, Columbus Hartley (5-5) 0-6 O.T.
• Key Players: quarterback Marquis Lucas, defensive back Lee’Sean Saunders
• Playoff History: 11 qualifications; in 2024 lost 29-26 to Worthington Kilbourne in Round 1

 No. 9 – Worthington Kilbourne

• Record (season / league): 7-3 / 5-2
• Average Points Scored: 33-22
• Drew Pasteur Rank: 7
• Hsratings.Hsratings.com Rank: 8
• com Strength of Schedule Rank: 5
• Notable Victories: None
• Losses: Canal Winchester (9-1) 28-48, Big Walnut (9-1) 20-35, Westerville South (8-2), 19-21
• Key Players: Quarterback Jackson Szabo, punter Ben Davis, running back L Page, wide receiver Shion Jamshidi, wide receiver Alex Meek, linebacker Mason Cost
• Playoff History: 13 qualifications, 2 regional titles; in 2024 lost 10-7 to Teays Valley in Round 2

 No. 4 – Canal Winchester

• Record (season / league): 9-1 / 6-1
• Average Points Scored: 44-23
• Drew Pasteur Rank: 4
• Hsratings.com Rank: 3
• Hsratings.com Strength of Schedule Rank: 7
• Notable Victories: Worthington Kilbourne (7-3) 48-28
• Losses: Pickerington Central (9-1) 30-43
• Key Players: Defensive back/wide receiver Dre Jackson, quarterback Quinton McGhee, running back Jamari Snow
• Playoff History: 13 qualifications; in 2024 lost 37-3 to Massillon in Round 2

Canal Winchester has a bye week in Round 1.  Next week they will host the winner of No. 5 Westerville South and No. 12 Louisville.

 No. 5 – Westerville South

• Record (season / league): 8-2 / 6-1
• Average Points Scored: 20-16
• Drew Pasteur Rank: 8
• Hsratings.com Rank: 5
• Hsratings.com Strength of Schedule Rank: 2
• Notable Victories: Worthington Kilbourne (7-3) 21-19
• Losses: Dublin Jerome (5-5) 13-23, Big Walnut (9-1) 7-28
• Key Players: Safety Isaac Patterson, edge rusher London Vickroy, defensive back Isaac Patterson, quarterback E Andrews, defensive player Manny Norwood
• Playoff History: 15 qualifications, 1 regional title; in 2024 lost 17-7 to Canal Winchester in Round 1

 No. 12 – Louisville

• Record (season / league): 6-4 / none
• Average Points Scored: 25-15
• Drew Pasteur Rank: 8
• Hsratings.com Rank: 9
• Hsratings.com Strength of Schedule Rank: 8
• Notable Victories: Alliance (8-2) 30-13, Northwest (6-4), 10-3
• Losses: North Canton (8-2) 13-31, Canfield (9-1) 21-23, Green (5-5) 14-27, Cincinnati LaSalle (7-3) 24-35
• Key Players: Running back Owen DiMarzio, quarterback Gabe Stoffer, wide receiver Quin Burick, linebacker Owen Wilson
• Playoff History: 17 qualifications, 1 state runner-up, 2 regional titles; in 2024 did not qualify

 No. 2 – Columbus DeSales

• Record (season / league): 8-2 / 2-1
• Average Points Scored: 33-15
• Drew Pasteur Rank: 3
• Hsratings.com Rank: 6
• Hsratings.com Strength of Schedule Rank: 6
• Notable Victories: Columbus Northland (7-3) 34-0, Columbus Africentric (7-3) 35-18, Harrison (7-3) 23-21
• Losses: Hamilton Badin (9-1) 21-38, Columbus Watterson (9-0) 7-42
• Key Players: Running back Jonathan Brown, tight end Jordan Karhoff, wide receiver Blake Donnelly
• Playoff History: 31 qualifications, state titles in 1975, 1997 and 1998, 12 regional titles; in 2024 lost 27-14 to Ashland in Round 2

 Columbus DeSales has a bye week in Round 1.  Next week they will host the winner of No. 7 Ashland and No. 10 Mount Vernon.

 No. 7 – Ashland

• Record (season / league): 9-1 / 6-1
• Average Points Scored: 40-13
• Drew Pasteur Rank: 5
• Hsratings.com Rank: 7
• Hsratings.com Strength of Schedule Rank: 10
• Notable Victories: None
• Losses: Lexington (9-1) 35-43
• Key Players: Quarterback Nathan Bernhard
• Playoff History: 15 qualifications, 1 regional title; in 2024 lost 28-10 to Big Walnut in Round 3

 No. 10 – Mount Vernon

• Record (season / league): 6-4 / 5-2
• Average Points Scored: 28-26
• Drew Pasteur Rank: 11
• Hsratings.com Rank: 11
• Hsratings.com Strength of Schedule Rank: 9
• Notable Victories: Johnstown (7-3) 35-34 O.T.
• Losses: Marion Harding (3-7) 14-21, Delaware Hayes (2-8) 34-41, Licking Valley (10-0) 13-58, Granville (7-3) 13-35
• Key Players: Quarterback Mason Richards, defensive lineman Landon Dawson, linebacker Luke Mullins
• Playoff History: 2 qualifications; in 2024 did not qualify

 No. 3 – Massillon

• Record (season / league): 7-3 / none
• Average Points Scored: 30-20
• Drew Pasteur Rank: 1
• Hsratings.com Rank: 2
• Hsratings.com Strength of Schedule Rank: 1
• Notable Victories: Lakewood St. Edward (8-2) 21-14, Cardinal Ritter, MO (4-3) 28-14, Canton McKinley (8-2) 21-14
• Losses: Cleveland Glenville (7-3) 27-33 O.T., Rabun Gap, GA (5-4) 35-50, Football North, ONT (5-4) 2-34
• Key Players: Running back Savior Owens, wide receiver Gio Jackson Jr., wide receiver/cornerback back Deontay Malone, offensive/defensive lineman Marcus Garner, offensive lineman Davionne Floyd, linebacker Ja’Dyn Williams, defensive lineman Sam Doussous, safety Brian Gamble, cornerback Lennox Lemon
• Playoff History: 31 qualifications, state title in 2023, 6 state runners-up, 16 regional titles; in 2024 lost 14-7 to Big Walnut in regional finals

 Massillon has a bye week in Round 1.  Next week they will host the winner of No. 6 North Canton Hoover and No. 11 Columbus Northland.

 No. 6 – North Canton Hoover

• Record (season / league): 8-2 / 4-2
• Average Points Scored: 33-15
• Drew Pasteur Rank: 3
• com Rank: 6
• com Strength of Schedule Rank: 6
• Notable Victories: Louisville (6-4) 31-13
• Losses: Canton McKinley (8-2) 20-21, Uniontown Lake (7-3) 14-20
• Key Players: Offensive lineman Jack Ziarko, quarterback John Collins, RB Jack Andes, linebacker Carter Lukens, defensive lineman David Tully, defensive lineman Owen Williams, Aaron Brubaker, cornerback Carson Morris
• Playoff History: 22 qualifications, 1 state runner-up, 3 regional titles; in 2024 lost 28-0 to Uniontown Lake in Round 1

 No. 11 – Columbus Northland

• Record (season / league): 7-3 / 6-1
• Average Points Scored: 22-13
• Drew Pasteur Rank: 12
• com Rank: 12
• com Strength of Schedule Rank: 12
• Notable Victories: Columbus Linden-McKinley (8-2) 20-14 O.T.
• Losses: Columbus Academy (8-2) 7-14, Columbus DeSales (8-2) 0-34, Columbus East (9-1) 0-26
• Key Players: Quarterback Akeilles Harrison, linebacker Amari Mallory, linebacker Mahari Bowles, defender Quinez Walker, defensive back Tejuan Barbour
• Playoff History: 6 qualifications; in 2024 lost 34-6 to Massillon Perry in Round 1

2025 Booster Club Report – Week PO1 – Post-Canton…

2025 Booster Club Report – Week PO1 – Post-Canton McKinley

Massillon (7-3) defeated Canton McKinley (8-2), 21-14.  This week Massillon has a bye week during the first round of the Division II playoffs.

Link to the Canton McKinley Game Story

Link to the Canton McKinley Game Statistics

Link to the Division II Playoff Bracket

Other scores:

• 7th Grade (6-0): Season over.
• 8th Grade (2-7): Season over.
• Freshmen (2-5-1): Defeated Canton McKinley 29-14.  Season over.
• Junior Varsity (2-6-1): Defeated Warren Harding, 28-22.  Season over.

Review of the Canton McKinley Game

It was the 136th renewal of the rivalry game with Canton McKinley, held at Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.  The first half was played fairly evenly, with the two teams tied at 14-apiece at the break.  In the first quarter Massillon scored on its second possession when running back Savior Owens went over the goal line from four yards out.  The TD was set up when the Bulldog receiver was stripped of the ball by Braylon Gamble and Tra’Yon Williams dove over the pile to retrieve it at the four.  On the Tigers’ next possession they marched 68 yards in 8 plays, with Owens scoring his second touchdown, this one from the 14 yard line.  During the drive Manny Patterson completed a 22-yard pass to Jadyce Thigpen and Owens followed with a 12-yard run to advance the ball into four-down territory.  The Bulldogs regrouped in the second quarter when Massillon changed its defense in order to defend the the expected passes to follow.  Only, McKinley now found success with the ground game and tallied twice to tie the score.  After the break the Tigers returned to their original defense and a back-and-forth quarter and half of defensive football ensued.  That, until Deontay Malone returned the punt 50 yards for the winning points and a 21-14 victory.  The play goes in the  record book in that it was the first time in 136 games that a Massillon player had returned a punt for a touchdown against McKinley.  Throughout the half the defense was a major factor in maintaining field position as it held McKinley without a first down until after the punt return.  With the win, the Tigers’ 966th all-time, they they have now won ten consecutive times over the Bulldogs.  In addition, they now lead the overall series, 78-53-5.

Comments by Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore

Here is a snapshot of Moore’s remarks to the Booster Club members at the weekly meeting:

• The team had great coverage on kickoffs.
• In a game like that, with all the penalties, he immediately checked the field for a flag following the punt return.
• Braylon Gamble played great, lining up at both safety and outside linebacker.
• On McKinley’s second possession they lofted a long bomb was right on target.  Only, Deontay Malone had great coverage and knocked the ball away just at it reached the receivers hands.
• Chayce White had a pass interception and he is developing well.
• Gio Jackson Jr. made the best catch of a long pass that Moore has ever seen.  That, in spite of being initially shielded from the ball and then interfered with by being completely wrapped up, with one arm pinned to his side.
• Anthony McMullen Jr. played his best game of the season.  He runs really hard.
• Quarterback Manny Patterson did a good job running through his progressions on pass plays.
• Savior Owens had some nice runs.  He made a lot of people miss.
• Moore did not see a hold when McMullen scored the touchdown in the fourth quarter.  He also didn’t see a hold when the Tigers picked up a first down with 4th down pass on their first drive.  On account of the penalty they were then forced to punt.
• The coach is very grateful to have the bye week.  It’s good for both the players and the coaches.  The plan this week is to get well rested and dive back into the fundamentals.  Monday was an off day.  The players will have meetings on Tuesday, followed light practices on Wednesday and Thursday.  The coaches will then travel to North Canton on Friday to scout the Hoover vs. Columbus Northland game, aware that the Tigers will play the victor next week.

The guest players were senior defensive back Noah Jenkins and junior tight end Will Hymes.

• Jenkins – “I’m just so grateful to play McKinley.  Such an honor.  It was a great win.  The defense stepped up big time.”
• Hymes – “Growing up, it was all I ever dreamed about.  I can’t explain it.”