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2023 Booster Club Report – Week 2 – Post-GlenOak;…

2023 Booster Club Report – Week 2 – Post-GlenOak; Preview of the Mansfield Game

Massillon (2-0) easily disposed of Canton GlenOak (1-1) last Friday with a 56-7 victory.  For the Golden Eagles, it was the second worst defeat in their football history, behind the 1999 loss to Perry by the score of 62-0.  This week the Tigers play home against Mansfield (1-1).  Massillon defeated the Tygers last year 33-0 and leads the overall series, 44-4-5, the first game having been played in 1909.  The series is the Tigers’ fourth longest, behind Canton McKinley (133 games), Warren Harding (87) and Alliance (75).

Link to the GlenOak Game Story

Link to the GlenOak Game Statistics

Other scores:

  • 7th Grade (2-0): Defeated Canton GlenOak, 20-6.  Play home vs. Mansfield on Tuesday, August 29, at 6:00 pm.
  • 8th Grade (2-0): Defeated Canton GlenOak, 46-24.  Plays at Maple Heights on Wednesday, August 30, at 6:00 pm.
  • Freshmen (2-0): Defeated Canton GlenOak, 46-0, leading 40-0 at the half.  Plays at Mansfield on Saturday, September 2, at 10:00 am.
  • Junior Varsity (1-1): Defeated Canton GlenOak, 48-36.  Plays home vs. Canton McKinley on Monday, September 4, at 1:00 pm.

Review of the GlenOak game

“I thought our kids played really, really well,” said Head Coach Nate Moore.  “We executed.  We played hard.  We made big plays.  Our defense was lights out.”  He also stated that it was good to get the JV players on the field.

The guest players were defensive lineman Chase Bond and quarterback Da’One Owens.  “GlenOak was well-coached,” said Bond.  “Nothing negative to say.  We were just better.”  He also remarked that the experience the front-7 gained last year as starters keeps this group “one step ahead.”  Owens added that GlenOak was a pretty good team.  “They played hard,” he said.  “We were just better.”

During the film presentation, Moore said that the special teams had another good day.  The offense got a good push in the run game, especially in the red zone.  But it was the passing game that appeared to be emphasized in both of the past two weeks.  Is this by design?  Perhaps.  Moore said that he aims to put the ball into the hands of the team’s best play makers, in this case the quarterbacks and wide receivers.  Not to say the running backs don’t also have some good talent to throw into the mix.

Statistics leaders:

  • Jalen Slaughter: 4 of 6 passing for 153 yards, 0 interceptions and 2 touchdowns
  • Da’one Owens: 5 of 8 passing for 125 yards, 0 interceptions and 3 touchdowns
  • Peytton Mitchell: 12 carries for 127 yards (10.6), 0 touchdowns
  • Jacques Carter: 3 receptions for 144 yards and 2 touchdowns
  • Kyler Wiggins: 2 receptions for 60 yards, 2 touchdowns
  • Deangelo Zimmerman: 2 receptions for 59 yards, 1 touchdown
  • Dorian Pringle: 6 tackle points (6-0), 1 sack, 3 tackles-for-loss
  • Team offense: 40 plays for 467 yards (11.7)

Mansfield Scouting Report

Offensively, the Tygers operate out of the spread, usually with four wide receivers.  It is within this group that Mansfield showcases its best all-around player, 6′-0″, 175 lb. senior Amarr Davis, who is a returning starter.  This is definitely the player the Massillon defense must keep an eye on, for he can take it to the house from any position on the field.  As the Tygers’ primary receiving weapon, his yards after catch are often used to great advantage.  He runs fast and can leap high over the defender to catch the ball.  At times, he will line up as a running back or wildcat quarterback.  And he also plays cornerback on defense.

Moore likes three of Mansfield’s offensive linemen:

  • Senior tackle Ahmaan Thomas (6′-4″, 290), a returning starter.  Good run blocker.  Physical.
  • Senior tackle Jahmere Dotson (6′-4″, 280), a returning starter.  Good on pass protection.  High effort.  Good hands.
  • Senior guard Carmelo Smith (6′-2″, 250), a returning starter.  Athletic.  Physical.  Plays hard.  Best lineman.

The quarterback is returning starter, senior Duke Reese.  He is a better runner than a passer.  Conversely, last year against the Tigers he completed 15 of 24 passes for for 125 yards in a 33-0 loss.  Although, he didn’t add much to the run game.  His status is questionable due to an injury, but his backup, junior Nate Dismuke (5′-10″, 185), can be just as effective.  The running back is returning starter, senior Zyion Brown (5′-9″, 190).  He has good speed and runs hard.

Defensively, Mansfield will line in up what Moore calls the “flavor of the week.”  Some 3-front,  Some 4- front.  Cover-1, cover-3 and cover-4.  Mostly based on the offensive formation.  Moore said that as a group they are pretty good, but only one player particularly stands out.  That is senor Carmelo Smith (6′-2″, 250).  He is their best defensive lineman.  A quick, physical, down hill player.  He’s also very aggressive when he moves to linebacker.

Go Tigers!

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2023: Massillon 56, Canton GlenOak 7

Massillon Makes Short Work of Canton GlenOak

Game Statistics

Every car owner knows that periodically they must check under the hood to see if everything is running okay.  A football team can apply that same reasoning, as they search for inherent defects in their play schemes.  That was the case on Friday for Massillon in the game against local rival Canton GlenOak.  And if the 56-7 shellacking of the Golden Eagles is any indication, the Tiger engine is purring along just fine.

For GlenOak, however, it was a different story.  But not necessarily a bad one.  Surely, they were playing a team that was a good bit above their level.  But it was an opportunity to have their weaknesses exposed as they prepare for a slate that is more suitable to their liking, one against their Federal League brethren.

As was the case in last week’s game against Valdosta, Massillon went immediately to the air the first time they touched the ball.  It might have been that the Tigers are breaking in some running backs that have limited varsity experience and they wanted the ball more in the hands of their two very talented quarterbacks along with their speedy receiving corps.  Or it might have been that mismatches were evident in the Eagle secondary and the coaches deemed that was the area to exploit.  Regardless of the reasoning, positive results were found immediately.

On the first play from scrimmage quarterback Da’one Owens completed a 23-yard pass to fullback (yes, fullback!!!) Deangelo Zimmerman, giving the Tigers a first down at the GlenOak 33.  Then Owens completed the drive with a perfectly thrown pass to Jacques Carter for the touchdown.  It was the first of five first-quarter TDs enroute to a 49-0 halftime lead.

With the Tigers quarterbacks alternating possessions throughout the first unit’s time on the field, it was now Jalen Slaughter’s turn to enter the fray.  A 40-yard pass to Carter on his first play advanced the ball to the Eagle 4 yard line, from where Micheal Wright Jr. powered it in for the score.

After that, the points continued to rain down.  A 30-yard pass from Owens to Kyler Wiggins, who continues to make spectacular catches in coverage.  A 3-yard run by Dorian Pringle.  A 30-yard pass from Owens to Wiggins.  A 71-yard pass from Slaughter to Carter.  And a 36-yard pass from Slaughter to Zimmerman to end the half.  As is the norm, the first unit saw one possession in the second half, with Mylen Lenix carrying the ball in from the 15.

Meanwhile, the Tigers punted just once, while GlenOak managed just four first downs.  The Massillon defense controlled the action and was stifling against both the run and the pass, except for on one Eagle drive that ended near the goal line when they fumbled the ball into the end zone for a touchback.

The two quarterbacks ended up a combined 9 of 15 passing for 278 yards and 5 touchdowns.  On the ground the Tigers gained 183 yards, led by Peytton Mitchel, who carried 12 times for 127 yards.  In spite of averaging 7.6 yards per carry, the running game was sluggish at times on account of GlenOak blitzing on nearly every down after falling behind in an attempt to halt the passing barrage.  The blitz also clogged up the running lanes.  But it had minimal effect on the passing game, as no sacks were recorded and the quarterbacks easily eluded the rush to complete passes.  Overall, Massillon gained 467 yards (11.7 ave.), their second straight 400+ yard game.

GlenOak got on the board on the second to last play in the game when Avante Burt scored from the one on fourth down against the Massillon backups.  The Eagle rushing attack was stymied for most of the night until Adrion Burt moved to the quarterback position.  He ended up rushing for 54 yards, while teammate Jamar Johnson had 81.  But the two quarterbacks completed only 5 of 18 passes for 77 yards.

Massillon will host Mansfield (1-1) next week, while GlenOak is home to Austintown Fitch, a future Tiger opponent.  The game will surely give fans a chance to compare scores.

Go Tigers!

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2023 Booster Club Report – Week 1 – Post-Valdosta;…

2023 Booster Club Report – Week 1 – Post-Valdosta; Preview of the GlenOak Game

Massillon (1-0) overcame a 14-0 deficit last Friday and defeated Valdosta, Georgia (0-1), 28-17.  This week the Tigers face Canton GlenOak (1-0) in the 19th renewal of this local rivalry.  Massillon defeated the Eagles last year 35-7 and leads the overall series, 14-4.

At halftime of the Valdosta game, the 2023 inductees for the Tiger Football Hall of Fame and the Massillon Wall of Champions  were introduced.  They include:

  • Arvine “Tink” Ulrich – First Booster Club President, Hall of Fame
  • Gary Vogt – Past Booster Club President and current Club Historian, Hall of Fame
  • Larry Larsuel – Football player, Hall of Fame
  • Devin Smith – Football player, Hall of Fame
  • Ron Ertle – Football player, Hall of Fame
  • Rick Spielman – Football player, former general manager of the Minnesota Vikings, Wall of Champions

Link to the Valdosta Game Story

Link to the Valdosta Game Statistics

Other scores:

  • 7th Grade (1-0): Defeated Akron Ellet, 20-0.  This week they defeated GlenOak, 20-6.
  • 8th Grade (1-0): Defeated Akron Ellet, 12-8.  Plays home to GlenOak on Wednesday, August 23, at 6:00 pm.
  • Freshmen (1-0): Defeated Lakewood St. Edward, 34-0.  Plays at GlenOak on Thursday, August 24, at 6:00 pm.  Against St. Eds the freshmen rolled up over 250 yards of offense in the first half, leading 21-0.  The Eagles never penetrated beyond the Massillon 45 yard line throughout the game.
  • Junior Varsity (0-1): Lost to Lakewood St. Edward, 21-7, in an evenly played game.  Plays home vs. GlenOak on Saturday, August 26, at 10:00 am.

Review of the Valdosta game

“It was an historic game,” said Head Coach Nate Moore.  “Win 933.  Historic win.  Fifty years in the making.  So proud of our kids.”  Moore was also appreciated the support of the Massillon crowd.  “You guys were phenomenal,” he said.  “It gave us an advantage.  Our guys could feel the energy.”

Valdosta struck early with a long run, followed by a touchdown a few plays later, off a formation that hadn’t been shown during the pre-season.  But the defense immediately made the proper adjustments and held the Wildcats to a mere 40 yards on the ground the rest of the night.  “The defense did a great job adjusting to the unbalanced looks,” said Moore.  “We want to close the gaps and build a wall.  We had lots of guys running to the ball.

Offensively, Moore said the Tigers’ first drive was looking good until they were flagged with a chop block at the Valdosta 33 that set them back.  Eventually, they were forced to punt.  But in the long run Massillon just made more plays.  More than Valdosta.  “Our kids played with great effort,” he said.  “Against good teams you need to make the plays.”  Meanwhile, after the Wildcats’ first two scores on back-to-back possessions they appeared to wane on defense and the players just started running after the ball rather than playing good assignment football.

Moore also singled out the specialty teams.  Good kicks and coverage in kickoffs.

Statistically, Daone Owens’ 241 yards rushing in a single game ranks 10th all-time among all players.  The mark also the most ever gained by a Massillon quarterback in a single game.  His 18.5 yards per carry ranks second all-time among all players.

The guest players were offensive lineman Sam Snodgrass and safety Ryan Page.  “We were very proud of playing in that game,” said Snodgrass.  “We started out slow (negative 13 yards rushing in the first half).  We didn’t plan on that happening.  I challenged our offensive line.”  The Tigers ended up rushing for 361 yards the rest of the way.

“We plan on starting out strong the rest of the year,” added Page.  It was such an historic game and an honor to play in it.”  Both Page and Snodgrass agreed that near the end of the second quarter Valdosta appeared gassed and the game started to turn in the Tigers’ favor.

Statistics leaders:

  • Da’one Owens: 5 of 10 passing for 59 yards, 0 interceptions and 0 touchdowns; 13 carries for 241 yards (18.5) and 2 touchdowns
  • Jalen Slaughter: 4 of 9 passing for 25 yards, 0 interceptions and 0 touchdowns
  • Dorian Pringle: 13 carries for 65 yards (5.0); 2 touchdowns; 5.0 tackle points; 1 sack
  • Kyler Wiggins: 4 receptions for 56 yards, 0 touchdowns
  • Ja’Meir Gamble: 3 receptions for 29 yards, 0 touchdowns
  • Ryan Page: 4.0 tackle points
  • Zach Liebler: 4.0 tackle points
  • Vito McConnell: 1 pass interception returned for 16 yards
  • Team offense: 43 carries for 348 yards (8.1)

Canton GlenOak Scouting Report

GlenOak features two outstanding athletes in the Burt brothers.  Senior Avantae Burt (5′-9″, 170) starts at wide receiver, but will also play some running back.  Junior Adrion Burt (6′-1″, 190) starts at outside linebacker and backs up at quarterback, from where he will mostly run the ball.  Last year Avantae was the starting running back and he carried the ball 17 times for 21 yards.  Adrion started at quarterback and completed 3 of 7 passes for 31 yards and was sacked four times.  Shortly after he was replaced and moved to another position.

This year’s starting quarterback is senior Cole Anderson (6′-0″, 165), who is the better thrower of the two.  The starting running back is Jamar Johnson (5′-11″, 200).  He is physical and has good speed.  Avantae Burt is the best wide receiver and GlenOak is most effective when the ball is in his hands.  Also, keep an eye on speedy wide receiver Katour Ashcraft (6′-2″, 180).  The offensive line is on the smaller side and averages 6′-0″, 238.

Scheme-wise, some of the things they do resemble the Tigers.  Yet, they do add a few wrinkles, using the tight end more and utilizing some pistol formations.

Defensively, the 3-man front lacks size, averaging 6′-1″, 224.  The best player in this group is nose tackle, 2-way player Magueyal (5′-10″, 240), who comes off the ball well.  Cornerback Brailon Wilcox (5′-9″, 160) leads the secondary.  He has good speed and can close the gap on coverage.

2023 Massillon Tiger Captains

Go Tigers!

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2023: Massillon 28, Valdosta, Georgia, 17

Tigers Stiffen, Mount a Comeback in Classic Game

Game Statistics

It was billed as a classic game, involving two of the winningest programs in the country, and it absolutely lived up to its billing.  Stifling defenses.  Big plays.  Outstanding individual performances.  A large, noisy crowd.  All coupled with the electricity of a season-opening game at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.  In the end it was Massillon that overcame an early 2-touchdown deficit to overtake Valdosta, Georgia, 28-17.

Both teams were loaded with athletic speedsters and ultimately it was their big plays that factored the most in the outcome for each team.  On Valdosta’s first play from scrimmage running back Shakevious Wright skirted the right end and wasn’t stopped until he was run down by Kyler Wiggins at the Massillon ten.  Just prior to the play the Wildcats had shifted their tight end and fullback from the left edge to the right edge and the Tigers didn’t adjust.  For it was all about the numbers in their offense in that Valdosta was trying to place more blockers than defenders at the point of attack.  Three plays later the Wildcats were in the endzone when quarterback Todd Robinson hit Eli Lewis on a 16-yard pass.

Following a Massillon punt, Valdosta struck again, this time on a 63-yard pass from Robinson to Prince Jean.  Off an outlet pass, coupled by some good blocking near the line of scrimmage, the potential Tiger tacklers just couldn’t get into position to make the play.  Once the speedy Jean got going there was catching him.  Suddenly, the Tigers were down 14-0 and it wasn’t looking good.  Especially with Massillon having gained just 13 yards through the first quarter of play.

Throughout the early part of the game the Tigers were swapping quarterbacks within each possession, between Jalen Slaughter and Daone Owens.  Slaughter appeared to be the main QB, as he seemed to be favored for passing, while Owens was used in play situations.  But, with the running game totally stymied and the Wildcats utilizing close man-to-man coverage in the secondary, the offense just wasn’t getting untracked.

So, in the middle of the second quarter, on the Tigers’ fourth possession of the night, Coach Nate Moore went to Plan B.  The Tigers lined up with three wide receivers, a wing-back on each side of the five linemen and Owens alone in the backfield.  From there, he became the running back and was able to effectively use his running skills, while the line blocked like on traditional running plays.  On Owens’ first attempt he alluded a few tacklers at the line of scrimmage and then it was a foot race to the endzone, eventually being caught at the Valdosta five.  Four plays later the Tigers chalked up their first touchdown of the night on a 1-yard run by Dorian Pringle.  Vinny Keller then kicked his first of four extra points.

Two series later Valdosta had driven the ball to the Massillon 37, but Vito McConnell came up with a big interception to squash the attempt.  The Tigers then drove to the Wildcat 13, but ran out of time.  So, at the half it was 14-7.

Massillon stayed with Owens to start the second half and on the first play he once again got into the Valdosta secondary and sped 69 yards for the tying score.  The Tigers tacked on the go-ahead points when Pringle capped off a 55-yard drive with a 21-yard run.  Valdosta responded with a 49-yard pass from Robinson to Jamill Williams, advancing the ball to the Massillon 8.  But they failed to move any further and settled for a 29-yard field goal.

Two series later the Tigers put up the clinching points when Owens broke free on a 65-yard touchdown run, making the final score 28-17.  Owens finished the night rushing 13 times for 241 yards.  The total yards places him 9th in the Massillon record book and his 18.5 yards per carry is 2nd.

Overall, in spite of gaining just 13 yards in the first quarter, Tigers rolled up 432 yards of offense.  The ground game accounted for 348 yards and the two quarterbacks combined completed 9 of 19 passes for 84 yards.  Meanwhile, Valdosta rushed for 110 yards, 80 of which came on their first play.  In the air, Robinson hit 12 of 24 for 211 yards and two touchdowns.

For a first game of the season, with limited preparation time, it was a very well-played game between two outstanding teams stocked with many experienced players.  Four intangibles, however, made the difference.  First, Massillon was able to find the answer to breaking the Wildcat defense with the use of Owens in the empty backfield formation.  Second, the Tigers were able to make the necessary adjustments to shut down the Valdosta offense.  Following their two touchdowns and aside from the one long pass, the Wildcats gained just 78 yards.  Third, Valdosta was flagged for 14 penalties, accounting for 124 yards.  And fourth, the Wildcat quarterback, who is a great runner, began cramping up in the middle of the second quarter and was relegated the rest of the night to handing off the ball and throwing passes, while eliminating the option plays.  Nevertheless, they did account for 321 yards of total offense.

Next week Massillon will face Canton GlenOak.

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Massillon 2023 Kickoff Rally Photos

Massillon 2023 Kickoff Rally Photos

Tiger growl, with WTIG’s Ray Jeske

Part of the massive crowd.

The Tiger Swing Band.

The Massillon Tigers.

The Massillon Tigers.

Cheerleaders leading the crowd.

The Massillon  Tigers.

 

Majorettes.

Mayor Cathy Katazoro Perry.

Superintendent Paul Salvino

Washington High School Principal Dave Lautenschleger.

Booster Club President Rob Maylor.

Head Coach Nate Moore

Tiger Swing Band.

Cheerleaders.

 

 

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Massillon vs. Valdosta Game Preview

Massillon vs. Valdosta Game Preview

Massillon, Ohio, vs. Valdosta, Georgia.  An intriguing matchup that has been years in the making, one that is worthy of national exposure.  Massillon and Valdosta have two of the winningest programs in the country, with a combined 1,876 wins between them.  Valdosta, with an historical record of 944-262-34, is the No. 1 team in the USA in terms of total wins, while Massillon, a former USA No. 1 with a record of 932-299-36, is currently 1st in Ohio and 4th in the nation.  Destined to be a classic for the ages, this game opens the 2023 football season, as part of the NE Ohio vs. America Showcase.

The two public schools share many similarities, starting with lengthy football histories.  Valdosta began playing in 1913 and Massillon first fielded a team in 1891.  The Wildcats have six national championships (the last one in 1992) and 24 Georgia state championships (the last one in 2016), whereas the Tigers have nine national champions (the last one in 1961) and 24 Ohio state championships (the last one in 1970).  Both play in sizeable, historic stadiums with large video screens and personalized bricks at the entranceway.  Bazermore-Hyder Stadium (1922) in Valdosta holds 11,249, while Paul Brown Tiger Stadium (1939) can seat 16,884.  Each has an avid booster club.  And national media attention has been enjoyed at each school.  For Valdosta, it was named Titletown USA by ESPN (2008) and was then featured in a Netflix Series titled, “Titletown High” (2020).  Massillon has been highlighted in numerous book publications, plus several films, including “Touchdown Town” (1951), “It’s a mad, mad, mad, mad football town” (1964), “Go Tigers” (2000), and “Timeless Rivals” (2017).

Valdosta participates in playoff Division AAAAAAA, the highest classification in Georgia.  Last season they finished 8-3, with a loss in the first round of the playoffs.  They are led by third-year Head Coach Shelton Felton.  Felton played football for Troy University and coached in various capacities at the high school and college levels, including Chattanooga (2017), Tennessee (2018 and 2020) and Akron (2019), before being hired as head coach at Valdosta in 2021.  Massillon is coached by Nate Moore, who enters his ninth year.  Last season the Tigers recorded a 12-2 record and advanced to the state semifinals in the playoffs.

Valdosta operates out of the spread offense.  With a run-first approach, they are led by running back Shakevious Wright, a 5’-8”, 190 lb. senior, who is very fast and physical and can cause havoc for any team if he gets into the secondary.  At quarterback is junior Todd Robinson, at 6’-0”, 185 lbs., who returns from last year.  Like Wright, he is a very good runner, while showing good accuracy on short and mid-range passes.  Defensively, the best player in their 3-4 alignment is defensive tackle Eric Brantley, a 6’-2”, 275 lb. senior.  Last year he was named Region Player of the Year and holds an offer from Colorado.  He may be the best defensive lineman the Tigers will see this year.  Linebacker Jaylin Bentley is another player to watch.  The 6’-1”, 180 lb. senior is quick and physical, and tackles well.  He has an offer from Georgia State.

Massillon will counter with a host of returning starters.  At quarterback is 3rd year starter, junior Jalen Slaughter, who passed last year for 2,043 yards and 24 touchdowns.  Newcomer Daone Owens is also expected to see time at the position.  The Number 1 and 3 wide receivers also return in Braylyn Toles (43-566) and Kyler Wiggins (34-374).  The offensive line returns three starters, in addition to 6’-6” Nolan Davenport, who played tight end last year, having moved over to tackle.  Defensively, The Tigers return six of their starting front seven players, led by 1st Team All-Ohio linebacker Dorian Pringle (Bowling Green) (69.5 tackle points) and defensive lineman Chase Bond (North Carolina State).

The significance of this game has not been lost on either community.  For Valdosta, they have won more games than any other team.  They are extremely proud of this record.  And they don’t hold back in letting any of the other 15,000 teams across the land know it.  Now they are facing the most renowned team in the country, the one put on the map by the legendary Paul Brown.  The one that has won more national titles than any other team save one.  The Wildcats know that they face a significant challenge, but they must by all means defend their honor.

For Massillon, the game ranks right up there with several other big games the Tigers have participated in throughout their long history.  Some of these include:

  • 1940 – Massillon vs. Toledo Waite, a team that believed they could upend the 5-time defending state champion Tigers and take the crown themselves.
  • 1945 – Massillon vs. Cleveland Cathedral Latin, a game played in front of 51,000 fans at Cleveland Municipal Stadium,
  • 1964 – Massillon vs. Niles, a team sitting on a 48-game unbeaten streak. It was played in front of 30,128 at the Akron Rubber.
  • 1972 – Massillon vs. Cincinnati Princeton in Ohio’s first-ever state playoffs. It was held at Ohio State Stadium.
  • 1982 – Massillon vs. Cincinnati Moeller for the state championship. Ohio State hosted the game in front of 31,409 fans, the highest attendance ever for a state playoff game.
  • 1991 – Massillon vs. Kentucky Covington Catholic in the Buddy LaRosa Classic, held at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Stadium.
  • 1994 – Massillon vs. Canton McKinley, the 100th meeting between these two historic rivals.
  • 2005 – Massillon vs. Cincinnati Elder at the Cincinnati Bengal’s Paul Brown Stadium.

Now, the Massillon vs. Valdosta game can be added to that list.  It should be a classic, one that will be remembered by both schools for a long time, especially by the winner.

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How to Video Stream the Massillon vs. Valdosta Game

How to Video Stream the Massillon vs. Valdosta Game

At the top of any website page on this site click “Tickets and Streaming.”

Click “Streaming (OHSAA/Boxcast).”

Click “Football.”

Select the Massillon-Valdosta game.

Click “Purchase Ticket ($9.99).”

Complete your order.

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Some Big Games On Tap for the Week 1…

Some Big Games On Tap for the Week 1 Slate

Valdosta, GA at Massillon – The Nation’s No. 1 winningest team, Valdosta, vs. No. 4 at Massillon’s Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.  It doesn’t get any better than this.  Last year the Wildcats finished 8-3, losing in the first round of the playoffs.  However, they did beat their local rival, Lowndes, 13-6.  Massillon posted a 12-2 record and a spot in the Division 2 state semifinals.  Big wins came against Lakewood St. Edward, 31-28, Austintown Fitch, 49-28 and Canton McKinley, 23-13.  Both Massillon and Valdosta are loaded with returning talent.

Lakewood St. Edward vs. Center Grove, IN – Last year the Eagles finished 15-1 and captured the
Division 1 state championship with a 28-14 victory over Springfield.  Their lone loss was 31-28 to Massillon in the regular season.  But they defeated Division 2 champion Toledo Central, 23-20, Cincinnati Elder, 17-14, and Cincinnati Moeller, 6-0.  Center Grove recorded a 12-2 mark and finished in their 5-round playoffs as the best team in Indiana.  Both teams are early favorites to repeat as state champions.

Ben Davis, IN at Cincinnati Moeller – Always strong Ben Davis is coming off an uncharacteristic 6-4 season, with a 35-34 loss to state champ Center Grove.  The Crusaders, having rebounded from several substandard years, finished 13-2, with two victories over Cincinnati St. Xavier, 20-17 and 28-7, a 42-14 win over Elder and a 38-20 victory over Lakota West.  The regular season loss was 6-0 to Lakewood St. Edward.  Their season came to an end in the Division 1 state semifinals with a 28-24 loss to Springfield.

Lakota West at Cincinnati St. Xavier – Lakota West, the top team in the Greater Miami Conference, was unbeaten through thirteen games last year, including wins over Cincinnati St. Xavier, 16-13, and Cincinnati Elder, 30-10.  But the run ended in the regional finals where they lost 38-20 to Moeller.  St. Xavier lost 28-7 to Moeller in Round 2 of the playoffs.  Last year Lakota West prevailed in this game 16-13.

Pickerington North at Cincinnati Elder – It’s the Ohio Capital Conference versus the Greater Catholic League in this intriguing matchup.  North finished 8-4 last year, defeating Upper Arlington in the regular season, 18-13, but losing 28-20 to Pickerington Central in the playoffs.  Elder finished 10-4, with wins over Pickerington Central, 17-7, and St. Xavier, 42-10.  In the playoffs, they lost 30-10 to Lakota West.

Hudson at Medina Highland – This is a battle of D2 teams from opposing divisions of the Suburban League.  Both finished the regular season last year undefeated.  In the playoffs Hudson defeated a good Walsh Jesuit team, 34-7, and a rising Painsville Riverside, 16-14, but ended up losing 41-7 to Akron Hoban in the regional finals.  Meanwhile, Highand lost 42-6 in Round 2 to eventual state champ Toledo Central.

Cincinnati Colerain at Cincinnati LaSalle – Neither of these teams has been playing up to par of late, but a win for one of them may provide a kick start to better times.  Last year Colerain finished 4-7 and LaSalle ended up 2-9, with LaSalle winning the season opener against these two teams, 17-13.  The big money this time around is on Colerain.

Mansfield at Akron St. Vincent – The Tygers last year recorded a 10-3 record with a 42-7 shellacking of North Canton Hoover coupled with a 33-0 loss to Massillon, both in the regular season.  In the Division 3 playoffs they lost 17-16 in Round 3 to Cleveland Holy Name.  The Irish finished 8-4, posting a 21-14 win over Austintown Fitch before losing 47-7 to Akron Hoban in the 3rd round of the Division 2 playoffs.

Cleveland St. Ignatius vs. Springfield – Last year’s game was rained out, but the Wildcats may wish this one will be rained out as well.  Ignatius is very young this year, with a new coach, and is just not the same team they were a few years ago.  But they can still be competitive.  In 2022 they finished 7-4 with a 24-21 win over St. Xavier and a 28-7 loss to St. Edward in Round 3 of the playoffs.  Meanwhile, Springfield, at 14-2, with two wins over Centerville and a win over Huber Heights Wayne, advanced to state finals for the second consecutive year, before losing to St. Eds 28-14.

Steubenville at Youngstown Ursuline – Steubenville finished 12-3 in 2022, with a 32-20 loss to Cincinnati Wyoming in the Division 4 state semifinals.  Ursuline was 10-3, losing 33-25 in Round 3 of the Division 3 playoffs to eventual state champ Canfield.

 

 

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Scrimmage Report: Massillon vs. Cincinnati Moeller

Scrimmage Report: Massillon vs. Cincinnati Moeller

Massillon traveled to Cincinnati Moeller for the second of two scrimmages in preparation for the Tigers’ 2023 season opener next Friday against Valdosta, Georgia, the winningest team in the U.S.   Moeller is coming off a 2022 season during which they compiled a 9-1 record and won the Division 1 Southwest Region in the playoffs.  This year they are ranked second in Ohio D1 behind Lakewood St. Edward and 35th in the nation per maxpreps.com.  Meanwhile, Massillon also finished 9-1 last year and captured their region in Division 2.  The Tigers are currently ranked 3rd in D2 behind Akron Hoban and Avon, a team they scrimmaged and defeated last week.

The Crusaders struck first on the second play of their initial possession with a long bomb.  But their offense was completely stymied the rest of the way.  Meanwhile, the Tigers put up three scores to win 21-7.  The first came at the end of a long drive when Mike Wright powered the ball into the end zone from four yards out.  Vinnie Keller then converted the first of three PAT attempts.  In the second quarter Daone Owens connected with Braylyn Toles for a 35-yard score.  VIDEO.  Toles beat the defender down the left sidelines and grabbed the ball touched his foot down in the end zone just inches away from the line.  That upped the score to 14-7.  Massillon’s first possession of the third quarter also went to paydirt when Jalen Slaughter hit Ja’Meir Gamble on a 35-yard strike.  With the score sitting at 21-7, the starters vacated the field in favor of subs.

Moeller won 14-7 with the backups in.  The Tigers’ score occurred when Eli Moore completed a 30-yard pass over the middle to Ricardo Wells, who made an acrobatic catch.  VIDEO.

The freshmen won 21-6.

Videos courtesy of Becca Moore.

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Paul Brown Tiger Stadium Parking

Paul Brown Tiger Stadium Parking

Olivia Bronczek

AUG 08, 2023

Hey, Tiger fans! As construction continues on our new elementary buildings, parking options for varsity football games will be as follows. Thank you for your patience as we continue to navigate construction.

Option 1: The Massillon City School District Transportation Department will run continuous loops from the Target and The Massillon Recreation Center parking lots beginning at 5:15 PM on game nights. Buses will begin transporting fans back to Target and the Massillon Recreation Center on a continuous loop after halftime.

  • Massillon Recreation Center – Please park at the North side of the Recreation Center near the corner of Erie and Cherry Street
  • Target – Please park toward the back of the Target parking lot

Option 2: Limited parking will be available at The Leven Good Company parking lot located at 1861 Harsh Ave. SE Massillon, OH 44646 – The lot will open at 5:00 PM

Option 3: Limited parking will be available at Gerstenslager Hardwood parking lot located at 343 16th Street SE Massillon, OH 44646 for $5 – The lot will open at 5:00 PM

All parking on school property will be PASS ONLY. Parking passes are currently sold out.