Jim Houston – Wall of Champions

Jim Houston – Wall of Champions

Sometimes dreams come true.  As a young Jim Houston sat in Cleveland Municipal Stadium on a cold Sunday afternoon watching his brother Lin play for the Browns, he had one thought in his mind: that could me some day.  “I remember going to Cleveland Stadium as a 9-year-old to watch the Browns,” Houston said.  “I used to wonder what it would take to play for the Browns.  Playing for Massillon, Ohio State or the Browns was a dream.”  Later in his life, that dream would become reality.

Not only did he follow his family footsteps to Massillon and then onto Ohio State and Cleveland, he also became one of the few players to win national championships at the high, college and professional levels, all within his home state.  For his many accomplishments, he was inducted into the Massillon Wall Champions in 1964.

Houston was born in Massillon on November 3, 1937.  One of four boys in the family, he was the third to play football professionally, joining Lin (Cleveland) and Walt (Washington).  “The Houston family was a remarkable football family.  Lindell, Jack (Purdue captain), Walt and Jim (Ohio State captain) all played college football.  Lindell and Jim made All-American.  They were all good football players.  All of them.  They weren’t cocky.  Just down to earth fellas.  They always said that their brother Howard would have been the best of all.  He lost his legs in an auto accident.  They were all good boys.” – Luther Emery (The Independent)

“In Massillon it was understood, you go the extra mile to do what you can do to be successful on that football team,” said Jim.  “Extra training, extra work, extra effort.  Not only my brothers told me that, but my mom and dad were saying, ‘you’ve gotta do that.’” – Scott Shook’s “Massillon Memories”

But that dream was almost derailed before it began.  Astonishingly, Houston was cut by Lorin Andrews Junior High Coach Roger Price in the 7^th grade.  It’s no surprise that he was devastated.  But his mother said simply to try out again the next year.  After gaining size and speed, he made the 8^th grade team.

“I was determined I’d never get cut again,” he said.  “I tried out in the 8^th grade and made it.  By the ninth grade I had started to grow.  It was kind of a reverse psychology thing.  You put a kid down and he’ll fight back harder every time.  I was determined I’d never get cut again.” – Ref. Scott Shook’s Massillon Memories

High School

Houston played initially on the sophomore team in 1953 at 5’-11”, 150 lbs., and then, having sprouted to 6’-1”, 180 lbs, became a starter at left end during his junior year under Head Coach Tom Harp.

The team finished 9-1 that year, but captured the state championship in spite of the loss due to a confluence of events.  Massillon had lost to No. 2 Alliance 19-7, but had defeated No. 3 Canton McKinley 36-6 and No. 4 Mansfield 18-0.  Meanwhile, McKinley defeated Alliance 26-6 and No. 9 Springfield 26-7, but lost to unranked Warren and Massillon.  It probably also helped that Massillon was the defending state champs.

In his senior year (1955) Houston played both offensive end and defensive end, although he was inserted at linebacker against McKinley.  The Tigers finished 8-1-1 that year, with a 13-7 loss to the Bulldogs and a 12-12 tie with Mansfield.  During that season, Houston caught 10 passes for 180 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for another.  Included in that were scoring receptions of 61-yards and 13-yards against Toledo Waite in a 32-13 victory.  He was also instrumental in gaining the tie with Mansfield.  With the Tigers down 12-6 with less than a minute left, Houston caught passes of 8 and 26 yards to advance the ball to the Tyger 6 yard line.  From there Don Duke powered it in with just two seconds on the clock.  Unfortunately, the PAT kick was just right of the goal and the game ended in a tie.

After the season, Jim was named 1^st Team All-Ohio and subsequently accepted an offer from Ohio State.

College

Houston became a starter in 1957 during in his sophomore year under Buckeye Head Coach Woody Hayes.  Aside from his excellent blocking and tackling, he now weighed well over 200 lbs.  So he lined up at both offensive end and linebacker on defense and held that position throughout his remaining time in Columbus.  Jim caught four passes that sophomore year for 16 yards and a touchdown.  The team finished the regular season 9-1, including a win over Michigan, 31-14, with the lone loss coming at home against Texas Christian (5-4-1), 18-14.  As Big 10 Champs, they were invited to the Rose Bowl, where they defeated Oregon 10-7.  Following the win the Buckeyes were named national champs in the Coaches’ UPI poll (Auburn (10-0) was No. 1 in the A.P. poll).

The next year, Ohio State slipped to 6-1-2, tying Wisconsin and Purdue, while losing 21-0 to Northwestern.  But they did defeat Michigan, 20-14.  Houston caught four passes for 127 yards and two touchdowns.  After the season he was named both the team’s Most Valuable Player and an All-American.

Jim became captain for his senior year (1959) and repeated as the team’s MVP.  For the season, he caught 11 passes for 214 yards and 4 TDs, including a 100-yard game against Michigan in a losing effort.  The team, however, finished 3-5-1.  Nevertheless, All-American honors were again achieved.

OSU wouldn’t forget Houston in later years by naming him to the Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame in 1979 and then the Ohio State Football All-Century Team in 2000.  And America wouldn’t forget, either.  In 2005 Jim was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.

Professional

Houston’s dream of playing ball in Cleveland was realized when Head Coach Paul Brown used his No. 8 first-round pick on him.  Jim was also drafted by the Buffalo Bills of the AFL but, like his older brother Lin, he chose the Browns.  Coach Brown had him slated for defensive end, as he liked his size and speed.  At that time he was 6’-3” and weighed 240 pounds.  He also ran the 40-yard dash in 4.8 seconds, which was not bad for a big man.

But Houston would not stay at defensive end, for new coach Blanton Collier (1963-70) moved him to outside linebacker.  “Jim is a great athlete,” said Collier.  “I’m sure he would be a standout at any position he played in pro football.  He’s just naturally gifted.”

Houston said he liked the move, but noted that he still had things to learn.  “I’m a little nervous inside wondering about covering some of those speedy backs, but I really don’t get upset,” he said.  “Maybe because I’m used to playing under pressure.  There was just as much pressure at Massillon and Ohio State as there is here.  After a while you adjust to it.  Physically, it’s an easier spot than end.  You don’t have people stepping on you all the time.  You do a lot more running.  I’m down to about 233 pounds now, but I feel much quicker.  I think I’m beginning to do more of the things instinctively.  Toughest part of the job, of course, is the pass coverage.  A mistake there can cost six points.” – Charles Heton

Houston wrapped up his career in 1972, with the final two years coming under Coach Nick Skorich.  Along the way his many accomplishments included the following:

• 186 games played, 148 as a starter
• 14 interceptions for 313 yards and 3 TDs, with a long of 79 yards
• 11 fumble recoveries
• 29.5 quarterback sacks
• 1 pass reception for 10 yards and a TD
• All-Pro in 1964, 1965 and 1966
• Co-Captain in 1968
• NFL Pro Bowl in 1964, 1965, 1969 and 1970
• NFL championship in 1964, defeating Baltimore 27-0
• NFL runner-up in 1965
• Overall team record of 121-63-5

And Houston did all this while early in his career maintaining his status in the military.  He was assigned as an active duty army officer at Fort Dix, New Jersey, and he used accumulated leave when reporting to the Browns for practices and games.  Later he was in the reserves.

In 1966 he was named a Cleveland Browns Legend.

Post-Football

When football ended Jim made home in Sagamore Hills, Ohio, and was Regional manager for Midwestern National Life Insurance Company of Ohio, fathering four children along the way.  But he never forgot his roots.  “Do you know what it’s like to have Massillon as your hometown?” he said.  “It’s the greatest thing going.  Everybody knows of Massillon, Ohio.  Everybody, unless they’ve never seen a football game ever.”

In later years he suffered from chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), a degenerative brain disease, known to cause cognitive problems in football players, along with ALS and dementia.  In fact, all three brothers suffered dementia.  He died on September 11, 2018 at age 80.

Tiger Legacy Thrills Visitors at the MassMu

Paul Brown Museum Exhibition:  Tiger Legacy: The Story Continues

Tiger Legacy: The Story Continues in the Paul Brown Museum within the Massillon Museum features 68 photographs of Massillon Tiger players, traditions, and special moments from the 2021 football season.

HIGHLIGHTS

The Tiger Legacy project began in collaboration with photographers Gary Harwood and David Foster in 2011 as an artistic and cultural narrative documenting the 2011 and 2012 Washington High School football seasons and the community’s embrace and celebration of this tradition. A second phase, which dove deeper into community relationships, culminated in the exhibit Tiger Legacy II and a full-color, award-winning book.

Now, ten years after the first Tiger Legacy exhibition, the project combines unexhibited and unpublished images from the original projects, and new photographs depicting the enduring legacy of the Tiger football tradition.

Harwood is a member of the Teach Arts Roster for the Ohio Arts Council, he taught visual storytelling at Kent State University, and he is the co-author of Tiger Legacy: Stories of Massillon Football and author of Growing Season: The Life of a Migrant Community. Tiger Legacy was selected as one of the ten best photography books for the summer of 2016 by American Photo Magazine.

WHY YOU SHOULD VISIT

Located in the 2018 wing of the Massillon Museum, the Paul Brown Museum features regularly rotating exhibitions. The Paul Brown/Massillon Tiger Football History Timeline is always on display. It spotlights Paul Brown’s fedora, his Hall of Fame gold jacket, and a chronology of his career. The paralleling Massillon Tiger timeline spotlights the 1940 Massillon-McKinley game ball signed by the entire Tiger team and the milestones of Massillon’s high school and professional squads.

IF YOU GO

What:  Tiger Legacy: The Story Continues Exhibition
When:  Regular Museum hours through July 10, 2022
Where:  Massillon Museum, 121 Lincoln Way East, Massillon
More:  massillonmuseum.org

Five Players Announce College Commitments

Five outstanding players from Massillon’s 11-3 regional runner-up from last season have recently selected their colleges for next year to further their athletic and academic careers.  Inside linebacker Nathan Depuy will attend Walsh University.  Kicker/punter Shane Rue will head to Ashland University.  Offensive lineman Ta’Jamere Nash will attend the University of Findlay.  Offensive / defensive lineman Jaiden Woods will attend Wittenbert.  And Nate Watkins will attend Alderson Broaddus University.

Depuy (No. 44) became a full-time starter in 2021 and finished third on the team with 65.5 tackle points, including 44 solos and 43 assists.  He also had a team leading 11.0 tackles for loss (10th all-time) and 1.5 quarterback sacks, in addition to six recovered fumbles, which set a new Massillon career record.  Against Austintown Fitch, Nathan was the leading tackler in a 31-21 victory, recording 9.5 tackle points, including 8 solos and 3 assists.  But fans will remember his 2-yard touchdown run at the end of the game against Canton McKinley in a 35-7 victory.  For his effort he was named 1st Team All-Northeast Inland District and 2nd Team All-Ohio.

Rue (No. 1) was the starting placekicker in 2021 and showed tremendous accuracy.  He connected on 46 of 47 extra points and 8 of 12 field goals, with a long of 42 yards, which came against Fitch.  Four of his marks are in top Top 10s of all-time season records.  On kickoffs, he averaged 53.9 yards and booted 17 of his 70 tries into the end zone.  Shane was also the backup punter, kicking 8 times, while averaging 36.1 yards per kick.

Nash (No. 72) was an starting offensive lineman in 2021 after serving as a primary backup the previous year.  From his tackle position, he helped the Tigers rush for nearly 200 yards per game.  Ta’Jamere was named Second Team All-Northeast Inland District.

Woods (No. 57) was a starting offensive lineman and substitute defensive lineman.  He was named 1st Team All-Northeast Inland District and 1st Team All-State for his offensive performance.

Watkins (No. 10) played outside linebacker.  He recorded 28.5 tackle points, including 24 solos and 9 assists.  He also had 8.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 quarterback sacks.  Nate was named Honorable Mention All-Northeast Inland District.

Congratulations to these Massillon Tigers.

2021 Football Season Wraps Up with Annual Banquet

It was a night of recognition at St. George’s Church for the 2021 football team banquet as several awards were presented to the players, officially wrapping up another successful campaign.  This year’s squad compiled an 11-3 record and a fifth consecutive trip to the playoff regional finals.  Only a controversial call at the end of the Green game derailed what might have been a chance to advance to a fourth straight state title game.  It was also a season marked by inexperience, key injuries, player interruptions and replacement starters.  But the team endured nevertheless and set the table for continued success.

Head Coach Nate Moore opened the event by thanking the many individuals and groups for their unending support.  “We have so much support,” he said, “and it allows us to keep doing this.”

Following dinner the assistant coaches presented the various participation awards, while expounding on each player’s individual achievements and effort.  Then the special awards, most of which were selected by the players themselves, were presented by various teammates to the winners.  They included:

• Coach of the Year – Dan Hackenbracht (safeties)
• Captain Awards – Darrius McElroy and Dominic Salvino
• Brandon Burlsworth Character Award – Jaiden Woods
• Thayer Munford ACT Award – Nick Hatheway
• John Pizzino, Sr. Academic Football $1,000 Scholarship – Nick Hatheway
• Paul David Memorial Academic Award – Jaiden Woods
• Bob Smith / Bill Snyder Sportsmanship Award – Kurtis Miller
• Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year – Anthony Hillard
• Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year – Malachi Card
• Lunch Pail Award – Jaiden Woods
• Hardnose Award – Austin Brawley
• Carl “Ducky” Schroeder Outstanding Lineman Award – Jaiden Woods
• Offensive Player of the Year – Darrius McElroy
• Defensive Player of the Year – Ryan Zentkovich
• Special Teams Player of the Year – Austin Brawley
• Lifters of the Year – Darrius McElroy and Dominic Salvino
• Tom Harp Coaches’ Award – Dominic Salvino
• Most Valuable Players – Darrius McElroy and Austin Brawley (the voting was too close to select just one)

“It was an unbelievable year,” said Moore.  “So much fun to be around.  An 11-5 record.  Five straight 10-win seasons.”  Four  particular games stood out to him:

Austintown Fitch – 31-21 win.  Down 14-10 late in the second quarter, Fitch’s quarterback connected on a 74-yard pass for a sure touchdown.  Only Ryan Zentkovich chased down the receiver and stripped him of the ball at the 2 yard line.  The ball then rolled out of the end zone for a touchback.  Three plays and 80 yards later Massillon took the lead and held on for the victory.  “Fitch, on the road, where they play good football,” said the coach.  “Facing adversity from every direction.  The table was set for an upset.  They had all the momentum.  But we kept fighting and made some big plays.  If we don’t get that game, who knows how the rest of the season would have gone.”

Wooster – 31-0 win.  Returned consecutive punts for touchdowns to take an early 14-0 lead. “Absolute domination by our defense and special teams,” said Moore.  The Tigers held the Generals to just 128 yards of offense.

Big Walnut – 38-0 win.  Regional semifinals.  Undefeated opponent, averaging 43 points per contest.  “Unbelievable game top to bottom,” remarked the coach.

Canton McKinley – 35-13 win.  Down 13-7 at the break, Massillon scored four second-half touchdowns in five possessions to put the game away, while holding the Bulldogs under 50 yards of total offense.  “No win sticks out like Week 10 against Canton McKinley.  We came out in the second half and really dominated the game, in all three phases.  Darrius McElroy completely dominated for a quarter and a half.”  It was the sixth straight victory over the Bulldogs.  McElroy would earn the Great American Rivalries MVP award.

“I’m not ready to leave this team,” summed up Moore.  “This football team was awesome.  I wanted to take them to the next round.  But we fell short.”

The underclass players will now look forward to January 3 when they resume workouts in preparation for the 2022 season.  Unlike this past campaign, the Tigers will have a wealth of experience returning, plus several outstanding players off last year’s 9-2 junior varsity team and 8-1 freshmen squad.  Massillon should be strong at quarterback, running back, defensive line, linebackers and special teams, with several rotation players ready for their turn at the other positions.  Based on this, look for Coach Moore to assemble another outstanding schedule that will challenge the team and help prepare them for a long post-season run.

Advanced Industrial Roofing in conjunction with ESPN990 presented the “I Went Through the Roof for the Tigers” award to the following players:

• Offensive Player of the Year – Darrius McElroy
• Defensive Player of the Year – Austin Brawley

Retiring Booster Club President Tim Boerner announced the 2022 president as Harry Haines.

All-County – Austin Brawley, Te’Jamere Nash, Marcus Moore, Riley Campbell, Dominic Salvino

All-District – 1^st Team: Jaiden Woods, Marcus Moore, Riley Campbell, Nathan Depuy and Austin Brawley; 2^nd Team: Freddie Lenix Jr., Te’Jamere Nash, Shane Rue, Camden Beasley and Ryan Zentkovich; Honorable Mention: Jalen Slaughter, Sam Snodgrass, Michael White, Ardell Banks and Nate Watkins (Austin Brawley was also named Co-Defensive Player of the Year)

All-State – 1^st Team: Austin Brawley and Jaiden Woods; 2^nd Team: Marcus Moore, Riley Campbell and Nathan Depuy

Several No. 1 performance records were set during the season, including:

• Career rushing yards per game – Willtrell Hartson – 121.4
• Single game punt return yards – Austin Brawley – 140 vs. Canton GlenOak
• Single season punt return yards – Austin Brawley – 447
• Single season punt return touchdowns – Austin Brawley – 3 (tied)
• Career punt return touchdowns – Austin Brawley – 4
• Single season kick returns – Austin Brawley – 20
• Single season yards from tackles for loss – Nate Watkins – 70 (tied)
• Single season fumbles recovered – Nathan Depuy – 6
• Career fumbles recovered – Nathan Depuy – 6
• Single season blocked kicks – Austin Brawley – 7
• Career blocked kicks – Austin Brawley – 9
• Single season PAT kick percentage – Nolan Hendricks – 100% (tied)
• Career PAT kick percentage – Nolan Hendricks – 100% (tied)
• Single season tackles for loss yards – Team – 382
• Single season forced fumbles – Team – 15 (tied)

Austin Brawley Heads an All-Star Cast of District Honorees

The Ohio Prep Sportswriters Association (OPSWA) has released its Northeast Inland District All-Star Team for Division II.  Fifteen Massillon players are included, with special recognition going to Austin Brawley, who was named Co-Defensive Player of the Year.  Massillon finished the 2021 season with an 11-3 record and was runner-up in the playoff regional championship game.

The honorees are as follows:

First Team

• Jaiden Woods – Senior offensive lineman.  Helped his team rush for 5.6 yards per carry, which is ranked 5th among all spread offense teams and 15th among all Massillon teams.
• Marcus Moore – Junior defensive lineman.  Recorded 31.5 tackle points, including 19 solos and 25 assists.  Also had 10.5 tackles for loss with 2.0 quarterback sacks.  Also intercepted a pass against Wooster and returned it 53 yards, nearly for a touchdown.
• Riley Campbell – Senior defensive lineman.  Recorded 46.0 tackle points, including 31 solos and 30 assists.  Also had 10.0 tackles for loss and a team leading 4.5 quarterback sacks.
• Nate Depuy – Senior linebacker.  Third on the team with 65.5 tackle points, including 44 solos and 43 assists.  Also had a team leading 11.0 tackles for loss with 1.5 quarterback sacks.  Recovered 6 fumbles.
• Austin Brawley – Senior defensive back.  Second on the team with 72.5 tackle points, including 57 solos and 31 assists.  Also had 1.0 tackles for loss, two pass interceptions, four pass breakups and one fumble recovery.  Blocked 7 kicks and returned 4 kicks for touchdowns.

Second Team

• Freddie Lenix Jr. – Junior running back.  Assumed the starting job against Canton McKinley and ended up rushing 102 times for 778 yards (7.6/att.) and 9 touchdowns.  Longest run was 84 yards against Westerville South.
• Te’Jamere Nash – Senior offensive lineman.  A primary backup in 2020, he became an immediate starter in 2022.
• Shane Rue – Senior kicker.  Converted 46 of 47 extra points and 8 of 12 field goals, including a long of 42 yards.  Kicked off 70 times, averaging 53.9 yards per kick, with 17 touchbacks.  Punted 8 times, averaging 36.1 yards per punt with 5 inside the 20.
• Camden Beasley – Senior linebacker.  Recorded 53.0 tackle points, including 41 solos and 24 assists.  Also had 6.0 tackles for loss and 42.0 quarterback sacks.  Intercepted two passes and broke up 14 others.
• Ryan Zentkovich – Senior defensive back.   Led the team with 74.0 tackle points, including 58 solos and 32 assists.  Also had 3.0 tackles for loss and two pass interceptions.  Forced 3 fumbles.

Honorable Mention

• Jalen Slaughter – Freshman quarterback.  Became the starting QB in Week 6.  Completed 89 of 152 passes for 1,384 yards and 16 touchdowns against 9 interceptions.  Efficiency rating was 157.9, ranked 8th all time.
• Sam Snodgrass – Sophomore offensive lineman.  Became the starting center in Week 4.
• Michael Wright, Jr. – Freshman defensive lineman.  Recorded 18.5 tackle points, including 11 solos and 15 assists.  Also had 4.0 tackles for loss and 2.5 quarterback sacks.  One fumble recovery.
• Ardell Banks – Junior wide receiver.  Led the team with 44 pass receptions for 733 yards (16.7/rec.) and 8 touchdowns.  Longest catch was 64 yards against Big Walnut.
• Nate Watkins – Senior linebacker.  Recorded 28.5 tackle points, including 24 solos and 9 assists.  Also had 8.5 tackles for loss and 3.5 quarterback sacks.

Austin Brawley Receives Touchdown Club Award

At the end of each season, the Touchdown Club honors one of the players with the “Bob Commings Memorial Hardnose Award.”  That player would have received the most votes from among weekly tallies taken by the club members.  Past players honored include John Mulbach (Ohio State), David Whitfield (Ohio State), Chris Spielman (Ohio State), Shawn Crable (Michigan) and Brian Gamble (Illinois/Ashland).

Bob Commings was a very successful coach for the Tigers from 1969 to 1973, compiling a record of 43-6-2, including Massillon’s last state championship (1970) and qualification for Ohio’s first ever state playoff games (1972).  Commings departed following the 1973 season to become head coach of the University of Iowa and later coached at GlenOak High School, for which their field was later named.

This year’s hardnose award winner is Austin Brawley, the Tigers’ all-purpose player that led his team to an 11-3 record and runner-up finish in the regional tournament.  Austin received the award from Ben Liebermann, this year’s president of the Touchdown Club.

The 2-year starter had a stellar career for Massillon, excelling on offense, defense and special teams.  He was also a member of the senior leadership group.  On offense this year he was the second leading receiver, catching 35 passes for 585 yards and four touchdowns.  On defense as a safety he was second on the team with 72.5 tackle points (57-31), intercepted 4 passes, broke up another 13, recorded 2 tackles for loss and forced 3 fumbles.  On special teams he returned 20 kickoffs for an average of 24.0 yards per return, returned 27 punts for an average of 16.6 yards per return and blocked 7 kicks, which is an all-time Massillon record.  In fact Austin made major plays in nearly every game, including:

• Pickerington Central – 7.5 tackle points
• Canton GlenOak – 79-yard punt return for a touchdown
• Reynoldsburg – 39-yard pass interception return
• Warren Harding – 89-yard kickoff return for a touchdown to open the game
• Lakewood St. Edward – 49-yard pass return for a touchdown; 60-yard kickoff return; team-leading 8.0 tackle points
• Austintown Fitch – team leading 6 pass receptions, including a long of 50 yards
• Euclid – 47-yard pass reception for a touchdown; pass interception
• Canisius, NY – team-leading 4 pass receptions for 109 yards, including a 72-yard pass reception for a touchdown; team-leading 9.0 tackle points
• Wooster – 44-yard punt return for a touchdown; team-leading 5.0 tackle points
• Canton McKinley – 28-yard pass interception return
• Columbus Independence – 53-yard punt return for a touchdown
• Westerville South – team-leading 6 pass receptions for 70 yards, including a 40-yard reception for a touchdown
• Big Walnut – team-leading 3 pass receptions; team-leading 8.0 tackle points
• Green – pass interception

And let’s not forget last year’s punt return against Perry in the playoffs, where he chased down the ball and returned it 80 yards for a touchdown to open a commanding 28-6 third quarter lead.

Also presented at the Touchdown Club was the Lunchbox Award, which was given to Jaiden Woods, emblematic of his concerted day-to-day effort throughout the entire year.

Congratulations to both of these fine senior players.

Left to to right: 2021 Touchdown Club President Ben Liebermann, Hardnose Award Winner Austin Brawley; mom Libby Ginther and Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore.

Left to right: 2021 senior leadership group players Austin Brawley, Jaiden Woods, Darrius  McElroy, Dominic Salvino, Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore.

2021 Booster Club Report – Week 14

In regional final playoff action No. 4 Massillon lost to No. 7 Green, 26-25, finishing the season with an 11-3 record.  The game was played at Mansfield’s Arlin Field Stadium.

The Tigers were favored in this one but lost with less than a minute remaining when Green’s Trevor Van Horn connected with Trey Martin for a 16-yard touchdown pass.  Green advances to the state semifinals where they will face Cincinnati Winton Woods.  The other semifinal pits defending champion Akron Hoban against Avon.

All-in-all it was a good game spoiled by some unfortunate referee calls.  Right from the start there were issues.  On Green’s second play from scrimmage, Van Horn threw a sideways screen pass that was dropped by the receiver.  The referee closest to the play ruled it incomplete, but the side judge on the far side of the field called it a backward pass and a fumble, which Massillon then recovered.  The Tigers would score the opening points a few plays later, but only after the Bulldog head coach was assessed a 15-yard penalty for disputing the call.  A review of the film shows that the pass was thrown parallel to the line of scrimmage and was thus incomplete.

In the second quarter Green had the ball at the Massillon ten facing a fourth down and a half yard to go.  Van Horn tried a quarterback sneak but was stopped dead in his tracks.  But the side judge ruled that he had advanced a full yard and awarded the Bulldogs a first down, overruling the ref on the opposite side of the field, who was closer to the play.  That led to Green’s first touchdown.

But the coup de gras came with 24 seconds left in the game.  Green was behind 25-19 on the scoreboard and was facing a 4th and 10 at the Massillon 25 .  It was undoubtedly the play that would decide the game.  Martin lined up near the right sideline and headed straight for the end zone looking to high top the ball and score.  Zahnii Berry was on defense but ended up trailing Martin by about a yard.  At the one yard line Martin stepped out of bounds with his right foot, which would have made him an ineligible receiver, unless he was pushed out, which he was not .  He stepped out again with his right foot after he had crossed the goal line.  Now in position to catch the ball at the corner of the end zone he was challenged by safety Austin Brawley, who had beat him to the spot, jumped straight up and intercepted the pass, as ruled by the back judge, who  was standing five yards from the catch.  It was a clean play as neither player interfered with the other.  But the side judge, who was some twenty yards away from the play ruled that one of the Tiger players had interfered.  Ironically, it was his fifth pass interference call against Massillon.  The side judge also failed to drop his hat at the spot where Martin had stepped out of bounds to indicate such.  The penalty gave Green new life and they scored the winning points two plays later.

In all, the two teams were flagged a combined 30 times, 20 against Massillon and 10 against Green.  Inexcusable, considering both teams were good enough this year to advance to a regional finals game and were not highly-penalized teams.  What ever happened to letting the kids sort it out on the field?  So it was indeed a good game spoiled by some bad referees.

As expected, Massillon was certainly a tough out in the playoffs.  It took a career effort from Van Horn to bring his team to victory.  He threw a whopping 57 passes and completed 31 for 276 yards and four touchdowns.  Ten of the passes went to Martin, for 129 yards and three scores.  Obviously, Green knew they wouldn’t be able to run the ball (26 carries for 54 yards), so they resorted to using an empty backfield formation (5 wide receivers) exclusively throughout the game.  The 57 passes were most ever thrown against Massillon in a single game.

The Tigers’ game plan was to run the ball and found success with quarterback Darrius McElroy, who carried 20 times for 136 yards and scored all three touchdowns.  Shane Rue also added a field goal, his eighth of the season.  But the base first down scheme, which involved 23 runs and just two passes, struggled since Green was blitzing their middle linebackers each time.  As a result, Massillon’s longest drive less penalties was just 37 yards.  But it wasn’t for lack of effort that they lost the game.  The Tigers gave it their all from start to finish.

“Congratulations to Green as they move forward in the state playoffs,” said Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore in his opening remarks at the final Booster Club meeting.  “Unfortunately we couldn’t get it done in spite of a great effort.  It was a great play when Austin picked off the ball at the end.  But we didn’t make enough plays to overcome twenty penalties.”

Stats:

• Jalen Slaughter – 5 for 11 passing for 41 yards
• Darrius McElroy – 2 of 5 passing for 5 yards; 20 carries for 136 yards and 3 touchdowns; 4 punts for 34.5 ave.
• Freddie Lenix Jr. – 14 carries for 67 yards
• Austin Brawley – 3 receptions for 11 yards; 6 kick returns for 77 yards; pass interception
• Camden Beasley – 8.5 (8-1) tackle points
• Maverick Clark – 8.0 (5-6) tackle points
• Ressieo Kirksey – 1.5 tackles for loss; 1 sack

Coach Moore brought all of his senior team leaders to the meeting.  They included:

• Austin Brawley – wide receiver / safety
• Riley Campbell – wide receiver / defensive lineman / outside linebacker
• Nathan Depuy – inside linebacker
• Darrius McElroy – quarterback
• Kurtis Miller – wide receiver / cornerback
• Angelo Salvino – long snapper
• Nate Watkins – wide receiver / outside linebacker
• Jaiden Woods – offensive lineman / defensive lineman

Each player addressed the attendees and thanked the Booster Club and community for the great support, saying he was sorry they couldn’t take it farther in the playoffs.

“What a tremendous career these guys had,” said Moore.  “They had a great senior year.  It didn’t end the way we wanted.  We lost to a team we should have beaten.  But they were part of a lot of wins.  A lot of people thought we wouldn’t be very good (just four returning starters and the loss of some key starters early in the season due to injury).  I couldn’t be prouder of these guys.  This is a great group of outstanding young men.  And they grew so much as leaders.  It was one of the most fun seasons I remember.  These guys raised the bar on effort and leadership.  I’m proud to stand with them today.”

Massillon ended the season with an 11-3 record, the fifth year in a row that they won at least ten games.  During past six seasons the Tigers have compiled a 67-14 mark, including four regional championships and three trips to the state finals.  And the future bodes well with the talent coming up  from the lower grades.

Next season’s schedule will see the return of Canton GlenOak (A), Warren Harding (H), Austintown Fitch (H) and Canton McKinley (H), games that cover Weeks 2, 4, 6 and 10, respectively.  That leaves six open dates for Moore to fill.  Look for another big name Ohio team for the opener and perhaps an out-of-state team or two.

Go Tigers!