1940 Massillon Team Made Quite an Impression on Kent…

It was during spring football that Paul Brown knew his final team at Massillon was going to be a good one.  But just how good he must have wondered?  After demolishing all high school-comers by lopsided scores throughout the previous few years, he needed a better challenge.  So an inquiry went to the University of Akron, which initially accepted the offer, but then graciously declined.  However, Kent State University was more than willing and the scrimmage was set for April of 1940.

A short game story was written about the scrimmage in an April 16 edition of The Kent Stater with the title, “Flashes are Perfect Hosts, Lose 47-0; Gillom Stars; Only Seven Lettermen Saw Action.”  Unfortunately, the text of that story is unreadable without a subscription and I have better use for the money.  However, I recently came across a readable editorial in The Kent Stater that discussed the encounter and suggested that the game should never have been played in the first place.  That piece is presented below.

Incidentally, Brown’s 1940 team went 10-0 that year, outscoring the opposition 477-6, as he captured his 6^th state championship and 4th national championship.  Brown always thought this team was better than his 1941 Ohio State Buckeyes.  Meanwhile, Kent State finished the season with an 8-1 record and took home the trophy in the Ohio Athletic Conference with a 4-0 mark.

The Kent Stater, Volume XV, April 19, 1940
The Other Side, By Jack Leggett

EDITOR’S NOTE: The opinions expressed in this column are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the editorial policy of the Kent Stater. The Kent Stater accepts no responsibility for them.

There were two glaring faults to be found Monday when the Kent State UNIVERSITY footballers played the Massillon HIGH SCHOOL Tigers: In the first place, the game should never have been scheduled and, in the second, Kent should have won. There have been a good many loopy tricks pulled on this campus and that football game was by no means the dumbest—although it will be hard to top for a lovely exhibition of sheer stupidity.

The hardest thing about it to understand is why the game was played. Kent had everything to lose —which it lost no time in losing—and absolutely nothing to gain, regardless of how you figure it. Not only did our boys lose, but they lost convincingly. The score of 47-0 doesn’t permit any of us to climb flagpoles and tonsil defiant bellows of, “Fluke! Fluke!” There was no fluke.  High school football players simply and sweetly and very easily hopped on a bus, chugged-chugged up here and beat the living britches off a university eleven.

No doubt this game did us much good and proved something or other to great advantage. It has at least given us prestige which we never had before—and which we had no desire of getting. A soft-pedaling sports write-up in this paper on Tuesday tried to snake Kent out of it without too much embarrassment, but it didn’t help much. The article stated that the outlook wasn’t too gloomy, due to the fact that only seven Kent lettermen were in the game. Well, so what? Any string of university substitutes should beat any high school team any place, any time. It just isn’t in the book that university teams lose to those from high schools.

If the result of such a game looks the least bit doubtful, the university should have enough plain horse sense to stay out. And, even if the college team is sure to win, there is no reason on earth why such a game should be played anyway. There could be no possible glory in winning. The layman would just wrinkle his nose and observe that university boys are expected to win.

That Massillon-Kent game was a prize example of foolishness and Kent has emerged with a blot on its reputation that it will be years in erasing—if it ever does. And, when you get right down to points, it is not the team’s fault in any respect. The members played their best and tried plenty hard. Massillon is just too fine a team. When team is compared to team, the result was not surprising nor shaming.

The high school university angle is what matters. Massillon is the best high school team in the state — the nation — or even the world. The Golden Flashes we know do not rate very highly. Why should our reputation have been risked when there was no point in it? That is the part that makes us so damned mad.

Now that it is all over most of us certainly hope with all the hope we have in us that everybody is satisfied. Coach Starn has made an unforgiveable blunder. He has humiliated his team and this university, and he has made Kent the laughing stock of football circles. I assume that Coach Starn is responsible for the Massillon game. He could, at any rate, have stopped such a move even if he didn’t start it. Other small universities have been challenged by Massillon. Akron University made arrangements for a game, then got smart and called the whole thing off. But, that’s all right—here’s dear ol’ Kent willing to be a goat. All this talk won’t do any good, of course. What’s done, very sadly, is done. All we can try to do now is to live it down —and it will really take a heap o’ livin’.

I also found a second short editorial on the same subject.

REVIEWS AND PREVIEWS OF CAMPUS NEWS, By JOHN MINE

SEEMS ‘that the story that caused the biggest “whispering campaign” on the campus this week was the gridiron run around handed down to the Flash football team Monday, by Massillon univer . . . er . . . pardon us, it’s a high school, isn’t it. It’s a taboo subject, Flash football, that is, so perhaps we had better drop the discussion. But Rosy’s trying hard . . . he’s even extended practice another two weeks. So let ’em come, Brimfield, Roosevelt, any of them, we can take them over.

Highlights from the 2020 Spring Kickoff

If you weren’t able to catch the Massillon Tiger Booster Club’s Spring Kickoff you missed quite a show.  Head Coach Nate Moore provided one the most comprehensive previews of an upcoming Tiger squad in his 5-year career at Massillon.  But there were also a couple of prominent guests, including Ohio State Head Coach Ryan Day and Houston Texan cornerback Gareon Conley.

The venue, of course, was a bit different this year due to the social distancing guidelines on account of Covid-19.  It was more of an online podcast, with the guests addressing written questions at the end.  No one really knows at this point whether the season will go on as scheduled, be shortened or canceled entirely.  It all depends on the numbers and the Governor’s recommendation.  Nevertheless, both coaches are proceeding with their preparations as if the season will proceed.  And the players are buying in.

Eric Smith, this year’s Booster Club President, chaired the event.  First up was Coach Day, whose Buckeyes last year fashioned a 14-0 regular season record, followed by a win in the Big Ten Championship Game and a subsequent spot in the BCS  playoffs.  As a result of this success, Day was named Big Ten Coach of the Year, the first time for an OSU coach in 40 years.

“It’s unbelievable to be a part of this tonight,” said Day.  The relationship between Ohio State and Massillon remains strong every day.  The ties between OSU and Massillon run deep.”  He was referring to the 27 current and previous Tiger players who suited up for the Buckeyes and the three former coaches who became head coaches for Ohio State, including Paul Brown, Carroll Widdoes and Earl Bruce.  Several others over the years were also hired as assistant coaches.  Players currently on the team are Thayer Munford and Austin Kutscher.

Coach Day is doing everything he can to prepare this year’s team, in spite of the handicaps imposed by the stay-at-home guidelines.  “This has been a challenge for us,” he said.  “We’re trying to do the best we can to manage it.  The players have been with their parents rather than on campus with their teammates.  It’s not easy.  There’s no real map.”  So the coaches and players have been interacting in group meetings using online media

Next up was former Massillon player Gareon Conley, who currently plays for the Houston Texans.  He said the transition from Oakland went well and that the Texan players were quite welcoming.  A regular starter throughout last season, it appears that he has found a home in Houston.  Gareon also addressed his de-committing from Michigan and subsequent signing with Ohio State.  After visiting Michigan for the first time, he thought it was prudent to commit early to their offer.  But, then he learned that he could still visit additional campuses.  That opened up a trip to Ohio State and we all know the rest.

Finally, Coach Nate Moore had the screen and spoke for over an hour.  Here is a snapshot of what he provided:

• The assistant coaches are doing a tremendous job keeping the players focused on pre-season activities.  He continues to refer to this group as the best coaching staff in the country.  Each was named along with their position responsibilities.
• The coaches are meeting online as a staff to manage the program in addition to game planning for this year’s opponents.  They haven’t really slowed down and are doing everything they did in previous years, just online.
• Assistant coaches are meeting online with the players in position groups, mostly to perform wellness checks regarding health and school work.
• The players are individually responsible for maintaining their physical conditioning using a plan provided by the coaches.  A software app called “Team Builder” has been introduced to monitor all of the players’ workouts.  The players log their activities into the app and Coach Joe Studer perform the monitoring and feedback.
• Not all players have weights for workouts.  So the Booster Club purchased workout bands.
• There is a weekly challenge to complete certain conditioning activities.  Nike has become involved in this and is providing T-shirts and shorts as awards for the best performers.
• “The players have taken to all of this very easily,” said Moore.  “Out Tigers are meeting our hardships and tests.  We will come out better because of it.”
• Massillon has two goals this year: beat McKinley and win the state championship.
• Coach Moore reviewed this year’s schedule and was excited to note that it includes seven home games.  The opener is Bishop Gorman from Las Vegas, Nevada, a game that will be played at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton; they are a national power and a perennial Top 50 team; Moore expects this game to be on national television; he anticipates a fierce battle.  GlenOak should be much improved this year and looking to turn the corner after several substandard years.  Moore said that St. Ignatius is always tough and well-coached; the best team in the state last year not to make the playoffs; it’s a great challenge.  Barberton was young last year and this year’s game should be a good one.  Wooster could be a dangerous opponent.  McKinley: greatest high school rivalry in the country; young last year; returns several key players, many D1; very formidable.
• All college summer camps have been canceled.  Therefore, game film has taken on an added significance.  Moore expects additional scholarships to be offered during the early games.
• Currently, nine Tiger players have received scholarship offers to play college football.  “And there’s more to come,” said Moore.  “This is a very talented senior class.  We’ve seen this coming for quite a few years.”  Nate read the names of 24 returning lettermen, most of which saw extensive playing time last year and they cover nearly every position on the field.  He is really high on his four returning offensive linemen.
• The stadium work is on schedule.  It is important to maintain the facility that is now 80 years old.
• The golf outing is scheduled for August 15.
• The Lift-a-thon and many other activities will be scheduled and possibly rescheduled, but not canceled.

2020 Massillon Schedule Nearly Complete

Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore on March 26th released the 2020 football schedule, all except for Game No. 1.  Details of that one are currently being finalized by the organizers of a weekend classic that will be played at Canton’s Tom Benson Stadium, with the locals slated for a Saturday evening contest.  Once again a challenging slate awaits the Tigers as it includes formidable powers Warren Harding, Austintown Fitch, Cleveland Benedictine, Cleveland St. Ignatius, Barberton and Canton McKinley, in addition to an expected national power for the opener.

Coach Moore holds a 50-15 overall record during his 5-year tenure at Massillon (28-2 over the last two seasons), including an 11-4 playoff mark in four appearances.  The Tigers currently have a 21-game regular season winning streak and have recently advanced to consecutive Division 2 state finals games, losing to Akron Hoban in 2018 and Cincinnati LaSalle in 2019.  Massillon was nationally ranked in the Top 50 during both of those years.

Here is a rundown of Games 2 through 10:

Week 2 – at Canton GlenOak – The Golden Eagles have fallen on hard times recently and hope to return to past success this year.  Last season they finished 1-9 and have only won five games in the past three years.  In 2019 the Tigers ran away with a 55-13 victory, scoring all of their points in the first half and rolling up 466 yards of total offense by game’s end.  GlenOak has now lost four straight to Massillon and trails in the series 12-4.

Week 3 – Warren Harding – The Raiders made the playoffs last year and finished with a 7-4 record.  But they lost to Massillon the regular season 47-7 and 55-0 in the first round of the playoffs.  In the first game Aidan Longwell completed 15 of 25 passes for 200 yards, including a pair of touchdowns to Jayden Ballard.  In the playoff game, the Tigers opened up a 27-0 halftime and never looked back.  Running back Terrence Keyes led the way with 13 carries for 188 yards and three touchdowns.  Warren is 35-19 over the past three years with two playoff appearances.  They last beat the Tigers in 2015 and 2016, with quarterback Lynn Bowden, Jr. (Kentucky) leading the way.  Massillon is ahead in the overall series 56-25-3.

Week 4 – Cleveland Benedictine – Massillon has played many games against the Bengals, mostly in the middle of the previous century.  The Tigers own a 22-4-1 series edge, but Benedictine got the better of them in 2003 and 2004, the last time the two teams met.  Benedictine was 10-2 last year, losing to Avon 49-28 in the second round of the playoffs.   But most of their players are expected to return this year.  Over the past five years they were 25-20 with a pair of playoff appearances.

 Week 5 – Cleveland St. Ignatius – The Wildcats struggled last year to an uncharacteristic 5-5 record, but are expected to rebound to their state-power self this year.  Ignatius last faced the Tigers in 2009 and has dominated the series by winning 12 of the 13 games played.  They have a 42-16 mark over the past five years, with three playoff appearances.  Included in that was a state runner-up in 2016, when they lost in the finals to Cincinnati St. Xavier.

Week 6 – Austintown Fitch – The Falcons were 5-5 last year, with a 55-7 loss to Massillon.  This was yet another game that was over by halftime, with the Tigers leading 48-7.  Terrence Keyes was the catalyst, rushing 16 times for 185 yards and four touchdowns.  Fitch is 31-20 over the past five years with one playoff appearance.  Massillon leads the series 18-8.

Week 7 – Bloomfield Hills, MI – The Black Hawks are a new addition to this year’s schedule.  A member of Michigan’s large school division, they have not achieved success recently, with 2-7 marks in each of the past two years.  Over the last five seasons they are 20-28, although they finished 9-1 in 2016.

Week 8 – Barberton – The Magics travel to Paul Brown Tiger Stadium for the second of a 2- game series.  The Suburban League plans to restructure next year to fill out Barberton’s division, so this will probably end the series.  Last year Barberton finished 7-3, but failed to make the playoffs.  Included in this was a 49-24 loss to Massillon in one of the more competitive games the Tigers had last year.  Terrence Keyes had a big night, rushing 30 times for 255 yards and five touchdowns.  The Magics are 44-11 over the past five years with three trips to the playoffs.  In 2017 and 2018 they produced undefeated regular seasons.  Massillon leads the series 38-7-1.

Week 9 – at Wooster – The Generals return to the Massillon schedule for the first time since 1933.  An odd number in their league produced an opening for the game, which is contracted as a 2- game series, the first at Wooster and the second at Massillon.  Like Barberton’s league, the Cardinal Conference is also looking to add an eighth team, which will most likely end the series after next year.  Wooster finished 7-4 last year, but lost in the first round of the playoffs to Avon 33-13.  The Generals have a successful program, with a 36-17 mark over the past five years and three trips to the playoffs.  But they lost in the first round each year.  It is believed that by playing Massillon they will be better prepared for the postseason.  The Tigers own a 14-5 advantage in the series.

 Week 10 – Canton McKinley – The Bulldogs gave Massillon their sternest regular season test last year, losing 24-14.  Terrence Keyes rushed for 141 yards and Aidan Longwell passed for 206, with nine passes going to Jayden Ballard for 114 yards and two touchdowns.  McKinley did, however, advance to the playoffs, where they lost to state semifinal participant Mentor 34-13, and finished with a fine 9-3 record.  McKinley is 39-17 over the past five years with four playoff appearances.  However, Massillon has beaten them in eight of the last nine years and owns a 72-53-5 edge in the long-running series.

Seven Tiger Athletes Ink Letters-of-Intent

Four standouts from the 2019 Massillon football team signed letters-of-intent to play at the next level. They include Robbie Page, Preston Hodges and Jarron Hodges, who will attend Walsh University, and Cole Jones, who is headed to the University of Findlay.  Joining them are Hannah Frey, who is headed to Capital University to play golf, TJ Harper, who will play golf at The College of Wooster, and Erroll Isaiah II, who will join the bowling team at Walsh University.

Robbie Page was a starting safety on Massillon’s 14-1, state runner-up team in 2019.  He was fourth on the team with 58.5 tackle points (49 solos and 19 assists).  He also intercepted three passes, broke up eight passes and recovered a fumble.  An All-County selection, Page will be remembered as a player who challenged any opposing receiver to catch a pass over the middle.

Preston Hodges was third on the team with 65.0 tackle points (27 solos and 56 assists).  He also recorded 14.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 quarterback sacks, four pass interceptions returned for 78 yards and two touchdowns, five pass breakups and a blocked punt.  He saw limited duty in the backfield, where he carried the ball eleven times for 78 yards and scored two touchdowns.  Hodges received the Touchdown Club Hardnose Award and was awarded Defensive Player of the Year.  One of the co-captains, he was named to the All-County, All-District and All-State Teams.

Jarron Hodges was third on the team as a wide receiver, catching 14 passes for 127 yards.  Used primarily as a short-to-medium distance receiver, he averaged 9.1 yards per catch.  Hodges also received the “lunch bucket” award, given to the player that comes to practice every day ready to work.

Cole Jones led an offensive line that averaged 180 yards rushing per game and surrendered just five quarterback sacks over 15 games.  A co-captain, playing both guard and center, Jones was presented the Ducky Schroeder Outstanding Lineman Award.  He was also named All-County, All-District and All-State.  Cole has been invited to participate in the Ohio North-South Classic, scheduled for April 25, tentatively at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Hannah Frey is a standout on the Girls Golf Team.  Last fall she was named Senior Academic All-Ohio, Honorable Mention Stark County and Honorable Mention All Northeast Ohio District.

TJ Harper is a standout on the Boys Golf Team.  Last fall he was named Senior Academic All-Ohio, Honorable Mention Stark County and Honorable Mention All Northeast Ohio District.

Erroll Isiah II is a member of this winter’s Boy’s Bowling Team.

On early signing day last fall, both Aidan Longwell and Luke Murphy committed to Kent State, Aidan for baseball and Luke for football.

Longwell, a 3-year starter, was a standout quarterback who owns career passing marks for yards (7,705), attempts (795), completions (484) and touchdowns (84).  A co-captain, he received the Most Valuable Player award.  He was also named All-County, All-District and All-State.

Murphy saw action primarily at safety, where he was the leading tackler on the team with 85.5 tackle points (60 solos and 51 assists).  He also had five tackles for loss, intercepted two passes returned for 43 yards, broke up six passes and blocked a punt.   He was named All-County, All-District and All-State.

Congratulations to all nine of these Tigers.

2019 Tigers Take a Final Bow

The 2019 season has long been over, but it was a good time at the banquet to look back on a great year and recognize those individuals that made so much success possible.  Outgoing Booster Club President Bruce Gallagher welcomed all and went great lengths to thank everyone who helped him accomplish the Club’s goals of supporting the players throughout the past season.  Special tribute was paid to the Tiger Moms, who were instrumental in feeding the Tigers throughout the campaign.  Bruce also introduced next year’s president, Eric Smith.

Head Coach Nate Moore then spoke to the several hundred players, coaches, parents and fans who attended, thanking nearly everyone for supporting the program.  But he couldn’t talk enough about the past year.  “I’m so proud of this football team,” he said.  “They played in 14 playoff games.  They set all kinds of records.  But what I’m most proud of is that they played for the City of Massillon.  They have reset the standard of Massillon football.”

The 2018 Massillon football team was a hard act to follow: they won the most games ever during the season by fashioning a 14-1 record, they participated in the playoff state finals for the first time in 13 years and they had the all-time leading rusher in Jamir Thomas.  But the 2019 team did exactly that.  They met and in some cases exceeded that previous team.  Led by an outstanding senior class, these Tigers repeated both the 14-1 record and the appearance in the state finals.  And although nearly matching the offensive stats of the previous year, it was the defense that flexed it muscles the most in playing the best football on that side of the ball since the 2002 season.  Consider these accomplishments:

• 14-1 record (number of wins ties all-time record)
• 605 points scored (40.3 per game) (2^nd all-time)
• 177 points allowed (11.8 per game) (fewest since 2002)
• 899 overall wins (5^th in the country)
• 2^nd consecutive undefeated regular season (first time since 1965)
• 4^th consecutive playoff appearance (26^th appearance overall)
• 3^rd consecutive playoff regional title (13^th overall)
• 2^nd consecutive state finals appearance (5^th appearance overall)
• 4^th consecutive win over Canton McKinley; 8 of the last 9 (series record: 72-53-5)
• 17-14 victory over 2017 and 2018 Division II champion Akron Hoban
• Defeated five out of five playoff opponents in regular season
• Rated in the U.S. Top 50 by several national publications
• Academic All-Ohio with an overall GPA of 3.37 during the football season

This team has also penciled itself into many areas of the record book, including the following:

• 2,910 passing yards (4^th overall)
• 62.9 pass completion percentage (2^nd overall)
• 10.5 yards per pass attempt (1^st overall)
• 35 touchdown passes (3^rd overall)
• 185.2 pass efficiency rating (1^st overall)
• 5,602 total offensive yards (3^rd overall)
• 7.4 yards per play (4^th overall)
• 84 touchdowns (2^nd overall)
• 337 passing yards vs. Perry (5^th overall)

The senior class never lost to Canton McKinley.  They won more playoff games (11) in three years than any previous class.  They own a 21-game regular season winning streak.  And who can forget Ben Krichbaum’s end-of-the-game sack of the Akron Hoban quarterback to seal the victory in the regional finals.  Then there were the two memorable passes from Aidan Longwell, one breaking the record for the longest pass ever and the other sealing the win over McKinley.  What a senior class.  They will also be a hard group to follow.

So at this evening’s banquet the 2019 players took their final bows and in turn received a multitude of accolades, including participation awards for JV players, letters for varsity game participants, senior awards, captain awards and top player acknowledgments.

Captain Awards – Quarterback Aidan Longwell, Offensive Lineman Cole Jones, Defensive Lineman Manny McElroy, Inside Linebacker Ben Krichbaum, Outside Linebacker Preston Hodges and Honorary Captain Nathan Forte

All-County – Robbie Page, Preston Hodges, Aidan Longwell, Terrance Keyes, Jr., Jayden Ballard, Luke Murphy, Andrew Wilson-Lamp, Cole Jones, Manny McElroy, Alex Bauer and Zion Phifer

All-District – Aidan Longwell, Terrance Keyes, Jr., Jayden Ballard, Cole Jones, Caiden Woullard, Preston Hodges, Luke Murphy and Magnus Haines.

All-State – Aidan Longwell (1^st Team), Jayden Ballard (1^st Team), Cole Jones (1^st Team), Luke Murphy (1^st Team), Terrance Keyes, Jr. 2^nd Team), Caiden Woullard (2^nd Team), Preston Hodges (2^nd Team), Magnus Haines (3^rd Team) and Andrew Wilson-Lamp (Special Mention)

Through the Roof Player of the Year (Sponsored by Progressive Auto Group) – Aidan Longwell (offense) and Preston Hodges (defense)

Character Award – Ethan Tobin

Thayer Munford ACT Award – Deven Warfield

John Pizzino, Sr. Academic Football $1,000 Scholarship – Ahmon Williams

Paul David Academic Award – Anthony Pedro

Defensive Player of the Year – Preston Hodges

Co-Offensive Player of the Year – Terrance Keyes Jr.

Co-Offensive Player of the Year – Zion Phifer

Lifter Of the Year – Ben Krichbaum

Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year Offense – Tanner Pierce

Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year – Nick Hatheway

Ducky Schroeder Award Outstanding Lineman – Cole Jones (All-County, All-District, 1st Team All-State)

Special Teams Player of the Year – Seth Lance

Bob Smith / Bill Snyder Sportsmanship Award – Noah Richards

Lee Tressel Citizenship Award – Davon Woods

Tom Harp Coaches Award – Peyton Mendenhall

Touchdown Club Hardnose Award – Preston Hodges

Most Valuable Player – Aidan Longwell

Massillon Record Setters – Aidan Longwell (career passing yards, career touchdowns pass attempts, career pass completions, career yards per pass attempt, career touchdowns, season pass efficiency and longest pass completion), Jayden Ballard (career touchdowns, season touchdowns and longest pass reception) Caiden Woullard (season tackles-for-loss), Zach Catrone (career pass completion percentage) and Alex Bauer (season PAT kicks attempted, season PAT kicks made and career field goal percentage).

See you next year.

2019 Most Valuable Player Aidan Longwell with Head Coach Nate Moore

Former Tiger Player Named AP All-American

Former Massillon player and current Mount Union defensive back Kordell Ford was recently named Division 3 1st Team Collegiate All-American by the Associated Press.  The 5′-10″, 190 lb. Ford, who majors in Sports Business, had a productive junior year in helping his team to an 11-1 record and a birth in the post-season playoffs.  For the season, he recorded 53.0 tackle points, two quarterback sacks and a pass interception, including a season-best eight tackles against Heidelberg.  In addition to his All-American status, Ford was named to the All-Ohio Athletic Conference first team and recognized as the OAC’s top defensive back.  He has also been nominated for the Cliff Harris Award as the top small college defensive player in the country.  In his previous two years, Kordell was credited with 56 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss, a quarterback sack and a fumble recovery.

At Massillon, the 2017 graduate played varsity ball extensively for three season, first under Jason Hall and then Nate Moore, lining up at both running back and defensive back.  As a senior, he was a team co-captain and named to both the All-County and All-District teams.  His stats were as follows:

• Sophomore – 1 carry for 28 yards; 6 pass receptions for 66 yards and 1 TD; 3 solo tackles and 1 assist.
• Junior – 2nd on the team in tackles; 35 solos and 37 assists; 4 pass interceptions.
• Senior – 55 carries for 208 yards and 2 TDs; 4 pass receptions for 63 yards; 1st on the team in tackles; 40 solos, 26 assists, 3 tackles for loss, 2 pass interceptions returned for 77 yards and 1 TD TD; 8 punt returns for 68 yards; 10 kick returns for 182 yards

Kordell is the son of Charles and Jodi Ford.

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

• Quarterback — Broc Rutter, senior, North Central (Ill.).
• Running backs — Robert Shufford, junior, Birmingham-Southern; Ethan Greenfield, sophomore, North Central (Ill.).
• Linemen — Sharmore Clarke, junior, North Central (Ill.); Quinn Meinerz, junior, Wisconsin-Whitewater; Nic Vetter, senior, Wartburg; Sean Sherman, senior, Mount Union; Dan Greenheck, senior, St. John’s.
• Tight end — Ryan Curtiss, senior, Muhlenberg.
• Receivers — Andrew Kamienski, junior, North Central (Ill.); Justin Hill, senior, Mount Union.
• All-purpose player — Willie Julkes III, senior, Concordia-Moorhead.
• Kicker — Anthony Avila, sophomore, Mary Hardin-Baylor.

DEFENSE

• Linemen — Frankie Feaster, senior, Muhlenberg; Dallas McRae, senior, Wheaton (Ill.); Joey Longoria, senior, Mary Hardin-Baylor; Michael Nobile, sophomore, Delaware Valley.
• Linebackers — Scottie Bobeck, senior, Benedictine; Dante Capozzoli, junior, Kean; Anton Clark, senior, East Texas Baptist.
• Secondary — Jeff Hector, senior, Redlands; Spencer Rowland, senior, Wheaton (Ill.); Jake Beesley, junior, North Central (Ill.); Kordell Ford, junior, Mount Union.
• Punter — Zach Warcola, senior, College of New Jersey.

SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE

• Quarterback — Jackson Erdmann, senior, St.John’s.
• Running backs — Alex Minton, senior, Denison; Wesley Schools, senior, Grove City.
• Linemen — Ben Bartch, senior, St. John’s; Joe Krall, senior, Monmouth (Ill.); Tyler Norwood, senior, Salisbury; Ryan Malarkey, senior, Muhlenberg; Steven Sellers, junior, Mary Hardin-Baylor.
• Tight end — Dan Allen, senior, Delaware Valley.
• Receivers — Ruhann Peele, senior, Wesley (Del.); Ravi Alston, sophomore, St. John’s; Samuel Staehling, senior, St. Norbert.
• All-purpose player — Brock Martin, sophomore, Ohio Northern.
• Kicker — Jaydon Haaq, sophomore, Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

DEFENSE

• Linemen — Jordan McInerney, senior, Lake Forest; Danny Pietruszewski, junior, St. John’s; Tim Ousley, senior, Muskingum; Mike Williams, senior, Washington & Jefferson.
• Linebackers — Mason Dekker, senior, Hope; Emmet Forde, junior, Hobart; Nick Garone, senior, Ithaca.
• Secondary — Peyton Haynes, senior, LaGrange; Blaze Barista, senior, Dubuque; Danial Shelton, senior, Susquehanna; Tramon Wiley, junior, Heidelberg.
• Punter — Alex Berg, senior, Concordia-Moorhead.

Hardnose Award Goes to Preston Hodges

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), Brian Gamble (Illinois/Ashland) and Jamir Thomas.

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 goes to senior outside linebacker and team captain Preston Hodges, recently named Second Team All-Ohio, First Team All-District and WHBC All-County.  Hodges’ stats are aplenty, including:

• 3rd on the team in tackles with 37 solos and 56 assists
• 14.5 tackles for loss, accounting for 48 negative yards
• 1.5 quarterback sacks, accounting for 15 negative yards
• 4 pass interceptions returned for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns
• 5 pass breakups
• 9 passes defended
• 1 blocked punt
• 11 rushes for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns
• 3 punt returns for 18 yards and a touchdown
• 30 points scored
• 175 all-purpose yards

When asked about the award after the presentation, Preston said this: “It means everything to me.  I  know being an undersized guy you have to be a hard-nosed player.  You have to go all out every single play.  It’s just the mindset you have to have going into every single game.  I really love the game of football and I just give it my all.”  But the admiration for his teammates was not lost on him.  “I love this football team,” he said.  “They’ve had my back every step of the way.  We all push each other to be better.  I created life-long friendships with this team, I can already tell.  I was very happy with our season.  It didn’t end the way we wanted.  But I’ll still love every single one of those guys and they’re my brothers for life.”

A new award was added to the ceremony this year for the player that comes to practice every day and gives maximum performance.  It’s called the “Bucket Award.”  And this year’s winner is Jerron Hodges.