Booster Club Report – Week 4
A good crowd turned out for the Booster Club meeting during which Head Coach Nate Moore reviewed last week’s victory over Penn-Trafford and previewed this week’s game against Akron Firestone.
Scores from last week:
- The Varsity defeated Penn-Trafford, 42-21
- The Junior Varsity lost to Lakewood St. Edward, 37-34, following a see-saw finish
- The Freshmen lost to Lakewood St. Edward, 28-0
- The 8th Grade lost to Medina Highland, 36-28
- The 7th Grade defeated Medina Highland, 22-14
This week’s freshmen game against Akron Firestone has been moved from Thursday to Saturday at 2:30 pm. The JV game has been canceled.
There will be a fan bus to Austintown Fitch next week for the cost of $25.00. The bus will depart from the K-Mart parking lot at 4:30 pm.
Last Sunday, NBC aired a short clip during the third quarter of the Cleveland-Los Angeles football game, highlighting the Massillon Tigers and John McVay, the grandfather of Sean McVay, head coach of the Rams. You can view the video here.
Guest players for the meeting were quarterback Aidan Longwell and linebacker Ben Krichbaum. Against Penn-Trafford, Longwell had a stellar night, completing 14 of 15 passes for 225 yards and four touchdowns. His career TD mark of 65, eclipsed the record of 63 set by Justin Zwick in 2001. Aidan was also named Fox 8 Player of the Week. Krichbaum led the Tigers in tackles last week with four solos and five assists. “He is the heart and soul of our defense,” remarked Moore.
Addressing the win, Krichbaum said that “it was nice to see a good disciplined team last week. It will make us better.” “It proved we can do it,” added Longwell, when asked about playing four quarters of football with the varsity on the field, something that was not needed in the first three blowout wins.
Penn-Trafford is classified as AAAAA in Pennsylvania, equivalent to Division 2 in Ohio. Currently they are ranked first in Western PA and second in the entire state. Future Tiger opponent Gateway is fourth.
“They were very aggressive,” Coach Moore said about Penn-Trafford. “These guys were pulling out all the stops. There was some hitting going on. Their quarterback was a heck of a player. Tough. Fought through tackles and moved well after contact.”
Moore singled out the play of defensive linemen Ethan Toban and Manny McElroy, who “did such a nice job.” In fact, the entire front seven received praised after holding the Warriors to just 110 yards rushing on 31 carries.
Penn-Trafford wasn’t shy about giving the Tigers multiple looks, hoping to take advantage of misalignments. “Some of the formations put a lot of stress on you,” said Moore. But Massillon did a good job of handling the pressure for the most of the night.
On offense, the Tigers displayed good balance, rushing for 171 and passing for 225. The 35 points scored in the second quarter was the most put up in any frame since last year’s Sun Valley game. Leading the ground attack was Terrence Keyes, who toted the ball 31 times for 150 yards and a touchdown. Jayden Ballard and Andrew Wilson-Lamp combined for 10 pass receptions for 178 yards and three touchdowns. And Zion Phifer contributed in many ways via rushing, receiving and blocking.
Akron Firestone enters the contest this week with a 0-4 record, having lost to Green, Copley, Cortland Lakeview and Akron Buchtel by a combined score of 25-165. It’s no secret that the Falcons are struggling big time this year and in fact may be the worst Firestone team to ever visit Massillon. However, expect Moore’s charges to focus on Massillon only as they aim to get better in anticipation of some very good competition down the road.
Moore said that their quarterback is very young and small, with not much of a throwing arm. They do, however, have a couple good receivers and the running back has some talent. The offensive line is large, but is not well skilled in fundamental football. Same goes for the defensive, except at linebacker. The defense aligns exclusively in a 4-2. It will most likely be a pretty tough day for the Falcons and the Tiger backups should see plenty of action.
Go Tigers!
Tigers Gain National Exposure
During the third quarter of the Cleveland-Los Angeles football game, NBC aired a short clip highlighting the Massillon Tigers and John McVay, the grandfather of Sean McVay, head coach of the Rams. You can view the video here.
Booster Club Report – Week 3
It was great weekend for the Tigers and another clean sweep over their opponents. Here are the scores from those games:
- The Varsity defeated Warren Harding on the road, 49-7
- The Junior Varsity defeated Warren Harding at home, 27-20
- The Freshmen team defeated Warren, 24-0
- The 8th Grade game was halted three minutes in on account of weather, with the Tigers up 8-0
- The 7th Grade defeated Warren Middle School, 27-6
Head Coach Nate Moore’s assessment of last week’s performance was that the Tigers played “really well” in all phases of the game. The defense surrendered just one TD, that following a turnover, and the offense, once it got past an early funk on its first two possessions, scored seven touchdowns in the next nine, with a running clock in effect for most of the second half.
Defensively, Massillon held the Warren rushing attack in check for nearly the entire night. After using a spread offense throughout the first half and finding minimal success, the Raiders switched to a power-I, but did not fare any better. Moore said that the Tigers have really good interior defensive linemen, something that was missing during the last few years, singling out the play of Manny McElroy and CJ Harris.
Linebacker play was also very good, especially on the edge by Caiden Woullard, who led the group with six tackles and one assist, including three tackles for a loss. Then there was the big interception return by Preston Hodges. Robbie Paige also played very well at safety, and has been improving his performance in leaps and bounds. He makes great breaks on the ball, according to the coach.
Through three games, the defense has allowed just 3.5 yards per play (2.5 on the ground) as compared to last year’s numbers of 4.7 and 3.9 (I know, it’s early). But the more that things stay the same within the program, the better it gets.
On offensive, Moore liked the play of Rager Els and Cole Jones. However, as a group, the line struggled at times with pass protection due to Warren’s quickness. Nevertheless, they surrendered just one quarterback sack, that being Massillon’s first of the year. But it was in the run game that they really excelled and seemed to get better as the game wore on. For the night, that phase netted 174 yards at 6.7 yards a clip. It was a virtual clinic on how to execute inside zone blocking, with really good double teams according to the coach. That’s the reason they were able to free Hodges and Terrence Keyes for big runs in the second half.
One scheme that really worked well was the run/pass option. On one particular play, the line blocked like it was a run, sucking in the free safety, while Aidan Longwell (15 of 25 for 200 yards and two TDs) fired the ball to a crossing Jaden Ballard for a wide-open touchdown. Ballard led the Tigers with seven catches for 94 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
This week’s opponent is Penn-Trafford from Harrison City, Pennsylvania. The game was scheduled after a team in their league opted out this year, creating an open date. Later this season, Gateway from Monroeville, PA, also from the same league, will face the Tigers.
Last year the Warriors finished with a record of 9-3 and come into this one on the heels of a 4-0 record, having outscored the opposition by an average of 35-8. Moore compared them to a good Avon team with skill players.
Senior Quarterback Gabe Dunlap (6’-1”, 170 lbs.) engineers a wide-open attack that features athletes both at running back and wide receiver. At times, Dunlap will also run the ball off designed plays and has racked up 397 yards and six touchdowns. In the passing game, he has completed 53 passes for 440 yards and four touchdowns. His favorite target is junior Ethan Carr (6’-3”, 165 lbs.), who has caught nine passes for 211 yards and four touchdowns.
The running attack has been split between two outstanding players, Caleb Lisbon and Sam Fanelli. But it appears that both may miss this one due to injury. However, Moore has good respect for the backup, junior Brad Ford (5’-11” 175 lbs.).
The offensive line is good, according to the coach, and returns all five starters from last year. They average 6’-1”, 262 lbs. from tackle-to-tackle. Moore says that they are pretty physical and really good at outside zone blocking.
Defensively, Penn-Trafford utilizes a 3-4 alignment. The strength of this unit is the line, especially at nose tackle in senior Josh Cheplick (6’-1”, 275 lbs.), who he compared to the Tigers’ Manny McElroy. The secondary is the next best group.
Last week’s injury to Massillon center Dylan Garretson will result in a reshuffling of the offensive line. Manny McElroy will return to his traditional defensive position. Cole Jones will move to center and Terrence Rankl will take over his tackle position. The line now averages 6’-2”, 286 lbs., and is one of the largest lines Massillon has had in recent history.
Quarterback Aidan Longwell is closing in on a couple of career records. He needs 256 yards to tie the mark of 6,034, set by Kyle Kempt in 2012. And he needs two touchdown passes to tie the mark of 63, set by Justin Zwick in 2001. But I’m sure Aidan is just focused on just getting a win this Friday. The records will come on their own.
Brawley Spectacular in 27-20 JV Win Against Warren Harding
The following story was written by David Lee Morgan, Jr. WHS English/Journalism Teacher and Varsity/JV Running Backs Coach
MASSILLON: There is a reason sophomore Austin Brawley has moved up the Massillon depth chart and is now a backup on the varsity roster. The kid can flat-out play.
Brawley put on a show Saturday morning (Sept. 14) against Warren Harding at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in a 27-20 junior varsity win. Brawley caught six passes for 256 yards and three touchdowns. He added another touchdown (57 yards) that was called back because of a penalty.
“Austin is one of the hardest workers and most coachable kids I have ever coached,” said veteran Massillon wide receiver coach Cale Miller. “He works hard in the weight room and in the classroom. He is a major asset to our program.”
Brawley (5-foot-8, 135 pounds) scored on a 70-yard reception on the first play of the game. He also scored on passes of 68 yards and on a 59-yard TD, in which he had to tip the ball to himself and juggle it several times between two defenders before racing in to the endzone.
Sophomore quarterback Tanner Pierce was 6-of-13 for 271 yards, three TDs and an interception. Sophomore running back Camden Beasley rushed for a 5-yard touchdown.
Defensively, the Tigers (3-0) gave up two touchdowns on long runs, but made stops in the closing minutes.
Junior linebacker Andrew Edwards (six tackles), junior defensive back Ezra Strickland (four tackles) and Shane Rue and Niles Cleveland (three tackles) led the unit, which forced six turnovers.
Booster Club Meeting Time Change for September 16
The Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club normally meets on the Monday following each game at 7:00 pm in the WHS Communication Center. On September 16 the meeting will begin at 8:00 pm instead. The reason for the change is that there will be a Massillon City School District Community Update in the WHS auditorium at 7:00 pm, which should last about an hour. Booster Club members are encouraged to attend the Update and support the Massillon City Schools.
Booster Club Report – Week 2
Five games; five wins. The Tigers had success at every level last week, winning each game from the 7th grade through the varsity. Here are the scores:
- 7th Grade: Defeated Elyria Middle School, 36-12
- 8th Grade: Defeated Oakwood (GlenOak), 34-0
- 9th Grade: Defeated GlenOak, 44-20
- Junior Varsity: Defeated GlenOak, 42-6
- Varsity: Defeated GlenOak, 42-6
The guest players this week were quarterback Aidan Longwell and offensive lineman Cole Jones. Against GlenOak, Longwell completed 5 of 6 passes for 155 yards and three touchdowns. For his career, he has now tossed 59 touchdown passes and needs just four more to tie the record set by Justin Zwick in 2001. Jones anchors an offensive line that has yet to surrender a quarterback sack and has helped running backs to a 5.4 yards per carry average.
The guest coach was Jarrett Troxler, co-offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach. “I thought the kids did a great job.” he said. “We played to our standard (not to the competition). Our kids handled it really well and put them away early.”
Troxler singled out the play of Longwell and emphasized the experience he brings to the game as a 3-year starter. On one play, Troxler described how Aidan scrambled out of the pocket and had the poise to point to the spot for Ballard to run in order to convert a 36-yard touchdown pass.
Troxler said that he wants the team to get better and take the next step in this process. And that next step is this Friday against Warren Harding. The coach said that Warren is more athletic than GlenOak. They have good secondary players and a really good player at linebacker in Emarion Perkins, a 6′-0″, 190 lb. junior.
After showing the highlight film of last week’s game against GlenOak and the scout films of Warren, Head Coach Nate Moore gave his impression of the Raiders, who previously lost to Canton McKinley, 32-27, and defeated Cleveland Rhodes, 56-0. On special teams, they have a really good kicker with good range and excellent skill players in the return game. The defense alternates between even and odd fronts. Although smallish like GlenOak, Moore is expecting better line play out of this opponent. Four seniors start on defense.
Offensively, Harding operates primarily out of the spread. Leading the attack is junior Elijah Taylor, a 6′-1″, 190 lb. quarterback, who is also a returning starter with a big arm. Against Canton McKinley in Week 1, he completed 19 of 37 passes for 346 yards and 3 TDs), albeit taking advantage of several blown Bulldog coverages. But he was not quite as effective against Rhodes. Nevertheless, Taylor has several good receivers to throw to and this may be where you’ll find Warren’s best skill players. The running game, however, was not productive against McKInley and netted just 81 yards in 25 attempts. Four seniors start on offense, with a line that lacks a lot of game experience, while averaging 6′-1″, 258.
The Booster Club is sponsoring a bus to the Warren game on September 13. The cost is $25 and includes a sandwich and drink. Tickets can be purchased at Keller’s Office Supply. Departure is planned for 4:30 pm at the old K-Mart on Lincoln Way E.
The WHS Ticket Office is now open on Thursdays from 5:00 to 7:00.
Game time: 7:00 pm
Go Tigers!
JV Team Wins Again!!! Downs Canton GlenOak
The following story was provided by David Lee Morgan, Jr. WHS English/Journalism Teacher and Varsity/JV Running Backs Coach
PLAIN TOWNSHIP: Camden Beasley is somewhat of a quiet person. But when the Massillon sophomore walks his 6-foot, 180-pound frame onto the football field, his actions speak louder than words. Beasley scored four touchdowns in helping the Massillon junior varsity football team defeat GlenOak 42-6 Saturday afternoon (Sept. 6, 2019) at Bob Commings Field. Although Beasley’s longest touchdown run was just six yards, he showed his durability by carrying the ball 14 times for 64 yards. “Camden is a kid who comes to practice every day and has gotten better each and every day,” said Massillon’s varsity and junior varsity offensive line coach Chip Robinson. “He continues to do things the right way.” Another bright spot at running back for the Tigers (2-0) was the performance of 5-7, 135-pound sophomore Ramier Kyles. He may not have size like Beasley, but Kyles has impressive speed and quickness. Kyles only played the second half but led Massillon with 65 yards and added an impressive 35-yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, which was the Tigers’ final score. And on special teams, sophomore place kicker Shane Rue was perfect on all six PAT (point after touchdown) attempts.
Sophomore quarterback Tanner Pierce had a solid performance completing 12-of-20 passes for 102 yards, a touchdown and an interception. The receivers were led by juniors Eric Thurman, who had eight catches for 67 yards, and Daymiere Adams, who finished with four catches for 44 yards, including an 8-yard touchdown reception. Massillon’s defense gave up its only touchdown midway through the third quarter, and was led by sophomore cornerback Darrius McElroy with six tackles and sophomore defensive lineman Toddrick Lee and Thurman with three tackles each. “Our kids started out a little slower than we liked but found their stride in the second half,” said Tigers’ varsity defensive ends coach and head JV coach Dave Weber. Meanwhile, one of the biggest hits of the game came on the last play, and it wasn’t a Massillon player laying the pads. It came when Tigers’ sophomore linebacker Aaron Baecker intercepted a GlenOak pass near midfield, then scrambled down the Massillon sideline looking to return it for a touchdown. However, a Golden Eagles player hit Baecker so hard that Baecker had his glasses knocked off his face as he landed five yards into the Tigers’ sideline. That’s when Baecker picked up his glasses, popped right up and started jumping up and down while pumping his chest to signal that the hit didn’t faze him. “When I caught it, I just gunned it,” Baecker said. “I knew there was a guy behind me but I just saw a clear path and a gateway straight to six points. Then, out of the corner of my eye, I saw the biggest quarterback I’ve ever seen.” Baecker was referring to GlenOak’s 6-2, 225-pound quarterback. “He destroyed me,” Baecker said. “But when he hit me I didn’t feel anything. My blood was pumping so much I had a big grin on my face and when I saw my teammates I was happy because I proved myself. That feeling was foreign to me because I haven’t felt that in a long time.”
Baecker’s teammates rallied around him, patted him on the helmet and gave him high fives as the team showed how impressed they were by his toughness. “Honestly, I feel like to get hit like that takes courage,’’ Lee said. “I was impressed.” So was Massillon varsity and junior varsity defensive tackles coach J.P. Simon, who is often seen after varsity games wearing a junk-yard dog chain around his neck while carrying a sledgehammer to symbolize the team’s toughness.
Booster Club Report – Week 1
The first Football Booster Club meeting of the 2019 season was held on Tuesday at the WHS Communications Center. Head Coach Nate Moore reviewed last week’s 44-14 victory over Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary and previewed this week’s opponent, Canton GlenOak.
Guest players were Inside Linebacker Ben Krichbaum, who will return to action this week, and Defensive Lineman Manny McElroy, who Moore called “unblockable” after his stellar performance last Friday. Against the Irish, Manny was able to continuously fight through double-teams to totally disrupt the Irish’ iso run game, leaving the linebackers “clean” to make the tackles.
The guest coach was Jason Jarvis, who coaches cornerbacks and special teams. Jarvis noted that of the three phases of football (offense, defense and special teams), it was the special teams that graded the highest. Their effort included three kickoffs in the end zone by Magnus Haines, who also averaged 45 yards a punt in his two attempts. Alex Bauer converted all six of his extra point tries. Coverage teams were great, according to Jarvis. And in the return game, St. Vincent elected to kick off short and out of bounds all night long, except after a safety, which might have been a miss-hit by the kicker. For Jayden Balled returned that one 66 yards for a touchdown, a play that included a downfield block by Zion Phifer that lasted five seconds, as he waited for Ballard to clear his area. “The drive to win is what makes them play well,” beamed Jarvis.
Coach Moore singled out Andrew Wilson-Lamp for his record-setting performance last week in which he caught eleven passes for 232 yards and a touchdown. The all-time Massillon single game record for yards now stands as follows:
- Andrew Wilson-Lamp, 232 yards vs. Akron St. Vincent, 2019
- Austin Jasinski, 222 yards vs. Mentor, 2016
- Austin Kutscher, 208 yards vs. Canisius, NY, 2017
- Devin Jordan, 206 yards vs. Dayton Chaminade, 2001
- Reggie Rogers, 206 yards vs. Austintown Fitch, 2013
GlenOak enters this week’s contest against the Tigers coming off a 42-13 win over John Adams of South Bend, Indiana. New coach Beau Balderson is trying to right the ship after the Golden Eagles suffered through a 1-9 campaign last season, which included a 49-0 home loss to Massillon.
On offense GlenOak utilizes multiple sets, some with tight ends and some with spread. Two players share responsibility at quarterback, one a sophomore and the other a junior. Moore likes the soph, Isaiah Knox, 6′-0″, 143 lbs. Defensively, the coach says their are strong at cornerback, a position that includes Kindel Richardson, last year’s quarterback and a Michigan recruit. Recall that It was Richardson that the Tigers put out of action for the remainder of the season when he tried to run the ball up the middle of the Massillon line after failing to find an open receiver. Also keep an eye on inside linebacker Devon Blanchard, a 5′-10″, 220 lb., sophomore.
Depth may be a problem for the Golden Eagles in that several players go both ways. They will also start seven underclassmen on offense and six on defense. The offensive line averages 6′-0″, 248 lbs.and includes two seniors. The junior-laden defensive front four average 5′-11″, 201 lbs., which may be a problem matching up against Massillon’s 278 lb. line.
“This is a rivalry game,” said Moore. “A Stark County game. They have some good players. They will come ready to play.”
The Booster Club is sponsoring a bus to the Warren game on September 13. The cost is $25 and includes a sandwich and drink. Tickets can be purchased at Keller’s Office Supply. Departure is planned for 4:30 pm at the old K-Mart on Lincoln Way E.
Go Tigers!