Notes from the 2026 Summer Kickoff Event
There was a high level of excitement in the air at the Eagles 190 for the annual summer kickoff of the Massillon Tiger football season. That’s because the Tigers are expected to field a team that is geared toward tremendous success, based on the return of 17 starters from last year’s team, bolstered by a deep bench of talented players.
The event was sponsored by the Massillon Tiger Booster Club, Jim Mutigli, President.
Massillon has 26 lettermen returning, including eight starters on offense and nine on defense, all of which have garnered over 125 Division I college offers. The talented group aims to greatly improve upon last year’s 9-4 record. Still grinding in their hearts is the season-ending loss to Big Walnut. So Head Coach Nate Moore challenged both the players and the coaching staff to up the game this year. And so far, the message is getting across.
“We are having a great offseason,” according to Moore. “Everyone is answering the bell. We also have a tremendous coaching staff.” They will have really talented players to work with this year and normally, according to Moore, this level of talent is usually short in some off-field areas. But not this group, he said, citing their work ethic and leadership. “Our kids play for the City of Massillon,” he said.
Coach was also pleased to let the boosters know that every incoming senior on the team achieved at least a 3.0 GPA over the last quarter. That includes a high mark of 4.56 for running back Savior Owens (Michigan State).
Moore also talked about the capital improvements projects on the high school campus, some of which have been recently completed, while others are just getting started; specifically, the new locker room and scoreboard. The 22,000 sq. ft. locker room will be located in the south end zone and is designed as an NFL state-of-the art facility. Meanwhile, the scoreboard will be the largest in the country for any stadium that is used by a single high school. He thanked the David Foundation more than once for supporting this tremendous effort.
Left to right: Coach Rick Shepas, Coach Nate Moore, Justin Zwick, Jim Mutigli.
Here are some of the key takeaways from the event.
Guest Speaker Justin Zwick
- Zwick was the starting quarterback for the Tigers in 2000 and 2001. During his senior year the team finished 12-2 and captured the regional championship. Zwick was one of the best QBs ever at Massillon and holds single season records for pass attempts, pass completions, yards and touchdowns. He later played for Ohio State.
- Zwick said that he came to Massillon to see if he could play at the Division I level. He was also impressed with the level of coaching he could receive from Rick Shepas and his staff.
- “Massillon is a special place. I was very glad to come over here (from Orrville). I’m very grateful and lucky to have been a part of it.”
- “Beating McKinley twice (in the same year) was good.”
- Zwick praised the Sideliner program. “What you do here is special.”
Guest Speaker Coach Rick Shepas
- Shepas coached the Tigers from 1998 through 2004, compiling a record of 53-27 and winning two Division I regional championships. He also owns a 5-3 advantage over McKinley. Following Massillon, he coached for twelve years at Waynesburg University, finishing seven times in the conference’s Top 3. He is currently the head coach at East Palestine High School.
- “How great it was to be part of this community for seven years. I raised my family here. It’s the one job I always wanted. We had great players. And we were able to do so much in a great environment. The only place in the world where this would be this sustainable.”
- “The program was not headed in the right direction when we came in. But we fixed that. And only in Massillon could that be done.”
- “I respect what sports have done for me. I’m a ‘respect for the game’ person. There’s no other sport than the game of football. It takes eleven. It takes a team. I love the process.”
Strength & Conditioning Coach Dan Studer
- Consistent with Moore’s message to “step it up,” the assistant coaches this year have been directly involved in the weight program. Workouts have been intense and brutal. The players have worked incredibly hard, with great effort on all techniques. Some of the guys were way above the rest of the field, including several lifting over 500 pounds in the back squat. “We are strong.”
- Former rugby pro Carlin Isles has been a great benefit in improving team speed. Several players have 40 times of 4.5 or lower, including Savior Owens (4.5), Deonte Malone (4.37) and Breyton Feister (4.4).
- “The work ethic and attention to detail are really standing out.”
Cornerbacks Coach Bo Grunder
- A really tight-knit group. Older guys are helping out younger guys. “This shows strong character.”
- Seniors Deonte Malone and Chayce White are returning starters at corner, while senior Braylon Gamble returns at safety. Gamble may end up playing linebacker at the next level, but he is too valuable on this Massillon team as a defensive play caller to make the move at this time.
Defensive Line Coach J.P. Simon
- Simon is back home at the place he enjoys the most: the defensive line.
- Two starters return from last year in seniors Joe Karder and Marcus Garner. However, Garner may be tasked this year with playing on both sides of the ball. The third member of the line is expected to be newcomer junior Brydon Feister. There are also several good players coming up, including junior Noah Garner, who Simon said had a great pre-season.
- Simon believes that the defensive line is the strength of the defense.
- “Coach Moore challenged the staff to develop the players. We need to give more. Step the game up. Making the final 4 doesn’t cut it. We’re in it to win the state title.” To bolster that, several coaches have spent time at various universities studying their techniques.
Defensive Coordinator, Inside Linebackers Coach Jeff Kent
- Kent noted that he got here late last year, but this year the preparation process is on time.
- “We are having a tremendous off-season. We are working five days a week.”
- The Tigers are very deep at inside linebacker, with junior Devaughn Williams and senior newcomer Breyton Feister, along with juniors Jaxson Perry, Logan Thornsberry and Andrew Holland, plus seniors Ke’Aun Fowler and Sabastian Harper. There is a lot of depth, as opposed to last year. We plan to play 16 to 20 ideally in games to keep fresh legs on the field.
Offensive Line Coach Ty Keirns
- Three starters return from last year, including center Dayvionne Floyd and guards Kevin Elliott and Marcus Garner. Now seniors, he believes they are figuring it out. The tackles may be manned by senior Landon Barnhart and junior Worth Hirning.
- The line will be more technique oriented this year. That will give the running backs more options.
Running Backs Coach Travis McGuire
- Three primary running backs will carry the load this year, including returning starter Savior Owens, Breyton Feister and Christian Culler. All are seniors. Owens is expected to get the bulk of the carries, with Feister and Culler also playing defense. Also, keep an eye on senior Sabastian Harper and junior Adrian Pascley.
- “We have a special unit. It’s our job to get it done. We need to get the running backs over the line.”
Wide Receivers Coach Austin Kutscher
- “It’s really good to be back.” Kutscher was an outstanding receiver for the Tigers and he later played for Ohio State.
- The senior returnees include Georgio Jackson, Deonte Malone, Austin Pryor and Van Hawkins. Junior George Rivera should also receive time on the field.
- “The leadership is good. Lots of maturity. Good off-season.”
Offensive Coordinator, Quarterback Coach Evan Berbari
- The starter at quarterback for this year will come from among three players: senior Mandwell Patterson, junior Rasmus Haines and freshman Donnie McMullen. Patterson is the returning starter. Haines now weighs over 200 lbs. And McMullen runs the 40 between 4.4 and 4.5. It should be a good race to the finish. “All had great pre-seasons.”
- “We need to play great football on offense.” Expect a whole new offense this year. ”It’s adapt or die.” Look for multiple formations, different tight end configurations, shifts and motion. Up tempo. No huddling.
- “I think we have a special group, with a chance to go a long way.”
As a junior, under first-year head coach Jack Rose, the team went 5-5 against a very formidable schedule, including Cincinnati Moeller and Indianapolis North Central. In fact, seven of the ten opponents finished with seven wins or more. But the Tigers did manage to defeat 8-2 Alliance, 7-2 Walsh Jesuit and 9-1 Bloomington South, Illinois.
Feister joins four other Tiger players who have previously committed verbally to Division 1 college programs, including Savior Owens (Michigan State), Deontay Malone (Ohio State), Braylon Gamble (Boston College) and Georgio Jackson (Miami of Ohio).
In his senior year Calhoun was moved to offensive guard, measuring in at 6’-2”, 240 lbs. He was also named co-captain. Most of the starters were in their final year of varsity football and they made the most of it, reaching their peak with a 12-1 record. After going undefeated during the regular season, they advanced in the playoffs to the state finals, where they dropped a 35-14 heartbreaker to Cincinnati Moeller.
During that year Massillon averaged 28 points per game and surrendered just two touchdowns, one to Akron West and one to Steubenville in a 33-6 victory. The Tigers also handed Canton McKinley their only loss of season by the score of 21-0. In that one, Arrington was credited with one of the touchdowns via a 61-yard return of an intercepted pass. In addition, he blocked a punt that led to another score.
