Category: News

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Massillon and Avon Spar in Opening Scrimmage

Two Division 2 Regional Champions from 2017 squared off on Tuesday at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in a much-anticipated matchup.  If you were keeping score, it was Massillon getting the better of Avon 16 touchdowns to 2.  But in reality a score doesn’t mean much in a first scrimmage.  It’s more important for the coaches to evaluate all of the players and also to find out what the key takeaways are as they prepare for their respective openers.  Nevertheless, several hundred Massillon and Avon fans were able to get an early football fix during the nearly 3-hour scrimmage.

The format for both the varsity and JV teams was a minimum 10-play series starting at their own 35 yardline, with the ability to keep the ball as long as first downs were attained.  After several reps, the teams practiced overtime simulations.  Here is how it all played out:

Varsity – Down and Distance

  • Avon – Stopped on a fumble at the Massillon 20.
  • Massillon – Stopped on downs at their own 43.
  • Avon – 18-yard touchdown pass.
  • Massillon – 24-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Pedro to Luke Murphy.
  • Massillon – 21-yard touchdown run by Zion Phifer.
  • Avon – Stopped at the Massillon 39.
  • Avon – Stopped at the Massillon 39 again.
  • Massillon – 70-yard touchdown pass from Aidan Longwell to Aydrik Ford.
  • Massillon – Stopped at the Avon 35.
  • Avon – Stopped at the Massillon 45.
  • Avon – Stopped at the Avon 35.
  • Massillon – 23-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Pedro to Heath Manson.

Varsity Overtime Simulation

  • Avon – 12-yard touchdown pass.
  • Massillon – 25-yard touchdown run by Zion Phifer.
  • Massillon – 25-yard touchdown pass from Aidan Longwell to Jayden Ballard.
  • Massillon – 3 yard touchdown run by Jamir Thomas.
  • Avon – Missed 32-yard field goal.
  • Avon – Stopped at Massillon 30.
  • Massillon – Lost ball on fumble.
  • Massillon – 25-yard touchdown pass from Anthony Pedro to Luke Murphy.
  • Massillon – Stopped on pass interception.

JV

  • Down and Distance: Massillon outscored Avon 4-0.
  • Overtime Simulation: Massillon outscored Avon 4-0.

The biggest takeaway for Massillon was the level of depth exhibited at each of the different offensive and defensive positions on the field.  This asset was prevalent throughout both the varsity and JV squads.  The coaches constantly shuffled players in and out and the Tigers did not miss a beat with their progress down the field.  Couple that with great athleticism and speed at the skill positions and you have the potential for something special this year.

Scheme-wise, the offense has been expanded a bit in two particular areas, both on account of the talent at the running back position.  The first is an occasional split back formation in the backfield, giving the QB two options in the running attack, as opposed to a single back with the fullback pushed up towards the line.  The second is the ability to float the ball to a back out of the backfield, now that there is better speed at that position.  Both of these techniques resulted in good success throughout the scrimmage.

Defensively, the Tigers utilized their traditional 3-4 alignment.  However, the speed and aggressiveness has definitely improved over last year.  Avon had only modest success on the ground and needed to rely on a very good quarterback to move the ball in short bursts.  But still Avon had great difficulty scoring in the red zone.

Massillon will be back in action on Saturday at 10:00 a.m. when they visit Berea Midpark and then at Lake St. Edward the following Friday at 7:00 pm.

Jamir Thomas (16) heads through the line on one of his few carries. Also shown are Deon Williams (50), Justin Gaddis (52) and Alejandro Salazar (72).
Jayden Ballard makes a leaping catch for a first down.
A Massillon receiver looks for running room after catching a pass over the middle.
The pass is just over the outreached hands of the Tiger receiver.
Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo

What’s New on the Tiger Website?

The massillontigers.com website has recently undergone some modest changes in format and content that should make the site more navigable and informative.  Here is a quick rundown:

Revised the header menu, eliminating the sub-sub menus

Added photos of the 2018 Tigers team – Link

Added photos of individual 2018 players – Link

Added photos of the 2018 coaches – Link

Added photos of the 2018 Booster Club Officers – Link

Updated the photos of the weight room – Link

Added a photo of the indoor facility interior – Link

Added photos of the locker room – Link

Added a list of all past team captains – Link

Added a list of NCAA Division 1 recruits – Link

Enjoy.

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First Day of Contact

The pads were cracking at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium on Saturday morning as the Massillon football players got their first taste of contact, formally initiating the 2018 season.  This came following ten summer camp workouts and a week-long instructional camp.  The practice was extremely organized, with every activity timed to the minute.  And coaches were quick to transform into classroom teaching mode when the needs arose.  Although there is a lot of work to accomplish before the season opener against Akron St. Vincent, it was evident on this day that the Tigers were raring to get it started.  Enjoy the photos.

 

Tiger Signs Are Ready for the 2018 Season

Each spring a group of dedicated Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club members spends several evenings at the old Massillon High School making signs to support the Tiger program.  Throughout the season, these signs are displayed in the windows of the various Massillon merchants.

Tiger sign making assembly lIne

Henry Ford would be proud of the assembly line precision on display during the production of several thousand signs.  On a given evening, two lines are in operation.  Each is crewed by 4-5 workers who are constantly in motion to complete the silk-screening of over 600 signs.  One worker feeds the silk-screening frame, a second does the actual silk-screening, a third removes the completed signs and others stack the signs in racks for drying.

Some signs are devoted to specific games (i.e., “Beat Akron St. Vincent”), while others are general (i.e., “Go Tigers Go”).  While most have single color lettering, some have two colors and are run through the assembly line twice, once for each color.

Chairman Paul Ream and his crew do a remarkable job completing around 5,000 signs by end of the spring.  “I’ve been doing this as a committee chair about six years,” Paul said.  “We have probably about twelve guys each day.  We go through one night a week and do two signs a week.”  The best part of doing this according to Paul: “Just getting together with guys from the Booster Club.  For all the Tiger fans.  For the kids.  Something we can take pride in.”

Each week during the season over 400 businesses receive signs honoring the Massillon football program.  Be sure to support them.

Silk screening Tiger signs
Completed signs

 

 

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Booster Club Memberships On Sale Now



The Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club (MTFBC) is actively seeking funds to support the Massillon Tigers.  Here are the ways you can help:

  • Click the Donate link above and make a donation via PAYPAL
  • Purchase a discount card to be used at various local merchants.  See Schedule of Events for dates.
  • Purchase a Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club membership.

MEMBERSHIP LEVELS

General ($10.00)
Bronze ($25.00)
Silver ($50)
Gold ($100)
Corporate ($200 or more) (president@massillontigers.com)

Memberships can be purchased during the door-to-door drive (See Schedule of Events for dates), at any MTFBC event or via mail-in form.  Print and send form with check to:

MTFBC
P.O. Box 19
Massillon, OH  44648

For a membership purchased at Bronze level or above, your name (corporation) will be printed weekly in the Massillon game program.

Each member will receive a hand-painted Obie Tiger lapel pin, a tradition started in 1952.

 

 

A copy of the Ohio High School Athletic Association By-Laws on recruiting shall be made available to all members. As a condition of membership, all members must agree to abide by such By-Laws and rules.

Major Shakeup in OHSAA Playoff Regional Assignments

The Ohio High School Athletic Association has released its regional assignments for the 2018 football playoffs.  With the incorporated changes, Massillon’s Region 7 just got a little tougher with the addition of Massillon Perry plus several Division 2 powers from just west of Cleveland.

Gone is Dublin Scioto, which defeated the Tigers in the first round of the 2015 playoffs.  They are now in Region 8.  Also transferring to other regions within Division 2 are Boardman, Westerville North, Franklin Heights, Youngstown East, Big Walnut and Columbus Briggs.

The newcomers via transfer have significantly improved Region 7.  They include Barberton, Medina Highland, Wadsworth and Green.  Also coming in are Perry from Division 1 and Dover from Division 3.  Tri-Valley returns to Division 2 after a 1-year stay in D3.

Region 5 remains largely intact, with Akron Hoban the dominant power, competing with the likes of Cleveland Benedictine, Walsh Jesuit and Hudson.  Barberton has been moved to Region 7.

Region 6 is also much the same, aside from the significant addition of Toledo Central Catholic.  With a base enrollment matched for Division 4, competitive balance numbers have pushed them up the ladder to Division 2.  Central has qualified for the playoffs in each of the last 5 years, all in Division 3.  Four times they were regional champs and once they were regional runner-up.  In 2014 they captured the state title.  Central will compete with Avon, Grafton Midview, Toledo St. John’s and Toledo St. Francis.  Highland and Wadsworth have been moved to Region 7.

Region 7, as noted above, is significantly stronger owing to the addition of Perry and transfers from within the division.  Here is a short rundown:

  • Massillon – 2018 Region 7 champion.  Qualified in 4 of the last 5 years.
  • Perry – 2016 and 2017 state runner-up.  Qualified in 4 of the last 5 years, including last year in Division 1.
  • Medina Highland – 2013 Region 6 champion.  Qualified in 4 of the last 5 years.
  • New Albany – Qualified in 3 of the last 5 years.
  • Tri-Valley – Qualified in 4 of the last 5 years, albeit 3 times in Division 3.
  • Worthington Kilbourne – Qualified 3 times in the last five years, none since 2015.
  • Barberton – 2017 Region 5 runner-up to Akron Hoban.  Only appearance in the last 5 years.
  • Lake – Qualified twice in the last 5 years.
  • Dover – Qualified 3 times in the last 5 years, all in Division 3.

Challenging in Region 8 will be Cincinnati LaSalle and Cincinnati Winton Woods.  However, Dublin Scioto has been moved from Region 7 to add some strength.

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Robert Partridge Needs Our Help

Former Massillon Tiger quarterback Robert Partridge was recently involved in a serious auto accident and unfortunately suffered a severe spinal cord injury.  A gofundme page has been set up to enable financial support to help cover the cost of rehab.

Robert was a 2-year starting quarterback for the Tigers.  In 2008 he passed for 471 yards and four touchdowns.  He followed that up with a stellar 2009 year in which he passed for 2,631 yards and 22 touchdowns, leading his team to the state playoff semifinals against Cleveland Glenville.  Robert is 6th all-time in career yards passing and 3rd for total yards passing in a single season.  Following Massillon, he accepted a scholarship to play football at Miami of Ohio and later transferred to Hiram College, where he set a new single-season passing record, including 410 yards against Kenyon.

Please help if you can.

 

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7th Grade Football Information

From Coach Greg Corsale

7th Grade football is no longer a youth sport.  It is now run through MJHS just as 8th Grade football is.  To sign your child up for football you need to register on final forms.  This will include everything on one site that you just update throughout the years for other sports.  No more paper forms.  https://massillon-oh.finalforms.com

Sports physicals this year will not be offered through the Boys & Girls Club.  With the hospital closing they lost the volunteers that offered that for our kids.  You are responsible to get your child a physical and a physical form filled out and turned in.  A copy of that of that physical form can be found at massillontigersathletics.org

Summer workouts will start June 5th.  Workouts will be held at MJHS on Tuesday and Wednesday from 5:00 – 7:00 pm and Saturday from 9:00 – 11:00 am.  These workouts are not mandatory, but are encouraged for children not playing a sport through the summer.  If your child is playing a summer sport, they made a commitment to that team and that comes first.

I need any child that is coming to the workout to have the final forms registration completed before they arrive.  This will include contact information that I need in case of an emergency.

Please share this information with any parent that has a child going into 7th Grade.  With the changeover from youth to junior high this season, I expected to have some confusion.  Any questions that you might have, please contact me.  I have included my email below.  Looking forward to a fun season.  Go Tigers!!!

Coach Greg Corsale

gregcorsale6@yahoo.com

Massillon Tiger Football Golf Outing 2017

FUNDRAISER: 2018 Golf Outing

Massillon Tiger Football Alumni Association GOLF SCRAMBLE

WHEN: Saturday, June 6th, 2018
WHERE: Elms Country Club
TIME: Shotgun Start: 9 a.m.
COST: $300 foursome or $75 per golfer

Price Includes:
Green fees & cart, lunch & dinner at the course, beverage truck, football challenges, & raffle prizes!

SPONSOR A HOLE

SPONSOR LEVELS
Individual Sponsorship: $100.00 (One hole sponsor sign included)
Corporate level sponsorship: $500 (Two hole Sponsor signs and foursome)

Make check payable to: MTFAA
Mail to: MTFAA
C/O Glen Weirich, 725 Woodview Dr. NE, Massillon, OH 44646.

The Massillon Tigers and Coach Moore thanks you for your support.

For more information you can contact Glen Weirich at 330-844-8462 or Jason Jarvis at 330-933-4814. Glen’s Email: uabulldog91@gmail.com.

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Spring Kickoff – Excitement Grows in Tigertown

It was difficult for the coaches to curb their enthusiasm at the Spring Kickoff when talking about this year’s Massillon football team.  That’s because they are blessed with a wealth of talent and experience returning from the 2017 team, which finished 10-4 and captured the Region 7 title.  In addition, the entire coaching staff returns.

Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coach Moore and several key assistants spoke at the Kickoff and provided these highlights:

J.P. Simon – Defensive Line and Off-Season Conditioning

  • “This off-season has been great.  Our guys really attacked the weight room and agility.  We came back with something to prove.”
  • “All of the linemen were on the wrestling team.  They really worked hard.”
  • “The (strength and conditioning) program is a throwback to the days of Steve Studer.”

Craig McConnell – Defensive Coordinator / Outside Linebackers

  • “We’re very excited about this season.  We have a lot coming back.”
  • “We want to be competitive every day.”
  • Not much will change defensively.  The base alignment will be 3-4 with cover 4.  But they will have the ability to change to a 4-man front and cover 3.
  • Goals: Win 1st down 70% of the time; get off the field on 3rd down; dominate the red zone.
  • “Dean Clark will be the leader of the defense.  I wish I had eleven of him.”

John Mazur – Offensive Coordinator / Offensive Line

  • “We’re way ahead of last year; lots of experience.  We had four extra weeks of practice last year (e.g., playoff weeks).”
  • “We (offensive line) will be strong.  A lot of 6’-1”, 280 lb. guys that can move.  They will have the best feet (he’s seen since he’s been here).”
  • Three starters return on the offensive line.
  • Fifteen players have been timed in the 40-yard dash at 4.7 seconds or faster.
  • The offense will throw the ball a little more this year, in addition to running the power.

Jarrett Troxler – Quarterbacks

  • Skill guys are hard workers.
  • Quarterbacks and receivers have been working together over the winter early in the morning.  Also working with film.
  • Lots of depth at the skill positions.  A high level of competition is expected this summer.
  • The offense will be multiple with lots of formations.  A lot of guys to get the ball to.  No huddle set.  Will throw the ball more than last year.
  • “We need to manage the expectations for next year.”

Nate Moore – Head Coach

  • “What a different feeling it is this year to know how far ahead we are from a year ago.  We have an unbelievable staff.”
  • Pro Days went very well according to Moore.  There were several colleges in attendance, including Ohio State, Northwestern, Illinois, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Miami, Toledo, Bowling Green, Kent State and Eastern Michigan, plus several lower division schools.
  • Four players have received scholarship offers to play Division 1 college football, including Jamir Thomas (Michigan State, Pitt and Kentucky), Tre’von Morgan (Akron, Toledo and Eastern Kentucky), Dean Clark (Yale, Toledo, U.S. Air Force and Army), and Jayden Ballard (Akron, Bowling Green and Eastern Kentucky).  Three other players have received offers from lower division schools.
  • The Booster Club has been instrumental in helping to fund several summer camps, including Notre Dame of Cleveland, Michigan State, Ohio State, Penn State and Pitt.
  • The coach is really excited about the schedule, citing eight home games.  “There is nothing better than playing at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.”  The schedule also features three out of state teams and a first time visit to Louisville
  • “Talent-wise we’re in a really good place.  The quality of our young men is outstanding.  We have great kids and great coaches.”
  • “Last year’s team loved playing for Massillon.  That has to continue.”
  • Keys for this year: summer development utilizing position units; leadership (much difference place than a year ago) and continue to win with toughness.