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Antonio James Inducted into Massillon Tiger Football Hall of…

Antonio James Inducted into Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame

Antonio James, from the Class of 2006, played on the defensive line for three years under Head Coaches Rick Shepas and Tom Stacy.  As a team captain during his senior year the team finished with a record of 13-2, with James recording 43.5 tackle points, 11 tackles-for-loss, 6.5 quarterback sacks, 5 pass breakups and forced 3 fumbles, all good enough to be named 1st Team All-Ohio.  In the playoffs the Tigers defeated Canton McKinley in the regional finals and Lakewood St. Edward in the state semifinals, only to lose to Cincinnati St. Xavier in the finals the following week.

Following Massillon James played four years at the University of Illinois, seeing action in 46 games as a defensive lineman, where he posted 20 solos, 20 assists, 40 total tackles and 2.5 sacks.  Then it was off to the coaching ranks, with the following stops:

  • Urbana High School (2011-13): defensive line and outside linebackers
  • University of Michigan, graduate assistant (2014-16): defensive line
  • Morgan State (2018-21): defensive coordinator and co-special teams coordinator
  • Southern Illinois (2022): defensive line coach, 2022
  • Southern Illinois (2023-24): assistant head coach and defensive coordinator
  • University of Illinois (current): assistant defensive line coach

In 2017 James was named to the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Under 30 Coaches’ Leadership Institute.

Congratulations to Antonio James.

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Don and Mary Lou Wilton Inducted into Massillon Tiger…

Don and Mary Lou Wilton Inducted into Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame

Don and Mary Lou Wilton, who both graduated from high school in 1962, were honored in celebration of their many years of service to the Massillon Football Booster Club.  Many examples exist where their contributions have made significant impacts on both the Club and the lives of the Tiger players.

Don was a Booster Club vice president in 1988 and ‘89, and then president in 1990.  And Mary Lou was named president just this year, after serving as vice president during the previous three terms.  She also holds the distinction of being the first woman president of the club as well as the first woman member of the Club’s Junior Board.

The two were instrumental in raising funds for construction of the stadium east press box and then for many years managing that facility on game nights.  Mary Lou also served as Booster Club Membership Chairman and hospitality chairman for the state playoff games.

 

 

 

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Ben Mast Inducted into Massillon Tiger Football Hall of…

Ben Mast Inducted into Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame

Ben Mast played for the Massillon varsity in 1995 and ‘96 as an offensive lineman, under Head Coach Jack Rose.  He was an imposing figure, standing 6’-4” and weighing 275 lbs.

In his junior season the Tigers went 7-3.   However, they did record a 21-18 win over Cincinnati Moeller, which was Massillon’s first ever win over the national power.

Program Cover

During his senior year, as a co-captain, his team defeated 7-2 Walsh Jesuit, 7-2 Naperville, Illinois, and 9-3 Cincinnati Moeller.  In addition, the team downed eventual state champion Lima Senior during the regular season, 28-14.  The Tigers finished the year with a 9-2 record, while losing 7-6 to Brunwick in a 2nd round playoff game, during which seven inches of snow was deposited on the Akron Rubber Bowl turf.  Post-season, our inductee was named 1st Team All-Ohio.

Next up was a 5-year career at the University of Michigan, which he selected over Ohio State, not being a big fan of current head coach John Cooper.  Playing at 6′-4″, 297 lbs., he saw action on the offensive line in 29 games, while experiencing four bowl games, two Big Ten titles and one national championship.  He also had an opportunity to block for quarterback Tom Brady.

  • 1997 – Redshirted; 12-0 record; National Champions; AP No. 1; won 21-16 over No. 1 Washington State in the Rose Bowl
  • 1998 – Played in 5 games; 10-3 record; tied for the Big Ten Championship; AP No. 12; won 45-31 over No. 11 Arkansas in the Florida Citris Bowl
  • 1999 – Played in 12 games; 10-2 record; tied for 2nd in the Big Ten; AP No. 5; won 35-34 o.t. over No. 5 Alabama in the Orange Bowl
  • 2000 – Played in 5 games; 9-3 record; tied for the Big Ten Championship; AP No. 11; won 31-28 over No. 20 Auburn in the Florida Citris Bowl
  • 2001 – Played in 7 games; 8-4 record; 2nd in the Big Ten; AP No. 20; lost 45-17 to No. 8 Tennessee in the Florida Citris Bowl

During his final year Mast suffered a knee injury in the Week 2 game against Washington when he was clipped while running down a Washington player after a blocked punt.  Unfortunately, that hampered his playing time for the remainder of the season.  Otherwise, he was looking at potentially being selected in the 2nd or 3rd round of the NFL draft.  At the advice of NFL scouts, he played for the Detroit Fury of arena football in order to test the knee.  However,  he was hurt again and elected then to retire from football.

Ben is currently a plant supervisor for Alro Steel in Wooster.

 

 

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“Beat” Signs Are Available for Your Home Use

“Beat” Signs Are Available for Your Home Use

Each year the Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club prints colorful signs that are displayed in local store windows urging the Tigers to beat the opponent for that particular week.  Those signs are now available to Tiger fans free of charge.  Stop by Liberty Printing and pick up a complete set of signs covering all the games for the season and show your support.  Go Tigers!

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Don Snavely Inducted into Massillon Tiger Football Hall of…

Don Snavely Inducted into Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame

Don Snavely, a 1938 graduate, was recently inducted into the Massillon Tiger Football Hall of Fame.  Snavely was an offensive center and middle linebacker for Coach Paul Brown from 1935 to 1937.  During his sophomore year Massillon set a scoring record with 48.3 points per game, while recording eight shutouts enroute to both state and national championships.  It was also the first year that Brown defeated Canton McKinley.

In his junior year the Tigers repeated those feats: 10-0 record, state championship and national championship.  The team outscored the opposition, 443-14, with eight shutouts, and defeated McKinley, 21-0.  They also handed News Castle, PA, their first home loss in three years.  Playing at 151 lbs., Snavely was named 1st Team All-Ohio.

As a senior, now at 160 lbs., he was moved to offensive end, in addition to being team captain, while on defense he remained at middle linebacker in a 7-1-2-1 formation.  Snavely also excelled on special teams, blocking a punt out of the end zone, returning a blocked punt for a touchdown and recovering a blocked punt in the end zone for another score.

It was against McKinley following a 19-6 victory that one sportswriter wrote: “Snavely’s defensive work was superb.  In the face of severe and almost constant roughing, he made tackle after tackle to stop the charges of the Canton backs.  Once he had to take time out because of an injured knee, but he shook out the kink and continued in the game as did every other Massillon player from the opening whistle to the finish.  It was the second straight time that the Tigers had played through an entire game without a single substitution.”

The team finished 8-1-1 that year, with a 6-6 tie against Mansfield and a 7-0 loss to New Castle, during which Snavely played sparingly due to knee injury he suffered in a practice leading up to the game.  However, he was again named 1st Team All-Ohio.

Following high school, he played four years at center for Columbia University.

 

 

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Massillon’s History with a Theoretical 12-Team Playoff

Massillon’s History with a Theoretical 12-Team Playoff

“There’s no place like home,” Dorothy exclaimed near the end of the legendary movie, “The Wizard of Oz.”  And Massillon Tiger football fans can say the same following the Ohio High School Athletic Association’s (OHSAA) decision to revamp the state football playoffs.  With the change, in spite of fewer teams now qualifying, there are better opportunities to host post-season games.

The OHSAA’s playoff system used to determine football state championships was introduced in 1972 at the request of the association coaches.  But inspite of the great intentions the OHSAA had at the time, it was not an optimal system at the start and a host of changes have occurred since that time.  Initially, just one team qualified from each of four regions across three divisions.  In 1980 two more divisions were added and the number of qualifiers per region doubled.  In 1985 it became four teams per region, followed in 1994 by the addition of a sixth division.  Four per region became eight in 1999 and a seventh division was added in 2013.  Whew!  That’s a lot of changes.

But it might have remained that way, except that the Covid year of 2020 messed it all up.  On account of several canceled games due to the impact of the ailment and the resulting difficulty in selecting qualifiers, the OHSAA opened the door to every team in the state.  The following year, with the OHSAA believing that it was beneficial for many schools to enhance the number of participants, the number of regional qualifiers was increased to sixteen.  Not discussed was the additional revenue afforded to the OHSAA from the additional 112 games across the seven divisions, considering that the OHSAA also at that time took over control of sales and collection of money from the purchase of playoff game tickets.

Regardless of the OHSAA’s beliefs, the coaches apparently were never in favor of a 16-team region, preferring twelve instead, with the top four qualifiers receiving byes in the first round.  It should be noted that a 12-team format was the format going into the 2020 season until it was derailed by Covid.  Now finally, the coaches have gotten their way.

Per this author, the right number is probably eight teams per region.  However, the method used to select the teams, i.e., the Harbin System, has several flaws and is considered incapable of selecting these eight teams, let alone seeding them properly, as compared to algorithm-based methods that utilize true strength-of-schedule components, not just a simple summation of opponent wins.  For, all teams are just not created equal.  The author’s study shows that, in order to assure that the best eight teams are included, at least twelve teams from the Harbin System must be selected.  Thus, a 12-team format is therefore considered optimal, although it doesn’t solve the seeding problem and corresponding earned rights to home games.

With the recent modification, the top four seeded teams receive a bye in the first round.  The remaining teams face off, with 5 vs. 12, 6 vs. 11, 7 vs. 10 and 8 vs. 9.  In Round 2, No. 1 faces the winner of 5 vs. 12, No. 2 faces the winner of 6 vs. 11, etc.  The next two weeks are then used to determine the regional champion.  In Weeks 1-3 the higher-seeded team hosts the game.  The Week 4 championship game is then played at a neutral site.

With this format, the ideal seeded positions are Nos. 1 and 2.  Not only do these teams receive a bye week, they are also guaranteed the potential of two home games.  The next favorable positions are Nos. 3 and 4.  These teams receive a bye week plus one guaranteed home game.  After that comes Nos. 5-8, with one guaranteed home game.

Now for the fun part.  Had the new playoff format been in place since the start of the playoffs in 1972, a span of some 53 years, how would Massillon have faired year-to-year?  The chart below presents the raw numbers.

The Tigers were in Division I from the start through 2012.  The data shows that they would have qualified for the playoffs 36 times out of 41 attempts, or 88% of the time.  Of the five years in which they failed to qualify, twice (1998 and 2004) they had four wins and twice (1974 and 2007) they had six wins, so that’s understandable.  Ironically, they would have qualified in every year under a 16-team format.

The outlier came in 1978 when Massillon finished in the 14th position with a record of 9-0-1 and would have failed to qualify.  Again, the flaws of the Harbin System are cited.  The problem that year was with the opponents, most of which failed to win many games.  In fact, outside of Canton McKinley (7-2) and Warren Harding (7-2-1), the remaining teams won just a third of their games, something the Tigers had no control over.  Of course, there were only three divisions at that time.  In a 7-division format they would most likely have qualified.

About a third of the time they would have been seeded first or second.  They would have finished in the top four and received a first-round bye 20 times, or about half.  And they would have finished in the top eight and hosted at least one game 30 times, or about three-quarters.

In 2013 the divisions were restructured, with the Tigers assigned to Division II, since the number of teams placed in Division I was lowered.  Over the next twelve years Massillon would have qualified in every year.  Seven times, or 58%, they would have been seeded first or second.  They would have received a first-round bye ten times, or 83%.  And they would have hosted at least one game eleven times or 92%.  The only year in which they would not have hosted a game was in Coach Nate Moore’s first year, when the team finished in 11th place with a record of 4-6.  However, the playoffs would have been interesting that year, given that Massillon defeated eventual regional champion Perry during the regular season.

Thus, if Massillon’s success over the past several years continues, there is a high probably of having a bye in the first round of the playoffs, something that is beneficial for three reasons.  The first is that it provides the program a chance to regroup both physically and mentally following an intense rivalry game.  Second, they could reach the finals while playing one less game than previously.  And third, they could continue to have a high probability of hosting two playoff games.  Because, let’s face it; there’s no place like home!

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Register Now For the 2025 MASSILLON TIGER FOOTBALL Golf…

Date: Saturday, August 16, 2025
Time: 1 pm shotgun start time
Location: The Massillon Elms Country Club
Cost: $100 per golfer; $400 per foursome
Participants: Lunch, dinner, performance awards, 50-50, raffle baskets

The Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club would like to invite you to our annual golf outing being held on August 16th at the Elms Country Club, with a shotgun start at 1:00 pm.  This year’s scramble format is open to all levels with awards to lowest team score as well as course challenges for both guys and ladies.  Lunch and dinner will be provided.  50-50 raffle, hole in 1 contest and raffle baskets.  Coach Moore plans to attend and once again show his skills on Hole #9.  Registration: $100 per golfer or $400 per foursome is online (see below).

Let’s celebrate the kickoff to the 2025 Massillon Tiger Football season.  If you would consider sponsoring a golf hole, an award, lunch or dinner, please email Glen Weirich at UAbulldogs1@gmail.com.

This golf outing continues to be an important fundraiser for your Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club.  THANK YOU for your support.

TEAM REGISTRATION
(4 Players)
INDIVIDUAL REGISTRATION
(1 Player)
HOLE SPONSOR
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Notes from the Tiger Football Summer Kickoff Event

Notes from the Tiger Football Summer Kickoff Event

Football is a 12-month at Massillon for the both the players and the fans.  Thus, a good crowd was on hand at the Massillon Eagles 190 to officially kick off the 2025 high school football season.  First, was the introduction of Mary Lou Wilton, this year’s Booster Club President, and first ever woman in that position.  Mary was graciously welcomed by the members.

Then it was Head Coach Nate Moore’s turn, who is beginning his eleventh season at the helm, more than any previous Massillon mentor.  “The summer practice season is just getting underway, with two practices in, as we prepare for the season opener against Cleveland Glenville,” he said.  “There’s no place like Massillon.  It’s a very special place, like no other place in America.  The entire community is behind them.  That’s what makes this place special.  And we want to build upon it.”  He then addressed the members of the Booster Club, thanking them for all of the support they provided over the years.  “The Booster Club is the heartbeat of this program,” he emphasized.  Moore closed by reviewing the schedule, highlighting the major contests of Glenville, Rabun Gap of Georgia, Lakewood St. Edward, Cardinal Ritter of Missouri and Canton McKinley.  He was also excited to have nine regular season home games.  His current record at Massillon 110-25, including five regional titles and a Division II state title in 2023.  He also owns a 9-1 record over McKinley.

Moore then turned the presentation over to his assistant coaches, including newcomers Evan Berbari, Jeff Kent and Edwin Glick.  Here are a few of their remarks:

Dan Studer (Strength and Conditioning)

  • Had an exceptional off-season; 62 workouts.
  • Record year of attendance.
  • Excited to see what these guys can do.
  • Reviewed weight lifting and speed; 20 players under 4.7 seconds in the 40-yard dash, including Tra’Yon Williams, who runs a sub 4.4.
  • The numbers indicate that we’re going to have a really good football team.

Evan Berbari (Offensive Coordinator / Quarterbacks)

  • We will be tough-minded and disciplined.
  • Will try to get more downhill in the run game and have more variety in the passing game.
  • Three candidates at the quarterback position.

Chip Robinson and Ty Keirns (Offensive Line)

  • We’re going to run the ball and hit you in the mouth.
  • We have a really coachable group.
  • We will hold up our end of this.

J.P. Simon (Tight Ends)

  • I haven’t seen an off-season like I’ve seen this year (10th year).
  • I have young guys. But we’re going to be good.
  • Returning starter Logan Allman is available at tight end.

Cale Miller (Wide Receivers)

  • We have a lot of size, speed, experience and toughness.
  • Some will play on both sides of the ball (defensive backfield).

Jeff Kent (Defensive Coordinator / Inside Linebackers)

  • I am excited to be here (coming from Georgia). Massillon, it’s a really special place.  It has its own energy.
  • The defense will be based out of a 3-front, with occasional 5-front and 7-front. Very multiple.  Multiple coverage schemes.  Players will make adjustments on the field.
  • The players are new to the system, but they have made up a lot of ground in a short amount of time.
  • Pressure will come from everywhere, with a lot of blitzing.
  • We will be very physical. We want the other team to tap out.  We want to see how many quarterbacks they have on the roster!
  • The weight program is second to none and many high schools in Georgia are copying it.
  • I can’t wait to get into Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Joey Studer and Chris Spruill (Defensive Line)

  • We are emphasizing discipline, effort, attitude and physicality.
  • We’re seeing tremendous growth. The kids are diving right in.
  • Don’t think; play fast.

Edwin Glick (Outside Linebacker)

  • A lot of young guys. No returning starters.
  • Excited to see the kids grow.

Jason Jarvis (Safeties)

  • The coaching staff is a tight group. The kids see that and it transfers to them regarding respect of others.
  • Cited Tra’Yon Williams and Braylon Gamble as players to watch.  Also mentioned sophomore George Rivera.

Bo Grunder (Cornerbacks)

  • Relying on 2-way players to stock this position.  Thus, have more athletes to look at.
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It’s Time for the Tiger Football Summer Kickoff Event

It’s Time for the Tiger Football Summer Kickoff Event

The annual Massillon Tiger Football Summer Kickoff Event will be held at Massillon Eagles 190 on Tuesday, June 17.  Doors will open at 6:00 pm for a social hour (including appetizers) and the event will get underway at 7:00 pm.  This will be an opportunity to meet the new assistant coaches and listen to their plans for the upcoming season.  Head Coach Nate Moore will also be there to preview the upcoming season.  Tickets are $25.00 each and can be purchased at the Washington High School ticket office, Liberty Embroidery or at the door on the night of the event.

Go Tigers!

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A Brief Look at the Division II State Playoffs

A Brief Look at the Division II State Playoffs

Division II this year comprises 124 teams, spread across four regions, 64 of which will qualify for postseason play and a chance to win the next state title.  Loveland grabbed the first DII crown following the state’s realignment of the divisions in 2013.  And for the next seven years, the top spot was shared exclusively by Cincinnati LaSalle and Akron Hoban.  But since then, four different teams have taken home the trophy, none having the name LaSalle or Hoban.  And a new first-time winner could emerge once again, with the division continuing to cultivate competitive teams.

REGION 7

Massillon once again sits in Region 7, with the majority of the schools located in the Columbus area.  While the Tigers have traditionally been the class of the group, this year they are not alone.  That’s because Big Walnut, which captured the region last season, returns fourteen starters from a year ago and is anticipating another deep run in the playoffs.  In last year’s regional finals the Eagles weathered a driving rainstorm to defeat Massillon by the score of 14-7, in a game during which the Tigers dominated the statistics, only to commit 19 false starts, which in essence shut down their vaunted offense.  And that offense is all but gone for this year.  So, consider this potential matchup as a tossup.

Below is a 5-year look back at all the teams in Region 7.  The chart shows both Massillon and Big Walnut on top of the heap, with the Tigers owning three regional titles and the Eagles one.  The fifth went to Green, which currently resides in Region 5.  Aside from these two, New Albany and Columbus DeSales have also shown some good history.  But the remainder of the teams have struggled to be competitive.  In fact, nearly half of the teams have produced zero playoff wins over the last five years.

STATE-WIDE

Across the state, the dominant teams over the past five years have been Akron Hoban, Avon and Massillon.  All three have won state titles.  All three have won over twenty playoffs games.   All three have won at least three regional titles.  And all three have qualified for the playoffs in each of the five years.  And that trend is expected to continue this year.

Nevertheless, there may be some competition in each region.  In Region 5, look for Walsh to challenge Hoban.  In Region 6, Avon may face off like last year with Medina Highland, which returns their starting quarterback.  And Anderson may need to fend off a resurging Cincinnati LaSalle team.

The chart below summarizes the playoff successes for all of the better teams in the state.

Below is a brief summary of each primary contender (including All-Ohio placement and recruiting ranking).

REGION 5

Akron Hoban (12-3) – Last year lost 35-10 in the state semifinals to Avon.  Returns 5 starters on offense and 4 on defense, including offensive lineman Sam Greer (1st Team, 4-star), defensive back Elbert Hill (1st Team, 4-star), running back Brayton Feister (2nd Team, 4-star), wide receivers Peyton Cook (3-star) and Ace Brown (3-star), plus newcomer quarterback Nick Kinsey (3-star).

Walsh Jesuit (13-1) – Returns wide receiver Milan Parris (1st Team, 3-star), offensive lineman Colton Crosley (2nd Team) and linebacker Caden Carter (3rd Team) and James Brewer III (3-star).

Others: Austintown Fitch, Nordonia.

REGION 6

Avon (16-0) – Last year won the Division II state title with a 20-13 victory over Cincinnati Anderson.  Returns 4 starters on offense and 3 on defense, including defensive back Jakob Weatherspoon (1st Team, 4-star).

Medina Highland (13-1) – Last year lost 28-20 in the regional finals to Avon.  Returns quarterback Casey Myaer (1st Team).

Others: Wadsworth, Anthony Wayne.

REGION 7

Massillon (11-3) – Last year lost 14-7 in the regional finals to Big Walnut.  Returns 2 starters on offense and 6 on defense, including senior inside linebacker Jay’Dyn Williams (3-star), senior cornerback Lenox Lemon (3-star), senior defensive lineman Zay-shawn Murray, junior wide receiver Deontay Malone, junior defensive lineman Joe Karder, junior offensive lineman Marcus Garner and junior backup running back Savior Owens.

Big Walnut (13-2) – Last year lost 28-24 in the state semifinals to Cincinnati Anderson.  Returns 7 starters on offense and 7 on defense, including running back Nolan Buirley (1st), linebacker Eli Helton (1st Team), defensive back Brody Hatfield (1st Team), offensive lineman Jake Wecker (1st Team), linebacker Clint Stover (4-star recruit) and Owen Pollock (3-star).

Others: Ashland, Columbus DeSales and New Albany.

REGION 8

Cincinnati Anderson (15-1) – Last year lost 20-13 in the state finals to Avon.  Returns 1 starter on offense and 2 on defense, including linebacker Antwoine Higgins (2nd Team, 4-star), defensive back Ace Alston (2nd Team, 4-star) and defensive back Ke’Maury Tye.

 Cincinnati LaSalle (11-3) – Last year lost 28-21 in the regional finals to Cincinnati Anderson.  Rerturns defensive lineman Naim Jackson and offensive lineman Mahmir Davis.

Others: Kings, Vandalia Butler, Harrison, Trotwood Madison.