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1910: Massillon 11, Barberton 0

August 1, 1910August 6, 2017
by Eric Smith

BARBERTON
WANTED TO PLAY THE GAME
And They Got All the Game They Wanted.

THE FINAL SCORE WAS 11 TO 0

Through “Mud, Blood, Slush,” the Knights of the Gridiron
Chase the Pigskin Over Line for Two Touchdowns
Sonnhalter Makes First Touchdown

Barberton wanted to play Saturday. Rain or no rain, they had come to Massillon with the intention of playing football, and they were not to be disappointed. So, while the heavens wept for them, they were walloped about the field to the tune of 11 to 0.

The team from Barberton arrived on the 2:30 o’clock interurban car, and were escorted by Managers Gorrell and Moody to the gymnasium to change their habiliment for something better fitted for the gridiron. They had not been in the gymnasium very long when the rain began to fall, and once it had begun it didn’t seem to know when to stop. The lightning flashed and the thunder roared while the wind blew a tornado from the west, and the players lounged on the door mats at the gym and wished that it would dry up.

After a half hour or more of steady downpour it let up sufficiently for Coach Fugate to make an examination trip to the high school grounds. Upon returning he said that the field was in no condition at all to play and that he would not take the team on the field. The Barberton aggregation showed their evident displeasure at this. They had come here to play and they wanted a game. Finally Massillon was prevailed upon, and after a council of war it was decided to give them a game. They got all the game they wanted, it is to be hoped.

Under rows of dripping trees the two teams trooped from the gym to the grounds, where
they found a generous crowd of loyal supporters waiting for them under the welcome protection of umbrellas. Here and there the field resembled a miniature lake, and one lad of tender years was seen behind the sidelines with a fishing pole over one shoulder, though he did not say what use he intended to make of it.

Massillon kicked off to Barberton. After vainly attempting to make their ten yards, Barberton punted, allowing Massillon to recover the ball. Massillon gained steadily, and was soon within several yards of the goal. Barberton’s coach, who was getting somewhat excited, forgot where he belonged and had to be ordered off the field of play. Massillon needed but a few yards for a touchdown. The ball was given to Captain Sonnhalter, who came tearing through right tackle and the biggest mud puddle on the field, and made the first touchdown of the season within less than ten minutes of play. Portmann attempted goal but failed.

Barberton kicked off to Massillon who recovered. The ball was given to Custer, left half, who made a long gain around right end. Again and again Custer made this play, resulting with long gains almost every time. Sonnhalter and Heyman both carried the ball for gains. Barber caught a pretty forward. Time was called for the end of the first period, Massillon’s ball, second down, and a yard and a half to gain.

After the three minute intermission the teams again faced each other on the slippery field. Several plays were called, and the ball neared the goal. When within a few feet of the line, Massillon fumbled the ball and Barberton recovered it. Barberton made a long punt, and Miller fell on the ball.

Massillon returned the punt and Barberton repeated, Miller making a fair catch. Massillon lost the ball to Barberton on downs. On Barberton’s first play, Heyman got through and tackled his man behind the line. Barberton punted; Sonnhalter catching. Time was called for the first half. Score 5 to 0.

During the ten minute intermission Thompson and his worthy rooters made the field ring with songs and yells that could chill the blood of an Apache Indian.

At the beginning of the second half Barberton kicked off to Massillon, Sonnhalter catching. Up and down the field slipped and splashed the pigskin chasers, Sonnhalter, Heyman and Custer handling the ball for long gains time and again. Keeton, who only handled the ball once, made a big gain around right end. When within about three yards of the goal, Heyman took the ball for an off tackle buck, making the second and last touchdown of the game. Heyman kicked goal.

During the remainder of the game but little of interest happened. Barberton had to be penalized several times for pushing, obviously because they were not acquainted with the new rules.

As the clouds were gathering for another shower and the darkness was becoming “visible,” the timekeeper blew his horn and the game came to an end.

The line-up:

Massillon Pos. Barberton
Barber le Brooks
Keeton lt Lamiell
Rudy lg A. Yachee
Portmann c G. Eberhard
Huffman rg Barnett
Kester rt Hollinger
Zintsmaster re L. Eberhard
Miller qb McCleary
Custer lh Foust
Heyman fb B. Yachee
Sonnhalter, captain rh Ayres

Touchdowns:
Massillon – Sonnhalter; Heyman.

Goals:
Massillon – Heyman.

Referee – Cranz and Bast.
Umpire – Bast and Cranz.
Field judge and timekeeper – Manke.
Head Linesman – Dalsky.

Time of periods – 10 minutes.

History

1909: Massillon 11 Canton Central 6

November 6, 1909August 6, 2017
by Eric Smith

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MASSILLON HIGH
DEFEATED CANTON
Fast Enders Downed by the Score of 11 to 6.

IN LINE FOR CHAMPIONSHIP

Massillon Scored Twice on High Class Football,
Canton Once by Good Fortune
Locals Out-classed Home Team in Every Department of Game.

In fifty minutes of fast and brilliant play the Massillon high school football team trampled in the dust the championship aspirations of the team representing the Canton school, and for the third consecutive time asserted Massillon’s superiority over the east enders, who have grown supercilious in the conceit that they hold by divine right an athletic precedence over the local school. The game, bitterly contested every inch of the way, places Massillon in a position to claim the championship of this section of the state. Canton, which has been defeated twice by Massillon, defeated Rayen, of Youngstown, which in turn defeated Akron. In order to decide the issue conclusively Rayen must take up Massillon’s gauntlet. Although Akron tied Massillon, a defeat of Rayen would put Akron out of the race and leave Massillon undisputed title to the championship.

“Poor Massillon!” remarked a Canton paper in large headlines Saturday morning, and in the article which followed the local school was given about as much chance of existing against Coach Hazlett’s much touted protégés as a fried snowball in June. It didn’t take Canton long to realize that it was really a football game when Massillon led off with one of Coach Fugate’s smashing, crashing series of silent signals which carried the ball for first downs; the first crack out of the box. During the rest of the contest Massillon out-weighed and out-played its opponents in every department of the game. In brief, Massillon’s two touchdowns were made on straight football, the first by Sonnhalter, who carried the ball over after bucking it fourteen wards in four straight downs; and the second by Wells after a run of twenty-five yards; while Canton scored on luck by having Gauchatt fall on the ball after Lothamer had blocked one of Blackburn’s punts. Blackburn kicked the second goal after Clay had caught the put out. Kahler kicked Canton’s only goal.

Massillon might easily have blanked Canton by a larger score had not the feelings of Umpire McFarren been so susceptible to injury. Massillon high never had a bunch of kickers and this season it has stood all decisions on plays good and bad, without a kick, but there is a limit to human endurance and this was reached when McFarren, losing all self control, flew into a rage and displayed a despicable degree of petit officiousness by putting Leahy, Massillon’s center, out of the game for alleged slugging; not in the game, but in an argument; not of a Canton player, but of McFarren himself. While settling a decision on a play Leahy stepped up to McFarren and tapping him on the shoulder, started to explain his part of it. McFarren turned in a rage, “Out of the game for yours,” he shouted, “you can’t slug me.” Massillon had no recourse and Leahy was forced to leave. Without a sub-center McConnell was sent in to do the best he could. Massillon has no charge to make against any other decision, good or bad.

The fact that the game was practically all Massillon from start to finish does not detract from the fact that Canton put up a game and plucky fight against greater weight and skill. McCoy was Canton’s particular star. He fought like a tiger from the time the whistle blew until he was carried from the field completely played out. In him lay Canton’s one hope and when he was smothered Massillon had nothing to fear. He ran with remarkable speed and skill, but was no match for Massillon’s defense. Carrying the ball most of the time he received a lion’s share of Massillon’s terrific tackles. Kaylor replaced him at quarter, and was in turn replaced at full by Blanchard. Kaylor played a good game both at full and quarter, and Howells and Lash on the end blocked the Massillon interference in a manner which was not at all agreeable to the visitors.

Canton’s interference although a stiff proposition at times, had little show against Massillon’s terrific plunges and bucks. All that the linemen could not clear away the backfield smashed a hole through. Canton’s ends were tough problems on regular plays, but were easily drawn in on tricks. Massillon’s offense consisted chiefly of tricks and plays from shifted formations so that Canton was up in the air most of the time in a vain effort to follow the ball. Canton had some chance against straight football, when it was tried, but there was little hope against Coach Fugate’s foolers. The forward pass was worked several times successfully by Massillon.

Massillon’s defense was practically impregnable. It is true Canton made her downs several times but not within striking distance of the goal. When ever Canton came anywhere near Massillon’s sacred goal the Massillon team would take a mighty brace and throw it for three consecutive losses. This great fighting spirit has pulled Massillon out of several bad holes this season. Erb at left tackle, with the trusty Heyman at guard, held the hefty Lefkovitz and the Canton’s right wing in good order. Wagner and Clay on the other wing, held Canton’s left with ease. Atwater at quarter ran the team to victory on a well mixed up assortment of tricks and shifts which kept the opponents in the air. Ellis played a great defensive game at right end and Miller on left and gained several times around the opposite end on Massillon’s trick double pass. Leahy played his usual brilliant game at center both on offense and defense until forced to leave. McConnell played a hard game in his strange position at center.

Massillon’s three hundred rooters greatly outnumbered the Canton section and in the fine points of the rooting game drowned them completely out. Massillon will play Oberlin Academy on the high school grounds next Saturday.

The line-up and summary:

Massillon – 11                 Pos.               Canton – 6
Miller                                le                 Howells
Erb                                    lt                 Lothamer
Heyman                            lg                 Rippeth, Austin
Leahy, McConnell             c                 Bonar
Clay                                  rg                 Lefkovitz
Ellis                                   re                 Sweet, Lash
Atwater                            qb                McCoy, Kahler
Wells                                lh                 Price
Blackburn                         rh                 Steiner
Sonnhalter                         fb                 Kachler and Blanchard

Touchdowns:
Massillon – Sonnhalter; Wells.
Canton – Gauchatt.

Goals from touchdowns:
Massillon – Blackburn.
Canton – Kahler.

Punt out:
Massillon – Blackburn; Clay.

Referee and umpire, alternating – Wittmann and McFarren.
Head Linesman – Speck.
Linesman – Fugate, of Massillon.
Timer – Vogt, of Massillon.

Time of halves – 25 minutes.
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History

1909: Massillon 21 New Philadelphia 5

November 1, 1909August 6, 2017
by Eric Smith

M.H.S. IS STILL INVINCIBLE
New Philadelphia Beaten Thursday 21 to 5
RECORD CROWD IN ATTENDANCE

The Visitors Played a Fast, Open Game,
but Were No Match for Massillon’s Weight, Speed and Skill
Massillon Scored on in Last Gasp

The Massillon high school football team today lays claim to the championship of Ohio.

The Massillon high school football team capped the climax of an unbroken series of victories and cleared its claim to the state title by defeating New Philadelphia Thanksgiving Day afternoon at the Massillon ball park by the score of 21 to 5.

The game was played before the largest Massillon crowd that ever witnessed a high school game. Two thousand people packed the bleachers and filled the sidelines of four sides of the field.

The game, although perhaps the most erratic played this season, was never-the-less the prettiest in point of real interest and good open new style football. Both teams had a series of open shifts and double passes which kept the game in the air from start to finish and put the defensive eleven off its guard at all times. The forward pass was worked time and again for large gains by both teams, although Massillon was least successful with this new style game against the lightning New Philadelphia defense than against any other team which they have met this season. The first five minutes of play was perhaps the fastest and most exciting five minutes the Massillon squad has been through this season. New Philadelphia tore about the field at a great rate and it was some time before the Massillon team could see through their slight attack of over confidence and realize that they were once more up against it.

Slowly the Massillon team by great effort pulled itself together and worked itself into the old time form which had cleaned up the large mid-season games in such perfect and invincible manner. The machine which through nine long games had upheld and carried to victory the orange and black against the strongest teams in this part of the state, was soon in working order. It had allowed New Philadelphia to carry the ball to within thirty yards of the goal while Massillon was getting into the game. Here Massillon held and then the tables turned. Massillon’s one hundred and fifty-eight pound touchdown machine had come to its own. By a few of the great assortment, by end runs, double passes, forward passes, the plays from every conceivable formation the ball with little resistance was carried down the field.

When Massillon’s team came to its own there the complexion of the game changed completely. Instead of fighting a nip and tuck game for the goal the Massillon team soon outgeneraled and outplayed New Philadelphia for the rest of the first half. After the first touchdown Massillon hardly punted once. The ball was carried to the three yard line and Wells went over for the first touchdown through right tackle. The teams changed and in a short time Blackburn was forced over for the second. A few minutes later Blackburn kicked a perfect goal from the thirty yard line and before the half ended Wells went over for the last score Massillon was destined to make Blackburn kicked three faultless goals.
THE SECOND HALF
In the second half the complexion of the game again changed. Massillon after winning the game beyond a doubt started to take things easy. The game was as fast and exciting as ever. New Philadelphia playing to the limit of its power and endurance and ringing in every resource in the shape of fake plays. Massillon seemed to be attempting only to hold its own. Toward the end of the second half the climax of the game arrived. On a long end run from a place kick formation Giligan broke around right end for a run within two yards of the goal. After pushing off one tackle after another he was nailed by Atwater. Excitement was intense. The crowd surrounded the players in a howling mob. New Philadelphia’s small crowd of rooters shouted themselves hoarse for a touchdown, while with Massillon it was one desperate, “Hold! Hold! Hold!” New Philadelphia was desperate and Massillon in the hour of trial was weak. A crashing fullback plunge through right tackle placed the ball over the line for the only score made through Massillon’s hitherto invincible line on straight football. Goal was lost on the kick out and the game ended.

Massillon did not play her best game against New Philadelphia but it was above the average, and more than that it was sufficient.

Following is the line-up:

Massillon – 21                 Pos.               Phila. – 5
Miller                                le                 Broadhurst
Erb                                    lt                 McPherson
Heyman                            lg                 Melhorn
Leahy                                c                 Boyd
Clay, McConnell               rg                 Lahmer
Wagner                             rt                 Gintz
Ellis, Zintsmaster               re                 Smith
Atwater                            qb                Myers
Wells                                lh                 Englehart
Blackburn                         rh                 Schwab
Sonnhalter                         fb                 Giligan

Touchdowns:
Massillon – Wells 2; Blackburn 1.
New Philadelphia – Giligan 1.

Goals from touchdown:
Massillon – Blackburn 3.

Umpire – Garvin, of Wooster.
Referee – Johnson, of Wooster.
Timekeeper – Coleman.
Head Linesman – Bast.

Time of halves – 25 minutes.

History

1909: Massillon 9 Oberlin Academy 0

October 25, 1909August 6, 2017
by Eric Smith

LOCALS
DEFEATED OBERLIN ACADMEY
Outplayed the Collegiate’s in Every Department.
SCORE – MASSILLON 9, OBERLIN 0

The Visitors Were Fairly Bewildered
With Massillon’s Exhibition of Fast, New-Style Football
Oberlin Made First Down but Once Through Massillon

Displaying perhaps the greatest exhibition of fast and open football witnessed on a Massillon gridiron, the local high school defeated the Oberlin Academy, Saturday afternoon on the high school grounds by the score of 9 to 0, before two thousand people, by far the largest crowd that ever surrounded the North street field.

The Massillon team worked together like a machine and playing individually like so many Carlisle Indians, outplayed the visitors in every department of the game. Oberlin arrived, backed by a successful season and expecting to win handily, but departed in no way dissatisfied with itself at being able to hold so well against the quality of football displayed by the Massillon team. Although at no time during the game did they have a ghost of a show through Massillon’s stone wall defense, they fought doggedly to the last to keep Massillon’s offense from carrying them altogether off their feet. Not until the situation became hopeless in the latter part of the last half did they lose heart.

The local high school is still the undefeated claimant of the state title. The team in every game this season has played up to and just above the strength of its opponents. Such was the case against Oberlin and to what bounds the limit of its possibilities extend no one is able to guess.

The game proved every player on the Massillon team an individual star, yet it would be almost impossible, by any comparison, to place one above another. Team work won the game. It was team work that held the Massillon line against Oberlin’s constant attack, and it was team work each time which carried the ball within striking distance of the goal. As long as team work was needed the Massillon machine was on the spot and when circumstances called for individual playing each man called upon stepped up and delivered the goods. Coupled with an invincible determination which has become a habit with the locals, Massillon had to win. There was no choice.

Oberlin’s offense showed form, but was clearly faded by the Massillon defense, which did not allow the Academy to make first down more than once. This was when Boger, the quarterback, broke around Massillon’s left end in a desperate run of fifteen yards. Oberlin, feeling from time to time the sting of defeat, tried to become desperate but with this exception Massillon smothered its passionate aspirations easily. Once in a great while Oberlin would make an unexpected gain of a few yards but never enough in succession to make first downs. Punting was their only game and although not as strong as Heyman in this department the Oberlin kicker was very shrewd in placing the kicks out of reach of the Massillon backs. Massillon never lost the ball although it touched the ground often. Time after timer the Oberlin quarter called forward passes but so keen were the Massillon smashers in getting to the runner that the ball was never in the air once. Aside from these forwards Oberlin tried but once to break into tricky football but so effectually was the play stopped that Massillon could not decide what the trick was supposed to be like.

Massillon’s offense at need could undoubtedly have battered the Oberlin defense to smithereens and won the game on straight football, but as it was, the game was won on tricky and skillful team work, directed by good headwork on the part of Atwater in mixing up Massillon’s almost unlimited repertoire of irregular formations and triple passes. These plays, all new in this vicinity and mostly original, have been given to the team one at a time by Coach Fugate and worked out to perfection. Massillon fairly bewildered the visitors with their ever changing front and tricky formations. The plays were mixed just enough to keep the Academy guessing and wondering what new thing would come next. Time and again double passes into the line would throw the Academy ends off their guard and allow a Massillon player to skirt the end alone for a substantial gain. The first touchdown was made on a double pass into the line from a fake punt formation, twenty-five yards from goal. Blackburn kicked goal after it successfully put out to Wagner. Massillon’s other three points were made by a freak drop kick made during the second half. The ball which started low struck Sonnhalter in the back and rose in a high arch over the cross bar.

When line plunging was the order of the day, the Massillon backs tore through the Oberlin line at will. Blackburn plunged through on cross bucks and Sonnhalter marched down the center for several yards each time. Miller, at left end, besides playing a good defensive game, carried the ball often for gains. Ellis on the other wing, played a great smashing game and received forward passes. Erb and Wagner at the tackles, were as usual, the mainstays of the line, opening large avenues for the backs to march through. Clay, on the defensive, held his position like a stone wall. Heyman, besides playing his usual strong game at guard, beat Oberlin each time on an exchange of punts, driving the spheroid far into the enemy’s country on long, high spirals, which the Massillon ends could get down under and nail. Leahy played his usually first class game at center. Captain Hopkins at left end, Boger at quarter and Neill at center, played well for Oberlin.

Line-up and summary:

Oberlin – 0                      Pos.               Massillon – 9
Kelner                               le                 Miller
Heller, Barr                        lt                 Erb
Andrus                              lg                 Heyman
Neill                                  c                 Leahy
Robbins                            rg                 Clay
Bellows                             rt                 Wagner
Graham                             re                 Ellis
Roger                               qb                Atwater
Hopkins                            lh                 Wells
Stiles                                 rh                 Blackburn
Gray                                 fb                 Sonnhalter

Touchdown:
Massillon – Wells.

Goal from touchdown:
Massillon – Blackburn.

Goal from field:
Massillon – Blackburn.

Referee and umpire, alternating:
Wittmann, of Massillon
Bedortha, of Oberlin.

Head Linesman – Bast.

Timekeeper – Merwin.

Time of halves – 25 and 20 minutes.

History

1909: Massillon 17 Alliance 0

October 12, 1909August 6, 2017
by Eric Smith

MASSILLON WON AT ALLIANCE
Snatched Victory From Defeat in Close Shave.
MASSILLON, 17; ALLIANCE, 0.

Alliance Almost Crossed the Sacred Goal Line
Through a Weakened Line-up
Change Put the Massillon Team on its Feet Again

Although finishing safely by the score of 17 to 0, it was only after pulling herself out of what looked to be a fatal hole, that Massillon high won at Alliance, Saturday. Massillon calculating to save several of her players for the Canton game next Saturday went into the game with a much altered and weakened line-up. Heyman and Blackburn, the two kickers, were on the side lines, and Sonnhalter started the game at right guard. The way Alliance, fighting like tigers, approached the inviolable goal line of the local team, almost gave Massillon paralysis. Massillon fought desperately for several minutes and held Alliance safely but they were no more than a match for the speedy east enders and the ball was in Massillon territory all the time.

About twenty yards from Massillon’s goal with the odds in favor of Alliance, the time for Massillon’s coup d’etat arrived. The team which had played the fore part of the season; although they had not been together for a week, was lined up on the defense. Heyman went in at his guard and punted the rest of the game. Sonnhalter went in at fullback, replacing Erb, who returned to his tackle position. McConnell went from left tackle to right guard. The old invincible line-up inspired confidence and the tide of battle turned. Massillon regained the ball on downs and began a steady march for the Alliance goal ninety yards away. By straight line plunging and end running Massillon’s backfield carried the ball to Alliance’s fifteen yard line only to lose on downs. Alliance punted out and Massillon started back. This time Miller, on an end run, carried the ball over the line but fumbled and Alliance regained it on a few inches from the goal. They punted out again and the half soon ended 0 to 0.

Both teams started the second half strong. Alliance was almost sure it could score on the Massillon bunch, which had not put up such a fine article of football in the first half. Massillon, on the other hand, was just about as ready to be beaten by Alliance as it was to commit suicide. Massillon received and by more or less straight football, carried the ball down the field for the first touchdown. Here, much too late in the game, Massillon opened up with a good mixture of open plays which took Alliance at a decided disadvantage. Massillon when aroused played for the most part a star game, and for the rest of the second half, Alliance hardly had a look in. The second touchdown was made after an eighty yard run by Massillon’s right halfback through the entire Alliance team. Alliance claimed that the runner went over the side lines saying, “The professor saw it.” “The professor” proved to be a highly excited exponent of the power of argument who had to be carried from the field by main force. The score was allowed to stand. Sonnhalter bucked the third touchdown over the line.

In spite of its unfortunate start, Massillon finished successfully and in tolerable form. With the regular line-up working together and aroused to the verge of desperation, there was little question as to the outcome of the game for Massillon.

Alliance went into the game with a desperate resolve to do or die, and stuck to it to the last minute of play. Although outweighed they played desperately, especially in the first half. They threw themselves in front of the heavy Massillon plunges and tackled as though life hung on each play. The Massillon runner who did not have six tacklers at one time was the exception rather than the rule. In the second half, although starting strong, the home team slowly receded before Massillon’s advance, but not without contesting every foot of ground. Their light offense was of no avail against Massillon’s line, and their yards were only on forward passes which were successful several times.

The line-up and summary:

Massillon – 17                 Pos.               Alliance – 0
Miller                                le                 Allett
McConnell, Erb                 lt                 H. Tanner
Heyman                            lg                 F. Tanner
Leahy                                c                 Jones
Sonnhalter, McConnell      rg                 Geltz
Wagner                             rt                 Wingate, Shem
Ellis, Moody                     re                 Richards
Atwater                            qb                Davis
Wells                                lh                 Newshultz, Wingage
Zintsmaster                       rh                 Mummert
Sonnhalter                         fb                 Johnson

Time of halves – 25 and 20 minutes.

Touchdowns:
Massillon – Wells, Sonnhalter.

Referee – Fugate.

History

1909: Massillon 26 Dover 0

October 5, 1909August 6, 2017
by Eric Smith

MASSILLON HIGH
WON DOVER GAME
The Home Team Put Up a Game Fight.
SCORE: MASSILLON 26, DOVER 0

The Local Team was Too Heavy
for Their Light and Speedy Opponents
Dover Gained Little Through Massillon’s Defense
Rain Fell During Game

The Canal Dover high school football team, outweighed perhaps twelve pounds to the man, was defeated on its own grounds by the Massillon high school by the score of 26 to 0. Against a team of its own weight Dover could evidently have put up a first class game of football, but at no time did it have a show against the Massillon team, which combined weight with a certain amount of speed, a combination hard to beat. Against a hopeless handicap the smaller team put up a scrappy game to the end. It contested every inch of ground to the last ditch, and died game. Strange to say, the heavier team came out of the game considerably more battered than its opponents, who were almost unscathed.

On account of the drizzly weather the attendance at the game, which was played at the fair grounds, was small. Although the field was wet the sod prevented it from becoming slippery. Rain fell during the second half.

The first half of the game, was by far the fastest and most interesting. Both teams started off with a rush, but soon settled down to business. Massillon received and began by smashing Dover’s light line which yielded, although not as easily as might be expected. Both teams resorted to kicking, although Dover was forced to punt more often than Massillon. Massillon played hard and aggressive ball in the first half. They were seldom held for downs in the first division of the game and succeeded in pushing three touchdowns, and one drop kick by Blackburn over the line. Heavy line plunges could always be depended upon to carry the ball out of a tight space, but it was her speedy, open play and tricks which gained the ground. The first touchdown was made by Miller on a fake line buck which developed into a double pass around end. This play worked several times to good effect, when Dover’s entire strength was drawn in to stop the line buck.

Dover’s own fake punt which worked so successfully against Massillon last year, was cast into its teeth by the Massillon bunch, who worked it several times for large gains. Dover tried the same play unsuccessfully. Both Erb and Wagner were worked hard on tackle through tackle plays and neither failed at any time to deliver the goods. Massillon also worked to good effect a silent signal series of three plays, which involved a successful forward pass from Miller to Zintsmaster. Massillon’s defense, although amply sufficient, was not impregnable. Dover gained its yards one or two and at one time. Tracht broke around right end for twenty-five yards. Aside from this, Dover was never once within striking distance of the goal.

Dover’s offense showed speed and skill, but was unable to assert itself. Practically none of its plays were successful. Massillon’s defense was prepared for everything. Beside the fake punt Dover had a forward pass and a play in which center carried the ball back from the line of scrimmage. Dover’s one surprise consisted of a play from punt formation in which the fullback, flanked by the halves, carried the ball through center. The play gained three yards, the only time it was worked, but Dover lost the ball on downs immediately after. Bentz and Peters put up good games in the backfield, and Rice and Brooks starred at the ends.

In the last half of the game Dover came back fresh as ever, and Massillon wilted under the reduced pressure. Moody replaced McConnell at guard and Ellis at end changed places with Zintsmaster, at guard. After a few minutes of play Wagner was forced to leave the game with an injured nose. He was replaced by Ellis, who was in turn replaced by Heyman, regular guard, who was on the sidelines for emergency. In this condition with part of the backfield unable to carry the ball and part mixing the signal, Massillon finished the game rather listlessly.

Following is the summary:

Massillon – 25              Position            Dover – 0
Miller                              L.E.               Rice
Erb                                 L.T.               Herzog
Zinstmaster-Heyman       L.G.               Lindberg
Leahy                                C                 Harbaugh
McConnell-Moody         R.G.              Wagner
Wagner-Ellis                   R.T.               Wendling
Ellis-Zintsmaster              R.E.               Brucks
Atwater                            Q.                McKean
Wells                              L.H.               Tracht
Blackburn                       R.H.              Bence
Sonnhalter                       F.B.               Peters

Touchdowns:
Massillon – Miller 2; Wagner; Wells.

Goals kicked:
Massillon – Blackburn 3.

Drop kick:
Massillon – Blackburn.

Referee – Bast.
Umpire – Ress.

Time of halves – 20 minutes.

History

1909: Massillon 0 Akron 0

October 3, 1909August 6, 2017
by Eric Smith

AKRON HIGH HELD MASSILLON HIGH
A Battle Royal at the High School Saturday. 0 – 0 IN FAVOR OF MASSILLON

The Local Team Carried the Ball to the One-Yard Line, but Was held by Opponent Erb Saved the Day A Large Crowd Present

In perhaps the greatest game of high school football Massillon ever saw, the local unconquered aggregation rushed the strong Akron team to the limit of its skill and endurance to save itself from defeat on the high school grounds Saturday afternoon. After forty-five minutes of terrific contest the game ended with the ball near the middle of the field and with a tally for neither team. Although the final score as it stood was immensely satisfying to the Massillon camp, the fact that the ball was not shoved over the goal from the one yard line is a disappointment no less bitter because it was so near.

It was in the second half that Massillon in five straight line bucks had torn the Akron line to shreds and advanced the ball to the one-yard line. It was third down and the goal to go. A hurried consultation was called and a silent signal decided upon. Without a word the ball was passed to Sonnhalter who waded headlong into Massillon’s right side. Akron’s defense was massed in a tangled heap behind the play and Massillon was held for downs. In two downs Akron carried the ball through Massillon’s disorganized defense to the center of the field. On the third play Massillon, enraged at the turn of affairs, was again on the job with its stonewall defense and smothered the play behind the line before it had started. At this time Massillon again returned to form, and began to shove Akron back again but nothing was accomplished before the half ended.

Perhaps the most spectacular play of the game was Erb’s fling tackle from the rear, which brought Ross to the ground and saved the game and Massillon’s inviolable goal line. Ross had broken through Massillon’s line, cleared the backfield and was off like a shot for the goal, fifty yards away, through a clear field. Massillon’s heart dropped, until Erb gave chase. The big tackle gained all but ten feet on the Akron back and then left his feet, covering the remaining distance with a long dive, which landed on Ross at the knees. Aside from this Massillon’s goal was threatened but once and then only at a distance of fifteen yards.

Akron, evidently judging from last year’s score, expected something on the order of a
walk-away. Mass received on the kickoff and it took about six seconds of smashing, crashing football to disabuse the visitors of this idea. When Massillon started in on its heavy interference formations and tricks, Akron realized that they were up against it for fair, and acted accordingly. From this time on it was nip and tuck from start to finish. Massillon played a slow but terrific offense, which tore through Akron’s line time and again for consistent gains.

Akron played a whirlwind offense, which would have carried a less experienced team off its feet, but Massillon was Johnny on the spot and ready to deliver the goods at all hours of the day and night. At times Akron gained through Massillon’s line, and once in a great while broke around end, but all in all, Massillon’s defense was invulnerable. Akron played a wide open defense with ends back, calculated to catch all forward passes, and open playing. For this reason Massillon was able to hammer the line in great shape. Aside from straight football Akron had especially two plays which were foolers until Massillon got wise. One was a backward pass on an end run, and the other a forward to the right half. The first worked several times and the latter but once. Massillon soon got next to the first, and followed the second close, but not in time to stop it, the only time it worked successfully. Although Massillon was outweighed considerably it played by far the heavier game. Akron played a fast game but were not as quick individually as the Massillon team.

Heyman did Massillon’s punting until he was removed at the end of the first half on account of injuries received two weeks ago. Blackburn booted the leather thereafter and covered Heyman’s distance but without Fritz’s elusive spiral. The Akron punter had a good spiral but was out-punted by both of Massillon’s kickers. Much of Blackburn’s kicking was blocked on account of advancing too near the line before kicking.

Massillon’s team played individually like an aggregation of all stars and collectively like a clock. Blackburn played everywhere all the time. He punted, carried back punts and tore large gaps in Akron’s line as big as a barn through which he played for gains. Once after a punt of forty yards he went down the field and dropped the runner in his tracks. Sonnhalter played his usual plunging game at full and was in for the obituary on all of Akron’s attempted forwards. The backfield played well together. Atwater mixed up the signals well and kept Akron guessing on most of the plays, beside playing a general all round game otherwise.

Massillon’s line was alive and kicking from the word go. The three guards, Heyman, McConnell and Zintsmaster, played hard and aggressive ball without a relapse. Wagner and Erb, at tackles, were towers of strength on either side of the line and at times carried the ball for considerable gains. Miller, at left end, put up a fast and speedy game at all times, and Ellis, at right end, played a crashing defensive game that was death to interference.

Leahy, at center, backed up the line in great shape and managed to land in the center of every play that was made, often breaking through and blocking one behind the lines.

The line-up and summary:

Massillon — 0                 Pos.               Akron – 0
Miller                                le                 Williams, Sisler
Erb                                    lt                 Baer
Zintsmaster, Heyman         lg                 Saalfield
Leahy                                c                 Walsmith
McConnell                        rg                 Foltz, Doyle
Wagner                             rt                 Crisp
Ellis                                   re                 Zook
Atwater                            qb                Weeks
Wells                                lh                 Zollinger (capt.)
Blackburn                         rh                 Ross
Sonnhalter                         fb                 Criss

Time of halves: 25 and 30 minutes.

Referee and umpire, alternating – Merwin and Ambel.
Head Linesman – Bast.
Timeskeeper – Vogt.

History

1909: Massillon 27 Alliance 0

October 2, 1909August 6, 2017
by Eric Smith

MASSILLON WON FROM ALLIANCE
Took Fourth Victory at High School Saturday.
MASSILLON, 27; ALLIANCE, 0.

The Local School Played a Hard and Fast Game and Won With Ease Massillon Scored Once in the First Half Alliance Died Game.

The Massillon high school football team took its fourth consecutive victory from the Alliance team on the high school grounds Saturday afternoon, by the score of 27 to 0. Massillon outweighed and outplayed the opponents in every department of the game. In many ways Massillon showed up to better advantage than at any time this season. The team work, which has been perfected during the past week, worked to good effect. Massillon was able usually to carry the ball down the field on straight football, but in the second half piled up the score on several trick plays which were unusually successful against the eastern aggregation. At no time was Massillon’s goal in serious danger. At one time Alliance carried the ball to Massillon’s twenty-five yard line but Massillon held here and regained the ball, easily carrying it out of danger.

Four of Massillon’s touchdowns were bucked over the line on straight football by its backfield. The fifth was made by Atwater, after picking up a fumble punt and running fifty yards to the goal. Sonnhalter made two touchdowns and Wells and Blackburn each one. Blackburn, who did Massillon’s goal kicking, was in hard luck against Alliance. Out of the five tries from touchdown but two went over the bar. In drops the same hoodoo was on the job. Both tries from the field failed.

The game was played in torrid mid-summer heat, which fatigued the players almost to exhaustion in the more strenuous parts of the game. The dust of the field was at times choking, and the water boy was in constant demand. The attendance at the game rivaled that which saw Canton defeated last week. The field was banked on four sides before the end of the game. Two policemen were on the job to see that the crowd kept behind the wires and did not intrude upon the field.

Massillon’s team work may be said to have won the game and her varied assortment of tricks piled up the score. The score at the end of the first half consisted of but one touchdown and it looked as if Massillon would have to hump some to keep from being scored upon. The first touchdown was made by bucking the ball over on straight football, which was used exclusively in the first half. Massillon, as usual, woke up in the second half, and played a faster and more aggressive game. A varied repertoire of tricks fooled the visitors time after time and in most cases carried the ball within striking distance of the goal. Fumbles in the backfield and in carrying the punts back was Massillon’s worst fault and as the visitors excelled the locals in falling on the ball, much was lost in this way.

Massillon’s line, with few exceptions, held the Alliance backfield without gain. Alliance hammered Newschutz through left guard time and again and although short gains were made in the first half the hole was pretty well plugged in the second. Alliance was able to gain little around the Massillon ends, Miller and Ellis. Both played a first class defensive game. Wagner and McConnell at the tackles, played a faultless game, holding the tackle against any gain whatever. Heyman at left guard, played his usual steady game on the line and did Massillon’s punting in his usual form. Smith held down right guard in the first half. He was replaced by Zintsmaster in the second half, who succeeded in plugging up the position in a very effective manner. Moody went in the last few minutes and played a good game, breaking through once and regaining a fumble. Leahy, at center, played a good game throughout, breaking through the line often.

Aside from straight football which availed nothing against Massillon’s line, Alliance had but one play, a forward pass. Although the pass failed each time it was tried, the manner in which it worked was very creditable to the visitors. Alliance, although clearly defeated after the first touchdown, never gave up hope. They stuck doggedly to their places and contested every inch throughout the second half, when the score was going higher and higher and when Alliance men were being taken from the game every few downs. Alliance played as clean a game as any team which the local school has met thus far and when hope was gone they died game.

Following is the summary:

Massillon – 27           Pos.                     Alliance – 0
Miller                          le                       Allott
McConnell                   lt                       Johnson
Heyman                      lg                       Tanner
Leahy                          c                       Jones
Smith, Zintsmaster,
and Moody                 rg                       Shen
Wagner                       rt                       Wingert
Ellis                             re                       McClure
Atwater                      qb                      Davis
Wells                          lh                       Kallenbaugh
Blackburn                   rh                       Mummert
Sonnhalter                   fb                       Neushantz

Touchdowns:
Massillon – Sonnhalter 2; Atwater; Blackburn; Wells.

Goals:
Massillon – Blackburn 2.

Referee and umpire, alternating:
Wittmann, Massillon.
Morrison, Alliance.

Head Linesman – Bloomberg.
Timekeeper – Bast.

Time of halves – 20 minutes each.

History

1909: Massillon 6 Canton Central 2

October 2, 1909August 6, 2017
by Eric Smith

CANTON HIGH WAS DEFEATED
Orange and Black Victorious Saturday.
SCORE: MASSILLON 6, CANTON 2

Hard Fought Battle on the High School Grounds
Blackburn Picked Up Punt
and Ran Forty Yards for the Only Touchdown
Canton Scored a Safety.

After forty-five minutes of strenuous play on the high school grounds Saturday afternoon, between the Canton and Massillon high school football teams, for the second time in the memory of living man, the orange and black landed on top with the long end of a 6 to 2 score. Although the game was at times ragged and loose on the part of both teams, at no time was there slowness or listlessness. During the entire game both teams played to the limit of their strength and endurance, if not to the possibilities of their skill. The battle was fast and furious from start to finish and all points scored either by Massillon or the east side suburb, were due to individual and not to team work.

All of Massillon’s six points are credited to Blackburn, who played right half for the local institution. The only touchdown was made by him after a forty yard run through a clear field. One of Heyman’s punts was blocked by Canton, and fell a short distance from where it was put in play. The ball touched the ground first and bounded with several men of each team in pursuit. Blackburn was the first on the ground and after fumbling once scooped the ball up and ran unhindered to the goal. By kicking a perfect goal another point was added.

Canton’s points were made on a safety near the southeast corner of the field when Heyman, attempting a punt, was downed behind the line after missing a bad pass. These were the only points scored against Massillon out of the first three games.

An unprecedented crowd of 1,500 banked the high school gridiron on four sides. The large delegation from Canton displayed the red and black profusely, held forth on the south side of the field, while the north side was a band of orange and black, where Massillon’s rooting club, led by Raymond Bowers, made Rome howl with yells and songs from the referee’s whistle to the timekeeper’s whistle.

The final score is perhaps a good comparison of the two teams as they showed up in the game, but hardly of their real strength. Massillon’s team did not come anywhere near the form displayed in the two former games. The line which has here-to-fore held against anything was punctured time and again, both on offense and defense. The team work in the back field was ragged and the interference loose. Massillon was able but twice and for short spaces to gain consistently through the line, but worked two tricks time and again for large gains. These were a fake punt and a double pass to end.

Canton, with a team of new men, was not particularly strong in any department, but played a plucky game from start to finish. The lines of the two teams played the game about equally, but Canton was playing to the limit while Massillon was loafing on the job. The same may be said of the backfield with the exception of McCay, at quarter, who was Canton’s particular star. His speed in circling the ends was his great asset. Aside from straight football Canton had but two plays. One was a tandem play in which the fullback hit the opposite side of the line, and the other a forward pass. Neither was successful at any time.

In the first half Massillon kept the ball in Canton’s territory, and once carried it within a few yards of the goal, only to lose it on a fumble. In the second half, however, Canton braced up and Massillon’s goal was threatened several times. Massillon’s line in turn braced up and held for downs, always punting out of danger. It was near the goal that Canton tried her forward passes but they failed to materialize. When Canton’s safety was made Massillon had regained the ball on downs on the five-yard line and was attempting to punt out. After the safety the ball was kicked out from the twenty-five yard line and the game ended soon after with the ball in Massillon’s possession in the center of the field.

Following is the line-up:

Canton – 2                      Pos.               Massillon – 6
Lash                                  c                 Leahy
Howell, Repputh               lg                 Heyman
Austin, Bonner                  rg                 Zintsmaster
Lothamer                           rt                 Erb
Seftovitz                            rt                 Clay
Gauchot                            re                 Ellis
Kahler                               le                 Miller
McCoy                            qb                Atwater
Steiner                              lh                 Wells
Price                                 rh                 Blackburn
Blanchard                         fb                 Sonnhalter

Time of halves: 25 and 20 minutes.

Score at the end of first half – 0 – 0.

Touchdown:
Massillon – Blackburn.

Goal:
Massillon – Blackburn.

Safety:
Canton – Price downed Heyman.

Referee and umpire, alternating:
Wittmann, Massillon
Smith, Canton.

Head Linesman – Bast.

Timekeeper:
Merwin, Massillon.
Zazlett, Canton.

History

1909: Massillon 18 Mansfield 0

September 2, 1909August 6, 2017
by Eric Smith

HIGH SCHOOL TOOK THE SECOND GAME
Yellow and Black Were Winners Saturday.
MASSILLON, 18; MANSFIELD, 0.

Blackburn Booted the Pigskin for Eight Points
Two Field Goals and Two From Touchdowns
by Sonnhalter and Miller
Canton Here Next

Twelve doughty pigskin chasers wearing the yellow and black of the Massillon high school covered themselves with mud and glory Saturday by defeating the strong Mansfield team by the score of 18 to 0. Massillon outweighed their opponents to a slight degree and outplayed them the rest of the way. The difference in weight of the two teams could hardly have been estimated at more than five pounds to the man. That Massillon had it over their opponents was evident from the first of the game, although Mansfield held the visitors to but one goal from field in the first half and yielded the remainder of the points with slowly weakening play. Massillon showed class from beginning to end and hung together through thick and thin while their opponents, disheartened by frequent reverses, slowly released their hold and allowed Massillon to gain with greater ease. Mansfield was playing the first game while Massillon has been in the field for two weeks.

But for the perfect goal booting on the part of Blackburn Massillon might have come home with a far different tale. Out of two tries from the field the trusty right guard booted the spheroid between the bars twice, once from the thirty-five yard line and once from the twenty yard line. Both goals from touchdown were perfect. Throughout the first half and part of the second it looked as though the game would have to be won by Blackburn’s kicking; up to the last ten minutes of play two goals from the field constituted the entire scoring. At about this point Atwater found a hole in right tackle and pounded Sonnhalter up the field for the first touchdown. Blackburn kicked goal. A few minutes later Keeley Miller, on Massillon’s left end, broke away on a double pass and ran forty yards through a broken left end, broke away on a double pass and ran forty yards through a broken field for a second touchdown. This was the end of the scoring; shortly after the game ended with the ball near the center of the field.

Mansfield played a loose game both on offense and defense for the most part, probably on account of the game being their first. Their plays which looked to be good if worked right, were either nailed by the fast Massillon defense or bungled by the Mansfield team themselves. Some ferocious looking line shifts and tandem plays were forthcoming time and again, but in only a few instances were they worked for gains. Massillon’s goal was threatened but once. In this instance the ball was carried by a series of line shifts to within twenty yards of the opponent’s goal. Here Massillon held desperately and Mansfield called some sort of a fake kick formation. The ball was fumbled by the fullback and Massillon landed on the play, gaining the ball on downs. Heyman punted far out of danger. In punting Heyman rivaled Blackburn’s drop kicking. The last punt of the game was from Massillon’s fifty yard line to Mansfield’s fifteen, a distance of forty-five yards. The kick, a perfect spiral, rose fully as high in the air as it went forward.

Massillon, although able to gain consistently through the line, relied mostly upon tricks for substantial gains. A fake punt to the half backs and a double pass to the ends, gained steadily. The forward pass was not tried once throughout the game by Massillon, although they are tolerably strong in this department of the game. Mansfield attempted this play several times but lost each time. Suoer at fullback; and Pollock at quarter, played the star game for the Mansfield team.

Outside of Blackburn’s kicking and Miller’s run the game was principally one of team work. Massillon played well together, especially on the defense. In the first part of the game Massillon played altogether a defensive game. The line played low and with the exception of short gains or two through center, held like adamant. In the second half Massillon woke up and played a decidedly offensive game. Tricks were used for long distance gains and whenever a few yards were needed Sonnhalter’s line plunges seldom failed to respond. Zintsmaster and Ellis held the two tackles down in fast and aggressive manner. Clay replaced Ellis in the second half and waded into the game with both feet, doing considerable damage in both camps. Wagner’s presence at right half strengthened the back line greatly. Atwater playing back, made several tackles after Mansfield had broken over the ends and gained considerably. Leahy played a good game at center.

The team was accompanied by Manager Gorrell; R. Fugate, official; A. Sonnhalter, timekeeper; McConnell and Moody, substitutes; and one Shorty Feller, official rooter.

Lineup an summary:

Mansfield – 0                  Pos.               Massillon — 18
Au Schweir                       le                 Miller
McCready                         lt                 Zintsmaster
Hughes                              le                 Heyman
Judson                               c                 Leahy
Remy                                rg                 Blackburn
Schad                                rt                 Ellis, Clay
Longdorf                           re                 Dalsky
Pollock, Tappan               qb                Atwater
Scott                                 lh                 Wells
Stoodt                              rh                 Wagner
Suoer                                fb                 Sonnhalter

Time of halves: 20 minutes.

Score at end of first half:
Massillon 3;
Mansfield 0.

Touchdowns:
Massillon – Sonnhalter, Miller.

Goals from touchdown:
Massillon – Blackburn 2.

Goals from field:
Massillon – Blackburn 2.

Referee and umpire alternating – Marting and Fugate.
Head Linesman – Gorrell.
Timekeeper – A. Sonnhalter
.

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