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Greatest Victories of All Time

Massillon has been playing football since 1893 and has participated in over 1200 games covering 125+ years.  The question often asked is: what are the Tiger’s greatest victories?  But any response is sure to spur much debate.  Regardless, the selection criteria surely must cover several areas, including the significance of the game, the caliber of the opponent, the degree of challenge required to win, the excitement of the finish, and the lasting impact of the victory.

massillontigers.com has taken a detailed stab at this task and come up with what we believe to be Massillon’s greatest victories within each decade.  The lists can be accessed at the links shown below:

• The 2010s
• The 2000s
• The 1990s
• The 1980s
• The 1970s
• The 1960s
• The 1950s
• The 1940s
• The 1930s
• The 1890s to the 1920s

Finally, we have made our picks regarding the five greatest victories of all time:

1^st – The 100^th Massillon-McKinley game, which was played in 1994.  A 42-41 victory, this one checks all of the boxes.  It was played against the historical rival, both teams were enjoying outstanding seasons, the Tigers were the underdog, there was unbelievable hype prior to the game, it finished in overtime, and the Massillon community secured bragging rights for virtually forever.  Can you do any better?

2^nd – The 1964 game against Niles McKinley, won 14-6.  In front of over 30,000 fans at the Akron Rubber Bowl, Massillon broke Niles’ 48-game unbeaten streak and went on to win the state title.  And once again, unbelievable hype prior to the game.

3^rd – The 1974 game against Canton McKinley, won 20-15.  A huge underdog, Massillon scored on a 33-yard pass with just seconds left to defeat the undefeated Bulldogs and knock them out of the playoffs.

4^th – The 1964 game against Canton McKinley, won 20-14.  Two undefeated teams vying for the state title.  Down 14-0, the Tigers roared back in the fourth quarter to pull it out, scoring the winning points with less than a minute remaining, then holding off the Bulldogs’ final charge.

5^th – The 2005 playoff game against Lakewood St. Edward, won 21-17.  The Tigers came from two scores down to win in the final minutes and advance to the next week’s Division 1 state championship game.

Ed Molinski – Wall of Champions

Ed Molinski – Wall of Champions

Written by Keith Jarvis

Ed Molinski wanted to be a boxer and ended up a medical doctor.  But in between, he played some pretty good football, for both Massillon and the University of Tennessee.  But that almost didn’t happen, as his father had different thoughts.

“Massillon is where it all started,” said the now Doctor Edward Molinski.  Talking with the great Massillon sports writer Luther Emery, Molinski went on to say, “If you guys hadn’t persuaded dad to let me play football, I probably would be walking the streets with holes in my shoes.”  (The Emery Wheel, Massillon Evening Independent, ——, 1963)

After attending Longfellow Jr. High, it is believed that his father thought him to be a future champion boxer.  That turned out to be true.  To protect Ed from serious injury, Mr. Molinski forbad Ed from playing football.  On the other hand, Paul Brown saw Ed as an integral part of his Tiger football team.  Considerable negotiation ensued between father and Coach Brown and it was finally agreed that Ed could play football, but Brown would allow Ed to box in the off season.  It was indeed a good negotiated settlement.

And play football he did.  Although he continued to box in the off season, he put together three years of exceptional football, from 1933 to 1935.  He stood 5’-10” and weighed 182 lbs. and he spent his first two years at guard and linebacker. In his senior year he was moved to quarterback, which at that time was the lead blocker for the running backs in Coach Brown’s system. During Molinski’s three years with the Tigers they were 27-3, with the 1935 team capturing both the Ohio and National championships. But he continued to box in the off-season and became the Ohio state heavyweight Golden Gloves champion.

Ed wanted to attend Notre Dame after high school as he ambitiously desired more education.  Only, he could not afford the tuition and ND Coach Leahy was unresponsive to several townspeople urging him to give him a scholarship.  But Tennessee’s legendary coach Bob Neyland saw it differently and did offer that coveted award.  Ed accepted it and went on to become a beloved man in Tennessee for his many accomplishments, football being at the forefront.

Molinski played for the Volunteers from 1938-1940 as a hard charging guard with both speed and strength.  During his time there, he teamed with Bob Suffridge, which made a lethal combination of future All-American linemen.  Molinski was steady and strong, while Suffridge played with emotion and speed.  Both also played stalwart defense.  But Ed also possessed a tough demeanor and temper, which was evident by his ejection in the 1939 Orange Bowl (Tennessee Sports Hall of Fame, University of Tennessee Athletic Dept.).

During his time at Tennessee, the Vols went 31-2 and won three Southeast Conference Championships, while being invited to play in a bowl game each year.  In 1938 they finished 11-0, with a 17-0 bowl win over Oklahoma, and were named National Champions. Meanwhile, the 1939 team was unscored upon in the regular season before losing to Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl, 14-0.  In fact, they recorded fifteen consecutive shutouts from mid-1938 through 1939.

While all of this was taking place, Ed captained the university boxing team and again was a heavyweight Golden glove champion, this time in the state of Tennessee.

The combination of Molinski and Suffridge is renowned in Tennessee history and each went on to receive numerous awards.  In 1990 Molinski was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame.  Suffridge gained that award at the same time and they were once again side by side as the great duo guards.  Molinski himself earned all of the following awards and inductions:

• 1^st Team All-American (1939)
• Grantland Rice Football HOF
• The Polish Football HOF
• The National Football Foundation HOF
• The Tennessee Football HOF
• The College Football HOF
• Massillon Tiger Hall of Fame (2016)
• Massillon Wall of Champions (1994)
• WHS Alumni Association Distinguished Citizens Award (2010)

But Ed Molinski was more than just about football.  From Longfellow Jr. High and afterward, he had many friends in Massillon including Augie Morningstar, Ducky Schroeder and Luther Emery. Interestingly, during the 1937 football season, since freshman were not allowed to play, Ed, with Coach Neyland’s approval, decided to return to Massillon as a student volunteer police officer.  He reported that a drive-by person fired a shot towards him and luckily missed.

After graduation from college Ed entered the Marine Corps and served as a 2^nd Lieutenant until he received a medical honorable discharge. With World War II over, he then went on to coach football and teach history at Memphis State and Mississippi State.  In 1951 he began studying medicine at Tennessee, after having already received his Master’s Degree there.  After becoming a doctor of medicine, Ed maintained his attachment to sports life by serving as the team doctor for the Memphis State football team and was also the professional fight doctor for the city of Memphis. To top off this exceptional career, Ed spent 35 years as a revered general medical doctor serving underprivileged communities in Memphis.  He died in 1968 at the age of 68.

Dr. Edward Molinski is surely someone this city has much to be proud of.  To learn more about this remarkable son of Massillon, Ed’s own son has a conversation on YouTube detailing much of his father’s life.

Steve Luke – Wall of Champions

Steve Luke – Wall of Champions

Steve Luke played many positions on the football field and to him it didn’t matter where he lined up.  He just wanted to be in on the action.  But that versatility paid off in a big way as he parlayed that experience into a stellar career, first at Massillon, then at Ohio State and Green Bay.  “Back in high school, I was a center, linebacker and tight end,” he said.  “I didn’t care where I lined up.  I just loved to play football.”

Luke was born in Massillon on September 4, 1953, and it didn’t take long to get bitten by the football bug.  “Our Sunday school teacher told us the world was going to end.  I said a prayer to God, ‘Please don’t let it end until I get to play for Massillon.’  I was about 8 or 9 years old.” (Scott Shook’s “Massillon Memories”)

High School

Steve would get his chance to play for the Tigers in 1968 as a sophomore center under Head Coach Bob Seaman and by the time he was a senior had worked his way into the varsity lineup playing linebacker and tight end under Head Coach Bob Commings.  He also teamed with his brother, Bill, who manned split end.  Together, they helped Massillon field one of its best squads ever: the 1970 state championship team that won all ten games and outscored the opposition, 412-29.

The season included six defensive shutouts along with a 28-0 victory over previously undefeated Canton McKinley.  Following the McKinley game, Tiger assistant coach Dale Walterhouse remarked, “We’re claiming the best linebackers in the state.  Steve Luke and Tom Cardinal can move and hit. McKinley has been claiming to have the best linebackers in the state.  I guess we proved it today.” – Canton Repository, Ken Sherer

Luke had good size for the time at 6’-2”, 186 lbs. and was a team co-captain, along with Mike Mauger, Tim Ridgley and Dennis Franklin.  Defensive statistics are not available for that year, but on offense Luke caught five passes for 123 yards and two touchdowns, including a 68-yarder against Trotwood Madison and a 37-yarder against Steubenville.  He also grabbed a 13-yard pass against the Bulldogs.  All of the passes were thrown by Franklin, who Luke would later face as a foe when he was at Ohio State and Franklin at Michigan.

As a result of his outstanding performance for the Tigers, Steve was named 3^rd Team All-Ohio and received a scholarship to play for the Buckeyes.

College

Luke spent four years at Ohio State, playing football for the legendary Woody Hayes and graduating in 1975 with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Athletics and Business.  While there, he experienced three Big 10 championships and started in three Rose Bowl games, one as an offensive center and two at defensive back.  His playing size was 6’-2”, 197 lbs.

In his sophomore year (freshmen weren’t eligible at that time), he was placed at center.  But that was about to change the following year.  “I missed my workout with the linemen one day and I came in and was working out with the defensive backs,” he recalled.  “A defensive backs coach saw me go through some drills and he came up and asked if I’d ever thought about playing defensive back.  I told him that I’d never played it before, but was willing to take a gamble and Coach Hayes was willing to let me go back and try it and it worked out.” – Independent.

Ohio State Results:

• 1972 – Tied Michigan for the Big 10 championship; regular season record, 9-1; lost to Michigan State, 19-12; defeated Michigan, 14-11; lost to Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl, 42-17.
• 1973 – Tied Michigan for the Big 10 championship; regular season record, 9-0-1; tied Michigan, 10-10; beat Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl, 42-21.
• 1974 – Tied Michigan for the Big 10 championship; regular season record, 10-1; lost to Michigan State, 16-13; defeated Michigan 12-10; lost to Southern Cal in the Rose Bowl, 18-17.

Following his senior season, Luke was named UPI All Big Ten and Family Weekly All American.  He also started in the All-American Bowl all-star game.

Professional

Luke was a childhood fan of the Green Bay Packers ever since their victory over Dallas in the “ice bowl game” (-13 deg.) and their wins in the first two Super Bowls, led by HOF quarterback Bart Starr.  Surprise to him, he was drafted by the Packers in the 4^th round (No. 88 overall), by whom other than newly hired head coach Bart Starr.  Although he played cornerback for the Buckeyes, his position changed to strong safety.  Luke would enjoy six years in Green Bay.

He initially reported to the Packer training camp weighing 215 lbs., thinking that he needed more muscle.  But they wanted him 195-200.  He was almost cut.  Soon he was back down to 197.

Special teams became his assignment for the first year, where returned six kickoffs for 91 yards.  But that was about to change during his second year when he was named a starter in the game against St. Louis.  “Steve has been improving all along and has impressed the coaches when he’s played,” Packer coach Bart Starr said.  “We thought this would be a good opportunity to start him.”  Starr called him one of the hardest workers in training camp and through preseason.  Luke would go on to start 75 consecutive games, while playing in 90 overall.

Known around the league as a hard hitter, he led the team in tackles in 1978, while breaking the team’s single season tackling record (133 solos and 17 assists).  He also led the team in interceptions in 1977, accumulating four of his ten career picks for 149 yards.  His longest return was 63 yards against Chicago, which went for a touchdown.  Add to those feats six fumble recoveries and six quarterback sacks.  So it comes as no surprise that he was rated among the Top 4 safeties in the NFL from 1977-1980.  And so respected was he that he was the Packers’ team captain during the latter time he was there.

In Year 6 he was hampered by an injury that occurred against Cleveland.  So at the end of the season he was traded to Atlanta, but was released before the start of the 1981 season.  Thus, pro football came with a cost; i.e., a fused neck and two hip replacements.

Post Football

After Green Bay, Luke became Vice President/Director of Account Services for Russell, Luke, Mercier Advertising Inc.  He also founded USAthletes Sports Agency, 1987-1996, representing Chris Spielman plus several Packer players.  And he was an investor/partner in Buckeye III Custom Home Builders.

But most of his energy assuredly went into several civic programs, including the following:

• Development Board of Children’s’ Hospital in Columbus
• Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America
• Board of Directors of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes
• Telethon Chairman for the United Negro College Fund for Central Ohio
• Worked with both the Worthington and Columbus Public Schools in their tutoring and mentoring programs
• Started New Fun Learning (NFL) Math and Science Sports Camp, 1992

In 1982 he was named Outstanding Young American and in 2000 received the Ohio Award of Excellence.  He’s also listed as Who’s Who among Black Americans.

But it was Massillon that Luke credits for his achievements.  “Massillon made me who I am.  I’ve often said that Massillon taught me how to win.  Massillon taught me a good, strong work ethic and that never-say-die attitude.  If I didn’t have the success I had at Massillon, I would not have had the success I had at Ohio State or Green Bay.” – Independent

Luke was inducted into the Massillon Wall of Champions in 1994 as a charter member and the Tiger Hall of Fame in 2016, also as a charter member.

Joe Sparma – Wall of Champions

Joe Sparma – Wall of Champions

Massillon’s Joe Sparma went all the way, from high school football to collegiate football and baseball and eventually to baseball at the professional level.  Sparma was the ultimate athlete and success followed him at every stop.

Joe was born in Massillon on February 4, 1942.  After a stint at Jones Junior High, he began his football career at the varsity level in 1957 as a third string sophomore quarterback under Head Coach Lee Tressel.  He wasn’t initially a starter but, due to his prowess as a fastballer in baseball, he was able to get on the field when a long pass was needed.

That was certainly the case against Warren Harding in the infamous “clock game.”  Warren was ranked first in the state coming in, but the Tigers were able to open up a 14-0 halftime advantage.  Only, the Panthers stormed back in the second half to tie it up at 14 apiece in this evenly matched game.  There were just seconds left.  Massillon had the ball at midfield and the play called for a long desperation pass.  In comes Joe.  He dropped back and launched a 46-yard bomb toward the end zone, with Clyde Childers as the intended target.  Childers leaped high against the defender and tipped the ball into the air at the four yard line.  Then, after separating himself, he gathered the pigskin at the three and raced over the goal line for the win.  It was Sparma’s only pass of the game, but it put him on target for great things to come.

By season’s end Joe had passed for three touchdowns, the one against Warren and two against Canton McKinley in a 25-7 victory.  For the year, the Tigers finished 8-1, with a 2^nd place ranking in the final A.P. Poll.  The lone loss was to champion Cleveland Benedictine, 13-7.

The following year, with new head coach Leo Strang taking over from Tressel, Sparma became a full-time starter on a team that finished 8-1-1.   The only blemishes were a 6-0 loss to Warren and an 8-8 tie with Alliance.  For the season Joe completed 33 of 74 passes for 556 yards and nine touchdowns.  He also ran for another two.  In a 38-16 win over McKinley he was 6 of 9 for 106 yards and two touchdowns.  But he was also was a bit flamboyant.  When asked by WHBC’s Jim Muzzy who he thought was the best team the Tigers had played that year, Joe responded, “Our second team.” (Scott Shook’s “Massillon Memories”).

With Joe again at the helm in 1959 it all came together.  Massillon fashioned an undefeated 10-0 season, outscoring the opposition 431-46.  The only competitive game was a 14-0 win over Alliance.  At season’s end, the Tigers were ranked first in both the state and the nation and Sparma was named First Team All-Ohio.  He completed 28 of 85 passes for 660 yards and 14 touchdowns and rushed 22 times for 54 yards and two TDs.  His best statistical game came against Canton Lincoln when he passed for 127 yards and four touchdowns.

Joe currently holds the Massillon record for 23.6 yards per completion over a complete season.  His 26 career touchdown passes ranks 7^th at the time of this story.  Although Sparma was not considered a great passer compared to modern day quarterbacks, he had a strong arm and was accurate for the day.  He was also a decent punter, booting 36.9 yards per attempt.  He wrapped up his high school career by leading his team to victory in the Ohio North-South All-Star Game.

“He was one of the finest athletes we ever had in Massillon,” said Carl “Ducky” Schroeder, Sparma’s baseball coach.  “He was captain of the baseball, basketball and football teams.  He was a good student.  I can’t say enough about him.  He’s been a real good friend through all the years.” (Scott  Shook’s “Massillon Memories”)

For the next level, he accepted a scholarship offer from Ohio State University.  It was considered an odd choice at the time as the Buckeyes under Head Coach Woody Hayes rarely threw the ball.  But the opportunity to also play baseball for OSU may have influenced his decision.  Joe was considered a good long thrower and the best technician among the Buckeye quarterbacks.

“Joe Sparma was a pure passer.  Just an outstanding pure pro passer.  That’s the reason I wanted him to go to  school where he could pocket pass.  But Woody Hayes was a hell of a salesman.  Woody didn’t want him to go to a school in the Big 10 and pass against him.  I don’t think there’s any doubt about it that Sparma could have been a great pro football  player.” – Leo Strang (Scott  Shook’s “Massillon Memories”)

“Joe Sparma was a helluva nice kid.  Handsome, good looking kid.  Had a great arm.  A lot of moxie.” – Bo Schembechler (Scott  Shook’s “Massillon  Memories”)

Freshmen didn’t play varsity in those days, so Sparma suited up initially in 1961.   The Buckeyes finished 8-0-1 that year and were champions of the Big Ten.  Meanwhile, Joe was a 3^rd string quarterback at 6’-1”, 194 lbs., but he did see some playing time.  For season, he completed 16 of 38 passes for 241 yards and six touchdowns, two each against Iowa, Indiana and Michigan.  Some of those passes went to leading receiver and future NFL Hall of Famer Paul Warfield.

In his junior year, Sparma was again a backup and completed 30 of 77 passes for 288 yards, with a score against UCLA and another against Wisconsin.  But he quit the team after the Indiana game and that would be the end of his football career.  Although in line to be the starter the following year, he apparently had differences with Hayes and left to pursue major league baseball.

Sparma initially had an opportunity to play for Cleveland, but selected Detroit owing to a higher paycheck and a $32,000 bonus.  He began with stints in 1963 for both the Knoxville Smokies of the old South Atlantic League and Duluth-Superior of the Northern League.  The following year, after returning for a short time with the Knoxville Smokies, now of the new Southern League, he was called up to pitch for the Tigers.  His numbers at Detroit and at his final stop Montreal were as follows:

• 1964 – Detroit: 5-6 record; ERA 3.00; KO 71
• 1965 – Detroit: 13-8 record; ERA 3.18; KO 127
• 1966 – Detroit: 2-7 record; ERA 5.30; KO 61 (a pre-season accident curtailed most of the season)
• 1967 – Detroit; 16-9 record; ERA 3.76; KO 153
• 1968 – Detroit: 10-10 record; ERA 3.70; KO 110
• 1969 – Detroit: 6-8 record; ERA 4.76; KO 41
• 1970 – Montreal: 0-4 record; ERA 7.06; KO 23 (released after 27 innings

Joe was the starting pitcher vs. the New York Yankees in 1964 on “Mickey Mantle Day”.  He approached Mantle before the first pitch and said, “You know, I’ve never had a chance to meet you in person, and I’ve always admired you.”  They shook hands and then Sparma proceeded to strike him out. – Bill Freehan, “Behind the Mask”

Joe ended up pitching in 183 games, starting 142, recording a 52-52 record and an ERA of 3.94 to along with 586 strikeouts.  At the plate he batted .119 over 309 appearances.  He also pitched in relief in the 1968 World Series game against St. Louis.  Following limited action with Montreal he was released.  His playing career over, he was offered a job as a minor league coach but declined.

Later, he was inducted into the Stark County Baseball Hall of Fame (1978), the Massillon Tigers Wall of Champions (1994) and the Stark County Football Hall of Fame (2011).

After baseball Joe worked in sales for Worthington Steel and made a home in Worthington, raising three children.  But he died young in 1986 at the age of 44 in Columbus after suffering a heart attack and undergoing heart bypass surgery.

Joe is remembered as the ultimate athlete and certainly made Massillon proud.