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2020 Massillon Schedule Nearly Complete

Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore on March 26th released the 2020 football schedule, all except for Game No. 1.  Details of that one are currently being finalized by the organizers of a weekend classic that will be played at Canton’s Tom Benson Stadium, with the locals slated for a Saturday evening contest.  Once again a challenging slate awaits the Tigers as it includes formidable powers Warren Harding, Austintown Fitch, Cleveland Benedictine, Cleveland St. Ignatius, Barberton and Canton McKinley, in addition to an expected national power for the opener.

Coach Moore holds a 50-15 overall record during his 5-year tenure at Massillon (28-2 over the last two seasons), including an 11-4 playoff mark in four appearances.  The Tigers currently have a 21-game regular season winning streak and have recently advanced to consecutive Division 2 state finals games, losing to Akron Hoban in 2018 and Cincinnati LaSalle in 2019.  Massillon was nationally ranked in the Top 50 during both of those years.

Here is a rundown of Games 2 through 10:

Week 2 – at Canton GlenOak – The Golden Eagles have fallen on hard times recently and hope to return to past success this year.  Last season they finished 1-9 and have only won five games in the past three years.  In 2019 the Tigers ran away with a 55-13 victory, scoring all of their points in the first half and rolling up 466 yards of total offense by game’s end.  GlenOak has now lost four straight to Massillon and trails in the series 12-4.

Week 3 – Warren Harding – The Raiders made the playoffs last year and finished with a 7-4 record.  But they lost to Massillon the regular season 47-7 and 55-0 in the first round of the playoffs.  In the first game Aidan Longwell completed 15 of 25 passes for 200 yards, including a pair of touchdowns to Jayden Ballard.  In the playoff game, the Tigers opened up a 27-0 halftime and never looked back.  Running back Terrence Keyes led the way with 13 carries for 188 yards and three touchdowns.  Warren is 35-19 over the past three years with two playoff appearances.  They last beat the Tigers in 2015 and 2016, with quarterback Lynn Bowden, Jr. (Kentucky) leading the way.  Massillon is ahead in the overall series 56-25-3.

Week 4 – Cleveland Benedictine – Massillon has played many games against the Bengals, mostly in the middle of the previous century.  The Tigers own a 22-4-1 series edge, but Benedictine got the better of them in 2003 and 2004, the last time the two teams met.  Benedictine was 10-2 last year, losing to Avon 49-28 in the second round of the playoffs.   But most of their players are expected to return this year.  Over the past five years they were 25-20 with a pair of playoff appearances.

 Week 5 – Cleveland St. Ignatius – The Wildcats struggled last year to an uncharacteristic 5-5 record, but are expected to rebound to their state-power self this year.  Ignatius last faced the Tigers in 2009 and has dominated the series by winning 12 of the 13 games played.  They have a 42-16 mark over the past five years, with three playoff appearances.  Included in that was a state runner-up in 2016, when they lost in the finals to Cincinnati St. Xavier.

Week 6 – Austintown Fitch – The Falcons were 5-5 last year, with a 55-7 loss to Massillon.  This was yet another game that was over by halftime, with the Tigers leading 48-7.  Terrence Keyes was the catalyst, rushing 16 times for 185 yards and four touchdowns.  Fitch is 31-20 over the past five years with one playoff appearance.  Massillon leads the series 18-8.

Week 7 – Bloomfield Hills, MI – The Black Hawks are a new addition to this year’s schedule.  A member of Michigan’s large school division, they have not achieved success recently, with 2-7 marks in each of the past two years.  Over the last five seasons they are 20-28, although they finished 9-1 in 2016.

Week 8 – Barberton – The Magics travel to Paul Brown Tiger Stadium for the second of a 2- game series.  The Suburban League plans to restructure next year to fill out Barberton’s division, so this will probably end the series.  Last year Barberton finished 7-3, but failed to make the playoffs.  Included in this was a 49-24 loss to Massillon in one of the more competitive games the Tigers had last year.  Terrence Keyes had a big night, rushing 30 times for 255 yards and five touchdowns.  The Magics are 44-11 over the past five years with three trips to the playoffs.  In 2017 and 2018 they produced undefeated regular seasons.  Massillon leads the series 38-7-1.

Week 9 – at Wooster – The Generals return to the Massillon schedule for the first time since 1933.  An odd number in their league produced an opening for the game, which is contracted as a 2- game series, the first at Wooster and the second at Massillon.  Like Barberton’s league, the Cardinal Conference is also looking to add an eighth team, which will most likely end the series after next year.  Wooster finished 7-4 last year, but lost in the first round of the playoffs to Avon 33-13.  The Generals have a successful program, with a 36-17 mark over the past five years and three trips to the playoffs.  But they lost in the first round each year.  It is believed that by playing Massillon they will be better prepared for the postseason.  The Tigers own a 14-5 advantage in the series.

 Week 10 – Canton McKinley – The Bulldogs gave Massillon their sternest regular season test last year, losing 24-14.  Terrence Keyes rushed for 141 yards and Aidan Longwell passed for 206, with nine passes going to Jayden Ballard for 114 yards and two touchdowns.  McKinley did, however, advance to the playoffs, where they lost to state semifinal participant Mentor 34-13, and finished with a fine 9-3 record.  McKinley is 39-17 over the past five years with four playoff appearances.  However, Massillon has beaten them in eight of the last nine years and owns a 72-53-5 edge in the long-running series.

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Joe Sparma – Wall of Champions

Throughout the course of life we all make decisions that affect our future.  While these choices are usually of a minor nature, oftentimes a big decision at an early age can have a profound effect on one’s ultimate destiny.  Such was the case with former Tiger Joe Sparma.  After achieving enormous success as a multi-sport athlete in high school, Joe chose to continue on the path of football at Ohio State University.  Only that decision snowballed into a resolve to leave college early and pursue a career in major league baseball.

Woody Hayes, the Ohio State head coach in the late 1950s, recruited Sparma after a successful couple of seasons quarterbacking the Massillon Tigers.  Joe’s greatest asset was passing the ball, during a time when most high school teams preferred to keep it on the ground.  But now it was college ball, where passing was more common.  It all sounded so good.  But Woody’s offense was unlike other schools, preferring the run to the pass, believing that three things can happen when you pass the ball and two of them are bad.  In fact, OSU fans commonly referred to his offense as “three yards and a cloud of dust.”  There just wasn’t a place at Ohio State for a passing quarterback.

So many local fans tried to discourage Sparma from choosing the Buckeyes, saying that all he would do is hand the ball off to the tailback.  But Woody apparently wanted Joe badly and surely didn’t relish him lining up across his Buckeyes wearing another Big Ten uniform.  So he went hard after Sparma and secured his commitment.

“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 school in the Big 10 and passing against him.  I don’t think there’s any doubt about it that Sparma could have been a great pro football player.” – Coach Leo Strang from Scott Shook’s “Massillon Memories”

Joe did end up starting 11 of the 18 games in which he played and he did manage to pass the ball some.  However, he had developed differences of opinion with Hayes during his sophomore year and subsequently elected to leave school.  Ironically, the relentless Woody talked him into staying for his junior year.  Nevertheless, Joe’s relationship with Woody did not change by the following year and it was finally time for him to leave.  Fortunately, professional baseball was waiting.  How his life might have been different had he chosen a college that utilized a more balanced attack.  Joe always wondered what it would have been like to play quarterback in the NFL.

MASSILLON

Joe Sparma was born in Massillon, Ohio, on February 4, 1942.  It was at an early age that he found his calling, playing sports.  “I remember exactly the day I first wanted to do well in sports,” he earlier mentioned to Steve Doerschuk from the Massillon Independent.  “I was a fifth grader at Franklin School watching the older kids play a basketball game.  I watched the team score.  I heard the cheers from the handful of people at the game.  Something went through me.”

That ‘something’ caught big and Sparma went on to become a 3-sport athlete at Massillon, lettering multiple times in football, basketball and baseball.

“He was one of the finest athletes we ever had in Massillon.  He was captain of the baseball, basketball and football teams.  He was a good student.  He may have had a record of being a little hard to get along with, but never with me.  I can’t say enough about him.  He’s been a real good friend through all the years.” – Ducky Schroeder, former Massillon assistant.

His high school career spanned three seasons, the first in 1957 as a backup quarterback under Lee Tressel and the next two as a starter under Leo Strang.  As a sophomore his numbers were modest, finishing the year with one rushing touchdown and three passing.  His team finished No. 2 in the state with an 8-1 record, losing to No. 1 Cleveland Benedictine 13-7 on a 4th quarter TD.  The Bennies were led by running back and future NFL assistant coach George Sefcik.  It didn’t help that several Tiger starters were hit with the flu bug during the week of the game.

But they did manage to defeat No. 4 Warren Harding 20-14 in the infamous clock game.  In front of 21,384 fans, Sparma entered the contest with little time left on the clock and proceeded to toss a 46-yard pass to Clyde Childers (Georgia), who made a miracle catch inside the ten, first tipping the ball and then catching it and racing the final yards into the end zone for the win.

In 1958 Joe became a regular and led his team to an 8-1-1 record, outscoring the opposition 220-45.  It was good enough for a 4th place finish in the state poll.  The lone loss was to 7-2-1 Warren Harding by the score of 6-0.  But the Tigers did tie No. 1 Alliance 8-8.  Sparma finished the year with nine passing touchdowns and two TDs rushing.

His senior year was spectacular as the Tigers finished 10-0 and were named both Ohio State Champs and National Champs.  They outscored their opponents 431-46.  For the year, Joe completed 28 of 85 passes for 660 yards and 14 touchdowns.  He also rushed for a pair of TDs.  His best statistical performance came during a 65-0 victory over Canton Lincoln when he threw for 127 yards and four touchdowns, three to James Wood (his No. 1 receiver) and one to Bob Barkman.

Massillon also defeated Canton McKinley that year, 20-0.  “Right before the McKinley game, Jim Muzzi (WHBC) asked Joe Sparma who was the best team he played against all year.  Sparma’s remark was ‘Our second team.’  Muzzi about dropped his teeth.” – Leo Strang –from Scott Shook’s “Massillon Memories”.

The statement was not meant to demean McKinley since beating them was always at the top of his list.  It’s just that Massillon’s overall program at that time was just that good.  “Dad always remembered where he was from.  Beating McKinley meant as much to him as winning the World Series.” – Joe’s son, Blasé Sparma.

Following the season Sparma was named First Team All-Ohio.  He was also invited to play in the Ohio North-South All-Star Classic, where he led the North to victory.  Incidentally, the South quarterback was Roger Staubach (Dallas Cowboys and Pro Football HOF).

Sparma’s baseball career at Massillon was equally impressive.  According to former Massillon assistant coach Ducky Schroeder, he was the best pitcher in the state.   “When he was in a groove, there wasn’t anybody in high school who could hit him.  He pitched a no-hitter against McKinley when he was a just sophomore and recorded five no-hitters when he was a senior.”

Then it was off to Ohio State, where he played both football and baseball.

OHIO STATE

In 1961 Sparma joined the varsity football team as a sophomore (freshmen were not permitted to play at that time) initially as a backup quarterback, entering games on occasion to pass.  Eventually, he worked his way into the No. 1 role and was named the starter in four games.  He ended up completing 16 of 38 passes for 288 yards and six touchdowns, including a 200-yard passing effort against Michigan.  During that final game he connected with Bob Klein on an 80-yard touchdown pass, currently ranked 6th all-time in the OSU record book for the longest completion.  The Buckeyes as a team finished 8-0-1 and 6-0 in the Big Ten.  “We weren’t picked to do much that year,” said Sparma.  “But after we beat Michigan (50-20), we were ranked first in the nation in one of the polls (Football Writers Association of America).”

By winning the Big Ten, the Buckeyes were eligible to participate in the Rose Bowl.  But the OSU faculty voted not to go, concerned that athletics was beginning to have too much influence on campus.  Also, the Big Ten contract with the Rose Bowl had expired in 1959 and it needed to be modified to prevent the west coast teams from receiving the bulk of the sponsorship money.

“As I look back, it would be nice to reflect on having played on a state championship football team, pitching for a World Series champion and playing quarterback in the Rose Bowl,” said Sparma.  “But Ohio State officials voted not to let us go.  I don’t know whether it was because they were on some academic kick, or what.  But it was very weird.  The students almost rioted.”

The students actually did riot.  Nevertheless, No. 2 Minnesota went instead and ended up losing to Washington, 17-7.

Joe Sparma crosses the plate after hitting his only home run at Ohio State, in 1962 as a sophomore

The following spring Joe was on the mound, playing for Manager Marty Karol, whose career with the Buckeyes spanned 25 years.  A fastball pitcher, Sparma helped his team to a 19-14-1 record, including a 9-5 mark in the Big Ten, good enough for a 3rd place finish.  Joe was 5-5 with a 3.05 ERA, both tops on the team.  He also struck out 102 batters in 79.2 innings of work.

After the season, he received a contract offer from professional baseball for $40,000.  But it was then that Woody Hayes talked him into another year on the gridiron.

During the 1962 football season Ohio State finished with 6-3 record.  Joe, playing at 6’-1”, 194 lbs., started seven of the nine games and completed 30 of 71 passes for 288 yards and two touchdowns.  Then in the spring of 1964 he again excelled in baseball, going 6-3 with 93 strikeouts in 88.1 innings.  His team went 23-13-1 and finished 3rd in the Big Ten with a 9-6 mark.

But that was it and he left Ohio State for the next level.   “I really loved football,” he said.  “But I loved baseball, too.”

DETROIT TIGERS

In 1963, Sparma accepted a contract with the Detroit Tigers, which included a $32,000 signing bonus.  After playing minor league ball with Knoxville and Duluth-Superior in 1963 and then again with Knoxville during part of the next year, he was called up to the majors.

In 1965 he became a starting pitcher for the Tigers, recording a 13-8 record and striking out 127 batters.  Sparma had a fastball that clocked in a 98 mph and he could consistently throw in the low 90s.  The first time he faced Mickey Mantle, he struck him out twice.  Mantle said he had never seen anyone throw faster.  Joe ended up beating the Yankees five times that year.

In the first meeting, he was assigned to be the starting pitcher on “Mickey Mantle Day” in New York.  When Mantle came to bat for the first time in the game, Sparma walked off the mound, approached Mantle, and said: “You know, I’ve never had a chance to meet you in person, and I’ve always admired you.”  Sparma and Mantle shook hands, and Sparma went back to the mound and struck Mantle out. Mantle turned to Detroit’s catcher Bill Freehan and said: “They have a day for me and your manager’s got to put some hard-throwing kid out there. Couldn’t he have put in some soft-tossing left-hander for me to hit off of, so I could look like a hero in front of all those people?” (Bill Freehan, “Behind the Mask” (1970), pp. 7–8)

Prior to the 1966 season he had a car door slammed on his pitching hand, causing him to miss spring training.  He subsequently went 2-7.  But he returned to form the following year posting a 16-9 record, including eleven complete games, five shutouts, 153 strikeouts and an ERA of 3.76.

In 1968 he pitched a 1-run, complete game vs. the New York Yankees to clinch Detroit’s first pennant since 1945.  The Tigers would go on to win the World Series over the St. Louis Cardinals.  But Sparma was used sparingly during the series, relieving starter Denny McClain in Game 4.

Joe Sparma is in Row 4, 4th from the left

In 1970, with his pitching numbers diminishing, Sparma was traded to the Montreal Expos.  But he was released after pitching just 27 innings with a record of 0-4.

During his major league career, Sparma compiled a 52-52 record.  He also had an ERA of 3.94 along with 586 strikeouts over 183 games.  Offensively, at a time before implementation of the designated hitter, he batted a respectable .119.

POST-BASEBALL

Joe Sparma with wife Connie

Joe had only pitched eight years and was still in his late 20s, but his services were no longer required.  Following his release, he was offered a position as a minor league coach, but he turned that down and opted instead to join Worthington Steel.  There, he worked his way up to vice president of sales and marketing for Buckeye Steel, a subsidiary.

Unfortunately, he died on May 14, 1986, at the age of 44 after a heart attack and subsequent heart bypass surgery.  He was survived by wife Connie, two daughters and a son, Blase, who lettered three years on the Ohio State baseball team (1994-96).

HONORS

 In 1994 Joe Sparma was honored with a place on the Massillon Tiger Wall of Champions, joining the second class of inductees.  Then in 2011 he entered the Stark County Hall of Fame.

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Horace Gillom – Wall of Champions

Horace Gillom – Wall of Champions

Paul Brown coached at Massillon for nine years and compiled a record of 80-8-1, winning six state and four national championships.  To accomplish that feat, he had at his disposal many outstanding high school football players.  Players such as Tommy James and Fred Blunt and Bob Glass and Edgar Herring.  But there was one player that Brown called “the best all-around athlete I coached at Massillon.”  That was Horace Gillom who, according to Brown, was “successful at everything he did.”

Horace “Big Horse” Gillom was born in Roanoke, Alabama, on March 3, 1921, but grew up in Massillon along with his two brothers, Jake and Odell, who also played for the Tigers.  His football career began in junior high where he played end and punter at Longfellow under Coach Bud Houghton.  Houghton immediately noticed Gillom’s proficiency at punting the football.  However, although he demonstrated tremendous distance and hang time for a young player, he needed more steps than normal to get his punts off.  So he simply moved Horace back an additional three yards and that gave him the room he needed.

Gillom’s varsity career spanned three years at Massillon, from 1938-40, during which time he was a starter at end, linebacker and punter.  He also had the fortunate experience of playing on three undefeated championship teams.  During his sophomore season, wearing No. 66, he scored 26 points from his end position via four receiving touchdowns and one 2-point conversion.  A sophomore starter also on defense, he was paired at middle linebacker with Vince “Rocky Snyder” in a 6-2-2-1 alignment.

As a junior, Horace really began to stand out and not just by changing his jersey number to 22.  Now, in addition to his normal duties, he was tasked with returning punts and kickoffs.  And on defense, he became the sole middle linebacker in a defensive alignment that was changed to a 7-1-2-1.  Coaches said that he was equally effective against both the run and the pass.  On a team that outscored its opponents 460-25, Gillom tallied 42 points, those coming from four receiving touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, one punt return TD and one pass interception returned for a TD.  At the end of the season he was awarded First Team All-County and First Team All-Ohio.

Coin toss prior to the 1940 Massillon-McKinley game.  Left to right – Massillon’s Ray Getz, Massillon Coach Paul Brown, Massillon’s Horace Gillom, McKinley’s Matthew Brown and McKinley Coach Johnny Reed.

Jersey No. 55 must have suited Horace more than 66 and 22, for it was during his senior year that he really dominated the football scene in Massillon.  His team finished 10-0, outscoring the opposition 477-6 and repeating as both state and national champs.  Four opponents that year finished the season with just a single loss, that coming to the Tigers.

As co-captain, playing at 6’-1”, 210 lbs., Gillom was extremely fast and became a significant deep pass threat.  He also had very large hands, well suited for a receiver.  For the year, he recorded a team-high 108 points, with ten touchdowns rushing and another eight receiving.  As a high school punter, Horace was simply unmatched, with many kicks traveling over 50 yards.

Offensively, Gillom scored at least one TD in nine of the ten games played, including four against Steubenville.  He also had an incredible touchdown reception against Canton McKinley at the end of the first half, erasing a rare 6-0 deficit.  The pass covered 45 yards, which was secured at the 20 under tremendous defensive pressure by tipping the ball into the air and then catching it with one hand.  After shedding the defender, Horace raced to the end zone, spurring Massillon on to a 34-6 victory in Paul Brown’s final game as coach of the Tigers.  He wrapped up his football career in Tigertown by repeating as First Team All-County and First Team All-Ohio.  In addition, the Associated Press named him Ohio’s Most Outstanding High School Player.

Between football seasons, Gillom spent time on the basketball court where, during his senior year, he was named All-County.  In the post-season tournament, Massillon advanced to the state semifinals, where he was named All-State Tournament 2nd Team.  The basketball squad was also coached by Paul Brown and he called Horace the greatest high school athlete he had coached during his time at Massillon.

In 1941 Paul Brown left to take over the head coaching responsibilities at Ohio State University.  Of course, Horace Gillom went with him.  Horace played freshmen ball that year, but left due to academic difficulties.

The next three years were spent in the military defending the United States in the WWII European Theater.  During his time there, he survived the Battle of the Bulge and was subsequently awarded three Bronze Stars.

After discharge, Gillom tried college football once again, this time at the University of Nevada, which was led by former Canton McKinley coach Jimmy Aiken.  He led the nation in punting that year, but he again left school due to poor academics.

That didn’t stop Paul Brown from snatching up the 6’-1”, 225 lb. punter in 1947 for a position with the Cleveland Browns, a team he stayed with through the 1956 season.  Throughout his tenure he was the full time punter, although he did play a couple of years at end, catching 74 passes for 1,083 yards.

As a punter, he was one of the best.  Paul Brown said in his autobiography that he had never seen a better one.  Here is a list of his and his team’s accomplishments:

  • 1947 – Defensive end; won AAFC championship; 2nd in league in punting with a 44.6 average.
  • 1948 – Offensive end; undefeated season; won AAFC championship.
  • 1949 – Offensive end; won AAFC championship; league absorbed into NFL.
  • 1950 – Tied for first in American Conference; won semifinal playoffs; Gillom’s punts kept the New York Giants in poor field position throughout the game; won the finals vs. Los Angeles; 2nd in the league in punting with a 43.2 average.
  • 1951 – Lost in the Championship Game; led the league in punting with a 45.5 average.
  • 1952 – Lost in the Championship Game; led the league in punting with a 45.7 average.
  • 1953 – Lost in the Championship Game; 2nd in the league in punting.
  • 1954 – NFL champs; 2nd in the league in punting.
  • 1955 –
  • 1956 – Released during the season due to a sore back.

Nevada, Cleveland Browns, Horace GillomFor his career, he is ranked as the 2nd best punter in NFL history with a 43.8 average.  His punts had very little chance of return on account of his tremendous distance and hang time.  In fact, he punted over 400 times before one was returned for a touchdown.  “Gillom had such a powerful leg and kicked the ball so far; before that punters used to line up 10, 12 yards behind the center,” running back Sherman Howard later said.  “He started the 15-yard drop.  And with Horace, he would kick it so high that by the time guys got down, the ball was coming down, so most guys had to fair catch.”  Lebovitz, Hal (May 28, 1978). “What does the ledger show?”. Cleveland Plain Dealer. p. 2

He holds the Browns’ record for the longest ever punt at 80 yards against the New York Giants in 1954.  He also had a 75-yarder against the Pittsburgh Steelers in 1950.   “Horace was the greatest punter I’ve ever seen play pro football,” said Lin Houston, former Cleveland Browns player.  “They can talk about Ray Guy all they want.  He couldn’t hold a candle to Horace.”

Gillom was also one of the first black athletes to play professional football, but never saw himself as a pioneer in that regard.

Horace and his wife Mamie raised a son and daughter and he split work between the Los Angeles Recreation Department as an Assistant Athletic Director and a local hospital where he was a security guard.  Unfortunately, Gillom left us too early, dying of a heart attack at the age of 64 on October 28, 1985.

In 1985 Gillom was inducted into the Canton Negro Oldtimers Athletic Association Hall of Fame.  In 1994 Massillon honored him with a place on the Wall of Champions.  In 2007 he became a Cleveland Browns Legend, which denotes the best players in their history.  And in 2009 he was inducted into the Stark County Hall of Fame.

 

 

History

Tom Hannon – Wall of Champions

Tom Hannon – Wall of Champions

He was lightning fast and shifty on the gridiron.  Could break it for a long run on any play, daring any opponent to chase him down.   By season’s end he had rushed for over 1,300 yards, scored nearly 100 points and helped his Massillon Tigers to an undefeated regular season and berth in the first-ever Ohio high school football playoffs.  And after a stellar career in both college and professional football, Tom Hannon was honored in 1994 with a place on the Wall of Champions.

No. 45 was called “The Man with the Flying White Shoes,” by sportswriter Chuck Hess.  “We had a neighborhood with a bunch of kids who wanted to play for the Tigers,” said Hannon.  “And everybody who wanted to play for the Tigers ended up playing for the Tigers.  Before the games on Friday night we would always play in somebody’s yard.  I was always Bill Blunt because he was my idol.  He was number 45.  After that Tommy James was 45.  After that it was Larry Harper.  And after that it was me.” – from Scott Shook’s “A Century of Heroes.”

Tom Hannon was born in Massillon on March 5, 1955 and became a 3-sport athlete at WHS, participating in football, basketball and track.  Following an undefeated sophomore football season, Tom began his varsity career as a junior in 1971.  Not wasting any time in showcasing his talents, he made an immediate impact on special teams, returning 21 punts for 192 yards and averaged 23.4 yards per kickoff return on eleven attempts.  In addition, he played running back behind the great Willie Spencer, Sr., rushing 30 times for 190 yards (6.3 yards/attempt) and scored eight points.   He also played in the defensive secondary, recording five pass interceptions.

But his senior season was a breakout year in which he became the featured tailback, at 6’-0”, 186 lbs., while also serving time in the defensive secondary.  For the season Hannon rushed 253 times (3rd all-time) for 1,392 (7th all-time) and scored 14 touchdowns.  Eight times in eleven games he eclipsed the 100-yard mark.  Tom also caught two passes for 22 yards and even completed one of two halfback pass attempts for 15 yards and a TD.  He continued his exploits on special teams, where he returned 24 punts for 217 yards and twelve kickoffs for an average of 22.8 yards per return, including one for an 87-yard touchdown.  He also scored 94 of the team’s 193 total points.  Defensively, he intercepted three passes and recovered a pair of fumbles.  It seemed as if he never left the field.

Tom Hannon bursts through the Upper Arlington Line. Also shown is Larry Mayles (66) and Terry Edwards (42). (Massillon Yearbook photo)

Massillon won all ten regular season games that year, outscoring the opposition 179-29, but two contests really jumped off the page: Upper Arlington and Canton McKinley.  Upper Arlington had defeated the Tigers in 1966 and 67 and captured the state poll title in 1967, 68 and 69, whereas the locals won the same title in 1970, in spite of the Golden Bears finishing unbeaten for the fourth consecutive year.  So it’s no surprise that, according to Hannon, Coach Bob Commings absolutely hated Upper Arlington and approached the game like it was Massillon vs. McKinley.  It’s all he talked about in the weeks leading up to the contest, Hannon remarked.   Now, with the game finally back on the slate, it was time to settle matters on the field and determine who would lay claim to Ohio dominance.

The two teams met in the third week of the season, at Upper Arlington, in front of sellout crowd of 11,000.  So excited were the fans of Massillon that as soon as the gates were opened they rushed the stadium to get choice seats, as only general admission seats were sold for this one.  Gate attendants never had a chance to collect the ticket stubs.

The first half was scoreless as neither team was able to generate much offense.  But after Coach Commings delivered an inspiring halftime talk mixed with colorful expletives (according to Hannon), the Tigers came out in the second half and simply overwhelmed the Bears, coming away with a 14-0 victory.  Tommy led the way by rushing 16 times for 169 yards, including runs of 17, 12 and 31 in the third quarter and 16, 12 and 52 in the fourth.  He finished with 24 carries for 224 yards (9.3 yards per carry).  Upper Arlington was held to just 130 total yards of offense (60 rushing and 70 passing).  They eventually finished the year 6-2-2, losing to Zanesville 21-20 and tying Cincinnati St. Xavier and Cincinnati Princeton, 0-0.

Against McKinley, in front of a sellout crowd of 22,371 fans, Hannon rushed 28 times for 108 yards.  He also returned five punts/kickoffs and intercepted a pass as his team went on to defeat the Bulldogs 12-3, with all the points scored in the first half.  McKinley ended the year with an 8-2 record, the other loss coming to Akron Garfield, 12-6.

“It was just like Super Bowl week on a smaller scale,” said Hannon.  “It was so crazy.  That’s one crazy week.  It wasn’t like you could prepare for the game.  There were so many distractions.  I was like, ‘Let’s just play football.’  But I really enjoyed it.” – from Scott Shook’s “Massillon Memories”

The win wrapped up an undefeated regular season and first place in the All-American Conference.  The Tigers were also awarded State Champions by the Associated Press.  But the award was only symbolic, since it was the first year of the state playoffs.  Nevertheless, with only one team qualifying in each region that year, it was only fitting that the owner of 24 previous state crowns participate in the very first playoffs.

The game was held as part of a Class AAA double header at OSU Stadium with Massillon facing Cincinnati Princeton in a morning start and Warren Western Reserve going up against Toledo Scott in the afternoon.  The event drew a huge crowd of around 30,000, with a sizeable majority coming from Tigertown, as they filled both upper and lower decks on their side of the horseshoe.  On the second play of the game, Hannon energized the stadium throng by racing 64 yards for a touchdown.  He then added a 2-point conversion to give the Tigers an early 8-0 lead.  The Tigers scored again on a 40-yard pass from Kevin Westover to Terry Edwards, that one coming near the end of the second quarter.  In between those two scores, Massillon was stopped on downs three consecutive times inside Princeton territory, the third time at the 6 yard line.  It was a complete domination by the Tigers until the final play of the half, when Princeton’s Rick White kicked an unprecedented 47-yard field goal, extremely rare for that era.  Nevertheless, Massillon held the lead 14-3 and it might have been 21-3.  Hannon was superb, rushing 15 times for 139 yards.

But the second half was a different story, as the bigger Vikings wore down the Tiger lines on both sides of the ball and eventually won the game 17-14, in spite of Massillon leading in total yards.  Hannon was held in check and Princeton reeled off 34 plays to the Tigers’ 18.  Near the end, Massillon advanced to the Princeton 26, but a pass to the 11 yard line was intercepted ending Massillon’s final chance to win.  Hannon finished the game with 159 yards rushing on 22 carries.

At the conclusion of the season, Tommy was recognized for his achievements by being named All-County Most Valuable Player and First Team All-Ohio.  He also received the Reese’s Raiders “E” Award.

Throughout his senior year, Hannon gained the attention of several major colleges.  He shared one interesting story about his contact with Ohio State.  Upon leaving the locker room following the Upper Arlington game he was approached by OSU Head Coach Woody Hayes.  Along with him was former Massillon and OSU player Steve Luke and OSU quarterback Cornelius Green.  The discussion of course centered around Tom playing running back for Buckeyes and he was offered an opportunity to split time with Archie Griffin.  Well Archie just happened to win the Heisman Trophy in 1974 and 75.  So I believe everyone, including Hannon, knows today how that would have turned out.

Subsequently, he had a good talk with highly respected Tiger defensive backfield coach Larry Coyer, who advised him to switch to defense for college ball, since that would provide him a better opportunity to play professionally.  Hannon admitted that he never really thought about play pro ball until after that conversation.  Eventually a solid match was made with Michigan State, a place where he was very comfortable with the coaches, calling them “really nice guys.”  So off to MSU he went, lining up at defensive back for all four years and again wearing No. 45.  His career went like this:

  • 1973 – Coach Dennis Stoltz; record: 5-6-0
  • 1974 – Coach Dennis Stoltz; record 7-3-1; 24 punt returns for 199 yards; 2 pass interceptions for 25 yards; 5 tackle points (39, 16)
  • 1975 – Coach  Dennis Stoltz; record 7-4-0; 15 punt returns for 116 yards; 2 pass interceptions for 1 yard; 93 tackle points (59, 34) 3rd on team; 4 tackles for loss; 4 pass breakups; 2 fumble returns
  • 1976 – Coach Darryl Rogers; record 4-6-1; 2 punt returns for 17 yards; 108 tackles points (68, 40) 2nd on team; 3.0 tackles for loss; 8 pass breakups

In both his junior and senior years, Hannon was named All-Big Ten and was also named to a couple All-American teams.

In 1977, although he always wanted to play for the Browns, Hannon was drafted in the 3rd round (No. 83 overall) by the Minnesota Vikings.  There he played safety for eight years, as a starter in all but one, and of course wore No. 45.  During that span he participated in 117 games and started 103, recording 13 fumble recoveries and 15 pass interceptions, which he returned for 202 yards.  One pick went for 41 yards and a score in a 34-14 victory over Chicago.  His team made the playoffs in 1977, 78, 80 and 82.

It was after his first year at Minnesota that he returned to Michigan State to complete his degree and by chance developed a good relationship with the university’s president.  That led to an opportunity after his pro career had ended to join the sales staff at Oscar Meyer, where he Tommy worked professionally for 23 years.  Now retired, he currently resides in Southfield, Michigan.

In 2011 Hannon was inducted into the Stark County HS Football Hall of Fame and in 2018 was honored as a Massillon Distinguished Citizen.

When looking back at his days at Massillon High School, Tom said he enjoyed every minute of it and never missed a day of school.  Tommy, we’re fortunate to have had you as a Tiger.

 

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Anthony Pedro Is Headed To Wittenberg University

Massillon senior Anthony Pedro has selected Wittenberg University to continue his education and play the sport he loves.  Wittenberg participates in football at the NCAA Division 3 level and is a member of the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC).  The Tigers currently have the most wins of any team in Division 3, with an overall record of 727-353-22.  Last year they compiled a mark of 7-3 and finished in a tie for first place in the NCAC.  They are coached by Joe Fincham, who has been there for 24 years.

Pedro was one of just a handful of players last year to see action on both sides of the ball for the Massillon Tigers, who finished with a record of 14-1 and advanced to the Division 2 state championship game.  On offense he lined up as a slot receiver with a primary responsibility to block on the tag screens, while also being available to catch an occasional pass.  He finished with five receptions for 63 yards and a touchdown, the TD coming against Penn-Trafford in a 42-21 victory over the 11-2 team from Pennsylvania.  On defense Anthony was a starter at cornerback where he recorded 10.0 tackle points (5 solos and 10 assists), two pass breakups and a tackle for loss.

Congratulations to Anthony Pedro.

News

Seven Tiger Athletes Ink Letters-of-Intent

Four standouts from the 2019 Massillon football team signed letters-of-intent to play at the next level. They include Robbie Page, Preston Hodges and Jarron Hodges, who will attend Walsh University, and Cole Jones, who is headed to the University of Findlay.  Joining them are Hannah Frey, who is headed to Capital University to play golf, TJ Harper, who will play golf at The College of Wooster, and Erroll Isaiah II, who will join the bowling team at Walsh University.

Robbie Page was a starting safety on Massillon’s 14-1, state runner-up team in 2019.  He was fourth on the team with 58.5 tackle points (49 solos and 19 assists).  He also intercepted three passes, broke up eight passes and recovered a fumble.  An All-County selection, Page will be remembered as a player who challenged any opposing receiver to catch a pass over the middle.

Preston Hodges was third on the team with 65.0 tackle points (27 solos and 56 assists).  He also recorded 14.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 quarterback sacks, four pass interceptions returned for 78 yards and two touchdowns, five pass breakups and a blocked punt.  He saw limited duty in the backfield, where he carried the ball eleven times for 78 yards and scored two touchdowns.  Hodges received the Touchdown Club Hardnose Award and was awarded Defensive Player of the Year.  One of the co-captains, he was named to the All-County, All-District and All-State Teams.

Jarron Hodges was third on the team as a wide receiver, catching 14 passes for 127 yards.  Used primarily as a short-to-medium distance receiver, he averaged 9.1 yards per catch.  Hodges also received the “lunch bucket” award, given to the player that comes to practice every day ready to work.

Cole Jones led an offensive line that averaged 180 yards rushing per game and surrendered just five quarterback sacks over 15 games.  A co-captain, playing both guard and center, Jones was presented the Ducky Schroeder Outstanding Lineman Award.  He was also named All-County, All-District and All-State.  Cole has been invited to participate in the Ohio North-South Classic, scheduled for April 25, tentatively at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

Hannah Frey is a standout on the Girls Golf Team.  Last fall she was named Senior Academic All-Ohio, Honorable Mention Stark County and Honorable Mention All Northeast Ohio District.

TJ Harper is a standout on the Boys Golf Team.  Last fall he was named Senior Academic All-Ohio, Honorable Mention Stark County and Honorable Mention All Northeast Ohio District.

Erroll Isiah II is a member of this winter’s Boy’s Bowling Team.

On early signing day last fall, both Aidan Longwell and Luke Murphy committed to Kent State, Aidan for baseball and Luke for football.

Longwell, a 3-year starter, was a standout quarterback who owns career passing marks for yards (7,705), attempts (795), completions (484) and touchdowns (84).  A co-captain, he received the Most Valuable Player award.  He was also named All-County, All-District and All-State.

Murphy saw action primarily at safety, where he was the leading tackler on the team with 85.5 tackle points (60 solos and 51 assists).  He also had five tackles for loss, intercepted two passes returned for 43 yards, broke up six passes and blocked a punt.   He was named All-County, All-District and All-State.

Congratulations to all nine of these Tigers.

2020 Signing Day. (Row 1, L-R) Hannah Frey, Robbie Page and Preston Hodges; (Row 2) TJ Harper, Erroll Isaiah II, Cole Jones and Jerron Hodges.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Chuck Vliet and a Tiger Record for the Ages

The Massillontigers.com website maintains over 2,500 player and team game records.  The data comprises 270 categories, such as rushing, passing and receiving, and lists the Top 10 record holders in each category.  For the last several months I have been reviewing past history to verify the accuracy of these entries.  Some of the more obvious ones are Jamir Thomas and Aidan Longwell as the all-time career rushers and passers.  Then there are remote ones, like Chauncey Watson having the longest touchdown run of 99 yards against Akron Garfield 1991 and Art McConnel with the longest punt of 81 yards vs. Warren in 1925.

But there is one record that always bothered me: Chuck Vliet’s 42 tackles in the 1950 game against Warren Harding.  How could this be?  Is that even possible?  The No. 2 player on the list, Cooper Ivan, has just 14 tackle points.  Fortunately, the aging Chuck is still with us to tell the story.  And it’s a good one.  I had a chance recently to sit down with Chuck and talk about that record, but first a little background.

Chuck played football in 1949-51 under the legendary coach Chuck Mather.  During his 6-year tenure, Mather racked up an inconceivable 57 wins in 60 games.  In all six years his teams were honored as the best in the Ohio and three times named national champs.

“I thought he was a great coach,” Vliet said about Mather.  “One thing I liked about Chuck Mather and his whole staff, they never yelled or cussed at us.  They would walk up to us with a calm voice and look at us straight in the eye.  They might put their hand on your shoulder and say, ‘What is your assignment on this play?  What are you supposed to do?’  He always told us, ‘You play the game the way you practice.’  If someone made a nice block and they had their head and shoulders on the wrong side, they were told about it.  We were all graded.  Our position coaches were the ones that graded in that position.”

It was during the 1950 season (Mather’s 4th) that Vliet, a 5’-8”, 160 lb. junior running back / linebacker set the record.  It was one of those years when Massillon was undefeated and both state and national champions.  And they outscored the opposition 407-37.   Along the way they defeated No. 8 Canton McKinley 33-0 and No. 9 Steubenville 35-12.

Game 7, held on October 17, 1950, was against Warren Harding, who entered the fray with a 5-1 record, having lost earlier to the Bulldogs 19-7.  Massillon led 7-0 at the half and pulled away after the band show to win 23-6.  Harding’s only score came on a 72-yard pass, but overall was held to just 87 total rushing yards in 46 attempts.

This is where Chuck Vliet, who proudly wore No. 49, enters the story by setting a record for the most tackles in a single game.  The amazing part is that out of 58 plays Warren ran that night, 12 were passes and Chuck did not tackle any of the three players who caught a pass.  In addition, Harding lost a fumble, which means that, if you do the math, Vliet made 42 tackles out of 45 opportunities, which was simply amazing.

Here’s how Chuck told the story:

“At the beginning of this game against Warren in 1950 on our field we practiced a solid week for their passing offense.  Back in our time we didn’t run into many teams that threw a lot and we had to gear up for that particular game.  So the whole week our defense was all pass.  It was pass here, pass there.  We had to learn what they were doing, read the quarterback, and so on.

“So we came out that night onto the field.  Did our exercises.  Came off the field.  We’re in the locker room.  I’m standing there.  Mather came over.  He says, ‘Vliet.  We’re going to change the defense tonight.’  I said, ‘What, coach?’  He said, ‘We’re changing the defense.’  I said, ‘What for?’  He said that we found out that their quarterback on Wednesday twisted his ankle quite bad and cannot play in this game.  So they brought a second quarterback in which cannot throw, so that Warren will be running all night.  He says, ‘So what we’re going to do on defense, we’re going to make a 7–man front and we’re going to have you as a roving linebacker.’  I thought that time I got a big old goose bump all over me because I didn’t know what he was talking about.  And I was going to be the only linebacker.  He said, ‘You will be my roving linebacker.’  I said, ‘Roving linebacker?’  He said, ‘Yes.  You have to cover from sideline to sideline.’  Again, that hit me real hard.  I said, ‘Coach.  What about Joe Gleason and Ray Lane?  They’re both seniors.’  He said,’ I want you!’  Well, I was scared.  I really was.

The 1950 defense: (Row 1, L-R) linemen Thomas Zeller, James Geiser, James Shumacher, Jack Strobel and Allen Murray; (Row 2) linebackers Joe Gleason, Chuck Vliet and Ray Lane; (Row 3) defensive backs Robert Khoenle, William Stoner and Ernie Russell

“So he got us together, and this was about ten minutes before we were ready to go back onto the field, and on our defensive front, at right guard, he said, ‘We’re going to put those two on double duty.’  And (Jerry) Krisher let out a little bit of noise.  He didn’t like that.  And, anyhow, he took Ray Lane and put him over defensive guard on the right side he took Joe Gleason, the outside linebacker, and put him on the left side.  They put Krisher in (Jack) Strobel’s place and (Jim) Richenbach over the nose man.  And he said, ‘This is what we call our 7-1-2-1.”  What we now know as a diamond defense.  We never practiced that beforehand.  We never practiced that the whole time I was there.  And we never used that defense again.

“He told each one of the defensive people up front, ‘keep the lineman off of Vliet.  Hit them and hold them up at the line and let him (Vliet) do his job.’  And I called them My Magnificent Seven because I didn’t have anyone coming out hitting me and I had free range from one side of the field to the other side.  And I did not know at the end of the game or that week or thereafter how many tackles I made in that game until I read that piece in the paper (the following year in an article presenting Vliet and Frank Gibson as the captains of the 1951 team).

“It was a defense that nobody played against us.  He threw this at them because they knew our regular defense.  And they were always set up to block a regular defense.  And this threw them off balance.  And then telling our defensive line people, ‘Keep the offensive players off of Vliet.’  And that worked.  And they did a job.  I’m not kidding you.  I used to think sometimes that he was psychic.  He just seemed to know how to do everything and sprung that on us.  But we had the type of people, whatever they were told to do, they could do it.  That’s the type of people we had.”

It’s a record that’s sure to never be broken.  Lee Nussbaum, a member of that 1950 team, said later, “If I could tackle as well as Chuck Vliet, I’d have been first string at Ohio State in 1954.”  The mark is documented on the Ohio High School Athletic Association website under “Individual Miscellaneous Feats.”

So, if you see an SUV going down the road with a license plate that reads “CV 49”, give a wave to former Tiger great Chuck Vliet, a Massillon Tiger forever.

Chuck Vliet (49) positions himself to make the tackle after Ernie Russell (29) slows the runner down. Also shown is Allen Murray
Chuck Vliet (on the ground) brings down the Warren ball carrier. Assisting is Erie Russell
Obie Logo (Large) News

2019 Tigers Take a Final Bow

2019 Booster Club President Bruce Gallagher (holding State Runner-Up Trophy) with Head Coach Nate Moore

The 2019 season has long been over, but it was a good time at the banquet to look back on a great year and recognize those individuals that made so much success possible.  Outgoing Booster Club President Bruce Gallagher welcomed all and went great lengths to thank everyone who helped him accomplish the Club’s goals of supporting the players throughout the past season.  Special tribute was paid to the Tiger Moms, who were instrumental in feeding the Tigers throughout the campaign.  Bruce also introduced next year’s president, Eric Smith.

Head Coach Nate Moore then spoke to the several hundred players, coaches, parents and fans who attended, thanking nearly everyone for supporting the program.  But he couldn’t talk enough about the past year.  “I’m so proud of this football team,” he said.  “They played in 14 playoff games.  They set all kinds of records.  But what I’m most proud of is that they played for the City of Massillon.  They have reset the standard of Massillon football.”

The 2018 Massillon football team was a hard act to follow: they won the most games ever during the season by fashioning a 14-1 record, they participated in the playoff state finals for the first time in 13 years and they had the all-time leading rusher in Jamir Thomas.  But the 2019 team did exactly that.  They met and in some cases exceeded that previous team.  Led by an outstanding senior class, these Tigers repeated both the 14-1 record and the appearance in the state finals.  And although nearly matching the offensive stats of the previous year, it was the defense that flexed it muscles the most in playing the best football on that side of the ball since the 2002 season.  Consider these accomplishments:

  • 14-1 record (number of wins ties all-time record)
  • 605 points scored (40.3 per game) (2nd all-time)
  • 177 points allowed (11.8 per game) (fewest since 2002)
  • 899 overall wins (5th in the country)
  • 2nd consecutive undefeated regular season (first time since 1965)
  • 4th consecutive playoff appearance (26th appearance overall)
  • 3rd consecutive playoff regional title (13th overall)
  • 2nd consecutive state finals appearance (5th appearance overall)
  • 4th consecutive win over Canton McKinley; 8 of the last 9 (series record: 72-53-5)
  • 17-14 victory over 2017 and 2018 Division II champion Akron Hoban
  • Defeated five out of five playoff opponents in regular season
  • Rated in the U.S. Top 50 by several national publications
  • Academic All-Ohio with an overall GPA of 3.37 during the football season

This team has also penciled itself into many areas of the record book, including the following:

  • 2,910 passing yards (4th overall)
  • 62.9 pass completion percentage (2nd overall)
  • 10.5 yards per pass attempt (1st overall)
  • 35 touchdown passes (3rd overall)
  • 185.2 pass efficiency rating (1st overall)
  • 5,602 total offensive yards (3rd overall)
  • 7.4 yards per play (4th overall)
  • 84 touchdowns (2nd overall)
  • 337 passing yards vs. Perry (5th overall)

The senior class never lost to Canton McKinley.  They won more playoff games (11) in three years than any previous class.  They own a 21-game regular season winning streak.  And who can forget Ben Krichbaum’s end-of-the-game sack of the Akron Hoban quarterback to seal the victory in the regional finals.  Then there were the two memorable passes from Aidan Longwell, one breaking the record for the longest pass ever and the other sealing the win over McKinley.  What a senior class.  They will also be a hard group to follow.

So at this evening’s banquet the 2019 players took their final bows and in turn received a multitude of accolades, including participation awards for JV players, letters for varsity game participants, senior awards, captain awards and top player acknowledgments.

Captain Awards – Quarterback Aidan Longwell, Offensive Lineman Cole Jones, Defensive Lineman Manny McElroy, Inside Linebacker Ben Krichbaum, Outside Linebacker Preston Hodges and Honorary Captain Nathan Forte

All-County – Robbie Page, Preston Hodges, Aidan Longwell, Terrance Keyes, Jr., Jayden Ballard, Luke Murphy, Andrew Wilson-Lamp, Cole Jones, Manny McElroy, Alex Bauer and Zion Phifer

All-District – Aidan Longwell, Terrance Keyes, Jr., Jayden Ballard, Cole Jones, Caiden Woullard, Preston Hodges, Luke Murphy and Magnus Haines.

All-State – Aidan Longwell (1st Team), Jayden Ballard (1st Team), Cole Jones (1st Team), Luke Murphy (1st Team), Terrance Keyes, Jr. 2nd Team), Caiden Woullard (2nd Team), Preston Hodges (2nd Team), Magnus Haines (3rd Team) and Andrew Wilson-Lamp (Special Mention)

Through the Roof Player of the Year (Sponsored by Progressive Auto Group) – Aidan Longwell (offense) and Preston Hodges (defense)

Character Award – Ethan Tobin

Thayer Munford ACT Award – Deven Warfield

John Pizzino, Sr. Academic Football $1,000 Scholarship – Ahmon Williams

Paul David Academic Award – Anthony Pedro

Defensive Player of the Year – Preston Hodges

Co-Offensive Player of the Year – Terrance Keyes Jr.

Co-Offensive Player of the Year – Zion Phifer

Lifter Of the Year – Ben Krichbaum

Scout Team Offensive Player of the Year Offense – Tanner Pierce

Scout Team Defensive Player of the Year – Nick Hatheway

Ducky Schroeder Award Outstanding Lineman – Cole Jones (All-County, All-District, 1st Team All-State)

Special Teams Player of the Year – Seth Lance

Bob Smith / Bill Snyder Sportsmanship Award – Noah Richards

Lee Tressel Citizenship Award – Davon Woods

Tom Harp Coaches Award – Peyton Mendenhall

Touchdown Club Hardnose Award – Preston Hodges

Most Valuable Player – Aidan Longwell

Massillon Record Setters – Aidan Longwell (career passing yards, career touchdowns pass attempts, career pass completions, career yards per pass attempt, career touchdowns, season pass efficiency and longest pass completion), Jayden Ballard (career touchdowns, season touchdowns and longest pass reception) Caiden Woullard (season tackles-for-loss), Zach Catrone (career pass completion percentage) and Alex Bauer (season PAT kicks attempted, season PAT kicks made and career field goal percentage).

See you next year.

2019 Most Valuable Player Aidan Longwell with Head Coach Nate Moore

2019 Defensive Player of the Year Preston Hodges
2019 Co-Offensive Players of the Year Zion Phifer and Terrance Keyes, Jr., with Head Coach Nate Moore
2019 Ducky Schroeder Outstanding Lineman Award Cole Jones with Head Coach Nate Moore
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Former Tiger Player Named AP All-American

Former Massillon player and current Mount Union defensive back Kordell Ford was recently named Division 3 1st Team Collegiate All-American by the Associated Press.  The 5′-10″, 190 lb. Ford, who majors in Sports Business, had a productive junior year in helping his team to an 11-1 record and a birth in the post-season playoffs.  For the season, he recorded 53.0 tackle points, two quarterback sacks and a pass interception, including a season-best eight tackles against Heidelberg.  In addition to his All-American status, Ford was named to the All-Ohio Athletic Conference first team and recognized as the OAC’s top defensive back.  He has also been nominated for the Cliff Harris Award as the top small college defensive player in the country.  In his previous two years, Kordell was credited with 56 tackles, including 4.5 tackles for loss, a quarterback sack and a fumble recovery.

At Massillon, the 2017 graduate played varsity ball extensively for three season, first under Jason Hall and then Nate Moore, lining up at both running back and defensive back.  As a senior, he was a team co-captain and named to both the All-County and All-District teams.  His stats were as follows:

  • Sophomore – 1 carry for 28 yards; 6 pass receptions for 66 yards and 1 TD; 3 solo tackles and 1 assist.
  • Junior – 2nd on the team in tackles; 35 solos and 37 assists; 4 pass interceptions.
  • Senior – 55 carries for 208 yards and 2 TDs; 4 pass receptions for 63 yards; 1st on the team in tackles; 40 solos, 26 assists, 3 tackles for loss, 2 pass interceptions returned for 77 yards and 1 TD TD; 8 punt returns for 68 yards; 10 kick returns for 182 yards

Kordell is the son of Charles and Jodi Ford.

FIRST TEAM

OFFENSE

  • Quarterback — Broc Rutter, senior, North Central (Ill.).
  • Running backs — Robert Shufford, junior, Birmingham-Southern; Ethan Greenfield, sophomore, North Central (Ill.).
  • Linemen — Sharmore Clarke, junior, North Central (Ill.); Quinn Meinerz, junior, Wisconsin-Whitewater; Nic Vetter, senior, Wartburg; Sean Sherman, senior, Mount Union; Dan Greenheck, senior, St. John’s.
  • Tight end — Ryan Curtiss, senior, Muhlenberg.
  • Receivers — Andrew Kamienski, junior, North Central (Ill.); Justin Hill, senior, Mount Union.
  • All-purpose player — Willie Julkes III, senior, Concordia-Moorhead.
  • Kicker — Anthony Avila, sophomore, Mary Hardin-Baylor.

DEFENSE

  • Linemen — Frankie Feaster, senior, Muhlenberg; Dallas McRae, senior, Wheaton (Ill.); Joey Longoria, senior, Mary Hardin-Baylor; Michael Nobile, sophomore, Delaware Valley.
  • Linebackers — Scottie Bobeck, senior, Benedictine; Dante Capozzoli, junior, Kean; Anton Clark, senior, East Texas Baptist.
  • Secondary — Jeff Hector, senior, Redlands; Spencer Rowland, senior, Wheaton (Ill.); Jake Beesley, junior, North Central (Ill.); Kordell Ford, junior, Mount Union.
  • Punter — Zach Warcola, senior, College of New Jersey.

SECOND TEAM

OFFENSE

  • Quarterback — Jackson Erdmann, senior, St.John’s.
  • Running backs — Alex Minton, senior, Denison; Wesley Schools, senior, Grove City.
  • Linemen — Ben Bartch, senior, St. John’s; Joe Krall, senior, Monmouth (Ill.); Tyler Norwood, senior, Salisbury; Ryan Malarkey, senior, Muhlenberg; Steven Sellers, junior, Mary Hardin-Baylor.
  • Tight end — Dan Allen, senior, Delaware Valley.
  • Receivers — Ruhann Peele, senior, Wesley (Del.); Ravi Alston, sophomore, St. John’s; Samuel Staehling, senior, St. Norbert.
  • All-purpose player — Brock Martin, sophomore, Ohio Northern.
  • Kicker — Jaydon Haaq, sophomore, Wisconsin-Oshkosh.

DEFENSE

  • Linemen — Jordan McInerney, senior, Lake Forest; Danny Pietruszewski, junior, St. John’s; Tim Ousley, senior, Muskingum; Mike Williams, senior, Washington & Jefferson.
  • Linebackers — Mason Dekker, senior, Hope; Emmet Forde, junior, Hobart; Nick Garone, senior, Ithaca.
  • Secondary — Peyton Haynes, senior, LaGrange; Blaze Barista, senior, Dubuque; Danial Shelton, senior, Susquehanna; Tramon Wiley, junior, Heidelberg.
  • Punter — Alex Berg, senior, Concordia-Moorhead.

 

News

Hardnose Award Goes to Preston Hodges

At the end of each season, the Touchdown Club honors one of the players with the “Bob Commings Memorial Hardnose Award.”  That player would have received the most votes from among weekly tallies taken by the club members.  Past players honored include John Mulbach (Ohio State), David Whitfield (Ohio State), Chris Spielman (Ohio State), Shawn Crable (Michigan), Brian Gamble (Illinois/Ashland) and Jamir Thomas.

Bob Commings was a very successful coach for the Tigers from 1969 to 1973, compiling a record of 43-6-2, including Massillon’s last state championship (1970) and qualification for Ohio’s first ever state playoff games (1972).  Commings departed following the 1973 season to become head coach of the University of Iowa and later coached at GlenOak High School, for which their field was later named.

This year’s Hardnose Award goes to senior outside linebacker and team captain Preston Hodges, recently named Second Team All-Ohio, First Team All-District and WHBC All-County.  Hodges’ stats are aplenty, including:

  • 3rd on the team in tackles with 37 solos and 56 assists
  • 14.5 tackles for loss, accounting for 48 negative yards
  • 1.5 quarterback sacks, accounting for 15 negative yards
  • 4 pass interceptions returned for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns
  • 5 pass breakups
  • 9 passes defended
  • 1 blocked punt
  • 11 rushes for 79 yards and 2 touchdowns
  • 3 punt returns for 18 yards and a touchdown
  • 30 points scored
  • 175 all-purpose yards

When asked about the award after the presentation, Preston said this: “It means everything to me.  I  know being an undersized guy you have to be a hard-nosed player.  You have to go all out every single play.  It’s just the mindset you have to have going into every single game.  I really love the game of football and I just give it my all.”  But the admiration for his teammates was not lost on him.  “I love this football team,” he said.  “They’ve had my back every step of the way.  We all push each other to be better.  I created life-long friendships with this team, I can already tell.  I was very happy with our season.  It didn’t end the way we wanted.  But I’ll still love every single one of those guys and they’re my brothers for life.”

A new award was added to the ceremony this year for the player that comes to practice every day and gives maximum performance.  It’s called the “Bucket Award.”  And this year’s winner is Jerron Hodges.

Preston Hodges receives the Hardnose Award from Bob Commings, Jr.
Jerron Hodges with Touchdown Club President Steve Berecek
Jerron and Preston Hodges, with parents Nick and Jennifer, and Coach Nate Moore
Coach Nate Moore with the 2019 team captains: Preston Hodges, Cole Jones, Aidan Longwell, Ben Krichbaum and Manny McElroy