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Massillon Tigers Letter Logo News

Booster Club Report – Week 11

Scores from last week:

  • Varsity defeated Canton McKinley, 24-17
  • Freshmen defeated Canton McKinley, 28-13.  Final record: 6-4

This week’s schedule:

  • Friday – Varsity vs. Columbus Walnut Ridge (9-1) at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, 7:00 pm

Last Saturday was a tremendous day for the Massillon football program in more ways than one. Not only did the Tigers defeat the Bulldogs, but Massillon also won the blood battle, the food drive and the pull-up challenge.  More than 2500 out-of-town fans paid $5.00 each to watch the game live on the internet, covering some 29 states and two foreign countries.

The effort to feature the tiger head blowup tunnel at each school during the week was a resounding success.  The kids were thrilled and many parents turned out to take photos.  Even the teachers got into the action.

This week’s first round playoff game against Columbus Walnut Ridge will start at 7:00 pm.  Parking passes for the west lot will be honored.  Tickets are available on Tuesday for season ticket holders and Wednesday through Friday for the general public.  Hours are 7:00 pm to 5:30 pm, although the office may close early on Friday.

Justin Gaddis (center) and Dean Clark (defensive back) were the guest players.  Over 25,000 social media followers watched the replay of Clark’s thrilling pancake of the McKinley running back.

The guest coach was J.P. Simon.  Simon said that the team trained in the off-season to maintain their intensity over a 4-quarter game and a 15-week season.  He noted that it was the main factor in defeating the Bulldogs.  Statistics-wise, McKinley ran just four plays and a punt in the fourth quarter to the Tigers’ 24.  “Physicality and toughness are our core values,” said Simon.  When asked about the sledge hammer he carries around during pre-game warmup, Simon said it was trophy that the linemen won during a summer camp at the University of Pittsburgh.  Called the “Big Man Challenge,” each of the 60+ teams competed in five events, including a tug-of-war at the end.  Not only did Massillon finish on top of the field, they won each of the five events.  “It was kind of cool to win that award,” he said.

Head Coach Nate Moore reviewed film of several plays from last Saturday’s game then turned his attention to Walnut Ridge.

General notes:

  • The Scots play in the Columbus City League
  • Their regular season record was 9-1, the loss being 26-20 to Eastmoor
  • They average 48 points a game and give up 8
  • Five times they scored over 50 points
  • Only two teams have scored more than once (Eastmoor and Marion Franklin)
  • Ten players go both ways
  • The quarterback and two wide receivers have received college offers (Valparaiso, Kentucky and Cincinnati)

Offense

  • The quarterback (6′-4″, 200 lbs.) has has thrown for 1,756 yards and 28 touchdowns.  He will run some, but not effectively.
  • The running back (5′-9″, 185 lbs.) is a sophomore.  He has rushed for 1,048 yards and 14 touchdowns.
  • The top wide receivers are both over 6-foot.
  • The offensive line averages 6′-2″, 238 lbs.  Two of the players are on the smaller size.
  • They operate out of the spread offense, with some jet sweep.  Run-pass ratio is 60:40.

Defense

  • 3-4 alignment
  • All three defensive linemen go both ways
  • The line averages 6′-4″, 225 lbs.
  • The Sam linebacker (who also plays receiver) is being recruited by Kentucky.

Go Tigers!

Massillon vs. McK - Throwback (Large) History

2018: Massillon 24, Canton McKinley 17

Massillon edges McKinley 24-17 in 129th meeting of rivals
Oct 27, 2018 7:30 PM
Josh Weir
Canton Repository

MASSILLON While his teammates whooped it up Saturday at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, Massillon senior Jamir Thomas shed tears as he hugged his family.

Why this emotion in a time of celebration?

“Because this is the last Massillon-McKinley game I ever get to be a part of,” Thomas said.

He made the most of it.

Thomas ran for a career-high 269 yards to key Massillon’s 24-17 win against McKinley in the 129th meeting between the rivals.

A near-capacity crowd watched the Tigers hammer the ball on the ground on a rainy, cold afternoon. Fifty-three times Massillon ran it, with Thomas carrying it 35 times and scoring twice.

After Thomas did most of the heavy lifting to get Massillon down the field, it was junior Zion Phifer punching the ball into the end zone on a 1-yard run with 5:55 left to break a 17-17 tie.

McKinley went three-and-out on its ensuing possession, which turned out to be its final possession. Massillon ran the ball 11 straight times to eat up the final 4:52 of clock and complete the program’s first 10-0 regular season since 1999.

“It’s just playing like Tigers, which means playing hard, playing with discipline, playing with great effort, and doing that for eight months,” Massillon head coach Nate Moore said.

Phifer added 67 yards on 15 carries as the Tigers attempted only eight passes all afternoon. Massillon has won three straight and seven out of the last eight in the series against McKinley.

“We came out here expecting to pound the ball,” Thomas said. “I mean, they knew our plays. They were calling out our plays from their sideline. So we really just had to execute. That’s what we did.”
OHSAA playoff pairings will be announced Sunday, but it appears Massillon will host Columbus Walnut Ridge next week in Division II, Region 7, while McKinley will go to Solon in Division I, Region 1.

Down 17-10 at halftime, McKinley’s Kris Hunter recovered a pooch kick that Jayden Ballard couldn’t collect. Nine plays later, quarterback Alijah Curtis fought off at least three tackles before just breaking the plane of the goal line on a 4-yard TD run before the ball popped loose.

The game was tied and the Bulldogs had life. Soon Massillon was sucking it away.

McKinley ran seven offensive plays over the final 19:54 of game clock thanks to Massillon’s punishing run game.

“It was a quick second half,” McKinley head coach Dan Reardon said. “We’ve got to do a better job of getting them stopped. We had a couple of opportunities.”

Entering Saturday, only one of Massillon’s nine wins had come by less than 28. If the Tigers needed a test, they got it from McKinley.

Lameir Garrett ran for 104 yards on 19 carries to lead the Bulldogs. He added a 15-yard touchdown on a throwback screen in the first quarter that had McKinley up 7-3.

Curtis completed 7 of 13 passes for 90 yards and one interception as the Bulldogs dropped their second straight game after beginning the season 8-0.

“I thought our kids did a lot of good things,” Reardon said. “Rivalry games, big games, this game, everything is magnified. A missed tackle is magnified. A misalignment is magnified. A misread. Ultimately, they made more plays than we did.

“… I’m very proud of our kids. Our kids this year have done a tremendous job of getting so much better over the course of the year. The team we are today is a thousand times better than 10 or 12 weeks ago.”

Facing a fourth-and-6 at their own 37 on the first play of the fourth quarter, McKinley ran a fake punt. The play’s timing seemed to be disrupted and Matthew Reardon’s pass was picked off by Max Turner.

A Massillon unsportsmanlike penalty pushed the ball back to the Tigers’ 36, where it embarked on the game-winning drive. It included QB Aidan Longwell plowing forward to get a first down on fourth-and-1 from the 20.

“This game, it’s a slugfest,” Moore said. “It always is. Our kids stood tall.”

Tyree Broyles got an interception off a Kyshad Mack deflection in the second quarter to thwart any McKinley momentum after the Bulldogs got a turnover on downs. The Bulldogs finished with only 224 yards of offense.

Massillon junior nose tackle Emanuel McElroy was a force in the trenches. His stop of Garrett on third-and-goal from the 1 in the first quarter forced McKinley to settle for a 20-yard Ronald Pino field goal.

McElroy, a transfer from Tuslaw, is the son of former McKinley star Jamar Martin, creating an interesting dynamic for his family.

“It was nerve-wracking at first,” McElroy said. “I didn’t know what to expect, but I knew what I was going to do. Whether they came for McKinley or Massillon is whatever they feel. I’m going to keep doing what I do for my team and help us go 15-for-15.”

With a weapon such as Thomas, anything is possible for Massillon. The Canton native, a mix of power and speed, highlighted his final McKinley-Massillon game with 78- and 16-yard touchdown runs.

“It’s just unbelievable,” Thomas said. “I just love my team, man.”

GAME STATS

or josh.weir@cantonrep.com

On Twitter: @jweirREP

Obie Logo (Large) News

It’s Another Great Day To Be a Tiger

A new McKinley Game tradition was started this week when the blowup tiger head tunnel made the rounds of all the Massillon City Schools.  Each student was given the opportunity to run through the tunnel and show their enthusiasm for the Tigers.  Even the parents showed up to take photos of their children standing at the tunnel entrance.  Starting with Whittier on Monday, it progressed on successive days to Gorrell, Franklin, the middle school and finally the high school.  The tunnel even made a stop at Smith to entertain the pre-school kids.  Enjoy below Booster Club President Ben Lieberman’s photo of the Tiger tunnel at the middle school with the sun about to rise from behind the building.

And that is how we do that.

 

WHS TV Logo News

WATCH LIVE: Tigers vs. Canton McKinley

Each Massillon varsity football home game will be live streamed by WHS-TV for the cost of $5.00. Click the link below and then click “Purchase Ticket.”  Then complete purchase information.

Live Internet Streaming Link

 

Note: Live Internet Streaming is a product of the Massillon City School District and is not available for viewers within a 30-mile radius of Massillon (except for the 2018 McKinley game).  The Massillon City School District is not responsible for purchases made within the geo-fenced radius.

Massillon vs. McK - Throwback (Large) History

History of the Massillon-McKinley Rivalry

Introduction

No high school football rivalry in the nation can claim the extraordinary tradition of Massillon vs. Canton.  The rivalry has festered for over 100 years.  It’s bigger than a family feud and it’s more intense than a street fight.  In fact, it’s almost akin to going to war.  And the success or failure of each team is often based on its outcome.

Dave Sheegog scores the winning touchdown in the 1964 Massillon-McKinley game.

Click here for the whole story

Massillon Tigers Letter Logo News

Booster Club Report – Week 10

Scores from last week:

  • Varsity defeated Louisville, 41-0
  • Junior Varsity defeated Louisville via forfeit.  Final record: 9-0
  • Freshmen lost to Louisville, 18-14

This week’s schedule:

  • Wednesday – Freshmen vs. Canton McKinley at Canton’s Don Scott Field, 7:00 pm
  • Saturday – Varsity vs. Canton McKinley at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, 2:00 pm

The Massillon Museum is staging a soft opening of the new Paul Brown Museum on Friday, October 26, from 4:00 to 9:00 pm.  All Tiger fans are encouraged to stop by.

The Beat McKinley Parade will begin at 7:00 pm on Friday.

The Tiger head tunnel is making the rounds at the various schools this week.  Students receive a Beat McKinley strip and an opportunity to run through the tunnel.

Tiger head tunnel at Gorrell

Massillon made national sports last Saturday when an avid fan held up a sign supporting the Tigers at ESPN’s College GameDay show.

The Booster Club meeting got off to a rousing start when the cheerleaders and senior band members entertained the crowd.  The senior football players then shared their thoughts on this week’s game.

“It’s really a good group of guys,” said Massillon head coach Nate Moore.  “They’re a lot of fun to be with.  I’m looking forward to them playing hard, tough, physical football against McKinley.”

The Bulldog offense is led by senior quarterback, Alujah Curtis (5′-9″, 184 lbs.), who is committed to Army.  A 2-year starter at the position, Curtis’ forte is passing the ball, having accumulated 1,965 yards and 15 touchdowns.  Moore said he throws a good ball and is fairly accurate.  He will also run some.  On the receiving end of most passes are senior Khyree Woody (5′-10″, 168 lbs.) and junior Jalen Ross (6′-2, 191 lbs.), both of whom possess good speed.  Woody has 45 receptions for 944 yards and eight touchdowns.  Ross has 34 receptions for 587 yards and three touchdowns.  Junior Lameir Garrett (5′-10″, 181 lbs.) took over the featured running back duties following dismal ground performances in the first three games.  He has rushed 146 times for 965 yards (6.6 yards per carry).  The offensive line averages 6′-0″, 253 lbs.

McKinley will normally align in a 4-receiver set, with an occasional empty backfield.  They have consistently run the ball 70% of the time in each game, but 60% of the yards are gained via the passing game.  Watch for a lot of jet-sweeps and bubble screens.  As a team, they have completed 66% of their passes.  Statistically, their passing game mirrors that of Massillon in terms of yards per attempt and yards per catch.  But schematically, they are completely different.

Defensively, the Bulldogs have changed their alignment from last year’s 4-front.  They now utilize a 3-front odd-stack, similar to GlenOak.  The strength of the unit is the linebacking corps, led by sophomore Cayman Williams (5′-11″, 200 lbs.).  Williams has 65 tackles, include five for loss.  The leading tacklers on the team are their free safeties (not a good stat to have), junior Chamber Stokes-Williams (5′-10, 182) and sophomore Brian Pinkney (5′-10, 174 lbs.).  Stokes-Williams has 70 tackles, while Pinkney has 74.  The defensive line averages 5′-11″, 252 lbs.

McKinley produces an average of 390 yards per game, while surrendering 321.  They give up 4.4 yards per carry and opponents have completed 53% of their passes for 150 yards a game.  Their average score has been 37-18.

For comparison purposes, Massillon produces an average of 482 yards per game, while surrendering 211.  They give up 3.6 yards per carry and opponents have completed 44% of their passes for 101 yards a game.  Their average score has been 51-11.

McKinley has a slight edge in strength-of-schedule, according to calpreps.com,  Massillon’s signature win this year was 46-40 against East St. Louis, Illinois.  McKinley’s is 28-14 over Warren Harding, a team the Tigers beat 51-21.

“It’s a good football team,” Moore said.  “They do a lot of things well.”

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo Massillon v. McKinley

BEAT McKINLEY WEEK EVENTS 2018

The following is a list of events taking place during Beat McKinley week. This is not a complete list of all events happening.

Monday:

Tiger Head tunnel at Whittier
Blood Battle Noon-7 – Massillon Rec Center
Buffalo Wild Wings fundraiser 4-9
Coach Moore Radio Show 5:30 @Buffalo Wild Wings
Booster Club Meeting 7:00pm (WHS Auditorium) Open to the Public – with MTSB, Players, Cheerleaders

Tuesday:

Tiger Head Tunnel at Gorrell
Blood Drive 7:30AM Auxiliary Gym @WHS
Touchdown Club 11:30 @Eagles 190

Wednesday: 

Tiger Head Tunnel at Franklin
Massillon/McKinley Prayer Breakfast 7:00AM @Canton Baptist Temple
Freshman Football at McKinley 7pm @McKinley Don Scott Field

Thursday: 

Tiger Head Tunnel at Massillon Middle School
WHS Open House 6:00-8:00
Tiger Swing Band concert 7:00 WHS Main Gym

Friday: 

Tiger Head Tunnel at WHS
Rotary Luncheon w/ Jim Tressel 11:30 @Eagles 190
Beat McKinley Rally 1:15 @WHS Main Gym
Paul Brown Museum “Soft Opening” 4-9pm @Massillon Museum
Beat McKinley Parade 7:00pm – Downtown Massillon

Saturday:

BEAT MCKINLEY 2:00pm

 

Massillon Tigers Black Letter Logo History

2018: Massillon 41, Louisville 0

Focused Tigers shut down Leopards to stay undefeated
Oct 19, 2018 11:30 PM
Chris Easterling

LOUISVILLE Louisville made a point to let undefeated Massillon know it was on the field before the ball was even teed up on Friday night. The teams had to be separated after the Leopards ran up to the Tigers while the latter waited to take the field.

Once the ball was kicked off, Massillon made sure Louisville knew it was on the field. The Tigers scored four first-quarter touchdowns, while the defense dominated, to lead them to a 41-0 win over the Leopards in front of a standing-room-only crowd at Louisville Stadium.

“That really surprised me that that even happened before the game,” Massillon coach Nate Moore said. “We certainly responded well. We got out focus back and played hard.”

The win gives Massillon it’s first 9-0 start since 2005. However, the chance for the first Week 10 showdown between undefeated and untied Massillon and McKinley teams since that season – and sixth time ever – was thwarted when Perry knocked off the Bulldogs.

Still, the Tigers have a chance to post their first undefeated regular season since 1999 with a win over McKinley in next Saturday’s 129th edition of The Game at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

“It’s the biggest game in high school football,” Moore said. “It’s an honor to be a part of it.”

Part of a tradition to The Game is the worry both teams have about Week 9. A potential to peak ahead to the rivalry game always seems to exist, regardless of who the opponent they may be facing.

Any doubt that the Tigers would be looking past Friday’s game was erased when the Leopards made their pregame beeline toward Massillon. While the “scuffle” was more bark than bite by either team, it certainly ignited a fire under the Tigers.

Louisville coach John DeMarco declined to comment about the pregame incident, as well as the four first-half personal fouls his team committed. However, he acknowledged what he saw over the four quarters his team played against the Tigers supported everything he saw of them on film during the week.

“They played like I thought they could play,” said DeMarco, whose team was shut out for the first since since Austintown Fitch won 26-0 in Week 3 of the 2016 season. “They’re a very good team, a very complete team. They do a lot of different things well.”

While the offense has been one of the calling cards for Massillon this season, it was the defense which set the tone throughout the game. That started with the Tigers’ first score, a 24-yard interception return for a touchdown by Max Turner with 8:42 remaining in the first quarter.

Turner’s pick – his second in as many weeks which he returned for a score – was one of three for Massillon on the night. That includes back-to-back possessions in the first quarter, as Kyshad Mack picked off the first pass of the Leopards’ subsequent possession at the Louisville 33.

That set up Massillon’s first offensive score of the night, a 1-yard Aidan Longwell touchdown run to make it 14-0 with 5:38 left in the quarter. That was the first of three consecutive touchdown drives for the Tigers, with Longwell hitting Jayden Ballard for a 74-yard scoring strike to make it 21-0 with 1:56 left in the quarter, and Jamir Thomas scoring from a yard out to make it 28-0 one play into the second quarter.

Ballard would catch a 78-yard touchdown pass with 1:51 remaining in the first half to make it 34-0 Tigers. Thomas’ second 1-yard run made it 41-0 with 5:10 left in the third quarter.

Thomas rushed for 113 yards on 17 carries. Longwell completed 8-of-11 passes for 203 yards with two touchdowns and one pick.

It was, however, the Tiger defense which set the tone.

Massillon limited Louisville to just 145 total yards. Leopard quarterback Colton Jones, who had thrown for more than 800 yards in his team’s three-game win streak entering the game, was 17-of-34 passing for 143 yards.

Not only did the Tigers keep the potent Louisville passing game in check, it did so despite having their backs to the goal line on multiple first-half possessions. Massillon had three fourth-down stops in the first half, including back-to-back fourth-and-goals in the second quarter from its own 3.

“We got down there a couple of times and weren’t able to score,” DeMarco said. “That was a little frustrating. They had a lot to do with that.”

GAME STATS

Reach Chris at 330-775-1128 or chris.easterling@indeonline.com.

On Twitter: @ceasterlingINDE

History

Bob Glass – Wall of Champions

On Friday, October 12, 2018, Massillon running back Jamir Thomas scored his 48th career rushing touchdown, breaking a record set in 1935-37 by Bob Glass.  The following story written by James C. DeLong best describes Glass.

Few people who saw the Massillon Washington High School Tigers play at old Massillon Field in the mid-thirties will ever forget the herculean feats of fullback Bob Glass.

Standing about 5’-10” and weighing around 200 pounds, Glass was a rare combination of speed and power.  Equally adept at smashing the middle of the line, running slants or streaking around the end, Massillon foes for three years were always confronted with the difficult task of setting up a defense that would hold Glass in check.  Unquestionably, Glass was one of the best ball carriers in Ohio scholastic history.

Bob Glass

In addition to his superb ball carrying ability, Glass performed the other duties of the triple threat back – passing and kicking.  He handled all the punting, kick-offs and extra points and did an outstanding job in each department.  His poorest specialty was as a passer, although here he was still better than average, as he did most of the throwing during the 1937 season.  On defense, he alternated at end and halfback.

Glass stepped into the Washington High grid picture from Longfellow Junior High School in 1935, when as a sophomore, and was given the task of filling the shoes of big D.C. McCants, who was a standout here in 1933 and 1934.  Coach Paul E. Brown had followed Blass’s two-year apprenticeship at Longfellow closely and did not hesitate to install him in the starting line-up against Akron East in the 1935 opener.  Glass responded with an outstanding exhibition of ball carrying and from that time on he started every game in his three year career except for the 1935 New Philadelphia game, which he missed due to an ankle injury.

Of the 47 touchdowns that Bob scored in his career here, probably the most important one came in the 1935 Canton McKinley-Massillon game.  Here Glass broke a scoreless tie in the third quarter when he smashed over from the one yard line in this bruising battle to give Coach Brown his first win over Canton, 6-0, and to end a three year reign by the Bulldogs.

After completing his career at Washing High School, Glass led the Ohio High School All-Stars to a 19-0 victory over the Florida High School All-Stars in a game played in Florida in December, 1937, and then he enrolled at Tulane University, where he played three years as a starting halfback.  He was on Tulane’s Sugar Bowl team during his sophomore year and in his senior year led the Green Wave in rushing, passing, kickoff returns and punting and played in the East-West Shrine Game.  He received All-American mention at Tulane and was a high draft choice of the New York Giants of the National Football League.  However, he never had an opportunity to test his talents in professional football as he was killed late in World War II while serving as a Marine Corps officer in the battle of Iwo Jima.

When Coach Paul Brown learned of Bob’s death in 1945, he remarked that “it must have been a big bullet” to kill Glass.

Bob Glass scores against Canton McKinley in 1935

Highlights of Bob Glass’ Career

  • Massillon was 28-1-1 during his career, winning three state championships
  • Scored 47 career touchdowns
  • Scored 49 career points after touchdown
  • Scored 330 career points
  • Scored the only touchdown in a 6-0 victory over Canton McKinley in 1935
  • Scored five career touchdowns against Canton McKinley plus four extra points
  • Scored 34 career points against Canton McKinley
  • Started 29 of 30 games
  • Carried the ball 31 times against Steubenville in 1937
  • Named 1st Team All-Stark County in 1935, 1936 and 1937
  • Named 3rd Team All-Ohio in 1935
  • Named 1st Team All-Ohio in 1936 and 1937
  • Inducted into Massillon Wall of Champions in 2008

Records Prior to 2018 Season

  • Career rushing touchdowns – 1st – 47
  • Career touchdowns – 1st – 47
  • Career points – 1st – 330
  • Single game rushing touchdowns – 3rd – 5 vs. Franklin, Cedar Rapids, IA, 1937
  • Single game rushing touchdowns – 5th – 4 vs. Alliance (twice), 1935 & 1937

Massillon Tigers Letter Logo News

Booster Club Report – Week 9

Scores from last week:

  • Varsity defeated Sun Valley, Pennsylvania, 101-6.
  • Junior Varsity defeated Cleveland St. Ignatius, 7-6.
  • Freshmen lost to Cleveland St. Ignatius, 28-19.
  • 8th Grade defeated Western Crusaders, 22-12.  Final record: 5-3
  • 7th Grade defeated Brunswick, 20-0.  Final record: 6-2

This week’s schedule:

  • Thursday – Freshmen vs. Louisville at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, 6:00 pm
  • Friday – Varsity vs. Louisville at Louisville, 7:30 pm
  • Saturday – Junior Varsity vs. Louisville at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, 10:00 am

The Massillon Museum is staging a soft opening of the new Paul Brown Museum on Friday, October 26, from 4:00 to 9:00 pm.  All Tiger fans are encouraged to stop by.

ESPN 990 is hosting a fundraiser at BW3 on Monday October 22, from 4:00 to 9:00 pm.  Twenty percent of the take will be donated to the Massillon Tiger Football Program.

This year’s Massillon-McKinley blood drive will be held at the Massillon Rec Center on Monday, October 22, from noon to 7:00 pm.

Dean Clark (defensive back / wide receiver) and Jamir Thomas (running back/linebacker) were the guest co-captains and spoke briefly about Louisville, this week’s opponent.

In last Friday’s win over Sun Valley Thomas scored his 48th career touchdown, breaking a record set by Bob Glass in 1937.  But he quickly put that mark behind him when when he said that all of the focus this week is on Louisville.  “We do one week at a time,” he said.

As a defender, Clark addressed the Leopard offense noting that they pass the ball 70% of the time with a quarterback that is very good.  The wide receivers are adept at finding the seams in the zone, given that most of the passes are of the short to intermediate range.

“We were proud of our kids last week,” said head coach Nate Moore.  “The kids played hard.”  But he said that they have a great challenge this week, on the road in a hostile environment.  “We’re going to play hard for you guys,” he said.

The guest this week was inside linebacker coach Spencer Leno, who addressed the Louisville offense.  “It’s going to be a backyard brawl,” he emphasized.  “This is their Super Bowl.  They’re going to be ready to play us, so we’re not looking past them.  We’re focusing on the task at hand.”

The Leopards operate out of the spread offense and align with twin receivers or trips, with an occasional empty backfield.  Junior quarterback Colton Jones (5′-11″, 185 lbs.) is very talented and is currently the passing yardage leader in Stark County this year.  But don’t look for him to run much.  Jones has a pair of good, rangy wide receivers that are his favorite targets.  Watch for junior Davis Burick (6′-2″, 201 lbs.) and senior Jared Mathie (6′-0″, 202 lbs.).  Senior Max Hartline (5′-11″, 183 lbs.) handles the running back duties and he is very effective.

Coach Moore added that the quarterback is good, with nice arm strength and a very good handle on the offense.  He throws well and will stand in the pocket under pressure.  The strength of the offense is the wide receivers.  Not a lot of size on the offensive line (average: 5′-11″, 242 lbs.).  Expect the Tigers to try and exploit this area.

Defensively, the Louisville maintains a balanced alignment, utilizing a good-sized 4-man front (average: 6′-2″, 245 lbs.).  LInebackers junior Carter Rode (5′-10″, 176 lbs.) and Mathie are good players.

Louisville is currently 5-3, having lost to Canfield (21-14), North Canton (30-14) and Perry (29-12).  But they have won five of their last six, including a victory over Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (31-12).  Only two players go both ways.

“It’s a good football team,” summed up the coach.  “They do a lot of things well.”

Go Tigers!