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2023: Massillon 50, Westerville South 7

Massillon Downs Westerville South, Advances in Playoffs to Round 3

Game Statistics

It didn’t take long for Massillon to put this game out of the reach of visiting Westerville South, winning 50-7.  With machine-like precision, the offense scored the first three times it touched the ball, on drives of 93, 59 and 49 yards.  A fourth that followed came via a fumble return, making the score 28-0 early in the second quarter.  Meanwhile, the defense was its usual self, this time holding the opponent to a mere 75 yards of total offense, with most of that coming in the second half against the backups.

With the win the Tigers next face Uniontown Lake, a 21-20 triple-overtime winner over Big Walnut.  The site of the game will be announced on Sunday.  The other half of the regional bracket involved Canal Winchester defeating Watkins Memorial, 7-3, and Green besting North Canton, 23-21.

Massillon received the opening kickoff, but returned it only to their own seven, as the call was for a return to the opposite side of the field.  Only, they failed to secure a block against South’s Isaac Patterson, who made a fine stop at the Tiger seven.  But, after a 7-yard run by Ja’Meir Gamble, quarterback Da’One Owens kept on the next play and rumbled all the way to the Massillon 35, giving the offense some breathing room.  And they took full advantage.  Two plays later the Tigers were in the endzone when Owens hit Emy Louis Jr. with a precise sideline pass and Louis then outraced the defender to the goal line to complete a 40-yard score.  Vinny Keller kicked the extra point, his first of six straight.

The Wildcats showed their only promising offense of the night against the Tiger starters on their first possession when they managed to pick up consecutive first downs and advance to the Tiger 41.  But they were stopped on downs following a run for no gain and three incomplete passes.

Massillon responded with a 9-play 59-yard touchdown drive.  The key play was a 20-yard pass from Owens to Braylyn Toles that placed the ball at the South 21.  From there it took just three plays: a 12-yard jet sweep by Kyler Wiggins, a 5-yard run by Gamble and a 4-yard run by Owens.

The third score came on the first play of the second quarter when Owens faked the handoff and sprinted 21 yards into the end zone.  Then came the fumble.  On first and ten from the South 36, running back Nasir Phillips was stripped of the ball in the backfield by a hard-charging Mike Wright Jr.  Vito McConnell was right there to pick it up in stride and he then raced 30 yards to the end zone.   With Massillon leading 28-0, the game was essentially over at that point.

Later in the quarter, the Tigers engineered a 7-play 54-yard drive, which ended when Gamble scored from the seven.  Gamble carried the ball in all seven plays with runs of 15, 12, 8, 3, 9, 0 and 7 yards.  As expected South, similar to several previous Massillon opponents, was in blitz mode the entire game.  But it was mostly ineffective, as Gamble was able to find the seams to get the big yards.

With 46 seconds remaining in the half, the Wildcats tried one more time to find some points.  But on 3^rd and 6 from their own 22, quarterback Dominic Birtha unloaded an errant pass that was promptly picked off by Tyler Hackenbracht and returned 29 yards for a touchdown, making the score 42-0.

The backups played the entire second half, under a running-clock situation.  The Tigers scored when quarterback Eli Moore fired a 25-yard pass to Ricardo Wells, who won a wrestling match with the defender for possession of the ball and came down with it in the end zone for the score.  The 2-point conversion try was successful when Moore faked a handoff and strolled untouched across the goal line.

South responded with a 6-play, 62-yard drive, with Birtha converting a 20-yard touchdown pass to Tyler Keilmeyer.

Massillon racked up 343 yards of offense, with 221 rushing and 122 passing, while averaging 7.8 yards per play.  South had a net 75 yards, with 19 in the first half against the Tiger starters and 56 in the second half against the backups.  Massillon punted just once, with Hackenbracht booting a wind-aided 40-yarder.  The Wildcats punted five times.

Gamble led all rushers with 13 carries for 99 yards and a touchdown.  Mylen Lenix added 56 and Owens 46.  Owens completed 3 of 6 passes for 90 yards and one TD.  Linebacker Shon Robinson, who filled in for the injured Dorian Pringle for the nearly the entire game, led all defenders with five tackles.  Wright and Deangelo Zimmerman recorded two tackles-for-loss each.  Wright also had a sack.

For South, the speedy Phillips carried 19 times and 43 yards.  Birtha completed 5 of 16 passes for 31 yards and one TD and avoided all but one of the many sack attempts.  Safety Jordan Wheeler had eight tackles and linebacker Kawa Preston had six, with one TFL.

Go Tigers!

Massillon’s Complete Team Effort Keeps Them Undefeated

Massillon’s Complete Team Effort Keeps Them Undefeated

Through eleven games this year the Tigers continue to be unblemished in the win-loss column.  But from a statistics standpoint, it’s a bit strange.  Normally, on an unbeaten team there are a small handful of players that make the biggest difference.  A big-time passer, or a big-time runner, or a defender that literally takes over the game.  But not on this team.

There is no 1,000-yard rusher.  There is no 1,500-yard passer.  And there is no one defender that makes most of the tackles.  That’s because this Massillon team has outstanding players at every position on the field.  Offensively, they spread the ball around several running backs and speedy receivers.  And defensively, they play as a single unit, with each player responsible for a different facet during the game, with inevitably all of them making plays.

And it’s not like the schedule was favorable for this success.  Massillon this year has faced one of the most difficult slates in their long history, with the likes of Valdosta, GA, Lakewood St. Edward, St. John’s College, DC, Middletown, DE, Austintown Fitch and Canton McKinley.  And nine of their ten regular season opponents have qualified for the playoffs.  In addition, Massillon’s 45.76 Harbin points is the highest amount in the history of the playoffs, regardless of division.  Finally, all of the national rating services have the Tigers ranked in the Top 20.

Here’s a look at the performance statistics for this year, with some comparisons to prior years.

Offense

• Averages 40 points per game. This is the 18^th time this has happened in Massillon history.
• Averages 410 yards per game, exceeded only by six other teams.
• Averages 7.6 yards per play, surpassed since the time of Paul Brown by only the 1959 team, which averaged 8.4 yards per play. That team finished first in both Ohio and the nation.
• Averages 16.8 yards per pass completion, the most since 1981.

Da’One Owens and Jalen Slaughter split time at quarterback throughout the first half of the season, until Slaughter suffered an injury.  Since then,  Owens has become the primary signal caller.  He has an efficiency rating of 175.2, completing 79 of 129 passes (61%) for 1,232 yards and 15 touchdowns.  Slaughter has an efficiency rating of 188.7, completing 34 of 60 passes (57%) for 685 yards and 9 touchdowns.  Both are currently ranked all-time in the Top-5 for single-season pass efficiency.

The Tigers have most often used four wide receivers who all possess great speed and good hands.  The group is led by Braylyn Toles, who has 33 receptions for 471 yards and 7 touchdowns, and Jacques Carter, who has 32 receptions for 709 yards and 7 touchdowns.  Kyler Wiggins, last year’s leading receiver, has 13 catches for 152 yards and 2 touchdowns and Emy Louis Jr. has 12 catches for 273 yards and 5 touchdowns.  Carter and Louis are the best deep threats, averaging over 22 yards per reception.  On occasion, fullback Deangelo Zimmerman will be on the receiving end of a pass.  He has one touchdown to his credit.

Owens has also rushed 87 times for 828 yards (9.5 ave.) and 10 touchdowns.  Ja’Meir Gamble has rushed 84 times for 566 yards (6.7 ave.) and 3 touchdowns and Peyton Mitchell has rushed 56 times for 383 yards (6.8 ave.) and 1 touchdown.  Dorian Pringle, inserted in short yardage situations, has rushed 50 times for 246 yards (4.9 ave.) and 14 touchdowns.  He is also the team’s leading scorer with 84 points.

But all of this couldn’t be done without a stellar line.  This group includes Jaezen Lewis (6’-6”, 400) and Nolan Davenport (6’-6”, 245) at tackle, Sam Snodgrass (6’-2”, 285) and Mike  Looney (6’-0”, 245) at guard and Brady Jones (6’-3”, 245) at center.  Gavin Kappes (5’-11”, 260) also sees significant time on the line.

The Tigers are converting first downs 86% of the time, which is the best mark in over 60 years.

Defense

• Gives up an average of 8 points per game, the fewest since 1986.
• Gives up an average of 1.6 yard per rushing attempt, the fewest since 1979.
• The first unit has surrendered just one rushing touchdown (on a 5-yard drive).
• Has held 8 of 11 opponent to under 100 yards rushing.
• Has forced 65 punts, nearly six per game.

What makes this unit so good is the front seven, which has been simply dominant against the run.  The three down linemen include Mike Wright Jr.(5’-10″, 280), Malachi Card (6’-2”, 195) and North Carolina State bound Chase Bond (6’-4”, 255).  These three very talented players control the middle and force double teams from opposing offensive lineman, which leaves the linebackers free to do their job.  Many teams have tried then to test the outside, but this group has been the best seen in awhile in setting the edge and funneling running backs toward the inside linebackers.  The linebacking group includes Dorian Pringle and Cody Fair on the inside and Maverick Clark and Vito McConnell on the outside.  Help  is also provided by a speedy secondary that includes Zach Liebler and Adonis Marshall at cornerback and Ryan Page and Tyler Hackenbracht at safety.

Pringle has 49.5 tackle points, 8.0 sacks and 21.5 tackles-for-loss.  Right behind is Fair, who has 44.0 tackle points, 4.0 sacks and 12.0 tackles-for-loss. Page has 27.5 tackle points and cornerback Marshall has 26.0 tackle points.  Marshall also has three pass interceptions.  Wright has 6.5 sacks and 9.0 tackles-for-loss, Card has 4.5 TFLs, Bond has 4.0 TFLs and McConnel has 4.0 TFLs.

Opponents are converting first downs just 57% of the time, which is the best mark in the last twenty years.

Special Teams

The kicking game is manned primarily by Vinny Keller, who has converted 33 of 35 extra points.  Also kicking is Mateo Herrera, who has made all 22 of his PAT attempts.  Hackenbracht handles the punting shores, averaging 30.1 yards per attempt.  Of course, the Tigers have punted only 23 times this year.

2023 Booster Club Report – Week PO1 – Post-Grove…

2023 Booster Club Report – Week PO1 – Post-Grove City Central Crossing Game; Preview of the Westerville South Game

Massillon (11-0) defeated Grove City Central  Crossing (4-7), 41-6.  This week the Tigers host Westerville South (7-4) for a Friday, 7:00 pm kickoff in the second round of the playoffs.  The Tigers are No. 1 in Division 2, Region 7, while the Wildcats come in at No. 9.  Massillon leads the all-time series, 4-0, with the last game played in the 2021 playoffs.

Link to the Central Crossing Game Story

Link to the Central Crossing Game Statistics

Review of the Central Crossing game

It was win No. 943, which keeps Massillon in the No. 3 position nationally for all-time wins.

Massillon scored the first four times it had the ball in routing the Grove City Central Crossing, 41-6.  A running clock was in place for the entire fourth quarter. With the Comets blitzing on nearly every play to stop the run and pressure quarterback, the Tigers resorted to the passing game with great success.  Da’One Owens completed 20 of 27 passes for 341 yards and four touchdowns.  The 341 yards is ranked six all-time in the Tiger record book.  On the receiving end were Braylyn Toles with 8 receptions for 125 yards and two touchdowns and Jacques Carter with 6 receptions for 100 yards and a TD. Dorian Pringle was in on nine tackles and recorded three tackles-for-loss.  The Comets’ only score came in the third quarter on a 5-yard drive following a blocked punt.

“Last week we struggled running the football,” said Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore.  “Central Crossing went with the Warren Harding plan, loading the box.  You have only so many guys that can block that.  And they did a lot of UFO stuff.  So we threw it.  So, that’s the answer.  And it went really good.  But it doesn’t feel good (not being able to run the ball).”

Nevertheless, Moore thought the offense had a great day and the defense played “lights out”, holding the Comets to a net 47 yards of total offense.  But he also pointed out some miscues on special teams.  Some dumb mistakes that will get corrected.

Prior to the game Moore said that Central Crossing was fundamentally sound and well-coached, but lacked athletes in numbers.  All of that was true, but the Comets still came to play.  “I thought their kids played really hard,” he said.  “It was a good quality win.”

The guest players were linebacker Cody Fair and quarterback Da’One Owens.  “It wasn’t the cleanest game, but we will fix it,” said Fair.  “They played pretty physical, but we got on them,” added Owens.  “Westerville South will run the same defense.  The offense is a little undersized.  They have a good running back.  And the quarterback is OK.  Good size at receiver.”

Statistics leaders:

• Da’One Owens: 20 of 27 passing for 341 yards and 4 touchdown
• Mylen Lenix: 6 carries for 47 yards
• Braylyn Toles: 8 receptions for 125 yards and 2 touchdowns
• Jacques Carter: 6 receptions for 100 yards and 1 touchdown
• Emy Louis Jr.: 3 receptions for 48 yards and 1 touchdown
• Dorian Pringle: 7.0 (5-4) tackle points; 3 tackles -for-loss; 2 rushing touchdowns
• Cody Fair: 6.0 (5-2) tackle points; 1 tackle-for-loss
• Michael Wright Jr.: 3.5 (3-1) tackle points; 1 quarterback sack; 2.5 tackles for loss
• Chase Bond: 1.5 quarterback sacks; 1.5 tackles-for-loss

Westerville South Scouting Report

Westerville South plays in the Capital Division of the Ohio Capital Conference.  The Wildcats are currently 7-4 with a 5-2 conference record.  Their big win of the year came in Week 6 when they defeated previously undefeated Westerville North, 21-13.  Scores so far:

• Dublin Jerome (3-8): 15-20 L
• Westerville Central (2-9): 33-30 W
• Olenttangy (10-1): 14-31 L
• Dublin Scioto (2-9): 42-10 W
• Big Walnut (6-5): 22-7 W
• Westerville North (9-2): 21-13
• Delaware Hayes (8-3): 33-36 L
• Canal Winchester (10-1): 14-35 L
• Franklin Heights (2-8): 37-13 W
• Worthington Kilbourne (0-10): 26-0 W
• Columbus Briggs (7-4): 49-30 W

The Wildcats have good athletes at the skill positions in their spread offense, but the lines struggle a bit.  On offense they will mostly use 10 and 11 personnel, with occasional empty backfield.  They will pass as much as they run.

The quarterback is senior Dominic Birtha (5′-11″, 185), a 3-year starter.  As such, he has a good command of the offense.  Birtha has a strong arm, but has struggled with consistency.  He can scramble and his number will be called at times to run the ball.  Massillon faced Birtha as a sophomore two years ago in the playoffs.  In that 50-19 win he completed 17 of 27 passes for 151 yards and two touchdowns.  Although, his favorite receiver at the time was Penn State-bound Kaden Saunders, who caught half the passes.

Running the ball is senior Nasire Phillips (5′-9″,190), a 3-year starter.  He is a fast and quick runner.  He tries to get vertical and can break tackles.  The Tigers will need to wrap up.  In the 2021 game he rushed 14 times for 98 yards and one touchdown.  He also caught a 26-yard pass.

The best wide receivers are senior Jeramiah McDuffie (6′-3″, 180) and sophomore Isaac Patterson (6′-1″, 175).  McDuffie appears to be the targeted receiver, while Patterson owns the best stats.  But also keep an eye on junior Tyler Kielmeyeer, a rangy player who goes 6′-7″, 230 lbs.

The offensive line averages just 6′-1″, 235 lbs., but does have a couple of good players in junior center Xavier Flemister (5′-11″, 250) and senior Manny Swaray (6′-1″, 255).

Defensively, South aligns in a 3-man odd front with four linebackers.  The backfield uses almost exclusively man-to-man coverage, with cover-0 or cover-1.  Expect the Wildcats to put eight in the box when the Tigers have three receivers in the game in an attempt to stop the run.  That will put the onus on the Massillon receivers to shed the coverage.

The strength of the defense is in the secondary.  Both safeties are good in Patterson, a 2-way player, and senior Jordan Wheeler (6′-0″, 175), also a 2-way player.  Patterson has decent speed and is a good tackler.  Wheeler has good size.  Senior cornerback Cam Garcia (5′-10″, 165) is the best corner and plays aggressively.

Should Massillon prevail in this one, they will then face the winner of the game between Uniontown Lake and Big Walnut.

Go Tigers!

A Look at the Teams in Massillon’s Region 7…

calpreps.A Look at the Teams in Massillon’s Region 7 Playoff Bracket

Division 2 Bracket

The 2023 OHSAA football playoffs gets underway this Friday with 448 teams having qualified, distributed among seven divisions, with four regions within each division.  That translates into sixteen teams in each region, which will compete during the next four weeks to determine the regional champion.  That will be followed by two more weeks of semi-final and final games to determine the ultimate champion in each division.  That’s a lot of teams and a lot of games.  A bit of overkill?  Perhaps.  But that’s the OHSAA world we live in right now.

Number 1, unbeaten Massillon will open with Number 16 Grove City Central Crossing (4-6) in a game that appears to be a mismatch on paper, not unlike the last three years when the OHSAA expanded the playoffs, first due to the Covid situation and then further to reap additional revenue through ticket sales.  In 2020 during the first round the Tigers defeated Perry, 48-7.  The next year they beat Columbus Independence, 76-22.  And last year Columbus Walnut Ridge, 56-0.  Expect more of the same this time around and the junior varsity team, which had their final two games canceled, may finally get some time on the field.

Below is a look at each of the teams in Massillon’s Region 7, with a look at their scoring, their results against notable opponents and the various computer ratings and rankings.  Please note that the number next to each team is their final position in the OHSAA computer regional ranking.  Also note that any rating shown within parentheses is negative.  The rankings are for the region only.

 1 – Massillon (10-0)

• Scoring offense – 40; Rank: No. 1
• Scoring defense – 8; Rank: No. 1
• Scoring differential – 32; Rank: No. 1
• calpreps.com strength of schedule – Rating: 49.2; Rank: No. 1
• calpreps.com ranking – Rating: 73.1; Rank: No. 1
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 198.0; Rank: No. 1
• Notable wins – Valdosta, GA (7-2), Lakewood St. Edward (9-1), Middletown, DE (6-1), St. John’s College (4-4), Austintown Fitch (6-3), Canton McKinley (7-3)
• Notable losses – None

2 – Canal Winchester (9-1)

• Scoring offense – 28; Rank: No. 3
• Scoring defense – 11; Rank: No. 2
• Scoring differential – 17; Rank: No. 3
• calpreps.com strength of schedule – Rating: 13.8; Rank: No. 10
• calpreps.com ranking – Rating: 35.4; Rank: No. 3
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 147.8; Rank: No. 3
• Notable wins – Westerville North (8-2), Delaware Hayes (8-2)
• Notable losses – Big Walnut (5-5)

3 – Green (7-3)

• Scoring offense – 27; Rank: No. 5
• Scoring defense – 16; Rank: No. 6
• Scoring differential – 11; Rank: No. 5
• calpreps.com strength of schedule – Rating: 23.8; Rank: No. 4
• calpreps.com ranking – Rating: 35.5; Rank: No. 2
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 153.8; Rank: No. 2
• Notable wins – South Range (9-1), Lake (7-3)
• Notable losses – Canton McKinley (7-3); Perry (4-6)

4 – Lake (7-3)

• Scoring offense – 22; Rank: No. 14
• Scoring defense – 15; Rank: No. 5
• Scoring differential – 7; Rank: No. 7
• calpreps.com strength of schedule – Rating: 21.3; Rank: No. 6
• calpreps.com ranking – Rating: 29.8; Rank: No. 4
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 145.7; Rank: No. 4
• Notable wins – None
• Notable losses – Canton McKinley (7-3); Green (7-3)

5 – Columbus Northland (9-1)

• Scoring offense – 38; Rank: No. 2
• Scoring defense – 11; Rank: No. 2
• Scoring differential – 27; Rank: No. 2
• calpreps.com strength of schedule – Rating: (20.5); Rank: No. 16
• calpreps.com ranking – Rating: 5.8; Rank: No. 12
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 111.5; Rank: No. 12
• Notable wins – Columbus East (8-2)
• Notable losses – None

6 – Columbus DeSales (5-5)

• Scoring offense – 24; Rank: No. 11
• Scoring defense – 23; Rank: No. 12
• Scoring differential – 1; Rank: No. 13
• calpreps.com strength of schedule – Rating: 24.3; Rank: No. 3
• calpreps.com ranking – Rating: 23.3; Rank: No. 6
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 141.5; Rank: No. 7
• Notable wins – Columbus Watterson (9-1)
• Notable losses – Hamilton Badin (10-0), Walsh Jesuit (9-1), Columbus Ready (9-1), Columbus Hartley (8-2)

7 – Columbus Independence (5-5)

• Scoring offense – 26; Rank: No. 7
• Scoring defense – 22; Rank: No. 11
• Scoring differential – 4; Rank: No. 10
• com strength of schedule – Rating: (6.4); Rank: No. 14
• com ranking – Rating: (4.8); Rank: No. 15
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 103.4; Rank: No. 14
• Notable wins – Columbus Briggs (7-3)
• Notable losses – Grove City Central Crossing (4-6), Columbus East (8-2)

8 – Columbus Briggs (7-3)

• Scoring offense – 23; Rank: No. 12
• Scoring defense – 17; Rank: No. 8
• Scoring differential – 6; Rank: No. 8
• calpreps.com strength of schedule – Rating: (11.2); Rank: No. 15
• calpreps.com ranking – Rating: (3.1); Rank: No. 14
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 96.5; Rank: No. 15
• Notable wins – None
• Notable losses – Columbus Africentric (7-3)

9 – Westerville South (6-4)

• Scoring offense – 26; Rank: No. 8
• Scoring defense – 21; Rank: No. 10
• Scoring differential – 5; Rank: No. 9
• calpreps.com strength of schedule – Rating: 18.1; Rank: No. 8
• calpreps.com ranking – Rating: 24.0; Rank: No. 5
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 140.3; Rank: No. 8
• Notable wins – Westerville North (8-2)
• Notable losses – Delaware Hayes (8-2), Canal Winchester (9-1)

10 – Watkins Memorial (7-3)

• Scoring offense – 26; Rank: No. 7
• Scoring defense – 12; Rank: No. 4
• Scoring differential – 14; Rank: No. 4
• calpreps.com strength of schedule – Rating: 1.6; Rank: No. 12
• calpreps.com ranking – Rating: 13.0; Rank: No. 10
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 124.0; Rank: No. 10
• Notable wins – None
• Notable losses – Sheridan (9-1), Licking Valley (7-3), Granville (10-0)

11 – North Canton (5-5)

• Scoring offense – 28; Rank: No. 3
• Scoring defense – 25; Rank: No. 11
• Scoring differential – 3; Rank: No. 11
• calpreps.com strength of schedule – Rating: 25.3; Rank: No. 2
• calpreps.com ranking – Rating: 22.6; Rank: No. 7
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 141.7; Rank: No. 6
• Notable wins – None
• Notable losses – Hudson (7-2), Canton McKinley (7-3), Lake (7-3), Green (7-3)

12 – Big Walnut (5-5)

• Scoring offense – 27; Rank: No. 5
• Scoring defense – 17; Rank: No. 7
• Scoring differential – 10; Rank: No. 6
• calpreps.com strength of schedule – Rating: 21.1; Rank: No. 7
• calpreps.com ranking – Rating: 21.1; Rank: No. 8
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 142.9; Rank: No. 5
• Notable wins – Canal Winchester (9-1)
• Notable losses – Columbus Hartley (8-2), Upper Arlington (7-3), Delaware Hayes (8-2), Westerville North (8-2)

13 – Perry (4-6)

• Scoring offense – 25; Rank: No. 10
• Scoring defense – 26; Rank: No. 14
• Scoring differential – (1); Rank: No. 14
• calpreps.com strength of schedule – Rating: 22.7; Rank: No. 5
• calpreps.com ranking – Rating: 18.3; Rank: No. 9
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 137.4; Rank: No. 9
• Notable wins – Green (7-3)
• Notable losses – Akron St. Vincent (5-5), Canton McKinley (7-3), Lake (7-3)

14 – Columbus St. Charles (5-5)

• Scoring offense – 23; Rank: No. 12
• Scoring defense – 20; Rank: No. 9
• Scoring differential – 3; Rank: No. 11
• calpreps.com strength of schedule – Rating: 5.9; Rank: No. 11
• calpreps.com ranking – Rating: 6.2; Rank: No. 11
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 113.8; Rank: No. 11
• Notable wins – None
• Notable losses – Columbus Academy (9-1), Columbus DeSales (5-5), Columbus Watterson (9-1), Columbus Hartley (8-2)

15 – Walnut Ridge (3-7)

• Scoring offense – 20; Rank: No. 15
• Scoring defense – 32; Rank: No. 15
• Scoring differential – (12); Rank: No. 15
• calpreps.com strength of schedule – Rating: (2.8); Rank: No. 13
• calpreps.com ranking – Rating: (13.5); Rank: No. 16
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 86.2; Rank: No. 16
• Notable wins – Columbus Northland (9-1)
• Notable losses – Dayton Dunbar (7-3), Columbus Africentric (7-3), Columbus Briggs (7-3)

 16 – Grove City Central Crossing (4-6)

• Scoring offense – 15; Rank: No. 16
• Scoring defense – 32; Rank: No. 15
• Scoring differential – (17); Rank: No. 16
• calpreps.com strength of schedule – Rating: 15.4; Rank: No. 9
• calpreps.com ranking – Rating: 4.5; Rank: No. 13
• Drew Pasteur ranking – Rating: 111.2; Rank: No. 13
• Notable wins – None
• Notable losses – Westerville North (8-2), Olentangy (9-1), Pickerington Central (7-3)

2023 Booster Club Report – Week 10 – Post-Canton…

2023 Booster Club Report – Week 10 – Post-Canton McKinley; Preview of the Grove City Central Crossing Game

Massillon (10-0) defeated Canton McKinley (7-3), 35-0.  The Tigers now hold a 76-53-5 advantage in the series.  They have also won eight consecutive games and twelve of the last thirteen.  This week Massillon hosts Grove City Central Crossing (4-6) for a Friday, 7:00 pm kickoff in the first round of the playoffs.  The Tigers finished No. 1 in Division 2, Region 7, while the Comets come in at No. 16.  Massillon has never played Central Crossing.

Link to the Canton McKinley Game Story

Link to the Canton McKinley Game Statistics

Other scores:

• 7th Grade (4-4): Season is over.
• 8th Grade (6-2): Season is over.
• Freshmen (9-2): Defeated Canton McKinley, 44-0.  Season is over.
• Junior Varsity (3-3-1): Season is over.

Review of the Canton McKinley game

It was win No. 942, which keeps Massillon in the No. 3 position nationally for all-time wins.

It’s not unusual for the game against Canton McKinley to be chippy, given the passion each team has to win in this great rivalry.  But, it was a little more than normal in this one and it unfortunately spilled over afterwards during the handshake.  Partly through, the two teams started to mix it up.  The Tiger players quickly retreated to their own bench at the urging of the coaches, but the Bulldog players followed them enmass to the Massillon side of the field, in spite of both coaches trying to separate the two groups.  Within a few minutes the teams separated and exited the field to their respective locker rooms, sans any victory celebration and award ceremony for Massillon winning the game.

“What happened at the end of the game was really sad,” said Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore.  “I hope everyone learned a lesson.  It was disrespect to the rivalry.”

Then it was time to talk about the game.  “I couldn’t be more proud of our guys,” said Moore, who with the win became the all-time leader as a head coach in the series, ahead of Paul Brown, Mike Currence and McKinley’s Thom McDaniels.  “We played with speed.  We dominated in all three phases.  The defense had an historical performance (limiting the Bulldogs to 65 yards of total offense, sacking the quarterback five times and pitching a shutout).   “Big” Mike Wright Jr. just destroyed the center and sacked the quarterback three times.  The offense played really well.  We only punted once and we scored 35 points.”

After Massillon opened a 14-0 lead they perfectly executed an onside kick that led to a third score.  Moore credited Special Teams Coach Jason Jarvis for the call.  In film study, he saw that on kickoffs McKinley was back three yards from the fifty and immediately retreated as the kicker approached the ball.  The play called for the ball to be dribbled directly ahead by kicker Vinny Keller, with the player on either side of him tasked with blocking the two players from the receiving team that had the best chance of recovery.  The next two players provided protection for the kicker or recovered the ball themselves in the event the kicker was taken out.  Five plays later the Tigers were in the end zone with a 21-0 lead and the game was essentially over.

The guest players were quarterback Da’One Owens and offensive lineman Sam Snodgrass.  “It was exciting for my first rivalry win,” said Owens.”  Snodgrass added that “the offensive line did a great job.  Fired on all cylinders.  Pringle had a great game (running the ball).”

Statistics leaders:

• Da’One Owens: 9 of 13 passing for 108 yards and 2 touchdown; 8 carries for 52 yards
• Ma’Meir Gamble: 15 carries for 71 yards
• Dorian Pringle: 6 carries for 54 yards and 2 touchdowns; 2 (1-2) tackle points
• Braylyn Toles: 4 receptions for 61 yards and 1 touchdown
• Jacques Carter: 3 receptions for 14 yards
• Emy Louis Jr.: 30-yard touchdown reception
• Michael Wright Jr.: 4 (4-0) tackle points; 3 quarterback sacks; 3 tackles for loss; 2 carries for 11 yards and 1 touchdown
• Adonis Marshall: 5 (5-0) tackle points; pass interception
• Cody Fair: 4.5 (4-1) tackle points

Central Crossing Scouting Report

Central Crossing plays in the Buckeye Division of the Ohio Capital Conference.  The other teams in the division are Pickerington Central, Newark, Reynoldsburg, Groveport Madison and Lancaster.  The Comets this year finished 4-6 with a 2-3 conference record.  Their scores so far:

• Columbus Independence (5-5): 21-14 W
• Westerville North (8-2): 21-42 L
• Columbus Westland (1-9): 27-17 W
• Grove City (5-5) 63-0 L
• Olentangy (9-1): 35-0 L
• Lancaster (5-5): 21-24 L
• Pickerington Central (7-3): 0-48 L
• Newark (2-8): 33-27 W
• Reynoldsburg (1-9): 30-22 W
• Groveport (6-4): 0-31 L

Central Crossing Scouting Report

The comet offense operates out of the spread with a single running back and occasional tight end.  The best player is senior running back Malik Kamara (6′-1″, 190), a 2-star recruit who has committed to the U.S. Naval Academy.  He is a good, physical runner, a down hill runner, who can break tackles.  Malik also lines up at safety.

The defense lines up in an odd front with cover-3.  They will blitz often.  The two safeties are very good.  Central Crossing also has a good kicker.

According to Moore, they are well-coached and play a traditional brand of football; i.e., very fundamental, not a junk offense.  Five players go both ways, on a team with many underclass starters.

Central Crossing may not be the best team the Tigers have faced this year, but Moore emphasized the Massillon program “needs to focus on the prize.  Our goal is to win the state title.”

Go Tigers!

Entering the McKinley Game Unbeaten is No Guarantee of…

Entering the McKinley Game Unbeaten is No Guarantee of a Victory

The Massillon Tigers have produced a stellar season this year while fashioning a perfect 9-0 mark, with only Division 1 front runner Lakewood St. Edward keeping the final score close.  And it’s not like the schedule was weak.  In fact, with the likes of Valdosta, St. John’s, Austintown Fitch and Middletown, and of course St. Eds, it ranks right up toward the top compared to other Massillon slates of the past thirty years.

This week is the annual rivalry game against Canton McKinley.  But entering the fray unbeaten is certainly no guarantee of a victory, as history has shown.

Including the time of Paul Brown, Massillon has been undefeated going into the finale thirty times.  Twenty-two of those games occurred in the 1930s through the 1970s, during which the Tigers have a record of 18-4-1.  The average margin of victory was 27-4, with ten shutouts recorded.  Eight times both teams were undefeated and the Bulldogs were able to win just two of those games.  It was a good trend.

But during the forty-some years since that time, Massillon has been undefeated just eight times.  So, it’s a much rarer situation today.  And the record against McKinley in these games is even, with four wins apiece.  The Tigers won on average by a 22-6 margin, while the Bulldogs won 24-7.  So, it has been quite balanced in the results of those games.

But those four setbacks also have their own stories:

• In 1980 Massillon lost 16-7 at home in a game that McKinley completely dominated, holding the Tigers to a total offense of just 86 yards. But it was also the first year of the playoffs that the number of qualifiers per region was increased from one to two.  Surprisingly, while the Bulldogs took first, Massillon was able to grab the second spot, which set up a rematch the following Saturday.  In one week’s time the Tiger coaches were able to make the necessary adjustments and then turned the tables on McKinley, coming away with a hard fought 14-6 victory at Faucett Stadium.  After getting by Willoughby South 21-6 the following week, Massillon advanced to the state championship game, where they faced Cincinnati Moeller.
• In 1993 the Tigers had one of their best rushing attacks in their long history, recording a season average of 6.5 yards per carry, although the passing attack wasn’t the greatest.  Unfortunately for Massillon, the Faucett Stadium grass turf that Saturday was a quagmire due to a week’s worth of rain and it neutralized the smaller Tiger running backs, who never got untracked in a 21-13 loss to an 8-1 Bulldog team.
• In 1996 Massillon lost 17-0 to 8-1 McKinley, which advanced in the playoffs to the state semifinals.
• In 2005 the Tigers suffered five turnovers and were dominated on the scoreboard by the undefeated Bulldogs, 38-8. Three weeks later these two teams would meet again in the playoff regional finals.  This time it was the Tigers that owed the day, coming away with a 21-3 victory.  The following week, Massillon defeated Lakewood St. Edward, the best team in the state, and punched their ticket to the state finals, where they lost to Cincinnati St. Xavier.

But there were also four really great wins.

• In 1982 Chris Spielman scored the only touchdown in the game to give the Tigers a 7-0 victory. That team would later face Cincinnati Moeller in the state championship game played at OSU Stadium.
• In 1999 the Tigers ran McKinley out of their own stadium, winning 34-7. Quarterback Dave Irwin passed for 130 yards and three touchdowns, while the defense held McKinley’s passing attack to just 32 yards.
• In 2018 Massillon won 24-17.  Jamir Thomas carried the ball 35 times for 269 yards and scored two touchdowns.  The Tigers would advance in the playoffs to the state finals, where they lost to Akron Hoban.
• The following year the Tigers bested the Bulldogs 24-14. Terrence Keyes rushed for 141 yards and scored a touchdown, while quarterback Aidan Longwell completed 17 of 26 passes for 206 yards and two scores.  Nine of the completions and both TDs went to OSU-bound Jayden Ballard.  Again, Massillon parlayed that success into a trip in the playoffs to the state finals, where they faced Cincinnati LaSalle.

Again, being undefeated and winning the game against that team to the east is certainly no sure thing, as history shows.  But with the proper preparation by our players and coaches and the overwhelming will to win these young Tigers should do just fine.  Former Massillon Coach Lee Owens captured it best at the Touchdown Club last Tuesday when he said there were three things the players need to focus on to win the game.  The first is to play physically, for the more physical team usually comes away with the win.  The second is to play smart and keep the penalties to a minimum.  And the third is to handle adversity.  Because there will be adversity.  No plan ever goes according to script.  Handle the adversity smartly and then move on.  If all that happens, then it should be a great afternoon of football.

Go Tigers!

2023 Booster Club Report – Week 9 – Post-Warren…

2023 Booster Club Report – Week 9 – Post-Warren Harding; Preview of the Canton McKinley Game

Massillon (9-0) defeated Warren Harding (4-5), 48-14.  This week the Tigers travel to Canton McKinley (7-2) for a Saturday, 2:00 pm kickoff.  Last year the Tigers defeated the Bulldogs, 23-13.  Massillon holds a 75-53-5 advantage in the long-time series.  they have also won the last seven games and eleven of the last twelve.

Link to the Warren Harding Game Story

Link to the Warren Harding Game Statistics

Other scores:

• 7th Grade (4-4): Defeated Western Crusaders, 14-12.  Season over.
• 8th Grade (6-2): Season is over.
• Freshmen (7-2): Defeated Warren Harding, 28-0.  Plays home to Canton McKinley on Wednesday, October 18 at 6:00 pm.
• Junior Varsity (3-3-1): Last week’s game against Warren Harding was canceled.  Season over.

Review of the Warren Harding game

Massillon effectively took care of business on senior recognition night, downing visiting Warren Harding, 48-14.  In fact, they built a large enough lead throughout the first half (42-7) that there was a running clock for nearly the rest of the game.  The Raiders overloaded the line to stop the run, so the Tigers went to the passing game with great success, with quarterback Da’One Owens completing 16 of 22 passes for 277 yards and three touchdowns.  Two touchdown passes went to Jacques Carter.  Defensively, Massillon held Warren to a negative 26 yards on the ground on 21 attempts and controlled the pass sufficiently to limit the Raiders to a single touchdown while the first team was on the field.

It was win No. 941, which keeps Massillon in the No. 3 position nationally for all-time wins.

Statistics leaders:

• Da’One Owens: 16 of 22 passing for 277 yards and 3 touchdown; 11 carries for 134 yards and 3 touchdowns
• Bishop Cupp: 5 carries for 51 yards
• Jacques Carter: 5 receptions for 130 yards and 3 touchdowns
• Braylyn Toles: 4 receptions for 52 yards
• Emy Louis Jr.: 2 receptions for 62 yards and 1 touchdown; 92-yards kickoff return for a touchdown
• Lenix Lemmon: 4.5 (4-1) tackle points
• Dorian Pringle: 4.0 (4-0) tackle points; 1 sack; 3 tackles-for-loss
• Cody Fair: 3.5 (2-3) tackle point; 2 tackles-for-loss
• Ryan Page: 1 sack; 1 tackle-for-loss; 1 pass interception
• Mateo Herrera: 6 for 6 on extra point kicks

Canton McKinley Scouting Report

The Bulldogs are 7-2 and have achieved at least a tie for the Federal League championship, depending on the outcome of this week’s Lake vs. Green game.  Their scores so far:

• Warren Harding (4-5): 33-14 W
• Avon (9-0): 7-28 L
• Dublin Coffman (6-3): 24-14 W
• Perry (4-5): 44-6
• Green (6-3): 28-27 W
• North Canton (4-5): 37-28 W
• Lake (7-2): 29-22 W
• Jackson (5-4): 27-7 W
• Canton GlenOak (5-4): 3-7 L

“Canton McKinley is a very good football team,” said Massillon Head Coach Nate Moore.  “They lost to an excellent Avon team and had an off night against Canton GlenOak.  But they are very talented.  They have good players at every position.  Great size on the lines.”

Offensively, McKinley features senior quarterback Keaton Rode (6′-0, 175), a 2-year starter, who is much improved from the previous season.  Last year against the Tigers he completed 11 of 24 passes for 173 and two touchdowns.  A 61% passer, he can also run the ball, both off of called plays and scrambles out of the backfield.  To date, Rode has completed 104 of 170 passes for 1,715 yards (16.5/rec.) and 13 touchdowns, with seven interceptions.  On the ground he is the second-leading rusher with 488 yards in 101 attempts (6.0 ave.) and five scores.  “The quarterback really makes their offense go,” said Moore.

On the receiving end are Keith Quincy (6′-2″, 180) (28 rec. for 556 yards and four TDs) and junior Dante McClellan (6′-2″, 190) (24 rec. for 406 yards and 1 TD).  Quincy has offer from Akron and is their best receiver.  He has good speed and a tall frame.  McClellan has an offer from Southern Cal.

Two running backs have carried the load, including returning junior starter and leading scorer Nino Hill (6′-0″, 200) and junior Stephon Thomas (5′-6″, 168).  Combined, they have gained just over 1,000 yards and average 6.2 yards per tote.  In last year’s game, Hill carried the ball 10 times for 27 yards.  He is a downhill runner and can break tackles.  Hill has an offer from Kent State.  Thomas has good speed and is a shifty runner.

The offensive line has good size, averaging 6′-4″, 273 lbs., with only one player weighing less than 280 lbs. and the shortest coming at 6′-3″.  Two are seniors.  The best two players are junior Dior Garner (6′-4″, 285), who is a 3-star recruit with an offer from Bowling Green, and senior Kaelub Edwards (6′-3″, 310).

The Bulldogs operate out of the spread, normally with 10 personnel, some 11.  Other times, Rode will be alone in an empty backfield with five wide receivers.  Against GlenOak Rode struggled to get the passing game going against a 3-man rush with eight players dropping into coverage.  The run game also found the going difficult and they managed just 69 yards in that area.

Defensively, the Bulldogs are very good across the board, especially in the front seven.  “They will create quite a challenge for us,” said Moore.  “We need a great week of practice.”  They utilize a 3-4 four in the box with cover-2.  All three defensive lineman are good.  Junior Ka’Voune McNeal (6′-3″, 210) is active and physical and has recorded ten tackles-for-loss and nine quarterback sacks.  Garner, a 2-way player, is physical and good a breaking through double-teams.  Senior Braylon Minor (6′-2″, 230) may be the best lineman.  He is very active and has ten tackles-for-loss and six sacks.

McClellan, a 2-way player, leads the linebacker corps.  He is big and physical and they like to move him around.  Senior Shaukeer Hatcher (5′-10″, 185) has recorded 13 tackles-for-loss and three interceptions.

Junior cornerback K’Vuone McNeal (6′-3″, 210) has ten TFLs and nine sacks.  Senior safety Alex Vazquez (6′-0″, 180) is a 2-star recruit with an offer from Akron.

Moore then addressed how they handle all of the distractions that occur during the week leading up to the game. “We’ve always focused on the game at hand and this week is no different, he said. “Our guys know that the distractions are for the fans and parents.  But, our job is to play the game and win.  We’re looking forward to a great week of preparation for the renewal of the greatest game in high school football.”

Go Tigers!

IMPORTANT: Beat McKinley Parade Information 2023

IMPORTANT: Beat McKinley Parade Information 2023

Follow the Massillon Tiger Football Booster Club on Facebook.

McKinley Week is here. The culminating event prior to Saturday’s game is the annual Beat McKinley parade. The parade is scheduled to begin at 7pm Friday October 20th with the route going right through the heart of downtown. Staging on 8th street will begin at 5:30pm

Below you will find an interactive map showing the planned route and planned drop off area. The staging area will be on 8th street and the drop off area is noted within the interactive map.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION: If you would like to participate in the Beat McKinley parade, please send an email to register for your participation to MassillonFBC@gmail.com

Please include the following in the body of the email (COPY and PASTE the detail below):

Your name: 
# of people in your party :
vehicle type: 
license plate: 
email address & Phone Number: 

This information is REQUIRED for participation in the parade. At the time of registration you will receive a confirmation number that you will need to provide at the staging area.

All parade registrants must positively promote the Massillon Tiger Football Program, Massillon City Schools, Massillon Athletics and the City of Massillon.

POLITICAL SIGNS AND POLITICAL PROMOTION OF ANY KIND ARE STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

ALCOHOL IS STRICTLY PROHIBITED AND IS GROUNDS FOR IMMEDIATE REMOVAL FROM THE PARADE.

THROWING OF CANDY OR ANY OTHER OBJECTS FROM PARADE VEHICLES IS ALSO PROHIBITED

GO TIGERS!!