Dover Hands Washington High 6-0 Defeat Fourth Quarter Touchdown Gives Tuscarawas County Lads Victory
By LUTHER EMERY
Washington high gridders were tossed about on a Crimson wave from Dover Saturday afternoon and submerged 6-0 in as good a game as the local eleven has been seen in this year. The scarlet swell was at high tide in the fourth quarter and flowed over the goal line to score the only touchdown of the game but it was sufficient to give Dover the first victory every recorded over a Washington high school eleven.
The Tigers, fighting hard at times and at intervals showing flashes of the type of offensive power they should be capable of producing, were outplayed more than half the game, however by the visitors.
Though threatening and several times they had the ball within the 20-yard line, the local team could not muster sufficient drive to produce a touchdown. Once in the first half it fell just a yard short of a first down on the 10-yard line and three times in the second half was within striking distance of the last scarlet stripe but could not pierce that scrappy Crimson forward wall for any points.
Dover, boasting the best football team it has placed on the field in years, and incidentally a large portion of that team is composed of sophomores, staged its big attack in the fourth quarter.
Getting the ball on their own 20-yard line, the Crimson forwards pushed back the Massillon line as the Dover backs ripped off yard after yard to carry the ball for a first down on the Tigers’ 13-yard line. A 25-yard run by Foutz and a pass on the fourth down, Godfrey to Kelker were instrumental in advancing the ball. The latter play netted the first down on the 13-yard line.
Dover’s defensive line dominated and its offense gained ground with smash-mouth running in a 1931 victory over Massillon.
The Tigers stopped to talk things over but Dover wasn’t to be stopped. Zuchegno, who has been an in and outer all year plunged through for eight yards, and Foutz went through for a touchdown on the next play. Foutz’s attempted placekick traveled wide of the goal posts.
That ended the scoring but Dover made one more flash that took the ball well into Massillon territory before the gun barked the end of the game.
Washington high again showed lack of interference for ball carriers, and practically no protection was given Clendening when he attempted to pass the ball. Dover out-gained the Tigers on the field, making 13 first downs to the local team’s six.
The big throne in the side of the Tigers Saturday afternoon was Bees, Dover center, who couldn’t be taken out of the play. He made a large percentage of the tackles and possessed an uncanny knack of diagnosing a play. Foutz was the visitors’ big ground gainer.
Clendening picked up most of the yards gathered by the Tigers.
The game Saturday was an N.E.O. league affair, and as a result of the defeat, Washington high, football champion of the Big Ten in 1930 finished the season at the bottom of the standings.
Dover had as many supporters in the stands as the local school, some 1,000 fans accompanying the Crimson here.
Summary: Massillon Pos Dover Getz LE Mason Schott LT Espenschied Krug LG Dale Godfrey Hoyman C Rees Adams RG Archinol Price RT Horn Brunker RE F. Kelker Knowlton QB Don Godfrey Kester LH Foutz Buhecker RH Maurer Singer FB Zuchegno
Score by periods: Dover 0 0 0 6 6
Substitutions: Massillon – Clendening for Buhecker; Williams for Singer; Singer for Krug; Heisler for Brunker; Brunker for Hesiler; W. Monore for Price; Gump for Brunker; Ripple for Krug.
YOUNGSTOWN EAST HOLDS WASHINGTON HIGH TO 6-6 SCORE IN GRID OPENER JOHNNY ZBAN STARS FOR INVADING TEAM; KESTER TIGER ACE
By FRED J. BECKER Independent Sports Editor
Just because a football team fails to win a game during an entire season is no indication it will meet the same fate the following year. East high of Youngstown had a very lean year in 1930 in football, going through the entire campaign without winning a contest. But then Youngstown East did not have Johnny Zban on its squad a year ago and from the way young Johnny stepped around on the gridiron at Massillon Field Friday night Youngstown East is going to pay dividends in the way of some football victories before the 1931 campaign closes.
The Mahoning county gridders invaded Massillon last night to inaugurate Washington high’s season in a nocturnal battle and as it turned out the Youngstown team put on the party, throwing somewhat of a surprise into Coach Elmer McGrew’s lads and several thousand fans by holding the youthful Tigers to a 6 to 6 tie in 48 minutes of rousing football combat. There was nothing of the weakling about Youngstown East last night. Paced by the clever Zban, the eastern Ohio boys gave the Massillonians quite a lesson in football.
Zban Destined for Stardom Moral victories never show up in the football ledger of games won and lost but East had a right to go home last night feeling that its feat of holding the Tigers to a tie score earned them a moral triumph at least. Considering that they hadn’t won a game last year and the touchdown they scored in the third period last night was their first since the middle of the 1930 campaign they had a right to feel justly proud of their accomplishment.
It’s our humble opinion that young Johnny Zban is going to make a whale of a football player before he hangs his war togs up for keeps. Just a sophomore, this youngster, ran the Massillon boys right off their feet by his spectacular dashes on sweeping runs around the Tiger flanks. And he kept it up the entire evening. Rare were the occasions when he was stopped without a gain and more often than not his dashes carried him through the Massillon team for gains of from five to 38 yards.
Kester Flashes But Johnny was not alone in the limelight when it came to showing a clean pair of heels to opposing tacklers. Massillon also had a youngster making his debut as a Tiger regular, who is going to be heard from quite a bit as the campaign grows older. This lad is “Bo” Kester, another member of that Kester family which has turned out some pretty good athletes in its day and “Bo” seems to be another chip off the old block.
Johnny also has a well educated set of dogs and his sprints through the Youngstown team’s forward wall along with Glenn Williams’ bulldog smashes into the line were the bright spots in Massillon’s offense. Although the tie score was a disappointment in a way, yet it should not detract from the possibilities in the Massillon squad. The Tigers need plenty of coaching, especially on defensive play. They just couldn’t seem to build up any defense to stop Zban’s running attack and tackles and ends were sucked in time after time on Youngstown’s wide end plays.
But practice and experience should eliminate this fault and it’s certain Coach McGrew next week will be ironing out the faults which appeared in Friday’s performance.
Even though Zban nearly ran the Tigers out of their shoes, Massillon might have won had it not been for a disastrous fumble late in the third quarter. The Tigers, after keeping play in East’s territory during the entire first period finally shoved over their one touchdown near the close of the first 12 minute stanza.
East Scores in Third Then East bucked up, flashed strong on offense in the second period and crashed through to its touchdown early in the third. Massillon, however, came right back and was within scoring distance a few minutes later but lost the chance when a fumble was recovered by East.
On the opening kickoff, Clark of East fumbled and Krug covered for Massillon on East’s 38-yard line. The Tigers went right to work and reached the 15 yard line before losing the oval on downs. East punted but the Tigers marched right back to the 12-yard line before a 25-yard penalty for holding erased the chance to score.
East, however, couldn’t gain and punted to Clendening who raced the kick back 25 yards to East’s 33. Kester went off right tackle for 12.
He made two more and Williams smacked a hole in the line for nine and another first down. Clendening made one and Williams lugged the ball to the one yard line from where he went over on the next play. Clendening’s attempted place kick for extra point was blocked.
Brilliant March East seemed to find itself in the second period and began to give the Tigers a sample of what they were destined to endure during the rest of the game – Johnny Zban’s end runs. The visitors turned Zban loose with a vengeance and Johnny clicked like a well oiled machine. He was relieved on the end running business occasionally by Hanna who also proved hard to stop.
The East offense flashed when the visitors gained the ball on their 28-yard line when Clendening fumbled. They began a march which carried them to Massillon’s 10-yard mark before being halted. It netted four straight first downs before Massillon held and took the ball within the shadow of its goal posts. Foster immediately punted out of danger as the period ended.
But Zban was not to be denied. On the first play after the kickoff in the third period, Johnny dashed around Massillon’s left end and down the field for 38 yards before being pulled to earth on the Tigers’ 18 yard mark. Two line plays and Zban again dashed around end for another first down on the three yard line. Then East decided to give Johnny a rest and went to bucking the line. Four times the invaders smashed away at the center of the line, gaining a little ground each time until on fourth down they had the ball within an inch of the line. This time Santor took it and went over for the touchdown which tied the score. Zban tried to dash around end for the extra point but was nailed before he could make it.
Fumbles Hurt The Tigers came back with a rush and Mr. “Bo” Kester turned loose his speed in a brilliant 33 yard dash to East’s 30-yard line to set up hopes of another Tiger touchdown. Clendening and Williams made a first down in two plays and the ball was on East’s 20. Two offside plays hurt Massillon but Kester made good on another dash around end for 11 yards to plant the ball on the eight yard mark. Williams crashed the line for six. Then disaster overtook the Tigers. With a touchdown in sight Kester dropped the pass from center and lost five. On the next play Williams fumbled and Ferraro, East center pounced on the ball on the nine-yard line and the visitors punted out of danger.
Before the quarter ended Massillon punted and Hanna fumbled on an end play, Singer covering on East’s 30. Hope flamed anew but it was dashed when Massillon was set back 15 yards for holding.
From then on until the end of the game neither team was able to accomplish much.
Score: Massillon – 6 Pos. Youngstown – 6 Getz LE Clark Price LT Joseph Mudd LG Bugg Hoyman C Ferraro K. Monroe RG Gardner Adams RT Garibaldi Krug RE Pugh Singer QB Santor Kester LH Hanna Clendening RH Zban Williams FB Sannartino
MASSILLON HIGH RUNNING ATTACK CRUSHES McKINLEY 14-6 CLEVER TIGER BACKS CRACK BULLDOG LINE DURING FIRST HALF
Canton Miscues, However, Lead To Both Orange And Black Scores
PUPS TALLY IN FINAL QUARTER
Hartsel’s Accurate Passing Has Opponents Worried In Second Half
By CLAYTON G. HORN
THE Bulldogs of McKinley High school owned an excellent and impressive 1930 football record until they ran the gauntlet of county competition. Now it is merely good. Alliance erased the impressiveness of it eight days ago, but only yesterday Massillon reduced it to just a mere shadow of its former brilliance.
That’s just another way of breaking the sad news that football as it is played by those Washington High Tigers who yesterday romped to a 14 to 6 victory over McKinley is still a bit too tough and complicated a solution for the Bulldogs. It was too much for them last year, too, and primarily because it was delivered by that same three-pointed weapon – Jack Kester, Glenn Williams and Jack Clendening.
Those three Tiger backs romped up and down the Massillon athletic field yesterday, even as they did at Lakeside stadium one year ago. But their thrusts on this occasion were deadened somewhat more effectively than they were in 1929 but only because they were running headlong into a team that refused to die or even wilt in the very path of complete destruction.
Yes, that combination of the best ball-lugging machinery Massillon has claimed in many a gridiron moon was prancing in true anti-McKinley form. There was Williams shooting off tackle with a viciousness that is unique in scholastic circles, there was Kester punting like his foot was mad at the ball and riddling the Bulldog line to shreds with his delayed bucks and last but not least there was Clendening, the ebony flash, circling the ends with a vengeance that left nothing to be desired.
That stellar brand of straight football execution, coupled with just one aerial, gave the Tigers an advantage in the first half that was nothing short of amazing. It left the Bulldogs in the lurch for an offensive of their own and shoved them in the shadow of their own goal post on no less than five occasions two of which were productive.
While their efforts, both offensively and defensively, were almost negligent during the first two quarters, the men of Dwight Peabody, profiting by a good tongue lashing during the recess period, came out to put on exhibition an entirely different brand of ball. Massillon continued to threaten and on one occasion carried the ball over only to have it called back for an offside penalty, but its charges met with a more stubborn resistance and its defense was put to test for the first time during the fuss.
Even though Massillon clearly outplayed McKinley, as the 18 to 10 advantage in first downs will indicate, both Tiger touchdowns came as the result of fumbles deep in Canton territory. The first, midway in the initial quarter, saw Hartsel bobble on his own 29. Captain Willison recovered for the Orange and Black, and the march, which was soon to produce the first score of the game was on with the very next play.
Williams smashed off tackle for eight yards and after Clendening had failed, Kester made it a first down on McKinley’s 17. Kester hit center for four more and a pass, Clendening to Hess, the first Tiger aerial of the game, was good for the touchdown. Clendening’s place kick was good for the extra point. Peculiarly enough, this drive followed two others that failed within the McKinley 10, the first dying on the half-yard line and the second fading on the nine when a pass was incomplete.
The second touchdown followed a fumble by Plaver when he foolishly attempted to scoop up a punt on his own 23. Massillon recovered. Kester picked up seven yards on two line plays and then Williams broke loose to the 14. An offside penalty placed the ball on the nine-yard line. Kester clicked three on a delayed buck and Williams added two on a pair of off-tackle smashes. Clendening went over for the touchdown when he cut between end and tackle. McKinley was offside on the try for the extra point. Before the half had ended, the Tigers again carried the ball to the McKinley one-yard line only to have the gun cheat them out of another probable score.
The Bulldogs unleashed a heavy overhead bombardment at the outset of the third quarter and for a time seemed destined to march the length of the field. It so happened, however, that they were stopped on the Massillon 17-yard line when Hartsel, who had thrown the ball with deadly accuracy on no less than four occasions, was forced to run when he found no eligible pass receiver open.
McKinley launched its touchdown march from its own 30 late in the third period. A pass, Hartsel to Clark, was good for 20 yards just as the quarter ended. At the opening of the final heat, Hartsel circled right end for nine and Clark made it first down on Massillon’s 30. Hartsel smashed right tackle for five and a pass, Hartsel to Clark carried the ball to the 17. Hartsel picked up five more on a fake play and Dick Miller carried it to the six on two thrusts. On the third play, Hartsel carried it over. Bob Schreiber was rushed in to dropkick for the extra point but his effort was blocked.
In addition to Kester, Clendening and Williams, Hess and Willison played stellar ball for Massillon. For McKinley, Buddy Hartsel stood head and shoulders above the backfield performers and Duffy, DeStefano, George and Billings looked good on the line.
What’s Wrong Massillon Pos. Canton Getz LE Forsyth Willison LT George Worthington LG Neil Hoyman C Billings Monroe RG Jones Price RT Duffy Hess RE Smith Kester QB Hodnick Clendening LH Brinson Singer RH Hartsel Williams FB Plaver
Substitutions: McKinley – DeStefano for Neil; Clark for Plaver; Black for Jones; Miller for Brinson; R. Schreiber for Forsyth; Gottsheck for Black. Massillon – Bordner for Hess; Hess for Bordner; Foster for Hess; Bordner for Singer; Snodgrass for Monroe; Mudd for Worthington; Schott for Hoyman.
Referee – Howells (Sebring). Umpire – Schaeffer (Akron). Head Linesman – Barrett (Ohio State).
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 24, 1930
Sidelights On Saturday’s Battle
It takes a game with Canton McKinley to bring out the best in a Washington high school football team. That was demonstrated Saturday when the Tigers mopped up the gridiron with the Bulldogs, winning 14 to 6. Coach Elmer McGrew’s boys did everything just about right.
Their fighting spirit was magnificent. Their offensive attack was pretty to watch. The interference for the first time this season was well nigh perfect. The blocking and charging also were good. And the tackling – well ask the Canton ball carriers how effective that was. Great holes were torn into the Canton line by the hard charging Massillon forwards. On end runs the backs came around like a streak to take out Canton’s secondary defense and open holes for the ball lugger.
The kind of ability the Tigers displayed Saturday night have put a blemish on the record of Steubenville’s great team had it been in evidence three weeks ago.
The crowd Saturday was a typical Massillon-Canton gathering. The enthusiasm was there and the cheering was plentiful. But it was an orderly crowd. Ten policemen and a corps of firemen worked diligently to keep some of the more enthusiastic rooters off the field and for the most part succeeded. About 6,000 paid to see the game. Another thousand saw it from a knoll just south of the field.
On form of greeting among the youngsters Saturday was, “How did you get in?” indicating that probably more than one youthful Tiger rooter climbed over the fence when a policeman’s back was turned.
The day was ideal for football, just enough snap in the air. The wind was a bit strong but it did not interfere with the punting.
It certainly looked like a big game along the sidelines. A flock of reporters were busy dashing up and down the field getting all the dope. Then a radio broadcasting company sent out details of the game over the air. Several special telephone wires also were in operation and the cameramen were there with everything from a pea shooter to a motion picture outfit. Amplifiers carried details of the game to the crowd.
The opening ceremony was the raising of the Stars and Stripes to the top of the flag pole at the north end of the field. The crowd stood bareheaded as the flag was run up the pole and the massed bands of Canton and Massillon played the Star Spangled Banner.
Canton McKinley’s band was in natty uniforms of red and black coats and white trousers. Massillon’s band was in civilian dress. Both furnished lots of music.
Just before the game started the Canton band lined up in the center of the field
DOVER FURNISHES LITTLE OPPOSITION FOR TIGERS AND IS BADLY DEFEATED MASSILLON GRIDDERS SCORE 46 POINTS IN SATURDAY’S CONTEST
By LUTHER EMERY
BIG Bob Willison, piloted his Washington high Tigers over a quiet sea at Dover Saturday afternoon, and the Crimson wave that was expected to block his progress, was parted in twain as the Massillon bark rode to a 46-0 victory and a tie for the N.E.O. league title.
Played under the threatening skies that at intervals seemed ready to drench spectators and gridders, the game from a standpoint of open enthusiasm was the most listless contest in which the Tigers have played this year.
Tigers on Touchdown Spree Dover, apparently beaten from the start, lacked spirit while touchdowns appeared to come so easy for Washington high that the Massillon fans took them as a matter of routine and did not bellow forth with the lusty cheers that the brand of play put forth by the orange and black deserved.
The play of the Massillon gridders was anything but listless, and though Dover had little and gave less, the local team showed an offensive attack that smashed the Crimson front line batteries into bits.
Injuries Hit Both Teams Hampered by injuries, the teams started the game with revamped lineups. Washington high had Bordner, Hess and Roderick on the bench. Dover was even harder hit, four of its linemen being either too ill or too badly used up by past opponents to take part in the team’s hardest game of the season Saturday with Washington high.
There is little doubt but Washington high was the strongest eleven faced by the Crimson this season. The score proved that but never-the-less only a small crowd turned out for the game, Massillon’s delegation being none too representative for this city.
Starting off in convincing fashion, the Washington high team drove to a touchdown in the first two minutes of play, and threatened continually the remainder of the game. Another was scored in the second period and several other touchdowns might have been tallied had not 70 yards of penalties in the first half interfered with the Tigers attack. In those first two periods Dover had the ball in its possession for only a couple of minutes, and then was forced to play in its own backyard. Once the Crimson managed to get up to its own 40 where the Tigers held, forcing a punt.
Crimson Swamped In Second Half The score at the end of the first half, 14-0, forecast what could be expected in the next two periods and it came with a bang. It was kind of a Thanksgiving game for the Tigers anyhow, so they fattened themselves on points, boosting their total by 26 in the third period and then polishing off the day’s work with a lone touchdown in the final period of play.
It was in this fourth period that Dover flashed its only offense of the day, registering two first downs in succession and carrying the ball to the 18-yard line. But those first downs were as useful to Dover as tails on a dress suit, and the rally came to an abrupt end when Singer intercepted a pass on the 15-yard line and dashed back to the Massillon 45-yard stripe before his legs were pulled from beneath him.
Against Dover’s two first downs, the Tigers rolled up 23 of those 10-yard distances and might have made many more had not Coach Elmer McGrew elected to use a set of reserve backs during a large portion of the second half.
Dover Strong On Ends Dover presented a scrappy team which looked strong on the flanks, Smith and Kelker playing a commendable game. In fact Dover’s defense was weakened considerably when Kelker was taken out of the game with injuries for in most instances during the afternoon he had succeeded in turning in the charges around his end or sifting through the interference to nab the runner. Smith even outshone Kelker on the other wing, and was found under most every play.
The loss of Hartman, who although ordinarily a fullback was used at center Saturday, also was felt by Gus Peterka’s team. In fact before more than half the game was over, Washington high was playing a Dover team made up largely of reserve players. Peterka took no chances with his gridders Saturday. As soon as a player showed signs of an injury he was yanked from the game since Dover has a far more important contest 10 days in the future – the annual battle with New Philadelphia for the Tuscarawas county championship. McGrew likewise spared his regulars as much as possible Saturday, filling the ranks freely with substitutes many of whom were given their first taste of varsity football competition.
Will Share N.E.O. Title In defeating Dover, the Washington high gridders at least earned a tie for first place in the N.E.O. Big Ten football league. Alliance and Salem, league teams are still undefeated. They meet Thanksgiving Day. Should they tie, then Washington high will have undisputed possession of first place in the league. Otherwise the winner will share the honor with the Tigers. Wooster, which was reported last week as having a chance for the title, is out of the running, for a defeat suffered at the hands of New Philadelphia, was overlooked when the standings were drawn up.
Besides Dover, Washington high has defeated both Barberton and Warren in league play. Barberton was swamped 20 to 0, while Warren was even handled more roughly, the red and white losing by a 27-0 score. Warren has filed a protest on that game with State Athletic Commissioner Townsend, charging that the referee, Ricker, was incapable. A copy of the protest has been sent to the president of the N.E.O. league. It is doubtful, however, if Warren’s protest will in any way affect the standing of the league, for though the red and white may have a right to argue one decision made by the referee there was no question as to Massillon being the superior tam on the field.
While Washington high may have shown Dover how to play football, the latter school showed the Massillonians how to put a band on the field. The Dover band, twice the size of that of the local school and uniformly dressed furnished the only color to the game with peppy music and a drill between halves. While Washington high has been struggling along from year to year trying to find enough interested students to form a band, Dover has built up a fine organization that is a credit to a school of its size.
Fumble Leads To Touchdown A recovered fumble was responsible for the orange and black’s first touchdown Saturday. The local team had kicked off and a Crimson player muffed the ball on the first play. Worthington and Getz recovering it on the Dover 31-yard line. Clendening ripped through left tackle for eight yards and Kester cut in for eight more and a first down on the 15-yard line. Williams picked up four yards on a fake and Kester got a yard at left tackle. Clendening hit for six and in two more plays Kester carried the ball across for a touchdown. Williams plunged for the extra point.
The second scoring march was launched from the Dover 45-yard line where the Tigers got the ball on a punt. Three drives at the Crimson line netted a first down on the 32-yard line. Kester slipped through for a dash to the 21-yard line. The teams changed locations at the end of the quarter and the Tigers continued their spurt. It took two plunges by Williams to make a first down on the 11-yard line and three more lunges through the right side of the Dover line for a touchdown. Clendening kicked the extra point.
On the next kickoff the Tigers crossed up the Crimson by successfully working a short kick, but penalties ended the local team’s bid for a touchdown. Schott, Massillon center, and Seibert, Dover tackle, were ejected from the game by the referee.
On Scoring Spree The slaughter took place in the second half. A poor punt by Dover carried out of bounds on the 10-yard line. Four plays were necessary to score, Clendening going over for the touchdown. His kick was wide of the posts.
Williams did most of the ball lugging to bring the fourth score of the day. He started things when he intercepted Godfrey’s pass on Dover’s 47-yard line. Straight football with Williams carrying the ball three out of four times, took the pigskin to the three-yard line from which point the Massillon fullback plunged across. Smith fumbled the next kickoff. Getz recovering for Massillon on the Dover 18-yard line. Clendening and Kester got a first down in two plays and two plays later he went over for the touchdown. Clendening kicked goal.
Passes were responsible for the next. Kester to Getz gained 35 yards and a first down on the 18-yard line. Another brought a first on the seven yard line, Kester plunging across for the touchdown. Clendening missed the kick.
The last touchdown was scored by the Tiger subs. Singer ended a Dover rally by intercepting a pass on the 15-yard line and carrying it back to the Massillon 45-yard line. Clendening got loose for a dash to the 36-yard line and Singer and Foster in three attempts got a first down on the 25-yard line.
The same two boys kept plunging away until Foster succeeded in plunging over for a touchdown. Clendening’s kick was wide of the goal.
Line up and summary: Massillon Pos. Dover Getz LE Smith Willison LT Selbert Snodgrass LG Horn Hoyman C Hartman Monroe RG Herman Price RT Gordon Singer RE Kelker Kester QB Godfrey Clendening LH Sauers Foster RH Maurer Williams FB Fautz
Score by periods: Massillon 7 7 26 6 46
Substitutions: Massillon – Mudd for Snodgrass; Worthington for Singer; Singer for Foster; Schott for Hoyman; Assmus for Schott; Foster for Williams; Toles for Monroe; Shattuck for Kester; Suttle for Price; Richardson for Toles; Buhecker for Shattuck; Nelson for Getz; Appleby for Suttle; Heisler for Worthington. Dover – Espenschied for Hartman; Archinal for Seibert; Graves for Kelker; Mason for Sauers; Lindamood for Kaurman.
Touchdowns: Massillon – Kester 2; Williams 2; Clendening 2; Foster.
Point after touchdown: Massillon – Clendening 3 (placekick); Williams (linebuck).
WASHINGTON HIGH SHOWS POWER IN CRUSHING WARREN UNDER 27 TO 0 SCORE LONG DASHES ROUTE VISITORS IN FOURTH PERIOD OF HOT DUEL
By LUTHER EMERY
THAT teeter totter game of football that Washington high school and Warren was expected to play when the two teams got together Saturday on Massillon field, just didn’t develop, the Tigers completely outbalancing the visitors with their superior play with the result that Warren was up in the air throughout the game. The score was 27-0 in favor of the Tigers.
Warren was “up in the air” in more ways than one, and so was the referee, more disputes taking place and petty grievances breaking out in Saturday’s game than have ever developed in Massillon-Warren jousts of past years.
Officials Impartial But what ever the errors of the officials amounted to they were not the result of partiality, for both sides gained and lost in the decisions. Warren coming to Massillon with a so called military shift that had accomplished wonders in several past game, found itself confronted with a stubborn Tiger defense that would not yield advances to the moleskin clad soldiers of Pierre Hill. Neither would the officials yield seconds to the red and white on their shift, and this started a controversy that delayed the first kickoff several minutes.
Massillon scouts had seen Warren in action several times this season and before the start of the game, Coach McGrew in the presence of the Warren coach, asked the officials to pay particular attention to the Warren shift and make certain that the team paused sufficiently long before passing the ball.
Argument Follows “Touchdown” The game finally got under way, both teams battling through the first quarter, without either scoring although the Tigers once carried the ball to the one-foot line where it was lost on downs. Play was in Warren’s territory the greater part of the period and the second quarter opened with the orange and black launching another attack from the Massillon 20-yard line. They carried the ball to the 35-yard line where Kester punted over the goal line. Getting the ball on the 20, Warren charged back and gained a first down on the 30-yard line, but on the next play, Burkhart fumbled and the ball bounded into the air and into the arms of Getz, who raced across the Warren goal line. The officials at first awarded the Tigers a touchdown and Clendening kicked goal. Then the big argument started. Hill objected to the referee’s decision. It so happened that Ricker blew his whistle after the start of the play, intending to penalize Warren 15 yards for illegal shifting. Ricker claims he blew the whistle after Getz had scooped up the fumble and while the Massillon player was racing toward the Warren goal line. He reversed his decision eventually, disallowed the touchdown and gave the Tigers the ball on the 27-yard line, the point where Ricker said Getz was when the whistle was blown. Hill, however, contended and rightfully so, it seems, that Massillon should not have been given the ball but that Warren should have been penalized 15 yards for the illegal shift and allowed to retain possession of the ball.
Sfera Put Out of Game That started things. The Warren players riled at the decision, lost control of themselves and on the next play, after the whistle had blown, jumped upon Kester from every direction to stop his five-yard gain. The referee without hesitation stepped off 15 yards for piling up, giving the Tigers the ball on the seven-yard line. Kester took it across for a legal touchdown on the next play. While Kester was making points, Sfera, Warren guard lost his temper and tied into Monroe, Washington high guard with both fists. Sfera was ejected from the game by the referee, and Warren was penalized half the distance to the goal line on the try for point after touchdown. Fortunately, the disputed seven points for three quarters, came back in the last period with a crushing attack that produced three touchdowns in rapid succession. Really only two of the goals were worked for, since the third was scored as a result of poor football on Warren’s part.
With the first half ending 7-0, the orange and black went into the third period determined to increase their margin. They threatened several times and were always dangerous, but Warren thwarted a score when the Tigers neared the goal. Once a penalty stopped the Massillon advance, and again an injury slowed up the local team. So the period went by without any points being made.
Score On long Runs The fourth quarter found the orange and black again driving toward the Warren goal, but the red and white checked the attack on the seven-yard line. It looked like a lost opportunity until Clendening grabbed Bartlett’s fine punt on the Massillon 45-yard line and raced 55-yards for a touchdown and the most sensational run of the year for a Tiger player. He likewise kicked goal.
That was the straw that broke the camel’s back, for Warren after receiving the kickoff, carried the ball back to midfield where it was lost on downs and a few moments later, Williams hit through the right side of the line for a gallop of 37 yards and a third score. Clendening’s kick was wide of the goal. Warren gave the orange and black its fourth and final touchdown of the game. Willison kicked off, the ball landing on the 20-yard line and bouncing over the goal. A Warren player followed it back and hesitated picking it up, apparently undecided as to whether or not it was a free ball. And while he was making up his mind, Bill Worthington pounced on the pigskin for a Massillon touchdown. Williams bucked the ball across for the extra point.
Tigers Make 15 First Downs There was no doubt as to the Massillon team’s superiority Saturday. The Tigers made 15 first downs to Warren’s five and never allowed the visitor’s to threaten. In fact the red and white only succeeded in passing the 50 yard mark on two occasions and for the most part were confined to a space between the 20 and 40 yard stripes.
Talk about the devil and he’ll appear.
Past Warren games have always been finished with the friendliest feelings between players and spectators, and this noble feature was heralded in pre-game publicity. But Saturday most everything happened including a battle of fists, both in and out of the game, the ejection of a player and disputes over officials’ decisions.
Some might walk a mile for a camel, but it is doubtful if Sfera will walk across a football field anymore for a swat in the jaw. After Williams had been removed from the game in favor of a substitute, late in the fourth quarter, Sfera, Warren guard, who was put out in the first period for slugging, slunk away from his team’s bench, and trailed the Massillon fullback to the clubhouse. “Want to fight?” said Sfera, at the same time making a pass at Williams. “Sure,” was the reply. And that was that. A crowd gathered around but there was no more fist throwing and the Warren player was escorted to his team’s bus.
Tie For Title Seen The victory was an important one to Washington high for it practically assured the Tigers of a tie for the N.E.O. Big Ten Championship. Only Dover stands in the way of the Massillonians and there is no reason why the local gridders should not take the measure of the crimson next Saturday at Dover.
The Tigers’ forward passes were useless again Saturday. Six were attempted, one being intercepted and one completed for a gain of three yards. Warren failed to connect in three attempts.
The visiting school was escorted by a large and well drilled uniformed band that gave a demonstration of its skill between halves.
Line up and summary: Massillon Pos. Warren Getz LE McKay Willison LT Gouldner Worthington LG Sfera Hoyman C Chandler Monroe RG Hilston Price RT McKinney Hess RE Alexander Bordner QB Burkhart Kester LH Mayberry Clendening RH Bartlett Williams FB Rogers
STEUBENVILLE SCORES THREE TIMES IN LAST PERIOD TO BEAT HIGH GRIDDERS PASSES ENABLE BIG RED TO WIN SIXTH CONSECUTIVE GAME
By LUTHER EMERY
WHEN line bucks and end runs failed to bring score in three quarters, Steubenville took to the air in the fourth period of Saturday’s game with Washington high on Massillon field and scored three touchdowns in rapid succession to win its sixth consecutive victory 19-0.
The highly vaunted running attack of the Big Red clicked and clicked smoothly through out the game but once the Tigers were pushed back into their own territory, they bared their fangs and refused to give little ground to the rushes of the visitors. Three times the Big Red was stopped by the Massillon gridders when scoring possibilities were in sight and twice poor passes from center sent the visitors backward when they threatened.
Steubenville the Superior There never was a doubt as to which team was the stronger. From the opening minutes of play it was only a question to Massillon fans as to how long the orange and black could hold out against its heavier and hard hitting opponent without being scored upon.
Steubenville appeared to be doing most anything it wanted to in its own section of the field but found the going much harder once Massillon territory was reached. On the other hand the Tiger ball carriers for the most part were smothered in their tracks every time they attempted to run with the ball, while their passes were either intercepted or wide of their mark.
For three periods the game progressed in this situation, but every minute saw the orange and black weakening under the attack of the crimson wave from the Ohio River.
Big Red Scores Early in the fourth quarter it happened. Steubenville passes which had previously sailed through the air a few inches high of the receiver, now began finding their mark, and before the last period was many minutes old, a 20-yard pass placed the ball on the Tigers’ two-yard line from which point Burgwin, lanky colored halfback carried it across. A pass placed the ball in position for the visitors; second touchdown, August taking the ball across, while another pass of 35 yards, Burgwin to Robinson, brought the third score of the day.
Steubenville, as expected, came to Massillon with a heavy and rangy team supported by 2,500 or more fans and a scholastic band of 63 pieces that added color and fine music to the setting of the day. The visitors had a big weight advantage over the orange and black especially on the tackles where Johnson and Zori, both standing well over six feet, proved almost impassable. The Big Red line out-charged that of the locals and as a result the Massillon ball carriers could hardly get started.
Three First Downs Only in the second period did the orange and black show any offense and in that quarter their play was on a par with the visiting team. The Tigers only scored three first downs in the entire game and all of these came in succession in the second quarter when the locals made their only bid of the day for a score.
Getting the ball on their own 23-yard line the Massillonians pushed Steubenville back to its own 40-yard line where the Big Red held, forcing Kester to punt out of bounds. From the sidelines it appeared that a Massillon pass, Clendening to Williams was completed inside the playing field, which would have given the Tigers a first down on the 30-yard line, but the referee ruled Williams was out of bounds when he caught the ball and it was declared incomplete.
Kester Saved For Punting That was the Tiger’s only offensive flash of the day. On several other occasions Williams managed to find a crack in the line where he could slip through for five yards, but these intervals were few and far between.
Kester’s ball carrying ability was not used by the orange and black, for Coach McGrew, electing to play a defensive game, decided it best to save the Massillon back for punting and in this department the locals held their own with the Big Red.
Against Massillon’s three first downs, Steubenville made the required yardage 15 times; three of which came as a result of passes. The visitors gained yard after yard from scrimmage throughout the game slipping away from Massillon tacklers with the elusiveness of a Chicago racketeer. The Tigers did not nail the Big Red ball carriers to the ground as they did when playing Cleveland Heights and apparently failed to slow up any of the Steubenville backfield men with hard tackling. The prettiest tackle of the day was made by John Clendening and had it not been for him, Burgwin probably would have scored earlier in the game. He had passed the line of scrimmage and was coming down the field at a terrific rate when Clendening caught him at the shoe tops and made him bite the dirt.
Pass Moves Ball Up Steubenville’s first drive for a touchdown started from its own 45-yard line where the Big Red came in possession of the ball on a punt. In two plays Burgwin crossed midfield and carried the pigskin to the 45-yard line, where the ball rested at the end of the quarter. After stepping off another four yards, Burgwin shot a pass to Robinson for a first down on the local’s 25-yard line. Two yards were all the Steubenville colored ace could get at left tackle and an attempted long pass was grounded. He tried to gain on an end run but only managed to rip off two yards when tackled. With fourth down up and a pass the inevitable play, he stepped back and shot the ball to Robinson for a first down on the Tiger’s two-yard line. Wilson was first elected to carry the ball over but he failed. On the next play Burgwin smashed through center for the first score. He failed to kick goal.
Intercept Pass Massillon had not more than received the ball on the kickoff until Burgwin intercepted Kester’s pass on Steubenville’s 46-yard line. On the next play he twisted and weaved his way to the 25-yard line. When he could not gain through the line, he took a pass from Wilson that netted his team a first down on the 15-yard line. Wilson could gain but two yards in two attempts and Burgwin again took the ball, this time carrying it to the Tiger’s five-yard stripe for a first down. August waded through left guard for a touchdown. Burgwin’s kick was wide of the posts.
After receiving the kickoff the Tiger’s tried another pass and this likewise was intercepted by Steubenville, Wilson grabbing Singer’s pass and carrying the ball back to the Massillon 40-yard line. Burgwin lugged the ball three times for a first down on the 30-yard line. A five-yard penalty set Steubenville backward a bit, but Burgwin shot a long pass perfectly timed to Robinson behind the Massillon goal line for the third touchdown of the game. This time he kicked goal for his team’s 19th point.
Burgwin Outstanding There was no doubt as to Burgwin being the outstanding star of the game for not only did he lug the ball two out of three times but likewise punted and did most of his team’s passing. Williams was outstanding for the orange and black, an injured ankle forcing him out of the game in the last period.
While Steubenville proved very adept with the forward pass in the last quarter, the Tigers were unable to master the air at anytime. Every pass w as either grounded or intercepted by Steubenville. With the exception of the intercepted passes, Massillon got all the other breaks of the game including two Steubenville fumbles.
The crowd was by far the largest seen here in two years, Steubenville furnishing more than one-half the patronage. The visitors came by auto and a special train which arrived in the city shortly after noon. Long after dark they lingered about the streets, tooting horns and cheering in celebration of their victory.
Line up and summary: Steubenville Pos. Massillon Dorosczyk LE Getz Johnson LT Willison Henry LG Roderick Coleman C Schott Rybalt RG Monroe Zori RT Price Reducha RE Hess Robinson QB Bordner Wilson LH Singer Burgwin RH Kester August FB Williams
Score by periods: Steubenville 0 0 0 19 19
Substitutions: Steubenville – Karnish for Robinson; Whistle for Rybalt. Massillon – Worthington for Roderick; Clendening for Singer; Singer for Williams; Snodgrass for Monroe; Foster for Bordner; Shattuck for Hess; Mudd for Snodgrass; Hoyman for Schott.
WASHINGTON HIGH SHOWS OFFENSIVE DRIVE IN DEFEATING BARBERTON 20-0 TIGERS ROLL UP 24 FIRST DOWNS IN FIRST N.E.O. LEAGUE GAME
By LUTHER EMERY
SLASHING an offensive attack that looked even more impressive than their 20 to 0 score Washington high school’s Tigers completely outclassed Barberton high in the last after dark game of the season here Friday evening.
It was the first time this season that any running power has been displayed by the orange and black and the score in no way indicates the power of the local team’s offensive thrusts. In fact had it not been for a bad break coupled with some poor football, the Tigers might have won by twice the score, for they rolled up a total of 24 first downs, five short of what they had been able to register in all the first five games of the season.
More Versatile Attack Barberton did not present a strong defense. Neither was the visiting team’s offense up to expectations, but the Magicians were out weighed considerably, a distinct advantage to the Tigers.
A change in the Washington high lineup probably had a lot to do with the orange and black’s success. Bordner, who for several weeks has made his biggest showing on the bench, was tossed into the quarterback position, and did a good job of signal barking, mixing up the plays continually to give the local gridders a more deceptive and versatile attack. Roderick got a chance to prove his worth on the line and did a good job of it at guard.
The victory enabled the Tigers for the first time this season to get the jump on their schedule, for they now have won three games, lost two and tied one. But last night’s grid battle was of even more importance. It was an N.E.O. Big Ten skirmish, the first of three league games on the orange and black’s schedule. Dover and Warren are N.E.O. teams yet to be played and though Warren will present a stiff problem, the local team should take Dover across, with little difficulty.
Score In First Quarter The Tigers scored their first touchdown after 60 yards of battering and pushing. Taking a punt on the Massillon 25, Hess returned to the 40-yard line before being downed. Bordner hit each tackle for six and three yards and Kester rammed through left guard for a first down in midfield. Clendening sneaked through for six yards and Kester made it first down on a reverse play on the 40-yard line. Williams plowed through center for five yards and Clendening stepped away to Barberton’s 29-yard line for a first down. Bordner picked up three yards but the Magicians broke through and smothered Clendening without a gain. Clendening was hurt on the play but continued. Bordner could get but two yards on a reverse play, and with fourth down up, Williams stepped back and hurled a pretty pass to Hess, who caught the ball on the 10-yard line and in half a dozen steps was over for six points. Clendening’s placekick was a bullseye and the Tigers were out in front 7-0.
Muffed Passes Ruin Chances They threatened again in the first quarter, but Worthington allowed Williams’ pass to fall dead at his feet when he misjudged the throw and the ball was lost on downs on the 25-yard line. In the early minutes of the second period the Massillonians again carried the ball up to the visitor’s 14-yard line, where Kester fumbled and Weigand recovered for Barberton. Another opportunity went by that would have meant a sure touchdown when in the last minute of the first half, Williams, with a clear path to the goal, dropped Clendening’s perfect pass, on the 10-yard line.
Barberton Threatens Barberton’s only chance to score came in the third period and for a time the visitors had the Tigers in the hole. A long punt by Weigand that went out of bounds on the 6-yard line made plenty of trouble for awhile. An additional penalty of five yards inflicted on the Tigers for moving the ball at center, pushed them back to the one-yard line. The forward wall held while Kester kicked to the 25-yard line, but the Magicians came back with two line plays and a forward pass for a first down on the 12-yard stripe. Klase banged through for five yards but fumbled when tackled and Williams recovered for Massillon on the seven-yard line. Kester kicked out of danger and the Massillon goal line was not threatened thereafter.
March 80 Yards For Points The Tigers inaugurated their second touchdown march in the closing minutes of the third period. Getting the ball on their own 20-yard line they carried it up to the 42-yard stripe before the end of the period. Bordner made it first down on the locals’ 46-yard line, and after Kester had lost a yard, Williams broke through for a dash to the Barberton 31-yard stripe. On the very next play Don Hess came around from his end position to take the ball and race 31 yards for a touchdown. Bordner crossed up Barberton by giving the ball to Williams who bucked it over for the extra point.
Kester In 50-Yard Dash Washington high’s last touchdown came on a dash of 50 yards by John Kester. He struck through left tackle with the ball tucked under his arm and outran two secondary defense tacklers who failed to lay a hand on him in his dash to the goal line. This time Clendening missed his try for point. The local team was on its way for another set of points when the whistle blew ending the game with the ball on Barberton’s 18-yard line.
Strangely enough, though the Tigers’ completed but one forward pass in 11 attempts, yet their passing attack looked more encouraging last night than at anytime this season. In most instances the passes carried dead to their mark but the receiver couldn’t hold on to the ball. Two touchdowns at least were lost as a result of these muffs. Barberton completed three of 13 passes for a gain of 32 yards.
Numerous penalties were inflicted by the officials for offside and the use of the hands. The Tigers were penalized 75 yards while Barberton was set back 30 yards.
Large Crowd On Hand The second largest crowd of the season turned out to witness the game in spite of the cold weather. The stands on the east and west sides of the field were practically filled with spectators. The crowd, however, grew smaller as the game progressed, many leaving because of the chilly breeze that swept the field.
Every member of the Massillon team was given an opportunity to play last night;Coach Elmer McGrew making a number of substitutions in the last period of the game.
Jimmy Price, who galloped around at quarterback and halfback for the Massillon gridders a few years ago and who later was an idol at Wittenberg, is the Barberton mentor. Jimmy has only a few veterans to work with and though his team is light, it possesses plenty of scrap. His offense clicked smoothly enough last night but his line could not open up the necessary holes in the Massillon forward wall.
Line up and summary: Massillon Pos. Barberton Worthington LE Conrad Willison LT Bonner Snodgrass LG Chandler Schott C Seryak Roderick RG Pinter Price RT Burnley Hess RE Ziblot Bordner QB Weigand Kester LH Glancy Clendening RH Klase Williams FB Whitman
Washington High And Akron South Battle To 7-7 Tie ORANGE AND BLACK NARROWLY ESCAPE DEFEAT SATURDAY
By LUTHER EMERY
An offside penalty inflicted on Akron South enabled Washington high school to tie the Cavaliers of the Rubber City 7-7 Saturday afternoon in an interesting battle at League Park, Akron.
After a listless first half in which the local team gained but little ground, the Tigers went out in the last two periods to batter through the inspired Akron defense and score a touchdown and come within a few yards of pushing over a second marker.
Fortunate to Gain Tie But though the local team on a whole out played its opponents yet the Tigers can consider themselves fortunate that they broke even, for had not Akron been offside when Clendening’s placekick after touchdown went wide, the score would have read: Akron 7; Massillon 6.
Though the line showed a lot of strength in the first two periods, the Massillon offense failed to flash any driving power and was exceptionally poor on lending interference to the ball carrier. Time and again the runner was dropped in his tracks when his teammates failed to clear South tacklers out of the way. As a result, the first quarter and a large portion of the second period was nothing more than a kicking duel between Kester of the local school and Gabalac and Porter of south. They booted the ball almost on even terms, Kester kicking against the wind in the first period.
In the second period however, South began to resort to a more versatile attack, and forward passes were mixing in with end runs and spinner plays. The deceptiveness mystified the Massillon defense and after Porter had returned a punt from his own 10-yard line to his 35-yard line, the Cavaliers launched an attack that did not end until the Tiger goal line was crossed.
Rogerson Scores On Pass Neidert found an opening at center for two yards, but Gabalac wiggled through on a spinner play to his 45-yard line. Neidert went through left guard for a gain of five yards and Rogerson ripped off four more on a reverse play through his left tackle. Porter made it first down on the Massillon 43-yard line. Gabalac was stopped after a center rush of three yards and Clendening knocked down a long pass destined for Rogerson, Porter crossed up the Tigers, however, before being downed. The Tigers braced momentarily, and only allowed Rogerson three yards in two attempts Neidert faked a spinner and found an opening for six yards, and with only a foot to go, Gabalac slipped through for a first down on the Massillon eight-yard line. Gabalac lost a yard, and the Cavaliers still had eight yards to go after Rogerson carried the ball. Then it was that Gabalac stepped back and hurled a perfect pass to Rogerson, who was left unguarded. He caught the ball on the goal line and went over in one step. Gabalac placekicked the extra point. Neither team showed any more offense the remainder of the first half.
Tigers Strong In Third The Tigers started in with a rush in the third quarter that served notice that sooner or later they were going to score a touchdown. They carried the ball from their own 35-yard line to the Akron 37-yard line, when a 15-yard penalty ended the touchdown march.
Though the orange nad black began their drive for points in that period, they did not succeed in crossing the Cavaliers goal line until the early minutes of the fourth quarter. After an exchange of punts, they came in possession of the ball on their own 47-yard line. Bordner hit for five yards but a five yard penalty sent the locals backward instead of forward. Kester’s pass was knocked down but Williams moved the ball 15 yards in three cracks at the line for a first down on the South 37-yard line. He hit for three more, but the Tigers were offside and penalized five yards. Kester reeled off five around right end and Williams faked a spinner and shot through left guard for four yards. The same play yielded seven more yards and a first down on the Akron 26-yard line. Kester got a yard at tackle but Clendening was stopped without gain. The teams reversed their position on the field as the quarter ended. Kester tossed a pass to Clendening that gained but one yard and with fourth down up, the Massillon quarter flipped the ball to Hess who ran to the Akron five-yard line before being downed. In two plays Kester carried the ball over for six points. Cledening’s attempted placekick for the try for point after touchdown was wide and short of the goal posts, but South was ruled offside on the play and the point was given the Tigers and the score was tied at 7-7.
Lose Ball On Eight-Yard Line The local team threatened again in the middle of the period when it carried the ball from the 49-yard line to the eight-yard line where it was lost on downs by inches. The Cavaliers had but the one opportunity to score while the Tigers were only dangerous on two occasions.
While Massillon failed to make a first down during the first half, the Cavaliers negotiated the 10-yard distance four times. On the other hand, the Tigers made four first downs in each of the third and fourth periods, while the Rubber City boys were stopped in their tracks.
The local team intercepted four Akron passes, knocked three down while five were completed for a total gain of 50 yards.
Massillon tried five passes and completed two for a gain of 20 yards.
The game nearly set a record for the small number of players taking part. Only one substitution was made by Coach McGrew while the South tutor altered his lineup but twice during the afternoon.
Only a small crowd witnessed the tussle a great contrast to the huge crowds which have viewed Akron-Massillon games in years past.
The high school band was taken by bus to the game and kept one side of the field ringing with music while the south band pepped up the other side.
Line up and summary: Massillon – 7 Pos. Akron S. – 7 Getz LE Orcutt Willison LT Ridge Worthington LG Smith Schott C Huth Monroe RG Popavich Price RT Mansor Hess RE Niedert Kester QB Porter Clendening LH Gabalac Singer RH Rogerson Williams FB C. Niedert
Score by periods: Massillon 0 0 0 7 7 Akron South 0 7 0 0 7
Substitutions: Massillon – Bordner for Singer. Akron South – Martinkus for Mansor; Kazon for Popavich.
Touchdowns: Akron South – Rogerson. Massillon – Kester.
Point after touchdown: Akron South – Gabalac (placekick). Massillon – Willison (forfeit).
Tigers Will Play First Night Game With Conneaut, Friday HIGH SCHOOL SQUAD TO MAKE THIRD BID FOR FIRST VICTORY
By KEN HARTWICK
FOOTBALL fans of Massillon and various other sections of Stark and maybe a few surrounding counties will see their first night game here Friday evening, when the Tigers of Washington high school make their third bid for victory with Conneaut high school gridders furnishing the opposition.
Unless all pass jurisdictions do not mean a thing, the game should attract one of the biggest crowds in the history of the local athletic field. More local fans will travel to the field than ever before if for no other reason than just to see how a football game looks when it is played under the stars. Football enthusiasts from other sections of the country will come here for the same reason and, if they choose to cheer either of the two teams, it is almost certain that they will pick the local squad.
Out for the First Triumph Under those conditions the only thing which will be needed to make the evening a great success is for the Tigers to crash through for a victory – their first of the season.
Predicting a victory for the Tigers under the present circumstances which include a complete lack of knowledge of what kind of a team Conneaut has would be rather foolish. Before making predictions it is always best to know just what kind of opposition a team is going to have and that is something which is not known here except for the fact that Conneaut started off its season week-end before last with a 6-0 defeat by Cleveland Marshall.
Tigers Hard at Work It can be safely said that regardless of how tough the visitors are they are going to have to work plenty hard to throw the Tigers for their third straight loss. Losing three games in a row isn’t a thing which is relished by any athletic team of the local high school or in fact, any school, and the football playing Tigers are going to do their best to prevent such a thing which would just about ruin all their hopes for any kind of season.
That it will be a different team than the one which took a 6-0 defeat from Akron East more than a week ago which will face Conneaut is certain. Of course the players will be the same but, if what the Tigers have shown in practice since that time and in the Lorain game Saturday is any indication, their playing will be better.
The Tigers, those who saw the Lorain game claim, were just about as good again Saturday as they were against East more than a week ago. That backfield hesitation which just about squashed all chances for victory against the Akron squad was conspicuous by its absence when the orange and black gridders went up against Lorain, it is said. The line was stronger and the other play was better also, the spectators reported. If that is the case the Tigers should get going in earnest Friday evening.
One Change Planned With probably only one change it is possible that the Tiger lineup will be the same as it was against East, the change being one made in the Lorain game – Getz playing left end instead of Worthington. Worthington has been a sick boy for several days and, although he was out for school yesterday, it is possible that he will not be able to play Friday. Getz, who was one of the Tigers backfield men last year, played a nice game at the end position.
Johnny Kester, classy punter probably will start at quarterback. Singer, half, started in that position at Lorain and looked fair during the half he was in. Kester went in the second half and played a much better game than he did against East, calling the signals like he used to last year.
Night Practice Just how playing under lights will affect the Tigers is uncertain. In scrimmages they held two consecutive nights against two other local squads the boys played real good ball.
TIGERS PLAY NEAT FOOTBALL IMPROVED BACKFIELD LEADS WAY TO FIRST VICTORY OF SEASON
By KEN HARTWICK
NEW page in the football history of Massillon was written at Massillon field, Friday evening, and as it was made the orange and black clad Tigers of the school marked up their first victory of the season in an impressive manner, defeating a tough lot of gridders from Conneaut high by a 26-0 score.
To the persons who in years to come will read of this bit of football history the principal point of interest will be the fact that the game was the first night affair played in this city. To the fans who attended the game the largest item was the Tigers’ imposing victory. Maybe it was because they wanted to make a good showing in their first night game – or maybe it was because they have settled down to the important business of winning football games. Whatever the reason, the fact remains that the same team which played more or less like a sandlot squad two weeks ago snapped out of it last night to pull off a series of neat plays which completely overcame the Conneaut gridders, seven of whom are veterans of last season.
Breaks Aid Local Gridders Taking advantage of the breaks given them and manufacturing a few for themselves the Tigers marked up four touchdowns, the first coming not more than three or four minutes after the game started and the last being chalked up near the middle of the final quarter.
To a backfield including three veterans of the 1929 squad and one recruit starting his first game for his new alma mater belongs the lion’s share of the glory. It was that backfield which gave the local school its first 1930 victory. The line unfortunately, did not show up as well as the backfield although it did look considerably better than it did in the first game two weeks ago.
Fumbles Hurt Conneaut it must be admitted certainly got its share of the tough breaks. These breaks started on the very first play when Jerry Mosher, fullback and captain of the squad, fumbled as he was returning the first kick. The most disastrous of the others was a fumble early in the second half which completely broke up a determined rally which had netted 40 yards on three plays.
It looked like the Tigers were going to score earlier than they did when Worthington recovered Mosher’s fumble on Conneaut’s 38-yard line on the first play. Three tries at the line, however, didn’t give the Tigers the necessary yardage and Kester punted, the ball being downed on Conneaut’s six-yard marker. Lyons immediately returned the punt, Kester taking it on the center stripe and carrying it to his opponent’s 25-yard line.
Clendening went through a nice hole made for him for eight yards and Conneaut took a five yard penalty for off-sides to put the ball on Conneaut’s 12-yard line. Foster went through for two yards. Clendening made one and Foster made five more, putting the ball four yards away from the goal and only two from a first down.
First Score of Season In the next play Kester took the ball and handed it to Clendening who circled left end and scored Massillon’s first touchdown of the game and season. Clendening’s kick was good and the score was: Massillon, 7; Conneaut, 0.
Conneaut started a determined march up the field on the next play, Lyons, clever halfback, returning the ball from Conneaut’s 30-yard stripe to Massillon’s 40-yard line in two successive smashes at the line. A disastrous fumble on the next play by Grice was recovered by Getz and the brief spurt was at an end.
For a few minutes after that the action was near midfield, the big features being a clever right end run by Foster which netted 15 yards and Worthington’s crashing through to throw the Conneaut runners for nice losses.
However, only a few minutes elapsed after the start of the second session before Massillon scored again. The successful try for the touchdown started when Foster returned a Conneaut punt to his own 33-yard line. Three successive line drives by Clendening brought a first down, the ball being on Conneaut’s 21-yard stripe. Clendening circled right end for five yards, putting the pigskin 16 yards from the goal line.
The Massillon line pulled what was probably its best bit of football in the game on the next play when it made a hole big enough for a locomotive to go through to permit Kester to go over for the touchdown. The kick was blocked and the score was: Massillon, 13; Conneaut, 0.
Pass Intercepted Another Conneaut fumble gave the Tigers the ball on their opponent’s 41-yard stripe but an attempt for a third touchdown was spoiled when Mosher took Clendening’s pass and was downed on his own 35-yard line. Conneaut started a passing attack as the half neared its end but only one of them was good, it netting seven yards. The half ended with Massillon maintaining its 13-0 lead.
The Conneaut coach must have done something to his players between halves because they certainly came back for a few minutes. Jerry Mosher probably the best man on the team, started to carry the ball and on three successive tries made 40 yards, lugging the leather from his own 25-yard line to Massillon’s 35-yard stripe. His first play brought 17 yards and a first down, the second 14 yards and another first down and the third only a foot less than the required yardage for another first down.
Conneaut’s hard luck appeared on the next play when Mosher fumbled and a Massillon man recovered on the Tiger’s 26-yard line. That break seemed to take the heart out of the visitors because when they got the ball again they didn’t do a thing, losing four yards on two tries.
Williams Scores A poor punt which sent the ball only 25 yards to Conneaut’s 45-yard line put the Tigers in place for their third touchdown. On the first play Kester ran back a little, sighted his man and passed to Clendening for a 20-yard gain. On three successive smashes at the line Williams got 13 yards and another first down. Williams again carried for two yards as the quarter ended.
With but 10 yards separating them from the goal the Tigers played determined ball to get the touchdown. Clendening crashed the line for four yards and Williams put the ball only six inches the wrong side of a first down. Williams went through for first down, placing the ball less than a foot from the goal. On the deciding play the Massillon line crashed over the Conneaut players and Williams piled on top of them over the line for six points. The kick was no good, the score being: Massillon, 19; Conneaut, 0.
Only a few minutes of play remained but it was long enough for another score. Massillon took a Conneaut punt on the opponent’s 47-yard line. A five-yard gain by Williams and a 15-yard penalty for Conneaut because of rough playing put the ball on Conneaut’s 25-yard line.
Kester went around right end for two yards. Williams made six through and Clendening lost two before the goal gaining play came. A successful pass from Kester to Worthington back of the goal brought the marker. Williams went through Conneaut’s line for the extra points.
From then on the game was not so interesting, Conneaut’s last minute try for a touchdown against a team made up of substitutes which was ruined on two successive penalties for the visitors, furnishing the only thrill of the last few moments. Fighting still as the last minute was being ticked off a Conneaut man recovered a Massillon fumble and started down what looked like a clear field but was downed by a Tiger substitute as the gun went off.
Backfield Shines Picking out a star from those backfield men is difficult. All of them played well, Kester punting his best of the season, Clendening making nice gains on end runs, Williams crashing the line for first downs when they were needed, and Foster playing a very nice game in every respect. The backfield looked more like the one of last season than at any other time this year.
The line was better than usual but showed that there is still room for improvement. Worthington was probably the outstanding player of the line. He made several nice tackles.
Jerry Mosher and Lyons, fullback and half, were the outstanding stars of the visiting team. Mosher only got going on one or two occasions but when he did there wasn’t any stopping him. Lyons played a fast game, circling end a number of times for nice gains.
The first downs of the game were even, both teams getting eight. Massillon’s came when they did the most good while Conneaut got practically all of theirs in territory where they didn’t do much good.
Night football, without a doubt, was given the approval of all fans who attended the game. The bright lights made the field as light as day, the complete absence of shadows even making the game somewhat easier to follow than a regular day affair.
The Tigers added to the brightness of the occasion with their new uniforms with orange jerseys trimmed with black and carrying white numbers. The game took on a festive air as the drum corps of Massillon Post N. 221, American Legion paraded before the game and during the half, putting on some of its prize-winning drills during the recess period.
The crowd was disappointing to say the least. About 1,500 persons, very few if any more than the number present at the Akron East game two weeks ago, were present.
The summary: Massillon Pos. Conneaut Getz LE Watson Willison LT D. Mosher Mudd LG Malaney Schott C Dickey Worthington RG Johnstrone Price RT Maney Hess RE Hissimaki Kester QB Higgins Foster LH Grice Clendening RH Lyons Williams FB J. Mosher
Score by periods: Massillon 7 6 0 13 26
Substitutions: Conneaut – Burr for Watson; Brady for D. Mosher; Ritari for Burr; Cobuzzi for J. Mosher; J. Mosher for Cobuzzi; D. Mosher for Brady. Massillon – Suttle for Getz; Hoyman for Schott; Singer for Foster; Snodgrass for Mudd; Porter for Kester; Getz for Suttle; Hoyman for Schott; Roderick for Getz; Schott for Hoyman; Snodgrass for Roderick.
LORAIN, Sept. 29 – Weakening before a persistent Lorain attack in the first and third quarters, Washington high of Massillon lost its second game of the season here Saturday, by a score of 14 to 0.
Although outplayed most of the way, the Massillon eleven made a hard fight of it, never allowing Lorain any ground that was not hotly contested.
Massillon’s lone opportunity to score came late in the last quarter after a pass from Singer to Williams put the ball on the 13-yard line from the 35. Kester made a charge at the line and placed the ball on the 10-yard marker. Lorain held Massillon to a yard gain on the next down and on the third, Urbanic, Lorain’s star tackle broke through to throw Kester for a four-yard loss and their chance was gone.
Pass Brings Score In beating off the invasion of orange and black, the Lorain team made nine first downs to Massillon’s four, scoring six of them in the first half. In the second half, both teams resorted to a kicking duel which cut down the number of downs. Kester had a slight advantage in the exchanges.
Lorains’ first touchdown against the Tigers came in the first quarter when after marching from their own 35-yard line to Massillon’s 30-yard line in three straight downs, Nickolette heaved a 15-yard pass to Bahoric who raced across the line. Bahoric, in turn place-kicked the point to his own touchdown.
The second touchdown came in the third quarter. This time, it was a one-man proposition. Starting on Massillon’s 35-yard line, Stan Pincura Lorain’s star quarterback, carried the ball eight times in succession, to put it across the line. He drove at the Tiger right guard and tackle each of these eight times, making two first downs on the way to the goal line by himself. After scoring the touchdown, Pincura plunged over the line for the extra point.
Clendening, Kester Star Massillon’s line showed its inexperience in the more crucial moments when it was unable to withstand the rush of the home town attack. They seemed to hold better when in neutral territory.
The veteran backfield of the invading team was not able to do much against a powerful Lorain line and Clendening succeeded in circling the local ends only on two occasions for any appreciable gains.
However, Clendening and Kester were the outstanding stars of the game for the Tiger team. Kester pounded at the Lorain line hard but often met his own forwards backing into him. Twice he was able to make first downs when he could find a hole but they were rare. His kicking was up to its usual fine form.
Clendening played a fine game in the safety positions despite a treacherous wind which frequently made it almost impossible to catch the kicks of Nickolette.
The summary follows: Lorain – 14 Pos. Massillon – 0 B. Urbas LE Getz Donohue LT Willison J. Urban LG Snodgrass Busick C Schott J. Pincura RG Mudd Urbanic RT Price Cinniger RE Hess S. Pincura QB Singer Bahoric LH Kester Nickolette RH Clendening Kohlmyer FB Williams
Score by periods: Lorain 7 0 7 0 14
Touchdowns: Lorain – Bahoric and S. Pincura.
Points after touchdown: Lorain – Bahoric (placekick); S. Pincura (scrimmage).
Referee – Howell (Sebring). Umpire – Houghton (Oberlin). Head Linesman – Johnson (Navy).
History 
