Toledo Gains Early Lead With Forward Passing Attack, But Fast Massillon Backs Get It Back and Send Score Soaring
By Luther Emery
Ten thousand fans were still thawing out today after shivering and stomping their feet through four periods of near-freezing temperatures at Tiger Stadium, Friday evening, while their Washington high football team was handing Toledo Waite a 39-7 beating to stretch the Massillon undefeated streak to 41 games.
If you have thawed out, you might chance continuing on with this story, but if you are still chilly, turn away from the cold facts or you will start shaking all over again.
Still a Remarkable Crowd
What a difference in the weather last night when compared with that of the Toledo Waite game of 1940, and what a difference in the crowd. And yet last night’s turnout was almost as remarkable.
A year ago, 22,000 fans sat through a driving rain and 5,000 more peered through the fences because they couldn’t get tickets to see a game that had been ballyhooed for eight months, a grudge battle with undefeated rivals for the 1939 state title pitting their perfect records against each other.
The Tigers won that game 28-0 and are still undefeated. But Waite came to Massillon last night with three victories in seven games including losses in its last two starts, and yet 10,000 persons stuck their chins out and took a worse beating from the weatherman than the Toledo football team received at the claws of the Tiger.
A high wind, and near-freezing temperatures made it downright cold, but the fans, most of them, stuck it out to the last despite the fact that the result was a settled issue by the middle of the third period.
Waite Pulls a Thriller
It was an inspired Waite team that met Massillon last night, eleven Indians who fought tooth and nail the first half to ambush the Tigers, score a touchdown the first period and uphold the beat traditions of Maumee gladiators with a courageous display of defense that staved off two Tiger scoring threats in the second period and left Massillon holding the slim edge of 12-7 at halftime.
The game was in no sense secure when the third period got underway, but with the mercury flirting with the low 30’s it didn’t take the Tigers long to put it on ice in the third quarter with two rapid fire touchdowns.
It was a game filed with the spectacular, long runs, and passes, what many fans like and stayed to see.
It stated off faster than the 35-mile an hour gale that howled through the stands and made the light poles sway. Ere four minutes had expired, each team had shoved over a touchdown and fans were wondering what next was coming off.
It took just three plays for the Tigers to get their’s. Junior White got off to a flying start by returning the kickoff 41 yards to the Waite 37, then slipping to the 21 on the next play, from which Dick Adams’ twisted his way for the touchdown.
That was that and Massillon fans leaned back in their seats waiting for the kill, but they themselves were about to be scalped as the Indians took the kickoff and charged back with three rapid-fire passes, two over the line and into the flat that brought a first down on the five-yard line. There Bob Albright rared back and pegged the ball straight over the line to Harry Wright who took his footsies off the ground for a moment to make the catch. When Dick Jensen kicked the extra point, the Tigers found themselves trailing for the second time this year.
Sends Blunt In
None was more concerned than Coach Bud Houghton, for he shoved his ailing captain, Fred Blunt, into the game and the fur began to fly. It that’s the way colds effect Blunt, it might be a good idea to blow a few bacteria his way every week. All he did was grab the ball on his 44-yard line, and head for left end with Joe De Mando thundering along in front to block out the last tackler, while “Pokey” did the whole 56 yards in one stretch. It wasn’t too encouraging yet, when Adams failed to carry the extra point across, for no one knew when Waite might connect again with its passes and take the lead.
For some reason or other, however, the Indians tossed a couple away and quit throwing. The Tigers apparently solved the attack and set up a defense for it. Not another pass did Waite complete after its touchdown. In fact but five more were attempted.
The Indians had hard luck handling the ball. They lost it four times on fumbles, and on three of the occasions the Tigers were quick to seize the break and capitalize on it.
That is not saying that Massillon did not deserve the victory. It was faster and more powerful. Had Waite hung on to the ball a little better however, and gotten away good fourth down punts, the Tigers would have had to have traveled a greater distance to get to the promised land, and consequently the score might not have been as large.
One of these fumbles gave the local gridders a scoring opportunity in the second period when they covered a Waite muff on the 28-yard line.
Here the Indians demonstrated their pluck and only yielded two yards on a pass and three running plays.
Here’s Real Stone Wall
But that was only a sample of what they could do defensively. It wasn’t long after that a brilliant 31-yard run by Blunt helped to get the ball to a first down on the Waite five-yard line. Here the Indians came through with a goal line stand that had Massillon fans worried at the half for they gave the Tigers but two yards on four running plays and took the ball away from them on the three-yard line.
The Indians must have played themselves out doing it however for along came the third period and with Chuck Holt as the spearhead of the drive, the Tigers marched from where they got the kickoff on the 18 to the Waite 16-yard line where Holt tore through the left side of the Waite line to score. This time Adams kicked the extra point and Massillon went to the front 19-7. And it was 25-7 shortly afterward when Holt broke through left guard again and dashed 51 yards for a touchdown. The Tigers had gotten the ball on a fumble just before Holt’s sprint. Vernon Weisgarber covered Bauman’s muff.
Another muff in the same period, this one by Jim Lamoreaux, right halfback, was covered by George Dolmos, substitue tackle, and set the locals in motion for a successful march. Holt plunged for a first down on the 15-yard line and Adams’ well thrown pass was snared in the end zone by Joe De Mando for the touchdown. Adams kicked goal and it was 32-7.
De Mando covered a fumble by Beauman on the 32-yard line in the fourth quarter to ring up points again. White and Holt hugged the ball to the seven from where Graber took it over for six points and repeated on the attempt for the extra point.
That’s all the scoring there was.
Only twice did Waite work the ball into Tiger territory, once on its successful touchdown series and again in the last minute of the fourth period when Albright ran some 27 yards to reach the Massillon 40.
That the Indians were thoroughly outplayed, is clearly shown by the statistics, 14 first downs to eight and a net total of 402 yards from ball carrying to 70 yards.
Coach Houghton started a backfield with only one regular, Chuck Holt. As the game moved into the clutch, however, the regulars one by one began to recuperate and take their places on the field. Fred Cardinal, Blunt, and Graber, all saw service, but John Hill, and Don Armour are still on the sidelines with injuries.
The game was Massillon’s last night attraction of the season, Youngstown East will play here next Saturday afternoon.
Good First Half
Massillon Waite Bray LE V. Smith Paulik LT Jensen Wallace LG Schick Fuchs C Kives Kanney RG Saam Weisgarber RT Oatley De Mando RE Wright Power QB Links Adams LH Lamoreaux White RH Albright Holt FB Bauman
James Scores Twice, Getz Races 49 for Tally Before 21,000
By Alex Zirin Staff Correspondent
MASSILLON, OH., Nov. 1 – Toledo Waite High’s Indians, the team that asked for it, was definitely convinced tonight that the Tigers of Massillon High are supreme in Ohio.
Not even the elements could save the Indians from taking a 28-0 whipping as more than 21,000 spectators acclaimed the 31st straight victory of the Tigers.
Waite came here with a record of 19 straight triumphs and the claim that Massillon wasn’t the real boss of the Buckeye state schoolboy gridders.
Massillon inflicted a lesson that was complete and final.
Hampered by rain that fell all-day and late into the first period, the Tigers still managed to score in every period and keep their goal line uncrossed. They now have eight victims this year and boast a point total of 417 to 0.
It was the lowest score of the campaign for the Tigers, but the weather saw to that.
Thousands Turned Away
The widely heralded classic drew many more thousands than could be accommodated, despite the official announcement days ago that every ticket had been sold. Not even the heavy downpour could dim the enthusiasm of the Tiger fans.
The stands were nearly filled an hour before kickoff, most of the thousands sitting cheerfully in the rain rather than risk losing their seats. It was a show that amazed those who watched Tiger football for the first time.
Waite completely outplayed, getting only one first down on a pass in the third period. Massillon had 16, but that only starts to tell the story.
Waite’s running attack didn’t have a chance and its heavy line proved no problem, with the exception of one boy, Herbert Snider, who played a whale of a game.
8 Plays – First Touchdown
Massillon’s blocking was well nigh perfect, as always. The line out charged its heavier foe’s consistently.
The game was only eight plays old when the Tigers had their fist touchdown.
A fumble by Pokey Blunt was recovered by Waite on the Waite 47. Three running plays netted only 2 yards for the Indians, and Jimmy Seibenaller tried to punt.
Tom Jones and Herman Robinson smashed through the Toledo forward wall to block the attempt and Robinson recovered on Toledo’s 6, from where James went over on the first play.
Toledoans Find Out About State Supremacy
Ray Getz elected an end run for the point, but was stopped and the score was 6-0.
Another blocked punt gave Massillon its second period two pointer on an automatic safety. This time Louis Sharkoff was the kicker and Bill Wallace the blocker.
Waite had failed to move more than a yard from its 17. The punt was logical, but Wallace moved in as though he belonged in the Indians’ backfield. He blocked the kick with his chest and the bounding ball bounced out of the end zone before the Tigers could capture it and the score was 8-0.
The Tigers were in complete command as the second half opened.
Horace Gillom returned Snider’s kickoff from the 7 to the Massillon 42. In five plays Getz and Blunt streaked to the Waite 16. Then James took the ball on a dazzling reverse and went over. Getz’s plunge couldn’t reach for the extra point and the score was 14-0.
A few minutes later the Tigers marched again, but this time Waite held on its 8.
But the Tigers couldn’t be denied and they had another touchdown two plays after the fourth period started.
Getz, sweeping around his left end, raced 49 yards for the tally. His blockers removed all but the safetyman and Ray took care of him by simply outsmarting his rival with a fine bit of timing. This time Getz tried a placement for the extra point and it was good, making the score 21-0.
The final scoring drive started from the Massillon 37. Getz, James and Blunt streaked to the 14 before losing the ball on a fumble. But Gillom took care of matters by intercepting Sharkoff’s pass on the Toledo 14. James and Getz carried the ball to the 1 and Kingham went over on a quarterback sneak, standing up. Again Getz added the point from placement and the tally was 28-0.
Toledo’s pass for its first down was the only one the Indians completed.
Massillon stopped the Indians cold once they came within the Tigers’ 40 on recovered fumbles. There wasn’t any doubt that the score would have been much higher on a dry field.
It was a colorful affair despite the rain. The great Massillon band quite outdid itself with a patriotic pageant between halves and then kept the throng in its seats after the game with a swing dance exhibition.
The Tigers play at Youngstown East next Saturday and then close their season against Canton McKinley here November 17.
There isn’t a chance to buy a ticket for McKinley game either.
Massillon, home of great football, saluted its champions again tonight.
MASSILLON – 28 TOLEDO WAITE – 0 Robinson L.E. Welker Cardinal L.T. Rideout Wallace L.G. Mang Appleby C Poole Russell R.G. Smithers Broglio R.T. Links Gillom R.E. Snider Kingham Q Baker James L.H. Sharkoff Getz R.H. Seibenaller Blunt F Bauman
VICTORY OVER WAITE IS 31ST IN ROW FOR MASSILLON MACHINE
Champions Turn On Second Half Power On Slippery Field Before 22,000
By JACK MAXWELL
Stark county football fans were secure in the knowledge today that this district produces the greatest scholastic football in Ohio, and from other sections of the state there wasn’t a murmur of dissent.
Massillon’s mighty Tigers, the county’s leading representatives, established beyond the shadow of a doubt their right to five consecutive state titular claims at Tiger stadium in Massillon Friday night before a damp but enthusiastic overflow throng of 22,000.
Held to eight points in the first half, the Tigers of Coach Paul Brown unleashed the full fury of their deceptive and well-coordinated attack in succeeding quarters to sweep over a good but outclassed Toledo Waite team 28-0.
Accomplished on a slippery gridiron where ball handling was precarious and an aerial offense virtually useless, the convincing victory ran Massillon’s winning streak to 31 games. The setback snapped Waite’s impressive string of victories at 19 straight.
Although the personnel of both squads had changed, Friday night’s game was the climactic chapter in a heated dispute that arose late last season over conflicting state championship claims. A strong 1939 Waite eleven won 11 successive contests, including a 9-7 “Buckeye bowl” conquest of Portsmouth at Columbus, and Toledo fans aired serious doubts of a Massillon denomination that began in 1935.
Both teams were handicapped seriously last night by insecure footing and a soggy ball. Despite the fact a huge tarpaulin had been placed on the field Thursday and was not removed until game time, heavy rains all day yesterday and a steady drizzle during the tilt took their toll.
Timing Perfect
But the Tigers clearly were the superior team, possibly by an even greater margin than the score indicates.
Beautiful timing, deadly blocking and superlative defensive play, plus a customary propensity for “making their own breaks,” enabled Coach Paul Brown’s charges to hang a decisive defeat on a worthy opponent.
Massillon compiled a 16-1 margin in first downs, the Waite Indians getting their lone first down on a 14-yard pass in the third quarter. The Tigers’ fast charging line blocked two punts to set up a touchdown and score a safety in the first half, held the visitors to 40 yards by rushing and opened huge holes for hard driving Massillon backs.
Passing, normally an integral part of the Massillon offensive, did not figure in the triumph. The Tigers tried only two aerials and completed one for a 14-yard gain on the last play of the first half.
With the weather putting a damper on aerials, the Indians of Coach Jack Mollenkopf used an eight man defensive line most of the game, and gave the best defensive exhibition against the Tigers this year. Massillon ball carriers were dropped for losses totaling 67 yards and frequently were stopped on the line of scrimmage. However, the husky Waite line was unable to fathom Massillon consistently, and each loss usually was followed by a sizeable gain.
Toledo Attack Weak
Waite lacked anything resembling an attack against the defense thrown up by Massillon. The Indians were inside the Tiger 40 only once. Horace Gillom’s punt in the second period slid off the side of his foot for a two-yard loss and gave the Toledo team the ball on the Massillon 37, but the Indians were stopped just short of a first down on the 28.
Massillon fumbled four times, twice deep in enemy territory, and Waite covered all four fumbles. The Toledoans bobbled twice but recovered on both occasions.
With teamwork as a premium, Massillon had no player standing head and shoulders above his mates. Tom James took scoring honors with two touchdowns and ran in stellar fashion, but Ray Getz accounted for a touchdown and two extra points during one of his best performances this year and Fred Blunt also was a continuous threat.
Jim Russell and Bill Wallace at the guards were magnificent, and Gillom was in the thick of every skirmish. The big Negro ace was held scoreless for the first time this year, his offensive opportunities being limited by the lack of passing.
Snider Sparkles
Heroic in defeat were Herb Snider, a great defensive end; Lester Rideout, a sterling tackle, and Lou Sharkoff, a hard working halfback.
After Massillon’s initial drive following the opening kickoff had been stalled by Fred Blunt’s fumble on the Waite 47, Herman Robinson and Dick Kingham broke through to block Sharkoff’s punt on the 35 and Robinson covered on the 7. James sliced off right tackle for a touchdown on the next play.
On the first play of the second period, Wallace blocked another Sharkoff punt on the Toledo 7 and the ball rolled out of the end zone for an automatic safety. The Tigers made their first sustained march to start the third quarter, going 48 yards for a touchdown in six plays. Getz and Blunt alternated to the Waite 15, from where James cracked right guard, headed for the right sideline and dove over the goal just inside the out of bounds flag.
With a strong supporting cast, Getz provided the feature run of the duel in the first minute of the final quarter. Starting wide around left end behind a wall of interference, he scampered to the 35, slowed up for Russell to cut down the nearest Waite defender with a terrific block, and completed a 43-yard touchdown jaunt. Getz added the extra point on a placekick.
The last tally was set up by Gillom’s interception of Sharkoff’s basketball pass on the Waite 14. Getz bulled his way through center to the one-foot line and Dick Kingham, the blocking back scored on a quick opener. Getz again converted.
Massillon Pos. Toledo Waite Robinson LE Welker Henderson LT Rideout Wallace LG Mang Appleby C Poole Russell RG Smithers Broglio RT Links Gillom RE Snider Kingham QB Baker James LH Sharkoff Getz RH Siebenaller Blunt FB Bauman
Substitutions: Massillon – Pizzino, fb; L. Cardinal, t; Hill, g; Adams, hb; F. Cardinal, g. Waite – White, hb; Timmons, hb; Bigley, c; J. Links, g; Wagner, c; Keezey, e.
Touchdowns – James 2, Getz, Kingham.
Points after touchdown – Getz 2.
Safety – Wallace
Massillon 6 2 6 14 – 28
Referee – Earl D. Gross. Umpire – A.R. Long. Headlinesman – Carl C. Bachman. Field judge – T.B. Lobach.
STATISTICS Mass. Waite First downs, rushing 16 0 First downs, passing 0 1 First downs, total 16 1 Yards gained, rushing 340 40 Yards gained, passing 13 14 Yards lost 67 33 Yards gained, net total 286 21 Passes attempted 2 3 Pases completed 1 1 Passes incompleted 1 1 Passes intercepted 1 0 Fumbles 4 2 Own fumbles recovered 0 2 Own fumbles covered 0 4 Penalties, yardage 10 0 Punts 3 9 Punts, average yardage 33 32
MASSILLON TRIMS INDIANS BY 28-0
East Siders Get But One First Down As Tigers Outclass Them; Blocked Punts Lead to Early Scores
By FRANK BUCKLEY Of The Blade’s Sport Staff
MASSILLON, O., Nov. 2 – Toledo is without an unbeaten and untied high school football team today. Its last hope for a perfect eleven and one which might make a claim for a state championship died an honorable death here last night as the Indians of Waite High School bowed to the perfectly playing Washington High outfit of Massillon. The score was 28 to 0, and the biggest setback Waite has experienced in many years.
That defeat shattered Waite’s 19-game winning streak. The victory added No. 31 to the list that Coach Paul Brown’s Tigers are compiling. It likewise was the eighth foe of the season that Massillon has both blanked and trounced.
A crowd of 22,000 fans jammed the big stadium and sat through pouring rain to watch the action. In the assemblage were more than 2,000 Toledoans, braving a fine brand of pneumonia weather. More than, 2,500 fans were turned away at the gates.
16 FIRST DOWNS
Washington outclassed Waite in as complete a style as any Toledo high school team has ever been beaten. It piled up 16 first downs and held Waite to one, that coming in the third quarter. Only once did Waite manage to get within Massillon’s 30-yard line and that threat was quickly stopped.
Massillon tried the air but twice and completed one pass. The slippery oval was not for passing as Waite tried but three times, completed one and had one intercepted, that pacing the way for the final Massillon touchdown. In handling the wet ball, Massillon fumbled four times and Waite recovered each time. The Indians bobbled twice and recovered twice.
Waite didn’t have a punt blocked all season until last night and then it saw two of them help Massillon manufacture an eight-point lead in the first half.
PUNT IS BLOCKED
Jimmie Siebenaller was back to punt early in the game as Waite had the ball on its own 47. Herman Robinson and Dick Kingham broke through the Waite line, blocked the kick and when the scramble was unpiled, Massillon had the ball on Waite’s six-yard line. From there Tom James knifed through for the first score. Early in the next period, Bill Wallace, a guard, bounded through the Waite line, blocked Sharkoff’s kick and fell on the ball over the end line for a safety and the 8-0 lead at halftime, the lowest count Massillon has made in a half against any opponent this year.
The second half found the Tigers really going through the Tribe. They started with the kickoff on their own 42 and with James, Fred Blunt and Ray Getz hugging the ball, marched 58 yards for the touchdown and any chances for a Waite win were gone with those points.
48 YARDS FOR A SCORE
Getz, the Tigers’ biggest ground gainer of the game, used the third play of the final period for the best gallop of the night as he ran 48 yards for the third touchdown.
Later the Tigers intercepted a pass as Waite desperately tried to score on the state title claimants. Getz ran to the one before Kingham went through center for the touchdown.
The game was cleanly played, the only penalties coming against Massillon, which lost 10 yards on two offside errors. The Tigers three speedy ball carriers, James, Getz and Blunt, along with the big end, Horace Gillom were outstanding through the battle. Herb Snider, Waite end was the defensive standout from a Toledo angle.
Toledo Football Team Is Beaten By Superior Foe
By JACK SENN Times Sports Editor
MASSILLON, O., Nov. 1 – The Tigers of Washington high school still stalk the scholastic gridirons unchallenged.
Before more than 21,000 spectators and a constant rain here tonight this city’s great football machine outclassed a previously undefeated Waite team of Toledo, winning 28 to 0.
At no stage of the game, in which Massillon chalked up its 31st consecutive victory, did the Indians from the banks of the Maumee seriously threaten.
In the first period Waite was thrown back on its heels and never recovered. Soon after the start Massillon blocked a Waite punt and quickly converted into a touchdown. In the second the home team blocked another and fell on the ball for a safety.
Thus it went. Washington out charged Waite on every play and as in every other game this year and last, Coach Paul Brown’s charges put on a convincing display of offensive football, proving the old axiom that an offense is the best defense.
Waite offered sturdy opposition for three-quarters of the battle even though trailing 14 to 0 at that stage.
But at the start of the fourth quarter the visitors lost all hope when the brilliant James of Washington got marvelous blocking on a 47-yard touchdown jaunt. The Indians were pretty well washed out a few minutes later when Kingham made two clever sneaks for a touchdown.
Here’s how the game unfolded:
FIRST PERIOD
Snider’s kick for Waite went out of bounds and Massillon placed the ball in play on its 35. Getz made three and Blunt pounded tackle for a first down on the Washington 46. Get made three. Blunt fumbled and Baker recovered for Waite on the Toledo 47. Massillon’s line smothered Sharkoff without gain. Two more tries gained just two yards and Siebenaller went back to kick. The charging Tiger line blocked his punt and Robinson recovered on the Waite six. On the first play James smashed over his own left tackle for a touchdown. Siebenaller was hurt on the play and White replaced. Getz failed in a smash at tackle for the point
Score: Massillon 6; Waite 0.
Sharkoff returned Gilloms kick off to Waite’s 21. Sharkoff made two, then lost four when he fumbled but recovered. Sharkoff punted dead on the Tiger 39. James lost nine, and gained four. Blunt slicked the Waite line for 14 yards and James made it first down on the 50. Three plays gained six yards. Massillon tried to run on fourth down and Blunt fumbled with the slippery oval finally being trapped on the Massillon 42 where it was Waite’s ball.
Sharkoff punted poorly on third down, the boot going out of bounds on the Tiger 31. Gillom went into the backfield to run and lost seven. Gillom punted magnificently, dead on the Toledo 16 as the quarter ended.
Score: Massillon 6; Waite 0.
SECOND QUARTER
Sharkoff attempted to punt on second down and this time Massillon’s forwards were through again, Wallace blocking the boot and recovering beyond the end zone for a safety.
Score: Massillon 8, Waite 0.
Gillom returned Snider’s free kick from the Waite 20 to the Toledo 41. Three plays lost eight yards as the Waite line started charging fiercely and Gillom punted dead on Waite’s nine.
The rain had ceased but the field was very muddy.
Waite couldn’t gain and Sharkoff punted to James, who returned to Waite’s 45. Blunt made four but Getz then fumbled and Sharkoff recovered for Waite on his 28.
Fans kept streaming into the already packed stands although the rain started again.
Waite’s power couldn’t move against the Massillon line on the slippery turf and Sharkoff punted to James, who came back to the Tiger 40.
Waite smashed two running plays for a two yard loss and Gillom’s poor punt went out on his own 38 where it was Waite’s ball. Sharkoff made two and White four, Baker in two tries failed by inches to make a first down and it was Massillon’s ball on its 28.
James made seven. Siebenaller came back into the Waite lineup for White. Getz made a first down on the Massillon 41. Blunt made five. Then another first down on Waite’s 48.
James shook loose for 16 yards and a first down on the 32. A pass and plunge failed before the Tigers drew the first penalty – five yards for off side. A Gillom to Robinson pass was complete to Waite’s 35 as the gun sounded.
Score: Massillon 8; Waite 0.
THIRD QUARTER
Snider kicked off to Gillom who returned to the Massillon 42. Getz picked up a first down with a 17-yard off tackle run to Waite’s 41. Getz crashed through to another first down on the 27. Blunt spun off tackle for five, then made a first down on the 16. On the next play James sliced through his own right tackle, slipped off several Waite tacklers and went over for a touchdown. Getz failed in a plunge for the point.
Score: Massillon 14; Waite 0.
Gillom kicked off out of bounds and it was Waite’s ball on its 35. A Sharkoff to Welker pass over the line gave Waite its initial first down on the Indian 49. Sharkoff lost seven on another pass attempt but Siebenaller got it back. Sharkoff made nine on the first Waite power play that got anyplace, but Baker was stopped cold on fourth down and Massillon took the ball on its 42.
On a cut back Getz made a first down on Waite’s 44. Blunt slipped off tackle and ran to the 10 before Siebenaller nailed him. Another cut back over tackle gave Getz four, but Snider smeared him the next time for a five-yard loss, and the third time he was stopped without a gain. On fourth down Waite’s line checked Blunt and the Indians took the ball on their eight. Sharkoff punted nicely, dead on the Tiger 37.
Snider caught Getz for a two-yard loss. Getz made eight, Blunt made a first down on the Tiger 47 as the quarter ended.
Score: Massillon 14; Waite 0.
FOURTH QUARTER
Blunt made five and Getz carried another yard to Waite’s 47. Then Getz swept his own left end behind superb blocking and raced 47 yards into pay dirt. He then booted the point from placement.
Score: Massillon 21; Waite 0
Siebenaller returned the kickoff to the Toledo 33. Siebenaller punted to James, who was spilled on Massillon’s 37. James faked a pass and made a first down on the 48. Getz got to Waite’s 46. Faking another pass, James circled end to a first down on the 36. On a quick spinner James picked up eight. Blunt made it first down on the 26.
Two plays gained eight but Getz then lost three. Getz made it first down on Waite’s 14. On the second play James fumbled and Rideout recovered for Waite on the Toledo 14. Siebenaller lost five when he fumbled, then Gillom intercepted Sharkoff’s over-the-line pass and it was Massillon’s ball on the Toledo 13.
The second play saw Kingham on a quarterback sneak straight through the Waite center to the one-yard line. Then Kingham shot through center again, this time over the goal almost without being touched. Getz placekicked the point.
Score: Massillon 28; Waite 0.
Gillom purposely kicked off out of bounds again to keep Waite from returning the ball and the Toledoans took the ball on their 35. Siebenaller picked up five. Siebenaller punted to James, who was downed on the Tiger 35.
Massillon was pounding Waite’s line at the gun.
MASSILLON LINE SHOWS POWER IN GREAT VICTORY
Tiger Gridders Roll Back Eight-Man Toledo Line As Ray Getz Sparkles In Finest Game Of His Three-Year Career
By LUTHER EMERY
In a setting of pageantry, the like of which is seldom seen on the gridiron, the Washington high Tigers defeated Toledo Waite 28-0 in a driving rain in Tiger Stadium Friday evening.
An overflow crowd of 22,000 (and several thousand more had to be turned away), sat through the moisture to see the Tigers convince their rivals from the northwest part of the state that Massillon has a just claim to the state championship.
No Dispute This Year
Waite disputed that claim last year on the basis of an undefeated season and a 9-7 triumph over Portsmouth in the Buckeye Bowl and the Indians brought a string of 19 consecutive victories with them into Tiger Stadium. That string was cut by a terrific Tiger defense and a keyed up offense that extended the Massillon victory streak to 31 games.
The Tigers were magnificent. To defeat a highly touted grid machine like Waite is one thing, and to do it in the rain is another. The rain actually came to Waite’s rescue and saved it from greater humiliation.
The Indians knew the Tigers would not pass the wet ball, so they smartly threw an eight-man line against the Massillon eleven, virtually the same type of defense the Tigers use when forced into a goal line stand.
It is the marvel of the season how the Massillon eleven rolled back the eight-man line for yards and points.
They did it with the greatest demonstration of charging and blocking ever seen here.
Hard To Gain Ground
It was tough going the first half – plenty tough – ask the players. They looked the superior team all the way but only had eight points at half-time intermission, the result of two punts that were blocked by the fast charging line.
But despite their superiority statistically, Massillon fans did not ease back in their seats until the second and third touchdowns had been poured over the Toledo goal. The fourth didn’t matter except that it gave the locals seven more points to talk about.
The statistics were all in the Tigers’ favor. They made 16 first downs to Waite’s one and gained 312 net yards from scrimmage to Waite’s 28. They tried two passes and completed one for a gain of 13 yards.
Grant Murray, the member of the Toledo board of education who put Coach Jack Mollenkopf on the spot when he publicly challenged the Tigers’ right to the state football title, was sought after the game. A copy of the statistics had been prepared for him. He couldn’t be found in the Toledo dressing room.
But Coach Mollenkopf was there, and was sportingly gracious. He described the Tigers as “just too good” and in particular complimented the signal calling of Tom James and his sequence of thought.
Mollenkopf had his boys high for the evening. His team was in condition – both were for that matter, and there were few injuries, none serious. Jim Russell, who played a crushing game all night was removed in the fourth quarter with a lame arm, an old injury, and Tom James complained of a slight ankle sprain. Lou White, Mollenkopf’s right halfback, aggravated a leg injury that kept him out of the starting lineup and saw only a small amount of service before he had to be replaced.
Three Penalties
The game was cleanly played with only three penalties called, all for minor violations. Two were refused, and only five yards were stepped off by the referee.
And now it is time to give credit to one individual, a member of the Washington high squad for three seasons, whose services were never more appreciated than they were last night – Co-captain Ray Getz. He was Coach Paul Brown’s ace in the hole and played his role admirably.
Not only did he lug the leather time and again on cut-back plays for long gains, but he gave the crowd its biggest thrill of the evening in the fourth quarter when starting from the Waite 48-yard line, he swept wide around his left end, headed down the sideline, cut sharply to his right and across the field, to out-run the Toledo secondary, and score the touchdown that made the Massillon fans breathe easier the rest of the way.
The entire Tiger team played great ball. When seven men can handle eight men, that’s something and that’s why no one should pass up Horace Gillom. Gene Henderson, Bill Wallace, Gordon Appleby, Eli Broglio, Jim Russell, Herman Robinson and Larry Cardinal when passing out credit. In the Tiger dressing room hangs a sign that reads something like this: “The team that gets the first six inches wins the ball game.”
The Tiger linemen read that motto time and again last week and they continually beat Waite to the charge.
Pokey Blunt did his share of leather hugging last night too, and was the most consistent ground gainer in the Tiger backfield in the early minutes of the game. He didn’t score, but he helped advance the ball into position. James scored two of the touchdowns, both on sizeable runs and Dick Kingham bucked another over on a quarterback sneak play.
And you can give some glory to Herbert Snider, the Indians right end. There’s a fellow who played a lot of football last night. He broke up many a Massillon play, even though Getz’s long touchdown run went around his end.
The victory established the Tiger eleven as possibly the finest in the history of the school . It’s exceptional defense, its ability to adjust itself to unusual weather conditions, and drive for points when a wet ball makes passing hazardous, places the Tiger team in the super class as far as high schools go.
Scored Early In Game
It only took a few minutes to score the first touchdown, and it came on a break, a break that was made by Massillon.
Jack Baker, the big burly blocking quarterback of Waite had just brought a roar from the Toledo stands by covering Blunt’s fumble on the Waite 48.
Waite tested the Tiger forward wall on three straight plays and gained but a yard. Siebenaller dropped back to punt. The Waite forward wall was leveled, Tiger players rushed in and Kingham, closing in from the sides blocked the ball with a resounding slump. It rolled back and back to the seven-yard line where Robinson flopped on the leather. James took no chances. He called for the Tigers’ strongest play, a smash off right tackle, and carrying the leather himself, smashed through for the touchdown. Getz tried to carry the extra point across but was met by a swarm of Toledo tacklers at the line of scrimmage and the score stood at 6-0.
It was 6-0 right through the remainder of the quarter with Horace Gillom punting the Tigers out of a hole with a mighty 62-yard boot from the line of scrimmage, that carried to the Toledo 16-yard line. On second down, Waite playing it safe lest a fumble put the Tigers in scoring position elected to punt. Lou Sharkoff tried it, but once again the Toledo Ramparts were broken down and Bill Wallace smashed through to block the ball.
The leather rolled back of the goal line with Wallace in hot pursuit, but before he could get on it, the ball rolled out of the end zone and it was an automatic safety.
Gillom and Sharkoff engaged in a punting duel following the safety, Gillom placed the ball on the seven-yard line with a great kick and Sharkoff coming right back to boot the ball from behind his goal to midfield. The Tigers moved down to the 28, where Sharkoff covered Getz’s fumble, and punted the ball back into Tiger territory.
Tiger Line Shows Strength
When the Tiger running attack bogged down. Gillom got off his only poor punt that actually lost two yards and placed Waite on the Massillon 38-yard line.
The Tigers bristled with the thought of having their goal line crossed. Sharkoff made a yard but on a reverse. Sharkoff then handed the ball to White who smashed through for a five-yard gain. The Indians called on Baker to carry the ball and resorted to a power play. He waded through for three and one-half yards, needing but half a yard for a first down. Again Baker was called back, the 230-pounder who is supposed to get a yard when he wants it. The ball was passed and the Tiger line charged so fast that Baker never got to the line of scrimmage. Massillon took the ball on its 29 and Toledo’s only threat was stopped. The Tigers had it on the Waite 23 when the half ended.
The Tigers took the kickoff at the start of the third period and their rhythmic march, looked like another episode in the great patriotic pageant unfolded by the band a few minutes earlier.
Without a break, they marched to the Toledo 16-yard line where James took the ball, circled his right end and sped over the goal. An attempt by Getz to carry the extra point over failed and it was 14-0.
Waite flashed back with a 15-yard basketball pass. Sharkoff to Mark Welker, that produced the Indians only first down of the game. It took the ball to the Waite 49. The Indians carried it on to the Tiger 42 where they needed a yard for a first down. Again they moved Baker into the fullback spot, but again Baker was stopped by a stonewall Massillon line that took the pigskin on its own 43. Line plays and a 34-yard twisting run by Blunt put the ball on the 10-yard line, but Waite braced, stopped the Tigers, and took over the leather on its own seven. Sharkoff, punting from behind his goal, got off a beautiful kick that sent the ball rolling dead on the Massillon 37. Blunt more than made up losses suffered by Getz and James and carried back to the Massillon 47 for a first down. Kingham advanced the ball five yards on a sneak, and then like a thunderbolt out of a clear sky, Getz raced around his left end for the remaining 47 yards and a touchdown.
Deciding it better to kick the wet ball, James called for a placekick and Getz booted it squarely between the uprights.
The Tigers started from their own 35 next time they got the ball and carried to the Waite 14 where Capt. Rideout covered James’ fumble. After being tossed for a six-yard loss, Sharkoff tried to pass, but Gillom intercepted to give Massillon a first down on the Waite 14. Kingham sneaked through to the one-yard line and bucked over for the touchdown. Again Getz kicked the extra point the final one of the game.
For The Master
Massillon Pos. Waite Robinson LE Welker Henderson LT Rideout Wallace LG Mang Appleby C Poole Russell RG Smithers Broglio RT Links Gillom RE Snider Kingham QB Baker James LH Sharkoff Getz RH White Blunt FB Bauman
Score by periods: Massillon 6 2 6 14 – 28
Substitutions: Massillon – Pizzino, fb; L. Cardinal, rt; F. Cardinal, qb; White, lh; Adams, rh; Hill, rg. Waite – Joe Links, g; Bigley, c; Wagner, c; Siebenaller, hb; Timmons, hb.
Touchdowns – James 2, Kingham, Getz.
Safety – (Massillon on punt blocked by Wallace).
Points after touchdown – Getz 2 (placekicks).
Statistics Of The Game
Mass. Waite First downs 16 1 Yards gained rushing 342 43 Yards gained passing 13 15 Total yards gained 355 58 Yards lost 42 30 Net yards gained 312 28 Passes attempted 2 3 Passes completed 1 1 Passes grounded 1 1 Passes intercepted 0 1 Times punted 4 8 Punts blocked 0 2 Average punt (yards) 34 32 Times kicked off 4 2 Fumbles 4 2 Lost ball on fumble 4 0 Penalties called 2 1 Penalties refused 1 1 Yards penalized 5
History 
