Warren Harding Archives - Page 4 of 8

1972: Massillon 7, Warren Harding 0

October 27, 1972August 3, 2017
by Eric Smith

Tigers defeat defending champs 7-0

By CHUCK HESS, JR.
Independent Sport Editor

Tom Persell, Tiger statistician, calls them “miscellaneous touchdowns,” but we’ll take them any way they come.

The only TD the Massillon Tigers scored in beating defending class AAA state champion Warren Harding before a capacity house of 15,500 Friday night at Mollenkopf stadium in Warren could be the most important of the 1972 season and certainly is the most important in the career of senior center Todd Cocklin.
* * *
WITH THE Orange and Black just about to cap a 15-play, 77-yard drive after the second kickoff and left half Tom Hannon running through the center from the four on second down, disaster struck. Hannon, who had almost lost the kickoff on a fumble, was hit hard by two tacklers and the ball danced into the end zone where Cocklin fell on it with the clock showing 5:04.

“I saw the ball bobbling around and knew I had to get it,” the 6-1, 195-pound blond said.

He also scored the only TD against Warren here last year when he pounced on a Black Panther fumble which rolled into the end zone from the six.

Cocklin also did his bit Friday night by helping to open up some big holes in the middle for fullback Charles Danzy. And he did it while playing opposite a tough “nose” man, senior Chuck Cullins (5-11, 185).

Add the names Don Muhlback, Tim Gutshall, Charles Swann, Terry Edwards and Kevin Westover to the list who had one of the key nights in their careers.

It was Muhlback who kicked the only conversion after being sick most of the week and not practicing until Thursday.
* * *
“IT WAS THE most important point I’ve scored in my life,” the bespectacled senior said. “It felt good because I was kicking poorly in practice Thursday. We can almost touchdown it (a state championship).

On the TD drive the Tigers had a first and 15 on the Warren 46 when Westover
boot-legged to the right as everybody else went left and carried 17 for a first down on the Panther 39 to keep the drive alive.

“That opened up so pretty,” Westover said. A guard (Tri-Captain Larry Mayles) through a great block. It was just a great team effort all the way. And don’t forget to give Tom (Hannon) credit for another great job.”

He was held to 80 net yards in 23 carries, his lowest mark of the season, but had some key ones like the six for 18 yards on the TD jaunt.

Edwards carried the ball five times for 33 yards while under the duress of an injured leg which he sustained last week.

“It hurt alright but I had to play and just gutted it out,” the tall senior said.
* * *
TO WHICH HIS Coach Bob Commings added, “He was the epitome of courage. We debated using him in the second half, but he went in and ran like a Tiger!”

Gutshall, a sophomore, and Swann, a junior, teamed to stop a 40-yard combined first and second period Warren drive after a punt, on the Massillon five. Warren sophomore quarterback Jim Richburg passed to split end Ron Cullins, a junior, but Swann cracked Cullins who lost the ball and Gutshall claimed it.

“They (Warren) knocked it loose again, but the referee had called it dead,” Gutshall beamed. “I was sure happy!”

“And so was I!” Swann chimed in.

Gutshall also recovered a fumble and intercepted a pass in the second half, but the fumble recovery came after the ball had been ruled dead. Hannon also pilfered a pass near the end of the fourth quarter to kill any further Warren chances.

The offense displayed good ball control, running 62 plays to Warren’s 43 to combine with another sterling defensive job. Outside of Cullins’ opening-kickoff runback to his 43 where he stumbled to the turf while apparently in the clear, Warren got out of its end of the field only once during each half.
* * *
BESIDES THE second quarter jaunt, the Panther’s went on one near the end of the third quarter and the start of the fourth which carried 62 yards to the Tigers’ one. Richburg was thrown on the four on third down and on fourth down senior middle guard Tom Balizet and senior tackle Mike Green threw a crunching detour on left half Wilbur Boggs who had carried nine times in the two drives for 34 yards, showing why he is the number two ground gainer to Hannon in the All-American conference.

The Tigers were stopped at the Warren 28 and 35 in the second quarter – the latter time on senior linebacker Mike Blazek’s interception – and at the Panther 25 in the fourth period.

“That goal line stand was terrific,” Commings said. “We were a little tight in the first half – maybe a little too high, but we were loose in the second half. If there are five outstanding teams in Ohio, Warren has to be one of them. They prepared for us beautifully. They’re a great team.”

The win made it 8-0 for the No. 1 ranked Tigers , 5-3 for Warren and allowed the Tigers to hold onto a tie for first place in the AAC with Canton McKinley whose season-ending date here Saturday, Nov. 11 is looming bigger and bigger.

WARREN – 0
Ends – Pytlik, R. Cullins, McCleary, Brown, Hudson.
Tackles – Roberts, Amos, Williams, Santell, Daugherty, Billock.
Guards – Pegg, Varley, Vishos.
Center – Hall.
Quarterback – Richburg.
Halfbacks – W. Boggs, Dixon.
Fullbacks – Elzy, Honeywood, Dansler.
Middle Guard – C. Cullins.
Linebacker – Blazek.
Defensive Halfbacks – Ice, Shannon, Kokrak, C. Boggs.

MASSILLON – 7
Ends – D. Edwards, Sullivan, Bodiford, Bash, McCauley.
Tackles – Green, Geiser, Csonka, Lee.
Guards – Mayles, Guiffre, Keller.
Center – Cocklin.
Quarterbacks – Westover, Bickford.
Halfbacks – Hannon, T. Edwards, Columbus Danzy.
Fullbacks – Charles Danzy, A .Wood.
Middle Guard – Balizet.
Linebackers – T. Gutshall, Ahlstrom.
Defensive Halfbacks – Jackson, Dan Gutshall, Dennis Gutshall, Swann, Muhlbach, G. Wood, Christie, DiLoreto, Mayor.

MASSILLON 0 0 7 0 7
WARREN 0 0 0 0 0

SCORING SUMMARY
M – Cocklin, fumble recovery in end zone (Muhlbach kick).

OFFICIALS
Referee – James Keefer.
Umpire – Billy Jedel.
Head Linesman – Tom Ascani.
Field Judge – Charles Hinkle.
THE GRIDSTICK
M W
First downs, rushing 11 5
First downs, passing 1 0
First downs, penalties 1 1
Total first downs 13 6
Yards gained rushing 188 121
Yards lost rushing 16 4
Net yards gained rushing 172 117
Net yards gained passing 29 8
Total yards gained 201 125
Passes completed 2-7 1-5
Passes intercepted by 2 1
Yardage on passes intercepted 7 0
Kickoff average (yards) 2-46.0 1-48.0
Kickoff returns (yards) 11 59
Punt average (yds.) 4-34.0 4-31.5
Punt returns (yds.) 10 2
Fumbles (lost) 3(0) 2(1)
Yards penalized 4-20 5-35
Total number of plays 62 43

History

1971: Massillon 7, Warren Harding 8

October 29, 1971July 29, 2017
by Eric Smith

Commings asks Tigers to fight back

By CHUCK HESS, JR.
Independent Sports Editor

“This is not the time to cry over spilt milk.”

Tiger Coach Bob Commings had the right idea when he said, “This isn’t the quitting point. You’ve got to gut it out and come back.”
* * *
HE MADE the rounds of all his players to make sure they knew there were a couple of tough All-American conference games left against Alliance and Canton McKinley and that Tigertowners will be solidly rooting for a rebound in the knowledge they still have an outstanding football team representing them.

The word rebound could likewise be applied to the Warren Harding Black Panthers’ effort before 20,648 – the season’s largest crowd at Tiger stadium – Friday night. After dropping behind 7-0 in the first period, they came back for an 8-7 victory, probably the AAC title and state Class AAA championship and their first win here since 1944.

The Washington high team, defending champions in both, dropped 6-2 overall; 1-2 in the league and fourth place Harding is 8-0 and 4-0.

“They had the courage to come back and you must respect them for that,” Commings said.

Harding Coach Tom Batta was thrilled with the “great job” done by his defense. “When 175 and 180-pounders give you that type of performance, it’s some effort!”

He was also happy with the way his team moved the ball.
* * *
HE ADMITTED that the Tigers, who won the battle of statistics as they had in a 7-6 AAC loss to Niles, were tough to control, even forcing the Panthers out of their normal 5-4 defense at times and into a 6-1 because, “We couldn’t stay with them man to man.”

It was after the intermission when the Tigers took the upper hand, gaining 186 yards to Warren’s 68.

“When you go out and dominate the second half, you usually win,” Commings said sadly. “I thought we played good enough to win.”

The Tigers were in Panther territory four times with the AAC’s leading rusher and scorer tailback Willie Spencer – whom Batta said he did not have his charges key on – stopped on fourth down at the 27 and 32.
Fullback Tom Hannon fumbled with 2:28 left and halfback Joe Kirksey recovered at the 38 as the old bugaboo cropped up again. He had run well in the second half and Batta admitted “Tombo” had scared him.

On the last sustained drive, with three seconds left, quarterback Scott Dingler was short on a 50-yard field goal try – an impossibility for even the strongest high school booster – after the Tigers had gotten to the 34.
* * *
ON TWO of the fourth-quarter marches, Dingler, who threw well, came within a gnat’s eyelash of hitting split end Mike McGuire. Halfback Doug Stubbs batted one pass away in the end zone and Stubbs and Kirksey knocked another deep one awry.

The Tigers also lost the ball on downs at the Warren 44 in the second quarter when Stubbs got a hand in front of fullback Don Perry, forced to leave in the second half with a painful arm bruise. Spencer got stopped at the 39 on fourth down in the first period.

It was then that the Orange and Black got its only score as Rick Weise punted to the 14. Warren was socked half the distance to the six for holding and junior quarterback Dan Ross retreated to the two, fumbled and senior end Todd Cocklin recovered and went in with 22 seconds left.

Dingler kicked the conversion.

Harding mounted its comeback on eight plays, going 61 yards after a 26-yard kickoff runback by the elusive Stubbs. Fullback Len Sernulka, who also played a whale of a game as a linebacker, carried three times for 14 yards while junior halfback Wilbur Boggs scored the touchdown on fourth down, one from the 30 on a pitch and run around right end, cutting back to the center nicely at the five.
* * *
WITH 9:25 left in the second stanza, Stubbs whirled by the left side on a fooler
end-around. “This time it worked,” Batta said. “When Bob was at Struthers and I was at Akron Hoban, I gambled and ran a conversion, didn’t get it and we lost the game.”

Batta called Boggs’ run a “great effort” and said the play was run to the outside because the Tigers were jamming up the middle.

“I guess I made the right call at the right time,” he added.

Commings said the Tigers were in a goal-line defense which had been good to the Orange and Black all year.

“They were a good team, well prepared,” Commings said, “the best we’ve played.”

The only other Harding tries into Tiger territory saw the Panthers lose the ball on downs at the 45 in the third period and punt from the 44 and 47 in the fourth.

Individual statistics showered Spencer carried 21 times – losing nine yards – for a net 94, while Sernulka attempted 15 runs for 57 yards – not losing ground – and Boggs handled the ball 17 times for 87 yards – losing only one yard.

WARREN – 8
Ends – Hunter, Blazek, Stubbs, Lee, Douglas, Dixon.
Tackles – Hilas, Tislimos, Stan, Halea.
Guards – C. Cullins, Pegg, Varle, Capellas, Richards.
Centers – Fabrizio, Futey.
Quarterback – Ross.
Halfbacks – Botggs, Kirksey, Ange, Lowry, Menz, Manson, R. Cullins.
Fullbacks – Sernulka, Wyand, Elza.

MASSILLON – 7
Ends – McGuire, Steffan, Matie, D. Edwards.
Tackles – Weirich, Heath, Shuman.
Guards – Christoff, Heck, Mayles, Guiffre, Graber.
Centers – Studer, Cocklin.
Quarterbacks – Dingler, Muhlbach.
Halfbacks – Thompson, Spencer, McLenndon, Nussbaumer, Weise, Jackson, Wonsick, T. Edwards.
Fullbacks – Perry, Hannon.

WARREN 0 8 0 0 8
MASSILLON 7 0 0 0 7

SCORING SUMMARY
M – Cocklin, recovered Ross’ fumble in end zone (Dingler kick).
W – Boggs, 30 run (Stubbs run).

THE GRIDSTICK
M W
Punt average, (yds.) 4-35.5 7-30.8
First downs, rushing 9 9
First downs, passing 3 1
First downs, penalties 2 0
Total first downs 14 10
Yards gained rushing 206 161
Yards lost rushing 9 19
Net yards gained, rushing 199 142
Net yards gained, passing 78 40
Total yards gained 277 152
Passes completed 5-14 1-4
Kickoff average, yards 2-41.0 2-55.5
Kickoff returns, yards 28 29
Punt average (yds.) 4-35.5 7-30.8
Punt returns (yds.) 0 26
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles (lost) 2(1) 4(2)
Yards penalized 2-20 3-36
Touchdowns rushing 0 1
Miscellaneous 1 0
Total number of plays 57 56

OFFICIALS
Referee – Tony Pianowski.
Umpire – Joe Yanity.
Head Linesman – Ed Steinkerchner.
Field Judge – Frank Toth.
Back Judge – Dr. Ed Fiffick.

ATTENDANCE – 20,648.

History

1970: Massillon 22, Warren Harding 0

October 30, 1970July 27, 2017
by Eric Smith

Franklin, Cardinal sparkle vs. Warren
Tigers grind out 22-0 win in mud

By CHUCK HESS, JR.
Independent Sports Editor

Washington high assistant Coach Nick Vrotsos called the shot perfectly Friday night.

“We’ll just have to get in there and grind it out,” he said in the dressing room before the game.
* * *
THAT’S JUST WHAT the state’s top-ranked Tigers did before an estimated 12,000 rain soaked fans at Mollenkopf stadium in Warren as they grabbed their eighth win of the season, 22-0 over the Harding Black Panthers.

It was the Orangemen’s fourth consecutive shutout and broke the “Mollenkopf jinx” – the Tigers hadn’t won there since 1964 and 10 of their 12 losses to Harding high comes there.

The undefeated Tigers handed Warren its fourth loss in as many league games. They maintained their first-place hold in the All-American conference.

With the Warren defense geared to stop the league’s leading scorer and rusher, senior tailback Mike Mauger, senior quarterback Dennis Franklin and senior fullback Tom Cardinal cut loose.

Franklin scored all three touchdowns, one conversion and passed for another as “The Menace” had his finest hour as a Tiger.
Cardinal, “Old Reliable,” picked up a lot of crucial yardage.
“It was a good one to get under the conditions,” WHS head Coach Bob Commings said, “but the big thing was that the kids were great – so concentrated. They didn’t make an error, didn’t break down on offense or defense in this weather. The assistant coaches did a heckuva job, not only in preparing us for the game, but also in making calls from the pressbox.”

Commings gave Warren Coach Tom Batta a great deal of praise for the manner in which he had prepared his team.

“We felt we had to place people to stop Mauger in order to win,” Batta said. “We thought if we could force Cardinal to run, we would be able to stop them, but all the backs gained about equal yardage. We did hold Mauger scoreless.”
* * *
BUT TIGER BACKS, behind excellent blocking again from the “Iron Curtain,” rolled up 220 yards while the “Attack Pack” held Warren to 29 and none in the air although the Panthers completed four of nine.

As Co-Captain Steve Luke remarked, “It was our will to succeed which brought us through again.”

The first quarter was scoreless although the Tigers’ first scoring drive started with 7:02 left. After a quick kick the WHSers went 73 yards on 16 plays with Cardinal carrying seven times. Twelve and 15-yard runs by Mauger and a 12-yarder by Franklin helped set up the score.

Franklin sneaked in from one-half yard out on fourth down with one second gone in the second quarter. In attempting to run the bootleg for the conversion, Franklin slipped.

“We thought the quick kick would put them deep in their territory and that we could hold and get good field position,” Batta explained. “We put on a good goal line stand and made them fight for it, though.”

Warren had quick-kicked in one other game – against Steubenville.

One series after the kickoff, Massillon picked up a poor punt on the Warren 32-yard line and scored in five plays, Cardinal’s 19-yarder was a key. Franklin sneaked from the
one-yard line on first down and bootlegged the conversion with 6:59 on the clock.
* * *
MASSILLON HAD the ball in Warren territory on two other occasions, but illegal use of the hands and clipping calls were spoilers.

Neither team got out of its own territory in the third period, but Warren managed its first of three first downs.

The “Attack Pack” held on a short fourth down pass to give the Tigers a start on their last TD drive in the fourth quarter. It covered 61 yards in 10 plays with an 11-yard
Franklin-to-Larry Harper aerial and 21 and 12-yard scampers by Mauger and Franklin as keys.

Franklin sneaked from the one-half-yard line with 4:46 left and then hit Harper, a senior wingback, just inside the end line for the conversion.

Late in the period Warren sprung senior tailback Anthony Brown to the Tigers’ 35 and quarterback Harold Fails hit end Ed Vogel on the Massillon 20, but illegal use of the hands and offside penalties nullified the Panthers’ efforts.

After the Tigers had lost the ball on downs on their 18 (Franklin fell on the ball instead of risking a punt), junior cornerback Art Thompson of Massillon ran back an interception 48 yards to end the game.

THE GRIDSTICK
M W
First downs – rushing 17 2
First downs – passing 2 0
First downs – penalties 0 1
Total first downs 19 3
Yards gained rushing 230 49
Yards lost rushing 10 20
Net yards gained rushing 230 29
Net yards gained passing 32 0
Total yards gained 252 29
Passes completed 2-5 4-9
Passes intercepted by 1 1
Yardage on passes intercepted 52 0
Kickoff average yards 4-45.0 1-45.0
Kickoff returns yards 18 53
Punt average, yards 3-36.0 6-41.3
Punt returns, yards 1 6
Lost fumbled ball 0-2 0
Yards penalized 5-61 5-35
TDs – rushing 3 0
TDs – passing 0 0
TDs by interception 0 0
Total plays 62 40

History

1969: Massillon 33, Warren Harding 14

October 24, 1969July 27, 2017
by Eric Smith

Tigers ‘scoot’ past Panthers 33-14

By CHUCK HESS, JR.
Independent Sports Editor

The football was pitched as successfully Friday night at Tiger stadium as a winner’s horseshoe in a championship match.

The scoot play, as Coach Bob Commings calls it, was the key ingredient in the Washington high offensive grid recipe as the Tigers pummeled Warren Harding 33-14 before 10,223.
* * *
IT WAS Massillon’s sixth win against a loss and a tie while Harding slipped to 3-5. The Tigers moved up from fourth to third in the All-American conference standings.

Steubenville took over first place with a 20-14 win over previously undefeated Canton McKinley which dropped to second. The Bulldogs are 3-1 while the Big Red are 2-0-1.

Not only did the power pitch to backs Darnell Streeter, Mike Autrey, and Mike Mauger work well, but the Tigers added some screen passes to Autrey and sideline tosses to wingback Larry Harper for a well-rounded offensive effort.

“All of our backs were really running,” Commings explained. “We blocked a pretty good football game and got a good game out of quarterback Gary Herring again.”

Herring threw the majority of the 10 completions in 15 attempts for the Tigers’ 153 yards passing. Streeter picked up 128 of the Orange and Black’s 275 net rushing yards in 13 carries while the other half of the WHSer’s one-two punch, Autrey, gained 73. Mauger iced the cake with 44.
* * *
HARPER CAUGHT four passes to add 52 yards to his league-leading total.

“One of the biggest things we’ve got going for us right now is that we have a lot of offense,” Coming commented. “They took away our trap so something else worked. Our power pitch is one of our better plays. It worked so we stayed with it.”

The Tigers’ five touchdowns found Mauger and Streeter with two each and Autrey, whose TD jaunts seem to draw more red flags than picnic food does flies – one.

Herring and Autrey combined for a 65-yard screen pass score near the end of the second quarter. But an illegal use of the hands penalty on the 20 nullified Autrey’s great run.

A 15-yard penalty was tacked onto the bench and Commings rushed onto the field as if shot out of a slingshot, but did not incur a third long-distance step-off.
* * *
ANOTHER POTENTIAL touchdown was lost on a fumble.

Streeter got the game off to a breathtaking start when he took a pitch to the left, cut back and raced the tacklers on a 67-yard route to the two on the first play from scrimmage. His run featured a fine escape move on the 20.

Two plays later Mauger slipped between end and tackle for the score with 10:40 left in the initial stanza and Mauger booted the conversion for a 7-0 lead.

The next time the Tigers got possession, an 80-yard, 10-plays drive got them their second counter. Thirteen and 16-yard Herring-to-Harper aerials were key plays.

Autrey blasted through the middle from the 15 on the first down for the score with 3:06 left in the first quarter. A good head-first second effort at the one helped. Herring’s keeper scamper made it 15-0.
* * *
WARREN COUNTERED with a 70-yard, 13-play scoring trek with fullback Marv Simmons and tailback Tyrone Cooks doing most of the carrying on power stuff. Simmons dove over from the one on first down with 9:46 left in the second stanza, but failed on the conversion run.

It was the only long drive of the night for Warren and consumed 5:14.

With three seconds left in the third quarter, Massillon counted again, moving 43 yards in seven plays after a short punt. Streeter charged over from the half-yard line, but Harper couldn’t catch Herring for two more points.

Diminutive cornerback Doug Miller intercepted a pass on the Warren 25, returned eight yards and another Tiger TD was in the making. On fourth down from the 24, Herring rolled left, threw across field to Streeter on the 15 and “The Bopper” made a determined run for pay-off land, leaping over one prostrate Black Panther and racing by a couple of others.

His score came with 10:10 left in the goodbye canto. Autrey’s conversion run on the pitch was short by a gnat’s eyelash.
* * *
THE TIGERS took over on their 17 after a punt and 17 plays and 83 yards later Mauger took a pitch and raced over on third down from the four. His kick was low and the score was 33-6 with 47 seconds left.

He helped his own cause with a 17-yard pitch run while Harper chipped in with a 12-yard double reverse.

Cooks ended the game with as thrilling a run as Streeter had opened the evening. On the first play after the kickoff, quarterback George Jerina faded from the 27, found Cooks on the 44 and he was touchdown bound. Jerina’s pass to halfback Gary Pestrak ended the scoring with 14 seconds left.

THE GRIDSTICK
M W
First downs – rushing 15 7
First downs – passing 9 2
First downs – penalties 1 2
Total first downs 25 11
Yards gained rushing 279 128
Yards lost rushing 4 23
Net yards gained rushing 275 105
Net yards gained passing 153 106
Total yards gained 428 211
Passes completed 10–15 5–11
Passes intercepted by 1 0
Yardage on passes intercepted 13 0
Kickoff average (yards) 6–47.8 3–39.0
Kickoff returns (yards) 32 102
Times punted 0 4
Punt average (yards) 0 32
Lost fumbled balls 1–2 0–1
Yards penalized 5–45 2–6
Touchdowns rushing 4 1
Touchdowns passing 1 1
Total number of plays 66 50

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING
Massillon
Att. Net. Avg.
Streeter 13 128 9.8
Autrey 22 73 3.3
Mauger 8 44 5/5

Warren
Att. Net. Avg.
Simmons 16 63 3.9
Cooks 12 32 2.6

History

1968: Massillon 12, Warren Harding 23

October 25, 1968July 19, 2017
by Eric Smith

Tigers fumble to 23-12 loss at Warren

AAC race now has a three-way deadlock

By CHUCK HESS, JR.

When you fumble the ball away against a good football team, you’re bound to be in trouble.

Such was the case Friday night with the Massillon Tigers as Warren Harding’s Black Panthers picked off all five of Washington high’s bobbles – three by tailback Jim Smith – and went on to a 23-12 victory before 10,000 fans at Mollenkopf stadium in Warren.

Even though Co-Captain George Whitfield picked off three of five Harding fumbles and Kim Cocklin nabbed another, the Tigers’ miscues negated that effort.
* * *
INABILITY TO stop Warren from moving the ball didn’t help either. Tiger Coach Bob Seaman’s pre-game prediction that possession ball might be the key came back to haunt him.

The outcome left both teams with 6-2 records, threw the All-American conference race into a three-way tie and obliterated Massillon’s slim state title hopes.

The Panthers became the second team to outgain the Orange and Black this season. Mentor turned the trick in the opener.

Harding shocked the WHS eleven with two quick touchdowns in the first quarter.

“That put the pressure on us,” Seaman said.
* * *
BOTH OF Warren’s early TDs came as the result of Coach Bill Shunkwiler picking on the Tigers’ Achilles heel – pass defense.

The Panthers marched 63 yards after the opening kick-off with quarterback George Cooley combining with end Ron Cambridge on a 17-yard, fourth down, pass-run play with 7:37 left. Halfback Jerry Hall bulled through the center for two more points.

The Tigers looked as if they were going to come right back, but Smith fumbled on his 48 with Ed Exler recovering. One play later Gerald Wesley rolled to the 18 on a 25-yard hand-back trap to the left.

Cooley found end Chuck McIntyre in the end zone at 4:30 two plays later and hit Hall on a sprint-out pass for two more points.
Early in the second quarter, Cocklin recovered a fumbled punt on the Warren 36, but on a first down play from the 25, Smith fumbled again and Rick James recovered.
* * *
BEFORE THE period was over, Smith fumbled a third time, Co-Captain Larry Shumar intercepted a pass, Whitfield had two fumble recoveries and the Tigers lost a pass via an interception.

Although neither team got anywhere for most of the second quarter, the Tigertowners got one of their TDs near the end of the stanza. Mark McDew almost ran a punt back for a score but was stopped after 29 yards on the Warren 26. Smith blasted off right tackle for 17 more to the nine.

This was one spot where the Tigers picked up yardage consistently all night thanks to the blocking of Gary Harig, Rick Laase, Tom Engler, and Tom Robinson.

Malinowski went over on a keeper from the six shortly thereafter but the Orange and Black were in motion. However, he hit McDew in the end zone from the 11 with 28 seconds remaining. Smith slipped trying to skirt right end for the conversion.

Early in the third quarter came what Seaman termed the turning point when the Tigers drove from their 43 to the Warren 20, losing the ball on downs.
* * *
THE TIGERS had another pass picked off in this period. Darnell Streeter fumbled with John Harkins recovering on the Warren 41, canceling a 26-yard romp around right end by Smith after Whitfield’s third fumble recovery on the Massillon 30.

Warren scored its final six pointer on the drive following the fumble recovery, aided by Exler’s 14-yard jaunt through the center and 12-yard trek to the left on the handback trap. He also made the TD from six yards away over right tackle with 8:17 remaining in the game.

Paul Metzendorf booted the extra point.

The Tigers drove 65 yards after the kickoff to end the night’s scoring. A Gary Herring to Bert Dampier 12-yard screen and a fourth down “M & M Special” (Malinowski to McDew pass) were key plays.

Malinowski hit McDew in the end zone form nine-yards out with 3:55 left and missed on another to McDew on the conversion attempt.
* * *
“THEY DID a good job moving the ball,” Seaman said. They have good backs and a good all-around team.”

“Our kids were wonderful in the first quarter,” Shunkwiler said. “Our plan going in was to keep the ball. Massillon has a heckuva offense. When they had the ball, we were in trouble.”

As to his team’s success running over the right side of Massillon’s defensive line, Shunkwiler said, “We just picked something up. As far as I’m concerned, it dies with us.”

Smith had his normal 100-yards plus night with 133 net in 25 carries. Hall tried 22 times for 110.

Shunkwiler has now taken two of three from Seaman and the Tigers have lost five of the last six games at Warren.

MASSILLON – 12
Ends – Dampier, Engler, Robinson, Conley, Cline,
Dorman, Jackson, James.
Tackles – Laase, McGeorge, Midgley, Harris, Doll.
Guards – Whitfield, Harig, Couto, Hout, Indorf, Arnott.
Center – Cocklin.
Quarterbacks – Malinowski, Herring, Fromholtz, Lombardi.
Halfbacks – J. Smith, McDew, Shumar, Hodgson, Stoner,
McLin, Gamble, Sheaters, K. Autrey.
Fullbacks – Streeter, M. Autrey, Johnson.

WARREN – 23
Ends – McIntyre, Cambridge, Beach, Myhand, Metzendorf,
Ryder, G. Smith.
Tackles – O’Donnell, Larata, Kollar, Baughman, Harkins, Helman.
Guards – Dyer, Kittie, Moran, DeJacimo, Antenucci, Mix, Burin.
Centers – McCreary and Wallace.
Quarterbacks – Cooley, Bohyer, Jerina.
Halfbacks – Hall, Turner, Wesley, Paully, Exler, Vilcek, Cooks.
Fullbacks – Simmons and James.

Massillon 0 6 0 6 – 12
Warren 16 0 0 7 – 23

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING
Massillon
Player Att. Net. Ave.
Malinowski 3 2 0.7
Streeter 8 26 3.3
Autrey 5 29 5.8
Smith 25 133 5.3
McDew 4 -1 0

Warren
Player Att. Net. Ave.
Cooley 8 1 0.1
Hall 22 40 1.8
Wesley 5 40 8
Exler 7 34 4.8
Cooks 8 31 3.9

THE GRIDSTICK
Mass. War.
First downs –rushing 9 14
First downs – passing 3 4
First downs – penalties 1 0
Total first downs 13 18
Yards gained rushing 207 248
Yards lost rushing 16 6
Net yards gained rushing 189 242
Net yards gained passing 50 59
Total yards gained 239 301
Passes completed 3-14 4-7
Passes intercepted by 1 2
Yardage on passes intercepted 12 14
Kickoff average (yards) 3—44.0 4-28.8
Kickoff returns (yards) 13 27
Punt average (yards) 3-41.3 4-33.2
Punt return (yards) 35 0
Had punts blocked 0 0
Lost fumbled ball 3-5 4-5
Penalties 2 4
Yards penalized 20 60
Touchdowns rushing 0 1
Touchdowns passing 2 2
Total number of plays 62 64

History

1967: Massillon 22, Warren Harding 0

October 27, 1967July 19, 2017
by Eric Smith

Smith, Young, Spark Tigers To 7th Win
Obies Score 22 Points in 2nd Half Automatic Sign Works Real Well

By KEN SHERER

Good rushing by Tailback Jim Smith and Quarterback Trevor Young sparked the Massillon Tigers to a 22-0 victory over Warren G. Harding Friday night before 11,051 paid customers at Tiger stadium.

The out manned Panthers gave the Tigers all they wanted in the scoreless first half, but Bengal Coach Bob Seaman gave Young the “automatic sign” and the Tigers ran wild in the second half.

Young was something else. He scored 2 touchdowns on runs of 21 and one yards and heaved a 21-yard pass to Wingback Mark McDew for the other Tiger score.
* * *

THE WIN RAISES the Obies’ All-American Football conference record to 2-0 and 7-1 overall. It also sets the stage for Friday night’s invasion of 8-0 Steubenville, ranked No. 1 this past week in the Associated Press poll. Warren is 3-5 overall and 0-3 in AAFC play. Steubenville also is 2-0 in the league. The Big Red defeated Weirton, W. Va., 32-19 Friday evening.

The game was mostly defense by both teams in the first half. Warren was stopped on the Massillon 5-yard line in the first period and again on the Tiger 21 in the second quarter. Poor field position put unwanted pressure on the Tigers’ offense during most of the first half, although the Orange and Black did manage to sputter to the Warren 14 behind rollouts by Young and off tackle and pitch out plays by Smith.

Two plays after the Black Panthers received the second half kickoff, Warren’s Greg Williams tried to pitchout to Fullback Robert Stewart. The ball missed its target and Tiger Greg Manson recovered at the Warren 25-yard line.

That’s the play that broke our back,” Warren Coach Bill Shunkwiler said after the game outside the Panther locker room.

Smith blasted through left tackle for 4-yards and on the next play, Young rolled left and followed the downfield blocking of Blaine Moore, Bill Snowball and Dave Gipp.
* * *

TREVOR, who stands 5-8 and weights 165-pounds, shook off Warren’s Chuck O’Donnell at the 9 and went untouched the rest of the way. Young then rolled to his right for the PAT and an 8-0 lead at 10:53.

Linebacker Ron Ertle put the pressure on Warren’s punter, Andrew Tenekedes, late in the third period. It resulted in a busted play as Bengal junior Richard Laase pounced on Tenekedes at the Warren 35.

Young rolled for 11 yards, Smith added 7 on 2 carries, Darrell Streeter sliced for 8 more and Smith again picked up 15 yards on 2 plays to move the ball to the Warren 5.

Streeter hit the right side on a quick opener to the 1 and Young sneaked through left guard for his second TD at 11:23 in the fourth period.

Young rolled and passed to Tight-End Ertle, who ran a pattern to the deep right corner of the end zone, for the 2-point conversion and a 16-0 lead.
* * *

WARREN then gained a first down before the Bengal defense again forced the Panthers to punt. The Obies took over on their own 15 and traveled 85 yards in 12 plays for their final TD.

On second and 19 at the Warren 29 and after a 5-yard penalty for taking too much time, Young dropped back and hit McDew over the middle at the 9-yard line. The junior wingback shook off 2 Warren defensive backs and cut to his right for the final TD at 2:52. Streeter’s run for the extra points failed.

Smith totaled 136 yards rushing for the night, and Young 79. Gerald Wesley, the AAFC rushing leader, was held to 54-yards. Smith now has gained 732 for the season and Wesley 705.

MASSILLON – 22
Ends – Ertle, Robinson, Dampier, Richards.
Tackles – McGeorge, Ricker, Laase, Snowball.
Guards – Whitfield, Doll, D. Gipp, Couto.
Centers – B. Moore, Skelton.
Quarterbacks – Young, Malinowski, Shumar.
Halfbacks – Smith, McDew, Autrey, Fenton, Evans.
Fullbacks – R. Moore, Streeter, Simon, Gipp.

WARREN – 0
Ends – Natale, Carroll, Terpin.
Tackles – Peterson, Laratta, O’Donnell.
Guards – Jenyk, Mokodean.
Center – Antenucci.
Backs – Bohyer, Williams, Wesley, Stewart, Exler, Simmons.

Massillon 0 0 8 14 – 22
Warren 0 0 0 0 – 0

Touchdowns: Massillon – Young (runs of one and 21-yards);
McDew (29-yard pass play from Young).

Extra Points: Massillon – Young 2 (run); and
Ertle 2 (pass from Young).

INDIVIDUAL RUSHING
MASSILLON
Player Att. Net. Ave.
Young 10 79 7.9
Streeter 10 36 3.6
Smith 22 136 6.1
McDew 4 6 1.5

WARREN
Player Att. Net. Ave.
Willey 18 54 3.0
Stewart 6 21 3.5
Exler 5 12 2.4
Williams 6 18 3.0

OFFICIALS
Referee – Don Wedge.
Umpire – Russ Kemper.
Head Linesman – Larry Pianowski.
Field Judge – John Cseh.

Attendance – 11,501

THE GRIDSTICK
Mass. War.
First downs – rushing 15 5
First downs – passing 1 3
First downs – penalties 0 1
Total first downs 16 9
Yards gained rushing 295 131
Yards lost rushing 26 16
Net yards gained rushing 267 115
Net yards gained passing 36 62
Total yards gained 303 177
Passes completed 2-6 3-12
Times kicked off 4 1
Kickoff average (yards) 37.5 55.0
Kickoff returns (yards) 29 43
Punt average (yards) 4-25.0 4-34.0
Punt return (yards) 13 0
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 1 2
Lost fumbled ball 1 1
Penalties 3 4
Yards penalized 20 20
Touchdowns rushing 2 0
Touchdowns passing 1 0
Total number of plays 57 61

History

1966: Massillon 6, Warren Harding 17

October 28, 1966March 5, 2018
by Eric Smith

Tigers Out gain Warren But Lose 17-6

By CHUCK HESS, JR.
Independent Sports Editor

Where, oh where, has that Tiger luck gone? Like the little dog in the song, its whereabouts are a mystery but its absence has been much more costly.

For 2 years under Earle Bruce, the Washington high eleven could do nothing wrong. But with Bob Seaman at the helm, the Bengals haven’t gotten a break all season.

* * *

WITH A LITTLE bit of luck the Obiemen might have had their fourth win Friday night instead of their fourth straight defeat. The score was 17-6 at Mollenkopf field, in Warren before a crowd of 15,000 in a battle between fired-up teams.

Not since 1932 had Massillon lost 4 straight when in Paul Brown’s first year, the Orange and Black fought to a scoreless finish in the fifth game and lost the next 4, including one to Warren. They have never lost 5 straight.

With top-ranked Steubenville (8-0) coming in next week, the Tigers are close to setting another wrong way record. The Bengals (3-1-1) are in danger of having their worst season since 1931 when Elmer McGrew’s crew won 2, lost 6 and tied 2.

Great defensive work won the game for Warren, stopping 2 Tiger drives, picking up 2 costly Bengal fumbles and making 3 timely pass interceptions.

“The irony of it all,” said Warren Coach Bill Shunkwiler, “was that we were so badly injured on defense that we had to use a different type tonight. Maybe Massillon was not used to a 4-5 and maybe I just keyed us up.”

* * *
SEAMAN said, “Our boys did a heck of a good job. I’m proud of them. But we gave the ball to Warren in good field position.” He added, “If McDew’s (Mark) knee hadn’t touched the ground on that punt return, it might have been all over. And Dale Gallion had an unfortunate injury just when the clock was going to run out. Warren had no more time outs and wouldn’t have gotten another play off.”

The Tigers won the battle of statistics but couldn’t light up the scoreboard enough. Warren had had this happen to them several times previously this season.

The Tigers moved 72 yards in 12 plays with Foster and McDew doing the bulk of the carrying but Foster just missed at the 8 on fourth down. He had runs of 12 and 14 yards and McDew of 9 and 10 during the drive.

McDew bobbled the following punt on the Tigers’ 42, picked it up and raced all the way down the eastside line but in picking up the pigskin his knee had touched.

Dennis Wright recovered a Massillon fumble 2 plays later and Warren had a score in 5 more after a 32-yard push. Allen Anderson and Tom Perry took turns in gobbling up real estate at about 3 yards per clip.

Perry went over left tackle from the 10 on their third down with 6:27 left in the second quarter. Tony Capers, who did some fine linebacking, kicked twice, the second time from the 14 after an offside penalty, to give Warren a 7-0 lead.

Capers missed a 44-yard field goal later in the period after Dale Hall had intercepted Will Foster’s pass with the pressure on.

Warren came back after a punt was grounded on the Panthers’ 43 to drive for a score in 4 plays with 4 seconds left. A big play was Allen Anderson’s 40-yard off tackle run to the Massillon 17.

ON FIRST and 6 from the 6, with 7 seconds remaining, Gallion suffered a rib injury making a tackle and the clock had to be stopped. Perry scored again on the next play over right tackle. Capers’ boot made it 14-0.

Russ Fenton recovered an on side kick for Massillon on the Warren 38 during the third period kickoff. In 11 plays the Tigers got their only score of the night. Foster, McDew and “Tailspin Tommy” James took turns running the ball.

Quarterback Craig Maurer got key fourth and one yardage on the 15, via a sweep, to keep the drive going. He scored on a keeper left on third and 4 from the 7 with 7:15 left, injuring himself slightly when he ran into a sideline post. Maurer’s option flip to McDew going right failed to pick up the 2 extra points.

Later in the period, the teams took turns intercepting passes. Foster pilfering for the Tigers and Tony Brady for the Panthers. Foster’s steal started Massillon on a 33-yard, 10-play drive to Warren’s 27 where Maurer was snowed under by Dennis Yendrick; playing with a broken thumb, on fourth and five.

McDew almost got away for a 55-yard TD on the drive. He did most of the running at this juncture although Ron Mulhbach, a defensive “monster” back, did his first ball carrying of his career here as well.

* * *
YENDRICK recovered a Massillon fumble on the Tigers’ 23 midway in the fourth quarter. With fourth and 12 on the 25, Capers booted a 41-yard field goal from a slight left angle to finish the scoring at 5:14.

On the next series, Dale Hall intercepted another Tiger aerial to end it all.

Warren, which got its revenge for a last-second loss here in 1965, now has a 5-3 record with the standings in the All-American High School football league unchanged.

MASSILLON – 6
Ends – Snyder, Moyer, Liggett, Sterling, Griffin, Gallion, Smith.
Tackles – Houser, Campbell, Neago, Ricker, Sherrett.
Guards – Russell, Porrini, Hauenstein, Beiter, White, Ertle.
Centers – Senften, Kraft, Skelton.
Quarterbacks – Maurer, Henderson, Malinowski.
Halfbacks – James, Simon, McDew, Fenton, Lawrence,
Hannon, Muhlbach, McFadden.
Fullback – Foster.
Punter – Krenzer.

WARREN – 17
Ends – Brewster, Wright, Tracey, Daily, Speicher, Carroll,
James, Natale.
Tackles – Capers, Yendrick, Kearney, Blank, Peterson,
Henrey, Russell.
Guards – Schumacher, Gray, Herdman, Jenyk, Campbell,
Sierra, Mokodean, Stredney, Parker.
Centes – Toda, Stroup.
Quarterbacks – Robison, Williams, Hall.
Halfbacks – Thomas, Anderson, Perry, Benson, Brady, Elliott,
Turner, Stewart.
Fullbacks – Sericola, Wright.

Massillon 0 0 6 0 6
Warren 0 14 0 3 17

Touchdowns:
Massillon – Maurer (7-yard run).
Warren – Perry 2 (3 and one-yard runs); Capers (41-yard field goal).

Extra points: Warren – Capers 2 (kicks).

OFFICIALS
Referee – Paul Hoskins.
Umpire – Clyde Moore.
Head Linesman – Chuck Lorenze.
Field Judge – Andy Piewacki.

Attendance: 15,000

THE GRIDSTICK
Massillon Opp.
First downs – rushing 11 8
First downs – passing 2 0
First downs – penalties 0 0
Total first downs 13 8
Yards gained rushing 197 181
Yards lost rushing 24 23
Net yards gained rushing 173 158
Net yards gained passing 41 6
Total yards gained 214 164
Passes attempted 11 2
Passes completed 3 1
Passes intercepted by 1 3
Yardage on passes intercepted 15 12
Times kicked off 2 4
Kickoff average (yards) 36.0 50.5
Kickoff returns (yards) 34 24
Times punted 1 4
Punt average (yards) 35.0 43.0
Punt return (yards) 8 8
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 2 2
Lost fumbled ball 2 1
Penalties 3 3
Yards penalized 25 15
Touchdowns rushing 1 2
Touchdowns passing 0 0
Touchdowns by interception 0 0
Miscellaneous 0 0
Field goals 0 1
Total number of plays 60 50

History

1965: Massillon 16, Warren Harding 12

October 29, 1965July 15, 2017
by Eric Smith

Alert Tigers Turn Back Warren
Fumble Recovery Halts Late Panther Drive; Massillon Wins 16-12

By CHUCK HESS, JR.

It was a couple of days early for Halloween but the Massillon faithful must have had the biggest scare Friday night since the “Headline Horseman” spooked Ichabod Crane out of Sleepy Hollow and into limbo.

But just when things looked the gravest, Tiger senior defensive tackle Dick Hartley became the “Wizard of Oz” for the Bengals, breaking the spell of the “Wicked Witch of the East.” Big No. 74 pounced on a Warren fumble, which hopped loose on an attempted second down reverse play on the Massillon 10, and stopped what looked like a winning touchdown drive for a tremendous Warren Harding Black Panther squad.

Hartley’s recovery gave the Washington high eleven a 16-12 victory at Tiger stadium. That play may have won the state championship for the Tigers and lost it for the Panthers as the season’s biggest crowd 19,567, looked on.

* * * * *

WARREN FANS will probably discuss Friday’s game as long and loud as they debated the famous “clock contest” which Massillon won here 20-14 in 1957. Two Warren coaches came charging onto the field after referee Bud Shopbell following his ruling that Massillon recovered the key fumble but there was no doubt or hesitation on Shopbell’s part.

Warren fans might debate their Coach Bill Shunkwiler’s reverse call. But as Massillon mentor Earle Bruce said, “It worked before but I can’t say it was the wrong call…I don’t know his club. I’m glad he ran it, though.”

When asked whether he thought Hartley had recovered the fumble, “Bruce said, “No. 74 was on the ball. That was the only thing I saw all night.”

It was top-ranked Masillon’s eighth straight victory of the season, 26th in a row, 21st straight at home and Bruce’s 41st consecutive win, counting the August high school all-star game. It was the first loss in 8 games for the third-ranked Panthers.

Massillon has now won 30 of 41 games played against Warren. One ended in a tie.

Shunkwiler had no comment afterward but it was certain he was not happy with the officiating.

Bruce, on the other hand, had plenty to say. First he praised his opponent highly. “Warren did a great job. They had some real clutch plays. They have a great passer in Wireman (Vern) and an outstanding receiver in Franklin (Marv). Wireman hurt us on his bootleg passes.”

Then the “Earle of Tigertown” turned to his own team. “We ran well but did nothing else well. Our pass defense was the worst it’s been all season. The play of the secondary was not good. I thought for sure it (the multiple win string) was gone tonight.”

WARREN had the best of it statistic-wise but not on the scoreboard where it counts. The Tigers out-rushed the Panthers 233-176 but Warren out-passed Massillon 144-0, completing 7 of 10 to the Tigers’ none for 2. Total yardage was 320-233 in Warren’s favor. The Panthers had 17 first downs to the Obiemen’s 12 although the Bengals’ first downs by rushing were 10 to Warrens’ 12.

It was a game of breaks for both sides. There were other fumbles besides the key fourth quarter miscue along with intercepted passes and penalties, which played a part in the outcome.

The Tigers have to be given a pat on the back for winning 4 games such as they have been called on to win during the last quartet of weeks. It isn’t often that a team beats three of the first five teams in the state and the best in Pennsylvania, all undefeated, one right after the other. It would be little wonder if the Orange and Black were exhausted physically.

Massillon scored only once in the first half but had several opportunities short-circuited on fumbles and intercepted passes. The first time the Bengals got their hands on the ball they drove from the Warren 46-yard line, following Dave Sheegog’s 14-yard punt runback, to the Panthers’ 38. But junior Frank Thomas recovered a fumble on the Panthers’ 33.

The Bengals forced the Panthers to punt and followed with their first score after fumbling Allen Anderson’s punt. It took the Obiemen only 9 plays to cross into pay dirt.

FULLBACK Will Foster had the big play a 50-yard romp through the center to Warren’s 17. Halfback Cesar Aulizio made a desperation tackle.

Foster then took a pitch to the left and rolled to the 5. Walter Lemon rammed to the one and Foster took the pigskin over after a fake to Lemon with 3:11 remaining in the first quarter. Sheegog tossed to “Sweet Walter” on a corner cut to the left for the conversion.

Following the kickoff, Warren moved to Massillon’s 34 but was forced to punt. Anderson got a bad snap from center, had to run and didn’t make it.

The Tigers went on the prowl again but with first down on Warren’s 30, the picture changed abruptly again as a Sheegog pass was intercepted by Nelveton Butler on the 4.

Bruce said of this pass, “They crashed 2 guys from the outside on us. We probably shouldn’t have thrown that one. Sheegog tried to hit his secondary receiver.”

Warren drove to its own 46-yard line with the help of 9 and 18-yard off-tackle runs by left halfback Jimmy Hill and a 10-yard off tackle slant by right half Anderson.

Then came the Panthers’ first score on a play as weird as some Halloween costumes. Wireman running to his right with his receivers covered, attempted to toss to Franklin. Tiger safety Rick Paige hit Franklin on what was adjusted interference.

The ball deflected off Franklin on the Massillon 45 and into the hands of junior Tom Daily, playing his first game on offense, and Daily raced to the promised land with 5:20 remaining in the second quarter. Wireman failed on a conversion run to the right.

Massillon came back strong again. Sheegog contributed a 31-yard kick runback to his 39. Lemon added a 10-yard end scamper to the Warren 46. Tommy Jones went off tackle for 7 to the 39. Then disaster reared its ugly face again as if there were goblins afoot.

ANOTHER Tiger fumble occurred, this one on the 32. Thomas was there again and Warren was on its way to its second score.

Wireman ran 15 yards around right end. Hill danced off right tackle for 18. Binko careened through the center for 14 yards and a first down on the Massillon 14. Wireman tossed to Daily on the one and scored with 37 seconds left. Binko tried the center for the conversion but failed and the Tiger Towners were behind by the longest margin of the season.

After a 20-yard kick runback by Sheegog, he tried a pass on second down from his 34. The ball was batted into the air. Tony Capers intercepted on the Massillon 39. But before he could try a field goal on the next play, the block ran out.

The drives of both teams had wiped many minutes off the clock in what was developing as a game of who could control the ball the longest

The second half saw Massillon control the ball most of the third quarter and Warren the majority of the fourth.

The Tigers drove to their 43 with the third period kickoff. Rick Healy punted and 3 plays later the Tigers had the ball back when Co-Captain Dave Whitfield recovered a fumble on Warren’s 38.

The Obiemen took 11 plays, survived a motion penalty from the 3 on a score by Foster and got the benefit of a personal foul call from the 7 before finally securing the winning TD with 2:19 remaining. Foster tallied his second 6-pointer of the night, again from the one, but over left tackle this trip. Sheegog went around left end after a fake to Foster to make it 16-12.

Massillon had the ball for 8 minutes of the period then it was Warren’s turn to control the clock, taking 6:55 off the ticker while reeling off 13 plays. After Daily’s 12-yard, kickoff runback, Warren began to mix passing with running. Anderson got 8 yards on one aerial, right end Greg Seagraves 13 yards on another.

A clipping penalty set the Panthers back to the Massillon 40. But Wireman threw to Franklin for a first down on the 11. Then Wireman was thrown for a 10-yard loss by Foster. Two plays later Paige intercepted Wireman’s throw from the 19 on the one and returned to the 13.

A motion penalty forced Healy to punt out. Warren started to move from its 33 with 4:55 remaining. Had the Tigers been able to hold the ball here, the dramatic finish might not have materialized.

Nine plays transpired before Hartley’s fumble recovery. Anderson got most of the yardage on the final drive, both on the ground and in the air. He picked up 21 yards in 3 running plays and 10 on a pass. Seagraves also got 17 yards on pass which gave Warren first down on Massillon’s 13. On the second play of this series, the big fumble occurred.

The Tigers ran out the clock.

WARREN – 12
Ends – Seagraves, M. Franklin, A. Franklin, Ingram, Daily, Metro.
Tackles – Capers, Clark, Yendrick.
Guards – Schumacher, Kermode, Camerino, Toda.
Center – Angelo.
Quarterbacks – Wireman, Thomas.
Halfbacks – Hill, Anderson, Aulizio, Butler, Perry.
Fullback – Binko.

MASSILLON – 16
Ends – Paige, McGuire, Healy, Griffin.
Tackles – Hartley, Neago, Petroff, Campbell, Sherrett.
Guards – Whitfield, Richards, Rose, Kraft, Zorger.
Centers – Marks, Ehmer, F. Williams.
Quarterbacks – Sheegog, Doolittle.
Halfbacks – Lemon, James, McFadden, Smith, Muhlbach, McLendon.
Fullbacks – Foster, Reed, Manson.

Score by quarters:
Warren……………… 0 12 0 0 – 12
Massillon…………… 8 0 8 0 – 16

Touchdowns:
Massillon – Foster 2 (one-yard runs).
Warren – Daily 2 (54-yard, pass-run play and 28-yard pass).

Extra points:
Massillon – Lemon 2 (pass from Sheegog); Sheegog 2 (run).

OFFICIALS:
Referee – Bud Shopball (Canton).
Umpire – Harold Rolph (Ironton).
Head Linesman – Mickey Earenfight (Canton).
Field Judge – Joe Romano (Mansfield).

The Yardstick

STATISTICS
Mass. Opp.
First downs—rushing 12 10
First downs—passing 0 6
First downs—penalties 0 2
Total first downs 12 17
Yards gained rushing 237 191
Yards lost rushing 4 15
Net yards gained rushing 233 176
Net yards gained passing 0 144
Total yards gained 233 320
Passes attempted 2 10
Passes completed 0 7
Passes intercepted by 1 2
Yardage on passes intercepted 13 0
Times kicked off 3 3
Kickoff returns (yards) 68 68
Kickoff returns (yards) 68 68
Times punted 2 2
Punt average (yards) 31.5 37
Punt returns (yards) 13 0
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 4 2
Lost fumbled ball 2 2
Penalties 4 2
Yards penalized 20 20
Touchdowns rushing 2 0
Touchdowns passing 0 2
Touchdowns by interception 0 0
Miscellaneous 0 0
Total number of plays 47 57

History

1964: Massillon 12, Warren Harding 0

October 31, 1964July 15, 2017
by Eric Smith

Tigers Beat Warren 12-0 For 8th Victory

Lawrence’s 2 TDs Pace Massillon Win

By STEVE HAPANOWICZ

Two possession-type offenses clashed at Mollenkopf stadium in Warren Friday and when the trick or treats were over Massillon out-crunched the Warren Panthers 12-0 before an estimated 13,000 for their 8th straight victory.

Fullback Jim Lawrence’s 2 touchdowns accounted for the Massillon scoring as the senior, 5’10”, 170-pounder proved to be the Tigers most consistent ground gainer and the back the big, stubborn Panther defense couldn’t contain often enough. Lawrence gained 97 yards in 19 attempts, much of it on his own effort.

Massillon’s defense was also tough, especially on running plays, allowing Warren 76 yards rushing. Warren completed 4 of 8 passes for 25 yards via the air and a total of 101 altogether.

The Tigers made 195 yards on the ground and 15 passing on one completion in 4 attempts for a total of 210 net yards.

************

WARREN BLEW a big opportunity early in the first quarter when on the second play from scrimmage the Tigers fumbled and Warren recovered on the Tiger 33. Three smashes into the Massillon line yielded the Panther’s 5 yards and on 4th down quarterback Bruce Brewster passed to halfback James Hill at the 24, but the Panthers were short of a first down.

The Tigers threatened once in the first period when with 4th and 11 on the Warren 33 quarterback Steve Kanner hit halfback Brock Herring in the end zone with a pass, but Herring couldn’t hang on with an over-the-shoulder grab.

Each team had the ball one more time before Massillon took over on its own 34 with 7:25 left to be played in the second quarter. The Tigers moved the 66-yards in 9 plays with Lawrence scoring from 11 yards out. Key play’s in the drive were a 13-yard run by Herring, a 12-yarder by Lawrence and a 15-yard pass from Kanner to Rick Paige that put the ball on the 11 and set the stage for Lawrence’s touchdown on the very next play.

The third quarter Warren had the ball for 7 plays, moving from its 31 to the Tiger 44 before punting to the Tiger 35. Massillon moved from the 35 to the Warren 20, but with 4th and 3 Kanner was thrown for a loss to the 25. Warren kicked after getting only to its 31. Massillon drove down to the Warren 28 in 9 plays covering the end of the 3rd and the start of the 4th period, but couldn’t connect on a 4th and 11 pass.

Warren took over on its own 28. Brewster was thrown for a loss of 11 yards back to the 17, a run netted no gain and on 3rd down Brewster was thrown for a 5-yard loss by Goodnough, Larsuel and Muhlbach. Larsuel was especially effective harrying the Warren passing game. Al Anderson kicked to the Warren 36, the ball rolling out of bounds.

FROM THE 36 it took the Tigers 8 plays to score. Kanner picked up 5 and Hewitt 9 for the first down at the Warren 23. Herring got 3 and Lawrence 9 for another first down at the 11. Lawrence made 4 through the line and then picked up 3 more to put the ball on the 4. Hewitt took it to the 2. With 4th and 1 needed for a first down Lawrence leaped over the Warren right side for the score. The extra point try failed.

Bill Stredney substituted for Brewster and moved the Panthers from their own 25 to the Massillon 20 for the deepest penetration the Panthers made on their own, mainly on a
20-yard run by fullback Dave Binko. Two incomplete passes and two runs gave Massillon the ball on its own 20. The drive started with 4:15 seconds left to play and ended with Massillon getting the ball with 44 seconds showing on the clock.

Warren Coach Ben Wilson felt the difference in the game was Massillon’s speed. He termed his team’s inability to capitalize on the Massillon fumble at its own 33 in the opening minutes of the game as the turning point in the contest.

Asked to compare Massillon and McKinley, which beat Warren 34-8 in the second game of the season, Wilson said, “McKinley is stronger physically than Massillon. Massillon is quicker than McKinley. They’re (Massillon) very aggressive.”

Coach Earle Bruce credited Warren with its effort. “Warren played one of its finest games of the year. They did a great job defensing our offense. They played big and tough.” Bruce was unhappy with the Tiger offense saying, “Our halfback’s weren’t running very well.” Defensive work pleased the Tiger mentor.

MASSILLON—12
Ends – Garcia, Franklin, Gilmore, Paige, Goodnough.
Tackles – Binge, Morgan, Rambaud, Hartley.
Guards – Larsuel, T. Whitfield, D. Whitfield.
Center – Muhlbach.
Backs – Sheegog, Frieg, Kanner, Manson, Lawrence, Conti,
Hewitt, Herring, Marks, Schenkenberger.

WARREN – 0
Ends – Totterdale, Ochtyun, Turner, Franklin.
Tackles – Capers, Clark, Hrenko, Shively, Kujals.
Guards – Montagna, Kermode, Argeras, E. Johnson, Schumacher.
Centers – Toda, Benson.
Backs – Brewster, Stredney, Krataas, Butler, Dishong, Hill, Binko.

Massillon………. 0 6 0 6 – 12

Touchdowns – Lawrence 2 (runs of 11 and 2 yards).

Officials:
Referee – Jim Langhurst (Williard).
Umpire – Paul Tobin (Akron).
Head Linesman – Phil Dienoff (Akron).
Field Judge – Bernard Wilhelm (Akron).

History

1963: Massillon 22, Warren Harding 8

October 25, 1963July 15, 2017
by Eric Smith

Tigers Beat Stubborn Warren 22-8
Visiting Panthers Put Up Great Fight Before 13, 861 Crowd

By CHUCK HESS, JR.

When two members of the jungle feline family want the same thing badly enough, they become highly aroused and engage in a ferocious battle. And that’s what happened at Tiger stadium Friday on homecoming night.

The Massillon Tigers and Warren Harding Black Panthers both wanted a victory in the worst way. So they bared claws and fangs and staged a good old-fashioned donnybrook with the Washington high eleven coming out on top 22-8 before 13,861 fans.

The series between Massillon and Warren since Coach Leo Strang took over the Tigers’ reins in 1958 is now even at 3-3. Both teams have won only at home.

The Orange and Black got its sixth victory in a row and seventh in eight games. Warren stands 4-3.

This was also Massillon’s second straight in the new All-American High School Football league. This was Warren’s first circuit outing.
* * *
TWO THINGS prevented the Tigers from getting a higher score. They had three scoring drives go awry because of a combination of red flags and their own mistakes. The WHS team was unable to get the ball often enough because of Warren’s tough possession game.

The Bengals did move the ball well when they had it.

Strang put it this way, “The kind of team like Warren is rough on you. They three-four and five-yard you to death. And they took so long between plays. Penalties and mistakes stopped us on three good scoring chances. They played a good game and hit us on a mediocre one.”

The guy who did most of the killing was a 5-7, 178-pound senior fullback Sam Pagano. Unofficially he gained 68 yards in 23 attempts – almost three yards per try. He also got Warren’s only touchdown.

Massillon’s senior tailback Bill Blunt carried nine times for 41 yards or about five yards per trip. He scored one conversion. His yardage was all up the center. He came close to going all the way several times. As Strang said, “Warren’s defense was stacked to prevent Blunt running the ends.” The Panthers played wide repeatedly.
* * *
BEN WILSON, head man at Warren, said, “We played our best game tonight. The boys gave it a good fight. I’m proud of them. Massillon has a fine team. Its speed and reaction was too much for us.”

When asked if he planned to play possession ball to keep the score down, Wilson’s answer was a definite, yes. He added, “We had to. We have power this year and lack experience.”

The statistics indicate the closeness of the game. Massillon had 15 first downs, Warren
13 – the difference being two by penalties for the Bengals. Massillon had 149 net yards rushing, Warren 92. The Panthers completed seven of 16 passes for 135 yards, the Tigers eight for 13 for 121 yards. Total yardage for the Orange and Black was 270, for Warren 227. The Trumbull county team lost 16 yards rushing to WHS’ nine.

The Tigers’ initial score came when Blunt ran back a first quarter punt 10 yards to the Warren 47. Six plays and two first downs later fullback Bob Hewitt raced over through the short side of center from the 18-yard line with 1:41 remaining. Blunt converted over right tackle after running four of the plays in the drive.
* * *
A PASS from quarterback Ron Swartz to wingback Grady Eckard, from the 26 to the
16-yard line for a first down set up the touchdown.

Warren got the ensuing kickoff with 1:31 seconds left in the period and held onto it until its score with 5:09 remaining in the second quarter, a span of six minutes and 40 seconds. Chuck Williams ran the ball from the 13 to the 31, a distance of 18 yards and from there it was practically all Pagano, hitting the middle.

The drive took 17 plays with four first downs. Pagano carried on 10 of the plays and went over through the center from the three on fourth down. A face guard penalty had given the Panthers the ball on the three two plays earlier. Chuck Williams converted over right tackle.

The Tigers’ tie-breaking score was started by Bobby Hewitt’s 17-yard runback of Warren’s purposely short kickoff to keep the ball out of Blunt’s hands. Hewitt returned from the Massillon 40 to the Warren 43.

Then with the junior fullback carrying on four of the next five plays, Massillon had manufactured a second down on the 19. Swartz hit long side end Will Perry over the middle on the next play for the second score at 2:18. Hewitt ran the conversion through the middle to put the Tigers back in a lead which they never relinquished.
* * *
THE FINAL score came after a Warren punt in the third canto. The Tigers drove 52 yards in nine plays with two first downs.

Eckard made a sensational diving catch of a third down, eight-yard pass by Swartz in the right corner of the south end zone at 4:02 for the touchdown. He just managed to grab the pigskin inbounds at the last minute. Blunt missed the conversion on a run.

A motion penalty had set the Tigers back to the eight on the play before. Another motion penalty killed a 78-yard drive, highlighted by Frank Scassa’s recovery of a punt fumble on the 34, in the last period. Quarterback Tom Gatsios ran from the Warren 18 to the two on a fine rollout. But the Tigers got set back to the 23 and couldn’t make a first down.

A pass interception by halfback Charles Rounds knocked off a 52-yard Massillon drive at the 10 in the third stanza. A fumble on the 15 kayoed still another invasion in the first period – this one of 51 yards. End Chuck Miller recovered the ball for Warren on this one.

The only period in which Massillon failed to score was the fourth. Warren had the ball for five minutes and 20 seconds, moving from its 17 to the Massillon 17, a distance of 66 yards. The drive started at 7:20 and ended at 1:52.

The Tigers came close to scoring when a 41-yard pass was just out of the hands of short side end Bob McAllister in the closing minutes. A motion penalty on this play was refused by Warren.

WARREN – 8
Ends – Johnson and Miller.
Tackles – Florea, Fender and Hlaudy.
Guards – Johnson, Tabacca and hood.
Center – Shively.
Quarterbacks – Stredney and Brewster.
Halfbacks – Williams, Grisham, Owends and Rounds.
Fullbacks – Pagano and Howard.

MASSILLON – 22
Ends – Pierce, Perry, Hose, Jones, McAllister and Goodnough.
Tackles – Lash, Miller, Tarle, Binge and Morgan.
Centers – Scassa and Muhlback.
Quarterbacks – Swartz, Getz and Kanner.
Halfbacks – Blunt, Eckard, Getz, Schenkenberger and Rink.
Fullbacks – Hewitt and Lawrence.

Warren 0 8 0 0 8
Massillon 8 8 6 0 22

Touchdowns:
Massillon – Hewitt (17-yard run); Perry (19-yard pass from Swartz); Eckard (eight-yard pass from Swartz).

Warren – Pagano (three-yard run).

Points after touchdown:
Massillon – Blunt 2 (run); Hewitt 2 (run).
Warren – Williams 2 (run).

Officials
Referee – Bud Shopbell (Canton).
Umpire – Edmund Corsi (Cleveland Heights).
Head Linesman – Pete Lanigan (Columbus).
Field Judge – Steve Bernardic (Cleveland).

GAME STATISTICS
Massillon Opp.
First downs, rushing 6 6
First downs, passing 7 7
First downs, penalties 2 0
Total first downs 15 13
Yards gained rushing 158 108
Yards lost rushing 9 16
Net yards gained rushing 149 92
Yards gained passing 121 135
Total yards gained 270 227
Passes attempted 13 16
Passes completed 8 7
Passes intercepted by 0 1
Times kicked off 4 2
Kickoff average (yards) 47.0 34.5
Kickoff returns (yards) 39 19
Times punted 1 4
Punt average (yards) 31.0 39.7
Punt returns (yards) 34 0
Had punts blocked 0 0
Fumbles 2 4
Lost fumbled ball 2 2
Penalties 3 5
Yards penalized. 13 45

Tag: <span>Warren Harding</span>