Massillon traveled up to Berea on Friday to take on the #9 team in the state of Ohio– the St. Edward Eagles. The Tigers had rattled off a remarkable 4 straight wins against the Eagles, and the result of Friday’s game gave Massillon a streak that seems almost too good to be true. Five times in five seasons the Tigers have taken on the Eagles, and five times Massillon has emerged with the win. St. Edward has been in the top ten in the state nearly every time the two have clashed during the streak, but the Tigers have prevailed each time. A ten-point win was the greatest margin of victory in the streak, and Friday was another nailbiter. The Tigers never trailed, but the game was back-and-forth until the very end. The lead was never safe for Massillon until the clock hit 0. One of the heroes of Friday’s game was sophomore running back Gary Yeager, who carried the ball 16 times for 232 yards (14.5 ypc) and scored a pair of touchdowns to propel the Tigers late; Massillon survived a pair of onside kicks and a last-second Hail Mary to win 23-21.
Game Recap
St. Edward started the night out with the ball and moved downfield. The first drive saw much of what Ed’s would throw at the Tigers for much of the game– option plays, passes to the tight end, and quarterback runs. The Eagles had some success on the opening drive, but were forced to punt after Braylon Gamble broke up a deep ball on 3rd down. The Eagles stacked the box and stopped a couple Tiger runs, but a screen to Savior Owens went for a long gain and a 1st down. Another screen found Gary Yeager, who slipped down the field for another 1st. A holding call pushed the Tigers back, and a 3rd-and-long pass was picked off at the Ed’s 16. Massillon’s defense made quick work of the Eagles as Sabastian Harper picked up a tackle-for-loss on a run and Christian Culler nailed the Ed’s quarterback to force an incomplete pass and a punt. Savior Owens cut across the field for a Massillon 1st down and Gary Yeager picked up 9, but Massillon faced a 4th-and-1 at the end of the first quarter. The Tigers would pick up the 1st down on the first play of the quarter and put the ball in the end zone soon after as Owens cut across for a score. Ed’s went 3-and-out as Brydon Feister smacked down a run and a 3rd down pass was broken up. Massillon moved the ball to start their drive, but a sack and penalties pushed them back and forced a punt. Ed’s took over with under 3 minutes remaining and quickly found their way downfield on quarterback runs and slants to the tight end. A Massillon interception was waved off on pass interference, and the Eagles scored soon after on a short wheel route to the tight end to tie the game up at 7. The score remained the same as the clock ran out in the first half.
Massillon needed a good drive to open the second half, and they got one behind their running backs. Savior Owens started off the drive with a 1st down carry. The Tigers faced a 3rd-and-1, and the snap went high off quarterback Rasmus Haines’ hands, but Gary Yeager snatched the ball out of the air and swept around the end and down the sideline to take it to the house. The extra point was blocked, but the Tigers led 13-7. Ed’s picked up a 1st down on the ground despite a Brydon Feister sack, and converted on 4th down to keep the ball moving. The Eagles made a huge mistake as a hold was called on the offense, but despite the penalty, the Ed’s quarterback threw it up for grabs. Deontay Malone picked it off and the Tigers took over. Massillon was not able to do much with the ball and punted after just a few plays.
Penalties pushed the Eagles back and they punted it to Massillon again. The Tigers moved the ball again at the start of the 4th quarter as Yeager picked up another huge gain. A rather blatant facemask call was missed on 3rd down, forcing the Tigers to settle for a field goal. Mateo Herrera nailed it to put the Tigers ahead 16-7 with 8:35 remaining. A very quick drive and score for the Eagles cut the Massillon lead down to 2. An onside kick attempt was grabbed by George Rivera and the Tigers took over in good field position. Yeager once again took control as he burst through for several big gains before once again putting it in the end zone to extend Massillon’s lead to 23-14 with 2:33 left. The Eagles once again quickly picked their way downfield and scored with just over a minute remaining. Down by only 2 once again, St. Ed’s attempted another onside kick. Once again Massillon was quickly on the ball. The game was not over, however, as the Eagles stopped the Tigers and forced a punt. They took the ball with a few seconds remaining, and on the final play seemed to have an open receiver, but Deontay Malone raced in to break up the pass and Massillon survived to move to 5-0 on the season and win their 5th straight versus Ed’s.
