The Tigers took win number 17 in their series against GlenOak on Friday night. In 24 games versus the Golden Eagles, Massillon now has a record of 17-4. The victory was also win number 1 of the season for the Tigers and win number 960 in program history, currently 2 games behind Valdosta (962) for 1st place in the nation. Massillon jumped out quickly in the first half and took the Eagles down quickly. A 44-3 halftime lead and a 44-10 victory marked yet another blowout games versus the Golden Eagles of GlenOak, who have lost the last 7 matchups with the the Tigers by 4-plus touchdowns.
Pregame
Massillon celebrated the United States Armed Forces in style on Friday. An extended color guard carried the flags of the six branches of the US military and each team ran out of their respective tunnels with 50 American flags. Veterans joined the Tigers’ and Eagles’ players on the field as the Tiger Swing Band played the national anthem.
First Quarter
GlenOak won the coin toss and deferred to open the game. Massillon took the ball and picked up a 1st down on a penalty, but was forced to punt after a couple of close plays on long throws. Braylon Gamble picked up a tackle-for-loss on a run, but GlenOak followed with a 14-yard run by quarterback Evan Crissey. The Tiger defense quickly adjusted and made a stand– Chayce White took down an Eagle in the backfield and Isaac Maxheimer leaped to pick off an errant wide receiver screen. The interception and return set Massillon’s offense up deep in GlenOak territory. A couple of plays later Manny Patterson fired to a jumping Gio Jackson Jr. for a touchdown. GlenOak was pinned back on their own 10-yard line after an excellent kick by Mateo Herrera and a great tackle from Christian Culler, but Eagle running back Javlon McClendon found a hole for an 83-yard gain. A muffed snap killed the drive for GlenOak and a 3rd-and-goal tackle from Samuel Doussous forced the Eagles to kick a field goal. The kick was good and the Tiger lead was cut to 7-3. Massillon’s offense drove quickly down the field on a Savior Owens’ run, a great roll out and throw from Patterson to Deontay Malone (who cut back for an even bigger gain), and a diving grab by Jadyce Thigpen. The ball was punched in for a touchdown by Ja’Dyn Williams to put Massillon up 14-3.
Second Quarter
GlenOak’s next drive took them into the 2nd quarter. They quickly were forced to punt and a bad bounce gave Massillon great field position at the GlenOak 26-yard line. Two plays later Manny Patterson found Jaydce Thigpen wide open for a touchdown, putting the Tigers up 21-3. Mateo Herrera found the end zone for a touchback on the kickoff, and the Eagles were once again pushed back and forced to punt. A 1st-down pass to Will Hymes set the Tigers up for a score as Manny Patterson found Gio Jackson Jr. once again in the corner of the end zone. GlenOak went nowhere once again on their drive and were forced to punt. Savior Owens spun around one defender and leaped over another to score the Tigers’ 4th touchdown of the day and put them up 28-3. The Eagles’ drive was déjà vu– a TFL (this time by Ja’Dyn Williams) and a punt were the highlights. Massillon was forced to punt after a pass went just off the fingertips of Jackson. Punter Rasmus Haines uncorked a 54-yard kick that was downed at the 8-yard line. Samuel Doussous chased the Eagles’ quarterback into the end zone to force a weak throw and a safety on an intentional grounding call. Massillon took the points and the ball after the free kick, and they took another score as well. Malone was the weapon of choice for Patterson, who fired over the middle for a 33-yard score. The Eagles ran one play and ran out the clock in the half. They went into the locker room trailing the Tigers 44-3.
Halftime
The Tiger Swing Band led the Veteran’s Night scene with classic military tunes and patriotic songs. Both the Swing Band and the GlenOak marching band joined together on the field to honor our nation and its veterans by playing “God Bless America”.
Third Quarter
The 3rd quarter and the second half went by quickly with a running clock in effect. The Eagles went 3-and-out and punted, and the Tiger reserves turned the ball over on downs. Chayce White picked up another TFL but GlenOak found receiver Caydren Saunders wide open downfield for a long touchdown. The quarter ended with a score of 44-10.
Fourth Quarter
A 1st down for the Tigers on a pass from Eli Moore to George Rivera helped run some more clock, but Massillon still was forced to punt. The Eagles moved the ball quickly but a sack by Ja’Dyn Williams and DeVaughn Williams slowed them down. Isaac Maxheimer sealed the deal with his second interception of the game as time expired, and the Tigers went into the bandstand to watch the band show with a 44-10 victory under their belts.
Postgame Comments
Head Coach Nate Moore:
“It was tough sledding in the run game with a loaded box. They challenged us to throw the football… quarterback Mandwel Patterson and wide receivers Deontay Malone, Giorgio Jackson, and Jadyce Thigpen all stepped up, made plays, and took advantage the defense that they were getting.”
“I’m really excited for next week. Great football team, great program– it will be fun to take the field with them next Friday.”
Stats
Savior Owens was the Tigers’ top rusher with 57 yards on 10 carries and a touchdown. Ja’Dyn Williams also had a touchdown run on his 1 carry. Manny Patterson was efficient again, going 16-21 with 200 yards and 4 touchdowns. Deontay Malone was the leading receiver with 102 yards and a touchdown. Gio Jackson Jr. picked up 72 yards and 2 scores. Jadyce Thigpen had 35 yards and a touchdown.
On the defensive side, Ja’Dyn Williams once again led the Tigers in tackles– he picked up 12 in this contest. He also had a half sack and 2.5 tackles-for-loss. DeVaughn “Veech” Williams was also high on the board again with 6 tackles, a half sack, and half a TFL. The Tigers picked up 10 TFLs and 3 sacks as a team. Isaac Maxheimer picked off 2 passes, which stands at 5th all-time in team history.
On special teams, Mateo Herrera was once again perfect on extra points. Rasmus Haines averaged 44.3 yards per punt (9th all-time just behind his brother Magnus in the 2020 state championship game) and booted a career-long punt of 54 yards.
Up Next…
The Tigers will take on Rabun Gap (GA) next week. The Eagles are 0-2 after close losses to Grayson (19-24), the top team in Georgia, and Baylor (34-35), the top team in Tennessee.
Highlights
