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| Massillon head coach Nate Moore talks to his players (L-R) Eli Moore, Savior Owens, Dayvionne Floyd, and Ja'dyn Williams before the playoff game against the North Canton Hoover Vikings. (Photo: Gene Simmons/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
MASSILLON, Ohio - The bye week offers certain benefits, as the Tigers emerged early and scored 49 points in the first half. They accomplished this both through the air and on the ground, accumulating 349 yards in the half to advance to the Division II Region Seven semifinal game.
The game did not hold much excitement after the Vikings took the lead with 11:09 remaining in the first quarter, thanks to a 73-yard pass from John Collins to Jack Andes, followed by a successful PAT, making the score 7-0. However, this lead was short-lived as Massillon quickly responded at 10:26 with a powerful run from Savior Owens, who scored on a 51-yard dash, leveling the score at 7-7.
Massillon would score two additional times in the quarter, with one touchdown by Owens on an 8-yard run, and a pick-six by Noah Jenkins, bringing the score to 21-7. This marked one of three interceptions made by the Tigers throughout the evening.
The second quarter was dominated by Massillon, who scored four touchdowns: one rushing touchdown by Anthony McMullian Jr. and three passing touchdowns from junior quarterback Mandwel Patterson to Jaydyce Thigpen, Deontay Malone, and Giorgio Jackson Jr. Patterson concluded the evening with a stat line of 12 completions out of 13 attempts, totaling 266 yards and four touchdowns.
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| The Tigers celebrate their regional quarterfinal game win over North Canton Hoover by singing the Alma Mater. (Photo: Gene Simmons/Ohsfbmedia.com) |
Defense was also key for the Tigers, as they shut out North Canton for three straight quarters. Issac Maxheimer and Zay'Shawn Murray combined for 17 tackles along the front line.
"Zay'Shawn, we just got him ready to roll for the first time this week, and that was a big surprise for everybody," said Head Coach Nate Moore. This was Murray's first game after coming over from Canton McKinley.
It was quite a surprise when he finished the game with seven tackles, five of which were unassisted, along with one sack and 1.5 tackles for loss.
This performance certainly serves as a confidence booster for the senior, "It feel great to be back on the field with my brothers, this is what I've been waiting for for a minute it feel like great, I love this," said Murray.
As the second half commenced, a continuous clock would be in effect, yet it was entirely Massillon dominating the field as they gradually exhausted the Vikings and asserted their physical dominance over them.
Quarterback Eli Moore would see some action in the latter part of the game, finishing with 5 for 6 passing for 44 yards and one rush for 11 yards and a touchdown.
They finished with a total of 480 yards of offense as they advanced and will play on the road at St. Francis DeSales (9-2), who won on an exciting last-second touchdown pass to upend Ashland 33-29 for a shot at the regional championship game.
Hoover's season comes to an end after a 9-3 campaign and successful high school careers for John Collins and Jack Andes, and other seniors.
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