Massillon overpowers Glenville in an anticipated matchup, defense dominates

Savior Owens makes his way into the end zone in the fourth quarter. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

MASSILLON, Ohio - In one of the biggest games of the season in Northeast Ohio, the Massillon Tigers host the Glenville Tarblooders at Massillon Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. 

Massillon gets revenge, taking out the Tarblooders 31-18.

Massillon has been the talk of town since the transfers of the now-Oregon commit Brayton Feister and a few other top-rated players in the state. 

Massillon is set to introduce a new starting quarterback, with Rasmus Haines taking the position over last season's starter, Mandwel Patterson.

"Really proud of Ras, stood tall in the pocket," said head coach Nate Moore. "Did a good job managing the game."

Glenville will kick off week one on the road against Massillon, just like they did last year, when they secured a 33-27 victory following a crucial block of a late-game field goal.

Giorgio Jackson Jr. makes a leaping attempt during the early quarters of the game over Jaylen Edwards.. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

They will have a transfer quarterback from Cleveland Heights, LaMarques Greenwood, after the departure of Arvell Nelson Jr.  

The Tigers open up with the first possession after the coin toss, marching down the field as the Glenville defense holds them to a punt but is flagged for defensive encroachment and a fresh set of downs.

On the second play of the possession, Haines hits Deontay Malone over the middle to set them up at the nine-yard line, and then a pass from Haines to Giorgio Jackson Jr. on a short slant to put the Tigers up 7-0 after a successful point-after with 8:44 remaining on the clock.

Glenville gets in Massillon territory from a personal foul that put them at the 28-yard line with two attempts at rushing the ball but struggled against a swarming front line. 

They march down and score on a 2-yard touchdown from Valonte McCord, but after a missed point, the Tigers lead 7-6 with 4:11 remaining in the period.

Massillon advances down the field as Malone breaks free along the sideline, engaging in a one-on-one matchup with Kyrie Robinson for an 87-yard touchdown, putting the Tigers ahead 14-6 with 2:33 left in the first quarter.

At the end of the first quarter, Massillon holds on to an 8-point lead. 

Massillon has accumulated a total of 192 yards with 9:28 left on the clock, while Glenville had only managed 30 total yards. 

Deontay Malone makes a catch while under duress from Dontez Shepard. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

While on the 11-yard line, Fiester lost possession of the ball, which was then recovered by Kobe Hunter of the Tarblooders, granting them possession at the 9-yard line.

Players from both teams were cramping at this point in the game. 

The Tigers take a 17-6 lead into halftime after Mateo Herrera kicks a field goal after Glenville is tacked with two defensive encroachment penalties. 

Glenville is having problems in the air, with only 11 yards from Lamarques Greenwood. Massillon's defense has been tough to get around. "Our physicality really shows we play out there," said Braydon Feister.

The Tarblooders return the opening kick of the 3rd quarter for a touchdown by De’Anthony Crittenden to close the gap, trailing 12-17 after an unsuccessful point-after. 

Massillon turns to running the ball to open up the second half but turns it over on downs. It has been a back-and-forth battle with both defenses stepping up. 

Savior Owens takes the ball up the sideline for a 52-yard run for a 24-12 lead after a successful point-after. 

Massillon's defense has been all over Greenwood and the Tarblooders, having tackles for loss and 333 total yards to Glenville’s 58.

Freshman James Gatsios (61), who sees time on varsity, looks for a signal from the sidelines as Savior Owens talks to a teammate. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

On the Tarblooder possession, a crucial penalty gave them another set of downs, then a LaMarques Greenwood scamper for a long gain, but then Massillon returned the favor by sacking him and eventually turning it over on downs. 

Glenville finally cracked the hundred-yard mark in the top of the 4th quarter. 

Following a tough performance by the starting quarterback, Glenville substituted in backup quarterback Elvis Koutsakis for the game.

24-18 with 6:18 remaining in the game, Glenville was worn down by an offense that totaled 369 yards.

Massillon's offensive line was gifted with a young freshman getting some playing time on varsity, James Gatsios. "This whole week kinda like that nervous good feeling, you know!" said Gatsios. "Coming into this, I had a really good day at school, I get to the field, and I'm getting those nerves again, but as soon as you run out that tunnel, I'm feeling good."

To seal the deal, Massillon added another touchdown.

Savior Owens takes it 40 yards for the score with 4:31 remaining in the game. 

Massillon's offensive output and dominating defensive line were too much for Glenville. "For four quarters know were going to drown you," said Brayton Feister.

Massillon (1-0) will travel to GlenOak next Friday; Glenville (0-1) will also travel to Olentangy Liberty for a week two matchup.