National showcase features Ohio state and powers from U.S.
By Keno Sultan
C-Town Radio announcer and statistician
MASSILLON--In nine seasons at Massillon, Nate Moore has witnessed it all.
He has seen his program progress from a four-win season in 2015 to two 14-win seasons in his first five seasons, two undefeated regular seasons, two consecutive final top 25 appearance in multiple national publications, not to mention a seven-game winning streak against rival Canton McKinley and being the first visiting team to win a game in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, denying the Bulldogs an undefeated home season in 2017. That also includes three straight Division II state championship game apppearances along the way.
Friday night however introduces a new chapter in the Tiger football kingdom.
Massillon will welcome to Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, the Valdosta (GA) Wildcats in what will be a matchup of two fabled programs who are in the top five when it comes to total victories nationwide. The Wildcats are first in the nation for wins while Massillon is fourth for wins. The 7 p.m. kickoff at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium will be the first of four games played in the Northeast Ohio vs. America Showcase this weekend and three others at Benson Stadium in Canton.
Massillon is a serious contender for a state championship in Division II evidenced by last season's 12-2 record and a fourth regional championship in five seasons. A fourth state championship game appearance in six seasons will start against a Wildcat team who also has high expectations in class 7A, the largest classification in the state of Georgia following an 8-3 season. Massillon has not sold out a home opener since the 2005 season, a 34-0 win over Dover in Tom Stacy's first of three years atop the Massillon realm but this may be the closest to obtaining 18,000.
When asked if this will be the biggest home opener in the Tiger program, Moore attested it as such.
"Yes, there is no doubt about that. That's a big opening game, like last year against Cincinnati Moeller and Pickerington Central before that," he said.
One asset that has defined the Tiger football program the last six years has been the durable conditioning of the offensive line. The trajectory of that stance spans back to the 2017 contest against McKinley in a game where the Tigers trailed 15-9 in the fourth quarter before relying on the play of their line and ending a long drive with an Aidan Longwell touchdown pass to Tre'Von Morgan to complete a 16-15 triumph in which Massillon doubled up the host Bulldogs in the time of possession department 31:00-17:00 and have accomplished that in the last five confrontations as well against their storied rival.
The offensive line has been the strength of the Massillon squad and that is where Moore is impressed at the depth and strength of that position and a reason why Massillon has a chance to start off their season with a win provided their ability to keep the Wildcats offense on the bench for long periods during the game.
When defenses are tiring and hung out to dry, that is where Massillon's offensive line is very dangerous in the trenches.
"Our offensive line is led by Jon Mazur, who does a good job with them and we return three starters and we got some up and comers who will also be working with them," Moore said. "It is us playing physical up front and developing football techniques and J.P. Simon and Joey Studer take those guys and develop the techniques and play hard."
The Valdosta offense is an offense that is capable of scoring evidenced by their speed. That is something the Tigers will have to neutralize. Defensively according to Moore, their defensive line will be the best line his team will see all year per his testimony.
One thing Massillon will have the benefit of are two things: longevity on the coaching staff and experience.
Five years ago, Massillon welcomed in an East St. Louis Flyers (IL) team that was ranked sixth in the nation, undefeated and state champions in Illinois. The Tigers faced adversity for the first time as they were down 20-10 at the intermission but turned the tide and outscored the visitors 36-20 in the second half translating into an unforgettable 46-40 victory, a victory that catapulted Massillon into the national ranking and a #2 ranking in the Associated Press state poll. Most of the staff remains from that game and that will be vital.
When asked if Friday night's contest against the Wildcats will be reminiscent to that, Moore acknowledged the likeliness of that.
"That's a fair comparison. East St. Louis had a QB who ended up going to Missouri. Our kids kept battling and playing hard. That was the first game where Jayden Ballard showed out and ripped down a catch in the end zone for the go-ahead touchdown in the final two minutes," Moore excitedly recalled.
Although it is only the first week of the season, a victory will defintely send shockwaves around various antennas. This may be one of those games that will translate into something special. The buzz has been building like the lead up to a Super Bowl via the weeklong festivities and pregame show since it was announced in the offseason. Massillon will love nothing more to capture not only a victory but bragging rights and a huge wave of momentum that may eventually lead to greater avenues for the 2023 Tigers.
It is one of those games that fans have waited for a long time. All there is left now is to kick the ball away and play some football. And Massillon will have their crowd at their back, a crowd that creates false starts and delay of game penalties unlike any other school.
"The crowd has to be a factor Friday night. It is week one and everyone is excited and I am hoping it will sell out, Moore said. "It will be packed but at the same time it will feel like it's sold out."
In nine seasons at Massillon, Nate Moore has witnessed it all. Now he and the Tigers will witness what will be unarguably the biggest season opener in it's history.
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