Massillon standout defensive end relishes upcoming season
By Keno Sultan
Stark County Prep Press writer
www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com
MASSILLON--As he walked off the Paul Brown Tiger Stadium field after a 42-20 loss to #1 Canton McKinley amid a variety of missed scoring opportunities, a dejected but inspirational Ellery Moore, walking unassisted on one leg took a teammate aside before venturing into the locker room and administered seven words that became etched in stone a season later.
"We're not losing to those guys again."
A man who lives his life on giving his word and keeping his word, those seven words proved to be prophetic as the Tigers terminated a five-game losing streak to the top-ranked Bulldogs with a rousing 35-7 victory to complete a 10-0 regular season, the pinnacle of the 1999 season for Massillon.
27 years has passed since Moore led the Tigers to that triumphant victory on a sun-kissed 89 degree afternoon at Fawcett Stadium. Moore is now in his 11th year as a color commentator with ESPN 990 for the same Tigers team he competed for under the tutelage of the unitary Rick Shepas. Moore was one of many people who addressed the team at the 2026 Kickoff Rally as the Tigers prepare for Friday's challenge against defending Division IV state champion Cleveland Glenville, who has won the last three of four state titles and are bringing a team that has it's vistas set on a fourth crown.
Moore can relate to the excitement having served as a captain. He knows the expectations are nearly astronomical for a team many believe that they will be hoisting a second state playoff title in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in 16 weeks. And he believes that they have a team ready to join the revered 2023 squad as state champions.
"It brings back a lot of those old feelings. You get those butterflies in your stomach and the excitement of the crowd. The Tiger ice cream, a day like today, there is no other town that does this. It's insane but we love it and we keep doing it over and over because that's who we are," Moore said. "Massillon is a different place because of the people and the fabric that is intertwined throughout the history of the town."
The last two seasons, Massillon has had their season conclude in the regional championship against Sunbury Big Walnut. The road is a bit more arduous as Columbus Bishop Watterson has traversed into the Tigers region. The Eagles are coming off two consecutive Division III state championships and closed out their account with Toledo Central Catholic in the third straight state title contest by seizing a 30-0 win and holding a 2-1 advantage.
Massillon might look to Moore for inspiration. Look no further than the ninth week of the 1998 season when Moore suffered a season-concluding injury that left him in tears as doctors and coaches informed him that his year was finished before the 105th game against McKinley. Defying doctors and coaches recommendations to hang up his cleats, Moore delivered 15 first hit tackles in a performance still chatted about to this day by residents of the city.
How did Moore muster up the gumption to play despite the severity of his injury?
"It's the town. It's the brothers I lined up with, I puked with in the locker room, when coach Stu (Steve Studer) was running us and the stadium stairs, it was for them. It wasn't for me," he said. "I didn't worry about how many tackles I was going to make, I didn't worry about the final score, I just wanted them to know that when times get hard, my integrity for them was going to be strong as a building."
One thing that the 2026 Tigers have going for them is that they possess a 10-game winning streak over McKinley. Six of the 10 wins have come by double-digits. Massillon also has not lost to McKinley at home since the 2010 season and they have a team determined to not only push their streak to 11 overall but just as importantly seven in a row at home.
Moore knows that none of the Tigers on this year's team do not want that 'lost to McKinley' label attached to them, especially the seniors. He recalled the 1999 contest in which he drew criticism from outsiders when he said his undefeated charges were not scared of the Bulldogs and that they would "meet them anywhere, anytime, anyplace."
The Tigers were in trouble at halftime after a Preston Chavers 25-yard interception return for a score tied the 106th meeting at halftime. Massillon stripped McKinley of their momentum with a long drive that corroded six minutes off the clock, ending with a touchdown that handed them the momentum they did not relinquish. Massillon played with a feral passion in the second half and their attack was so dominant that partisan Bulldogs fans headed for the exits with over 11 minutes to play. Moore gave his word that the Tigers would prevail and those words are now etched in stone forever.
"When you put Massillon on your chest, it is a superhuman strength that comes into our bodies and it's not how physically talented you are. It's the town that gives us that certain energy that we just go out and run with it," he said of upholding his obligation.
As the Tigers get ready for another year of football, there were many young men who as early as elementary school have aspirations of someday being under the lights inside Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Moore was one of those as he could relate to those who competed before him and those well after his days ended.
The schedule is another formidable one for the Tigers, one that features five out of state teams. Glenville will provide the first test and last year ended the game on a walk-off touchdown pass in overtime to vault past the host Tigers 33-27. It is a game that has been highly publicized in the last few weeks.
Amid the excitement and pageantry of the rally, Moore doesn't want the Tigers to forget the sight of the big picture. But at the same time, he wants young kids in Massillon to be aware of the expectations of putting on a Massillon jersey.
"Once you make this your home, there is no place like it. Appreciate it, respect it, love it, embrace it. If you want to raise your children here, this is the place to be," he said. "Health and depth are going to be key, you have to have that, especially in Division II or I, where you will play great programs."
Ellery Moore has always been a man who has given his word and kept his word. His words are forever etched in stone, an ending the 2026 Tigers hope to attain in 16 weeks.
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