With unexpected bye week approaching, Massillon welcomes challenge from Canadian competitor
By Keno Sultan
Stark County Prep Press writer
www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com
MASSILLON--Clarkson Football North isn't just your average Canadian high school. And Massillon isn't just your average ordinary high school.
Don't get the perception that Canada is just known for hockey. And don't get the perception that Massillon is just a football town. The Chargers can also play football as well and the Tigers can play basketball too as evidenced by last season's Division II state title.
Friday night, the Tigers and Chargers renew what has been a respectful series with each team possessing wide victories inside Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Two years ago, Massillon captured a 45-6 triumph over the Chargers and then the previous season, Clarkson had everything really go their way as they pestered the hosts into an un-Massillon like seven turnovers in a 34-2 victory, which was the third worst home loss in Tigers history, joined by a 47-14 season opening loss to Mentor in 2017 and nine years earlier, a 49-7 setback to eventual Division I state champion Cleveland St. Ignatius.
It has been 33 years since a Canadian team won the NHL Stanley Cup, with Montreal being the last to accomplish that feat. Clarkson's 32-point win may not have gotten them the Stanley Cup but that was the closest to that as the Chargers enjoyed a five-hour voyage back to Ontario.
12th-year Massillon general Nate Moore knows what kind of team Clarkson is having opposed them twice in two years.
"They are a good team and they are big up front with great size across the board at every position and it's going to be a challenge," Moore said.
Both Massillon and Clarkson have a common opponent in Cleveland Glenville. Massillon used a strong second half to emaciate the Tarblooders en route to a 31-18 win five weeks ago while the Chargers absorbed a 37-21 setback to the same Tarblooders earlier this year.
Clarkson is coming off a 33-6 win over St. Frances Academy (Maryland) and in their three wins save for the Glenville loss have compiled 132 points. That figures to be put to a very serious test against a touted Massillon defense that brings a feral ferocity to the table and it is one that held up in crunch time last week as they held on to record a 23-21 win over Lakewood St. Edward, their fifth straight triumph over the Eagles.
Moore knows his defense will once again have to answer the bell against the Chargers, who are fielding a team much better than their 6-4 squad from the previous season.
"We will have to play with discipline. They are going to want to throw and run but they would prefer to run more," he noted.
A major asset to Massillon just might be the services of sophomore running back Gary Yeager. He broke the 200-yard rushing plateau and provided a glance of the future with two rushing touchdowns against the Eagles. His play is reminiscent of former Massillon running back Willtrell Hartson, who splashed onto the scene as a sophomore and spearheaded the Tigers attack to a third straight Division II state final appearance and went on to produce two more stellar seasons and is now enrolled at Ashland University.
It's one thing that Savior Owens is the lead back. But Yeager's contribution opened up a plethora of eyes and vistas. He may just be the featured back when Owens departs for East Lansing and Michigan State after this season.
Not to be excluded in all of that is the part that doesn't really need an introduction, the vaunted Massillon offensive line, which has the strength of Ford Econoline durable vans. And the line is starting to hit their stride as the second half of the season commences, which may be a bad portent for the remaining teams left on the Tigers schedule.
When asked if Yeager reminded him of Hartson, Moore respectfully likened him to another back while mentioning the offensive line.
"Willtrell was more of a harder back and I liken him (Yeager) to that of Ja'Meir Gamble. Yeager is very athletic and hard to bring down and runs between the pads, Moore said. "Our offensive line had their best game last week and that was impressive to see and with Dayvionne Floyd and Marcus Garner setting the standard for us, our line did a great job."
Clarkson has experienced success against Ohio football teams. In their 11th year of being a high school, they have beaten other Ohio schools along the way. Along the way, they have defeated Perry (Stark County), Cleveland St. Ignatius, Ironton, to name a few.
As of right now, Massillon is in a very favorable position to appear in the Division II playoffs for an 11th straight season as they are sitting second in Division II, Region 7 behind two-time defending regional champion Sunbury Big Walnut.
The Tigers are team that is constructed to overcome adversity, a staple of Moore coached teams. It also pays dividends when a team is close knit to each other not just on the field and in the weight room but away from it as well. Moore pointed out the challenges his team encountered at George Finnie Stadium last week and overcoming those is the epitome of what it means to be a Massillon Tiger football athlete.
"We have a team that will play for each other, the team and their teammates and they played with a great physicality against a really good opponent. We knew going on the road that calls were not going to go our way at times and mistakes were going to be made but we played through those," Moore said.
As the third meeting between the Tigers and Chargers commences, it shapes up to be another exciting week of football in the Massillon Tiger kingdom. With the Tigers opposing another out of country team after having hosted the NFL Academy (United Kingdom), the same class that Massillon displayed to their third week opponent will be the same class the Chargers see again.
In a time where countries are fighting in war with many serving in harm's way, Massillon and Clarkson are two teams who put the matter in perspective. Every country may have a difference with another but when high school competition ensues, whatever disagreements that may be out there are put aside through good will and respect for each other.
Clarkson once again will be welcomed with open arms and then 48 minutes of competition will commence with the Tigers hoping to be 6-0 after Friday night.
"Sports can be fun for anyone regardless of your country, we have a team that is willing to play by the rules for 48 minutes, engage in competition, shake hands and tell you good game and that should be the lesson in today's society," Moore said.
Clarkson Football North isn't just your average Canadian high school. And Massillon isn't just your average ordinary high school. Two teams with the best of respect for each other will descend once again inside the stadium named after Massillon's revered patriarch.
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