• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!

High School Massillon Tigers

Jump to latest Follow Reply
Sort by date Sort by votes
The O line had a few shorter guys but they're wide and I'll be damned if they can't open holes..the D line was pretty big IMO...surely you didn't think the NT was small :wink:

Brad Scherer (QB) doesn't have much size but he played incredibly smart all season. He's an athletic (plays all of the "Big 3" sports at X) leader and, in all honesty, I think he fit the offense much better than Robby Schoenhoft did last year. The RB is only a sophomore..I can't wait to see him play and mature in the next couple years.
 
Upvote 0
yea scherer was definitely small and did a great job. wasnt exactly fast but super quick and acle to make moves and get the yards needed and then some. his passing ability really wasnt that bad either. ashley needs some work yet and can get bigger yet but he definitely is soemthing to look forward to. he has the speed power and that crazy spin move to be special.
 
Upvote 0
Jeffcat said:
yea jackson actually got beat by patrick henry a couple years back i believe:biggrin: i do feel bad for the other massillon teams because they never get any recognition like perry and jackson. i dont really see the big deal with washington being the most looked at school in ohio for everything. they make their movies and everything but everytime i have been to massillon either half the fans were bandwagoners or nobody in the city even knew the state games were taking place that weekend. this weekend the guy at the hotel on lincoln way didnt even know washington was in the state game.:! maybe the football capital should be moved to delphos:biggrin: washington had a good chance at coming back in the game but came up short and the qb got cracked in the head and time wasnt on their side.
Click to expand...

Well I honestly think that the Football capital is closer to Canton than Massillon...I'm personally more of a McKinley fan than Massillon. (I know im gonna get drilled for saying that) One of the reasons I don't like Massillon is because of what the AD said a few years back. He said that our (Jackson's) football team was racist by not allowing African Americans to play on the football team, something along those lines...but really we had like 10 black kids on the team at that time. It was just really funny but really pissed us kids off that played. But anyways, yeah we (Jackson) did get beat by P. Henry a few years ago. I think it was like 4 or 5 years ago though.
 
Upvote 0
mcclellanatosu said:
Well I honestly think that the Football capital is closer to Canton than Massillon...I'm personally more of a McKinley fan than Massillon. (I know im gonna get drilled for saying that) One of the reasons I don't like Massillon is because of what the AD said a few years back. He said that our (Jackson's) football team was racist by not allowing African Americans to play on the football team, something along those lines...but really we had like 10 black kids on the team at that time. It was just really funny but really pissed us kids off that played. But anyways, yeah we (Jackson) did get beat by P. Henry a few years ago. I think it was like 4 or 5 years ago though.
Click to expand...

yea i dont really agree with a lot of the things washington does personally and if i had to lean on a bigger fball capital of the 2 i would go with mckinley as well. they have more state titles, better stadium, more notoriety for the fball hall of fame, and have a strong fanbase in all sports.
 
Upvote 0
Link

Tigers developing plenty of weapons
[FONT=verdana,Times New Roman,Times,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]By CHRIS EASTERLING
[/FONT] [FONT=verdana,Times New Roman,Times,arial,helvetica,sans-serif][email protected][/FONT]

The focus of Massillon’s opponents this fall figures to be squarely on Brian Gamble and Andrew Dailey while trying to defense the Tigers’ offense. And Tiger coach Tom Stacy isn’t denying that’s who they should be eyeing.
“The two guys we have to get the ball to are Dailey and Gamble,” Stacy said. “There’s no question about that. We’re going to design our offense around those two guys.”
That said, the Tigers have spent their first two 7-on-7 passing scrimmages looking for players to step into those complementary roles who will be able to rise to the occasions when the defenses focus all of their attention on Gamble at tailback and Dailey at tight end. The results have been very pleasing thus far for Stacy and the offensive coaches.
“You have to have other guys to go to,” Stacy said.
The Tigers have developed a stable of wide receivers who figure give quarterback Bobby Huth options in the passing game. Trey Miller is a returning starter from a year ago, but Michael Porrini, Bryan Sheegog and Giorgio Jackson all have put together solid summers, as has Brendan Baker at tight end.
“We had some great catches,” Stacy said of the Tigers’ most recent 7-on-7 competition, Tuesday at Ashland University. “I thought Bryan Sheegog played really well. Giorgio Jackson continues to improve each day. I saw a lot of good things.”
But those complimentary players aren’t just limited to the receiver positions. K.J. Herring has emerged this summer as a viable alternative in the backfield with Gamble.
“We’re counting on K.J. as one of our tailbacks to spell Brian,” Stacy said of Herring. “He’s almost 195 pounds now.”
CORNERING THE MARKET – Two of the bigger losses the Tigers suffered from their defense from a year ago was at cornerback. Troy Ellis and Neil James provided Massillon with a pair of shut-down type players on the corners, as was evidenced by the way they locked up such players as McKinley’s Joe Morgan (seven catches, 106 yards combined in two games a year ago).
This summer, Miller and junior Kevin Massey have worked in with the No. 1 defense during the Tigers’ 7-on-7 scrimmages, and earned a tip of the cap from Stacy for the way they have grown in the position over the offseason.
“I thought Trey had a great day at cornerback (Tuesday at Ashland),” Stacy said. “Kevin Massey continues to improve. He’s had a good summer. He’s worked really hard all winter and into the spring. It’s paid off for him this summer.”
BACKUP BATTLE – Stacy continues to look at all the Tigers’ potential backup quarterback candidates during the 7-on-7s, which concludes this evening at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium against Elyria and Hudson.
Four players – senior Darian McGuire, juniors Chris Willougby and Steve Ryder and sophomore Tim Adkins – have been involved in the competition to get the No. 2 job behind Huth this summer. All four have had some opportunity during the 7-on-7s to showcase themselves, but Stacy is withholding final judgment until the conclusion of two-a-days.
Still, he knows what he is looking for in his candidate.
“I’m just going to sit back and look and see who wants to play,” Stacy said. “The way I attack it, I want to see who wants to be the guy. I want that guy to step up and show it.”
The value of the backup quarterback was shown in graphic detail in Massillon’s win at St. Ignatius a year ago, when Shawn Weisend came off the bench in the fourth quarter after Huth suffered a concussion. Weisend guided the eventual game-winning touchdown drive, scoring not only the go-ahead touchdown, but also the subsequent two-point conversion.
“The guy who gets the job has to be able to handle the pressure,” Stacy said.
STAYING HEALTHY – Obviously, summer workouts are non-contact affairs, but that hasn’t prevented players in the past from suffering the occasional injury. Stacy said – keeping his fingers crossed, no doubt – that the summer has been a fairly incident-free one.
The second-year coach mentioned only three significant injuries to arise: senior James Poe, and sophomores Cody Nickels and Griffin Erlitz. Stacy was uncertain as to the trio’s status for the upcoming season.
 
Upvote 0
Coach Stacy did a phenomonal job last year getting Massillon back to the Massillon that we've watched over the years. The Tigers lost a ton to graduation, but they have a few studs returning. They also do well at the lower levels (JV & freshmen), so teams won't be sleeping on the Tigers in 06. If they do, they'll be in for some long nights.
 
Upvote 0
Link

Massillon tops Beacon poll

Coach pleased but says rank worthless when play starts

By Michael Beaven

Beacon Journal sportswriter

Being the head football coach at Massillon High School is a full-time job.
Entering his second season as Tigers coach, Tom Stacy has had an August filled with practices -- sometimes twice a day -- meetings and public appearances.
So when Stacy was informed that Massillon is ranked No. 1 in the Akron Beacon Journal preseason football poll on a mid-August evening at about 11:30 p.m., he was happy, yet aware that preseason rankings mean nothing in early December when the state championship game is played.
``Thanks a lot for that... but that and a quarter will buy you a cup of coffee,'' Stacy said. ``It's nice. It's flattering. It says something about how the program has really improved.''
Massillon holds the top spot after finishing last season 13-2 and as the Division I state runner-up to Cincinnati St. Xavier.
Stacy said last season's senior class deserves the bulk of credit for the success.
``I probably sound like a broken record because I always say this, but the key to last season was we had a great senior class,'' Stacy said. ``It is very difficult to get hired as late as I did and make a difference. (The players) did a tremendous job. They embraced us and bought into what we were teaching them.''
This season's team will be led by senior starters Andrew Dailey, Brian Gamble, Bobby Huth, Cory Shane, Emery Saunders and Trey Miller.
Dailey, a linebacker who has orally committed to Penn State, and Gamble, a tailback receiving interest from Mid-American Conference schools, are two seniors Stacy is relying on.
``They are both captains,'' Stacy said. ``Each is a very intense football player that loves to compete. Brian is probably more vocal, while Andrew leads by example. They are two of the best I have been around.''
Canton McKinley is ranked No. 2. The Bulldogs (12-1 last season) have seniors Morgan Williams, Dan Grimsley, Dardisi Alexander, Drew McIntyre, Darius Williams and Zack Campbell.
Massillon and McKinley continued their historic rivalry last season. The Bulldogs won 38-8 in Week 10 and the Tigers won 21-3 three weeks later in a Division I regional final.
``It's the ultimate game you shoot for on your schedule,'' Stacy said. ``Everything you prepare for revolves around the McKinley game in Week 10. We have great respect for them, and (McKinley coach) Brian Cross does a great job.''
Buchtel, Hoban and Walsh Jesuit round out the top five.


Link

1. MASSILLON (I, 13-2) The Division I state runner-up has playmakers...

1. MASSILLON (I, 13-2)
The Division I state runner-up has playmakers of note on both sides of the ball in tailback Brian Gamble and linebacker Andrew Dailey.
2. CANTON McKINLEY
(I, 12-1)
The Bulldogs, who were unbeaten last season until falling to Massillon in the regional final, have one of the state's best tailbacks in Morgan Williams.
3. BUCHTEL (III, 11-3)
The Griffins do have some question marks, but the likes of Ernest Pitts, Ted Jones and Johnny Adams have big-time ability.
4. HOBAN (II, 10-3)
The Knights have an offensive playmaker in tailback Steve Yoak and a defensive one in linebacker Danny Dario, as well as some impressive newcomers.
5. WALSH JESUIT (III, 5-5)
The Warriors are ready to put the disappointment of 2005 behind them, led by Connor Mackovjak, Nick Schepis and Mark Wooldridge.
6. NORDONIA (II, 6-4)
Tailback Jordan Mabin is the leader of a senior-laden Knights team that could be the equal of the school's 2002 state runners-up.
7. NORTH CANTON (I, 7-4)
Eight defensive starters return for a Vikings team that tied for second place in the Federal League last season with Jackson.
8. BRUNSWICK (I, 9-2)
One of the area's best coaches, Rich Nowak, has a team that merely reloads and is led by star Dustin Zielaskiewicz.
9. JACKSON (I, 7-3)
Nineteen lettermen are back for a Polar Bears team that will be looking for a return to the state playoffs.
10. GREEN (I, 7-3)
The Suburban League favorites have an outstanding trio of senior skill players in Kade Wagner, Corey Welch and Evan Elliott.
11. WADSWORTH (I, 5-5)
Tailback Dru Jones could lead the Grizzlies back to the state playoffs for the first time since 2003.
12. COPLEY (II, 9-3)
Mr. Football Delone Carter has graduated, but the Indians have prime-time players in David Arnold and Joe Matesevac.
13. LOUISVILLE (II, 12-1)
The Leopards will be young on offense, but will be led by a defense that returns six starters.
14. NORTHWEST (III, 9-3)
The perennially powerful Indians, who have some question marks, have one of the area's most versatile players in fullback-defensive tackle Corey Tanksley.
15. HUDSON (I, 7-3)
The Explorers' string of playoff appearances ended at three in 2005, but this group has the ability to return to the postseason.
16. ST. VINCENT-ST MARY (IV, 7-5)
New coach Ryan Wiggins will have an Irish team long on skill players and short on linemen.
17. ELLET (II, 8-2)
Quarterback Chad Keppler will lead an Ellet team that hopes to unseat Buchtel at the top of the City Series.
18. GARFIELD (II, 5-5)
The Rams, minus superstar tailback Chris Wells, will rely on their experienced defense early in the season and hope the offense catches up.
19. AURORA (III, 10-2)
Quarterback Wes Miller and his favorite target, Matt Perry, lead a list of impressive returnees from last year's playoff qualifiers.
20. CANTON CENTRAL CATHOLIC (IV, 9-4)
The Crusaders, who reached the regional final last season, have a solid list of returnees, including quarterback Joey Rhoads.
Others to watch: Alliance, Black River, Crestwood, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Garrettsville, Kent Roosevelt, Lake, Manchester, Mogadore, Northwestern, Orrville, Ravenna, Rootstown, St. Thomas Aquinas, Smithville, Southeast, Tallmadge, Twinsburg, Western Reserve Academy, Wooster.
LEADERS BY DIVISION
Division I: Massillon, Canton McKinley, North Canton
Division II: Hoban, Nordonia, Copley
Division III: Buchtel, Walsh Jesuit, Northwest
Division IV: St. Vincent-St. Mary, Canton Central Catholic, Manchester
Division V: Smithville, Rootstown, Northwestern
Division VI: Mogadore, Dalton, East Canton
 
Upvote 0
Canton Rep

[FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]Massillon wants to get back to the state title game ... and win it[/FONT]
Thursday, August 24, 2006 [FONT=Verdana,Times New Roman,arial,helvetica,sans-serif]By Todd Porter REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER [/FONT]

MASSILLON There were more than 3,000 fans inside Paul Brown Tiger Stadium for a scrimmage.
The first scrimmage. Against Perry.
A blessed scrimmage?
Ah, football season is back.
It is like eating after a week without food. In Massillon, life without its football team for eight months is lonely, hungry, gray. Drop by a Massillon practice — yes practice — and few hundred are watching.
High expectations? Nah.
Stratospheric expectations.
What can head coach Tom Stacy do for an encore? He was hired with less than three months to prepare for last season and took the Tigers to the Division I state title game.
In the process of a 13-2 season, Stacy changed more than the way his team is thought of in town. He changed the way it’s viewed by outsiders.
“The one thing I noticed about Massillon is how disciplined and respectful the kids were,” St. Xavier head coach Steve Specht said. “They respect the game, and that starts at the top with Tom. ... I imagine it’s what Paul Brown wanted Massillon to see in his high school football teams. They’re going to be a force to be reckoned with as long as Tom is at the helm.”
Had St. Xavier not returned a punt right before half, a punt that wasn’t supposed to be fielded, Massillon might have won its first state title in the playoffs.
One of the team leaders, and the best player, Brian Gamble, remembers the play. He remembers it like a nightmare.
“I catch myself waking up in the middle of the night just thinking about it,” Gamble said. “He wasn’t even supposed to return it.”
His voice trails off.
“You can’t dwell on what happened last year. We have to work hard this year to get back in that position.”
Part of getting back means letting go of last season. Easier said than done. That’s why Stacy has won back the fan base. That’s why there were more than 3,000 people at the first scrimmage.
One play doesn’t make a season.
“I don’t think about that play too much,” Stacy said. “I prefer to focus and spend my time on positives from that game.
“There were other players in that game that could’ve made a difference. We had such a great run ... We were down, we game back, and we made a game out of it. We just fell a little short. There were plenty of positives.”
Maybe the most overlooked aspect of Massillon’s 2005 season is the team got to practice 15 weeks. That’s an experience most teams don’t get.
It was the reason the Tigers improved each week. Although he took over so late, Stacy and his staff were adding to the offense in the playoffs.
This year things should be different. Stacy’s system is in. The players know what to expect from coach. The coaches know what they have in the players.
That doesn’t mean things will be the same. Gamble won’t play just running back. He’ll line up at receiver, slot, “all over the place,” Stacy said
“We don’t want our opponents to know where Brian may be coming at them from,” Stacy said.
Andrew Dailey, who verbally agreed to attend Penn State, has moved from safety to linebacker. He will see more playing time at tight end and receiver on offense.
Quarterback Bobby Huth has added bulk and arm strength. The core is back.
That isn’t the key to returning to the state title game.
“It’s going to come down to our sophomores and juniors,” Stacy said. “Are they going to have the same type of hunger as last year’s junior class? Our juniors have to step up to the level of play of our seniors.”
Two juniors Stacy is counting on is running back K.J. Herring and cornerback Kevin Massey. Offensive tackle Reggie Comeaux could be a special player.
“The potential is there,” Stacy said.
Is it enough to come away with wins at Cincinnati Moeller, against St. Ignatius, McKinley, at Warren Harding, vs. Mentor?
“We have goals,” Stacy said. “We want to get in the playoffs. Once you get in, anything can happen. I don’t know how many people thought we get as far as we did last year. Probably not many.”
Now, stop by during an evening. Ask any one of the few hundred in the stands.
They expect to get back, and come back with a state title.
Reach Repository sports writer Todd Porter at (330) 580-8340 or e-mail: [email protected]


COUNTDOWN TO KICKOFF
Another high school football season kicks off this week in Ohio. To help Stark County fans get ready, The Repository will count down to the first Friday night of the season with a look at five storylines to follow this season.
MONDAY Hoover rebounded from a 1-9 season two years ago to return to the playoffs last year. Head coach Don Hertler Jr. breaks down his program’s strengths and weaknesses.
TUESDAY It’s been since 1988, when Central Catholic captured the Division IV crown, that an area Division IV-V-VI team won a state title. Why have local small schools have not gone deep into the playoffs of late?
WEDNESDAY They have 12 consecutive playoff appearances between them, but the faces and names are new at Louisville and Northwest. What does wholesale changes mean a for the Northeastern Buckeye Conference’s top two programs?
TODAY Massillon head coach Tom Stacy is looking for few good juniors. He found more than enough last year, and the Tigers rode them to a Division I state title game.
FRIDAY McKinley has its share of gamebreakers, but the Bulldogs will need more than skill to get them back to the playoffs a third straight season. With just three starters back on each side, can the Bulldogs maintain?
 
Upvote 0
Canton

Massillon tries to benefit from schedule
Tuesday, October 24, 2006
By Todd Porter REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

MASSILLON - After arriving late for kickoff Saturday night, it was a foregone conclusion Cincinnati Western Hills High School would be buried at the top of Mount Massillon.
As expected, Massillon rolled, 65-6. Did kicking sand in an overmatched opponent?s face help the Tigers?
The speed of Saturday?s game against McKinley will be vastly different. Western Hills had seven first downs against Massillon. In the regular-season game against McKinley last year, the Bulldogs had nine at halftime.
Regardless of last week?s speed, Massillon coach Tom Stacy isn?t concerned about this week?s speed. A week-to-week adjustment isn?t something the Tigers should have to worry about after playing one of the toughest regular-season schedules in the state.
?We?ve played so many good teams this year, to be honest, our kids deserved to play a game like that,? Stacy said.
?They?ve had to play so many good opponents.?
There was Ignatius. Hamilton, Ariz. Mentor. Moeller, Warren Harding. Stacy throws in H.D. Woodson (Washington, D.C.) in that mix. ?People forget they beat the best team in West Virginia the week before we played them,? Stacy said.
It is hard to argue with Stacy?s scheduling logic. The Tigers are 5-4 and ranked higher in Division I than any four-loss team in the computer poll. A win over the Bulldogs coupled with a Brunswick loss, would likely give Massillon a first-round home playoff game.
?We?re not going to apologize for our schedule,? Stacy said. ?That doesn?t mean we don?t respect McKinley?s schedule because we have great respect for the Federal League. They played a great schedule, too. We just think we?re pretty game-tested.?
Massillon has won each of its five games convincingly. The Tigers outscored North Park (Ontario) Woodson, Hamilton, Buchtel and Western Hills, 254-57, an average of 51-11.
In the four losses, the Tigers lost by a combined 118-53. Massillon gave the ball away 12 times in those games and had just three takeaways.
?We have the potential to be a good team,? Stacy said. ?We have to get rid of the mistakes. We have to get rid of the turnovers. If we don?t turn the ball over in the Warren game, we win. ... We turned it over with young running backs Saturday again. If we turn the ball over Saturday, it?s not going to be a good omen.?
Massillon?s best win came against Hamilton, which entered that game nationally ranked. That victory is the gift that keeps on giving. Hamilton hasn?t lost since. Beating Woodson helped, too. Massillon?s level two divisor in the computer rankings for Woodson is 95 (based on how many games Woodson has left after this week), which boosts the Tigers? weekly average.
Regardless of points and scenarios, Stacy?s team is approaching the McKinley game as the first week of the playoffs. That means lose, and the Tigers are done.
Those who believe McKinley has less to play for are wrong. A Bulldog win could knock Massillon out of the postseason, giving the Pups one less hurdle.
?I think so,? Stacy said when asked if his team had more to play for. ?They?re already in the playoffs. They have a home game. We have more to play for because our season doesn?t go on unless we win. Any time you?re playing a rivalry game, though, their kids are going to play hard.?
The Tigers don?t have to go back too far into history to recall last year?s thumping from McKinley in the regular season. The Bulldogs dominated, 38-8. Massillon won in the playoffs three weeks later, 21-3.
?They outcoached us, and they outplayed us,? Stacy said of the first loss to McKinley. ?That?s the bottom line. My tune hasn?t changed since that game. A game like that, you tip your hat to your opponent. They kicked our tails and we moved on.?
Moved on, yes. Moved up?
That will be answered Saturday at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.
 
Upvote 0
Canton

Massillon rediscovers potent offense
Wednesday, November 8, 2006
By Todd Porter REPOSITORY SPORTS WRITER

Massillon vs. Toledo Whitmer Division I, Region 2 semifinal
7 p.m. Saturday
Byers Field, Parma

MASSILLON The last time this Massillon Washington High School offense surfaced, it looked like the Tigers might be a state power again.
Guess what?
Massillon is being thought of in the same breath for the first time since the season started. A dominant 41-20 win over Perry in a Division I regional quarterfinal game might be enough of a confidence boost to get a once-high octane offense charged.
Head coach Tom Stacy laughs when asked if that's the offense he expected to see all season.
"That was the best we've played on the offensive side since the Hamilton game," Stacy said.
"We blocked better, and we sustained blocks better. It wasn't perfect, but it was better. We threw the ball effectively.
"I knew we were capable. We just had to put some things together."
Massillon quarterback Bobby Huth looked like the same guy who threw for more than 2,000 yards a year ago. Huth was 11 of 16 for 260 yards and three touchdowns.
When starting running back Brian Gamble went down with an ankle injury, K.J. Herring and J.T. Turner combined for 104 yards on 21 carries. Each had a TD run.
Gamble's status for Saturday's playoff game against Toledo Whitmer is uncertain. Stacy said more will be known today.
"They're young kids who haven't played a lot of football," Stacy said of Herring and Turner. "We need them. Brian is not 100 percent, and I don't know if he will be 100 percent for the rest of the playoffs."
Massillon's offense has sputtered through a 10-game regular season. The Tigers were hot one week, cold the next. Huth remained consistent. He has thrown for 1,888 yards, 21 touchdowns and just six interceptions.
"It certainly helps our confidence," Stacy said of the playoff debut. "When you're putting up that many yards and points against a good football team in your first playoff game, it has to help. To be honest, we needed that shot in the arm going into the playoffs. That should help us quite a bit."
Whitmer will pose a different challenge. The No. 8 seed in Division I, Region 2 upset No. 1 Fremont Ross on the road, and avenged a regular-season loss in the process.
"They blitz every play," Stacy said. "We haven't faced anyone who blitzes like this. I haven't faced a team that blitzes like this since college football. It's that kind of mentality."
When Stacy was at Akron, his offense went against a similar blitzing scheme against Eastern Michigan. The Zips won that game, 65-62, in overtime. That same blitz-krieg mentality from Marshall also beat the Zips.
"There are some things you can do against it, but you've got to execute," Stacy said. "If you get them, you can get them big. It's a live-by-the-sword, die-by-the-sword defense."
And if Massillon beats that blitz a couple of times early, that should settle Whitmer, right?
"Nope," Stacy said. "They're going to keep coming. Fremont gashed them a couple of times and they kept blitzing."
The onus is on the offensive line again. Stacy issued a challenge to the line to sustain blocks before the Perry game. They responded, and Huth wasn't sacked.
Massillon limped into the playoffs with a bruised ego and a dose of reality after a 6-4 regular season.
The Tigers are 1-0 now.
"In 1985, they took four teams in each region," Stacy said. "We were at Galion. We were the No. 4 seed and beat No. 1. We ended up winning a state title. That's why we have a playoff system."
 
Upvote 0
Expectations high in Massillon
Sunday, July 15, 2007
SUNDAY SPECIAL
TODD PORTER

EXPECTIONS ARE HIGH Expectations are high at Massillon High School as head football coach Tom Stacy (center) welcomes a new running back (transfer DeVoe Torrence), new quarterback (transfer Mike Clark) and all-star coaching staff that includes a former Tigers head coach.

Yes, Tom Stacy acknowledges, there is pressure to win in Massillon. But the Tigers' third-year head coach believes that is the case every season in the football-crazy city.

Stacy has to replace Division I signees and All-Ohioans Andrew Dailey and Brian Gamble, as well as two-year starter at quarterback Bobby Huth.

Somehow, expectations seem to be higher now than a year ago. Much of that is due to the move-in transfer of running back-linebacker DeVoe Torrence. The Ohio State-bound Torrence left Canton South to enroll at Massillon.

The Tigers easily could have two of the top 25 tailbacks in Ohio between Torrence and returning backs K.J. Herring and J.T. Turner. Herring and Turner combined to rush for more than 1,000 yards and score 11 touchdowns. Torrence is regarded by many as the best running back in Ohio.

"Are (expectations) higher than they should be? I don't know," Stacy said. "That's something I don't even consider. ... You always want to coach at a place where the expectations are high. That's why I'm here."

Throw this into the expectations mix: Stacy has assembled an All-Star coaching staff on the defensive side. One understands how fans might be talking crazy in July.

Stacy promoted defensive coordinator Steve Kovacs to assistant head coach. He added Jackson High School defensive coordinator Al Checca, a head-coaching candidate, to the staff. Ex-GlenOak and Massillon head coach Jack Rose is expected to coach linebackers.

"There's always pressure to win here like there is at McKinley or Glenville and some of the other great programs in Ohio," Stacy said.

"It's been more enjoyable to coach because we're seeing a lot of young kids step up, mature and develop. Last year, expectations were high because we had so much back (from a state runner-up team). This year, we're going to have a lot younger football team."
Click to expand...

cantonrep.com
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top