MASSILLON — Smooth, quick and drama free.
This was the type of game the Massillon Tigers needed while navigating this 2025 high school football season. There have been some speed bumps against tough competition.
While facing L.J. Bennett out of Buffalo, N.Y., it was smooth sailing all the way.
Massillon scored four touchdowns in the second quarter to practically wrap up a 35-0 win over L.J. Bennett on Friday, Sept. 12. The two teams played with a running clock the entire second half. For the Tigers out of Buffalo, at least the final two quarters were quick and painless.
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One week after Rabun Gap erupted for 50 points in a win over Massillon, the Tiger defense pitched a shutout. Massillon held L.J. Bennett to just 80 total yards.
“We had to fix the mistakes from last week first to be able to be successful this week,” junior linebacker Christian Culler said.
They did.
When L.J. Bennett had a long kickoff return into Massillon territory in the first half, the Tigers forced a turnover on downs. When L.J. Bennett went for it on fourth down at midfield early in the second half, Culler led a swarm of Tiger tacklers that produced a drive-ending sack.
“We knew we had to get a stop to get off the field and get our offense the ball,” Culler said. “We were practicing fouth-and-1s, third-and-1s … all that. We were prepared for that to come this week.”
The 2-2 Tigers, who entered the game ranked 17th in the latest Ohio Super 25 Poll, produced 256 total yards against L.J. Bennett. Savior Owens rushed for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Giorgio Jackson caught two touchdown passes. Anthony McMullen Jr. also ran for a TD.
Massillon continued to alternate quarterbacks throughout the game. Eli Moore and Rasmus Haines each threw TD passes to Jackson. With Mandwell Patterson leaving last week’s game with an injury, Haines saw his first extensive varsity action at quarterback. The sophomore showed a nice touch on his 31-yard touchdown pass to Jackson late in the first half.
“He did a nice job,” Massillon head coach Nate Moore said. “He’s a gifted athlete and a gifted thrower. I thought he handed being out there well, made good throws and made good decisions for us.”
It led to a momentum-building win heading into next week’s home clash with unbeaten Lakewood St. Edward, who will be coming off a 28-14 win over Glenville. The Tigers have beaten the Eagles three straight times.
“We’re trying to get over that hump,” Massillon defensive back Braylon Gamble said. “After this game, we feel like we really came together. We have a lot of momentum. We have a big one next week. We’re going to try to set a statement game.”
Here’s how the L.J. Bennett game unfolded through our live updates.
Massillon improves to 2-2 with win over L.J. Bennett
Massillon’s 29-point second quarter was the difference in a 35-0 win over L.J. Bennett.
Fourth quarter starts with Massillon still leading 35-0
It has been all Massillon tonight. The Tigers will improve to 2-2.
Massillon defense continues to preserve shutout
With nothing to lose L.J. Bennett goes for it on fourth-and-3 from midfield. Christian Culler leads a swam of Massillon defenders for the drive-ending sack.
It has been that kind of night for the Tigers from Buffalo.
Massillon’s dominant first half by the numbers
Massillon had a decisive 224-43 advantage in total yards in the first half. Savior Owens has rushed for 91 yards and two touchdowns. Giorgio Jackson Jr. has caught two TD passes.
Massillon in command of L.J. Bennett at halftime
We’ll start the second half with a running clock. Massillon leads L.J. Bennett 35-0 at halftime.
Giorgio Jackson Jr.’s second touchdown catch helps Massillon take command
That should about do it. Rasmus Haines hits Giorgio Jackson Jr. on a 31-yard touchdown completion to push Massillon in command 35-0.
Massillon punt return sets up Anthony McMullen Jr. touchdown run
The Columbus Blue Jackets goal music is head again as Anthony McMullen Jr. scores on a 3-yard touchdown run. A punt return to the 6 set it up.
It’s 28-0 Massillon.
Massillon’s Savior Owens scored second touchdown of the night
Massillon has played Rasmus Haines and Eli Moore at quarterback tonight. Oh, they’re also snapping the ball to running back Savior Owens, who just scored his second touchdown of the night on a 19-yard run/
The Tigers lead 21-0.
L.J. Bennett wastes big opportunity after long kickoff return
L.J. Bennett comes up empty after a long kickoff return into Massillon territory. Massillon forces a turnover on downs.
Massillon increases lead on first play of second quarter
Eli Moore’s 5-yard touchdown pass to Giorgio Jackson and a successful two-point conversion increases Massillon’s lead to 14-0.
Massillon driving again as second quarter begins
Massillon will open the second quarter with a 6-0 lead and the ball on the L.J. Bennett 5-yard line.
Massillon’s Savior Owens scored on game’s opening drive
The Tigers use up almost half the first quarter clock on the game’s opening drive and grab a 6-0 lead on Savior Owens’ 10-yard touchdown run. The two-point conversion failed.
Massillon Tigers football scores, schedule
How the L.J. Bennett football team has fared this season
L.J. Bennett one of five out-of-state football teams to visit Massillon
L.J. Bennett is the second of five out-of-state teams Massillon will face this season. The Tigers will also host Football North (Ontario) on Sept. 26, Cardinal-Ritter (Missouri) on Oct. 3 and Cornerstone (Texas) on Oct. 10.
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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Ohio high school football scores | L.J. Bennett vs. Massillon recap, highlights
Reporting by Mike Popovich, Canton Repository / The Repository
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