MASSILLON − The Massillon Tigers aim to roll into their Oct. 25 battle at McKinley and the ensuing OHSAA Division II football playoffs on a strong note as they face the Warren Harding Raiders on Friday, Oct. 17.
You are invited to check back here for ongoing live updates and scenes from Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, capped at the end of the night by a game wrap with quotes from key people, and stats.
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Major Tiger tush push puts Warren back in running clock
A pass interference call on a Manny Patterson pass into the end zone led to the longest tush-push touchdown of the season, a plowing run by Anthony McMullen.
The Tigers led 42-10 to create a running clock with nine minutes left in the fourth quarter.
Double foul makes Tigers testy
Massillon head coach Nate Moore and others on the sideline and in the stands were livid that what seemed a personal foul in Warren was interpreted as a double personal foul.
The offsetting penalties were followed by chatter that drew a 15-yard flag on Massillon.
All that was at stake was a running clock, or no running clock. The 15-yarder helped keep the Tigers from expanded their 35-10 lead as the third quarter expired.
He did go all the way; Warren return nixes Massillon’s running clock
Matt Richardson, son of Warren Harding’s head coach, returned a kickoff 90 yards for a touchdown.
The running clock didn’t last long enough for a popcorn run, although the Massillon lead was down to 35-10.
Deontay Malone plays put Tigers in running-clock business
Massillon’s bid to create a running clock was temporarily foiled when QB Manny Patterson couldn’t handle a high shotgun snap.
Patterson fell on the ball to keep the ball in the Tigers’ hands, and hooked up with Deontay Malone for a 17-yard completion. Despite the lopsided score, Warren has been playing reasonably good defense, and the Raiders forced a punt.
Malone, playing defense, soon recovered a Warren fumble at the 20. Then, Malone made a 27-yard catch and run for a touchdown that gave the Tigers a 35-3 lead with 7:31 left in the third quarter.
This commenced the running clock.
Massillon running back Savior Owens not playing
Massillon workhorse Savior Owens is nursing a shoulder issue and is not playing. Anthony McMullen is picking up steam as tonight’s primary running back, with 10 carries for 95 yards at halftime.
The best guess based on current information is that Owens will play against McKinley.
Warren’s passing game has produced 100 yards, the vast majority of the Raiders’ offense thus far.
Asa Burch makes plays for Warren; Massillon football answers
Warren’s defense has some good-looking athletes, some from the younger classes. Asa Burch, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound sophomore linebacker, has been a conspicuous presence, and his tackle for a long loss stalled a Tiger series.
His dad, Alfie Burch, played for Warren and then Michigan.
Massillon’s Braylon Gamble made a big play of his own, returning an interception 40 yards to set up a short touchdown run by junior fullback Sebastian Harper.
Massillon’s lead swelled to 28-3 just before halftime.
Anthony McMullen Jr.’s big play interrupts Warren momentum
Massillon’s offense got unstuck on a 51-yard run by senior running back Anthony McMullen Jr.
McMullen used quick feet to dance through the initial hole over right guard. He accelerated from there, going out of boyunds at the 3. Junior Christian Culler scored on the next play.
Massillon led 21-3 with five minutes left in the first half..
Massillon’s quick 14-0 lead not growing, Warren on board
Warren Harding’s only score last week against Mooney was a field goal, and the lone points tonight came on a 33-yard field goal by Jaron Edwards.
It cut Massillon’s lead to 14-3 with 7:07 left in the first half.
Warren Harding’s strength, defense, giving Massillon Tigers trouble
Ja’Dyn Williams second fumble recovery of the night set up Massillon at midfield with a chance to build on a 14-0 lead.
Warren’s defense has played well all year and soon had the Tigers in a third and nine, following up with heavy pressure on QB Manny Patterson, whose hurried downfield throw missed an open receiver.
Interception keeps Warren Harding in hunt at Massillon
Up 14-0, Massillon tried a deep ball, but Warren cornerback Matt Richardson intercepted Manny Patterson’s underthrow a few yards away from where Tiger coach Nate Moore watched on the sideline.
Warren’s offense, which got nowhere in last week’s 7-3 loss to Youngstown Cardinbal Mooney, got a couple runs from quarterback Amiere Cobb, and a sideline completion to Julius Ferrell.
The Raiders could not strong good plays together and punted on fourth and 25. It went to the second quarter with Massillon up 14-0.
Ja’Dyn Williams triggers lightning Massillon start
Senior linebacker Jadyn Williams, whose college offers include Ohio State, took advantage when Warren QB Amiere Cobb simply lost the ball while dropping back. Williams darted to the ball and delivered a 28-yard scoop and score.
It was just the fourth snap of the game.
On the ensuing kickoff, Veche Williams recovered a Warren fumble on the 20.
Tiger QB Manny Patterson soon rifled a 14-yard scoring pass to Gio Jackson Jr. in the right corner of the end zone.
Massillon led 14-0 with less than three minutes gone in the game.
Massillon vs. Warren Harding football | What to know
The Tigers, 5-3 against a sprawling schedule, seem to be finding themselves. Their offense will be tested against a Warren defense that has been strong all year under a second-year head coach, Matt Richardson, who has been given the resources to return the Raiders to some of their past glories.
For now, Harding hasn’t found an offense and is 3-4 after a 7-3 loss to a strong Youngstown Cardinal Mooney team.
Massillon Tigers football scores, schedule
Reach Steve at steve.doerschuk@cantonrep.com
The Canton Repository sports department can be contacted via email at sports@cantonrep.com.
This article originally appeared on The Repository: OHSAA football scores, Massillon vs. Warren Harding High School live updates, highlights
Reporting by Steve Doerschuk, Canton Repository / The Repository
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