by Akron, Ohio- Mission accomplished. The Massillon Tigers (13-0) defeated the Hoban Knights (11-2) Friday night at Akron InfoCision Stadium 17-14. The Tigers snapped Hoban’s incredible 22-game playoff winning streak, which consisted of four consecutive State Championships (Two in D-III and two in D-II). The Tiger victory avenged last seasons Division II State Championship loss of 42-28.
Both teams took a while to get going but the Tigers struck first after Aidan Longwell hit Andrew Wilson-Lamp for a 53 yard touchdown pass to give them a 7-0 lead. If the Tigers thought they were going to roll from there, they were wrong. Hoban responded quickly as Shane Hamm found Brayden Fox for a 40 yard touchdown reception to tie the game.
@HobanAthletics Brayden Fox with the 40 yard touchdown reception from Hamm! We are all tied up at 7-7 with 4:39 left in the 1st @FOX8FNTD @MrRodgersHood15
— Kee On Sports Media Group (@KeeOnSports) November 23, 2019
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After recovering from his second interception of the quarter, Longwell slung another touchdown pass. This time he connected with Zion Phifer for a 9 yard score to give the Tigers a 14-7 lead at the end of the first quarter.
From the looks of it, many observers thought we were in store for a high scoring affair, but we were mistaken. Hoban’s Victor Dawson tied the game at 14-14 after a four yard rushing touchdown and then, just before halftime Alex Bauer of Massillon gave the Tigers a 17-14 lead. We didn’t know it at the time, but that field goal would end up being the final points of the game.
Depending on how you look at it, one could say the second half was dominated by the defenses, but I would argue the second half was one of missed opportunities. The biggest coming from the Knight’s side. A fumble at their own 41 yard line with around 7:30 left in the game was the first huge missed opportunity, but the last was the most egregious.
After Hoban elected to bypass a field goal attempt, quarterback Shane Hamm was sacked on 4th and 6 with 2:05 remaining in the game. Massillon was able to pick up one more first down, take a few knees and slam the door on Hoban’s attempt at a fifth straight state championship.
Massillon will take on Avon next Friday November 29 for a final four matchup that is guaranteed not to disappoint.
