DeMatha Runs Wild in 20-14 Victory Over Massillon

Massillon, OH: Senior running back Bud Coombs racked up 171 yards and a score on the ground as the DeMatha Stags (3-1) came into Paul Brown Tiger Stadium and took down Massillon (4-2) 20-14. It appeared the Stags were about to win the game but, as fans filed out of the stadium, their punter mishandled the snap and the Tigers took over at the six-yard line. Massillon would get a touchdown from Mylen Lenix but the onside kick failed and DeMatha held on for the win.

First Half

Rain was pouring down at kickoff but luckily things cleared up during the first quarter. On their opening drive, DeMatha picked up yards in chunks and moved inside the Massillon 25. Despite not finding the end zone, senior kicker Alex Amaya used his big leg to knock in a 39-yard field goal to put the Stags up 3-0.

Late in the first quarter, the Tigers completed a pass but the ball came loose on the run, giving DeMatha the ball at the Tigers’ 33. Their first six plays worked them down to the one and, on fourth and goal from the one, Elijah Lee plowed into the endzone to extend the lead to 10-0.

The Stags would get the next scoring opportunity in the second quarter when Amaya drilled a 51-yard field goal that appeared to put them up 13-0. The referees determined DeMatha did not get the play off in time, backing them up five yards. The Stags kept their faith in Amaya, but the Tigers burst through the line to block the kick, a shot of momentum when they needed it most.

On the ensuing drive, Massillon went from their own 22 to the DeMatha 22 in six plays. Facing a fourth and ten, quarterback Jalen Slaughter sliced through the defense for a 22-yard score to get the Tigers on the board, trailing 10-7 late in the half.

The Stags would attempt to move the ball with urgency, but they ultimately ran out of time, heading into the half with a 10-7 lead.

Second Half

After forcing a Tigers punt to open the half, DeMatha started their drive at their own 28. A 38-yard run from Coombs on third down set the Stags up inside the red zone. Though they could not find paydirt, Amaya knocked in his second field goal of the night, this time from 32 yards out to extend the lead to 13-7.

Massillon’s offense could not find their footing on the next drive and were forced to punt the ball away. Catching the ball on his own 19, Lavar Keys burst through the defense and rumbled 74 yards down to the Tigers’ seven. On the second play Coombs took the handoff 12 yards for another Stags touchdown, extending their lead to 20-7 at the end of the third.

Massillon had a long drive midway through the fourth but were stopped on fourth down in DeMatha territory. As fans began to file out of the stadium, the Tigers’ defense came up with a three-and-out. On the punt, Amaya mishandled the snap and, as the ball was bouncing away, he kicked the ball out of bounds resulting in a penalty.

The Tigers began the drive at the DeMatha six and after three offsides penalties, Mylen Lenix took it in from a yard out to draw Massillon closer at 20-14. Unfortunately for the Tigers, DeMatha recovered the onside kick and kneeled out the remaining clock to hold on for a 20-14 victory.

Keys to the Game

The difference in this one came down to the ground game. DeMatha racked up 210 rushing yards and held the Tigers to just 91. Senior Mylen Lenix ended up leading Massillon on the ground with 46 yards on seven carries.

An interesting stat from the game is the penalty differential between the two squads. The Stags ended up with a whopping 16 penalties while the Tigers had just four. Normally that kind of differential can be the difference between a win and a loss, but DeMatha found a way to get it done.

Next Week

Massillon will look to get back in the win column next week when they host Football North (3-1) from Canada. Kickoff is set for 7 pm Friday night at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium.

DeMatha will head back to Maryland next week as they host Life Christian Academy (VA) (1-4).

Top Performers

DeMatha Stags

Denzel Gardner: 8-12 78 yards   11 carries 33 yards

Bud Coombs: 24 carries 171 yards 1 TD

Lavar Keys: 5 catches 58 yards

Massillon Washington Tigers

Jalen Slaughter: 15-25 104 yards   4 carries 4 yards TD

Ja’Meir Gamble: 14 carries 38 yards   4 catches 26 yards

Mylen Lenix: 7 carries 46 yards TD

Scoring Summary

1st Quarter

DeMatha 9:24- Alex Amaya 39-yard field goal

2nd Quarter

DeMatha 10:05- Elijah Lee, 1-yard run (kick good)

Massillon 1:26- Jalen Slaughter, 22-yard run (kick good)

3rd Quarter

DeMatha 4:25- Alex Amaya 33-yard field goal

DeMatha 0:09- Bud Coombs, 12-yard run (kick good)

4th Quarter

Massillon 2:43- Mylen Lenix, 1-yard run (kick good)