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After falling behind 6-0 early, the Massillon Tigers (13-0) scored 35 unanswered, and the defense pitched a shutout en route to a 35-6 regional semifinal win over Lake (9-4). QB DaOne Owens led the way offensively with 164 yards, a score to go along with 72 yards passing, and another touchdown. Junior RB Ja’Meir Gamble added another 131 yards rushing and a touchdown.
Blue Streaks Strike First
Following a second consecutive three-and-out by their defense to start the game, QB Noah Kubasky hooked up with Ethan Hunt for a 48-yard touchdown, giving Lake an early 6-0 lead. The Tigers would respond with a long drive of their own but were turned over on downs by a tough Blue Streak defense.
In the second quarter, Massillon started its fourth drive of the game on their own 23. After some big runs from Owens helped the Tigers move down the field, Big Mike Wright took the handoff and plowed in from a yard out to put Massillon up 7-0 midway through the quarter.
Backed up on their own five with time running out in the half, Massillon went 95 yards in eight plays, getting back on the scoreboard on a toe-drag, 28-yard reception from Owens to Braylyn Toles, giving Massillon a 14-6 lead at the break.
Tigers Defense Pitches Shutout
Both defenses shined to kick off the second half, with Lake forcing a punt and Massillon forcing two. On the second play of their second drive, Owens took the quarterback keeper 34 yards for another Tigers touchdown, stretching the lead to 21-6. Following the score, Massillon snuck an onside kick just far enough and recovered at midfield. Unfortunately for the Tigers, the Lake defense stood firm and forced a three-and-out.
On the ensuing drive, the Blue Streaks were forced to punt, but the Massillon returner fumbled the ball, giving Lake excellent field position at the Tigers’ 40. But, just like what happened to Massillon’s onside kick, the Blue Streaks could do nothing with the field position and turned it over on downs.
Starting on their own 39, the Tigers ran the ball eight times in nine plays for 61 yards as Mylen Lenix scored from eight yards out to stretch the Massillon lead to 28-6. Needing a score to attempt a comeback, Zachary Liebler picked off Blue Streak QB Cale Jarvis to end the drive.
In position to run down the clock, the Tigers got a huge first down carry from Gamble, and a personal foul on the defense gave Massillon the ball at the Lake 12. On the next play, Gamble took the handoff again, this time for a 12-yard touchdown to make it 35-6 Tigers.
A short kickoff gave the Blue Streak return team trouble, and Massillon recovered, kneeling out the remainder of the clock for a 35-6 regional semifinal victory.
Keys to the Game
It has been repeated time and time this season, but QB DaOne Owens had himself a game. Despite some early drops from his receivers, including a potential touchdown pass on their first play, Owens stayed in the game and turned in another big performance on the ground with 131 yards. Defensively, senior Malachi Card led the way with 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks.
Facing their most formidable opponent of the season, Lake hung in the game from start to finish and never truly felt out of it. RB Nathan Baker ran for 46 yards and caught three passes for 17 yards. On defense, senior Joshua Sedmock racked up ten tackles, eight unassisted.
Next Week
Massillon’s state championship dreams survive another week, and they’ll take on the Green Bulldogs (10-3) next Friday night at a site to be determined. The Bulldogs advanced to the regional championship with a 10-0 win over Canal Winchester. The last time these two teams met in 2021, Green pulled off a 26-25 regional final upset.
Top Performers
Lake Blue Streaks
Nathan Baker: 10 carries 46 yards 3 catches 17 yards
Noah Kubasky: 1-7 48 yards TD
Cale Jarvis: 6-12 38 yards INT
Ethan Hunt: 2 catches 52 yards TD
Massillon Washington Tigers
DaOne Owens: 10-19 72 yards TD 17 carries 164 yards TD
Ja’Meir Gamble: 15 carries 131 yards TD
Mylen Lenix: 9 carries 56 yards TD
Brayln Toles: 7 catches 55 yards TD
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
Lake 4:27- Noah Kubasky to Ethan Hunt, 48 yards (kick no good)
2nd Quarter
Massillon 4:27- Mike Wright, 1-yard run (kick good)
Massillon 0:01- DaOne Owens to Brayln Toles, 29 yards (kick good)
3rd Quarter
Massillon 3:21- DaOne Owens, 34-yard run (kick good)
4th Quarter
Massillon 4:13- Mylen Lenix, 8-yard run (kick good)
Massillon 1:19- Ja’Meir Gamble, 12-yard run (kick good)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
| Lake | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Massillon | 0 | 14 | 7 | 14 | 35 |
