by Massillon, OH: Everybody in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium knew what was coming, and nobody could stop it as junior RB Savior Owens racked up 218 total yards and two touchdowns in Massillon’s (3-2) 21-14 win over St. Edward, their fourth straight in what has become quite the rivalry. The Tigers’ star back carried the ball 32 times for 159 yards and two scores, also hauling in four catches for 59 yards. Brandon White impressed for St. Edward, carrying the ball 19 times for 176 yards and a touchdown, an average of 9.3 yards per carry.
First Half
The Eagles received the opening kickoff and scored in the blink of an eye when Brandon White took the opening play 66 yards to put St. Edward up 7-0 just 17 seconds into the contest. Massillon began its opening possession at the 27-yard line and methodically moved the ball down the field. Facing third and four from the Eagles’ 20, Manny Patterson tucked the ball and scrambled 15 yards for a first down. One play later, Savior Owens took the hand-off off the right side for a 5-yard Tigers’ touchdown, evening things up at 7-7.
Massillon nearly struck gold on the ensuing kickoff, forcing a fumble that was scooped up by Ja’Dyn Williams, giving the Tigers great field position at the St. Edward 40. The Tigers picked up a first down on the first play, but the Eagles’ defense stood tough, forcing a turnover on downs.
Each team would punt and St. Edward had a turnover on downs of their own, giving Massillon the ball on their own 34. Six plays later Owens struck again, this time a 45-yard romp to the endzone that gave the Tigers their first lead of the game at 14-7 midway through the second.
With under four minutes to play in the half, Massillon took over deep in its own territory at the eight-yard line. Manny Patterson got hot for the Tigers on the drive, going 5-5 through the air capped off by a six-yard touchdown pass to Logan Allman to put Massillon up 21-7 with under a minute to go. St. Edward could get things going with a short clock and long field, keeping it 21-7 at the break.
Second Half
Massillon received the second half kickoff and was able to move the ball out near midfield, but were eventually forced to punt. St. Edward would take their next possession into Tigers’ territory, but were stopped on fourth down.
Starting near midfield, Massillon was able to work the ball deep into Eagles’ territory, but Mahki Boone picked off Patterson to end the threat. St. Edward would work the ball near midfield themselves, but could not crack the tough Tigers’ D and were forced to punt.
The Eagles’ offense looked like it had found its groove on their next drive, as they picked up 34 yards on their first three plays. The fourth proved fatal as Ja’Dyn Williams picked off Evanchick to halt the St. Edward momentum. Unfortunately for the Tigers, they could not get anything going and were forced to punt.
Trailing by two scores with 2:28 left in the game, St. Edward needed points and in a hurry. Incompletions on the first two plays made things seem bleak, but a four-yard run from White was enough to move the chains. After a defensive holding penalty moved the ball into Massillon territory, Evanchick found Jonah Koopman down the right sideline for a 43-yard St. Edward touchdown. The extra point made the score 21-14, but with 1:30 left the Eagles would need to execute an onside kick.
St. Edward was called for an offsides penalty on their first attempt and could not secure the second. Massillon’s offense would take the field and kneel out the remaining clock, sealing a 21-14 victory.
Keys to the Game
Through their first four contests, St. Edward was killing teams through the air and on the ground, led by two of the best players at their positions in the state in Brandon White and Zach Hackleman. While White had an outstanding game, the Tigers’ defense almost completely neutralized the Eagles’ passing attack, holding Hackleman to just 41 yards on four catches. Despite the loss, the Eagles remain one of the top teams in the state. St. Edward will bounce back, that’s what great programs do.
Offensively, Massillon dominated the time of possession (29:54-18:06) and their ground game kept the explosive St. Edward offense on the sidelines. Manny Patterson was 16-23 for 146 yards and a touchdown, giving the Tigers a balanced attack throughout.
Next Week
St. Edward will look to avenge its first loss of the season next Saturday afternoon when they host Bishop McNamara (MD) (2-1).
The Tigers have won back-to-back games for the first time this season and they will look to continue the streak next Friday when they host Football North (CN).
Top Performers
St. Edward Eagles
Brandon White: 19 carries 176 yards TD 1 catch 8 yards
Jonny Evanchick: 8-18 103 yards TD INT
Massillon Washington Tigers
Savior Owens: 32 carries 159 yards 2 TD 4 catches 59 yards
Manny Patterson: 16-23 146 yards TD INT 3 carries 40 yards
Scoring Summary
1st Quarter
St. Edward 11:43- Brandon White, 66-yard run (kick good)
Massillon 7:30- Savior Owens, 5-yard run (kick good)
2nd Quarter
Massillon 7:00- Savior Owens, 45-yard run (kick good)
Massillon 0:36- Manny Patterson to Logan Allman, 6 yards (kick good)
4th Quarter
St. Edward 1:30- Jonny Evanchick to Jonah Koopman, 43 yards (kick good)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
| St. Edward | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 14 |
| Massillon | 7 | 14 | 0 | 0 | 21 |
