coyotes22
Entering his 6th year as Head Coach, Jason Hall is starting to feel the pressure from the fans. It's been 40+ years since Massillon has celebrated a State Championship, and the fanbase has started to get antsy again. While the Tigers have started out the 2013 campaign 3-0, adding a huge win on the road at Warren, there are still questions being asked from some of the Tiger faithful. Play calling, getting plays in, making adjustments, etc etc etc. I think many of those questions were answered this past Friday in the Win against the Panthers* in Warren, though. Massillon made necessary adjustment in the second half to pull away and win 35-14.
Many in Massillon, questioned the starting of Clark at Quarterback in the week 2 game against GlenOak. But, again, I think those questions have been answered, after his performance the last two weeks. He has showen poise in the pocket, made nice throws and has started reading the defense better. As a freshman, he has shown much maturity and has grown into the QB position well. Over the past two games, Clark has gone 22-37-2 for 315 yards and 4 TD's. Unlike most QB's, Clark does not seem to have a definitive favorite WR yet. In his two starts, he has spread the ball out fairly well, hitting the two big wideouts 7 times through two games, while also hitting 3 other targets for a combined 8 times. Rogers's stats are 7-136 and 3 TD's, while Whitfield is 7-106 and 1 TD.
As far as Lake Catholic goes, this is the first time these two school have met on the gridiron. Currently in Division 3 Region 8, MLC is sitting 12th in the points with a record of 1-2. They have played some pretty good competition through the first three weeks though. They lost @ Strongsville in week 1 by a score of 27-15. They bounced back in week 2, laying it to Youngstown Ursuline 42-27. Last Friday night they travel to PA to take on Cathedral Prep, and it was a long ride home, getting beat 43-20. Maybe the lack of success MLC is having this year, will be on the side of Massillon, as the Cougars enter PBTS.
As we get closer to the second half of the season, the Tigers will be looking at the meat of the schedule, in the coming weeks. After the MLC game, Massillon still has to travel to Steubenville in week 5 and hit the road again in week 7, to Play Austintown Fitch. Week 9, the Tigers will play host to the Irish of St V- St M, before playing the final game on the road to take on the Bulldogs of Canton McKinley. Massillon can't afford to look ahead though, as MLC may be the toughest 1-2 team on the schedule right now. The Tigers must continue to show support for their young QB, and continue to protect him in the pocket. When he has time to throw, he is a huge threat to defenses. The running game is working, and they need to continue to key off that, and set up the passing game. Massillon did their job this past weekend protecting the ball as well. And they finished the game with only 2 penalty's. That was a huge turn around from the previous week, and was a key to win this weekend.
It will be interesting to see MLC play on Friday night. The weather should cooperate and the stadium should be fairly full.
Good luck Tigers!!! Crush the Cougars!!
*Warren chose to use the nickname Panthers on Friday, instead of Raiders, as part of their Warfield dedication. They also donned the old Red, White and Black uniforms.
TTT
...Lake Catholic has a history of knocking off schools in higher divisions.....but...this will not be the case tonight. Best of luck to my buddy (lchsman and his Cougars) but they are mis-matched tonight.