Division II: #4 (9-2) Massillon Tigers vs #1 (11-0) Highland Hornets

• coyotes22

  

  Game will be at InfoCision Stadium , Friday Nov. 14th @ 7:30 PM
• ts1227

  

  Wow, Fawcett? Figured this one was going to Univ. of Akron if it was available. That might as well be a home game for the Tigers.
• coyotes22

  

  UofA has not agreed to renting out the stadium this year. Last I heard. At least not for round 2 games.
  
  A lot of Massillon people had been speculating, that the game was going to be played at Wadsworth. But, sources close to the school admin, are saying the game will be at Fawcett.
• ts1227

  

  Yeah Wadsworth was my second guess. Surprised UA didn't bid, considering they can't get anyone to go there for an Akron game you figure they'd want as many events as possible there to get people in the gates and parking lots. Plus they are away this coming weekend, so wide open schedule.
  
  Massillon Schools Facebook page says Fawcett too
• ts1227

  

  Interestingly enough, OHSAA just released the pairings and there are 2 still TBA, this is one of them.
• coyotes22

  

  Update!!!!
  
  @OHSAASports: #OHSAA FOOTBALL: Div. II, Region 4 UPDATE - Medina Highland vs. Massillon Washington at Univ. of Akron InfoCision Stadium - Summa Field
• ts1227

  

  Maybe OHSAA begged UA?
  
  I wonder if Highland threw a fit when they said Canton?
• coyotes22

  

  Either Highland threw a fit (seeing they are the home team) or
  
  Canton rejected the idea, not wanting Massillon to play there this week.
• coyotes22

  

  Week 12: Massillon vs Highland
  
  
  Highland is the only High School in the Highland school district, located in Granger Township of Medina County. They are a public school, who, for the last 13 years have been rated “Excellent with Distinction” in state, for Education. Some of their sport accomplishments include State Championships in Wrestling and Volleyball. In 1981 the Highland Girls Volleyball team, won the Ohio State Championship. That same year, the Boys wrestling team won a State Championship, their second. Throughout the late ‘70’s and early ‘80’s, Highland was a dominate force, in the AA wrestling Division. Highland won their first wresting title in 1975. The Highland Hornets have 3 State Titles between these two sports.
  
  As for football, the Hornets have not been as successful. We will look as far back as 2006, and compare Massillon with Highland. As we all know, in 2005 Massillon made a run for the State Championship title, coming up just short, in their third appearance of the finals since 1972. That same year, the Tigers won a school high 13 games in a season, going 13-2. Since their run in ’05, the Tigers have not been as successful. Highland was Division III in 2005 and 2006, finishing 2-8 and 1-9 respectively. The 2013 season marks the 7[SUP]th[/SUP] year they have been in Division II and only the 4[SUP]th[/SUP] time they have qualified for the post season. Here is a comparative look at the two teams over the last 7 years:
  
  2007:
  Highland- Div. II Reg. 6
  Finished the regular season 6-4 and 10[SUP]th[/SUP] in the points.
  Massillon- Div. I Reg. 2
  Finished the regular season 6-4 and 13[SUP]th[/SUP] in the points.
  
  2008:
  Highland- Div. II Reg. 6
  Finished the regular season 9-1 and 4[SUP]th[/SUP] in the points. Lost Regional game to Sylvania Southview 28-21
  Massillon- Div. I Reg. 2
  Finished the regular season 6-4 and 8[SUP]th[/SUP] in the points. Lost to Hoover in Round one 14-7
  
  2009:
  Highland- Div. II Reg. 5
  Finished the regular season 6-4 and 7[SUP]th[/SUP] in the points. Lost first round to Howland 28-21
  Massillon- Div. I Reg. 2
  Finished the regular season 7-3 and 3[SUP]rd[/SUP] in the points. Lost to Glenville in the Semi Final 31-17
  
  2010:
  Highland- Div. II Reg. 5
  Finished regular season 4-6 and 16[SUP]th[/SUP] in the points.
  Massillon- Div. I Reg. 2
  Finished regular season 7-3 and 6[SUP]th[/SUP] in the points. Lost to Whitmer in round one 28-24
  
  2011:
  Highland- Div. II Reg. 6
  Finished the regular season 6-4 and 8[SUP]th[/SUP] in the points. Lost in round one to Avon 45-24
  Massillon- Div. I Reg. 2
  Finished regular season 7-3 and 12[SUP]th[/SUP] in the points
  
  2012:
  Highland- Div. II Reg. 6
  Finished regular season 7-3 and 9[SUP]th[/SUP] in the points.
  Massillon- Div. I Reg. 2
  Finished regular season 9-1 and 1[SUP]st[/SUP] in the points. Lost Regional game to Whitmer 49-16
• coyotes22

  

  As you can see, both teams have struggled in their respective Divisions, and both coming up short through the past 7 years. The furthest either team has gone, has been a Semi Final game, and both coming out on the losing side. The 2008 season, marks the furthest that Highland has ever gotten in football, and it ended with that loss to Sylvania Southview in the Semi Final game, 28-24.
  
  The Highland Hornets are members of the Suburban League and won it this year, by finishing undefeated. Here is a look at the Hornets schedule form 2013:

  8/30	A	Wooster (4-6)	[2:5]	W	45-17
  9/6	H	Olmsted Falls (1-9)	[2:3]	W	29-6
  9/13	A	North Royalton (3-7)	[1:1]	W	56-14
  9/20	H	Wadsworth (9-2)	[1:1]	W	24-23
  9/27	A	Copley (4-6)	[2:4]	W	42-14
  10/4	H	Tallmadge (6-4)	[3:7]	W	49-26
  10/11	A	Revere (3-7)	[3:7]	W	35-0
  10/18	H	Green (5-5)	[1:1]	W	45-20
  10/25	A	Nordonia (8-3)	[2:4]	W	28-25
  11/1	H	Cloverleaf (2-8)	[3:8]	W	49-7
  11/8	H	# Avon Lake (8-3)	[2:4]	W	28-21

  
  Here is a look at the Tiger schedule from 2013:

  8/29	H	Perry (0-10)	[1:1]	W	35-7
  9/5	H	GlenOak (5-5)	[1:1]	W	23-20	3 ot
  9/13	A	Warren G Harding (4-5)	[1:1]	W	35-14
  9/20	H	Lake Catholic (3-7)	[3:8]	W	35-6
  9/27	A	Steubenville (7-4)	[4:13]	W	37-21
  10/4	H	Firestone (2-8)	[2:4]	W	28-14
  10/11	A	Austintown-Fitch (11-0)	[1:1]	L	27-30
  10/18	H	St. John's (ON) (5-3)	[2:0]	W	59-34
  10/25	H	St Vincent-St Mary (11-0)	[3:7]	L	23-28
  11/2	A	Canton McKinley (9-2)	[1:1]	W	34-7
  11/8	H	# Nordonia (8-3)	[2:4]	W	33-17

  As you can see from the schedules, we had one common opponent this year, Nordonia.
• coyotes22

  

  On the season, the Highland defense seems to be stout. Teams are averaging 15.7 points per game this season, and their defense has given up only 173 points (including last week’s game against Avon Lake). Their offense has been a scoring machine, putting up 430 points on the year so far, and averaging 39 PPG. I have not personally seen them play a game this year, but on paper they don’t look too bad. MaxPreps has them ranked 165 in the Nation, and 15[SUP]th[/SUP] in Ohio. During the regular season, the Hornets played 3 teams with a winning record, Wadsworth; Tallmadge; Nordonia, with Avon Lake being the fourth team. The most points Highland scored in a game this year, was in week 6 against Tallmadge, scoring 49. The fewest points they gave up was in week 7, when they shut out Revere 35-0.
  
  Massillon has not been too shabby themselves, especially on the defensive side. If not for the talent on that side of the ball, there could have been a few ugly games this season. Teams are averaging 18 points on the Black Swarm this season, and they have given up 198 points to date. The Tigers have not been asleep at the wheel on Offense, as they have run wild on most every team this year. On the legs on Wilson, they have scored 369 points, averaging 33.5 PPG. MaxPreps has Massillon ranked 431 in the Country, while they are 28[SUP]th[/SUP] in the State. The Tigers faced 4 teams that finished the 2013 campaign with a winning record, and they beat Nordonia (8-2) last week. That win makes them 3-2 against teams with a record better than .500. The most points Massillon scored this season was 59, against St Johns Ontario, in week 8. The Tiger “D” held Mentor Lake Catholic to 6 points in week 4, and that would be the fewest points scored.
  
  This Friday, we will see how the match up works out, as the two teams will do battle at InfoCision Stadium, Suma Field, with kickoff at 7:30 PM.
  
  GO TIGERS!!!
• Zombaypirate

  Good insight and glad to see Highland having a successful year in football.
  
  I would figure that Massillon would be the favorites in this game. If all goes well I will be at the UofA to watch this one.
• Me?

  

  I'm glad I clicked on this thread, don't have much interest in the game, but for high school football it was cool to see someone put together that kind of a breakdown. Bravo, coyotes22!
• coyotes22

  

  Thanks me!!
• sanitizer

  

  Very cool read!
• Gardens35

  Agree. Coyotes is a top notch Massillon honkabilly, and does a real nice job with his write-ups. : thumbup:
• coyotes22

  

  REPS FOR EVERYONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
• coyotes22

  

  End of the First Q:
  
  Massillon- 7
  Highland- 0
  
  Massillon with the ball, and driving at Highland 44
• coyotes22

  

  Halftime:
  
  Tigers- 7
  Hornets- 3
  
  With about a 1 min left in the first half, Massillon had the ball at their own 20. A fumble on the hand off exchange, gave Highland the ball at the Massillon 21. A tough Defensive stand, held the Hornets to just a field goal. Massillon will get the ball to start the second half.
• coyotes22

  

  Analyzing the first half, I think that, the Massillon "D" has kept us in it so far. Im not worried, though, I think we came in with a first half game plan, to see how the Highland defense would react. I think we will make the necessary adjustments, and come out in the second half like we did last week against Nordonia.
  
  If we can get the running game with Wilson and Crabtree going, and break a few long runs, it will take a little pressure off of Clark.
  
  Clark sounds like he needs to just relax and play his game. I feel like he feels the pressure is on him to keep the offense moving, and if the running game can get going, it will help him.
  
  Receivers need to catch the ball, when it hits them in the hands. They need to help Clark out.
  
  If we can come out and score on this first second half drive, and go up 14-3, our defense will feel some relief as well. Then we can stay in a 7 man drop back and rush those four guys, and keep pressure on the QB. Sounds like we are winning the line battle with our D line.
  
  I think now that Hall has gotten the kids together in the locker room, you will see a better second half. The jitters are out, and now we need to come out and play Massillon football, and keep slamming it down their throat. We are winning the crowd game also, and I think that will come in to play in the second half as well. Highland is not this good, we are making them look like it. Lets get the offensive running, and blow this thing wide open!!!
• coyotes22

  

  End of the Third Q:
  
  Massillon- 7
  Highland- 10
• coyotes22

  

  Final:
  
  Tigers- 14
  Hornets- 17
• Gardens35

  Are you doing a write up for the Highland vs Avon game?
• Con_Alma

  Avon Highland tied at 7 with 1:20 to go in the first half.
  
  How's that for a write up?