Here is the first of my previews of Mentor opponents for the 2016 season. Throughout July and August, I will post some info on each opponent starting in Week 1 with Massillon. It will lead up to the beginning of the season.
Week 1
Who: Massillon Tigers
What: 2016 regular season opener
Where: Jerome T. Osborne Stadium
When: August 26th at 7:00pm
Opposing Coach: Nate Moore (2nd season at Massillon, 7th season overall)
History: Massillon leads the overall series 6-4. Mentor's biggest win before the 2000's was in 1968 as they upset the Tigers, 19-0. The two split a six game series from 2005-2010.
Looking Back...
Mentor and Massillon are two of the top football programs in NEO. They had an exciting back-and-forth series for six seasons that ended in a split. After Mentor joined a new league in 2011, the series was on pause until the two had a mutual opening week. On the football field, the 2015 season is one the Tigers are ready to move on from. In their first year under Moore (a state-championship coach at Cincinnati LaSalle in 2014), Massillon could not overcome a schedule featuring nine playoff teams. The Tigers finished 4-6, their first losing season since 2004.
Schedule...
The Tigers' schedule won't be quite as daunting as 2015, but it will be a big challenge. Seven teams on the schedule made the playoffs last season: Mentor, GlenOak, Warren Harding, Ursuline, Austintown Fitch, St. Vincent-St. Mary, and Canton McKinley. Four of those games will be at home. Massillon's three other games (Akron North, Akron Firestone, Toledo Bowsher) should be easy wins. If the Tigers can manage through the meatgrinder portion with 3 or 4 wins, they should return to the playoffs.
2016 Massillon Outlook...
As a sophomore, Keyshawn Watson rushed for over 1,000 yards last season. Expect Watson, also dangerous catching the ball out of the backfield and in the return game, to be a primary part of Massillon's success. Another offensive player to watch out for is WR Austin Jasinski. The three-year starter was the leading receiver last season, even while sitting out the final three games due to injury. The offensive line is led by DI recruits Thayer Munford (6'6, 335-pound transfer from LaSalle), Chris Anthony (6'4, 285) and Vince McConnell (6'6, 255). The big question on offense will be at QB. Returning starter Seth Blankenship will try to build on last year's steady performance. Defensively, the Tigers had concerns last year as they surrendered 48+ points in three of their losses. The Tigers do return many starters on D from 2015. LB Jamir Thomas made an impact as a freshman for the Tigers. Thomas led the team in tackles and could also make an impact on offense as a RB. The 6'2, 220-pound standout has received multiple college offers, including Michigan and Michigan State. Also returning on defense is DT Malcolm Robinson (6'3, 280, multiple DI offers), DB Kordell Ford, LB Jacob Risher, and DL Edwin Glick. Defensive improvement and stability at the QB position will be key in Massillon's quest to make an impact in Division II this November.
Next Preview: St Ignatius (Week 2)
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