Senior quarterback Robert Partridge is expected to orchestrate the Massillon offense with an ability to pass and run that has attracted college attention and several offers.
Senior Jeff Myers, a University of Toledo recruit, will anchor the offensive line.
Senior lineback Spencer Leno, senior lineman Joe Studer and senior defensive back Bo Grunder will lead the defense and are also receiving interest from several colleges.
Junior Devin Smith, an Ellet transfer, and Grunder should be key receivers; and juniors Jake Reiman and Jacar Roberson are expected to be vital in the rushing attack.
Jason Hall enters his second season as Massillon’s coach after one season guiding the Nordonia Knights.
Massillon won nine national titles and 22 state titles before the state playoff format began in 1972. Since the postseason started, the Tigers have made 17 playoff appearances and were state runner-up three times.
Check Thursday’s Akron Beacon Journal for a special section in the newspaper that previews the 2009 season.
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Before the Ohio high school state football playoffs began in 1972, when Massillon won all those state and national titles, there were teams that could have beaten them, but they never played. In the playoffs, you can’t avoid playing the best teams in your area and around the state. I have always felt that all those Tiger home games hurt them at playoff time when you have to play good caliber teams at a neutral site. The Massillon Tigers have won a lot of close games at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, over the years. Many of those games would not have been won on the opponent’s field. Having said that, Paul Brown was instrumental in establishing a program that outclassed the competition and starting the era of “The Massillon Mystique.” Football has always been a way of life in Massillon, but there are many other “Massillons” that didn’t get the same notoriety, until the state playoffs began. Signed—a 69 year old high school and college football buff and former Tiger as well–Chagrin Falls Tiger. Note: Massillon Coach Lee Tressel (Jim’s father) spoke at my high school football banquet in 1957. I even remember some of his words of wisdom.