It’s Christmastime in Tigertown! There’s a festive feeling in the air—homes are decorated for the occasion; the downtown is full of colors. A parade is held, the high school is covered with banners celebrating the week, and there is a concert. If you look at the calendar, it does not read “December”— it says “October.” What could be so important that an entire city is full of festive life? Ask any Massillon resident, and they’ll tell you, “It’s McKinley week.”
This year marks the 135th time that Massillon will play Canton. The Tigers have a 76-53-5 record in the “War of 1894” and have kept the Bell, the game’s trophy since 1957, for 8 straight years. Both teams have a storied history— Massillon has 25 state titles and 9 national titles, and McKinley has 12 state titles and 2 national titles. The Tigers have the most wins (955) in Ohio and the second most in the nation. The Bulldogs have the second most wins (880) in Ohio and tenth most in the nation. Massillon has sent 41 players to the pros and has 19 collegiate All-Americans. Five Tiger coaches have been professional football head coaches, and many have become great college coaches. The Tigers boast head coach Paul Brown, a 6-time State Champion and 4-time national Champion with the Tigers who went on to win a national championship at Ohio State and 4 AAFC championships and 3 NFL championships with the Cleveland Browns. He is also founder of the Cincinnati Bengals.
”The Game” itself regularly draws over 20,000 spectators and has been an important event since the days when both Massillon and Canton fielded professional gridironers. In this year’s addition the 7-2 Tigers, defending State Champions, will take on a 6-3 McKinley team that lost to Jackson in their last game. The Tigers’ two losses came against national powerhouses Bergen Catholic (NJ) and DeMatha (MD). This game will be head coach Nate Moore’s 10th against McKinley— he holds an 8-1 record against the Bulldogs.
Monday
The week starts off with a bang— the big Booster Club meeting. Members of the Club and the community join the Tiger Swing Band, the football team, and the Tiger cheerleaders in the high school auditorium. The Swing Band squad leaders march in and play for the crowd. The Tiger Seniors stand up and tell their favorite memories from the past Massillon-McKinley games.
Tiger kicker Nolan Davenport told the crowd that his favorite memory was celebrating with family, friends, and fans downtown after a victory. Running back and linebacker Mylen Lenix said that his most treasured memory was watching his older brother (Freddie Lenix, Jr.) run all over Canton’s defense. Senior captain and offensive lineman Chris Fair told the onlookers and his teammates, “It’s not just a game— it’s for the city, for the players that came before us and the players that will come after us.” Defensive back Daylan Pringle’s favorite memory was simply ringing the Bell after a victory. Head coach Nate Moore shared his favorite moments next. His third favorite involved the 2019 game in Canton, where quarterback Aiden Longwell tossed a 79-yard touchdown pass on third and long to Jayden Ballard to put the game on ice. Coach Moore’s second favorite moment took place in 2017 when the Tigers took down a favored and very good McKinley team 16-15. But Coach’s favorite moment is the most important of all. “Right here, right now is my favorite moment,” he said. “Seeing you all sitting here—you may be sitting in this meeting years from now watching your children and grandchildren stand on the stage. Remember that when you take the field.”
Booster Club President Edward Starcher made a final comment. “This week is a second Christmas,” he said. “The parade is Christmas Eve, and the game is when you open your presents under the tree.”
The meeting ended with a battle cry of “Beat McKinley!” and the crowd dissipated out to the parking lot where they discussed the game. The spark of festivity has been lit, and the feelings of excitement have just begun.
Tuesday
The annual “Blood Battle” took place at Washington High School as the Tigers attempted to beat McKinley in a rather different way by donating more blood to the Red Cross. The Touchdown Club meeting at the Eagle’s 190 facility brought a crowd. This year new Massillon mayor Jamie Slutz addressed the crowd after club president George Mizer introduced him. The Mayor told a tale of his playing days, recalling his moment of glory against McKinley as backup quarterback. “I threw the ball right over the defender’s hands and right into Doug Harig’s hands; I didn’t even know it was a touchdown until I heard the crowd erupt.” He challenged the team to have a similar outlook— for the ones who don’t play as often to step up and make a play when given an opportunity.
The Seniors once again took the microphone. Mike Wright told the crowd that he wanted to be the first in his family to go undefeated versus McKinley. Eric Stevens said, “Before I was on the team I was in the stands watching. At the McKinley game I saw the atmosphere and wondered what it would be like to play— I’m here now— Beat McKinley!” Tyler Hackenbracht: “It’s an opportunity to represent our team and our community and show how much bigger we are than that team [Canton].” Coach Moore made the closing speech, telling the audience, “These seniors are great players but even greater leaders. No one is going to out-physical them; no one is going to out-effort them. Saturday they get to play for the greatest football city in America in Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. They get to play in THE GAME. They are going to play their tails off for this city, and it will be for the little old ladies, for those who scrape to buy a ticket and see the Tigers, and for those who can’t make it from their houses. We are going to play with class, with honor— for Massillon!”
Wednesday
The freshmen traveled up to Canton to take on McKinley. The game came down to the last play, and the Tigers stopped the Bulldogs at the 11-yard line to win 18-12. This game marks the fifth in a row that the freshmen Tigers have downed McKinley.
Thursday
Thursday is open house; the Tiger community gets to see the labor the cheerleaders, school staff, Village Idiots, and others put into designing the incredible multitude of posters that are placed around the high school. Vendors sell shirts for the school DECA club and raise money for different school organizations. The evening is capped off with a band concert where the Swing Band shows off some of their best work of the season.
The Booster Club board ends the day by driving around and placing “Beat McKinley” signs in all the players’ yards.
Friday
”Christmas Eve” in Massillon comes complete with a parade. Festivities start early, as the Swing Band marches around downtown Massillon entertaining businesses. They finished off this year at the courthouse with a small show in the courtroom of the Honorable Judge Edward J. Elum. Locals flocked to Tremont Coffee to grab a hot drink and donate to the annual Food Fight for the local food bank; many lined up at Liebermann’s Bakery for a Tiger Tail.
The house is packed again at Washington High School for the pep rally. Fans and students cheer on the Swing Band and the various school organizations that perform during the event. The event is capped off with another speech by Coach Nate Moore. “I want to see 1,200 students in the student section!” screamed Coach Moore. “When the clock hits zero, and it’s a Tiger victory, our student section will go absolutely nuts!”
The cheerleaders travel throughout Massillon all day, and the team captains attend a Rotary luncheon. They all come together for the night’s big event— the parade. Hundreds of cars and trucks and thousands of participants line up early and proceed down Lincoln Way at 7:00. The Swing Band, the cheerleaders, the team, the coaches, and community members decorate their vehicles and throw candy, t-shirts, and trinkets to the thousands of onlookers. The night ends near the Rec Center, where a massive bonfire is held next to a platform, and the players gather to speak one last time to the raucous fans. “Last night I had a dream that Paul Brown Tiger Stadium was 17,000 people deep, and the entire city and the entire student section showed up to watch these kids beat McKinley,” said Coach Moore at this year’s event. “Tomorrow we play McKinley; tomorrow we beat McKinley!”
Saturday
On the morning of the game, “bombs” will be launched to mark each hour leading to kickoff. The Tigers will take the field for the 135th time against Canton. Thousands of tailgaters will flock to the stadium in the wee hours of the morning. Tens of thousands of spectators will fill the stands. Thousands will flock downtown after the game, yelling and beeping their horns until it sounds like New York City. It’s Christmas Day in Massillon; and when the crowd roars and the fireworks boom, you will know that Santa Claus has come to town.
Go Tigers, Beat McKinley!!
Get fired up for THE day… watch these speeches from Coach Moore and Tiger Captains Chris Fair and Mike Wright!!
Great Work Seth! You certainly captured the week!
Go 🐅!