The Tigers broke many records in their historic 2023 season. There were not quite as many shattered in the 2024 campaign, but this year’s team definitely made a mark in the history books. From special teams returns to tackles-for-loss, this article will focus on every stat that cracked the top 10 in Massillon history. This includes team records, single season records, single game records, and career records.
Team Records
Team Single Season Offense
The Tigers averaged 6.31 yards per rush this season. That puts them in 7th all-time behind some notables such as last season, the 1991 season (which featured the dynamic duo of Travis McGuire and Falando Ashcraft), and the 1959 season (which featured a multifaceted Tiger rushing attack– Art Hastings, Jim Wood, Bill Finney, and Martin Gugov being the leading rushers).
On the passing side of the offense, the Tigers’ Jalen Slaughter and Manny Patterson combined for 2,431 yards– 10th most all-time and the most since Aiden Longwell’s senior season (2019). The 2024 QB duo also combined for 291 pass attempts (9th all-time and the most since Longwell in 2018) and 180 completions (5th all-time) for a completion percentage of 61.9%, the 3rd best in Tiger history behind Kyle Kempt (2012) and Aiden Longwell (2019).
Team Single Game Offense
Massillon had a great rushing game versus Warren Harding with multiple rushers (Ja’Meir Gamble, Savior Owens, Jalen Slaughter, Mike Wright, and Peytton Mitchell) contributing to an average of 11.9 yards per rush. This stat is 3rd all-time in recorded statistic history for the Tigers behind the 2018 game that featured Sun Valley (PA) and their infamously bad defense and a 1959 matchup versus Mansfield.
The Tigers’ opener in Oregon against NFL Academy set a few records. Jalen Slaughter’s 403 yards came in at 3rd all-time behind a 2001 game against Dayton Chaminade (407 yds) and a 2000 game versus Lima Senior (411 yds). Slaughter’s pass attempts (44) came in at 6th all-time for the team, and his 29 completions are tied for the most ever in a game with a 2012 game versus GlenOak and a 2000 game against Akron Garfield.
Team Single Season Defense
The 2024 Massillon defense, similar to the 2023 defense, set quite a few records. The 598.5 tackle points recorded this season find their place at 10th all-time. Assists come in 8th all-time with 397 recorded. The Tigers were all over the backfield once again this season. Tackles-for-loss recorded this season ranks 3rd all-time (100.5); TFL yards (420) are also 3rd. Sacks (33) come in at 2nd, and sack yards (226) come in at 2nd as well. Nine fumbles (10th all-time) were forced by the Black Swarm defense this season, and the 6 blocked kicks recorded are tied for 2nd.
Team Single Game Defense
The Tigers came in 6th with 61 tackle points versus Bergen Catholic.
Team Single Season Special Teams
Massillon’s kicking game was on point this season. The special teams came in at 8th all-time with 59 made PATs, 10th with 59 (unblocked) PAT attempts, and 3rd in field goal percentage (75%). They were also 9th in punt yards with 1,645.
Team Single Season Returns
The Tigers were able to gain 464 yards returning punts this season, good for 3rd all-time. They averaged 13.6 per return (6th) and scored three touchdowns (tied for 2nd) this season.
Team Single Game Returns
The Teays Valley matchup was a record game for the Tigers’ return game. The 127 punt return yards rank 3rd all-time, the 31.8 yards per punt return is 5th, and the kick return average of 55.7 is 3rd.
Career Records
Offense
Ja’Meir Gamble leaves the Tigers with 2,611 yards rushing. That number is good for 5th all-time behind Falando Ashcraft, Art Hastings, Willtrell Hartson, and Jamir Thomas. His 8 yards per rush rank 9th.
Jalen Slaughter had 6,475 yards passing in his career– 2nd all-time behind Aiden Longwell’s 7,705. His 745 attempts are 3rd behind Longwell and Justin Zwick, and his 437 completions are tied with Zwick for 2nd. Jalen’s 58.7% completion percentage is 4th best in Massillon history. His average of 8.7 yards per attempt is tied for 6th, and his 14.8 yards per completion are 10th. Jalen averaged 132.1 yards per game (8th) and his 71 touchdowns are 2nd all-time behind Aiden Longwell’s 84.
On the receiving end Braylyn Toles holds a few spots in the Tigers’ record book. His 1,936 yards receiving rank 4th all-time behind Devin Smith, Devin Jordan, and Jayden Ballard. His 143 receptions are tied with Ballard for 2nd. He averaged 3.76 receptions per game, good for 6th. Braylyn’s 21 touchdowns come in at 5th.
Defense
A few Tigers hold career records or are in the top 10 after this season. Tyler Hackenbracht had 99 assists in his career, good for 9th all-time. He is also tied for 9th in pass breakups with 16. Daylan Pringle ends his Massillon career tied for 5th in kick blocks with 2. Mike Wright’s career for the Black Swarm defense will go down in the record books among the best in Massillon history. Mike broke Dorian Pringle’s tackle-for-loss record, ending his career with 49 and landing first on the list in this category. In Big Mike’s three seasons he forced opponents 258 yards backwards on run plays (1st all-time). He also holds the all-time career sack record with 23 over Dorian Pringle’s 13.5. Mike dragged quarterbacks down for negative 161 yards, also 1st all-time. He is also 2nd on the list in forced fumbles with 4.
Special Teams
Sophomore kicker Mateo Herrera holds 3rd place in career field goal percentage with 75%. He also is 7th in PAT percentage at 96.3% (77-80). In punting, Tyler Hackenbracht leaves the Tigers with 2,265 punt yards (8th) and 64 punt attempts (8th).
Tyler Hackenbracht is also all over the top 10 in career return records. He is 8th with 334 punt return yards, tied for 8th with 23 punt returns, 7th with 14.5 yards per punt return, and tied for 2nd with Bo Grunder in punt return touchdowns (3 total; Austin Brawley is 1st with 4). Tyler is also tied for 5th with 1 kick return score and 2nd behind Tyree Broyles in yards per kick return with 30.8.
Player Single Season Records
Offense
Ja’Meir Gamble had quite a season in 2024, rushing for 1,636 yards. That total is 4th all-time in a single season behind Jamir Thomas, Travis McGuire, and Willtrell Harston. His 1,977 all-purpose yards are 5th behind great names such as Hartson, McGuire, Thomas, and Brian Gamble. Ja’Meir’s 21 touchdowns are tied for 10th most from a non-quarterback position.
On the passing side Jalen Slaughter’s ’24 season was one for the record books as well. His 2,363 pass yards are 8th all-time, his 279 pass attempts are tied for 6th, and his 175 completions are tied for 4th behind Justin Zwick (’00 and ’01) and Kyle Kempt. All together, Jalen’s 2024 completion percentage was 62.7%, which is 5th best. His total yards (2,354) are tied for 9th. He also tossed 22 touchdowns (tied for 9th) and averaged 168.8 yards per game (10th).
On the receiving side of the ball Braylyn Toles came in 8th all-time in a single season with 53 receptions.
Defense
Tyler Hackenbracht recorded 65 assists during the 2024 season, tying for 5th all-time. He was 9th in total tackles with 116 and tied for 8th in tackle points with 83.5. Mike Wright notched 16 tackles-for-loss (8th) and Mylen Lenix racked up 15 (10th). Big Mike also pushed opponents back 68.3 yards on TFLs which lands him at 8th in a single season. Mylen recorded 6 sacks which ties him for 7th. Ja’Dyn Williams sacked opposing quarterbacks for negative 47 yards (tied for 6th). Daylan Pringle blocked 2 kicks (tied for 3rd).
Special Teams
Tyler Hackenbracht highlights this entire section. He was 6th all-time in a single season with 243 punt return yards. He averaged 18.7 yards per punt return (5th) and took 3 punts to the house (tied for 1st with Bo Grunder and Austin Brawley). Tyler also averaged 39 yards per kick return, the best in a single season in Massillon history.
On the kicking end, Mateo Herrera broke the top 5 in a couple categories. His 55 PATs made are tied for 5th, and his 55 attempts are tied for 7th. Mateo’s field goal percentage (75%) is tied for 2nd best with Klay Moll and Alex Bauer.
Player Single Game Records
Offense
A couple of games stuck out in the offensive record books this season. The first was versus Legacy Sports Texas. Ja’Meir Gamble’s 290 rush yards were 3rd all-time in a single game behind Travis McGuire’s 302 against McKinley in 1991 and Willtrell Hartson’s 324 against Westerville South in 2020. Those 290 yards are also 6th all-time in all-purpose yards for a non-quarterback. Ja’Meir averaged 19.3 yards per carry, 2nd only behind Mike Mauger’s 20 in versus Cleveland Benedictine 1970. Ja’Meir also scored 5 touchdowns in the game, tying for 5th place with Travis McGuire, Jamir Thomas, Terrence Keys, Bob Glass, and Edwin “Dutch” Hill.
Another game that was big for the Tigers’ offense was the opener versus NFL Academy. Jalen Slaughter’s 403 passing yards were 2nd most in a single game behind Justin Zwick (407) against Dayton Chaminade in 2001. Jalen’s 44 pass attempts are tied for 5th, his completions are tied for 1st with Zwick and Kempt, and his 46 offensive plays are 7th. That was not the only game in which Jalen Slaughter made the record book. His completion percentage of 83.3 (10-12) against Canisius (NY) is tied for 7th. His yards per pass attempt (17.1) versus Football North (ONT) is 5th, and his pass efficiency from that game (292.7) is rated 5th as well. Jalen’s 81-yard touchdown pass versus Canal Winchester is the 7th longest in Massillon history, and the reception (made by Braylyn Toles) is also tied for 7th.
Defense
Ja’Dyn Williams racked up 16 tackles versus St. Edward this season, 3rd all-time in a single game behind Nick Liebler’s 17 and Chuck Vliet’s unbreakable record of 42. Mylen Lenix recorded 2.5 sacks versus Legacy Sports Texas (tied for 5th), Mike Wright recorded 2 against Canal Winchester (tied for 7th) as did Ja’Dyn Williams versus Football North (ONT).
Special Teams
Tyler Hackenbracht’s excellent game versus Teays Valley puts him in many record categories. His 129 punt return yards were 2nd all time behind Austin Brawley. His 81-yard touchdown return is the 9th longest in Massillon history. Tyler’s 100 yard kick return is tied for longest in Tiger history (John Francisco had a 105-yard return in ’52; 100+ yard returns are now automatic touchbacks). His combined 229 return yards are also 1st in Massillon history.
