It was not a pretty start for the JV Tigers. The first play from scrimmage, a double pass trick play, resulted in a Grizzlies touchdown with a successful two-point conversion following. The first two Massillon offensive drives ended in turnovers on downs despite a Bishop Cupp run that set the Tigers up deep in Wadsworth territory on the second Tiger possession.
The next 3 quarters and 11 minutes, however, the Tigers defense shut out Wadsworth. The Tigers defense even got the scoring going with a big hit near the goal line that resulted in an safety (after intentional grounding was called in the end zone). A long pass from Eli Moore to Braylon Gamble set up a Savior Owens rushing touchdown, giving the Tigers a 9-8 lead– one that they would never look back on. In the second quarter, Moore tossed a touchdown to Richard Harris Jr. after a big Giorgio Jackson Jr. catch set the Tigers up in Grizzlies territory. Micah Williams intercepted the Grizzlies quarterback on the next drive, but despite a couple of catches from Jackson Jr., the time ran out on the Tigers, who led 15-8.
Midway through the third, a Manny Patterson pass to Giorgio Jackson Jr. set up a Patterson touchdown toss to Javon Merriweather, extending the Tigers lead to 22-8. The Tigers defense repeatedly stood strong, and toward the end of the third, Eli Moore picked off a Wadsworth pass to cap off a shoutout second half. The Tigers later ran out the clock, with the final score standing at 22-8.
Coach’s Comment…
Coach Grunder: “We still have things to clear up. We made a mistake early with the trick play, but we D’d-up and made adjustments.”
Up Next
The JV Tigers will take on GlenOak at PBTS (10:00)
