Massillon fans flocked to Duncan Plaza Monday evening to open the 2024 football season and send their Tigers off to Oregon. Ceremonies opened with the annual “Tiger Growl”, where young Tigers fans can show off their best Obie impression. Many growlers showed off their talents before the top contestants (decided by Obie and the Downtown Massillon Association) were given prizes.
The 2024 Massillon Tiger Swing Band, led by director Jason Neel, marched in to the tune of “Tiger Rag” to rile up the crowd. Next came the Massillon Tigers players and coaching staff, welcomed by the cheering crowd. After the band and team were in place, several speakers took the stage. Among them were Massillon Mayor Jamie Slutz, 2024 Booster Club President Ed Starcher, Massillon City Schools Superintendent Paul Salvino, and Washington High School Principal Dave Lautenschleger.
The emphasis of “Massillon Against the World” was a big topic among the speakers as the Tigers head to Nike World Headquarters to take on NFL Academy London, who boasts players from across Europe. Principal Lautenschleger said, “the beauty of the game this week is that now the [Massillon] brand expands to more of a worldwide brand…”. Superintendent Salvino stated that “these guys are not only going to represent Massillon, they will be representing Ohio, and the United States of America”.
Finally, Tigers Head Coach Nate Moore gave a rousing pep talk as a send off. “We have put this program back as the premier program in Stark County”, said Coach Moore. “We have also reestablished this program as one of the top programs in the state of Ohio… We are now back as one of the programs that everyone in the country talks about when they talk high school football… and this year in week one we have the chance to show the entire world that Massillon, Ohio, is the center of the high school football world. You can’t talk about high school football without talking about the Massillon Tigers”.
The Tigers take on NFL Academy London (0-1) on Thursday, August 22nd. You can watch the game live on the NFL’s YouTube page. You can also listen to the Tiger’s radio broadcast on the ESPN 990 webpage. The Tigers are also hosting a free watch party at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium for the opener. Gates open on the home side at 5:30 and the game kicks off at 6:30 PM eastern time. Concessions will be sold on the home side.
LINKS FOR WATCHING AND LISTENING TO THE TIGERS OPENER
Watch Massillon vs. NFL Academy HERE
Listen to Ray Jeske and Ellery Moore on ESPN 990 WTIG HERE
