Massillon Tigers Roar Back to Defeat Valdosta Wildcats in Thrilling Season Opener
In a game that promised fireworks, the Massillon Tigers and Valdosta Wildcats did not disappoint. Two of the most storied high school football programs in the nation, with a combined total of 1,876 wins, clashed in the NE Ohio vs America showcase, marking the grand opening of the 2023 football season.
Valdosta, crowned "Titletown USA" by ESPN in 2008 and immortalized in the Netflix series "Titletown High" in 2020, came into the game as the No. 1 team in historical win totals in the USA with 944 wins. On the other side, Massillon, boasting 932 wins, stands tall as Ohio's pride and ranks 4th nationally in all-time wins. The stage was set for a classic.
The game began with Valdosta's Senior RB, Shakevious Wright, making a statement with a 65-yard run. The Wildcats quickly capitalized, with star QB Todd Robinson connecting with Jr. WR Eli Lewis for the first touchdown of the game. The Wildcats' momentum continued as Robinson threw his second TD of the quarter, this time to So. WR Prince Jean, giving Valdosta a 14-0 lead.
Massillon seemed to be on the ropes, with Valdosta outgaining them 195 yards to 13 by the end of the 1st quarter. But as the saying goes, "It's not how you start, but how you finish." The Tigers, under the leadership of Coach Nate Moore, began their resurgence. Sr. DaOne Owens, a dual-threat QB, ignited the comeback with a 75-yard run, setting up a touchdown by Sr. RB/LB Dorian Pringle. Reflecting on the team's early struggles, Pringle stated, “After going down 14 nothing, the key to winning the game was simple. Just do your job and know that we can compete with these guys.” The Tigers' defense, led by players like Pringle and Chase Bond, tightened the screws, allowing only 22 total yards in the 2nd quarter.
The second half saw Massillon's offense explode. Owens, with a 69-yard touchdown run, tied the game. The Tigers then took the lead with another Pringle touchdown and sealed the victory with Owens' second long TD run of the night.
Post-game, Owens reflected on the team's performance, "We were preparing for them all summer... it felt good winning and proving ourselves to the nation."
Statistically, Massillon dominated with 432 total offensive yards compared to Valdosta's 321. Owens was the standout performer with 241 rushing yards and 2 TDs. On the defensive front, Cody Fair and Dorian Pringle led the Tigers with 9 and 7 tackles respectively.
For Valdosta, despite the loss, there were bright spots. Wright rushed for 111 yards, and Robinson threw for 211 yards with 2 TDs. Defensively, Jaylin Bentley was everywhere with 16 total tackles.
In the end, this game was a testament to the spirit of high school football. Two giants of the game, with rich histories and traditions, gave fans a night to remember. As the NE Ohio vs America Showcase continues, one can only hope for more games of this caliber.