MASSILLON — The Massillon Tigers played in another high-profile matchup Friday against an out-of-state power in Canisius (Buffalo, N.Y.). The Crusaders come into the game Friday night with highly-recruited sophomore running back Elijah Kimble and a strong offensive line. But they were no match for the Tigers (3-1).
Here’s how the game unfolded through our live updates.
Massillon has defeated Canisius 41-7. The Tigers had an impressive showing in all phases of the game tonight.
Canisius is on the board. Running back Elijah Kimble had the carry out of the Wildcat formation and scored on a run from 3-yards out. The kick by Nick Ciancio was good for the extra point. Massillon leads Canisus 41-7 with 10:17 to play. The clock will continue running after the kickoff.
Massillon is up 41-0 on Canisius after three quarters of play at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Canisius has put together its best drive of the night. The Crusaders will have the ball first-and-10 at the Massillon 25-yard line to start the fourth quarter.
Massillon took advantage of the short field. The Tigers needed just two plays to score a touchdown. Running back Ja’Meir Gamble punched it in for Massillon with a 9-yard run. The extra point was tipped at the line of scrimmage and was no good. The Tigers lead Canisius 41-0 with 4:16 left in the third quarter.
The Canisius defense forced a punt to start the second half but fumbled the punt. Lo’Quan Young was right on the spot on coverage to recover it for Massillon. The recovery set up the Tigers inside the Canisius 20-yard line with a 35-0 lead.
The second half is underway between Canisius and Massillon. The Tigers received the third quarter kickoff. We have a running clock with the Tigers leading 35-0.
Wide receiver Jacques Carter is having a great game tonight for Massillon. Carter caught three passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in the first half. The Tiger defense is the big story so far. Massillon has allowed just 39 yards of total offense and returned an interception and a fumble for touchdowns. The Tigers will get the ball first to start the second half. We will have a running clock when the game gets underway in the third quarter.
Massillon leads Canisius 35-0 at halftime. The Tigers allowed just one first down in the second quarter and that came on the very last play before halftime on a running play. The Massillon defense has allowed just four first downs tonight.
Jacques Carter just made another impressive over-the-shoulder catch. This time it went for a 24-yard touchdown on third and long. The pass was on target by Jalen Slaughter. The Mateo Herrera kick was good. Massillon now leads 35-0 with just 56 seconds left in the first half. We will start the second half with a running clock if nothing changes in the final minute. This has been a tremendous showing by the Tigers.
Mylen Lenix scored his second touchdown of the night. This time he recovered a fumble and returned it 5 yards for a Tiger touchdown. Mateo Herrera added the extra point. The Tigers lead Canisius 28-0 with 3:20 to play in the second quarter. Canisius attempted to bring a long kickoff out of the end zone and the Crusaders were tackled at their own 3-yard line. Canisius has been held to just 35 yards of total offense so far.
Tyler Hackenbracht has put Massillon firmly in control of this game. Hackenbracht just fielded a punt that initially bounced passed him and returned it 55 yards for a Tiger touchdown. The Mateo Herrera kick is good. Massillon leads Canisius 21-0 with 5:04 to go in the second quarter. Canisius has still managed just three first downs so far. The Tiger defense is playing a tremendous game.
Massillon leads Canisius 14-0 after the first quarter. The Tiger defense forced a punt and Massillon will start the second quarter with great field position at the Canisius 45-yard line. Massillon defense has been impressive so far. Tigers allowed just three first downs in the first quarter.
Massillon has taken a two-possession lead early. Mylen Lenix ran for an 11-yard touchdown on Massillon’s first offensive possession after the Tiger defense forced a punt. The touchdown was set up by a 55-yard pass play from Jalen Slaughter to Jacques Carter. Carter made a beautiful catch over his shoulder with a defender draped on his back. He really showed great concentration on that play. The kick by Mateo Herrera was good. Massillon leads Canisius 14-0 with 3:37 to go in the first quarter.
Massillon defensive back Lennox Lemon picked off a Canisius pass attempt on the first drive of the game and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. Mateo Herrera tacks on the point after. The Tigers lead the Crusaders 7-0 with 10:38 to go in the first quarter. Hard to imagine a better start for Massillon to this game.
We’re just about to get underway here at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. We have a great game on paper here tonight. The Tigers and the Crusaders each have a number of tremendous players. Massillon will be kicking off to start the game. The Tigers will get the ball first to start the second half. Refresh often for updates.
Massillon will look to rebound from its first loss of the season and its first regular season loss since Week 1 of the 2022 season. The Tigers have a tough task in front of them. Canisus has a highly-rated offensive and defensive line and one of the nation’s most highly recruited sophomore running backs in the country in Elijah Kimble.
Watch Ohio High School Football Live on the NFHS Network all season
Elijah Kimble came into the season with major Division I interest from programs such as Michigan, Oregon and Penn State. You can add Ohio State and Notre Dame to the list of major schools interested in Kimble. He is scheduled to attend Buckeye game later this fall as part of a campus visit.
Canisius has played just one game so far this season. The Crusaders opened the year with a 39-25 victory over Scranton Prep (Pa.) on the road last week. Kimble and Jahyden Clark scored two touchdowns each to power Canisius to victory. Canisius will play its first five games on the road before opening at home with a league game on Oct. 5 (St. Francis).
Reach cliff at cliff.hickman@cantonrep.com
On X: @chickmanREP
We occasionally recommend interesting products and services. If you make a purchase by clicking one of the links, we may earn an affiliate fee. USA TODAY Network newsrooms operate independently, and this doesn’t influence our coverage.
Adam Rittenberg, ESPN Senior WriterDec 22, 2024, 08:52 PM ETCloseCollege football reporter; joined ESPN in 2008. Graduate of Northwestern University.Former Penn
Since the college football transfer portal opened on Dec. 9, many potential “crown jewel” players have entered it. Exactly two weeks after the portal ope
What appeared poised to be a newsworthy National Signing Day for the Florida Gators –one thought to come after a tremendous two-week stretch of flipping some
Former Penn State football quarterback Beau Pribula will transfer to Mizzou, per 247Sports’ Matt Zenitz. Pribula’s announcement came a week after his decis