No. 10 St. Edward loses to Massillon in top Ohio HS football showdown

For the second straight year, the Tigers have taken down the nationally ranked Eagles.

Paul Brown Stadium was the site of a top Ohio clash as No. 10 St. Edward (Lakewood) went up against Washington (Massillon) in a battle of unbeaten teams.

The Eagles were looking to reverse last year’s loss to the Tigers—the team’s only blemish on the 2022 calendar—but had to do so without junior QB Casey Bullock, who went down in the previous game against Cincy power Elder.

On the other sideline, a trending Washington Massillon squad was more than ready to repeat last year’s game, continuing the program’s success recently against the Division 1 Ohio champs.

In what could be considered a throwback of a game, it was a grind on the ground, with the Tigers scoring 15 unanswered points on 250 yards rushing while showcasing a stout defense.

The Eagles trailed deep into the second half, 15-6, before backup QB Thomas Csanyi connected on a touchdown pass to Brian Sullivan in the final minute.

But when the clock ticked down in the final seconds of the fourth quarter, it would be the Tigers securing the home victory, 15-13.

And though not necessarily an upset, the win indeed echoed through the national landscape, a resounding note that the 2023 Tigers should be considered in next week’s HSS Super 25.

(Message received, Tigers.)

Next up for Washington, the team welcomes a tough Delaware program— the Middletown Cavaliers.

Meanwhile, St. Edward will look to regroup at home against the River Rouge Panthers (Mich.)

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Ohio HS football coach returns from administrative leave amid hazing investigation

Schools officials and the Massillon police investigated an incident alleged to have taken place at practice on June 26.

Massillon Washington (Ohio) head football coach Nate Moore has returned to his position after being put on administrative leave during an investigation into an alleged hazing incident at practice.

Schools officials and the Massillon police investigated an incident allegedly occurring at practice on June 26.

According to the police report, multiple players took part in a “game” that involved pinning other student-athletes to the ground and attempting to strip their clothes off while the victims attempted to break free, according to a report by Alec Sapolin and Julia Bingel from Cleveland 19.

Their report also includes the following statement by Massillon City Schools Superintendent Paul Salvino.

“While Coach Moore was on paid administrative leave our administrative team was able to review all aspects of the situation. At the conclusion of this review we are extremely confident in his ability to lead our athletic programs as well as our football team. We are excited to get back to business as Coach Moore returned to work on July 25, 2023. Once again, we have the utmost confidence in Coach Moore’s leadership moving forward.”

The Stark County Prosecutor’s office says they are still reviewing the case.

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Ohio State gets commitment from three-star running back

Massillon Washington record-setting back accepts preferred walk-on spot with Ohio State. #GoBucks

It’s been an up-and-down recruiting year for Ohio State football. Between commitments, decommitments and flips, it has been a roller coaster for Buckeye fans’ emotions.

Despite the drama leading to the early signing period, OSU still landed a top-10 class. That may be a down year by Ohio State standards, but it’s not a bad haul. However, there were some glaring omissions that needed to be addressed.

After Mark Fletcher backed off his commitment and signed with the Miami Hurricanes, the Buckeyes had no running backs in the 2023 class. That was until Christmas Eve when Ryan Day received an early Christmas gift when Massillon Washington High School running back Willtrell Hartson accepted a preferred walk-on spot with the Buckeyes.

A three-star prospect, Hartson had offers from mid-majors such as Army, Buffalo and Central Michigan and one Power Five school, Boston College.

Coming from one of the most recognizable high school programs in the state, Hartson has had a decorated career. He holds the single-game rushing record with 324 yards, the single-season rushing record with over 2,000 yards and others.

The kid seems like a hard worker and may just be that gritty kind of back that Ohio State fans love to root for. Remember, Miyan Williams was a three-star guy and almost an afterthought when he signed with the Buckeyes in 2020. Hartson could be that same kind of diamond in the rough.

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