Week 10: Warren G. Harding (4-5) @ Austintown Fitch (7-1)
Prior to week 9, the earliest score given up by Massillon this season came at the 5:19 mark of the first quarter against Cornerstone Christian (TX) when quarterback Seth Shuler connected with Isaiah Regge on a 72-yard touchdown pass. In week 9, after Warren G. Harding senior Elijah Phillips returned the opening kickoff to midfield, senior quarterback James Jones led them on a 4-play, 50-yard touchdown drive that was capped off by a 9-yard touchdown pass to Central Michigan commit Matt Richardson that gave the Raiders 6-0 lead with 10:09 remaining in the first quarter.
Harding senior quarterback James Jones throws a 9-yard touchdown pass to Central Miochigan University commit Matt Richardson against Massillon on 10/16/2026.
Despite the fast start for Harding, they couldn’t seem to capture the same level of consistency on offense for the rest of the game while the Tigers, one of the nation’s highest rated teams for the majority of this season, proceeded to go on an absolute tear. When it wasall said and done, they departed Mollenkopf Stadium with a 49-16 victory.
Harding senior Jeramiah Crenshaw leads the charge on a tackle for a loss against Massillon on 10/16/2026.
The Raiders will now prepare to close their regular season out against a hot Austintown Fitch squad with the hopes of guaranteeing themselves a spot in the upcoming Division II: Region 5 playoffs.
Harding senior Justice Dukes makes the first hit as the Raiders multiple Raiders swarm in to make a stop against Massillon on 10/16/2026.
Jones heads into the regular season finale 79-of-145 for 1,082 yards, 10 touchdowns, and just three interceptions while Richardson’s 41 catches (5th) for 646 yards (6th) and six touchdowns (12th) are already among the highest single-season totals in school history. Meanwhile, the day after Asa Coleman’s career-best totals of 6 catches for 90 yards against Massillon, he collected his first (FCS) offer from Mercyhurst. To date, 15 current Raiders now combine for 90 offers!
On the second play of Harding's matchup against Massillon on 10/16/20926, Jones throws a 29-yard pass to classmate Asa Coleman, who finished the nigh with career-best totakls of six catches for 90 yards.
While junior Makhai Brogdon still paces Harding's ground game with 93 carries for 536 yards and five touchdowns, Phillips has made his presence felt as of late as he now has 53 carries for 236 yards and four scores to go along with his 98-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that he scored on Massillon Perry in week 3.
Harding senior Elijah Phillips with an 8-yard touchdown run against Massillon on 10/16/2026.
Speaking of “special teams,” senior Jaron Edmonds continues to improve on his numbers as he’s made six of his school record 17 field goals in 2026.
Harding senior kicker Jaron Edmonds connects on a 35-yard field goal against Massillon on 10/16/2026.
Defensively, junior Asa Burch, a 4-star EDGE recruit who is currently ranked the 37th best prospect in the class of 2028 by ON3 (Rivals), made his presence felt against Massillon with the third interception of his varsity football career. He currently leads Harding with 65 tackles (38 solo) and 10.0 tackles for a loss while he’s tied with senior Justice Dukes for the team lead with 5.0 sacks. Richardson and junior Elias Johnson both lead the Raiders with a pair of interceptions.
Harding junior EDGE Asa Burch deflects a pass before hauling it in for an interception against Massillon on 10/16/2026.
While Austintown Fitch senior running back Deon’Dray Richard entered this season with school record totals of 483 carries for 3,626 yards and 42 touchdowns, head coach T.J. Parker has spread the wealth with the ground attack in 2026. While Richard still leads the Falcons with 75 carries for 662 yards and 10 touchdowns, fellow senior Dyionn Tutwiler has proven to be just as lethal as he has compiled 496 yards and nine touchdowns on just 50 carries (9.9 yards per carry). Freshman Najeh Sam has also made his presence felt as he has nine carries for 203 yards and two touchdowns while sophomore Mykeim Barnette has 11 carries for 162 yards and three scores.
Austintown Fitch senior tailback Deon'Dray Richard explodes for a 78-yard touchdown run against Erie McDowell (PA) on 10/09/2026.
Meanwhile, Fitch’s passing game is just as balanced as their ground game. It all starts with senior quarterback Collin Kalahar, who is as accurate of a passer that you can have at the high school level as he’s completed 67.3% of his passes for 1,878 yards, 22 touchdowns, and just three interceptions. He’s spread the wealth among the Falcons’ stable of athletes that in Antwan Williams Jr. (18 catches for 463 yards & seven touchdowns), Wayne Holloway (32 catches for 423 yards & three touchdowns), Richard (17 catches for 360 yards & five touchdowns), Isaiah Porch (16 catches for 288 yards & four touchdowns), and Al-Tahire Iluono (15 catches for 276 yards & four touchdowns).
Fitch senior quarterback Collin Kalahar connexts with sophomore sensation Antwan Williams Jr. for a 67-yard touchdown pass against Painesville Riverside on 09/04/2026.
For Fitch, all of the above is powered by a monstrous offensive line. The headliner of the group is Anthony Blalock Jr. The 6-foot-5, 315-pound junior 4-star offensive tackle currently holds offers from the likes of Alabama, Ohio State, Georgia, Penn State, Florida, Florida State, etc. Senior Jayden Lumsden, who checks in at 6-foot-4, 330 pounds, holds offers from Mercyhurst, Slippery Rock, Walsh, Edinboro, Ohio Dominican, West Liberty, etc.
Fitch senior tailback Dyionn Tutwiler showcases his athleticism on this 26-yard touchdown run against Massillon Perry on 10/02/2026.
Defensively, the Falcons have limited their eight opponents to an average of just 175.0 yards per game. Senior Vincenzo DiFlorio leads the team with 45 tackles (18 solo) and 7.5 tackles for a loss while also accounting for 1.5 sacks. Porch, who had a phenomenal interception against Harding last year, has hauled in three this season while Holloway, Iluono, Darri Mason, Rashad Harris, Tyreek Lindsey, and Evan Kessler each have one.
Fitch defensive back Isaiah Porch hauls in an impressive one-0handed interception during last season's matchup against Harding on 10/24/2025.
Senior kicker Kalib Myers is 5-of-6 on field goal goal attempts (long of 40 yards) and has cashed in on 40 (out of 42) extra points. He averages 46.1 yards per kickoff and has kicked four touchbacks. Meanwhile, Fitch has only punted nine times this season, which have covered an average of 26.6 yards per punt. WHile the Falcons have yet to return a punt or kickoff for a score this season, Williams averages 25.0 yards per kickoff return while Tutwiler is also a dangerous threat as he has a 45-yard kickoff return under his belt.
Fitch senior kicker Kalib Myers connects on a 32-yard field goal against Erie McDowell (PA) on 10/09/2026.
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