Week 4: Massillon Jackson (1-2) @ Warren G. Harding (2-1)
- David Baugh
- 2 days ago
- 4 min read
In week 2 against Youngstown High School, there was a stretch of exactly 1 minute, 53 seconds that saw Warren G. Harding put all 20 of their points on the scoreboard. While they didn’t exactly match that level of explosiveness this past Friday night at Massillon Perry, the Raiders couldn’t have asked for a faster start as senior Elijah Phillips hauled in the opening kickoff at his own 4-yard line before racing 96 yards the other way for a touchdown. Not only was it the first score of his career, but it marked the third longest kickoff return in Harding history behind Omar Provitt (98 yards vs. Niles in 1990) and Jon Richardson (97 yards vs. Boardman in 2003).
Warren G. Harding senior Elijah Phillips takes the opening kickoff 96 yards foir his first career touchdown against Massillon Perry on 09/04/2026.
For as much as it was a landmark moment for Phillips, he wasn’t the only Raider to have a career night as senior Central Michigan University commit Matt Richardson was the beneficiary of all five completions thrown by his classmate, quarterback James Jones, which went for 154 yards and an impressive 39-yard touchdown that was caught in triple coverage. Not only were all of those all-time marks for the future Chippewa, but 154 is now the 6th highest single-game receiving yardage total in Harding history. Richardson’s company includes Mario Manningham (257 vs. Cleveland Glenville in 2004), Naujeat Jones (187 vs. Boardman in 2023), Provitt (187 in the 1990 Division I state championship game against Cincinnati Princeton), Tyirq Ivory (179 vs. Massillon in 2021), and Dom Foster (177 vs. Cardinal Mooney in 2021).
Harding senior quarterback James Jones throwing a 39-yard touchdown to Central Michigan University commit Matt Richardson against Pery on 09/04/2026.
After posting a career-high 162 rushing yards against Youngstown in week 2, junior Makhai Brogdon followed that up with a solid showing against Perry that included 12 carries for 94 yards and the second two-touchdown performance of his career. Since Harding’s injury situation in 2025 that threw him into the fire sooner than expected, he has rushed for 612 yards and six touchdowns on 109 career carries (5.6 yards per carry). That said, his current total of three rushing touchdowns this season already matches the three that he ran for as a sophomore last season, so expect his resume to continue to improve immensely.
Harding junior Makhai Brogdon bursts through the Perry defense for a 47-yard touchdown run on 09/04/2026.
Defensively, Harding did a solid job of limiting the production of Perry senior running back Jonathan Lemon. While he still finished with a respectable 14 carries for 83 yards, it was 101 yards less than the 184.0 yards per game that he averaged in the first two weeks of the season. Speaking of “defense,” along with the aforementioned injury situation of last season, there was a very welcome sight in the Raiders’ linebacking corps as senior Jaylen Murray made his first appearance in a game since he tore his ACL in week 2 on August 30, 2025 against Akron Buchtel. He made his presence felt by registering a sack in the third quarter of Harding’s 34-7 road victory.
370 days after his last play on a football field, Harding senior linebacker Jaylen Murray registers a sack against Perry on 09/08/2026.
Richardson’s effort also included an interception on the last play of the first half, which gives him two on the season and eight for his career.
Richardson closes out the first half against Perry with an interception in the end zone on 09/04/2026.
The Raiders’ 34-point scoring output against Perry also included a 24-yard field goal by senior kicker Jaron Edmonds. It was his ninth successful kick of his career, which now puts him tied at third place on the school’s all-time list with Noah Murry (2019). They are both seated at the table with Jake Daughterty (13 makes from 2020-23) and Joe Spain (10 makes from 2002-03).
Harding senior kicker Jaron Edmonds nails a 24-yard field goal in the first half against Perry on 09/04/2026.
This week, Harding will look to bring their much-needed momentum into their matchup against a Massillon Jackson team that’s far more dangerous than their current record of 1-2 may indicate. After opening their season with an impressive 34-13 road victory over Chardon, the Polar Bears dropped back-to-back games to two of the strongest teams in Northeastern Ohio, if not the entire state, in Hudson (55-35) and Wadsworth (19-17), who both enter week 4 with an unblemished record of 3-0.
Massillon Jackson tailback Chase Maurer with a 1-yard touchdown run against Chardon on 08/20/2026.
Jackson will bring a fast, up-tempo offensive attack into Mollenkopf Stadium this week that’s headlined by senior running back Chase Maurer, who comes into this week with 544 rushing yards and four touchdowns on 59 carries (9.2 YPC). While slowing him down will be the Raiders’ top priority, the Polar Bears have a lethal weapon running the show in Carter Muhleman. In their first three games, the 6-foot-6, 215-pound senior quarterback is 41-of-74 for 454 yards, seven touchdowns, and two interceptions. His touchdown passes have been caught by four different players, which includes Lucas Yoder (2), Ben Blauner (2), tight end Quinn Snyder (2), and Will Sterling.
Jackson quarterback Carter Muhleman throws a 54-yard touchdown pass to Luke Yoder against Chardon on 08/20/2026
In addition to Jackson's offensive weapons, Harding will also have to limitthe opportunities for one of the best young kickers in the state in sophomore Joseph Biviano. Thru the first thre games, has nailed field goals of 39, 33, and 31 yards.
In his very first varsity football game on 08/20/2026, sophomore kicker Joseph Biviano nails a 39-yard field goal against Chardon.
Defensively, Harding’s offensive front will have to deal with senior Reese Myers. After registering 106 tackles and 12 sacks as a junior in 2025, the 6-foot-2, 240-pound defensive end took home All-Federal League, All-Stark County, 1st Team All-Northeast Inland District, and OPSMA All-Division I Honorable Mention honors.
Jackson defensive end Reese Myers causes havoc by forcing a fumble on this sack against Hudson on 08/28/2026.
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