Week 9- Warren G. Harding (3-4) @ Massillon (5-3)

The outcome of Warren G. Harding’s annual matchup against longtime archrival Cardinal Mooney this past Thursday produced some good news and some bad news for the Raiders.  The Cardinals offense came into week 8 averaging 24.9 points per contest, so the good news is that Harding’s defense held them to a season-low seven points.  However, the bad news is that Mooney returned the favor and limited the Raiders to their season-low of three points, which came courtesy of a 19-yard field goal by junior kicker Jaron Edmonds right before halftime.

Warren G. Harding junior defensive end Zayvion Smith sacks Cardinal Mooney quarterback Vince Gentile on 10/09/2025.

Two days later (10/11/2025), Smith was offered by Kent State. To date, it's his second Division I scholarship offer (Youngstown State).

With the lone exception of a 34-yard touchdown run by Mooney junior Brady Desmond, I’m not sure if anybody could have asked for more from the Raiders defense as they limited senior tailback Ike Lake, who came into the game averaging 157.8 rushing yards per contest, to just 33 yards on 17 carries (1.9 yards per carry).  In fact, Harding actually outgained the Cardinals 179 to 104 in total yardage for the game.  That said, Mooney dug deep and made two key fourth down stops in the red zone and forced turnovers on a pair of potentially promising Harding drives to help seal the victory.  It was just their second win over the Raiders in their last eight head-to-head matchups.

Harding senior linebacker Tyler Smith stops Mooney tailback Ike Lake for no gain on a 4th down to force a turnover on downs (10/09/2025).

Since this past Thursday, various “brutally honest” fans across social media have assumed that back-to-back losses to Boardman and Mooney would signal that Harding's final two regular season games against Massillon and Austintown Fitch wouldn’t be too promising.  Personally, I’d remind those people that there are a select few plays from each of their losses that, if flipped, could’ve potentially changed the current outlook of their season.  For example, as mentioned above, Mooney made two key fourth down stops on Thursday.  If those plays would’ve been field goal attempts by Edmonds, who now has seven made field goals on the season, that’s a potential six points that were left off the board.  If Harding doesn’t have two turnovers on their drives that were in Mooney territory, that’s another potential 14 points that they didn’t score.

Harding junior kicker Jaron Edmonds nails a 19-yard field goal against Cardinal Mooney on 10/09/2025. It was the seventh field goal that he's made this season and the ninth of his career.

Of course, it’s easy for anybody to say a bunch of “could of,” “should of,” and/or “would of” scenarios after the fact.  However, injuries have turned what would’ve been a far more experienced group of Raiders into a much younger bunch that is forced to figure things out against solid competition.  That said, situations like theirs are part of the game, so head coach Matt Richardson and his staff haven’t made any excuses as they continue to strive to bring the best out of their young men.  

Through it all, Harding continues to play with a purpose.  It’s just a matter of them executing more efficiently in big moments.  More than ever, this upcoming week will mark a time when everything will have to be aligned if the Raiders expect to be successful as they’ll travel to Stark County to take on one of the most successful football programs in not just OHSAA history, but in the entire country.

Harding senior Khi Blutcher (#24) and sophomore Asa Burch (37) both fly to the football to combine for a tackle for a loss against Mooney on 10/09/2025.

In 2015, Nate Moore led Massillon to a record of 4-6 in his first season as their head coach.  In the nine full seasons since then, the Tigers have played in an average of 13.9 games and 11.8 wins per season.  That includes their 16-0 campaign in 2023 that resulted in their OHSAA Division II state championship.  While it was officially the 25th state crown in their program’s history, it was the first that they ever won via playoff system (1972-present). 

Massillon's defense come up with their biggest stop of the 2023 season on a 4th down to seal a 7-2 victory over Archbishop Hoban in the OHSAA Division II state championship game.

(Footage is courtesy of @NeoZone on X)

To date, Massillon now has an all-time record of 964-305-36.  That win total is just two shy of Valdosta High School (GA), who currently owns the national record for the most wins.  For what it’s worth, the Tigers won the first and only matchup between the two juggernauts in 2023 by the final score of 28-17.  All of the Tigers’ historic accomplishments continuously motivate their coaches, players, and rabid fan base to program to new heights.  Their current record of 5-3 is a result of them playing against elite competion from both in and out of the country as their defeats came at the hands of Cleveland Glenville, Rabun Gap (GA), and Clarkson Football North out of Mississauga, Ontario, Canada.  Despite those shortcomings, their 21-14 victory over Lakewood St. Edward in week 5 proves that on any given night, they are fully capable of knocking off anybody on any given night.

Massillon junior quarterback Manny Patterson finds classmate Deontay Malone for a 25-yard touchdown pass against Cleveland Glenville on 08/22/2025.

(Footage is courtesy of @SethBailey04 on X)

Offensively, the Tigers are led under center by junior quarterback Mandwell “Manny” Patterson, who enters week 9 with 853 passing yards, 13 touchdowns, and just four interceptions on 73-of-114 passing.  His favorite targets have been Giorgio Jackson Jr. (27 catches for 299 yards & 6 touchdowns), Deontay Malone (23 catches for 307 yards & 5 touchdowns), and Jadyce Thigpen (13 catches for 157 yards & 3 touchdowns).  On September 14, Malone received his first Big 10 scholarship offer from Michigan State to go alone with his others from Pitt, North Carolina, Appalachian State, Eastern Carolina, Miami (OH), Toledo, and Garden Webb.  However, the Tigers are equally effective with their ground game as junior Savior Owens is continuing the growing tradition of strong tailbacks who have played under Coach Moore.  He enters this week with 860 rushing yards and 11 touchdowns on 140 carries while to date, he has reeled in offers from Wisconsin, Bowling Green, Kent State, Miami (OH), and Toledo.

Massillon junior tailback Savior Owens bursts through the Lakewood St. Edward defense for a 44-yard touchdown run on 09/19/2025.

(Footage is courtesy of @SethBailey04 on X)

Speaking of “scholarships,” Massillon’s defense is headlined by senior “three-star” linebacker Ja’Dyn Williams, who verbally committed to Indiana University on June 10, 2025.  However, the Hoosiers now have more competition for Williams’ services as Ohio State extended an offer on September 22.  That came on the heels of his performance in the aforementioned victory over St. Edward when he registered 9 tackles (4 solo), one interception, one fumble recovery, and 0.5 tackles for a loss.  He enters this week as the Tigers’ leader in tackles (84), tackles for a loss (8.5), sacks (3.5), and fumble recoveries (two).  

Senior linebacker Ja'Dyn Williams registers a tackle for a loss during Massillon's season opener against Cleveland Glenville on 08/22/2025.

(Footage is courtesy of @SethBailey04 on X)

Before opposing offenses can even think about Williams, they have to contain the pressure of his classmate, defensive end Samuel Dossous, who has 7.0 tackles for a loss, 3.0 sacks, and one forced fumble under his belt.  Malone (16 tackles, two interceptions, two pass deflections, and 2.0 tackles for a loss)  and senior safety Tre’Yon Williams (28 tackles, 8.0 tackles for a loss, three pass deflections, and one forced fumble) and junior safety Braylon Gamble (25 tackles, four pass deflections, 1.5 tackles for a loss, and one interception) are the main ones to watch out for in the Tigers secondary.

Massillon senior defensive end Samuel Dosseus (#91) records a sack against Lakewood St. Edward on 09/19/2025.

(Footage is courtesy of @SethBailey04 on X)

Seth Bailey is the founder and main writer for www.tigertownathletics.com.