Massillon builds 44-7 lead over GlenOak in OHSAA Week 2
Massillon built a commanding 44-7 lead over GlenOak in their OHSAA Week 2 showdown Friday at Bob Commings Stadium in Plain Township. The Golden Eagles score came from receiver Caydren Saunders, but kickoff miscues and Massillon's depth triggered a running clock and left new GlenOak coach Matt Dennison searching for answers in this annual Stark County rivalry.
Fans packed the stadium for one of the biggest crowds GlenOak will host all year, with officials expecting a sellout of roughly 7,000 including standing room. The Tigers, riding a nine-game winning streak in the series since 2015, looked every bit the team Matt Dennison called "the most talented team in Ohio."
Key Takeaways
- Massillon led 44-7 late in the game with a running clock after dominating on the ground and capitalizing on GlenOak special-teams errors.
- GlenOak's Caydren Saunders provided the Golden Eagles' touchdown and showed flashes of competitiveness in the first half.
- Sophomore Gary Yeager's 86-yard touchdown run, Oregon commit Brayton Feaster's score, and multiple touchdowns from Savior Owens highlighted Massillon's loaded backfield.
- The sellout crowd at Bob Commings Stadium underscored the rivalry's local pull, with gates opening at 5:30 p.m. for the 7 p.m. kickoff.
- Massillon next faces the NFL Academy on Sept. 4, while GlenOak hosts Cleveland Heights on Sept. 5.
How Did the Golden Eagles Score Against Massillon?
GlenOak trailed 21-0 when quarterback Jamel Hall converted a fourth-and-inches gamble at the Eagles' own 43. Hall then connected with Caydren Saunders on a 35-yard gain and lofted a jump ball into the left side of the end zone that Saunders hauled in for a touchdown.
The student section erupted behind the south end zone, briefly waking a crowd that had watched Massillon roll early. Saunders added two more catches on a later drive and played strong pass defense, but the eagles score line never seriously threatened the Tigers' advantage.
Why Did GlenOak's Kickoff Troubles Matter?
Special teams turned the game into a rout. To open the second half, GlenOak let a loose kickoff roll untouched until a Massillon player recovered it at the Eagles' 6-yard line. Matteo Herrera's 25-yard field goal pushed the lead to 31-7 and set up the running clock.
Later, George Rivera recovered a fumble on a kick return, giving Massillon the ball at the GlenOak 12. Savior Owens punched in a short touchdown for a 37-7 edge. A quick GlenOak series ended in another Massillon score, extending the margin to 44-7 as the third quarter wound down.
Who Stood Out for the Massillon Tigers?
Michigan State commit Owens scored multiple times, including a four-yard sweep in the first quarter. Feaster, the 2025 Ohio Mr. Football finalist, added a 14-yard touchdown plunge and played well at linebacker. Yeager, a sophomore inserted into the star-studded rotation, broke an 86-yard run after a penalty wiped out an Owens gain.
Quarterback Rasmus Haines threw his first interception of 2026 — picked off by Timerien Patterson — but Massillon's defense, anchored by senior Isaac Maxheimer at the "Obie" linebacker spot, limited GlenOak's air attack throughout the night.
What Comes Next for Both Teams?
Massillon opened Nate Moore's 12th season with a 31-18 home win over Glenville and now turns to an unusual Sept. 4 matchup against the NFL Academy. GlenOak, which lost 36-21 at Dover in Matt Dennison's debut, faces Cleveland Heights at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium next Saturday.
Live coverage from the Canton Repository tracked every scoring drive, while fans unable to attend could stream Ohio high school football on the NFHS Network — part of the broader shift in how regional sports reach audiences, a trend we cover in our Future Tech & AI Wonders hub.