Massillon holds the line against NFL Academy in 21

MASSILLON, OHIO — The NFL Academy came across the pond looking for a third straight win and left with something nearly as valuable: proof that it could go toe-to-toe with one of the most storied high school football programs in the United States.

Nearly, of course, does not go on the scoreboard.

Massillon leans on Owens and Feister

The Massillon Washington Tigers held Ohio football pride high Friday night at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, grinding out a 21–16 victory over the talented Europe-Africa all-star program. In a game that was every bit as physical as advertised, Massillon leaned on Savior Owens, a stout offensive line and a defense led by Brayton Feister, who spent much of the evening in full beast mode.

Owens scored all three Massillon touchdowns and rushed for 138 yards on 28 carries. He was not tiptoeing through large holes all night. Much of his work came the old-fashioned way — behind his pads, through contact and with the Tigers’ line continuing to lean on an NFL Academy front that averaged close to 300 pounds.

Feister was everywhere. The nation’s No. 1 linebacker was credited with 12 tackles, two sacks and 3.5 tackles for loss, while also taking several snaps at running back. Buckeye State traditionalists should enjoy him while they can. The Ohio native has committed to Oregon, which makes him something of a football traitor locally, even if Phil Knight’s best-team-Nike-money-can-buy operation has become increasingly difficult for elite recruits to resist.

For one night, however, Feister was all Ohio.

Brayton Feister making one of his 12 tackles Photo: Chris Chow

Academy answers an early Massillon drive

Massillon took the opening kickoff and drove 71 yards in 15 plays, converting twice on fourth down before Owens powered in from two yards. The Academy answered after sniffing out a Massillon fake punt at the Tigers’ 33. Nathan Morris finished the short field with a five-yard touchdown run early in the second quarter, and Paul Krause later added a 32-yard field goal to put the visitors ahead 10–7.

That lead did not survive the half. Quarterback Rasmus Haines hit Geo Jackson Jr. for 40 yards to flip the field, and Owens did the rest, twisting through the defense on a 26-yard touchdown run that sent Massillon into the locker room ahead 14–10.

Tigers take control after halftime

The decisive possession came late in the third quarter. Massillon went 80 yards in 12 plays, slowly turning a heavyweight contest into a conditioning test. Owens finished it with a 24-yard touchdown run for a 21–10 lead. It was his third score of the evening and the kind of drive that explains why the Tigers have won for generations: when finesse becomes optional, Massillon remains very comfortable.

NFL Academy did not fold. Canadian quarterback Viktor Lachambre showed poise, arm strength and dangerous instincts as a runner, repeatedly escaping the pocket when the Tigers covered his first options. Japanese receiver Leon Donato also flashed the awareness and feel that have made him one of the Academy’s most interesting prospects. The visitors looked like what they are supposed to be — gifted young players from across Europe and beyond, receiving serious coaching and learning an American game through NFL concepts.

WR Dashun Williams battling NFL Academy defenders including Terho Vainio (Finland) Photo: Seth Bailey

Academy shows how far it has come

Head coach Steve Hagen’s roster was bigger, faster and more polished than the Academy side Massillon defeated at Nike headquarters in Oregon two years ago. The Academy’s fundamentals were sound, its defense was difficult to run against early and its players did not look overwhelmed by either the opponent or the deafening Massillon crowd. More than 50 Academy graduates are expected to play NCAA football this academic year, over 30 of them at Division I programs, and it was not difficult to see why.

But the Tigers’ defense controlled most of the night. Massillon held the Academy to 194 total yards, 72 of which came on its final possession. With less than two minutes remaining and the Tigers protecting an 11-point lead, Lachambre drove the visitors down the field and found Silas Floche for a four-yard touchdown on the final play. There was no time for a conversion or an onside-kick miracle. The scoreboard settled at 21–16.

The numbers told the larger story. Massillon led 18–13 in first downs, 229–112 in rushing and 341–194 in total offense. The Tigers did not dominate every snap, but they controlled enough of them — especially the hard ones — to remain unbeaten.

NFL Academy QB Viktor Lachambre

Massillon stays unbeaten

Massillon is now 3–0. The Tigers opened with a 31–18 victory over Glenville, which was unable to steal this one late as it had a year ago, and then dismantled GlenOak 54–7. Because the NFL Academy game does not count toward Ohio’s Harbin playoff points, Massillon is officially 2–0 for computer-ranking purposes, but the players, coaches and packed stadium will have little trouble remembering the third win.

NFL Academy returns to Loughborough at 2–1 after an impressive American swing. It opened by beating Marietta High School of Georgia 44–24 and then handled perennial Ohio power Archbishop Hoban 28–13 before running into Massillon. The Academy will have another major measuring stick in October against IMG Academy.

Progress without the victory

Two years ago in Oregon, Massillon beat the Academy by two touchdowns. This time the difference was five points, and the visitors had the ball in the end zone on the final snap. That is progress by any reasonable measure.

It was not, however, victory. On a night when a collection of international prospects showed how far the NFL Academy has come, one of Ohio’s grand old programs offered a reminder that tradition, toughness and a home crowd still travel pretty well too — especially when they do not have to travel at all.