OHSAA football scores | Canisius (N.Y.) vs. Massillon high school football recap

MASSILLON — If there were any questions about how the Massillon football team would handle adversity after suffering their first regular-season loss since 2022 last week, you can consider those firmly answered.

The Tigers overwhelmed a quality Buffalo (N.Y.) Canisius team in every facet of the game on the way to earning a 41-7 victory over the Crusaders at home Friday.

“Our goal in practice was to get better every single day coming into this game,” Massillon head coach Nate Moore said. “I wanted the kids to focus on every rep and just work to improve. We had really good focus. There are still some things we need to clean up but overall I’m very happy with how we handled the game tonight.”

Massillon (3-1) built up a 35-0 halftime lead, putting the game into running-clock mode, and never looked back. The Tigers scored touchdowns in all three phases of the game in the first half.

It was the Massillon defense that was the star of the show, however. The Tigers limited Canisius to just four first downs in the first half and held highly-touted running back Elijah Kimble to just 8 yards rushing on seven attempts in the first two quarters.

“We knew they had a great back that has some tremendous college offers,” Moore said. “The key against a player like that is to swarm to the football and get more than one guy on him. I thought we did a good job of that.”

Massillon also scored two defensive touchdowns. Lennox Lemon opened the scoring with a 44-yard interception return for a score and Mylen Lenix later returned a fumble 6 yards for another TD. Lenix also scored Massillon’s first offensive touchdown of the night on an 11-yard run in the first quarter.

“He’s just a great player,” Moore said. “It’s not often you see a guy score on both sides of the ball like that, but Mylen is just a football player. All of our kids are.”

Lenix tied for the team lead with five tackles. He had one tackle for loss and the fumble recovery for Massillon.

“My focus is always just to help the team win,” Lenix said. “It’s cool that I was able to score on both sides of the ball but those aren’t things I really pay attention to during the course of the game. Helping the team win is the most important thing.”

Massillon also got a special teams touchdown on a 55-yard punt return by Tyler Hackenbracht. Ja’Meir Gamble also ran for a TD while Jacque Carter caught a TD pass from Jalen Slaughter to round out the scoring for the Tigers.

“I’m really pleased with our special teams and our defense,” Moore said. “There were a couple of missed assignments but we will get those cleaned up. It was a good effort tonight.”

The lone Canisius touchdown came on a 2-yard run by Kimble out of the wildcat formation with 10:17 to play. Kimble ran for 15 yards on 10 carries.

“We played well defensively,” Lenix said. “I thought we had some little mistakes, but there are always things to work on. I think all of us are feeling pretty good after this game.”

Here's how the game unfolded through our live updates.

Massillon posts impressive victory over Canisius, improves to 3-1

Massillon has defeated Canisius 41-7. The Tigers had an impressive showing in all phases of the game tonight.

Elijah Kimble helps Canisius get on the scoreboard

Canisius is on the board. Running back Elijah Kimble had the carry out of the Wildcat formation and scored on a run from 3-yards out. The kick by Nick Ciancio was good for the extra point. Massillon leads Canisus 41-7 with 10:17 to play. The clock will continue running after the kickoff.

Massillon leads Canisius after three quarters

Massillon is up 41-0 on Canisius after three quarters of play at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. Canisius has put together its best drive of the night. The Crusaders will have the ball first-and-10 at the Massillon 25-yard line to start the fourth quarter.

Ja'Meir Gamble helps Massillon score after fumble recovery

Massillon took advantage of the short field. The Tigers needed just two plays to score a touchdown. Running back Ja'Meir Gamble punched it in for Massillon with a 9-yard run. The extra point was tipped at the line of scrimmage and was no good. The Tigers lead Canisius 41-0 with 4:16 left in the third quarter.

Lo'Quan Young recovers fumble for Massillon

The Canisius defense forced a punt to start the second half but fumbled the punt. Lo'Quan Young was right on the spot on coverage to recover it for Massillon. The recovery set up the Tigers inside the Canisius 20-yard line with a 35-0 lead.

Second half underway at Massillon

The second half is underway between Canisius and Massillon. The Tigers received the third quarter kickoff. We have a running clock with the Tigers leading 35-0.

Jacques Carter leads way for Massillon offense at halftime

Wide receiver Jacques Carter is having a great game tonight for Massillon. Carter caught three passes for 76 yards and a touchdown in the first half. The Tiger defense is the big story so far. Massillon has allowed just 39 yards of total offense and returned an interception and a fumble for touchdowns. The Tigers will get the ball first to start the second half. We will have a running clock when the game gets underway in the third quarter.

Massillon leads Canisius at halftime

Massillon leads Canisius 35-0 at halftime. The Tigers allowed just one first down in the second quarter and that came on the very last play before halftime on a running play. The Massillon defense has allowed just four first downs tonight.

Jacques Carter adds touchdown for Massillon just before halftime

Jacques Carter just made another impressive over-the-shoulder catch. This time it went for a 24-yard touchdown on third and long. The pass was on target by Jalen Slaughter. The Mateo Herrera kick was good. Massillon now leads 35-0 with just 56 seconds left in the first half. We will start the second half with a running clock if nothing changes in the final minute. This has been a tremendous showing by the Tigers.

Mylen Lenix scores again for Massillon

Mylen Lenix scored his second touchdown of the night. This time he recovered a fumble and returned it 5 yards for a Tiger touchdown. Mateo Herrera added the extra point. The Tigers lead Canisius 28-0 with 3:20 to play in the second quarter. Canisius attempted to bring a long kickoff out of the end zone and the Crusaders were tackled at their own 3-yard line. Canisius has been held to just 35 yards of total offense so far.

Tyler Hackenbracht scores special teams touchdown for Massillon

Tyler Hackenbracht has put Massillon firmly in control of this game. Hackenbracht just fielded a punt that initially bounced passed him and returned it 55 yards for a Tiger touchdown. The Mateo Herrera kick is good. Massillon leads Canisius 21-0 with 5:04 to go in the second quarter. Canisius has still managed just three first downs so far. The Tiger defense is playing a tremendous game.

Massillon leads Canisius after first quarter

Massillon leads Canisius 14-0 after the first quarter. The Tiger defense forced a punt and Massillon will start the second quarter with great field position at the Canisius 45-yard line. Massillon defense has been impressive so far. Tigers allowed just three first downs in the first quarter.

Mylen Lenix extends lead for Massillon

Massillon has taken a two-possession lead early. Mylen Lenix ran for an 11-yard touchdown on Massillon's first offensive possession after the Tiger defense forced a punt. The touchdown was set up by a 55-yard pass play from Jalen Slaughter to Jacques Carter. Carter made a beautiful catch over his shoulder with a defender draped on his back. He really showed great concentration on that play. The kick by Mateo Herrera was good. Massillon leads Canisius 14-0 with 3:37 to go in the first quarter.

Lennox Lemon helps Massillon strike first

Massillon defensive back Lennox Lemon picked off a Canisius pass attempt on the first drive of the game and returned it 40 yards for a touchdown. Mateo Herrera tacks on the point after. The Tigers lead the Crusaders 7-0 with 10:38 to go in the first quarter. Hard to imagine a better start for Massillon to this game.

Canisius and Massillon set for kickoff

We're just about to get underway here at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. We have a great game on paper here tonight. The Tigers and the Crusaders each have a number of tremendous players. Massillon will be kicking off to start the game. The Tigers will get the ball first to start the second half. Refresh often for updates.

What to know for Week 4 Massillon vs. Canisius matchup

Massillon will look to rebound from its first loss of the season and its first regular season loss since Week 1 of the 2022 season. The Tigers have a tough task in front of them. Canisus has a highly-rated offensive and defensive line and one of the nation's most highly recruited sophomore running backs in the country in Elijah Kimble.

Watch Ohio High School Football Live on the NFHS Network all season

Future Ohio State Buckeye? Elijah Kimble of Canisius is on the radar of college football's elite

Elijah Kimble came into the season with major Division I interest from programs such as Michigan, Oregon and Penn State. You can add Ohio State and Notre Dame to the list of major schools interested in Kimble. He is scheduled to attend Buckeye game later this fall as part of a campus visit.

Later start to season for Canisius football

Canisius has played just one game so far this season. The Crusaders opened the year with a 39-25 victory over Scranton Prep (Pa.) on the road last week. Kimble and Jahyden Clark scored two touchdowns each to power Canisius to victory. Canisius will play its first five games on the road before opening at home with a league game on Oct. 5 (St. Francis).

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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Canisius vs. Massillon OHSAA high school football scores, updates