Massillon 35, Cincinnati Elder 31
Fast start propels Tigers to victory
Ellis' six turnovers help build a 35-7 advantage
[SIZE=-1]By Mike Dyer[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]Special to the Beacon Journal[/SIZE]
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CINCINNATI - Troy Ellis had a field day.
The Massillon senior cornerback recorded six turnovers -- five interceptions and a fumble recovery -- as the visiting Tigers defeated Cincinnati Elder 35-31 at the Bengals' Paul Brown Stadium.
Ellis said he had only three career interceptions going into Saturday afternoon's game.
``Unbelievable,'' Massillon coach Tom Stacy said.
Stacy was speaking of Ellis, but he could've been describing Elder's comeback. The Panthers (1-1) scored 24 unanswered points in the fourth quarter, but the Tigers' defense held on at the end.
Massillon dominated the first three quarters. The Tigers (2-0) had 270 rushing yards to Elder's 126.
Massillon junior Brian Gamble rushed for 147 yards on 12 carries and two touchdowns.
The Tigers led 35-7 going into the fourth before Elder rallied with a touchdown pass and two touchdown runs by senior quarterback Nick Zeiser.
``You've got to finish people off,'' Stacy said of Elder's rally. ``Our kids learned a lesson today -- almost a hard lesson.''
It was the first time Stacy was back in Cincinnati with the Massillon program since he was a 31-year-old assistant in 1990 at a game at Riverfront.
Stacy likened Saturday to a college football atmosphere. The Tigers attended the Bengals-Indianapolis Colts preseason game Friday.
``We tried to treat (it like a college game) and our kids did a great job,'' Stacy said.
Massillon is coming off two consecutive 4-6 seasons. Although the matchup was a one-year deal, Ramsey said he'd like to play Massillon again.
Gamble said he believes the Tigers are a closer-knit group under Stacy.
``We didn't have that determination (last season) like we do now,'' he said.
Massillon, which changed to a 3-4 defense this season, forced a turnover on Elder's second possession.
Ellis returned a fumble 20 yards for a score at 5:47 to make it 7-0.
On Massillon's next series, junior quarterback Bobby Huth (9-of-18, 120 yards) scored on an 11-yard run on third down that capped the Tigers' drive to make it 14-0 at halftime. Massillon went 77 yards on eight plays in 2:57.
On the third play of the second half, junior Brian Gamble broke loose at midfield and ran untouched for a 50-yard touchdown to put Massillon up 21-0.
Gamble scored again on a 3-yard run with 59 seconds left in the third to make it 35-7. He had 147 yards on 12 carries.
``It's a big part of a stepping stone for us,'' Stacy said of the victory.
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