Massillon Tigers Football of 1950: State Champs

By Jack Bennett

Akron Central was the first victim of the powerful 1950 Massillon Tigers. Only the mercy of Coach Mather held the final score to 49 to O. The efforts of Will Brenner, Jim Reichenbach, Glen Tunning, Frank Gibson, Jim Geiser, Chuck Vliet, Cliff Streeter, Jim Schumacher and Joe Gleason drew the plaudits of Lut Emery. After the 46 to 0 trouncing of Canton Lincoln Coach Mather said this eleven is one of the hardest hitting teams that he has ever coached. One weakness of the Tigers was the lack of protection when Reichenbach fell back to punt.

Cleveland Cathedral Latin was routed 62 to O. Massillon won easily but another weakness was uncovered. Despite the finest of pass protection, three potential touchdown aerials were dropped by the intended receivers. Jerry Krisher booted 8 extra points and won cheers from the fans. Steubenville was not impressed by the Tiger's press clippings and fought them on even terms before falling 35 to 12. Alliance would be the ?rst major test for the Tigers. Their star was John Borton. His "golden arm" had handed the Tigers their lone loss in 1948.

Geiser, Krisher, Zellers, Lane, Vliet, Gleason, Strobel and Murray were praised but the highest accolades were reserved for Reichenbach. Emery wrote, "With Schumacher out with injuries, Reichenbach went into the slot. What a man! What great offensive and defensive line work!" It was a team victory. The Aviator's ground attack was shut down and Borton was unable to unlimber his "golden arm" without being harassed. Coach Mather breathed a sigh of relief after the 29 to 7 win. The relief was short-lived. Mansfield, last year's spoiler, awaited. Augie Morningstar's Mansfield Tygers gave a good account of themselves for two and a half quarters. Then they wilted and the Tigers tallied 5 times to win 56 to 6. It looked like a run-away when the Tigers scored quickly against Warren. But nothing came easy from that point. They would have been in serious trouble if Warren had possessed an offense that matched their defense. Mather breathed a sigh of relief after the 23 to 6 victory. Toledo Waite avoided a humiliating loss when Mather opened the gates of mercy and halted the scoring at 39 to O.

The Barberton Magics came to Massillon with the intent of defeating the Tigers and to become the state champions. And for two quarters it appeared that their intention would become reality. They led 6 to 0 at halftime and appeared to be the eventual winner. Then the Tigers unleashed a devastating attack. Massillon tallied five touchdowns and Barberton's dream was ended 35 to 6. Lut Emery was impressed with Reichenbach's punts that averaged 43 yards. A very disappointed Junie Ferrall told Mather, "You have a great team."

Over 22,000 fans viewed Massillon conquer Canton McKinley 33 to O. The outcome was never in doubt but the gutsy Bulldogs never gave up. The halftime score of 13 to 0 had not blunted McKinley's hopes of victory. The Tigers were unable to tally in the third period but their two-platoon system had taken its toll. The Bulldogs had been playing largely without substitution and were exhausted. The Tigers were able to tally three touchdowns in the last period through the game but weary Bulldogs. Mather lauded the play of McKinley's Ron Wilds.

Some say Brown's 1940 edition was the greatest of all. Some say Mather's 1950 Tigers was the greatest. Lut Emery ran the game films of both editions and his conclusion was photography was much better in 1950 than in 1940. Gibson, Howe, Reichenbach, Schumacher, Streeter, Brenner, Tunning, Gleason, Zellers, Waikem, Close and Russell were named to one or another of the All-Star teams. The wire services named Massillon as the state champion. The A.P. chose Mather as their "Coach of the Year." Were they not the greatest of them all?