Best players ever?

[monte81]

Lets pick the best tiger players the last 25 years. Each poster gets 3 choices for each position and a honorable mention!

EXAMPLE:

WR- Gary Conley, Rameir Martin, & Devin Jordan. Honorable Mention--Bart Lectavitis

List your picks for every position and we will tally the votes at the end!
I am still working on my picks! I hope to get mass participation since alot of posters have seen alot of players in the MASSILLON program!

[TigerCoach]

WR's - Devin Jordan, Curt Strawder, Ramier Martin. (With an Honorable Mention to Eddie Bell who caught the Hail Mary in the 1974 McK game. He couldn't catch a cold, but caught the one that counted!)

[crackerman]

WR- Jordan, Martin, Strawder...wait last 25 years...was Strawder before the 81 season then? If he was then my third pick would have to go to Conley even though Bart was good as well.

[TigerVic]

The Independent did a poll of all of Tiger history by position for the 100th game in '94. I'm not sure how much the results would change over the last 12 years (perhaps QB and kicker - it's difficult to top all-time greats!

[monte81]

QB's-- Justin Zwick, Brian Dewitz, Willie Spencer Jr. and Matt Martin gets the honrable mention!

[91' alum]

QB's-- Justin Zwick, Brian Dewitz, Willie Spencer Jr. and Matt Martin gets the honrable mention!
Come on Monti...
Gotta put Trav on your list!
He was unstoppable!
Most recruited football player in the country in '91:thumbsup:

[monte81]

Come on Monti...
Gotta put Trav on your list!
He was unstoppable!
Most recruited football player in the country in '91:thumbsup:

We are going by position and I have not made my RB selections yet because some of the great ones were listed as fullbacks ie,.. jason stafford and folando ashcraft! Where are your picks?

[DAWGH8R]

QB's:

Matt Martin-----Noone better at calling a game & reading a defense

Justin Zwick----A true leader and prototype QB

Brian Dewitz----Had a SWEET touch on the ball

We've had some good ones over the years. Had a stretch of "big" QB's for a couple of years, but they seem to be getting smaller, (ie. Steve Hymes, Bobby Huth, and future starter Steve Ryder).

:gogogo:

[CarlE]

What? Todd Keller is not making anyone's list???

[Catman]

WR's - Devin Jordan, Curt Strawder, Ramier Martin. (With an Honorable Mention to Eddie Bell who caught the Hail Mary in the 1974 McK game. He couldn't catch a cold, but caught the one that counted!)

Ummm.....according to my math 1974 is a little bit longer then 25 years ago....but then again....I'm a 71 grad and we still math the old fashion way....lol

[91' alum]

We are going by position and I have not made my RB selections yet because some of the great ones were listed as fullbacks ie,.. jason stafford and folando ashcraft! Where are your picks?
Your right Monte... I forgot you were listing the QB's. Best of all time? I'm going to "cop out" and say there are to many to choose from!
GO TIGERS!

[TigerVic]

Eddie Bell caught the 34 yard pass from Greg Wood to beat #1 McKinley with 6 seconds to go in '74. Although it was a historic catch, I couldn't put Bell on any all-time list (not even for the 70s- Strawder, Guzzetta, etc.)

[roodboyroody]

I'LL take Rb's Travis Mcguire- Jerome Myricks- Craig Johnson, i dont think there was any better backs than that Three combo.

[monte81]

I'LL take Rb's Travis Mcguire- Jerome Myricks- Craig Johnson, i dont think there was any better backs than that Three combo.

You picked my top 3! And my man BG is climbing the list! I said he is the best 2way player since Jerome Myricks! Honorable mention-- Ricky Johnson.

I would put at FB:

Jason Stafford, Falando Ashcraft, and Derrick Newman
Honorable mention-- Mike Norris

[CarlE]

Mike Mauger
Tom Hannon
Bill Harmon
Ivory Benjamin

Just trying to take you guys back a ways.

[DAWGH8R]

Mike Mauger
Tom Hannon
Bill Harmon
Ivory Benjamin

Just trying to take you guys back a ways.


Mauger was A BEAST !!!!

[big earn]

1.Travis Mcguire

2.willie spencer jr.

3.Nick Mossiddes

[GrowlingTiger87]

Travis McGuire

Eric Wright

Shawn Crable

F. Ashcraft

David Abdul (okay, no one said we couldn't include Kickers)

Justin Zwick

Just to name a few...

[DAWGH8R]

As far as PUNTERS: Was it Kenny Hawkins (?), that we had in the late
80's/early90's ??? Went to Syracuse ?

He could really BOOM 'em !:gogogo:

[CarlE]

As far as PUNTERS: Was it Kenny Hawkins (?), that we had in the late
80's/early90's ??? Went to Syracuse ?

He could really BOOM 'em !:gogogo:

Sure was. One of the best we ever had.

[monte81]

Tight Ends-- Tiger Coach, Jeff Harig, Doug Harig, Dorbney Honorable Mention-- Kenny Hawkins( also receives #1 punter for 1985-86)

Inside Linebackers-- Chris Speilman, Eric Wright, Todd Perdue, Tony Graves Honorable Mention-- Paris McCall (Tom Maddox gets a vote for playing the 2nd half of the 1988 Mckinley game with a bone fracture in his leg!)

Outside Linebackers-- Shawn Crable, Andrew Daily, Monte McGuire(Can I vote for myself?), Jason Wollard, Jason Bradley, and Hoogy Phiester

D tackle-- Ellery Moore, Tom Gruno, CJ Harris, Bob Dunwiddie, Trace Liggett!

I missed a few years in the late 90's while in Germany!

[Tigress]

As far as PUNTERS: Was it Kenny Hawkins (?), that we had in the late
80's/early90's ??? Went to Syracuse ?

He could really BOOM 'em !:gogogo:

FYI: Ken graduated in 1987

[CarlE]

Tight Ends-- Tiger Coach, Jeff Harig, Doug Harig, Dorbney Honorable Mention-- Kenny Hawkins( also receives #1 punter for 1985-86)

Inside Linebackers-- Chris Speilman, Eric Wright, Todd Perdue, Tony Graves Honorable Mention-- Paris McCall (Tom Maddox gets a vote for playing the 2nd half of the 1988 Mckinley game with a bone fracture in his leg!)

Outside Linebackers-- Shawn Crable, Andrew Daily, Monte McGuire(Can I vote for myself?), Jason Wollard, Jason Bradley, and Hoogy Phiester

D tackle-- Ellery Moore, Tom Gruno, CJ Harris, Bob Dunwiddie, Trace Liggett!

I missed a few years in the late 90's while in Germany!

NO you can't vote for yourself you egomaniac!! LOL!

[TigerCoach]

Monte,

I didn't play TE in high school. But you can put me in the #1 spot at OLB or ILB, I played both depending on the other team. LOL!

Also, don't forget B.J. Payne at Defensive Tackle. If he didn't tackle you, he would scare the heck out of you!

[monte81]

Monte,

I didn't play TE in high school. But you can put me in the #1 spot at OLB or ILB, I played both depending on the other team. LOL!

Also, don't forget B.J. Payne at Defensive Tackle. If he didn't tackle you, he would scare the heck out of you!

BJ Definitely should be on the list!

TC-- You are one the list at any spot you want! If I put you at OLB you have to go behind me on the list(ha,Ha)! When I was a young tiger cub I remember all the techniques you taught me about beating blocks, swim, power moves -- it made me unblockable! The TE's on the list you coached most of them as well! Thanks for helping me be a DI player!

[TigerDL71]

i think luke schilling should be added to the list of punters


OL- Ben Mast, Paul Salvino, J.P. Simon

[monte81]

NO you can't vote for yourself you egomaniac!! LOL!

I voted for myself anyway CarlE--- I re- invented the OLB position at Massillon(ha,ha)! No seriously I wanted to be better than Hoogy Phiester because he started my sophomore year! I would also put David Hackenbrack in there as well! I had double digit sacks my senior year!

[hexumjunkie]

mark hawkins didnt drop a pass all of the early 90's he deserves honorable mention in the wr category

[TigerLily]

I can't believe nobody has mentioned Denny Franklin and Dave Sheegog at Quarterback.... Note:

That '70 team was awesome!!

[SuperBran]

I can't believe nobody has mentioned Denny Franklin and Dave Sheegog at Quarterback.... Note:

That '70 team was awesome!!

we're talking about the past 25 years.

[CarlE]

we're talking about the past 25 years.

Actually the title says: "Best Players Ever" and then in the body of the post it says the past 25 years. I got caught on that one too.

[TigerCoach]

Best Eater At A Sideliner Dinner - Crackerman, xtiger, Eddie Goff

[CarlE]

Best Eater At A Sideliner Dinner - Crackerman, xtiger, Eddie Goff
That is HILARIOUS. Man, remember big old Eddie Goff. What a load that boy was!!

[TigerLily]

Whoops….. I guess my mind is in a time warp -- 1970 seems like only yesterday.

(Really, I just didn’t notice -- was reading in between all that voting at WKYC.)

Probably best all around to me though was -- Travis McGuire. Other positions, it can go a lot of ways because each team had special and unique players. Justin was great and of course Ramier Martin and Shawn Crable.

[TIGER27]

Best I've ever seen here

QB's Zwick Spencer Jr Martin
RB's Gamble McGuire
WR's Devin Jordan Billy Relford
TE Huffman Wayne Gates one of most underused and underrated ever
OLine JP Simon
LB's Andy Alleman Crable Paris McCal leading tackler on last years state runner up team Dailey
DB's Gamble and Dailey Relford Troy Ellis
K/P Shawn Weisand Abdual

[fmtiger]

T. McGuire (should have won Heisman instead of E. George.)

D. Jordan

J. Zwick

S. Crable

C. Speilman

B. Gamble (Gets stronger and stronger as the game goes on)

[monte81]

Best Eater At A Sideliner Dinner - Crackerman, xtiger, Eddie Goff

I would eat 3 or 4 plates at the dinners!! The rigatoni and roast beef were the best!

[TigerswillbeTigers]

Unless I missed something, no list can be complete without the mention of a Grizzard or 2, or 3,
a Dorsey or 2, or 3,
a Danzy, or 2, or?
a McDew or 2, or?
and the Gutshall boys! I believe all 3 started on one Tiger team as a Soph, Jr. and Sr! Has that ever happened before?

[monte81]

Unless I missed something, no list can be complete without the mention of a Grizzard or 2, or 3,
a Dorsey or 2, or 3,
a Danzy, or 2, or?
a McDew or 2, or?
and the Gutshall boys! I believe all 3 started on one Tiger team as a Soph, Jr. and Sr! Has that ever happened before?

Jerome Myricks started both ways from soph year on at several positions-- at rb, corner, free safety, wr, and flanker during his career! Also averaged 20.3 points a game as a soph in basketball! 9 varsity letters in 3 years! He is the best athlete I played with at high school or college level!!

[1600TigerFan]

I gotta say ERIC WRIGHT. Not only was he one of the most dominating defensive players we have ever had. If we didnt have Travis and Falando in 91 he would have had 1500 yds rushing I am certain.

[1600TigerFan]

Dont forget Dan Hackenbracht at Safety either. Anytime you are a 3 year starter in this town you gotta be good. Not to mention he could carry the rock too.

[TigerswillbeTigers]

Monte! I'm very familiar with Jerome and his accompishments. No question he was an outstanding athlete.
My point about the Gutshall bothers was that unless my memory mistakes me, (which is entirely possible) all 3 of them played on the exact same team. One was a soph. at the time, one was a Jr. at the time, and the other was a Sr. at the time! I just wonder if any other Tiger teams had that same scenario.

[monte81]

I dont think that so! Travis would of started his soph year when I was a senior but he tore his acl in the intra squad scrimage! What year did they play? I had four uncles who started for Massillon in the late 60's and 70's but they did not play on the same team-- Loren, Keith, Mike, and Jeff McGuire!

[macguy]

All this talk about great runningbacks/fullbacks, but no mention of the lines that blocked for them and helped them get so much yardage. There has been one O-lineman mentioned so far. Actually, if a running/fullback is mentioned, then the whole line, as a unit, should be mentioned also (since we all toil in anonymity).

[SuperBran]

All this talk about great runningbacks/fullbacks, but no mention of the lines that blocked for them and helped them get so much yardage. There has been one O-lineman mentioned so far. Actually, if a running/fullback is mentioned, then the whole line, as a unit, should be mentioned also (since we all toil in anonymity).

1991 - the "wrecking crew"

[monte81]

I got a true Massillon o lineman-- Tony Lambert( he played center at 185 pounds and started for 2 years! Jeff Mayle, Marcus Graber, Rusty Weir, Matt Rice, and Tom Menches from the 1988 tiger team who blocked for Jason Stafford, LaMont Dixon, and Ryan Sparkman!

[DAWGH8R]

Ben Mast !!! :rockin:

[Smitty]

... My point about the Gutshall bothers was that unless my memory mistakes me, (which is entirely possible) all 3 of them played on the exact same team. One was a soph. at the time, one was a Jr. at the time, and the other was a Sr. at the time! ....

That was '72. Tim was a soph, I THINK his brothers were Dan & Dennis; and I don't know which was a Jr and which was a Sr.

[crackerman]

On the O-line, don't forget Charles Calhoun from the 82 team. He was 1st team All-Ohio and an All-American while at Massillon. I think a lot of people forget about Hodgie(Hodgson) at fullback since he was "overshadowed" by Christian Morgan as well.
He's how my vote would go for last 25 years, This would be my starting team:

QB- Zwick
FB- Hodgson/Falando
RB- Travis
TE- Huffman
WR's- Martin and Jordan
OLine- Calhoun, Mast, Salvino, Woodlock, Schilling, Steve Miller
DTackles- Payne, Moore
OLB's- Crable and Woullard
Ilbs- Wright and Spielman
CB's- Billy Relford and Chad Buckland
SS- Dan Hackenbracht
FS- Willie Spencer Jr.
Monster Back- Gamble
P- Weisand
K- Abdul

I would run a 4-3 on defense with Payne and Moore Inside, Crable and Woullard on the outside. Backers would be Wright and Spielman with Gamble in there as the 3rd LB as a Monster type backer, then Buckland and Relford maning the corners and Hack playing run support with Spencer playing Center field versus the pass. On offense I would run the I with this team with tons of play action with the good tight end and receiver's who could go up and get it! TE and receivers go 6'5, 6'4 and 6'2....Not too bad...lol.
Coach- Stacy

[TigerDL71]

jamaal ballard at CB

[DAWGH8R]

On the O-line, don't forget Charles Calhoun from the 82 team. He was 1st team All-Ohio and an All-American while at Massillon. I think a lot of people forget about Hodgie(Hodgson) at fullback since he was "overshadowed" by Christian Morgan as well.
He's how my vote would go for last 25 years, This would be my starting team:

QB- Zwick
FB- Hodgson/Falando
RB- Travis
TE- Huffman
WR's- Martin and Jordan
OLine- Calhoun, Mast, Salvino, Woodlock, Schilling, Steve Miller
DTackles- Payne, Moore
OLB's- Crable and Woullard
Ilbs- Wright and Spielman
CB's- Billy Relford and Chad Buckland
SS- Dan Hackenbracht
FS- Willie Spencer Jr.
Monster Back- Gamble
P- Weisand
K- Abdul

I would run a 4-3 on defense with Payne and Moore Inside, Crable and Woullard on the outside. Backers would be Wright and Spielman with Gamble in there as the 3rd LB as a Monster type backer, then Buckland and Relford maning the corners and Hack playing run support with Spencer playing Center field versus the pass. On offense I would run the I with this team with tons of play action with the good tight end and receiver's who could go up and get it! TE and receivers go 6'5, 6'4 and 6'2....Not too bad...lol.
Coach- Stacy


Talk about an ALL-STAE team !!!!:gogogo:

[monte81]

On the O-line, don't forget Charles Calhoun from the 82 team. He was 1st team All-Ohio and an All-American while at Massillon. I think a lot of people forget about Hodgie(Hodgson) at fullback since he was "overshadowed" by Christian Morgan as well.
He's how my vote would go for last 25 years, This would be my starting team:

QB- Zwick
FB- Hodgson/Falando
RB- Travis
TE- Huffman
WR's- Martin and Jordan
OLine- Calhoun, Mast, Salvino, Woodlock, Schilling, Steve Miller
DTackles- Payne, Moore
OLB's- Crable and Woullard
Ilbs- Wright and Spielman
CB's- Billy Relford and Chad Buckland
SS- Dan Hackenbracht
FS- Willie Spencer Jr.
Monster Back- Gamble
P- Weisand
K- Abdul

I would run a 4-3 on defense with Payne and Moore Inside, Crable and Woullard on the outside. Backers would be Wright and Spielman with Gamble in there as the 3rd LB as a Monster type backer, then Buckland and Relford maning the corners and Hack playing run support with Spencer playing Center field versus the pass. On offense I would run the I with this team with tons of play action with the good tight end and receiver's who could go up and get it! TE and receivers go 6'5, 6'4 and 6'2....Not too bad...lol.
Coach- Stacy

Woodlock and Schilling? You can pick someone else to play guard and tackle! There senior year we ran Ice3 with Liggett leading the way for Myricks! They were really soft!(We aint gonna start mentioning the bad transfers!)

[crackerman]

ok your right, replace Liggett for those two and thats my starting 5. However those 2 did go to Michigan and NC State though each if I recall correctly

[1600TigerFan]

I dont know if there was a better person pulling on the counter play than Steve Miller, good call Crackerman.
I think Travis would agree.

[tiger74]

what about jerrod stafenco {sp?] at inside linebacker he always seemed to play hard. sorry about the spelling. but I really liked him as a player.

[tiger4life]

I have only been in Massillon a short time compared to most of you guys but I gotta throw in BG here. He is the most exciting HS Baller I have ever personally witnessed. I have heard of all the legends you guys have mentioned and have to concur.

Most commonly I hear that the best backs ever to come of out of Massillon were McGuire and Ashcraft. I wish we could get some kind of synergy like that with Herring and Gamble and Turner. Maybe it'll come before seasons end.

[MTown]

Ashcraft and McGuire has to be the best RB tandem in the last 30 years. Hands down. In that '91 season they combined for something like 3500 yards. It was rediculous. In that McKinley game that year I think we only threw like 5 passes. We just had a monster offensive line and we'd get set with double tights and pound on people.

[macguy]

Ashcraft and McGuire has to be the best RB tandem in the last 30 years. Hands down. In that '91 season they combined for something like 3500 yards. It was rediculous. In that McKinley game that year I think we only threw like 5 passes. We just had a monster offensive line and we'd get set with double tights and pound on people.


I agree MTown. That was good old Coach Nick/Coach Stu, line-up-and-blow-them-off-the-ball, physical, 3 yards and a cloud of sand-turf dust, running football.

[DAWGH8R]

Ashcraft and McGuire has to be the best RB tandem in the last 30 years. Hands down. In that '91 season they combined for something like 3500 yards. It was rediculous. In that McKinley game that year I think we only threw like 5 passes. We just had a monster offensive line and we'd get set with double tights and pound on people.

I sat on the 50 that year at Fawcett !! I told those people to talk chit NOW, cuz they would be gone by the 4th quarter. Boy was I ever right !! :biggrin:

[monte81]

I agree MTown. That was good old Coach Nick/Coach Stu, line-up-and-blow-them-off-the-ball, physical, 3 yards and a cloud of sand-turf dust, running football.

Dont forget Coach Jarvis-- he made the line work! And if im not mistaken Brandon Jackson also was a part of the o-line!

[macguy]

Monte81, you're right, Brandon Jackson was a part of the line in 91. he was a junior then. He stepped in after Chris Dottavio got injured early in the season.

[Catman]

Mike Mauger
Tom Hannon
Bill Harmon
Ivory Benjamin

Just trying to take you guys back a ways.


Mike was a man among boys....in school he was definitely a man among boys....he gets a lot of credit for what he did in his era....his nickname the Mailman couldn't of been a better one! To bad he screwed up in college or he might have really been a good back at Wisconsin.

[Kamd50]

Boy, you speak the truth on all points, Catman!
Even in grade school, he was a man among boys. He could have really went somewhere.

[hexumjunkie]

jamaal ballard at CB
are u smoking something that guy got burnt more than anyone...and also commited alot of stupid penalties

[TigerDL71]

are you sure you are thinking about the same jamaal ballard i am thinking of? i don't remember him getting burnt too much but maybe thats just me?

[monte81]

Jamal Ballard #21 from the 2002 tigers! He was one of the best cover corners massillon had in many years- he and billy relford only got beat in one game-- Iggy with Gonzo!! they even checked mario!

[TigerDL71]

thanks monte, thing is no one would have been able to guard tony gonzo from that team, a college team hasn't been able to guard gonzo for that matter, if i remember right jamaal ballard had an interception while guarding tony in the iggy game in 2002, he just got stripped by tony on the return

[mmauthor]

I thought Ballard was a heckuva DB, too!

[LakeCountyTiger]

Best singer- Jeff Timmons

[npaflas]

1979 Bob Simpson middle guard.

[xtiger]

Best Eater At A Sideliner Dinner - Crackerman, xtiger, Eddie Goff
Hey, speaking of eaters how bout Tom Snodgrass?

[TigerDL71]

steve geissinger could really put down the food at the sideliner meals

also craig mcconell at DB

[fyrewood]

Hey, speaking of eaters how bout Tom Snodgrass?

xtiger,

Tom (class of '81) was a very good buddy of mine during and after high school. You're right his eating abilities were legendary LOL. I always thought he was pretty damn quick for a big boy when he played though. Pretty decent player too from what I remember. I think he even got a few college offers.

[DAWGH8R]

Hey, speaking of eaters how bout Tom Snodgrass?


There is a BLAST from the past !! He was a BIG BOY !!!:kungfu:

[monte81]

1979 Bob Simpson middle guard.

Bob Simpson who grew up on 3rd st. se? Man he was a best! he taught me and my brother travis some things growing up! We lived next door to him and he would come home from practice and teach us things! I was around 10! He went to college in California and never came back after graduation!

[Harper]

I used to see Mike at a bar on Ft. Meyers beach quite often. Not much has changed but he still looked in playing shape.

[Purple Hayes]

Mike was a man among boys....in school he was definitely a man among boys....he gets a lot of credit for what he did in his era....his nickname the Mailman couldn't of been a better one! To bad he screwed up in college or he might have really been a good back at Wisconsin.
I've heard alot of great things about the player Mike Mauger was. What happened to him in College? In fact, I seemed to remeber him transferring to Kent State, but I could be wrong. What was his size and speed?

[American Eagle]

What about peanut?

[ObieWon]

Bob Simpson who grew up on 3rd st. se? Man he was a best! he taught me and my brother travis some things growing up! We lived next door to him and he would come home from practice and teach us things! I was around 10! He went to college in California and never came back after graduation!

Big #55 - he was my first Tiger Hero as a boy...
:thumbsup:

[ObieWon]

Best singer- Jeff Timmons

Ha :offtopic: but I agree. I did unfortunately see him in the news a couple days ago though - it had to do with a small personal challenge, but if you read about it you'll see that he had some smarts in dealing with the issue - saved himself bigger troubles.