A Rally That Unites Massillon
On August 19, Duncan Plaza in Massillon transformed into a sea of orange and black as the Washington High School Tigers held their annual community pep rally, officially launching the 2026 football season.
The Tiger Swing Band marched onto the plaza, followed by cheerleaders and the beloved mascot Obie, while volunteers from the Massillon Museum and the Tiger Booster Club distributed free tiger‑striped ice cream to the crowd.
Liberty Screen Printing added extra excitement with a T‑shirt cannon that launched spirited memorabilia into the air, turning the gathering into a lively spectacle.
Mayor Jamie Slutz took the microphone to commend the team’s recent achievements under Head Coach Nate Moore, who is entering his 12th season, and urged residents to fill the stands for the upcoming opener.
The Tigers are scheduled to open the season on August 21 at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, where they will face Glenville High School in a matchup that promises to test the 9‑4 record they posted in 2025.
Longtime supporters such as Dave Maxheimer, a 1997 Tuslaw graduate, watched proudly as his son Isaac, a linebacker, joined the rally — a tradition the family has upheld for 25 years.
Nearby, Lynn Radel arrived to cheer for her niece MaKenna and nephew Logan, both members of the Swing Band, illustrating the deep community ties that bind the program.
Organized each year by the Downtown Massillon Association, the rally not only celebrated athletic ambition but also reinforced the city’s collective enthusiasm, turning a simple gathering into a vivid preview of the excitement to come.