'We have a really talented group': Massillon football's O-line powers Tigers offense

MASSILLON — The offensive line doesn’t typically get a ton of recognition. However, it never goes unnoticed. Massillon’s offensive line fits that nature.

In 10 regular-season games, Massillon rushed for 2,420 yards and 34 touchdowns. Overall, the unbeaten Tigers produced 4,047 yards of offense, earning them the top seed in Division II, Region 7 for the state playoffs, which begin Friday.

Massillon’s physicality starts up front, creating open holes for the ball carrier consistently and allowing just seven sacks all year.

“I got to shout out John Mazur and Chip Robinson for coaching our offensive linemen,” Massillon coach Nate Moore said. “Those guys do a great job not just schematically, but technique-wise and mentality-wise to get these guys ready.

“We have a really talented group. We got good size, we’re very athletic, very smart and we have a good amount of experience. When we need to make adjustments, put this here and that there, they do a great job and making those adjustments. This is a really good group.”

What also keeps the engine going on The Tigers’ offensive line is depth. Before the season started, Moore felt good about as many as nine players on the offensive line. The Tigers generally rotate six guys up front.

Massillon football's starting offensive line

• LT Nolan Davenport, Jr., 6-foot-6, 255 pounds

• LG Michael Looney, Jr., 6-0, 245

• C Brady Jones, Sr., 6-3, 245

• RG Gavin Kappes, Jr., 5-11, 260

• RT Samuel Snodgrass, Sr., 6-2, 280

• OT Jaezen Lewis, Jr., 6-6, 400

“We’re a very smart group of guys,” Jones said. “ All six of us because we do rotate. So like whatever we need, we’ll just rotate the guy and will always have Kappes or Jah (Jaezen Lewis) to help back up what we need and we’re very physical. We just kind of know what we got to do at all times. It just kind of helps with our game.”

Jones, a two-year starter at center, has looked to be more explosive coming off the ball this fall.

“I just improve on my footwork and my get-off,” Jones said. “It kind of helps with blowing people off the ball and just making bigger holes for the running back and quarterback to run through.”

Jones said it doesn't matter who is on the field because they are a tight-knit group and they stay on the same page in blocking assignments.

“I think it’s because we have one goal, and that’s just to dominate the line,” Jones said.” And so, with having that goal, we just communicate, do our jobs and when we do our jobs, that’ll open up holes for the running back and quarterback.”

Nolan Davenport takes a big leap in his first season at left tackle

Davenport may have been the most inexperienced of the group but has grown to be perhaps the most reliable. This is Davenport’s first season as the starting left tackle after playing tight end last year.

“I’m just getting better every week,” Davenport said. “I think my biggest improvement is the mental side of it. Just knowing the plays, what to do in certain situations, blitzes and things like that.”

Davenport put it all together in Week 5 against St. Edward. He went one-on-one against Notre Dame commit Loghan Thomas and held him to zero sacks.

“It’s what you have to ask every week,” Davenport said. “(I) love to compete, and it was fun to compete against him.”

Moore said Davenport's biggest improvement is his pass protection, which is something he was not used to doing. His improvement there makes Davenport a strong all-around left tackle.

“It’s the biggest difference,” Moore said. “At tight end in our offense, you’re mostly working by yourself. With all those combos (as a tackle), you got to learn how to work with the guard.”

What also made a difference for Davenport was film studies and asking questions. He credited his teammates for working with him all year, including his senior teammates Evan Sirgo and Snodgrass. Sirgo was an All-Ohio performer on the line last year, but has been injured this season.

“He’s at every practice and after every play, coaching me up, giving me little tips because I never played left tackle before,” Davenport said of Sirgo. “And Sam Snodgrass, if I ever have a question, he’s right there to answer. The same goes for Mike Looney and Brady Jones. They’re all there for me.”

Davenport recently received offers from Boston College, Vanderbilt and West Virginia. He carries 14 FBS offers, and most schools view him as an offensive tackle. Davenport is eager to play that position at the next level. Moore has raved about Davenport and his production level in less than a year playing left tackle.

“He has done a great job developing into a really solid tackle for us,” Moore said. “He’s going to be really good.”

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This article originally appeared on The Repository: Top-ranked Massillon football offense built around offensive line