'It is real today': Massillon football players receive their OHSAA state championship rings

MASSILLON — Head coach Nate Moore remembers everything about Massillon's first OHSAA football playoff state title .

He remembers how he felt when time expired in November's Division II state championship game win over Hoban. He remembers his son dunking a Gatorade bucket of water on him. He remembers hugging his players and coaches. He remembers the trophy presentation. He remembers the championship celebration held downtown .

"It still didn't seem real," Moore said.

Reality was felt at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium on Thursday when Massillon's players, coaches, administrators and support staff received their 2023 state championship rings. The ceremony brought finality to a season that will be remembered in Massillon for many years to come.

"After you open these boxes and you take this beautiful state championship ring out of this box and you put that ring on your finger, that's putting the final stamp on the 2023 state championship," Moore said. "It is real today."

Moore said the wives of the coaches will receive a pendant of the championship ring. He presented one to his wife Becca and recalled a prediction she made when he was hired in 2015.

"My wife introduced me and she had the audacity to say that we were going to win a state championship here at Massillon," Moore said. "When she said that, I'll be honest, I was like 'Whoa.' Let's talk about competing and whatnot. To say that, that's a bold prediction.

"Wouldn't you know it, she was spot on."

Several hundred Tiger fans filled the stadium's home stands. They gave the players a standing ovation when Moore led them on the field.

Massillon City Schools Superintendent Paul Salvino spoke from the heart when he opened the ceremony.

"As a Massillon boy, a former player, a former coach, a former principal and as a superintendent, I can't tell you how proud everyone is of you guys," Salvino said.

One by one, Moore read the names of everyone as they were presented a box containing their rings. The last group of players to receive theirs was the seniors.

"Our senior class, what an unbelievable job you guys did," Moore said. "I couldn't be more proud of you guys. You guys brought the standard back to where it belongs. The city, this football program is forever in your debt."

Reach Mike at mike.popovich@cantonrep.com

On X: @mpopovichREP

This article originally appeared on The Repository: 'It is real today': Massillon football players receive their OHSAA state championship rings