Football players, cheerleaders, band participating in pep rally Monday on Duncan Plaza

MASSILLON – The annual Tigers pep rally slated for next week aims to generate enthusiasm for the upcoming football season.

The Tigers' rally is set to start at 5:30 p.m. on Duncan Plaza with the Tiger Growl. The main portion with the football team, cheerleaders and Massillon Tiger Swing Band is scheduled for 6 p.m.

Tiger-striped ice cream and prizes will be available.

Massillon is still basking in the glow of winning the Division II state championship last year, as the Tigers defeated rival Akron Hoban 7-2 in a defensive battle at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

It was Massillon's first state playoff championship after a more than 50-year drought and the first since Ohio's high school playoff system began in 1972.

"I'm sure our fans and parents and supporters and booster club members are probably going to be celebrating that up until Week 1 of the next 20 seasons … 50 seasons. Whatever," head coach Nate Moore said in previewing the upcoming season. "But we have to turn the page. Our job is different than all those people. 2023 is over. It's been over."

The Tigers season begins Thursday with a game against an all-star team, NFL Academy London, at the Nike sports complex in Beaverton, Oregon.

This article originally appeared on The Independent: Football players, cheerleaders, band participating in pep rally Monday on Duncan Plaza