2012 ONPA Pictures of the Year

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Caitlin Bourque / Kent State University

Vinny Keller plays with a former game helmet and jersey in his bedroom. His father, Matt, is an active participant in Massillon football, including the Boosters program and formally a participant in the Sideliners program where adults are paired with younger players to offer guidance and support as they go through high school. Oftentimes, they remain close after high school. One player, Shawn Wright, who is currently on active duty in Afghanistan, remains close to the family and especially Vinny

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

Moments before entering the field at Fawcet Stadium in Canton, Ryan Rambo and Evan Berbari wait quietly while coaches give final instructions and players give an emotional reminder of the importance of the rivalry between Massillon and Canton McKinley. Beating the Bulldogs is the top team goal each year.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

Massillon Tigers Marcus Whitfield carries a rope out of the indoor practice facility after an early morning conditioning practice that began at 5am at Washington High School.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

Linemen work on blocking drills outside the Paul Brown Stadium field during a morning practice. The heat and the intensity of the mid-summer practices can be very difficult but this summer was even more challenging because of a lengthy drought.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

Lyron Wilson works on his pass catching skills during a morning drill at Paul Brown Stadium. The rhythm and routine of the drills and the consistency of the daily practices improve the fundamentals that are critical to the performace of the players during the season.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Matt Hafley / Kent State University

Members of the Tiger Swing Band run laps on a foggy morning before practice. While the football team practices on the field, the band hold practice on a nearby parking lot that is prepared for their needs.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - David Foster / Kent State University

Senior Ernie Baez laughs during a team discussion after practice at the team's training camp held at Ashland University. The weekend camp experience offers the players a chance improve their skills far removed from distractions, but it also is a chance for the players to bond and grow closer as a team.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - David Foster / Kent State University

Members of the Tigers football team play pool basketball during a break from training camp practice at Ashland University. Coach Jason Hall believes the more connected the players are to each other, the more cohesive the team performance will be during the season.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

Players react while riding the Millennium Force at Cedar Point in July. The day of fun and excitement was a chance for players to relax and spend time together away from football.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Caitlin Bourque / Kent State University

During their trip to Cedar Point in July, some of the players chose to break from park activities and enjoy some quiet time on the Lake Erie shore.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Jenna Watson / Kent State University

Massillon Tigers cheerleader Samantha DeHoff finds a quiet place to finish preparing for Homecoming before joining her friends at Massillon Washington High School

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Adrianne Bastas / Kent State University

Members of the Tiger Swing Band gather for a photo during the annual prom at the Knight Of Columbus Hall in Massillon.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - David Foster / Kent State University

Friends greet members of the Massillon Tiger football team as they enter the dance floor during the prom at the Knight of Columbus hall in Massillon

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Caitlin Bourque / Kent State University

Garrett Keiger, a member of the 2011 Massillon football team, leaps into the air as he tosses his mortarboard with other graduates at the conclusion of the 2011 spring ceremony. A few months later, Principal Brad Warner and the faculty at Massillon Washington High School received a notice from the Ohio Department of Education that the school received an “Excellent” rating, awarded to schools that excel in a diverse and specific list of requirements.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Matt Hafley / Kent State University

The 2012 Massillon football team is introduced to the community during the annual community pep rally at the start of the season

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - David Foster / Kent State University

Tyler Hackenbracht learns the proper blocking technique from members of the varsity football team during a youth camp held every summer in the Massillon Washington High School indoor facility. This three-day event is not only an opportunity for members of the team to share their knowledge and skills with children in the community, it’s also an opportunity to introduce the culture and tradition of Tiger football.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

Keith Krichbaum, Tim Groff and Dick McClintock gather outside Michelle’s Main Mart on a Friday morning for coffee and conversation, including the upcoming Tigers game.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

Coty Wolfe applies paint to his face while preparing for a home game with fellow alumnus Joe Kieffer. Both are members of the Village Idiots alumni and 2010 graduates of Massillon High School

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - David Foster / Kent State University

Tailgating busses and party vans gather for each home game and are parked in a location that offers a view of the stadium action during a home game

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - David Foster / Kent State University

Massillon resident with balloons during McKinley week

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Coty Giannelli / Kent State University

Team colors and the Obie mascot define the jacket and tie of Rollie Layfield, Booster president for 1993

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - David Foster / Kent State University

Residents line the streets during the annual McKinley week parade on Lincoln Way.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Jess White / Kent State University

Thousands of banners and other forms of spirit fill the hallways of Washington High School during McKinley Week.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Jess White / Kent State University

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

Student Alissa Sallah chose a unique costume to express her spirit and support for the Tigers as she makes her way to class.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

The mascot, in front of the tiger mural in the Massillon Washington High School gymnasium, fires up the students gathered for a pep rally during McKinley week.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

Junie Studer holds the jersey worn by his son Steve, who died from a heart attack in 2004. Over the years, the number “55” has come to be synonymous with the Studer family and a key part of Massillon football history. Later that year, the school chose to retire jersey number 55. It is the only number in the history of Massillon football that has been retired.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

Massillon Tiger football players quietly prepare for the opening game of the season at Paul Brown Stadium. There are high expectations for the team every year, but especially for the 2012 season based on the talent of their senior class.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

Though the main part of the locker room is filled with loud music and a tense environment as players prepare for the opening game of the season, James Hendricks finds a quiet place to collect his thoughts.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

Cheerleaders are captured in the setting sun prior to the start of the 2012 game at Perry

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - David Foster / Kent State University

Players on the Austintown Fitch team wait quietly for halftime to end. The team was ranked in the top 10 in the state, but experience a true home field advantage as they were losing to the Tigers at Paul Brown Stadium

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Chelsie Corso / Kent State University

Students find an opportunity to be together at the back of the stadium during a home game at Paul Brown stadium

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Matt Hafley / Kent State University

Steve Sciortino watches the instant replay on the scoreboard after a play

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

A man on his bike, stops to watch a game at Paul Brown Stadium

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

A few miles separate the greatest and longest running high school football rivalry in the country as the Tigers travel to Fawcett Stadium for the 121st game against Canton McKinley

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - David Foster / Kent State University

Alex Dailey exits the locker room as the team prepares to play Canton McKinley. The top team goal for the year is to “Beat McKinley.”

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

During a pre-game tailgate party with friends, Wendy Nolan is overcome with emotion as the conversation leads to the realization that her son, Devyn, is preparing for his final regular season game as a Massillon Tiger. He is her youngest son, so this will be her last game as a Tiger Mom.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Caitline Bourque / Kent State University

Joe Hallett and other Massillon players enter the field at the start of the 122nd game with their rival Canton McKinley

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

With a victory assured, head coach Jason Hall and Booster President Ron Thornberry embrace after the two men ran onto the field in the closing seconds of the 122nd game between Massillon Tigers and Canton McKinley Bulldogs.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - Gary Harwood / Kent State University

Senior Dillon Cowan rings the Victory Bell with energy and emotion after the Tigers defeated the McKinley Bulldogs. The Tigers lost the three previous games, so this was his first, and final chance to experience the satisfaction of ringing the bell and knowing the bell, symbolic of the rivalry, has been returned to Massillon.

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - David Foster / Kent State University

Fans converge on Lincoln Way to celebrate a 2012 home victory over Canton McKinley

First place, James R. Gordon Ohio Understanding Award - David Foster / Kent State University

A family exits Paul Brown stadium after the 2012 home opening victory