MASSILLON, Ohio — Following Thursday night's OHSAA D-II state football championship, thousands of Massillon fans took to the streets to celebrate Massillon Washington's 7-2 victory over Archbishop Hoban.
Massillon's championship victory came just down the road at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. It marked the Tigers' first state crown since 1970 and first of the playoff era.
Fans were finally able to celebrate after 53 years of pain, heartbreak and taunts of being labeled as "paper champions."
A video of fans celebrating in the streets, at local bars and cheering on the team as they arrived back in Massillon can be watched below:
Massillon police released a statement on Friday saying that there was not a single incident to mention following the celebrations.
"Everybody who was present to welcome home the 2023 Ohio Division II Football State Champion Tigers on Thursday night represented Massillon with pride. Our community gathered in mass downtown, celebrated as one, and did it with class," said Massillon police on Facebook. "The officers and deputies had an easy job because our citizens showed their pride and respect for this town. Thousands of people celebrated downtown without a single incident to mention. It was our pleasure to be a part of it with you."
The battle between two nationally ranked powerhouses (Massillon came in rated as high as ninth in the country while Hoban was 23rd) could only be described as a defensive slugfest, with Mylen Lenix's 6-yard run proving to be the only touchdown. Both offenses were held to under 200 total yards, the vast majority of them coming on the ground.
3News' Tyler Carey contributed to this report.
