On the road against an in-state powerhouse, Massillon Washington (OH), ranked No. 22 in the latest USA TODAY Sports Super 25 rankings, was itching for a win. Gary Yeager made sure it happened.
The sophomore running back tallied 15 carries for 227 yards and two touchdowns against St. Edward’s Friday night, Sept. 18, turning on the jets against one of Ohio's best to get his Tigers out of a potentially sticky situation.
The potentially sticky situation in question: with one half down, the rivals were knotted up at 7-7, Massillon unable to rev up the offense that’s made it so dominant so far this season. Yeager found the switch.
It was a broken play that led to his first touchdown, the snap going over QB Rasmus Haines’ head before being snatched by
Yeager. A 50-yard dash down the sideline tallied the tie-breaking touchdown, putting Massillon back up 13-7 with 10:20 left in the third.
Gary Yeager turns a broken play into a 50-yard TD run with 10:20 left in the third. Massillon up 13-7 on St. Edward. pic.twitter.com/Npkh6jsiyF
— Matt Goul (@mgoul) September 19, 2026
A Massillon field goal and a few strong Yeager carries later, St. Edward’s was still within shooting distance. Up only two points with under three minutes remaining, the Lions were searching for more of a cushion – and they just kept putting the ball in Yeager’s hands. After a strong march down the field, it was the sophomore that blasted the remaining 9 yards to put Massillon up 23-14.
St. Edward’s didn’t go easily, but an onside kick recovered by Massillon sealed the deal, 23-21.
The Lions occupy the edge of the USA TODAY Sports National Super 25 rankings on the back of their now 5-0 record that includes two games won by a margin of 40 points or more. On Yeager’s personal end of things, he holds an offer from Miami Ohio and has not discussed commitment.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Elite Ohio RB powers team to tight in-state victory, avoiding Super 25 upset
