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Yappi.com writer MASSILLON—Behind the windows inside the Massillon Washington High School library was the pristine view of 18,000-seat Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, Home of the Massillon Tigers. Sitting behind the view of the stadium where the Tigers went 7-0 this season, five Tiger players signed their letters of intent to further their academic and athletic careers at the collegiate level. Brett Huffman, Neil James, Antonio James (no relation to Neil), Dirk Dickerhoof, and Brendon Smith put their pens to their national letters of intent to continue their college football careers, exactly two months after completing a 13-2 season which saw the Tigers emerge as state finalists for the first time since the 1982 season. “This is a moment for us all to relish in. When you think about these games and the 15 weeks these players have put in to this season, these men have a relationship that will last a lifetime all the way down Lincoln Way East,” Massillon head coach and dean of students Tom Stacy said. “They will represent Massillon really well and with class and dignity. These men will do a good job.” Antonio James and Huffman were the first two players to commit before the start of the 2005 season. Huffman committed first, selecting Duke and James selected Illinois. Both commitments allowed the two men to focus on the record-breaking 2005 season that saw the Tigers capture their first regional championship since the 2002 season. Jeff Huffman, the father of the Duke recruit was very pleased with his son’s decision and believes that he will compete as well as the other NFL-caliber players to step on the field. Huffman has coached his son for the last three years as the Tigers offensive coordinator. He will still remain on the Tigers staff on the offensive side of the ball but strictly as the receivers coach. “Honest to God, this is a dream come true not just for me but for Brett as well,” Jeff Huffman said. “To be a part of this day, to have won a regional championship and then play for a Division I state title is a blessing. Brett has worked hard on his football skills and has developed excellent grades in the classroom, so this is a dream come true.” “It started with the foundation of Tom Stacy. He played a major role in our success. And because of that, Duke offered Brett on the spot and it was the best offer he got. They expect him to come in and start as a freshman and I can’t wait to see him when that day comes, he will be in great shape.” At 6’6’’ 235 lbs., Brett Huffman is a lighter version of current Pittsburgh Steelers tight end Heath Miller. Huffman recorded 26 catches for 304 yards and four touchdowns to his credit. He was also a part of the National Honor Society and recorded a flawless 4.0 grade point average in the classroom. “My goal is to play as a freshman at Duke and be the best player in the ACC,” Huffman said of his goals. “The season we had was one that I will never forget, including when we hit our peak in the regional title win over Canton McKinley. From growing up in Massillon and being around the guys I am with today, I will miss them and all the good times that we have had from midget football to now. We will be going our separate ways but we will remain close in unity.” Huffman intends to major in law at the Durham, North Carolina campus. He will play as a tight end. Antonio James was the second player to commit before the 2005 season. James was an offensive and defensive lineman on the Tigers squad this year. James recorded five sacks this year for the Division I state finalists. As of right now, James is undecided on what his concentration of study will be on the Urbana-Champaign campus. He will join Canton McKinley standout receiver Joe Morgan, who also signed with Illinois. Both men will play for Ohio native and head coach Ron Zook. “It’s going to be exciting to play with a person like Morgan. I have had nothing but respect for him and his success at Canton McKinley,” he said. “I hope he and I are the best of friends celebrating Big Ten football titles for a long time.” “I have always been a fan of Big Ten football since I watched the famous Ohio State-Michigan rivalry and the other games that have been played. My goal is to be the best player I can be while getting a very good education.” At 6’5’’, 255 lbs., James expects to play as a defensive end for the Fighting Illini. He and Huffman are the only two Division I signers. Dirk Dickerhoof recently committed to Ashland University last week. He will be playing under former Massillon kingpin Lee Owens. But don’t think that Dickerhoof sees it as a continuation of Massillon. Playing for Stacy is one thing. But playing for Owens is a different story, including at the collegiate level. “College football is a lot different than high school. The players are faster and bigger at the college level,” Dickerhoof said. With a 6’3’’ 245 lb. frame, Dickerhoof intends to play defensive end for the Eagles. His goal is to start right away as a freshman and crack the starting lineup. The one thing that drives Dickerhoof was the 15 week season he had with the Tigers, which he recorded four sacks this season while being part of a Tigers defense that was vastly improved from the last two seasons. He will major in education at Ashland. “I want to thank the support of the fans for guiding us this year,” he said. “We wanted to reward them with something and we did that this year.” Neil James signed a letter of intent to play football at Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Along with Dickerhoof, he will be a Division II athlete. James played cornerback for this year’s Massillon squad, the same position he will play in college. This was a nerve-wracking decision for the Massillon senior, who is 5’9’’, 180 lbs. But he is relieved to have got it out of the way, in which he can focus on finishing the year out and making the most of his last days living in Massillon. “It means a lot to have finally committed. This is where the period goes fast, especially when you get to this position,” he said. “My family helped me week in and week out and it’s nothing more I can ask for.” James will major in sports management at IUP. Brendon Smith was the last player to sign for his college. He will play at Fairmont State University in West Virginia, a Division I-AA school. He arrived at his decision today after giving it a lot of thought. “It was a privilege to represent and wear a jersey with Massillon embroidered on it. This is a dream for everyone who plays as a Massillon Tiger,” Smith said. “It was a blessing to overcome two losing seasons and then play in the state finals.” As a 6’4’’ 270 lb. giant, Smith will play either defensive tackle or offensive tackle and will major in criminal justice and communications. This was a day that Stacy envisioned as the head coach of the Tigers. Having experienced many national signing days as a head coach and a college coach, Stacy attests that this was the most fun that he has had as a head coach, especially for a team that will enter the 2006 season as defending regional champions and state finalists. “The five seniors here laid down the foundation for success here, on the field and most importantly, in the classroom. Their parents and the coaching staff are to be commended because they put the players here to be in a good position that led up to this day,” the 47-year-old Massillon general said. “By stressing the importance of education and excellence, you can be assured that these players are a prime example of what we expect from our athletes. Being a Tiger is important but getting an education is even more important. And if you can do what these five players have done, then your hard work will pay off.” Behind the view of the Massillon Washington library was Paul Brown Tiger Stadium. It is a view which will be remembered forever by the players who signed off on their Tigers careers to begin the collegiate challenge. |
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