MASSILLON, Ohio — The Massillon Tigers have been working for years to win a state championship and they have another chance this season.

Randy Berkley, the equipment manager for the Massillon Tigers, has worked to get this team prepared this year.

“We told them, every week we win, they get a dozen cookies,” he said.

Although, Berkley has done much more for this team than just bring cookies. He has been at Massillon since 2007.

“Someones gotta make this stuff all go and get it together,” he said.

He said he spends seven days a week at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium, especially during football season.

“I check helmets, make sure nothing’s broken, facemasks, chin straps, shoulder pad straps, checking all that stuff,” he said.

Berkley explained that this year’s team has put in the time and the effort to get a state football title this year.

“After we’re done working out and stuff, Saturdays and Sundays, they’re down at a garage working out on their own. The offensive linemen will get together, the defensive linemen will get together and they do a lot of work on their own, without being told,” Berkley said.

He also expressed the pressure that both the team and he feels from the community. 

“If this stuff breaks, they’re looking at one person. It’s like why is he out for a play, why is his helmet broken, why has this gone down,” Berkley said.

Berkley expressed that he’s hopeful for this team as they take on the Hoban Knights in this year’s Division II state title game.