URGENT UPDATE: In a crushing playoff defeat, RJ Day, son of Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, faced a challenging end to his junior season as Columbus St. Francis DeSales lost to Massillon 48-14 on Friday night. This loss marks a stark contrast to his previous performance, where he set a school record with 482 yards in a playoff win against Ashland.
The game took place in Columbus, where DeSales, as the top seed in Division II, Region 7 of the OHSAA playoffs, hoped to advance but was unable to maintain momentum. Despite throwing for one touchdown in the fourth quarter, Day was intercepted twice and managed to complete mostly short passes throughout the game.
Massillon capitalized on Day’s turnovers, leading 27-14 at halftime after a dominant second quarter. Day’s longest completion in the first half was a mere 15 yards to junior running back Kaleb Johnson. As pressure mounted in the second half, DeSales struggled to recover, with Massillon controlling the ball and extending their lead.
“It was a tough night for us,” RJ Day commented after the game. “We couldn’t find our rhythm and Massillon played a great game.”
In the fourth quarter, Day connected with junior wide receiver Dax Middleton for his only touchdown pass, narrowing the gap to 41-14, but it was too late for a comeback. Despite being sacked only once, Day faced relentless pressure from the Massillon defense, which thwarted his attempts to turn the game around.
Last week, Day was on a recruiting visit with Purdue, coinciding with Ohio State’s matchup against the Boilermakers, highlighting his potential as a prospect for the 2027 recruiting class. However, following this playoff loss, his immediate focus will be on regrouping for the upcoming season.
This defeat not only ends DeSales’ playoff run but also serves as a learning experience for RJ Day, who will look to build on his skills ahead of next season. Fans and scouts alike will be watching closely as he continues to develop into a promising quarterback.
Stay tuned for further updates as the postseason unfolds and as RJ Day’s recruitment progresses in the coming months.
