FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Plakas Mannos Law Firm’s Statement on the Fifth District Court of Appeals Order Granting an
Emergency Preliminary Injunction
October 16, 2026 – Yogi Berra famously said “it ain’t over until it’s over” and that sentiment holds true
today, as the Fifth District Court of Appeals has granted an emergency preliminary injunction permitting
Brayton and Brydon Fiester to join their Massillon Tiger teammates and play the remainder of the 2026
football season.
Our firm is and has been committed to doing all we can to ensure that all six of the Massillon Washington
High School students are not denied their right to continue to play alongside their Massillon Tiger
teammates for this football season, and today’s decision is extremely important in achieving that goal.
Plakas Mannos Managing Member Lee Plakas, Lead Counsel for this matter, states: "Today is not about
wins or losses. Today is about celebrating the opportunity for a group of young people to have a chance to make memories, compete with their teammates, and one day look back on this high school football season as the best time of their lives with fondness and pride. We believe today’s decision respects American ideals and constitutional rights to move where you want, live where you want, play where you want, and pursue the best opportunities for your family. We hope the community can now come together to support these student-athletes and their team as they finish out their season.” “We are so happy for the players and families that this decision was issued before today’s football game, and we wish all of the players the best of luck on the field tonight- playing together as they should be” said Plakas Mannos Attorney David L. Dingwell who is counsel for the Appeal.
For all of the Massillon fans following these events – and for everyone else – you should know this about
the Plakas Mannos law firm: for almost 70 years we have fought with all we have for our clients. Not all
of our cases have been as high profile as this one, but whether we are fighting for a 100+ year old bakery
that has been unfairly attacked by an ivory tower institution, a business whose competitor has engaged in a pattern of corrupt activities against it, a family who has lost a loved one, or these six young men - Brayton, Brydon, Da’Shun, Gary, Micah, and Dey’Veair- we don’t give up when the going gets tough. And that tenacity, commitment to excellence, and persistence has served us well since our firm’s founding in 1957.
We are called the Law Lions for a reason. But for today, you can call us the Law Tigers.