Massillon natives thriving as Purple Raiders after distinguished Tiger careers

 Massillon natives thriving as Purple Raiders after distinguished Tiger careers

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

ALLIANCE--As Austintown-Fitch's undefeated season was ending after eight games, Massillon center Elijah Farrington felt two hands wrap around him and next thing he knew, he was on the ground. Whereas Falcons center Devin Sherwood was ejected for throwing Farrington to the floor out of frustration, the 6'4'' Farrington calmly got up and walked away.

Walking away from rankled players from opposing teams is one thing. But when it comes to adversity, Farrington doesn't believe in walking away, ever. That attitude is an ample reason why the junior forward and former Tigers standout is now a two-year starter on a Mount Union basketball team that is standing tall at 16-0 on the season, 7-0 in the Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) and living up to their billing as the conference favorite to win not only the regular season crown but more importantly the conference tournament title as well.

The last two seasons, it was rival John Carroll that kept Mount Union from being a part of the Division III basketball tournament with wins of 88-86 and 82-69 in the last two conference title games. Now with the Blue Streaks having defected to the North Coast Athletic Conference (NCAC), the expectations are sky high for the Purple Raiders to snag the title that has eluded them since 2023. And Farrington believes that the time is now for a team that is very deep on the bench.

"With John Carroll leaving the conference, we knew how wide open it was going to be and this will be our year to go out there and prove to everybody that this is our conference run and that no one can match up with us. We have to go out there and play every game like it's our last," the junior forward said.

In Wednesday night's conference bill agaist a struggling Capital team, Mount Union appeared to have an early night at the office as they attempted to score an early knockout of the Comets as they raced out to a 23-5 advantage. On multiple occasions in the second half the Comets shrank their deficit to 8 points but were unable to edge any closer as the Purple Raiders obtained a 91-78 victory to maintain their winning ways. Farrington, an accounting major scored 17 points and altered key lay-up attempts with his now 6'7'', 225 lb. frame.

FARRINGTON FOR TWO. Mount Union junior forward Elijah Farrington powers in for two of his 17 points in the first half against Capital in the Purple Raiders 91-78 victory at Alliance. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

The game could have concluded much quicker if Capital didn't display the fight that embodied the 30 other squads that veteran general Damon Goodwin possesed in his long tenure as basketball head coach. The Comets continued to chip away throughout the contest but largely in part to the Purple Raiders defense, were unable to get out of the early labyrinth that the hosts placed them in what proved to be the decisive first half.

Se'Ron Calloway-White paced Comets scorers with 25 for the visitors, who are now 6-10 and 1-6 in the conference.

"Every team is going to want to come in and beat us because of how good we are so we have to bring our 'A' game everyday and just know that every team is bringing their best to us, so we have to play our game and finish games stronger," Farrington said.

For Farrington, Alliance isn't far away from Massillon albeit on the eastern side of Stark County. Committing to Mount Union after he wrapped up his stellar career at Massillon in 2023, it was the tradition of the basketball success along with their strong academic reputation that led the Massillon native to donning the purple and white.

"The culture and the community. I saw how far they made it to the tournament and how much support they had and that became the place I needed to go to in order to continue my athletic and academic career here," he said.

He is not alone in that department.

If Mount Union ever needed a...er...Knight in shining armor to come out the castle with the drawbridge dropped, they found one in Farrington's teammate.

It was just last year that Chris Knight sent an orange and black sword through the Canton Memorial Field House. With McKinley threatening to extend the Tigers losing streak to eight against their rivals in the closing seconds, Knight fearlessly lofted a three-pointer from the left wing under intense defensive pressure from Bulldogs defender Anthony Chavers. The ball swished perfectly through the net and was paramount in Massillon slaying the Bulldogs winning streak with a 74-73 victory that was part of their eight-game winning streak on their path to a district title.

Massillon's bid for that dream however ended with an unexpected 72-67 district final loss to a Shaker Heights team that struggled handily in the regular season per their 7-15 record but went on a three-game winning streak that saw them advance to the regional finals.

That setback closed the book on Knight's career at Massillon that saw him become the program's third all-time leading scorer but opened the door to follow in Farrington's path.

Knight was a freshman when Farrington was a junior at Massillon and the two have adhered together since their youth days. It also helped that Knight has multiple cousins that competed at Massillon, one being former Tiger point guard Mike Porrini, whose lethally cold refusal to wilt under pressure made him one of the feared Tiger athletes in his day. 

Choosing Mount Union was a no-brainer for the Massillon sharpshooter.

"I knew a lot of the guys here and I saw Eli succeed early and I wanted to come here and be a part of the culture," Knight, a sports management major said. "I was a sophomore when he left so I had to come in and fill his role. He showed me a lot and let me be the player that I am today."

Farrington and Knight are two of five Stark County players on the Purple Raiders roster with the others being Chase Casenhiser (Lake), Cam Weekley (Jackson) and Darius Rodriguez (Alliance). And leading them is 15th year head coach Mike Fuline, who is largely remembered for being the head coach at Jackson High School and leading them to a 25-2 record and a Division I state championship while ending the year ranked #25 nationally. He would coach one more year before departing for the current position he is at now.

Knight recalled last season's 18-5 Massillon squad being a factor as to why he chose Mount Union. Both he and Farrington believed that the tutelage of their prep head coach Josh Hose (a John Carroll alum and 1998 Massillon graduate) had a large asset in that. 

"Teamwork was at an all-time high and that was a great thing to be a part of. That's another reason why I came here and. The chemistry of the team is an all-time great here," he said.

Mount Union is two years removed from a national championship game appearance that ended with an agonizing 74-72 buzzer-beating loss to Christopher Newport. But during Fuline's 15 years atop the helm after succeeding long-tenured general Lee Hood, the Purple Raiders have captured three conference tournament titles out of the eight times they have been to the finals. And with a strong team, they are aiming to make it a fourth title and the pieces are in place for this fine team.

WEEKLEY AND KNIGHT. Mount Union guards Cam Weekley (Jackson) and Chris Knight (Massillon) warm up before the Purple Raiders contest against Capital Wednesday night. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Nine games are remaining in the regular season with four of them being at home and a pivotal three-game home stretch commencing February 7th against Muskingum, followed by Heidelberg and Wilmington. Currently the Purple Raiders lead Otterbein by 1 1/2 games with a lot of competition remaining.

Farrington fell short of appearing in a district final. Knight's aspirations of being a champion ended in the round Farrington aspired to be in. Now both are united for the same cause in bringing not just a regular season conference title but a tournament title to Mount Union.

Both men payed homage to their Massillon roots while expressing their hopes of being champions as Purple Raiders.

"Coach Hose taught me more than just basketball, he taught me how to be more of a man and being mentally tough and to overcome adversity and he pushed me as hard as he could and I am thankful for that," Farrington said. "We as a team were close off the court and the coaching staff trusted us and that helped mold me into the player I am today."

"We just want to stay solid and don't take the foot off the pedal and don't stop," Knight said, referencing the approach to last year's Tigers team while also expressing the same for the Purple Raiders team.

Walking away from rankled opponents is the form of discipline that makes Elijah Farrington and Chris Knight disciplined. Now they walk not just together as Tigers but Purple Raiders in the hopes of attaining something very special at the end of the tunnel.

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com

Bulldogs ransack Raiders in rout

 Bulldogs ransack Raiders in rout 

By Keno Sultan 

Stark County Prep Press writer 

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

CANTON--Deliverance and the Chavers name goes hand-in-hand.

And McKinley senior guard Anthony Chavers provided the salvation for the Bulldogs.

Paced by his  points triggered by a personal 11-0 run, McKinley turned their battle against fellow district champion Warren Harding into a stunning mismatch in a - finality in the last game of the OHSBCA Shot Clock Shootout at the Canton Memorial Field House.

Both teams were district champions last year and returned a lot with players poised to take the next step. McKinley sent an emphatic message with a resounding performance that left head coach Sean Weatherspoon pleased with his team's 5-1 record.

"We are going to try and pressure teams and speed them up and turn them over and lead to steals and balls going out of bounds whatever the case may be," he said. "We played hard on defense, we played Canton McKinley basketball."

A Jay'veion Carter steal and lay-up triggered a 6-0 run and led to a prompt Raiders timeout late in the first quarter as the Bulldogs assumed a 13-6 lead as they eventually ended the quarter with a 15-9 lead.

A personal 8-0 run by junior guard Anthony Chavers prompted another Warren timeout. Harding's cause wasn't helped out by an abysmal 3/12 from behind the arc as the Bulldogs ran out to a 39-22 halftime advantage.

Warren Harding never recovered as they were undone by an anemic inefficiency from three-point range, not to mention two intentional fouls, a technical foul and a warning that left Keelyn Franklin, a 2007 graduate of Harding obviously disappointed as his legion of Raiders descended to 4-2 on the year.

"It was devastating because we wanted them to force them into jump shots and Chavers got going and hit about four or five three pointers," he said. "This was kind of a punch in the face we needed and we will respond. But once they started making shots, it took us out of our game plan and forced us to adjust."

Between the second and third quarters, McKinley outpaced Harding 49-19, a run in part to their carnivorous defensive pressure. Shooting 60% from the field in the decisive first half also parlayed into the Bulldogs now owning a 5-1 record and have won four in a row since a second game setback to Akron Hoban.

For the Raiders, they hope that tonight doesn't become a portent of things to arrive as they will travel to Farrell (PA) to battle the Steelers in what will be the second of six straight road contests. This will be a stretch that will likely determine the trajectory of their season and according to Franklin, they will have to put tho behind them quickly.

"This is something we needed because we will need four or five high level intense practices and Farrell is a very competitive environment and it will be a dogfight so we are looking forward to responding and we have the guys to do that," he said.

Chavers had 24 points to lead the Bulldogs along with Ed Webster's 14 and Jamar Keyes' nine.

McKinley cannot bask in the win for long as Canton Central Catholic will come to the Field House Tuesday for a battle against the Bulldogs. Weatherspoon was a freshman 23 years ago when he contributed to the Bulldogs upset of top-seeded Massillon, who was then head coached by current Crusaders general Matt Creamer.

Creamer has known Weatherspoon since that 2002 season and Weatherspoon knows what the Crusaders are capable of under Creamer's tutelage and expects his battalion of Bulldogs to be ready.

"We have to come in tomorrow, practice, watch film and prepare and do the right things to get better," Weatherspoon said.

Deliverance and the Chavers name go hand-in-hand. Anthony Chavers provided the salvation and Canton McKinley departed a very happy congregation of Bulldogs.

BULLDOG STROKE. Jay'veion Carter attempts a free throw during the first quarter of Sunday's game between Canton McKinley and Warren Harding. McKinley improved to 5-1 with a 72-50 victory. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Younstown Ursuline 84, Tallmadge 73

CANTON--In the fourth game of the OHSBCA Shot Clock Shootout, it was Jalen Gunther scoring 35 points as the Irish outlasted a scrappy Tallmadge team to improve to 6-1 on the season.

Despite the victory, veteran head coach Keith Gunther was not thrilled in part to his team's lack of defense.

"I thought the reason it was choppy was because we outscored them and I'm not real happy with how we played defensively. But hat's off to Tallmadge, they kept scrapping, they kept attacking. We have got to get better on the defensive end of things. Ursuline is about defense and we did not play any defense and I'm not happy about that," he said.

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

Blue Streaks defense grinds down Tornadoes in gritty victory

 Blue Streaks defense grinds down Tornadoes in gritty victory

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

DOVER--Lake dared Dover to beat them from long distance. 

It was a resounding mission accomplished from a defensive standpoint.

Lake's defense was locked in from the outset and used a 22-11 second half that was highlighted by the host Tornadoes missing all ten of their three point attempts not to mention a suffocating sequence that saw Lake hold Dover without a field goal in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter to post a key 41-27 victory that saw their record ascend to 3-0 on the season to go along with wins over Akron Ellet and Youngstown Boardman.

The last two seasons have been growing sticks for the Blue Streaks but they are starting to resemble to a small degree the team that seized three district championships in six years and came within two points of a state final four last decade.

The Blue Streaks gradually pulled away from the Tornadoes and the scoring output of the hosts receded from the second and third quarter as after Lake trailed 11-9, Dover only scored five and four points in the second and third quarters while Lake outscored Dover 32-16 after the first quarter.

"It was a game that was presenting itself as one not to be very pretty but that's a tribute to our guys. We did some things that we really didn't practice this week and we were fortunate enough that they were starting to scramble and we got some easily layups out of it and tonight is a tribute to our seniors," Lake 26th year commander Tom McBride said. "They are looking at the underclassmen as their teammates and it's hard to have a team that's humble and enjoys each other and are spirited in the locker room, so tonight is a tribute to them who tied last year's record as juniors. We only played one senior last year but we stuck with it and they have become leaders on the floor."

EYES OF THE VETERAN. Lake head coach Tom McBride, a 1987 graduate of Canton Central Catholic High School intently sits on the bench before Lake's game against Dover. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

After what was a feeling out quarter between the two teams, the visitors systematically began to carve through the Tornadoes. A key 10-0 run in the second quarter pushed their lead to 19-13, forcing the Tornadoes to utilize a timeout to truncate the hemorrhaging inflicted by Lake.

Dover's best punch came in the third quarter as at one point they had a sequence where they claimed six offensive rebounds in a row and their hustle was keeping them in the game. But a three-pointer by Lucas Draher to beat the third quarter buzzer handed Lake a double-digit lead heading into the fourth quarter.

From there, Lake salted the game away with a 7-0 run that saw Dover fail to score in the first six minutes of the fourth quarter and the end result was their first loss of the season after three contests.

Gavin Salzwimmer led Lake with 14 points while Luke Leggett added nine for the Tornadoes.

Dover second-year head coach and 1997 graduate Matt VonKaenel rued his team anemic deficiency from the arc.

"We just get one to fall and when you are playing a quality opponent like Lake, you need to get some shots to fall. We felt like they had a nice size advantage inside and our kids felt like they had to settle for threes and when you don't make your threes, your defense starts to lax. Credit Lake and their staff as they did a good job tonight," he said.

Lake will now face two tests over the weekend as they will host Canton McKinley, a strong contender for a state title Friday and then challenge New Philadelphia in the Hall of Fame Hardwood Shootout in Massillon. McBride will learn a lot about his team over the course of those two days but wants to see better offensive production.

"We will learn a lot. Defensively I thought we were better than I expected and offensively, I just don't think we were that clean tonight and we were not moving much with our offense," he said. "

The Tornadoes are a team that was a few plays away from being a 15 or 16 win team last season. Shoring up their three-point deficiency will be a step toward becoming the team VonKaenel hopes to see late in the year.

"This is a great learning experience for our kids tonight. As long as we don't make the same mistakes tonight, it will be a learning point. We will get back to the office and get to work," he said.

THE LEADER OF THE STORM. Dover head coach Matt VonKaenel communicates with his team during a timeout Tuesday night in Dover. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Lake dared Dover to beat them from long distance. Lake accomplished that mission in a resounding manner.

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

COMMENTARY: It's not a goodbye. It's see you later

 COMMENTARY: It's not a goodbye. It's see you later.

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

CANTON--336 teams fueled up with aspirations of being one of 14 teams playing in the hallowed confines of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Along that treacherous road to Canton, there were roadblocks waiting in the form of a turnover, penalty, interception, big plays etc. that stalled the season of 322 schools who had hopes of playing in Canton. When the five week journey ended 14 teams proved worthy and earned the right to compete for a state title. 

This week, there were two teams that captured back-to-back titles (Avon and Columbus Bishop Watterson), one that is officially a dynasty with their third in four years (Cleveland Glenville), a first-time state champion (Olentangy Orange), one that returned to the throne as an old guard (Kirtland), one longtime power returning to the throne (St. Henry) and one who finally seized a title after coming up short in two state title games (Liberty Center).

But at the same time, let's not forget that Cincinnati Anderson, Shelby, Toledo Central Catholic, Cincinnati St. Xavier, Jeromesville Hillsdale, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon, and Wheelersburg also earned the right to be in Canton based on their hard work over the course of 16 weeks.

Saturday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, the lights darkened. The football field became empty. The seats were empty. It is that solemn reality that sets in that football season has concluded. 

As Denzel Washington said in the 2002 movie John Q: "It's not goodbye. It's see you later."

I have been very blessed to have covered the state football championships at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium dating back to the 2018 season when #2 Massillon faced #1 Akron Hoban in what truly was the game of the year when both teams were also ranked in the nation and undefeated. That was the only game in which no tickets were sold at the door and other fans were still attempting to obtain tickets at the gates, well after the sold out notifications were placed on the entrances for what became an unforgettable Division II state championship game.

I want to take the time to thank all the educators and administrators of the schools who all competed this weekend for making sure their athletes prosper not just on the field but most importantly the classroom. I also want to thank the coaches who put in countless hours to mold their teams for the challenge of competing for a state title and molding their student-community-athletes for life after football and the wives who stood behind their coaches in times of success and shortcomings. I want to also thank the mothers, fathers, aunts, uncles, cousins, and grandparents of the athletes who competed as they purchased the first set of cleats, jerseys, pants and helmets for their athletes who started out as early as kindergarten all the way up to 12th grade.

Most importantly, I want to thank the Ohio High School Athletic Association commissioner Mr. Doug Ute and his staff which features Mr. Bob Goldring, Mr. Beau Rugg, Mr. Tim Stried, and the entire association who have made my experiences very phenomenal year after year with their countless media expertise and insights. In all I just want to thank the entire OHSAA in general, the entire staff.

I also want to thank all the media members I had a chance to meet and chat with over the course of three days. That is always a welcoming sight to meet other media members from around the entire state.

As another high school season concludes for the 54th time, there are many players who have played their last high school game and will graduate from their respective high schools. Some will matriculate on to college and play football for a college or university. Some will go to college and never play the sport again they played for 12 years but work toward obtaining a degree and a job in their field of study. Others will enlist in a form of military government and serve our country. Others will enter the workforce. 10 to 20 years down the line or longer, they will reconvene at class reunions to rehash the memories of their football seasons and playing for a title. By that time, they will be husbands that are married to wives, raising sons and daughters and eventually becoming uncles and the pinnacle of life, grandparents. They too will see their offspring carry on their name. They will tell their children and eventual nephews and grandchildren stories about playing for a state title near the Pro Football Hall of Fame.

Saturday night, the lights turned off at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium after midnight. All good things eventually have to come to an end. Saturday was that night after the Division V state championship.

To high school football fans, coaches, players, family members and the entire OHSAA. It's sad the season is over. We will convene again for the 55th annual football state championships. But as Washington said in the movie John Q: "It's not goodbye. It's see you later."

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

Big second quarter powers St. Henry to state crown, Kirtland and Liberty Center snag crowns

 Big second quarter powers St. Henry to state crown, Kirtland and Liberty Center snag crowns

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.com

CANTON--Jeromesville Hillsdale was knocked down early. They got back up. But a big second quarter by the Redskins left the Falcons looking up at the lights on their back.

St. Henry drew the first strike of the game on their second possession when running back Will Speck broke a tackle was into the clear for a 26 yard touchdown and from there the game turned into a rout as St. Henry dominated Hillsdale 37-3 to win their seventh state championship at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Early on the game appeared to be competitive when quarterback Charlie Werling added on a run to complete the two-point try and the Redskins had an early 7-0 lead.

The Falcons responded with an answer of their own. A spectacular 50 yard catch by Hillsdale receiver Hayden McFadden from quarterback Kael Lewis put the Falcons deep into St. Henry territory. But the drive stalled and Brock Bower's 23 yard field goal truncated the Redskins lead to 8-3 with much of the second quarter to be played. 

But St. Henry struck like a bolt of lightning in just one play in what became the quarter of the contest. Werling took a snap and cut to his right and scampered down the right sideline for a 70-yard touchdown run and he added on his second two-point run and the Redskins lead grew to double-digits at 16-3.

Hillsdale was now on the ropes after the Redskins' one punch haymaker. After a Falcons punt, St. Henry went for the knockout as Werling scored on his second keeper, this one spanning 24 yards and with 6:20 before the band show, St. Henry had a stranglehold on the contest in the form of a 23-3 advantage and from there the game was a rout as the Redskins added a seventh state title to their collection.

According to St. Henry coach Josh Werling, the second quarter was everything that the Redskins needed that was advantageous to their cause.

"You have to feel out how they are going to play you and then you adjust accordingly. So once we got those first couple of drives, we executed very well," he said.

For Hillsdale, their bid for a state title was met with another rude ending. Last year they were on the wrong end of a 74-0 loss to Marion Local and this year didn't get any better. Falcons head coach Trevor Cline didn't hold back when asked about the unfairness of how his team should be remembered because of two thunderous losses in the state final 

"The things that went our way this year didn't go our way today. That's the way football happens time to time. But I'm extremely proud of our players and the season they were able to put together and to put together back-to-back state championship games speaks a lot of them," he said.

HAPPY REDSKINS. St. Henry quarterback Charlie Werling (#12) is congratulated by his teammates after his 70-yard touchdown run in the second quarter of the Division VII state championship. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Division VI state championship: Kirtland 41, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon 6

CANTON--It was the John Silvestro show.

Kirtland set the tone for the contest with a nine play drove that concluded with running back John Silvestro scoring on a seven-yard run and in four minutes of competition, the Hornets led 7-0.

It became a portent of things to come for the Hornets as Silvestro added on three more touchdown runs, the highlight, a scintillating 62 yard jaunt and the Hornets returned to the Division VI throne with a - victory over first-time state finalist Bascom Hopewell-Loudon.

It was a much happier ending for the Hornets, who absorbed a debilitating 31-7 loss to Coldwater in last year's final. They made sure this time to leave with the champions trophy and not the runner-up hardware this time.

"They (Hopewell-Loudon) is a very good team, I was not expecting that. I was thrilled how we took care of the ball and ran the ball against a good defense. This was a great way to finish the season," long tenured boss Tiger LaVerde said.

Bascom Hopewell-Loudon general Brian Colatruglio knew what his team was up against having stifled a Kirtland-Coldwater rematch last week by upsetting the Cavaliers in the state semifinals.

"They went down and scored and we got the ball back and got some first downs and we kind of came up short. We've been down before, I thought we settled in and got some stops. Down 14-0 it wasn't the end of the world but we just couldn't get a stop," he said.

SILVESTRO SHOW. Kirtland running back John Silvestro (#4) is congratulated by teammate Lucci Cantini after his second touchdown of the game. Silvestro scored four times as Kirtland defeated Bascom Hopewell-Loudon 41-6. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Division V state championship: Liberty Center 35, Wheelersburg 3

CANTON--Finally.

After two close losses in the state championship with losses to Lake County Perry and Ironton, Liberty Center had their moment with a decisive 35-3 victory over Wheelersburg in what was the only #1 vs #2 state final to conclude the football season.

Liberty Center cracked the scoreboard when Thomas Mohler scored on a one-yard touchdown to open up the scoring and issue the second-ranked Tigers an early 7-0 lead.

Their lead swelled to two scores when Tigers signal caller Kaden Kreinbrink threw a short over the middle pass to Jaxton Lawniczak, who overcame two missed tackles by Wheelersburg defenders and raced for a 44-yard touchdown that had Liberty Center in command.

The Pirates finally obtained their first points of the game in the form of a successful 45-yard field goal from Cooper Heimbach, ensuring that they were still much in the game.

On the next Tigers possession, they appeared to have scored a third touchdown but a holding flag backed them up 10 yards but they overcame the penalty when Kreinbrink connected to Lawniczak for a 16 yard touchdown in the right corner of the end zone and Liberty Center went to the intermission with a commanding 21-3 advantage.

Garrison Kruse effectively salted the game away with a seven yard touchdown run and the Tigers second state title, their first since 1997 after being on the other end of two state final setbacks. Liberty Center finished 15-0 while Wheelersburg ended the year 14-1.

TIGERS TREAT. Liberty Center players pose with the Division V championship trophy after their 35-3 win over Wheelersburg. It was the second title in school history for the Tigers after being state runner-up two straight seasons. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

Dominant Dynasty: Tarblooders overpower Whippets for third title in four years, Watterson and Orange win titles

 Dominant Dynasty: Tarblooders overpower Whippets for third title in four years, Watterson and Orange win titles

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press writer 

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

CANTON--They may not be like the Dallas Cowboys from 1992-1995 but the Glenville Tarblooders have a pretty great niche about themselves.

After a game that was tied at 7-7 in the first quarter, the more relaxed Tarblooders scored 17 points in a span of 10:36 and used their experience to their advantage as they seized their third Division IV state title in four years by overpowering Shelby 45-7 in the first of three state final games at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Glenville's experience took it's effect as the game wore on and the Whippets, who were making their first appearance in a state final were unable to utilize the assets that made them the top-ranked team in Division IV.

Both teams sleepwalked through a laborious first quarter and then the Tarblooders ascended to life. 

JaQuan Gibson took a punt from his seven yard line, eluded several tackles and received two final blocks and was into the clear for a seraphic 93 yard punt return ala Desmond Howard that sent the Glenville faithful into awe as they assumed an early 7-0 lead late into the first quarter.

Undeterred by the special teams letdown, the Whippets established why they were the top-ranked team in Division IV when they forged together a drive of their own and ending with Michael Shepherd's one yard touchdown run and the contest was deadlocked at 7-7 early into the second quarter.

Glenville appeared to regain the lead when Chris Newell Jr. scored on a three yard run but a late flag via a holding penalty negated the score and three straight incompletions forces a Tarblooders field goal that handed them a 10-7 lead, which was a bit of a win for the Shelby defense.

A shanked punt by the Whippets spelled disaster for them and six plays after the botched kick, Newell got the touchdown he wanted when he scampered for a 14 yard score and despite missing the extra point, Glenville now held a 16-7 advantage.

Their durability took effect on their next series as Romell Phillips had two runs of 24 and 38 yards to move the Tarblooders into Whippets territory and ended with a second Newell touchdown run spanning three yards and in a span of 10:36, Glenville's advantage ballooned to 24-7 going into halftime and the top-ranked Whippets were in a serious quagmire.

The Whippets were unable to muster any significant offense in the second half and their inexperience finally showed on the biggest stage inside Benson Stadium as their undefeated season concluded after 14 games while Glenville improved to 12-3.

Shelby head coach Rob Mahaney rued his team's inability to generate any offense after the first quarter and finished with a season low 27 yards.

"I thought in the first quarter we battled and we made some plays and found a way to score. But the punt return they had was huge and they wore us down," he said

Tarblooders 29th year head coach Ted Ginn Sr. praised God for his team's triumph and attested the experience his team had being in their third title game in four years assisted his charges.

"It's about having trust in each other as a a team and having the right kids in the program. I've been knowing them since they were in diapers and I coached their fathers," he said. "They knew what to expect when they got to Glenville."

AWESOME ARVELL. Glenville quarterback Arvell Nelson scampers for a first down during the Tarblooders 45-7 win over Shelby in the Division IV state championship game. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Division III state championship: Columbus Bishop Watterson 30, Toledo Central Catholic 0

CANTON--The much awaited third straight installment of the state championship between Toledo Central Catholic and Columbus Bishop Watterson turned into a mismatch.

Bishop Watterson scored the first 23 points of the game and were never threatened by the Irish as they became the second team during the weekend to repeat as state champions with a 30-0 destruction of the Irish.

The Eagles set the tone with a one-yard touchdown run by Jack McCoy and followed with a five-yard touchdown pass by Drew Bellisari to Joe Hayes, both scores in the first quarter and controlled the contest.

Watterson finished a flawless 14-0 on the season while Toledo Central Catholic concluded their season at 11-5 in what was their fourth straight state final appearance.

"So, losing in 27-7 two years ago gave us the motivation to do what we needed to do and the next season we finished that off with a state title and coming into this year the challenge was to fight complacency. It's hard to get to the top and stay on top and I think the kids did a tremendous job with their approach and focus," Watterson head coach Brian Kennedy said.

"The first quarter was not good for us offensively and defensively. Our defense created turnovers but we were not able to take advantage of them today and that was the story of the game," Central Catholic head coach Greg Dempsey said.

BOYLE'S TREASURE. Bishop Watterson linebacker Michael Boyle holds up the football following a fumble recovery during the second quarter against Toledo Central Catholic in the Division III state championship. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Division I state championship: Olentangy Orange 28, Cincinnati St. Xavier 14

CANTON--Last season it was the Patriots. This year it is the Pioneers.

The Olentangy area has a state champion for the second straight season.

Olentangy Orange completed their slate with a flawless 15-0 season as they stymied tradition-rich St. Xavier into a 28-14 defeat in the final game of the evening to cap off the second day of state football championships.

After a first quarter that ended with a 0-0 stalemate, Olentangy Orange threatened deep in St. Xavier territory to commence the second quarter. It paid dividends when Levi Davis scored on a two-yard touchdown run on a keeper to hand the Pioneers a 7-0 lead early into the second quarter.

St. Xavier responded well to the challenge in nine plays ending with a 39-yard touchdown run from running back Jake Britt and the equalizing score tied the contest at 7-7 with most of the second quarter to be played. But the Pioneers on the strength of two long receptions from MC Walker got the ball in Bombers territory and Davis located running back Luke Fickel in the left corner of the end zone on a four-yard scoring pass and Orange regained a one-touchdown advantage at 14-7.

A possession later, Davis completed an aerial to MC Walker who made an acrobatic catch in double coverage that spanned 41 yards to the Bombers 15 and then a play later, Davis tossed his second touchdown to a wide open Fickel who was untouched through the middle for a pivotal touchdown and the Pioneers went to the locker room with a 21-7 leat at the intermission.

The Pioneers effectively salted the game away with a 14-play drive ending with a Fickel three yard touchdown run on the opening possession of the third quarter that extended their lead to 28-7 and they cruised from there on their way to a 15-0 season and the school's first title.

St. Xavier was attempting to win a fifth title on the day of their 20th anniversary of the school's first championship in 2005, a 24-17 win over Massillon at then Fawcett Stadium.

LEVI FOR SIX. Olentangy Orange quarterback Levi Davis scores the first of his three touchdowns in the Division I state championship. The Pioneers won their first state title and joined Olentangy Liberty as the only schools from the area to win state championships. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.

Eagles fly past Raptors, capture second consecutive Division II state championship

 Eagles fly past Raptors, capture second consecutive Division II state championship

By Keno Sultan 

Stark County Prep Press writer

www.starkcountypreppress.com

CANTON--Mike Elder has to be feeling as giddy as Michael Jordan when he won his second straight NBA championship.

The same could be said for the Avon Eagles.

Avon set the tone for the rematch on their second possession following an Anderson turnover when senior quarterback Blake Elder shredded the middle of the Raptors secondary with a 16-yard scoring pass to Fin Jerdonek that handed the Eagles an early 7-0 advantage that eventually ballooned to a 21-0 advantage and it was all that the Eagles needed as they repelled multiple challenges from Cincinnati Anderson to come away with a 37-20 victory and their second straight Division II state championship.

For many years the Eagles were always on the doorstep of a state finals appearance but were unable to knock down the brick wall in front of them known as Akron Hoban. Having finally knocked down that wall last year en route to their first state title, this title was even more emotional as the team was also competing in honor of offensive lineman Jeremiah Kelly, who was a part of last year's championship team who unexpectedly transitioned from this life earlier this year while attending the University of Cincinnati as a freshman. Avon is now the first school since the 2018 Knights to win consecutive Division II state championships.

Avon's fortunes got even greater as the game wore on. Following a 41-yard catch and run by Cam Wendell, the Eagles used another diet of runs by hard charging running back Quiante Smith and the drive concluded with Elder again shredding a porous Anderson secondary, this time locating Caden Clapham in the left corner and the Eagles had the Raptors in a two touchdown ditch with most of the first quarter remaining.

It became very cumbersome for the Raptors as the Avon defense registered a fourth down sack and the Eagles were seeing blood in the water and going for the carotid artery. Elder threw his third scoring aerial, this one to Caeden Bennett who was wide open in thr middle of the end zone and the Eagles were in total command with a 21-0 advantage.

The Raptors were self destructing after Scalf was sacked, ending another potential scoring drive.

But on their next possession they finally showed some roar when Scalf delivered a strike to Cooper Kathman, who scampered all the way to the Avon one yard line and two plays after, Scalf's one yard keeper finally got the Raptors on the scoreboard as they reduced Avon's lead to 21-7 with 5:14 before the band show.

The momentum Anderson had was squandered in just eight plays as Elder led another scoring drive and punctuated it with a 37 yard touchdown pass, his fourth of the game to Grant Barr. The extra point was no good but Avon was back up 27-7, which was the halftime score.

Anderson departed the locker room with aggressive urgency as several first down passes from Scalf immediately had the Raptors in Eagles territory. On fourth-and-1, Scalf completed a safe pass to Brayden Moore, who got three key blocks and found the end zone getting the Raptors a much needed score. The extra point was blocked but the game was within their reach as they were only down 27-13.

After the Anderson defense held on downs, their high powered offense took the field again with a chance to put some real concern into the defending state champions. But their possession was immediately truncated when Scalf's pass was intercepted by Jairel Fenton and six plays later, Avon made Anderson regret the turnover when Smith scored from six yards out on the ground and Avon extended their advantage back to three scores at 34-13.

Anderson wasn't going to give up easily. A 56 yard return by Mark Madden traversed them to Avon territory again. Scalf would deliver his second touchdown pass, this on to Tysin Weaver and the Raptors were now within two touchdowns of the Eagles early into the fourth quarter.

But an insurance field goal that spanned 30 yards put the defending state champions back up by three scores at 37-20 at 7:16 of the fourth quarter.

But like pesky gnats, the Raptors stubbornly refused to abdicate. Scalf led another drive that reached the six yard line but Scalf's pass was tipped at the line of scrimmage and fell harmlessly to the turf, ending the final threat of the Raptors.

The Eagles eventually ran out the clock and secured their 14th victory of the season while Anderson for the second straight year saw their undefeated season come up short in the state final as they concluded the year 15-1.

Avon was led by senior quarterback Blake Elder's 216 passing yards and four touchdowns on the evening while his counterpart Owen Scalf finished with a state final record 376 yards and two touchdowns and an interception.

For the Raptors, they were trying to join the 2007 team that won a Division II state championship. The last three years have seen them advance from the state semifinals to two state title game appearances. Ninth-year Anderson head coach Evan Dreyer put that in perspective.

"We have really good players who make a really good head coach. We have a really special group of guys who propelled us forward and that's one of those things that we in the last 45 games, we are 42-3 and our losses have been to teams from Northeast Ohio (Massillon and Avon) and understand what we are trying to do and how we are trying to get to being an elite program," he said. "This is just the beginning and I love that about the program is going to keep growing and the players have laid a foundation that in the form of what our expectations are going to be in the offseason and what our commitment level has to be in the summer. We are right there and we are on the cusp of something special and I can't wait to showcase these guys next year."

For the Eagles, after having many seasons end in the state semifinals, they are enjoying the benefits of two straight titles. Avon is now 2-1 in state championship games, all with Elder in control. When asked if he saw his team as the Bulls teams of 1991 and 1992 who won consecutive NBA titles after finally eliminating their nemesis Pistons, Elder remembered the question in reference to last year's team.

"We like to treat them individually around here and it's a different team and it's unique. But the Bulls are an organization and I gues we're an organization too. This is a unique season and last year's team were the first to win one and that will never ever be taken away from them and these seniors are one of the winningest groups in the history of Avon football," Elder said. "This is a special honor for them."

Mike Elder was as giddy as Michael Jordan when the Bulls after many failures against the rival Detroit Pistons. Now the Avon Eagles finally have a dynasty that isn't going anywhere anytime soon.

BACK-TO-BACK. Avon Eagles players celebrate with their student section after the team's 37-20 victory over Cincinnati Anderson in the Division II state championship Thursday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

DEJECTED RAPTOR. Cincinnati Anderson linebacker Reid Baker is consoled as he cries after the Raptors loss to Avon in the Division II state championship. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

Keno Sultan is a writer for Stark County Prep Press. He can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.