COMMENTARY: Stark County delivers again with unforgettable moments

 COMMENTARY: Stark County delivers again with unforgettable moments

By Keno Sultan 

C-Town Radio statistician and announcer

CANTON--The road to Canton and Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium has run it's course. 

Don't let this be a goodbye to the high school football season. This isn't a goodbye. It's see you later.

Six weeks ago, 448 high schools in seven divisions had valiant aspirations of descending on the hallowed grounds of the Pro Football Hall of Fame in hopes of being one of 14 teams competing for a state championship. However, only seven completed that road with a coveted gold trophy. The other seven received the silver trophy, an emblem of being a state finalist. Runner-up doesn't belong in this sentence in respect as state finalist at this juncture is more fitting and appropriate.

As I post this, it is great respect that I send a huge shout out to Aaron Sims and Jeff Woodson for their finding of me and opening me up to this opportunity and what better way to be where pro football originated at for high school football's greatest weekend.

In Division VIII, Maria Stein Marion Local once again displayed why they are a dynastic authority with a 38-0 running clock victory over Dalton, a high school from Wayne County that was making their first ever appearance in a state championship game. Head coach Tim Goodwin's track record of 309 wins nearly reminds me of the success that former Mount Union football coach Larry Kehres attained in leading the Purple Raiders to 11 NCAA Division III football titles and twice the longest winning streaks in history. Ok, that's pushing it despite the Flyers 13 titles but in all due respect have no intention of slowing down soon and that Marion Local tradition will be passed down to the brothers, cousins, and any male in the area with aspirations of being a Flyer. And being one of two three-time state champions only adds to that zeal. And while this is being posted, don't discredit Dalton. This will not define their season but is a celebration of being one of the 14 high schools that was worthy of competing for a title and under Broc Dial, will be contenders for years to come.

Maria Stein Marion Local's third straight championship was the school's 13th title under 24th year boss Tim Goodwin. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

The Division VI final was one between two familiar opponents. It was two years ago that Versailles arrived to Canton and showed that even a giant can be taken down. Kirtland was riding a staggering 55-game winning streak before the Tigers took them down and ended their title reign with a 20-16 upset. Fast forward two years later. Kirtland, after two straight state championship losses found their fortune again as they claimed their seventh state title with a hard-fought 32-15 triumph over the Tigers. One big play swung the momentum in the form of a 93-yard kickoff return score from Hornets running back Will Beers that put the brakes on the Tigers momentum. These two schools, look for them to have some future meetings in the years to come as long as Hornets title-winning general Tiger LaVerde and Versailles boss Ryan Jones are around.

After two straight state final appearances, Kirtland returned to the throne with a seventh crown, all under the tutelage of head coach Tiger LaVerde. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

There is nothing like when two teams are undefeated and are ranked #1 and #2 competing for a title. Last year, there were three #1 vs. #2 matchups in state championship games. This year, Lake County Perry and Liberty Center both arrived with 15-0 records and respectable billing as the two best in Division V. In the end, Liberty Center had nothing to be ashamed of in their valiant effort, however the Pirates of Lake County Perry showed unfailing grit in overcoming a 14-7 deficit to snag their first title in a 21-14 victory to prove their worth in the Division V state final. Both teams lived up to their reputation as physical teams with strong running games and physical defense. For the Pirates it is their first title and for the Tigers, their third state final appearance and first in 25 years. Both teams displayed a prowess that fans of their respective schools can be proud of. This was a true #1 vs #2 matchup worth watching. Pirates and Tigers fans both can be proud as I am of both schools.

Lake County Perry proved they were #1 wire-to-wire with a 21-14 win over #2 Liberty Center to win the Division V state championship. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

In Division IV, it was one thing for Cleveland Glenville to become the first inner city school in the area to win a state title. It's another to repeat the accomplishment. Their 38-3 win over Kettering Alter not only was their second title but it also cemented the legacy of 26 year boss Ted Ginn Sr., a coach who is as serious about God being in his life the same as he is the Tarblooders head football and track coach. This is Ginn Sr.'s eighth state championship overall (six as track head coach). Even memorable is the fact that Ginn survived cancer to come back on the sideline and be a part of this accomplishment. As Ginn said, "You can't win it if God is not in it." Well said.

Cleveland Glenville establishes themselves as the kings of Division IV football with a 38-3 win over Kettering Alter. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

You can take Toledo Central Catholic down from Division II to Division III but one thing is for sure: the alma mater of former Cleveland Browns quarterback DeShone Kizer is putting more hardware in their trophy case for the fifth time under alumnus and head coach Greg Dempsey. Last year the Fighting Irish outlasted Akron Hoban for the Division II crown and added a Division III title with a 27-7 victory over Columbus Bishop Watterson in the Division III final. One player who will be playing on Saturdays will be Marquan Braswell, who is a punishing runner with a Mike Tyson body build from the 80's. Bishop Watterson went through some lean years but with alumnus Brian Kennedy as head coach, don't be surprised if the Eagles soar back to Canton as this will not be a one-time trip for them.

Toledo Central Catholic was the best in Division II and showed they were also the best in Division III with a 27-7 win over Columbus Bishop Watterson in the Division III state championship. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

For the first time in 30 years, there is a three-time Division I state champion and I wouldn't mention who it is loudly to Cleveland St. Ignatius. That said, Lakewood St. Edward, a long time rival of St. Ignatius, won their third straight Division I championship with a 31-21 win over Springfield, the Eagles third straight win over the Wildcats in all competitive contests. For Eagles head coach Tom Lombardo, it was nine years ago he turned down the Massillon job opening and it turned out to be a wise decision evidenced by what the Eagles have accomplished in his nine years as the Eagles general since taking over for Rick Finotti. They are truly the best Division I school to play football at this point. As for Springfield, there is no shame in being a three-time finalist as Maurice Douglass has his hands on their program, the same way as he did during his long tenure at Trotwood-Madison and residents in Clark County can be proud of their team.

Lakewood St. Edward establishes themselves as the best to play Division I football with a third straight big school title. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

And it is only fitting like singer/actress Vanessa Williams that we save the best for last. It has been a 52 year drought filled with six state finalist appearances but now the Massillon Tigers can finally call themselves undefeated Division II state champions. After years of being denigrated as "paper champions", never winning one "on the field" and among other negative criticism, their 7-2 win over Akron Hoban came as a knockout left hook shot as quick as the speed Sugar Ray Robinson threw it at in his heyday. No one will never, ever degrade Massillon again. Their critics were flattened like Gene Fullmer suffering whiplash after fielding a Robinson hook in their rematch which he lost via fifth round knockout. Tigers coach Nate Moore proudly has two state championships but this one puts him in a stratosphere unlike any other. As for Hoban, three straight state final appearances and eight in nine years is still something to be proud of. Don't discredit the Knights because of three losses in the state final. But this is Massillon's time. Massillon always heard the chatter of never winning a playoff title, now Massillon gets to talk, and everyone else has no choice but to hear it without interruption and deservedly so. 

Massillon completed a 16-0 season with a 7-2 win over Akron Hoban to win the school's first playoff title to go along with their 24 Ohio Associated Press poll titles, the most before the playoff era. The Tigers also finished ranked as a top 10 team in the nation. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

What a memorable weekend it was and another fine job by the city of Canton and the OHSAA in putting together yet another fine state championship weekend. Congratulations to all 14 schools who competed and to the seven who departed as state champions.

The road to Canton has run it's course. The 2023 season is over. But this isn't a goodbye. It's see you later.

Keno Sultan can be reached at 330-445-4575 or email at KenoSultan@hotmail.com.