STATE FINALS RECAP: Marion Local, Lake County Perry and Cleveland Glenville capture crowns

STATE FINALS RECAP: Marion Local, Lake County Perry, and Cleveland Glenville capture crowns

By Keno Sultan

C-Town Radio staff report

CANTON--Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, three more state champions were crowned as two of them retained their crowns and there was also a first time champion as the high school football season concluded after 16 long weeks. 

Marion Local, Lake County Perry, and Cleveland Glenville joined Lakewood St. Edward, Massillon, Toledo Central Catholic, and Kirtland as title winning teams over a span of three days.

Here are the recaps from the Division VII, Division V and the Division IV state championships.

Division VII state championship: Maria Stein Marion Local 38, Dalton 0

CANTON--Marion Local used an 80-yard interception return for a score from cornerback Griffin Burns and then a 64-yard punt return for a touchdown by Victor Hoelscher. both scores happening in the second quarter to stake the Flyers to a third straight state championship with a 38-0 dismantling of Dalton.

The Bulldogs were making their first appearance in a title game but faced a juggernaut that has won a staggering 13 titles as they concluded their season 13-2 while the Flyers captured another 16-0 record and now have won 48 contests in a row.

"There are a ton of factors that go into that. I can't really answer that other than it is the right coaching staff with the right coaching style with the community and the backing of the parents and athletic kids that love to compete and are very coachable. It is a whole lot of things mixed together," said Flyers 24th year head coach Tim Goodwin.

FLYER CELEBRATION. Marion Local running back Kyle Otte (#25) is congratulated after scoring a touchdown in the first quarter of Saturday's Division VII championship. The Flyers won their third straight title with a 38-0 win over Dalton. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

Division V state championship: Lake County Perry 21, Liberty Center 14

CANTON--In the only #1 vs #2 state final in a battle of undefeated squads, it was Lake County Perry overcoming an early 14-7 deficit and surviving a frantic rally from Liberty Center to win their first state championship in school history.

The contest lived up to it's billing as both squads showed why they were the top two schools in the state. Perry finished their season 16-0 while Liberty Center absorbed their first setback and finished 15-1.

"You know it feels great. Every one of us were blessed. At the beginning of the season we knew we could be something special and we showed that we can play together and have fun," Pirates linebacker Jayden Studio said.

TAMED TIGER. Liberty Center running back Trenton Kruse is swarmed by a host of Perry Pirates defenders during the second half of the Division V state final. The Tigers were defeated by Lake County Perry 21-14. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

Division IV state championship: Cleveland Glenville 38, Kettering Alter 3

CANTON--The Glenville Tarblooders established themselves as a Division IV power in the final game of the OHSAA state football championships with a 38-3 victory over Kettering Alter to win their second consecutive state title.

Last season, the Tarblooders downed Cincinnati Wyoming 26-6 to become the first inner city public school to win a state title. Returning a handful of players from that team, they turned their final against the Knights into a rout. 

Quarterback Ruel Tomlinson threw three touchdown passes and ran for two more to lead the Tarblooders. Veteran head coach Ted Ginn Sr. attested that the title was part of their destiny.

"Tonight was an example of what God has already had in the plan. You can't win if God is not in your plans. Long as God is involved, we have a chance," Ginn Sr. said of his team's accomplishment.

Glenville finished the year 13-2 while Alter concluded 12-4.

TEARS OF ELATION. Glenville players tearfully celebrate with each other after the Tarblooders 38-3 victory over Kettering Alter in the Division IV state championship. Glenville won their second straight state football title to go along with six track titles all under the tutelage of Ted Ginn Sr. (Keno Sultan/C-Town Radio)

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