THE ROAD TO CANTON: Cavaliers return to top, Ironton wins tiger battle, Braves show bravery in pinball affair

THE ROAD TO CANTON: Cavaliers return to top, Ironton wins tiger battle, Braves show bravery in pinball affair

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

CANTON--Three more state champions were crowned on the final day of the Ohio High School Athletic Association state football championships to conclude another season of high school football.

Coldwater, Ironton, and Indian Valley joined Avon, Maria Stein Marion Local, Columbus Bishop Watterson and Powell Olentangy Liberty as state champions.

Four of the seven state champions all completed undefeated seasons on their way to titles and closing the curtains on another season of high school football. Here are the recaps from the Saturday contests.

DIVISION VI--Coldwater 31, Kirtland 7

CANTON--After a three-year absence, the Coldwater Cavaliers returned to the pinnacle of high school football and boasting the state's top-ranked defense against Kirtland's top-ranked offense in the state, they overpowered defending champion Kirtland to return to the throne in dominant fashion.

Coldwater was led by senior running back Miles Pottkotter, who rushed for 123 yards and a touchdown. Quarterback Baylen Blockberger threw two touchdown passes to Mason Welsch, who also recovered a fumble in the end zone to actuate the running clock for the Cavaliers.

Kirtland quarterback Jake LaVerde scored the Hornets lone touchdown, an 11-yard run with 7:42 to stop the running clock.

For Chip Otten, it is his fifth state title since he was named head coach after succeeding veteran coach John Reed, who transitioned from this life 14 years earlier. When asked if Reed's presence was felt around the team, Otten took a moment to pause and reflect.

"Coach Reed always told us if you want to be successful, help the next person to you. We definitely feel his presence around us and he had his hand on the team today," he said.

"Coldwater played really well today. I wouldn't say that we executed even close to what we are capable of. You have to give them credit," veteran Kirtland head coach Tiger LaVerde said.

RECORDS: Coldwater 15-1, Kirtland 15-1.

COLD REIGN. Coldwater Cavaliers players hoist up the Division VI state championship trophy after their team's 31-7 win over Kirtland Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press).

DIVISION V--Ironton 28, Liberty Center 17

CANTON--In a battle of Tigers, it was Ironton who delivered the final knockout blows as wide receiver Shaun Terry caught two touchdown passes from quarterback Braden Schreck and delivered a 67-yard touchdown run as an exclamation point as it was Ironton capturing their third state title in their program over Liberty Center, who was attempting to add a second title to their collection.

Two years ago, Ironton was humbled by South Range 53-27 but they returned most of the players from that setback and it proved to be the difference.

"I couldn't be more proud of these guys. We got off to a good start, got up 14-0 and things were going our way. We had to weather the storm a little bit and things got away from us and momentum is a huge thing," Ironton boss Trevon Pendleton said. "Hat's off to our staff for making the adjustments needed."

For the Liberty Center Tigers, they were back in the title game after last season's loss to Lake County Perry but saw a second undefeated season end in the state final. When asked to describe the cruelty and unfairness of a second straight final loss amid a two-year run of 30-2, veteran head coach Casey Mohler put the matter in perspective.

"A lot of teams would love to have those two things. I mean it hurts right now but on the bus ride back they're going to reflect on what they have done the last five years and in their four-year career, they only lost six games and four of them have been to state champions. Every team that has beaten us has gone on to win state and the other two teams who beat them went 10-0 in the regular season. So it hurts," he said. "Is it unfair? Probably but in high school sports there are very few teams that win their last game and you know, it's hard to deal with sometimes. Yes, we wanted the other trophy but I couldn't be more prouder of these guys than anybody."

RECORDS: Ironton 15-1, Liberty Center 15-1.

IRON TIGERS. An Ironton assistant coach hugs a player as they celebrate their Division V state title victory over Liberty Center Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

DIVISION IV--Indian Valley 37, Sandusky Perkins 36

CANTON--In a game that became a pinball affair, it was Indian Valley overcoming a powerful Sandusky Perkins squad in a one-point decision as they won the first state football title in Tuscarawas County history while completing an undefeated season in the process. The Braves joined Avon, Marion Local, and Bishop Watterson as the only high schools to complete undefeated seasons.

A potential game-winning touchdown pass attempt by quarterback Sam Schweinfurth for Braylon Collier was knocked away by defensive back Carsen Hostetler to preserve the triumph. Standout running back Grady Kinsey rushed for over 200 yards and had five rushing touchdowns to tie a state championship record as the Braves survived five touchdown aerials from Schweinfurth, three of those to Collier to complete their undefeated season.

For Perkins, who was attempting to win a second straight title to go with the 1999 crown, it is their first state runner up.

RECORDS: Indian Valley 16-0, Sandusky Perkins 14-2.

BRAVES REIGN. Indian Valley players hoist the Division IV state championship trophy as they won the first school's football title with a victory over Sandusky Perkins in the final game of the OHSAA state football 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.