THE ROAD TO CANTON: Flyers remain dominant, Watterson avenges last year's loss, Patriots down state power

THE ROAD TO CANTON: Flyers remain dominant, Watterson avenges last year's loss, Patriots down state power

By Keno Sultan

Stark County Prep Press

www.starkcountypreppress.blogspot.com

CANTON--It was a crowning moment for two #1 ranked teams and a newcomer to the state championship fraternity.

Marion Local, Columbus Bishop Watterson and Olentangy Liberty each achieved their crowning moments on the second day of the OHSAA state football championships as they all joined Avon (Division II) as state champions on a chilly Friday in the confines of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Here are the recaps.

DIVISION VII--Maria Stein Marion Local 73, Jeromesville Hillsdale 0

Marion Local's first possession started off with five straight running plays to begin their final and it ended with a Parker Hess four-yard touchdown run that started an immediate deluge as the Flyers caused a massive avalanche of touchdowns to subdue the Falcons early in a scoring display that included touchdowns on punt returns and interception returns as the Flyers seized their 15th state championship in thunderous fashion. 

Marion Local scored 33 points (a record for most points in a quarter) and 30 in the second in erecting a 63-0 advantage that ensured the state mandated running clock.

In 25 years, head coach Tim Goodwin now has piloted the Flyers to unprecedented success that includes a staggering 64-game winning streak as the class of 2025 have never lost a game dating back to when they were eighth graders.

"When you're calling plays and there is a big difference between the running game working and everything is open and you can do whatever you want. And if you don't hit then you have two downs. Overall, just the run game kind of established that and moreso when you're watching other teams on film, you're playing against teams you never played against and you make projections on how certain matchups are and once you see it live it was like we can run the ball against those guys and it really loosened things up for us and allowed us to relax," Goodwin said.

RECORDS: Marion Local 16-0, Hillsdale 14-2.

FLYER WITH THE PICK. Marion Local defensive back Daniel Everman returns an interception deep into Hillsdale territory during the first half of the state final. Everman recorded two interceptions as the Flyers shut out Hillsdale 73-0 for their 15th state championship. (Keno Sultan/Stark County Prep Press)

DIVISION III--Columbus Bishop Watterson 19, Toledo Central Catholic 14

A late nine-yard touchdown run by Drew Bellisari with 1:29 to play proved to be the winning score as the Eagles avenged last season's 27-7 loss to the Irish and won their first title in 14 years to complete an undefeated 16-0 season.

The Eagles overcame an 87-yard kickoff return touchdown from Toledo Central Catholic's Jeremiah Fuller and used a 12-0 fourth quarter to create the winning margin.

Bishop Watterson's last title came in 2010, a 13-12 win over Akron Buchtel at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon.

Zack Weber rushed for over 100 yards and a touchdown to lead the Eagles.

"What you saw out there in the second half was pretty good. Seniors, what they have done, perseverance, their love for one another. It was a team win and they didn't give up. They battled through adversity and I couldn't be any prouder of them," Watterson head coach Brian Kennedy said.

For Toledo Central Catholic, their bid for a three-peat ended, leaving coach Greg Dempsey and his Irish charges despondent. They were held under 100 yards rushing for the first time all season, a season-low 87 yards rushing.

"At times, we got it going. But we had some penalties in the first half and that put us in extremely first and long situations, second and long. We knew Watterson was geared up to stop the run and we hit on some plays in the passing game and the lack of a red zone offense really hurt us tonight. That is more of the telltale sign of rushing. You watched the film of them (Watterson) and rushing against them was hard all year," he said.

RECORDS: Bishop Watterson 16-0, Toledo Central Catholic 15-1.

FLYING LIKE EAGLES. Columbus Bishop Watterson players celebrate their 19-14 victory in the Division III state title game Friday night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Eagles reversed last year's 27-7 setback to Toledo Central Catholic and won their third title in school history.

DIVISION I---Powell Olentangy Liberty 28, Cincinnati Moeller 14

Olentangy Liberty quarterback Andrew Leonard passed for 273 yards and connected with ace wide receiver Christian Moulton for three scores as the Patriots obtained their first state title in their program against the tradition-laden Crusaders.

The Patriots defense never let the vaunted Moeller offensive attack led by Mr. Football winner, quarterback Matt Ponatoski get going. Moeller only had one offensive touchdown from Ponatoski, a three-yard pass to Landen Adams in the fourth quarter. Moeller's other score came on an 80-yard fumble return touchdown from linebacker Cooper Gearhart, that tied the longest return score that was set by Massillon's Andrew Dailey in 2005 against Cincinnati St. Xavier.

RECORDS: Olentangy Liberty, 14-2, Cincinnati Moeller 14-2.

PROUD PATRIOTS. Olentangy Liberty football players celebrate their 28-14 victory over Cincinnati Moeller in Friday's Division I state championship game. It is the first title in the history for the Patriots.

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