OHIO — The National Football League traces its roots to downtown Canton, and just a few miles away, the sport’s greats are immortalized in the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
While the game has certainly changed over the years, the formula for championship football has not. Teams that have good defenses and dominant offensive lines are best built for titles, and there are several examples of that on display in the Ohio High School Athletic Association state football championship games.
Played in Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, seven title tilts will be contested Thursday through Saturday, beginning with Division II championship. Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App (also available on Apple TV and Roku devices) will have each game live.
Thursday at 7 p.m. — Toledo Central vs. Hoban (Division II)
Much has been made of Hoban’s dynasty, which includes five state championships over the past seven years. That run began with a victory in the 2015 Division III title game against Toledo Central Catholic.
Head coaches Tim Tyrrell and Greg Dempsey were both on the sidelines seven years ago, which has led to a friendship, and an annual scrimmage between the teams. Now they’ll meet again on the biggest stage.
The Fighting Irish won a thrilling 52-49 game over Kings in the state semifinals, in a back-and-forth affair. Central brings a 14-game winning streak to Canton, with its only loss to Division I finalist St. Edward in the season opener (23-20).
While seniors Chris Edmonds (2,030 yards, 34 TD rushing) and quarterback Ty’Waun Clark (2,100 yards passing, 860 rushing, 33 total TD) get all the glory, the offensive line is the strength of a unit that has hit 40 or more points in 10 of 15 games this season. The line, which features all juniors, averages 6’2”, and 297 pounds.
You want the blueprint for a dominant offense line, and workhorse running back, look no further than Hoban.
Following in the footsteps of Todd Sibley, Tyris Dickerson and Chip Trayanum, Lamar Sperling is the latest Knight to have a 2,000-yard rushing season, which has remarkably happened in every year since Tyrrell took over in 2013.
Sperling has been sterling in the postseason, rushing for 1,425 yards and 23 touchdowns in the five playoff games alone. Over the last two years, in 11 playoff contests, he’s run for 2,831 yards and 44 touchdowns.
His 2022 season has him as one of seven finalists for Ohio’s “Mr. Football”, and the strength of 3,511 yards on 377 carries and 55 touchdowns. He’s committed to play at the University of Buffalo next season.
Sperling knows where his bread is buttered, or at least his pizza crust. He chips in to buy his offensive linemen pizza every time they run for 300 or more yards in a game, which has happened six times this season.
Hoban fell in last year’s Division II championship to Winton Woods, losing 21-10.
Friday at 10:30 a.m. — South Range vs. Ironton (Division V)
Friday morning’s Division V final brings quite the contrast, as South Range (from Canfield in the Youngstown area) makes its first ever appearance. Meanwhile, Ironton is here for the 11th time, with three of them occurring in the past four years.
Make no mistake, the Raiders belong here, with an undefeated record of 15-0, same as the Fighting Tigers, making this one of three championships between undefeated teams (also Divisions IV and VI).
South Range has been firing on all cylinders for the playoffs, scoring at least 34 points in all five games. They’ve topped the 40-point plateau eight times this year. The Raiders are led by quarterback Bill Skripac, who has thrown for 2,762 yards, while running for 561 more, and combining for 47 total touchdowns. He throws to three receivers with at least 700 yards receiving (Shane Lindstrom 1,115, JD Crouse 729 and Ayden Leon 715).
This marks the third time that three schools from the Mahoning Valley (Canfield & Warren John F. Kennedy) have been in the state finals in the same year, joining 1994 (West Branch (won), McDonald & Wellsville) and 1989 (Campbell, McDonald & Warren JFK)
Ironton, meanwhile, is trying to win the school’s first state title since 1989, falling in the championship game the last five times the Fighting Tigers have been there. Ironton’s playoff resume is as good as anyone in the state’s, though, with 38 total appearances (out of 51 possible), 14 regional titles, and two state championships.
The Fighting Tigers have a lot of talent, headlined by running back Jaquez Keyes (Wisconsin commit), wide receiver Ty Perkins and linebacker Trevor Carter (both have pledged to Cincinnati), with 10 players earning all-Southeast District honors in Division V.
Ironton’s defense has allowed its opponents seven or fewer points in nine games this year, while on the other side of the ball, the offense has hit 30-plus points in all but three contests.
Friday at 3 p.m. — Bloom-Carroll vs. Canfield (Division III)
We’re guaranteed a first-time state champion in Division III, when Bloom-Carroll and Canfield square off Friday afternoon.
The Bulldogs have won three straight regionals (in Division IV in 2020 and 2021), but finally got past the state semifinal stage. Longtime assistant coach and defensive coordinator Jeremy McKinney is in his first year as head coach, and it’s been a memorable one. Bloom-Carroll is tied with New Bremen in Division VII as the highest seed (five) to reach a state championship game.
The defense has forced 15 turnovers in the five playoff wins, and is led by Kent State commit Andrew Marshall, who has 183 tackles (112 solo), 33 tackles for loss, five sacks and two interceptions in the year.
On offense, it’s another big offensive line that paves the way for junior running back Dylan Armentrout (2,115 yards, 18 TD), Marshall (1,085 yards, 14 TD) and Chase Plantz (19 rushing TD).
For Canfield, the Cardinals have ridden the wave of upsetting two-time defending state champion Chardon in the Region 9 final two weeks ago, the school’s second-ever regional title (2005).
Canfield’s senior quarterback Broc Lowry is committed to play at Indiana, and has over 1,600 yards passing (1,661) and rushing (1,607) this season, combining for 38 total touchdowns.
On defense, the Cardinals permit just 11.8 points per game.
Friday at 7:30 p.m. — Springfield vs. St. Edward (Division I)
For the first time since 2014-15, there is a rematch in the Division I championship game, and in both instances, it has involved St. Edward.
The Eagles defeated Wayne both years, and are looking to become the first Division I program to repeat since then, taking on Springfield for a second straight year. Head coach Tom Lombardo connects both eras, as his first year at the school was in 2015.
St. Edward prepares for the postseason by playing a challenging schedule each year, beating both Division II finalists Toledo Central (23-20) and Hoban (41-20), as well as Elder, Moeller and St. Ignatius, with its only loss to Massillon. Eight of its ten regular season opponents (including schools in other states) advanced to the playoffs.
The Eagles’ offense owes their success to an imposing offensive line with several major college prospects on it, including juniors Ben Roebuck and twins Devontae and Deontae Armstrong. That group opens holes for Marvin Bell, Jr. (1,707 yards) and protects quarterback Casey Bullock (2,270 yards of total offense, 1,770 of it passing).
On defense, St. Edward has only allowed 20 total points in the playoffs, and since week nine has shutout opponents in 22 of 28 quarters.
The special teams are just that. The Eagles have blocked 13 kicks this year (seven punts, three point after attempts, one field goal), and Kyan Mason is a threat when they get the ball back, with three 90-plus yards kick returns in his career.
Springfield has now won four consecutive Region 2 titles, and has added a new dimension to its attack, thanks to quarterback Bryce Schondelmyer, a transfer from Arcanum.
The Wildcats have unleashed a prolific passing attack, with Schondelmyer throwing for 4,424 yards and 47 touchdowns. Four different players have seven or more receiving scores, including Kentucky commit Anthony Brown (1,543 yards, 20 TD) and Daylen Bradley (90 receptions for 1,300 yards, 12 TD).
Lombardo compares the 2022 Springfield version to the recent Medina teams (featuring quarterbacks Drew Allar and Danny Stoddard) that his team has seen plenty of in recent years.
Maurice Douglass, who won a state title at Trotwood in 2011, is bringing his team to Canton on Thursday, a day earlier than last year, to get them acclimated and better prepared to try to dethrone St. Edward.
Saturday at 10:30 a.m. — Kirtland vs. Marion Local (Division VI)
Saturday begins with arguably the most anticipated of the championship games. For the 12th straight year, either Kirtland or Marion Local are at this stage, and for a 12th straight year, one of them will win a state title.
The Hornets and Flyers are the shining examples of smaller division football powers, combining for 18 state crowns, 27 championship game appearances and 31 regional titles.
This will also be the fourth time in eight years they are facing off head-to-head in a state championship game (all in Division VI):
- 2018: Kirtland won 16-7
- 2017: Marion Local won 34-11
- 2015: Kirtland won 22-20
One year ago, the Flyers won the Division VII championship, while Kirtland witnessed its 55-game winning streak, second longest in state history, come to an end in the Division V final, falling to Versailles.
The Hornets this year have just 11 seniors, the fewest in head coach Tiger LaVerde’s 17 seasons at the school. However, they’ve been determined since December 4th, 2021, one day after the game with Versailles, when 39 players showed up at the school for a weight lifting session that was not mandatory.
Kirtland does it with defense, allowing six or fewer points in all five playoff games, and just 18 total. The Hornets allowed single digits in 13 of 15 games overall.
The offense has gone over the 30-point mark in 14 of 15 contests, thanks to a ground game that has churned out 4,786 yards this year. Senior Tommy Gogolin has 1,643 of those, not bad for a guy that didn’t play football until the 8th grade, and was first-team all-Ohio last year on defense.
This has been a special season for LaVerde regardless of Saturday’s outcome, as it’s the only year he’ll get to coach both his sons at the same time. Philip, a linebacker with more than 160 tackles, is a senior, while Jake is the starting quarterback as a freshman.
As long as we’re getting defense, it’s possible Marion Local is fielding one of the greatest defenses in OHSAA history. The Flyers have pitched 11 shutouts, believed to be a state record (Division IV finalist Wyoming has 10), and permitted just 36 total points the entire year.
On offense, the Flyers are well grounded, with four different players running for over 500 yards in the year. That balanced attack, combined with wearing opponents down, has led to running clocks (up by 30 or more points in the second half) in Marion Local’s favor in 12 of 15 games.
The Flyers claim an OHSAA record 12 state titles (all since 2000), and missed the playoffs just once (2004) since 1999 under Tim Goodwin.
Marion Local might be considered a small school, but football is big in Mercer County. Over half the boys enrolled in school (69 out of 113) are on the football roster.
Saturday at 3 p.m. — Warren JFK vs. New Bremen (Division VII)
In the Division VII championship, it’s a rematch of the game played two years ago, when New Bremen topped Warren John F. Kennedy, 31-0.
In fact, the entire state tournament in Division VII played out (to this point) the same as in 2020. The Cardinals topped Lima Central Catholic in the state semifinals, while the Eagles beat Newark Catholic.
It’s the fourth time in seven years that Warren JFK has won a regional title, taking it all the way to a state championship in 2016.
The Eagles are more multi-dimensional on offense this year, while playing the standard, rugged defense.
New Bremen, from the Midwest Athletic Conference just like Marion Local in Division VI, lost three conference games (Marion Local, Coldwater & Delphos St. John’s). While it meant the Cardinals were a five-seed, it no doubt prepared them for this tournament.
The program was in a dire situation less than ten years ago, and considered dropping football. New Bremen had a 10-70 record from 2010-17, including a 33-game losing streak. Now the Cardinals are shooting for a second state title in three years.
Weapons to watch for includes running back Hunter Schaefer, who has 1,803 yards rushing and 26 touchdowns, while quarterback David Homan adds 1,616 yards on the ground, and another 1,453 through the air with 36 total touchdowns.
Saturday at 7:30 p.m. — Glenville vs. Wyoming (Division IV)
Last, and most certainly far from least, is the Division IV championship, which provides another fascinating match-up.
Glenville didn’t have a season in 2020, as Cleveland Metropolitan School District didn’t allow extra-curricular activities during remote learning. Because of that, the Tarblooders were permitted two weeks of practice in the spring of 2021, where several players on this year’s team got their first varsity experience.
Success starts early in the Glenville community, however. Many of these players won national championships during “Pop Warner” football growing up.
Glenville has star power, with several Division I college recruits such as linebacker Arvell Reese (Ohio State commit) and juniors Bryce West (five-star cornerback) and Damarion Witten (four-star athlete).
Junior quarterback/running back D’Shawntae Jones has offers from Kentucky, Marshall and Syracuse, and it’s easy to see why. He has run for 1,520 yards and 20 touchdowns. The nephew of former Glenville and Ohio State quarterback Cardale Jones, D’Shawntae has over 500 yards (527) on 49 carries and nine touchdowns in the last three games.
Since week four, the offense has scored at least 39 points in all 11 games, going over 50 points five times.
On defense, the Tarblooders have seven shutouts, including six consecutive in Senate League Play. Speaking of Cleveland Public Schools, they are all supporting Glenville, which is trying to become the first football state champion since the playoff format was instituted in 1972. Glenville reached the Division II finals in 2013 and in Division I in 2009, falling to Loveland and Hilliard Davidson, respectively.
Trying to contain that explosive offense will be a defense that has only given up 55 total points all year. Wyoming has ten shutouts, second only in state history to Marion Local’s 11 (also this year).
The Cowboys aren’t mentioned frequently with the top programs in Ohio, but they should be. Wyoming is on a 67-game regular season winning streak, last losing in 2015. Since winning the Division IV championship in 2018, the Cowboys’ lone losses have been to Clyde (2019), Van Wert (2000) and Clinton-Massie (2021) all in the playoffs, all to eventual state champions.
On offense, running back CJ Hester is one of seven finalists for Ohio’s “Mr. Football” award. He’s run for 3,043 yards this year, and is over 7,000 yards for his career. He’s coached in the backfield by DeShawn Wynn, who prepped at Lockland and Reading before winning a national title with Florida as the Gators starting running back in 2006, scoring a touchdown against Ohio State in the BCS Championship game.
Coverage for each game includes OHSAA Championship Gameday beginning 15 minutes before each game, and wraps things up following the trophy presentations.
It’s all on Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App, your home for high school sports.
