The drama continued in Canton for the Ohio High School Athletic Association football state championships. The Division III final produced another thrilling finish, as Chardon repeated with a 21-14 win over Badin.
The story of the game were the defenses. The Hilltoppers and Rams combined for just 376 of total offense (233 from Chardon) and 16 punts.
Chardon got a spark from Andrew Bruce, who carried seven times for 88 yards and a touchdown.
With the game deadlocked at 14 in the fourth quarter, Sean Carr scored from two-yards out with just 1:05 remaining to account for the winning margin.
For Badin, running back Jack Walsh carried 27 time for 96 yards and a touchdown. Give credit to quarterback Alex Ritzie, making just his second career start for injured starter, Landyn Vidourek. Ritzie was 7 of 16, for 62 yards passing.
The Toppers became the first team in OHSAA history to complete a 16-0 season, a feat that Marion Local could match Saturday in the Division VII final. The Division III game is the only final that featured a pair of undefeated teams.
It’s the third state title in school history for Chardon, which also won in 1994, in addition to last year. What’s impressive is the Hilltoppers only had five returning starters from the 2020 stat champs, and had to break in an entire new offensive line.
The big Division I match-up is up next on Friday, part of the coverage from Spectrum News 1, and the Spectrum News App.
Friday 7:30 p.m.
Division I – St. Edward vs. Springfield
Saturday 10:30 a.m.
Division VII – Marion Local vs. Newark Catholic
Saturday 3 p.m.
Division VI – Carey vs. Coldwater
Saturday 7:30 p.m.
Division V – Kirtland vs. Versailles
