CANTON – Marion Local jumped out to a 21-0 first quarter lead in Saturday’s Division 7 state championship and continued to soar past Newark Catholic 42-7 and claim the school’s 12th state title.
In earning their 12th championship the Flyers break a tie they previously shared with Lakewood St. Eds of 11 and sit in sole possession of the most titles by any team in OHSAA history by themselves.
Darren Meier kicked off the scoring for the Flyers with 6:30 remaining in the opening quarter as he rushed in from a yard out to cap off a six–play drive covering exactly three minutes that included a pair of passes good for 34 and 24 yards to take a 7-0 lead.
After a sack and a quick three and out by Newark Catholic’s offense the Flyers tossed another score on their tally for a 14-0 advantage with 2:13 remaining on a 19 yard reception by Brady Ronnebaum.
Following a Tate Hess interception of Green Wave QB Cole Canter Marion Local struck for their third score of the first period on a heave by Otte to a wide open Ronnebaum for a 51-yard hookup and 21-0 margin.
Trailing 21-0 with 10:19 to go before the halftime break Newark Catholic began at their own 44-yard line and picked up three first downs on their way to what would be their only score of the contest, a 10 yard jaunt by 2,000 yard rusher Mason Hackett to cut the deficit to 21-7.
Setting up shop at midfield after an Aiden Eifert interception the Flyers washed four minutes off the clock to take a 28-7 lead into the half on a one yard plunge from QB Peyton Otte to cap off a 10-play drive.
Otte, the senior who had been held to negative yards rushing until his 10th carry of the game raced 54 yards on the first possession of the second half with 7:30 remaining in the third to give his team a 35-7 advantage.
Newark Catholic’s 25 yard punt on their ensuing possession again set the Flyers up with a short field at the Green Wave 39 with 6:29 to go before Dylan Fleck rushed in on the games next play to cue the running clock at 42-7.
Subbing in and out seniors for younger players over the course of their next possession the Flyers began with 2:52 in the third and put together a 15 play drive that ended with an interception in the endzone with 4:10 in the fourth on their way to the victory.
Peyton Otte led the Marion Local rushing attack with 83 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the ground on 19 rushes while connecting for a trio of scores and 252 yards through the air on 13/18 passing.
Brady Ronnebaum entered the finals with one score on 25 receptions and 294 yards but found himself the favorite target of Otte on this day and finished with a pair of scores on six receptions along with 124 yards.
Marion Local outgained the Green Wave 402-148 overall and held the duo of Cole Canter and Mason Hackett to just 77 yards on 16 combined carries.