Chardon High School completed a 16-0 season with a 21-14 victory over Hamilton Badin in the Division III state championship game on Friday night in Canton.
The Hilltoppers spoiled the Rams’ (14-1) undefeated mark with a rushing touchdown by Sean Carr in the final 1:05 to win their third state title in school history – and their second straight after beating Columbus St. Francis DeSales in the double-overtime last season.
Carr, who only ran for 33 yards on 13 carries, capped off the final Chardon drive that began on the 29-yard line after a short punt deep in Badin’s territory. Punts were a common occurrence in Friday night’s game, as Badin only totaled 143 yards of offense despite running two more plays (51 to 49) than Chardon.
The Hilltoppers also extended their winning streak to 28 games.
LAKEWOOD ST. EDWARD 23, SPRINGFIELD 13
Lakewood St. Edward overcame an early turnover-on-downs at the 1-yard line to win the Division I state championship, 23-13, over Springfield High School.
The Eagles (15-1) would be up 16-0 at the half before eventually winning their fifth state title since 2010.
St. Ed’s running back Danny Enovitch rushed for 210 yards on 32 carries (6.6 yards per carry), including two touchdowns and a 72-yard run on the Eagles’ first play of the contest.
Wildcats quarterback Te’Sean Smoot had a solid night, as the senior went 29-of-43 passing with 349 yards and a touchdown.
Springfield, who was making its first appearance in a state final, finished at 14-2 for the year.
CLARKSVILLE CLINTON-MASSIE 29, YOUNGSTOWN URSULINE 28
Clinton-Massie won their third state championship in school history after capping off a 29-28 comeback victory over Youngstown Ursuline in the Division IV state final.
The Falcons were down 28-7 to the Fighting Irish in the third quarter before rallying and wining on a 4th-down touchdown and a two-point conversion by Carso Van Hoose with 45 seconds left.
Van Hoose ran for 102 yards on 15 carries and a touchdown, while Massie quarterback Kody Zantene recorded two second-half touchdowns, including the 1-yarder that brought the game to 28-27 before the go-ahead conversion.