The longest winning streak in high school football is over.
Versailles won Saturday’s Division V state championship in a 20-16 victory over Kirtland, which snapped the Hornets’ 55-game winning streak – in what was the longest active victory run in the country that included three consecutive state final wins.
Kirtland, who hadn’t trailed in a game since the third quarter of a 2019 regional semifinal matchup with Sandy Valley, lost for the first time since Marion Local defeated them in the 2017 Division IV state championship, 34-11.
The Tigers won their seventh title in school history and first since 2003, finishing the season at 15-1.
Versailles was led by quarterback/linebacker Carson Bey, who recorded two touchdowns (a 15-yard run in the first quarter, and a 24-yard scoring pass to Michael Osbourne in the second), as well as an interception that was part of four turnovers forced by the Tigers’ defense for the contest. The Versailles defense also allowed just one third-down conversion on eight attempts for Kirtland.
MARIA STEIN MARION LOCAL 42, NEWARK CATHOLIC 7
Marion Local made history on Saturday as the all-time winningest state champion in OHSAA history.
The Flyers built up a 21-point lead in the first quarter to eventually take down Newark Catholic in the Division VII state championship.
The Flyers win clinched their 12th state championship – the most for any school regardless of division level – and their eighth title in the last eleven seasons. They also joined Chardon as one of only two schools to record a 16-0 season.
Flyers quarterback Peyton Otte engineered a red-hot offense with a pair of first-quarter touchdowns, of which both went to receiver Brady Ronnebaum. Otte finished with 317 yards of total offense, accounted for five total touchdowns, and was 13-of-18 passing for 252 yards.
CAREY 26, COLDWATER 14
Care High School won its first state title since 1975 after beating reigning Division VI champion Coldwater on Saturday at Tom Benson.
Blue Devils running back Jordan Vallejo made the most of 95 rushing yards on 25 carries, which included scoring two touchdowns and running for two two-point conversions. Carey quarterback Derek Lonsway, despite only throwing 3-of-5 for 79 passing yards, rushed for 81 yards and a touchdown on 21 carries.
The Blue Devils finished the season 15-1, while Coldwater ended its season at 13-3.