The Avon High School football team and Cincinnati Anderson will kick off the 2024 OHSAA football state championships tonight with the Division II title game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
It’s the first of seven high school football championshp games – the weekend’s lone matchup of 15-0 teams – as games continue Friday and Saturday at the stadium.
Follow along here throughout the night for live updates on the game.
Cincinnati Anderson forced an Avon turnover on downs at the Raptor 30-yard line. The key play for the Anderson defense was a Reid Baker sack of Nolan Good on a second-and-5 play. Raptors take over. Avon leads Anderson 7-0 with 9:55 to go in the second quarter.
Avon holds a 7-0 lead on Cincinnati Anderson after one quarter of play at snowy Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Eagles will start the second quarter with a first-and-10 at the Raptor 33-yard line. This was a drive that started all the way back at the Avon 4-yard line. Big stat from the first quarter. Avon had possession for 10:04. Cincinnati Anderson has had the ball for just 1:56 so far.
Avon just converted a fourth-and-6 with a 7-yard pass play from Nolan Good to Ty Beerbohm. That was a really gutsy call at this stage of the game. The Eagles were at their own 48-yard line when they snapped the ball. It will now be first-and-10 for Avon at the Cincinnati Anderson 45-yard line.
The Raptors had a long pass play down to the Avon 5-yard line called back on an illegal formation penalty and ultimately had to punt. The Cincinnati Anderson coverage team did a great job and ended up downing the punt on the Avon 4-yard line. The Eagles will take over at that spot with a 7-0 lead with 6:20 to go in the first quarter.
The snow was not able to slow the Avon offense on its first drive. Quarterback Nolan Good just took off for a 71-yard touchdown on a third-and-long play to put the Eagles on the scoreboard. Good had two carries for 78 yards on the drive. He has incredible speed. Once Good got past that first wave of Anderson defenders, he was gone. The extra point attempt by Owen Warrick was good. Avon leads Cincinnati Anderson 7-0 with 8:15 to go in the first quarter.
Cincinnati Anderson set to kickoff
Avon is set to receive the opening kickoff to the Division II state championship game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. It is 24 degrees and snow is falling.
Avon and Cincinnati Anderson have taken the field
Both teams are out of the tunnel and onto the field here at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The officials are meeting at midfield. We have three minutes left on the pregame clock. We’re getting close to the start of a great weekend of high school football.
Snow Falling at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium as kickoff approaches
Welcome to chilly and snowy Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium! December has arrived and with it comes the snow. Cincinnati Anderson and Avon are getting set to play what should be a memorable game in the elements tonight. We will have live updates right here when the game begins in just a few minutes.
How did Cincinnati Anderson reach the OHSAA Division II state championship game
Anderson advanced to Canton after Justice Burnam’s 1-yard TD run with 33 seconds left lifted the Raptors to a 28-24 win in the state semifinal over Big Walnut, which had upset the defending state champion Massillon Tigers the previous week.
How did Avon reach the OHSAA Division II state championship game
Avon advanced by by defeating Archbishop Hoban 35-10, win snapping a five-game losing streak against Hoban in the state semifinals within the last eight years. Avon is in the state finals for the first time since 2011.
What to know about Anderson Raptors football
Anderson is 28-2 over the last two years, with its one loss coming to Massillon in last year’s state semis when the Tigers rolled 55-7 on their way to winning a state championship. The Raptors are averaging 47.5 points and 461.8 yards per game this season. Anderson won the 2007 state title in Division II (beating Louisville 31-25) and were the state runners-up in the division a year later.
Anderson football players to watch
- QB Justice Burnam: Southwest District’s offensive player of the year in Division II. Enters state finals having thrown for more than 8.000 yards in his career. He has thrown for 3,986 yards and 41 TDs this season. Completed 18 of 22 passes for 247 yards last week, while rushing for 90 yards and three TDs last week. But he also threw two interceptions and lost to two fumbles.
- WR Trace Jallick: Enters with 101 receptions for 1,882 yards and 20 touchdowns this season. A Mercyhurst recruit who ranks among OHSAA’s all-time leaders for most receptions in a season and most receiving touchdowns in a season.
- DB Jayonn Saunders: Enters with five interceptions this season and 24 career interceptions, ranking among OHSAA’s all-time leaders in career interceptions.
- RB Durrell Turner: Rushed for 98 yards on 15 carries in state semifinals.
- WR Aiden McClanahan: Made six receptions for 96 yards last week.
- TE Caden Piening: Holds 22 Division I college offers, including Florida, Indiana and Texas A&M and recently decommitted from Central Florida. He has been selected to the U.S. Army Bowl on Dec. 21 in Frisco, Texas.
What to know about Avon Eagles football
The Eagles had lost in the state semifinals six times since 2017 (five times to Hoban and once to Massillon) before breaking through this time. They are in the state finals for the first time since 2011 when they lost to Trotwood-Madison in the Division II title game. Avon coach Mike Elder played for Larry Kehres at Mount Union and is 201-31 at the school, with an overall record of 251-54. Avon is seeking its first state title.
Avon football players to watch
- QB Nolan Good:, Kent State recruit is Northeast Lakes District’s offensive player of the year in Division II and an Ohio Mr. Football finalist. Enters with 3,136 yards passing and 28 touchdowns and eight interceptions this season, in addition to 701 yards rushing and 11 TDs.
- RB Tyler Kaufmann: Rushed for 688 yards and 12 TDs.
- RB Cam Wendell: Rushed for 405 yards and six TDs.
- RB Quiante Smith: Rushed for 583 yards and 12 TDs, highlighted by 106 yards and three second-half TDs in win over Hoban.
- WR Matt Maxey: Set Avon’s career record for receiving yards, and has (1,267 yards and 10 TDs on 84 catches this year.
- WR Cole Kepner: Totaled 636 yards and seven TDs on 31 catches.
- WR Grant Barr: Totaled 569 yards and eight TDs on 40 catches.
- TE Ty Beerbohm: Totaled 383 yards and a TD on 20 catches.
- OL-DL Jeremiah Kelly: Committed to Cincinnati.
- OL Connor Bingham: Three-year starter at center.
- DE Sam Toniolo: Owned a team-high six sacks entering last week.
- LB Owen Garcia: Entered state semis as the team leader with 99.5 tackles.
- LB Ryan Stolarski: Junior already holds offers from Akron and Toledo.
- DB Jakob Weatherspoon: Another junior with bright future who has offers from Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State. Can play both cornerback and safety.
What channel is the Avon High School football OHSAA state championship game on vs. Cincinnati Anderson? How to watch on TV
The Division II state title game between Avon and Anderson will be televised on Spectrum News 1. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
How to stream the Avon vs. Anderson Ohio high school football state championship game
In addition to airing on TV on Spectrum News 1, the showdown between these two unbeaten squads can be streamed using the Spectrum News App or via OHSAA.tv.
