CANTON — The Ironton High School football team and Liberty Center meet in Day 3 of the 2024 OHSAA football state championships this afternoon in the Division V title game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. It’s the second of three high school football championship games today as the title games conclude Saturday at the stadium.
Liberty Center is looking to finish off an unbeaten season with a title after losing in the finals a year ago, while Ironton seeks its first championship in 35 years and third title overall after a run of recent runner-up finishes.
Follow along here throughout the day for live updates on the game.
Liberty Center starts at its 15, trailing 14-9.
Missouri recruit Shaun Terry was the star of the first half, with 111 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions for Ironton. He added eight yards on a carry. Braden Schreck is 9-of-14 passing for 111 yards and the two TDs to Terry. Waylon Rentz has 31 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries for Liberty Center. Garrison Kruse has broken off a pair of big runs to help set up Liberty Center’s scores. Ironton leads Liberty Center 162 yards to 144 in total yards.
Liberty Center’s Max Walker connects on a 39-yard field goal from the left hash as time expires. A 26-yard run by Garrison Kruse keyed that drive. Ironton leads 14-9 as we go to the break.
An ugly drive from Ironton goes backwards and it punts. Liberty Center has it first-and-10 at its 31, trailing 14-6 with 1:06 left in the second quarter.
Liberty Center gets a much-needed answer. Waylon Rentz scores on a 1-yard touchdown run, which was set up by a 34-yard run by Garrison Kruse. The PAT kick is no good. Liberty Center trails Ironton 14-6 with 2:31 left in the second quarter. That was a nine-play, 70-yard scoring drive.
There goes Shaun Terry again. The senior took a little pitch pass on a jet sweep and turned it into seven points. He started left, found a little crease, broke a tackle or two and finished the 46-yard touchdown running back across the field to the right. Beckham Waginger adds the PAT. Ironton leads Liberty Center 14-0 with 6:57 left in the second quarter. Terry’s 15-yard reception earlier in the drive converted a third-and-12. Terry has five receptions for 114 yards and two TDs.
Liberty Center chooses to punt on fourth-and-4 after burning a timeout. Ironton starts on its 5, leading 7-0 with 11:28 left in the second quarter.
Liberty Center facing a third-and-6 from Ironton’s 46 when the second quarter begins.
Shaun Terry showing off some of the skills that make him a Missouri recruit. The senior wide receiver took a slant pass and hurdled a defender at the 25 on his way to a 35-yard touchdown reception. PAT kick is good. Ironton strikes first and leads Liberty Center 7-0 with 4:17 left first quarter.
The 15th play in the opening drive coming up for the Flying Tigers, who face a third-and-7 at Liberty Center’s 35.
Ironton starts on its 20 after a touchback.
Just to clarify, this is the Flying Tigers of Ironton going up against the Tigers from Liberty Center.
Liberty Center won the coin toss and chose to defer.
How did Ironton football reach the OHSAA Division V state title game?
The Fighting Tigers routed West Liberty-Salem 63-21 in a state semifinal.
How did Liberty Center football reach the OHSAA Division V state title game?
The Tigers rolled over South Range 48-14 in a state semifinal.
What to know about Ironton Fighting Tigers football
Ironton’s only loss this season is to Clarkson Football North from Ontario, Canada — a program well known to Stark County and Northeast Ohio fans. Football North has played Massillon, St. Edward and St. Ignatius in recent years, as well beating Perry in an event in Canton in 2022. Football North beat Ironton 28-27 on Sept. 27 a week before the Canadian team lost 45-6 at Massillon. Ironton won 13 of its game with a running clock with the 48-33 win at Pikeville (Ky.) in Week 7 being the only outlier. The Fighting Tigers are playing in their 12th state championship game. They won state titles in 1979 and 1989 and have been runners-up nine times, including three times within the last six seasons (2019, 2020 and 2022). Head coach Trevon Pendleton, in his seventh season at the school, is guiding Ironton to its fourth state final during his tenure. The Fighting Tigers have outscored their first five playoff opponents 271-48.
Ironton High School football players to watch
- WR Shaun Terry: The Missouri commit is the Southeast District Division V Offensive Player of the Year this season. Terry has 79 catches for 1,440 yards and 21 TDs this season. He also has 155 yards and three rushing TDs.
- DB Josh Johnson: The Penn State commit is the Southeast District Division V Defensive Player of the Year this season. Johnson has 68 tackles, four interceptions and three passes defensed this year.
- OL-DL Aiden Layne: The 240-pound senior is the Southeast District Division V Lineman of the Year this season and is earning postseason recognition for his work on the defensive line
- QB Braden Schreck: The 6-2, 185-pound senior earned first-team all-district honors at quarterback.
What to know about Liberty Center Tigers football
Liberty Center is playing in the Division V state finals for the second consecutive year, having lost to Lake County Perry 21-14 in 2023. This is the Tigers sixth state championship game. They are 1-4 in the previous five. They won their lone state title in 1997. Liberty Center relies on a run-heavy offense and a strong defense. Liberty Center has shut out seven opponents this season and allows only 175 yards per game.
Liberty Center High School football players to watch
- RB-LB Waylon Rentz: Has rushed for 1,784 yards and 29 TDs.
- RB-DB Thomas Mohler: Has rushed for 903 yards and eight TDs.
- RB-LB Garrison Kruse: Has rushed for 843 yards and 15 TDs, while also making 15 tackles for loss playing on defense.
- DB Cam Kahle: Has eight interceptions.
- DL Zander Zeiter: The 6-2, 240-pound senior is a first-team all-district performer.
What channel is the Ironton football OHSAA state championship game on vs. Liberty Center? How to watch on TV
The Division V state title game will be televised on Spectrum News 1. Kickoff is at 3 p.m.
OHSAA state finals: Ohio high school football state championships predictions, breaking down OHSAA finals
How to stream the Liberty Center vs. Ironton Ohio high school football state championship game
In addition to airing on TV on Spectrum News 1, the game can be streamed using the Spectrum News App or via OHSAA.tv.
