CANTON — The Hillsdale High School football team and Maria Stein Marion Local will kick off Day 2 of the 2024 OHSAA football state championships this morning with the Division VII title game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
It’s the first of three high school football championshp games today – featuring a Marion Local team on an epic winning streak- as games continue Friday and Saturday at the stadium.
Follow along here throughout the day for live updates on the game.
Marion Local scores after the interception
After Hillsdale defense led to a third and short for Marion Local, Parker Hess found the end zone once again, taking an outside route for another touchdown. The conversion is good, making the score 60-0 Marion Local. Less than two and a half minutes remain in the half.
Hillsdale throws another interception
Hillsdale threw another intercepted pass to Ryan Homan, who almost found the end zone. After the play, the ball was about 11 yards short of the end zone, making for good field position for Marion Local.
Hillsdale punts, Marion Local answers quick
Hillsdale punted the ball after another unsuccessful drive following Marion Local’s interception. After Marion Local received, they scored on first down. Quarterback Justin Knouff kept the ball and ran all the way down to the end zone, good for another Marion Local touchdown. the 1-point conversion is good, bringing the score to 53-0 Marion Local.
Hillsdale ball intercepted, Marion Local brings it to the end zone
Hillsdale received the ball following Parker Hess’ touchdown play. On a pass, Griffin Bruns intercepted the ball and made it all the way down the field, scoring another touchdown for Marion Local. The 1-point conversion is no good, bringing the score to 46-0 Marion Local.
Marion Local widens the gap, scores another touchdown
Parker Hess came up with a short touchdown run, as his 1-yard run found the end zone after a dominant drive by the offense. The 1-point conversion is good, bringing the score to 40-0 Marion Local.
Hillsdale punts after another defensive stop by Marion Local
The second quarter began with Hillsdale continuing their drive down the field. After a third and long situation led to a loss of yardage, Hillsdale punted the ball, which landed out of bounds.
First quarter ends scoreless for Hillsdale, sets new record
The first quarter of play ended at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium with Hillsdale moving the chains, as a short run led to a first down. The score going into the second quarter is 33-0 Marion Local. The score sets a new record for Division VII, as its the most points scored in any quarter of a Division VII title game.
Three and out for Hillsdale, punt leads to a touchdown for Marion Local
After a failed third down conversion, Hillsdale punted the ball, which was received by Marion Local’s Victor Hoelscher. Hoelscher took the ball to the house, scoring a 68-yard touchdown off the punt. The conversion following the score was successful, bringing the score to 33-0 Marion Local with less than a minute in the first quarter remaining.
Another interception by Marion Local
Daniel Everman picked off another Hillsdale ball and almost made it to the end zone, going out of bounds at the one yard line. Following the defensive play, Ethan Heitkamp ran his way into the end zone for another touchdown. Marion Local missed their conversion kick for the second time this game. The score is 26-0 Marion Local.
Marion Local makes it to the end zone after a strong punt return
After an unsuccessful drive, Hillsdale punted the ball down the field, where Griffin Bruns received and earned good field positioning for Marion Local. On their first down, a pass to Victor Hoelscher was good for another Marion Local touchdown, and after a successful conversion, the score is 20-0 Marion Local.
Marion Local with another early score
Following the pick by their defense, Parker Hess made his way into the endzone once again. Their conversion attempt was no good, making the score 13-0 Marion Local.
Hillsdale without an answer to the first drive, leads to interception
Hillsdale could not find a way to match Marion Local on their first drive. On third and long, Marion Local’s Daniel Everman intercepted a pass, leading to a turnover.
Marion Local dominate early, score on their first drive
In the first two minutes of play, a strong offensive drive by Marion Local led to the end zone. Parker Hess scored the first touchdown of the game, after a fast offensive front pushed the offense down the field in little time.
How did Hillsdale reach the OHSAA Division VII state championship game
Hillsdale advanced to Canton with a 25-22 win over Danville in the state semifinals.
How did Marion Local reach the OHSAA Division VII state championship game
Marion Local advanced by routing Columbus Grove 41-6 in the state semifinals.
What to know about Hillsdale Falcons football
Hillsdale is making its first appearance in a state championship game. The Falcons had not advanced past the regional championship game prior to this season. Hillsdale is no stranger to the playoffs, though. The Falcons have reached the postseason nine consecutive season under head coach Trevor Cline. Hillsdale has an overall record of 15-12 in the playoffs.
Hillsdale High School football players to watch
- WR Hayden McFadden: The first 1,000 yard receiver in program history. McFadden has 60 catches for 1,363 yards this season with 18 touchdowns.
- WR Holland Young: On the verge of being the second 1,000 yard receiver in program history. The senior has 915 yards and nine touchdowns this season.
- RB Owen Sloan: A 1,500 yard rusher that can chew up yards. Sloan has 226 carries for 1,644 yards and 31 touchdowns.
- QB Kael Lewis: A sophomore that has thrown for 2,981 yards with 35 touchdowns and nine interceptions this season.
What to know about Marion Local Flyers football
The Flyers have won a state record 63 straight games and will look to make it 64 — four full 16-game seasons. Marion Local has allowed 49 points all season, shutting out eight opponents. The Flyers have come up 26 turnovers, including 16 interceptions, and made 29 sacks. The Flyers give up 136.6 total yards per game. Offensively, Marion has scored 40 or more points in 12 of 15 games. Head coach Tim Goodwin is 324-48 in his 26th season, winning 14 state titles since 2000.
Marion Local High School football players to watch
- QB Justin Knouff: Became the seventh Flyers quarterback to pass for more than 2,000 yards in a season during last week’s state semifinalz.
- WR Victor Hoelscher: Set Marion’s school record for receiving yards in a season last week, and has 1,271 yards with 19 TD catches this season.
- OL Kyle Ungruhn: Selected the Northwest District Lineman of the Year this season.
- RB-LB Drew Lause: Leads the team 105 tackles, and was the MAC and Northwest District Defensive Player of the Year. He joins Parker Hess and Ethan Heitkamp as Marion’s featured ball carriers.
- DE Adam Winner: Leads the team with seven sacks on a team that has recorded 29 this season
The Division VII state title game between Hillsdale and Marion Local will be televised on Spectrum News 1. Kickoff is at 10:30 a.m.
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In addition to airing on TV on Spectrum News 1, the game can be streamed using the Spectrum News App or via OHSAA.tv.
Repository sports writer Cliff Hickman contributed to this story.
