The Ohio High School Athletic Association Football State Championships began on Thursday with Winton Woods claiming the school’s second-ever state title, joining the 2009 squad.

What You Need To Know

  • Winton Woods defeated Hoban in the Division II title game Thursday

  • TyRek Spikes led Winton Woods with 153 yards on 22 carries

  • Winton Woods won its second state title in program history and first since 2009

  • OHSAA state title games continue on Friday and Saturday

The Warriors were 21-10 winners over defending state champion Hoban. It was sweet revenge, as those two also met in the 2017 Division II final, with the Knights 42-14 winners. Hoban had been 5-0 in state championship games (winning five titles in the previous six years).

Winton Woods becomes the first Division II public school champion since fellow Eastern Cincinnati Conference member Loveland won it all in 2013.

One of the smallest players on the field was one of the biggest reasons the Warriors are celebrating. TyRek Spikes stands five-feet-seven and weighs 165 pounds, but everyone is looking up at the running back now, carrying 22 times for 153 yards and a touchdown. He’s had an amazing season, just if you counted the postseason. In those six games, Spikes had 145 carries for 1,173 yards (8.1 yards average per carry) and 11 touchdowns.

While the Knights’ defense was already keyed on Spikes, quarterback Austin Ellery added to the rushing attack with 87 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.

But the real story was the Warriors’ defense. They held Hoban’s ground game to just 127 yards rushing, and 192 yards of total offense. Winton Woods sacked Knights’ quarterback Jayvian Crable four times, and Hoban’s only touchdown was a scoop and score on a fumble recovery.

The Warriors started the season 1-2, and were just 4-3 before winning their final nine games. Winton Woods entered the tournament as the seven seed in Region 8, the lowest seed to reach the finals.

There are three more games on Friday and Saturday, all of which are live on Spectrum News 1, and the Spectrum News App.

Friday 10:30 a.m.

Division IV – Ursuline vs. Clinton-Massie

Friday 3 p.m.

Division III – Chardon vs. Badin

 

Friday 7:30 p.m.

Division I – St. Edward vs. Springfield

Saturday 10:30 a.m.

Division VII – Marion Local vs. Newark Catholic

Saturday 3 p.m.

Division VI – Carey vs. Coldwater

Saturday 7:30 p.m.

Division V – Kirtland vs. Versailles

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