CANTON — All three phases of the game contributed to a third straight Ohio High School Athletic Association football state championship for Marion Local.
The Flyers (16-0) knocked off Dalton 38-0 in the Division VII title game in Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, the 48th consecutive win overall for Marion Local.
Marion Local’s first two drives resulted in touchdowns, and a 14-0 lead. The Bulldogs (13-2) were driving until the Flyers’ Griffin Bruns stepped in front a pass and raced 80 yards for a 21-0 lead.
Special teams put the fourth touchdown on the board when Victor Hoelscher brought a punt back 64 yards, establishing a new Division VII championship game record. It was previously held by New Bremen’s David Homan, who returned one 45 yards in 2020 against Warren JFK.
Junior quarterback Justin Knouff combined for 173 yards of total offense, including 119 yards of passing on 14 of 17 attempts for the Flyers.
Marion Local was dominant in the playoffs, winning all six games by a combined score of 288-7.
The Flyers have won 18 consecutive playoff games, tied with St. Edward (also active) for the sixth-longest streak in OHSAA history.
Marion Local added to a couple of state records it already held with 14 football championships and 102 playoff wins, both comfortably ahead of the second-most (St. Ignatius has 11 championships, Coldwater 89 postseason victories).
It’s also the 42nd football state title for a school for the Midwest Athletic Conference, and the 26th time in the last 30 years at one least school won it all.