Newark Catholic finishes as Division VII state runner-up
CANTON — The Newark Catholic football team could not overcome an early onslaught Saturday from Marion Local.
Three early scores powered the Flyers to a 42-7 victory in the Division VII state championship game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
This was the second time Newark Catholic (14-2) fell in the state finals to Marion Local (16-0), and it marked the seventh time in program history the team finished as runner-up.
“The ultimate expectation is to win this football game and win the state championship. My heart breaks for our seniors, not being able to give that to them, but what it does for our freshmen, sophomores and juniors is going to be huge for their growth for us to attain that moving forward here,” Newark Catholic coach Ryan Aiello said. “Our seniors, I am proud of them. This group right here has been with me since I first started. I am very pleased with their growth.”
Newark Catholic’s run defense was stout on the game’s initial possession, forcing the Flyers to go three and out. The Flyers adjusted and did their damage through the air as Peyton Otte completed touchdown passes of 19 and 51 yards to Brady Ronnebaum, helping to send them to a 21-0 lead after one quarter.
Newark Catholic ignited its passing game early in the second quarter to work back into the game.
Cole Canter hit Tanner Elwell for 14 yards, Brandon Buchanan for 20, Elwell again for 12 and eventually Mason Hackett
for a 10-yard touchdown pass. Hackett slipped out of a tackle and dove across the goal line inside the pylon for Canter’s 32nd TD pass of the season, cutting the deficit to 21-7.
Newark Catholic kept the momentum and forced a quick punt. The Flyers, however, intercepted Canter and drove 50 yards on 11 plays to take a 28-7 lead into halftime.
Marion Local put the game away in the third quarter. Otte broke free for a 54-yard touchdown run and then threw a 39-yard TD pass to Dylan Fleck on the Flyers’ next offensive play.
Canter threw for 103 yards, completing 4 for 40 yards to Elwell. Hackett ran for 31 yards, had a 34-yard kick return and made a team-high nine tackles, and Kyle Langenbrunner intercepted a pass.
Twitter: @newarkurt