State football

Kirtland thumps Coldwater

Trotwood-Madison, Mooney also win titles

Kirtland running back Christian Hauber (34) celebrates winning the Ohio High School Division V State Football Championship at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium by beating Coldwater 28-7 in Massillon, Ohio on Friday, Dec. 2, 2011. Hauber had 196 yards and two touchdowns in the victory.

MASSILLON, Ohio -- Christian Hauber shook off an ankle injury, and Damon Washington eluded defenders with breakaway speed to lead Kirtland to its first Ohio Division V football championship, beating Coldwater 28-7 on Friday.

"When it sinks in, we'll appreciate it," said senior linebacker Jake Finkler, a key performer on the Hornets' stifling defense that limited opponents to 6.5 points a game and had five shutouts overall.

Kirtland (15-0) outgained tournament-tested Coldwater (11-4) on the ground, logging 410 yards compared with Coldwater's 73. They outscored opponents overall 586-98 this year.

Hauber twice scored on six-yard runs and had 196 yards on 30 carries. Washington had 147 yards on 18 attempts, including TD runs of 7 and 81 yards.

"I just saw the hole, hit it, and went from there," Washington said of his scamper down the left sideline with 4:10 to play.

Hauber left briefly after injuring his left ankle in the second quarter but came back to play on both offense and defense. The senior is an all-state first team performer on offense and was named defensive player of the year in the division by the Associated Press for his play at linebacker. He will play football next season for the Air Force Academy.

DIVISION II

Trotwood-Madison 42, Avon 28

MASSILLON, Ohio -- Israel Green was surprised that he ran for Division II records of 326 yards and six touchdowns.

Leading Trotwood-Madison to its first state football championship in a win over Avon was more on Green's mind.

Now, he wants another title.

"This feels really good," the soft-spoken Green said. "Now, we've got to do it again next year."

The Rams (15-0) bounced back from a 45-33 loss to Maple Heights in the 2010 title game when they blew a 26-7 lead. Trotwood-Madison also was runner-up in 1981, when coach Maurice Douglass was a star running back at the school and on his way to an NFL career.

"We had bulls-eyes on our backs this year and will have them again next year," Douglass said. "With the guys we have coming back, if we work as hard as we did this year, we have a chance."

Avon (13-2) took a 7-0 lead on a 65-yard interception return by Ralph Smith. Justin O'Rourke passed for 325 yards and three TDs for the Eagles, who tried to play catch up, but couldn't catch Green.

The junior carried 35 times, including a remarkable 74-yard TD sprint in the second quarter in which he eluded five tacklers near midfield with a series of scintillating moves and sped down the sideline.

"I just followed blockers, picked my way, kept my balance, and ran," Green said.

DIVISION III

Youngstown Mooney 21 Shawnee 14

CANTON -- Youngstown Cardinal Mooney has an eighth state football championship, thanks to a defense good to the last tip.

Marcus McWilson set up one score with an interception, and Ryan Farragher tipped away a potential tying pass with 1:11 left as Youngstown Cardinal Mooney won its eighth state championship by beathing Springfield Shawnee.

"A lot of our games have been just like this, coming down to the final play," Cardinals coach P.J. Fecko said after winning his fourth title since 2004.

Shawnee (14-1) came in averaging 41 points, but it got only two TD runs by quarterback Brad Jarzab in its first title game. Jarzab scored from 15 and seven yards and totaled 139 yards rushing.

"You don't ever forget what it feels like to lose, but then again you do," Jarzab said. "It's a terrible feeling."

The Cardinals (11-3) took command after McWilson's 36-yard return with a picked pass put the ball on the Braves' 18 in the second quarter. Three plays later, quarterback P.J. Quinn scored from one yard out for a 21-7 lead. Quinn also scored on a two-yard run and Roosevelt Griff opened the scoring with an 18-yard burst.

Jarzab rallied the Braves late, capping a 91-yard drive with his second score to make it 22-14 with 5:38 left.