Home Care In Avon, OH

The TrueNorth Chorale and Chamber Orchestra, under the direction of Rick Fortney, will present their annual Christmas Concert on Saturday, December 20th, at 7:30 p.m. at Avon Lake Presbyterian Church, 32340 Electric Blvd., Avon Lake, Ohio. The Concert is open to all, there will be a free will offering to help offset costs.

Avon Lake Presbyterian Chancel Choir will join the TrueNorth Chorale and Chamber Orchestra performing John Rutter’s Magnificat. Written in 1990, Rutter’s stunningly beautiful Magnificat is based on the biblical Magnificat canticle and includes both Latin and English text. Woven through the glorious piece are themes about Mary, a prayer and a Sanctus setting. The work itself is a joyous, Latin-flavored extended setting of the biblical canticle, incorporating elements of Latin American music. Magnificat – a poetic outpouring of praise, joy and trust in God, ascribed by Luke to the Virgin Mary on learning that she was to give birth to Christ.

The TrueNorth Chorale will be singing four John Rutter Christmas carols. John Rutter recently celebrated his 80^th Birthday. Sir John Milford Rutter is an English composer, conductor, editor, arranger, and record producer, mainly of choral music. He founded the Cambridge Singers. We celebrate him as our featured composer this evening.

The TrueNorth Chamber Orchestra will be playing holiday favorites, Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, Sleigh Ride, and A Christmas Festival including many of your most loved Christmas carols. Flutists Susan Richardson and Cathy Graves will be featured performing Fantasia on Greensleeves, and violinists Kathryn Bates, Ingrid Askenbeck and cellist Joan Wojcicki Fortney will be soloists performing Francesco Manfredini Pastorale from Concerto grosso in C major.

The concert will close with all performing Dan Forrest arrangements of Silent Night featuring harpist Susan Wrbanek; Joy to the World featuring violinist Kathryn Bates and flutist Susan Richardson; and Chip Davis’s arrangement of Auld Lang Syne, written for Mannheim Steamroller.

We hope you join us on Saturday, December 20^th, as these 60+ musicians celebrate an uplifting musical evening of Christmas music to warm the spirit, bringing glad tidings of comfort and joy.

CANTON, Ohio, Dec. 4 — Blake Elder passed for 216 yards and four touchdowns to lead the SN NEXT No. 22 Avon [OH] Eagles to a 37-20 win over the SN NEXT No. 19 Anderson [Cincinnati, OH] Raptors in Ohio's OHSAA Division II football state championship game.

The victory was Avon's second in a row over Anderson in the Division II championship game following 2024's 20-13 win.

This one was never really that close as Elder had all the answers on offense to keep the Raptors at bay. He completed 12-of-18 passes for 216 yards, and his four touchdowns went to four different receivers – Fin Jerdonek, Caden Clapham, Caeden Bennett, and Grant Barr.

Quiante Smith added a short scoring run for the Eagles' other touchdown as five different Eagles found the end zone in the title game.

The game was played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, and Avon's win means both teams finished the season with 14-1 records.

WATCH ON SPECTRUM: SN NEXT No. 19 Anderson [Cincinnati, OH] Raptors vs. SN NEXT No. 22 Avon [OH] Eagles

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Refresh for updates

Anderson vs. Avon results, highlights from Ohio's OHSAA Division II high school football state championship game

Final: Avon 37, Anderson 20

|| FOURTH QUARTER ||

End of fourth quarter: Avon 37, Anderson 20

Avon is able to bleed the clock out from there, and that's your ballgame. Avon is the back-to-back Ohio OHSAA Division II state champions in high school football.

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Anderson drove quickly inside Avon's 10 before their drive stalled. Four straight plays from there come up empty, and they turn the ball over on downs. We've still got more than four to play, but that should ensure that Avon wins this game.

AVON 37, ANDERSON 20

The Eagles tack on a field goal, and it's back to three scores. It's better than giving up a touchdown, but you're still going to need three more possessions and that's going to make this tough with just 7:16 to play.

AVON 34, ANDERSON 20

Tysin Weaver hauls in an offering Scalf, and the Raptors have cut this back to two scores. They're still in this if they can get a stop, and that's been hard for the Anderson defense to get off the field tonight.

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|| THIRD QUARTER ||

End of third quarter: Avon 34, Anderson 13

The third quarter ends with Anderson deep in the red zone so they're not out of this, yet.

AVON 34, ANDERSON 13

Well, the turnover ends up costing Anderson, and maybe Avon was going to win this game anyway. But that certainly didn't help things, and it swung the momentum back to the Eagles. Quiante Smith caps the short drive with a scoring run, and Avon is back up three scores.

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Anderson got the ball back with a chance to drive and cut this to one score, but Scalf throws an interception deep in his own territory to set Avon up with a short field. Jairel Fenton with the interception.

AVON 27, ANDERSON 13

Anderson opens the second half in the way they needed to driving down the field and getting a touchdown. The PAT is no good, but they've got it back down to two scores.

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And they are just under way in the third quarter in Canton, Ohio.

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|| SECOND QUARTER ||

End of second quarter: Avon 27, Anderson 7

Anderson finally showed a little life, but Avon was able to drive down and extend the lead back to three scores again. This is a deep hole to climb out of against a defense like the one Avon has, and you get the feel that this might already be out of reach. But, we'll see how things unfold in the second half, and if Anderson can get some stops and maybe force the Eagles into making a few mistakes, then they've got the offense to score quickly and get back in this thing.

AVON 27, ANDERSON 7

Elder strikes again. This time he finds Grant Barr, and that's four different receivers who have found the end zone on the opposite end of Elder's throws. That's tough to defend when you've got that many guys you can trust to catch the ball.

AVON 21, ANDERSON 7

Owen Scalf finally gets Anderson on the board with a short quarterback keeper. That felt like a drive where Anderson HAD to score to get back in this thing and give their defense a rest. Mission accomplished for now.

AVON 21, ANDERSON 0

This time it's Elder to Caeden Bennett with about 9:30 to play in the second quarter. It's still all Eagles in Canton, Ohio.

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|| FIRST QUARTER ||

End of first quarter: Avon 14, Anderson 0

It's been all Avon so far, and they'll start the second quarter on the move again.

AVON 14, ANDERSON 0

Elder finds Caden Clapham for another quick touchdown, and Avon is already creating some separation early

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Avon gets another quick stop on Anderson. That Eagles' defense is looking pretty stout early.

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AVON 7, ANDERSON 0

Blake Elder finds Fin Jerdonek for a quick strike after the Eagles were set up in good field position.

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A bad snap sails over the head of Anderson's quarterback, and the Eagles will take over on Anderson's 16-yard line.

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The game is under way in Canton!

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Coming soon!

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Anderson vs. Avon start time

Thursday night's game between Anderson and Avon is being played at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio.

How can I watch Anderson vs. Avon today?

MORE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL PLAYOFF HEADLINES

Nov. 28, 2025Updated Nov. 29, 2025, 3:27 a.m. ET

To be the best, the Walsh Jesuit High School football team needed to beat the best.

Unfortunately for Walsh, it could not upset defending Division II state champion Avon in a state semifinal on Friday, Nov. 28, at the University of Akron. Walsh lost 38-7 and fell short of reaching its first Ohio High School Athletic Association state final appearance in football since 1999.

Here is how the action between Walsh (11-2) and Avon (13-1) unfolded:

Avon defeats Walsh Jesuit 38-7 in Division II state semifinal

With 41 seconds left, Avon senior Jensen Petro made a 35-yard field goal to give the Eagles a 38-7 lead.

Walsh Jesuit and Avon record interceptions in fourth quarter

Walsh and Avon traded interceptions on back-to-back possessions in the fourth quarter.

Walsh senior defensive back Grant Blascak intercepted Avon senior quarterback Blake Elder with 10:13 left to play. Four plays later, Avon junior defensive back Jairel Fenton intercepted a pass from Walsh junior quarterback David Ternosky.

Avon then chewed up clock and ended its final possession with a field goal.

Walsh football trails Avon 35-7 at the end of the third quarter

Walsh trailed Avon 35-7 at the end of the third quarter.

Avon boosts lead to 35-7 vs. Walsh with 2:47 left in the third quarter

Avon began another drive near midfield after a Walsh turnover on downs, this time at Avon's 47-yard line with 4:14 left in the third quarter.

Avon went ahead 35-7 when senior quarterback Blake Elder threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to junior wide receiver Fin Jerdonek with 2:47 left in the third quarter. Avon's trick-play pass on a two-point attempt fell incomplete.

Avon Eagles build lead to 29-7 vs. Walsh Jesuit Warriors with 6:13 left in the third quarter

On second-and-10, senior quarterback Blake Elder connected with senior wide receiver Grant Barr for a 38-yard touchdown pass. Avon went for two points, but Walsh linebacker Alex Dachille broke up a pass by Elder on the failed attempt.

Avon began the scoring drive on its 46-yard line after Walsh had another turnover on downs with 8:48 left in the third quarter. Walsh went for it on fourth-and-4, but junior quarterback David Ternosky's pass fell incomplete.

Avon led Walsh 29-7 with 6:13 left in the third quarter.

Avon leads Walsh 23-7 at halftime of Division II state semifinal

After Walsh scored on the game's opening kickoff and threatened again to begin the second quarter, Avon dominated the first half. Walsh trailed 23-7 at halftime.

Walsh ends another possession with a turnover on downs vs. Avon football. Avon takes advantage and extends its lead

Walsh went for it on fourth-and-4 at its own 48-yard line, and Avon senior Jerry Clements broke up a pass from junior quarterback David Ternosky to senior wide receiver Milan Parris. The turnover on downs occurred with 2:57 left in the second quarter.

Avon took advantage. On third-and-7, senior quarterback Blake Elder connected with senior tight end Killian Haessig for an 18-yard touchdown pass. The extra-point kick was no good. Avon extended its lead to 23-7 with 35 seconds left in the second quarter.

Avon turns its second interception of the game into a field goal and a 17-7 lead vs. Walsh football

Walsh junior quarterback David Ternosky had another pass intercepted off deflection. Avon senior Sammy Ulery recorded the interception and returned it 30 yards to the Walsh 28-yard line.

Walsh's defense proved to be stout and held Avon to a field goal. Senior Jensen Petro made the 27-yard attempt to give Avon a 17-7 lead with 5:59 left in the second quarter.

Avon captures 14-7 lead with interception return for touchdown vs. Walsh Jesuit football

On second-and-goal at the 5-yard line, Walsh junior quarterback David Ternosky had his pass deflected, intercepted and returned 98 yards for a touchdown. Senior Caden Clapham scored the defensive TD for Avon, and the Eagles took a 14-7 lead with 11:12 remaining in the second quarter.

The 14-point swing represents major adversity for Walsh.

Walsh Jesuit and Avon are tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter

Walsh Jesuit and Avon were tied 7-7 at the end of the first quarter, but Walsh is threatening to score again.

Walsh will begin the second quarter facing first-and-goal at the 3.

On third-and-8 at the Walsh 27-yard line, junior quarterback David Ternosky and senior wide receiver Milan Parris connected for 34 yards and a crucial first down. Walsh then ran the ball into the red zone.

Walsh Jesuit offense has turnover on downs and Avon capitalizes with a touchdown to tie the score 7-7

After Walsh's defense forced a three-and-out, the Warriors took a gamble on offense. On fourth-and-2 at the Walsh 48-yard line, Warriors coach Nick Alexander elected to go for it. Junior quarterback David Ternosky's pass intended for senior wide receiver Milan Parris on the perimeter fell incomplete with 7:03 left in the first quarter.

Four plays later, senior running back Cam Wendell rushed for a 1-yard touchdown, and Avon tied the score 7-7 with 5:40 left in the opening quarter.

Avon defense gets stop after Walsh recovered fumble

On the Avon offense's second play from scrimmage, Walsh recovered a fumble by Avon senior Caden Clapham with 10:56 left in the first quarter.

Walsh took possession at its 48-yard line after the takeaway, but the Warriors went three-and-out and punted.

Walsh Jesuit takes 7-0 lead vs. Avon with Milan Parris returning game's opening kickoff for touchdown

Walsh Jesuit senior wide receiver Milan Parris returned the game's opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. Senior Freddie Marcell made the ensuing extra-point kick, and Walsh seized a 7-0 lead with 11:48 left in the first quarter.

This is the best start Walsh could have ever imagined.

Below is some pregame information.

Who will the winner of Walsh vs. Avon football face next week in the OHSAA football Division II state championship game?

The winner of Walsh and Avon will advance to the Division II state final and play the winner of the other Division II state semifinal between Cincinnati Anderson (13-0) and Sunbury Big Walnut (12-1).

The Division II state title game is scheduled for 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

How to watch Walsh Jesuit football vs Avon in OHSAA playoffs

Walsh versus Avon will be available to stream at spectrumnews1.com and OHSAA.tv.

Spectrum customers can watch with their subscriptions while those without can purchase a stream of the game for $9.99 on OHSAA.tv.

Stats from Walsh's OHSAA playoff win over Hoban football

Last week, Walsh defeated rival Archbishop Hoban 35-7. It was Walsh's first playoff win over Hoban since 1998.

Walsh senior running back Marty Tobin finished with 23 carries for 199 yards and two touchdowns. Junior quarterback David Ternosky returned from an injury and went 6-of-9 passing for 114 yards and two touchdowns, a 6-yard pass to senior wide receiver Milan Parris and a 39-yard pass to junior wide receiver Cambell Lann. Senior running back Carlos Smith rushed eight times for 50 yards and a TD.

Walsh Jesuit football players to watch

Ternosky is 99-of-166 passing this season for 1,374 yards and 19 touchdowns with six interceptions.

Tobin has 157 carries for 1,755 yards and 18 TDs. Smith has 89 carries for 547 yards and eight TDs. Ternosky has 67 carries for 375 yards and four TDs.

Walsh's top receivers are Miami Hurricanes recruit Parris (45 catches, 731 yards, 11 TDs) and Lann (20 catches, 282 yards, four TDs).

Walsh's offensive line is led by senior Colton Crosley, an Ohio University recruit.

Walsh's defense features a talented secondary with senior and Toledo commit Grant Blascak (87 tackles, interception), senior and Ohio recruit James Brewer (44 tackles, seven pass breakups, two interceptions), senior Tommy Pulletti (34 tackles, six pass breakups) and junior Ben Biel (51 tackles, six pass breakups, two interceptions).

Senior and Bowling Green commit Caden Carter (95 tackles, five for loss, four sacks, two interceptions, two defensive TDs), senior Alex Dachille (95 tackles, three sacks) and junior Drew Wollschleger (60 tackles) lead Walsh's linebacking corps.

Junior Dario Jeras (75 tackles, 13 for loss, six sacks) and senior Cade Romanini (58 tackles, five for loss, five sacks) are standouts on Walsh's defensive line.

Stats from Avon's OHSAA playoff win over Highland football

Last week, Avon defeated Highland 36-19.

Senior running back Quiante' Smith rushed for 168 yards on 23 carries and a TD against Highland.

Junior defensive lineman Jack Fitch also recovered a fumble in the end zone for a TD. Junior linebacker Nathan Peters returned a blocked field goal for a TD.

Avon football players to watch

Senior quarterback Blake Elder, the son of Eagles coach Mike Elder and the All-Northeast Lakes Offensive Player of the Year, is 164-of-240 passing this season for 2,626 yards with 28 TDs with three interceptions.

Avon's top wide receivers are senior Grant Barr (56 receptions, 919 yards, 10 TDs), junior Fin Jerdonek (43 receptions, 634 yards, seven TDs) and senior Caden Clapham (21 receptions, 356 yards, four TDs).

Avon's leading rushers are Smith (91 carries, 541 yards, nine touchdowns), junior running back Michael Colburn (79 carries, 392, seven TDs) and senior running back Cam Wendell (64 carries, 264 yards, 10 TDs).

Avon senior linebacker Ryan Stolarski is the All-Northeast Lakes Defensive Player of the Year. He has 85 tackles, eight for loss, five sacks and two interceptions.

Senior defensive back and North Carolina commit Jakob Weatherspoon (43 tackles), senior defensive lineman and Cincinnati commit Lance Dawson (24 tackles, nine for loss, five sacks, 29 QB pressures), junior defensive back Jairel Fenton (four interceptions), defensive back Clapham (two forced fumbles), senior defensive back Jerry Clements (two forced fumbles), senior linebacker Dane Sexton (three fumble recoveries) are other Avon standouts.

Walsh's history in the OHSAA football playoffs

Walsh is in the playoffs for the sixth year in a row and 23rd time overall. Walsh won the Division II state championship in 1999 and was the Division III state runner-up in 1998. The Warriors were also Division I state semifinalists in 1993, Division II state semifinalists in 1994 and Division III state semifinalists in 1997.

Avon's history in the OHSAA football playoffs

Avon has reached a state semifinal for the eighth time in the past nine years. Avon's first six trips to the semifinals in its recent run ended five times in a loss to Hoban and once in a loss to Massillon. Avon finally broke through last year with a 35-10 win over Hoban in a state semifinal before defeating Cincinnati Anderson 20-13 in the Division II state title game.

Walsh Jesuit football scores, schedule

Avon football scores, schedule

Nate Ulrich is the sports columnist of the Akron Beacon Journal and a sports features writer. Nate can be reached at [email protected]. On Twitter: @ByNateUlrich. Beacon Journal sports writer Michael Beaven contributed to this report.

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BRUNSWICK – For the third season in a row, Avon and Highland played in a Division II, Region 6 final.

For the third season in a row, the Eagles beat the Hornets.

This time it was a 36-19 win by the third-seeded Eagles (12-1).

It came thanks to an incredible showing up front by Avon, which racked up 321 yards on the top-seeded Hornets (12-1).

The Eagles next date comes at FirstEnergy Stadium in Akron when Avon faces Walsh Jesuit (11-1).

The Warriors beat Hoban 35-7 to win Region 5.

Quiante’ Smith rushed for 168 yards on 23 carries and scored a touchdown and Avon scored on rushing touchdowns by Blake Elder and Cam Wendell (10 carries, 27 yards).

Jack Fitch recovered a fumble in the end zone and Nathan Peters returned a Nolan Farley blocked field goal for the other score.

Highland was paced by Casey Myser (10 carries, 103 yards, TD; one catch, 44 yards, TD) and Grady Gibb (18 carries, 31 yards, TD; 7-of-12, 167 yards, TD).

Follow along here for in-game updates, highlights and analysis:

Avon blocks field goal attempt, scores

Nolan Farley blocked a 41-yard field goal by Jonah Kowza and Nathan Peters returned it for a touchdown. It's 36-19 Avon with 6:29 remaining.

Highland forces Avon to punt

The Hornets take over on their own 8. It's 29-19 Avon with 9:47 left.

Highland closes the gap against Avon

After a turnover on downs by Highland's defense, running back Casey Myser runs 57 yards to glory. It's 29-19 Avon with 11 seconds left in the third quarter. We head to the fourth quarter that way

Highland turns it over on downs on downs

Grady Gibb took a big hit and fumbled it out of bounds. Avon takes over on the Highland 44 with 3:03 left in the third quarter. It's 29-12 Avon.

Avon opens second half with a touchdown

The Eagles went 76 yards on 12 plays to increase their lead to 29-12 with 5:36 left. Quiante' Smith fumbled the ball into the end zone but Jack Fitch recovered it. Dylan Luker caught the two-point coversion from Blake Elder.

Halftime statistics from Avon-Highland

Individual leaders

Avon: Quiante' Smith 12 carries, 79 yards, TD; Cam Wendell four carries, 11 yards, TD; Blake Elder five carries, minus-5 yards, TD; Blake Elder 8-for-10, 106 yards; Grant Barr three catches, 65 yards

Highland: Casey Myser six carries, 25 yards; one catch, 44 yards, TD; Grady Gibb, nine carries, 6 yards, TD; 4-for-7, 104 yards, TD; Lucas Gerding three catches, 70 yards;

Casey Myser with the hailmary TD pass from Grady Gibb cuts Avon lead

Grady Gibb's hailmary sailed 44 yards right into the arms of Casey Msyer as time expired. It's Avon 21, Highland 12 at the break.

Avon pushes the lead to two scores

Cam Wendell goes in from 2 yards out to cap off a nine-play, 62-yard drive. It's 21-6 Avon with 49 seconds left before the break.

Avon forces a three-and-out with the lead

Miami (Ohio) pledge Ryan Stolarski with the sack this time for Avon. The Eagles take over on their own 38. It's 14-6 Avon with 4:55 left in the second quarter.

Highland defense stands tall, forces three and out

Highland takes over on its own 19 with 7:43 left. Avon leads 14-6.

Avon forces Highland punt in second quarter

Lance Dawson sacked Grady Gibb for a 4-yard loss to force a punt. Avon is up 14-6 with 9:47 left and has the ball on it's own 45.

Avon, two drives, two scores against Highland so far

Quiante' Smith's 4-yard run makes it Avon 14, Highland 6 with 11:18 left in the first half.

Avon threatening to start the second quarter

The Eagles face first-and-goal from the Highland 10 to start the second quarter. Avon is outgaining Highland 145-70. It's 7-6 Avon.

Highland answers Avon touchdown with one of its own

Grady Gibb, who threw for 52 yards on a 68-yard drive, scores from a yard out. The extra point is blocked. It's 7-6 Avon with 4:01 left.

Avon scores first in Division II, Region 5 final

The Eagles go 75 yards on eight plays. Quarterback Blake Elder runs it in on fourth-and-goal from the 4. It's 7-0 Avon with 6:51 left in the first quarter.

Highland stumbles on its first drive

The Hornets go three-and-out to open things. Avon takes over on its own 25. It's scoreless with 10:19 left.

Avon vs. Highland football playoff history

The last time these two teams played in Brunswick, Highland beat Avon in a 2013 Division II, Region 4 final. ... The top-seeded Hornets hold an 11-7 career record against the third-seeded Eagles, who have won the last six meetings. ... This is the 15th playoff appearance and sixth consecutive for the Hornets, who reached the state semifinals in 2013. Highland is 21-14 in those appearances. The Hornets beat fourth-seeded North Ridgeville 48-0 in Week 13 after a 38-7 win over No. 8 Brecksville in Week 12. ... This is the 18th playoff appearance and 15th consecutive for the Eagles, who are the reigning state champions, were runners-up in 2011 and have reached nine state semifinals. Avon is 43-17 in those appearances. The Eagles beat second-seeded Wadsworth 42-21 in Week 13 after a 46-13 win over sixth-seeded Olmsted Falls in Week 12. ... This is a rematch of the regional final the last two seasons. Avon won 28-20 last season and 28-14 in 2023.

Avon High School football's projected starters

Highland High School football's projected starters

Who to watch for Avon football in Division II, Region 6 championship

All-Northeast Lakes Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Stolarski is a beast at linebacker. The senior and Miami (Ohio) commit has 72 tackles, eight for loss, four sacks, five QB pressures, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and two interceptions. North Carolina commit Jakob Weatherspoon (43 tackles, interception, three pass breakups) has shut down everyone this season, but didn't play last week. Cincinnati commit Lance Dawson (20 tackles, nine for loss, three sacks, 27 quarterback pressures) is also a force on the defensive line. ... The Eagles are led by All-Northeast Lakes Offensive Player of the Year Blake Elder. The senior QB is 152-for-225 passing for 2,502 yards and 28 TDs against just three interceptions. … First-team all-district wide WR Grant Barr (53 receptions, 854 yards, 10 TDs, two two-point conversions), Fin Jerdonek (40 receptions, 613 yards, seven TDs) and Caden Clapham (20 receptions, 349 yards, four TDs) are his primary receivers. The Eagles are a run-by-committee group. Michael Colburn (75 carries, 381, seven TDs), Quiante Smith (68 carries, 367 yards, eight TDs) and Cam Wendell (54 carries, 233 yards, nine TDs) are the stars. ... Avon's average score this season is 41-12.

Who to watch for Highland football in Division II, Region 6 championship

Two-time Suburban League American Conference Offensive Player of the Year Casey Myser (137 carries, 1,163 yards, 23 TDs) leads a Highland rushing attack that gains 247.4 yards per game. ... Grady Gibb (89-for-104 passing, 1,647 yards passing, 22 TDs, two interceptions) is a dual-threat quarterback. … Lucas Gerding (26 catches, 465 yards, six TDs) and Nick Dobkowski (16 receptions, 405 yards, four TDs) are his primary receivers. … SL American Conference Co-defensive Player of the Year Evan Foust (63 tackles, 14 for loss, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, interception, four pass breakups), Dobkowski (seven interceptions) and Jameson Gordon (59 tackles, 9.5 for loss, three sacks, interception, fumble recovery, forced fumble, five pass breakups) lead a unit that allows just 47.4 yards rushing per game. ... Highland's first-string defense hasn't given up a touchdown since a first-quarter score by Avon Lake in Week 3. Highland has beaten opponents by an average score of 47-5 this season

What's next for the Highland vs. Avon football winner

A state semifinal Nov. 28, location and opponent TBD

Avon football scores, schedule

Highland football scores, schedule

Brad Bournival can be reached by email at [email protected] and is on X at @bbournival.

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CANTON, Ohio — They come from 13 different counties in the state. From the shores of Lake Erie to the banks of the Ohio, Olentangy and Maumee Rivers, 16 programs will converge on Canton for the 2025 Ohio High School Athletic Association football state championship games, beginning Thursday.

What You Need To Know

Among the storylines, two games (Divisions II and III) are rematches from a year ago, which represent the only two teams (Avon and Watterson) that can repeat from 2024.

Kirtland is making a record-tying ninth straight championship game appearance, while Olentangy Orange and Shelby are here for the first time. Two others (Hopewell-Loudon and Hillsdale) are looking to celebrate a first-ever state title.

Spectrum News 1 and the Spectrum News App will bring you every moment for all the history and memories that will last a lifetime.

Thursday 7 p.m.: Division II – Anderson (14-0) vs. Avon (13-1)

For a second straight year, the championships begin with Anderson and Avon in Division II.

The Eagles won their first-ever state title in football with a 20-13 win in the snow in 2024, after finally breaking through the state semifinals reaching that stage six of the previous seven years.

The Raptors have won three straight regional titles but haven’t brought back a state championship to the east side of Cincinnati since 2007.

Anderson sports a 42-3 record since the 2023 season, with two of those losses to eventual state champions in the playoffs, including Massillon two years ago in the state semifinals.

If you like high-powered passing attacks, the Raptors are your kind of team. Junior quarterback Owen Scalf has thrown for 4,584 yards, the 14^th-highest single-season mark in OHSAA history. With 53 more against Avon, he’ll surpass his brother, Griffin, for 12^th on the list.

He’s a threat when he pulls the ball and runs, too, rushing for 640 yards and seven touchdowns on the ground. He’s thrown for 39 through the air.

Four players (Tysin Weaver, Cooper Kathman, Tegan Jallick and Jordan Davis) have at least 70 catches and 700 yards receiving for Anderson.

The Raptors punt return unit is dangerous, too, scoring six touchdowns this season, three each by Mark Madden and Ke’Maury Tye.

Avon dropped its second game of the year on the road in Florida but has since won 12 straight and is now looking to become the first public school to repeat as Division II champions since St. Marys Memorial in 1992-93.

Blake Elder – son of head coach Mike Elder – has thrown for over 2,800 yards and 31 touchdowns, while three running backs have combined for 1,303 yards and 27 touchdowns on the ground.

Jakob Weatherspoon, a four-star recruit that signed with North Carolina on Wednesday, was injured in week nine and is not expected to play.

The leading tackler is Miami University-bound Ryan Stolarski, who has 98 stops to go with eight tackles for loss, 5 sacks and two interceptions.

OHSAA Championship Gameday coverage begins 15 minutes before each game and returns afterwards for analysis and postgame reaction. It’s all on Spectrum News 1, and the Spectrum News App.