CANTON — The Ironton High School football team and Liberty Center met in Day 3 of the 2024 OHSAA football state championships this afternoon in the Division V title game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. It was the second of three high school football championship games today as the title games conclude Saturday at the stadium.
Ironton won its first state title in 35 years after a run of recent runner-up finishes, preventing Liberty Center from finishing off an unbeaten season after losing in the finals a year ago.
Here's how the game unfolded through our live updates.
Ironton beats Liberty Center 28-17 to win OHSAA state championship
Ironton wins the state title for the first time since 1989 and finishes the season 15-1. Liberty Center suffers its first loss of the season and is state runner-up for the second straight year.
Ironton's Shaun Terry says goodnight
The Missouri recruit did it again. On third-and-10 from its 33, Ironton handed it to Terry and he ran 67 yards for a touchdown. The PAT is good. Ironton leads Liberty Center 28-17 with 46 seconds left. Terry has three TDs on the night. He then intercepted a pass on Liberty Center's ensuing play from scrimmage.
Liberty Center gives the ball right back
Liberty Center fumbled the ball away three plays later and Brycen Mullins recovered for Ironton, which takes over on its own 33. Ironton leads 21-17 with 1:10 left.
Ironton turns it over to Liberty Center
Ironton QB Braden Schreck fumbled the ball away and Hunter Spangler recovered for Liberty Center, which takes over on Ironton's 39 with 1:41 left, trailing 21-17.
Liberty Center scores, sets up onside kick
Liberty Center marches 66 yards in 11 plays to score. But Ironton's Shaun Terry grabs the onside kick. Ironton will start at its 42 with 1:51 left. Kaden Kreinbrink found Garrison Kruse for a 10-yard TD on that Liberty Center scoring drive. Waylon Rentz ran in the 2-point conversion to make it 21-17.
Ironton goes up two scores on Liberty Center
Braden Schreck scores on a 4-yard run as Ironton expands its lead. Beckham Waginger adds the PAT. Ironton leads Liberty Center 21-9 with 5:25 left. A beautiful 46-yard hook-up between Schreck and Shaun Terry set up that score. A huge play early in the drive was Schreck finding Braydon Baker for 12 yards on third-and-8 from their 9.
Liberty Center punts ball back to Ironton
After trading costly penalties, Liberty Center has to punt. Ironton has the ball on its 7 after a great punt by Max Walker. Ironton leads 14-9 with 9:24 left in the fourth quarter.
Ironton maintains 14-9 lead on Liberty Center after three quarters
Liberty Center is on the move, with a first-and-10 at Ironton's 44 when the fourth quarter begins.
Liberty Center produces defensive stand
A first-and-10 at the Liberty Center 17 turned into a turnover on downs by Ironton. A sack by Max Walker and a tackle-for-loss of Shaun Terry by Waylon Rentz keyed the stand. With 3:13 left in the third quarter, Ironton leads 14-9.
Ironton has chance to build on lead
Liberty Center's drive stalled out quickly after a couple of nice gains. Ironton starts on Liberty Center's 38 after a 35-yard punt return by Shaun Terry.
Second half underway: Liberty Center vs. Ironton
Liberty Center starts at its 15, trailing 14-9.
Ironton and Liberty Center halftime stats
Missouri recruit Shaun Terry was the star of the first half, with 111 yards and two touchdowns on six receptions for Ironton. He added eight yards on a carry. Braden Schreck is 9-of-14 passing for 111 yards and the two TDs to Terry. Waylon Rentz has 31 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries for Liberty Center. Garrison Kruse has broken off a pair of big runs to help set up Liberty Center's scores. Ironton leads Liberty Center 162 yards to 144 in total yards.
Halftime: Ironton leads Liberty Center 14-9
Liberty Center's Max Walker connects on a 39-yard field goal from the left hash as time expires. A 26-yard run by Garrison Kruse keyed that drive. Ironton leads 14-9 as we go to the break.
Liberty Center gets ball back late in first half
An ugly drive from Ironton goes backwards and it punts. Liberty Center has it first-and-10 at its 31, trailing 14-6 with 1:06 left in the second quarter.
Liberty Center cuts into Ironton lead
Liberty Center gets a much-needed answer. Waylon Rentz scores on a 1-yard touchdown run, which was set up by a 34-yard run by Garrison Kruse. The PAT kick is no good. Liberty Center trails Ironton 14-6 with 2:31 left in the second quarter. That was a nine-play, 70-yard scoring drive.
Ironton builds on leads over Liberty Center
There goes Shaun Terry again. The senior took a little pitch pass on a jet sweep and turned it into seven points. He started left, found a little crease, broke a tackle or two and finished the 46-yard touchdown running back across the field to the right. Beckham Waginger adds the PAT. Ironton leads Liberty Center 14-0 with 6:57 left in the second quarter. Terry's 15-yard reception earlier in the drive converted a third-and-12. Terry has five receptions for 114 yards and two TDs.
Liberty Center forced to punt
Liberty Center chooses to punt on fourth-and-4 after burning a timeout. Ironton starts on its 5, leading 7-0 with 11:28 left in the second quarter.
Ironton leads Liberty Center 7-0 after one quarter
Liberty Center facing a third-and-6 from Ironton's 46 when the second quarter begins.
Highlight-reel play by Missouri football recruit Shaun Terry puts Ironton in lead
Shaun Terry showing off some of the skills that make him a Missouri recruit. The senior wide receiver took a slant pass and hurdled a defender at the 25 on his way to a 35-yard touchdown reception. PAT kick is good. Ironton strikes first and leads Liberty Center 7-0 with 4:17 left first quarter.
Ironton facing big third down
The 15th play in the opening drive coming up for the Fighting Tigers, who face a third-and-7 at Liberty Center's 35.
Liberty Center and Ironton underway in D5 state title game
Ironton starts on its 20 after a touchback.
The more you know: Fighting Tigers vs. Tigers
Just to clarify, this is the Fighting Tigers of Ironton going up against the Tigers from Liberty Center.
Ironton will receive the opening kickoff
Liberty Center won the coin toss and chose to defer.
How did Ironton football reach the OHSAA Division V state title game?
The Fighting Tigers routed West Liberty-Salem 63-21 in a state semifinal.
How did Liberty Center football reach the OHSAA Division V state title game?
The Tigers rolled over South Range 48-14 in a state semifinal.
What to know about Ironton Fighting Tigers football
Ironton's only loss this season is to Clarkson Football North from Ontario, Canada — a program well known to Stark County and Northeast Ohio fans. Football North has played Massillon, St. Edward and St. Ignatius in recent years, as well beating Perry in an event in Canton in 2022. Football North beat Ironton 28-27 on Sept. 27 a week before the Canadian team lost 45-6 at Massillon. Ironton won 13 of its game with a running clock with the 48-33 win at Pikeville (Ky.) in Week 7 being the only outlier. The Fighting Tigers are playing in their 12th state championship game. They won state titles in 1979 and 1989 and have been runners-up nine times, including three times within the last six seasons (2019, 2020 and 2022). Head coach Trevon Pendleton, in his seventh season at the school, is guiding Ironton to its fourth state final during his tenure. The Fighting Tigers have outscored their first five playoff opponents 271-48.
Ironton High School football players to watch
What to know about Liberty Center Tigers football
Liberty Center is playing in the Division V state finals for the second consecutive year, having lost to Lake County Perry 21-14 in 2023. This is the Tigers sixth state championship game. They are 1-4 in the previous five. They won their lone state title in 1997. Liberty Center relies on a run-heavy offense and a strong defense. Liberty Center has shut out seven opponents this season and allows only 175 yards per game.
Liberty Center High School football players to watch
What channel is the Ironton football OHSAA state championship game on vs. Liberty Center? How to watch on TV
The Division V state title game will be televised on Spectrum News 1. Kickoff is at 3 p.m.