by PARMA, Ohio — For 13 weeks, the Avon football team overcame adversity and rode it all the way to the Division II state final four.
On Friday night, the remarkable journey came to an end, as Massillon, the No. 1-ranked team in the state, proved too physical and too much to overcome.
Avon fell 35-10 at Byers Field, as 14-0 Massillon advanced to play Cincinnati La Salle who won 35-21 winner over Toledo Central Catholic, in next week’s state championship in Canton.
After the contest Coach Mike Elder of Avon stressed that point:
“Anybody who knows our story and our situation understands that we’re missing 11 starters from the beginning of the year,” “Our kids’ toughness and resiliency is unmatched.”
Missed opportunities and a massive turnover, halting a would be tying score were huge setbacks for Avon, which they couldn’t overcome. Joey Lance stepped in at QB for the Eagles and left it all out on the field. Lance led the Eagles with 182 rushing yards on 35 carries and their only touchdown.
Avon began the game with a quick three and out and Massillon converted quickly going 40 yards in six plays to take a 7-0 lead on a 13 yard run by Zion Phifer, his first of four scores on the night.
Lance led the Eagles on a 13 play 78 yard drive to answer and tie the score as Lance gained 64 yards on nine carries.
Massillon came right back with two scores in four minutes, helped by the huge turnover in Massillon territory, and took a 21-7 lead.
Avon showed what they are made of by marching down field and their drive stalled at the Tiger 6 and Nate Vakos’ 23 yard FG cut the lead to 21-10 at the half.
The first half was all about field position as Massillon started 2 drives on Avon’s side of the fifty and both resulted in scores.
Massillon dominated Avon in the second half and poured it on behind Phifer, who finished the night with 141 rushing yards on 20 carries and the 4 TD’s.
The Tigers defense, who only allowed 28 second half points all season, did the rest, stuffing the Eagle run game and holding them to a season low 8 yards passing.
Avon ends their season at 13-1 and Coach Elder is confident his squad will bounce back: “The fight of our kids was evident tonight. We don’t need to win a state championship for me to be extremely proud of our group,” continued Elder. “I’m super proud of our kids.”
