by Canton, OH: For the first time in school history, the Olentangy Orange Pioneers are Division I Football State Champions, following a 28-14 win over St. Xavier. The point guard of last year’s basketball state championship team and Mr. Football finalist, quarterback Levi Davis, shone, going 10-18 through the air for 177 yards and two scores, adding another touchdown and 96 yards on the ground. For the Bombers, quarterback Jackson Frey went 17-27 for 114 yards and a touchdown.
First Half
St. Xavier received the opening kickoff but would not hold the ball long, as Zane Konczak picked off the second passing attempt of the game. With a short field in front of them, Orange would drive all the way to the nine-yard line before turning it over on downs.
Midway through the first, the Pioneers began their second drive in enemy territory at the 43. Orange pounded the rock and drained over six minutes off the game clock, before Lucas Fickel plowed in from two yards out to put the Pioneers up 7-0 early in the second quarter.
The Bombers began the ensuing drive at their own 27. A big third down conversion on a pass from Frey to Logan Von Holle moved the ball across midfield and kept the drive alive. Facing another third down, Jake Britt took the handoff and rumbled for a 39-yard touchdown, tying the score at 7-7.
Unfortunately for St. Xavier, the Pioneers responded with a big drive of their own. The combination of Levi Davis and MC Walker was the story, as the two connected three times for 60 yards, including a one-handed catch in the endzone that put Orange up 14-7 late in the first half.
The Pioneers would get one more possession in the half, starting on their own 9. Facing third and long near midfield, Davis would connect with Walker again, this time a 39-yard gain that moved them into the redzone. On the very next play, Davis found a wide open Fickel for a 15-yard touchdown, extending their lead to 21-7 at the break.
Second Half
Much like they did in the first half, Orange got the second half started with a long, time consuming drive. The drive spanned 11 plays for 86 yards, draining almost six minutes off the game clock. On first and goal from the four, Fickel took the handoff and powered his way into the end zone for a touchdown. After the extra point sailed through the uprights, the Pioneers held a 28-7 edge.
St. Xavier would only possess the ball once in the third quarter, the drive ending in a punt. Just a minute into the fourth, the Bombers took over first and ten from their own eight. It took 15 plays, but a 12-yard connection from Frey to Aidan Newdigate drew St. Xavier closer at 28-14 with six minutes remaining.
Unfortunately for the Bombers, it would be their last possession of the game. Starting on their 39-yard line, Orange kept the ball on the ground and the clock running. The drive would stall out at the three, but that was all the Pioneers needed as the clock struck zero, sealing a 28-14 victory for their first ever football title.
Keys to the Game
It’s hard to score when you do not have the ball, and Olentangy Orange absolutely dominated the time of possession. In the first quarter alone, the Pioneers held a 9-3 edge in time of possession. There are few things more deflating than having your defense on the field for a majority of the game without any way to change it.
Quarterback Levi Davis proved he is the real deal, having the best State Championship weekend of the other Mr. Football finalists despite finishing third. Not only was he electric through the air, but the read-option look of he and Lucas Fickel is second to none this football season.
Top Performers
Olentangy Orange Pioneers
Levi Davis: 10-18 117 yards 2 TD 14 carries 96 yards TD
MC Walker: 5 catches 123 yards TD
Lucas Fickel: 31 carries 133 yards TD 1 catch 15 yards TD
St. Xavier Bombers
Jackson Frey: 17-21 114 yards TD INT 10 carries 46 yards
Jake Britt: 7 catches 40 yards 4 carries 46 yards TD
Scoring Summary
2nd Quarter
Orange 11:54- Levi Davis, 2-yard run (kick good)
St. Xavier 7:55- Jake Britt, 39-yard run (kick good)
Orange 5:35- Levi Davis to MC Walker, 4 yards (kick good)
Orange 0:13- Levi Davis to Lucas Fickel, 15 yards (kick good)
3rd Quarter
Orange 6:11- Lucas Fickel, 4-yard run (kick good)
4th Quarter
St. Xavier 5:03- Jackson Frey to Aidan Newdigate, 12 yards (kick good)
| 1st | 2nd | 3rd | 4th | FINAL | |
| Olentangy Orange | 0 | 21 | 7 | 0 | 28 |
| St. Xavier | 0 | 7 | 0 | 7 | 7 |
