by Full Highlights can be found here –
CANTON, Ohio – A dominant defensive effort by the Marion Local Flyers led to a 14-6 victory over the Kirtland Hornets to capture the Division VI State Championship. They held one of the best offensive teams in the state to just 161 total yards. Crazy enough, in comparison, the Kirtland Hornets held Marion Local to just 142 total yards. A pick six by Marion Local in the second half, proved to be the difference.
After a scoreless first quarter, The Marion Local Flyers began the second quarter with a nice drive mixing pass and rush to get inside the Kirtland 30-yard line. The big play coming on a halfback pass by Kyle Otte that went for 24 yards. A few plays later it was Otte on a tremendous 23 yard run on fourth down to set up a first and goal to go. Kirtland shut it down and forced another turnover on downs with an incredible stop of the Flyers.
Marion Local finally broke through on their next drive that once again started near the 50-yard line. They cashed in the short drive on a Darren Meier 2-yard touchdown run to give the first half it’s only points with 1:39 to go.
Marion Local began the second half with another long and methodical drive to soak up time off the clock while moving the ball. However, it was stopped short when the Flyers went for it on fourth down when a halfback pass by Kyle Otte was picked off by Blasini to halt the drive and give the Hornets life. The spark was quickly put out with a Nathan Buschur 56-yard pick six of Laverde that increased the lead to 14-0 Marion Local with 6:42 to go.
Down 14-0 with 5:35 to go in the third, Kirtland badly needed a break and finally got one with a Marion Local fumble on their own 22-yard line. The Hornets would soon face a fourth and goal when Laverde found tight end Will Sayle in the endzone to cut the lead to 14-6 as the extra point was blocked.
Kirtland had one last chance as they took over on their own 32 with 5:16 to go. A couple of first downs got them moving and advancing to the Marion Local 45-yard line with a fresh set of downs. The drive fell short however as Marion Local captured the Division VI State Championship.
The Kirtland Press Conference can be found here –
The Marion Local Press Conference can be found here –
