by 6,425 Newark Licking Valley Panthers and Clyde Fliers fans packed Tom Benson Stadium for the Division IV OHSAA Football State Championship game. Licking Valley has made 19 play-off appearances including 2 State Runners-Up finishes (2001, 2007), while Clyde has appeared in 15 playoff runs including a State Runners-Up finish in 1994 and a State Championship in 1995. The Panthers extended their 2019 season with a narrow 25-24 win over Poland Seminary, and the Fliers punched their ticket following a 35-14 victory over Cincinnati Wyoming.
It was a slippery start as the Panthers took to the field against the Fliers. Three fumbles early in the quarter- two consecutive- changed possession of the ball between the opposing teams. However. Ryan Lozier turned on the heat for the Fliers as a 1-yard touchdown drive gave away the lead with 1:17 remaining in the first.
The Panthers were quick to pounce at the start of the second, tying the score 7-7 to keep the game within sight. Logan Bragg connected in the air with Carson Conley to move the ball to the 8-yard line, and Mitchell Ford ran it in on first down to level the score.
The Fliers remained persistent, and with 1:07 reading on the clock Gunner Golden plowed through to sneak the ball across the line on a 4th and goal, 2-yd drive. Victor Guzman-Moreno sent the ball through the center of the forks to increase the gap by 7.
The score remained 14-7 at the half.
Chevon Bulger returned the ball to the 15-yard line early in the third after intercepting a pass on a Licking Valley first down. Golden proved himself to be the golden gloves of the team as his 1-yd drive to the end zone picked up his second touchdown of the night and extended the lead 21-7. His third came at the 6:00 mark as Ryan Lozier connected with Adam Koviak to advance the ball to the 12-yard line, and short bursts pushed the offense to 3rd and goal. Golden proved the threat the Fliers pose in the red zone by plowing a 1-yard touchdown run over the line for a 28-7 third quarter.
With the ball settled on the 1-yard line, Lozier leapt into the end zone up the count, and the Fliers final score of the night came with 4:16 on the clock as Goldman settled the Fliers attack 42-7 with a 5-yard rush. The Panthers had one last bite in them as the time ticked below one minute, and Bragg connected with Conley to complete a 4-yard touchdown pass stilling the final score 42-14.
The Clyde Fliers collected their second State Championship title in school history, and for head coach Ryan Carter, it is a feat that is a testament to the team.
“This group never waivered. They did not blink, they just said ‘hey, we’re gonna get it done, we’re gonna get in, and we’re gonna figure it out’. We made a statement a while ago, and I was talking to these guys’ captains, and I said ‘if we get in, we’ve got a shot’.”
Lozier put the ball through the air for 96 yards going 8-9, and Golden rushed for 114 yards. Guzman-Moreno sent the ball straight through the uprights with 6/6 pinpoint accuracy.
Bragg threw 11-22 and totaled 107 yards, and Ford rushed 32 yards. Alex Pennington secured both extra point attempts going 2/2.
“There’s nothing like it. Some other states might claim they have better high school football than Ohio, but they’d have to show me,” Licking Valley head coach Randy Baughman said. “Ohio football, in my mind, is the best there is.”
