by CLICK HERE TO WATCH A FULL HIGHLIGHT VIDEO OF THIS GAME –
Canton, OH – The South Range Raiders captured the OHSAA Division V State Championship with a commanding 53-27 victory over the Ironton Fighting Tigers early this afternoon. The Raiders were led by an incredible effort from quarterback Billy Skripac who went 13 of 25 for 331 with 3 touchdowns. He also ran the ball 12 times for 57 yards and scoring a remarkable 3 times with his legs.
His main targets were Shane Lindsrom with 6 catches for 176 yards and a touchdown. JD Crouse had 3 catches for 71 yards with a touchdown. Ayden Leon caught 3 balls for 54 yards. Jake Starkey caught 1 pass for 30 yards while Dean Depizzo had a touchdown catch as well in the win.
Another Raider who pillaged his way to yards all game long was tailback Blake Ewert who piled up 142 yards on 19 carries, while scoring once as well.
Ironton was led by Tayden Carpenter who threw for 325 yards and an astonishing 5 touchdowns in a loss. Catching two of those touchdown passes was Ty Perkins with 7 catches for 121 yards. Landen Wilson had 5 catches for 61 yards. Shaun Terry had 3 catches for 23 yards and a score. Lincoln Barnes had 2 catches for 80 yards with a score as well. Amari Fielder also had 2 catches with a score.
The Raiders started with the ball and went right to work. They struck big on an 8 yard curl from Billy Skripac to Lindsrom that he then took another 60 for a huge 68 yard chunk play to start the drive. A few players later it was Skripac taking it himself from 7 yards to score first and make it 7-0 Raiders with 8:30 to play in the opening quarter.
It took Ironton one play to answer with a Carpenter to Lincoln Barnes pass that went for a 66-yard touchdown, and just like that it was tied 7-7. It was another 8-yard pass that he caught and just took off with it. For Barnes, it was just his firth catch al season.
A few possession later after a shanked punt by South Range, Ironton took over at the Raider 30 yard line. They went 4 and out however, and couldn’t do anything with it, missing a great chance.
South Range took over and connected on a 30-yard Skirpac to Starkey pass to get the driving moving quickly. Moments later they ran a double reverse and tossed it back to Skirpac who then launched it to JD Crouse for a 40-yard touchdown strike. This reclaimed the lead for South Range 14-7 with 41 seconds left in the first quarter.
The momentum stayed with South Range as the Fighting Tigers fumbled to start their next drive and gave South Range premium field position. They took full advantage with a Skirpac to Crouse 29-yard strike and then Skirpac kept it himself to rush for a 5 yard touchdown. They missed the extra point however and the lead stayed at 20-7 for the Raiders.
The bad luck for Ironton would continue as their next possession went 3 and out and then they had their punt blocked. This gave South Range the ball back at the 8-yard line of the Fighting Tigers. It was the same thing for the third time, as Skirpac took it in himself from 8 yards out to extend the lead to 26-7 after another missed extra point with 8:56 to go in the second quarter.
The Fighting Tigers needed an answer badly, and got one with a tremendous Carpenter to Ty Perkins touchdown pass from 31 yards out. Perkins was wide open and Carpenter put it on him perfectly. The kick was good, and they lead was now 26-14 South Range with 5:19 to go in the first half.
Yet again however, it didn’t take South Range long to answer with a 5-play drive that ended up in points. The final blow coming from an Ewert from 31 yards out. After another missed extra point attempt, the score remained at 32-14.
Midway through the third quarter, it was the Raiders striking again. This time it was Skirpac to Lindsrom for a 65 hook up as Lindsrom stiffed armed his way through defenders to score! This built the Raider lead to 39-14 with 6:01 to play in the third quarter.
The Fighting Tigers wouldn’t go away easy however, and scored on their next drive in no time at all when Tayden Carpenter connected with Amari Felder to score. Carpenter found several receivers on the quick drive that took less than two minutes to score, and make it 39-21 with 4:46 to play in the third.
South Range put the Fighting Tigers away for good on the opening drive of the fourth quarter. They went for it on fourth and goal from the 8 instead of kicking a field goal and it paid off with a Skirpac to Depizzo touchdown pass to make it 46-21.
The Raiders hung on to win 53-27 and capture the Division V State Championship.
Click here for the Ironton Press Conference –
Click here for the South Range Press Conference –
Good coverage