12-05-2015 FB STATE Runner Up vs Kirtland Length of Video

Div. VI - December 5, Saturday, 10 a.m.
Kirtland (14-1) def. Maria Stein Marion Local (13-2) 22-20
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Division VI
Kirtland Defeats Maria Stein Marion Local, Wins Third State Championship
Kirtland Comes From Behind to Defeat Four-time Defending State Champion Marion Local
COLUMBUS, Ohio Kirtland knocked off four-time defending state champion Maria Stein Marion Local 22-20 in the 2015 OHSAA Division VI state football championship game to earn its third state title in school history on Saturday morning at Ohio Stadium.
In what was a tale of two halves, Kirtland Head Coach Tiger LaVerde commended his players for their belief, expressing his appreciation after the game.
I'm happy for these guys, LaVerde said.These guys will remember this forever and that is what its about. They had a great experience. They're going to be lifelong friends. They'll get to cherish this for a long time.
Early on, however, it was Marion Local that jumped out to a quick lead. Marion Local brought a balanced run-pass attack led by running back Aaron Nietfeld and quarterback Cole Griesdorn.
Nietfeld got the Flyers (13-2) on the board with a 5-yard touchdown run at the 7:09 mark in the first quarter. Four minutes later, Griesdorn connected with receiver Matt Kahlig for a 14-yard touchdown pass to give Marion Local a 13-0 halftime lead.
A persistent second half rushing attack from Kirtland kept the Hornets in contention. Kirtland responded early in the third quarter, marching 75 yards on 12 plays to finish the drive with a 1-yard touchdown run by running back Joey Bates.
After recovering a Marion Local fumble on its own 3-yard line, Kirtland (14-1) took its first lead, capping off a 97-yard drive with quarterback Owen Lewis taking it in himself from 2 yards out. The Hornets extended the lead to nine with 2:08 left in the fourth quarter after a 57-yard touchdown run from Bates (34 carries, 206 yards rushing, 2 touchdowns) and two-point conversion from Lewis to Evan Madden.
Marion Local responded, as Griesdorn hooked up with Hunter Wilker for an 11-yard touchdown reception to finish off a five-play, 53-yard drive. But the Flyers onside kick went out of bounds and Kirtland secured the win.
With the victory, Kirtland's record over the last five seasons extends to 72-3 with two of those losses coming in state championship games. Today marked Kirtland's fifth straight appearance in a state championship game and the 25th playoff game in the last five years.
Marion Local 2015 Football (13-2)
8/28 A McComb (12-2) W 24-22
9/4 H Beallsville (2-5) W 54-6
9/11 H New Bremen (1-9) W 62-6
9/18 A Minster (10-3) W 20-7
9/25 H St Henry (6-4) W 42-7
10/2 A Anna (3-7) W 35-13
10/9 A Coldwater (15-0) L 14-17
10/16 H Fort Recovery (13-2) W 28-0
10/23 H Versailles (4-6) W 37-7
10/30 A St John's (1-9) W 42-0
11/7 H # Miami East (8-3) W 48-23
11/14 N # West Liberty-Salem (9-3) W 34-0
11/21 N # Mechanicsburg (12-1) W 9-7*
11/28 N # Tinora (11-2) W 34-10
12/5 N # Kirtland (14-1) L 20-22
- Ohio playoff game
Caleb Romero www.bing.com/v...
Russell Athletic | Marion Local "24W - 1L"
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