In the first half, Marion’s Griffin Bruns secures an over-the-head touchdown reception from quarterback Justin Knouff during Friday’s 74-0 Division VII championship victory over Hillsdale. (Press Pros Feature Photos by Sonny Fulks and Julie McMaken Wright) Marion Local demonstrated scoring prowess in every imaginable way, showcasing to Hillsdale, and the entire state, the reasoning behind […]
In the first half, Marion’s Griffin Bruns secures an over-the-head touchdown reception from quarterback Justin Knouff during Friday’s 74-0 Division VII championship victory over Hillsdale. (Press Pros Feature Photos by Sonny Fulks and Julie McMaken Wright)
Marion Local demonstrated scoring prowess in every imaginable way, showcasing to Hillsdale, and the entire state, the reasoning behind their impressive record of 64 consecutive wins, 15 state titles, and four in a row.
Canton, OH – Were there any surprises?
Was there anyone left unamazed?
Did they have anything to show?
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Well, if they did, Marion Local erased any doubt on Friday with a stunning 74-0 victory over Jerome-Hillsdale High School in the Division VII final, filled with numerous remarkable events…and honestly…a few awkward moments, too. Teams do not enter the state championship expecting a staggering 74-0 outcome, but the astonished Hillsdale fans departed after witnessing the unexpected…and believing it!
John Kronour from the OHSAA simply referred to them (Marion) as a ‘dynasty’ during the trophy presentation that followed the game.
Sonny Fulks, the publisher, writes about OHSAA sports and the Buckeyes for Press Pros Magazine.
“We were aware,” said a wide-eyed Hillsdale coach Trevor Cline. “64 wins in a row and 15 state titles? We understood what playing against Marion Local might entail. But I am proud of my team. They have faced significant challenges over the years to claim a regional championship and reach the state final. Today, we observed the level required…what it demands to make it back here.”
But 74-0?
The score was 33-0 by the end of the first quarter.
It was 60-0 at halftime.
“I simply told them how proud I was of them,” said Cline when asked what he could tell his team while down by 60 at halftime.
Senior Parker Hess registers the first of his four touchdowns – unchallenged – merely 74 seconds into the first quarter.
Marion scored in every imaginable way – offense, defense, and special teams. The ground game, interceptions returned for scores, and incredible execution from special teams.
“They were the finest team I’ve ever faced in any sport,” Hilldale quarterback Kael Lewis remarked softly afterward. “I haven’t encountered a team of that caliber.”
To illustrate…
Marion Local took the opening kick, and within five plays and 69 yards, Parker Hess plunged in from 4 yards out…untouched…to bring it to 7-0 in just over a minute.
Then, Hess scored again on a 3-yard run with 8:10 left in the quarter.
At 4:56, wide receiver Vic Hoelscher completed a 37-yard pass from Justin Knouff for a touchdown, pushing the score to 20-0.
At 3:19, Ethan Heitkamp scored on a 2-yard run, widening the lead to 26-0.
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And with just 57 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Hoelscher caught a punt at his 34-yard line and returned it 66 yards for another touchdown…33-0.
Turn the page….
Marion’s Daniel Everman stretches for the pylon after an interception in the first quarter. He was deemed out of bounds at the one.
At 8:19 of the second quarter, Hess registered his third touchdown on a 1-yard run…40-0.
At 6:48, Griffin Bruns made an impressive over-the-head catch from Justin Knouff for a 45-yard score…46-0.
At 4:40, Justin Knouff, despite nursing a shin bruise, requested a chance to run the ball. On that single opportunity, he sprinted for 60 yards and scored…53-0.
Not to be redundant…but two minutes later, Hess completed his hat trick of the half with a 3-yard run to make it 60-0…and that concluded the half!
“I was eagerly hoping for a chance to run,” Knouff shared in the post-game press conference. “When they called the play for me, I hit the seam, and it was wide open the entire way.”
The Hillsdale crowd, along with the students, were in shock. They had performed too well to reach this stage only to face such an outcome.
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“I still believe,” said one of the cheerleaders. “If they can score 60 in the first half, we can score 60 in the second half. What a comeback that would be.”
Except that rarely occurs.
Victor Hoelscher scores on a 66-yard punt return during the first half of Friday’s Div. VII title game against Hillsdale.
Marion quickly forced a punt to commence the second half, playing with a running clock, and within moments, Ethan Heitkamp scored on a 12-yard run, increasing the lead to 67-0.
With the clock ticking away like a DP&L meter, Kamden Eifert and the reserves pushed one final touchdown across from 5 yards out with 11 minutes remaining in the fourth quarter, rounding off the score at…74-0.
Marion, in a mere 33 plays from scrimmage, amassed 74 points on just 345 total yards of offense…245 yards rushing.
How did they accomplish that?
Hillsdale, in 45 plays, gained just 74 yards…a mere two on the ground.
Justin Knouff completed 5 of 7 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown.
Kael Lewis managed 6 of 12 for 72 yards but was intercepted three times.
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Special teams, much to Tim Goodwin’s satisfaction, were indeed exceptional…Griffin Bruns racked up 81 yards on two carries, and Vic Hoelscher with his 66-yard return and touchdown. It was Hoelscher’s second punt return for a touchdown in consecutive years.
Afterwards, Goodwin was brief and to the point, as anyone would be after clinching 15 titles out of 18 attempts.
Marion defensive end Kyle Ungruhn tackles a Hillsdale player during Friday’s Div. VII championship.
“There were certain aspects where we outperformed them…we had an edge. Special teams was one of those areas, and our effectiveness with punt returns and interceptions quickly shifted the momentum. This was not exactly what I anticipated, but our players excelled immensely.
“We entered this week with an aim to perform exceptionally, as I felt these players deserved to shine in this match. Clearly, we have experienced being here many times, and sometimes we have struggled. But today, we truly delivered in front of football enthusiasts across the state.”
Marion Local at its pinnacle?
“We excelled in various disciplines,” Goodwin continued. “We take pride in our special teams, and I’m uncertain if others do the same. We take pride in our defense. So to respond to your inquiry…yes, I believe we played quite well.”
“This feels surreal,” shared tackle Kyle Ungruhn. “The season is over, and we won’t play football together anymore.”
However, there’s no doubt…Marion’s senior class seized their opportunity. It was an extraordinary circumstance when a freshman class would proceed to play four seasons without a single loss, capture four consecutive state titles…while also extending the new state record for consecutive victories to 64.
This achievement was accomplished while competing in what is widely recognized as the most challenging football conference in the state.
“It has been incredibly thrilling,” Ethan Heitkamp expressed. “It has yet to sink in, but I’m sure I will be in class next week, and it will hit me.”
Justin Knouff leaps over the lone defender in his path on this 66-yard touchdown run before halftime – his only carry of the match.
“I think it will hit me on the bus ride home,” added Vic Hoelscher.
Regardless of how it’s articulated, Marion Local once more not only upheld its own standard but elevated it too. Scoring 74 points in an OHSAA title game marked the first occurrence of 70 points since Delphos St. John achieved 77 against Shadyside in 2010.
“This is the most challenging aspect of my role,” Goodwin stated, in response to a question about sustaining that standard. “Keeping the standard intact.”
And that is a benchmark that multiple MAC teams continuously strive to emulate. One could now accurately suggest, perhaps, that their 21-7 victory over Minster was, in fact, the Division VII state title affair.
“I mentioned after our regional final triumph over Minster,” Goodwin remarked. “Many teams that aren’t as strong as Minster have captured state championships. I’ve witnessed it, and some of my teams were not as capable as this season’s Minster squad.”
Marion’s defense pressures Hillsdale quarterback Kael Lewis during a first-half fumble recovery.
After fifteen titles, countless inquiries, and speculation regarding Goodwin, the record, the legacy – the standard – there remains a personal reflection surrounding Goodwin and what he cherishes most about their cumulative achievements.
“Well, I am truly elated for these players, as they were able to come here and perform as they did today. I was hoping, for their sake, that we could excel.”
“Also, I am a football enthusiast and a significant influence on my formative years came from witnessing what St. Ignatius achieved. So to be part of that conversation [with them] is unique…to be viewed as the contemporary Ignatius.”
Ignatius, of course, fell silent in 2011, following their 11th championship. Today, Ignatius holds 15 titles, and no one dares question when or if their reign may conclude.
“I’m assigning more responsibilities [to a young coaching staff], and I am still enjoying the process,” Goodwin mentioned earlier this year. Quite a thought, considering…..
After 14 titles…Friday they finally delivered their finest performance!
Marion’s Daniel Everman runs back an interception during their 74-0 victory over Hillsdale in the Division VII Finals.
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