CANTON, Ohio — The Anderson High School football team completed its journey as a Division II state runner-up Thursday night.
Avon defeated Anderson 37-20 in the Division II state final at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. It was the weekend's first Ohio High School Athletic Association state final. The OHSAA announced an attendance of 4,592 fans in the stadium adjacent to the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Anderson completed its season with a 14-1 record.
"I couldn't be more proud of the 17 seniors," Anderson coach Evan Dreyer said. "They gave everything the last four years. You talk about commitment. You talk about investment. The memories we have of those guys. I love them."
Avon capitalized on an Anderson special teams turnover to help the Eagles take a 7-0 lead at the 7:16 mark in the first quarter.
Avon jumped ahead 21-0 by the 9:32 mark of the second quarter Thursday night.
Later, Anderson responded when junior quarterback Owen Scalf scored on a 1-yard touchdown run at the 5:18 mark. Senior Maddux Snider added the point-after attempt to close the gap to 21-7.
However, Avon went ahead 27-7 when senior quarterback Blake Elder found senior Grant Barr for a 37-yard touchdown pass. Elder, the son of Avon head coach Mike Elder, threw four touchdown passes in the first half. That tied the Division II state championship game record for most passing touchdowns.
Avon senior Quiante Smith had 180 yards rushing and a touchdown. That score in the third quarter gave the Eagles a 34-13 lead at the 1:38 mark.
Anderson closed the gap to 34-20 at the start of the fourth quarter when Scalf found junior Tysin Weaver for a 7-yard touchdown pass connection. Avon later added a field goal to seal the game.
Scalf was 32 of 47 for 376 yards and two touchdowns. He set the Division II state final record for most passing yards in a game. The previous record was held by Sylvania Southview's Alex Pidcock, who had 333 yards in 2008 Division II state final against Anderson at Massillon.
Scalf finished the season with 4,960 yards passing this season. That is No. 9 on the OHSAA's single-season passing yards list.
"We're a young football team," Dreyer said. "Owen played pretty good for his first big-time opportunity in Canton."
Weaver had 11 receptions for 125 yards and a touchdown. Junior Cooper Kathman had seven receptions for 114 yards. Junior safety Mark Madden had a game-high 11 tackles.
"You talk about character, you talk about everything you preach and it showed up tonight," Dreyer said. "That's why you're so proud of those guys. We never gave up."
Anderson had a memorable journey to Canton for a second straight season.
The Raptors earned their fourth state final appearance on Thursday night. The team was the Division II state runners-up in 2024 and 2008. Anderson won the 2007 Division II state championship.
This season, the Raptors focused on returning to Canton throughout the calendar year. Anderson conducted practice at 5:53 a.m. throughout this season. The team started seven minutes earlier than 6 a.m. due to the fact that it lost to Avon by seven points (20-13) in the 2024 state final.
The journey was completed Thursday night on the field in Canton as Anderson fans shouted how proud they were of the Raptors.
Anderson is one of two Greater Cincinnati teams in Canton this week for the OHSAA football state finals.
St. Xavier (11-2) plays Lewis Center Olentangy Orange (14-0) in the Division I state final at 7:30 p.m. Friday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
