Olentangy Orange claims first state football championship

Olentangy Orange Head Coach Wes Schroeder accepts the OHSAA Division I state championship trophy from John Kronour, Director of Sport Administration of the OHSAA. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

CANTON, Ohio - Olentangy Orange High School was established in 2008, and they have now won a football championship to accompany their inception, achieving their first title with a victory against the highly skilled Cincinnati St. Xavier Bombers, with a score of 28-14.

"Going through a season here with your team and your guy like every day, wanting to win a team award and be with them while we do it, it meant the world to me," said Davis.

In one of the more competitive games during the first two days of championship weekend, the Orange of Olentangy made its move after a few plays. 

Zane Konczak intercepted Jackson Frey with just a minute elapsed on the clock. He returned the ball to the St. Xavier 44-yard line, but the drive resulted in a four-and-out.

The defenses of both teams were quite formidable, resulting in a scoreless first quarter. 

Opening up the second period, six seconds in, and the Ohio Mr. Football finalists Levi Davis runs a quarterback keeper on a 4th and 2 and scores to put the Pioneers in the lead 7-0. 

Olentangy head coach (far left) Wes Schroeder looks on as the game winds down. (Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

After that, St. X would respond three minutes later as Jake Britt would score on a 39-yard rush to tie things up at 7-7. 

Then, Levi Davis would start to impose his will on the Bombers' defense. Following an 8-play empty drive by the Bombers, Olentangy regained possession, and he connected with MC Walker along the seam for a 4-yard touchdown reception with 5:35 left in the quarter. 

Levi is a great player, but even better human being - Wes Schroeder

It wouldn't stop there, as another empty drive by St. X, Davis would lead his team down the field for another score, this time to Lucas Fickel up the middle for a 15-yard touchdown reception to put the Pioneers in the lead by 14. 

"Our game plan is to be efficient and effective," said Schroeder.

Olentangy was in control in the late period of the third quarter, even after being penalized for a 15-yard pass interference; they still managed to score one final touchdown. Lucas Fickel, after a 13-play drive he would rush for a 4-yard touchdown to give Olentangy a sizeable 21-point lead with 6:11 to play in the quarter. 

The Olentangy Orange celebrate their first-ever state football championship during the trophy presentation. (Photo: Chuck Cordes/Ohsfbmedia.com)

St. X played tough defense and kept their opponent scoreless in the fourth quarter, but they couldn't score enough points to catch up, only managing a touchdown with 5:03 remaining in the game. 

Frey connected with Newdigate for a 12-yard touchdown pass, and they attempted an onside kick, but it wasn't enough. Olentangy simply ran out the clock to win the school's first football championship.