CANTON, Ohio — There are 30 former Raiders (Oakland, Los Angeles & Las Vegas) enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame in Canton.

What You Need To Know

  • South Range won the Div. 5 title on Friday, beating Ironton 53-27

  • South Range QB Billy Skripac finished with 331 yards passing and six total touchdowns

  • It's the first state championship in school history for South Range

On Friday, the South Range Raiders achieved legendary status next door at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, by winning the school’s first-ever Ohio High School Athletic Association football state championship, with a 53-27 win over Ironton in the Division V game.

On the opening drive, Billy Skripac completed a 68-yard pass to Shane Lindstrom, who tip-toed along the sideline and evaded several would-be Tiger tackles. Skripac capped the opening drive with a 7-yard touchdown and a 7-0 lead.

Ironton needed just one play to respond, as Tayden Carpenter found Lincoln Barnes for 66 yards, evening the score at 7-7.

Up 20-7 in the second quarter, Bailey Ryan blocked a punt that was recovered and returned to the Ironton 8-yard line by Tristan Toy. On the next play, Skripac took it in for a 26-7 lead and control of the game.

Both offenses were on display, combining for 953 yards, eighth-most in OHSAA championship game history. Of that total, 682 were passing, which is a new record in Division V for combined passing yardage and second most in any title game, trailing only the 921 from St. Henry and Mogadore in the 1996 Division VI final.

Skripac ended up with six total touchdowns (three passing and three rushing) while completing 13 of 25 passes for 331 yards. He also gained 57 yards on 12 carries.

Lindstrom caught six passes for 176 yards and added another breathtaking highlight with a 65-yard touchdown reception.

It wasn’t all through the air, though. Blake Ewert added 142 yards and a score on 19 carries.

Ironton quarterback Tayden Carpenter was outstanding as well, completing 21 of 36 passes for 325 yards and four scores.

The Raiders, dating back to the 2019 season, have won 43 of their past 46 games, with all three losses to Kirtland in the playoffs. The Hornets were reclassified to Division VI this season and South Range was more than happy to fill the void.

It’s especially gratifying for head coach Dan Yeagley, who is in his 28th season as a head coach (243-75), and is well-respected not only in the Mahoning Valley, but the entire state.

Ironton appeared in its 11th state championship game, but hasn’t won it all since 1989. It’s the third time in four years the Tigers have gotten this far.

(Editor's note: This story originally identified South Range quarterback Billy Skripac as committed to Indiana. Dec. 2, 2022)