CANTON, Ohio — Marion Local’s defense was as advertised, leading the Flyers to an Ohio High School Athletic Association-record 13^th football state championship with a 14-6 win over Kirtland on Saturday.

What You Need To Know

• Marion Local beat Kirtland 14-6 for the Div. VI championship


• It's an OHSAA-record 13th championship for Marion Local


• Marion Local defense gave up 9 total points in the playoffs

Marion Local had only allowed three points in the entire playoffs coming into the final, posting 11 shutouts on the season. The Hornets averaged nearly 34 points a game this year, but were held to six.

Additionally, Kirtland was limited to just 109 yards on the ground after averaging 319 yards a game during the season. 

The Hornets’ defense had plenty of sting too, stopping the Flyers on four plays inside their own 5-yard line to keep the game scoreless in the second quarter. However, on the next possession, Marion Local’s Darren Meier capped off a 51-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown.

The Flyers’ Nathan Buschur returned an interception 57 yards for Marion Local’s second touchdown and a 14-0 lead.

Kirtland’s Jake LaVerde connected with Will Sayle for 10 yards on 4th-and-8 to cut the lead to eight, but the point after attempt failed and that’s as close as the Hornets got.

It’s the fourth time since 2015 these two have squared off in the Division VI final, with the series split. Marion Local also won in 2017, while Kirtland was victorious in 2018 and 2016.

For the Midwest Athletic Conference, it’s the 40^th OHSAA football state championship, with New Bremen still to play in the Division VII final Saturday afternoon.

The Flyers' 13 titles (2021-22, 2019, 2016-17, 2011-14, 2006-07, 2000-01) have all come in the last 23 years. They are now two ahead of the next closest school (St. Ignatius).