Here’s the most notable number from last weekend’s state football championships at Massillon and Canton: 22,875.

That’s the difference in total attendance from the six games compared to 10 years ago. Dwindling attendance is likely a sore subject among Stark County officials who lobbied hard to extend a 23-year run there. In 2014 the finals move to Columbus.

The state finals hit a high in combined attendance from 1997-2003. In five of those years 60,000-plus attended. That includes a robust 20,395 who witnessed Elder edge Warren Harding 21-19 for the Division I title in 2002 at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium.

In contrast, 8,834 showed for Moeller’s 20-12 defeat of Toledo Whitmer for the D-I title last Saturday at Canton.

Interest in the title games probably hasn’t waned, but attending sure has taken a hit. Emerging media such as internet coverage — including live streaming — and live TV are somewhat to blame. It can’t be the weather, which hovered between 55-60 degrees and clear skies both days last weekend.

The games were down 4,782 spectators from 2011.

Because of their smaller structures, those dwindling numbers still can make the Stark County venues seem well attended. That won’t be the case at Ohio Stadium, which can hold in excess of 100,000.

Other notable numbers from championship weekend:

• 9,109: Those who witnessed the D-III title game, Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary’s 42-21 defeat of Bellevue, the best-attended final.

• 4,899: Attendance for Toledo Central Catholic’s 16-12 defeat of Trotwood-Madison (D-II), the lowest attended.

• 96: Ohio teams — of 717 — that have never qualified in 41 years of playoffs.

Lynch an all-star: Senior Eric Lynch of Bellbrook High School is one of 40 players to have been selected to play in the National Soccer Coaches Association of America national all-star game on Saturday at Birmingham, Ala.

Lynch was the state’s Division II co-player of the year and is a two-time NSCAA All-American. He had 35 goals and 21 assists this past season for Bellbrook ( 19-1-0). He has signed to play at Wright State University.

Sellout expected: Tickets to today’s boys basketball game at Chaminade Julienne (1-0) against visiting Dunbar (2-0) must be purchased in advance of the game. Cost is $4 for students and $6 for adults, and tickets are available at the CJ athletic office.

A CJ advisory requests that pass-holders redeem tickets in advance to guarantee admittance. The varsity game is expected to be a sellout. The freshman game is at 4:30 p.m., the reserves at 6 p.m. and the varsity follows.

College connection

Tecumseh grad and Ohio Northern University senior Alison Steinbrunner placed second in the recent NCAA Division III Cross Country Championships at Terre Haute, Ind.

Steinbrunner covered the 6-kilometer course in 21 minutes, nine seconds. It was the best finish ever by an Ohio Athletic Conference runner and makes her a three-time NCAA All-American.

• Penn State freshman Megan Courtney (Alter) has been named the Big Ten women’s volleyball freshman of the year.

Courtney, a 6-foot-2 outside hitter, has started all but one match for the Nittany Lions (31-2), who face Kentucky in Friday’s regional semifinal. Penn State is seeded No. 1 in the NCAA tournament.