Marion Local falls in state title game

The streak is over for Marion Local.

The Flyers had their 24-game playoff winning streak snapped by Kirtland 22-20 on Saturday in the Division VI state championship game at Ohio Stadium.

Trailing 13-0 at hafltime, Kirtland scored touchdowns on its first three possessions of the second half to take a 22-13 lead with 2:08 to play.

Marion Local answered 46 seconds later on Cole Griesdorn’s 11-yard TD pass to Hunter Wilker. The Flyers’ onside kick attempt, however, ended in a penalty — the ball didn’t travel 10 yards — and the Hornets ran out the clock.

Griesdorn passed for 241 yards and two touchdowns. Aaron Nietfeld added 107 yards rushing and a TD.

Joey Bates (34 carries, 206 yards, two TDs) paced Kirtland.

Marion Local (13-2) was seeking its fifth straight state championship and its ninth overall title. It’s the third state championship — all in the last five years — for Kirtland (14-1).

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