Earlier Friday Marion Local (13-2) had its bid for a third straight D-VI state title upended by unbeaten Kirtland, 16-7. Those were two of seven state title games, including three each on Friday and Saturday. Akron Hoban defeated nearby Massillon Washington 42-28 in the D-II opener on Thursday night.
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It was a numbing letdown for Alter (13-2), which lost only its first and last games.
“We had no answer for their offense,” Alter coach Ed Domsitz said. “That was a thorough butt kicking.”
Alter led 6-0 Derek Willits’ 19-yard touchdown reception from Knights quarterback Connor Bazelak. But Kenston (14-1) responded by scoring 42 straight points to deny the Knights a third state title.
The matchup was a state record setter. Kenston senior Anna Sanders became the first girl in the history of the Ohio football playoffs to score, making an extra-point kick on Kentson’s first touchdowns. She added five more extra-point kicks but had a field goal attempt blocked.
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Like the previous season, Alter dropped its opener at Fairmont, a crushing last-second setback. But unlike 2017, the Knights followed with a 13-game win streak to reach their fifth state championship and first since falling to Cleveland Benedictine in the 2014 D-IV state final.
It was the 18th straight playoff appearance for Alter, which won consecutive state titles in 2008-09.
Kenston (14-1) made it a mission to return to the playoffs after missing out last season. The Bombers trumped that by winning their first state title. Kenston, a Cleveland suburb, lost its previous two state title games in 1995 and ’86.
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Alter’s defense was outstanding from midseason on, until Kenston. The 21 points the Knights allowed by halftime were the most they had given up in any of the previous 14 games. Kenston put the most points on Alter since the Knights’ 49-28 first-round playoff loss last season to rival Chaminade Julienne.
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