Avon Celebrates First-Ever State Football Championship

Snow was falling and bodies were flying at Canton’s Hall of Fame Tom Benson Stadium last Thursday evening as the Avon High football team captured its first-ever Div. II OHSAA football championship.

They are calling it the Snow-Globe game as the Eagles topped Cincinnati Anderson, 20-13, for the title in blizzard conditions.

Both teams entered the game undefeated at 15-0. Avon drew first blood with star quarterback Nolan Good taking the ball on a third down and long play and breaking free for a 71-yard touchdown.

Good finished the game with 198 yards rushing and 144 yards passing. The glory belongs to every member of this Avon team, however, as the Eagles rose to the occasion in every element of the game.

“First off, I want to say congratulations to Cincinnati Anderson,” said Avon Coach Mike Elder post game. “That’s a heck of a football team – well coached.

“We watched countless hours of film on them and we knew exactly what we were up against. Our defense holding them to 13 points was remarkable because of the plays they made. You saw that. Kudos to them.

“Our guys, offensively, we were able to possess the ball and keep it out of their hands. Our run game was cooking and number 5 (Nolan Good) over here has been a tremendous player for us all year long, running and spinning.

“I couldn’t be more proud. I am humbled to be here with these guys and representing our coaching staff because this is done by numerous guys who put their heart and soul into this. Couldn’t be more proud of our coaches and players.”

Elder explained that the championship represents a break-through moment for the program. The Eagles have been near the top for years.

“When I got to Avon 18 years ago, I said our goal was to ultimately win the state championship. That’s our goal. Our why is to develop successful young men, and I think we’ve done that year in and year out,” said Elder. “We have just remarkable kids that leave our program, and many of them are here today hugging me after the game. It just speaks volumes for the experience that they have. In the end of the day, it’s always been a goal for us to grind and fight and for these kids to believe in the coaching staff and for the coaches to believe in them.

“To get this done is an amazing accomplishment. I am really proud of these guys.

“It’s a brotherhood,” said Elder of the team. “These guys have played together since first grade. They love each other. Our coaches love them. They love our coaches. And love is powerful.

“We put together a structure with youth football to maximize numbers and participation and this is the culminating experience.

“There have been so many players that have come before these guys that have really done a remarkable job believing, and some of those guys have fallen short. Those were devastating losses. But this one feels good because it’s not only for these kids but anyone who has worn the purple and gold.”

For Nolan Good, the season is redemption for last year’s campaign when he broke a collarbone in the state semifinals.

“There are so many movies out there where the main character battles adversity and comes back,” said Good after the game. “I feel like I was that character that battled adversity my junior year with that injury late in the playoffs – Not being able to take the field that last game with my guys last year. We knew we had the coaches for it and we felt we had the talent for it.

“To come back this season and everything go as planned – there’s no better feeling.”

Good is quick to share the credit.

“We have the most underrated offensive line in the state of Ohio. They’re not the biggest, they may not be the strongest but they work together, they talk it out. They’re best friends off the field, they’re my best friends, I see them every day in school, hang out with them at least once a week. They’ll never get enough credit.”

Avon is also known for its character. The Eagles have a long-standing tradition of taking a knee after each game with heads bowed.

“Our FCA (Fellowship of Christian Athletes) program at the high schools is very, very strong,” said end Jack Hricovev. “We recognize that everything is possible with God. Without Him, we’re nothing. I definitely think we’ve implemented that into our team. Nothing is possible without God. Win or lose, we are going to praise Him anyway.”

According to Good, the big 71 yard play in the first quarter set the stage.

“There’s nothing better than getting the ball first and going down and scoring with a big play,” said Good. ‘It kind of sets the tone for the rest of the game – Gets the guys on the sideline going, gets the crowd involved.

“But I couldn’t do it without my guys. They made great blocks. Coach made a great call.”

At the end of the day, Coach Elder said the completion of the 2024 journey will remain with the team forever.

“We’ve had some really good football teams who got to the final four and then I’ve sat and watched the state championship games on Thursdays and listened to coaches sit here and talk. We were that close,” he said. One final four game was a 17-14 loss and before that there was a 7 point defeat.

“We’ve been knocking on this door for a while,” said Elder. “Players can easily throw their hands up in the air and stop trying. If I told you what these kids did, if I told you when this started, you wouldn’t believe it.

“The work that goes into this is incredible. It’s worth it!

“The prize is really in the journey. The prize isn’t really right now, the state championship. The prize is in this journey. Eventually, I’m going to sit here and become sad because the journey’s over.

“But we had that journey and made a lifetime memory.”