CANTON, Ohio (WKBN) – Ursuline fell to Clinton-Massie 29-28 in heartbreaking fashion in the Division IV state championship game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton Friday morning.
Clinton-Massie claims its’ third state title in program history.
The Falcons rallied from a 21-point deficit in the second half.
Clinton-Massie Quarterback Kody Zantene scored on a short touchdown run with less than a minute left in the fourth quarter, cutting the deficit to 28-27. The Falcons then converted the 2-point conversion to take the lead for good.
Zantene rushed for a pair of touchdowns on the day.
Ursuline got the ball back, but turned it over on downs to seal the victory for Clinton-Massie.
Colton Trampler rushed for 117 yards in the win for the Falcons. Carson Van Hoose amassed 102 yards for Clinton-Massie.
Clinton-Massie opened the scoring in the first quarter, when Carson Van Hoose scored on a 2-yard touchdown run, giving the Falcons a 7-0 lead. The scoring scamper capped off a 17-play 75-yard drive which left just 2:47 left on the clock.
Ursuline got on the scoreboard in the second quarter when DeMarcus McElroy scored on a 34-yard touchdown run. The extra point tied the game 7-7.
After recovering an onside kick, Ursuline took the lead on a 1-yard touchdown plunge by McElroy.
Ursuline converted a 2-point conversion, giving the Irish a 15-7 lead.
McElroy rushed for 185 yards and two touchdowns in the loss.
After forcing a punt, Ursuline increased the lead to 21-7 on a 39-yard touchdown pass from Brady Shannon to Jakylan Irving. The 2-point conversion attempt was no-good.
The Ursuline offense struck again in the third quarter when Brady Shannon hit Dean Boyd on a 26-yard touchdown pass, which gave Ursuline a 28-7 lead with less than six minutes left in the quarter.
Shannon completed 15-28 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns.
Ursuline Wide Receiver caught six passes for 69 yards and a score. Jakylan Irving caught three passes for 72 yards and a touchdown.
Clinton-Massie drew closer on Kody Zantene’s 49-yard touchdown run, cutting the deficit to 28-14.
Early in the fourth quarter, Clinton-Massie drove down to the 1-yard line, and Garrett Vance recovered a fumble for a touchdown, shrinking Ursuline’s lead to 28-21.
Ursuline was seeking the fifth football state championship in program history.
The Irish ends the season with a record of 11-4.
Clinton Massie ends the campaign at 14-1.
Complete highlights and reaction will be available at WKBN.com soon.
