Canton, OH - The Division II Championship looked a little different than years past. For the first time since 2016, this game did not feature one of Akron Archbishop Hoban or Massillon. Oh, and there was also snow falling throughout, blanketing the turf at Tom Benson Stadium at the Pro Football Hall of Fame. A game that coaches, players and fans have dreamt of in conditions that legends of the gridiron that reside just to the north of the stadium are made.
Avon got the scoring started on the game's opening drive when Senior QB and Kent State commit Nolan Good called his own number on a 3rd and 10 and scampered down the right sideline 71 yards to paydirt, giving the Eagles a 7-0 advantage that they would carry through the rest of the opening frame.
Anderson would answer in the 2nd quarter, capping a 14 play, 70-yard drive with a 12-yard pitch and catch from QB Justice Burnam and WR Aiden McClanahan, knotting the score at 7.
Avon would quickly answer with a Nolan Good 44-yard strike to Matt Maxey to give the Eagles a 14-7 advantage with 2:58 left in the half. Avon would take over possession with 1:37 left in the half after a recovered fumble on a low snap.
Facing a 3rd and 10, Nolan Good called his number once more, this time having the ball punched out by a Raptors defender near the 10-yard line. The ball bounced around and was nearly recovered by 2 or 3 different players, with each dive and failed recovery pushing the ball further towards the end zone and ultimately out the back of it, resulting in a touchback giving possession back to Anderson.
Anderson would take over possession and attempt to move the ball before the halftime break. Avon DB Jacob Graham hauled in an interception with 19 ticks left before the break at the Anderson 40. Avon would move the ball down to the 20-yard line with 0:05 showing on the clock. Avon would line up for a 37-yard field goal attempt, but that attempt would be batted down at the line of scrimmage, sending the teams to the locker rooms with Avon holding a 14-7 advantage.
Anderson received the opening kick of the 2nd half and marched right down the field, going 87 yards on 13 plays, finishing with a Justice Burnam QB keeper from 6 yards out. Avon was able to block the PAT attempt, salvaging their lead at 14-13.
Quiante' Smith extended the Eagles advantage when he ran one in from 10 yards out. Opting to make the game a two-possession affair, Avon attempted a 2-point conversion but Nolan Good was stopped on a QB keeper.
Anderson would drive to a goal to go situation and face a 4th and 2 in the early stages of the 4th quarter. The Raptors attempted to go for it but QB Justice Burnam was stopped behind the line of scrimmage for a turnover on downs with 10:14 to go in the 4th.
Avon would take over possession and go down the field, meticulously dashing through the snow by air and ground for 77 yards on 10 plays until Anderson secured a sliding interception at their own 3-yard line with 4:28 left in the 4th.
Taking over possession trailing by 7 with just under 4 and a half minutes and 97 yards separating them from the end zone, Justice Burnam and the Raptors offense took the field. They would drive the length of the field to the 22-yard line and faced 4th and 9 with 0:08 left on the clock. Justice Burnam took the snap and escaped two sack attempts before rolling to his right and heaving a last-ditch effort to the end zone. The ball was batted out of bounds by an Eagles defender, ending an OHSAA instant classic.
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