H.S. Football Playoffs Notes: Defense delivers again for Avon as it holds Raptors to season low in points

CANTON — Nobody in the postseason could figure out Avon's defense. While Cincinnati Anderson found moderate success in the second half Thursday, the Eagles ultimately held it to a season low in points as Avon defended its Division II state championship with a 37-20 win at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The Raptors scored at least 29 points in their 14 previous games. "I think our tempo allowed us to have an advantage at some point," Cincinnati Anderson coach Evan Dreyer said. "But they did a really good job on defense of rolling in new players and I think their defensive coach is really, really good. He brings in multiple looks, multiple pressures and sim pressures. He does a really good job." Avon (14-1) sacked Cincinnati Anderson (14-1) quarterback Owen Scalf five times, with lineman Nolan Robke leading the way at 1.5. Eian Englehart and Lance Dawson each had one while Max Hauck, Graeden Szucs and Jerry Clements each contributed a half-sack. More importantly, they controlled Scalf's running game as the junior quarterback — who entered with 640 yards and seven touchdowns on 147 carries — ran for just 38 yards and a touchdown. The Raptors as a team recorded a net of minus-23 rushing yards. "Our coaches do a great job of subbing people out throughout the year," Hauck said. "When it comes to moments like these when Anderson runs a really good offense, high-tempo, we need to play a bunch of our guys to get them experience throughout the season so they can ball out. We knew we had to get pressure on the quarterback. He likes to extend the plays and we had to get him down quick." SENSATIONAL SMITH Avon senior running back Quiante' Smith capped his postseason with another stellar performance. He ran for 180 yards and a touchdown, with 119 of the yards coming in the second half as he helped the Eagles keep the clock running after holding a 27-7 halftime lead. Smith, who missed the final five weeks of the regular season with a foot sprain and bone bruise, eclipsed 100 yards in three of Avon's five postseason games. He ran for 101 yards and three touchdowns in the regional semifinals against Wadsworth and 196 yards and a touchdown in the regional final against Medina Highland. BARR RAISED Senior wide receiver Grant Barr finished with two catches for 61 yards, including a 37-yard touchdown to cap a 27-point opening half. Barr finished with the third-most receiving yards in Avon history at 2,150. His touchdown tied Ethan Holbrook for second-most all time at 25. "This kid is so unselfish and he's one of the best receivers in the state of Ohio," Avon coach Mike Elder said. "And he doesn't get the love and attention he deserves because people are double-teaming him. We rushed for a lot of yards against Wadsworth, that's the Grant Barr effect. When you take people out of the box and have to double-team Grant Barr, you can run the ball better. That's not a knock on the offensive line or anyone else, but that dude is a special player." ** Defensive back Jairel Fenton secured his team-leading sixth interception against the Raptors. The junior was thrust into a regular starting role after Alex Rivera suffered a season-ending injury in Week 3 against Glenville. ** Avon vs. Cincinnati Anderson was the fifth rematch in the final seven games of the Division II postseason. Teams that won in 2024 went 4-1. Contact Chris Sweeney at (440) 329-7135 or ctsports@chroniclet.com. Follow him @CSweeney1686 on X.