BRUNSWICK — Here we go again.
The Highland and Avon football teams meet for the third season in a row in a Division II, Region 6 final. This time it’s at Brunswick High School with a spot in the state final four on the line.
Follow along here for in-game updates, highlights and analysis:
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Avon forces Highland punt
Lance Dawson sacked Grady Gibb for a 4-yard loss to force a punt. Avon is up 14-6 with 9:47 left and has the ball on it’s own 45.
Avon, two drives, two scores against Highland so far
Quiante’ Smith’s 4-yard run makes it Avon 14, Highland 6 with 11:18 left in the first half.
Avon threatening to start the second quarter
The Eagles face first-and-goal from the Highland 10 to start the second quarter. Avon is outgaining Highland 145-70. It’s 7-6 Avon.
Highland answers Avon touchdown with one of its own
Grady Gibb, who threw for 52 yards on a 68-yard drive, scores from a yard out. The extra point is blocked. It’s 7-6 Avon with 4:01 left.
Avon scores first in Division II, Region 5 final
The Eagles go 75 yards on eight plays. Quarterback Blake Elder runs it in on fourth-and-goal from the 4. It’s 7-0 Avon with 6:51 left in the first quarter.
Highland stumbles on its first drive
The Hornets go three-and-out to open things. Avon takes over on its own 25. It’s scoreless with 10:19 left.
Avon vs. Highland football playoff history
The last time these two teams played in Brunswick, Highland beat Avon in a 2013 Division II, Region 4 final. … The top-seeded Hornets hold an 11-7 career record against the third-seeded Eagles, who have won the last six meetings. … This is the 15th playoff appearance and sixth consecutive for the Hornets, who reached the state semifinals in 2013. Highland is 21-14 in those appearances. The Hornets beat fourth-seeded North Ridgeville 48-0 in Week 13 after a 38-7 win over No. 8 Brecksville in Week 12. … This is the 18th playoff appearance and 15th consecutive for the Eagles, who are the reigning state champions, were runners-up in 2011 and have reached nine state semifinals. Avon is 43-17 in those appearances. The Eagles beat second-seeded Wadsworth 42-21 in Week 13 after a 46-13 win over sixth-seeded Olmsted Falls in Week 12. … This is a rematch of the regional final the last two seasons. Avon won 28-20 last season and 28-14 in 2023.
Avon High School football’s projected starters
Highland High School football’s projected starters
Who to watch for Avon football in Division II, Region 6 championship
All-Northeast Lakes Defensive Player of the Year Ryan Stolarski is a beast at linebacker. The senior and Miami (Ohio) commit has 72 tackles, eight for loss, four sacks, five QB pressures, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble and two interceptions. North Carolina commit Jakob Weatherspoon (43 tackles, interception, three pass breakups) has shut down everyone this season, but didn’t play last week. Cincinnati commit Lance Dawson (20 tackles, nine for loss, three sacks, 27 quarterback pressures) is also a force on the defensive line. … The Eagles are led by All-Northeast Lakes Offensive Player of the Year Blake Elder. The senior QB is 152-for-225 passing for 2,502 yards and 28 TDs against just three interceptions. … First-team all-district wide WR Grant Barr (53 receptions, 854 yards, 10 TDs, two two-point conversions), Fin Jerdonek (40 receptions, 613 yards, seven TDs) and Caden Clapham (20 receptions, 349 yards, four TDs) are his primary receivers. The Eagles are a run-by-committee group. Michael Colburn (75 carries, 381, seven TDs), Quiante Smith (68 carries, 367 yards, eight TDs) and Cam Wendell (54 carries, 233 yards, nine TDs) are the stars. … Avon’s average score this season is 41-12.
Who to watch for Highland football in Division II, Region 6 championship
Two-time Suburban League American Conference Offensive Player of the Year Casey Myser (137 carries, 1,163 yards, 23 TDs) leads a Highland rushing attack that gains 247.4 yards per game. … Grady Gibb (89-for-104 passing, 1,647 yards passing, 22 TDs, two interceptions) is a dual-threat quarterback. … Lucas Gerding (26 catches, 465 yards, six TDs) and Nick Dobkowski (16 receptions, 405 yards, four TDs) are his primary receivers. … SL American Conference Co-defensive Player of the Year Evan Foust (63 tackles, 14 for loss, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, interception, four pass breakups), Dobkowski (seven interceptions) and Jameson Gordon (59 tackles, 9.5 for loss, three sacks, interception, fumble recovery, forced fumble, five pass breakups) lead a unit that allows just 47.4 yards rushing per game. … Highland’s first-string defense hasn’t given up a touchdown since a first-quarter score by Avon Lake in Week 3. Highland has beaten opponents by an average score of 47-5 this season
What’s next for the Highland vs. Avon football winner
A state semifinal Nov. 28, location and opponent TBD
Avon football scores, schedule
Highland football scores, schedule
Brad Bournival can be reached by email at bbournival@usatoday.com and is on X at @bbournival.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: OHSAA football playoffs scores, Highland vs. Avon high school live updates, highlights
Reporting by Brad Bournival, Akron Beacon Journal / Akron Beacon Journal
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
