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Future Buckeye Storm Klein was hospitalized after the Div. III championship.

Klein Update --  2009 OSU recruit LB/RB Storm Klein was taken by squad to a Canton-area hospital after Licking Valley's 17-10 loss to Big Walnut. He appeared to have some sort of internal abdominal injury, though the details were withheld. He was released after a two night stay. Klein led the Panthers to the Div. III championship game and was a Columbus Dispatch first team allstar on defense while providing highlight reel material on offense as well. We give him best of luck on his recovery, a great senior season and success in the scarlet and grey.

Newark Catholic won yet another state final Saturday afternoon.

Newark Catholic 28, Hopewell-Loudon 14 -- Div. VI State Final 12/1 -- Central Ohio has its second state champion football team in as many days. Newark Catholic wrapped up another small school state football championship early Saturday afternoon in Canton as the Green Wave rolled the Chieftains 28-14. Not even Hopewell-Loudon's scarlet and grey Buckeye style uniforms could help against Newark Catholic, which appeared to be on a mission, building a 28-0 halftime lead. Mark Nichols ran the ball 38 times for 161 yards, but just as important QB Mark Elwell ran for 100 and three TDs while completing 4 of his 5 passes. Hopewell-Loudon brought its full passing attack, but Tyler Brown was only 17 of 41, though he generated 309 yards in the air. The Green Wave intercepted Brown once and caused many incompletions. The interception came late in the game while the Chieftains were driving, and there was also a big 4th down stop by NC late in the game, preserving the two TD victory margin. Other Finals: St. Xavier 27, Mentor 0 (Div. I), Coldwater 28, Youngstown Mooney 27 (Div. IV), Marion Local 20, Youngstown Ursuline 14 (Div. V), Cinti. Anderson 31, louisville 25 (Div. II).

There's a big celebration in Sunbury with the Eagle victory.

Big Walnut 17, Licking Valley 10 -- Div. III State Final 11/30 -- Sunbury's Big Walnut (14-1) became the first state champion football team from Delaware County on Friday, and the Golden Eagles did it with only 3 first downs. Licking Valley moved the ball well and fought hard on the shoulders of LB/RB Storm Klein, who rushed for 155 yards on 33 carries, but crucial turnovers buried the Panthers' hopes of a title. Big Walnut's Joe Reed had the big game plays with a 54 yard interception return for a TD in the first quarter and then an equally huge recovery and run off a fumble by Eagle star Cory Wolfe in the fourth quarter. Reed pounced on the fumble and tacked a 60 yard touchdown on what had been an 18 yard carry by Wolfe. The game wasn't over yet, as Licking Valley drove to the Big Walnut 10 with under a minute to play, only to be intercepted again, this time by junior Nicholas Heiden. Licking Valley pounded all day on the ground, relying on the OSU-bound 6-3, 220 lb junior Klein, but also on Josh Bailey, who added 78 yards. QB Nick Phillips also gave the Panthers 50 rushing yards and completed 5 of 7 passes down the stretch before Heiden's game sealing pick . In the end, the opportunistic Eagle defense carried the day despite Licking Valley amassing 18 first downs and three times the offense of the champs. Licking Valley can be proud of a great season and a gritty effort, but the big win goes to Big Walnut.

Local Showdown in Div. III Final -- Friday afternoon (11/30) at 3 in Canton marks a showdown between local powers Licking Valley and Big Walnut in the Division III state football championship. It's a Licking County/Delaware County war, folks. Rumor is that the schools were shutting down for the day to allow students and fans to travel north to root on the Panthers and Eagles. Big Walnut has a plethora of talent, including coach Scott Wetzel's son, Ethan. Olentangy has traditionally been the Delaware County power, but Big Walnut has taken over the reigns with five playoff appearances since 2000 and is the first Delaware County squad to make a final. Big Walnut swept the in-county battles with Olentangy, Olentangy Liberty and Delaware Hayes this year, but dropped a close late season game with nearby New Albany for its only loss. The Eagles finished 13-1, as did Licking Valley. The Licking Valley Panthers boast 2009 Ohio State recruit Storm Klein (RB), who had 20 TDs on the year and averaged 8 yards a carry. The Panthers lost only one game, in the second week of the year to North Canton Hoover 45-40. Through the end of the regular season Licking Valley scored no less than 27 points in any contest, and posted 40+ seven times. Licking Valley has made the playoffs seven times this decade. Get ready for a fantastic game!

Newark Catholic in Div. VI final -- Coach Bill Franks says the Green Wave will go to Canton a day early to cheer on their Licking County brethren on Friday against Big Walnut, as it will give his squad a chance to take in a big game in the same stadium. The Green Wave actually lost at Licking Valley this year in a 32-0 shutout, but the teams are three divisions apart, and that outcome is no barometer of how this final will end. Newark Catholic (12-2) faces Bascom Hopewell-Loudon (14-0) at 11 AM on Saturday. Until last week, Hopewell-Loudon had given up no more than 16 points in any game. Newark Catholic, of course, has seven state championships to its record. The Green Wave hit 40+ points nine times this year, but still is a grind it out team behind senior RB Mark Nichols, who had school records 41 TDs and 2751 yards. Pregame prep (12/1) -- Hopewell-Loudon has 58 TDs and close to 4500 yards offense between QB Tyler Brown and RB/WR Adam Brickner. Newark Catholic will seek to control the ball and the clock, but the Chieftans can strike quickly and have done so all season. Hopewell-Loudon had its first truly tough challenge of the year last week, going into OT to defeat Ada in the semi-final 41-38.

Tags: high school football, high school sports