The high-flying Hartley Hawks take their second consecutive Division III title by blocking a field goal attempt by Steubenville…and then won it by making one of their own.
Columbus – When you’re hot you’re hot. There’s simply no other explanation.
Bishop Hartley, seeking its second consecutive title in Division IV football, block a field goal attempt by three-time champion Steubenville with under two minutes remaining in the game, recovered the kick, and drove the length of the field to turn irony into points.
Sophomore kicker Mateo Agriesti banged a 31-yard field goal with no time remaining on the clock to give the Hawks (13-2) their second consecutive state title, 24-21.
Hartley, which lost two of its first four games of the season, finished with eleven straight wins and stunned Steubenville with a gritty performance in a game that saw momentum swing back and forth.
Senior Marquette Dixon ran 31 times for 178 net yards and a touchdown for Hartley, while Jalen McGhee led Steubenville with 20 carries and 122 yards…and likewise, a touchdown.
Both teams finish the year with 13-2 records.
Locally, play continues on Saturday with the Division VII final between Minster and Warren John F. Kennedy at 10 am; and four-time repeating champion Coldwater seeks its fifth consecutive title in Division V at 8 pm against Canton Central Catholic. Central Catholic has lost to Coldwater in each of the last two Division V finals.
Follow the action throughout the day on Press Pros.
“The Spot” is proud to sponsor coverage of the 2016 OHSAA State Tournaments on Pros Magazine.com.
Hartley's Marquette Dixon slashes through Steubenville for some of his 178 yards rushing in the Hawks' Division III title win. (Press Pros Photos by Julie McMaken Wright)