If you were sitting in the stands at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium this past December, you felt it. That crisp, biting Canton air didn't just carry the smell of popcorn and turf—it carried the weight of a local dynasty being cemented. Honestly, we talk about "dominance" in sports way too much, but what happened with northeast ohio hs football scores during the 2025 state finals was something else entirely.
The region didn't just show up; it basically took over the building.
Three programs from our backyard—Avon, Cleveland Glenville, and Kirtland—didn't just win; they dismantled their opponents on the state's biggest stage. It wasn't even particularly close. If you’re looking for the raw numbers, the final tallies from that first weekend in December tell a story of a region that has figured out a formula the rest of the state is struggling to solve.
The Night Avon Left No Doubt
Everyone was calling the Division II final a "rematch" because, well, it was. Avon and Cincinnati Anderson have become the Ohio version of a heavyweight boxing trilogy. But while the 2024 game was a nail-biter, the 2025 edition felt like Avon was playing with a different set of sliders enabled.
Avon 37, Cincinnati Anderson 20.
The score tells part of it, but Blake Elder is the name you’ll keep hearing. The senior quarterback was surgical. He completed 12 of 18 passes for 216 yards and four touchdowns, tying a D-II championship record. It wasn't just the arm, though. Quiante Smith was a absolute workhorse, carrying the ball 31 times for 180 yards.
Think about that. Thirty-one carries in a state final.
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That’s old-school, smash-mouth football in a modern spread era. By the time Jensen Petro knocked through a 30-yard field goal with seven minutes left to make it 37-20, the Anderson crowd was quiet. Avon became the first repeat D-II champion since Archbishop Hoban did it back in 2018. They've won 30 of their last 31 games. That’s not a "run." That’s a reign.
Glenville’s Third Jewelry Piece
Then there’s the Ginn effect. Ted Ginn Sr. has built something at Glenville that transcends just northeast ohio hs football scores. It’s a culture.
Cleveland Glenville 45, Shelby 7.
Shelby was 14-0. They had a dream season. Then they ran into the Tarblooders.
The game was essentially over in the second quarter when Glenville dropped 17 straight points. Jaquan Gibson took a punt 92 yards to the house—the longest in OHSAA state championship history. Think about the athletes that have played in that stadium. 92 yards.
Romell Phillips and Chris Newell Jr. just took turns gutting the defense. Phillips put up 133 yards and took home MVP honors, while Newell added 81 yards and two scores of his own. It’s Glenville’s third title in four years. When you look at the recruiting boards for 2026, and you see names like linebacker Cincere Johnson and defensive lineman Jamir Perez, you realize this isn't slowing down. They are big, they are fast, and they are mean.
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Tiger LaVerde and the Kirtland Machine
It’s almost getting boring for the rest of the state. Kirtland just keeps winning.
Kirtland 41, Bascom Hopewell-Loudon 6.
This was the Hornets' 14th appearance in the Final Four. They’ve been to the state final eight years in a row. Let that sink in for a second. Most kids in Kirtland don't know what it's like to not play in a state championship game in December.
Tiger LaVerde joined the ultra-exclusive club of coaches with eight or more state titles. John Silvestro was the engine this time, racking up 255 rushing yards and four touchdowns, tying the Division VI record.
- The Blueprint: Kirtland doesn't out-recruit the world; they out-execute them.
- The Defense: They held a high-powered Hopewell-Loudon team to a single score.
- The Quarterback: Jake LaVerde (the coach's son) didn't just throw; he led the defense with 10 tackles.
That’s Northeast Ohio football in a nutshell. Your star quarterback is also your leading tackler.
Beyond the Scoreboard: What’s Next for 2026?
We’re already seeing the 2026 recruiting rankings pop up, and if you think the talent is drying up, you haven't been paying attention.
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Jakob Weatherspoon from Avon is already a four-star commit for Ohio State. He's a freak athlete who plays corner, safety, and runs track. Then you’ve got Maxwell Riley over at Avon Lake, a massive 6-5, 280-pound interior lineman who is likely headed to a Big Ten or SEC school.
The "Big Three" in the local rankings right now:
- Cincere Johnson (Glenville) - 6-3, 222-pound linebacker who hits like a truck.
- Sam Greer (Archbishop Hoban) - A 6-6.5 offensive tackle who looks like a pro already.
- Milan Parris (Walsh Jesuit) - A 6-5 wide receiver who creates impossible mismatches.
Walsh Jesuit is a team to watch closely. They actually beat Hoban in the 2025 regular season before falling to them in the playoffs. That rivalry is going to be the "can't-miss" ticket of 2026.
Realities of the Region
Look, we have to be honest. While the top tier is incredible, the gap between the "haves" and "have-nots" in the region is widening. You see scores like 78-46 in some of the smaller divisions, and you realize some programs are just struggling for depth.
But for the fans checking northeast ohio hs football scores every Friday night, the quality of the top-end games is better than it’s ever been. The move of the championships to Canton has definitely helped—it feels like a home game for the 216 and 440 area codes.
If you’re looking to follow the 2026 season, keep an eye on the early August scrimmages. The schedule usually drops in late spring, and you’ll want to circle the Avon vs. Glenville matchups or anything involving St. Edward and Mentor. Those are the games where the state titles are actually won—long before anyone steps foot in Canton.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Follow the Recruits: Keep tabs on Jakob Weatherspoon and Maxwell Riley on social media to see where the 2026 talent is leaning.
- Check the OHSAA Calendar: Regional schedules for 2026 are typically finalized by May; mark the "Holy War" and local rivalry dates early.
- Support Local: High school football relies on gate receipts. Even if your team isn't a state powerhouse, the atmosphere at a Friday night game in Massillon or Steubenville is unmatched.
The 2025 season showed that Northeast Ohio is the undisputed king of Ohio football. With the talent returning for 2026, there’s no reason to think the crown is moving anytime soon.