Ohio: Avon pulls away from Anderson, 37-20 on frigid night in Canton (PHOTO GALLERY)

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Sykotyk | December 5, 2025

Canton, OH – Avon quarterback Blake Elder put on a clinic Thursday night, throwing for four touchdowns and directing a relentless offense as the Eagles rolled past Anderson 37-20 in the DII State Championship game. The Eagles are back-to-back state champions with wins in 2024 and 2025.

Avon had the first possession but was forced to punt on the opening drive. Anderson first possession stalled at their 39 yard line where they appeared to be attempting a quick kick on 4th and 4. The snap sailed over the quarterback’s head and was recovered at the Anderson 16 yard line. On the drive’s second snap, Elder found Finn Jerdonek open for a 15-yard touchdown strike just 7:16 into the first quarter. After a quick kick by Anderson’s offense that rolled dead at the Avon 13, Elder needed only six plays to march 87 yards, capping the drive with a 22-yard dart to Caden Clapham. Less than five minutes into the contest, Avon already led 14-0.

Elder kept the pedal down in the second quarter. Facing a 3rd-and-6 early in the period, he orchestrated a 10-play, 51-yard scoring drive that ate up nearly four minutes and ended with a 7-yard touchdown toss to Caedon Bennett. The junior signal-caller’s fourth touchdown pass of the half came with 2:18 remaining before halftime when he stepped up in the pocket and connected on a 37-yard pass to Grant Barr. The extra-point attempt failed, but Avon carried a comfortable 27-7 lead into the locker room.

Anderson finally got on the board late in the second quarter when dual-threat quarterback Owen Scalf powered in from one yard out to finish a 77-yard drive. The Raptors showed life again in the third, marching 74 yards in nine plays and pulling within 27-13 on Scalf’s 12-yard touchdown pass to Brayden Moore, though the extra point was blocked by Avon’s Lance Dawson.

Any hopes of a comeback were quickly extinguished. Avon’s defense intercepted a pass at their 26 yard line, and six plays later Quiante Smith bulled in from six yards out to push the lead back to 34-13. Anderson answered with a late 39-yard touchdown drive early in the fourth, capped by Scalf’s 7-yard flip to Tysen Weaver, but the deficit proved too steep.

Jensen Petro’s 30-yard field goal with 7:16 remaining in regulation provided the final margin at 37-20.

Elder finished the night with four touchdown passes and zero interceptions, repeatedly carving up the Anderson secondary with pinpoint accuracy. The Avon ground game, led by Smith’s 180 yards, complemented the aerial attack perfectly, while the Eagles’ defense tightened whenever Anderson threatened.

With the win, Avon finishes the 2025 season as DII State Champion with a 14-1 record. Anderson lost it’s bid for the State Championship and Perfect Season. The Raptors finish 14-1 on the year.

Top Individual Performances

Avon Eagles
Passing: Blake Elder – 12/18, 214 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT
Rushing: Quiante Smith – 31 carries, 180 yards, 1 TD (long 40)
Receiving: Grant Barr – 3 rec, 75 yards, 1 TD

Anderson Raptors
Passing: Owen Scalf – 32/47, 376 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Rushing: Owen Scalf – 17 carries, 38 yards, 1 TD
Receiving: Tysen Weaver – 11 rec, 125 yards, 1 TD

Final Score
Avon 37, Anderson 20

Scoring Summary
1Q 7:16 – Avon: Finn Jerdonek 15 yd pass from Blake Elder (Petro kick) 7-0
1Q 2:39 – Avon: Caden Clapham 22 yd pass from Blake Elder (Petro kick) 14-0
2Q 9:32 – Avon: Caedon Bennett 7 yd pass from Blake Elder (Petro kick) 21-0
2Q 5:18 – Anderson: Owen Scalf 1 yd rush (Snider kick) 21-7
2Q 2:18 – Avon: Grant Barr 37 yd pass from Blake Elder (rush failed) 27-7
3Q 9:23 – Anderson: Brayden Moore 12 yd pass from Owen Scalf (kick failed) 27-13
3Q 1:38 – Avon: Quiante Smith 6 yd rush (Petro kick) 34-13
4Q 11:55 – Anderson: Tysen Weaver 7 yd pass from Owen Scalf (Snider kick) 34-20
4Q 7:16 – Avon: Jensen Petro 30 yd FG 37-20

Article courtesy Yappi Sports.

For more, and larger, photos from this game, click HERE.

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