Ohio: Ironton Wins First State Title Since 1989, Beats Liberty Center 28-17 in Wild Finish (PHOTO GALLERY)

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Sykotyk | December 7, 2024

Shaun Terry put on an absolute clinic Saturday night, leading the Ironton Fighting Tigers to a hard-fought 28-17 victory over the Liberty Center Tigers. Terry’s electrifying performance earned him MVP honors, as he amassed over 200 receiving and rushing yards and scored three touchdowns. The game was a back-and-forth affair, with both teams showcasing offensive firepower and defensive grit. Ironton struck first, capping off an 80-yard drive with a spectacular 35-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Braden Schreck to Terry. Terry showcased incredible athleticism, making an impressive leap to evade a defender and dash to the end zone. Liberty Center battled back, scoring a touchdown of their own in the second quarter. Waylon Rentz punched it in from the one-yard line after a crucial 34-yard run by Garrison Kruse. The Tigers’ momentum continued on their next possession, marching 95 yards downfield for another score. Once again, it was Schreck connecting with Terry, this time on a 46-yard bomb for a touchdown, extending Ironton’s lead. The drive showcased the impressive chemistry between the quarterback and receiver. A 39-yard field goal by Liberty Center’s Max Walker narrowed the gap, making it a 14-9 Ironton lead at halftime.

The second half saw both teams struggle to find consistency. Ironton’s offense stalled on the first drive of the second half with a turnover on downs in Liberty Center territory. However, they managed to extend their lead in the fourth quarter. A key 46-yard pass to Terry set up a short touchdown run by Schreck, giving Ironton a two-score advantage. Liberty Center found the end zone once more in the fourth quarter with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Kaden Kreinbrink to Garrison Kruse. A two point conversion made the score 21-17. Terry wasn’t done yet. He sealed the victory with a breathtaking 67-yard touchdown run, showcasing his versatility and breakaway speed. The Fighting Tigers’ defense held strong in the final minutes to secure the win. Turnovers plagued the Liberty Center offense in the final minutes, with a fumble and an interception thwarting their comeback attempts. Terry again made an exciting play, this time on defense, intercepting the ball and returning it 40 yards.

Ironton’s Shaun Terry dominated offensively with 75 rushing yards and 148 receiving yards, while quarterback Braden Schreck threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns (completing 14 of 20 passes) and added 43 rushing yards. Zayne Williams contributed 37 rushing yards for Ironton. Liberty Center’s offense was led by Garrison Kruse’s 88 rushing yards and 43 receiving yards, including a touchdown reception. Waylon Rentz added 34 rushing yards, and Cam Kahle and Blake Garber each contributed over 40 receiving yards. Liberty Center utilized two quarterbacks, Grady Miller and Kaden Kreinbrink, who combined for 145 passing yards and a touchdown.

In the end, Shaun Terry’s dominant performance proved too much for Liberty Center to overcome. His three touchdowns, coupled with his impressive yardage totals, propelled Ironton to victory and cemented his place as the game’s MVP. The Fighting Tigers are the Division 5 State Champions!

Article courtesy of Yappi.com

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