Avon and Walsh Jesuit's final score and result: Updates and highlights from the OHSAA D-II state semifinal contest.

Billy Heyen

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Avon vs. Walsh Jesuit final score, result: Updates, highlights from OHSAA D-II state semifinal game image

TL;DR

  • Avon overcame a nightmare start, scoring 38 unanswered points to defeat Walsh Jesuit 38-7.
  • The Eagles secured their spot in the OHSAA Division II state final in Canton.
  • Avon will play Cincinnati Anderson for the state championship next week.
  • Avon's defense made key plays, including multiple interceptions and turnovers on downs.

Avon got off to a nightmare start.

Walsh Jesuit scored on the opening kickoff, and then Avon committed a turnover on its first offensive drive during this OHSAA Division II state semifinal contest held at the University of Akron.

From there, it was all Avon.

With 38 unanswered points, the Eagles secured their spot in the state final in Canton next week, defeating the Warriors 38-7.

Drew Pasteur's Fantastic 50 ranked Avon and Walsh as the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the state for any division (for reference, D-III Toledo Central Catholic is No. 3, followed by D-I's St. Edwards at No. 4).

Avon showed who was boss in this one and will play Cincinnati Anderson for the crown.

A year ago, the snow fell heavily as the Eagles won their 2024 crown.

They showed Friday night that they deserve a chance to keep that crown atop their own heads.

Scroll down to see our live updates from throughout the game.

MORE: Follow along with the state semifinal between Glenville and Indian Valley

AVON TRIUMPHS OVER WALSH JESUIT 38-7 IN FINAL GAME

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FOURTH QUARTER

Avon's quest for Another Division II state championship continues as they return to Canton to face Cincinnati Anderson.

- FIELD GOAL AVON.  Jensen Petro added a late field goal for a 38-7 lead.

- With 7:40 left, Avon's lead remained 35-7 with the ball.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Avon secured its third interception of the game, solidifying its commanding 35-7 advantage.

THIRD QUARTER

- Avon has the football to send the game to the fourth quarter.

Walsh faced another fourth down, this time fourth-and-4. Avon's Nathan Peters was the first to sack Ternosky, resulting in yet another turnover on downs.

- TOUCHDOWN AVON.  It was again Blake Elder to Grant Barr over the top again. All defending state champs in Division II. Two-point trick play didn't work. (Avon 35-7, 2:47 3Q)

Soon after, it was fourth down again, specifically fourth-and-7. Avon called a timeout just before the snap. Walsh threw a pass, but Caden Clapham stopped the receiver at the line of scrimmage, resulting in another turnover on downs.

- Walsh went for it on fourth-and-5 with 5:16 left in the third quarter. They converted on a pass to midfield from David Ternosky after scrambling right, then left before finding Kian McHugh.

- TOUCHDOWN AVON.  Blake Elder hit Grant Barr over the top for a 38-yard touchdown. All Eagles since the opening kickoff return TD. The two-point pass try was incomplete. (Avon 29-7)

Walsh attempted a trick play involving a double pass on third down, which Avon successfully anticipated. Subsequently, Walsh opted to go for it on fourth down. An incomplete pass resulted, and Avon regained possession.

- Walsh got a three-and-out to begin the second half, halting the Eagles to get the ball back and try to get something going down 16.

Avon was ready for an onside kick to begin the second half, yet Walsh kicked it deep beyond the end zone. The Eagles will commence the second half from their own 20-yard line.

HALFTIME

Avon holds a 23-7 advantage at halftime and will receive the kickoff to begin the second half. The Eagles allowed a touchdown on the opening kickoff and then fumbled their initial drive, yet they proceeded to score 23 consecutive points thereafter.

-  Avon is set to receive the second-half kickoff.

- In the other D-II semifinal, Anderson leads Big Walnut at the half, 23-8.

SECOND QUARTER

- Avon completed the short-time stop to end the first half. 

Avon registered a sack to kick off Walsh's last drive before halftime. Two Eagles converged on the quarterback. Walsh called a timeout with 18 seconds remaining, at their own 37.

Blake Elder threw an 18-yard touchdown pass to Killian Haessig on third down, finding him wide open down the seam for Haessig's first score of the year. The subsequent extra point attempt failed. TOUCHDOWN AVON. (Avon 23-7, 30 seconds until half)

Avon executed a screen pass that reached the 1-yard line, but a holding infraction moved the ball back to the 18-yard line, setting up a third-and-6 situation.

Walsh attempted a fourth-and-4 conversion from their own 48-yard line, but Avon successfully batted the ball down, securing the turnover on downs.

- FIELD GOAL AVON.  The Eagles stalled inside the 10-yard line. A delay of game backed the field goal attempt up five yards, so it ended up being a 27-yard attempt. The kick was good for Jensen Petro. (Avon 17-7, 5:59 until half)

- INTERCEPTION AVON.  Sam Ulery snagged a pass near midfield and returned it back to inside the 30-yard line. Another interception for Avon. Eagles lead 14-7 with about eight minutes until the half.

With nine minutes remaining before halftime, David Ternosky's QB draw up the middle secured a crucial first down, advancing the subsequent Walsh drive past midfield.

- TOUCHDOWN AVON.  Walsh had second-and-goal at the 5. Caden Clapham picked off the pass off a tip at the 2-yard line and returned it 98 yards for a touchdown. Clapham had fumbled in the first quarter, but he got his redemption. (Avon 14-7)

FIRST QUARTER

- Walsh is in the red zone at the end of the first quarter.

- Walsh's Milan Paris went up for a jump ball on third-and-8 to extend the drive over midfield.

Walsh's unsuccessful fourth down attempt proved beneficial for Avon. The Eagles scored a touchdown with a 1-yard run by Cam Wendell. TOUCHDOWN AVON. (7-7, 5:40 1Q)

- Walsh went for it on fourth down and didn't get it, giving Avon the ball at the Walsh 48.

Walsh was stopped by Avon following the fumble, yet the Eagles couldn't gain momentum and were forced to punt.

- Walsh forced a fumble on Avon's opening possession to get the ball back.

- TOUCHDOWN WALSH. Milan Paris returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. The Miami (Florida) commit opens the game with a bang. (Walsh, 7-0)

PREGAME

The University of Akron is expected to host a very well-attended game, with fans from Walsh and Avon making a relatively short trip to cheer on their strong teams.

- Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

- It's shaping up as a clear evening in Akron, with potential for a few small snow flurries:

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