Preview: Anderson vs. Avon

Of the seven 2024 state finals in Ohio, the Division II state championship game is the only that features two undefeated teams as Anderson takes on Avon in the Blitz 5 Game of the Week. It’s the east side of Cincinnati versus the east side of Cleveland Anderson looks to bring home the school’s second state title and Avon is hoping to put its first ultimate trophy in the case for the program. It’s two schools ready to etch their marks in school history.

ANDERSON RAPTORS (15-0) vs. AVON EAGLES (15-0)

Kickoff: 7:00 p.m., December 5th, 2024

Where: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton, Ohio
Follow on X: @TSFootball

PLAYERS TO WATCH: This battle features two of the state’s best quarterbacks. Anderson’s Justice Burnam, the OPSMA Division II Southwest District Offensive Player of the Year. The senior has amassed 4,711 yards of total offense (3,986 pass, 725 rush) and accounted for 56 touchdowns (41 pass, 15 rush). Avon signal-caller, Nolan Good, was named the OPSMA Division II Northeast Lakes District Offensive Player of the Year. The Kent State commit has thrown for 3,136 yards, ran for another 700 and accounted for 39 touchdowns (28 pass, 11 rush).

Burnam is surrounded by a group of polished classmates. Top target, Trace Jallick has 3,565 yards receiving (12th most in Ohio history) and 251 receptions (11th most in Ohio history), in his career. Jallick has 101 receptions for 1,882 yards and 20 touchdown catches on the season. Tight end Caden Piening, a Central Florida commit, has 87 catches for 1,445 yards and 17 touchdown receptions, at the varsity level. Aiden McClanahan is second on the team with 58 receptions for 797 yards and 10 touchdowns. Running back Durrell Turner has run for 1,208  yards and 26 touchdowns.

Anderson defensive back Jayonn Saunders has 24 career interceptions (five in 2024). That ties the senior for sixth most in Ohio history. The Raptors have two of the state’s top players in the Class of 2027. Sophomores, d-back Ace Alston and linebacker Antwoine Higgins both have offers from Arkansas, Boston College, Illinois, Indiana, Oregon, Tennessee, Toledo, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

Good has a stable of receivers to throw to with Matt Maxey, Cole Kepner and Grant Barr leading the way. Senior Maxey has 80-plus receptions for more than 1,200 yards and 10 touchdowns. Barr has eight touchdown catches while Kepner averages more than 20 yards per reception with seven trips to the end zone. The backfield tandem of Tyler Kaufmann and Quiante Smith have combined to run for more than 1,300 yards and 23 touchdowns (Smith-12, Kaufmann-11). Leading the way up front are tackle Jeremiah Kelly, a Cincinnati commit, tight end Ty Beerbohm and center Connor Bingham.

The Eagles defense is paced by a strong group in the trenches with Kelly, Sam Toniolo and Jason Gillespie holding down the fort. Linebacker Owen Garcia and secondary sensation Jakob Weatherspoon are two of the best in the state. Junior Weatherspoon’s offers include Ohio State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin and Cincinnati. 

TEAM TRENDS: Anderson’s 713 points are tied for seventh most in a season (15 games), in Ohio history. The Raptors are averaging 47.5 points per game. They have 94 offensive touchdowns (50 pass, 44 rush). Defensively, Anderson is giving up just 10.1 points per outing. The Raptors have held nine foes to seven points or less with three shutouts.

Avon has won seven regional championships in the last eight years but this is just their second appearance in the state finals (2011). The Eagles got past Akron Hoban to get to the championship. Hoban had knocked Avon out of the playoffs five times in the previous seven seasons. The Eagles offense has topped the 40-point mark nine times and is averaging 43.1 points per game. The Avon defense has been special, holding 13 foes to 14 points or less. No one has scored more than 21. The Eagles are only giving up 12.6 points per contest.

HEAD COACHES:
Anderson: Evan Dreyer (85-27 at Anderson, ninth year; 129-54 overall, 16th year)

Avon: Mike Elder (201-31 at Avon, 250-54 overall) 

PLAYOFF HISTORY:
Anderson (17th appearance, 28-15) – 2024 (Regional Champion), 2023 (Regional Champion), 2022, 2021, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2009, 2008 (State Runner-up), 2007 (State Champion), 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1996, 1994, 1992

Avon (18th appearance, 36-17) – 2024 (Regional Champion), 2023 (Regional Champion), 2022, 2021 (Regional Champion), 2020 (Regional Champion), 2019 (Regional Champion), 2018 (Regional Champion), 2017 (Regional Champion), 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 (State Runner-up), 2010, 2008, 2004, 1996 (Regional Champion)

ANDERSON’S KEYS TO VICTORY: It hasn’t been easy but the Raptors have shown the mental toughness and intestinal fortitude to close out wins the past two weeks. They will need that same grit in this affair. Getting off to a fast start is the fabric of who this team is. It puts huge pressure on opponents and exhausts a ton of energy.

AVON’S KEYS TO VICTORY: Keep a spy on Burnam, take him away as a threat running the ball and the Eagles will condense Anderson’s ability to extend drives, immeasurably. Panic cannot set in if the Raptors throw the first couple of “haymakers.” Avon must be ready for a four quarter fight loaded with counter punches.
 

Prediction: Anderson 28, Avon 24

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