CANTON, Ohio — Avon didn’t wait for any fourth-quarter drama this time.

The Eagles are state champions again, this time in resounding fashion with their 37-20 victory Thursday night against Cincinnati Anderson in the OHSAA Division II football title game. Unlike last year’s 20-13 win against Anderson for its first state crown, Avon went up early and didn’t let up in the first half of a chilly night at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.

Senior quarterback Blake Elder threw four touchdown passes — tying a Division II state championship game record in the first half — and his defense harassed Anderson’s Owen Scalf whenever he sat too long in the pocket. The Raptors (14-1) had some success with slants and quick passes, but they fell into a 21-point hole before scoring in this rematch.

Avon

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