Marion Local has had numerous great teams win the state title, but the 2024 Flyers may go down as the best in school history.
In a dominant 74-0 win over Hillsdale, the Flyers won their 15th state title in school history, all of which have come since 2000.
The record-breaking performance started with a heavy dose of Parker Hess, who ran for two touchdowns early in the first quarter to give Marion Local a 13-0 lead.
Division VII State Championship 🏆
1Q | 8:10
Marion Local – 13
Hillsdale – 0After an interception by Daniel Everman, Parker Hess scores his second touchdown of the quarter from three yards out.
The extra point is no good.
@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/kMBvGrv0Es— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) December 6, 2024
A pair of interceptions by Daniel Everman helped tremendously in the field position battle, as Marion Local would break the Division VII record for most points in a quarter with a 1-yard touchdown by Ethan Heitkamp to make the score 26-0.
Division VII State Championship 🏆
1Q | 3:19
Marion Local – 26
Hillsdale – 0After Daniel Everman picks off his second pass of the game, Ethan Heitkamp pushes forward for a 1-yard touchdown.
The extra point is no good.
@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/9Nc80yFDlk— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) December 6, 2024
The first quarter score would get even more lopsided after Victor Hoelscher returned a punt 66 yards to extend the Marion Local lead to 33-0.
Division VII State Championship 🏆
*Halftime*
Marion Local – 60
Hillsdale – 0Marion Local is 17 points away from the state record for points scored in a state final (77 by Delphos St. John’s in 2010).
There will be a running clock in the second half.
@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/bm0nKwm9GI— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) December 6, 2024
After a couple more rushing touchdowns by Hess, a pick-6 by Griffin Bruns, and a 60-yard touchdown run by quarterback Justin Knouff, Marion Local found itself ahead 60-0 heading into halftime.
Division VII State Championship 🏆
4Q | 10:11
Marion Local – 74
Hillsdale – 0Kamden Eifert scores a 5-yard touchdown for Marion Local.
The Flyers are three points away from the all-time state title game record of 77 points.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/CmF0eUgrFd
— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) December 6, 2024
With a running clock in effect for the duration of the second half, Marion Local fell short of setting the state record for most points in a state title game for all divisions. That record will still belong to Delphos St. John’s, who beat Shadyside 77-6 in 2010.
However, Marion Local now holds the record for the largest margin of victory in any state title game with a 74-0 win. The Flyers also shattered their own Division VII State Championship record for points scored in a game (42).
While Hillsdale had hoped for a better outcome, it was still a very successful season.
The Falcons won the most games in school history (14) and made their first ever state title game appearance.
As for Marion Local, it continues to be business as usual. The Flyers will bring a 64-game win streak into the 2025 season, with four consecutive state championships to show for it.
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