Ohio High School State Championship
Ohio is the seventh most populous state in the United States and is home to many high school athletic teams that compete in various sports. Every year, the Ohio High School Athletic Association (OHSAA) hosts a State Championship tournament in which the best teams in the state compete for the state title.
Participating Teams
The Ohio High School State Championship is open to all public and private high schools that are members of the OHSAA. The tournament is divided into divisions based on school size, with each division competing for its own state championship title. Generally, schools are divided into Division I, II, and III, with Division I being the largest and most competitive.
Tournament Format
The tournament begins with the regional round, in which teams from each region compete in a single-elimination tournament. The winners of the regional round advance to the state tournament, which is also single-elimination. The state tournament culminates with the state championship game, which determines the Ohio High School State Champion.
Past Champions
Since the tournament’s inception in 1903, there have been many memorable champions. Some of the most prominent teams to win the state championship include:
- Cleveland St. Ignatius – The Wildcats have won the state title five times, most recently in 2018.
- Massillon Washington – The Tigers have won the state championship four times, most recently in 2010.
- Cincinnati Moeller – The Crusaders won the state championship three times, most recently in 2016.
- Mentor – The Cardinals won the state championship in 2017.
2020 State Champion
The 2020 Ohio High School State Championship was won by the Cincinnati St. Xavier Bombers. The Bombers, who had previously won the state championship in 2007, defeated the Mentor Cardinals in the championship game by a score of 21-14.
Notable Players
The 2020 championship game featured several standout players, including St. Xavier’s quarterback Jared Kreimer and wide receiver Jack Cappel, and Mentor’s quarterback Drew Schiano and running back Kaleb Tabit. Kreimer was named the game’s Most Valuable Player for his performance, which included three touchdown passes.
Reaction to the Win
The St. Xavier community was ecstatic when the Bombers won the state championship. Fans celebrated with a parade and rally in downtown Cincinnati, and the team was honored by the Cincinnati City Council. In addition, St. Xavier was featured on ESPN’s SportsCenter, and the team’s players were invited to the White House to meet President Donald Trump.
Team Legacy
The 2020 state championship win was a particularly special moment for St. Xavier, as the Bombers had previously gone more than a decade without winning a state title. The championship win solidified the team’s legacy as one of the most successful high school football teams in Ohio history.
OHSAA and the State Championship
The Ohio High School Athletic Association has been hosting the state championship tournament since 1903 and continues to be committed to providing a fair and safe competition for all high school athletes in the state. Each year, the association strives to make the tournament a memorable and rewarding experience for all teams involved.
Conclusion
The Ohio High School State Championship is a highly competitive tournament that showcases the best high school athletes in the state. The 2020 state championship was won by the Cincinnati St. Xavier Bombers, who defeated the Mentor Cardinals in a thrilling match. The win was a momentous occasion for the St. Xavier community and solidified the team’s legacy as one of the top high school football teams in Ohio history.