CANTON, Ohio — The Badin High School football team will have countless memories of the 2021 season.

The Rams completed their season as the Division III state runner-up Friday in a 21-14 loss to Chardon in front of 6,430 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

As Badin coach Nick Yordy gathered his team on the field for the last time this season, someone mentioned how Badin didn't lose but simply ran out of time.

The disappointment didn't subside, but perspective of a truly memorable season is of the utmost priority.

Badin was a regional champion and a Greater Catholic League Co-Ed champion for the fourth consecutive season.

"These 25 seniors — that's the reason why we're here," Yordy said. "I think these seniors have kind of shown the way over the past four years of what our expectations are, how to work in the off-season and having six extra weeks of the season with the whole team you know for those younger guys they know there is a challenge ahead of them and we're going to get to work and try to get back here."

Chardon senior running back Sean Carr scored on a 2-yard touchdown run with 1:05 left to lift the Hilltoppers (16-0) to their second straight D-III state title. Chardon is the first 16-0 team in Ohio High School Athletic Association history.

Badin (14-1) was in the state final for the first time since winning the state championship in 1990. The Rams made their fourth state final appearance overall (1990, 1980, 1978).

Chardon struck first when junior quarterback Alex Henry found senior Nathanel Sulka for a 36-yard touchdown pass connection with 7:40 left in the first quarter.

Badin tied the game late in the second quarter when senior running back Jack Walsh scored on a 3-yard touchdown run and senior Jackson Niesen added the extra point.

The Rams' touchdown was set up after Badin converted a fourth-and-6 three plays earlier in the drive. Walsh's 20-yard run set up the touchdown.

Chardon went ahead 14-7 with nine minutes left in the third quarter when sophomore Andrew Bruce scored on a 27-yard run.

Badin responded less than three minutes later when junior running back Carter Russo scored on a 6-yard touchdown run and Niesen's extra point tied the game at 14.

Walsh had 27 carries for 96 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, senior linebacker Ely Emmons had 11 tackles. Senior defensive end TJ Hayes had nine tackles. Sophomore Carson Cheek and senior defensive lineman Logan Neu had eight tackles each.

Badin is 31-25 in 26 playoff appearances. This was the Rams’ ninth trip to the Final Four and the first since 1998.

Badin was the third Greater Cincinnati team to compete in the Ohio High School Athletic Association state football finals. Winton Woods (Division II) and Clinton-Massie (Division IV) won state titles.

RELATED: Clinton-Massie comes from behind to win state title
RELATED: Winton Woods wins Division II state football final

Welcome to the football state championship week.

Greater Cincinnati has four opportunities at state football finals this week including Badin (Division III), Beechwood (Kentucky Class 2A), Clinton-Massie (Division IV) and Winton Woods (Division II) in the respective state finals.

You will hear from Winton Woods coach Chad Murphy, Badin coach Nick Yordy and Clinton-Massie coach Dan McSurley on this week's WCPO High School Insider podcast.

Each coach reflects on the special journey of this season and what they will remember the most from this team as they prepare to travel to Canton.

Listen to this episode in the player below:

• 02:18 - Winton Woods coach Chad Murphy
• 08:45 - Clinton-Massie coach Dan McSurley
• 20:59 - Badin coach Nick Yordy

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CINCINNATI — Four Greater Cincinnati high school football programs are in their respective state finals next week.

WINTON WOODS
In Ohio, Winton Woods (12-3) plays Akron Archbishop Hoban (11-3) at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 in the Division II state final at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

Winton Woods defeated Green 20-7 in a Division II state semifinal Friday night at Westerville Central.

The Warriors will make their third state final appearance, the first since finishing as state runner-up in 2017. Winton Woods won the 2009 Division II state title.

Winton Woods advances to state championship

CLINTON MASSIE
Badin (Division III) and Clinton-Massie (Division IV) will attempt to win their respective state titles on Dec. 3.

Clinton-Massie (13-1) plays Youngstown Ursuline (11-3) at 10:30 a.m. Dec. 3. The Falcons defeated Bloom-Carroll 24-21 in a Division IV state semifinal Friday night. The team is making its fourth state final appearance and the first since 2017, when it was a state runner-up. This would be their first state title since 2013.

Clinton-Massie overcomes early deficit to win in state semifinals

BADIN
Badin (14-0) plays Chardon (15-0) in a battle of undefeated teams in the Division III state final at 3 p.m. Dec. 3.

The Rams defeated Granville 14-0 in a Division III state semifinal Friday night. They are in the state final for the first time since 1990, when they won the Division III state championship. Their other appearances were in 1980 and 1978.

Badin's undefeated season continues

Moeller (11-4) completed its season as a Division I state semifinalist Friday night. Springfield defeated Moeller 22-21 to advance to the Division I state final.

BEECHWOOD
In Kentucky, Beechwood (14-0) plays Lexington Christian (14-0) in the 2A state final at 4 p.m. Dec. 3 at Kroger Field in Lexington.

Beechwood rolls to state championship game

The Tigers are going for their 16th state football title in program history. They defeated Lexington Christian 24-23 in the 2020 2A state final.

Ohio

State football finals at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium

Division II

Winton Woods (12-3) vs. Hoban (11-3), 7 p.m. Thursday (Dec. 2)

Division III

Badin (14-0) vs. Chardon (15-0), 3 p.m. Friday (Dec. 3)

Division IV

Clinton-Massie (13-1) vs. Youngstown Ursuline (11-3), 10:30 a.m. Friday (Dec. 3)

Kentucky

Friday, Dec. 3

2A state final at Kroger Field in Lexington

Beechwood (13-0) vs. Lexington Christian (13-0), 4 p.m.

Welcome to the football regional finals week around Ohio.

Seven Greater Cincinnati high school football teams are still playing this week with opportunities to reach the state semifinals Nov. 26.

On this week's High School Insider podcast, you will hear from several high school head football coaches including:

These coaches reflect upon their teams and how the school communities have expressed significant support during this postseason.

The Ohio high school boys basketball season is right around the corner and you will hear from Triple Double Prospects analyst Corey Albertson about some of the top teams and players to watch this winter.

Listen to this episode in the podcast player below:

Subscribe to High School Insider with Mike Dyer podcast:

CINCINNATI — The final Friday night of the high school football regular season was full of meaningful games.

Lakota West locked-up its second consecutive outright GMC championship with a win over rival Lakota East.

Princeton secured the second spot in the GMC with a win over Colerain.

Anderson was held to just two offensive touchdowns, but used a kickoff return touchdown to separate itself from Turpin in the Battle of Forest Hills.

Badin ended McNicholas’ unbeaten run to claim the top spot in the GCL-Coed league.

Elder jumped on La Salle early, and held-off the Lancers late to win the final GCL-South matchup of the regular season.

Reading beat Indian Hill for the first time in nearly a decade with a late touchdown.

Cooper crushed Highlands in a Northern Kentucky district showdown.

See action from these games and others in the videos on this page!

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