CINCINNATI — Winton Woods football coach Chad Murphy arrived home around 5 a.m. Friday but he didn't seem to mind at all.

In fact, Murphy was all smiles two days later, reflecting on a state championship journey that no one at Winton Woods will ever forget.

"It's just been a little surreal," Murphy said Sunday afternoon. "It's like it's set in but it hasn't. Do you know what I mean? It still seems like we're probably going to practice tomorrow and that kind of stuff. It's been wild."

Murphy joined the WCPO High School Insider podcast to reflect on the Warriors' Division II state title.

Listen to this episode in the player below:

Winton Woods defeated Akron Archbishop Hoban 21-10 in the Division II state final Dec. 2 in Canton to capture the state championship.

"It was finally mission accomplished," Murphy said. "Like you said – 16 weeks is a long time. A lot of blood, sweat and tears go into it – behind-the-scenes stuff."

Winton Woods was one of three schools to capture state football titles this past week.

Mike Dyer/WCPO

Beechwood captured the Kentucky Class 2A state title with a 23-21 win over Lexington Christian at Kroger Field.

Clinton-Massie had a dramatic rally on Friday to defeat Youngstown Ursuline 29-28 thanks to a two-point conversion with 45 seconds left in the Ohio Division IV state final.

Mike Dyer/WCPO

Clinton-Massie coach Dan McSurley reflected on how much the seniors impacted the football program and a two-point conversion attempt in Canton that won't ever be forgotten in Clinton County.

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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

CANTON, Mass. —

Approximately 300 dwellings built before 1725 are still standing across Massachusetts, helping to tell the story of the Bay State's early settlers.

In Canton, one of those homes has been under restoration for nearly 50 years and the painstaking project will continue for several years more.

"This project began technically in 1972 when a group of citizens got together to save the little red house," said George Comeau, a member of the Canton Historical Society who is leading the restoration of The Tilden House.

The little red home was formally the country home to Abigale and David Tilden. Today, it's located across Pleasant Street from Canton's Reservoir Pond.

"(Tilden) builds this house in the fall of 1725 and it’s an interval project. It gets built on over time," Comeau said.

Over the centuries, time has taken a toll on the homestead. At one point not too long ago, it was described as "standing sawdust."

In 1999, the Canton Historical Society took on a 25-year lease to transform and preserve the property.

"Preservation is the heart of everything we do. We want to learn from the past in order to move forward," Comeau said.

During their work, Comeau says the building has unveiled several surprises. There was wallpaper from the late 1700s, a hidden stairwell and three different kitchens.

Most recently, they found something under the floorboards.

"These boards came up two weeks ago," Comeau said. "And underneath we found shoes."

Archeologists will be called in to further examine the shoes and kitchenware that was unearthed.

"The lessons are that preservation is important because it’s heritage. It's our history and it tells us where we’ve been and where we’re going," Comeau said.

At an estimated cost of $1.1 million, the restoration of the Tilden House is expected to be completed in time for the home's 300th birthday in 2025.

CANTON, Ohio — This Clinton-Massie state football championship won't ever be forgotten.

"Surreal," senior running back Colton Trampler said.

Clinton-Massie football coach Dan McSurley let the seniors decide whether to go for a two-point conversion with 45 seconds left and a state championship on the line early Friday afternoon.

"I think all the seniors said, 'Coach, let's win this thing,'" McSurley said.

Senior quarterback Kody Zantene pitched the ball to senior running back Carson Van Hoose who ran to the right and in the end zone for a two-point conversion that gave the Falcons a 29-28 win in the Division IV state final.

"My dad (Clinton-Massie assistant coach Jeskee Zantene) said he was watching a state championship game about four or five years ago and they won a state championship on that play and it was awesome," Clinton-Massie senior quarterback Kody Zantene said.

The Falcons (14-1), winners of 14 consecutive games, captured their third state football title in school history.

"It means so much to me," Clinton-Massie senior running back Colton Trampler said. "I think back to every second that we spent in the offseason working and just doing everything we could to try to get this win and this was always the dream. It has been since third grade. I could walk into that locker room right now. There is going to be tons of people laughing and crying. It's just so exciting that were able to get it done this year."

The Falcons trailed 28-7 with 5:23 left in the third quarter but never lost faith. Zantene scored on a 49-yard touchdown run nearly two minutes later.

Then, senior offensive lineman Garrett Vance recovered a fumble in the end zone to put the Falcons within seven points early in the fourth quarter. It was the first career touchdown for Vance.

"This feeling is great especially having the community here," Vance said. "It's the best feeling in the world."

Zantene rushed for a 1-yard touchdown run with 45 seconds left in the game.

The Falcons finished the game scoring 15 unanswered points in the third and fourth quarters. This was Clinton-Massie's third state title after winning back-to-back championships in 2012 and 2013.

"This was such a fitting end to these seniors and their whole career starting back in third grade," said McSurley, who earned his 250th win at Clinton-Massie. "It's an unbelievable group. I probably will never have another opportunity to coach a group of seniors like this the rest of my life. This will be without question go down in history as one of the greatest comeback victories in high school history. I'm just so pleased and so happy to be a part of it."

Trampler had 19 carries for 117 yards while Van Hoose had 15 carries for 102 yards and a touchdown in the first quarter. Zantene had seven carries for 91 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, Zantene had 12 tackles while junior defensive lineman Leyton Bell had 10 tackles.

WCPO: Winton Woods wins Division II state title

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

Subscribe to High School Insider with Mike Dyer podcast:

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.

GREEN, Ohio — Two Canton Township, Ohio natives are overjoyed to learn a fighter plane housed at a local museum has ties to their pilot brother, who went missing while flying a mission in the Vietnam War more than 50 years ago.

Barb Aman and Rich Schoeppner beam with pride as they look back at photographs of their older brother, Lt. Jack Schoeppner.

"He loved adventure. He loved speed," Aman said.

While his siblings admired Jack for his service to his country, most of their memories surround growing up with him in Canton Township.

Aman said her brother was a good guy, very smart and an Eagle Scout.

"He graduated at the top of his class at Central Catholic High School in 1961," Aman said.

Rich Schoeppner recalled the time that he accidentally rode a bicycle into a pool and struggled to get out until his brother saved his life.

"He meant the world to me," Rich Schoeppner said.

Lt. Jack Schoeppner got his "wings" as a Navy fighter pilot in 1966. He served two tours of duty in Vietnam and flew dozens of missions, according to relatives.

But on March 9, 1970, the F4 Phantom he was piloting along with Lt. Rex Lewis Parcels went down in the Gulf of Tonkin. They were reported as missing in action.

"Supposedly, where he went down is unrecoverable," Rich Schoeppner said.

Fifty-one years have passed. Both men are considered dead, but neither has been found.

"There's no closure when they don't come home," Aman said. "It's hard. I think your mind tells you that you know it's true, but your heart tells you something else."

The hope of finding any tangible connection to the fighter pilot faded over the decades. But then, something remarkable happened at MAPS Air Museum in nearby Green, Ohio.

The museum has a mission to preserve the history of military aviation.

"For me, it's the place for veterans to come back and feel it's a safe spot," said Valerie Kinney, one of the directors at MAPS.

In 2003, the Navy offered to loan the museum a 56,000-pound F4 Phantom fighter jet to MAPS. They gladly accepted.

Bob Jones | News 5 Cleveland

For 16 years, museum workers and volunteers didn't realize there was an amazing link between Jack Schoeppner and the fighter jet on display.

That all changed in 2019 when Rich Schoeppner began having conversations with people connected to MAPS. Thanks to Lt. Schoeppner's meticulous flight book, they realized that Jack had flown the jet that was on display at the museum.

"I was amazed. Totally surprising, couldn't believe it," Rich Schoeppner said.

Lt. Schoeppner's flight log indicated which jet he flew by serial number. He made notations before every takeoff and after each landing.

On March 6, 1970, three days before his death, Jack Schoeppner wrote in his book that he flew a jet with the serial number 155764 — the same number on the fighter now housed at MAPS.

For his family, it was an unbelievable coincidence — or perhaps, fate.

"We don't choose the planes. The planes choose us. For some reason, this plane was meant to be here," Aman said.

"He's finally coming home after 51 years," Rich Schoeppner added.

As it turns out, documents showed the jet at MAPS also went up to search for Schoeppner and Parcels when they disappeared on that fateful day in Vietnam in 1970.

The plane has since been restored, and the museum has added the words "Lt. Chops Schoeppner" on the canopy. "Chops" was Schoeppner's call sign.

Bob Jones | News 5 Cleveland

The insignia for Jack's squadron, the Freelancers, was also added to the back of the fighter.

"I couldn't ask for anything more," Rich Schoeppner said.

Bob Jones | News 5 Cleveland

But the museum indeed will do something more in the days following Veterans Day.

On Friday afternoon, a headstone will be dedicated in honor of Jack Schoeppner during a ceremony in the MIA section at Ohio Western Reserve National Cemetery in Rittman.

In addition, a dedication of the F4 Phantom in memory of Jack Schoeppner and Parcels will take place on Saturday from 3:00 to 7:30 p.m at MAPS.

"It's like he's coming home, and everybody will be able to remember his story," Aman said.

This story was originally published by Bob Jones on Scripps station WEWS in Cleveland.

CANTON, Ohio — Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton will host the OHSAA state football finals for the next three years, the Ohio High School Athletic Association and Pro Football Hall of Fame announced Wednesday afternoon.

This year's state finals are scheduled for Dec. 2-4. One state final is scheduled for Thursday, while three games each are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.

“The OHSAA is excited for this three-year agreement with the Pro Football Hall of Fame, as our student-athletes, schools and communities will get to experience Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium and all that Canton and the Hall of Fame Village have to offer,” OHSAA executive director Doug Ute said.

“We are grateful to the Hall of Fame for their partnership, and we look forward to collaborating with the Hall year-round.”

Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton hosted the football finals from 2017-19, but attendance limitations in 2020 set by the Ohio Health Director’s sports order due to the COVID-19 pandemic changed the location.

Fawcett Stadium, the former name of Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, first hosted a state football final in 1991.

“The Hall of Fame prides itself in treating OHSAA football teams and their fans the same way we treat the NFL teams and their fans,” said Pro Football Hall of Fame Chief Administrative Officer Steve Strawbridge.

“We give them a first-class experience while they are here. We take the teams through the museum and promote the values of the game. We look forward to providing an exceptional experience for the players, coaches, families and fans attending the games in Canton – the pinnacle of football.”

Last season, the state finals were played in Stark County and Franklin County due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

St. Xavier defeated Pickerington Central 44-3 in the Division I state final Nov. 13, 2020 in a game played Fortress Obetz in Obetz just outside of Columbus.

A week later, the Divisions II-VII state finals were held at Massillon's Paul Brown Tiger Stadium due to a health advisory issued by the Franklin County Department of Health and the Columbus Department of Health which prevented the games from being played in Obetz due to the pandemic.

This year's Ohio high school football season is scheduled to start the week of Aug. 16.