Warren JFK rides defense to D-VII title win over Minster

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60 seconds of high school highlights from around the Buckeye State.

Division VII State Final: John F. Kennedy Catholic (Warren) 24, Minster 6

BOX SCORE/STATS

1. Defense wins championships: Cliche? Yes, but true. Warren JFK proved it again. The Eagles allowed 98 points in 15 games this season, including just 29 in five playoff games. They had six shutouts. Warren JFK forced three second quarter turnovers by Minster, which had 15 turnovers total through 14 games.

2. Newbie: Warren JFK’s win signaled the first time since the creation of the D-VII classification in 2013 that a team from he Midwest Athletic Conference did not win the D-VII state title. Marion Local won in 2013 and 2014 and Fort Recovery won last season.

3. Revenge is sweet: Speaking of the MAC, the last time Warren JFK made the state final it got beat by MAC-member St. Henry in the 2006 D-V final.

4. Record runner: Warren JFK senior running back Evan Boyd set new D-VII records for rushing yards (166) and carries (36). He had two touchdowns.  

TOP PLAYERS

* Evan Boyd, sr., RB, Warren JFK
Carried the ball a D-VII finals record 36 times for a finals record 166 yards. Had two touchdowns. Added six tackles.

* Jared Huelsman, jr. QB, Minster
Ran for 53 yards and a touchdown and threw for 79 yards.

* Alex Oldiges, sr., DL, Minster
Had a game-high 15 tackles, including two tackles-for-loss.

* Alex Lehmkuhl, jr., DB, Minster
Had nine tackles, including a tackle-for-loss.

* Bryce Schmiesing, sr., LB, Minster
Had nine tackles.

* Isaac Hadley, soph., LB, Warren JFK
Had six tackles.

BY THE NUMBERS

6 - Deficit overcome by Warren JFK, which is a new D-VII finals record.

14 - Yards passing for Warren JFK. The Eagles were 2-for-4.

31:22 - Time of possession for Warren JFK. Minster had the ball for 16:38.

159 - Total yards for Minster on 45 plays.

6,725 - Attendance.