Marion Local Secures 15th State Title with Dominant 74-0 Victory Over Hillsdale
On Day 2 of the 2024 OHSAA State Championships, the Marion Local Flyers dismantled Jeromesville Hillsdale 74-0 to capture their 15th state championship under Head Coach Tim Goodwin. The Flyers extended their historic win streak to 64 games, further cementing their legacy as one of the most dominant programs in Ohio high school football history.
From the opening kickoff, Marion Local imposed their will on both sides of the ball. Running back Parker Hess set the tone early, scoring two rushing touchdowns in the game’s first five minutes. By the end of the first quarter, the Flyers had a commanding 33-0 lead, highlighted by Victor Hoelscher’s two touchdowns—one a 37-yard reception and the other a 66-yard punt return.
Coach Goodwin, who now boasts a career record of 325-48 in 26 seasons, attributed the lopsided victory to his team’s preparation and discipline. “We thought we had the advantage with just experience. And we thought we were better than they were in special teams... The game kind of snowballed pretty fast,” Goodwin said.
The Flyers didn’t let up in the second quarter. Hess added two more rushing touchdowns to his tally, while Griffin Bruns contributed a 45-yard pick-six, and Justin Knouff added a 60-yard touchdown run. Marion Local entered halftime with a jaw-dropping 60-0 lead, just shy of the state record for points in a game (77).
Despite a running clock in the second half, Marion Local managed to add two more scores, closing out their dominant campaign with 11 total touchdowns—seven on the ground, one through the air, one on a punt return, and one on an interception.
For the Flyers, the victory marked the culmination of a four-year undefeated run that has redefined excellence in Ohio high school football. Senior quarterback Justin Knouff, reflecting on his team’s perfect record, said, “There’s nothing that an athlete, a football player, would want more than going undefeated throughout their high school career. It’s something special you will never forget.”
Goodwin, who has built a dynasty with 15 state titles since 2000, summed up the program’s sustained success succinctly: “The standard is the standard, and that's my job. It’s not always fun to hold the line, but it’s my job.”