An unlikely season title drive for Marion Local came down to one final play. Time had already whittled down to 0:00.

These were the Flyers’ choices: One final snap to tie, extend or lose game.

“Me and Adam Bertke, we said, ‘This is a cross route, right?’” reflected Flyers defensive back Nate Nagel. “I thought, you have to make a play on the ball.”

Nagel did, slapping away a perfectly timed slant pass at the goal line to preserve a thrilling 28-21 defeat of Newark Catholic in the Division VI high school state football championship at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium on Friday.

State football titles come in pairs for the Flyers. They’ve done that in 2000-01, 2006-07 and 2011-12. But this season was like none other. Marion Local rallied and dodged game-ending finishes the last four weeks. It was fitting that their season ended with their greatest challenge.

“It’s probably the toughest game that I’ve ever coached,” said a relieved Flyers’ coach Tim Goodwin.

It was a tremendous ending that had the 5,509 fans buzzing. Hunter Wilker was thrust into the Flyers’ backfield following injuries to leading rusher Jacy Goettemoeller and his sub, Aaron Nietfield. All three are freshmen. Goettemoeller lasted six plays; Nietfield four carries.

Wilker hadn’t even practiced in the backfield all season. But he scored his second touchdown with 21 seconds left.

Goodwin knew what he had in Wilker. But he wondered if the freshman knew how to run the plays after being anchored at receiver all season. No problem.

“Coach said, ‘OK, get in there,’ ” recalled Wilker.

Incredibly, those 21 ticks proved way too much time for Newark Catholic, which was making its record 14th state title game appearance.

The Green Wave bolted 59 yards in those precious ticks to land on Marion’s 5. A pass interference penalty gave Newark Catholic one final play after time had expired.

“We have a history of giving up a lot of yards, especially the last two games,” Nagel said. “I thought, ‘Wow, really? Again? You gotta be kidding me.’”

The junior defensive back wasn’t certain where the ball had landed. But he knew what it meant when Flyers’ defenders mobbed him: Victory.

“I thought, sweet,” Nagel said. “Sweet deal. The journey has been incredible.”

Bertke, a junior quarterback/DB, led the Flyers with 121 yards rushing and completed 17-of-23 passes for another 166. His faith never wavered.

“It’s just the type of players that we have and the kind of area that we grow up in,” he said. “Guys are tough on this team.”

Marion Local ends its season at 13-2; Newark Catholic 12-3. It also marked the 100th state title amassed by a Midwest Athletic Conference team since its inception 40 years ago.

A quick learner, count Wilker in on that challenge.

“Hopefully, there’s three more coming,” he said.