Badin falls to Chardon in D-III state championship game

Sean Carr’s 2-yard TD run with 1:05 remaining lifted undefeated Chardon to a 21-14 victory over the Rams in the Division III state championship on Friday afternoon at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

Senior Jack Walsh and junior Carter Russo each scored TDs as Badin finished its season 14-1.

Chardon won its second straight state championship and became the first team in Ohio history to finish a perfect 16-0 season.

“It’s what you expect between the No. 1 team and the No. 2 team in the state of Ohio in Division III,” said Rams coach Nick Yordy. “Those guys are well-coached and have an unbelievable defense. They played really hard and they’re really, really good. I give credit to our guys, too. I think we played a heck of a game.”

Early in the first quarter, Chardon junior quarterback Alex Henry hit senior receiver Nathanael Sulka on a 36-yard TD pass to give Chardon a 7-0 lead.

The teams combined for seven straight punts until Badin broke through with about five minutes remaining in the second quarter when Walsh scored from 3 yards out to make it 7-7 at the half.

After Chardon scored to start the second half, the Rams responded on their next possession, driving 71 yards in five plays. Russo scored a 6-yard TD on his first carry of the game to tie the score at 14.

Walsh finished with 96 yards and a touchdown on 27 carries for the Rams, who were making their fourth appearance in the state championship game.