Liberty-Benton halts Marion Local's streak

FINDLAY - Not that a certain segment of the population in Mercer County wanted to acknowledge it, but Marion Local's 13 straight wins in the football postseason had to come to an end at some point.

The streak ungraciously ended Saturday night in a 35-0 loss to Liberty-Benton and high-powered quarterback Aaron Craft in a Division V state semifinal before 4,600 fans at Findlay's Donnell Stadium.

"We're proud of our kids. We lost a lot from last year, and this senior class was a great group to work with," Marion Local coach Tim Goodwin said. "Their parents are proud of them, their community is proud of them and their coaches are proud of them."

Eagles coach Tim Nichols ensured his players knew just what they were facing. Among the Flyers 13 consecutive playoff wins were victories in the 2006 Division VI title game and the 2007 final in Division V.

"We made sure they were aware what (Marion Local) had done over the last couple of years," Nichols said. "Our kids respected that, but it also motivated us."

Craft rushed for 168 yards and three touchdowns; 124 of the yards came in the second half, but two of the scores came late in the third quarter. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound junior completed 9 of 18 passes for 135 yards.

"He looked pretty good to me," Goodwin said. "He puts so much pressure on your defense. We couldn't handle him (Saturday) night, there's no doubt about that."

The Eagles (14-0) wasted little time gaining an advantage on the scoring ledger. Seven plays and 82 yards into the game, Craft blew up the middle on a QB draw for a 25-yard scoring rush.

Craft's first four rushes gained 99 yards; on his next carry after the TD rush, he broke left and gained 44 yards. The run set up a 29 yard field goal by Justin Hyde with 3 minutes, 2 seconds left in the first quarter and a 10-0 Eagles lead. Hyde added a 42-yard field goal early in the second quarter.

The Eagles broke open the game with two Craft rushing TDs in the third. Nate Aydt capped off the scoring with a 75-yard interception return for a TD just 40 seconds into the fourth.

"Proud, that word probably underestimates what I feel about those guys right now," Nichols said.