SBC's Hopewell-Loudon will play for Div. VI title

WAPAKONETA — Hopewell-Loudon trailed by 12 points late in the third quarter in last Friday's state semifinal at Wapakoneta before rallying for a 20-18 win over Coldwater.The Chieftains capitalized on several Coldwater mistakes to advance to the Division VI state title game at 3 p.m. Saturday in Canton against Kirtland (14-0). "I've said it about 100 times this year, just how physically and mentally tough this group is … there's no flinch," H-L coach Brian Colatruglio said. "There's not too many teams that go down 10-0 to a (Midwest Athletic Conference) team and ends up not only competing, but winning the game. That's just something that doesn't happen." Hopewell-Loudon, a member of the Sandusky Bay Conference River Division, improved to 13-1. Its only loss this season was a 29-26 decision against Margaretta in early October. Coldwater led 18-6 and was threatening to score again when H-L linebacker Kellen Frankart turned the momentum late in the third quarter. He intercepted a pass and returned it to the Cavaliers' eight-yard line. Frankart then scored on an eight-yard run and Jacoby Ellis found Mason Reinhart for the two-point conversion to pull the Chieftains to within 18-14. After a Coldwater three-and-out, H-L capped a seven-play drive with an eight-yard pitch and catch from Ellis to Brody Brickman on a fourth-and-3 to give the Chieftains a 20-18 edge with 11:05 remaining. Coldwater answered with a 13-play drive that stalled inside H-L's five-yard line. The Cavaliers missed a 21-yard field goal attempt with 4:23 to play. The Chieftains were able to run out the clock. "To get that pick and then we score on the first play after that, you just feel the crowd, our kids all of a sudden things clicked. 'We can do this, we beat this team,' " Colatruglio said. "I think maybe there was some uncertainty in the beginning, but after that play … our kids are just warriors."H-L will be returning the state championship game for the first time since 2008."Been going (to Canton) for a lot of years to watch and having gone a long time ago, to go with this group of kids it'll be awesome," Colatruglio said. We've just gotten better as we've gone on and we're just gonna go play one more week." 2025 OHSAA state championship games Thursday, Dec. 4 DIVISION II Avon (13-1) vs. Cincinnati Anderson (14-0), 7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 5 DIVISION IV Cleveland Glenville (11-3) vs. Shelby (14-0), 10:30 a.m. DIVISION III Toledo Central Catholic (11-4) vs. Columbus Bishop Watterson (13-0), 3 p.m. DIVISION I Cincinnati St. Xavier (11-2) vs. Lewis Center Olentangy Orange (14-0), 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 6 DIVISION VII St. Henry (13-1) vs. Jeromesville Hillsdale (13-1), 10:30 a.m. DIVISION VI Kirtland (14-0) vs. Hopewell-Loudon (13-1), 3 p.m. DIVISION V Wheelersburg (14-0) vs. Liberty Center (14-0), 7:30 p.m.