Olentangy Liberty Advances to State Championship with Victory Over St. Edward
MANSFIELD, Ohio — Despite a late rally attempt, St. Edward’s hopes of securing a state championship berth fell short as Olentangy Liberty secured a 21-7 victory in Friday’s Division I state semifinal at Mansfield’s Arlin Field.
The Patriots set the tone early, capitalizing on a first-play interception that positioned them in prime scoring range. Quarterback Andrew Leonard, a Mr. Football finalist, found the end zone on a 17-yard run, giving Olentangy Liberty a 7-0 lead. Although a penalty negated an early defensive touchdown, the Patriots’ aggressive defense continued to stifle St. Edward’s offense.
A mishandled snap and a subsequent 39-yard touchdown run by Jake Struck extended Liberty’s lead to 14-0 in the third quarter. Later in the same quarter, Leonard connected with Christian Moulton for an 80-yard touchdown pass on third-and-6, sealing the game at 21-0.
St. Edward fought back with a fourth-quarter touchdown run by Nate Gregory, capping a 15-play drive. Gregory and Bradley Eaton were standout performers, contributing both offensively and defensively. Gregory recorded two sacks and rushed for 27 yards, while Eaton carried the ball 18 times for 97 yards.
Defensively, the Eagles had key stops but struggled to contain Liberty’s balanced attack. Leonard finished with 135 passing yards, one passing touchdown, and an additional rushing score, while Struck added 87 rushing yards.
The Patriots, now 13-2, advance to face Cincinnati Moeller in the state championship. This marks a significant turnaround under second-year head coach John Sansbury, following a 4-8 season last year. Meanwhile, St. Edward concludes its season with a 9-6 record, having reached the state semifinals after a series of impressive playoff wins.
Olentangy Liberty’s victory reflects their resilience and preparation, a testament to their experienced senior class and offseason efforts.