DOYLESTOWN — Hillsdale finally captured its elusive white whale.
Kael Lewis threw for 139 yards and three touchdowns as the Falcons won a share of the Wayne County Athletic League title with a 41-0 win over Chippewa on Friday night.
The Falcons (9-1, 6-1) shared the title with Norwayne, a 35-16 winner over Northwestern on Friday. The Falcons roughed up the Bobcats 33-3 last week. Dalton upset Smithville, preventing a three-way tie. The Smithies beat Hillsdale 28-14 in Week 5.
For all of Hillsdale’s recent success — back-to-back regional championships and consecutive Division VII state final appearances — conference crowns have been exceedingly hard to come by.
Hillsdale’s other WCAL titles came in 2010, 2011 and, most recently, 2014. The Falcons finished second in 2024 and 2025.
“It means everything. This is what you work for all season long,” said Lewis, who completed 8-of-10 passes and rushed for a team-high 57 yards on eight carries. “We fell short the last two years … those hurt more than anything, but it was all worth it for this feeling.”
First-Half Fireworks
Hillsdale raced to a 20-0 lead in the first quarter.
Lewis hooked up with Ayden Salyer on a 28-yard scoring strike before Porter Boreman scored on runs of 9 and 2 yards.
The Falcons extended the lead to 27-0 on the final play of the first half. Kael Lewis found Davis Radcliffe for a 40-yard touchdown, capping an 80-yard drive that took just 31 seconds.
“I’ve been blessed with some really good receivers the last few years,” Lewis said. “Just throw it up and they’ll come down with it.”
Getting Defensive
Hillsdale defense pitched its second shutout of the season. The Falcons allowed just 94 points all season.
“Our defense has played really well throughout the entire year,” Hillsdale coach Trevor Cline said. “Just the buy-in … They just love to hit and get after it.”
Postseason
Hillsdale is in the playoffs for the 15th time in program history and an area-best 11th year in a row. The Falcons will likely get a first-round bye.
The Ohio High School Athletic Association will release playoffs seedings and first-round pairings Sunday.
“I feel really confident,” Lewis said. “We know Region 21 (of Division VI) is a gauntlet with South Range, Smithville and Kirtland, but I think we’re right up there with all those guys.”