JEROMESVILLE – There is chatter and there are expectations and there are naysayers and everything else in between.
When it comes to Ohio high school football – and being a successful program in the state – that all comes with the territory.
Bound for the Division VII state championship game this Saturday, Hillsdale has played its way back under that microscope.
Regardless of the result for the fifth-ranked Falcons (13-1) against No. 2 St. Henry (13-1), there is one impressive truth Hillsdale can take with it on the bus to Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium:
Since the OHSAA playoffs began in 1972, no other program in the history of the Wayne County Athletic League or Ashland-area football has ever played in two state championship games.
Arguments can go on all day long about divisions and playoff expansion and school size and whatever else folks want to bang the table over. At the end of the day, the Falcons stand alone in the category.
Perhaps just as impressive, they made their return while their 74-0 loss to Marion Local in last season’s title game hung over them like a black cloud throughout 2025.
“We knew what the expectations were coming into this year and we knew there was pressure on us,” Hillsdale head coach Trevor Cline said Friday after his team’s win over McDonald in the state semifinal. “But I feel pressure is a privilege because if you have pressure, that means you’re a good program.
“We knew we were dealing with that pressure that anything short of getting the opportunity to play for a state championship would be – in some individuals’ eyes – a failure this year. So I’m extremely proud of how our players have just found a way to keep getting better each week.”
Cline said his team heard plenty of talk that the previously unbeaten Blue Devils would knock off Hillsdale in their Final Four pairing.
McDonald had a bigger line, the top quarterback in its conference and a pair of senior running backs who each had rushed for better than 1,100 yards this season.
Cline said Norwayne was the only team his Falcons faced that was better than the Blue Devils. With that in mind, Hillsdale nearly forced a running clock in its 41-14 walloping of McDonald.
“We were able to get a statement win tonight,” said Cline, who picked up his 70th career victory (70-27). “A lot of people thought this might be our last game of the year and obviously our players thought otherwise.”
A lot of people thought this might be our last game of the year and obviously our players thought otherwise.
Hillsdale coach trevor cline after his team’s final four win
For its part, McDonald was in the playoffs for the 21st time – more appearances than any WCAL or Ashland-area team – and the Blue Devils (13-1) had tied their program record for single-season wins.
One week earlier, they toppled Mogadore, 42-21. Those same Wildcats own one of Ohio’s richest football histories, with a 76-36 playoff record and 17 Final Four appearances.
The most points McDonald had allowed all season entering its game against Hillsdale was 28, and it seemed like the Falcons could have cleared 50 if they needed to.
“They won the up-front battle,” Blue Devils coach Dan Williams said. “That’s where things are won and lost – on the front lines.”
As for that WCAL and Ashland-area history …
The easiest way to appreciate where this week’s state-championship return puts the Falcons in local football history is to look at the numbers.
Not only is Hillsdale the first football team in WCAL or Ashland-area history to play in two state championship games, the Falcons also moved ahead of Norwayne for best playoff win percentage after last week.
Here is a look at both of those histories in terms of state final appearances, Final Four appearances and overall playoff appearances:
WCAL teams in state title games
- 2025 – Hillsdale (vs. St. Henry, 10:30 a.m. Saturday)
- 2024 – Hillsdale (lost 74-0 to undefeated Marion Local)
- 2023 – Dalton (lost 38-0 to undefeated Marion Local)
- 2011 – Norwayne (won 48-42 over undefeated Kenton)
- 2002 – Smithville (lost 33-18 to undefeated Pleasant)
WCAL teams in the Final Four (in order of most appearances)
- Smithville – 1984, 2002, 2004
- Waynedale – 1985, 1995, 1997
- Hillsdale – 2024, 2025
- Norwayne – 2011, 2012
- Dalton – 2023
WCAL teams in the playoffs (in order of most appearances)
- Dalton – 25-19 in 19 trips (.568 winning percentage)
- Smithville – 19-17 in 17 trips (.527)
- Norwayne – 20-14 in 15 trips (.588)
- Hillsdale – 19-13 in 14 trips (.593)
- Waynedale – 12-12 in 12 trips (.500)
- Northwestern – 4-8 in 8 trips (.333)
- Chippewa – 4-6 in 6 trips (.400)
- Rittman – 0-5 in 5 trips (.000)
Ashland-area teams in state title games
- 2025 – Hillsdale (vs. St. Henry, 10:30 a.m. Saturday)
- 2024 – Hillsdale (lost 74-0 to undefeated Marion Local)
- 1990 – Loudonville (lost 29-26 to Versailles)
Ashland-area teams in the Final Four (in order of most appearances)
- Loudonville – 1983, 1988, 1990
- Hillsdale – 2024, 2025
- Ashland – 2007
Ashland-area teams in the playoffs (in order of most appearances)
- Ashland – 15-16 in 16 trips (.484)
- Black River – 11-16 in 16 trips (.407)
- Hillsdale – 19-13 in 14 trips (.593)
- Crestview – 6-12 in 12 trips (.333)
- Loudonville – 12-11 in 11 trips (.522)
- Mapleton – 2-8 in 8 trips (.200)
- Madison – 2-6 in 6 trips (.250)
- New London – 1-3 in 3 trips (.250)
- South Central – 1-3 in 3 trips (.250)
The football program leading the overall Wayne County and Ashland areas in total state championship appearances is Orrville, which made it to the final in 1983, 1985, 1994, 1998 (won) and 2018 (won).
But even the Red Riders never went in back-to-back seasons, as Hillsdale has done this year.
“We’re obviously all living in the moment right now, but this is going to be something when you look back (and think) about how special of a time it was at Hillsdale,” Cline said. “Even though we sort of think it’s the norm right now, this doesn’t happen at very many schools.
Even though we sort of think it’s the norm right now, this doesn’t happen at very many schools.
Hillsdale coach trevor cline
“The thing that’s been really neat for me is some of the alumni who may not have been a part of some of the successful Hillsdale teams (over the last 20 years), they have been some of our biggest fans.”
Cline was the quarterback in 2011 when the Falcons lost to Norwayne’s eventual state championship-winning team. He said he knows many of the players from that Bobcat squad, which knocked off record-setting Kenton in an upset, 48-42.
With his Falcons now facing their own tall task in six-time state champion St. Henry – a program with a 56-16 all-time playoff record – he said it will take a similar situation for Hillsdale to come away with a crown.
On the high school football projection website fantastic50.net, the Falcons are the biggest underdog out of all seven state finals this week (projected to lose by 21 points).
“We all know it’s gonna take our best game (to win Saturday),” Cline said. “And when Norwayne won state in 2011, it was gonna take their best game and they were able to achieve that.
“We’ll need to find a way to do the same. Our players are looking forward to the challenge.”
More talent on deck
One big takeaway from last week’s win over McDonald was just how many underclassmen came up big in clutch moments.
While the Falcons have enjoyed huge individual milestones over the last two seasons from seniors Owen Sloan, Hayden McFadden and A.J. Brown, as well as junior quarterback Kael Lewis, it was telling to see that the talent in the lower levels appears ready to step into some big shoes.
Sophomores Davis Radcliffe and Ayden Salyer – who previously combined for just five catches all season – both had big receiving touchdowns against the Blue Devils.
On defense, three of the top Hillsdale players in the rout were sophomore defensive end Carston Stephens (six tackles, two sacks), sophomore linebacker Deacon Boreman (six tackles, sack) and freshman safety Porter Boreman (five tackles).
“It feels great being part of a sophomore class that has close to 30 wins already,” said Stephens, whose 88 tackles are third-most on the team.
“I knew as a freshman last year who got to play a little bit that it was pretty cool, and I had to come into this year bigger and better.”
Deacon Boreman is fourth on the team in tackles (69) and Porter Boreman (41 tackles, 3 INTs) has been a crucial performer who has stepped up since the loss of junior Kyle Turk to an ACL injury (42 tackles, 2 INTs).
Turk was one of the top Hillsdale players during each of the last two seasons.
“There are a lot of younger players coming up through the program that are looking forward to the opportunity of taking over roles when they do come open,” Cline said. “… You’re not gonna have (seniors like) Owen Sloan or a Hayden McFadden come out of your program each year, but you are gonna have (multiple guys) who will be ready to fill those individual roles.”
Cline also noted that Hillsdale’s eighth-grade team finished undefeated in each of its last two seasons.
Sloan gets his retribution
One of the biggest feel-good stories of the Falcons’ return to this week’s championship game is the fact that Sloan has been able to contribute as a healthy running back.
His playoff road in 2024 was consistently hampered by injuries and he played a limited role (eight carries) in the state final last December.
“We’re actually going to have a healthy Sloan in the state championship game this year,” Lewis said, “instead of throwing someone who’s now a tackle in there at running back.
“He’s been making plays all over the place and he’s a beast for sure.”
Sloan said earlier this season that one of his career goals was to clear 5,000 rushing yards, and he was able to do that against McDonald.
His performance through the last three weeks of the playoffs has entered the realm of legendary, considering the stakes.
The senior went for 205 yards and a five touchdowns against Symmes Valley, then 205 yards and three scores against Danville before exploding for another 240 yards and three touchdowns against McDonald.
That’s 650 yards and 11 rushing touchdowns on 72 carries in just three games. Sloan’s first run against Symmes Valley was a 59-yard touchdown and his first run last week was a 79-yard score.
Talk about making up for lost time.
“It means a lot,” Sloan said. “Last year kind of sucked for me, but I was still part of it. But just getting back here healthy has been fun. I was working hard for it all offseason and during the season, doing extra stuff, just making sure I’m staying healthy.”
McDonald’s head coach said he would have rather not had to deal with the senior star.
“When you think you’ve got him shut off when he’s got a sweep called, he cuts back and finds an alley,” Williams said. “He’s a strong kid – a lot stronger than you think by watching him on film – with more quickness. He’s the best back we’ve played all year, without a doubt.”
He’s a strong kid – a lot stronger than you think by watching him on film – with more quickness.
mcdonald head coach Dan williams on hillsdale RB owen sloan
Here’s the list of Sloan’s school records entering his final game as a Falcon.
- Single-season carries (236)
- Single-season rushing yards (2,090)
- Single-season rushing TDs (32)
- Career carries (677)
- Career rushing yards (5,069)
- Career rushing TDs (72)
- Career touchdowns overall (74)
- Career scoring (450 points)
More for the record books
Sloan and his 14 other senior classmates already have the school record for wins by a class (42-11).
The Falcons will enter Saturday just seven points away from breaking last year’s program scoring record of 574.
Here’s a look at other records the Falcons either have broken or added onto this season:
Sr. WR Hayden McFadden
- Career receiving yards (2,894)
- Career receptions (139)
- Career receiving TDs (41)
Jr. QB Kael Lewis
- Career passing TDs (62)
- Career passing yards (5,390)
- Career completions (341)
- Career attempts (512)
Sr. K A.J. Brown
- Career made PATs (191/207)
- Career kicking points (221)
- Longest field goal (45 yards)
Sr. DB Brock Bower
- Career interceptions (10)
Now Hillsdale heads back to Canton for one more chance to strut its stuff.
“The job’s not finished,” Lewis said. “None of us are surprised (to be back in the title game), it’s more of a relief. We’re finally here and we finally get to play another MAC school. … It’s going to be different for sure this year.”
“We’ve prepared since last year’s loss; we’ve had this in the back of our mind, that road to Canton,” Bower added. “It’s just a great feeling – being part of a big group of seniors on this team, you don’t want to look back and have any regrets. So far we have no regrets.”