CANTON, Ohio — For the second straight year, the Greater Catholic League South team lost to a team from the Olentangy School District in Delaware County. And the scores are exactly the same.
St. Xavier lost to the Olentangy Orange at Lewis Center, 28-14, in the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division I state football championship game on Dec. 5 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. Saint-X is 11-3 this season, while the Blazers are a perfect 15-0.
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Moeller previously lost to Olentangy Liberty in the state championship game last year.
“We performed well,” head coach Steve Spector said. “I tell the kids, ‘If you focus all on the destination, you miss the importance of what you gain from the journey.'” These kids took away a lot of memories and a lot of important lessons. There were a lot of learnable moments this year and I hope that doesn’t get overshadowed by the fact that we lost to a great football team. “
The Orange won its first state championship and the Bombers’ offense increased from 403 yards to 192 yards.
Bombers try to adjust without Daniel Vollmer
St. Xavier Jack Britt (5) scores a touchdown during the OHSAA Division I state championship football game between St. Xavier and Olentangy Orange on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Canton.
Bombers all-around star Daniel Vollmer is out after suffering a broken tibia against Middletown last week.
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Vollmer was dressed in game gear and walking around, but was unable to compete.
Running back Jake Britt stepped up through several defenders and sprinted up the middle 39 yards for St. Xavier’s first touchdown. He was also the Bombers’ leading receiver with seven catches for 40 yards.
Orange quarterback Levi Davis plays to Mr. Football caliber
St. Xavier head coach Steve Specht monitors his team before the OHSAA Division I state championship football game between St. Xavier and the Orentanghi Orange on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025.
Orange senior quarterback Levi Davis shows why he is one of eight Mr. Football finalists in Ohio.
He passed for 177 yards and two touchdowns and rushed for 93 yards and a score.
In the first half, he completed 7 of 14 passes for 144 yards and two touchdowns. He scored two touchdowns in the second quarter after the Bombers tied the game at 7.
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Davis, an Ohio University commit, threw for over 2,000 yards, rushed for over 1,000 yards and scored over 30 total touchdowns this season. When he graduated, his total score was nearly 10,000 years and his score exceeded 90 points.
St. Xavier linebacker Kobe Clapper (1) prepares for the OHSAA Division I state championship football game between St. Xavier and Olentangy Orange on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Canton.
Davis, who was also the starting point guard on the state championship basketball team last March, was a regional champion in the long jump (23 feet, 1 ¼ inches) and runner-up in the high jump (6 feet, 6 inches) in track and field last spring, earning an All-Ohio title in the latter.
Specht said Davis is one of the best players he has ever prepared for.
St. Xavier linebacker Aden Reeder (6) tackles Olentangy running back Lucas Fickel (2) during the OHSAA Division I state championship football game between St. Xavier and Olentangy Orange on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Canton.
“I’ve been doing this for about 36 years,” he said. “So, I’ve seen a lot of great players over the years. He’s very dynamic. He’s a very talented young man. He threw the ball well tonight and played well as a receiver.”
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“He’s got a lot of speed on film,” St. Xavier senior Kobe Clapper said. “When you saw him on the court today, you can see he’s super fast and a really good player.”
Orange receiver MC Walker struggles to be covered by St.
The St. Xavier Bombers warm up before their OHSAA Division I state championship football game between St. Xavier and Olentangy Orange on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Canton.
MC Walker, a 6-foot, 175-pound senior, had five catches for 123 yards. He finished his first year with the Trail Blazers after transferring from Westerville North.
He entered the season with several Ivy League and Mid-American offers.
St. Xavier quarterback Jackson Frye runs with the ball between St. Xavier and the Orentanghi Orange during the OHSAA Division I state championship football game on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025, in Canton.
He had three big plays on the Orange’s second touchdown drive to put the Blazers up 14-7.
Walker received a desperation pass from Davis, who was surrounded by multiple bombers. Walker broke through the defense and sprinted 39 yards into the end zone before scoring a touchdown.
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St. Xavier’s Playoff History
December 5, 2025, St. Xavier postgame.
St. X is currently 4-4 in state finals, having won titles in 2005, 2007, 2016 and 2020. This is their fourth runner-up finish since 2001. The Bombers were runners-up in 1992 and 1998. St. Xavier completes its 32nd playoff trip in history with a postseason record of 61-28.
The Bombers defeated Middletown last week to improve to 8-1 in the semifinals.
Salute to Saint Xavier the Elder
The St. Xavier Bombers prepare for the OHSAA Division I state championship football game between St. Xavier and the Olentangy Orange on Friday, December 5, 2025 in Canton.
The Bombers seniors are Kobe Clapper, Brayden Riley, Daniel Vollmer, Jax Hendon, Jake Britt, Rowan Keeley, Aden Reed, Jackson Frey, Cameron Taylor, Brady McDonald, Max Vollmer, Jay Kerson Whitworth, Spencer Stegbauer, Connor Whitefoot, Brodie Giles, Roman Dean, Henry Kachman, Logan Paddock, Brayden Hyland, Alex McClatchy, Connor Baresvelt, Jason Agee Mang-Bochway, Steve North, Chase Nair, David Beblo, Drew Kovacs, Bryce Adams, Irving Hahn, William Schwartz, Cole Blackman, Nick Brady, Ben Adkins, Jack Naylor, Grant Hurst, Will Sweeney, Jack Lange, Cam Carter, Dimitri Bermudez, August Bates, Tommy Wall, Max Origi, Josh Wassler, John Weiss, Reed Duffy, Ben Schmidt and Eddie Stineman.
This article originally appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer: St. Xavier, Olentangy Orange in OHSAA Division I state football finals
