Avon vs. Walsh Jesuit live score, updates, highlights from OHSAA D-II state semifinal game

Avon vs. Walsh Jesuit live score, updates, highlights from OHSAA D-II state semifinal game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.

The two best teams in Ohio high school football meet on one field Friday night.

It's not even a state final. It's just an OHSAA Division II state semifinal, and it's Avon against Walsh Jesuit in a massive clash at the University of Akron.

Drew Pasteur's Fantastic 50 ranks Avon and Walsh as the Nos. 1 and 2 teams in the state for any division (for reference, D-III Toledo Central Catholic is No. 3, followed by D-I's St. Edwards at No. 4).

It's a matchup with great narratives, too.

Avon is the defending Division II state champion. They made school history last December on a snowy day in Canton.

Walsh hadn't been here in a while. They couldn't get past crosstown rival Archbishop Hoban.

Hoban ended Walsh's season each of the last two years. But this time around, Walsh beat Hoban in the regional final to move on.

This will be Walsh's first appearance in the state semifinal round since the 1999 season, when the Warriors went all the way and won a state title.

MORE: Follow along with the state semifinal between Glenville and Indian Valley

The other D-II semifinal pits Anderson against Big Walnut.

But whoever wins this game in Akron will be the favorite to win the whole thing.

Scroll down for live score and game updates from kickoff to the postgame. Refresh this page for the latest.

AVON 17, WALSH JESUIT 7: 2ND QUARTER

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SECOND QUARTER

- Avon had a screen pass all the way down to the 1-yard line, but a holding penalty backed it up to the 18-yard line for a third-and-6.

- Walsh went for it on fourth-and-4 from its own 48, and Avon knocked the ball down to get the turnover on downs.

- FIELD GOAL AVON. The Eagles stalled inside the 10-yard line. A delay of game backed the field goal attempt up five yards, so it ended up being a 27-yard attempt. The kick was good for Jensen Petro. (Avon 17-7, 5:59 until half)

- INTERCEPTION AVON. Sam Ulery snagged a pass near midfield and returned it back to inside the 30-yard line. Another interception for Avon. Eagles lead 14-7 with about eight minutes until the half.

- David Ternosky took a QB draw up the middle for a key first down run to push the ensuing Walsh drive over midfield with nine minutes until the half.

- TOUCHDOWN AVON. Walsh had second-and-goal at the 5. Caden Clapham picked off the pass off a tip at the 2-yard line and returned it 98 yards for a touchdown. Clapham had fumbled in the first quarter, but he got his redemption. (Avon 14-7)

FIRST QUARTER

- Walsh is in the red zone at the end of the first quarter.

- Walsh's Milan Paris went up for a jump ball on third-and-8 to extend the drive over midfield.

- TOUCHDOWN AVON. Avon made Walsh's failed fourth down pay off. The Eagles found the end zone on a 1-yard Cam Wendell TD run. (7-7, 5:40 1Q)

- Walsh went for it on fourth down and didn't get it, giving Avon the ball at the Walsh 48.

- Avon stopped Walsh after the fumble, but the Eagles didn't get anything going and had to punt it back.

- Walsh forced a fumble on Avon's opening possession to get the ball back.

- TOUCHDOWN WALSH. Milan Paris returned the opening kickoff 95 yards for a touchdown. The Miami (Florida) commit opens the game with a bang. (Walsh, 7-0)

PREGAME

- This should be an incredibly well-attended game at the University of Akron. Walsh and Avon fans won't have too long a trip to support their powerful teams.

- Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.

- It's shaping up as a clear evening in Akron, with potential for a few small snow flurries:

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