Hear from Indian Valley Football Coach Matt Lancaster
CANTON – The Indian Valley Braves football team can do something Saturday that no other Tuscarawas County team has ever done – win a state championship on the field.
Tuscarawas County schools have won the so-called mythical state titles that decades ago were decided by AP votes and not on the field. The 2024 class of the Tuscarawas County Sports Hall of Fame includes the 1965 Dover Saint Joseph Class A State Championship football team, but that 9-0 squad won the award by being ranked No. 1 on the associated press poll at the end of the season. The state football tournaments began in 1972.
The Braves can win the division IV state title by beating Sandusky Perkins Saturday at 7:30 p.m. at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton. You can listen to the Braves’ state championship game Saturday night on WTUZ 99.9 FM. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30.
Indian Valley got there by beating Cincinnati Taft this past Friday 29-20 for the Braves’ unprecedented 15th win of the season with no losses.
Coach Matt Lancaster was on WJER with Bill Morgan this week, addressing his team’s comeback from down 14-0 early.
He talked about the historic significance in Tuscarawas County.
Lancaster said at least one of his players knew they could make it this far.
Runningback Grady Kinsey is first in Ohio and sixth in the country with 3,031 rushing yards. He’s an Ohio Mr. Football candidate. The winner will be announced on Thursday at 4 p.m. prior to the state championship games.
Ryker Williams shared the Big Z Sports Player of the Game award in the state semifinal game by making big plays at quarterback and on defense.
However, the entire defense has excelled in the playoffs, shutting opponents in six of the last eight quarters they played against top competition.
The offensive linemen are also unsung heroes.
Lancaster talked about this Saturday’s opponent – 14-1 Sandusky Perkins, which won a state title in 1999 but hasn’t been back to the state tournament since.
Again, listen to the Braves play in the state championship Saturday night on WTUZ 99.9FM.
Here is some information on attending the game from the Indian Valley Athletic Booster Club:
Information regarding the Div. IV State Final Fb Game on Saturday Dec. 7 @ 7:30 PM at Tom Benson HOF Stadium. Tickets must be purchased at https://www.ohsaa.org/tickets Below are a few items to know before you go.
THE STADIUM HAS A CLEAR BAG POLICY.
Cowbells are permitted but milk jugs or bottles containing rocks, etc. are prohibited.
NO TAILGATING, NO ALCOHOL, NO RV’S, EACH VEHICLE GETS ONE PARKING STALL.
Tom Benson Code of Conduct ( list of permitted and not permitted items)
Please view the map for Parking Information. You are not allowed to park on the street around the stadium. Parking is $10 (cash/card).
LINK TO CODE OF CONDUCT: https://drive.google.com/…/19_QZC2VCs477VfS…/view…
LINK TO PARKING MAP: https://drive.google.com/…/1_u8eFm…/view…