Cincinnati football’s unbeaten high school state champions

On Dec 22, 2021

Running the table is not easy to do in any sport. It takes skill, health, and a lot of times luck.

Going undefeated in a league is a great accomplishment. But, finishing a season unblemished is truly rare. For most athletes on most teams, the final game is often a loss.

In Ohio high schools, most qualify for the postseason and you play until you’re eliminated. That means eventually there’s just one team standing in each division.

Moeller coach Gerry Faust rallies the troops before a game.

In Southwest Ohio, 17 football teams have won every game and finished with a trophy since the Ohio High School Athletic Association started putting on official state championships in 1973.

Moeller leads the way with six perfect seasons. St. Xavier and Wyoming have each done it twice. Here are the 17.

Bishop Fenwick – 1974

In Class A, Fenwick went 11-0-1 under coach Jerry Harkrader, defeating Fremont St. Joseph Central Catholic 21-0 at Upper Arlington. Sophomore Mike Harkrader, the son of the coach, scored all three touchdowns. It actually was their second consecutive state championship but first with an unbeaten record.

Moeller – 1975

In Class AAA, Moeller won its first under coach Gerry Faust finishing 12-0 with a 14-12 victory over Lakewood St. Edward at the Akron Rubber Bowl. Senior fullback Mike Burns had both touchdowns.

Moeller – 1976

Moeller rolled to another 12-0 in Class AAA under Faust and wiped out Gahanna Lincoln 43-5 in Akron. The Crusaders’ defense gave up just 40 points total in their dozen victories. Quarterback Tim Koegel was AP Back of the Year and Jim Brown was Lineman of the Year.

Moeller and Wyoming – 1977

Moeller made it three perfect seasons with another 12-0 in Class AAA. Gerry Faust’s squad defeated Canton McKinley 14-2 on a windy, snowy night in Akron.

In Class AA, Wyoming won its first state championship under Bob Lewis. The Cowboys finished 11-0 defeating Elyria Catholic 26-14 in Akron. Wyoming also finished 10-0 in 1978, only to be kept out of the playoffs by Badin who had earned more computer points.

Princeton – 1978

Princeton got the local Class AAA nod in 1978 when the Vikings went 11-0 under coach Pat Mancuso and beat Berea 12-10 at Dayton’s Welcome Stadium. Gary Nagel hit Robert King for the winning score. However, Ken Weber’s field goal to beat Moeller 13-12 before that game was widely considered the play of the year.

Moeller – 1979

Moeller was back in the saddle in Class AAA in ’79 with another 12-0 mark under Faust and a 41-7 pasting of Parma Padua Franciscan in Akron. Eric Ellington was the AAA Back of the Year and Moeller’s defense held opponents to 49 points that season.

Moeller – 1980

In his final year with the Crusaders, Faust again went 12-0 defeating Massillon Washington 30-7 at the University of Cincinnati’s Nippert Stadium. Mark Brooks, who followed Faust to Notre Dame, had four touchdowns.

Moeller – 1982

In his first year as Moeller coach, Steve Klonne went 13-0 as the Crusaders again beat Massillon Washington 35-14, this time at Ohio State’s Ohio Stadium. Future Penn State quarterback John Shaffer had two touchdown passes and brothers Hiawatha and D’Juan Francisco both had rushing touchdowns. Both would move on to play for Gerry Faust at Notre Dame.

More:Moeller vs. Princeton football: Historic rivals meet for first time in 28 years

CAPE – 1985

In Division IV at the old Cincinnati Academy of Physical Education, Steve Sheehan led the CAPE Crusaders to a 14-0 record and a state title with a win over Louisville St. Thomas Aquinas 27-0 at Ohio Stadium. That team featured future Ohio State Buckeyes Carlos Snow and Vinnie Clark.

Purcell Marian – 1986

In Division II, Coach Herb Woeste’s Purcell Marian Cavaliers went 14-0 beating Willoughby South 26-7 for the state title at Ohio Stadium. Purcell Marian was not ranked in any preseason polls but pulled off perfection, which included overtime wins over Fairfield and Moeller.

Colerain – 2004

Colerain had a 15-0 Division I season under Coach Kerry Coombs, which ended with a 50-10 win over Canton McKinley at Canton’s Fawcett Stadium. Future Cincinnati Bearcat Dominick Goodman ran for 259 yards and four touchdowns from the quarterback position for the Cardinals.

Colerain might have had another opportunity in 1995 when they were 13-0 heading to a state final against Cleveland St. Ignatius. The school self-reported an ineligible player, resulting in forfeiture.

St. Xavier – 2005

In Division I, Steve Specht’s St. Xavier Bombers went 15-0 beating Massillon Washington 24-17 in Canton. Future Louisville Cardinal Darius Ashley had 153 yards rushing and a touchdown.

St. Xavier – 2007

St. Xavier and Specht had another 15-0 Division I run and defeated Mentor 27-0 in the title game. Among the stars of that Bomber squad was Greg Scruggs who went onto Louisville, then won a Super Bowl with the Seahawks. He’s now a UC assistant coach. Former Carolina Panther Luke Kuechly was a junior.

Clinton-Massie – 2012

Clinton-Massie, playing in Division IV, was 15-0 in 2012 under coach Dan McSurely. They won their championship game 46-36 over St. Clairsville in Canton.

Loveland – 2013

Loveland had a magical year in Division II by going 15-0 under first-year coach Fred Cranford. The Tigers defeated Cleveland Glenville in the snow at Canton, 41-23. Freshman Luke Waddell ran for 175 yards and the game’s first touchdown. Senior Gunnar Gambill had 115 yards and two scores. The Tigers led 34-0 at halftime and never looked back.

Wyoming – 2018

In Division IV, coach Aaron Hancock’s Wyoming Cowboys gave the community its first state title since 1977 by finishing 15-0. The Cowboys defeated Girard 42-14 in Canton. Current Cincinnati Bearcat Evan Prater ran for 242 yards and three touchdowns and was 6-for-11 passing for 149 yards and two touchdowns to Joey Edmonds.

So close in 2021

It might have been Badin who fell 1:05 short of perfection when Chardon scored to defeat them in the 2021 Division III championship game. The Rams finished 14-1. In Division IV, Clinton-Massie started the season with a loss, then won 13 straight games for this year’s title. Winton Woods, the Division II state champion, finished 11-3.