SHELBY — Kael Lewis had only rushed for one touchdown all season entering Hillsdale’s Division VII state semifinal football game.
The Falcons’ quarterback doubled that number en route to a 25-22 victory Friday over Danville (12-3) — punching Hillsdale’s (14-1) ticket to a state title game next week against Maria Stein Marion Local.
Lewis rushed for two TDs on carries of eight and three yards, the latter being the game’s decisive score at the 10:29 mark of the fourth quarter. He also completed 18-of-27 passes for 237 yards and two scores.
But the sophomore’s game goes beyond statistics.
Swarmed by hugs from teammates as tears streaked his face, it was clear Lewis is respected as the Falcons’ leader.
(These photos were taken by Diane Bemiller)
“For a sophomore to step up in moments like this, it is so impressive,” said Hillsdale coach Trevor Cline. “From what I’ve seen from him this year, the more pressure there is to a situation the more he rises to the challenge.
“It is definitely neat to watch how he’s grown throughout the year and whenever there’s a big moment, he will step up and make plays for us.”
Lewis left speechless after Final Four win
Lewis struggled to find the words to describe his exact emotions after Friday’s win.
It was understandable.
The Falcons will make their first state championship game appearance next week. In fact, the entire Ashland-area – 10 schools in total – has just five appearances in the state Final Four — despite more than a half-century of Ohio high school football playoffs.
Friday’s win also gave Hillsdale the area record for single-season wins – surpassing the 1990 Loudonville Redbirds (13-1), the only team in area history to play in a state championship game.
“We’ve been working for this all year, all winter and all off-season,” Lewis said. “We’re finally booking our trip to Canton.
“We’ve been looking to do this (make a state title game) for our entire lives.”
Over the course of this autumn, Lewis has completed 180-of-278 passes for nearly 3,000 yards and 35 TDs.
His consistency in rising to the occasion is something Cline said fosters confidence on any given Friday.
“A lot of times your team is going to respond how your quarterback responds — and Kael (Lewis) always does a good job,” he said. “You never see panic in his eyes.
“If the going is going good, he’s going to be the same as if things aren’t going well. He’s just very resilient and our guys respond to that.
“It just shows his character, too. I know our players respect him for that. He’s been impressive this year and I’m extremely proud of him.”
Block out the noise
Awaiting Lewis and the Falcons is the program’s most difficult opponent to date.
Maria Stein Marion Local extended its win streak to 63 games Friday, defeating Columbus Grove 41-6 at Lima’s Spartan Stadium in the other Division VII state semifinal. Hillsdale and the Flyers will meet in Canton at 10:30 a.m. next Friday for the Division VII state championship.
Lewis said blocking out the noise will be important for his team during the upcoming week — when the Falcons will be a decided underdog.
“Everyone told us before the season we had no chance at going to state and now we’re going to Canton,” he said. “All the pressure is on them (Marion Local).
“We’re just going to go out there and do what we’ve done all season and see what happens.”
