MARIA STEIN — Marion Local continued its historic run Friday night, edging rival Coldwater 7-6 to clinch the Midwest Athletic Conference title and extend the nation’s longest active high school football winning streak.

After a scoreless first half, Coldwater broke through late in the third quarter when Bryce Couchot connected on a 40-yard field goal to give the Cavaliers a 3-0 lead. But Marion Local wasted no time answering. On the ensuing kickoff, Andrew Schmakers found a seam and raced all the way back for a touchdown, flipping the momentum and putting the Flyers ahead 7-3.

Coldwater later added another field goal to close the gap to one, but Marion Local’s defense and clock management sealed the victory. On a crucial second-and-nine late in the fourth quarter, Brayden Mescher picked up the first down, staying in bounds to help the Flyers run out the clock.

With the 7-6 win, Marion Local completed its sixth consecutive undefeated regular season and added another MAC championship to its storied tradition.

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