Key Takeaways
- St. Frances Academy defeated Corner Canyon 37-20 in the inaugural Overtime Nationals championship game at Under Armour Stadium in Baltimore
- The winning school received a $250,000 donation alongside the national title
- The game marked the first nationally televised ESPN high school football broadcast in Maryland history
- Overtime Media confirmed the event will return in 2026 with a second annual championship game
- St. Frances Academy became Maryland’s first nationally recognized high school football champion
New National Championship Game Launches in Baltimore
Overtime Media and Omaha Productions brought high school football’s first standalone national championship game to Under Armour Stadium on Wednesday night, with third-ranked St. Frances Academy defeating 21st-ranked Corner Canyon 37-20. The Panthers controlled the game from start to finish, securing Baltimore’s first nationally recognized high school football title.
ESPN’s Dan Orlovsky called the broadcast and emphasized the event’s focus on celebrating high school programs. “To see the young men that are going to be a major part of college and celebrate them as high school players. Celebrate their programs and their coaches as leaders. High school football is the best,” Orlovsky said.
Corner Canyon head coach Eric Kjar acknowledged the challenge his team faced after not playing since their November 20 Utah Class 6A state championship game. St. Frances Academy last played November 1. “It was a great opportunity for us,” Kjar told Rivals. “Obviously very grateful to come out here and Overtime having us come out here was awesome by them. They are a great team. They deserve everything they get.”
Historic Milestone for Maryland High School Football
St. Frances Academy head coach Messay Hailemariam highlighted two significant firsts for Maryland high school football. The game was the first nationally televised ESPN high school football broadcast in Maryland history, and St. Frances became the first team from the state to claim a national championship.
“It feels unbelievable,” Hailemariam said. “The reality of this is football is just an amazing process. To see them accomplish this goal. To see that type of effort and culmination of work, to get rewarded with this victory is unbelievable. Historically, we were the first team out of Maryland to be ranked No. 1 nationally, ever.”
Financial Incentive Included With Title
The winning school received a $250,000 donation alongside the championship trophy, creating financial stakes uncommon in high school sports competitions. The donation provides immediate value to St. Frances Academy’s athletic programs and facilities.
Overtime General Manager of Football Hunter Mandel said the inaugural event established a foundation for annual competition. “The inaugural Overtime Nationals delivered exactly what we set out to build: a true national stage where the country’s best high school football programs can compete for something meaningful,” Mandel said. “Tonight set a new standard for what championship-level high school football can look like.”
Event Confirmed for 2026 Return
Overtime Media announced immediately after the game that a second Overtime Nationals championship will take place in 2026. The selection process for next year’s competing teams has not been disclosed.
The inaugural game drew attention to the possibility of crowning high school football national champions through head-to-head competition rather than ranking systems. How Overtime Media approaches team selection and whether they expand participation remains to be seen as the event moves into its second year.
via: Rivals / Andy Villamarzo
photo: Overtime IG
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