by The Kirtland Hornets and Dalton Bulldogs were set to face off in the Regional Championship at Serpentini Chevrolet Stadium in North Royalton. With bad weather and a week 1 rematch, everyone knew they were in store for a gritty game of football. Kirtland took the week 1 matchup, 55-34, however this time it was a bit different. This time around Kirtland easily took care of business. This was thanks to Danny Alfieri who ran for 198 yards and 4 touchdowns. The Hornets took home the region 21 championship by a score of 41-6.
Kirtland deferred the opening toss giving Dalton the ball to start. It didn’t last long however as the Hornets forced a 3 and out giving their offense the ball at the opponent 40 yard line. The Hornets wasted no time scoring as they did it in just two plays with a 32 yard touchdown from bruiser back Danny Alfieri. After a missed PAT the Hornets went up 6-0 with 9:32 left in the first.
The struggles continued for the Bulldogs as just 2 plays after the score they turned the ball over on a backwards pass fumble. The ball was recovered by the Hornets and they got right back to the run game. Danny Alferi took 3 rushes on this drive for 30 yards and a score. The touchdown was from 14 yards out and after a failed 2 point try the score was 12-0 Hornets early in the first.
Needing some momentum Dalton finally got their run game working. They managed to get deep into Hornet territory but were facing a 4th and inches. Going for a QB sneak the Bulldogs were unsuccessful, giving the ball back to the Hornets. They would get the ball back after a Brady Hignight interception, but another failed 4th down would come off that drive.
The next Hornet drive was much of the same. They slashed down the field with Alfieri, picking up multiple first downs until they reached the 44 yard line. Alfieri broke one to the outside and broke the game open with his 3rd score. After a successful 2 point try the Hornets went up 20-0 with 8:11 left in the half.
Disaster continued for the Bulldogs as quarterback Carter Hignight threw an interception to senior defensive back Jack Lessick. After getting the ball back Alfieri got right back to work. This drive was highlighted by a 19 yard run where he landed a monster truck on a Bulldog defensive back. He finished the drive off with a 1 yard touchdown, giving Kirtland a 28-0 lead with 3:20 left in the half.
The first half finished off with another Jack Lessick interception. Kirtland ran the rest of the clock and went into halftime up 28-0, thanks to 4 Danny Alfieri first half touchdowns.
The Hornets started the half with the ball and continued the ground onslaught. After a few plays, halfback John Silvestro broke a few tackles and broke a run for a 47 yard touchdown. This extended the lead to 34-0 early in the third quarter.
Kirtland got the ball back after more great defense and started milking the already running clock because they were up by 30 or more. While running the clock, Alfieri made an uncharacteristic mistake, fumbling the ball away at midfield. The ball was recovered by the Bulldogs, who were not desperate to put points up on the board.
Unfortunately for them, the Hornet defense forced another 4 and out. They continued to run clock as they drove down the field until they ultimately got back into the endzone. This time by way of a 9 yard rush from sophomore Sebastian Becker, making the game 41-0 with 7 minutes left in the game.
On the penultimate drive of the game the Dalton Bulldogs finally got into the endzone. Quarterback Carter Hignight ran it in from 4 yards out and made the game 41-6, which is where this one would end at.
With this win, Kirtland wins region 21.
