by Canton, OH: The Coldwater Cavaliers (15-1) took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter and never looked back, dispatching Kirtland (15-1) 31-7 in the OHSAA Division VI Championship game. Senior running back Miles Pottkotter had a huge game for the Cavaliers, running for 127 yards and a score. Baylen Blockberger got the job done with his arm and legs, throwing for 133 yards and two touchdowns, adding another 24 yards rushing.
First Half
After neither team could get their offense rolling to start, Coldwater started their second drive back up on their 23. They wouldn’t be there long as Baylen Blockberger found Cadin Obringer down the sideline for a huge 55-yard gain. Four plays later, Miles Pottkotter took the handoff 14 yards for a Coldwater touchdown late in the first.
On their next possession, the Cavaliers would march down the field again. It appeared as if Kirtland would force a punt but two defenders ran into the punter, giving Coldwater a first down to keep the drive alive. On 3rd & goal from the 4, Blockberger hit Mason Welsch in the endzone for a Cavalier touchdown, extending their lead to 14-0.
Coldwater would get the ball one more time in the half, starting on their 27 with just over three minutes remaining. A 39-yard completiong from Blockberger to Obringer set the Cavaliers up deep in Hornet territory. On the very next play, Blockberger found Welsch once again, this time a 17-yard touchdown to put Coldwater up 21-0 at the half.
Second Half
Coldwater marched down the field to open the third but were forced to punt after crossing midfield. After a punt nailed them deep at their five yard line, Kirtland fumbled the ball in their own endzone and it was recovered by Noah Welsch for a Cavaliers touchdown.
After the defense forced another four-and-out, Coldwater took over possession at the Kirtland 44. The Cavaliers moved methodically down the field, eating up over four minutes of clock and extending their lead to 31-0 on a 24-yard field goal from Bryce Couchot.
With a running clock in effect, Kirtland turned in their best drive of the game. Starting on their 24-yard line, the Hornets covered 76 yards in eight plays, getting in the endzone on an 11-yard run from Jake LaVerde. Both teams would receive a pair of possessions but neither could convert it into points. When the final whistle blew, Coldwater walked away with a 31-7 victory, their 8th title in school history.
Top Performers
Kirtland Hornets
Jake LaVerde: 4-11 44 yards 13 carries 80 yards TD
John Silvestro: 8 carries 49 yards
Danny Alfieri: 11 carries 40 yards
Coldwater Cavaliers
Baylen Blockberger: 8-12 133 yards 2 TD 6 carries 24 yards
Miles Pottkotter: 23 carries 127 yards TD
Caden Obringer: 2 catches 94 yards
Mason Welsch: 3 catches 18 yards 2 TD
