by KIRTLAND, Ohio – Another season opener in the books equals another win for the Kirtland Hornets. The Hornets started the 2021 season in the same way that they have started the last 12 seasons… with a win.
The reigning Division V state champion, Kirtland dispatched the Harvey Red Raiders 50-6 on Friday (Aug. 20) night, extending their current winning streak to 42 games. The streak is now tied for the seventh longest streak in OHSAA history.
The new-look Hornets looked like the old Hornets as they tallied 524 yards of total offense against the Red Raiders defense. Gage Sullivan caught five passes with four touchdowns, highlighting the offensive attack.
Kirtland wasted little time on their first drive of the game, capping a five-play, 61 yard drive with a rushing touchdown. Tommy Gogolin made it 6-0 on a four-yard touchdown scamper. Sullivan added a two-point conversion for an 8-0 lead with 8:24 left in the first quarter.
Ramon Lescano picked off Harvey quarterback Rick Coleman Jr. four minutes later on the next Red Raider drive. Two plays later, Lescano connected with Sullivan on a 72-yard touchdown pass. Kirtland’s lead grew to 15-0 with 4:09 left in the first.
Before the first quarter came to a close, Sullivan added his second score of the game. Lescano found the senior wideout with a ten-yard score. The Hornets led 22-0 after one frame.
The Red Raiders started the second quarter with an offensive drive, leading to a score. Coleman Jr. completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Davon Badley as the score was 22-6 with 9:32 remaining in the second quarter.
21 seconds elapsed before the Hornets found pay dirt again. Mason Rus broke through the defense with a 51-yard touchdown run for a 29-6 lead in the second quarter.
Coleman Jr. brought the Red Raiders to a short field with a great kickoff return. Will Sayle ended the drive with an interception, the second pick for the Hornets defense.
Pierce Boyd entered the game and stepped in for a Sullivan touchdown. Boyd found Sullivan for a 12-yard score, his third score of the evening. The score turned into a 36-6 lead with 6:54 left.
Five minutes later, it was rinse and repeat for Boyd and Sullivan. Another 12-yard touchdown pass gave the Hornets a 43-6 lead one minute before halftime.
Both teams had one drive each in the third quarter, as the game remained a running clock into the fourth quarter.
Tyler Turk capped the scoring with a nine-yard touchdown run with 3:34 left, ending the game at 50-6.
Kirtland tallied 524 yards on 45 plays, including 340 rushing yards and 184 passing yards. The Hornets averaged 11.6 yards per play and 23 yards per pass completion between two quarterbacks. Both Lescano and Boyd each threw two touchdowns and combined to complete eight of ten passes. The rushing attack had ten different rushees combine for 340 yards. Rus led the way with 134 yards on seven carries with one touchdown.
Harvey totaled 181 yards of total offense with 66 rushing yards and 115 yards passing. Coleman Jr. completed 11 of 21 passes with one touchdown and two interceptions. Badley caught five passes for 56 yards and one score.
Kirtland will travel to Lutheran West next week while the Red Raiders will host Jefferson at Jack Britt Memorial Stadium.
Player of the Game: Gage Sullivan, Kirtland – 5 catches, 132 yards, 4 receiving TD
