by Mantua, Ohio – The visiting Kirtland Hornets defeated the Crestwood Red Devils, 37-6, in Chagrin Valley Conference play Friday night at Jack Lambert Stadium.
Crestwood won the toss and elected to defer to the second half, giving Kirtland the ball to kick off the game. Two plays later, the Red Devils came up with a huge play on defense as Wyatt Januska picked off a Max Paul pass.
They would find the end zone as Charlie Sommer connected with Januska on a 38-yard touchdown toss. The two-point try was no good, and Crestwood maintained a 6-0 lead with 5:40 left in the first quarter.
Kirtland would respond on their very next drive, finishing with a one-yard touchdown run from senior running back Danny Alfieri. He also ran in the ensuing two-point try, giving Kirtland an 8-6 lead with 2:49 left in the first quarter.
Crestwood looked to re-take the lead, moving the ball into the red zone, but failed to convert on fourth down, giving the ball back to Kirtland on downs. Utilizing a no-huddle offense, the Hornets found the end zone once again. Danny Alfieri ran in for a 15-yard touchdown. The PAT was good and Kirtland increased their lead to 15-6 midway through the second quarter.
After forcing a Crestwood punt, Kirtland would find the end zone once again, thanks to their no-huddle offense. John Silvestro rushed for a two-yard touchdown. This would increase the Hornet lead to 22-6 with 2:09 left in the second quarter.
The Hornets would keep this margin heading into halftime.
Kirtland’s defense held up its end of the bargain as well, forcing Crestwood to punt once again. Bryce Bennett pinned the Hornets at the 2.
The Red Devils would force their second turnover of the game, as Wyatt Januska picked off another Max Paul pass. Kirtland would come up with a stop, as senior defensive lineman Matthew Kahley came up with a sack. This would force another Crestwood punt.
The Hornets ground game continued to impress, as junior tailback John Silvestro found the end zone from 13 yards out. The ensuing two-point conversion would increase the lead to 30-6 with 13 seconds left in the third.
Kirtland would score one more time as Danny Alfieri scored from nine yards out to increase the lead to 37-6 with 7:09 to play for the final margin.
Kirtland came into Friday night’s matchup 8-0, having clinched the #1 seed in Division VI, Region 21 according to JoeEitel.com. Crestwood came in 13th in Division V, Region 17 according to JoeEitel.com.
Kirtland hosts Cardinal on Friday, October 25th, to conclude the regular season.
Crestwood hosts Fairview on Friday, October 25th, to conclude the regular season.
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