May 10, 2024
Football / High School / Written Content

Kirtland’s Remarkable Run Continues With Regional Title, 49-35

Tyler Stotskyby Tyler Stotsky

MENTOR, Ohio – For the ninth time in ten years, the Kirtland Hornets are headed back to the State Semifinals after yet another Regional title win.

The Kirtland Hornets extended their winning streak to 39 games with a 49-35 victory over the South Range Raiders on Saturday (Nov. 7) at Jerome T. Osborne Sr. Stadium. The Hornets claimed the Division V, Region 17 title to advance to the final four of Division V.

The Hornets got numerous big plays from the offensive unit and picked up stops on defense when needed.

Head Coach Tiger LaVerde was pleased with the offensive’s prowess during the game, “We moved the ball well to where we didn’t punt. Offensively, I think we did a great job. We got just enough turnovers and stops to win the game… it wasn’t our best night defensively but we did enough to win.”

After Kirtland got a stop on a fake punt during the first drive of the game, the Hornets wasted little time to respond. On the first play, Liam Powers completed a pass to Anthony DeMarco from 62 yards out. Kirtland took the early lead over the Raiders with 8:11 left in the first quarter.

South Range responded nearly six minutes later with a score to pull close to the Hornets. QB Michael Patrone converted two fourth down plays and capped the 12 play drive with a one-yard touchdown run. The extra point try was blocked, allowing Kirtland’s lead to remain 7-6.

The Hornets used the air to set the tone early. The second play of the next drive was another long touchdown pass from Powers. This time, Joey Grazia beat the coverage and scored a 65-yard touchdown. Kirtland led 14-6 as the first quarter came to a close.

Following a South Range punt, Kirtland started with the ball deep in their own territory. Powers and the offense charged 95 yards in just six plays to cash in on a score. Mason Sullivan set up the drive with a 68-yard run. Powers later connected with Mason Rus for a 33-yard pass play as Kirtland was in the red zone.

Powers used a one-yard QB keeper to cap the 95-yard drive as Kirtland’s lead grew to 21-6 with ten minutes left before halftime.

Patrone found Connor Jones for a three-yard touchdown pass, pulling the Raiders within one possession late in the second quarter.

Kirtland ended the first half with a nine play (all rushes) drive that concluded in a four-yard touchdown run from Sullivan. Sullivan scored on a fourth down and two, giving the Hornets a 28-13 lead at the intermission.

Sullivan touched the ball on six of the first eight plays in the third quarter for Kirtland as the Hornets added another rushing score. Sullivan found a hole and broke a tackle to score from 22-yards away for a 35-13 lead over the Raiders.

Three minutes later, South Range came within two possessions on a six-yard rushing touchdown from Dylan Dominguez. The two-point try was no good as the deficit sat at 35-19.

South Range got Kirtland to turn the ball over on downs before striking for another touchdown early in the fourth quarter. Patrone connected with Cory Penick in the corner of the end zone from six yards away for six points. Dominguez notched the two-point try on an option play. Kirtland’s lead shrunk to 35-27 with 11:17 left.

Kirtland combined for a near five minute drive, solidifying a response to South Range’s last score. The Hornets passed the ball and ran it as well, chewing clock. After a sack, Powers found Grazia down the sideline for 43-yards.

 

Six plays later, Powers called his own number on a four-yard keeper. Kirtland gained some breathing room with over five minutes on the clock, 42-27.

With the momentum on Kirtland’s side, Grazia added to it with an interception of Patrone late in the game. Grazia returned the ball inside the ten, allowing Kirtland to add on points.

Anthony DeMarco made it a 49-27 game with an one-yard touchdown run. Kirtland was closing in on another regional title win.

Patrone renewed his connection to Jones as South Range made one last effort to get back into the game. This 29-yard TD pass and corresponding two-point try got the Raiders within 14 points with three minutes to go.

Kirtland recovered the onside kick and was able to run out the clock, securing the 49-35 win over the Raiders.

Kirtland’s offense totaled over 500 yards in the game with monster games on both the rushing and passing fronts. The Hornets added 222 yards passing to a 282-yard rushing effort. Powers was five-of-seven passing with 222 yards and two touchdowns along with 18 rushing yards and two rushing scores. Sullivan carried the load on offense as he ran for 241 yards on 28 touches and two touchdowns. DeMarco tallied 83 total yards (62 receiving & 21 rushing). Grazia caught two passes for 108 yards.

“Liam [Powers] deserves a lot of credit tonight. He threw a lot of great balls, he’s a big reason why we ended up with 49 points. Mason did phenomenal today.”

South Range ended the game with 360 yards of offense, a lot of it ran through Patrone (289 yards). He completed 15 of 23 passes for 209 yards and three touchdowns (one interception) while rushing for 80 yards. Dominguez ran 14 times for 66 yards and two touchdowns. Luke Blasko was Patrone’s leading receiver (five catches, 54 yards).

LaVerde spoke about the Raiders after the game, “Coach [Dan] Yeagley does a great job over there. They have great offensive players in a tough scheme. They hurt us tonight by moving the ball up and down the field and scoring a lot of points.

The matchups and locations for the Division V State bracket will be released later Sunday in regards to who and where that Kirtland will play next Saturday (Nov. 14).

Tyler Stotsky

View all posts by Tyler Stotsky →

You might also like

Wind & Run Too Much For Browns To Stop In 16-6 Loss To Las Vegas

10 Shows That Need To Come To The WWE Network

Hudson routs Twinsburg 56-13, clinches share of Suburban League National Division title

One thought on “Kirtland’s Remarkable Run Continues With Regional Title, 49-35”

Leave a Reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.