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It was the final showdown at Tom Benson Stadium in Canton, Ohio as the Ironton Tigers and the Kirtland Hornets met under the Saturday night lights for the final football frenzy of the 2019 OHSAA Football State Championships.
Kirtland punched their ticket to the Division V game after defeating Oak Harbor 28-14 in the State Semifinals, and Ironton joined the matchup after a big win against West Jefferson 49-21.
The Hornets have made 15 appearances in the play-offs including 3 State Runners-Up finishes (2012, 2014, and 2017) and 4 State Titles (2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018).
The Fighting Tigers have appeared in 35 play-offs including 6 State Runners-Up finishes (1973, 1982, 1988, 1992, 1993, and 1999) and 2 State Championships (1979 and 1989).
Kirtland got the first sting as Liam Powers connected with Gage Sullivan to put the ball on the 27-yard line. Mason Sullivan converted the touchdown run to give the Hornets the lead with Mario Rodin adding the extra point with 10:19 left in the first.
Rodin launched a 21-yard field goal through the uprights to add 3 to the score, and Kirtland managed to hold off a pressing threat by the Tigers as Gage Salyers launched a rocket deep to Jordan Grizzle on the 2-yard line.
Reid Carrico attempted to plow into the end zone, but the defense was firm in their stance as time ticked away into the half and the Hornets stormed toward their locker room riding the high and fueling the fire.
The fire came ablazing in the third as Powers launched an 18-yard touchdown pass to Gage Sullivan. Rodin put up the extra point and the Hornets hiked the score to 17-0.
Salyers put an end to a shut-out pursuit as his 77-yard pass to Grizzle left nothing but green ahead as Ironton picked up the points with 1:02 remaining in the quarter to cut the deficit by 7.
The pass also goes down as the longest touchdown pass in Division V championship game history.
The score remained 17-7 through the fourth quarter, and the Kirtland Hornets rallied together as the 2019 Division V State Champions.
Salyers led the Tigers throwing 7-18 for 205 yards, and Reid Carrico led on the ground rushing 40 yards. Avery Book was solid by going 1/1 with the extra point.
“In my eyes these guys are State Champions,” said Ironton head coach Trevon Pendleton. “The look in these guys’ eyes, I’m so proud of them.”
Powers led Kirtland in the air, throwing 4-5 for 114 yards. Mason Sullivan dominated on the ground rushing 101 yards and punching in one touchdown. Rodin kept the score clean as he sent 2/2 through the forks.
“These guys, they compete and they find a way. I’m proud of them,” said Kirtland head coach Tiger La Virde.
