Story by Tyler Stotsky
CHESTERLAND, Ohio – The Kirtland Hornets opened the 2018 OHSAA (Ohio High School Athletic Association) playoffs with a bang as they shutout the Steubenville Catholic Central Crusaders 56-0 on Friday (Nov. 2) night at Howell Field at West Geauga High School.
“These guys came out tonight and did a nice job,” said Hornets head coach Tiger Laverde. “We knew if we played well early, we could get away early. The turnover on the opening kickoff didn’t help them and we took advantage. We played well and we have to take it one day at a time.”
After the Crusaders fumbled the opening kickoff, Mason Sullivan recovered it in the Kirtland red zone. Joey Torok broke free on the opening play from scrimmage, scoring from nine yards out. Kirtland started from in front 7-0, 12 seconds into the game.
Kirtland regained the ball after Steubenville Catholic Central went three and out on their first drive. On the second play of the drive, Torok found a hole through the line and powered for a 49 yard touchdown run. The Hornets led 14-0 with 9:52 left in the first quarter.
After fumbles on consecutive plays, Luke Gardner pounced on a Crusaders fumble and returned it four yards for Kirtland’s third touchdown of the night. Kirtland led 21-0 with less than nine minutes to go in the first quarter.
Kirtland took advantage of a short field after a seven play, 12 yard drive by the Crusaders ended in a punt. Tommy Powers scampered 31 yards to the house as Kirtland pushed the advantage to 28-0 just seven minutes into the contest.
On the next Kirtland drive, the Hornets recovered their own fumble but still managed to put points on the board. Powers recovered a fumble on a run and cashed in on a 25 yard touchdown run two plays later. The Hornets were in full advantage after the first quarter, leading 35-0.
Torok struck on the first play of the second quarter as he took a lateral 43 yards to paydirt for his third touchdown of the evening. Kirtland led 42-0 just seconds into the second frame.
Steubenville Catholic Central put together a 16 play, 66 yard drive that spanned six minutes. Facing a fourth and 10 inside the red zone, the Hornets forced an incomplete pass from Justin Hartzell. The Hornets took over on downs but fumbled the ball, giving the Crusaders possession with 4:14 left in the first half.
Kirtland forced a three and out and made quick work on their final drive of the first half. After a pass play from Powers to Sullivan set the table, Powers connected with Torok on a 34 yard TD pass. Kirtland led 49-0 at the intermission.
Kirtland put up 361 yards of total offense in the first half, with 123 passing and 238 rushing despite two turnovers.
The Hornets added a 25 yard touchdown pass from Jonathon Ridgeway to Tommy Drazetic with five minutes left in the third quarter and a 37 yard field goal in the fourth quarter by Mario Rodin. Kirtland rolled into the second round with a 59-0 victory over Steubenville Catholic Central.
Kirtland finished the game with 435 total yards. They ran the ball 33 times for 282 yards and completed seven passes for 153 passing yards.
The Hornets were led by the duo of Powers and Torok. Powers finished 5-for-6 passing with 123 yards and one passing touchdown. He added two touchdowns on his only two carries of the night for 56 yards. Torok finished with 132 yards on six carries and three rushing touchdowns. He also caught one touchdown for 34 yards.
“Tommy is a great quarterback for us. What we do all goes through him, he’s a special talent and we will use him down the stretch,” added Laverde on Powers. “He’s an athletic, and fast quarterback that a lot of people don’t know how good he really is.”
Kirtland will advance to the second round to face Creston Norwayne, who were 52-16 winners over Salineville Southern. That game will be played at a neutral site next Friday (Nov. 9) night.
Player of the Game: Joey Torok, Kirtland RB: 6 carries, 132 rushing yards, three rushing touchdowns, 1 catch, 34 yards, 1 receiving touchdown
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