Kirtland has a history with Midwest Athletic Conference opponents, especially when it comes to recent state championship games.
After coming up just short to Versailles in 2021 and Marion Local in 2022, the Hornets were ready for a breakthrough performance.
A breakthrough is exactly what they got, as Kirtland went on to defeat Versailles 32-15 on a rainy Friday in Canton.
Weather Plays A Factor Early
After winning the coin toss and electing to receive, Versailles was hoping to impose its will early. However, the Tigers were forced to quickly punt after a fumble on second down and an incompletion on third down.
With a cold, steady rain continuing to fall, Kirtland survived two fumbles of their own to score first. The second loose ball was jumped on in the end zone by Gino Blasini after it popped out of the hands of quarterback Jake LaVerde.
2023 Division VI State Championship 🏆
1Q | 7:46
Kirtland – 7
Versailles – 0The first touchdown of this game is a wild one, as Gino Blasini recovers a fumble in the end zone!
Three fumbles so far, all recovered by the offense. This one results in a TD.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/BlskOJPf0A
— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) December 1, 2023
Increasing The Lead
With another defensive stand complete, Kirtland ran their way into the end zone again on a 6-yard carry by standout senior Will Beers.
2023 Division VI State Championship 🏆
1Q | 3:07
Kirtland – 13
Versailles – 0Kirtland strikes again on a 6-yard TD carry by Will Beers!
PAT is blocked.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/YXcr4FQEmI
— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) December 1, 2023
Through one quarter, Kirtland had a 109-47 advantage in total yardage. That was before Versailles gained momentum with a 31-yard touchdown pass from Michael Osborne to AJ Griesdorn.
2023 Division VI State Championship 🏆
2Q | 10:55
Kirtland – 13
Versailles – 7Versailles picks up a much needed score on a 31-yard TD pass from Michael Osborne to AJ Griesdorn.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/3VGpJ0edpc
— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) December 1, 2023
The jubilation from the visitor side of the stadium wouldn’t last long though, as Beers returned the ensuing kickoff 90 yards to put Kirtland in front 19-7.
The return was the longest in the history of the Division VI championship.
Kirtland’s Ground Dominance Continues
The first half saw Kirtland run for 147 yards, all of which came from the trio of Rocco Alfieri, Will Beers, and Jake LaVerde.
This group would continue to dominate in the second half, winding the third quarter clock to 4:23 before a 2-yard Rocco Alfieri touchdown made the score 25-7.
2023 Division VI State Championship 🏆
3Q | 4:23
Kirtland – 25
Versailles – 7After a 72-yard run by Jake LaVerde, Rocco Alfieri scores another Kirtland TD from two yards out. 2-point conversion attempt is unsuccessful.
The Hornets are up big in Canton!@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/i03Ut8Hter
— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) December 1, 2023
This felt like the game-clinching moment for the Hornets. The score came directly after the largest gain of the day, a 72-yard Jake LaVerde run to set up the score.
Kirtland scored its final touchdown in strange but familiar fashion, as Will Sayle jumped on a fumble in the end zone for the Hornets’ second such score of the game.
2023 Division VI State Championship 🏆
4Q | 3:07
Kirtland – 32
Versailles – 7For the second time today, Kirtland recovers their own fumble in the end zone! 🤯
This time, it’s Will Sayle jumping on the ball for a TD.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/awFqF5J2NQ
— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) December 1, 2023
The Hornets would continue to dominate the ground game for the rest of the day, totaling 311 rushing yards to defeat Versailles 32-15.
Kirtland Continues To Climb
With the win, Kirtland notched its seventh state title in school history, all of which have come since 2011.
Kirtland’s seven titles puts them in a tie for ninth most all-time in the state.
With Tiger LaVerde at the helm of this small town program, there is nothing stopping the Hornets from climbing up the state title leaderboard for years to come.
Link To Final Statistics: https://www.statbroadcast.com/
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