Kirtland, Ohio - When you win three OHSAA state football championships and finish as state runners-up twice over the past six seasons, you can call yourself a program.
The Kirtland Hornets, one of the premier small-school football programs in Ohio (currently Division VI), if not the entire Midwest, are firm believers that you sustain success by having the young players in your program carry the same approach and run the same offense and defense that has taken their Varsity to such exceptional heights.
Thursday evening, Kirtland's Freshmen Hornets unleashed that oh so familiar relentless running game early and often and went on to a 44-0 victory over Saint Ignatius' Freshmen Blue Team.
The ninth-grade Hornets also were spending a lot of time in the 'Cats' offensive backfield, courtesy of their pressure defense. That defense started to make its presence felt after Saint Ignatius, behind a strong return with the opening kickoff by Cole Smith, took possession at its 40-yard line.
After Kirtland forced a punt, the 'Cats' defense was unable to cope with the running of Mason Sullivan, who powered and cut his way over the left side for a 25-yard touchdown run that saw him leap over a would-be-tackler inside the 10. Sullivan also did the honors on the Hornets' 2-point conversion by again taking a power route in the left lane that was created by his offensive line.
Despite an exceptional punt by the 'Cats' Declan Mangan, who was backed up near the end line of the Saint Ignatius end zone, Kirtland just kept pounding away with its rushing attack en route to improving its record to 3-1.
When it wasn't Sullivan, Anthony DeMarco and Carson Andonian were taking turns ripping off big yards, gallops that stretched the Hornets' lead to 38-0 by halftime. Enter the running clock in the second half.
Among those showing the way for Kirtland's defense were Brad Davis, Liam Powers and Nico Clayton.
The now 0-3 Blue 'Cats had some moments to hopefully build upon, including another second-effort kickoff return by Smith, a reception by John Becker that appeared to have touchdown written on it until an official ruled that John did not have total control of the ball in the corner of Kirtland's scoreboard end zone, a superb diving catch by Anthony Santagata that gave Saint Ignatius a first-and-goal at the 5 before the clock ran out to end the game, and a completion under heavy pressure from quarterback Michael Mattimore to wide receiver Patrick Kotek.
Up next for the Blue 'Cats is a matchup with Akron Buchtel at Wasmer Field on September 27th. The kickoff is slated for 6 PM.
NOTE: For those many fans who inquired, St. Edward will travel to Wasmer Field on Monday for a 6 PM game that is being designated as a Junior Varsity matchup. The game will feature players from both schools Varsity football programs, players who have dedicated their efforts in practice and on scout teams, but normally don't see a lot of minutes in Varsity games.
Wildcats Hall of Fame Head Coach Chuck Kyle '69 and St. Edward's outstanding Head Coach Tom Lombardo agreed on having such a game, which should be a great benefit to both schools' football programs.
The Wildcats and the Eagles will still compete in their traditional Week 10 Junior Varsity Game, which this year is being played at St. Edward, and of course they will matchup in what could be the area's game of the year in Varsity Football on Oct. 28th at 7 PM in Lakewood Stadium, AKA "The Madhouse on Madison."