The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Kirtland, Marion Local to clash
Small-school powerhouses meet for second time in three seasons; Hornets won in 2015
If there is one team that has been more of a runaway train of wrecking balls than the Kirtland Hornets over the past six years, it’s the Marion Local Flyers.
Over the past six years, Coach Tim Goodwin’s team is 84-5 (.944) with five state championships, all while playing in the best small-school conference in the state — the Midwest Athletic Conference.
Almost no one has been able to derail the current run of superiority. Almost. On a sunny Saturday morning in Ohio Stadium on Dec. 5, 2015, the Kirtland Hornets
handed the Flyers their only state championship game blemish over the past six years.
Don’t think the Flyers have forgotten.
“Yeah, thanks for reminding me of that one,” Goodwin deadpanned earlier this week on a teleconference.
“Sometimes the ones that get away hurt more than the ones you get feel good.”
The Hornets (14-0) and Flyers (14-0) will renew their rivalry this weekend Dec. 2, in the Division VI state championship game.
Kickoff is set for 10 a.m. at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.
“We’re going to have to play 48 minutes against a quality opponent. A great opponent,” Goodwin said. “We’re going in thinking this is going to be toot-hand-nail to the last two minutes of the game. Whoever can make a play is going to win this thing.”
Marion Local scored on its first two possessions in the 2015 title game and led, 13-0, at the half.
But Kirtland scored 22 unanswered points in the second half and took home a 22-20 victory.
While Marion Local is trying for its sixth state title in the past seven years, Kirtland is seeking its fourth.
Marion Local is coming off a 31-13 state semifinal win over Findlay Liberty-Benton. It was the first time since Oct. 20 that a team had scored on the Flyers, breaking a streak of four consecutive shutouts.
Combine that with a tough, physical offense led by quarterback Nate Bruns, who has thrown for more than 2,000 yards this season, and Marion Local is as dangerous as ever, despite having only two starters back from last year’s state championship team.
“They don’t have any weaknesses,” Kirtland coach Tiger LaVerde said.
“They have good size, their linebackers are very good, they are quick and athletic.”
While Bruns throws effectively, his top targets being Matt Rethman, Nick Tangeman and Derek Ruhenkamp, it’s a vaunted running attack that is Marion Local’s staple.
A stable of backs, including Alex Partington, Nolan Habodasz and Jack Buening, runa effectively behind a line that includes 6-5, 300-pound Notre Dame recruit John Dirksen.
“Offensively, they throw the ball with great efficiency and run the ball with very good effectiveness,” LaVerde said. “It’s going to be a tough battle for our kids. Our kids are going to have to play better than they have all year.”
Goodwin has similar praise for LaVerde’s Hornets, who demolished Nelsonville-York, 44-0, in a
state semifinal last weekend.
Second-team all-Ohioans Joey Torok and Jake Neibecker have both run for more than 1,400 yards behind a big and physical offensive line that includes 5-11, 240 first team all-Ohioan Brett Diemer and reliable center Austin Fulco (6-2, 230).
Goodwin said his team historically has shut down running games and forced the opposition to get away from their game plan, which doesn’t work against Kirtland.
“The big thing about Kirtland is their style of play. You just don’t see that, hardly ever,” Goodwin said. “If you stop them, like we found a few years ago, they’re not going to panic. They’re not going to start doing things they’re not good at.”
Kirtland continues to run the ball.
“In this day and age, they’re unique,” Goodwin said. “If we played them 15, 20 years ago, it would be easier to prepare for because you see that style more often and kids are used to that kind of play.
“They have two running backs who are very good, a very good quarterback and a big, strong O-line. The defense is aggressive and active. They’re a good team, no doubt about it.”
While Marion Local is 84-5 (.944) over the past six years, Kirtland is right on their heels at 82-5 (.943).
Two small-school juggernauts going head-to-head. Just like they did two years ago.
“As usual, we have to block, tackle and turnovers. That’s what we are talking about,” LaVerde said. “We’re going to have to block well, tackle well and not turn the ball over (in order to win).”