The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Hornets flex their muscles in lone tuneup
North coach Shawn Dodd has a warning of sorts for the six teams on Kirtland’s schedule, as well as whoever the Hornets might face in the Division V playoffs this season. The Hornets are good. Darn good.
The defending D-V state champs, who are riding the crest of a 30-game winning streak, blanked North, 28-0, in a half of game-situation scrimmaging Aug. 21 at Kirtland.
First-team All-Ohioans Mason Sullivan (running backlinebacker) and Kiki Grman (lineman) were held out of action for precautionary reasons, but Kirtland still dominated.
“Kirtland throttled us,” Dodd said. “They’re just so good at what they do. They just expect to come out and step on your throat. They’re going to be a problem for everybody — I don’t care who or what division. They’re good. Very good.”
Kirtland got touchdown runs from Nick Schwartz and
Ramone Lescano, as well as a leaping touchdown reception from Gage Sullivan on a throw from senior Liam Powers.
Even Kirtland’s second string got into the act, punching in a late touchdown run after a Phillip LaVerde fumble recovery.
“It just felt great to finally get to see some competition outside of our own team,” senior linebacker Carson Andonian said.
As usual, Kirtland relied heavily on the running game behind its physical offensive line.
At full strength, a deep stable of backs including Mason Sullivan, Demarco, Lescano, Schwartz and Mason Rus will all carry the ball, with help as well from receivers Gage Sullivan and Joey Grazia.
“It’s good to have that depth, obviously,” said Mason Sullivan, soaking in the
sun in street clothes during the scrimmage. “We have depth in other positions, too. That depth is a key to having a great team.”
Running the ball effectively opens up the passing game. Liam Powers threw only three passes, but all for big gains, including a tremendous catch from Pierce Boyd in double coverage.
“We run the ball like 90% of the time,” Powers said. “When we fake and do playaction,
High school scoreboard
the pass is opened up tremendously.”
North kept the shackles on quarterback Chris Molica, a dual threat signalcaller who did not carry the ball in his few series. Division I college recruits Ryan Baer and Ethan Spoth played the first few series on offense and defense, but then retired for the day.
A pleasant surprise in the scrimmage was sophomore Joey Nguyen, who snapped
off a long run for the Rangers.
Kirtland will play Lake Catholic on Aug. 28 in the season opener, while North will play Chardon.
“A big plus is getting out of today healthy,” Dodd said. “This is the first time in three or four seasons we’ve gone into the opener with all our key guys.
“We just have to get tougher. We did not play tough enough today against Kirtland.”