The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
CHARDON, KIRTLAND ARE STATE CHAMPS
Drama, domination as area goes 2 for 2 in state title football games
One was in style, one was with dramatics.
But The News-Herald coverage area went 2 for 2 in state football championships Nov. 21.
Chardon prevailed in double overtime for the Division III state title, 31-28, over Columbus DeSales. Kirtland steamrolled to its third straight state title and sixth overall, all since 2011, with a 38-0 Division V state final win over Ironton.
The Hilltoppers rallied from 14 points down in the fourth quarter to force overtime, with Evan Ash scoring on a nineyard run with 2:13 left to tie it at 28.
Nathan Tager connected on a 33-yard field goal in double OT, and a DeSales field-goal attempt went wide left, leaving the Hilltoppers’ faithful exalting after that dramatic win.
Chardon prevailed in double overtime for the Division III state title, 31-28, over Columbus DeSales. Kirtland steamrolled to its third straight state title and sixth overall, all since 2011, with a 38-0 Division V state final win over Ironton.
The Hornets shut down the Tigers and Ohio State recruit Reid Carrico in a state-final rematch frpm last fall, enjoying a 408-58 yards advantage.
Mason Sullivan scored on a 17-yard run and threw for a 50-yard TD to Gage Sullivan in the third quarter as Kirtland blew open a decisive result.
With their sixth state title under Coach Tiger LaVerde, the Hornets joined an exclusive club of 11 programs all-time in Ohio that
have won six state championships on the gridiron. That includes small-school
luminaries such as Maria Stein Marion Local (11) and Coldwater (six).