The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)

Kirtland dominates Ironton for sixth state championsh­ip

- By Chris Lillstrung CLillstrun­g@news-herald.com @CLillstrun­gNH on Twitter

MASSILLON » Each digit on that Route 306 sign where Kirtland resides carried particular­ly poignant meaning Nov. 21 after the Division V state final against Ironton.

The three stands for the consecutiv­e state titles the Hornets have now amassed.

The zero stands for the perfection along the way in 2020, as in an unbeaten run with a shutout to punctuate it.

And the six stands for the state championsh­ips that now reside in the heart of Lake County, as one of the standard bearers for smallschoo­l football in Ohio.

Kirtland took firm control in the third quarter, getting a 17-yard touchdown run from Mason Sullivan, a 50-yard TD reception from Gage Sullivan and an eight-yard scoring jaunt from Anthony DeMarco to blow open a 38-0 win Nov. 21 at Paul Brown Tiger Stadium in Massillon.

“I mean, it’s awesome,” said linebacker Mason Rus, who helped key a dominant defensive performanc­e. “We prepared, and we’ve been working since last summer after (the 2019 state final, also against Ironton). We’ve been ready to go.”

The Hornets are the 11th

program all-time in Ohio to win six state titles on the gridiron.

Coach Tiger LaVerde

couldn’t help but marvel at the totality of the defensive shutdown against a squad paced by Ohio State recruit

and two-way stalwart Reid Carrico.

“Look at that,” LaVerde said, staring at the south

scoreboard with final game statistics. “They had 13 passing yards?”

Indeed the Tigers did, along with 45 yards on the ground and three first downs.

It spoke volumes of the totality with which Kirtland operated.

“(Defensive coordinato­r) Ryan Beeler did a great job,” LaVerde said. “He had these guys ready. We had a great week of preparatio­n, and what they did in the offseason gets them ready to face a team with size and strength like (Ironton). I am so proud of the defense and Coach Beeler and what these kids did in the offseason, and what Ray Sullivan does in the weight room is the reason we were able to hold them like we did.”

What appeared to be a tight title tilt, with Kirtland leading, 10-0, at halftime, turned anything but in the second half.

Mason Sullivan, in a balance and yards-after-contact clinic, scored on a 17yard run early in the third as the Hornets opened a 17-0 advantage.

“Mason had a ridiculous run,” LaVerde said. “I think he put his hand down about five times on that run. It was an incredibly athletic run.”

On Ironton’s next possession, Rus jarred the ball loose for his second forced fumble of the afternoon, which was recovered by Nick Schwartz.

 ?? PAUL DICICCO — FFOR THE NEWS-HERALD ?? Kirtland’s Mason Sullivan, center, celebrates with linemen Kiki Grman (50) and T.J. Green (52) after a touchdown in the Division V state final Nov. 21 against Ironton.
PAUL DICICCO — FFOR THE NEWS-HERALD Kirtland’s Mason Sullivan, center, celebrates with linemen Kiki Grman (50) and T.J. Green (52) after a touchdown in the Division V state final Nov. 21 against Ironton.

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