WARREN, Ohio — The previous two times Kirtland journeyed to Mollenkopf Stadium, it left in sorrow and shock. Friday night, it went home celebrating and anticipating.
WARREN, Ohio — The previous two times Kirtland journeyed to Mollenkopf Stadium, it left in sorrow and shock.
Friday night, it went home celebrating and anticipating.
The Hornets won their first regional championship, 35-7, against Columbiana Crestview in the Division V, Region 17 final.
Now 13-0 for the first time in school history, the prospect of a state title grows larger.
"This is something we've been sweating and working as hard as we possibly can for since our eighth-grade year," said senior Erick Zuberer, a two-way tackle. "This win is everything to us. It's amazing."
Kirtland lost to Ursuline in a heartbreaking regional final in 2008, 18-17, and again to Ursuline last year, 48-0. Those are distant memories now as the Hornets look forward to breaking new ground.
It won't get any easier in next Friday's state semifinal. No. 2-ranked Kirtland plays No. 6 Bucyrus Wynford (13-0), which beat No. 8 Lucasville Valley, 54-48, in overtime Friday. The state semifinal site is to be announced Sunday.
"This gives us some big momentum in the next weeks," senior running back/linebacker Christian Hauber said. "As we go on, we know how good our defense really is."
Kirtland's defense played so well, it almost made Hauber's offensive performance an afterthought. He rushed for 200 yards on 26 carries and scored four touchdowns. The Hornets barely skipped a beat when Hauber's backfield partner, junior tailback Damon Washington, left the game with a head injury in the third quarter.
Hornets coach Tiger LaVerde has been saying this for weeks how special this defense is. It's fair to assume he has folks' attention by now.
"This is the best defense I've ever coached. I say it every week and every week they continue to prove it," he said.
Crestview (11-2) rolled up more than 400 yards rushing in each of its first two playoff wins. It had 74 yards rushing Friday. Tailback Nick Blower, who had 304 yards last week against St. Thomas Aquinas, ran for 19 yards before getting hurt in the second half.
"We knew they were going to be the best defensive team we played, and they played great tonight and did a good job of shutting us down," Crestview coach Paul Cusick said.
The defensive play of the game was turned in by Hauber early in the second quarter. With Kirtland leading, 14-0, Crestview had fourth-and-1 at the Hornets' 11-yard line. Hauber anticipated a handoff to the right side, penetrated and wrapped up fullback Tom Oliver at the line.
"That was a big momentum swing," Hauber said. "If we let that happen, it's 14-7 and it's anybody's ballgame. We went into halftime up, 14-0, and had our heads up high."
Washington gave Kirtland a 6-0 lead in the first quarter with a spectacular second effort on a 28-yard run. He was hit and nearly taken down, but he broke free and looped around the right end, picking up a sealing block from quarterback Scott Eilerman.
Crestview fumbled a punt return late in the first quarter. Nick Dhondt made a terrific, open-field tackle, and Ryan Loncar recovered at the Crestview 44. A pass interference penalty aided a quick scoring drive capped by Hauber's 6-yard run over right tackle. Washington scored the two-point conversion.
Washington had 96 yards on 17 carries. LaVerde described Washington's injury as a mild concussion.
Hauber scored on runs of 27, 52 and 1 yards in the second half for a 35-0 lead. The latter TD followed a 39-yard interception return to the 1 by Sam Kukura
"I'm happy for my community and these boys," LaVerde said. "It's fun. This is a fun thing."
To reach this Plain Dealer reporter: twarsinskey@plaind.com, 216-999-4661
On Twitter: @TimsTakePD
Source: http://highschoolsports.cleveland.com/news/article/-803706057396334770
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