HS Football Title Game: Kirtland Completes Three-Peat With A 38-0 Win Over Ironton

MASSILLON, OHIO — One word to describe Kirtland’s performance in the Division V state championship game?

Dominant.

Kirtland finished with 405 yards compared to Ironton’s 59, allowing the Hornets to clinch a 38-0 victory and their third consecutive title.

Kirtland led 3-0 for most of the first half after a Mario Rodin field goal in the opening quarter.

Then in the second, an unbelievable catch by Joey Grazia set up a 1-yard quarterback keeper for Liam Powers to make the score 10-0.

WHAT A CATCH! 😱

Joey Grazia pulls down an incredible one handed grab that is ruled a catch upon further review. 🎥 ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/qr9JiPtiCI

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 21, 2020

Division V State Championship 🏆

2Q | 3:34
Kirtland Hornets – 10
Ironton Tigers – 0

1-yard QB keeper from Liam Powers extends the Kirtland lead here in the 2nd.@kirtlandsports @hornetstatcrew @FootballIronton pic.twitter.com/7MDVXvzRw2

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 21, 2020

In the second half, Kirtland continued their defensive dominance while adding on some big plays on the offensive side.

Mason Sullivan had both a rushing touchdown and a passing touchdown in the span of less than a minute to extend the Kirtland lead to 24-0.

Division V State Championship 🏆

3Q | 8:17
Kirtland Hornets – 24
Ironton Tigers – 0

Kirtland pulls out a little trickery, and it ends in a 50-yard TD pass from Mason Sullivan to Gage Sullivan.

Need a creative name for that play…@kirtlandsports @hornetstatcrew pic.twitter.com/QsQol2Y1Qd

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 21, 2020

A third quarter touchdown run by Anthony Demarco and a fourth quarter touchdown pass from Liam Powers to Danny Davidson put the game out of reach with the running clock in effect.

Division V State Championship 🏆

4Q | 11:46
Kirtland Hornets – 38
Ironton Tigers – 0

Liam Powers connects with Danny Davidson for an 18-yard touchdown pass.@kirtlandsports @hornetstatcrew @FootballIronton pic.twitter.com/Av7GAANoww

— Northeast Ohio HS Sports (@NEOhsSports) November 21, 2020

Kirtland pieced together one of the best defensive performances in championship game history.

Ohio State commit Reid Carrico had just 28 yards rushing. In their previous victory against Roger Bacon, the senior finished with 195 yards and two touchdowns.

Kirtland also held their opponent to just 18 passing yards on the game, while scoring the most points against Ironton in 2020.

Mason Sullivan finished the game as the standout player once again, picking up 127 yards on 19 carries.

In six playoff games, Sullivan rushed for 985 yards and 14 touchdowns, averaging 9.4 yards per carry.

It’ll be tough to see so many talented seniors part ways with the Kirtland football program, but you can guarantee that coach Tiger LaVerde will have his team ready to defend their 41-game winning streak in 2021.

Box Score

Kirtland 3 7 21 7 38

Ironton 0 0 0 0 0

Full Statistics: https://ohsaaweb.blob.core.windows.net/files/Sports/Football/2020/D5-20-F.HTM