Kirtland, Mogadore, Perry, South Range, Ursuline, Chardon, Walsh, Hoban, Medina, St. Edward, Glenville, Avon, Highland, Canton South, and Struthers Advance to OHSAA Regional Title Games

Photo by Al Kornspan

Kirtland, Mogadore, Perry, South Range, Ursuline, Chardon, Walsh Jesuit, Hoban, Medina, St. Edward, Glenville, Avon, Highland, Canton South, and Struthers are all one game away from playing in the OHSAA State Championship Semifinals.  

The Kirtland Hornets defeated the Cuyahoga Heights Red Wolves 53-19 on Friday night at Nordonia High School to punch their ticket to their 14th consecutive OHSAA Regional Title Game. 

In addition, the Perry Pirates will return to the Division V Regional Final as they defeated Garfield 42-14. 

Also, in Division IV, the Ursuline Fighting Irish punched their ticket to face Chardon in the Division IV Regional Title game as they held off a furious 4th quarter comeback attempt from Villa-Angela St. Joseph to get a 27-20 victory and a spot in the Regional Final game. 

In Division III, Ursuline defeated VASJ, 27-20 and will next meet Chardon who defeated Aurora 31-7.

In Division II, Hoban shutout Riverside 21-0.  

Hoban will now have a rematch against Walsh Jesuit who defeated Hudson.

Also, advancing to Regional Title Games in Division I, II, and III include, Medina, St. Edward, Glenville, Avon, Highland, Canton South, and Struthers.

Kirtland’s Dominant First Half Performance 

In advancing to the Regional Finals, the Kirtland Hornets turned in a dominant first half performance scoring seven first half touchdowns as they took a commanding 47-6 lead over the Red Wolves heading into halftime.

In the first quarter, Kirtland was led by Rocco Alfieri who had touchdown runs of 38 yards, 15 yards, and 14 yards all in the first quarter as Kirtland took a 20-0 lead heading into the second quarter. 

TOUCHDOWN!

For the first time in several seasons, Kirtland has a kick return touchdown!

Will Beers takes it all the way for the score!

Kirtland leads Cuyahoga Heights 26-6 with 9:26 left in the half. pic.twitter.com/yS2h503NMk

— Kirtland Hornet Stat Crew (@hornetstatcrew) November 11, 2023

In the second quarter, Kirtland was led by Will Beers who had a 74-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and a 27-yard rushing touchdown.

@WillBeers1 talks about @kirtlandFB victory over Cuyahoga Heights in the OHSAA Regional Semifinals.@NEOSportsInside pic.twitter.com/MpPUyGeTpe

— Alan Kornspan (@careersinsports) November 11, 2023

Additionally, in the second quarter, Kirtland added a 34-yard touchdown run by Danny Alfieri and a 2-yard touchdown run by Macguire Boyd to take a 47-6 lead into halftime.

In the first half, Rocco Alfieri rushed for 86 yards on six carries, while Will Beers gained 58 yards on 7 carries.

In the second half, Kirtland added a touchdown and Cuyahoga Heights added two touchdowns to make the final score 53-19.

With the victory, Kirtland moves to 12-1 on the season and will now play in the Regional Title Game on Friday, November 17th against Mogadore, who defeated Mineral Ridge 21-7.

Jayden Studio’s 4 TDs Lead Perry to a 42-14 Victory Over Garfield

The 13-0 Perry Pirates took a commanding 28-7 lead over Garfield going into halftime as they scored two touchdowns in the first quarter and two touchdowns in the second quarter.

In the first quarter, Perry scored on touchdown runs by Owen McKoon and Jayden Studio to take a 14-0 lead.

Perry added two touchdowns in the second quarter on a touchdown pass from Walter Moses to McKoon and a long touchdown run by Jayden Studio to take a 28-7 lead going into halftime.

In the second half, Perry added two more Jayden Studio touchdowns as they went on to defeat Garfield 42-14.

With the victory, Perry will now face the defending Division V State Champions, the 12-1 South Range Pirates in the Division V Regional Title Game.

South Range defeated Clearview 48-21 to advance to the Division V title game against Perry.

Ursuline Holds Off VASJ Furious 4th Quarter Comeback Attempt

The Ursuline Fighting Irish looked like they would cruise to victory and a spot in the Division III Regional Title game as they opened up a 27-0 lead with 9:20 left in the game.

But Coach Rotsky and the VASJ Vikings had other ideas. They refused to give up.

Less than two minutes later, VASJ went on a 7 play 61-yard drive which culminated in a two- yard touchdown run by fullback Tim Gonakis to make the score 27-6 with 7:40 left in the game. 

After the touchdown, Ursuline fumbled the ball on the first play of the drive and Bo Jackson recovered the fumble.

VASJ then scored on a quick five play drive which again was completed with a short touchdown run by senior fullback, Tim Gonakis to make the score 27-13 with 6:23 left.

After Ursuline successfully recovered the onside kick following VASJ’s touchdown,   the Vikings defense then got a three and out while Coach Rotsky called two timeouts in order to save as much time as possible.  

On fourth down, Ursuline punter CJ Frasco pinned VASJ at the one yard line with a 60-yard punt.

Then on the next drive after the first two plays did not get any yardage from the one-yard line, the Vikings completed a 99-yard touchdown pass from Kylan Steuball to Brian Kortovich to make the score 27-20 with 4:40 left in the game.

With 4:40 left, Ursuline got the ball back and was able to run out the clock and get the victory as they converted a critical fourth and one with 2:47 left in the game.

Ursuline, now 13-0 on the season, will face Chardon in the Regional Finals on Friday, November 17th.

Chardon Returns to Regional Finals for Fifth Consecutive Season

Chardon, 10-3 on the season, defeated Aurora, 31-7 to advance to the Regional Title Game.

Chardon quarterback Will Francis ran for three touchdowns and also threw a 70-yard touchdown pass to Caleb Hewitt to lead Chardon back to the Regional Finals.

Division III, Region 9 Semifinal 🌟

2Q | 2:26
#7 Chardon – 17
#3 Aurora – 0

It’s all Hilltoppers here in the second quarter!@WFrancis05 takes a big hit, but still delivers a strike to @_calebhewitt for a 70-yard TD.#NEOFB 🏈 pic.twitter.com/aXThjLd0ct

— NEO Zone HS Sports (@NEOZoneHS) November 11, 2023

Walsh Jesuit and Hoban to Meet in Regional Title Game

Both Walsh Jesuit and Hoban won their Regional Semifinal games on Friday night to advance to the Division Two Regional Title game.  

Walsh Jesuit defeated Hudson 35-14 and Hoban shutout Riverside 21-0.

Walsh Jesuit will look to avenge a regular season 57-7 defeat to Hoban on September 29th.

Medina and St. Edward will Meet in Division I Regional Title Game

The Medina defense came through with a late 4th quarter stop on a Cleveland Heights two point conversion attempt to narrowly defeat Cleveland Heights on Friday night, 21-20.

Both teams traded touchdowns in the first quarter and then were both held scoreless in the second quarter.

Medina took a 14-7 lead when Danny Stoddard connected with Austin Knowles on a 20-yard touchdown pass with 1:11 left in the third quarter.

Cleveland Heights then tied the game at 14-14 on a 25-yard touchdown run by Marquise Davis with 4:38 left to go in the game.

Medina regained the lead 21-14 with 1:42 left in the game when Stoddard connected with Jack Wojciak on a 26-yard touchdown pass.

With 32 seconds left Cleveland Heights scored on a long touchdown pass from Ammaar Lakes to Emere Atkins to make the score 21-20.

Rather than kick the extra point in order to tie the game and possibly go into overtime, Cleveland Heights went for two to try to take the lead. However, Medina was able to get a huge stop on the two point conversion and seal the victory.

Medina will now meet St. Edward in the Division I Regional Final game.

St. Edward defeated Canton McKinley, 41-17.

The Eagles were dominant in the first half as they took a 34-3 lead going into halftime.  

Additional Northeast Ohio Teams Advancing to Regional Title Games

Glenville will meet Perkins on November 17th in a Division III Regional Title Game as they defeated Shelby 50-14.

Also, Avon will play Highland in a Division II Regional Final game as Avon defeated Olmsted Falls 33-23 and Highland got a 31-10 victory over Anthony Wayne.

Additionally, Canton South will face Struthers in a Division III Regional Final as Canton South defeated West Branch 40-21 and Struthers got a victory over Lake Catholic, 28-13.

Stay tuned for all of our NEOSI high school football playoff coverage of the Regional Finals during week 14 of the 2023 high school football season.