Kirtland didn’t just return to the summit—they planted another flag.
For the eighth time in the last 15 years, the Hornets climbed the Ohio High School Athletic Association mountain, overwhelming Hopewell-Loudon, 41–6, on Friday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium. The top-seeded, unbeaten Hornets delivered a vintage Kirtland performance: punishing on the ground, airtight on defense, and relentless when it mattered most.
“(The game) was unbelievable. They’re a really good football team, I was not expecting that (outcome),” said head coach Tiger LaVerde. “I am thrilled with how these guys performed, took care of the football, ran the ball, and played great defense. I’m glad that these guys got to play together one last time.”
Kirtland set the tone early. On their first possession, the Hornets converted a fourth down near midfield when quarterback Jake LaVerde dropped a 32-yard strike to Ryan Caimi. Three plays later, John Silvestro powered in from seven yards out for the game’s opening score.
As the first quarter wound down, the Hornets flipped the field again. Caimi broke up a key pass on defense, and on the final snap of the quarter, Silvestro burst 54 yards to the Hopewell-Loudon 31. He finished the drive with a four-yard touchdown to give Kirtland a 14–0 halftime lead.
Even with the advantage, the margin felt slimmer than the scoreboard.
After a Caimi interception and a 39-yard sprint from Ty Bledsoe, the Hornets had a chance to extend the lead late in the half, but a turnover on downs kept things tight. Hopewell-Loudon had also shown signs of life, piling up 134 first-half yards.
“It was only 14-0 at the half, and we were kicking off to them, and I was concerned that (Hopewell-Loudon) could have made it a 14-7 game and be in a fist fight,” LaVerde said. “We got stops when we needed to. We bent, but we didn’t break. We didn’t give up the home run over the top, and our corners did a great job.”
Whatever hope the Chieftains had disappeared quickly.
After a defensive stand to open the third quarter, Silvestro tore through the right side for a 57-yard rumble, then punched in his third touchdown from three yards out. Minutes later, he delivered the dagger—a 62-yard sprint that stretched the lead to 28–0 and capped one of the most dominant championship performances in Kirtland history.
Hopewell-Loudon broke the shutout with an eight-yard touchdown run by Kellen Frankfurt, but the Hornets immediately answered. After Nate Chuko recovered the onside kick, LaVerde scrambled for 12 yards and Bledsoe finished the drive with a 10-yard score to push the lead to 34–6.
The final stamp came early in the fourth when LaVerde burst 40 yards to set up his own three-yard touchdown, sealing the 41–6 victory and Kirtland’s eighth state championship.
For LaVerde and his son, Jake, the night carried an added layer of emotion. The senior quarterback closed his career with a second state title, mirroring the path of his older brother, Phil.
“It’s just been such a blessing to be a part of this team. God is great,” Jake LaVerde said. “It doesn’t get any better than that; it’s super special, and we’ve worked hard for it. Getting another opportunity to play with my guys, and to end it how we did, is special.”
Tiger LaVerde reflected on an improbable family legacy—two sons, eight combined championship appearances, and a lifetime of memories.
“It doesn’t even seem right. Both boys got to play in four state championship games. It’s like a dream come true,” he said. “Both (Jake) and Phillip are hard workers; they never missed a day in the weight room, worked their tails off, and were good students in school. My wife and I are extremely proud.”
Silvestro finished with a record-tying performance. He carried 19 times for 255 yards and scored four times, matching the Division VI state championship game record.
LaVerde added 115 yards and a score on 14 carries, while Bledsoe chipped in 65 yards and a touchdown. Defensively, LaVerde and Caimi paced the unit with 10 and eight tackles, and both Caimi and Mario Lorber came away with interceptions.
The Hornets close their campaign at 15–0, claiming their 14th regional championship, their eighth state title, and yet another Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division crown—a dynasty that shows no sign of fading anytime soon.
