Kirtland dominates Taft in 51-6 season-opening victory

This story first appeared onOhioVarsity.com

The team wasted no time showing that the defending Division VI state champion is ready for another run.

The Hornets scored four touchdowns in the opening quarter, built a 44-point halftime lead, and overwhelmed Cincinnati Taft on both sides of the football in a 51-6 season-opening victory Saturday at Ridgewood High School in West Lafayette.

Kirtland rushed for 250 yards, completed all four of its passes and held Taft to minus-3 rushing yards. The Hornets finished with a 320-53 advantage in total offense and a 17-3 edge in first downs.

“We took care of business from the first snap to the last,” said Kirtland senior . “It showed how important the weight room is.”

ignited the rout by scoring on runs of 4 and 3 yards. He needed only six carries to accumulate a game-high 98 rushing yards and also caught a 12-yard pass.

“I think we were able to have so much success early because we came out with a lot of energy and executed what we practiced all week,” Perko said. “The offensive line blocked really well, and we were able to take advantage of the opportunities we had.”

added a 1-yard touchdown run before connected with for a 3-yard score that extended Kirtland’s lead to 27-0 before the end of the first quarter.

“It was really important for us to establish our physical style right away,” Perko said. “We wanted to set the tone from the first snap and play aggressively. We had been waiting all summer for this, and we came out with a lot of Week 1 energy.”

The Hornets never allowed Taft an opportunity to recover.

Caimi scored his second touchdown on a 4-yard run early in the second quarter. then broke loose for a 60-yard touchdown, and closed the half with a 22-yard field goal that sent Kirtland into the break with a 44-0 advantage.

Rus finished with 75 yards on three carries, while Caimi rushed for 28 yards and two touchdowns on five attempts. Caimi also returned two punts for 52 yards.

“The offensive line did a great job opening holes and getting to the second level,” Perko said. “The other guys also did their jobs blocking downfield and opening gaps, which gave me the space I needed to make plays.”

Cantini, a four-year starter who plays on the offensive line and at middle linebacker, helped the Hornets control the line of scrimmage throughout the night. Kirtland averaged 8.6 yards per rushing attempt, while Taft averaged minus-0.2 yards on its 20 carries.

Cantini also recorded one of Kirtland’s two sacks.

“My main goal is to remind the other guys, ‘Next play,’” Cantini said. “You can’t control the past, but the future matters, so that next-play mindset is everything.”

Kirtland’s defensive front consistently disrupted Taft’s offense and forced its quarterback into difficult situations. The Senators completed only one of nine passes and threw two interceptions. That lone completion accounted for their only touchdown, a 56-yard pass in the third quarter after the Hornets had built a 51-0 lead.

“The offensive line obviously impressed me a lot tonight,” Lorber said. “They were crisp and made very few mistakes. I also thought the defensive line was great. They stuffed almost every running play and forced the quarterback to make difficult throws.”

Lorber made an impact on both sides of the ball. In addition to his touchdown reception, he intercepted a Taft pass and returned it 58 yards.

“We didn’t watch much film on Taft, but I’m pretty familiar with route combinations,” Lorber said. “I was covering the outside receiver, and when I saw him and the middle receiver break inside, I assumed No. 3 would come back outside. He ended up running a wheel route, and thanks to our defensive line getting home, it wasn’t a great ball. I was able to jump it and return it for a big gain.”

also intercepted a pass and returned it 16 yards, while joined Cantini in recording a sack. Taft committed four fumbles and lost one, giving Kirtland three takeaways.

“Our grit on defense is something we always take pride in,” Lorber said. “We have a fantastic offensive line, and those same guys play the same way on the defensive line. That gave us opportunities in coverage because we knew the defensive line and linebackers would stop the run.”

Kirtland added its final touchdown in the third quarter when completed a 40-yard pass to . Gabriel and Loncar combined to finish 4-of-4 passing for 70 yards and two touchdowns.

Valentic converted all six of his extra-point attempts in addition to his field goal.

Lorber enjoyed having the opportunity to contribute offensively and defensively.

“We ran a short goal-line fade, which is one of my favorite routes,” Lorber said of his touchdown. “All I have to do is shake the defender, and I’ll be open. It’s great contributing on both sides of the ball. It gives me a lot more responsibility, but it’s amazing playing both ways.”

The decisive opening victory provided an early glimpse of Kirtland’s potential, but Perko knows the Hornets still have plenty of work ahead of them.

“I think this performance shows that we have a lot of potential and are ready to compete at a high level,” Perko said. “We know we have high expectations, but we also know we have to keep working and improving every week. Our goal is the same every year: We want to win it all.”

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On This Date in History:
Benedictine defeated Steubenville, 20-17, on November 9, 2002 • Champion and Streetsboro tied, 0-0, on November 9, 1973 • Maple Heights and Willoughby South tied, 0-0, on November 9, 1973 • Conneaut and Harvey tied, 0-0, on November 9, 1973 • Mentor defeated Solon, 24-17, on November 9, 2002 • Benedictine defeated Steubenville, 20-17, on November 9, 2002 • Champion and Streetsboro tied, 0-0, on November 9, 1973 • Maple Heights and Willoughby South tied, 0-0, on November 9, 1973 • Conneaut and Harvey tied, 0-0, on November 9, 1973 • Mentor defeated Solon, 24-17, on November 9, 2002

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Football Standings

CHAGRIN VALLEY CONFERENCE

Chagrin Division

Perry Pirates🏆6-01.00012-01.0005-0-00.389
Hawken Hawks5-10.8338-40.6673-2-00.514
West Geauga Wolverines4-20.66710-20.8334-1-00.375
Edgewood Warriors2-40.3335-50.5001-4-00.540
Geneva Eagles2-40.3334-60.4001-4-00.561
Jefferson Falcons1-50.1671-90.1001-4-00.667
Orange Lions1-50.1674-60.4001-4-00.424
CHAGRIN VALLEY CONFERENCE

Lake Division

Willoughby South Rebels🏆6-01.00010-10.9094-1-00.366
North Rangers5-10.83310-20.8333-2-00.364
Chardon Hilltoppers4-20.6675-60.4553-2-00.613
Harvey Red Raiders2-40.3333-70.3002-3-00.573
Madison Blue Streaks2-40.3334-60.4003-2-00.490
Lakeside Dragons1-50.1672-80.2001-4-00.540
Lutheran West Longhorns1-50.1671-90.1000-5-00.616
CHAGRIN VALLEY CONFERENCE

Metro Division

Cuyahoga Heights Red Wolves🏆6-01.00010-10.9095-0-00.321
Wickliffe Blue Devils5-10.8338-30.7272-3-00.411
Independence Blue Devils4-20.6676-50.5453-2-00.483
Beachwood Bison2-40.3334-70.3642-3-00.382
Brooklyn Hurricanes2-40.3333-80.2731-4-00.548
Trinity Trojans1-50.1672-90.1822-3-00.566
Fairport Skippers1-50.1671-80.1110-5-00.579
CHAGRIN VALLEY CONFERENCE

Valley Division

Kirtland Hornets🏆6-01.00010-10.9095-0-00.371
Conneaut Spartans5-10.83310-20.8334-1-00.555
Chagrin Falls Tigers4-20.6677-40.6363-2-00.493
Berkshire Badgers3-30.5005-50.5003-2-00.452
Rootstown Rovers2-40.3336-50.5453-2-00.379
Crestwood Red Devils1-50.1672-80.2001-4-00.697
Fairview Warriors0-60.0000-100.0000-5-00.677

American Division

Kenston Bombers0-0—0-10.0000-1-01.000
Aurora Greenmen0-0—0-0—0-0-0—
Barberton0-0—0-0—0-0-0—
Copley0-0—0-0—0-0-0—
Medina Highland0-0—0-0—0-0-0—
Revere0-0—0-0—0-0-0—

National Division

Nordonia0-0—1-01.0001-0-00.833
Brecksville-Broadview Heights0-0—0-0—0-0-0—
Hudson Explorers0-0—0-0—0-0-0—
North Royalton0-0—0-0—0-0-0—
Solon0-0—0-0—0-0-0—
Stow0-0—0-0—0-0-0—
Twinsburg0-0—0-0—0-0-0—
Wadsworth0-0—0-0—0-0-0—

Football Stat Leaders

2026-2027

Fantasy Points

FP
1Tommy CaimiKirtland279.6
2JJ DufourEdgewood251.7
3Dylan BuCherHubbard238.9
4Charlie MallettHawken235.2
5Wyant DobranConneaut230.7
6Luke JensenWilloughby South226.7
7Antonio BurkleyHubbard214.7
8Oliver MillerBerkshire207.9
9Vinnie FeckoUrsuline207.3
10Tanner BrandtHawken191.4
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School FP PASS RUSH REC
1Tommy CaimiKirtland279.601,162314
2JJ DufourEdgewood251.72,2207090
3Dylan BuCherHubbard238.91,1298770
4Charlie MallettHawken235.21272791,002
5Wyant DobranConneaut230.71,5265570
6Luke JensenWilloughby South226.72,3092430
7Antonio BurkleyHubbard214.701,29572
8Oliver MillerBerkshire207.91,2903830
9Vinnie FeckoUrsuline207.301,13439
10Tanner BrandtHawken191.42,194360

Passing

YDS
1Luke JensenWilloughby South2,309
2JJ DufourEdgewood2,220
3Tanner BrandtHawken2,194
4Jj MurphyLakeside1,956
5Steven FakultNordonia1,639
6Jordan UriaBeachwood1,624
7Wyant DobranConneaut1,526
8Oliver MillerBerkshire1,290
9Dylan BuCherHubbard1,129
10Itai TannenbaumOrange1,017
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School CMP ATT PCT YDS Y/G TD INT LONG QB RTG
1Luke JensenWilloughby South12518866.5%2,309263.026384148.2
2JJ DufourEdgewood16624567.8%2,220232.021864113.6
3Tanner BrandtHawken18429263.0%2,194199.529886107.6
4Jj MurphyLakeside13525353.4%1,956213.314138890.2
5Steven FakultNordonia10115963.5%1,639234.120779119.2
6Jordan UriaBeachwood10722148.4%1,624162.416167467.0
7Wyant DobranConneaut10317459.2%1,5260.02112097.2
8Oliver MillerBerkshire7813756.9%1,290143.316670109.4
9Dylan BuCherHubbard9016255.6%1,129112.91365888.7
10Itai TannenbaumOrange7014448.6%1,017203.4877970.0

Rushing

YDS
1Antonio BurkleyHubbard1,295
2Tommy CaimiKirtland1,162
3Vinnie FeckoUrsuline1,134
4Nick HessCrestwood1,072
5Masceo BolesLakeside1,046
6Dylan BuCherHubbard877
7Michael KalistaCrestwood872
8Chris MoryCrestwood806
9King MatticeNorth791
10Kameran AustinHarvey761
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School ATT YDS AVG Y/G LONG TD
1Antonio BurkleyHubbard1661,2957.8129.55713
2Tommy CaimiKirtland1031,1628.197.5618
3Vinnie FeckoUrsuline1801,1346.3126.05615
4Nick HessCrestwood1331,07211.091.36310
5Masceo BolesLakeside1751,0466.3113.9806
6Dylan BuCherHubbard1468776.087.75011
7Michael KalistaCrestwood1328727.582.3799
8Chris MoryCrestwood988065.757.0235
9King MatticeNorth1127917.10.005
10Kameran AustinHarvey967618.790.907

Receiving

YDS
1Charlie MallettHawken1,002
2Josh JensenWilloughby South931
3Dae'Veon GainesLakeside864
4De'Andre SimsBeachwood732
5Willie GuytonEdgewood677
6Colten YobeHubbard574
7Dasen MarkerBerkshire511
8Anthony MockWilloughby South506
9Davonte HarrisConneaut444
10Carter NielsenHowland438
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School REC YDS AVG Y/G LONG TD
1Charlie MallettHawken791,00212.791.17411
2Josh JensenWilloughby South3993123.993.18113
3Dae'Veon GainesLakeside3986422.2123.4886
4De'Andre SimsBeachwood4273217.473.2748
5Willie GuytonEdgewood5367712.871.3416
6Colten YobeHubbard5157411.363.8585
7Dasen MarkerBerkshire3351115.556.8605
8Anthony MockWilloughby South2250623.052.3843
9Davonte HarrisConneaut2044422.20.006
10Carter NielsenHowland1343833.7146.005

All-Purpose Yards

TOTAL
1Tommy CaimiKirtland1,607
2Antonio BurkleyHubbard1,367
3Charlie MallettHawken1,353
4Masceo BolesLakeside1,269
5Vinnie FeckoUrsuline1,173
6Nick HessCrestwood1,137
7Dae'Veon GainesLakeside1,006
8Chris MoryCrestwood964
9Patrick MurphyHawken962
10Josh JensenWilloughby South955
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School RUSH REC KR PR IR TOTAL Y/G
1Tommy CaimiKirtland1,1623141022901,607401.8
2Antonio BurkleyHubbard1,295720001,367136.7
3Charlie MallettHawken2791,002482401,353123.0
4Masceo BolesLakeside1,0462230001,269126.9
5Vinnie FeckoUrsuline1,134390001,173130.3
6Nick HessCrestwood1,0723926001,137162.4
7Dae'Veon GainesLakeside1428640001,006143.7
8Chris MoryCrestwood80613414100964160.7
9Patrick MurphyHawken609317333096287.5
10Josh JensenWilloughby South2493100095595.5

Total Yards

TOTAL
1JJ DufourEdgewood2,929
2Luke JensenWilloughby South2,552
3Tanner BrandtHawken2,230
4Wyant DobranConneaut2,083
5Jj MurphyLakeside2,007
6Dylan BuCherHubbard2,006
7Steven FakultNordonia1,827
8Oliver MillerBerkshire1,673
9Jordan UriaBeachwood1,636
10Tommy CaimiKirtland1,476
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School RUSH PASS REC TOTAL Y/G
1JJ DufourEdgewood7092,22002,929297.3
2Luke JensenWilloughby South2432,30902,5521,174.0
3Tanner BrandtHawken362,19402,230202.7
4Wyant DobranConneaut5571,52602,0830.0
5Jj MurphyLakeside511,95602,007219.6
6Dylan BuCherHubbard8771,12902,006200.6
7Steven FakultNordonia1881,63901,827261.0
8Oliver MillerBerkshire3831,29001,673185.9
9Jordan UriaBeachwood121,62401,636163.3
10Tommy CaimiKirtland1,16203141,476369.0

Scoring

PTS
1Tommy CaimiKirtland148
2Marko ValenticKirtland102
3Gavin MayfieldMadison96
3Ivan ChuhaChardon96
5Vinnie FeckoUrsuline90
6Josh FenickNorth86
7Josh JensenWilloughby South84
7King MatticeNorth84
9Antonio BurkleyHubbard78
10Dylan BuCherHubbard66
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School TD 2-PT PTS KICK PTS PTS PPG
1Tommy CaimiKirtland150014837.0
2Marko ValenticKirtland606410225.5
3Gavin MayfieldMadison0009648.0
3Ivan ChuhaChardon000960.0
5Vinnie FeckoUrsuline0009010.0
6Josh FenickNorth1300860.0
7Josh JensenWilloughby South400848.4
7King MatticeNorth1400840.0
9Antonio BurkleyHubbard000787.8
10Dylan BuCherHubbard000666.6

Tackles

TOTAL
1Chris MoryCrestwood120.0
2James LancasterCrestwood90.0
3Scotty BalashWilloughby South78.0
4Michael KalistaCrestwood77.0
5Trent ChmuraWilloughby South76.0
6Drew PlatzChardon67.0
7Miles HamiltonHawken66.0
8Ivan ChuhaChardon59.0
8Thomas JonesWilloughby South59.0
10Max DomenicoWilloughby South54.0
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School SOLO AST TOTAL TFL SACK
1Chris MoryCrestwood0.00.0120.09.01.0
2James LancasterCrestwood0.00.090.04.00.0
3Scotty BalashWilloughby South30.041.078.07.53.0
4Michael KalistaCrestwood0.00.077.04.00.0
5Trent ChmuraWilloughby South39.032.076.06.54.0
6Drew PlatzChardon0.00.067.04.00.5
7Miles HamiltonHawken8.05.066.00.01.0
8Ivan ChuhaChardon0.00.059.03.00.5
8Thomas JonesWilloughby South19.034.059.01.54.0
10Max DomenicoWilloughby South22.030.054.07.02.0

Sacks

SACK
1John MurphyNorth7.0
2Damarhi MorganWilloughby South6.0
3Jackson ScarcellaIndependence5.0
3Josh FenickNorth5.0
3Ryan SuhyIndependence5.0
6M. GumtoWilloughby South4.0
6Thomas JonesWilloughby South4.0
6Trent ChmuraWilloughby South4.0
10Brady KaasChagrin Falls3.0
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School SACK YDL HUR TACK TFL
1John MurphyNorth7.00.00.011.020.0
2Damarhi MorganWilloughby South6.00.05.049.04.0
3Jackson ScarcellaIndependence5.05.02.00.00.0
3Josh FenickNorth5.00.00.010.010.0
3Ryan SuhyIndependence5.0110.044.29.00.0
6Cortezes Dimming IIINorth4.00.00.00.013.0
6M. GumtoWilloughby South4.05.00.80.00.0
6Thomas JonesWilloughby South4.00.05.059.01.5
6Trent ChmuraWilloughby South4.00.01.076.06.5
10Brady KaasChagrin Falls3.018.00.019.00.0

Interceptions

INT
1Wyant DobranConneaut8
3Damarhi MorganWilloughby South3
3Ethan ChristopherWilloughby South3
3Luke JensenWilloughby South3
3Scotty BalashWilloughby South3
3Tommy CaimiKirtland3
9Andre RansomOrange2
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School INT YDS AVG LONG TD
1Wyant DobranConneaut800.000
2Brand BambrickNorth400.000
3Damarhi MorganWilloughby South300.000
3Ethan ChristopherWilloughby South3670.0651
3Javion WhaleyNorth300.000
3Luke JensenWilloughby South300.000
3Scotty BalashWilloughby South33528.5281
3Tommy CaimiKirtland300.000
9Alex LaschingerHawken200.000
9Andre RansomOrange200.000

Kicking

PTS
1Marko ValenticKirtland64
2Mason GumtoWilloughby South50
3Jacob SotoNorth37
4Braylen TorrenceWickliffe26
5Kaya McBrideConneaut20
6Player #59North12
7Ben EttingerChagrin Falls10
8Owen OverfieldCrestwood8
9Jacob ThompsonConneaut6
10Kaden DaoudiOrange5
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School FGM FGA FG% LONG XPM XPA XP% PTS
1Marko ValenticKirtland5223.0%04941,225.0%64
2Mason GumtoWilloughby South22100.0%40445384.8%50
3Jacob SotoNorth000.0%0000.0%37
4Braylen TorrenceWickliffe000.0%0262892.9%26
5Kaya McBrideConneaut1333.3%27172470.8%20
6Player #59North000.0%0000.0%12
7Ben EttingerChagrin Falls000.0%0000.0%10
8Owen OverfieldCrestwood010.0%0810100.0%8
9Jacob ThompsonConneaut000.0%06875.0%6
10Kaden DaoudiOrange000.0%05683.3%5

Punting

YDS
1James LancasterCrestwood1,142
3Wyant DobranConneaut597
4Mason GumtoWilloughby South543
5Tanner BrandtHawken473
6Braylen TorrenceWickliffe268
8Jake DevlinCrestwood197
9Jeffrey ChasarLutheran West172
10Itai TannenbaumOrange142
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School PUNTS YDS AVG Y/G IN 20 LONG
1James LancasterCrestwood191,14241.6142.8047
2Colton CrissingerPerry06260.00.000
3Wyant DobranConneaut1759733.40.0048
4Mason GumtoWilloughby South1554336.854.3355
5Tanner BrandtHawken1347336.443.0049
6Braylen TorrenceWickliffe626844.70.0050
7Rocco VitantonioHawken722131.60.0042
8Jake DevlinCrestwood519739.465.7047
9Jeffrey ChasarLutheran West517234.419.100
10Itai TannenbaumOrange414235.528.4140

Kickoff Returns

YDS
1Jonah TenneyConneaut191
2Grayson BallardConneaut183
3Brady KaasChagrin Falls128
4Marcus GarciaConneaut117
5Tommy CaimiKirtland102
6Moogy FullertonWilloughby South99
8Mj WallingHawken84
9Tye BerquistCrestwood79
10Matt RusKirtland73
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School RET YDS AVG Y/G TD LONG
1Jonah TenneyConneaut419147.80.010
2Grayson BallardConneaut818322.40.000
3Brady KaasChagrin Falls712818.312.800
4Marcus GarciaConneaut111718.00.0018
5Tommy CaimiKirtland410225.525.500
6Moogy FullertonWilloughby South59919.89.9028
7Deondre WeatherspoonConneaut49722.40.010
8Mj WallingHawken38428.08.4063
9Tye BerquistCrestwood57915.226.3020
10Matt RusKirtland27336.573.000

Punt Returns

YDS
1Luis CedenoConneaut103
2Jayden JohnsonWickliffe87
5Jonah TenneyConneaut41
7Anthony MockWilloughby South32
8Tommy CaimiKirtland29
9Christian SantoneWilloughby South24
Complete Leaders
Rank Player School RET YDS AVG Y/G TD LONG
1Luis CedenoConneaut610317.20.010
2Jayden JohnsonWickliffe88710.90.0033
3Mitch GreenbergHawken66811.36.2021
4Javion WhaleyNorth36020.00.000
5Jonah TenneyConneaut24120.50.000
6Alex LaschingerHawken13535.03.2135
7Anthony MockWilloughby South13232.03.2032
8Tommy CaimiKirtland12929.07.320
9Charlie MallettHawken22412.02.2017
9Christian SantoneWilloughby South22415.42.4023

Steve Hare
Steve Harehttp://www.ohiovarsity.com
Steve Hare is the Chagrin Valley Conference's Sports Information Director. He also created and publishes OhioVarsity.com, an online publication dedicated to providing hyperlocal coverage to area high school athletic programs. Hare began covering high school sports for the Lake County News Herald in 1997. Hare attended Willoughby South High School through the middle of his senior year, then graduated from Berkshire High School in Burton in 1986. He played football, wrestled and was an all-Geauga county baseball player (1986). He lives in Chardon with his wife Paulette and their children.

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