Kirtland won the Division VI state title back in 2013, the last time the Ohio High School Athletic Association hosted its championships at Fawcett Stadium in Canton.
The OHSAA state finals were played at Ohio Stadium in Columbus in 2014, 2015 and 2016. That changes this fall when the football championships return to Canton in a new venue, the Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
To promote the return of the football championships to Canton the OHSAA had displayed the helmets from each of the seven 2013 state champions.
“It was nice to be recognized by the OHSAA and an honor to be included with those other outstanding programs that had the opportunity to win a state title,” said Kirtland athletic director Matt Paul.
The Hornets also played in state championship games at Ohio Stadium in 2014 and 2015 and hope to have the chance to return to Canton this season.
“We loved the experience of playing when we did in Columbus, but there’s just something kind of homey about having the opportunity to go back to Canton,” Paul said. “That’s what I know our kids and coaches are focused on, first winning a league title and trying to put our kids in position to compete at the state level again.”
The OHSAA plans to display the helmets in its lobby until after the 2017 state championship games.
