Only the facts

School: Kirtland

Conference: CVC Valley

OHSAA: Division VI, Region 21

Coach: Tiger LaVerde, 19th year (229-20)

2023: 15:1 (5:0)

X: @kirtlandsports

Home Stadium: Wilson Stadium

Playoff record: 65-12 in 19 appearances

Best playoff result: 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2023 State Champion

Last playoff appearance: 2023, Division VI state champions

School record for most wins in a season: 15, six times

Conference Championships since 1946 (including co-titles): 1952, ’61-62, ’64, ’72, ’76-79, ’85, ’90, ’99-2000, ’05-15, ’17-’23

Head coach with most wins at school: Tiger LaVerde (229, 2006-present); previously: Ray Carion, 81 (1967-79)

schedule

(Subject to change)

August 23: Dalton in Kirtland, 7 p.m.

Aug. 29: Kirtland at Ashland Crestview, 7 p.m

Sept. 6: Kirtland in Perry, 7 p.m.

September 13: Independence in Kirtland, 7 p.m.

September 20: Kirtland in Cuyahoga Heights, 7 p.m.

September 27: Fairview in Kirtland, 7 p.m.

Oct. 4: Kirtland in Berkshire, 7 p.m.

Oct. 10: Chagrin Falls in Kirtland, 7 p.m.

Oct. 18: Kirtland at Crestwood, 7 p.m

October 25: Cardinal in Kirtland, 7 p.m.

Expected line-up

ATTACK

QB: Jake LaVerde, Jr., 6-2, 200*

RB: Jack Lessick, Jr., 5-8, 160

RB: Danny Alfieri, Sr., 6-0, 205

TE: Casey Carkhuff, Sr., 6-2, 225*

TE: Johnny Rascan, Sr., 6-1, 220

WR: Carter Luzar, So., 6-1, 185

LT: Ted Prusock, Sr., 6-1, 260

LG: Matt Kahley, Sr., 6-0, 250*

C: Lucci Cantini, Sun., 5-10, 215*

RG: Jackson Carestio, Sr., 6-1, 235*

RT: Jack Turk, Sun., 6-2, 240*

K: Xavier Lasecki, Jr., 5-9, 160

DEFENSE

NT: Ty Bledsoe, Jr., 5-8, 175*

DT: Matt Kahley, Sr., 6-0, 250

DT: Cameron Treadwell, Jr., 5-11, 190

OLB: Jack Lessick, Sr., 5-8, 160

OLB: Jake LaVerde, 6-2, 180, Jr.

ILB: Danny Alfieri, Sr., 6-0, 205, Sr.*

ILB: Tyler Turk, Sr., 5-9, 160

ILB: John Silvestro, Jr., 5-11, 180

CB: Niko Samac, Sr., 6-0, 180*

CB: Carter Luzar, Sun., 6-1, 185

FS: Evan Koprowski, Jr.,6-1, 185

P: Danny Alfieri, Sr., 6-0, 205

*: returning starter; returning top performers: 18

Key Substitutes: Zander Perko, So, 5-10, 170, Noah Runyan, Sr., 5-11, 180, Vince Prusock, So., 5-8, 270, Max Paul, 5-11, 175

Best in class: Nico Samac, 4.44 GPA

Best bench press: Matt Kahley 385 pounds

Best squat: Jackson Carestio, 495 pounds

Best 40 time: Jake LaVerde 4.60 seconds

outlook

The Hornets return Jake LaVerde, a three-year starter at quarterback, and a big, experienced offensive line led by Matthew Kahley, an All-Ohioan. The running backs and receivers are new. On defense, only three starters return, so there are a lot of young players playing key positions. However, Kirtland has been young before, but that didn’t stop them from winning seven state titles. You can still expect a tough running game from this team to go along with an aggressive, lightning-fast defense.

Players in focus

Matthew Kahley is preparing for his third consecutive All-Ohio season. He is incredibly strong (385 pounds bench press, 400+ pounds squat) so he will anchor both the offensive and defensive lines. He is also an excellent leader.

Underclassman to watch: Jake LaVerde is the Hornets’ starting quarterback and has two years left to play. He is an excellent quarterback and leader who can do both.

Conclusion

IF: the young defense comes together quickly, THEN: the Hornets could/should play for another Division VI state championship.