MINERVA — It took one of Ohio’s most powerful small-school football factories to end Northmor’s historic 2024 football season.
Top-ranked Kirtland dismissed the fifth-ranked Golden Knights 41-7 in Friday night’s frigid Division VI state semifinal at Minerva High School.
That result proved to be the final chapter in an otherwise storybook season for coach Scott Armrose’s crew. It was the greatest football campaign in Morrow County history, concluding with a 14-1 record.
Meanwhile, defending state champion Kirtland (15-0) stretched its winning streak to 28 straight victories. Coach Tiger LaVerde, who has led the Hornets to seven state crowns, will go for a second consecutive state title next Saturday at 10:30 a.m. against Coldwater (14-1) at Canton’s Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
(These photos are courtesy of Tom Theodore)
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Thedore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theeodore Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Credit: Tom Theodore 
Playing in snowy, windy conditions, neither team scored in the first period, but once Kirtland got untracked, the Hornets proved unstoppable, despite not attempting a pass the entire game.
“It’s just remarkable how well (the offensive line) executed,” coach Tiger LaVerde said. “They’ve gotten better week in and week out.
“These were tough conditions, but if you want to win a state championship you’ve got to play physical.”
Kirtland broke through when Jake LaVerde, the coach’s son, scored on a 2-yard keeper right over center with 10:42 showing in the second quarter for a 7-0 lead.
The Knights’ responded immediately with their big-play offense. Quarterback A.J. Bower tossed a screen pass to Corwin Becker who rumbled for a 62-yard touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 with 8:54 remaining in the half.
“They’re really good at that,” the Kirtland coach said. “We saw it on film and they sell it well and they beat us on that one.”
LaVerde countered with a 13-yard run around right end, hurdling a Knight to reach the end zone with 5:20 to play in the second period.
Northmor looked to bounce back, but the Hornets’ diminutive Jack Lessick intercepted his ninth pass of the season deep down the right sideline to thwart the Golden Knights’ next threat.
Kirtland took full advantage, driving into the red zone before turning loose Danny Alfieri, who scampered in on a 7-yard power blast up the middle at the 1:11 mark. That gave LaVerde’s crew a 20-7 halftime bulge.
Kirtland picked up where it left off in the third period. Alfieri got away for another 7-yard TD bolt, and the ensuing two-point conversion made it 28-7 with 8:14 on the clock.
On its next possession, Jake LaVerde scored his third TD of the night, sweeping around left end from 20 yards to goose the margin to 34-7 at the 2:47 mark.
The Hornets struck again at the end of the third period. Lesick squirted loose on an inside reverse and streaked 42 yards, diving to hit the pylon in the right front corner of the end zone. That touchdown triggered a running clock by giving Kirtland a 41-7 advantage heading to the fourth quarter.
Northmor’s march to begin the final period was thwarted deep in Kirtland territory when Sebastian Becket picked off an interception.
Neither team scored in the final period.
LaVerde finished with 146 yards on 16 carries and three touchdowns. Alfieri had 149 yards on 25 attempts and 2TD’s to pace his team to a 465-yard rushing night (7.9 yards per carry).
The Hornets haven’t lost since a 24-6 decision to Perry in Week 3 of last year, Sept. 1, 2023.
Kirtland will make its eighth straight appearance in the state championship game. The Hornets have played for a state title in 13 of the past 14 seasons.
Coldwater beat Bluffton 28-6 in the other Division VI state semifinal.