Kirtland Hornets 2023 Football Preview

Yappi

Yappi

Go Buckeyes
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Kirtland Hornets

Head Coach: Tiger Laverde
Years Head Coach (current school): 16
Record (current school): 215-19
Years Head Coach (overall): 20
Record (overall): 240-30

Assistant Coaches:
Dean Morison
Jeff Eckles
Ryan Beeler
Rossi Santo
Eric Zigler
Lino Desapri

Record last season: 15-1
League Affiliation: CVC
Last year's playoff results: lost in state title game

Team's style of offense: double tight

Top players returning on offense:
Matthew Kaylee OL
Rocco Alferi RB 196 carries 1340 yards 24 TDs
Gino Blassini 19 carries 302 yards 2 Tds 26 catches 540 yards 7 Tds
Jake Laverde 1032 yards passing 12 Tds 341 yards rushing 6 TDs

Top players lost on offense:
Tom Googlin RB
Phil Laverde RB
George Prusock OL (Gannon University)
Joe Pekar OL

New impact players on offense:
Will Beers RB
Will Sayle WR / TE

Team's style of defense: Fast & Aggressive

Top players returning on defense:
Mcguire Boyd ILB
Will Sayle DB
Gino Blassini DB
Rocko Alferi ilb
Will Bates DL
Will Beers DB
Matthew Kahley DL
Danny Alferi OLB / DL

Top players lost on defense:
Phil Laverde LB
Davin Patel Defensive End
Tom Googlin Corner

New impact players on defense:
Aaron Fortuna DL
Ty Bledsoe DL
Casey Carkhuff DL / ILB
Nico Samac DB

Expected starters on special teams:
Nick Barisic Kicker
Rocco Alferi Punter

Twitter:
@hornetstatcrew

Final Comments:
Strength - skilled running backs with experience, QB is better and stronger, returning a veteran defense
Weaknesses - lost two straight state championship games
 
 
Will Kirtland do it again? The Hornets beefed up their non-conference games with matches vs Dalton, Lutheran West, Trinity and Perry (Lake Co).
This is Jake LaVerdi's second year. Playing and starting in 16 games last year, definitely gave the now sophomore experience. This year's defense will be tough! I believe last year's JV went 9-1 losing a very close game to St. Eds 20-18. Yes, it would've been interesting to see the Hornets play Marion Local again, but this is one Hornet glad ML moved back down.
 
BTW, Kirtland has new field. Moving from Natural Grass to artificial turf. One aspect of Kirtland's long run has been that they have been relatively healthy during each season. It will be interesting to see if the new field will cause or prevent any future injuries. Go Hornets!! (The field will be ready by 8/22, Kirtland's Girls soccer teams first game)
 
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