Division VI State Semifinal: Northmor (14-0) vs. Kirtland (14-0)

Bball216 said:
I know 7on7s don't mean much - but Kirtland did beat Glenville in the finals of the Deshawn Watson pre season tournament. I think in a regular game Glenville would have the advantage. Unfortunately for Perry the two biggest games of their season (and only 2 losses) came with horrible weather. They have a stout passing game that was neutralized by the downpour both games were played in. The weather absolutely helped Kirtland against the Pirates. The Hornets vs Tarblooders would depend on the conditions the game was played in. If it was played this Friday the Hornets would have a punchers chance. Glenville has a history to playing differently in bad weather. The poor weather conditions seem to effect the Tarblooders more then most teams. Glenville on a dry field with no rain is a handful - the weather is a great equalizer.
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They mean zilch. Against Versailles in 21 Kirtland's best passing attack was a halfback pass. Vs Marion Local in 22 Kirtland was 5/19 passing with 2 ints. one a pick six. From what I have witnessed if you stop K's running game a team has a good chance of winning but good luck stopping K's running game.
 
Thanks for the videos. That kid can sling it and seems to really be in sync with his WRs. It's going to be curious if they could spread Kirtland out and still keep the QB in a clean pocket. Those are the hardest offenses to defend if the QB has time and the WRs are solid.

Sometimes the best defense is a good offense and that might be the case this week. Kirtland has the uncanny ability to take the air out of the ball. The Northmor offense can't hurt you if they are not on the field. We have seen it for what seems like forever these 7 and 8 minute scoring drives. You look up and the quarter is almost over. This year however Kirtland has ran the ball and have scored quickly with big chunk runs. I'm not sure you want to score quickly in this game because it might become a shootout. I look forward to watching another entertaining game with a state title berth on the line.
 
Kirtland4580 said:
@TriangleMan, you might be one to know this…has another team won its first 12 or 13 state semifinals played? Can’t imagine the list of teams is very large to have made 12 or 13 final fours, but it’s a record I think is in more & more danger every time the Hornets have made the state semis.

Thanks for the info on Northmor. 8 straight playoff appearances after first qualifying in 2017 means they have a great foundation & consistency they are building!
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They used to be one of the worst programs in the state, at one point holding the longest active losing streak. That was 20 something years ago, but to come from that to a region title is impressive. That was back in the 90's and early 2000's when they were the smallest school in a tough MOAC conference that included Marion Pleasant when they made a few title runs. Getting in with similar sized schools in the KMAC hasn't hurt this building process. Early in my career I taught and coached in that area (not at Northmor), so it's pretty cool to see them make it this far. I will be rooting for them, but I know the reality is that they probably don't have the dudes to hold up to Kirtland.

Side note. KMAC also has Danville still in it in the DVII semi final.
 
Kirtland4580 said:
@TriangleMan, you might be one to know this…has another team won its first 12 or 13 state semifinals played? Can’t imagine the list of teams is very large to have made 12 or 13 final fours, but it’s a record I think is in more & more danger every time the Hornets have made the state semis.

Thanks for the info on Northmor. 8 straight playoff appearances after first qualifying in 2017 means they have a great foundation & consistency they are building!
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Kirtland4580, we in DV (my South Range team included) were certainly glad to see Kirtland drop to DVI. They were a literal buzz saw to face!
The Hornets are a very well coached and an excellent program with great athletes.
Good luck this Friday and beyond.
 
Bluestreak1980 said:
I am taking the Hornets by ways of the running clock. 41-7 but no disrepect to Northmor but Kirtland plays 16 games every year and knows what it takes.
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They play 16 games every year! Wow! They must have more state championships than Marion Local. No, wait...
 
Since the first championship season in 2011 thru this year, even including the odd year of 2020, they have played 205 games for an average of 14.6 games per season.

YEARWINSLOSSES
2011150
2012141
2013150
2014141
2015141
2016112
2017141
2018150
2019150
2020110
2021141
2022151
2023151
2024140
TOTALS1969
 
Stirred not Shaken said:
The 1st year it took 16 games to win a state championship was in 2021, and K has played in a state title game every year since 2017, likely the longest streak in the state regardless of division.
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Yes, that is the longest current streak of championship game appearances across all divisions.

According to my records, if Kirtland wins Friday they will tie Newark Catholic ('80-'87) and Coldwater ('09-'16) at 8 for the 2nd longest streak of State Championship game appearances, trailing only the 9 by Marion Local ('11-'19).
 
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RBS said:
They play 16 games every year! Wow! They must have more state championships than Marion Local. No, wait...
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Speaking of 16 games every year, the Steiners are on the precipice of doing something that can never be topped in state football history…16-0, 16-0, 16-0, 16-0; a perfect 64-0 senior class. Without looking that far ahead (Columbus Grove this week), how far do you think they can take their streak, @RBS?
 
KC 72 said:
Kirtland4580, we in DV (my South Range team included) were certainly glad to see Kirtland drop to DVI. They were a literal buzz saw to face!
The Hornets are a very well coached and an excellent program with great athletes.
Good luck this Friday and beyond.
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The same can be said for South Range in terms of being well coached & an excellent program. I was happy that when Coach Yeagley went out on top, they went in-house & elevated Rach. That was the best possible move to keep the Raiders going deep into the Postseason annually.

D5 looks like a buzzsaw across all fronts. The Hornets won’t be up in that division anytime soon. But who knows, our paths may cross again in the future!

Good luck against Liberty Center. They’ll be gunning for revenge from two years ago…I think they’re the closest thing that resembles our style of offense/defense in D5.
 
Kirtland4580 said:
Speaking of 16 games every year, the Steiners are on the precipice of doing something that can never be topped in state football history…16-0, 16-0, 16-0, 16-0; a perfect 64-0 senior class. Without looking that far ahead (Columbus Grove this week), how far do you think they can take their streak, @RBS?
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I think they will handle Grove, but you just never know. Kirtland's running game looks especially nasty this year. The Hornets are the one team in D6 to D7 that I have to pause and think, what if they get 3, 4, 5 yards a carry and ML can't stop it.....I know both sides would love to see it this year. Carry on with this thread and good luck this week.
 
Msfootball said:
I think they will handle Grove, but you just never know. Kirtland's running game looks especially nasty this year. The Hornets are the one team in D6 to D7 that I have to pause and think, what if they get 3, 4, 5 yards a carry and ML can't stop it.....I know both sides would love to see it this year. Carry on with this thread and good luck this week.
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I'm sure ML and Kirtland respect the hell out of each other - but if you asked the kids on both squads they would love to crack pads this year.
 
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Kirtland4580 said:
Speaking of 16 games every year, the Steiners are on the precipice of doing something that can never be topped in state football history…16-0, 16-0, 16-0, 16-0; a perfect 64-0 senior class. Without looking that far ahead (Columbus Grove this week), how far do you think they can take their streak, @RBS?
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Wow! That is impressive!
 
Bball216 said:
I'm sure ML and Kirtland respect the hell out of each other - but if you asked the kids on both squads they would love to crack pads this year.
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They have to by now. I’m sure Goodwin and Tiger as well as the players have that respect. That’s something that starts with 2 great head coaches and trickles down to the players and staff. If we ever get these 2 great programs in the same division again maybe we’ll get that rubber match for a state title.
 
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Bball216 said:
Nobody said anything about ML. They don't pertain to this discussion. Why even bring them up. There are several threads on this sight singing the praises of ML. ML fans are starting to become like Massillon fans - that's not a compliment.
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Spot on
 
I'm hearing possible snow in the forcast. The worse the weather the more Kirtland loves it. They unlike most teams embrace bad weather - it makes their running game even harder to defend.
 
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