Oh…Oh…Kirtland-Marion Local…Are They Headed To Another State Championship Battle?

(11-21-22) Kirtland and Marion Local have filled their trophy cases over the years with OHSAA State Football Championship trophies. The two have been dominant small-school programs in Ohio over recent years.

Past Battles….

• 2015 D VI State Title – Kirtland 22 Marion Local 20
• 2017 DVI State Title – Marion Local 34 Kirtland 11
• 2018 DVI State Title – Kirtland 16 Marion Local 7

The last time they played each other in 2018…

Marion Local vs Kirtland

WOSN – You Tube Video

In 2011 they both won state titles, Kirtland in DV (beating Coldwater), Marion Local in D VI

In 2013 they both won state titles, Kirtland in D VI, Marion Local in DVII

In 2019 they both won state titles, Kirtland in DV and Marion Local in D VII.

The Hornets are led by Head Coach Tiger LaVerde and Marion Local by Tim Goodwin.

Both coaches have made an impact on their programs, including regular trips to the state final game. Goodwin is closing in on 300 career wins… currently with a 291-48 record since his first year in 1999.

LaVerde reached his 200th career win at Kirtland ith the Hornets’ 34-8 win over Harvey in the season opener Aug. 19, making him Ohio’s fastest coach to reach that milestone, with a 200-18 record and one game into his 17th season and the third-fastest coach in the nation with one school.

The two teams are very familiar with each other. Kirtland has also won and lost state title against other Midwest Athletic Conference teams, including last season when Versailles knocked them off in the D V title game and stopping their nationally leading consecutive game winning streak at 55.

• OHSAA D V State Football Championship – Versailles Ends Kirtland Streak At 55 Games…Tigers Win 7th State Title

Minster beat the Hornets in 2014, Coldwater lost to Kirtland in 2011 and beat the Cavs in 2012.

Last season Kirtland was in DV and Marion Local was in DVII…this year they both ended up in D VI. Over this run of games the two have bounced back and forth in which division they both would be competing in, due to a lot of factors determining divisions.

Not so fast…the rematch in the 2022 DVI title game will depend if they can win this week’s semifinal games, Kirtland will play Ft. Frye and Marion Local will take on Columbus Grove. Looking ahead

BALLGAME. Kirtland wins the 2022 Region 21 title by defeating Mogadore 30-0.

The Hornets advance to the Final Four for the sixth straight season, 11th time in 12 years.

Kirtland faces the winner of Bellaire and Fort Frye at South Range on Saturday, November 26. pic.twitter.com/ck07sO4Wku

— Kirtland Hornet Stat Crew (@hornetstatcrew) November 20, 2022

2022 Division VI State Semifinals– both games Saturday, 7 p.m.

• Marion Local (14-0) vs. Columbus Grove (12-2) at Lima Spartan Stadium
• Kirtland (14-0) vs. Fort Frye (13-1) at Canfield South Range Reminder Athletic Complex

Marion Local is currently on a 30 consecutive game winning streak, the most in Ohio and also one of the longest in the US.

• US HS Football Current Consecutive Game Wins After Week 14

State Final Resume

Kirtland – 2021 (2nd), 2020 (1st), 2019 (1st), 2018 (1st), 2017 (2nd), 2016, 2015 (1st), 2014 (2nd), 2013 (1st), 2012 (2nd), 2011 (1st), 2010, 2008, 2007, 2006, 1999, 1990

Tournament Appearances – 18
All-Time Tournament Record – 54-11
State Titles – 6 (20, 19, 18,15, 13, 11)
State Runner-Up – 4 (21, 17, 14,12)
State Finalist – 10 (21, 20, 19, 18, 17, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11)

Marion Local – 2021 (1st), 2020, 2019 (1st),2018 (2nd), 2017 (1st), 2016 (1st), 2015 (2nd), 2014 (1st), 2013 (1st), 2012 (1st), 2011 (1st), 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007 (1st), 2006 (1st), 2005, 2003 (2nd), 2002, 2001 (1st), 2000 (1st), 1999, 1993, 1981

Tournament Appearances – 24
All-Time Tournament Record – 90-12
State Titles – 12 (21, 19, 17,16, 14, 13, 12,11, 07, 06, 01,00)
State Runner-Up – 3 (18, 15, 03)
State Finalist – 19 (21, 19, 18, 17, 16, 15, 14, 13, 12, 11, 09,08, 07, 06, 03, 01, 00, 99, 81