KIRTLAND — To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best.

That’s the test Friday at 7 p.m. at Minerva High School when two unbeatens meet in a Division VI semifinal game. Northmor, in its maiden voyage, and perennial state power Kirtland match 14-0 records for the right to play for a state championship.

Top seed Kirtland has won seven state crowns, including three consecutive titles. The seven championships is tied for sixth-most in OHSAA history.

Rushing attack and defense

The Hornets rushed for 367 yards and six touchdowns in a 41-6 win over Dalton. It marked the program’s eighth consecutive regional title and 13th all-time.

Their offense is based on a strong two-headed running attack with just 80 pass attempts this season.

Running back Danny Alfieri had 202 yards on 23 carries and four touchdowns. John Silvestro had 73 yards on just four attempts and one score.

“The seven guys up front have been really good all year and they did it again tonight,” Kirtland head coach Phillip (Tiger) LaVerde told Cleveland.com.

“I can’t say enough about the job they do up front.”

Alfieri — who has totaled 670 yards and 16 touchdowns this postseason — did most of his damage in the first half, totaling 182 yards and four TDs on 19 attempts.

Junior quarterback Jake LaVerde has added 989 yards rushing and eight touchdowns. As a team Kirtland averages 441 yards rushing per game (a 12.6 yards per carry average).

The offensive line is anchored by Teddy Prusock (260), Lucci Cantini (230), Jackson Carestio (235) and Matthew Kahley (245) and Jack Turk (270).

On the season LaVerde has thrown for just 276 yards, but 10 of his 16 completions have been for touchdowns. Alfieri leads the rushing attack with 1,430 yards and a school-record 34 TDs.

The Hornets defense played a key role as well, forcing two interceptions and three fumbles, losing it once. They also forced four turnovers-on-downs.

That unit has given up just 19 points in its last seven games.

‘Been here before’

The program has won 27 straight games, a run that includes last season’s Division VI state final victory.

Kirtland’s playoff journey includes Region 21 wins over Rootstown 62-0, Smithville 39-0, and Columbia 41-7 prior to the victory over Dalton. They led the Bulldogs 28-0 at halftime.

“These kids have been here before, so it’s not new. I think that’s helpful to us,” said LaVerde.

“We’re going to practice Thanksgiving Day, which is always a blessing and just appreciate each day with these kids.”

Kirtland was 15-1 last season and won the state title, 32-15, over Versailles. In that game LaVerde ran for 124 yards on eight carries.

The Lake County school has a rich winning tradition.

Perennial power

Over a decade from 2010-2019 the program was 139-7; 98-2 in regular season games and 41-5 in playoff contests.

The Hornets were 7-3 in 2009 and failed to make the playoffs, before embarking on their historic run.

Coach LaVerde entered his 19th season with a career record of 249-30, including 229-20 at Kirtland. When he took over in 2006, the Hornets had not won a playoff game.

He got career win No. 250 in a regular season win over Dalton.

“That just means I’ve been doing this a while and I’ve been fortunate to have some great assistant coaches who could really, really coach some unbelievable players.”

LaVerde said in a 2022 interview that his success wouldn’t be possible without his players.

“The kids really work hard every day, (every) year. They really don’t take days off.”

Other semifinalists

No. 2 Bluffton and No. 1 Coldwater will match 13-1 records in the other state semifinal game Friday night. The site is Wapakoneta’s Harmon Field.

Bluffton beat Patrick Henry 24-7, while Coldwater topped Anna 45-21, in the other regional final games.

Two fourth-quarter touchdowns sealed the win for Bluffton.

Cody Depweg scored four touchdowns for Coldwater. He ran for 136 yards on 20 carries and the Cavaliers had 334 rushing yards.

The Division VI championship game is Saturday, Dec. 7 at 10:30 a.m. at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium, Canton.

For more tournament information visit www.ohsaa.org/sports/football