Playmakers abound in Kirtland’s win at Shaker Heights
SHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio – Football fans outside of Ohio might be surprised to learn that on Sept. 5, Kirtland, a small Division V program, beat host Shaker Heights, a program in Division I, the Buckeye state’s largest classification. Upon closer…
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Continue ReadingSHAKER HEIGHTS, Ohio – Football fans outside of Ohio might be surprised to learn that on Sept. 5, Kirtland, a small Division V program, beat host Shaker Heights, a program in Division I, the Buckeye state’s largest classification.
Upon closer examination, the Hornets’ 35-10 victory becomes more of an expectation than an upset.
Kirtland entered the game riding a 31-game winning streak, which includes back-to-back state titles, albeit in the small-school Division V and Division VI classifications. The Hornets, who have now won five state titles since the 2011 season, haven’t lost a regular season game since the 2016 season.
Meanwhile, Shaker Heights finished 2-8 last year and got off to a late start this season thanks to a Coronavirus shutdown. The Red Raiders opened their season on Saturday while the Hornets had a tune-up last week with a 34-14 win over Division III Lake Catholic.
Despite a slow start, both teams saw their playmakers rise to the occasion in the afternoon tilt.
As always, Kirtland relied on its power run game and a swarming defense to limit the Red Raiders to just 195 yards of total offense. The Hornets, who used a pick-six to avoid being shut out in the first half for the first time since 2016, led just 7-3 at halftime but had worn down the Red Raiders and went on to dominate the final 24 minutes of play.
Kirtland scored 28 unanswered points before the Red Raiders scored a late touchdown off the Hornet backups.
Here’s a look at the top performers from each team:
KIRTLAND
#1 Mason Sullivan, Senior, RB/LB
Sullivan, who landed his first scholarship offer last week when Siena, an NAIA program, made its pitch to the 6-foot-1, 205-pounder, rushed for a game-high 149 yards on 16 carries and scored twice.
After being held mostly in check during the first quarter, Sullivan broke a 34-yard run in the second quarter but that drive ended with a Kirtland fumble. His 31-yard run on first down of Kirtland’s first possession of the second half set up his own three-yard touchdown run. He added a second three-yard scoring run later in the quarter.
As powerful as Sullivan can be carrying the ball, he’s destined to play linebacker at the next level.
His running back skills translate well to the defensive side of the ball where he has excellent lateral speed and uses his leverage to stand up ball carriers at the line of scrimmage.
A two-time All-Ohioan, once on defense and once on offense, Sullivan has the ability to drop into coverage or rush the passer and his athleticism creates mismatches for any potential blocker.
#20 Gage Sullivan Gage Sullivan 6'3" | 200 lbs | WR Kirtland | 2022 OH , Junior, WR/DB
The younger of the two Sullivans, Gage has a unique set of talents.
A lankly, 6-foot-4, 195-pounder, Gage Sullivan Gage Sullivan 6'3" | 200 lbs | WR Kirtland | 2022 OH last year turned in what could be the greatest catch of all time in Ohio state football championship game history when he made a leaping one-handed grab to extend a Kirtland drive in its title win over Ironton.
His leaping ability and hand strength are his greatest assets but he also possesses top-end speed and the hip flexibility to make defenders miss in space.
He caught just one pass on Saturday for 17 yards but it went for a touchdown.
Sullivan’s stats aren’t ever going to impress but that’s due to Kirtland’s commitment to overwhelming opponents in the run game. Liam Powers, Kirtland’s starting quarterback, threw just 63 passes last fall with 17 of those landing in Sullivan’s arms.
But, while Sullivan won’t see many opportunities, he makes the most of each one.
Sullivan already has drawn college interest, including a couple of Power 5 schools, and he’s sure to impress in a college camp setting.
#2 Joey Grazia, Senior, DB
Grazia, a 5-foot-10, 155-pounder, turned in the play of the game when he picked off a pass and returned it 28 yards for a touchdown for Kirtland’s only score of the first half.
The impressive part of Grazia’s big play was that he expected it.
Grazia watched film on Shaker Heights from last season and picked up tendencies on the Red Raiders’ wide receivers. When he noticed the wideout he was defending against leaned in when he set up at the line of scrimmage, Grazia knew what was coming and adjusted his coverage. He picked up the quarterback early and jumped the route when the ball was thrown.
A third-team All-Ohioan last year after picking off nine passes and breaking up 18 others, Grazia is a student of the game and that translates into success on the field.
#50 Kristian Grman, Senior, OL
Grman, a 5-foot-10, 225-pounder who was named first-team All-Ohio last season, lined up primarily at left guard and paved the way for many of Kirtland’s biggest runs. On Mason Sullivan’s early 34-yard run, Grman pulled to his right and sealed off the edge rusher, allowing Sullivan to slip into the crease on the inside.
He pulled to his left and led the way for Mason Sullivan on a three-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter.
Kirtland’s offensive linemen generally aren’t the biggest but they sure are overachievers. Grman exemplifies that with his effort, both in the off-season and on the field.
Faced with a fourth-and-short inside the Shaker Heights 30, Kirtland head coach Tiger LaVerde opted to go for the first down and for good reason. He ran a quarterback sneak right behind Grman and the Hornets moved the chains and went on to score a touchdown to push their advantage to 14-3.
SHAKER HEIGHTS
#2 Adam Diaz, Junior, QB
Despite a rough offensive day for the Red Raiders, Adam Diaz demonstrated enough to explain away the early interest he has received from college programs.
A two-sport standout, the 5-foot-10, 210-pound Diaz also is a top baseball prospect.
On Saturday, he completed just 9-of-23 passes for 123 yards with a touchdown and an interception and ran for 49 yards on 15 carries, but he has impressive athleticism and quickness. Playing anyone other than Kirtland, whose defense plays as disciplined and organized as any in the state, Diaz likely turns some of his short gains into highlight-reel worthy plays.
There were many occasions where Diaz rolled out right or left and ran into trouble with Kirtland’s defense. He made a move to change direction but ran out of running room because of the Hornets and their ability to cut off the backside.
Diaz has impressive arm strength but wasn’t very accurate, partly due to the pressure he faced.
He likely won’t be recruited as a quarterback if he sticks with football in college but he is a tremendous athlete and could be a dangerous threat in a Wildcat formation.
#12 Alex Benson, Senior, WR
The Red Raiders struggled to put together drives but they did record some impressive explosive plays and a couple of those were due to the size and speed of the 6-foot-5, 185-pound Alex Benson out on the edge.
Benson finished the day with five catches for 105 yards.
Considering the Red Raiders accounted for just 90 yards on the 53 plays that didn’t include Benson, his numbers are eye-popping. He also returned two kicks for 42 yards.
Benson has home run potential every time he sprints down the field and against another defense he could have had an even bigger day.
Despite his potential on the football field, Benson’s future could be in basketball.
#1 Jahdae Walker, Senior, WR
Another member of Shaker Heights’ state-power basketball program, Walker caught just three passes for 16 yards but he’s got the potential to be a game-breaker every time he touches the ball.
Walker, a 6-foot-4, 190-pounder, has a long stride which enables him to quickly move down the field. He’s not as sharp on his breaks as is Benson, but with his jumping ability and wingspan, he can pull in a lot of balls other receivers might miss.
He also had an interception on defense.
Again, Kirtland’s defense had a lot to do with the limited numbers of Shaker’s big three—Diaz, Benson and Walker. It will be interesting what that trio can do the rest of the season.
#6 Tommy Dunn, Junior, RB/LB
The 6-foot-2, 210-pound Tommy Dunn lined up mostly at middle linebacker.
He was one of the bright spots on the Red Raider defense as he was quick to sort out Kirtland’s option fakes and was strong enough to shed the blocks of the linemen who pushed their way into the second level.
Even when he over-pursued, Dunn was able to quickly change directions and get back on track chasing down the ball carrier.
VIDEO REPLAY
Watch below to see all of these players in action.