CANTON, Ohio — The last time Hopewell-Loudon played for a state football championship, Kirtland coach Tiger LaVerde was just beginning to build his program.

“When I got hired, I was just hoping to make the playoffs and win a playoff game,” LaVerde said Tuesday during the OHSAA’s annual teleconference ahead of Saturday’s 3 p.m. Division VI title game at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

The Chieftains (13-1) will stand in the way of Kirtland (14-0) and its bid for an eighth state crown since 2011. Hopewell-Loudon got to the finals in 2007 and ’08 under coach Brian Colatruglio, who has remained in charge of his program.

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