CANTON, Ohio — Another year, another well-earned state championship for Kirtland.

The Hornets easily defeated Hopewell-Loudon 41-6 Saturday to win the Ohio High School Athletic Association Division IV football title. It's the eighth state championship in program history, with all coming since 2011 under head coach Tiger LaVerde.

On this afternoon in Canton, it was LaVerde's son Jake who guided the Hornets at quarterback, rushing for 112 yards and a touchdown while adding 10 tackles and half a tackle for loss on defense. However, it was running back John Silvestro who stole the show, finishing with 255 yards and an incredible four TDs.

Silvestro scored twice in the first half to give Kirtland a 14-0 lead at the break, then added his third on the team's opening drive of the third quarte

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