Ohio High School Football Team Secured State Championship Slot Without Throwing a Pass

An Ohio high school football team defied the odds by winning a state semifinal game without a single pass attempt. Yes, you’ve read that right, zero. What’s more impressive is that the Kirtland Hornets scored 41 points against the Northmor Golden Knights, securing their 13^th state championship game in school history.

As noted by the Kirtland Hornet Stat Crew account on X (formerly Twitter), the Hornets didn’t throw the football. Instead, their exceptional rushing attack generated 59 carries for 465 yards and six touchdowns. Averaging 7.9 yards per carry helped the Hornets maintain their undefeated streak in the Ohio Division VI state semifinals.

Kirtland’s unofficial stats in tonight’s 41-6 Final Four victory:

• 0-for-0 passing, 0 pass yards, 0 sacks

• 59 carries, 465 rush yards (7.9 yards per carry), 6 rushing TD 💪

We’ve been told to tag @SickosCommittee, so we will. 🤠#HornetPride🐝 https://t.co/ZyOmVkIn4r pic.twitter.com/fEGc4dfh75

— Kirtland Hornet Stat Crew (@hornetstatcrew) November 30, 2024

Senior running back Danny Alfieri led the way for Kirtland with 159 rushing yards and two touchdowns. While he didn’t throw a pass, quarterback Jake LaVerde contributed 146 yards and three touchdowns. Meanwhile, the Hornets’ defense limited a Northmor team averaging 38.1 points per game to seven. The Golden Knights collected only 236 yards on offense in this Ohio high school football state semifinal game.

The Hornets tallied their first points via a two-yard LaVerde touchdown, capping off a 13-play, 67-yard second-quarter drive. Northmor responded in the succeeding drive, courtesy of a 57-yard TD pass from AJ Bower to Cowin Becker.

However, that’s the only response from the Golden Knights offense as Kirtland scored 34 unanswered points to secure their state title game ticket. LaVerde crossed the goal line for a 13-yard touchdown and a 13-7 advantage. Alfieri made it 20-7 before halftime after safety Jack Lessick intercepted a pass. The unusual victory improved Kirtland’s record to 15-0 this season. They’ve limited opponents to single digits 11 times, including five shutouts.

The Hornets will face Coldwater in the Division VI state championship game on Dec. 6 at the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s Tom Benson Stadium. The Cavaliers defeated the Bluffton Pirates in the other semifinal match to complete the Ohio high school football Division VI finals pairing. Coldwater is 27^th in the Ohio On3 Composite Team Rankings, while Kirtland is 35^th.