Wildcat Gridders Drop Season Opener To Kirtland

Photo courtesy of Cheryl Marshall – Wildcat defense lined up against Hornet offense

The Central Clarion Wildcats hosted the Kirtland (Ohio) Hornets in the season opener, on Friday (August 22nd) at Wiser Field, with the Hornets coming away with a 30-7 win.

Kirtland scored the game’s first points, on a sixteen yard touchdown run by quarterback Jake Laverdi, at 9:49 of the opening quarter. Xavier Lasecki was successful on the point after giving Kirtland a 7-0 lead.

Laverdi reached paydirt again on a twenty-three yard run at 2:29 of the first. Lasecki’s kick was successful and the Hornets led 14-0.

There was no scoring in the second quarter.

The Wildcats tightened the game up at 7:43 in the third, on a five yard run by Carter Hindman. Logan Bish kicked the PAT and the Central Clarion trimmed their deficit to 14-7.

With 1:04 left in the quarter, Lasecki kicked a thirty yard field goal. Kirtland 17 – Central Clarion 7.

The Hornets had two more touchdown runs in the final stanza.

Ty Bledsoe ran the ball in from eleven yards at 11:25, with Lasecki good on the kick again giving Kirtland a 24-7 edge. John Silvestro finished the scoring with a five yard run at 1:39 setting the final.

Central Clarion is scheduled to travel to Keystone on Friday (August 29th).

(Keep working hard Wildcats!! Thanks to Explore Clarion for use of their broadcast for notes and to Cheryl Marshall for her photo!!)