Raiders, Hornets intersect across sports
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GREENFORD -- It's an exciting time for South Range sports and this week may prove to be one of the busiest yet for the Raiders.
Kirtland might be a common denominator for most of it.
The undefeated football team, fresh off a win over Crestview in the Div. V, Region 17 semifinals on Saturday, will meet state-power Kirtland (8-0) at 7 p.m. on Saturday in the regional final at Mentor High School.
Kirtland will also be an opponent for the boys soccer team as the Raiders host the Hornets on Wednesday in a Div. III regional semifinal. If the Raider boys win they'll play in a regional final at 3 p.m. on Saturday.
The girls soccer team will face Burton Berkshire today at Notre Dame-Cathedral Latin today in a Div. III regional semifinal. If that Raider team wins and Kirtland's girls soccer team beats Doylestown Chippewa, the Hornets and Raiders will battle at noon on Saturday for the regional title.
The Raiders also have several representatives heading to the state cross country meet on Saturday at Fortress Obetz.
"Me and (Kirtland coach) Tiger LaVerde talked about that this week," South Range coach Dan Yeagley said. "I guess it's a good week if you're a Hornet or a Raider."
Yeagley said he expects it will be challenging for parents with kids in multiple sports but the time spacing is generous enough to allow for witnessing multiple games.
"During this time of pandemic and COVID, parents have been doing whatever they can do to see their kids play and this will be no different," Yeagley said.
For the Kirtland coach it may also present a challenge.
"He has a daughter on the girls soccer team, so he'll be in the same boat as a lot of the parents," Yeagley said.
Hornets attack
Kirtland has basically been the small school team of the decade in Ohio high school football with state championships in 2011, 2013, 2015, 2018 and 2019. The Hornets are the current back-to-back Div. V champs.
LaVerde has built the program using a style that is simple, yet effective. The Hornets will try to keep possession and use long drives to wear defenses down.
South Range is very familiar with the Hornets having played them in 2007, 2008 and 2019 in the playoffs. The Hornets outscored the Raiders 24-0 in the second half of last season's playoff game to cruise to a 38-7 win. Many of the same players on both teams are back.
"We had a lot of good juniors in that game last year and it's nice to send them back," Yeagley said. "We know Kirtland is a great football team and to be the best you have to beat the best."
Yeagley said the lack of weight training time in the spring and limited practice time in the summer has caught up with most teams and that his team is carrying its fair share of bumps and bruises into the regional.
"Even Tiger said it has taken its toll," Yeagley said.
Due to its substandard stadium facilities, Kirtland has played its last two games away from home, having utilized Chardon and Mentor.
"This is going to be better for both schools as there is more space for fans and the facilties are better," Yeagley said. "We look forward to playing there."