First collision: Kirtland takes its championship standard to Poland

Kirtland Football and Poland have traded blows in preseason scrimmages over the years.

On Friday, the scoreboard result counts.

• More From OhioVarsity.com: 2026 Football: Week 2 Previews and What to Know

For the first time, the Hornets and Bulldogs will meet in a varsity football game when defending Division VI state champion Kirtland visits Dave Pavlansky Field.

There is no series history. There is no previous result to dissect. There are, however, two proud programs accustomed to playing meaningful football deep into November—and one fascinating Week 2 collision.

Kirtland arrives with eight state championships, 14 state-final appearances since 2011 and a 16-game winning streak. Poland owns a 1999 state championship and is enjoying its best sustained run since the era surrounding that title.

The Bulldogs have won 30 games over the last three seasons and reached the playoffs seven straight times. They return 20 lettermen and roughly six or seven starters on each side of the football.

Kirtland’s opening statement

The Hornets did not need long to reestablish their identity in Saturday’s 51-6 victory over Cincinnati Taft at Ridgewood High School.

Kirtland scored 27 points in the opening quarter, led 44-0 at halftime and triggered a running clock midway through the second period.

The Hornets rushed for 250 yards, completed all four of their passes and limited Taft to 60 yards of offense. Thirteen Kirtland players carried the football, four caught passes, and every available player entered the game.

That distribution did not diminish the violence or efficiency of Kirtland’s attack.

Zander Perko rushed for 92 yards and two touchdowns on six carries. Matt Rus gained 75 yards on three attempts, including a 60-yard touchdown, and Tommy Caimi scored twice.

Quarterback Ben Loncar completed all three of his passes, including a touchdown to Mario Lorber. Griffin Gabriel later connected with Rylan Martinez for a 40-yard score.

It was the familiar Kirtland formula: control the line, spread the workload, punish mistakes and finish drives.

“We know we have high expectations, but we also know we have to keep working and improving every week,” Perko said following the victory.

The Hornets’ offensive front will be difficult to move. Caden Fall, Jackson Zahn, Lucci Cantini, Vince Prusock and 300-pound Jack Turk form an experienced unit built to create movement at the line of scrimmage.

Cantini, a four-year starter and two-time All-Ohio selection, also anchors the defense at linebacker. Turk, Perko, Sebastian Becker and kicker Marko Valentic earned All-Ohio recognition last season.

Many of those players operate on both sides of the ball. Kirtland does not merely possess experience. It possesses experience in a system that has produced 260 victories in LaVerde’s 21 seasons.

Poland’s chance to answer

Poland enters Friday from a much different emotional position.

The Bulldogs led Salem by 10 points twice in their opener but could not close the door in a 21-17 loss.

Poland struck first after Pete Zoumis intercepted a pass on Salem’s third offensive play. Salvi Carramusa converted a 25-yard field goal, and David Xipolitas later found Gavin Seifert for a 13-yard touchdown that produced a 10-0 lead.

After Salem pulled within three, Poland opened the second half with its best drive of the night. Ashton Sattarelle, Xipolitas and Chase Jones helped move the Bulldogs 75 yards, with Jones scoring from eight yards out for a 17-7 advantage.

Then the game turned.

Salem answered with a touchdown, used a 60-yard punt return to set up the go-ahead score, and intercepted Xipolitas in the end zone on Poland’s final threat.

It was another one-score heartbreak for a program still carrying the scars from two one-point losses to Girard in 2025, including a 28-27 playoff defeat.

The Bulldogs now must respond against a program that rarely provides second chances.

Coach Tom Pavlansky‘s veteran roster gives Poland reason to believe it can.

Xipolitas is in his third season as a varsity quarterback. Jones rushed for 733 yards and eight touchdowns last year and remains a centerpiece of the offense. Caleb Scott supplied a 31-yard reception and a key kickoff return against Salem, while Seifert caught the Bulldogs’ first touchdown of the season.

Nick Nittoli, Carson Reda, Brody Gensler and Dom Delluomo provide additional options, but Poland’s greatest source of confidence may be its offensive line.

Three-year starting center Greyson Shaffer leads a group that also includes Andrew Babyak and Seifert. David Vlasic, Maddox Purins and Zoumis add to an experienced interior that must withstand Kirtland’s relentless pressure.

The fight up front

Friday’s most important confrontation will not take place in open space.

It will happen between the tackles.

Poland believes its veteran line can establish a physical running game and protect Xipolitas long enough to attack downfield. Kirtland’s front just reduced Taft’s running game to almost nothing and forced two interceptions.

The Bulldogs cannot allow Kirtland to dictate the game’s terms from the opening snap.

Against Taft, the Hornets scored four first-quarter touchdowns. Against Salem, Poland created two early takeaways on downs or turnovers but converted those opportunities into only 10 points.

Settling for three instead of seven—or failing to capitalize at all—becomes even more dangerous against Kirtland.

The Hornets also present a depth problem.

Perko, Caimi and Carter Luzar give Kirtland three senior runners in its projected starting backfield. Rus proved he can strike from anywhere, and Lorber can influence the game as a receiver, defensive back and returner.

Kirtland attempted only four passes in its opener, but all four were completed and two produced touchdowns. Loading the box may be necessary. Doing so without consequences is another matter.

Something has to give

Kirtland has won 53 consecutive road games and 28 straight during the regular season. The Hornets are 19-1 in Week 2 under LaVerde, with an average victory margin exceeding 31 points.

Poland is not interested in becoming another number.

The Bulldogs have the size, experience, and home field to provide Kirtland with a far different challenge than the one Taft offered. They also carry the urgency of an 0-1 start and the accumulated frustration of three consecutive one-score losses.

For Poland, the assignment is clear: finish drives, protect the football, eliminate special-teams breakdowns and match Kirtland’s physicality for four quarters.

For Kirtland, Friday represents the first true road test of its title defense and the beginning of a rugged three-game stretch that continues next week at Perry.

The programs know one another from their preseason work. They know the formations, the coaching philosophies, and the physical standard each side expects.

But they have never played when it counted.

That changes Friday.

Kirtland will bring its championship pedigree, its winning streak, and one of the most imposing road records in Ohio history. Poland will bring an experienced roster, a packed home field and the desperation of a team determined to turn another painful lesson into a defining victory.

The first chapter has no history behind it.

It carries plenty of weight.

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Kirtland

Football Game CenterKirtland at Poland2026-2027 season

Poland

August 28, 2026 • 7:00 PMPoland

Kirtland 10-1 • Poland 3-3

Kirtland at Poland

Matchup2026-2027 season

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Ohio Varsity Matchup Predictor™

Win Probability

Powered by the OV Sports Engine

High data confidence

Kirtland73%

Poland27%

Current season: KirtlandRecent head-to-head: KirtlandAll-time series: KirtlandHome field: Poland Seminary

Projected Score

Kirtland

29

–

Poland

24

OV Power Rating15.3 / 16.3Kirtland / Poland

Momentum MeterHot / SteadyLast 3: 3-0 / 1-2

Strength of Schedule46 / 71Average / Very Tough

Game Quality Index37/100Standard matchup

Upset AlertLOWPoland has 27% model probability

Why the Predictor Favors Kirtland

Kirtland carries a 73% modeled win probability because Current season favors Kirtland; Recent head-to-head favors Kirtland; All-time series favors Kirtland. The model refreshes as new results are entered.

Current seasonKirtland

Recent head-to-headKirtland

All-time seriesKirtland

Home fieldPoland Seminary

Program strengthKirtland

The Ohio Varsity Matchup Predictor™ uses the previous three seasons as an early program-strength baseline, then shifts weight toward current-season record and PF/PA as results accumulate. Recent head-to-head results, strength of schedule, momentum and the longer recorded series provide additional context. An unfollowed team's missing data remains neutral instead of erasing known information about its opponent. Home field receives a small adjustment. Predicted score and win probability are editorial estimates, not betting lines.

Since 1972

Historical Notes

Automatically generated from recorded football history • See an inaccuracy? Please report it.

Kirtland Win

• Kirtland has started 2-0 for the 36th time since 1972.
• That is 11 consecutive 2-0 starts (2016-2026).
• Kirtland has extended its overall winning streak to 17 games.
• Kirtland is now 94-0 when scoring 31-40 points since 1972.

Other Statistical Notes

• This is the 1st recorded meeting between Kirtland and Poland Seminary since 1972.
• Series: Kirtland is 1-0 against Poland Seminary since 1972; average score 36.0-34.0.
• Kirtland's largest recorded win in the series: Aug. 28, 2026 • 36-34.
• Highest-scoring meeting: Aug. 28, 2026 • 36-34.

Program Milestones

• Kirtland has recorded 132 shutouts since 1972; the most recent was Oct. 17, 2025.
• Kirtland has scored 40+ points 177 times since 1972 (most recently Aug. 22, 2026).
• The program has reached 50+ points 67 times since 1972 (most recently Aug. 22, 2026).
• Kirtland has scored at least 30 points in 4 straight games.
• Poland Seminary has recorded 87 shutouts since 1972; the most recent was Oct. 17, 2025.
• Poland Seminary has scored 40+ points 74 times since 1972 (most recently Oct. 24, 2025).
• The program has reached 50+ points 18 times since 1972 (most recently Oct. 24, 2025).

Record by Points Scored

Program record in games falling within each scoring range.

Kirtland scoring history

0-1022-112-5139 games

11-2073-42-1116 games

21-3081-20101 games

31-4094-094 games

41+171-1172 games

Poland Seminary scoring history

0-1026-124-2152 games

11-2084-52-2138 games

21-30113-26139 games

31-4084-387 games

41+69-069 games

Explore Kirtland Football Almanac →•Explore Poland Football Almanac →

Kirtland Results vs. Poland

Date	Location	Score
Aug. 28, 2026	Poland	Kirtland W 36-34

Historical Data: Series records shown here cover 1972 through the latest imported season. Earlier meetings may not be included.

Season Leaders

Top Performers

Kirtland

Top Passer

Mario Lorber

315 YDS • 13-22 • 4 TD • 1 INT

Top Rusher

Tommy Caimi

1,162 YDS • 103 ATT • 18 TD

Top Receiver

Tommy Caimi

314 YDS • 14 REC • 2 TD

Poland

No stats reported

Kirtland Series Record1-01 recorded meetings vs. Poland

Kirtland Win Percentage1.000recorded series vs. Poland

Kirtland — Last 5 vs. Poland

Aug. 28, 2026Poland

Kirtland W 36-34

Kirtland vs. Poland Series Notes

Latest meeting: Aug. 28, 2026 • Kirtland W 36-34

First recorded meeting: Aug. 28, 2026

Kirtland longest winning streak: W 1

Poland longest winning streak: —

Largest Kirtland win: Aug. 28, 2026 • 36-34

Highest-scoring game: Aug. 28, 2026 • 36-34

Closest game: Aug. 28, 2026 • 36-34

Average score: Kirtland 36.0 • Poland 34.0

Season Totals

Team Stats

Stat Category	Kirtland	Poland
Passing
Yards	637	0
Comp-Att	36-62	0-0
Comp %	58.1%	—
Yards/Att	10.3	—
TD / INT	8 / 1	0 / 0
Rushing
Yards	3175	0
Attempts	369	0
Yards/Carry	8.6	—
Touchdowns	28	0
Receiving
Yards	635	0
Receptions	45	0
Yards/Catch	14.1	—
Touchdowns	5	0
Defense
Tackles	0	0
Sacks	3	0
Interceptions	8	0
Scoring
Points	418	0

Season Statbooks

Player Stats

Kirtland Stats (2026-2027)

Passing

# ↕	Player ↕	CMP ↕	ATT ↕	PCT ↕	YDS ↕	Y/G ↕	TD ↕	INT ↕	LONG ↕	QB RTG ↕
6	Mario Lorber	13	22	59.1%	315	78.8	4	1	0	0.0
13	Griffin Gabriel	11	20	55.0%	180	11.5	1	0	0	0.0
3	Ben Loncar	11	18	61.1%	134	33.5	3	0	0	0.0
6	Noah Fardo	1	2	50.0%	8	8.0	0	0	0	60.4

Rushing

# ↕	Player ↕	ATT ↕	YDS ↕	AVG ↕	Y/G ↕	LONG ↕	TD ↕
30	Tommy Caimi	103	1,162	8.1	97.5	6	18
1	Zander Perko	82	611	3.7	33.0	0	0
5	Sebastian Becker	40	501	6.6	26.3	0	2
27	Matt Rus	17	253	17.5	35.0	0	0
3	Ben Loncar	22	172	8.1	42.3	2	2
8	Brayden Yates	26	150	4.6	9.3	0	1
6	Mario Lorber	18	96	5.3	24.0	0	2
6	Noah Fardo	4	55	13.8	55.0	0	0
33	Bryson Rader	11	54	1.0	1.0	0	1
16	Rylan Martinez	5	36	3.0	3.0	0	0
26	Carter Luzar	3	21	7.0	5.3	0	0
13	Griffin Gabriel	16	20	-2.0	-1.5	0	2
23	Max Samac	3	17	3.0	0.8	0	0
14	Tad Hilstrom	2	10	8.0	2.0	0	0
22	Evan Lallo	5	7	1.4	0.0	0	0
24	Matt Schweinfurth	2	7	5.0	5.0	0	0
24	James O'Hara	4	6	-1.0	-0.3	0	0
17	Holden Martinez	6	-3	-10.0	-10.0	0	0

Receiving

# ↕	Player ↕	REC ↕	YDS ↕	AVG ↕	Y/G ↕	LONG ↕	TD ↕
30	Tommy Caimi	14	314	22.4	9.5	0	2
36	Carson Kalous	7	147	21.0	9.8	0	0
6	Mario Lorber	5	40	8.0	10.0	3	2
16	Rylan Martinez	1	40	40.0	10.0	1	0
1	Zander Perko	2	35	17.5	3.0	0	1
5	Sebastian Becker	1	15	15.0	3.8	0	0
23	Max Samac	1	11	11.0	2.8	0	0
18	Casey Lester	1	8	8.0	0.0	0	0
25	Jackson Cramp	1	8	8.0	0.0	0	0
21	Jacob Brandal	1	6	6.0	1.5	0	0
45	Marko Valentic	6	6	1.0	1.5	0	0
20	Landon Oppenheim	1	5	5.0	1.3	0	0

All-Purpose Yards

# ↕	Player ↕	RUSH ↕	REC ↕	KR ↕	PR ↕	IR ↕	TOTAL ↕	Y/G ↕
30	Tommy Caimi	1,162	314	102	29	0	1,607	401.8
1	Zander Perko	611	35	0	0	0	646	646.0
5	Sebastian Becker	501	15	0	0	0	516	129.0
27	Matt Rus	253	0	73	0	0	326	326.0
8	Brayden Yates	150	0	34	0	0	184	46.0
3	Ben Loncar	172	0	0	0	0	172	43.0
36	Carson Kalous	0	147	0	0	0	147	36.8
6	Mario Lorber	96	40	0	0	0	136	34.0
16	Rylan Martinez	36	40	0	0	0	76	76.0
6	Noah Fardo	55	0	0	0	0	55	55.0
33	Bryson Rader	54	0	0	0	0	54	13.5
23	Max Samac	17	11	0	0	0	28	7.0
26	Carter Luzar	21	0	0	0	0	21	5.3
13	Griffin Gabriel	20	0	0	0	0	20	5.0
14	Tad Hilstrom	10	0	0	0	0	10	2.5
18	Casey Lester	0	8	0	0	0	8	0.0
25	Jackson Cramp	0	8	0	0	0	8	0.0
22	Evan Lallo	7	0	0	0	0	7	0.0
24	Matt Schweinfurth	7	0	0	0	0	7	7.0
21	Jacob Brandal	0	6	0	0	0	6	1.5
24	James O'Hara	6	0	0	0	0	6	1.5
45	Marko Valentic	0	6	0	0	0	6	1.5
20	Landon Oppenheim	0	5	0	0	0	5	1.3
17	Holden Martinez	-3	0	0	0	0	-3	-3.0

Total Yards

# ↕	Player ↕	RUSH ↕	PASS ↕	REC ↕	TOTAL ↕	Y/G ↕
30	Tommy Caimi	1,162	0	314	1,476	369.0
1	Zander Perko	611	0	35	646	33.0
5	Sebastian Becker	501	0	15	516	129.0
6	Mario Lorber	96	315	40	451	112.8
3	Ben Loncar	172	134	0	306	76.5
27	Matt Rus	253	0	0	253	35.0
13	Griffin Gabriel	20	180	0	200	50.0
8	Brayden Yates	150	0	0	150	37.5
36	Carson Kalous	0	0	147	147	36.8
16	Rylan Martinez	36	0	40	76	3.0
6	Noah Fardo	55	8	0	63	63.0
33	Bryson Rader	54	0	0	54	13.5
23	Max Samac	17	0	11	28	7.0
26	Carter Luzar	21	0	0	21	5.3
14	Tad Hilstrom	10	0	0	10	2.5
18	Casey Lester	0	0	8	8	0.0
25	Jackson Cramp	0	0	8	8	0.0
22	Evan Lallo	7	0	0	7	0.0
24	Matt Schweinfurth	7	0	0	7	5.0
21	Jacob Brandal	0	0	6	6	1.5
24	James O'Hara	6	0	0	6	1.5
45	Marko Valentic	0	0	6	6	1.5
20	Landon Oppenheim	0	0	5	5	1.3
17	Holden Martinez	-3	0	0	-10	-10.0

Scoring

# ↕	Player ↕	TD ↕	2-PT PTS ↕	KICK PTS ↕	PTS ↕	PPG ↕
30	Tommy Caimi	15	0	0	148	37.0
1	Zander Perko	6	0	0	68	68.0
45	Marko Valentic	6	0	64	64	16.0
6	Mario Lorber	5	0	1	42	10.5
5	Sebastian Becker	2	0	0	24	6.0
3	Ben Loncar	3	0	0	18	4.5
27	Matt Rus	3	0	0	18	18.0
44	Brandon Oppenheim	0	0	0	6	0.0
8	Brayden Yates	1	0	0	6	1.5
33	Bryson Rader	1	0	0	6	1.5
36	Carson Kalous	0	0	0	6	1.5
13	Griffin Gabriel	0	0	0	6	1.5
16	Rylan Martinez	1	0	0	6	6.0

Sacks

# ↕	Player ↕	SACK ↕	YDL ↕	HUR ↕	TACK ↕	TFL ↕
62	Lucci Cantini	2.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0
66	Jack Turk	1.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0

Interceptions

# ↕	Player ↕	INT ↕	YDS ↕	AVG ↕	LONG ↕	TD ↕
30	Tommy Caimi	3	0	0.0	0	0
6	Mario Lorber	2	0	0.0	0	0
36	Carson Kalous	1	0	0.0	0	0
21	Jacob Brandal	1	0	0.0	0	0
55	Jordan Force	1	0	0.0	0	0

Kicking

# ↕	Player ↕	FGM ↕	FGA ↕	FG% ↕	LONG ↕	XPM ↕	XPA ↕	XP% ↕	PTS ↕
45	Marko Valentic	5	2	23.0%	0	49	4	1,225.0%	64
21	Jacob Brandal	0	0	0.0%	0	0	0	0.0%	1
6	Mario Lorber	0	0	0.0%	0	0	0	0.0%	1

Kickoff Returns

# ↕	Player ↕	RET ↕	YDS ↕	AVG ↕	Y/G ↕	TD ↕	LONG ↕
30	Tommy Caimi	4	102	25.5	25.5	0	0
27	Matt Rus	2	73	36.5	73.0	0	0
8	Brayden Yates	1	34	34.0	8.5	0	0

Punt Returns

# ↕	Player ↕	RET ↕	YDS ↕	AVG ↕	Y/G ↕	TD ↕	LONG ↕
30	Tommy Caimi	1	29	29.0	7.3	2	0