Perry’s second-half defense leads Pirates past Kirtland, 31-10

Perry forced two second-half turnovers, including Carter Crofoot’s 58-yard pick-six, to pull away from Kirtland for a 31-10 victory.

Cameron Palmer
By Cameron Palmer
Comments 0

When and meet annually in Week 3, fireworks usually follow.

This time, they came from the Perry defense.

The Pirates forced two second-half turnovers, including a 58-yard pick-six by , and pulled away for a 31-10 victory over the visiting Hornets on Sept. 4.

“The pick-six is awesome because in the stat sheet it looks like I did something right on the offensive side,” Perry head coach said. “This is one of the few games where the cliches actually matter. Not turning the ball over, capitalizing on mistakes because it’s so tight athletically and in preparedness. Those were momentum shifters. Those were massive.”

Perry wasted little time establishing itself, scoring on an 11-play opening drive. capped it with a 10-yard read-option touchdown run after connecting with for 31 yards earlier in the possession.

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The Pirates carried that 7-0 lead into the second quarter, but Kirtland quickly created an opportunity of its own.

After a missed 41-yard field goal by , intercepted Trefzger and gave the Hornets possession. Moments later, scored on a one-yard quarterback sneak to tie the game at 7.

Perry answered.

A 15-yard reception by Crofoot and a 13-yard Trefzger run helped move the Pirates into scoring range, where drilled a 41-yard field goal to give Perry a 10-7 advantage with approximately two-and-a-half minutes remaining in the half.

Kirtland responded before the break. Loncar found for a key completion that helped set up Valentic, who converted a 41-yard field goal to send the teams into halftime tied at 10.

Then the game changed.

Kirtland opened the second half with possession but fumbled, with recovering for Perry.

The Pirates immediately capitalized.

Crofoot helped move Perry deep into Kirtland territory, and on the next snap Trefzger dropped a 32-yard touchdown pass into Mechenbier’s hands to give the Pirates a 17-10 lead.

Crofoot delivered an even bigger play later in the third quarter.

He made a one-handed interception and raced 58 yards for a touchdown, suddenly stretching Perry’s advantage to 24-10.

After another Kirtland possession ended without points, Trefzger connected with across the middle to help set up another scoring drive. Hopkins eventually finished it himself, breaking free for a 31-yard touchdown run that pushed the lead to 31-10.

Perry added one final defensive statement with a goal-line stand and closed out a 21-point victory.

“We play to win. When we’re on offense, what’s the difference between punting and going for it?” Gecewich said. “I trust our guys who practice every day and get the majority of the snaps. This week we were fortunate to come up on the right side today.”

The victory was Perry’s first over Kirtland since defeating the Hornets on the road in 2023, but this one came in front of the Pirates’ home crowd.

“Our kids treated it as a rivalry game; we really do have tremendous respect for those guys over there, for their players, for their coaches,” Gecewich said. “The atmosphere is different, you know. People show up for it, really get excited about this game, and our kids do too. So it is different, and they’re the standard bearer in our part of the state for small (school) football, and that’s who you want to build your program to be like.”

Hopkins led Perry’s ground game with eight carries for 54 yards and a touchdown.

Trefzger rushed eight times for 27 yards and a touchdown while completing 10 of 22 passes for 149 yards, one touchdown and one interception.

Mechenbier caught three passes for 69 yards and a touchdown, while Crofoot finished with 62 yards from scrimmage on eight touches in addition to his 58-yard interception return for a touchdown.

added three receptions for 28 yards.

For Kirtland, the loss followed a dramatic 36-34 victory over Poland Seminary a week earlier. Two difficult games in consecutive weeks gave the Hornets an early-season test that head coach believes will help his team moving forward.

“When two good teams meet, you can’t make mistakes like that. Fumble, pick six, and that’s the game right there,” LaVerde said. “It was a dogfight. We had the ball, got a couple first downs, and we just dropped it. They capitalized. Got to give them credit. They played great defense tonight, and they capitalized on our mistakes.

“I learned we got a lot of improvements to make, but that’s part of the process. That’s why we schedule Poland and Perry, and that’s why we schedule games like this. It’s going to help us down the road.”

LaVerde pointed specifically to tackling as an area the Hornets must improve.

“We got to tackle better. That’s number one; we got to tackle better,” LaVerde said. “I thought (Ryan) Beeler did a nice job calling the defensive game plan. I thought we had them in third and long quite a bit, and we just didn’t tackle when we needed to get off the field.”

Caimi led Kirtland with 108 yards from scrimmage on 20 touches and also recorded an interception. Loncar rushed 10 times for 43 yards and a touchdown, while added 31 yards on nine carries.

Both teams open CVC play on Sept. 11. Perry travels to Jefferson, while Kirtland visits Rootstown.

More Football Coverage From OhioVarsity.com

Kirtland
Football Game CenterKirtland at Perry2026-2027 season
Perry
September 4, 2026 • 7:00 PMAlumni Stadium, Perry, Ohio
Kirtland 10-1 • Perry 12-0
Kirtland at Perry
Matchup2026-2027 season
▶ WATCH LIVEFACEBOOKTICKETSPRINT GAME NOTES
Individual Game

Box Score

FINALKirtland 10 • Perry 31

Kirtland Game Stats

Passing
# Player CMP ATT PCT YDS AVG TD INT
3Ben Loncar5955.6%6012.001
Rushing
# Player ATT YDS AVG TD
30Tommy Caimi18703.90
3Ben Loncar10434.31
1Zander Perko9313.40
5Sebastian Becker6233.80
27Matt Rus3186.00
6Mario Lorber144.00
Receiving
# Player REC YDS AVG TD
30Tommy Caimi23819.00
6Mario Lorber2178.50
Total Yards
# Player RUSH PASS REC
30Tommy Caimi70038
3Ben Loncar43600
1Zander Perko3100
5Sebastian Becker2300
6Mario Lorber4017
27Matt Rus1800
Interceptions
# Player INT
30Tommy Caimi1
Kickoff Returns
# Player RET YDS AVG TD
30Tommy Caimi46917.30

Perry Game Stats

Passing
# Player CMP ATT PCT YDS AVG TD INT
13Nate Trefzger102245.5%14914.911
Rushing
# Player ATT YDS AVG TD
23Carter Hopkins8546.81
34Carter Crofoot5295.80
13Nate Trefzger8273.41
4Chase Sivon2136.50
84Brayden Martin2-1-0.50
12Traxton Richards2-1-0.50
Receiving
# Player REC YDS AVG TD
6Greg Mechenbier36923.01
34Carter Crofoot33311.00
84Brayden Martin3289.30
12Traxton Richards3289.30
23Carter Hopkins11919.00
Total Yards
# Player RUSH PASS REC
13Nate Trefzger271490
23Carter Hopkins54019
6Greg Mechenbier0069
34Carter Crofoot29033
84Brayden Martin-1028
12Traxton Richards-1028
4Chase Sivon1300
Interceptions
# Player INT
34Carter Crofoot1
Kickoff Returns
# Player RET YDS AVG TD
4Chase Sivon12020.00
12Traxton Richards177.00
Ohio Varsity Matchup Predictor™
Win Probability
Powered by the OV Sports Engine
High data confidence
Kirtland43%
Perry57%
Home field: PerryCurrent season: PerryRecent head-to-head: PerryAll-time series: Perry
Projected Score
Kirtland
25
–
Perry
26
OV Power Rating15.3 / 16.1Kirtland / Perry
Momentum MeterHot / HotLast 3: 3-0 / 3-0
Strength of Schedule46 / 52Average / Average
Game Quality Index56/100Standard matchup
Upset AlertHIGHKirtland has 43% model probability

Why the Predictor Favors Perry

Perry carries a 57% modeled win probability because Home field favors Perry; Current season favors Perry; Recent head-to-head favors Perry. The model refreshes as new results are entered.

Home fieldPerry
Current seasonPerry
Recent head-to-headPerry
All-time seriesPerry
Program strengthEven

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.

Perry Win

  • Perry has started 4-0 for the 16th time since 1972.
  • It is Perry's first 4-0 start since 2023.
  • Perry has extended its overall winning streak to 4 games.
  • Perry is now 106-5 when scoring 31-40 points since 1972.
  • 21 points is Perry's largest winning margin since Aug. 28, 2026.

Other Statistical Notes

  • Kirtland has started 2-0 36 times since 1972, including 11 consecutive seasons (2016-2026).
  • Perry has started 3-0 20 times since 1972.
  • This is the 34th recorded meeting between Kirtland and Perry since 1972.
  • Series: Kirtland is 15-19 against Perry since 1972; average score 16.9-21.6.
  • Kirtland's largest recorded win in the series: Sep. 17, 1976 • 28-0.
  • Highest-scoring meeting: Nov. 3, 1995 • 30-54.
  • Series shutouts since 1972: Kirtland 4, Perry 3.

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).
  • Perry has recorded 83 shutouts since 1972; the most recent was Nov. 14, 2025.
  • Perry has scored 40+ points 163 times since 1972 (most recently Aug. 28, 2026).
  • The program has reached 50+ points 56 times since 1972 (most recently Oct. 24, 2025).
  • Perry has scored at least 30 points in 4 straight games.

Record by Points Scored

Program record in games falling within each scoring range.

Kirtland scoring history
0-1022-113-5140 games
11-2073-42-1116 games
21-3081-20101 games
31-4094-094 games
41+171-1172 games
Perry scoring history
0-1013-82-297 games
11-2046-4894 games
21-30107-23130 games
31-40106-5111 games
41+152-4156 games
Explore Kirtland Football Almanac →Explore Perry Football Almanac →

Kirtland Results vs. Perry

DateLocationScore
Sep. 4, 2026Alumni Stadium, Perry, OhioKirtland L 10-31
Sep. 5, 2025—Kirtland W 44-24
Sep. 6, 2024—Kirtland W 22-21
Sep. 1, 2023—Kirtland L 6-24
Sep. 30, 2022—Kirtland W 36-16
Oct. 1, 2021—Kirtland W 30-6
Sep. 14, 2001—Kirtland L 0-48
Sep. 15, 2000—Kirtland L 6-44
Sep. 19, 1997—Kirtland W 28-14
Sep. 20, 1996—Kirtland L 7-28
Nov. 3, 1995—Kirtland L 30-54
Nov. 4, 1994—Kirtland L 18-49
Nov. 5, 1993—Kirtland L 6-26
Sep. 11, 1992—Kirtland L 7-40
Sep. 6, 1991—Kirtland L 6-35
Oct. 26, 1990—Kirtland W 6-3
Oct. 27, 1989—Kirtland W 37-13
Oct. 14, 1988—Kirtland W 26-0
Oct. 2, 1987—Kirtland L 6-18
Oct. 3, 1986—Kirtland L 0-28
Sep. 27, 1985—Kirtland W 21-20
Sep. 28, 1984—Kirtland L 19-24
Sep. 16, 1983—Kirtland L 9-18
Sep. 17, 1982—Kirtland L 6-43
Sep. 18, 1981—Kirtland L 0-16
Sep. 12, 1980—Kirtland L 9-12
Sep. 14, 1979—Kirtland W 34-13
Sep. 15, 1978—Kirtland L 14-31
Sep. 16, 1977—Kirtland W 13-0
Sep. 17, 1976—Kirtland W 28-0
Sep. 12, 1975—Kirtland L 7-10
Sep. 13, 1974—Kirtland W 27-12
Sep. 14, 1973—Kirtland W 36-12
Sep. 15, 1972—Kirtland W 20-0

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

Season Leaders

Top Performers

Kirtland

Perry

Kirtland Series Record15-1934 recorded meetings vs. Perry
Kirtland Win Percentage.441recorded series vs. Perry

Kirtland — Last 5 vs. Perry

Sep. 4, 2026Alumni Stadium, Perry, Ohio
Kirtland L 10-31
Sep. 5, 2025Location not recorded
Kirtland W 44-24
Sep. 6, 2024Location not recorded
Kirtland W 22-21
Sep. 1, 2023Location not recorded
Kirtland L 6-24
Sep. 30, 2022Location not recorded
Kirtland W 36-16

Kirtland vs. Perry Series Notes

Latest meeting: Sep. 4, 2026 • Kirtland L 10-31

First recorded meeting: Sep. 15, 1972

Kirtland longest winning streak: W 3

Perry longest winning streak: W 6

Largest Kirtland win: Sep. 17, 1976 • 28-0

Highest-scoring game: Nov. 3, 1995 • 30-54

Closest game: Sep. 27, 1985 • 21-20

Average score: Kirtland 16.9 • Perry 21.6

Season Totals

Team Stats

Stat CategoryKirtlandPerry
Passing
Yards637877
Comp-Att36-6241-69
Comp %58.1%59.4%
Yards/Att10.312.7
TD / INT8 / 18 / 1
Rushing
Yards3175360
Attempts36988
Yards/Carry8.64.1
Touchdowns285
Receiving
Yards635755
Receptions4544
Yards/Catch14.117.2
Touchdowns56
Defense
Tackles00
Sacks30
Interceptions81
Scoring
Points4180
Season Statbooks

Player Stats

Kirtland Stats (2026-2027)

Passing
# Player CMP ATT PCT YDS Y/G TD INT LONG QB RTG
6Mario Lorber132259.1%31578.84100.0
13Griffin Gabriel112055.0%18011.51000.0
3Ben Loncar111861.1%13433.53000.0
6Noah Fardo1250.0%88.000060.4
Rushing
# Player ATT YDS AVG Y/G LONG TD
30Tommy Caimi1031,1628.197.5618
1Zander Perko826113.733.000
5Sebastian Becker405016.626.302
27Matt Rus1725317.535.000
3Ben Loncar221728.142.322
8Brayden Yates261504.69.301
6Mario Lorber18965.324.002
6Noah Fardo45513.855.000
33Bryson Rader11541.01.001
16Rylan Martinez5363.03.000
26Carter Luzar3217.05.300
13Griffin Gabriel1620-2.0-1.502
23Max Samac3173.00.800
14Tad Hilstrom2108.02.000
22Evan Lallo571.40.000
24Matt Schweinfurth275.05.000
24James O'Hara46-1.0-0.300
17Holden Martinez6-3-10.0-10.000
Receiving
# Player REC YDS AVG Y/G LONG TD
30Tommy Caimi1431422.49.502
36Carson Kalous714721.09.800
6Mario Lorber5408.010.032
16Rylan Martinez14040.010.010
1Zander Perko23517.53.001
5Sebastian Becker11515.03.800
23Max Samac11111.02.800
18Casey Lester188.00.000
25Jackson Cramp188.00.000
21Jacob Brandal166.01.500
45Marko Valentic661.01.500
20Landon Oppenheim155.01.300
All-Purpose Yards
# Player RUSH REC KR PR IR TOTAL Y/G
30Tommy Caimi1,1623141022901,607401.8
1Zander Perko61135000646646.0
5Sebastian Becker50115000516129.0
27Matt Rus25307300326326.0
8Brayden Yates1500340018446.0
3Ben Loncar172000017243.0
36Carson Kalous014700014736.8
6Mario Lorber964000013634.0
16Rylan Martinez36400007676.0
6Noah Fardo5500005555.0
33Bryson Rader5400005413.5
23Max Samac1711000287.0
26Carter Luzar210000215.3
13Griffin Gabriel200000205.0
14Tad Hilstrom100000102.5
18Casey Lester0800080.0
25Jackson Cramp0800080.0
22Evan Lallo7000070.0
24Matt Schweinfurth7000077.0
21Jacob Brandal0600061.5
24James O'Hara6000061.5
45Marko Valentic0600061.5
20Landon Oppenheim0500051.3
17Holden Martinez-30000-3-3.0
Total Yards
# Player RUSH PASS REC TOTAL Y/G
30Tommy Caimi1,16203141,476369.0
1Zander Perko61103564633.0
5Sebastian Becker501015516129.0
6Mario Lorber9631540451112.8
3Ben Loncar172134030676.5
27Matt Rus2530025335.0
13Griffin Gabriel20180020050.0
8Brayden Yates1500015037.5
36Carson Kalous0014714736.8
16Rylan Martinez36040763.0
6Noah Fardo55806363.0
33Bryson Rader54005413.5
23Max Samac17011287.0
26Carter Luzar2100215.3
14Tad Hilstrom1000102.5
18Casey Lester00880.0
25Jackson Cramp00880.0
22Evan Lallo70070.0
24Matt Schweinfurth70075.0
21Jacob Brandal00661.5
24James O'Hara60061.5
45Marko Valentic00661.5
20Landon Oppenheim00551.3
17Holden Martinez-300-10-10.0
Scoring
# Player TD 2-PT PTS KICK PTS PTS PPG
30Tommy Caimi150014837.0
1Zander Perko6006868.0
45Marko Valentic60646416.0
6Mario Lorber5014210.5
5Sebastian Becker200246.0
3Ben Loncar300184.5
27Matt Rus3001818.0
44Brandon Oppenheim00060.0
8Brayden Yates10061.5
33Bryson Rader10061.5
36Carson Kalous00061.5
13Griffin Gabriel00061.5
16Rylan Martinez10066.0
Sacks
# Player SACK YDL HUR TACK TFL
62Lucci Cantini2.00.00.00.00.0
66Jack Turk1.00.00.00.00.0
Interceptions
# Player INT YDS AVG LONG TD
30Tommy Caimi300.000
6Mario Lorber200.000
36Carson Kalous100.000
21Jacob Brandal100.000
55Jordan Force100.000
Kicking
# Player FGM FGA FG% LONG XPM XPA XP% PTS
45Marko Valentic5223.0%04941,225.0%64
21Jacob Brandal000.0%0000.0%1
6Mario Lorber000.0%0000.0%1
Kickoff Returns
# Player RET YDS AVG Y/G TD LONG
30Tommy Caimi410225.525.500
27Matt Rus27336.573.000
8Brayden Yates13434.08.500
Punt Returns
# Player RET YDS AVG Y/G TD LONG
30Tommy Caimi12929.07.320

Perry Stats (2026-2027)

Passing
# Player CMP ATT PCT YDS Y/G TD INT LONG QB RTG
13Nate Trefzger366159.0%7660.07100.0
12Traxton Richards11100.0%580.01000.0
11Joe Marcotte2366.7%280.00000.0
9Nolan Andrejack2450.0%250.00000.0
Rushing
# Player ATT YDS AVG Y/G LONG TD
23Carter Hopkins322247.00.002
13Nate Trefzger23582.50.003
34Carter Crofoot15422.80.000
4Chase Sivon5173.40.000
25Graydon Crum4133.30.000
12Traxton Richards341.30.000
32Nolan Albrecht122.00.000
Receiving
# Player REC YDS AVG Y/G LONG TD
6Greg Mechenbier725636.60.003
7Brody Krantz814518.10.002
12Traxton Richards1213110.90.001
23Carter Hopkins34515.00.000
4Chase Sivon13838.00.000
34Carter Crofoot33311.00.000
84Brayden Martin3289.30.000
17Alex Searson3258.30.000
9Nolan Andrejack11919.00.000
5Chase Harris11818.00.000
14Vinn Vojack11414.00.000
8Michal Niedzwiecki133.00.000
All-Purpose Yards
# Player RUSH REC KR PR IR TOTAL Y/G
23Carter Hopkins224450002690.0
6Greg Mechenbier02560002560.0
7Brody Krantz01450001450.0
12Traxton Richards41317001420.0
34Carter Crofoot4233000750.0
4Chase Sivon17382000750.0
13Nate Trefzger580000580.0
84Brayden Martin028000280.0
17Alex Searson025000250.0
9Nolan Andrejack019000190.0
5Chase Harris018000180.0
14Vinn Vojack014000140.0
25Graydon Crum130000130.0
8Michal Niedzwiecki0300030.0
32Nolan Albrecht2000020.0
Total Yards
# Player RUSH PASS REC TOTAL Y/G
13Nate Trefzger5876608240.0
23Carter Hopkins2240452690.0
6Greg Mechenbier002562560.0
12Traxton Richards4581311930.0
7Brody Krantz001451450.0
34Carter Crofoot42033750.0
4Chase Sivon17038550.0
9Nolan Andrejack02519440.0
84Brayden Martin0028280.0
11Joe Marcotte0280280.0
17Alex Searson0025250.0
5Chase Harris0018180.0
14Vinn Vojack0014140.0
25Graydon Crum1300130.0
8Michal Niedzwiecki00330.0
32Nolan Albrecht20020.0
Interceptions
# Player INT YDS AVG LONG TD
34Carter Crofoot100.000
Punting
# Player PUNTS YDS AVG Y/G IN 20 LONG
99Colton Crissinger06260.00.000
57Nick Gustin0420.00.000
23Carter Hopkins070.00.000
Kickoff Returns
# Player RET YDS AVG Y/G TD LONG
4Chase Sivon12020.00.000
12Traxton Richards177.00.000
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