Kirtland 20, Mogadore 14: Joey Torok scores with seconds left in D-VI, Region 21 final

AURORA, Ohio – For the first time this season, the Kirtland football team faced adversity.

In a dramatic turn of events, they overcame it.

Senior running back Joey Torok rushed for 166 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner with 15 seconds left to propel the Hornets past Mogadore, 20-14, in the Division VI, Region 21 championship on Friday. Kirtland advances to play Beverly Fort Frye (12-0) – an 18-6 winner over Shadyside – in the state semifinal next Friday at a site to be determined by the OHSAA.

“We’ve had that play set up for the longest time. That was actually our two-point conversion play,” said Torok of his game-winning score. “We ran it, the guys did an awesome job blocking, opening up a huge hole, and I got in. All credit goes to the offensive line.”

It was that play that put the finishing touches on a night in which the Hornets found themselves in unfamiliar territory. For the first time all season, the Kirtland defense surrendered double-digit points to the opposition. On top of that, injuries mounted throughout the night, including Torok who limped to the sidelines late in the third quarter with an ankle injury.

“We knew coming in, it was going to be a great challenge,” said Kirtland coach Tiger LaVerde speaking of the matchup. “They’ve been good for a long time and were coming off two great playoff wins. They’re similar to us. It’s almost like looking in the mirror.”

That similarity showed in a Mogadore program entering the game with 60 playoff wins and 17 regional titles. Coming in, Kirtland had outscored its opponents by a combined 503-32 (41.9-2.7 avg) margin. That quickly went out the door, as the number two-seeded Hornets found themselves in a battle throughout the night.

With just over 11 minutes to go in the game, Mogadore drove 50 yards in 11 plays to tie the game at 14 on senior running back Logan Penix’s one-yard plunge - his second score of the night.

Then, with 5:56 remaining, Kirtland (13-0) started the deciding possession from their own 32. The Hornets drove 68 yards in 13 plays - all runs - capping it with the 3-yarder from Torok.

“I told the kids, ‘one drive and you guys have a chance to play for the state championship in two weeks,’” said LaVerde. “That’s what we practice for. That’s what we prepare for all year. One drive to compete for a title.”

It was that drive that captured the Hornets' seventh regional title in eight seasons.

Mogadore (11-2) had its chances, but penalties and turnovers proved costly. With four minutes remaining in the first quarter, Wildcats senior Austin Partlow recovered a fumble, and returned it 20 yards into Kirtland territory. They quickly turned it into first-and-goal from the 6. But four consecutive penalties pushed the Wildcats all the way back to the 45, derailing the threat.

Three possessions later, Kirtland found its footing as Torok found a crease and raced 65 yards for a touchdown – his 26^th of the season – giving the Hornets a 7-0 lead midway through the second quarter.

Mogadore again was set up in perfect position for some points at the Hornets’ 36 with two minutes to go in the second quarter. But Kirtland defensive back Mason Sullivan stepped in front of a Luke Rosato pass, ending another Wildcats scoring opportunity and securing the Hornets' 7-point lead going into the break.

In the second half, Mogadore finally capitalized after an interception by senior defensive back Eli Robertson set up the Wildcats at the Hornets' 46-yard line. On the first play of the fourth quarter, Penix capped a 10-play drive with a two-yard touchdown run, tying the game at 7.

Kirtland responded three plays later, as Torok hauled in a 47-yard pass from senior quarterback Tommy Powers to retake the lead, 14-7. The 5-foot-8 standout accounted for all 70 yards on the drive.

Then, after Mogadore responded again midway through the fourth, Torok knew he couldn’t sit out one final drive with his classmates.

“My teammates needed me. I’d feel so bad if we lost because I was sitting on the sidelines,” said Torok. I rolled my ankle a couple of times, but my line kept making huge holes, and I was hitting it hard.”

“I told Torok, ‘You’re getting the ball. You’re going to score,’” said LaVerde of the huddle before the game-winning touchdown run.

Torok took a pitch, found the hole and dove across the goal-line, capping the night in dramatic fashion, and keeping the Hornets state championship dreams alive.

Austin Opfer is a freelancer from Lakewood.