KIRTLAND, Ohio — Gino Blasini and Will Sayle have only lost three games in their high school careers.

One of them was the 2021 OHSAA Division VI state title game against Versailles. The runner-up trophy from that year is in the hallway at Kirtland High School.

What You Need To Know

  • Kirtland-Versailles is a rematch of the 2021 OHSAA Division VI state championship game 

  • Versailles ended Kirtland's record 55-game winning streak

  • Several Kirtland seniors are glad to get another shot. 

“We had three state championships won in the previous years in a row,” Blasini said. “They stopped our fourth one. Our fourth-peat.”

That loss also broke the school’s 55 game winning streak, which was the longest winning streak in the country at the time. They’ll get another crack at Versailles in this year’s title game.

“Those seniors that year, this game, I’m doing it for them,” Blasini said. 

Both know that state titles have become a fixture in Kirtland. So finishing their senior season with another championship would be a good fit.

“We got one more spot up there for the helmet,” Blasini said. “Hopefully we can fill it up.”

Head coach Tiger LaVerde remembers that game well, but he’s focused on this year’s Versailles team, not the one from two years ago.

“I’m not into like, this is a revenge game,” LaVerde said. “They’re a great team. We gotta execute on both sides of the ball and blocking and tacking is what’s gonna matter. Not necessarily like what happened two years ago.”

As the two seniors prepare for their rematch, redemption is in the back of their mind, but top of mind is helping the team win.

“I think like I said before, everybody works all season towards one thing,” Sayle said. “Which is winning state’s and now we have an opportunity in front of us.”