KIRTLAND, Ohio — The Kirtland High School football team is taking on Perry in Week 3 of the OHSAA football season.

Kirtland’s head coach, Tiger LaVerde, just reached a big milestone in his career in the season opener against Dalton. He gained his 250th career win.

“I didn’t even know until the stat crew at the end of the game said it was 250,” LaVerde said.

LaVerde said it was just another game and has switched his focus to Week 3. LaVerde explained that his success wouldn’t be possible without his players.

“The kids really work hard every day, year, they really don’t take days off,” LaVerde said.

Kids like senior Danny Alfieri, who’s played for LaVerde the last few years. Alfieri is proud of his coach.

“His secret to success is pushing us to work harder every day in the offseason and not many coaches get the chance to have 250 wins and it’s a great accomplishment from him,” Alfieri said.

Alfieri said LaVerde teaches them lessons both on and off the football field.

“He’s a great guy all around. Great teacher, I mean he doesn’t only prepare us to be a football player but also a great guy, a great man,” Alfieri said.

LaVerde said when he first started coaching at Kirtland almost 20 years ago, there were only about 35 kids on the team.

“When I got into this, you know, Kirtland had never won a playoff game and I never even thought about winning playoff games, honestly I thought like you know what can we do every day to make this a fun program that kids want to be a part of,” LaVerde said.

LaVerde has led the team to 11 state championship appearances, seven in which the Hornets won. He credited a lot of success to the teams having fun.

“And you love what you do. You’re going to be better at it,” LaVerde said.

Kirtland takes on Perry Friday at 7 p.m.