KIRTLAND, Ohio — Kirtland head football coach Tiger LaVerde said dodgeball is how he gets his team to show up for workouts.
“Ninth and 12th vs. 10th and 11th for dodgeball. Let’s go,” LaVerde said.
The intensity in the weight room is what keeps them there.
What You Need To Know
- Kirtland had their 55-game winning streak broken at last year’s state title game
- That was the longest active winning streak in the nation
- Their offseason workouts are optional, but players treat them like they’re mandatory
That’s the domain of strength coach Timothy Dylan Aquila. He said the optional offseason workouts are where the most gains are made.
“It’s mandatory because your teammates are asking you where you are if you’re not there,” Aquila said.
The hornets had won 55 straight games dating back to 2018. Rising senior Bobby Whittaker lost his first high school game of his career in the state title game last year. He said these final workouts before camp are a must, even though they’re not mandatory.
“If you don’t show up, you lose a lot,” Whittaker said.
He’s started working out here with the team since he was in sixth grade. Coach said they encourage middle schoolers to come work with the team.
“By the time you get to 9th grade you’re a lot stronger kid; we’ve seen the results over the last 15 years. Getting them started early and into a routine is why we’ve been successful,” LaVerde said.
