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Home > Blogs > High School Huddle > Archives > 2010 > November > 24 > Entry
Alter-Hartley football semifinal should last about 45 minutes
I caught Columbus Bishop Hartley football coach Brad Burchfield on his cell phone Tuesday as he was just sitting in the chair to get a haircut.
I joked that he should think about getting a Hartley logo done to celebrate his team’s appearance in the Division IV state semifinals.
“We’re not too flashy,” Burchfield said. “That wouldn’t fly.”
Between Alter (11-2) and Hartley (11-2), Friday’s 7:30 p.m. semifinal at Piqua High School should be about as flashy as a construction worker’s wardrobe. Between them, the teams average 644.5 rushing yards per game with powerful rushing attacks.
In the reporting world, covering games with heavily running teams often means more time to work before deadline because the games end quickly. With these two, as much as they run, the game might end while some are still waiting in traffic to get in.
Alter is led by senior QB Zane Pitzer (1,208 yards, 15 TDs) and senior RB Justin Winters (796 yards, 13 TDs), who power an offense that averages 278.1 rushing yards per game.
For Hartley, senior RB Noah Key has gained 2,505 yards and scored 37 touchdowns, but that’s not all. The backfield also boasts fullback Omar Lane, who has gained more than 600 yards.
It’s a change of extremes for Alter, which last week faced Kenton and its unusual passing offense that produced 386 yards by QB Maty Mauk. Now, Alter moves on to Hartley and a nearly rushing-only attack, but the Knights allow an average of just 119.1 rushing yards per game.
“We try not to throw at all,” Burchfield said.
Like his haircut, not too flashy.
Permalink | Comments (8) | Post your comment | Categories: Football, Football playoffs
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By alter
November 25, 2010 8:53 AM | Link to this
ok seriously stop. These boys are some of the hardest working boys in the state. You bringing up the whole “recruiting” argument is undermining their success and hardwork. I wish people would just come on here and say congratulations.
By OHSAA
November 25, 2010 11:46 AM | Link to this
Dear Knights, Upon further review we have determined that the Alter Football Team is made up of Catholic students that have attended Catholic elementary schools since they were Baptized. They have all lived in the Alter district for all of their adolesent lives. Convert and become Catholic and live in the Alter district and you too can play for Alter.
By robert
November 26, 2010 7:43 PM | Link to this
It’s pretty sad when an adult needs to criticize teenage atheletes just because he’s bitter about the success of another program. By the way, as far as I know Alter has done nothing illegal in reference to high school sports.How many times do you hear about successful public programs who cheat the system? Get you r information correct before you post a bias message in your own benefit.
By Kool Aid
November 27, 2010 9:40 AM | Link to this
Fact:Alter recruits and provides student athletes with free tuition Fact:they have a culture of holding kids back a year to improve their performance in sports. I would imagine that Coldwater or other public schools would like to have 8-10 college freshmen return for another year of football. Alter is successful but if you honestly believe they are so on a level playing field you are kidding yourself. There are a bunch of 19 year old “kids” that played last night.
By Alma Parker
November 27, 2010 9:42 AM | Link to this
Jealousy is a strong motivator. Jealousy of folks with discipline and passion and drive must be especially strong.
By Kool Aid is correct
November 27, 2010 11:44 AM | Link to this
Alter recruits and they got outrecruited by another school last night. And jealousy has nothing to do with it…or is it just a coincidence that the football playoffs are dominated by parochial schools? Give me a break.
By wow
November 30, 2010 12:22 PM | Link to this
The bottom line is that driven people willing to spend $7000 and up per year to educate their children produce driven children who tend to obtain high degrees of success both academically and athletically. No recruits or athletic scholarships or 5-year students (kids only get 4 eligible years).
By player of a parent
December 16, 2010 11:00 PM | Link to this
Hey Kool Aid! Where did you get the ages of the players? My son is one of the oldest. He turns 19 in May 2011. Why do you make stuff up? Just because you don’t like Alter or Catholic schools, why do you blatently LIE? To my knowledge, no 19’s on this team.