Hartley football team grows from season's challenges
The Hartley football team seemed to be on an uphill climb from the get-go this season.
In addition to opening with three consecutive losses and starting out 2-5, the Hawks didn’t play the first of their two home games until Week 9.
The flip side is that Hartley put together a strong last month and heads into next season with what should be a much more experienced cast after finishing 5-7 for its first losing record since 2002.
More:All-Central District high school football teams
The Hawks were the 10th seed for the Division IV, Region 15 playoffs and opened the postseason with a 48-13 win at seventh-seeded New Lexington on Oct. 28 before losing 31-0 at second-seeded Steubenville in a regional quarterfinal Nov. 4.
“We had a lot of younger guys play, which was very good,” junior tight end and defensive lineman Brendan Laret said. “They got to see some varsity experience, which was very helpful, and hopefully next year they can take on bigger roles. We had a lot of juniors and sophomores playing. We had a lot of away games, so that showed us what to do when we have to travel distances when you get into the playoffs.”
Laret was first-team all-district on offense and should be joined as a key returning blocker by junior linemen Donovan Davis and Blake Wyatt. Davis also was first-team all-district.
Also expected back on offense are freshman running back Robert Lathon (117 rushes, 768 yards, 12 touchdowns), junior running backs Rory Ralston (71 rushes, 349 yards, 2 TDs) and Joey Wooten (72 rushes, 461 yards, 8 TDs; 12 receptions, 123 yards, 1 TD), junior wide receiver Ryan Perry (30 receptions, 482 yards, 2 TDs) and sophomore running back Bryson Winbush (30 rushes, 251 yards, 2 TDs; 10 receptions, 113 yards).
“We had a very young team, so the amount of returners is encouraging and exciting,” coach Brad Burchfield said. “At points in the season, we were able to start multiple freshmen and sophomores. We’ll return eight or nine players that started on both sides of the ball, so that will give us a jump start on 2023 in getting closer to accomplishing our ultimate goals in the CCL and going deep in the tournament.”
On defense, Hartley is set to return Lathon (50 tackles) and Wooten (50 tackles, 2 interceptions) in the secondary, sophomore Denim Cook (87 tackles, 10 tackles for loss) and Ralston (88 tackles, 4 sacks) at linebacker and Davis (60 tackles, 8 tackles for loss) on the line.
Junior defensive backs Ralo Hogan, Donovan Tucker and Warren Markwood and freshman linebacker Jay Zang were among others who contributed.
“We have some really good players coming who have gained invaluable experience,” Burchfield said. “Our success will be determined on how much we grow as a team, learn to trust one another, bond with one another (and become) a bigger and stronger and more physical football team through our growth between now and August of 2023.”
Among the biggest holes the Hawks must fill are at linebacker, where they lose district Defensive Player of the Year Anthony Murphy (114 tackles, 19 tackles for loss), and at quarterback, where three-year starter Peyton Underwood threw for 932 yards and two touchdowns.
Joining Cook, Davis, Laret and Murphy as first-team all-district honorees were senior running back DeAunte’ Hubbard (1,011 yards rushing, 12 touchdowns) and two-way lineman Isaac Asiedu.
Senior offensive lineman Eyan Jackson joined Lathon, Ralston and Wooten as special/honorable mention all-district honorees.
Other key seniors included Terrion Barbour (DB/WR), Ben Burchfield (OL) and Colin Callahan (K).
Hartley still has two openings on its schedule next season, but six of the eight games that have been scheduled will be at home.
“It was my son (Ben Burchfield’s) class, so obviously I cherished every minute of it and really loved seeing the kids grow through the year,” coach Burchfield said. “It was not a big or overly experienced senior class, so seeing them grow both on and off the field has been rewarding. We’re going to miss them.
“I’m proud of the fight and the effort that the kids had this year. We had a lot of fun and I saw a ton of growth among the team and the kids. I know that we got better in so many areas throughout the season and from so many kids. Every season is different and brings its own unique set of challenges.
“This season was no different and next year there will be a new set of challenges. We lost some really tight games (and we’ll) learn from those tight, tough losses to make us better.”
julrey@thisweeknews.com
@UlreyThisWeek
HARTLEY FOOTBALL
•Record: 5-7 overall
•CCL standings: Watterson (3-0), DeSales (2-1), Hartley (1-2), St. Charles (0-3)
•Seniors lost: Isaac Asiedu, Terrion Barbour, Ben Burchfield, Colin Callahan, Eli Franz, DeAunte’ Hubbard, Caleb Jackson, Eyan Jackson, Gavin Leonard, Anthony Murphy, Phillip Murray, Peyton Underwood and Michael Young
•Key returnees: Denim Cook, Donovan Davis, Ralo Hogan, Brendan Laret, Robert Lathon, Ryan Perry, Rory Ralston, Bryson Winbush and Joey Wooten
•Postseason: Def. New Lexington 48-13; lost to Steubenville 31-0 in Division IV, Region 15 quarterfinal
This article originally appeared on ThisWeek: Hartley football team grows from season's challenges
