Alter’s ‘workhorse’ powers Knights past rival Fenwick
CENTERVILLE — Branden McDonald is listed as a 6-foot-1, 224-pound sophomore running back. Those aren’t his most impressive numbers. These are: 572 rushing yards, seven touchdowns and 48 carries.
That’s what McDonald’s tallied in Alter’s past two games.
A week after rushing for 344 yards and four touchdowns on 25 carries in a lopsided win over Roger Bacon, McDonald notched an impressive encore. Running for 228 yards and three TDs on 23 carries, he helped the Knights record a 45-20 homecoming win over Fenwick at Centerville Stadium in a key Greater Catholic League Coed North Division clash Friday.
Alter (4-1, 2-0) took a step toward its 16th North title in 17 years, while Fenwick slipped to 3-2, 1-1. The Knights lead the south suburban parochial series with the Falcons 12-3.
“(McDonald’s) legs are like tree trunks,” Fenwick coach Dan Haverkamp said. “There’s only so much you can do to stop him. You have to rally and get a lot of defenders to him. He’s a talented kid and he’s going to wind up playing college football somewhere, because he certainly fits the mold.”
Said Alter coach Ed Domsitz: “He’s a workhorse.”
Alter worked Fenwick over in the first half. The Knights — behind McDonald and seniors Lamar Landers (running back) and Connor Bazelak (quarterback) — built a 24-0 lead through two quarters.
McDonald scored on runs of 39 and 47 yards, Peter Riazzi added a 1-yard touchdown run and Jack Ruffolo chipped in a field goal.
Alter held a 275-105 edge in total offense at halftime.
“When you’re playing a rival and you get down that much in the first half, it would be real easy to quit,” Haverkamp said. “We didn’t. We kept fighting.”
Alter opened the second-half scoring with a 37-yard touchdown pass from Bazelak to senior receiver Jack DiMario that forced a running clock.
Fenwick scored on its next three possessions.
Senior running back Jack Fessler scampered 44 yards for a touchdown, while senior quarterback Sully Janeck hit senior receiver Thomas Vogelsang with 70- and 6-yard touchdown passes. Fenwick trailed 38-20 with seven minutes to play.
That’s when Alter fed McDonald some more.
On the ensuing eight-play drive, McDonald carried four times for 25 yards and capped it with his final score. Game over.
“The last two weeks I’ve just been working hard in practice and focusing on executing,” said McDonald, who schooled at West Carrollton prior to ninth grade. “Of course, it all starts with the line. We just keep building.”
“He has a bright future,” Domsitz said. “He has improved immeasurably since June. Sometimes he likes to break it wide instead of hitting the hole, but that’s a symptom of a young back. He’s a tough kid.”
Alter outgained Fenwick 458-291.
“In the history of this rivalry, they’ve had us in a lot of ways,” Haverkamp said. “Second half we couldn’t cut down that lead anymore, but we saw a lot of things we can improve upon and build on. As much as it hurts to lose, you have to find the positives and move that along.”
“I don’t think you ever have it in hand when you’re playing one of your big rivals,” Domsitz said. “And Fenwick’s one of our big rivals. I was nervous throughout.”
Both teams return to action Friday, the Falcons at McNicholas and the Knights vs. Purcell Marian at Walnut Hills.