Hartley dominates with run game
Although it seems unconventional, Hartley covets practicing on Thanksgiving. That means the Hawks have won their region and are gearing up for a state semifinal.
The Hawks are only one step from repeating that tradition, as they walloped Independence 44-14 on Friday night at Hilliard Darby in a Division III regional semifinal.
“The kids know if they win this (next) one, then they get to practice on Thanksgiving,” Hartley coach Brad Burchfield said. “And that’s a big deal for our guys.”
The Hawks dominated in the first half, outscoring the 76ers 37-0 and outgaining them 322 yards to 36. Hartley scored on five of its six drives in the opening half.
Tailback Elijah Carter rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown, while Alexander Blackmon rushed for three touchdowns. Flanker Phillip Cole finished with two catches for 59 yards and two carries for 63 yards.
The Hawks rushed for 321 yards, many of them on a power toss play.
“They were committed to taking away power, they were committed to taking away off tackle and inside, and we were able to get some in there, but the perimeter was what opened up for us this week and we were excited to take it," Burchfield said.
Hartley carried out its game plan to stop Independence running back Demontae Taylor, limiting the 76ers’ leading rusher to 36 yards on 12 carries in the first half.
He finished the game with 109 yards on 22 carries, with most of the yards coming against the Hawks' secondstring defense in the second half.
“Chad (Douglas Jr.) is their great lineman and we figured we’d have to battle those two guys (Douglas and Taylor) as much as we can,” Burchfield said. “If we could force them into throwing the ball we knew we’d be in pretty good shape.”
Independence’s season ends on a disappointing note, but the program won the City League South Division and advanced to the postseason for the first time since 2008.
Hartley, which won the Division IV championship in 2015 and 2016, is playing its first season in Division III. The Hawks have advanced at least to the regional final in eight consecutive seasons.
“We’ve been playing teams in higher divisions when we were in D-4 and D-5,” quarterback Anthony Carfagna said. “Nothing has really changed for us.”
Rushed for 193 yards on 28 carries and an 11-yard TD run in a 30-6 victory over Walnut Ridge.
Rushed for 133 yards on 15 carries and two touchdowns, adding a passing TD, in a 42-31 win over Hilliard Bradley. Rushed 33 times for 132 yards in a 17-14 victory over Gahanna.
Rushed for 127 yards and a touchdown in a 44-14 win over Independence.
Completed 7 of 14 passes for 301 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for a score in a 35-28 win over Reading. Completed 8 of 18 passes for 211 yards and three touchdowns, adding 67 yards rushing and a score in a 42-12 victory over Centerville.
Completed 16 of 26 passes for 152 yards and a touchdown in a 27-10 victory over Trimble. He also had 119 yards rushing on 21 carries with a score. Completed 10 of 16 passes for 133 yards and two touchdowns, adding 67 yards rushing on 13 carries in the win over Gahanna.
Caught three passes for 150 yards and two touchdowns, including one for 90 yards, in the win over Centerville.
Caught five passes for 130 yards and two touchdowns in the loss to Pickerington Central.