The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Chardon motivated again after ’20 title
Alex McDonald has to fight off the goosebumps every time he recalls the events of Nov. 21, 2020.
Blitzing off the ride side as Columbus DeSales was attempting a field goal in double overtime, the Chardon standout — then a junior — wheeled around and watched the Stallions’ kick sail wide right to clinch the Hilltoppers’ 31-28 victory.
There was the roar of the crowd, and a mob of celebrating Chardon players amid a turf littered with heartbroken DeSales players.
The Hilltoppers were state champs for the first time in more than two decades.
Those memories are as fresh as the morning dew to McDonald and his teammates who were underclassmen a year ago and are returning to the gridiron this fall. It’s those memories and the feeling that comes with being a state champion that has the Hilltoppers hungry for more.
As Chardon goes through a unique fall camp that has them practicing on a grass field while their turf field is remodeled, the Hilltoppers do so fueled by not only the memory of state championship glory, but also well aware of the process that
got them to that point in the first place.
“I don’t watch the game much,” said senior fullback Sean Carr. “I enjoyed it in the moment, but now I’m focused on the moment at hand because we want to get back there again.”
The Hilltoppers graduated a slew of talent, likely the most decorated in Chardon
history based on last year’s All-Ohio selections. Of the seven — yes seven — first-team Division IIII, AllOhioans Chardon boasted a year ago, one is back.
But don’t try telling the Chardon squad this is a rebuilding year. These guys don’t want to hear that.
“Oh, I hear it. I hear we’re not going to be as good,”
McDonald said. “I hear it in my own family.”
Fellow senior Nathanael Sulka nodded.
“Even some who played with us last year,” Sulka said.
Carr shrugged. “That’s OK. Just gives us a bigger chip on our shoulders this year.”
Just what everyone
needs. A Chardon program steeped in tradition, aggression and physicality with a chip on its shoulders.
“A dozen or so years ago, we had to take attendance (at lifting sessions),” said Coach Mitch Hewitt. “Now every time I go to the local gym, we have these dudes I call “graveyard players” who are always there working out. It’s become a lifestyle.
“This team isn’t tough enough yet. We need to be more organized, and we need to be more violent in practice. But we’ve got the bodies to do it. We just have to get there.”
Despite heavy graduation losses, Chardon does return a lot of players who got varsity experience during last year’s 11-0, state-championship run. It’s just that most are either A) in an expanded/starting role, or B) at a different position than last year.
As usual, the Hilltoppers will rely on a physical running game. This is the 41st year of the Wing-T being brought to Chardon by legendary coach Bob Doyle, with new frills added along the way.
But pretty much the entire ensemble is gone from a year ago.
“All of it,” said Hewitt when asked how much of last year’s offensive productivity graduated.
He’s excited about the quarterback competition between senior Zoran Vujaklija and junior Alex Henry. The running back stable is packed with guys itching to make a name for themselves — Daniel Pettyjohn, Ryan Petersen, Rocco Perico, Brody Dotson, Trey Liebhardt, A.J. Bruce.