Righetti excited to be a part of championship tradition
ALLIANCE — Max Righetti is proud to be wearing a Mount Union football uniform, let alone playing for the small-college power.
“It’s the best program I’ve been a part of — any level, any sport,” said Righetti, a 2016 graduate of Salem High School. “It’s the highest level of people involved.”
Righetti will be handling kickoffs for the Purple Raiders when they return to the NCAA Division III national championship game on Friday night.
“It was a big shock last year, how challenging it is to get to dress for a game during the season let alone playing in one,” he said.
The shock wore off as Righetti saw his first varsity action this season.
“I was hoping to be able to get some playing time,” he said. “Playing on the field during a regular-season game is a cool thing because there are so many kids here. I am happy to be a part of it.”
Second-ranked Mount Union is in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl for the 12th time in 13 seasons and will play top-ranked and defending national champion Mary Hardin-Baylor (14-0) in Salem, Virginia, on Friday.
The Purple Raiders dropped a 14-12 decision at Mary Hardin-Baylor in the semifinals last year.
“It definitely was a motivating factor,” Righetti said. “I expected us to get where we are at now. Now that we’re there, it seems kind of surreal.”
He didn’t make the trip with the team last year, but will be there this time.
Righetti finished up his final exams Tuesday morning and the Purple Raiders practiced in the afternoon snowstorm before getting on the bus to Virginia.
“I’ve heard it’s a good experience,” he said. “It’s such an honor to be there.”
The sophomore kicker has worked his way into the lineup. He got a couple of kickoffs early in the season before eventually rotating into the lineup and handling all eight kickoffs in a thrilling 43-40 win at third-ranked Wisconsin-Oshkosh on Saturday.
The Purple Raiders trailed 35-10 with seven minutes remaining the third quarter before rallying.
“It was crazy,” Righetti said. “The coaching staff at halftime said we could come back. There was a lot of time left.”
Righetti kicked off 16 times in the regular season and 19 times in the four playoff games.
There are a lot of chances on a Mount Union team that leads the nation in scoring by averaging 53.3 points a game. There have been 130 kickoffs so far this season.
Righetti is averaging 60.6 yards on his 35 kickoffs with seven touchbacks.
“I’m a little bit surprised, but at the same time I’ve improved a lot since last year,” he said.
Righetti is one of three kickers Mount Union has been carrying on its 58-man playoff roster. The Purple Raiders put so much emphasis on special teams that head coach Vince Kehres is the one who oversees them.
“He expects us to do a good job each and every week,” Righetti said. “Special teams is a big part of the game, just like offense and defense.”
This year may be an audition for a future place kicker after senior Alex Louthan departs.
“Yes and no,” Righetti said. “One of the things that was told to us is the depth chart changes all the time. Even though you’re here, the next class of freshmen is coming. You might get replaced — not that they’re out to get you — but it would be for the best of the team.”
Game notes
¯ Righetti is majoring in marketing and is hoping to get a job in sales.
“Before the end of my soccer and football season my senior year, I was planning on playing soccer at Mount Union,” said Righetti, who was a first-team All-Ohioan the Salem football team. “Not after a (football) coach invited me on a visit. It’s such a hard thing to turn down a program with that much success that wants you.”
¯ Mount Union is in the Stagg Bowl for the 20th time in the 25 years it has been held at Salem Stadium.
Righetti said the players are well aware of the Purple Raiders’ winning history — the weight room features pictures of the team’s 12 national titles — but it is rarely talked about.
“You look at it and what has already been done by the program,” he said. “We just focus on the next game.”
¯ The last Columbiana County product to see action for Mount Union in the Stagg Bowl was Lisbon High School graduate Caleb Crowl in 2009. Crowl was a starting offensive lineman.
¯ The Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl will be televised live on ESPNU at 7 p.m. Friday.