Hartley gave it his all in final game
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BEAVER FALLS, Pa. -- Defense played a big part in the Ohio All-Stars 28-10 win over the Pennsylvania All-Stars in the Penn-Ohio Stateline Classic on Thursday at Geneva College.
In particular, recent Columbiana graduate Kian Hartley made a huge impact on the defensive side that included a late interception that put the game to rest and also secured team Ohio's largest win by margin since 2006 with minutes left in the fourth quarter.
"I really couldn't have done it without the other 10 guys around me," Hartley said. "I really have to give the world to my other inside linebackers, safeties and defensive line because if they didn't have that pressure and if they didn't have that coverage on that play I wasn't getting that pick."
Hartley's efforts on the defensive side earned him the Ohio defensive Most Valuable Player award.
"I am happy I got out of here with another trophy for the trophy case," Hartley said. "I get to tell my kids about this and maybe I'll tell them that I scored 20 touchdowns in one game when they are really little."
The MVP will also mark the last award Hartley will receive in his football career.
"It's bittersweet," Hartley said. "Halfway through the fourth quarter I got those (lumps) in my throat. It is going to sting by hanging it up, but it is my decision and I always have opportunities open if I ever want to try it."
Ohio All-Star and South Range coach David Rach praised Hartley for his efforts and thinks differently about his decision to step away from the sport.
"This is a shame that this is his final game," Rach said. "(Hartley) is an outstanding player and just a great leader. I wasn't shocked at the game that he had just because of the eight practices watching him fly around. He makes it really tough to run an offense against him, great player."
It was also the final game for United's Andrew Ogilvie, who also had a solid defensive game.
"It was fun," Ogilvie said. "It was fun having one last go with Luke Courtney and Dallas McCracken, I had a blast."
Ogilvie also enjoyed playing alongside Eastern Ohio Athletic Conference opponent Hartley.
"It is weird playing with players that you play against in the season,' Ogilvie said. "It is fun and everybody is really cool."
Ogilvie also had one last game with his dad, United coach DJ Ogilvie.
"It is awesome," Ogilvie said. "This (football) is all I have ever known and he has coached me all my life."
Game notes
¯Former South Range running back Dylan Dominguez was helping out with the coaching. Dominguez recently stepped away from the football program at Youngstown State University.
"It really cool and rewarding to teach what I know about the game to the kids," Dominguez said. "I ended up deciding to stop playing a few weeks ago. I just kind of wanted to move on, start my life and start working."