Hartley key for Gators
Joe Hartley's first three passes in Lincoln North Star’s 49-14 win against Lincoln High were all completed for touchdowns.
Surely, the Navigators' junior quarterback was going to be on par with the greats.
"I really didn't do much tonight," Hartley said Friday at Seacrest Field.
"That first touchdown was about a half-yard pass that went for 30 yards, so I didn't really do much there. Another one was a little 2-yard dump to John Tatum, and he takes it all the way. So that's all the credit to the wide receivers and fullback there."
He probably has a point, but Hartley still did his part. His first touchdown pass was a 31-yard strike to Jerry Key, who took a short pass and eluded multiple tacklers down the sideline. A few minutes later, Hartley lofted a 39-yard TD pass to Dillon Schrodt.
Later, Tatum's 18-yard touchdown reception gave North Star a 21-0 lead with two minutes remaining in the first quarter.
It took four passes before one of Hartley's attempts didn't result in a score. But that 12-yard completion moved North Star to the Links' 3-yard line, and Tyrone Lewis scored the first of his four rushing touchdowns one play later.
North Star coach Mark Waller was impressed with how Hartley managed an offense that scored on five of its six possessions in the first half. North Star (4-1) outyarded Lincoln High (2-3) 311-89 in the first two quarters.
Hartley finished 7-for-10 for 148 yards. The starting QB for the North Star junior varsity last season, Hartley now has 743 yards passing and eight touchdowns.
"He made a poor decision on the interception late in the second quarter, but otherwise Joe was solid," Waller said.
So, too, was the Gators' rushing game. North Star rushed for 314 yards, mixing in runs out of the backfield with rushing plays designed for its wide receivers.
As for North Star's running backs, Lewis (149 yards) was both elusive and physical, while Diego Green (56 yards) had several explosive runs early, Waller said. Tatum (19 yards) had some hard-hitting rushes up the middle.
Key and D.J. Battiato each had big gains on receiver reverses.
"That's the thing about our offense, you can really do anything," Hartley said.
Lincoln High's offense wasn't able get rolling until the second half, when quarterback Dylan Flinn threw for two touchdowns. He competed eight straight passes late in the game.
Linebacker Mateo Molifua recovered one of the Links’ two early fumbles that resulted in North Star touchdowns.
Reach Brent C. Wagner at 473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com.
Surely, the Navigators' junior quarterback was going to be on par with the greats.
"I really didn't do much tonight," Hartley said Friday at Seacrest Field.
"That first touchdown was about a half-yard pass that went for 30 yards, so I didn't really do much there. Another one was a little 2-yard dump to John Tatum, and he takes it all the way. So that's all the credit to the wide receivers and fullback there."
He probably has a point, but Hartley still did his part. His first touchdown pass was a 31-yard strike to Jerry Key, who took a short pass and eluded multiple tacklers down the sideline. A few minutes later, Hartley lofted a 39-yard TD pass to Dillon Schrodt.
Later, Tatum's 18-yard touchdown reception gave North Star a 21-0 lead with two minutes remaining in the first quarter.
It took four passes before one of Hartley's attempts didn't result in a score. But that 12-yard completion moved North Star to the Links' 3-yard line, and Tyrone Lewis scored the first of his four rushing touchdowns one play later.
North Star coach Mark Waller was impressed with how Hartley managed an offense that scored on five of its six possessions in the first half. North Star (4-1) outyarded Lincoln High (2-3) 311-89 in the first two quarters.
Hartley finished 7-for-10 for 148 yards. The starting QB for the North Star junior varsity last season, Hartley now has 743 yards passing and eight touchdowns.
"He made a poor decision on the interception late in the second quarter, but otherwise Joe was solid," Waller said.
So, too, was the Gators' rushing game. North Star rushed for 314 yards, mixing in runs out of the backfield with rushing plays designed for its wide receivers.
As for North Star's running backs, Lewis (149 yards) was both elusive and physical, while Diego Green (56 yards) had several explosive runs early, Waller said. Tatum (19 yards) had some hard-hitting rushes up the middle.
Key and D.J. Battiato each had big gains on receiver reverses.
"That's the thing about our offense, you can really do anything," Hartley said.
Lincoln High's offense wasn't able get rolling until the second half, when quarterback Dylan Flinn threw for two touchdowns. He competed eight straight passes late in the game.
Linebacker Mateo Molifua recovered one of the Links’ two early fumbles that resulted in North Star touchdowns.
Reach Brent C. Wagner at 473-7435 or bwagner@journalstar.com.
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