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Commentary: Alter’s strength lies in preparation

Alter cuts Carlisle no slack

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By Kyle Nagel, Staff Writer 11:47 PM Saturday, November 14, 2009

MONROE — A full 75 minutes before kickoff, there were significant blots of red in the visiting stands at Monroe High School.

Carlisle had arrived. Someone walking through the stands as the team took the field for warm-ups 50 minutes before the game would’ve felt an assault on the senses of shaking, honking, clanging and clapping.

Across the field, in the home stands, the Alter fans were ... there. Calmly.

That’s not to say the Alter fans weren’t excited — they had their rowdy moments later. But the Division IV, Region 16 semifinal game on Saturday, Nov. 14, wasn’t a Super Bowl for them. They have their eyes set higher.

As much as any game this season, the 41-0 win against Carlisle represented the biggest triumph top-ranked and undefeated Alter has made this season. Playing a schedule filled with teams wanting a shot at the defending state champion, Alter hasn’t let anyone close.

Even as opponents — including playoff-crazy Carlisle (9-3), which advanced to the second round for the first time this season — have brought their highest emotions, Alter (12-0) has remained cold and calculating in almost robotically continuing to be in the right place at the right time doing the right thing.

“It starts with the preparation,” said Cody Byers, the Alter senior and co-captain headed to Wisconsin as a safety. “We prepare like it’s the best team in the state, no matter the caliber they are. That really helps you, especially in the playoffs.”

But, wait a minute, what was this? Early in the first quarter, Alter fumbled its first fielded punt (although the Knights recovered). Then they fumbled two more times in their first three plays from scrimmage, while still collecting them each again.

Could it be that nerves crept into Alter’s heads?

Um, no.

After punting, the Knights forced a fumble on the return, and, in the next three drives, drove steadily for three scores — including a 48-yard touchdown run by junior quarterback Zane Pitzer — to take a 21-0 lead with 8:54 left in the first half. Alter has been in this spot before. In its ninth straight playoff appearance, the Knights increased their record during that run to 21-7, which brings weighty expectations heading into Saturday’s regional final against Clinton-Massie.

Those expectations demand exacting play.

“We had to do some things right, and we did,” said Alter coach Ed Domsitz. “Our defense is pretty quick, pretty aggressive ...”

He smiled a bit as the list went on.

“Pretty strong,” Domsitz said, “and pretty smart.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.

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