The Knights, who lost running back John Bivens last week to a torn ACL against McNicholas, ran their win streak to nine and finished 7-0 in the GCL. Alter fell 13-12 to Fairmont in the season opener. The Knights will make their 17th straight postseason appearance next week and host a first-round game.
CJ, which had a seven-game win streak snapped, drops to 7-3, 6-1. The Eagles, despite the loss, earned their first postseason bid since 2013.
Alter and CJ could square off again next week in the first round of the Division III, Region 12 playoffs. Playoff matchups will be announced Sunday by the Ohio High School Athletic Association.
Bivens, who was offered by the University of Southern California this week, was the GCL’s leading rusher through nine weeks with 1,308 yards and 15 touchdowns.
“The question has been asked all week - what are they like without Bivens?” CJ head coach Marcus Colvin said. “The answer is they are still really good.”
Said Harshbarger: “We talked as captains and as a team this week about having to come together even more after Bivens got hurt. We stressed we had to keep fighting.”
Harsbarger was magnificent.
In addition to rushing for 68 yards on 11 carries, the two-way standout also returned a fumble 65-yards for a touchdown, had an interception and recovered a blocked punt.
He was part of a defensive charge that, along with the weather, kept CJ’s offense in check.
Senior quarterback Ryan Peltier opened the scoring with a 60-yard touchdown run on the Eagles’ first possession. CJ managed just 94 yards the rest of the game.
“The defense was amazing tonight,” Alter head coach Ed Domsitz said. “Their offense is explosive. They have an experienced quarterback with a lot of talent and talent around him. Psychologically, when he broke off the long run early, I’m thinking ‘Let’s see what we’re made of.’”
After Peltier’s score, Alter’s Jordan Coovert returned the ensuing kickoff 99 yards for a touchdown. Back-breaker.
Landers finished the game with 78 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries, while Riazzi, who didn’t touch the ball in the first half, tallied 102 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries.
The Knights outgained the Eagles 252-154.
The victory was Alter’s seventh straight in the series and 12th in the last 13 games. Since the turn of the century, the Knights are 16-3 against the Eagles. The next meeting could be days away.
“The kids came to play,” Domsitz said. “They focused all week long in practice and we sensed it. I really felt we would be ready to do it tonight.”
Said Colvin: ““If we get to play in Week 11, that’s a blessing. Whoever the opponent is, we’re going to line up and play them.”
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