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Hartman lays down the law
in Wilmington’s latest win

Hartman lays down the law in Wilmington’s latest win

Written: Nov 19, 2008
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By JOHN D’ABRUZZO

jdabruzzo@ncnewsonline.com

Dallas Hartman was in the right place at the right time.

Not once, but twice.

Hartman, a senior tight end/defensive lineman, scored twice in Wilmington High’s 35-7 victory over General McLane on Saturday in the District 10, Class AA football semifinals.

The 6-foot-5, 235-pound captain scored from 59 yards out after a reception on a halfback pass from Sutton Whiting. Hartman initially tipped the ball and then outmaneuvered Kellen O’Neill before scrambling into the end zone.

“The first (touchdown) was a momentum shifter,” Hartman said. “It was a play we practiced all week and it worked out. We took the lead from there and never let it go.”

His second score came in the third quarter on a fumble recovery he returned 44 yards. Derrick Burns caused the fumble and Hartman scooped up the ball and then scooted for the end zone.

“Two big plays,” Wilmington coach Terry Verrelli said. “That’s about the third time he’s caught a pass like that; tipped it, caught it and went in for a touchdown. It’s a good job of keeping his balance and fighting for the ball.

“Then the awareness to pick the ball up after the fumble, that’s what wins football games.”

For his performance, Hartman is Lawrence County’s Athlete of the Week, as selected by The New Castle News sports staff. The award is sponsored by Washington Centre Physical Therapy.

Hartman had praise for everyone. “Sutton helped me out throwing a nice pass,” Hartman said. “Derrick helped me out with a nice hit.

“We played a great game, our fans are great and the coaches did a great job preparing us.”

Hartman has eight receptions for 248 yards and six touchdowns this season. That’s an impressive 31 yards per catch.

“He’s turned into a great blocker for us and he can catch a ball as much as our wide receivers,” Verrelli said. “He was a defensive end and we made him a defensive tackle this year. He’s just grown every game and gotten better.”

Widely known as “Spike” around the Wilmington locker room, Hartman has become a big asset to the ’Hounds since transferring from Kennedy Catholic after his sophomore year.

“When I was a younger, my family was looking for a way to tell me apart from my dad (local attorney Dallas Hartman),” Hartman said. “Since my hair was always all crazy (and sticking up), they started calling me Spike and it stuck.”

Hartman had 16 receptions for 235 yards and one touchdown in his first season with the ’Hounds.

“Last season was a learning process,” Verrelli said. “In your second year, you can spend your time being aggressive and not thinking about what to do.

“He’s come a long way, especially as a blocker. He’s becoming a force at tight end. And as a defensive tackle, he and Clint DeRosa are doing a good job up front; they’re the anchor of our defense.”

Hartman is just one of many weapons in Wilmington’s arsenal.

“That’s part of the reason we’re so good,” Hartman said. “It’s hard to defend our team. Everybody’s good. It’s just a different story every week who’s going to step up and get the job done.

“Other teams have to pick their poison when playing us, and this week I got to be the poison.”

Wilmington (11-1) will meet Slippery Rock at 7 p.m. Saturday at Slippery Rock University in the District 10 championship game.

“We can’t go into the game knowing that we beat them 42-6 the first time,” Hartman said. “It’s a whole new game. It’s a championship game and they want nothing more than to beat us.”

Hartman hopes to play football next fall in the Ivy League. He is waiting to find out if he has been accepted to Harvard. If so, he plans majoring in pre-law and playing football for the Crimson.

If Harvard doesn’t work out, Hartman said he will attend Columbia and play for the Lions.

DALLAS HARTMAN FILE ...

POSITION: Tight end/defensive lineman

GRADE: Senior

KNOWN FOR: Hartman scored a pair of touchdowns during the ’Hounds’ 35-7 victory over General McLane in the District 10, Class AA semifinals. Hartman scored on a 59-yard reception on a halfback pass from Sutton Whiting. He also recovered a fumble and returned it for a 44-yard score.

PARENTS: Dallas and Kris Hartman.

FAVORITE COLLEGE TEAM: Texas Tech football. “I usually don’t have a favorite team. I just go with whatever and whoever.”

FAVORITE PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE: Indianapolis Colts tight end Dallas Clark. “He’s No. 44, his first name is Dallas, he’s a tight end and he’s a good player.”

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