“I thought Chagrin Falls had the best offense we’ve seen,” Alter coach Ed Domsitz said after the Knights had clinched their second consecutive Division IV state title with a 37-7 championship game victory Saturday, Dec. 5, at Fawcett Stadium.
That skill from undefeated Chagrin Falls was a midweek concern for a defensive unit — even one that had allowed just 13 total points in the playoffs and 6.7 points per game.
“We practice on a hill on the back of our track, and were just moving around trying to find as much grass as we could,” said Alter defensive coordinator Tom Alig. “We ended up having a really good day of practice, just getting back to the basics.”
Then, because Chagrin Falls quarterback Chris Trinetti was mobile and totaled 644 yards rushing and 1,642 passing with 35 combined touchdowns, Alig put in a wrinkle. He switched to a defensive scheme that allowed for more blitzing, more pressure and more attacking.
“We talked about it in the morning,” Alig said as the celebration continued on the field. “I said, ‘Boys, do you just wanna get after it?’ ”
The Alter defense then completed one of the most dominating seasons in school history by allowing just 144 yards in the title game. Even the one touchdown could be forgiven, as the Knights fumbled to set Chagrin Falls up at the Alter 16-yard line. It still took five plays and a third-down conversion for Chagrin to score from there.
Alter got three interceptions, including one that senior Thomas Armstrong returned 29 yards for a touchdown and a 23-7 lead with 4:26 left, forced two fumbles, and stopped Chagrin Falls on fourth down three times.
This Alter defense should be remembered as one of the best we’ve seen in the Miami Valley. The only problem is no one at Alter can seem to agree if it’s even the best one they’ve had recently.
Domsitz mentioned the argument about which Alter defense is best, 2006, ’08 or ’09. The defensive players were asked for their opinion.
“Just say it,” senior running back Cody Taulbee whispered to senior safety Cody Byers, egging him on even before the question finished. “Just say it.”
Byers answered.
“If you’re going by points, I think we allowed the fewest,” Byers said. “It’s questionable, but I feel like overall, they might’ve had a little more size, but we had a little more speed.”
“Just say yes,” Taulbee again said quietly.
“In football, speed always wins,” Byers said, breaking into a small smile. “I think this year’s season was the best defense.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-7389 or knagel@DaytonDailyNews.com.
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