HARTRIM READY FOR LEAD ROLE

Decatur's new quarterback, Tyler Hartrim, a transfer from Nease High School in Point Vedra, Fla., passes during a scrimmage against Cape Henlopen last Friday in Berlin. Hartrim said he is ready to lead the team on the field. (Sept. 4, 2009) For the last two years, the Stephen Decatur football team was led by quarterback Tim Donnelly, who transferred to the school from Hawaii at the start of his junior year.

As a senior, Donnelly broke school records for touchdown passes (25), the number of passes attempted (186) and completed (120) in a season and yardage thrown (2,003). He also earned

Honorable Mention All- State honors and was named Bayside Conference Player of the Year. He now plays for the

University of Delaware.

Those are some big shoes to fill, but junior Tyler Hartrim, a transfer from Nease High School in Point Vedra Beach, Fla., is no stranger to emerging from the shadows of a stellar player before him.

When Hartrim was a freshman at Nease, Tim Tebow, a Division I recruit who was ranked among the top quarterback prospects in the nation, was a senior. Tebow now plays for the University of Florida and among his accomplishments, he was the first college player to both rush and pass for 20 touchdowns in a season (2007) and was the first sophomore to win the Heisman Trophy.

Coach Knox "I'm actually pretty confident because Tim Tebow played quarterback at Nease, then I was quarterback, so I had big shoes to fill there. He taught me a lot," said Hartrim, who sports the same number (5) worn by Tebow. "I hope to lead the team on the field and, hopefully, they get a positive vibe how I play and they'll play better, too. Personally, it doesn't really mater about stats for me. I just want to win."

Senior wide receiver Andrew Brickey (2008 First Team All-Conference) was on the receiving end of many passes thrown by Donnelly last year. He broke Decatur's record for most touchdown catches in a season (12). He also holds the record for average yardage per reception (20.7).

Brickey said things are going well with Hartrim as the two pair up at practice to go over plays and learn each other's styles.

Tyler Hartrim "I'm still trying to get a feel how he plays and he's trying to get a feel how I play," Brickey said. "We're constantly together, pretty much throw most of the time."

Leading the squad for 26 seasons, Coach Bob Knox said that while Hartrim was in Florida he played an offense similar to Decatur's so the transition has been smooth. Knox said his new quarterback has good size and will be tough to bring down if tackled. He also likes to run the ball, Knox said, so the coach has added some new plays designed to fit Hartrim's style.

"Our quarterback will be running the ball this year, but we can throw, too," Knox said. "He's doing very good. He's adjusting well and he fits in with the offense."

Knox said several All-Conference key players graduated from the 2008 squad (7-4 record) and there is inexperience at a few positions, but a handful of players have returned and are ready to take the field.

Leading the charge with Brickey are seniors Delonte Tate (two-time All- Conference safety), Dylan Drew (offensive tackle/defensive end), John Rich (fullback/nose guard), Josh Straley (defensive end), Bryce Smith (outside linebacker), John Drocella (center), Hunter Downs (offensive guard), Tom Lubeski (split end), Kyle Leslie (slotback) and junior Mike Meekins (linebacker).

Sophomore DJ Kee carries the ball for Stephen Decatur during a scrimmage against Cape Henlopen last Friday in Berlin. Top newcomers include senior Grady Anderson (linebacker), juniors Markell Purnell (fullback), Cordonte Ayres (running back/defensive back) and sophomores Nick Craven (offensive line), DJ Kee (defensive back/running back), Devon Wilson (defensive back) and John Lewis (linebacker).

"We've got some talented and athletic running backs and receivers. We need the offensive line to step up to let those kids be talented at what they do," Knox said. "We're strong on the defensive line, but we've got some inexperience at linebacker and we've got a new place kicker and new punter."

"We're young, but we're progressing," Brickey added. "Everything is starting to come together as far as offense and defense."

Knox said there is no easy opponent on Decatur's scheduled this season, and his players are going to have to play hard for 48 minutes every week. The motto this year, he added, is "Never be out-hit and never be out-hustled." If the Seahawks can accomplish that, Knox said, they will be a pretty decent football team.

Decatur is on the road for its season opener tonight (Friday) against Rising Sun.

"Both teams do things well but it's going to be a game where the team that wants it most and makes the fewest mistakes is the one that's going to win," he said.

FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:

Sept. 4: Rising Sun, 7 p.m. (A)
Sept. 11: Washington, 6 p.m. (H)
Sept. 18: North Caroline, 6 p.m. (H)
Sept. 25: Queen Annes County, 7 p.m. (A)
Oct. 2: Kent Island, 7 p.m. (A)
Oct. 10: J.M. Bennett Senior, 1:30 p.m. (A)
Oct. 15: Easton, 6 p.m. (H)
Oct. 23: Parkside, 6 p.m. (H)
Oct. 30: Wicomico, 6 p.m. (H)
Nov. 6: Snow Hill, 6 p.m. (A)