Knights Take D-IV Crown

The Alter Knights (Kettering, Ohio) got a taste of playing in a state championship game in 2006 against Steubenville. The outcome saw the Knights come up short 34-33 against the Big Red and the chance for the schools first state title in football came up short. 2008 would be a different story.

In a rematch of that 2006 game, the Knights looked to change the outcome and take home the championship trophy giving the school it's first football championship.

The start of the game saw both teams go back and forth with Alter scoring first as quarterback Austin Boucher connected with Chris Borland for a 8-yard touchdown pass. The Knights would look to score again but the Big Red wasn't ready to go away.

Led by junior quarterback Dwight Macon, the Big Red would show fight but not come close to putting points on the board.

The Knights would head to the locker room with a 7-0 advantage knowing they were in a fight.

The Big Red have been here many times and their fans looked for a spark that would put the Knights on their heels. That spark didn't come as Alter would score in the third quarter on an Austin Boucher 3-yard touchdown run making the score 14-0.

The Knights weren't finished as Borland would go 21-yards for their third and final score on the day before seeing The Big Red make any noise.

Dwight Macon would hit Trey Wiggins for a 33-yard score but the Big Red would miss the kick making the final score 21-6 and giving the Alter Knights their first state championship.

Breaking Down The Players

Alter High School

Chris Borland: Good looking player who has good flexibility. It will be interesting to see how he's used in college as he's only around 5-11 in heights. Borland is tough and plays with a chip on his shoulder and does the little things you want from a player at the next level.

Austin Boucher: Underrated quarterback who has the skills to play at a bigger program than Toledo. Strong arm with great running ability make Boucher the type of player many schools will look at in a spread offense. If we had to name an MVP Boucher would get our vote.

Cody Byers: Junior who is a name to watch for the Class of 2010. While Borland may get all the press, look for Byers to have a chance to become a big-time player at the college level.

Teddy Link: Only a sophomore Link has a chance to be a very good player over the next two seasons. Good size at around 6-foot-1,170-pounds with a frame to grow.

Steubenville High School

Dwight Macon: The junior quarterback may lack the size you look for at the position but it doesn't mean he can't play it in high school. The jury is out until Macon takes in some combines and camps as to how strong his arm is. But he's got great feet and athletic skills and should get interest from colleges as a defensive back at worst. Macon is the best talent on the Big Red and many things should be expected of him next fall.

Branko Busick: The West Virginia verbal commitment is a solid player but lacks the size you'd like to see. One thing is for sure, Busick is a tough player who isn't afraid to bang heads.

Shaquille Petteway: Only a sophomore Petteway showed some ability and is a name we'll have to follow over the next two years.

Both teams are great high school programs and this was a hard fought battle between two well coached teams.