Hartzell headed to Kent

Catholic Central standout to walk on with Golden Flashes

STEUBENVILLE -- Justin Hartzell, Catholic Central's double grand quarterback in 2018, will continue his football and athletic careers at Kent State University.

Last week, the speedy Hartzell, who stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 195 pounds, agreed to be a preferred walk-on for the Golden Flashes, who are guided by second-year coach Sean Lewis. Hartzell will be looking to secure playing time as a wide receiver and on special teams.

"Being a preferred walk-on means I'm part of the 105, part of the team," Hartzell, the son of Jodie and Tiffany Hartzell, said. "The new coach looks to give everyone an equal chance.

"I always thought I could make it at the Division I level and now I have my opportunity. I was surprised with the recruiting process. I was a little late to the game even though I started looking around after my junior year. I reached out to a lot of schools but there were times when I didn't get a return call. I'm thankful for the opportunity Kent is giving me."

Hartzell, a first team All-Eastern District Division VI choice and a second team ll-Ohio selection, threw for 1,041 yards and nine touchdowns in 2018. He also ran for 1,127 yards and 16 scores. In three years as Central's starting signal caller, he passed for 3,261 yards and 26 six-pointers. On the ground, he compiled 2,527 yards and 26 touchdowns.

"I believe he's the only guy to be a 1,000 yard rusher and a 1,000 yard passer as a quarterback at Central and that's quite an achievement," said Steve Daley, Hartzell's high school coach. "For Justin, however, team goals always came first and that's what made him a very special player for us. It was definitely a pleasure to have had the opportunity to coach him for four years. He made tremendous growth as a player in that time. He was pressed into duty as a sophomore, made great strides as a junior and was an outstanding senior. He has all the tools necessary and, in my opinion, Kent State made a steal by getting him.

"For people who have seen him play, he has the size, the speed and the athleticism. For people who may not know him as a person, he's top notch. He's intelligent, a relentless worker and a great leader."

Before being contacted by Kent on Valentine's Day, Hartzell had visited Wheeling Jesuit and was thinking about joining the Cardinal football program. He also was interested in attending Ohio University just fort academics.

"Kent reached out and asked if I would be interested in being a preferred walk-on," he said. "I visited a week later and talked to the coaches. I liked the facilities, the school and what the coaches had to say."

Hartzell said he was initially contacted by Zac Barton, Kent's special teams coordinator. Barton was in town meeting with Big Red coach Reno Saccoccia and it was Saccoccia who suggested Barton talk with Hartzell.

"I definitely want to thank coach Reno for helping me in the recruiting process," Hartzell said.

Hartzell said he is looking forward to making the switch to wide receiver.

"I love the challenge involved in changing positions," he said. "People have always said my speed and jumps are wide out related. I'm really excited about what lies ahead.

"As a quarterback, I know what I like and don't like about wide outs. So that knowledge definitely will help me with the adjustment."

Hartzell currently is preparing for the track season.

As a sophomore, he placed in the Division IV 100 meter dash but missed most of last season with an injury. He will run both the 100 and 200 this year.

He's the second member of Central's 2018 squad, which finished the regular season 7-3 and earned a trip to the Division VI playoffs, to sign on with a Division I school. Earlier, offensive lineman Jordan Maul committed to be a walk-on at Akron.

"We always thought our class was something special," Hartzell said. "With Jordan going to Akron and Jake (Stoll) going Division II (Stoll will continue his playing career at Walsh University) and some guys going for baseball, this group of friends will be playing at the next level."

Hartzell and his fellow Central seniors helped lead the Crusaders to consecutive appearances in the D VI post-season.

"It was just great that we were able to make the playoffs as juniors and seniors," he said.

"Our junior year ended on a sour note so we worked really hard to get back. To make the playoffs was great. To make the Division VI playoffs this year with only 17 guys playing was really special."

Hartzell expressed his thanks to all the coaches he's had, especially Daley for football and Bob Stanko in track.

"Of course, I want to really thank my parents," he stressed. "Without them sending me to Central none of this would be possible. I also want to thank my teammates and Terrance Montgomery, my coach at the Eastern Ohio Speed and Agility Academy."

Should Hartzell earn a return trip to Columbus for track, his last race will be run on June 2. He then will report to Kent State on June 8.

He does plan to immediately start taking classes once arriving on campus.

"Track definitely will help with my conditioning and speed," he said. "It will help get me ready for camp when I report on June 8."