The boys soccer team finds itself in a familiar position, albeit not an especially enjoyable one.

During a season in which they went 9-7-2 and advanced to a Division II district semifinal a year ago, the Hawks won their opener but went 0-6-2 over their next eight games.

Hartley opened this season with a 2-1 win over Watkins Memorial on Aug. 21 but lost its next six to take a 1-6 mark into its game Sept. 11 at St. Charles.

Similarly to last season, the Hawks are hoping their senior class can help them recover in time to post a winning record.

While last year's roster featured 13 seniors, leading the way this fall are returning seniors Stuart Burkett, Miles Cervi, Nick Evers and Jacob Smith.

"They come in with a lot of experience, and it's not easy," said coach Chris Kowalski, whose team's only other senior is Cisco Ahumada.

"They're embracing the role on the field and are the ones who are keeping us going. They lead a lot by example and are men of character.

"We're right where we were last year, so we're familiar with it and we believe we're capable of turning it around."

Burkett and Smith each scored against Watkins Memorial, but the Hawks scored just one goal while being shut out five times over their next six games.

Hartley lost to Lexington (Ky.) Catholic 4-0 on Sept. 2 and fell to Watterson by the same score in its CCL opener Sept. 6. It also lost to Grandview 2-0 on Aug. 23 and to Granville 4-1 on Aug. 25.

Kowalski believes his team will benefit from an early season schedule that included opponents such as defending Division III state champion Worthington Christian and Division I Cincinnati Moeller. Hartley lost to Worthington Christian 2-0 on Aug. 28 and to Moeller 6-0 on Sept. 1.

The Hawks play host to Big Walnut on Saturday, Sept. 15, and to DeSales on Tuesday, Sept. 18, in a CCL game.

"We're learning," Kowalski said. "We're very young and we loaded up the schedule at the beginning of the year to get us ready for the league. I thought we played well against Watterson. We shot ourselves in the foot a couple times.

"I'm proud of them for the way they're fighting despite the slow start. You're going to see all of those teams deep into the district tournament. No one wants to be 1-6, but we were able to turn it around last year and we're putting ourselves in a position to push and get out of it."

Football squad eyeing Akron Hoban

The Hartley High School football team travels to Akron Hoban on Friday, Sept. 14, looking for another big win against the northeastern Ohio school. A year ago, Hartley won 45-21.

The Hawks defeated East Knox 50-7 on Sept. 7 to improve to 3-0.

"We feel good. It's been pretty business-like so far," coach Brad Burchfield said. "Certainly we're proud of the start we've had and I'm pleased with how (we played during our first two wins). The kids have been playing with a lot of responsibility."

The Hawks used a balanced approach on offense during their first two victories.

Marcellus Calhoun rushed for 329 yards and three touchdowns, Ja'Wuan Woodley had 201 yards and three touchdowns and Sam Mackowiak had 127 yards and two scores as Hartley outscored its first two opponents by a combined 84-7.

Quarterback Jared Brandewie was 9-for-14 passing for 150 yards with two touchdowns, with Dominique Scott and Jacob Matuska each catching touchdowns through two weeks.

Kalil Morris, Nick King, Jack Zang, Matuska and Woodley have been among the top players on defense, according to Burchfield.

"Offensively we've been spreading it around to a lot of different people," Burchfield said. "As a lot of teams, we're very routine-based."

Hoban has lost to Kent Roosevelt (36-17 on Aug. 24), Austintown-Fitch (49-9 on Aug. 31) and Youngstown Boardman (47-26 on Sept. 7)

New boys golf coach happy with start

Things have come together quickly for the boys golf team, according to new coach Bill Green.

Green, who coached Johnstown in 2003 and previously has worked at Clover Valley and Darby Creek, is a golf pro at Winding Hollow. He also is the father of former Johnstown golfers Adam Green and Cody Green, who helped the Johnnies capture the 2006 Division III state championship.

Cody Green is serving as the junior varsity coach.

"I teach at Winding Hollow, and they've been nice enough to let us bring our guys there," Bill Green said. "It's been going pretty well so far."

He took over in August in place of Mike Graham, who led the boys tennis and boys golf teams the last 15 seasons before retiring in the offseason.

The top player is senior Kevin Tillery, who was averaging 78 through the Hawks' first 10 18-hole matches. Other key players are seniors Billy Blashill and Adam Zevchik, junior Cameron Ball and freshman Chris Williard. Senior Steve Marchionda, junior Nick Ozarzak and sophomore Jack Casebolt are others competing.

Freshman Salmika Wairegi is the only girl in the program.

Last season, the Hawks were second (347) in the 12-team Division II sectional at The Players Club at Foxfire behind Watterson (333) and tied Martins Ferry for 10th (361) in the district tournament at River Greens in West Lafayette.

Blashill shot 85 at district, followed by Tillery (88), Ball (93), Marchionda (94) and Zevchik (96).