First-year head coaches prepare for Decatur vs. Hartselle rivalry
Sep. 19—When it comes to high school football rivalries in Alabama, there are few that go back farther than Decatur vs. Hartselle.
The two teams first met in 1917, and they have met 91 times since then, with Decatur holding a 60-30-1 edge.
"You talk to old Hartselle, people that were here and played when this was Morgan County High School, this is the game," said Hartselle head coach Bert Newton. "This game means something to them. It means something to the community, and because of that, it means something to me."
This year's installment of the rivalry brings a twist: Both sides will have brand new head coaches.
Bert Newton is in his first season at Hartselle after being promoted from defensive coordinator, while John Ritter is in his first year at Decatur after coming over from Russellville.
"This is one of those special games that has great history and historically is an important game," Ritter said. "It's a game that means a lot to both communities. It's going to be a great atmosphere, and it's something I'm excited to be a part of."
While Ritter will be getting his first taste of the rivalry, Newton experienced it for the first time in 2017 when he became the Tigers' defensive coordinator. He said he wasn't prepared for the game's importance and intensity, but he learned quickly.
"I remember that week, Coach (Bob) Godsey (Hartselle's head coach at the time) was just going crazy about beating them," Newton said. "I didn't really get it, then we get to the game, and I get outschemed and we end up losing. I had a deeper respect for that game, and the next year I made sure we were prepared. It was like the Super Bowl."
With their first game against each other set for Friday, Newton and Ritter will join a long list of elite coaches who have coached in this rivalry.
Names like Steve Rivers, Bob Godsey, Jere Adcock, Don Woods, H.L. Shorty Ogle, J.P. Cain, Earl Webb, Bucky Pitts and Bryan Moore have all graced the sideline of Decatur vs. Hartselle games. Now that list will include Newton and Ritter.
"It's humbling when you think of the names that have coached in this game and realize you'll be included in that," Ritter said. "There have been a lot of men of great character and a lot of names associated with winning programs."
Newton joked that he hopes his and Ritter's relationship won't be quite as intense as Godsey and Adcock's, two former assistants under Rivers at Decatur who had a deep friendship but also deep rivalry on the field.
"I hope we don't yell at each other like them. You could hear them yelling at each other all across the field," Newton said with a laugh. "It definitely is a high honor though to have a place like Hartselle choose you as their coach and now you get to make your stamp on the field in a game like this."
The two programs are in different places right now. Hartselle is 2-1 this season, with its lone loss being to Austin 35-34 in double overtime, and the Tigers have won nine or more games in each of the last four seasons. Meanwhile, Decatur is 0-4 as Ritter works with a young roster to overhaul and rebuild the Decatur program.
Still, both coaches acknowledged that when it comes to a game like this, all bets are off.
"We're trying to teach our guys daily habits that will help them be successful in the future. It's frustrating at times, but it's about building a program, not a team," Rotter said. "That being said, this is one of those games where everyone just seems to play a little better."
Newton said the Tigers aren't overlooking Decatur at all, no matter the Red Raiders' record.
"Last year we had only lost two games and they hadn't won many, but they had us beat. It took a blocked punt and a late score for us to sneak out with a win, but they probably should have beat us," Newton said. "That's been our message all week to the kids: It doesn't matter what their record is or how many points they've scored, we're going to get their best shot."
— [email protected] or 256-340-2395. Twitter @CalebSuggs2