Fitch’s Ortz made impact on field, track

June 22, 2014 at 12:10a.m.

FITCH’S Ortz was phenomenal on the field, track

AUSTINTOWN

Last fall, no high school football team had as many entertaining big games as Austintown Fitch. In the middle of the action on defense was senior linebacker Sam Ortz.

In the spring, Ortz was extremely busy with track and field, running the 110- and 300-meter hurdles as well as participating in the high jump and long jump. His varsity career eventually ended in Columbus at the state meet in the high jump competition.

Ortz’s impact in those sports makes him The Vindicator’s selection for Male Athlete of the Year.

In a 30-27 thriller in Week 7 against Massillon, the Falcons had a 16-point lead with 4:45 to play when Tigers freshman quarterback Danny Clark rallied the Tigers for two touchdowns and for a brief moment a third.

However, an illegal procedure call negated that last call.

“I did not hear the whistle and I thought they were [going to] win the game,” Ortz said. “My stomach was turning ... then I saw the flag. That made it feel much better, having another chance.”

Ortz was all over the field in that game. He and lineman Ryan Sayers teamed up to chase Clark through the end zone for a safety. The Falcons held on to remain undefeated, finishing 10-0 in the regular season for the first time.

In Week 12, Fitch traveled to Mansfield to face Westerville Central in a second-round Division I playoff game. The Falcons trailed by 10 close to halftime when Ortz and defensive back Rodney Smith teamed up to make a momentum-shifting play. Smith blitzed and hit quarterback Jared Drake so hard from the blind side that the ball popped into the air.

Ortz caught it and ran to the Westerville 21, setting up a touchdown. The Falcons roared in the second half, outscoring the Warhawks 20-0 for a 40-24 victory.

One of his favorite memories is of when the team returned home from Mansfield.

“We got off the buses and everyone was cheering for us,” Ortz said. “It was amazing.”

Another moment he remembers with a smile had nothing to do with winning a game. Ortz’s position on offense was running back and he campaigned hard to get a handoff. In Week 8 in a blowout win against Marion Harding, Ortz said running backs coach Alan Mikovich gave in.

“I scored — 34 yards out with 34 seconds left to make the score 34-0,” said Ortz who wore number 34. “It was really cool to get in on offense.”

The Falcons’ season ended with a regional final loss to Lakewood St. Edward.

“Sam was a tremendous leader for us,” head coach Phil Annarella said. “He was the leading tackler for us again, doing a fabulous job.

“He was everything we needed in a linebacker.”

Ortz was a junior during Ohio State recruit Billy Price’s senior season. Annarella said Ortz’s role didn’t change after Price graduated.

“Billy’s notoriety might have overshadowed Sam but he was just as valuable to us as a junior as he was as a senior,” Annarella said.

Ortz’s athletic career will continue at Youngstown State University where he has a track scholarship. He will major in criminal justice and cites his half-brother Michael Prachick of the Austintown Fire Department as his inspiration.

“I’ve seen what’s he’s been through,” Ortz said. “Helping save a house from burning down ... I could be that person some day to save someone’s life or save a person from dying. That really makes me want to be a cop and help.”