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Hast-Litzen combine to power Raiders - Athlete of the Week |
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Wednesday, 08 September 2010 14:29 |
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While many area football teams rely heavily on the ground game, the Stevens Raiders have done a lot of their damage through the air. Quarterback Hayden Hast and Receiver Alex Litzen have helped get the Raiders off to a hot start and this week the two share our Athlete of the Week honors.
For the Stevens Raiders, the season is only two weeks old. Yet four times already in 2010 we've seen Hayden Hast and Alex Litzen hook up for a score. There are plenty of contributing factors like the size and athleticism of the 6-foot-5 Litzen and also the experience the tandem has at the varsity level. Hast says, 'It's a lot nicer. It's almost second nature to you, with the second year. You know how things are going to work out and who's going to be open and stuff. And also I've just got more confidence coming back for a second year.' The receiver and quarterback are also very familiar with each other, having come up through the Raiders program together. Litzen says,' Having the chemistry with Hayden, we've been together since freshman year. We started getting good chemistry at the end of last year so it's pretty good so far, hope it keeps going.' Hast says, 'Chemistry took a while to develop. We've been playing together for a while so that's definitely evident on the field. He knows if I'm in trouble, he'll come back and I know where he'll be.' And all those years Litzen and Hast have spent developing that chemistry has made them arguably the best quarterback-receiver combo in the area. Hast says, 'That's great. I couldn't ask for anything more. I know if I throw it up to him in the corner of the end zone he's always going to go up and get it no matter who's around him. Or even in the middle he'll get the ball, take a big hit so that's fine.' Litzen says, 'Between a receiver and a quarterback, chemistry is everything. So knowing his arm strength and knowing how he throws it and where he throws it is definitely good for a receiver to know.' With Stevens off to a 2-0 start and the touchdowns coming in bunches, Raiders fans hope this duo will continue to produce at a high level. With your Powerade Athlete of the Week, this is Chris Leone, Black Hills FOX Sports. |
