Observer-Reporter Athlete of the Week
Name: Dalton Holt
School: Ringgold
Class: Senior
Sport: Football
Holt’s week: Holt made two late-game interceptions from his safety position that sealed Ringgold’s upset of Mars in the first round of the WPIAL Class 4-A playoffs. He also had 10 tackles. As a wide receiver, Holt caught seven passes for 88 yards and a touchdown.
The sixth-seeded Rams knocked off the third-seeded Planets, 42-31, to advance to the semifinals against seventh-seeded New Castle. The Red Hurricane upset No. 2 seed South Fayette in the first round. Kickoff for Friday night’s game at Mars is 7:30 p.m.
“I like getting interceptions,” said Holt, who stands 6-0 and weighs 180. “I like getting the ball back to the team.”
The first interception came at the Mars 42-yard line and he returned it to the 15. A penalty on the return brought the football back to midfield. The second interception came at the Rams’ 25 and Holt returned it to the Mars 35.
“He’s been incredible all year,” said Ringgold head coach Nick Milchovich. “He’s a football player. He’s turned into the best cover guy on our team, and he’s the best tackler on our team.”
Multi-skilled player: Holt has developed into a do-everything player on the football field. He plays safety and wide receiver but also had stints at running back and quarterback. He stepped in briefly when senior quarterback George Martin was shaken up and ran for a first down from the wildcat formation.
“He has returned kickoffs for touchdowns and punts for touchdowns,” said Milchovich of the three-year starter. “He does everything for us except drive the bus to the games.”
He’d try if asked.
“Football is my life,” said Holt. “I’ve been playing this game all my life. I’m a defensive guy. I like hitting guys. I’ve played everywhere but on the line. I do what I can to help the team.”
Holt spent most of his school days at Brownsville but moved to Ringgold for his sophomore year. He earned the starting job at wide receiver and defensive back in camp and never let go. Though he played center field for the baseball team and ran the sprints in track, football is where his heart is.
“Football is football,” he said. “It should be rough. We want to play big in big games. That’s why we got to where we are.”
Schools such as Boston College and Virginia Tech and members of the Patriot League have shown interest in Holt, who has a team-high 42 pass receptions after leading the Rams with 23 catches a year ago.
“I want to play at the next level,” he said. “I want to make a decision by December or January.”
Compiled by Joe Tuscano