STRENGTH IS PART OF ATHLETE'S LEGACY.

Byline: GIDEON RUBIN Staff Writer

QUARTZ HILL -- Quartz Hill High senior two-way lineman Pete Ritter was simply keeping up a family tradition.

Ritter started helping out on his family's alfalfa farm bucking hay when he was five.

That work, along with a grueling strength-training program he started last summer, have contributed to Ritter becoming among the area's strongest high school football players.

Ritter is a direct descendant of some of the Antelope Valley's first settlers. They homesteaded Ritter Ranch, a picturesque region in southwest Palmdale where mountains and desert converge and which is now slated for a 7,200-home housing development.

He is a fifth-generation Ritter.

``I've always bucked hay and I guess that's fueled my natural strength,'' Ritter said. ``I've been doing it since I was little and I guess I've gotten strong from that.''

The 5-foot-10 258-pounder is a perfect fit for Quartz Hill's intensely physical playing style.

The Rebels lines average 270 pounds on offense and 260 on the defensive side.

They run a traditional Golden League-style power running offense that relies heavily on the unglamorous push in the trenches.

Quartz Hill (1-2) is coming off one of its biggest wins in years, a 22-14 nonleague upset of Barstow.

The Rebels will look to build on their momentum tonight when they open league play against projected title contender Lancaster (1-2).

Over the summer, Ritter became just the program's third 1,000-pound weight lifting club member -- for combined bench press, squat and power clean lifts -- since coach Pat Degnan started the football team's weight lifting competition in 1999.

Also surpassing the combined 1,000-pound lifting plateau over the summer was senior two-way lineman Jason Fonzi. Rosandro Dardon (2001) is the program's only other 1,000-pound club member.

Ritter's combined 1,035 pounds lifting total is the program's best ever.

His involvement in agricultural work has also included raising farm animals. He recently purchased a new truck with money he made selling farm animals at the Antelope Valley Fair.

``It's definitely played into football big-time,'' Ritter said of his farm work. ``You just learn a lot about how hard you can push your body and a lot about nature and working hard.

``I've definitely learned the harder you work, the more it pays off.''

Quartz Hill quarterback Alex Hutchison said teammates have taken note of Ritter's toughness.

``I've seen him all cut and scratched up and looking like he's about to get broken down but he just keeps driving,'' Hutchison said. ``He's just everything you'd want in a teammate.''

Ritter said he takes nothing for granted after having difficulty remaining weight-eligible on youth football teams growing up.

``Not being able to play was really hard for me because I worked as hard as any of the other guys and it came down to me being a pound over and I couldn't play,'' Ritter said.

Ritter credits his parents, Mark and Dana, with encouraging him to continue pursuing football.

``They always told me that once I got up to high school you can show what you're made of,'' he said.

Ritter, a second-year starter who's in his third year on the varsity, has produced.

Teammates and coaches rave about how the unassuming Ritter supports teammates and leads by example.

``He's a quiet guy who you wouldn't think would hurt a fly, but when he gets onto the field his intensity comes out,'' Degnan said. ``He's the kind of guy you want to have out there.''

Ritter said he hopes to play football at a four-year college.

He hasn't decided on a major, but doesn't foresee his future in agriculture because he believes the family farm is becoming increasingly less financially viable.

His bond to a region his ancestors were instrumental in establishing, however, remains strong.

``I kind of feel like I have a legacy following me,'' Ritter said. ``I feel like this is my valley. Quartz Hill is where my family's been for ever and ever.

``That's my home, and it always will be.''

gideon.rubin(at)dailynews.com

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TONIGHT'S GAMES

QUARTZ HILL (1-2) at LANCASTER (1-2), 7 p.m.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Lancaster Sr. FB/DB Marcus Wyre. The 5-foot-8 175-pound two-way standout leads Lancaster, averaging 69 rushing yards and 10.7 tackles.

OUTLOOK: Quartz Hill is a physical team that features a traditional power running offense. Lancaster relies more on team speed and runs a more modern Delaware Wing-T offense. Lancaster has rushed for at least 100 yards in all 37 games Jeff Cortez has coached since he took over the program in 2003. Upset-minded Quartz Hill will look to build on its momentum from last week's 22-14 nonleague win over Barstow. Lancaster's scheduled game against Canyon last week was canceled due to smoke from the massive Day Fire in Ventura County.

LITTLEROCK (0-3) at HIGHLAND (0-4), 7 p.m.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Highland Sr. DB/WR Fred Anderson. Anderson has great athleticism and instincts as well as a flare for the dramatic.

He's a scoring threat any time he touches the ball, especially on special teams.

OUTLOOK: Something has to give in a meeting between two winless teams. Both teams are coming off their best games. Highland just barely lost to Inglewood 7-6, and Littlerock scored its first points in a 49-18 loss to Alemany of Mission Hills.

The return of New York Giants defensive back Will Demps (1997) to his alma mater for a scoreboard dedication ceremony should give Highland a huge boost.

PALMDALE (2-1) at KNIGHT (1-2), 7 p.m.

PLAYER TO WATCH: Palmdale Sr. QB David Coleman. Coleman was 8-for-13 passing for 142 yards in last week in his first game, a 48-0 thrashing of Burroughs of Burbank. Mobility and a powerful throwing arm make the athletic 6-foot-2 190-pounder one of the league's most feared quarterbacks.

OUTLOOK: Prohibitive league favorite Palmdale will look to set the tone for a fifth consecutive title run. The Falcons have improved significantly since opening with a 32-0 loss to Crespi of Encino. Knight's option offense has produced inconsistent results. The Hawks expect strong crowd support for their league game on their new home field.

CAPTION(S):

photo, 3 boxes

Photo:

Quartz Hill High School football player Pete Ritter is a descendent of some of Antelope Valley's first settlers who homesteaded Ritter Ranch.

Jeff Goldwater/Staff Photographer

Box:

(1) TONIGHT'S GAMES (see text)

(2) FIRST AND 10

(3) INSIDE THE NUMBERS