ASHLAND — After two brief hiccups, St. Paul left no doubt who was the better football team is.
The Flyers dominated Grove City Christian on both sides of the ball in a very convincing 52-7 in Saturday night’s Division VI state semifinal game played at Ashland Community Stadium.
In the first quarter, St. Paul marched up and down the field but only had a 7-0 lead to show for it. The Flyers offense shot themselves in the foot twice. The defense, however, made sure there was no reason to worry. The Flyer defense shut down the Grove City Christian offense. In the first half the Eagles had five yards rushing and two yards passing. The Flyers picked off quarterback Chris Bowman three times and did not surrender a first down. In fact Grove City Christian’s biggest offensive play of the half was their first — a four yard run.
With the defense setting the tone, the offensive settled down and showed it’s quick-strike capabilities.
“Our defense played really well tonight,” St. Paul coach John Livengood said. “They swarmed the football and played with desire and perseverance and just did a great job.”
On the opening drive, the Flyers drove 48 yards in seven plays before a fumbled snap ended the drive on the Grove City Christian 31 yard line. The defense forced a quick three-and-out and this time the Flyers drove 65 yards in nine plays. The key play was a fourth-and-one at the 38 yard line that Eric Schwieterman converted on a quarterback sneak. Three plays later, Justin Wilde scored on a three yard TD run.
Again the defense forced a quick three and out. In just four plays, St. Paul was on the Grove City 11-yard line but Schwieterman had his pass tipped and then picked off by Jordan Keaton. On the second play of the second quarter, the St. Paul defense changed the game. Brian Griffin pressured Bowman forcing the quarterback to throw early and Brian Roberts picked off the pass giving St. Paul the ball on the 10-yard line. Two handoffs to Griffin later and St. Paul was up 14-0.
On the next possession, Griffin intercepted Bowman and four plays later the St. Paul offense was in the end zone on a 8-yard keeper by Schwieterman.
After a three-and-out, St. Paul scored in five plays culminating in a six-yard TD run by Griffin. St. Paul completed the first half scoring with 56-yard touchdown catch by Wilde from Schwieterman. Wilde broke a tackle and had a nice run after the catch for the score.
Livengood said the defense changed the game into his team’s favor.
“We had a couple of good drives but we didn’t convert them into points. We got two turnovers in a row and things just sort of snowballed from them. Turnovers are huge. Short fields are always good.”
Schwieterman completed nine of 12 passes for 154 yards. He carried 11 times for 76 yards.
“It makes it a lot easier to be on a short field,” he said. “When you get a stop and make them turn the ball over it helps a lot.”
St. Paul started the second half the same way they left the first half. Grove City Christian went three and out and then the Flyers scored on a 10-play 56 yard drive with Zach Service finishing it off with a 3 yard touchdown run. Later, Service added a nine yard touchdown run. Grove City Christian scored a touchdown against the St. Paul back-ups with 2:11 remaining.
The first team defense only allowed one first down for the game and that came on a penalty.
“Everybody does their job,” senior defensive end Joel Boose said. “There are no cut-back lanes. Our defensive backs cover passes and the line takes the run.”
St. Paul will play for the state title next week against top ranked and defending state champion Delphos St.John’s, who defeated Maria Stein Marion Local, 13-7 in overtime. It is the Flyers fourth trip to state and first since 2004. The Flyers lost title games to the Blue Jays in 1997 and 1999.
Livengood credited his seniors for getting the team to the championship game.
“Our kids do a great job staying focused and the ultimate goal is getting to the state championship game,” Livengood said. “It is a credit to our seniors and the perseverance they have shown and the dedication of the last four years. They have a done great job. This senior class is very special.”
