FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 21, 2001

Calvert, St. Wendelin to play for first place in MAL

By Dave Feltner
Sports Editor

So far, there hasn't been a whole lot of flash to what the Calvert Senecas have done on the football field.

Substance, though, can be found in massive quantities.

That's substance as in four victories, a No. 2 ranking in Region 21 of the computer poll and a No. 4 ranking in the Associated Press poll.

What you won't find is the Senecas at the top of any statistical category in the Midland Athletic League.

In fact, Calvert ranks no higher than third in any of the six "team" categories.

So what gives?

"I think it's a credit to our kids," Calvert coach Toby Hammond said. "They've done what we've had to do in order to beat people. We're in the middle (of the league) in stats on offense and defense, but only one stat counts."

Saturday night at Frost-Kalnow Stadium, the Senecas put their undefeated record on the line against St. Wendelin. The Mohawks lost three straight games to start the season for the second year in a row, but are tied for first in the MAL after a 20-14 win over North Baltimore last week.

"They're a young team, and they graduated a really good senior class last year and it shows," Hammond said. "But it's also the fifth game of the season. Those younger kids have been playing for four weeks now. They're not sophomores and juniors anymore. They're varsity football players."

The Mohawks enter the game ranked sixth in the league in rushing (151 ypg.), last in passing (24.8) and last in total offense (176.3).

Tailbacks Jack Bugner (43 carries, 143 yards) and Mike Meyers (28-112) lead the St. Wendelin offense. Quarterback Jordan Johnson has completed 4-of-11 passes for 51 yards. He's thrown one touchdown and one interception.

They'll match up against a Calvert defense that has posted two shutouts and given up just 35 points. The Senecas are third in the MAL rush defense (82.0), and fifth in total defense (206.5). Calvert's pass defense is last in the league (124.5), but most of that yardage came against Cardinal Stritch and St. Mary's, two offenses founded on passing.

Marc Baugher is tops in the league with four interceptions.

Offensively, Calvert is third in rushing (177.5), fourth in passing (90.8) and fourth overall (268.3).

Fullback Dan Snyder has already logged 105 carries for 378 yards, while Baugher has gained 332 yards on 54 tries from the quarterback position. Baugher has completed 22-of-54 passes for 363 yards and three touchdowns. His favorite target has been Derek Wise (nine catches, 198 yards, two TDs).

St. Wendelin's defense gives up 5.2 yards per rush and 120.8 passing yards per game.

"We've played some pretty good teams so I think that has a lot to do with (the lack of big numbers on offense)," Hammond said. "I think the St. Mary's game was an indication of what our offense can do. Dan ran for 100 yards, Marc ran for 100 yards and we passed for 100 yards.

"(St. Wendelin's) defense likes to angle and twist up front," he said. "So a big key for our offense is how our line picks that up in both the running game and pass protection."

Game time is 8 p.m.