October 22, 1999

Warriors and Senecas face off for MAL championship

By Dave Feltner
Sports Editor

The hardened cynic might look at tonight's battle between Mohawk and Calvert and say, "Aw, it's just like last year."

And for all intents and purposes the cynic just may be right. Here the Warriors and Senecas stand, ready to have it out for first place in the Midland Athletic League.

This one, though, has a much different feel to it.

Sure, the Senecas come in much in the same shape they did last year &emdash; unbeaten, dominating and state-ranked.

But Mohawk figures to bring more lumber than it did during last year's 37-14 loss to the Senecas. An improved Warrior team features the league's stingiest defense, and one of the best running backs around in Mike Chester.

The Warriors (7-1, 5-0) have allowed just 54 points all season (6.7 ave.) and surrender just 175.6 total yards per game.

Chester has racked up 1,235 rushing yards on just 115 attempts (10.7 ave.). He has also scored 143 points this season, more than three MAL teams.

Chester also runs behind a mobile offensive line in Bo Meisner (6-0, 226), Kiel Pfefferle (6-0, 187), Sam Daniel (6-1, 211) and Chad Carper (6-1, 246).

"Their line is a big reason why (Chester) is so good," said Calvert coach Toby Hammond, who has guided the Senecas to 20 consecutive regular season victories. "Their offensive and defensive lines are the strength of their team, and I'm sure (coach) Shane (Jacoby) would tell you that. Those five guys have been able to control the line of scrimmage."

Which may be the key to cracking the Calvert safe. Carey controlled things up front against the Senecas and lost by only a touchdown. And Hammond's biggest fear has always been facing a team that can keep the ball out of his offense's hands.

"That's true with any team," Jacoby said. "The more their offense is off the field, the better chance you have at winning the game. In a lot of cases the best defense can be a good offense. It's important that the offense take some time off the clock.

"It's one of those situations where we're going to have to wait and see what works best for us," he said. "We've seen Calvert on tape and in person and we've seen a lot of blowouts. That means we have to try and establish what we do best."

It won't be easy &emdash; on either side of the ball.

Calvert's defense rates a smidgen behind the Warriors at 176.1 yards per game, while the offense rolls up 359.6 yards per game, just ahead of Mohawk (344.6).

The key to the Senecas' attack is balance. They throw for 200 yards per game, but still manage 158 on the ground.

Quarterback Nate Keller, last year's Division VI co-Player of the Year, has clicked on 97-of-187 passes for 1,578 yards and 18 touchdowns, and is closing in on the state's career touchdown mark.

Calvert's offense also got a boost in last week's 9-6 win over Fremont St. Joe with the return of running back Eric Puffenberger after a three-week, injury hiatus. Puffenberger smoked the Crimson Streaks for 166 yards on the ground, and gave Hammond the balance he's looking for.

"I know everyone thinks of them as a passing team, but they run the ball a lot more than they throw it," Jacoby said of the Calvert offense. "So a big thing for us is to keep Puffenberger down. If he gets in our way it will cause us a lot of problems.

"The big thing is that we have to stay fundamental," he said. "Calvert is so good in every state of the game, running, passing, defense, the kicking game, that the little things become so important."

With one game left after tonight, the winner will have the inside track at the league crown. But more is on the line for the Warriors. Not only must they come back and face a tough St. Joe team in Week 10, but considering they sit 8th in their computer region it is likely the Warriors must win both games to qualify for the playoffs.

The Senecas are already a playoff lock.

"For about six or seven weeks before last Saturday, we were able to capitalize on some mistakes early and jump on some teams," Hammond said. "We had some opportunities early last week, but we didn't come through. Then they break a big play and they're right back in the game.

"A lot of these kids were with us last year so the close game last week was nothing new to them," he said. "But it was a good experience for some of our younger kids who hadn't played a lot at the varsity level. It might have been the first big game they've been involved in."

The second one comes tonight.