Friday, October 23, 1998

Big-game week means mutual admiration for coaches

By Dave Feltner
Sports Editor

Both coaches are quiet, and ready to issue a quick, complimentary word about the other's team.

Ah, yes, it must be a big-game week.

And in Midland Athletic League circles, they don't get much bigger than the one between Calvert and Fremont St. Joe at Tiffin Stadium Saturday night.

The stakes between the Senecas (7-0, 4-0 Midland Athletic League) and Streaks (5-2, 4-0) are unusually high.

The winner not only takes sole possession of first place in the MAL, but also moves closer to solidifying a playoff spot in Division VI, Region 22.

Calvert is tops in the Region with an 11.071 average and St. Joe is sixth with a 7.771 average.

''The winner is obviously in the driver's seat (of the MAL),'' Calvert coach Toby Hammond said. ''But both teams still have to play Mohawk, which is a very good team, so there's still a lot of football after this game. But the winner does control their own destiny.''

The Senecas will not only be chasing a playoff spot and an MAL title, but they will also be running after history.

Calvert has not beaten the Streaks since 1986 &emdash; the last Calvert playoff year, ironically &emdash; and last year the Senecas suffered a 40-0 whipping at Fremont's Harmon Stadium.

But tell that to Hammond and he'll scoff. Those things are not only in the past, but are uncontrolable.

''We've had a great week of practice and I think that's a great credit to the kids,'' Hammond said. ''They've always approached things week-by-week and game-by-game. They can't control those things down the road, but they can take control of the game this week. They made us look bad last year, but the difference I think this year is that these kids know what it's like to play in a big game.

''Very seldom do we talk about things like computer rankings,'' he said. ''In fact, I don't think we've talked about it with the kids even once.''

In recent years, the St. Joe attack was single-minded &emdash; just run the football with one of its stud running backs. But this season, the Streaks have shown diversity.

St. Joe rates fourth in the league in rushing (170 yards per game) and second to Calvert in passing (107.7).

The top St. Joe threat is receiver Nick Hasselbach, the only MAL receiver in the top four in catches not playing for Calvert. Hasselbach has 19 grabs, 354 yards and seven touchdowns.

The top rusher, Jose Simms, has battled injuries all year and has gained 316 yards on 81 rushes. Luke Reineck (258 yards, 58 carries), and Matt Gabel (159 yards, 10 carries) will also get looks.

Quarterback Roger Kuns has hit 45-of-116 passes for 743 yards.

''Offensively, they're not as big and physical as they have been and they don't have the one outstanding running back they've had,'' Hammond said. ''But with Simms, Reineck and Kuns, you put their numbers together and they're pretty good. They're more diversified on offense; they've really been spreading people out. And Hasselbach, he's a player. We've seen him where he's been covered, but he still comes up with the great catch.''

For Calvert, the offensive numbers keep piling up.

Quarterback Nate Keller has thrown for nearly twice as many yards (1,361) as his nearest MAL competitor, Kuns. And of the 55 TD passes thrown in the league,23 belong to Keller.

Eric Puffenberger's 949 yards are 150 better than anyone else in the MAL and the wide receiver statistics are eye-bugging.

Todd Iannantuono leads the MAL with 32 catches, 568 yards and 10 TDs, while Bart Fisher rates second with 30 grabs, 442 yards and 7 TDs. Justin Keefe has moved up to fourth in the leaugue with 13 catches, 213 yards and 4 TDs. Dustyn Risner is fourth on the team, but eighth in the MAL with 12 catches, 125 yards and a touchdown.

''We're just hoping we can do the best job we can and not make any errors, defensively,'' St. Joe coach Rick Wonderly said. ''Their receivers get open and their quarterback gets the ball to them. We just have to make sure everybody does their job defensively.

''The kids know how important this is; they're real excited,'' he said. ''Games like this are fun when there's more riding on it.''