FOOTBALL: Clash of undefeateds as St. Paul visits Crestview

St. Paul continues its trek on the road Friday at Ashland Crestview. The Flyers are playing their third straight game away from Whitney Field.
Both teams are 3-0 overall.

“They’re very good,’’ St. Paul coach John Livengood said. “They’re well coached and their kids play hard.’’

The Cougars have downed Northwestern 20-7, Loudonville 17-14 in overtime and Lucas 49-7 in their non-league schedule.

Senior running back Loren Hulit has gained 445 yards, averaging 6.6 yards per carry with six touchdowns. Senior Mason Minnich checks in with 240 yards on the ground.

The quarterack is returning junior Matt Hall, who has thrown for 246 yards.

“They have a lot of kids back,’’ Livengood said. “They like to play physical, smash mouth football offensively. They’re very athletic and they have a good quarterback with speed and (Bryan) Maldinger is also used in the run game.’’

Maldinger,  a junior, has touched the ball just four times on the ground, but is averaging 17.5 yards per carry.
Hulit leads the way defensively with 34 tackles as a linebacker.

“Their linebackers are the best we’ll see all season,’’ Livengood said. “They’re very aggressive. We’ve seen alignments from a 5-2 front mixing in some 4-3. We’re prepared for variation of 5-2, 4-3.”

The Flyers, who are ranked sixth in the first Division VI state poll, put together a solid 42-3 win together in beating Huron Saturday in Huron. It was St. Paul’s 20th straight regular season victory.

“The nice part about last week is we started a little rough on defense,’’ Livengood said. “As a team we were able to get pressure and create turnovers. We had a lot of sacks.”

St. Paul allowed the Tigers minus 13 yards rushing and caused three turnovers.

“It was a great team effort,’’ Livengood said. “It starts with the kickoff coverage. All facets were working well. It’s something we need to continue to do.”

All-Ohio senior Eric Schwieterman, who had been sidelined since August with a hand injury, saw his first action of the 2009 season. He kicked off.

“It’s nice for him,’’ Livengood said. “He’s has a good amount of success over the years. For him not to be on the field, it’s tough for a high school kid. He’s a kid who has invested a lot of time, in the weight room.

“Second, it’s a nice emotional lift for his teammates and obviously Eric is a good football player.’’

Will Schwieterman be more involved in the game plan this week?

“He has the clearance to start practicing and contribute,’’ Livengood said. “But remember he hasn’t done much for four or five weeks. He’s in great condition. We’ll see how things come along.”

The Flyers have outscored their opponents 126-16 through three games.

“Our first goal at the beginning of the season is we want to play the best ball we can possibly play,’’ Livengood said. “We want to maximize our potential. From a record standpoint, we’re happy, but it’s all about getting better and improving each time you step on field.’’

St. Paul jumped on Huron early, leading 21-3 at halftime.

“The thing I was most pleased with was our intensity and how we approached the game,’’ Livengood said. “That’s why you play those games — to execute a game plan against a quality opponent.’’

Livengood said the Cougars are a formidable opponent.

“We have to control the run game,’’ he said. “They pass pretty well. It’s a dimension they haven’t necessarily had the last few years. We have to be prepared for the things we haven’t necessarily seen on field.’’