FOOTBALL: Playoff run allows St. Paul's Schwieterman to quarterback 10 games despite injury

When the Flyers (14-0) take the field at 3 p.m. Saturday in the Division VI championship game against Delphos St. John’s (14-0) , one of the most dynamic players in the history of the program will have achieved a “typical” senior season.

“It was in the back of my mind, and I started thinking about it when I got hurt,” Schwieterman said. “I was hoping to get 10 weeks in. It’s been like polar opposites going from low to high.”

But the road to Stark County for Schwieterman and the Flyers was one that took a lot of patience and sacrifice.

Uncertainty abound

Having the most-talked-about thumb in the history of athletics in the city of Norwalk isn’t exactly something Schwieterman embraced.

“It was a weird feeling, because I was just as confused as everyone else was,” he said.

While participating in contact drills Aug. 10 during a two-a-day practice, Schwieterman jammed his thumb. As the days went by after what appeared to be a minor injury, the his playing status became more and more confusing.

“It went from you can play, to no you can’t play, to you can play with a small cast on for a few weeks,” Schwieterman said. “Then it became, you’re going to wait four or five weeks before you can play again. It was difficult hearing so many different things.”

The result was a broken thumb that required surgery to insert a pin, which in turn brought a lot of attention as the Division VI Offensive Player of the Year from 2008 was looking at missing half the season with a four-to-six week prognosis.

Reluctant onlooker

Being reduced to street clothes and just watching to begin the season wasn’t necessarily the most difficult part for Schwieterman.

“It was more of feeling a sense of helplessness,” he said. “I was able to help Dan (Tracht) a lot, and I tried to keep talking to him and Brian (Griffin) a lot, because talking to them was the only way I felt like I was in the game.”

Tracht, the team’s leading receiver, was asked to switch to quarterback in Schwieterman’s absence despite having just three pass attempts — all in a passing scrimmage — on his resume.

“Eric played a big role in me learning the position,” Tracht said. “I looked at it as I got to learn from one of the best in Division VI. He had a lot to do with my success at the quarterback position.”

Schwieterman was back in uniform for the Flyers’ 42-3 rout of Huron in Week 3, but he was allowed only to kickoff and immediately sprint off the field during the play, forcing the Flyers to play 10 on 11 for kickoffs.

In the Firelands Conference opener at Crestview — the toughest opponent of the season — Schwieterman was back under center, but it didn’t last long.

After completing 3 of 5 passes for 16 yards, he felt discomfort in the thumb and Tracht was back under center in the second half of a 27-7 victory.

Tracht remained at quarterback in a 63-0 win at Mapleton in Week 5. All four passes he attempted went for touchdowns. 

But in a home game against South Central in Week 6, the area quickly got to see what the Schwieterman-Tracht duo was capable of in their rightful positions … in case anyone had forgotten.

On the first play from scrimmage, Schwieterman found Tracht on a 55-yard touchdown pass. Three weeks later, they did it again on the first play — this time from 62 yards out against Plymouth.

Things were back to normal.

“I’m fortunate to play in all 14 games, although it was at two different positions,” Tracht said. “I’m happy for Eric get to play in 10 games at quarterback because he deserves it after all he has done for our team and program.”

One more time

With the injury behind him, there is no more uncertainty as to when Schwieterman’s football career in high school will end after advancing to the championship game.

Lining up across from the Flyers is one of the best programs in the history of Division VI and Ohio football, as the Blue Jays from the powerful Midwest Athletic Conference have won five state titles in 12 years, have never lost in a championship game and have compiled a 26-1 overall record in Division VI playoff games.

While many in the area may have a difficult time grasping St. Paul as an underdog, it appears to be the perception throughout the state.

“You can’t say we’re indifferent about it,” Schwieterman said of the underdog role. “I’m not sure if it’s an insult or motivation. I just think we don’t have the pressure and they do. They have to live up to that standard they’ve set, and we just have to go out and play.

“I’m not sure how we’re taking it as a team, but I’m using it as motivation.

Schwieterman, who was in seventh grade and watched St. Paul lose 20-8 to Dola Hardin Northern in the 2004 state championship game, spoke of what he looks forward to the most Saturday.

“Playing and knowing that I don’t have anything else to play for,” he said. “I don’t have a game or practice next week. This is it. I have to play my hardest game that I ever have, and I’m going to.”