Senecas ready to host St. Paul

Heading into the Week 2 game at Monroeville, Calvert coach Steve Reser wanted to see more passion and effort from his team after laying an egg in Week 1 at Mohawk.He got that effort and heart as the Senecas got their first win last week over the Eagles. They put together a good first half and did enough to get the job done."I was really happy with how we approached that game last week. We started the game well and played pretty efficient in the first half," Reser said. "Blake Ronski had a heck of a first half and we even got some help with a defensive score from Gage Herring on a pick-6, so we played pretty well. "We just have to put our foot on the gas after halftime and finish a game out. It would've been a running clock if we would've scored first out of the half, but for them to make it a game late … something we have to work on. This week we have to play all four quarters or we won't even have a chance in the end."Reser was talking about Norwalk St. Paul, a regional powerhouse in Division VII. Even though the two didn't play last season — due to a COVID-19 shortened season — the programs know each other quite well. But in the end, St. Paul is St. Paul and Calvert will have to try to match the physicality.St. Paul blanked Huron 10-0 in Week 1 and is coming off a 48-18 win over Fremont St. Joe."Their offense is outstanding and it may sound simplistic, but we know their play packages and things from playing them every year, but they are going to line up and came at you," Reser said of St. Paul's offense. "They have some different formations or trick plays to give you somewhat of a variety, but you know what's coming a lot of the time, but it's up to you to stop it. There will be a lot of one-on-one matchups our kids will have to step up and win Friday."Defensively, they run an odd front and they are pretty aggressive blitzing. They do a nice job of slanting up front and their linebackers are very active. Those kids at St. Paul, they know exactly what is expected of them and they are going to try to out-physical us and fly to the football and attack all night. Hopefully, we can respond to that and respond to the challenge."After two weeks on the road, the Senecas will at least stay in Tiffin tonight as the game is at Heidelberg."We've played and practiced plenty there and no matter where we are, we try to make that place our home, any way," Reser said. "But to play in Tiffin this week, we were looking forward to a bigger crowd. We've had some good experiences at Heidelberg, so hopefully we come out and compete, play aggressive football and have a chance to win the football game."