Backfield has St. Paul eying another run
Aug. 19—NORWALK — With 13 All-Ohio selections at running back over a 30-year span, there is a certain expectation at the position within the St. Paul football program.
In a year when the confidence level in the backfield is as high as it's ever been, expectations for the consistent-winning program for the upcoming 2022 season are again high.
"I love what we have at running back," St. Paul head coach John Livengood said. "We feel really good about that, and that potentially we have three of the best running backs in our area in this backfield."
No bigger reason for Livengood's confidence is knowing he returns a 1,000-yard running back who was an All-Ohioan as a junior in 2021.
And he wasn't even the team's leading rusher or scorer for the 10-win Flyers, who advanced to the third round of the Division VII state playoffs.
Senior Quincey Crabbs (5-foot-9, 185 pounds) ran 177 times for 1,110 yards (6.3 yards per attempt) and 15 TDs last season, which earned him honorable mention all-state recognition. Also back are juniors Josh Pocos (5-11, 185) and Ben Burger (6-0, 175).
As sophomores, Pocos ran 76 times for 468 yards (6.2 average) and 2 TDs, with Burger adding 384 yards and 4 TDs on 56 attempts (6.9 average).
"Quincey is a great combination, he's put together, but he can run," Livengood said. "He runs a 4.6 in the 40 ... what he's displayed more so far in camp is his ability to see the hole and make cuts. He runs relentlessly, but has the ability to be explosive."
Livengood noted Crabbs and Pocos are also the two strongest players on the team. Add in Burger, and the trio are the three fastest players as well.
"All are very quick, and Josh also brings that big presence to get tough yards," he said. "Ben is an explosive, dynamic runner with quick feet and hips who sees the field well.
"All three of them have their own personality running the ball, but all three are great running backs — and we're excited about that."
Offense
Because of the experience at running back — and the returning health of the interior line — Livengood has been able to move some veteran players to their usual positions in 2022.
After earning All-Firelands Conference second team honors at center and guard in 2021, twin siblings A.J. Meyer (6-0, 175) and Andy Meyer (6-0, 175) shift back to receiver and tight end.
"We made the decision in the winter, and I kind of made the decision in my head last year as I saw the depth develop on the offensive line," Livengood said. "Their blocking ability, we knew they were great athletes.
"We had two linemen who run a 4.6 in the 40-yard dash. AJ in particular has the ability to be an elite receiver. He's really evolved in that role. Andy has been a little banged up in camp, but we're really excited about his ability and what he can do."
The quarterback position is a different story, however.
Juniors Brady Daly (5-11, 165) and Drew Kuhnle (6-0, 175) along with sophomore Jared Hipp (5-9, 145) all saw equal time at the position throughout the summer and preseason camp.
"That's probably one of the bigger stories of our team and how that process will play out," Livengood said. "We are trying to make the decision on who will manage the game the best and give us our best opportunity to win."
Up front, after missing 2021 following knee surgery, Chase Rospert returns at center after starting there as a sophomore in 2020. The guards will include returning starters sophomore Tristan Nickoli (5-8, 185) and junior Evan Wangler (5-11, 175), while senior Logan Risner (6-0, 195) is back at tackle.
Also in the rotation at guard are juniors Ben Rospert (6-0, 175) and Patrick O'Brien (5-10, 175). Junior Tyler Baxter (6-2, 205) and sophomore Ben Blum (6-2, 275) will be in the tackle mix as well.
"Good depth and talent level there," Livengood said. "We feel good about Chase back as a senior captain with a little more weight to him. Logan is a great lineman with solid technique and toughness."
Other receivers with AJ Meyer include junior Ashton Stang (5-9, 155) and seniors Dylan Deppen (6-1, 155), Brock Tice (5-11, 155) and Jacob Roth (6-0, 195). Junior Xavier Smith (5-8, 165) is also a tight end.
Defense
There is little debate that the Flyers' biggest hit comes on defense, where Will Stieber graduated after a career that saw him make first or second team All-Ohio three times.
But the cupboard isn't exactly bare.
Quincey Crabbs slides from outside linebacker to inside one year after making 122 tackles with a sack, fumble recovery and interception. Andy Meyer (90 tackles) also goes from outside to inside, while AJ Meyer (80 tackles, five sacks, 2 INTs) moves from defensive end to the secondary.
Crabbs was first team and Andy Meyer second team on the All-FC team. Pocos and sophomore Jack Stieber (5-8, 175) are the other linebackers.
Risner, a second team FC selection, returns at defensive end (35 tackles, 3 sacks). Nickoli returns at defensive tackle, with O'Brien and Stieber with him at the position. The other defensive end is Wangler. Chase and Ben Rospert will also rotate up front.
"We are pretty confident in what we have with depth and talent at the line and linebacker positions," Livengood said.
Much like the QB position, the secondary will be green. Burger (40 tackles, 1 INT) returns at strong safety. Kuhnle and Daley are also in the mix at the other safety position, while AJ Meyer, Stang, Deppen and Tice are the cornerbacks.
"Our experience coming back allows us to move kids around," Livengood said. "But some of our other positions like secondary, quarterback and receiver, is where we're trying to establish depth. We don't have a lot of experience in these areas."
Special teams
Livengood also knows there is no replacing kicker and punter Tyler Perkins, now competing for the starting punting job at Iowa State University.
Burger, Andy Meyer, Stieber and Crabbs are all getting reps at punter.
"We're just really looking for consistency," Livengood said. "I think they think they have to punt like Tyler, but we're trying to stress that's not the norm. We want our punter to be able to consistently flip the field for us."
Crabbs, Stang and freshman Nate Sandor may all be used in the kicking roles. Crabbs is expected to kick off, but extra-point duties are up in the air. AJ Meyer will long snap.
Livengood also touched on a schedule that included scrimmages with Keystone and Edison, then regular season games at Division V Huron and Division III Ontario to start the season. Those two challenges are the first of seven regular season away games in 2022.
"It's a challenging schedule, but it is what it is," he said. "We want to play games, and had to make some decisions that put us on the road more often than not.
"It's going to give us an opportunity to see where we are and what to work on."
2022 schedule
Aug. 19: at Huron
Aug. 26: at Ontario
Sept. 2: vs. Tiffin Calvert
Sept. 9: at South Central
Sept. 17: vs. Mapleton
Sept. 23: at Plymouth
Sept. 30: at Western Reserve
Oct. 7: at Edon
Oct. 15: vs. Crestview
Oct. 21: at Monroeville
2021 results (10-2)
St. Paul 10, Huron 0
St. Paul 48, Fremont SJCC 18
St. Paul 42, Tiffin Calvert 19
St. Paul 45, Edon 44
St. Paul 38, Mapleton 0
St. Paul 24, Plymouth 21
St. Paul 10, Western Reserve 0
Crestview 28, St. Paul 7
St. Paul 28, Monroeville 0
Playoffs
St. Paul 48, South Central 21
St. Paul 21, Southern 14, 2OT
Warren JFK 35, St. Paul 7
