It only seemed like St. Joseph Central Catholic football players were delusional.
The Crimson Streaks won three of six games last season and finished sixth in the Northern 8 Football Conference. SJCC is among four teams tied atop the league standings this year.
“We knew we could win the conference,” SJCC quarterback Zach Ohms said. “Last year, we started slow. This year, the leadership. Everybody is at every practice and everything in the offseason working to their full potential. The goal was to play 12 games and make it to the state championship.
“The confidence came from anger at the end of last year. We expected to be better so everybody had that fire to take a step up and be the team we knew we can. It’s paid off.”
SJCC (6-2) beat St. Mary Central Catholic 29-28 in a thriller. August Gill caught a tipped pass from Ohms for a one-point deficit with about 35 seconds left to play.
Coach Josh Wehring went for the win and junior Andrew Spieldenner caught the conversion pass.
“St. Mary was a big confidence boost,” Ohms said. “They were the team to beat this year. We played them when they were undefeated. It showed what our team is capable of. Everybody played for each other, not themselves. We kept fighting.”
SJCC lost only to Chalker, which fell to SMCC in the N8FC. The Panthers beat Danbury.
The Crimson Streaks look forward to a visit Saturday, Oct. 18, from the Lakers and quarterback Tommy Dean as a chance to make up for a 46-13 setback to start the season. The matchup didn’t count toward the league standings.
SJCC finishes the regular season at Cardinal Stritch, which it topped 47-14 in another nonconference matchup.
“Next is a big game to decide who gets placed where in the playoffs,” Ohms said. “If we host or if they host.”
Ohms completed 115 of 184 passes for 1,638 yards and 22 scores thus far. He started as a sophomore last season as well.
“Last year was a big learning year figuring out the defensive schemes that go on and what plays we can run,” he said. “My football IQ in general. I learned a lot and I’ve showed it; the coaches have helped a lot.”
Assistants Scott Knisely and Greg Vassar joined the staff this season.
“They put in the time and effort for the best game plan to make sure we can go out and win,” Ohms said.
Junior Owen Tooman was Ohms’ top receiver before breaking his collarbone against SMCC. Junior Liam Thiessen has seven touchdown receptions, including one on fourth-down against SMCC, senior Ethan Grahl rushed for nine scores and Spieldenner eight.
Griffin Vassar, William Connell and Parker Dimodica are linemen.
“Commanding the offense,” Ohms said of how he’s improved. “Simple mistakes, people not lined up right that I didn’t catch that I caught this year in big moments. Make sure everybody knows what they have to do.”
Grahl (defensive line) and junior linebacker Anderson Gill are key for the defense as Gill stepped in for graduate Matthew Connell as captain of the unit.
Eight-man football seems like a perfect fit for SJCC right now.
“Football is football,” Ohms said. “It’s played with speed and physicality. We have good athletes making the same plays they make on an 11-man field. For us, we have 20-something guys. It’s hard to compete with 40 guys on a sideline switching in and out.
“Most of our guys play both ways. It’s better for us. It’s fun to compete (for victories).”
Why did the Crimson Streaks believe they would be so much better after losing six games?
“The biggest thing we have is our work ethic,” Ohms said. “Every drill and rep. Everybody tries to get better.”
mhorn@gannett.com
419-307-4892
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This article originally appeared on Fremont News-Messenger: Six-loss football season made believers of first-place St. Joseph Central Catholic
Reporting by Matthew Horn, Fremont News-Messenger / Fremont News-Messenger
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
