by Ryan Collingwood, Springfield Daily Citizen
www.sgfcitizen.org

A noticeable portion of Springfield Catholic's roster hadn't buckled a chinstrap prior to this season.

It showed.

The Fighting Irish were outscored 217-36 in their first six games and appeared to be heading toward a winless campaign.

After totaling a meager 20 yeards of offense in a 28-0 loss at Reeds Spring in late September, head coach Wes Page and his staff opted to throw out their playbook for something a little more digestible.

No longer would the Mid-Lakes Conference member sit back in shotgun and attempt to find open receivers while a relatively undersized offensive line struggled to hold its blocks.

With a throwback, run-heavy, flexbone offense, Springfield Catholic's offensive front line is firing off the ball while its two-year starting quarterback Clayton Stuhlsatz is finding gaps and welcoming contact.

The confluence of scheme change and development of inexperienced players has resulted in the region's biggest in-season turnaround.

Springfield Catholic brings the city's longest winning streak into the Class 2 District quarterfinals, ending the regular season with wins over Buffalo (49-46), Hollister (30-16) and Clever (33-7).

The seventh-seeded Fighting Irish (3-6) travel to Mountain View on Friday to face No. 2 seed Liberty (7-2).

"We're rolling," Page said. "These guys aren't afraid of anyone right now."

After upsetting upstart Clever (5-4), Springfield Catholic's first win over a winning team in four years. the confidence is justified.

"It's been some of the most fun football I've ever been a part of, that's for sure, " Stuhlsatz said. "I think Clever was a good statement win for us. They're a solid team."

Stuhlsatz, a linebacker, converted to quarterback last season, has spearheaded Springfield Catholic's late-season charge, rushing for a combined 473 years and seven touchdowns on 36 carries in the three wins, along with two touchdown passes.  Most of his rushing yards have come after contact. according to Page, the hallmark of a successful flexbone quarterback. 

Springfield Catholic has also shored up things defensively with its mix of experienced and first-year players. Senior linebacker Daniel Hesemann, a basketball and baseball player who opted to give football a try this fall, has been the anchor. Hesemann has a team-high 100 tackles. "Turns out that football is his best sport and he didn't even know it." Page said of Hesemann. "Quick, strong, everything you look for in a linebacker. 

Of Catholics 17 seniors, 11 didn't play football a season ago. "We wanted to come out, have fun, be decent at it and be around friends," Hesemann said.