Switch to spread pays off for St. Paul in 2011
by Jason Chlapek, Gonzales Inquirer Sports
Friday, December 2, 2011
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SHINER -- It has been said that a little change never hurt anyone.
Martin Kennedy, left, Brett Hodges, Adam Hollenbach, Dakota Kresta and Justin Natal all have key roles in the St. Paul offense, which has accounted for more than 4,700 yards -- 2,400 rushing, 2,300 passing -- of total offense. The Cardinals switched from the I-formation to the spread this season, but the end result is the same as they’re back in the TAPPS Division IV state championship game. St. Paul faces Sacred Heart at 6 p.m. Saturday at Wildcat Stadium in Temple. photo by Jason Chlapek, Gonzales Inquirer Sports
It certainly didn’t hurt the St. Paul football team too much. Despite a change in coaches and offensive schemes, the Cardinals are back in the state championship game for the second time in as many years.
St. Paul (11-2) faces Sacred Heart (13-1) in the TAPPS Division IV state championship game at 6 p.m. Saturday at Wildcat Stadium in Temple. The Cardinals beat Colleyville Covenant Christian, 48-41, in last year’s DIV title game.
A year ago, St. Paul ran right at the opposition behind a big offensive line and with a pair of sophomore running backs named Adam Hollenbach and Martin Kennedy, who combined to rush for more than 3,200 yards. The Cardinals operated out of the I-formation.
Things changed in July as then-coach Jake Wachsmuth took a position at Yoakum and was replaced by Paul Johnston. With the coaching change came a new offense as the I-formation was replaced by the spread.
"The spread is different," Hollenbach said. "I love running the ball, but you have to throw some, too."
Familiar with lining up in the backfield, Hollenbach has gone out wide the majority of his junior season because of the spread. While he still runs the ball, Hollenbach has nearly as many receiving yards (558) as he does rushing (657), and most of his hand offs are out of the jet sweep.
Kennedy, like Hollenbach, has seen more time lining up at wide receiver as a junior. He also has nearly as many receiving yards (437) as he does rushing (527).
"I ran the ball the whole time last year," Kennedy said. "But when I learned we were going to the spread, I had to get my catching hands ready. I didn’t know much about the offense at first, but I picked it up and I’m more versatile now. I can run and catch."
Before Wachsmuth’s departure, junior quarterback Dakota Kresta was told St. Paul would throw the ball more in 2011. Kresta was in for a pleasant surprise when Johnston came in and implemented the spread.
"I love to throw the ball," Kresta said. "But I never imagined I’d throw for as much as I have (2,300 yards). We only operated out of the spread in 7-on-7, but now we do it all the time."
While 7-on-7 helped Kresta learn the spread, he had a lot of off-the-field work to do with the offense. He had to study the offense.
"I had to learn all the new plays and routes," Kresta said.
The new offense moved Hollenbach and Kennedy from the backfield to the open field, but it did the exact opposite for senior Brett Hodges. A tight end a year ago, Hodges moved from the line of scrimmage to the backfield as he is now the Cardinals’ fullback.
"I like running the ball, but I also like blocking," Hodges said. "Whatever it takes to help the team, I’ll do it."
Hodges is one of three seniors on the St. Paul roster. The others are wide receiver Justin Natal -- the team’s leading receiver with 945 yards -- and lineman Jacob Coull.
"As a senior leader, I try to get the team fired up before the games, and let everyone know what we have to do in order to win," Hodges said.
Hodges was a freshman the last time the Cardinals lost to Sacred Heart -- 43-41 in 2008. Since then, St. Paul has beaten its Lavaca County rival three straight times, including a 14-12 win on Oct. 29.
"We came out ready to play last time," Hodges said. "I’d like to think we have a bit of a mental edge coming into the game."
Win or lose, Saturday’s game will be the final high school football game for Hodges, Coull and Natal. Hodges plans to leave everything on the field.
"We have to come out ready to play again," he said. "We’re the underdogs, but that motivates us to prove everyone wrong. Not too many people expected us to make it this far, but we’re here."
Not bad for a little change.
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