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The 1997 postseason
 

 

Round Date Opponent Location Result
Divisional November 8th, 1997 vs. Cuyahoga Heights Ken Dukes Stadium, Medina, Ohio Won, 51-6

-In the first-ever meeting between St. Paul and Cleveland Cuyahoga Heights, the Flyers scored early and often and never looked back in the lopsided win. The undefeated Flyers scored on their first four possessions of the second half to further break open a 24-6 game and finish off the Redskins. Senior quarterback Aaron Kalizewski was sharp from the outset, completing 9-of-12 passes for 176 yards to six different receivers. Mike Morrow also came up big for the Flyers in scoring four times on runs of 43, 29, 15, and three yards. Morrow also had two of the five St. Paul interceptions on the night. 

Round Date Opponent Location Result
Regional November 15th, 1997 vs. Independence George Daniel Field- Lorain, Ohio Won, 21-13

-After a lake-effect ice storm blasted the confines of George Daniel Field, the Flyers and Independence Blue Devils took the field as fans attempted to thaw bleacher seating. The Flyers faced their stiffest test to date, facing an undefeated Blue Devil team which amassed more computer points than anyone in Division VI. After playing to a 7-7 deadlock through one half, it was Kalizewski's 76-yard touchdown pass to Jay Morrow gave the Flyers the momentum they'd need to stop three fourth quarter drives to put away the school's second straight regional trophy.

Round Date Opponent Location Result
State-Semifinal November 22nd, 1997 vs. Cadiz Dix Stadium, Kent, Ohio Won, 17-8

-The Norwalk St. Paul Flyers reached Ohio high school football's promised land for the first time in school history with a 17-8 victory of the Cadiz Cardinals in the battle of State Route 250. The Flyers trailed 8-7 before going on an 18-play, 94-yard drive to start the third period as Dan Pugh scored the go-ahead touchdown. Despite losing two key players to injury, the 29-player Cardinal squad played scrappy to the final bell. Leading precariously 14-8 in the fourth period, Ryan McDonnell gave the Flyers the insurance they sought with a field goal. During the game Pugh eclipsed the 2,000-yard mark. Pugh rushed 25 times for 221 yards to become the third leading rusher in the state.

Attendance: 2,508 fans

Round Date Opponent Location Result
State Finals November 29th, 1997 vs. Delphos St. John Paul Brown Stadium, Massillon, Ohio Lost, 42-28

-St. Paul blasted off to a dream start in the Division VI Championship as the Flyers became the only school in OHSAA history to start a tournament championship game with a kickoff return for a touchdown. Jay Morrow caught the ball at the 16 and raced for an 84-yard touchdown return. Mike Morrow then scored on a 32 yard run to give St. Paul a 14-0 lead with 6:45 left in the opening quarter. Vic Whiting's team outscored John Livengood's team 42-14 from that point on, using tight end Greg Grothaus most of the time. The Flyers could do no better than trade punches with the Blue Jays in the second half. As it turns out, a man that carried the team at times in 1997 scored a touchdown on the final carry of his brilliant career. A three-yard run by Pugh brought his season total to 2,368 and a career total of 4,294 yards. The Flyers finished the breakout season with a 13-1 record and won a third straight FC championship. The Flyers ran rough shed on the lead, outscoring the seven opponents 365-41 for an average margin victory of 46.2 points.

Attendance: 8,012 fans (4th largest Division VI championship game crowd)

- 35 points in one quarter vs. Western is a team record

- 611 points is the most scored in any season in school history

- 13 wins marked the most by any team in Firelands Conference and school history

- In every post-season game, the Flyers had more penalties than their opponents.

- The Flyers finished 5-0 at home, 5-0 on the road and 3-1 at neutral sites.

- St. Paul's closest victory in the regular season was a 28-point win versus Calvert in week two.

- Mike Morrow, Dan Pugh, Eric Schild and Terry Taylor were named to the All-Ohio Team

- Dan Pugh’s 216 points scored and 36 TD’s in 1997 are team records for points and TD’s in a season