St. John Fisher invades Mount with fresh hope

By Eric Hamilton

The Cardinals lost to the Purple Raiders in the playoffs the last two years.

ALLIANCE – When the St. John Fisher football team visits Mount Union Stadium for the third time in three seasons today, it will attempt to avoid starting the 2008 season like the 2006 and 2007 seasons ended – with losses to Mount Union.

After being knocked out of the Division III playoffs the past two years by the Purple Raiders, the Cardinals are hoping that they will have better luck in a regular-season game against Mount Union.

The game will feature a pair of top 10 teams to open the season, as Mount Union is the consensus No. 1 squad, while the Cards are ranked No. 10 in the preseason poll.

Despite Mount Union’s recent dominance over Fisher, today’s contest should serve as a legitimate challenge for the Purple Raiders, who return just eight starters.

“This is similar to when we opened the season with Whitewater a few years ago [2002-03],” said Mount Union coach Larry Kehres. “We will see where our young men are right away.

“There will be some nerves with young players getting their first start so we will see how those players handle that.”

Mount Union will have plenty of new faces on both sides of the ball, including a revamped offensive line. Two of the projected starters played high school ball in the Mahoning Valley. Springfield High’s Luke Summers and Lisbon’s Caleb Crowl will likely make their first career starts on the line.

They will be charged with the responsibility of opening up holes for All-American running back Nate Kmic and All-American quarterback Greg Micheli, who both return.

Kmic has been a one-man wrecking crew in three seasons and a thorn in the side of Fisher in the previous two meetings.

“He is powerful and has a lot of speed,” said Fisher coach Paul Vosburgh. “It is imperative that you get off your blocks so you can get to him before he gets going.

“We take something away from every game we play. It does help a little that our players have been here and in this environment, but we know Mount Union is a very good team and although they have some new personnel, Mount Union just reloads.”

Fisher returns 13 starters from last year’s playoff team, but lost All-Empire 8 quarterback Rob Kramer to graduation. The Cards will start a sophomore quarterback, Tim Bailey, against Mount Union, which is known for its menacing defense.

“He just made more big plays in camp,” said Vosburgh. “It is definitely a challenge for him to make this is first start against Mount Union, but he is a good football player and we will see what happens.”

Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m. at Mount Union Stadium. The Purple Raiders have won 20 straight season openers dating back to a loss to Wooster in 1987.