CANTON, New York (WWNY) – The 2022 college football season is upon us and the camps are opening. In Canton, it looks like another solid season is ahead for Coach Dan Puckhaber’s St. Lawrence Saints, as the 2022 Saints report for Camp Wednesday.
The Saints will enter the camp on August 10 and sign up by players.
And for the first time since 2019, Puckhaber feels a sense of normalcy that has taken COVID out of his schedule for the past 2 seasons.
“We can do what we actually wanted to do when we did it in 2019. Just by having our normal kick-off picnic with all parents. We can get everyone together because that’s kind of why we do what we do. Just to get the families and all the kids together and start a nice little experience. What we call college football here in St. Lawrence,” said Coach Dan Puckhaber.
Offensively, the Saints will be led below center by sophomore Danny Lawther, who took over in game 7 last season after Tyler Grochot crashed.
Lawther threw for 893 yards and 9 touchdowns and also ran for 168 yards and a touchdown, a true double threat quarterback for the Saints.
“His mobility and athleticism really change the attack and what we can do. That’s so different from what we did with Tyler Grochot, who was a great quarterback, but he was more of your pocketman,” Puckhaber said.
Another key piece on offense for Puckhaber is senior running back Peyton Schimtt.
The Governor product rushed as a junior for 624 yards and 4 touchdowns and gained 181 receiving yards with a touchdown.
“I want to put the ball in his hands and give him that belkoe status. It just means that if anyone wants to know who is going through the offense, they’ll figure it out very quickly in the first quarter against Endicott,” Puckhaber said.
Defensively, the Saints will be led by Brian Casazza and Reece Gillette, a defense that was second in the Liberty League in sacks in 2021 and third in interceptions.
Puckhaber says he thinks the defense has a chance to be special in 2022.
“Defensive line, I think we have six guys who can actually play, linebackers I think we have seven guys who have proven they are ready to be college footballers. Secondary, same thing. There are about 8 guys in our program who really can play,” said Puckhaber.
The Saints finished the 2021 season with a 5-5 record, 2-3 overall in a very tough Liberty League.
Puckhaber says again this year that the Liberty League will be one of the toughest competitions in the country.
“For the people to understand, there are 250 football schools in Division 3. We have 4 teams in the top 25, so we have 4 teams in the top 10 percent in that league, so it’s one of those things. For us, I really believe we had the chance to beat 2 of those teams last year,” said Puckhaber.
The Saints open their season on Saturday, September 3, as they host Endicott College.
The Watertown Red and Black ran 5-0 at George Ashcraft Field on Saturday night, beating the Plattsburgh Northstars 47-0.
The Red and Black with a balanced attack on offense, defense and special teams.
Over the past 2 weeks, the Red and Black have beaten their opponents 78-0, continuing their dominance and maintaining a 1st place stronghold in the Empire Football League.
“You have the line, it starts up front, the lines do their job. We’ve got our running backs hitting the right holes and coming out on the field, making plays. You have your receivers who are dominant on their position, find their open zones, able to get past the 2nd level to play on the field. It’s just a blessing to have,” said Quarterback Jason Williams.
“We’re big, fast and physical, you know what I mean. We’ve done the off-season work and it’s being shown here game after game,” said Linebacker Derrek Dalton.
It was a special night for Red-Black Head Coach George Ashcraft.
Before the game, Ashcraft was honored for his 50 years of involvement with the Red and Black organization and recognized for the field named after him earlier in the week.
After the game, the Hall of Fame coach received the match ball after earning the 250th win of his career.
A whirlwind week Ashcraft will never forget.
“It’s a really great honor. When they call the field in my name this week and then get my 250th win in the same week, it’s surreal. A lot of good people have been here to make it all happen. My family, they have been a part of it every day of my life. I’ve been doing this for 50 years. I can’t say enough to all the coaches, players, the people who support us. We have an amazing community here and I’m just glad to be a part of it this tradition,” Ashcraft said.
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