Gridiron: Christian Schaaf looking to lead St. Vincent back to conference title

Turning the page on the past is never easy.

Turning the page from a successful past is much more difficult.

St. Vincent senior quarterback Chris-tian Schaaf is past the chapter that is the 2022 season and is focused on leading the Indians to another conference championship in 2023.

“We’re just working as hard as we can,” Schaaf said. “We’re putting in reps on the field and making sure we know our assignments and know what to do.”

Schaaf threw for over 1,700 yards and 20 touchdowns and led the Indians to a 7-3 finish last year. It was their first conference championship since 2004.

“Last year is in the past,” Schaaf said. “We had a good team. This year we need to work on doing the right things and really picking each other up because we have a lot of new people coming into new positions.”

The Indians ended 2022 with two-straight losses which left a sour taste in their month during the winter and spring.

“We started off strong last season,” Schaaf said. “But, then towards the end, we kind of got relaxed and comfortable. We don’t want to do that again this year. We want to stay on our toes and not underestimate any team we play this year.”

On top of being the starting quarterback, Schaaf also slots in on defense for the Indians.

“It is (a bit difficult),” Schaaf said. “But it gives me a better understanding of what a defender is looking at and where the blind spots on the field are. It really helps me as a quarterback find the open guys.”

Indians coach Tim Schumer had high praise for Schaaf’s leadership.

“Coaches always talk about a quarter-back being a coach on the field,” Schumer said. “I get to see it first hand at practice. When we’re doing drills and I might be working with a younger quarterback or our backup Nick Bucheit, he’s right there beside me talking to the freshman and sophomore quarterbacks and coaching them through.”

“It’s just a lot of fun to be able to work with a kid like that for so many years,” Schumer said. “To be able to then watch him go out there and do his thing (is awesome).”

For a lot of players, as the summer practices progress they begin to crave the Friday night lights.

“I love throwing the ball,” Schaaf said. “But, in 7 on 7, you don’t face much pressure. It’s not really game-like, you’re just working on timing with your receivers.”