Standouts back in lead roles for Norwalk, St. Paul

NORWALK — Like many kids his age, the predictable things excite Jarren McLendon. The Norwalk senior running back loves to score touchdowns. He loves to hear the roar of the crowd after a big play. "I just love running with the ball," McLendon said. "I would run 30 times every game if I could. It's just a great feeling." Just a few feet further down the fieldhouse at Contractors Stadium, running with the football is music to Ben Burger's ears. The St. Paul running back is moving into the lead back role this season for the Flyers. "I'm looking forward to it and want to take that role," Burger said. "I'm ready. Right now, it's not about me. It's about motivating the guys … but I know that target is going to start with me — and I'm excited for that." In 2022, McLendon and Burger had nearly identical seasons. They both ran for about 1,400 yards and double-digit touchdowns. Between them, they were both first and second team league, and second team Northwest district selections. With the 2023 season set to kick off this weekend, both players who also wear single-digit uniform numbers will look to help the Truckers and Flyers run over their own unique challenges. Seeking a turnaround When McLendon was a freshman, the Truckers were capping a three-year run that saw them win 24 of 35 games. In 2021, McLendon ran 83 times for 407 yards (4.9 average) and three TDs as he shared the backfield with Daniel Traczek and Payne Flores. He also caught three passes for 36 yards and a TD. Last season, he broke out in a big way. McLendon ran for more than 100 yards in eight of Norwalk's 10 games, and three times had multi-touchdown performances. Though the Truckers were marred by distractions and injuries en route to a winless season, McLendon's outputs were noticeable in a different way. The Truckers played nine playoff teams in 2022. Five of those teams won a playoff game, and two others won two playoff games. Only Div. II Olmsted Falls (10-3) and Div. III Tiffin Columbian (9-3) held McLendon under 100 yards last season. He peaked with 262 yards and 3 TDs at Alliance (8-3) in Week 4. He then had a back-to-back stretch of 162 yards and 2 TDs vs. Perkins (10-2) and 160 yards and 3 TDs vs. Clyde (8-4) late in the season. The final totals included 234 rush attempts for 1,411 yards and 10 touchdowns. In the stout SBC Lake Division, McLendon was first in attempts, second in yards and third in touchdowns. He added nine catches for 48 yards. Despite playing on an 0-10 team, McLendon was one of five players to earn unanimous Lake first team honors. He was also second team Northwest District in Division III. But McLendon (6-foot-2, 195) is more focused on Norwalk's 1-19 recon over the past two seasons than his 1,814 rushing yards. "I think we're a way different team," he said. "Teams are going to have to game plan for us. We're expecting good things from everyone on the team. "We have a lot of good athletes and our coaches are dedicated to making us work hard and pushing us every single day," McLendon added. "There is not a day we practice where it's relaxed. It's been very competitive with all of us." Still, McLendon knows he is going to be a marked man — and not just because he wears No. 1. "I like the challenge," he said. "I can play up to it. I'm a humble person, but I like to go out there and show people what I can do. I know a lot of people expect a lot from me, but I like to have that leader role on the team." McLendon also has a chance to impact the game in different ways as a senior. First-year head coach Keith Mora plans on moving the standout all over the field. In a scrimmage against Shelby on Aug. 11, McLendon took several direct snaps from quarterback to run for positive yardage. But, he also took a snap, and threw and completed an 8-yard pass. "I'm looking forward to that," McLendon said. "I love it. I love being a team player and playing any role on the team — wherever they need me or think is best. "I can play wherever to help out our team a much as I can to get the win." Quick-strike Burger eyes more Usually, it happened in an instant. Ben Burger wasn't the No. 1 option in the St. Paul backfield in 2022. Looking at the numbers, you'd have a hard time being able to tell. As a junior last season, he scored in all 12 games. He had six 100-yard games, and came less than a first down away from doing it eight times. The lead runner a year ago for the Flyers was Quincey Crabbs, who authored one of the greatest single seasons in program history with 2,122 yards and 25 touchdowns. But when Burger did get the ball last year, things happened quickly. Before an ankle injury greatly slowed him for the season's final month, Burger was averaging an astounding 11.1 yards per attempt. "I just run behind my blockers, and find whatever opening is there," Burger said. "Speed kills, I guess." Burger certainly has plenty of that. In a Week 2 loss at Ontario, Burger touched the ball six times — but totaled 166 yards and two touchdowns. In a three-week stretch against Tiffin Calvert, South Central and Mapleton, Burger ran 43 times for 571 yards and 8 TDs — an average of 13.3 yards per carry. When Burger suffered an ankle injury that slowed him for the final month — late in the first half at Edon in Week 8 — he had totaled 141 yards and a TD. Those numbers were on just seven rush attempts. He was averaging 20.1 yards per carry at the time of the injury, which came while scoring on a 2-point conversion. Post-injury, Burger still averaged 80 yards and a TD per game. All told, he ran the ball 143 times for 1,398 yards (9.7 average) and 19 TDs in 12 games. Add in 11 kick and punt returns for 308 yards, and Burger touched the ball 154 times for 1,706 yards and 20 TDs — an average of 11.1 yards per touch. In a Firelands Conference that included Crabbs and Crestview and Plymouth standouts Addison Reymer and Shae Sparks, Burger was a second team selection. He was also second team Northwest district and honorable mention All-Ohio in Division VII. Now, Burger looks to take on the lead back role head on. The St. Paul program has had 13 All-Ohio running backs in the last 32 years. "I'm looking forward to it and am willing to take that role," Burger said. "I'm ready. Right now it's about motivating the guys, because our senior class thinks we have something special this year. "We're looking forward to those usual high expectations." Like McLendon at Norwalk, Burger (6-0, 175) will be a marked man by defenses this season. He noted that also comes with the territory. "When you're out there, you have to zone it out and focus on what you have to do," Burger said. "It's a lot, but I've been doing it for three years. I'm ready for this." The Flyers were 0-2 last season, but then won 10 of their next 11 games before falling in the second round. An even more challenging schedule awaits St. Paul in 2023, as it looks to return atop the FC for the first time since 2020. Only three times since 1995 has St. Paul has never gone more than three years between FC championships. "We're really looking forward to it," Burger said. "We've had a good offseason in the weight room and we're ready to get after it and chase those high expectations." ------------------------------------------------- Ben Burger 2022 by gameat Huron: 8 attempts, 66 yards 1 TDat Ontario 5 attempts, 71 yards, 1 TDvs. Calvert 17 attempts, 172 yards, 3 TDsat S. Central 14 attempts, 143 yards, 1 TDvs. Mapleton 12 attempts, 256 yards, 4 TDsat Plymouth 13 attempts, 95 yards, 2 TDsat W. Reserve 15 attempts, 133 yards 2 TDsat Edon 7 attempts, 141 yards, 1 TDvs. Crestview 8 attempts, 17 yards, 1 TDat Monroeville 9 attempts, 70 yards, 1 TDvs. Lisbon Anderson 10 136 yards, 1 TDat Southern Local 19 attempts, 96 yards, 1 TDTotal: 143 attempts, 1,398 yards, 19 TDs McLendon 2022 by gameOpponent attempts yards TDsvs. Mansfield 23 attempts, 102 yardsat Huron 31 attempts, 175 yards, 1 TDat Olmsted Falls 13 attempts, 71 yardsat Alliance 35 attempts, 262 yards, 3 TDsvs. Edison 21 attempts, 152 yardsvs. Bellevue 24 attempts, 115 yardsat Sandusky 22 attempts, 135 yards, 1 TDvs. Perkins 28 attempts, 164 yards, 2 TDsvs. Clyde 17 attempts, 160 yards, 3 TDsat Columbian 20 attempts, 75 yardsTotal: 234 attempts, 1,411 yards, 10 TDs