‘Sam is a special player’

Airedales’ dual threat Schlegel continues to add to record book

By Kevin Taylor

Alma Schools

Sam Schlegel was the type of dual quarterback-threat that would have driven legendary Alma Little League football coach Delmer Moses crazy.

Unless, of course, the curly-haired Schlegel was on Moses’s team.

“Growing up, I was always a quarterback or a running back,” Schlegel said. “I played quarterback my ninth-grade year, and I played striker (cornerback) my sophomore year.”

Three years ago, as the Airedales were moving off quarterback Joe Trusty’s big seasons of 2021-22, the Airedale coaching brass was considering where to put No. 14. Ultimately, Jackson Daily ran the offense in 2023, followed by Michael Taylor in 2024.

That left Schlegel to follow in older brother Matthew’s footsteps at receiver.

“It wasn’t really that difficult, because I had played quarterback some of my sophomore year before switching to receiver,” Samuel Schlegel said. “I can catch the ball and run, and I know all the routes. It was really pretty natural.”

This season, Schlegel had to adjust mid-season to different types of throwers.

“They’re all different,” Schlegel said. “Daily, obviously, he was a different breed; he was really good. Michael, he could air it out a little bit, and Jay probably throws a little bit more of a tighter spiral.”

With three games left, Schlegel is on the cusp of finishing second on the school’s all-time receptions list and yards receiving list - not that he had any inkling.

“I didn’t know about any of that,” he said.

Going into Friday’s home finale with Clarksville, Schlegel currently ranks third in receptions (113) and third in yards receiving (1,791).

“It will be pretty special to see his name amongst the best receivers in Alma football history,” receivers coach Derrick Haney said. “He works hard, is a great competitor, and wants to win as much as any player I have ever been around.”

Conner Stacy, who, like Schegel, was an all-around athlete who actually started some at quarterback his junior year, finished his career with 119 receptions for 1,809 yards. Schlegel might eat those numbers by halftime this week against the 1-6, 0-3 Panthers.

This season, despite battling injuries, Schlegel has 29 receptions for 425 yards and three touchdowns. He’s also run for six TDs out of Alma’s ‘Wildcat’ formation.

Schlegel almost always finds himself matched up against the opposing team’s top defender.

“I'll do what I can,” Schlegel said. “Obviously, you have to overcome that. To play to your full potential, there’s always a way. For the most part, I’m matched up against the best (defender) and receiver (when on defense), so you do what you can.”

Two years ago, the 6-foot-1, 190-pound Schlegel snagged 53 passes for 801 yards and three touchdowns. He caught just 31 passes for 578 yards and five touchdowns in an injury-plagued 2024 season.

“The special part is he did all of this while missing a couple of games during his junior year,”

Haney said. “Being able to accomplish this while missing games is also another reason seeing his name (on the all-time list) will mean a lot, just to me but to all of his coaches.”

“Sam is a special player,” Alma coach Rusty Bush said. “He’s so big, he presents a challenge for most people he goes up against. We’re able to use him in multiple sets, too.”

In all, Schlegel has lined up in the ‘Wildcat’ or as a running back 45 times this season, rushing for 241 yards and six touchdowns.

“Sam does a phenomenal job using his body to lean against defenders when the ball is in the air, which allows him to create the space he needs to make catches most receivers can’t make,” Haney said. “He understands how to create space without getting offensive pass interference.”

Schlegel said Friday’s home finale will leave him a little sad.

“I grew up in Alma,” he said. “I love playing here. Knowing that it’s all over, it’s definitely going to be a little tough knowing it’s done. It means a lot to play for this program, especially all the seniors who went through here and already graduated. Growing up here with all my friends, and buddies, and family, it’s definitely been an honor.”

For all his touchdowns and special plays, he said the one-handed reception against Farmington two years ago is his favorite.

That, and being with his teammates.

“Probably, socially, just playing with all my friends,” Schlegel said. “Obviously, staying in shape and lifting all the time, and just making friendships. It’s fun competing with your teammates, and you’ll never play with them again after this unless you make the playoffs.”

Schlegel said he’s unsure what awaits him following the end of his career. First off, however, is to finish his senior year on the basketball court.

“I’m still thinking about it (college offers),” Schlegel said. “I guess it comes down to whatever offers I get. I think I’m going to play basketball after football, too.”