Challenge for the champs

Coming off the program's first state football championship, St. Vincent had plenty of questions to answer after graduating 17 seniors, including several starters.

A 1-2 start may have caused some outside the program to worry, but thanks to a five-game winning streak, the Indians can clinch the Mississippi Area Football Conference Blue Division crown and put a stranglehold on the district with a win tonight at home against Valle.

Both teams are 1-0 in district play and 6-2 overall heading into St. Vincent's final regular-season home game.

St. Vincent coach Keith Winkler said with so many new starters, he knew his team would need time to grow, but he feels good about where they are at.

"We had a lot of growing up to do, but the kids have matured," he said.

Looking over the two private schools, it is hard to find many differences on the surface. Among each team's six wins this season, both share five wins in common. Each squad is 4-0 in MAFC Blue play, and both teams have wins over Park Hills Central. The winning margin for each team over their five common wins is separated by only 11 points.

Even the two losses for each team came to Class 3 schools. Valle's two losses were against state-ranked Ste. Genevieve and Westminster, while St. Vincent's losses were to Priory and Potosi.

"They've played everyone on our schedule with the exception of Westminster and Ste. Genevieve," Winkler said. "We've both played bigger schools to get ready for this position."

Valle, a state power throughout the 1980s and early 1990s when the Warriors won nine state titles, has not won a district title since 1995. Since that time, St. Vincent has made the state semifinals four times, including last year's state title.

Winkler said Valle has few if any weaknesses.

"What is it they don't do well, let's put it that way," Winkler said. "They run the ball well. They have a big, strong quarterback. ... Up front they've physically whipped some people running the ball behind that big line."

St. Vincent has a solid running game of its own, led by seniors Waylon Richardet and Dustin Winkler. Richardet and Winkler were the Indians' top rushers last season.

Another weapon the Indians can use is the kicking game. Lucas Robinson took over this season for departed all-state kicker Kyle Kline.

Winkler said week after week, the special teams play has been the most consistent aspect of his team.

"You win the battle of field position, and that's a big key," he said.

A win tonight would give St. Vincent its third straight district title. On the other end, Valle is looking to end a three-game losing streak to the Indians.

"It's a big stepping stone in achieving the goals you want," Winkler said. "But I know they set the same goals."

A loss tonight would severely damage St. Vincent's hopes at winning another district title. While there is still one game remaining in district play for both squads, Valle will face winless Chaffee in Week 10 while the Indians will play Hayti (5-2).

Winkler said his team is solely focused on Valle.

"If you start looking ahead, it's going to step up and bite you," he said. "If we start looking ahead, we're in a world of trouble."