HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL: SMALL SCHOOLS TO HOLD BIG CLASH

For such a big game, there won't be many big guys.

Neither second-ranked St. Vincent nor fourth-ranked Adrian have a starting lineman who weighs more than 210 pounds.

Yet today the two "lightweights" will wage a heavyweight bout in the Class 1A semifinals in the only game, in any class, that will pit two undefeated teams when St. Vincent plays host to the Blackhawks at 1:30 p.m.

The winner will play for the state championship at the TWA Dome in St. Louis against either Santa Fe or South Harrison.

Adrian coach George Bruto and St. Vincent coach Keith Winkler talk much of the same things: balance, minimal mistakes, overall speed.

"We're pretty much mirror images of each other," said Bruto. "They're similar to what we are. They're bigger than we are in some areas, but I think we match up real well with them."

Added Winkler, "We look like we're the same size, we're both quick off the ball, try to cause disruption on defense and let the offense take advantage of field position."

Adrian's biggest lineman goes 195 pounds, while St. Vincent's biggest is 210.

"We haven't played a team our size all year," Bruto said. "The team we played last week, Pierce City, was huge."

So how is it that such small teams are two of the last four remaining?

"I think a lot of people emphasize size in football, but we don't necessarily believe that," Winkler said. "You look at the NFL guys and they go 300 pounds, but they're also running 4.7 40s. Speed is greatly underestimated and that shows in these two teams."

These two teams have a little history, too.

Two years ago, St. Vincent marched 68 yards in just more than two minutes and defeated Adrian 17-14 when the Indians scored with only 12 seconds left on the clock. Both teams were 12-0 going into that game, too.

"We've got 18 seniors and about six of them were starters two years ago," said Bruto. "They're looking forward to playing these guys again. Last time we were over there we were both undefeated and it came down to the last minute. It was a nail-biter and I look for it to be the same this year."

"Our kids remember that game and so do they," said Winkler. "I know the fans do and they're looking for another one just like it. It's going to be a fun time and there's going to be a great crowd. Hopefully the crowd will be a factor."

Adrian, for the first time since 1992, failed to make the playoffs last season. The Blackhawks were beaten 7-6 by Western Missouri Conference foe Rich Hill, which later beat St. Vincent 21-0 in the semifinals last year and ended up winning the state championship.

The Blackhawks are led in rushing by Chris Saathoff, who has rushed for more than 1,200 yards this season. The other halfback in the wishbone, Jeremy Hughes, has run the ball for about 930 yards this season.

If St. Vincent has an edge on paper it is on special teams and that area has been the Indians' strength all year. It starts with two-time all-state kicker Derek Kutz, who has converted all 48 of his extra-point attempts, has been phenomenal in his field-goal kicking and averages about 40 yards per punt.

"They got a real good kicker and punter," Bruto said. "We'll have to keep them as far away from the goal line as we can because he can really kick that sucker. We've got a good punter and kicker, but they don't match up to this guy. We may be seeing him on Sundays some day."

Winkler said the key to this game will come down to which team controls the line of scrimmage.

"They, like us, rely on quickness and they get 11 men to the football," he said. "If we can control the line of scrimmage, we should be OK. Whoever makes the least amount of turnovers and mistakes will be a big key."

St. Vincent has been stellar in the turnover department in the playoffs. The Indians, in their last two games, have forced seven turnovers and committed just one.