PERRYVILLE PRIDE: INDIANS SHOOT FOR THEIR FIRST-EVER PLAYOFF WIN

St. Vincent High's football team will be looking to make school history tonight.

The Indians have never won a playoff game -- but that could very well change tonight. St. Vincent is considered a solid favorite over Cardinal Ritter when the squads square off at 7 p.m. in a Class 1A first-round game at John F. Kennedy High School in St. Louis.

"This is our third (straight) year in the playoffs and we're hoping to make some noise," said St. Vincent coach Paul Sauer. "But we realize we have to take it one game at a time. We can't overlook anybody or take anybody for granted."

St. Vincent is 10-0 and ranked third in the state. The Lions are 6-3 and unranked. But Sauer considers them dangerous -- like any team at this time of the year.

"They have some good athletes and a lot of team speed," Sauer said. "Like any team that's in the playoffs, they're pretty good."

The Indians have relied on a strong offense and an extremely stingy defense to post their undefeated regular season. While scoring 321 points, St. Vincent has allowed only 85 points and has posted four shutouts.

"Our kids have had another really good season," said Sauer. "We've probably got more team speed than we've had and a lot more depth. Most of the kids from other schools go both ways but we're in a great situation with a lot of one-way players."

"I tip my hat off to the kids. They accept their role and play their role."

Tailback Bryan Meyer has rushed for nearly 1,000 yards to lead the Indians' offensively.

Ritter has won six straight games after dropping its first three. The Lions are led on the ground by Chris Bennett with more than 700 yards. Quarterback Shante Lyons is also a threat, having passed for about 900 yards and rushed for close to 300.

"They mix it up pretty well," said Sauer. "Their quarterback is pretty dangerous and the running back is good. We'll have to stop him."

After losing to Marionville in the first round of the playoffs the last two years, Sauer is hopeful that the Indians can reverse that trend tonight.

"We're looking forward to it," he said. "Hopefully we'll come out and play well."