ST. VINCENT, ADRIAN FIGHT FOR 1A FINALS

Its journey to the Class 1A state semifinal football game has taken St. Vincent High through parts unknown.

Before this season, the Indians never had won a playoff game. But now they stand one step away from a state championship reservation.

Looming in St. Vincent's path to the Trans World Dome in St. Louis, the site of the state championships, lies Adrian, ranked No. 2 in Class 1A and 12-0. The Indians are ranked No. 3 and also are 12-0.

One team's unmarred ledger will incur a season-ending blot after the squads clash today at 1:30 in Perryville.

"I think it's going to be a very competitive ballgame," said St. Vincent coach Paul Sauer. "I think we're pretty evenly matched."

In addition to the teams' identical records and similar rankings, they both favor running the ball. And the burden is shouldered primarily by two smallish, yet accomplished, backs.

St. Vincent is led by Bryan Meyer, a 5-foot-7, 145-pounder who has gained 1,325 yards. Adrian's Manny Talley is 5-10 and 155 pounds and has rolled up nearly 2,000 yards.

"Speed and quickness make up the difference," Sauer said.

St. Vincent enters Saturday's game on the heels of a 21-7 win Monday in a quarterfinal game at Fair Grove. All three Indians touchdowns were the result of Meyer runs, bursts of 6, 57 and 8 yards.

In Adrian's quarterfinal game Monday, a 45-7 rout of rival Cass-Midway, Talley rushed for two touchdowns and 176 yards in 18 carries. Brad Kershner scored on a 17-yard run and Kyle Wackerman added two touchdown runs.

Quarterback Chad Bruto, the son of Adrian coach George Bruto, heaved a 9-yard touchdown pass to Justin Hughes.

Although Adrian has three big-play running backs and an able quarterback, one element the Blackhawks lack is heft -- only two players weigh in at more than 200 pounds. St. Vincent has eight such scale-tippers.

"They're not a very big team up front but they've got an awful lot of speed and quickness," Sauer said. "Nothing says the lighter-weighted guys can't execute and play well."

Sauer said keys to a victory should include running the ball successfully and mixing in a play-action pass now and then, avoiding special teams breakdowns and forcing the Blackhawks to start drives from their own 70 or 80, and to "bend but not break" on defense.

"In the films we scouted them off of, they get some big plays," Sauer said. "We can't afford to give them any big runs. I don't know if we can outright stop them but we have to be able to slow them down."

And Sauer wouldn't complain if Adrian, located about 60 miles south of Kansas City, feels the effects of the 360-mile bus ride. "It's hard for the kids to stay focused on a long trip," Sauer said. "Hopefully that's an advantage for us."

But it may not be. The Blackhawks departed from Adrian at 8:30 Friday morning and spent the night in a hotel on this side of the state.

Class 1A semifinal

Adrian (12-0)

at

St. Vincent (12-0)

Today: 1:30 p.m.

Where: St. Vincent H.S. (Perryville)