St. Vincent's Week 6 football preview capsule

St. Vincent (3-2) at Crystal City (2-3)

Last week: Valle 54, Crystal City 7; St. Vincent 35, St. Pius 21

Last year: Crystal City 41, St. Vincent 6

Outlook: St. Vincent is on a three-game winning streak, while Crystal City is on a three-game skid heading into today's 7 p.m. game.

The Hornets' losing streak has been at the hands of respectable opponents -- unbeaten Caruthersville, O'Fallon Christian, a team that beat Jackson 33-30 in the season opener, and perennial Class 1 power Valle Catholic.

St. Vincent has averaged 39.3 points over the last three games after scoring just 19 points combined in an 0-2 start.

Senior quarterback Tim Schumer has completed 60 percent of his passes this season, including 67 percent over the last two games. Junior Trent Elder has a team-high 242 yards receiving on 19 catches. Taylor Sauer, a senior, leads the receivers with 20 catches for 187 yards.

Senior running back Derek Joggerst rushed for 104 yards on 18 carries against St. Pius. The Indians averaged 4.9 yards a carry and totaled 156 yards for the game. It's been an area where St. Vincent has struggled much of the season.

"We took strides in our running game last week," said Indians coach Paul Sauer, who added that his team still needs work in the red zone.

St. Vincent has lost two-way sophomore starter Josh Mattingly for the season with a torn ACL that will require surgery. Mattingly played both center and outside linebacker. Coach Sauer said Derek Unterreiner and Justin Gibbar will share time at center, while Levi Gotto and Vince King will step in at linebacker.

Senior Stacey Thorton leads Crystal City's offense with 295 yards rushing and six touchdowns.

"He's kind of the straw that stirs their drink," coach Sauer said. "If you keep him from getting any big plays and don't let him beat you, good things will happen. If you don't shut him down, you're going to be in trouble."

Senior quarterback Nick Rothweiler has completed 50 percent of his passes for 358 yards. Senior Austin Helwig, who leads the team in receiving yardage, and Thorton both have 10 receptions.

The Hornets run about 60 percent of the time out of their spread offense.

"Our goal is to stop them from running the football," coach Sauer said. "We feel a lot more comfortable with them throwing the football."

-- Jeff Breer