St. Thomas Aquinas hosts Blue Valley West Friday night at 7 p.m.
The Saints are coming off their closest contest of the 2019 season, a 28-21 win last week at Mill Valley, after scoring at least six touchdowns in the first half the previous three weeks.
Aquinas (4-0) is in first place in the Eastern Kansas League and ranked No. 1 in Class 5A by Kpreps.com [kpreps.com].
Blue Valley West (3-1) is third in the EKL and one of the top teams thus far in Class 6A. The Jaguars, despite a lopsided loss to Bishop Miege, have gained one-score victories over Mill Valley, St. James, and Blue Valley North.
"They've done a great job against a tough schedule," said coach Randy Dreiling. "Given what we've seen of our opponent, as well what we've been doing so far this season, we've worked on a number of things this week, and we'll need to execute to be victorious."
Aquinas defeated Blue Valley West, 53-7, last season, leading 40-0 at halftime.
The Saints gained 433 yards rushing in that game. Back from the 2018 team is Tyron "Tank" Young, the holder of the program's single-season and single-game rushing records. Young rushed for 176 yards and five touchdowns in 2018. Young leads the 2019 team in rushing with 542 yards and 11 touchdowns, averaging 136 yards per game. Last week was his first second half of the season. The team is averaging 385 rushing yards per game.
Back for the Jaguars is quarterback Greg Riddle. In last year's game, Blue Valley West ran the ball on 33 of 56 plays. Riddle passed 23 times and ran four times.
Compared to the 2018 team, the Saints this season are passing the ball more per game (119-98), also resulting in more yardage per game (504-475). (Rushing yardage also has increased (385-377)).
"We have a number of weapons on offense, and we'll continue to use them where we can," said Dreiling.
After being heavily penalized the first three weeks of the season, Aquinas received five penalties for 60 yards last week against Mill Valley. The Saints will look to continue improvement in that aspect this week.
Key to last week's win was the turnover battle. Aquinas forced four turnovers, as well as a fifth on downs. For the season, Aquinas is winning turnovers 11-2.
"It's important to take care of the football on offense and cause turnovers on defense," said Dreiling.
The secondary had three interceptions last week, and for the season has limited opponents, excluding Blue Valley Northwest, to 123 passing yards per game, including 132 last week.
Sophomore safety Dajni Brooks has two interceptions (both against Mill Valley), four pass breakups, and 11 solo tackles. Sophomore safety Will Gavin has five pass breakups, with an interception and six solo tackles. Senior defensive back Terrence Collins has three pass breakups and eight solo tackles. Senior defensive back Kordan Harris has 14 solo tackles and two breakups and an interception.
The defense is limiting opponents to 92 rushing yards per game.
EKL Schedule This Week
Blue Valley West at St. Thomas Aquinas
Bishop Miege at Rockhurst
Mill Valley at Blue Valley North
Blue Valley Southwest at St. James
Blue Valley Northwest at Blue Valley
