St. Thomas Aquinas travels to west Shawnee to play at rival Mill Valley Friday night at 7 p.m.
Either the Saints or the Jaguars have represented the Class 5A East in the state title game dating back to 2014. Mill Valley is a two-time champ, while the Saints captured their first title in 2018.
Aquinas (3-0) is off to an undefeated start this season with an average game score of 59-14, while Mill Valley (1-2) has suffered two one-touchdown defeats to Blue Valley West (2-1) and Bishop Miege (3-0).
The Saints have won the last four meetings with Mill Valley in 2017 and 2018 by average score of 38-16.
Mill Valley is coming off last week's loss to Miege, in which the Jaguars came back from a 35-10 deficit to tie the game in the final minute, only to have the Stags return the kickoff for a last-minute winning touchdown. In the fourth quarter, down 35-19, Mill Valley had a goal-line stand on defense, then scored two touchdowns and converted two two-point conversions to tie the game.
"We expect their best," said coach Randy Dreiling. "This is always a great game. They prepare well and play hard and are physical. They have a championship pedigree. This is a game that will show us where we're at."
The Saints have scored at least six touchdowns in the first half in each of the first three games of the season. They are winning average yards per play 10-4 and average yards per game 553-217, both over double their opponents. Even with an overwhelming rushing attack (415-35), they have a strong passing game (139-181) with big play capability (edge on average per completion is 21-12).
"I'm obviously pleased with our play so far," said Dreiling. "But each week is different. Our team has strong ability, and this game is another opportunity for this team to raise itself another level."
Junior fullback Tyron "Tank" Young is averaging 13.3 yards per carry and has 11 touchdowns. Senior slots Tom Downey and Finn Barnett Senior average over 24 yards rushing per game apiece. Charlie McCormick averages 53 rushing yards per game, including eight yards per carry. Sophomore Jarrett James is averaging 78 rushing yards per game.
Junior quarterback Blake Anderson is 20 of 25 for 416 yards and seven touchdowns.
Barnett and senior Isaiah Gavin have over 100 receiving yards apiece, averaging at least 24 yards per reception. Gavin has three receiving touchdowns.
On defense, Cameron Penny leads the tackle chart; he has two sacks, two tackles for loss, four hurries, and a pass breakup. Linebacker Bobby Pierce has nine solo tackles, two hurries, and pass breakup. Defensive back Kordan Harris has six solo tackles, a pass breakup, tackle for loss, and an interception. Caden Reeves has a sack, tackle for loss, and a hurry. Peyton Reeves has three hurries.
Aquinas plays Mill Valley, Blue Valley West, St. James, and Bishop Miege the next four weeks.
"We're entering a key stretch in the season," said Dreiling. "It's time to step up."
