St. Thomas Aquinas travels to Bishop Miege Friday night at 7 p.m.
Aquinas is ranked No. 2 in the metro by 810varsity.com [810varsity.com], and Bishop Miege is No. 5. They are two of the top three teams in the rankings from the state of Kansas. Aquinas and Miege are first and second in the Eastern Kansas League.
The Stags (5-1) have one loss this season, 28-27 in Week 4 at home to St. James, which Aquinas (6-0) defeated 28-21 last week. Miege defeated Rockhurst, 34-7, in Week 5.
Last season Aquinas defeated Miege, 41-21, its first victory over the Stags since 2012. Aquinas out-gained Miege, 559-305, including 496-122 on the ground and on average 9-4 per play.
"There's history between these schools," said coach Randy Dreiling. "In recent years it took us some time to get up to their level, and last year's game obviously was a big win for us. But as I've said before, every season is different. So, as with other seasons, this game is a measuring stick. It should be a great Week 7 match-up."
It's the Saints' final game before a bye week leading into the state playoffs beginning Week 9.
The Miege game will feature three of the top recruits in the metro, Miege's senior wide receiver and defensive back Daniel Jackson and junior wide receiver and defensive back Phillippe Wesley, as well as Aquinas's junior fullback Tyron "Tank" Young. Miege also returns senior running back Brison Cobbins.
"There will be a lot of good players on the field," said Dreiilng. "What we need to continue to focus on is each guy doing his job on every play. That's how you have success."
Aquinas is out-scoring its opponents, 45-18, but has been challenged in recent weeks against Mill Valley, Blue Valley West, and St. James with an average score of 30-21.
In the last three weeks, Aquinas has out-gained opponents 371-343. They are averaging 6.2 yards per carry and 9.9 per pass attempt. Last week Aquinas rushed for 213 yards, compared to 157 passing yards. Young had 199 of 213 rushing yards.
In the last three games, the Saints have allowed 21 points each, the highest single-game total this season, the same amount the Stags scored in the last year's contest. Aquinas is winning the turnover margin 7-2 in those games, but tied in turnovers (2-2) last week. They're about even on penalties.
"We've been finding ways to win," said Dreiling. "Against Mill Valley and St. James we made some big plays on both sides of the ball to come out on top. This game we'll need to do more of the same."
