Aquinas hosts Pittsburg Friday night at 7 p.m. to open the 2020 Class 5A playoffs. The winner advances to the state quarterfinals.
The Saints (4-3) enjoyed a bye last week following the regular season. Pittsburg (4-4) also had a bye.
"This team has battled through some difficulties, and we've practiced well the past two weeks and we're ready for the playoffs," said coach Randy Dreiling. "Pittsburg has a football tradition and will be prepared for us. We need to get off to a strong start and set the tone on both sides of the ball."
This season, Aquinas defeated St. James, Bishop Miege, Raytown (Mo.) and Shawnee Mission Northwest, then fell to Lawrence, Omaha Westside (Neb.), and Bishop Carroll (Wichita).
The Purple Dragons defeated Labette County, Chanute, Kansas City Turner, and Atchison but lost to Washburn Rural (Topeka), Kapaun Mt. Carmel (Wichita), Lansing, and Basehor-Linwood.
Aquinas defeated Pittsburg in the 2017 state quarterfinals and split with them in district play in 2014 and 2015. Pittsburg was in Class 4A in 2018 and 2019.
"We have the opportunity to reach our goals we set at the beginning of the season, and it starts with beating Pittsburg," said Dreiling.
The Saints have made the state semifinal game in each of Dreiling's six previous seasons at Aquinas.
The Saints lead in yards per game this season, 344-311. While they have a clear advantage in the running game per game on average, 274-160, opponents are out-gaining them per run 5.7-4.9.
Opponents also are passing for nearly twice as many yards, 151-70. However, the Saints increased use of the passing game the second half of the season and could use it even more in the playoffs.
The Saints are battle-tested. They have played several of the state's top teams and Nebraska's No. 1 team.
They also have grown a number of young players. Sophomore quarterback, Maxwell Ford, has passed for 419 yards since replacing injured senior starter, Blake Anderson, late in Week 3 against Raytown. Sophomore fullback, Sean Carroll, has rushed for 420 yards. Sophomore slot back, Xavier Horn, has gained 140 yards.
Finally, the Saints have experience in the playoffs. Three-year starting fullback, Tyron "Tank" Young, holds the school single-season and single-game rushing records and rushed for 998 yards and 11 touchdowns this season.
On defense, there are seven starters with playoff experience: the entire defensive line, made up of Caden Reeves, who leads the tackle chart, Jalen Marshall, Cameron Penny, and Sa'o Siavi'i, plus members of the secondary, Elias Carson, Dajni Brooks, and Will Gavin.
"It's time to step up and play our best," said Dreiling. "This is the time of year we all look forward to. We're all thankful we got to play this season. What would we have done without football? So now let's make the most of it."
