By Dwain Spillman Jr, Journal Sports
LOGANSPORT — A flicker in the Eye of the Tiger. That’s the way it started Monday as St. Mary’s head coach Aaron York reported to his Tigers that Friday’s battle for the District 3-1A crown at Logansport had been moved to Thursday due to a forecast of inclement weather.
That flicker has turned into an all-out inferno.
“We are ready to play now,” York said of the excitement and anticipation for Tiger Nation to get this year’s district championship settled. A mission and goal this St. Mary’s team has focused on since spring practice.
“On Monday, I told them we would be moving the game to Thursday because of weather concerns,” York continued. “I saw a sparkle in their eyes when I told them. That excitement has just grown and, from a coaching standpoint, I’m just ready to see our guys play and perform. This is what coaching these kids is all about. There is nothing but focused, hard work going on here.”
The Tigers enter the contest at 6-1 overall on the season but most importantly at 2-0 in league play after this past week’s 62-0 domination of Montgomery during homecoming. Logansport comes in at 6-2 and 2-0 after a 38-0 shutout of LaSalle on the road. The outcome of this huge tilt will have major implications as the postseason looms just around the corner. In addition to the district title, power points and improved playoff positioning will be awarded to the victor.
“This is a big game for us all around. It really has a huge impact on where we go from here,” York said.
York also emphasized that he has challenged his offensive line to perform at its highest level, and his team’s success against Logansport will be determined in the trenches.
“Our goal is to play our best offensive game of the season to this point, and it starts up front with the line,” York said. “I have challenged our guys to step up, and I believe we will be very successful when they do that against Logansport.”
The Tigers won the district title in 2020, but Logansport has had its name on the district trophy in 2021 and every other year since 2016, plowing through St. Mary’s as the primary obstacle to that district title.
“This team is very good, and they have some very good athletes,” York said. “But, we are pretty good and we have some pretty good athletes too. We are just ready to go.”
St. Mary’s enters as the No. 6 team in the Division IV Select power ratings while Logansport is No. 3 in the Division IV Non-Select power ratings.
CREDIT: Elizabeth Yopp/St. Mary’s Media Relations
