[09/16/02]The toughest tests still lie ahead for St. Aloysius, but the Flashes have come through the early part of their schedule almost flawlessly.

After Friday night’s 42-14 demolition of Mount Olive, St. Al has outscored its opponents 97-22 to roll to a 3-0 record. More impressively, the first-string defense hasn’t allowed a point yet.

All of the points the Flashes have allowed have come in the second half of blowout wins, long after the starters have left the game.

“We’re very disciplined. We all know what we’re supposed to do,” said St. Al defensive back Anthony Rector, who had two interceptions and a sack against Mount Olive. “Nobody ventures out to try and take the glory for themselves. We play team defense, and that’s the reason for our success.”

Rector and St. Al coach Jim Taylor said an increased emphasis on film study in the week leading up to the game has also helped.

“We always watch film, but coach (defensive coordinator Jimmy Salmon) brings the defense in most every day after practice and goes over what we’ve done on the field,” Taylor said.

The Flashes swarmed to the ball against Mount Olive. They held the Pirates to 44 yards of total offense and only three first downs in the first half.

St. Al also forced three turnovers, as well as several fumbles that were recovered by Mount Olive, and the front seven did a good job of holding Pirate quarterback Martel McNair in check.

McNair, a cousin of Tennessee Titans quarterback Steve McNair, was sacked four times and threw three interceptions.

“We thought their quarterback was going to be more active than he was, and our linebackers did a heckuva job containing him,” Rector said. “It was our first time to face a mobile quarterback … and our entire defense just did great.”

Perhaps the biggest reason for St. Al’s early dominance is one that can’t be overlooked, however, no matter how tempting it may be to sweep it under the rug. The Flashes’ first three opponents have a combined record of 0-8.

With Region 4-1A heavyweights Mize, Enterprise-Lincoln, and Bogue Chitto still looming on the schedule, Taylor was quick to temper his joy at the early run. After all, St. Al started last season 4-0 before stumbling to a 6-5 finish.

“We’ve still got work to do, and we’ve still got to beat somebody that counts. We’ve got an opportunity to do that here in the next couple weeks,” Taylor said.

“We hadn’t played the best teams, but irregardless they’ve been teams that have had personnel that have been basically equal to ours.”