Last year at this time, the St. Aloysius entered its Region 2-1A contest with an 0-3 record. Just three weeks into this season, two of those losses last year have been reversed to wins, including last week’s impressive 28-0 win over Thomastown.

The Flashes (2-1, 1-0) hope the momentum will make a difference in tonight’s clash with unbeaten and fifth-ranked Lake (3-0, 1-0) at Balzli Field.

&#8220It was real important for us to get off to a good start and that means to win the games you have a good chance at winning,” St. Al coach Jim Taylor said.

The Flashes didn’t do that last year, losing a season opener at Natchez Cathedral and then lost late in the game at home to Thomastown.

This Flashes team returned the favor, beating Cathedral 12-7 in the opener and then followed it up with a region win at Thomastown.

&#8220The defense made a couple of good stands and we moved the ball on offense, just didn’t score a lot,” Taylor said. &#8220We were fortunate to have J.R. Burnett make a couple of interceptions. But overall, it was a good effort against a very athletic team from Thomastown.”

Lake, however, will provide a tough challenge, similar to the one St. Andrew’s posed in Week 2, a 39-21 win at St. Al.

The Hornets are averaging 34 points a game and are coming off a 28-0 region win against Sebastapol last week.

Quarterback Maurice Pinkston has thrown four touchdowns this season – all to Terald McBeath.

&#8220The quarterback is a threat to score anytime and anywhere on the field,” Taylor said. &#8220They run the Wing-T on offense and they have a big fullback who runs well. They use the inside run to get first downs and then spring the bootleg with the quarterback.

&#8220Our defense is going to have to stop that inside run.”

Lake also has a lot of speed on defense but Union and Scott Central did score at least two touchdowns against them.

&#8220There still real strong with outstanding speed on defense. They were a team last year that had very few seniors but this team has already broke into the top five in (Class) 1A,” Taylor said.

St. Al hopes to counter behind fullback Alex Halinski, who has rushed for 448 yards in three games with four touchdowns. Sophomore quarterback Chris Lewis bounced back with a good outing at Thomastown and will direct the Flashes’ double-wing attack.