St. Aloysius has entered a critical part of its schedule, beginning with tonight’s homecoming game against Noxapater.

Both teams entered tied for third in the Region 2-1A standings at 2-1. St. Al (3-2 overall) got there by beating South Leake 21-20 last week in Walnut Grove. Noxapater (2-3) picked up its second league win by blowing out Sebastopol 43-10.

The Tigers were a playoff team last year and one of their region wins was a 20-14 decision over the Flashes in Noxapater.

St. Al coach Jim Taylor said he realizes the Flashes must be successful in protecting its home field.

&#8220We definitely need to win one of the next two because we’re in a tough stretch here with Noxapater, Nanih Waiya and then Puckett,” Taylor said. &#8220Puckett has a really outstanding team.

&#8220Noxapater has a real strong team with a lot of team speed. I look for them to play to their strengths which is to mix it up on offense in the I, the double wing and shot gun. They like to do a lot of different things.”

The Tigers feature an elusive quarterback, which is something the Flashes have had problems with against Lake and South Leake.

&#8220Last week at South Leake, we gave up some third and long plays, because we let the quarterback loose and missed some tackles,” Taylor said. &#8220We also had some late penalties that added more yardage.”

The ill-timed flags also hurt the special teams.

&#8220We had two touchdowns called back. We ran a kick back and a punt and both were called back,” Taylor said.

Two weeks ago against Lake, a 33-28 loss, Chip Donald ran a kickoff back 85 yards to give the Flashes a brief lead. Donald, though, could be limited tonight.

&#8220He’s got a sprained ankle. Jordan Muirhead has a pulled groin and Joseph Sudderth is still slowed by his knee. We’re pretty well depleted at linebacker,” Taylor said.

Muirhead has been the Flashes top deep threat at receiver and is 13 of 13 on extra point kicks. His PAT kick last week proved to be the difference.