St. Aloysius is reaping a lot of benefits from the Mississippi High School Activities Association’s last realignment.

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First Puckett, a juggernaut that has won two of the last three Class 1A championships, was bumped up a class and out of St. Al’s region. With them went several other schools that reduced the number of teams in the region from 11 to eight. That, in turn, gave St. Al some breathing room in its schedule.

When the Flashes take the field on Friday night at Pelahatchie, it will mark the first time since 2006 that they will not open the season against a region opponent. That will give them time to work out the kinks.

“We want to use these first four games that aren’t in the district to see who’s performing well and give them their shot,” St. Al coach B.J. Smithhart said. “Last year we went right into it against Bogue Chitto and lost, and it cost us a playoff spot. We ought to be a lot more prepared, I would hope.”

Although it’s no longer a region game — Pelahatchie was one of the teams that moved up to 2A — tonight’s opener is a rematch from last season. St. Al won 16-13 on Sept. 17, when Ryno Martin-Nez scored on a 3-yard touchdown run with 42 seconds to play.

That was one of several close games Pelahatchie was involved in last year. Five of its 11 games during a 5-6 season were decided by nine points or less, and three of its losses came in overtime or after losing leads in the fourth quarter. Smithhart expects the Chiefs to give his team a tough time once again.

“They’re better,” Smithhart said. “They were young last year. Their quarterback will be back, their leading rusher is back and they have some freshmen who are going to help them a good bit.”

The Flashes also have a mix of returning starters — tailback Ryno Martin-Nez and quarterback Regan Nosser — and youth. Sophomore center Robert Arledge and freshman left tackle Sage Lewis, younger brother of last year’s leading rusher Chris Lewis, will shore up the offensive line.

So far, Smithhart has liked what he’s seen from the big guys up front.

“The offensive line is a big key. We don’t have a lot of depth there, but we have a lot of quality. They’re going to have to win games for us,” Smithhart said.

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Contact Ernest Bowker at ebowker@vicksburgpost.com