One look at the Region 4-1A standings shows one obvious thing: even with a win over Sebastopol tonight, St. Aloysius is going to need help to make the playoffs.

Four teams are tied going into the final week of the season with identical 3-3 region records and three have a shot at the two remaining playoff berths behind Sebastopol and Mount Olive.

Help would come in the form of Bogue Chitto beating Dexter. Cathedral, even with a likely victory over Salem tonight, is out of the running thanks to St. Al’s 10-7 win over overtime a few weeks ago despite the Green Wave’s 3-3 record in region play.

But first things first. The Flashes (6-4, 3-3) must beat region champion Sebastopol (8-2, 6-0). The Bobcats will be playing the Flashes on a short week of rest after defeating Mount Olive 17-12 in a rain-delayed game on Monday to earn a home playoff berth and a region title.

“The hard part is beating Sebastopol,” St. Al coach B.J. Smithhart said. “They’ve got a good football team. No matter what happens, we just want to beat a good football team this Friday.”

The Bobcats are not going to try to mystify or dazzle opponents with an aerial assault or large amounts of trickery. Their mission statement is a simple one: pound the ball in the running game and grind the clock to grist in the process.

“They want to hold the ball,” Smithhart said. “They’re going to wear you down. They’ll keep it close with you in the first half and then they’ll wear you down in the second half. And they don’t hurt themselves in the process.”

The key is a talented offensive line that while not the biggest St. Al has seen this season, will likely be the best.

Running back James Patrick had 21 carries for 144 yards and one touchdown in the win over Mount Olive and he is the straw that stirs the Bobcat drink offensively. In nine games, he has already eclipsed the 1,000-yard barrier. The Bobcats are coping with the loss of senior quarterback Lavadius Lyles to a dislocated knee and a torn median cruciate ligament in a 21-19 loss to MAIS foe Jackson Prep. Since, the Bobcats have split reps under center.

“They’re about 90 percent run,” Smithhart said. “He’s (Patrick) is a big, fast kid. Their line is what impresses me. They’ll throw a couple of counter (plays) to keep you honest, but they’re just going to run right at you.”

Even if the Flashes earn a victory, they still might not make the playoffs. But Smithhart just wants a good effort.

“They (the Flashes) want to win this one and whatever happens, happens,” Smithhart said. “We’ve got to bring our ‘A’ game, because they’re not going to beat themselves.”

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Contact Steve Wilson at swilson@vicksburgpost.com