St. Aloysius had its best offensive game since beating Salem in late September. Unfortunately, as the Flashes (1-9, 1-7 Region 4-1A) head into their final game of the season at Mount Olive dealing with issues on defense and turnovers.

The Flashes offense put up 21 points and 327 yards of offense in Friday’s loss to Bogue Chitto. It might have been more, but two fourth-quarter turnovers inside the red zone denied the Flashes a chance to get closer in the fourth quarter.

The defense was another story. Bogue Chitto (8-2. 6-2) scored on five straight possessions and then added another touchdown after an interception of Carlisle Koestler at the Bogue Chitto 10-yard line. It added up to a 39-21 loss and spoiled the final home game for seniors Robert Arledge, Carlton Campbell, Scott Johnston and Zane Russell.

Smithhart was thankful for the effort his seniors displayed.

“I hate it for my seniors, because they did a great job tonight,” St. Al coach B.J. Smithhart said. “Carlton (Campbell) was outstanding. Zane Russell had his first touchdown of the season, while Robert Arledge and Scott Johnston played great up front and on defense. They are special guys.”

Campbell was stellar with 100 yards rushing and 67 receiving yards on four catches. The rushing total against the Bobcats pushes Campbell close to 1,200 yards for the season.

“The coaches call the plays and I just run them,” Campbell said. “We cut down on a lot of the mistakes that have hurt us in the previous weeks.”

St. Al, however, must address its defensive woes during the offseason and in spring practice. The Bobcats rushed for 286 yards and passed for another 150. Three of Bogue Chitto’s scores came off touchdown passes and another long throw set up a fourth score.

For Smithhart, the problem starts on the defensive line.

“We’ve trying to fix things, but teams seem to find another gap to go through,” Smithhart said. “You have to credit them (Bogue Chitto). They made plays.”

The good news for the Flashes is the that team’s top two tacklers, linebackers Sage Lewis and Elliott Bexley, will be back to provide senior leadership.