The St. Aloysius offense needs to find some consistency and fast if the Flashes (0-3, 0-1 Region 4-1A) are going to make a run for a playoff berth.

While the defense has struggled, yielding 350 or more rushing yards in each game, the offense hasn’t moved the ball with the consistency St. Al coach B.J. Smithhart would like, averaging only eight points per game. A good start would be Friday as St. Al travels to Walthall County again for a game against region foe Dexter (2-1, 1-0).

But St. Al (0-3) will have to do it with two of their three seniors hobbled. Elliott Bexley, who plays middle linebacker and running back, will play against Dexter on defense, while middle linebacker/offensive lineman Sage Lewis is more questionable. With the middle linebacker spot being the key to St. Al’s defense, their presence is more important there.

“We’ve got some guys (Bexley and Lewis) banged up, so we’ve had to make sure everyone understands all of the schemes and move some people around,” Smithhart said. “We’ve had to move some people around, but they’ve responded pretty well.”

On offense, the Flashes will turn to John Austin Jones, Barrett Teller and Forrest Logue to shoulder the burden at running back. Jones has been St. Al’s short-yardage back this season (12 carries, 24 yards). Teller (19 carries, 100 yards) and Logue (52 rushing yards on 17 carries) are shiftier, speed backs who thrive on the outside.

The Flashes have enjoyed early offensive success, but haven’t been able to keep the momentum going. In the Salem game, the Flashes put together a masterful 12-play, 66-yard drive, powerd by the running of Bexley (32 rushing yards and a 3-yard reception). Smith rolled out and hit Logue on third and goal for a 6-yard TD catch, his first touchdown pass of the season.

But when Bexley left the game with a bum knee, the offense ground to a halt with a trio of three-and-outs in the first half. Four of the team’s seven first downs were on the opening drive and it accounted for 66 of the team’s 118 yards.

Smithhart believes that if the Flashes cut down on mistakes at critical points, the breaks will come.

“We preach about just holding on,” Smithhart said. “You can catch a break if you keep it close. We haven’t given ourselves that chance. It seems like we’ve given up points in bunches. We’ve got to hold on. Last week, we had breakdowns on offense, defense and a big breakdown on special teams. That kind of stuff hurts you.”