St. Al sneaks into playoffs

Published 1:49 am Saturday, October 22, 2016

The St. Aloysius Flashes took the back door into the playoffs.

Jamar Williams scored two rushing touchdowns, and five other players scored one each as the Flashes routed Riverfield Academy 48-12 in their regular-season finale on Friday.

The Flashes earned a piece of the District 3-AAA championship, but lost a three-way tiebreaker with Manchester Academy and Hartfield Academy. Manchester won the title.

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Hartfield beat Central Hinds 17-10 on Friday. St. Al needed Hartfield to lose that game to win the district title.

Hartfield also qualified as a wild card team, while Central Hinds was eliminated from playoff contention.

St. Al (3-7, 3-1 District 3-AAA) did, however, earn a wild card berth based on the MAIS power points rankings. It will be the No. 13 seed in the 16-team field and go on the road next Friday to take on District 2-AAA champion Heritage Academy in Columbus.

St. Al coach BJ Smithhart said he was proud of his team for its three-game winning streak after an 0-7 start.

“Three weeks ago we were 0-7, and even though we didn’t get the district title we’re at three in a row and playing really good. We’ve gotten better the last three weeks, and that’s what you want,” Smithhart said. “I’m proud of the kids. These seniors have won or been part of three district championships in a row, and their freshman year we went to North State. They had a good run.”

Landon Middleton, Brandon Teller, Antonio Thompson and Connor Bottin all scored touchdowns for the Flashes against Riverfield (2-8, 0-4).