The end is the beginning, and the beginning is the end for St. Aloysius.

Two months after the Flashes journeyed to Madden to play Leake Academy in their season opener, they’re going back for a first-round game in the MAIS Class AAA playoffs on Friday night. It’s a rare chance for redemption, and also for what the Flashes hope is that start of a surprising postseason run.

“It helps a lot, because you’re familiar with the surroundings and who you’re playing,” St. Al coach Michael Fields said of the rematch. “It’s like playing your big brother. You whipped us the last time and we want to whip you this time.”

St. Al (6-4) is a much different team now than they were in August, when they lost 28-7 to Leake Academy (8-2) to kick off a four-game losing streak. They’ve won five of six entering the playoffs and are among the hottest teams in the Class AAA bracket.

St. Al scored a total of 45 points in its first four games. Since then, it is averaging 39.7 points per game and scoring in almost every way imaginable. The Flashes have scored seven touchdowns on defense or special teams in the past six games, with at least one in all five of their wins in that span.

“That’s a very big X-factor in any league. If you can get an assist on special teams and defense it just makes everything easier,” Fields said. “That lets you know the kids are learning to win because they’re flying to the football and making the other team make mistakes.”

Mistakes were the deciding factor the first time around against Leake. One of the two second half scoring drives was set up by a fumble deep in St. Al territory, and another was extended by two 15-yard penalties. Leake led 14-7 entering the fourth quarter and then scored twice to make the final score more lopsided than the game actually was.

“There were two things we took away from that game. The first is that they’re a good ball club. The other is that we’re a much better ball club now than we were then,” Fields said. “What we have to do is find a way to correct the mental mistakes that we made. I think if we take care of our business we have a chance. Right now we can play with anyone. We have to go in and make some good things happen early in the ballgame.”

St. Al went on to lose three more games after that one — one of which was later reversed to a forfeit victory because ACCS used an ineligible player — before turning a corner in Week 5 with a 48-6 rout of Porter’s Chapel Academy. St. Al’s five wins since then have all been by 28 points or more.

The hot streak has Fields confident, and ready for another new beginning Friday night.

“It feels like a breath of fresh air,” Fields said. “We know a new season begins today. This is what it’s all about. It’s the second season and everybody is 0-0.”