Who: Salesianum Sals 7 - 2 (Home 4 - 0, Away 3 - 2)
Media Rank: TNJ: #5 (DI) , WDEL: #5 (DI)
National Rank: #1599* State Rank: #5*
Conference: N/A, Conference Record: N/A
When: Friday November 9th, 7:30 PM
Where: Baynard Stadium - Link
Series: Salesianum leads the series 33 - 17
Last Played: 2017, Salesianum won 38 - 18
Weather: Game time temps: High of 52, low of 51. Cloudy with 90% chance of rain. 5 to 10 MPH winds.
Media Coverage: WDEL Radio Broadcast
Coach: Bill DiNardo
Schedule: Link
Roster: Link
* CalPreps rankings.
Media Rank: TNJ: #5 (DI) , WDEL: #5 (DI)
National Rank: #1599* State Rank: #5*
Conference: N/A, Conference Record: N/A
When: Friday November 9th, 7:30 PM
Where: Baynard Stadium - Link
Series: Salesianum leads the series 33 - 17
Last Played: 2017, Salesianum won 38 - 18
Weather: Game time temps: High of 52, low of 51. Cloudy with 90% chance of rain. 5 to 10 MPH winds.
Media Coverage: WDEL Radio Broadcast
Coach: Bill DiNardo
Schedule: Link
Roster: Link
* CalPreps rankings.
For the fourth straight season Saint Mark's Football team will enter their final game with a possible postseason berth on the line. While the path for this year's team isn't as clear as it was for the previous three, the initial hurdle remains the same. Once again, the Spartans will have to defeat Catholic rival Salesianum if they hope to extend their season. It's a situation Saint Mark's has faced numerous times throughout the course of the series. However since the move to Division II (in 2015) their prospects of succeeding have diminished. Other than a twelve year run of Salesianum dominance (1986 -1997) the series was competitive while the teams were members of the same division. The teams were tied at seven wins apiece when the streak started, with the Sal's holding an eleven to ten edge following it's conclusion. The complexion of the series changed in 2015, with the contest becoming a David versus Goliath match up for the Spartans. Since then Salesianum has went 3 - 0, winning rather easily, though Saint Mark's did give them a scare early in the game last year. Even though it has only been a short time since the Spartans got the better of their rival, it seems like an eternity. With the odds of Saint Mark's winning again, diminishing in the perception of the football community, each and every passing year. Reaching the postseason would make for a special season for the players and staff. But being part of the first team to beat Salesianum, since the move to Division II would be legendary. Whether they realize it or not, nothing short of winning a title would top that. The team that beats Salesianum will shatter the wall of perception, and change the series forever. The team that gets number eighteen will live long in Saint Mark's history whether their record reads 1 - 9 or 10 - 0.
If the Spartans want to be the first and only team to notch number eighteen they will have to play their best game of the year. Salesianum is 7 - 2 and heading into the playoffs on a roll. They have won three straight, including a 35 - 16 win over recent nemesis Smyrna, which likely has their confidence sky high. Their offense averages 23.7 points per game primarily running the ball. The star in their backfield is no stranger to the Spartans. Andrew Watkins (who transferred in the off season) gets the bulk of the carries, and is having a banner year. Fullback Jesse Wheatley will get the odd call. A traditional Salesianum offense, they don't pass often, but can be successful when they do. Quarterback Gabe Puzzangara has returned from injury and taken over for Dylan Mooney. Mooney gained valuable playing time in Puzzangara's absence, providing the Sals with depth at the position. Logon Bushweller and Jack Healy are threats when they do go to the air. Their lines on both sides of the ball are young but have become more cohesive as the season has progressed. Linebacker's Brendan Pacheco and Colin Fowler lead a defense that has only allowed 11.4 points per game. Matthew Scott and Dylan Mooney are standouts in the secondary. Kicker Mitch Sgro anchors solid special teams units. To come away with the win Saint Mark's will have to play a smart disciplined game. They will have to shut the run game down and force Salesianum to the air. The offense will have to be opportunistic and maintain good ball security. In every big upset there are variables that come into play. Some of those will exist in this contest, and could afford the Spartans the means to prevail. But if Saint Mark's wants to win it has to start with the belief that they can.