"Two tough catholic conference teams that are going to play 4 quarters of hard fought football. It will be a battle and hopefully we come out of it 2-0, but we need to play our game in order to be victorious.”
- Joe Wright
After passing last week's challenge with flying colors, the Spartan football team faces their next test against St. Elizabeth, Saturday night at Caravel Academy. It's a home game for the Vikings, however with Baynard Stadium being renovated, all of their contests this season will be played on the road. Both teams bring a 1 - 0 record into the match, with dominating season opening victories. The fashion in which they won, is similar as well. Both squads used a punishing running game, rarely going to the air. The strategy, besides being successful, allowed their younger and inexperienced players to ease into their positions, and build cohesion on their lines. The 35th meeting between the schools comes earlier in the season (than many in the past), though the stakes are no less as high. Besides bragging rights, the victor gets a leg up on an opponent battling for a postseason at-large bid. With three catholic schools in Division II facing off against each other, the team that comes out on top, increases their odds of securing that bid. For Saint Mark's and St. Elizabeth this is round one of a series of contests, that will likely determine their playoff fate. While Saint Mark's has won three straight in the series, and six out of the last seven, Coach Wright and his players are not taking their opponent lightly.
When asked about the team's upcoming foe, Joe Wright replied: “St. E's is a team that is going to play hard and physical. They always have been and will because that is who they are. Their offense has some misdirection with a lot of motions and pulling lineman, so we have to read our keys and play sound football on that side of the ball. They have a really good running back that can hurt you in many ways. He was able to run wild last week for them as they put up 41 points, so we must contain him and keep the score down if we want to have a chance to win. Defensively, they have some big bodies up front with a really good DE and DT. Our line has to be able to stop penetration to allow us to run our offense. This is going to be a great test for us to see where we stand in D2. Two tough catholic conference teams that are going to play 4 quarters of hard fought football. It will be a battle and hopefully we come out of it 2-0, but we need to play our game in order to be victorious.” Though St. Elizabeth's has suffered some down years since 2013, the program has seen a resurgence as of late.
Coming off a 5 - 5 season, the Vikings are looking to take the next step in Marvin Dooley's second year at the helm. Like the Spartans, St. Elizabeth is breaking in new players at key skill positions. The Vikings feature a run heavy offense, a standard for Marvin Dooley teams at past schools. Transfer RB Thomas Mosley Jr. (#6) had a big night against Christiana, running behind a veteran line. While Mosley Jr. will get the bulk of the carries, QB C.J. Small (#9) will mix it up with a group of backs including Sam Janicki (#22). Small didn't pass much in their opener, but he was a perfect 4 for 4 when he did. TE Luke Schiavoni (#89), wasn't on the receiving end of any of Small's passes, but will likely emerge as his top target as the season progresses. Seniors Schiavoni and Janicki provide leadership on a young defensive unit. With a lopsided win in their opener, St. Elizabeth wasn't forced to show their hand. It is likely they will have a few tricks up their sleeve for the Spartans.
While it is difficult to gauge the teams, this early in the season, the contest is shaping up to be a classic, much like the Spartan's game against Archmere Academy last year. Whether it lives up to its billing only time will tell, but it's great to see the catholic rivals go at it, under the bright lights of a marquee match up once again!
Saturday's game is also the 4th annual installment of the Muscle Movement Foundation's 'Sack Muscle Disease' game. Saint Mark's has prevailed in the previous three, which should only add a little fire in the belly of the Viking's, eager to take their turn with the trophy.
If you would like to know more about the MMF, which was founded by Saint Mark's Director of Admissions Rob DeMasi (class of 2009), or are interested in joining their fight, please visit their site (link on logo below).
Saturday's game is also the 4th annual installment of the Muscle Movement Foundation's 'Sack Muscle Disease' game. Saint Mark's has prevailed in the previous three, which should only add a little fire in the belly of the Viking's, eager to take their turn with the trophy.
If you would like to know more about the MMF, which was founded by Saint Mark's Director of Admissions Rob DeMasi (class of 2009), or are interested in joining their fight, please visit their site (link on logo below).