This one is not for all the marbles, but it’s pretty close. A Sam Houston win puts the Broncos in the driver’s seat for the district title, but a Saints win puts them at 3-1 in district play and in place for a piece of the district crown.

“This will be a big game for us,” said Saints’ head coach Mike Johns. “We have a chance to tie for first in the district. It’s an important game for both of us not only for district, but for power points.”

Despite the pressure of the game on Friday, Johns said him and the whole St. Louis team are pleased to be where they are.

“I’m very happy to be in the situation we are in,” Johns continued. “Our kids have played hard and have worked hard to get here and it makes for an exciting football game on Friday night against a very good ball club.”

As if the game wasn’t big enough, the two squads will take the field at Louis Bonnette Field at Cowboy Stadium on Friday  at 7 p.m.

Sam Houston head coach Russ Sutherland said that the Saints are a very well rounded team from the offense, defense, and special teams.

“They are a solid football team,” Sutherland said. “They are well coached and they play good technique. Offensively, they are very efficient and they are very active defensively. Their special teams are second to none in the area. They kick it into the end zone every time on the kickoff. Their field goal kicker’s range is 50-plus. Their punter seems to flip the field every time he punts.

“We are aware they are a very good football team and it’s going to take a good effort.”

For the second week in a row, the Saints will be without their starting running back. Stephen Sylvester missed last weeks’ game against Washington-Marion and will again miss this week. Junior Dillon Berlin will make his second straight start for the Saints. Berlin has appeared in all eight games thus for this year and had a game high 168 yards and two touchdowns against the Chargin’ Indians.

The most interesting area looking at the Saints is at quarterback. St. Louis has played senior Drew Francois (#8) and junior Bryce Laningham (#14) under center this year.

“They complement each other well,” Sutherland said on the duo. “They are both capable of getting the ball to their playmakers and they run the offense well.”

Francois is the leading passer with 654 yards and five touchdowns (42-82-3) while Laningham has thrown for 204 yards and a score (17-32-1).

Johns said that the senior Francois would make the start on Friday.

The duo quarterbacks have a very dependable receiver to throw to. Wide receiver Kenny Brown (#10) has 37 catches for 649 yards with eight touchdowns on the year.

“We better be aware of where he is at all times,” Sutherland said on Brown. “They do line him up in different places. I think he’s primarily an outside receiver, but I have seen him lined up as an inside receiver and in the wildcat at the quarterback position.

“We would be very foolish not to be aware of where he is on every down.”

Defensively, the Saints have two linebackers that have performed extremely well so far this year. Senior Matt Viator (#31) and junior Colin Todd (#34) have 64 and 79 tackles respectively.

“Their linebackers are very good,” said Sutherland. “They are wherever the ball is every down. We better make sure those guys are blocked. If they are not blocked, they are definitely going to make the tackle. They are good players.”

The Saints’ special teams play could also play a part in helping their defense. Punter Kris Albarado has an average of 42.45 yards per punt with 14 in the end zone. Kickers Mark Minton and James Bice has also pinned offenses back this year on kickoffs. The two have had 21 kickoffs for touchbacks so far this season.

Johns said that the field position game would definitely play a factor for both teams.

“I think it’s important to have good field position,” Johns said. “That’s important to both ball clubs. Our kicking game has put us in good spots with Kris with his punting and James has done a good job with his kicking.”

Bice has converted on 50-percent of his field goals this year with his longest being a 52-yarder.

Sam Houston’s Orlan Lockhart has led the Bronco offense while throwing for 1,130 yards completing 78-for-143 with six interceptions and six touchdowns. The senior quarterback is currently second in rushing for Sam Houston with 505 yards on 135 carries with 17 touchdowns. Kip Carter leads the Broncos with 506 yards on 89 carries and eight scores.

“Their quarterback is an outstanding quarterback not only with the passing but he’s also a very good runner,” Johns said on Lockhart. “We are going to have our hands full on defense. We just have to make sure we don’t give up big plays.”

Both coaches said that they realize that a total team effort will be required to get the victory on Friday night.

“I think it’s going to take a team effort,” Johns said. “I don’t think it’s going to be up to one person to win this football game. I think we have to execute. Offensively we have to control the football and try to put some points on the board and defensively we can’t give up big plays. We have to try to eliminate (big plays) and make them earn everything they get.”
Sam Houston will be the home team on Friday even though the game will be played at McNeese. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and the game can be heard online at www.bigsamfootballboosters.com.