St. Patrick, SSC begin playoffs tonight

By JAMES JONES - jkjones@sunherald.com

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St. Stanislaus and St. Patrick each start their state championship drive tonight.

The Rockachaws entertain Quitman (6-5) at Brother Philip Memorial Stadium in their Class 4A playoff opener.

St. Patrick (3-6) travels to Philadelphia for its 3A playoff opener.

Gallery:St. Patrick, SSC begin playoffs tonight

St. Stanislaus (9-1) goes for the first 10-win season in school history, but Rockachaws coach Forrest Williams expect a tough contest.

“Quitman has been up and down all year, but they beat Louisville and Lawrence County,’’ Williams said. “They have athletes on offense and defense. We have our work cut out for us.”

St. Stanislaus is considered one of the favorites to win the 4A South state title.

Quarterback Dylan Favre needs four touchdown passes to break his own single-season mark of 45, which he set last year. He already owns career marks in touchdown passes and passing yardage.

“Dylan knew the records would come,” Williams said. “He and the other players are focused on the task at hand: winning a championship. We have a great coaching staff.”

St. Patrick takes a losing record into the postseason, but the Fighting Irish are tested. They lost a nail-biter at Long Beach and played other bigger schools on the Coast during the regular season.

“Other than last week against Perry Central, we had a chance to win every game,’’ Fighting Irish coach Rocky Gaudin said. “Our biggest problem this year was finishing in the red zone.

“I’ve never had that problem before. We’d get close in the other team’s territory and couldn’t finish. It’s an honor to be in the playoffs, I just wish we had a better record.”

Gaudin, who also coached at Bay High and Hancock, is impressed with Philadelphia. The Tornadoes (10-1) are coached by Teddy Dyess, who led Lumberton to several 2A state titles.

“Philadelphia is the biggest team we’ll face this season,” Gaudin said. “(Teddy) Dyess is a good coach. If we play hard, play smart and finish things off in the end zone, we’ll have a chance to win. If we don’t, it’ll be a long night.”