St. Pius renews rivalry with Jefferson in playoffs on KJFF JeffCo Friday Night Football
(Festus) A pair of crosstown rivals meet to kick off the high school football playoffs when the St. Pius Lancers visit the Jefferson Bluejays on Jefferson County Friday Night Football on KJFF.
St. Pius is the six-seed in Class 2 District 1 after dropping five of their last 6 games to fall to 3-6.
But Lancers head coach Dan Oliver knows the postseason is a chance for a fresh start and maybe some history.
The Lancers have gotten a big season from junior running back Nate Ruble, who has piled up over 1,000 yards from scrimmage and scored 11 touchdowns.
Ruble also leads Pius in tackles on defense, and Oliver says he’s one of those players who just needs a shot to win a big game.
After a COVID-19 pause in the season and a loss to Valle Catholic, third-seeded Jefferson has won 3 straight and is 5-2.
But Blue Jays head coach Alex Rouggly says he still believes his team needs to get into full physical shape.
Seniors Colby Ott and Will and Dylan Schnitzler have each racked up over 500 yards from scrimmage and combined to score 29 TDs, a big reason why the Jays are averaging almost 37 points per game this year.
But Rouggly believes his team faces a tough test in St. Pius.
The 2 teams did not get to meet in the regular season like normal because of COVID-19 issues, so the all-time series remains tied at 5 wins apiece.
St. Pius won both meetings last year, including a 29-16 victory in the first round of the district playoffs.
Jefferson hopes for redemption and a trip to the District 1 semifinals against either Kelly or Charleston.
It’s the Lancers and the Blue Jays in Jefferson County Friday Night Football.
Coverage begins with the Flieg’s Equipment Pregame Show at 6 Friday evening on AM 1400 KJFF.
