St. Albert returns to the field for the third time in two weeks after last weekend's two-day football road trip against Logan-Magnolia.

The Panthers led 20-0 in the first half of last week's game, then lightning rolled into the area, postponing the second half until Saturday morning. Neither team scored when the game resumed and the loss dropped the Falcons to 0-1 in the district race.

"It wasn't any fun," St. Albert coach Jim Duggan said, noting his team is focused on looking forward. "It was a hard situation to be in, but we're done with it. It's over with and nobody has talked about it."

The Falcons (0-1, 1-2) will look to get back on track against Griswold (1-0, 2-1) in a 7:30 p.m. kickoff Friday.

"They're a pretty good football team," Duggan said of the Tigers. "They're solid in all three phases of the game."

Griswold has racked up nearly 43 points per game, including 39 in a win over Underwood last week.

Senior Justin Weirich got the Tigers started with a bang in the 39-7 decision, as he broke loose for a 97-yard touchdown run in the first quarter. Weirich added another score in the first half. Chris Schoening also scored two touchdowns, including on a broken field goal attempt.

In their one loss this season, the Tigers were outscored 48-42 at the hands of Mount Ayr.

"They have a real fast football team on both sides of the ball," Duggan said. "On defense they just fly to the ball."

The Falcons will also have to shake off any outside distractions this week as the return to Al Leber Field will serve as homecoming for the school.

"Our kids traditionally have been pretty good about staying focused," Duggan said. "Being successful on Friday night is the ultimate goal."

To be successful the Falcons will need to remain on task and Duggan said he's looking for the team's dozen seniors to step forward.

"Hopefully the seniors will do that," Duggan said. "We hope they step up and give a better effort and make plays."

If the Falcons want to extend their playoff stretch to 10 years in a row they will likely need to run the table in Class 1A District 1 over the final six weeks.

"We're on a one game at a time season now," Duggan said. "If you keep winning you know you have a chance (at the postseason), if you lose you're probably just playing for pride."

Quick Hits

Who: Griswold (1-0, 2-1) vs. St. Albert (0-1, 1-2).

When: 7:30 p.m. Friday.

Where: Al Leber Field.

On the Web: www.stalbertsportsfan.com.

What to watch for: St. Albert looks to get back on track after last week's 20-0 loss against Logan-Magnolia.

The Falcons have a short week after lightning forced the team to return to Logan Saturday morning and complete the second half of the district opener.

It's St. Albert's homecoming and always brings a lot of outside distractions.

Griswold has averaged nearly 43 points per game in its three contests this season and it's possible Friday's game could become a shootout.

Special teams could be the difference in the game. The Falcons have been steady on special teams this year, while Griswold struggled big time last week with a blocked PAT, a muffed snap on a field goal.

~Jeff Deluca~ Daily Nonpareil - 09.21.06