It's not quite playoff time yet, but Friday's Class 1A District 1 football game between St. Albert and Riverside will have a real playoff feel to it.

Through three weeks of the district season the race breaks down like this: Logan-Magnolia is in the driver's seat with a 3-0 mark, including wins over Riverside and St. Albert. Riverside, St. Albert and Audubon are all 2-1.

Thus, the winner of this week's 7:30 p.m. showdown in Oakland will have the inside track to the second playoff spot in District 1.

St. Albert coach Jim Duggan said his team is trying to downplay the game a bit.

"It's just the next game on our schedule, that's what we've told the kids," he said.

Both teams enter Friday's game on the tails of a big victory.

The Bulldogs ran all over Underwood last Friday, 47-7.

Quarterback Jacob Grobe threw for 208 yards and had touchdown passes to Tyler Smith, Keaton Wright, and Josh and Jeremy Harker.

Collin Forrester added 120 yards on six carries and Nathan Joy had two touchdown runs as Riverside rushed for nearly 300 yards. The Riverside defense held the Eagles to just 61 yards of total offense.

"They've gotten better as the season has gone on," Duggan said of the Bulldogs. "They executed pretty well on both sides of the ball last week. They're a threat both throwing and running the ball."

At the same time last week St. Albert posted a 48-0 blanking over Audubon.

The game was probably the best showing to date for the Falcons, who sparkled in all three phases of the game.

Particularly strong were the special teams, which scored two touchdowns. One came on a blocked punt by Doug Moran. Jeff McGruder picked up the loose ball and returned it 22 yards for a score.

Matt Waters and Jeremy Schieffer did a solid job on returning the ball, including a 60-yard touchdown run by Schieffer.

Duggan also praised the play of senior C.J. Gradoville, the team's kicker who first arrived on the scene with a winning field goal against Bedford in an overtime playoff game as a freshman and has been solid in the placekicking his whole career.

"He is doing a good job of kicking the ball. Jeremy Schieffer and Matt Waters did a nice job of returning kicks," Duggan said. "Our special teams played really well last week."

The shutout last week gives the Falcons seven-straight quarters without giving up a point as all cylinders seem to be firing at once for St. Albert. Though Duggan said by watching film he could still see a lot of room for improvement.

"We just kind of have a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde kind of team," Duggan said. "Some quarters, some plays, some series we look real well, and other times we look to be a little off kilter."

"We haven't played our best football game yet I don't think."

Something the Falcons might just need this if they want to escape this week's game with a victory.

"They're just a typical Riverside team. The traditionally play us pretty tough," Duggan said. "I think both teams are a lot alike in a lot of ways. It'll probably come down to the basics of football and who makes the fewer mistakes."

Quick Hits

Who: St. Albert (2-1, 3-2) at Riverside (2-1, 2-3) in a Class 1A District 8 Football game.

When: Friday at 7:30 p.m.

Where: Oakland.

What to Watch for: Fridays game will have a real playoff feel. With Logan-Magnolia nestled in the catbirds seat in District 8, the Riverside/St. Albert winner will have the inside track for the second playoff spot in the district.

Both teams are coming off of big wins. Riverside pounded out a 47-7 win over Underwood behind four touchdown passes by Jacob Grobe. Grobe threw for 208 yards, including scoring strikes to Tyler Smith, Keaton Wright, and Josh and Jeremy Harker.

Collin Forrester ran for 120 yards on just six carries, while Nathan Joy added two touchdown runs.

The Riverside defense held Underwood to just 61 total yards of offense.

Meanwhile, St. Albert was having its way with Audubon to the tune of a 48-0 decision. The Falcons led 48-0 at the half.

Jeremy Schieffer rushed seven times for 89 yards and a touchdown. He also added a 60-yard punt return for a score. The special teams added another score on a blocked punt by Doug Moran, which was scooped up and returned 22 yards by Jeff McGruder.

~Jeff Deluca~ Daily Nonpareil 10.06.06