Football Playoff Preview: St. Thomas Academy vs. South St. Paul

SECTION 3AAAA CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

(9-0 overall, 7-0 in the Classic Suburban Conference) vs. South St. Paul (9-1 overall, 6-1 in the Classic Suburban Conference)

PLAYMAKERS
—Nick Waldvogel (St. Thomas Academy – Running Back)
The junior had two rushing touchdown on four carries and caught a team-best three receptions.
—Parker Chapman (St. Thomas Academy – Linebacker)
The junior had a team-high five solo tackles and eight total tackles in a win over Simley. He added four tackles for loss, an interception and a sack.
—Sam Sura (South St. Paul – Running Back)
Three-sport standout who was a KARE-11 preseason All-Metro selection. He has had four rushing touchdowns in both playoff wins. Sura has gained 1,409 yards on 183 carries with 21 touchdowns this year. He has rushed for over 150 yards in six of his ten games.
—Harrison Rund (South St. Paul – Quarterback)
Rushed for 1,057 yards and 23 touchdowns last year, but completed just ten passes all season for a rushing-dominated team. However, he has showed off his arm this season with three touchdown passes in their two playoff victories to go with his 804 rushing yards.

CADETS WIN IF...
They can continue their strong play against South St. Paul. The Cadets have dominated this series recently, outscoring the Packers 366-65 in their last nine meetings. STA has eliminated South St. Paul from postseason play in 2006, 2008, 2009 and 2010. The Packers have not defeated the Cadets since 2004, when they won both meetings.

PACKERS WIN IF...
They can control the time of possession with their strong running attack. Rund is one of the best running quarterbacks in the state and Sura is a likely All-State selection. The Packers are averaging 330.8 yards per game rushing and have 47 rushing touchdowns this year.

TWO-MINUTE DRILL
SITE: St. Thomas Academy
TIME: 7 p.m. Friday
WEATHER FORECAST: Partly Cloudy, 42 degrees
LAST MEETING: St. Thomas Academy defeated South St. Paul 35-7 at home in the Section 3AAAA championship game last year.

ST. THOMAS SCHEDULE
Fri, Sept. 2 at Simley W 42-0
Fri, Sept. 9 vs. Richfield W 45-0
Fri, Sept. 16 at Mahtomedi W 21-13
Fri, Sept. 23 vs. Tartan W 48-7
Fri, Sept. 30 vs. North St. Paul W 42-13
Fri, Oct. 7vs. Holy Family Catholic W 48-7
Fri, Oct. 14 vs. Hill-Murray W 42-14
Wed, Oct. 19 at Henry Sibley W 54-0
Sat, Oct. 29 Simley W 42-8

SOUTH ST PAUL SCHEDULE
Thu, Sept. 1 vs. Henry Sibley W 35-0
Fri, Sept. 9 at North St. Paul W 51-0
Fri, Sept. 16 vs. Duluth East W 63-0
Sat, Sept. 24 at Hill-Murray W 16-7
Fri, Sept. 30 at Simley W 24-0
Fri, Oct. 7 vs. Richfield W 47-7
Fri, Oct. 14 at Mahtomedi L 27-21
Wed, Oct. 19 vs. Tartan W 61-7
Tue, Oct. 25 Chaska W 62-6
Sat, Oct. 29 at Holy Angels W 50-20