Flash hoping to play spoiler role

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November 21, 2009

BY HUGH CONRAD The Tribune-Democrat Sat Nov 21, 2009, 12:11 AM EST

The Red Flash can play the role of spoiler.

The St. Francis football team will host Central Connecticut State (8-2, 6-1) today at noon at DeGol Field, and the Blue Devils need a win to capture the championship of the Northeast Conference outright.

The Red Flash (2-8, 1-6) have showed spurts of promise this year, and a win over the Blue Devils would boost the off-season efforts of the team and its recruiters.

“It’s supposed to be nice (weather), so we hope to come out and play a good game and get these seniors out with a W,” St. Francis coach Dave Opfar said.

“We want to get something positive out of it. Once we sit down and evaluate things, we will see that we are doing some things better. We have been more consistent in many areas, so we now have to fill some holes and do a good job recruiting.”

The Red Flash defense has improved significantly this season, once again buoyed by the performance of their linebackers. However, they will be challenged by a Central Connecticut State offensive unit that is first in the NEC in total offense (399.7 yards per game) and in rushing (230.8).

Junior linebacker Scott Lewis is on the cusp of etching his name into the St. Francis record book. The former Bishop McCort standout needs just six tackles to become the leading tackler in St. Francis history.

Lewis leads the NEC in total tackles with 104, and his teammate, Matthew Parker, is third in the NEC and second with St. Francis with 94 tackles.

The Blue Devils’ offense is led by running back James Mallory, who is second in the league with 137.5 yards per game.

“Their running back is good, and they spread it out a little more since he has such great speed,” Opfar said. “They will try to get a number in the box. It will be interesting.”

The St. Francis offense has experienced some stability and has some hope with a freshman quarterback in John Kelly, who is fourth in the NEC with

139.6 yards per game. Add into that mix freshman speedster Kyle Harbridge, who is averaging 104.8 all-purpose yards per game.

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