In studying this week’s opponent Tri-County Academy, first-year St. Aloysius football coach Walker Mosby sees a lot of the things he aspires to with his own program.

Not just the state championships — Tri-County has six to its credit, including ones from 2021 and 2023 — but how it got them.

“They’re the 4A state champs for a reason. They play hard. Their culture is great. They understand what it takes to win,” Mosby said.

The last part is something he’s trying to instill in the Flashes as they prepare to take on the reigning kings of MAIS Class 4A Friday at 7 p.m. at Farrell Stadium/Balzli Field.

St. Al has lost 22 consecutive games, including a 29-14 setback last week at East Rankin Academy. The Flashes held a 14-6 lead at halftime — the first time since October 1, 2021 that they’ve accomplished that — but let it slip away. Figuring out how to hang on is something that will finally end two years of frustration, Mosby said.

“We’ve just got to learn how to win. We’ve got to learn to finish football games,” Mosby said. “You’re going to face adversity on the field and in life. Just because one thing goes wrong, it doesn’t mean we just deflate and all the air comes out. We still have to pick back up and get going. It’s something that takes time.”

St. Al is 0-3 this season, but has had some signs of life. It played Cathedral tough in Week 2 before two late touchdowns resulted in a 34-10 loss.

Last week, the defense held East Rankin to six points in the first half and stopped a drive inside the 5-yard line to start the second.

“Our defense really helped us. They play so hard. That was so good to see in the first half,” Mosby said. “Up front, it’s getting better and better. We’re starting to complement each other as a team and that’s great to see. I think each week has gotten better.”

A high punt snap that resulted in a safety, and then a long return on the ensuing free kick that set up a touchdown and a nine-point swing in a two-minute span was deflating, however. East Rankin tacked on two touchdowns in the fourth quarter to pull away.

“I and the other coaches believe in them,” Mosby said. “I don’t think it’s a lack of confidence. I don’t think they’ve lost any confidence. We have just got to learn to mentally and physically handle adversity and compete, and learn how to be successful.”

Tri-County (3-0) is likely to give the Flashes plenty of opportunity to handle adversity. The Rebels are a perennial MAIS football power, with a 40-4 record over the past three seasons in addition to their two recent state championships.

Still, Mosby said he was ready to shock the world and spring an upset. He pointed to last week’s college schedule, when 28.5-point underdog Northern Illinois beat No. 5 Notre Dame, as proof that anything is possible with the right mindset and execution.

“I think the only thing you can do is go out there and compete. You give it your all and execute the plays,” Mosby said. “Let’s look at NIU and Notre Dame this past Saturday. They played hard, they executed, they made the least amount of mistakes and had a great game plan. That’s the same mentality. It’s football. Anything can happen.”

FRIDAY’S AREA GAMES
All games start at 7 p.m.
Natchez at Vicksburg (Radio: 107.7 FM)
Warren Central at Germantown (Radio: 105.5 FM)
Tri-County at St. Aloysius (Radio: 101.3 FM)
Humphreys Academy at Porter’s Chapel (Radio: 104.5 FM)
Tallulah Academy at Union Christian