As the calendar flips from September to October, the St. Aloysius Flashes are talking about something they haven’t in a while — the playoffs.

Despite having a 1-5 record, the Flashes are not only very alive in the MAIS Class 4A race, but have a good chance of hosting a first-round game. It’s put some extra zip in their step entering the final stretch of games that starts with a road trip to Riverfield Academy on Friday night.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity,” St. Al coach Walker Mosby said. It’s a great feeling, but we’ve still got to do our job and handle these last four or five games and try to go into this thing .500. But it’s a great feeling to play for, that’s for sure.”

St. Al has not reached the postseason since 2020, and has not hosted a playoff game since 2015. It ended a 23-game losing streak by beating Clinton Christian two weeks ago, and that win — along with a difficult schedule — has opened the path to end both long droughts.

Twelve of the 14 teams in Class 4A qualify for the playoffs. The three district champions receive automatic berths, and the other nine spots are determined through a power points system that includes a strength of schedule component.

St. Al has played two teams that have at least five wins so far, and Riverfield (5-1) will be the third. Beating Clinton Christian provided another boost to its power point average and moved them to the No. 8 seed in the bracket as it currently stands.

The Flashes will have a hard time moving up unless they win out in their last four games, but should also be secure at No. 8 if they win one or two more. The No. 8 seed hosts No. 9 in the first round.

The No. 9 seed, as the rankings stand, would be Washington School or Lee Academy from District 1-4A.

“You hate to lose, but the guys compete even when we hurt ourselves. Then the week before that, we get a big win,” Mosby said. “I think our program’s going in the right direction. We’re going to try and get better each week and grow as a program each day. Once that’s done, we’ll see what happens.”

Although they only have one win to show for it, the Flashes definitely appear to have turned a corner this season. Only two of their 10 losses in 2023 were by less than 20 points. This season, four of their first six games were competitive deep into the fourth quarter. Cathedral and East Rankin both pulled away late to pad the final score in close games, and the Flashes had the ball for a final drive they couldn’t finish in last week’s 21-13 loss to Central Hinds.

Mosby said it’s been a long process that has helped his team move in the right direction.

“I wish we were 6-0, but I don’t think it’s one day that helped us get to where we are,” Mosby said. “I think it’s every day added up, starting from the spring. You can’t just get to the summer or the fall and say, ‘Oh, we’ve got to get going.’ I think it’s a whole bunch of days and things are starting to finally come together and to get better.”

FRIDAY’S AREA GAMES
All games start at 7 p.m.
St. Aloysius at Riverfield (Radio: 101.3 FM)
Hillcrest at Porter’s Chapel (Radio: 104.5 FM)
Tallulah Academy at Columbus Christian
Port Gibson at Jefferson County
Ouachita Christian at Madison Parish
Open date: Vicksburg High, Warren Central