St. Regis keeps playoff aspirations alive

As regular season, close to post-season crucial games, this one was a must win for both Darby and St. Regis.

And on their home field, St. Regis was up to the challenge, getting out to a large half-time lead, then rolling to a 42-28 win over Darby that kept the winner’s playoff hopes alive. 

The win improved the Tigers (St. Regis) overall record to 4-2, the same as their Western B, eight-player conference mark.  That lifts them into a tie for fourth in the conference race with I-90 rival Superior, whom St. Regis defeated earlier in the year. 

With the loss, Darby fell to 3-3 on the year and in the conference and possibly out of the race depending on the outcomes of their final two games.  St. Regis has games against Plains, this Thursday (Oct 17) in Plains, and a home match October 25 against Troy. 

St. Regis head coach Jesse Allan was pleased with his team’s effort against Darby. 

“I’m proud of our guys’ resilience in the second half, spending three-fourths of the final two quarters on the defensive side of the ball,” Allan said. “It was a physical game for sure.”

St. Regis scored twice in the opening quarter while giving up a single score to the visitors from Darby.  At the end of the first quarter, the Tigers were up 14-8. 

Then, in the second quarter, St. Regis erupted for 20 unanswered points to take a 34-8 halftime lead. 

“We came out and executed extremely well on four first four drives,” Allan said. “It put us in a great position to be up by three scores at the half.”

Allan noted the size advantage enjoyed by Darby up front and had special praise for running back/wide receiver McCoy Townsend.  The Darby Tigers have four players 220 pounds or heavier on the front lines. 

“Townsend is a stud, probably the best running back in the league,” Allan said, of the junior who accounted for all four of Darby’s scores during the game. 

Darby held a big advantage in ball possession time during the second half and at one point recovered an onside kick, late in the third quarter. 

The visitors scored 20 points in the second half while holding St. Regis to one touchdown in the second half. 

“They dominated time of possession in the second half,” Allan noted. “Darby has a solid squad over there and they play hard.”

St. Regis sophomore quarterback Conner Lulis accounted for four touchdowns during the game and threw for 230 yards.  Senior tight end/defensive end Kaden Sanders, who was injured in the loss to Seeley-Swan the week before this past one, was back in action and had a big night for the Tigers hauling in two TD passes from Lulis and scoring one on the ground.  He had 60 yards receiving. 

Junior Barrett Bessette also caught a touchdown pass from Lulis, good for 55 yards.  And senior Hunter Stolla also had 60 receiving yards and a touchdown for the victors.  The other Tigers’ TD was scored by sophomore Nate Bohn on a Lulis pass. Bohn who three catches for 30 yards. 

On the defensive side of the ball, Bessette and Sanders had 14 and 16 tackles respectively, while Bohn had one interception. 

Next on the schedule for St. Regis is a rare Thursday game (Oct. 17) in Plains. 

“It makes for a short week to prepare for Plains on Thursday,” Allan said. “But I like the way we’re playing at the tail of the season."