With Districts Looming, Sullivan Travels To Owensville For Key Contest

Sullivan rides a three-game winning streak into Owensville on Friday in a game that will have serious implications on the district playoffs.

The Eagles (4-3) are still seeded fourth in the Class 3 District 2 standings.

Owensville (4-3) is right behind in fifth.

Sullivan has the edge in points — 38.45 to 33.24. Owensville was demolished by Union on Friday, 48-12. 

If the standings hold, the teams will meet again two weeks from now in Sullivan in the first round of districts.

Sullivan still has a chance to move up to third. Borgia (4-3, 41.29) was defeated by Cardinal Ritter on Friday.

Borgia plays Festus this Friday before the teams collide in the regular season finale on October 25.

Eagles head coach Cody Davis said Owensville will present a challenge.

“Owensville at Owensville is a tough game,” said Davis, whose team is trying to win its fourth straight for the first time since the 2013 season. “There are a lot of implications for the postseason. They’ve got a young, hungry group and playing well.”

Davis said the styles will contrast, with Owensville leaning towards being a flashy offense and Sullivan preferring a bruising running game.

“We’re just looking forward to the competition,” Davis said. “We need to have another great week of practice and go to work.”

Sullivan was 1-3 following a 17-6 loss to St. Clair in Week 4, but they have turned the offense around behind the running back duo of Ethan Krygiel and Kristian Harms.

“Our defense has been playing great all season long, but our offense has figured some things out,” Davis said. 

A district championship once seemed out of reach, but Davis said he believes the team is getting close to that point where they can challenge for the title.

“I feel we’re getting there,” he said. “There are a lot of good teams in our district, but we’re starting to become a good team, too. Our players never got down. They never decided to give up or quit. They committed themselves to getting better and the coaching staff committed to getting better.”

Roosevelt (5-1, 47.91) remains the No. 1 seed in the district, but St. Clair (7-0, 47.57) is lurking. 

Following Borgia, Sullivan and Owesville is a trio of winless teams.

Bayless (0-6, 20.16), Lutheran South (0-7, 19.89) and Confluence Prep (0-4, 11.17) are likely to be the sixth through eighth seeds.