St. Mary`s Preview | Video

Alexander Gorney | 8/20/2012

A solid 2010 season capped with a West Region title for the St.Mary`s football team led to high expectations for last season. The Saints struggled to start the 2011 campaign only to find their winning ways to end it and their late season success from last year could push the Saints deep into the playoffs this time around.

It was a tale of two seasons for the Saints last season.

"We had some things that went against us early, some of it was injury some of it was tough luck so we started out slow but we turned our season around we got better every week, the kids kept working hard, they focused," said head coach Dan Smrekar.

Despite starting the 2011 campaign at 0-5, St Mary`s Central had the look of the 2010 region title winning team towards the end of the season. The Saints won four in a row, which was enough to qualify for the playoffs. But this years team has some familiar faces in new places, starting with Trent Bohan.

The wide receiver will be the full time quarterback in 2012 replacing all-state QB Preston Tescher.

"He loves to compete and that`s what you need is someone that loves to compete, someone that loves to lead. And he likes to do both and we`re very excited about what he`s going to be doing for us at quarterback."

Seven starters return on a team that only allowed an average of 14 points a game in their last four games of the regular season.but players say the team won`t be as big along the defensive and offensive lines.

Add in the success from the end of last season, and coaches and players believe it will translate well for this year`s squad.

The Saints will start their season Friday night at Wahpeton. The Saints first home game is the following Friday. They host Lisbon on August 31 at the Community Bowl.

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