The No. 4-ranked St. Thomas football team’s postseason fate was revealed Sunday night. The Tommies, who had already clinched a spot in the NCAA Division-III playoffs, will square off against the University of La Verne (California) in the first round.
The Leopards (8-1 overall, 7-0 conference) finished first in the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and ranked second in the SCIAC in total offense and sixth in yards allowed. La Verne’s lone loss came in the second regular-season game when it fell 39-20 to Whitworth (Washington). Coach Glenn Caruso said the unknown is the toughest part about his team’s first round playoff game.
“Never played that team, never even played a team from that league,” Caruso said. “It cuts both ways, the unknown is a benefit in some ways, and the unknown could build some anxiety.”
La Verne relies heavily on its run offense and running back Travis Sparks-Jackson. The senior rolled up 1,366 yards and 18 touchdowns. Running back Dallas Parent is also a crucial component of the ground attack, racking up 742 yards and 10 touchdowns this season. The man under center, quarterback William Livingston has thrown for 1,693 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions so far this year. Defensive end Anthony King-Foreman said the working relationship between the defensive backs and defensive linemen will cause havoc for the Leopards.
“It works hand in hand, (the defensive backs) cover the guys, so we have time to get there and we get there early, so they don’t have to cover very long, so it goes both ways,” King-Foreman said.
If the Tommies (10-0 overall, 8-0 MIAC) ring the victory bell after this Saturday’s contest, St. Thomas could potentially host long-time rival St. John’s at O’Shaughnessy Stadium on Nov. 28. St. John’s battles Dubuque (Iowa) in its first round game. The Tommies snatched a 35-14 victory over the Johnnies in the highly publicized meeting in Week 4, but King-Foreman knows the team can’t overlook the Leopards.
“Not going to lie, it’s probably more difficult knowing that they’re (St. John’s) there, but we’re just going to stay focused on La Verne and take it one game at a time,” King-Foreman said.
The last time the Tommies hosted a playoff game was a 28-14 triumph against Wisconsin-Oshkosh in the 2012 national semifinals. The Tommies’ first postseason appearance since the 2012 campaign was last season’s 37-31 defeat at Wartburg (Iowa). King-Foreman is glad said there are “a lot of positives for having that first game at home.”
“It’s huge, playing in front of your home crowd; you get the home crowd advantage, you’re in your familiar surroundings, you don’t have to miss school there’s,” King-Foreman said.
Jesse Krull can be reached at krul7386@stthomas.edu.