As the MIAC wealth-spreading continued last Saturday, St. John’s dispatched Augsburg, got help from the Oles by winning, and the Cobbers by losing, the season’s final game is set up to be the virtual first round of the playoffs. No way could anyone have scripted this season to play out like it has.
Just like the California dolls and their best friend Harry, we’re playing for all the marbles here.
Though the Johnnies have not seemed to be the powerhouse this year that we have grown accustomed to (spoiled?), this year’s team’s effort can hardly be characterized as ignominious. You have to score to win, and you have to win to get to this point, and the Johnnies have done just enough of both to enter the last game of the season tied for first with their worthy opponent Carleton. This game is what D3 football is all about. Johnnie fans will surely attend in great numbers and it remains to be seen whether it will create enough excitement to lure the “Harvard/Yale of the Midwest” students away from the warmth of the library for a few hours of cold, fresh air. No doubt, the boys on the field will be ready to play.
As the perennial powerhouse, St. John’s will be in the usual position of playing in the opponent’s Super Bowl. But Carleton will be a force to be reckoned with. For St. John’s to prevail, the tenacious D will need to play tough, as they have all year. The offense will perhaps have to play their best game of the year. It’s been good enough to win other games, though often just barely, but none of the previous opponents match up to what they’ll face in Carleton. Weather will be a factor, but both teams will be playing in the same conditions. The Jays will need to be able to run the ball, and Boyle will probably not be able to call his own number as much as he has in past games. (AND DON”T RUN THE OPTION TO THE SHORT SIDE OF THE FIELD!). Penalties, turnovers and other mistakes, by either team, could tilt the balance to the opposition.
Don’t forget your mittens and your booties Johnnie fans, and bring home our marbles.
Maah-bles!
