Lawson-St. Pius X getting ready for showdown

Dion Clisso/PrepsKC

By Dion Clisso PrepsKC Managing Editor
Posted: September 15, 2010 - 10:00 PM



For years it looked like St. Pius X and Lawson would meet up in a Class 2 playoff showdown. The Warriors were the kings of Class 2 around the turn of the century with three state titles in five seasons and Lawson was a team that looked to be right on their heels.

Well the matchup never came and St. Pius X moved up to Class 3. Lawson would continue to be one of the better programs in Class 2 and would win a title of its own in 2007. In 2008 the two schools decided to just go ahead and schedule some regular season games so the anticipated matchups would be able to take place.

The first game at Lawson went to the Warriors and the Cardinals returned the favor at St. Pius X 20-7 last year Friday night at Lawson the schools will play the third installment of this new rivalry with both teams coming in on high notes.

The Cardinals enter at 3-0 and are one of the top teams in Class 2. The Warriors are 2-1 but have won their last two games and are again looking like a team that will be a playoff factor in Class 3.

St. Pius X coach Rick Byers knows it will be a tough game when the two take the field Friday night.

“I think their stadium will be full and they will be ready to go,” Byers said. “I think there are some people who think that Lawson doesn’t like us. I don’t think it is that. I think we both respect each other and know that we are going to have to play hard to win.”

The Cardinals will be looking to continue a season that is already off to a great start. Lawson opened the year with a tough 17-7 over Class 2 defending champion Maryville. Since then the Cardinals have been blowing people out and look ready for the challenge of St. Pius X.

“We know they will be very well coached,” Byers said. “They are going to be very explosive and come at us with a lot of motion.

“Defensively they will probably try and stop our running game. That’s what they did to us last year. They really committed to that and we expect them to try and stop (Anthony) Zicarelli and keep him from getting big gains.”

No matter who comes out on top Friday night the battle at Lawson should be a good one.