St. Joseph Huskies look to get past sectionals for first time in ten years over Mishawaka

SOUTH BEND, Ind. -- It's Friday, and that means it's another night of high school football in Michiana. 

The remaining Hoosier teams are playing in the Sectional Championship game this week. 

ABC57's Game of the Week is a battle between two 10-1 heavyweights, as the Mishawaka Cavemen host the St. Joseph Huskies.

St. Joe's Head Coach Ben Downey says it will be their toughest battle yet.

"Well, they keep getting tougher, and that's how it's supposed to be when you're playing for hardware," says Downey.

This 10-1 St. Joe team has met its match.

Besides their record being in common, another thing both the Huskies and the Mishawaka Cavemen have in common is who gave them both their only loss; undefeated 6A giant, Penn.

Despite success in the postseason so far, Downey knows no game will compare to this one.

"We know that we've done some really good things in Game 1 and Game 2, and we know that if we bring forth that same effort it won't be enough and that same level of preparation won't be enough," says Downey.

Part of their preparation, before perfecting their own plays on offense, is making sure their reliable defense has a plan of attack for Mishawaka's ground and pound Wing-T offense, as well as being ready to get physical up front.

"It just requires a next level of preparation that is needed to just be in the right spot, and after that it comes down to being physical and making plays on both sides of the ball," Downey explains.

The "win or go home" and "one more week" mentality has been crucial for the Huskies as they aim to keep chipping away in the postseason.

"There's just more that you're playing for, significantly more that you're playing for," Downey says. "Because the season is a grind; people are beat up, and people are tired, and coaches are tired as well. But you want it to end at the right time in the right way, so you don't want it to end prematurely. So, you do everything in your power just to extend each and every week in the playoffs just to have one more week with the guys, the seniors in particular." 

Although, both he and his team know their goal to play next week and advance to regionals is not unique to them.

"I just think once you get to this stage in the playoffs, everybody wants it just as bad as they possibly could," says Downey.